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Whilst Wolves deserve tremendous credit for their wonderful performance on Sunday, Arsenal will be frustrated not to have been able to beat their newly-promoted opponents at the Emirates Stadium. The draw marked the Gunners’ third Premier League stalemate in a row, taking their unbeaten run to 16 matches in all competitions, but showing that they still have plenty of room for improvement under Unai Emery.

The visitors were the better side at the weekend as the north London club had the heroics of goalkeeper Bernd Leno to thank for their undeserved draw. None of the Arsenal players shone, but a few in particular struggled especially. 

Amongst those who turned in notably poor performances was the Arsenal left-back, Sead Kolasinac.

[brid autoplay=”true” video=”327140″ player=”12034″ title=”Rafa’s Pub Facts Leicester Trump Man City Chelsea & Liverpool”]

The stocky defender has only recently returned to the team after a pre-season injury saw him ruled out for the start of the campaign. An injury to the first choice left-back, Nacho Monreal, has seen the 24-cap Bosnia and Herzegovina international come straight into Emery’s starting XI.

The powerful defender joined the north London club on a free transfer in the summer of 2017. However, despite scoring five goals in all competitions for his new club, the 25-year-old failed to impress during his first season in England.

With Monreal ageing, the Spaniard will likely soon need to be replaced by a new first-team left-back, whose arrival could also signal the end of Kolasinac’s time at the Emirates. If he is to avoid that fate, then Kolasinac must impress during this run in the side he is currently enjoying.

Against Wolves, however, he did little to help his cause.

Having been defensively suspect since his arrival in England, the weaknesses in Kolasinac’s game were once again exposed on Sunday. Whilst Wolves mounted several attacks, the former Schalke man could not produce a single interception, block or clearance and only managed to make one tackle.

Despite being an attack-minded full-back, he was equally poor in possession. He did not complete any dribbles, produced no key passes and racked up a disappointing pass completion rating of 76.9%. 

On top of that, Kolasinac also committed three unsuccessful touches – more than any other player.

All in all, it was a poor display from the defender who must start doing much better, and soon, if he is to forge a future for himself at the Emirates under Emery.

Celtic fans will be hoping Kieran Tierney’s injury is not long-term after the defender was forced to withdraw from the Scotland squad.

The youngster was forced out of Scotland’s UEFA Nations League clash with a leg injury, adding to the mounting list of casualties for Alex McLeish. Tierney was unlikely to play in his favoured left-back role due to the presence of Andy Robertson but was earmarked for a spot at right or centre back. Brendan Rodgers will be hoping the injury isn’t serious with the Hoops finally starting to hit their stride this season.

With less than two months remaining until the transfer window reopens, the former Liverpool boss will be in the process of identifying potential recruits to give his side a welcome boost in the New Year. With concerns over Dedryck Boyata’s future at the club, Rodgers would be wise to target a new centre-back.

One man who should definitely be of interest is Chelsea veteran – Gary Cahill. Valued at £9m by Transfermarkt, the 32-year-old has been a mainstay for the Blues since joining from Bolton Wanderers back in 2012 but has found playing time hard to come by following the appointment of Maurizio Sarri. Cahill has played just 21 minutes of Premier League football this season and will be allowed to leave the club on loan in January until his contract expires next summer.

Rodgers would be wise to bring the experienced defender to Parkhead when the window reopens. Cahill has a vast amount of knowledge, lifting two Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy during his spell with the Blues. Should Celtic progress to the knockout stages of the Europa League, Cahill’s leadership qualities could be crucial to their young squad.

If Chelsea are willing to fund the majority of his wages – this move should be a no-brainer.

Celtic fans, thoughts?

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The Metro recently reported that Manchester United are prepared to sell Marcos Rojo in the January transfer window.

Rojo has hardly featured for the Red Devils in recent months due to injury, but it would seem that Jose Mourinho is not planning to offer the 28-year-old defender a second chance to impress at Old Trafford.

The Playmaker FC squad decided to wind-up some unsuspecting Brazil fans at the Emirates on Saturday night. Watch the hilarious results in the video below…

With United apparently looking to offload the Argentine centre-back, who can also feature as a left-back in January, West Ham would be wise to seize this opportunity to make a smart signing.

The Hammers added well to their defensive contingent in the summer. New arrivals Issa Diop and Fabian Balbuena have both impressed at the London Stadium. However, Manuel Pellegrini’s squad lacks quality depth to cover the heart of his backline, especially with Winston Reid ruled out with a long-term injury.

Adding the 59-cap Argentina international to the Irons’ squad in January would create competition for places and also give them a stronger platform to kick on from in the second half of the campaign.

Plenty of Hammers fans are certainly on board with signing Rojo, with 64% of those who took part in our poll voting in favour of the move. See the full results below.

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Rangers will look to boost their chances of reaching the knockout stages of the Europa League when they host Villarreal at Ibrox on Thursday night.

The Glasgow giants have won one, drawn two and lost one of their four fixtures so far, but a closely-contested Group G means that they are in third position but just one point off both the top and the bottom of the table.

Having drawn 2-2 in the corresponding fixture in September, a victory against Villarreal could prove to be crucial in the Steven Gerrard’s men’s bid to reach the round of 32.

On the chalkboard

While the Scottish Premiership outfit have only conceded 11 goals in 13 league fixtures to date this term, it has sometimes been a different story for them in Europe.

Last time out, they suffered a defensive disasterclass as they conceded four goals in Russia against Spartak Moscow, while they also let in two on the road against Villarreal.

Gerrard will know that his team can’t afford a repeat of those performances if they are to get the win they crave on Thursday, and he must make changes to his backline to ensure that is the case.

Playmaker FC’s Matchday with Max caught up with Jamaica’s women’s team. See what happened when he met the history makers in the video below…

What changes should he make?

Captain James Tavernier and Connor Goldson are pretty much guaranteed starters in the Rangers backline right now, but the other centre-back and left-back roles are far less certain.

Gareth McAuley has started the previous two league games and came on as a late substitute against Spartak – although he  hasn’t featured in the Europa League aside from that – and given the impressive partnership Goldson and Joe Worrall had earlier in the season they should start at the heart of the defence against the Yellow Submarine.

Meanwhile, another 2018 arrival in Jon Flanagan has largely alternated with Andy Halliday at left-back, but with Borna Barisic potentially fit for Thursday’s huge clash having been out of action since the end of September, he must come back into the side to deal with the Villarreal threat given the ex-Liverpool man suffered a nightmare night in Moscow previously.

Fingers can be pointed at the Chelsea board for a variety of reasons. They’ve let many top talents go over the years for pennies, whilst many of the signings that they’ve made have been well below par.

Furthermore, their hiring and firing of managers practically every other year has always divided opinion, as it should.

However, their latest announcement – confirmation of a new deal for Cesar Azpoilicueta (until 2022) – should offer anything but division amongst Chelsea fans. Indeed, this is something that supporters should be celebrating, because it’s the smartest thing that the club has done in a long time.

First and foremost, perhaps most obviously, Azpilicueta is a tremendous player. He’s arguably been the most consistent defender in the Premier League over the last few years, and regardless of where he plays, he excels. He was a revelation at centre-back under Antonio Conte, but he’s shifted back to his more natural right-hand role this term, and he’s continued to be so consistent.

Furthermore, you must also consider the leadership that he provides. He’s the current captain of the club in place of Gary Cahill, and he’s led his team valiantly so far this term. The Spaniard is also one of the last remaining bastions of the Chelsea of a few years ago, with the squad undergoing a complete rebuild over the last couple of seasons. That comes with a real knowledge and passion for the club, and most of all, it has given him a natural affiliation for the team – and the passion that he displays is evident. He inspires his teammates.

Significantly, it’s also worth noting his age. Chelsea have a policy of only offering 30-year-old+ players one-year contracts. By offering him a long-term deal at 29-years-old, Chelsea have avoided any sort of uncomfortable position, and so they can be sure that the defender will remain at the club for the foreseeable future. This was a very smart move from the club.

Whichever way you spin it, this is great news for Chelsea, and the board deserve so much praise.

Thoughts?

Wolves have continued their excellent start to life back in the Premier League with a 2-1 win over Newcastle this weekend.

Nuno Santo’s men have really adjusted well to the Premier League, and look like being in the running to make a big push to finish in the top half of the table come the end of the campaign.

Wolves have looked impressive, and they are more than likely going to be around for a few years yet with their off field connections to players and lack of money problems meaning they can go and spend big again if they need too.

However, the squad does look thin at times, and we at the Tavern think a few more additions wouldn’t go amiss at

Molinuex.

One man we think who would make a solid addition is Watford midfielder Will Hughes, who has been in superb form for the Hornets this term and looks like really developing into a top class Premier League midfielder for years to come.

The potential was always there with Hughes, but he is kicking on now, and while Watford will in no way want to lose him, Wolves are a club on the up, and signing a player like Hughes would be a big statement of intent.

Classy in possession and capable of causing havoc around the opposition box, the young England man would make a shrewd addition to the Molineux club if a deal could be done.

Wolves fans, what do you think? Good signing? Let us know in the comments!

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According to The Mirror, Aston Villa want to sign Chelsea youngster Ethan Ampadu on loan during the January transfer window.

Ampadu made his first-team debut for Exeter City at the age of 15, and went on to appear 13 times for the club before joining Chelsea in the summer of 2017.

The Welshman made seven first-team appearances for the Blues last season, including one in the Premier League.

The midfielder has only made two Europa League appearances this term, however, and it is understood that he could be available on loan at the start of 2019.

According to The Mirror, Villa will battle Derby County for his signature.

The Villa fans have been on social media offering their views on the situation, and it would be fair to say that a number are keen for the deal to take place.

A selection of the Twitter reaction from the Villa fans can be seen below:

Liverpool’s transfer policy under Jurgen Klopp has been nothing short of a revolution. The Reds had been used to overpaying on overrated talents, but that’s completely changed under their German boss.

Shrewd moves for the likes of Mohamed Salah, James Milner and Andy Robertson have given rise to a new-look Liverpool, and on the field, they’re now enjoying the fruits of their labour.

Now, another opportunity could be presenting itself, and it’s vital that the Reds take note. As per Yahoo Sport, PSG Sporting Director Antero Henrique has revealed that Adrien Rabiot will not be signing a new deal at the club.

Though a January exit has not been ruled out, it seems that, at this stage, Rabiot would prefer a summer exit, and so for Liverpool, this could offer the chance at their shrewdest move yet.

Of course, he’d come without a transfer fee, and they took a similar approach with the signing of James Milner, and look how that turned out. He’s now one of their best players.

That said, the signing of Rabiot would blow Milner’s arrival out of the water, make no mistake.

At 23-years-old, Rabiot is a player for the present and the future, and his qualities are evident. He’s perhaps best known for his ability as a deep-lying playmaker, a role in which he’s able to make the most of his incredible range of passing. The Frenchman has bags of ability on the ball, and he’s able to carve up a defence with ease if given the ball in the right area.

He’s also physical, and so that would aid his transition to the Premier League, and given the high-press style that the Reds adopt, that’s important.

Rabiot would demand a significant salary, but his availability cannot be passed up by Liverpool. The prospect of landing him as a free agent won’t come up again, and it would be huge for the club.

He’d help to make their midfield even better.

Thoughts?

Leeds United winger Jack Clarke is beginning to make his mark for the Championship high-flyers despite being just 18 years of age.

The teenager didn’t make his debut for the Yorkshire outfit until he came on as a late substitute in the 1-1 draw against Brentford at the beginning of October, and he has since been a regular from the bench.

One of those occasions was during the 3-2 win against Aston Villa at Villa Park on Sunday, and he helped to swing the game in the visitors’ favour by making it 2-1 in the 56th minute, with Marcelo Bielsa’s men going on to win 3-2 thanks to Kemar Roofe’s late goal.

Meanwhile, another Leeds academy graduate in Lewis Cook, whom the Elland Road faithful would have been devastated to lose, departed for the Premier League and Bournemouth in 2016 having made an impressive start to his Leeds career, making 85 appearances in all competitions before joining the Cherries at the age of 19.

The now 21-year-old has gone on to make 56 outings for the south coast outfit and even earned his first senior England cap, and he looks set for a hugely bright future.

Given the talent both players clearly have, we want Leeds fans to vote on our poll above to tell us whether they think winger Clarke is an even bigger prospect than Cook was, or if the central midfielder comes out on top.

Who are the best away fans in the Championship? Playmaker FC’s Thogden gives his top 10 in the video below…

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Kalvin Phillips took to social media to apologise to his Leeds United teammates and the club’s fans for being sent off against Nottingham Forest on New Year’s Day.

Phillips, who was deployed in central defence against Forest, was handed a straight red card in the 42nd minute of the Championship match.

Leeds went on to suffer a 4-2 defeat, meaning that Marcelo Bielsa’s side have lost their last two in the league, although they still top the table.

Phillips has been outstanding for Leeds this season, but there is no question that his red card played a big role in his team losing at Forest.

After the match, the Englishman took to social media to apologise to his teammates and the fans for mistiming his tackle on Adlene Guedioura.

The Leeds supporters were quick to rally behind the 23-year-old though, and that is certainly fair when considering just how impressive Phillips has been this season.

A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:

Pl>ymaker FC’s Matchday with Max caught up with Jamaica’s women’s team. See what happened when he met the history makers in the video below…