The Edge - 20 September 2022

22 theSUN ON TUESDAY | SEPTEMBER 20, 2022 FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM SCAN
SPORTS ME
@thesundaily

RODRYGO and Federico Real win spiky derby the net from close range after 36
Valverde scored to earn Real Rodrygo, Valverde on target as Madrid continue perfect start minutes.
Madrid a 2-1 win over
neighbours Atletico Madrid in broke the deadlock in the 18th minute, Antoine Griezmann in the starting landed a sucker-punch. The Uruguayan has four goals and
a heated derby yesterday to return to he danced in celebration with Vinicius, line-up for the first time this season, Aurelien Tchouameni scooped a two assists in seven games across all
the top of La Liga. to the chagrin of Atletico’s enraged and they were on top in the opening competitions, cementing himself as an
supporters. Some threw objects, stages. delightful pass over the defence and essential presence on the right flank for
Carlo Ancelotti’s side have started including lighters, at the duo. Rodrygo smartly dispatched it past Jan Ancelotti.
their title defence in perfect fashion, Spurred on by the rowdy Oblak.
with a 100% record from six games. “Derbies are always important but atmosphere, Diego Simeone’s side “(Valverde) and Rodrygo are very
This victory took Real two points above today was a bit different for what pressed high up the pitch and put Los Atletico tried to fight back, with a special players, because they are what
Barcelona, who had leapfrogged into happened during the week,” said Blancos on the back foot, with Felipe fierce drive from Griezmann flying past the modern footballer has to be,” said
first on Sunday. Rodrygo. heading over and Dani Carvajal the post and Thibault Courtois denying Ancelotti.
deflecting a Yannick Carrasco shot into Carrasco, before Madrid struck
The game was marred by racist “We responded on the pitch, and I the side netting. another killer blow. “They can play in various positions,
chants aimed at Real Madrid’s only talk for myself. I am very happy to they have something that stands out,
Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior play well and to score another goal.” Geoffrey Kondogbia launched an Vinicius, persistently whistled by technique, physique, we are delighted
outside the stadium before the game, effort at goal which missed narrowly, Atletico fans, combined with Luka with them.”
sparked by criticism of his dancing goal Madrid were missing the injured but with Atletico dominant, Madrid Modric before hitting the post and
celebrations and a subsequent debate Karim Benzema while the hosts picked Fede Valverde followed up to slam into Mario Hermoso pulled a goal in the
over whether that criticism was racist. 83rd minute but Atletico could not
complete an unlikely comeback.
Fans also threw objects at Vinicius
after a Real goal and aimed racist “This Real Madrid reminds me of
chants at him in the closing stages. the team that we had, with Diego
Costa,” noted Simeone.
After another Brazilian, Rodrygo,
“When there is that forcefulness,
football is marvellous.” – AFP

Messi strikes early BRIEFS
to keep PSG top Kahn backs Nagelsmann

LIONEL MESSI struck after five Napoli make BAYERN MUNICH CEO Oliver Kahn
minutes as Paris Saint-Germain edged title statement said the club are “dissatisfied” with
Lyon 1-0 to regain top spot in the their poor run of league results but
Ligue 1 table ahead of Marseille AC Milan’s Brahim Diaz still have faith in head coach Julian
yesterday. (left) in action with Nagelsmann. Bayern’s 1-0 defeat to
Napoli’s Giovanni Augsburg on Saturday was the first
Neymar set up the Argentinian Simeone during the Serie time in 87 matches they had failed
with his seventh assist in eight Ligue 1 A match yesterday at the to score in a league game and
games. San Siro yesterday. – marked the first time in 20 years
REUTERSPIX they have gone four league games
The victory pulled PSG two points without a win. “We are not dealing
clear of Marseille who had taken top NAPOLI announced their bid for the Serie A title with match unbeaten run for Milan, who levelled in the with any other coaches now. We are
spot earlier with a 1-1 draw at home yesterday’s 2-1 win at AC Milan which maintained their 69th minute through Olivier Giroud and were unlucky totally convinced of Julian,” Kahn
against Rennes. league lead, while the crisis at Juventus deepened to lose after hitting the woodwork late on through told Sky Sports yesterday. “Of course
following a humiliating defeat at Monza. Pierre Kalulu. we are all dissatisfied, in a bad
Lorient, 3-1 winners over Auxerre, mood. We have to get to the bottom
are three points adrift of the leaders. A Matteo Politano penalty 10 minutes after “I am not happy at all and neither should my of it. And assume that as soon as it
halftime and Giovanni Simeone’s header with 12 players be. We only scored one goal and that isn’t starts again against Leverkusen, we
Lens dropped to fourth after being minutes remaining gave Napoli a statement win at the enough for the chances that we created,” Pioli told will and must fully attack. Maybe the
held to a goalless draw in Nantes. San Siro, one managed without injured star striker DAZN. belief has taken root in one or two
Victor Osimhen and suspended coach Luciano people that you can do the
“PSG played a great game tonight, Spalletti not on the bench. “I hope we learn to be more clinical in front of goal Bundesliga on the side. But that is
against a difficult team which was because we did everything right except for the not the case.”
waiting for us,” said PSG coach Napoli sit top of the pile on goal difference from mistakes we made in both penalty areas.”
Christophe Galtier. Atalanta, 1-0 winners at Roma, and a point ahead of Osaka out to break slump
Udinese, who beat Inter Milan 3-1 in yesterday’s early Atalanta are level with Napoli after Giorgio Scalvini’s
“We scored a good goal and could match to win their fifth match on the bounce. beautifully hit low strike 10 minutes before the break STRUGGLING Naomi Osaka (pix)
have scored others. at the Stadio Olimpico earned them the three points. admitted yesterday that she had
They are also three points ahead of champions gone through “more down than up”
“We were much more balanced, Milan who drop down to fifth after their first defeat of Roma were livid 10 minutes when referee Daniele this year as she tries to break out of
Neymar in particular gave us a the season. Chiffi didn’t give the hosts a penalty for Caleb Okoli her slump at her home Pan Pacific
balance which was really necessary. yanking at Nicolo Zaniolo’s shorts to the point that his Open this week. The former world
Even if we were less mobile in the “This is not just about quality, this is a determined underwear was visible. No. 1 and four-time Grand Slam
second half we still had a lot of team which is capable of sacrifice,” said substitute champion has plummeted to 48 in
chances.” Simeone to DAZN. “I need to change what I tell my players, I have to the women’s tennis world rankings
tell them to not to stay on your feet… be a clown like after a wretched run that has seen
PSG were imperious in the first half “All this team wants to do is to give its all and get many who dive like they’re in a swimming pool do in her crash out in the first round of her
but did not finish off their opponent better day by day.” this league,” said Roma boss Jose Mourinho to DAZN last three tournaments. “This year
who woke up after the break with after being sent off for his protests. – AFP has been not the best year for me
Johann Lepenant coming on in place Simeone’s first Serie A goal for Napoli ended a 22- but I’ve learned a lot about myself,”
of a tired Corentin Tolisso. Osaka said. She admitted that her
fall from the sport’s summit had
But Galtier’s side held on to inflict been difficult to handle. “It was kind
Lyon’s third defeat of the season. of hard at first, just because I feel like
I should be somewhere where I’m
Galtier’s “MNM” attack is firing on obviously currently not,” she said. “I
all cylinders, with eight goals in Ligue think for me it’s more about being at
1 for Neymar, seven for Kylian Mbappe peace with myself. I know that I’m
and four for Messi. here for a reason.”

Earlier, Marseille midfielder Matteo
Guendouzi scored both goals in a 1-1
draw at home against Rennes.

Guendouzi bundled past home
keeper Pau Lopez to give Rennes the
advantage after 26 minutes but the
former Arsenal player redeemed
himself with a header past ex-
Marseille goalkeeper Steve Mandanda
seven minutes after the break.

Mandanda returned to a warm
welcome for his first match back at the
Velodrome where the former Marseille
skipper spent 15 years before leaving
for Brittany in the summer.

“He was very good, very calm,
while it was very difficult for him
emotionally,” said Rennes coach Bruno
Genesio of Mandanda who holds the
record for the number of games
played for Marseille with 613. – AFP

SECOND-HALF goals from Jordan Siebatcheu, Becker star for Union Berlin match press conference “Union
Siebatcheu and Sheraldo Becker deserved the victory”, but said it
propelled Union Berlin back to the well with his table-topping team, exert any influence from outside.” Baumgartl told broadcaster DAZN was too early for the Wolves to be
top of the Bundesliga with a 2-0 that he could take a back seat. Before the match, the biggest “that’s exactly what I was dreaming concerned about relegation.
home win over Wolfsburg. of after chemotherapy. These are
“I thought it was very impressive cheer from the Alte Foersterei emotional moments for me.” “No-one is relegated after seven
Union, in only their fourth year in how the side delivered - it was a crowd was reserved for returning games - and no-one becomes
the top division, are the very mature performance in my defender Timo Baumgartl, who While Union sit in first, Wolfsburg champions,“ Kovac said.
Bundesliga’s only unbeaten team eyes,“ Fischer told German news made his first appearance in the end the round second last in the
after seven matches and will finish agency SID. starting XI since overcoming table, with one win and two draws “We are not doing the basics
top for the second week in a row. testicular cancer. from seven matches. right. Passion, brotherhood, fighting
“In the second half we were very spirit, that’s what we are missing at
Union manager Urs Fischer dominant. I didn’t feel the need to Speaking after the victory, Manager Kovac told the post- the moment. (And) that’s what I see
suggested things were running so at Union.” – AFP

█ RICHARD JOLLY 23theSUN ON TUESDAY | SEPTEMBER 20, 2022
* SPORTS
IT WAS not the complaint that a midfielder
who specialises in delivering goals and assists ‘It’s not about football’
in copious quantities might have been De Bruyne calls out Grealish critics after Englishman finally scores
expected to voice.
“We work in a day and age where everyone Erling Haaland’s arrival. “I feel like foreign players, if you have a night “I don’t feel anybody necessarily thinks about
talks just about goals and assists,” said Kevin De Judge Jack Grealish on his goals and his assists out, we don’t really get checked that often. how he felt moving away for the first time and
Bruyne. Whereas I feel if an English player goes out, it is people think it is always easy to do that.”
and he looks unexceptional. always in the media somewhere.
His last two trips to Molineux have yielded four De Bruyne’s selflessness is often shown when Yet it can be natural that price tags confer
goals and three assists, rendering him a topic for “I think people are taking this on board also. expectation. A contribution always extends
conversation and praise alike. he picks out a teammate in a better position and What he does in his private life he does, nobody beyond goals and assists, as he said, but eight City
the man who has unlocked many a defence should care, but people do.” players scored more than Grealish last season; 10
By creating two goals on Saturday, he drew defended Grealish. made more goals.
level with Steven Gerrard on 92 in the Premier De Bruyne believes references to the £100
League’s all-time assist charts and, by the end of The Belgian scored 15 League goals last million fee can be a case of playing the man, rather If scrutiny comes with money, it is also a
next season, he may overhaul Cesc Fabregas, who season, five times as many as the Englishman. De than the ball, asking for greater understanding of consequence of joining a club higher up the
mustered 111, and stand second only to Ryan Bruyne nevertheless echoed his manager’s regular Grealish’s circumstances. League.
Giggs. refrain that he does not judge players on goals.
“I don’t feel people (who criticise) tend to care “With all due respect, he was at Villa before and
It is a record that is still more remarkable when “It is not about football,” he said. “Outside of about persons anyway,” he said. “They try to see if you lose a game sometimes it is not the end of
his 35 Bundesliga assists are factored in. football, the focus is more on them. I understand the facts and talk about the money and talk about the world,” De Bruyne said. “But if we lose a game
because they are English and people tend to look all the rest around it. it is different.” – The Independent
Judge De Bruyne on the end product and he is more what is happening.
a creative phenomenon as well as a player who
had the most prolific season of his career last year
before reverting more to the role of supplier after

RESULTS & STANDINGS Reasons why Cardiff sacked Morison

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE: Brent-
ford 0 Arsenal 3 (Saliba 17, Jesus 28,
Vieira 49), Everton 1 (Maupay 53) West █ PAUL ABBANDONATO
Ham 0. THERE is never a dull moment at minutes at Middlesbrough Cardiff in the Championship this season. Rock-b
P W D L F A Pts Cardiff City – and certainly no-one when Cardiff, boosted by ottom Coventry, who’ve played three fewer
Arsenal 7 6 0 1 17 7 18 can accuse Tan Sri Vincent Tan of an early goal for a change, matches, have scored as many goals as Cardiff.
Man City 7 5 2 0 23 6 17 not being decisive. scored three crackers
Tottenham 7 5 2 0 18 7 17 before halftime. Was the owner too ruthless? Has he acted
Brighton 6 4 1 1 11 5 13 Just 10 games into the new It was enough to win too quickly? Did Morison deserve more time?
Man Utd 6 4 0 2 8 8 12 Championship campaign, Cardiff’s the game, but the Everyone will have their own view.
Fulham 7 3 2 2 12 11 11 Malaysian owner has sacked the second half was more of
Chelsea 6 3 1 2 8 9 10 manager he tasked with bringing in the same old backs-to- Mine is that Morison did a fabulous job
Liverpool 6 2 3 1 15 6 9 17 new players and totally the-wall and no real revamping the squad during the summer,
Brentford 7 2 3 2 15 12 9 revamping the squad during a cutting thrust. getting rid of the unwanted old guard, bringing
Newcastle 7 1 5 1 8 7 8 summer overhaul. Huddersfield away on in a plethora of fresh faces more suited to the
Leeds 6 2 2 2 10 10 8 Saturday was the final more modern football style he wanted from his
Bournemouth 7 2 2 3 6 19 8 The reason is because Tan feared straw. Another blank in front team.
Everton 71425 6 7 the struggling Bluebirds would hurtle of goal. Another dismal loss.
Southampton 7 2 1 4 7 11 7 towards a major relegation fight unless Seven goals in 10 He did this against the backdrop of a tight
Aston Villa 7 2 1 4 6 10 7 he did something to arrest the slide. games is a pretty budget, but commendably portrayed the right
Crystal Palace 6 1 3 2 7 9 6 woeful record. Only message and was always upbeat about what
Wolves 71333 7 6 This was a decision based on results. shot-shy Preston was happening. However, Morison had to back
West Ham 7 1 1 5 3 9 4 On the face of it, a record of Won 3, have scored this up with results on the pitch. Some fans
Nottm Forest 7 1 1 5 6 17 4 Drawn 2, Lost 5 isn’t too bad for a fewer feared he was too cautious in his approach to
Leicester 7 0 1 6 10 22 1 completely new team. But than games, needed to let gifted youngster Rubin
Cardiff’s chronic lack of Colwill off the leash far more.
LA LIGA: Osasuna 0 Getafe 2 (Iglesias creativity and
30, Sosa 76), Villarreal 1 (Baena 51) absence of any real The critics would say his substitutions were
Sevilla 1 (Torres 8), Real Betis 2 (Iglesias goal threat by and large predictable, there was no real Plan
15, 71) Girona 1 (A. Martinez 7), Real perturbed Tan B and perhaps the lack of a cutting edge was
Sociedad 2 (Sorloth 17, Mendez 29) and he did not always going to cost in the end.
Espanyol 1 (Exposito 19), Atletico see any
Madrid 1 (Hermoso 83) Real Madrid 2 evidence of It’s such a shame that having done the
(Rodrygo 18, Valverde 36). those painstaking and indeed excellent work
TOP 5 P W D L F A Pts problems throughout the summer, Morison perhaps
Real Madrid 6 6 0 0 17 6 18 being wasn’t quite bold enough with team selection
Barcelona 6 5 1 0 18 1 16 addressed. to make the most of those fine transfer
Real Betis 6 5 0 1 10 4 15 dealings.
Athletic Bilbao 6 4 1 1 12 4 13 They
Osasuna 6 4 0 2 7 5 12 were for a Go a goal up and Cardiff were fine; go a goal
brief 45 behind and there was never any confidence in
SERIE A: Cremonese 0 Lazio 4 them clawing their way back into a game the
(Immobile 7, 21-pen, Milinkovic-Savic Steve Morison way previous Bluebirds’ sides often managed to
45+2, Pedro 79), Fiorentina 2 (Ikone 13, do.
Gonzalez 90) Verona 0, AC Milan 1
(Giroud 69) Napoli 2 (Politano 55-pen, Tan, it must be stressed, isn’t always ruthless
Simeone 78), Monza 1 (Gytkjaer 74) with his managers. He backed Russell Slade,
Juventus 0, Roma 0 Atalanta 1 Neil Harris and indeed Mick McCarthy when
(Scalvini 35), Udinese 3 (Skriniar 22-og, fans were clamouring for them to go, hoping
Bijol 85, Arslan 90+3) Inter 1 (Barella 5). they could turn things around. He acted far
TOP 5 P W D L F A Pts more decisively with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and
Napoli 7 5 2 0 15 5 17 Paul Trollope, plus Malky Mackay to a degree.

The decision to dismiss Morison so shortly
after backing him with a summer rebuild
perplexes many supporters, but Tan could only
see things getting worse, rather than better,
and the trigger was pulled. – WalesOnline

Atalanta 7 5 2 0 11 3 17 Early favourites for the Bluebirds job
Udinese 7 5 1 1 15 7 16
Lazio 7 4 2 1 13 5 14
AC Milan 7 4 2 1 14 7 14

BUNDESLIGA: Union Berlin 2 NATHAN JONES and Sean Dyche have with the club’s philosophy this summer.
Wolfsburg 0, Bochum 1 Cologne 1, been installed as the early frontrunners We wish him the best for the future.
Hoffenheim 0 Freiburg 0. by the bookies to become Cardiff City’s
TOP 5 P W D L F A Pts next manager. “Mark Hudson will oversee first-
Union Berlin 7 5 2 0 15 4 17 team affairs at this time, assisted by
Dortmund 7 5 0 2 9 7 15 The Bluebirds announced yesterday Tom Ramasut, whilst the club considers
Freiburg 7 4 2 1 10 5 14 that they had parted company with options for the position.”
Hoffenheim 7 4 1 2 12 7 13 Nathan Jones Sean Dyche boss Steve Morison after a poor start to Paul Warne Michael Carrick
the season. Bookmakers have been quick off Mark Hudson
Bayern Munich 7 3 3 1 19 6 12 the mark in formulating their
Cardiff sit 18th after 10 games of candidates for Morison’s successor,
FRENCH LIGUE 1: Reims 0 Monaco 3, the campaign, having lost to with Jones the early market leader at
Brest 0 Ajaccio 1, Clermont 1 Troyes 3, managerless Huddersfield Town on 4/1.
Nice 0 Angers 1, Marseille 1 Rennes 1, Saturday.
Nantes 0 Lens 0, Lyon 0 Paris Saint- Dyche, who has been out of work
Germain 1. “Cardiff City Football Club can since leaving Burnley last season, is
TOP 5 P W D L F A Pts confirm that first-team manager Steve placed at 5/1, with former City boss
Paris SG 8 7 1 0 26 4 22 Morison has been relieved of his Neil Warnock at 6/1.
Marseille 8 6 2 0 16 5 20 duties,” a statement said.
Lorient 8 6 1 1 17 12 19 Tony Pulis, Paul Warne and Cardiff
Lens 8 5 3 0 16 7 18 Neil Warnock Tony Pulis “We’d like to thank Steve for his coach Hudson make up the next in the
Monaco 8 4 2 2 13 12 14 efforts during his time at Cardiff City, running, which also includes former
stabilising the first team last season Manchester United midfielder Michael
and helping to evolve our squad in line Carrick. – WalesOnline

QUOTE OF THE DAY

It is not about football. Outside of football,
the focus is more on them. I understand
because they are English and people tend to look
more what is happening. I feel like foreign players, if
you have a night out, we don’t really get checked that
often. Whereas I feel if an English player goes out, it
is always in the media somewhere.”
TUESDAY • SEPTEMBER 20, 2022 Kevin De Bruyne

Lampard hails importance of Everton’s win over Hammers

FRANK LAMPARD said Everton results in terms of wins. real hope we can we move in an million (RM810m) on new signings, he responded well in the last two or three
registering their first win of the Premier “We are starting to fix some things, upward direction. feels part of the problem lies in the years and there is no reason they
League season was a “big deal”. we are harder to beat, we don’t “There is so much work to do on performances of the players who took cannot reach those heights again.”
Neal Maupay’s first goal for the club concede so much. that front. At this moment it is massive them to sixth and seventh in the last Moyes felt his side were affected by
earned a 1-0 victory over West Ham at “It is great for the group, for us to get a win. Hopefully we will two seasons. their efforts in the Europa Conference
Goodison Park as the Toffees signed particularly going into the break, get better but to get a win today was a Moyes feels they can reach such League after they beat Silkeborg on
off for the international break in the because it gives confidence for the big deal for us.” levels again and said it is his Friday but, as he wants to play in
best possible way. group and club alike. It is a win we feel West Ham remain stuck in the responsibility to get them performing continental competitions every year,
Lampard’s side had played well in we have deserved in house. bottom three after another again. feels it is something they have to get
recent weeks without getting full “There is no doubting that because disappointing afternoon, which came “The players who played last year used to.
reward, so the boss was pleased to get of how we have been playing and the on the back of last week’s Europa are down on their level,” he said. “We “The truthful answer would be yes
the monkey off their back. feeling in the group. Conference League trip to Denmark. have shown signs we were getting but I don’t want to give it up so why
“It’s really important because – “The feeling I have is the spirit is The Hammers have lost 13 of their back to it but I don’t think we did would I use it as an excuse?” he said.
obvious fact but – when you play well growing and the application of the 26 Premier League games in 2022 and today. He felt a draw would have been a
and don’t get what you think you group is big but you need a result. boss David Moyes believes West Ham’s “I need them to play at their best. I fairer result at Goodison Park, adding:
deserve it leaves the table not looking “The fact is we are not conceding top players have been below par this am the one who takes the “We didn’t play well. I don’t think
so great,” he said. so much and are unbeaten in four in season. responsibility and I have got to get Everton played well either. It was a
“For the confidence of the group to the league coming into this, but we all West Ham have only got one them back at that level quickly. tight game. Did we deserve to win?
see the work they are doing and the know we want wins. Premier League win and just three “We have to keep going and keep No. Did we deserve to lose? Probably
spirit they have got can bring some “We are 13th now and there is a goals and while Moyes has spent £150 putting the work in, the players have not.” – The Independent
Gunners to the fore
Arteta pleased to avenge ‘character-building’ Brentford loss

William Saliba
(right) scores
Arsenal’s first goal
past Brentford
keeper David Raya
during yesterday’s
EPL match. –
REUTERSPIX

MIKEL ARTETA was happy to banish the our football.” and enjoy it.’ scenarios as possible for him.
nightmare of last season as Arsenal Such was Arsenal’s dominance that Mikel “I don’t know what it is. When I met him, when “The goal here and the way he went about the
went back to the top of the Premier
League with a clinical 3-0 victory at Arteta could even afford to give 15-year-old I looked at him, I had that feeling.” ugly part of the game, I was really impressed with.”
Brentford. midfielder Ethan Nwaneri a late run-out as a The Gunners took the lead in the 18th minute, England new boy Ivan Toney cut an isolated
substitute, making him the Premier League’s
The Gunners were back at the scene of their youngest player. Saliba’s glancing header from Bukayo Saka’s figure in Brentford’s attack as a sarcastic tweet he
dismal 2-0 opening-day defeat last season which corner bouncing in off the inside of the far post. sent after last season’s match, “nice kickabout with
pre-empted their worst start to a campaign for 67 Arteta said a “gut feeling” led him to introduce the boys”, came back to haunt him.
years. Nwaneri, who reportedly drew strong interest from Ten minutes later Jesus doubled the lead with
a clutch of top Premier League clubs, including another header, this time from a neat chip into the It was a message copied and tweeted by
But they are a different animal this term and Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea. box from Granit Xhaka. Gunners defender Gabriel after yesterday’s
proved it with an organised, inventive display and encounter.
three well-taken goals from William Saliba, But the Arsenal boss believes the young talent The second half began in a similar vein and
Gabriel Jesus and Fabio Vieira. now has a chance to prove his prowess with the when Saka laid the ball off to Vieira 25 yards out he Bees boss Thomas Frank said: “They are the in-
Gunners. took aim and curled a superb finish in off the post. form team in the division along with Manchester
“I’m really pleased with the performance and City so we needed to perform 10 out of 10 to get
to win the match and go top of the League going “It was a pure gut feeling, I met the kid and I It was a spectacular way for the Portugal something, and we didn’t.
into the international break,” said Gunners boss liked what I saw,” said Arteta. midfielder to mark his first Premier League start
Arteta. since his £34 million (RM184m) switch from Porto. “They had to work very hard, which shows the
“He has trained a couple of times with us and I respect they had for us, but it’s a fair and square
“A lot of people described that day as had a feeling yesterday that if the opportunity “He’s having a good progression because he win in the end and we wish them luck as title
embarrassing but I looked at it as a character- came I would do it. missed pre-season due to injury,” added Arteta. contenders.”
building day.
“But I think it sends a strong message about “But we know his talent and why we signed him Frank’s future has been the subject of
“You have to learn from those moments and who we are as a club. I told him yesterday he and what he can bring to the team. He showed his speculation after links with Brighton and Leicester,
then days like today happen. We are enjoying would be with us and he had to be ready. He is character and his quality. but he insisted: “It’s very simple. I’m here at
ready. When he went on I said ‘congratulations Brentford and very happy.” – AFP
“He is a creative player, he needs to play with
his instinct and we need to create as many

theSun is published and printed by Sun Media Corporation Sdn Bhd (221220-K) of Lot 6, Jalan 51/217, 46050 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Tel: 03-7784 6688 Fax: 03-7783 7435 • Tel (Editorial): 03-7784 6688 Fax: 03-7785 2624/5 Email: [email protected] • Tel (Advertising): 03-7784 8888 Fax: 03-7784 4424 Email: [email protected]