Established 1961 27 Sports Wednesday, July 17, 2019 Arsenal open US tour with 3-0 friendly win Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos is close to joining Arsenal LOS ANGELES: Brazilian Gabriel Martinelli scored in Stadium and a lack of transfer strategy. Kroenke, who his Arsenal debut Monday as the English Premier began investing in the club in 2007 through his compa- League club launched their pre-season tour of the ny Kroenke Sports Enterprises and took full ownership United States with a 3-0 friendly win over the Colorado in 2018, also owns the Rapids as well as the NFL’s Los Rapids. Bukayo Saka and James Olayinka also scored Angeles Rams. for the Gunners, who cruised to the victory at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in suburban Denver. Martinelli, Ceballos close to joining Arsenal the 18-year-old forward signed from Ituano on July 2, In related news, Real Madrid midfielder Dani was given a surprise start in attack by Unai Emery and Ceballos is close to joining Arsenal on a season-long sent an early chance wide. loan, Spanish media reported yesterday. Newspaper Saka, 17, was an energetic presence and put Arsenal Marca said the 22-year-old would head to north up 1-0 in the 13th minute as he collected a through-ball London “without an option to buy”, and the Gunners from Eddie Nketiah. Another teenager — 18-year-old “would be responsible for 100% of the player’s salary, Olayinka — doubled the score in the 29th, seizing a which is about three million euros ($3.36 million).” stray pass from defense and racing in to fire into the Ceballos has also been linked with AC Milan and top left corner of the net. Martinelli, having missed his Arsenal’s local rivals Tottenham, who reportedly want early chance, capped the scoring in the 61st when he to buy him. Marca said Unai Emery’s side are awaiting slotted home a cross from close range. a final decision from Real. Ceballos was voted the play- The Rapids, in the midst of the Major League Soccer er of 2017 European U-21 championship and was season, fielded a mostly reserve side that featured sev- picked on the team of the tournament at this year’s edi- eral players from the lower-rung Colorado Springs tion which Spain won. “He understands that he will Switchbacks. Arsenal, too, started a reserve team as have limited opportunities under Zinedine Zidane,” they begin their build up to the Premier League season wrote Spanish sports daily Marca. after again failing to secure a Champions League berth. Another Spanish sports newspaper, AS, wrote: The tour hasn’t started without controversy. Captain “Madrid need to trim the fat from a bloated squad and Laurent Koscielny refused to travel to the US, and a are looking to shift at least five players before the sea- group of influential Arsenal supporters’ organizations son starts.” Both papers reported Ceballos, who started published a statement on Monday hitting out at Stan his career at Sevilla, likes the idea of playing in London Kroenke’s “passive ownership”. and was swayed by the interest shown by Gunners boss Under a hashtag “WeCareDo You” the statement Emery, who managed Sevilla after the player had joined COMMERCE CITY: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang No 14 of Arsenal chases a loose ball during the second decried a “soulless” atmosphere at Arsenal’s Emirates local rivals Betis. —AFP half against the Colorado Rapids at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. —AFP

is a big and beautiful race.” The ninth Qatar’s Al-Attiyah edition of the rally started from Irkutsk in Russian Siberia on July 6 and ended dominates at 10 days, and 5,000 kilometers, later in Solskjaer confident China’s Gobi desert crossroads of Silk Way rally Dunhuang, the Silk Road outpost De Gea will sign famous for caves adorned with ancient DUNHUANG: After traversing Russia’s Buddhist statues and frescoes. forests, the Mongolian steppe and the The rally introduced a two-wheel cat- new deal soon deserts of northern China, Qatar’s egory this year and Britain’s Sam Nasser Al-Attiyah finally claimed victory Sunderland, who rides for KMT and won PERTH: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said yesterday he was in the “big and beautiful” Silk Way Rally the Dakar in 2017, became the first ever optimistic that goalkeeper David De Gea would sign yesterday. Unchallenged after the elimi- Silk Way motorbike champion. Winner of a new deal to remain at Old Trafford as Manchester nation on day two of his main rival — three stages, he beat Andrew Short of United prepared to face old rivals Leeds in Perth. Toyota teammate Yazeed Al-Rajhi of the United States, second and Adrien United’s pre-season tour of Australia has been over- Saudi Arabia — Al-Attiyah and French Van Beveren of France third. For the first shadowed speculation over the futures of several co-driver Mathieu Baumel cruised to time the race crossed the dusty stars, including De Gea who is in the last year of his victory, winning all the stages of a gruel- Mongolian steppe. It drew 181 competi- contract and has been linked with French champions ing competition. tors in car, motorbike, and truck cate- Paris Saint-Germain. His first victory in the Silk Way, adds gories, the latter won by Russian Anton The Spaniard is reportedly close to signing a new to Al-Attiyah’s three wins in the Dakar Shibalov. “It has been an amazing expe- five-year deal with United worth in excess of rally, including the 2019 edition. China’s rience, going through so much different £350,000 a week that would make him the highest Wei Han and Liao Min were second scenery, seeing so many different paid goalkeeper in the world. De Gea was rested from sights,” said Sunderland. “As far as the with Frenchmen Jerome Pelichet and DUNHUANG: Qatar’s driver Nasser Al-Attyiah (R) and his co-pilot France’s Mathieu United’s pre-season opener against Perth Glory on Pascal Larroque third. Al-Attiyah, twice race was concerned it was a tough one. Saturday but will line up against Leeds on Wednesday Especially these last three days in Baumel pose behind a flag of Qatar as they celebrate after winning the Silk Way second in previous editions of the race, Rally 2019. —AFP to wrap up the Red Devils’ 10-day visit to the Western said: “It was important to me because it China.” —AFP Australia city. “He’ll play and hopefully we can agree (on a new deal) with David, as I’ve said a few times,” Solskjaer told reporters. “That’ll be up to David to leadership of the Blues will be a major announce when that happens, if and when.” undertaking, with Chelsea having lost The United boss refused to be drawn on whether Lampard won’t their best player of recent times, Eden Leicester City and England centreback Harry Hazard, to Real Madrid last month, and Maguire was on his way to Old Trafford. “There’s look backwards serving a two-window transfer ban that been loads of speculation but I can’t really say any- prevents him from making new signings. thing,” Solskjaer said. “There’s a limit of players and as he takes But he said there was no reason to dwell whoever performs will be part of the team and who- on the ban. “I think I inherited very good ever doesn’t they will have to fight to get back in.” players. We cannot bring in any players After an unconvincing 2-0 victory over a depleted over Chelsea we know that... But I’m very happy with Perth, United will be hoping for a better performance YOKOHAMA: Chelsea legend Frank the squad. against one-time bitter enemy Leeds. The rivalry has Lampard said yesterday he won’t be “My job now is to work hard in pre- simmered since Leeds’ relegation from the English looking backwards as he takes on pos- season with them. I like my teams to play Premier League in 2004 but hostilities between the sibly the biggest challenge of his with a lot of energy and speed, with and passionate fan bases are still evident with extra secu- career: managing his former team. without the ball, so I want to win it back rity measures being put in place by organizers at Speaking in Japan where the Blues are as quickly as we can,” he said. Chelsea’s Perth Stadium. Solskjaer said United were excited to playing two friendlies, Lampard said he new $72 million signing, Christian Pulisic, renew the rivalry. “Of course you want to have games was “very happy” with his squad but is listed as one of the team members vis- against the biggest clubs,” he said. “It’s a great occa- expects to work the team hard during iting Japan, but it was not year clear sion for both sets of supporters and the players the pre-season. when he will arrive. YOKOHAMA: Frank Lampard (L), head coach of English Premier League because there were great games (in the past).” “For me the story is not to look back- Lampard declined to reveal the line- club Chelsea, shares a laugh with Croatian footballer Mateo Kovacic (R) Romelu Lukaku, who is reportedly looking to secure a wards,” said Lampard, whose return to up for the two friendlies on Chelsea’s during a press conference ahead of an exhibition match with Japan’s club move to Inter Milan, is set to play his first pre-season his former club as head coach was con- calendar, which include a much-antici- team Kawasaki Frontale. —AFP match against Leeds after recovering from a “niggle”. firmed earlier this month. “I know the pated face-off against Barcelona on July However, Luke Shaw is likely to miss out after suffer- club very well, I know the players very 23. American international Pulisic signed ing a hamstring injury in the match against Perth. well. I have my own way that I want to a five-and-a-half year contract with and became Chelsea’s all-time leading England midfielder has just one season United will have further pre-season games against work with the players,” he told reporters Chelsea in January but was immediately marksmen with 211 goals from midfield of managerial experience having led Inter Milan in Singapore on July 20 and Tottenham in in Yokohama, where Chelsea will face loaned back to Germany to finish the during a decorated playing career at Derby County to the Championship Shanghai on July 25, while Leeds will head to Sydney Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale on July 19. season at Borussia Dortmund. Stamford Bridge. But he has a lot to play-off final in May, when they were to face Western Sydney Wanderers. —AFP Lampard acknowledged taking on Lampard won 13 trophies in 13 years prove in his new role. The former beaten by Aston Villa. —AFP

Spaniard has since moved to China as coach ness from top to bottom and everyone Benitez exit a of Dalian Yifang. pulling in the same direction.” Newcastle, ence. I know I’m 34 and I’m getting a Newcastle are now among the favorites for who have seen Ayoze Perez move to Zabaleta says bit old and coming to the end of my relegation — Benitez was widely praised for Leicester City and will lose fellow forward career, I’m honest with myself,” said Zabaleta, who joined Manuel surprise, says steering the northeast club to 13th last term. Salomon Rondon, play Wolverhampton this is his last Pellegrini’s West Ham from Manchester Speaking in Nanjing ahead of the Premier Wanderers today. The other match in the City two years ago. “But I’m still a League Asia Trophy, the 29-year-old Ritchie mini pre-season tournament is between Newcastle good professional and try to give said: “To see the manager leave was disap- Premier League champions Manchester City Premier League everything for the team. “I’m still pointing because he had a good reign with and West Ham United. midfielder Ritchie Ben Dawson, Newcastle’s academy head enjoying (being) around the team and the club.”But it was a decision made between campaign helping young players. the manager and the club owners so it’s out of of coaching, and under-23s head coach Neil NANJING: Newcastle United midfielder “Definitely will be my last season in our hands. “Now we have to look forward to Redfearn are overseeing pre-season work in NANJING: Pablo Zabaleta says this Matt Ritchie said yesterday that he was England, for sure, this is something the Far East. Dawson said he was awaiting will be his last season in the Premier “surprised” and “disappointed” to see man- a new manager and a new season.” that I know,” added the right back, news like everyone else on who will take League and could even be his final ager Rafael Benitez leave the Premier Benitez’s departure last month was par- who was twice a Premier League over from Benitez, although all the signs campaign before retirement. The veter- League crisis club. Newcastle have ticularly galling for Ritchie because it was champion with City. “But I don’t know point to Bruce, a former coach of fierce an Argentine defender has signed a approached Steve Bruce over the vacancy the former Liverpool boss who recruited him in football, it’s not the right time to and the former Manchester United defender from Bournemouth in 2016. “I was surprised, rivals Sunderland. “Obviously all we can do new one-year deal with West Ham think about retirement now with a long has reportedly resigned as manager of I thought he was going to stay,” Ritchie said. is focus on the job out here,” said Dawson. United and revealed yesterday that it season ahead.” Zabaleta, who was one Sheffield Wednesday. “But he didn’t and you have to move on as a “We are just taking it day by day.” will be his swansong in English football. of the finest full-backs in English foot- But the time is ticking down to club and as individuals and I am sure the Midfielder Jonjo Shelvey said that no matter Asked if he will retire for good after ball in his pomp, said, “I will miss the Newcastle’s Premier League opener on new manager will come in with new ideas who eventually replaces Benitez, “we must the coming season, Zabaleta, speaking Premier League a lot, for sure.” West August 11 and the club has lost key players, and I’m looking forward to that.” be prepared to fight every week and make in the Chinese city of Nanjing, said: “I Ham will play Zabaleta’s former side in while also in limbo over the managerial hot Ritchie, perhaps mindful that Newcastle sure we don’t let our fans down. “There is don’t know, honestly. “The reason I’m Nanjing on Wednesday in the Premier seat. Newcastle fans were furious that hated fans have made clear they do not want life- nothing as players that we can do (regarding here is because I’m still enjoying my League Asia Trophy. The other game is club owner Mike Ashley failed to convince long fan Bruce at the club, added: “The key the manager), just do your job and get on football. I think I can still give 100 per- between Newcastle United and the hugely popular Benitez to stay, and the thing is that we have to create a together- with it.” —AFP cent for the team and use my experi- Wolves. —AFP