Chelsea receive approval for new stadium

Chelsea has received approval from the Hammersmith & Fulham Council for the club to redevelop Stamford Bridge.

The proposed rebuild will increase capacity from 41,663 to 60,000.

The plan was presented in model form at a hearing at Hammersmith Town Hall on Wednesday. After a three-hour meeting attended by Blues chairman Bruce Buck and director Eugene Tenenbaum, permission was granted.

Chelsea’s new stadium is expected to cost £500m and take three years to build.

“We are grateful that planning permission was granted for the redevelopment of our historic home,” Chelsea said in a statement.

“The committee decision does not mean that work can begin on site. This is just the latest step, although a significant one, that we have to take before we can commence work, including obtaining various other permissions”, it added.

Stamford Bridge is the ninth biggest club ground in England behind Manchester United, Arsenal, West Ham, Manchester City, Liverpool, Sunderland, Newcastle United and Aston Villa.

Arsene Wenger defends Guardiola's criticisim

Pep Guardiola's team lost 4-2 to Leicester at the weekend.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has defended Manchester City counterpart Pep Guardiola after his defensive tactics were questioned following a 4-2 loss to Leicester, saying criticism of the Spaniard has been "unfair."

Guardiola was criticised by pundits for dismissing the importance of tackling after his side fell to a second straight league defeat following a 3-1 loss to Chelsea the previous weekend.

"I'm not a coach for the tackles, so I don't train the tackles," Guardiola said after the Leicester game.

But Wenger said the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach should be applauded for his attack-minded style of play, and that his record proves his teams know how to defend.

"Pep Guardiola, like myself, we are for offensive football. And when you don't win, people question that. And that's as simple as that," Wenger said ahead of Arsenal's trip to Everton on Tuesday. "Overall, I think what he wanted to say is that he promotes a game that is positive and I agree with him on that. You respect him for that. I believe that he doesn't forbid his players to tackle.

It's true that in the trainings you focus on your players to play an offensive game. You look at the number of games he has lost in his career, you would think that he defends quite well. For me it's a bit the wrong debate. His teams usually defend well."

Defending champions Leicester have struggled badly to repeat their heroics of last season's stunning title charge, but looked back to their best against City as they took a 2-0 lead after five minutes and were 4-0 up by the 78th when Jamie Vardy completed a hat trick.

And Wenger pointed out that the strong start by Leicester didn't leave Man City much of a choice other than to expose themselves defensively for the rest of the game.

"I come back to one simple fact in that game. When you're 2-0 down away from home, against a team that is good on the counter-attack, you know you have have to come out like mad to come back," Wenger said.

"And you expose yourself on counter-attacks. What was the strength of Leicester last season? It was that. So they were in a position where they are at their strength after five minutes. Then you can criticise what you want. I believe it's unfair because they had to come out and they had to take the risk to be exposed on counter-attacks."

Wenger's own team have often been criticised in recent years for conceding too many goals on counter-attacks, but this season they've been a lot more successful when they're chasing a deficit. The Gunners have fallen behind in six games in the Premier League and Champions League, but finished those games with three wins and three draws.

One of those was Saturday's 3-1 home win over Stoke, but Wenger admitted that the Gunners have often had small margins on their side -- such as when Petr Cech made a good save to deny a Peter Crouch header when the score was still 2-1 against Stoke.

"I look at the history of the games, there are always turning points that have gone for us. It's never one-way traffic. Even on Saturday it could have been 2-2," Wenger said. "We manage to get the turning points on our side. I'm conscious that it's very tight. But I'm conscious as well that there is a resilience in the squad, because it's not a coincidence, six times."

Champions League and Europa League draw: This is who English teams could face

The Gunners could face Bayern Munich or Real Madrid despite beating the odds to finish first in their group.

Usually, topping your group is the best way to avoid facing a nightmare draw because you cannot face another group winner in the last 16.

But holders Real and German champions Bayern both finished second, meaning they could play Arsene Wenger’s men.

Arsenal could also be drawn against Europa League winners Sevilla – but a kinder draw would pit them against Porto, Benfica or Bayer Leverkusen.

The one big plus for Arsenal is that as group winners they are seeded and will play the second leg of their tie at home, which is usually an advantage.

Manchester City will avoid the likes of Real, Bayern and Barcelona but could still face tough opposition.

Last year’s runners-up Atletico Madrid and Italian giants Juventus are both potential opponents, along with Napoli, Monaco and Borussia Dortmund.

And it doesn’t get any easier for Leicester either despite them topping their group.

Claudio Ranieri’s men could face Real, Bayern, Sevilla, Paris St-Germain, Benfica or Bayer Leverkusen.
No team can be drawn against an opponent from their own country, or an opponent from the group stage.
All three teams will learn their fate from 11am on Monday when the draw begins in Nyon, Switzerland.
The first legs will take place on February 14/15 and 21/22, with the return legs on March 7/8 and 14/15.

Who will Manchester United and Tottenham draw in the Europa League?

Manchester United and Spurs will also learn their opponents in the last 32 of the Europa League.
Spurs are seeded having dropped out of the Champions League and will play the first leg on February 16 away. They could face the likes of Borussia Monchengladbach or Villarreal.
United are unseeded and could be drawn against the likes of Ajax, Roma, Schalke or Besiktas. The second legs will be played on February 23, which is just before United’s possible EFL Cup Final date should they beat Hull in the semis.

Wenger: Arsenal bigger than Ozil and Sanchez

Arsene Wenger has confirmed he will offer Santi Cazorla a new contract but insists Arsenal's future doesn't depend on whether Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez decide to stay, saying the club "is bigger than that."

Cazorla had surgery this week on a foot injury and Wenger had refused to say last week whether the club would exercise their option to extend his contract by another year.

The 31-year-old Spaniard's current deal expires next summer, but Wenger said on Friday that "we will extend, certainly, with Santi Cazorla."

However, the Arsenal boss is still facing a fight to keep his star duo of Ozil and Sanchez, who have reportedly refused to sign contract extensions as they hold out for a massive pay rise, with only 18 months left on their current deals.

Losing them would be a massive blow to a club that have insisted that their selling days are over after a period when a slew of star players exited for more money elsewhere.

Asked about the importance of proving they can now keep hold of top talent, Wenger said: "Yes, but Arsenal is a big club. It is not one or two players who will make the difference to the club. The importance is that we are today in a financial position that is strong, that was not the case before.

"That means as well we are in a position where we can plan our future, and do what we want to do. And what is important is always to take care of the values of the club, and the identity of the club, and not to depend too much on one or two players. The history of Arsenal is bigger than that."

Wenger said earlier in the day that he would not entertain offers for either Ozil or Sanchez next summer even if they refuse to sign new deals, meaning they could be allowed to leave for free the following year.

No matter what happens, contract negotiations are likely to continue to be a talking point for Arsenal throughout the season. Not only is Wenger's own contract up next summer, several other players will also need new deals before the end of the season to avoid a situation where they become available for free the following year.

That includes Jack Wilshere and Olivier Giroud, whose futures are also uncertain. Wilshere went on loan to Bournemouth this season to resurrect his injury-ravaged career, while Giroud has lost his starting spot to Sanchez and could grow restless on the bench.

"We work as well on Giroud and on many players, there are six or seven cases at the moment but that is the usual case, it is every year like that," Wenger said. "Giroud, Wilshere. That explains to you why we have a lot of work to do, but you are only interested in two cases."

Hector Bellerin signs new long-term contract at Arsenal

Arsenal right-back Hector Bellerin has signed a new long-term contract with the club, ending speculation about a possible move to Barcelona or Manchester City.
Bellerin declared Arsenal "my home," and made it clear that he intends to stay at the Emirates for "many more years" after agreeing a deal that ties him to the club until 2022.
Bellerin, who is currently sidelined with an ankle injury, already had a contract until 2019 but Arsenal had been keen to offer him an improved deal that would discourage any suitors.
The club did not offer details of the new agreement, but sources told ESPN FC earlier this month that Bellerin had agreed a six-year deal worth £95,000 a week.
The Spain international has emerged as a key player over the last two years, having joined the Arsenal academy from Barcelona as a teenager.
Barcelona had expressed interest in Bellerin after Dani Alves left for Juventus, sparking fears he may follow in the footsteps of Cesc Fabregas and return to his boyhood club. Former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola was reportedly also keen on bringing Bellerin to Man City.
However when announcing the new deal on social media, the 21-year-old said he had no plans to leave.
"Hello, everyone," Bellerin said in a video posted on Twitter. "Sorry to keep you guys waiting. I've had a very big meeting next door, so I just wanted to say that I just signed my new deal with the club so I'm really, really, really happy.
"As you know I've been here for a long time and I feel like this is my home and it was the right thing for me to do. So I'm very happy to still be a Gunner for many more years."
He added on Facebook: "A lot has changed in five years since I first joined the club. This is my home. The club who gave me my first opportunity. The club I will be at for many years."
Bellerin's contract is the first of many Arsenal hope to extend this season. Negotiations are still being held with star duo Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez over new long-term deals, while manager Arsene Wenger's future is also up in the air after his contract expires next summer.

Injury Update: Arsenal to assess Alexis Sanchez; Santi Cazorla likely out against Man United

Alexis Sanchez against Uruguay on Tuesday, 15 Nov, 2016

Arsenal will assess forward Alexis Sanchez on his return from international duty with Chile, but look set to again have to do without playmaker Santi Cazorla for Saturday's trip to Manchester United.
Sanchez is flying back to London after scoring twice as Chile beat Uruguay 3-1 in their World Cup qualifier in Santiago to get their bid to secure one of the four automatic places in Russia back on track.
The forward, though, had missed the goalless draw against Colombia in Barranquilla after suffering a hamstring problem -- with Gunners boss Arsene Wenger warning it would be a "suicidal decision'' to play him and risk further injury.
Sanchez, who has scored eight goals for Arsenal this season, will be checked over by the Arsenal medical staff once he reports back into the club's London Colney training base as Wenger looks to fine tune preparations for Saturday's crucial lunchtime kickoff at Old Trafford.
While the Gunners will be hoping to have Sanchez available, the player having posted an upbeat message on his social media accounts ahead of the Uruguay game, midfielder Cazorla is not expecting to be involved this weekend.
Cazorla has not featured since picking up an Achilles injury during the 6-0 Champions League win over Ludogorets at the Emirates Stadium on Oct. 19.
Speaking to Spanish radio station Cadena COPE, Cazorla confirmed his return was not imminent.
"I still don't know the exact time. I am trying to return as soon as possible to be with the team again, but I cannot say if it will be soon or if I still have a few weeks left,'' he said.
Alexis Sanchez battles for the ball with Edinson Cavani in Chile's 3-1 win against Uruguay.
Alexis Sanchez scored twice in Chile's defeat of Uruguay on Tuesday.
"It is what I do not know, but hopefully it will be as soon as possible.''
Wenger will be hoping for a clean bill of health from all of his returning internationals, having lost the services of forward Lucas Perez to an ankle injury just ahead of the international break.
Mesut Ozil was not involved in Germany's experimental lineup for their goalless draw against Italy in Milan on Tuesday night.
The attacking midfielder has been in impressive form this season, scoring a fine individual goal in the 3-2 win away over Ludogorets, which secured Arsenal's place in the Champions League knockout stages once again.
Ozil has challenged his teammates to produce another stand-out display to get the required result against one of their direct Premier League rivals -- just as they did when dismantling Chelsea 3-0 in September.
"[We need to] win every game, get as many points as possible and also be successful against the big teams, like we were against Chelsea,'' Ozil said on Arsenal Player.
"We have the quality to beat any team and that's what we want to show this season.
"You can see that the big clubs at the top have quality, and that we have to win every game because of how tight it is at the top.
"Our goal has to be to look at ourselves. If we win the games, we'll be at the top at the end.''

Mark Clattenburg to referee Arsenal vs. Tottenham

Mark Clattenburg will referee Sunday's North London derby despite criticism of his performance in last weekend's 0-0 draw between Manchester United and Burnley.

Clattenburg has been put in charge of the meeting between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium for his first Premier League appointment since sending off Jose Mourinho and Ander Herrera at Old Trafford.

Mourinho, who has been charged with misconduct by the Football Association after allegedly using abusive and/or insulting words toward an official in the tunnel at half-time, appeared to be frustrated at Clattenburg's decision not to award Matteo Darmian a penalty.

Herrera was later shown a second yellow card in controversial circumstances as he was deemed to have brought down Dean Marney but appeared to have slipped.

Herrera sent off by referee Mark Clttenburg, after receiving a second yellow

Clattenburg regularly takes charge of high-profile fixtures and refereed the FA Cup final, Champions League final and European Championship final in 2016.