SUNDAY, AUGUST 2, 2015 SPORTS Arsenal seek title proof in Chelsea encounter Community Shield

LONDON: Arsenal’s readiness to mount a sus- thing to go by. Citing the arrivals of Mesut Ozil “For 90 minutes the fans will support us. For tained title challenge in 2015-16 will be tested at and Alexis Sanchez, Mourinho claimed that any- sure, they will be on our side. Before and after Wembley today when they face one who totted up Arsenal’s transfer expendi- the game, I hope and I’m sure they will give Petr champions Chelsea in the Community Shield. ture over the past few years would be in for a respect.” To date, Cech is the only new player Arsene Wenger’s team finished last season at “surprise” and said that they were “more than that Arsenal have signed, but they announced a gallop, winning 20 of their final 26 games in all ready” to challenge for the title. on Friday that forward and mid- competitions and retaining the FA Cup by Wenger, whose tetchy relationship with fielder have penned new contracts. swamping Aston Villa 4-0 in a one-sided final. Mourinho spilled over into a touchline scuffle at Having finished last season with a flurry of They have carried that momentum into pre- Stamford Bridge last season, responded in san- goals and scored the winner against Wolfsburg season, winning all four of their matches, and guine fashion. in the Emirates Cup friendly tournament last having finally addressed their longstanding “I think what you want is not to listen too weekend, Walcott will hope to start up front goalkeeper problem by signing Petr Cech from much to what people say,” said the Frenchman, against Chelsea. Chelsea, optimism is abundant. “We want to win who has not beaten Mourinho in 13 attempts. Sanchez will not feature, having been grant- the league, of course we do,” midfielder Jack “Because sometimes in the same week I get two ed time off after scoring the decisive penalty in Wilshere told the Arsenal website ahead of the different reproaches: one, I don’t spend enough Chile’s Copa America triumph against Argentina English football season’s traditional opening fix- and one, too much.” on home soil, while remains out ture. “We feel we’ve been together a few years With the experienced Cech between the with a knee problem. Arsenal’s supporters will now, we’ve brought in world-class players who posts, Arsenal look much more robust defensive- hope for glimpses of young attacking trio Alex have had time to settle, we’ve added a world- ly, the Czech international having been allowed Iwobi, Jeff Reine-Adelaide and , all class ‘keeper with all of his experience-he’s been to join a major rival due to his close relationship of whom have impressed in warm-up matches. there and he’s done it; he’s won everything-so with Chelsea owner . Mourinho revealed on Friday that centre- we really feel we’re in a strong position.” Cech, 33, spent 11 hugely successful years at back and last season’s top scorer Arsenal will be wary of false dawns, having Chelsea before being dislodged by Thibaut will be fit to play despite sustaining dispatched then-champions Manchester City 3-0 Courtois last season, winning four league titles injuries on the club’s pre-season tour of the in last season’s Community Shield, only to finish and the 2012 Champions League, and former United States. 12 points below Chelsea in the title race. team-mate Branislav Ivanovic has urged the Radamel Falcao is expected to make his first But Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho appears club’s fans not to jeer him. domestic appearance for Chelsea since signing to consider them genuine contenders, if the “I hope they will give respect to him because on loan from Monaco following a torrid season comments he has launched in the direction of he deserves it,” the Serbian defender told the at Manchester United that saw him score only the in recent weeks are any- Evening Standard newspaper. four goals. —AFP United bank on

GERMANY: Stuttgart’s Argentinian defender Emiliano Insua (right) and Manchester City’s Spanish midfielder Jesus Navas vie for the ball during the friendly football match. —AFP Schweinsteiger

City go down in Stuttgart : The signing of Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger from Bayern Munich was a massive STUTTGART: Manchester City conceded Toure and City’s South American players statement of intent by Manchester United. four goals in 36 hapless minutes yesterday did not feature at all. Pellegrini withdrew Not since Roy Keane swaggered round the Old as they slumped to a 4-2 defeat by VfB captain Vincent Kompany at halftime, Trafford pitch from 1993-2005 have United had a mid- Stuttgart in a pre-season friendly. The replacing him with fellow Belgian Jason field enforcer with the skill, power and strength of Bundesliga club took full advantage of a Denayer in a reshuffle that saw Ivory Coast character to run the team. shambolic defensive display by the visitors striker Wilfried Bony replaced by 18-year- The 31-year-old Schweinsteiger, a World Cup win- in the first half. old Nigerian striker . ner and serial trophy accumulator with Bayern, has all Serbian midfielder Filip Kostic struck Argentine Bruno Zuculini also came on the attributes to emulate the charismatic Irishman. after 14 minutes and further goals followed for Evans and City hit back with two goals That is if United get the real Schweinsteiger, not from midfielder Daniel Didavi after 30 and in the final eight minutes. The lively the injury-prone model who has not started regularly fellow German striker Daniel Ginczek who Iheanacho grabbed the first and late substi- netted twice in the 35th and 36th. tute Edin Dzeko notched the second, the for Bayern in recent seasons and may be distracted by A week before the start of the Premier Bosnian target man converting from close his high-profile relationship with Serbian tennis play- League season, City manager Manuel range in what may be his final appearance er . Pellegrini selected a strong, if adventurous, before joining AS Roma. According to United manager has no doubt lineup in which 20-year-old George Evans media reports, the two clubs have agreed a about the German after working with him at Bayern. was chosen to hold the midfield behind fee of 14 million pounds ($21.88 million) for “Bastian is, of course, no stranger to me,” the five forwards. Ivory Coast midfielder Yaya Dzeko. —Reuters Dutchman said. “I am truly delighted he is joining Manchester United. “His record speaks for itself; he has won every honour at club level and was a major part of the successful Germany World Cup-winning Liverpool face devilish team last summer. “Bastian is the ultimate professional and there is no start to new season doubting his talent and his ability to control games. “He brings a wealth of experience and is an excellent LONDON: Liverpool manager Brendan of the club’s much-discussed transfer com- addition to our squad.” Rodgers could find himself under pressure mittee. Schweinsteiger has taken a gamble by leaving sooner than expected with a host of new Christian Benteke, a bullish and highly Bayern with whom he won eight Bundesliga titles and signings to bed in and a devilish run of fix- mobile targetman, has been poached from the Champions League. tures to kick off the new Premier League Aston Villa to add some brawn to a “I am very happy to be here and to play for Man campaign. There were rumblings of discon- Liverpool squad that at times looked light- United,” Schweinsteiger said.”It is a big honor. It’s a tent among supporters after the club fin- weight by comparison to their rivals last new step in my life. I want to win titles, it’s easy. ished last season in abject fashion with an year. Brazil forward was embarrassing 6-1 defeat at Stoke City to recruited for a substantial fee from Manchester United is used to that and I am too, so end a dismal streak that dropped them out Hoffenheim and comes with lots of prom- that’s my goal.” United badly need a midfield power- of Champions League contention. ise, while adds mobility and house. Rodgers came under heavy fire from a experience to the midfield and Nathaniel has shouldered the burden in disgruntled fanbase, who questioned his Clyne fills a vacancy at right back. recent seasons but, though a highly intelligent player credentials following a third trophyless sea- There has also been substantial change and cultured passer, he lacks the physicality needed son at the helm, but he lived to fight anoth- amongst Rodgers’ coaching ranks with for- to dominate Premier League matches as Keane used er day after an end-of-season review by the mer right-hand man Colin Pascoe dis- to do. club’s American owners. missed as assistant manager along with Schweinsteiger, supported by Carrick and fellow Doubts about his position, however, first-team coach . new signing Morgan Schneiderlin, has the ability to could resurface if Liverpool endure the sort Sean O’Driscoll, who enjoyed mixed for- fill that role. With freed to play as a of miserable start to the season they had tunes in managerial stints at Bournemouth, central striker rather than helping out an overrun mid- last year. Doncaster Rovers, Nottingham Forest and There has already been significant Bristol City, has come in as Rodgers’s new field, Van Gaal has the chance to play his best players change on and off the pitch at . assistant with former Liverpool midfielder in the right positions. None more so than the departure of long- Gary McAllister taking up a coaching role. If Schweinsteiger brings his A game to United they serving captain , who left The new arrivals will have to bed in have the resources to challenge Chelsea, Manchester the Premier League for a swansong at quickly as the fixture computer has not City and Arsenal and bring the Premier League title American side LA Galaxy. been kind, even if it has shown a comedic back to for the first time since 2013. If he Yet he was not the only high-profile exit bent by sending Liverpool back to the does not, and he did little of note in the pre-season as Liverpool’s standout performer from last Britannia Stadium to face Stoke in their tour of the United States, Van Gaal will probably fall CHICAGO: Manchester United defender Bastian Schweinsteiger looks to pass the ball season, , engineered an opener on Aug. 9. Then it all gets rather short in his lofty ambitions. —Reuters acrimonious departure to Manchester City. unpleasant as Liverpool face all of last sea- in this file photo. —AP In terms of new arrivals, however, there son’s top five away before the end of is evidence to suggest Rodgers has been November. Should they be struggling in trusted to bring in his preferred choices this the Autumn, there may be one more signif- time rather than having his will bent to that icant change on the horizon. —Reuters Man City hoping Sterling proves sound investment

LONDON: Demonised as a caricature of the last season when they trailed in behind ly justified. The snipers will be taking aim if highly-paid modern-day footballer whose ego Chelsea in the Premier League title race and things do not go to plan though, especially dwarfs his talent, Raheem Sterling will have under-achieved again in the Champions after a trophy-less season last time out when few fans when the Premier League begins League. With Sergio Aguero expected to play points were surrendered too easily against next weekend. as a lone striker this season, Sterling’s head- clubs who ended up being relegated, allow- Unless, of course, you support Manchester spinning pace and dribbling will compliment ing Chelsea to cruise home. City who made the 20-year-old forward the an attacking midfield boasting the vision and Trumping Jose Mourinho and regaining most expensive English player in history when craft of David Silva and and the the Premier League is Pellegrini’s priority but they paid a fee of up to 49 million pounds power of Yaya Toure. he also talks about going “a stage” further in ($76.31 million)to end his increasingly toxic Surrounded by players of such internation- the Champions League after falling in the relationship with Liverpool. al pedigree Sterling will not be the focal point round of 16 in 2014-15 — their best, albeit City have been relatively restrained during he was last season at Liverpool, despite the modest, showing to date. “I’m sure we are the transfer window but the signing of huge price tag, so with a fresh start and the going to be a very competitive team in all Sterling, described by Liverpool manager right attitude, his boots should do the talking. competitions,” he said. “I see the players are Brendan Rodgers as the best young player in “He has a lot of things we didn’t have in our hungry to win another title.” Europe, could prove to be a sound investment squad,” Pellegrini said. “He has a lot of pace Apart from Sterling, City also spent by Manuel Pellegrini. and I am sure in the future he will demon- around 20 million pounds on two other Splashing such a fortune on a player yet to strate why we paid so much money for him.” young English players-midfielder Fabian score a Champions League goal, let alone win If Sterling clicks into gear and hits the form Delph signed from Aston Villa and teenage any silverware, and still far from a polished that almost helped Liverpool to the 2013-14 winger Patrick Roberts from Fulham-a sign diamond, appears bold. title and briefly lit up England’s World Cup the club is trying to snap up the cream of Liverpool’s manager Brendan Rodgers Yet Sterling offers City a spark they lacked campaign in Brazil, Pellegrini’s faith will be ful- home talent. —Reuters