Sports
Arsenal preparing centurion send-off for legendary boss Arsene Wenger as they invite club legends to final game
Arsenal have invited Thierry Henry, Tony Adams and the other members of their 100 Club to attend Arsene Wenger‘s Emirates Stadium farewell.
The Gunners have written to all former players who have made 100-plus league appearances for the club ahead of the match against Burnley on Sunday — Wenger’s final home game. These include legends such as Bob Wilson, Frank McLintock and Sol Campbell.
Arsenal will use the fixture as a key element of their celebrations to commemorate the Frenchman’s 22 years in charge.
Whoever replaces Wenger is unlikely to have the iron grip over transfers that he enjoyed during his reign as it emerges that Konstantinos Mavropanos was signed without the 68-year-old being consulted. The Greek defender arrived in January and made his senior debut in the defeat at Manchester United. But it is understood Wenger had virtually no input into the decision to sign the 20-year-old from PAS Giannina.
The circumstances surrounding Mavropanos’s signing provide a clear indication of the direction Arsenal are headed in terms of their transfer strategy.
Head of recruitment Sven Mislintat’s influence has grown significantly since his arrival in November. Mavropanos was signed on his recommendation. Wenger had fought hard to keep total control over the club’s recruitment but Mislintat will almost certainly become the key voice over transfers once a new boss is appointed.
The Gunners have written to members of their 100 Club to invite them to the game
GUNNERS GREATS FROM ACROSS THE AGES
This was the amazing gathering of 31 centurions for the launch of Arsenal’s 100 Club in 2013. Everyone who has played 100 games for the club has been invited to the Emirates on Sunday for Arsene Wenger’s final home game.
Back row (from left): Lauren, Robert Pires, Gilles Grimandi, John Lukic, David O’Leary, David Price, Graham Rix, Brian Talbot, Andy Linighan, Martin Hayes.
Middle row: Sammy Nelson, Sol Campbell, Jimmy Rimmer, Liam Brady, David Hillier, Alan Smith, Tony Woodcock, Paul Davis, John Radford, Michael Thomas, John Hollins, Nigel Winterburn, Perry Groves.
Front row: Jimmy Magill, Jon Sammels, David Court, Bob Wilson, Frank McLintock, Alan Skirton, Billy McCullough, Terry Neill.
As well as identifying Wenger’s successor, the club are making one last attempt to secure Jack Wilshere’s long-term future.
As it stands, the midfielder will leave at the end of the season when his deal expires after failing to agree terms over an extension. But the club are making one final effort to resolve the contract dispute that has left a large question mark hanging over Wilshere’s future.
Wolves and Everton are poised to move for Wilshere if he leaves at the end of the season.
Meanwhile, long-term injury victim Santi Cazorla believes he can return to first-team action before the end of the season.
The Spaniard hasn’t played a senior match since October 2016 due to a chronic achilles problem that has required a series of operations.
‘I’ve still got some way to go, because after being sidelined for 18 months, everything has to be done in its own time,’ said the 33-year-old.
Thierry Henry is among the 31 players to have played over 100 league games for the club
‘But the sensations I have keep getting better and I’m feeling optimistic about the future.
‘The objective is to play some part with the team before the season ends, but we have to take things carefully.
‘After being out for so long it will take a while to get back into form, it’s a real struggle, but when you have been out like I have, you also notice pains elsewhere — apart from what I’ve had with my tendon.’
Real Madrid produced a spectacular comeback against Bayern Munich to reach the Champions League final with Joselu striking twice late on, earning them a 2-1 win on Wednesday to progress 4-3 on aggregate.
Alphonso Davies smashed the visiting German giants ahead in the second half but record 14-time winners Madrid produced a sensational comeback with Joselu netting in the 88th and 91st minutes.
Bayern Munich’s Canadian midfielder #19 Alphonso Davies scores his team’s first goal in spite of Real Madrid’s Ukrainian goalkeeper #13 Andriy Lunin during the UEFA Champions League semi final second leg football match between Real Madrid CF and FC Bayern Munich at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on May 8, 2024. (Photo by OSCAR DEL POZO / AFP)
Spanish champions Real Madrid face another German side, Borussia Dortmund, in the Wembley final on June 1, after they stunned the team they call their “black beast”.
Squad player Joselu, on as a late substitute, wrote his name in Madrid’s history books with his last-gasp brace.
Bayern Munich’s English forward #09 Harry Kane reacts to their defeat after the UEFA Champions League semi final second leg football match between Real Madrid CF and FC Bayern Munich at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on May 8, 2024. (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO / AFP)
“There have been a lot of times we have looked dead and buried, but we have that mentality of never say die,” said Real midfielder Jude Bellingham.
“Joselu deserves it all, he has been an amazing squad member this season.”
Madrid had enjoyed the better of the match but it seemed Davies’ superb strike had set up a repeat of the 2013 all-German final in London.
Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel made three changes from the first leg, benching veteran Thomas Mueller and Leon Goretzka.
Dani Carvajal started for Madrid after missing the first leg suspended and was heavily involved as the hosts dominated the opening stages.
Real Madrid players celebrate their second goal scored by Real Madrid’s Spanish forward #14 Joselu during the UEFA Champions League semi final second leg football match between Real Madrid CF and FC Bayern Munich at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on May 8, 2024. (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO / AFP)
Rodrygo Goes was inches away from converting Carvajal’s low cross and the Spain defender then cleverly set up Vinicius Junior with a pass nutmegging a defender, and Manuel Neuer tipped the Brazilian’s shot against the post.
The rebound fell to Rodrygo but his effort was weak and with a desperate arm Neuer was able to claw it out to complete a fine double save.
Bayern’s Serge Gnabry limped off injured with Davies replacing him before Harry Kane’s first flash of danger.
Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin was alert to push the England captain’s vicious long-range volley around the post.
Neuer palmed away a Vinicius free-kick as the teams ended a high-intensity, relentlessly frantic first half level.
The second period was just as fraught, with Davies’ cross deflecting onto the roof of Lunin’s goal.
Vinicius was unplayable down Madrid’s left and Rodrygo prodded his low cross agonisingly wide of the far post.
The 38-year-old Neuer made superb saves to deny both Brazilian forwards again before the hour mark as Madrid controlled the game and ratcheted up the pressure.
However just as in Munich, when Los Blancos were at their strongest, Bayern pounced.
Kane fed Davies and the Canada international cut inside from the left and smashed a shot beyond Lunin into the far top corner after 68 minutes.
Madrid thought they had levelled moments later through Nacho but after a VAR review the strike was ruled out as the defender had grabbed Joshua Kimmich’s face before shooting.
Tuchel took off Kane in the final stages to try and hold on to victory but it slipped through his fingers as Madrid produced more indelible European memories.
Neuer, who had been sublime to this point, fumbled what appeared a simple Vinicius strike and Joselu gratefully bundled home from close range.
With Bayern reeling Madrid struck again, decisively. It was Joselu once more, the striker on loan from second division side Espanyol, turning home after Antonio Rudiger cut the ball back to him.
The goal was ruled offside but officials overturned the decision after review, and after nearly 15 minutes of stoppage time, Madrid earned the chance to go for their 15th Champions League trophy.
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