Chelsea beat Arsenal to Mykhailo Mudryk signing, presents him to fans

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Chelsea has officially announced the signing of Mykhailo Mudryk from Shakhtar Donetsk after swooping in at the last minute.

Chelsea beat Arsenal in signing of Mykhailo Mudryk, presents him to fans

The 22-year-old winger signed an 8-year deal with the London club worth €100 million. Sources told ESPN that the package comprises a fixed fee of €70m with a further €30m in add-ons, matching the Ukrainian club’s valuation for the transfer of the 22-year-old. Mudryk previously indicated Premier League leaders Arsenal, are his preferred destination in a series of social media posts. Arsenal reportedly made their third offer for Mudryk on Friday, January 13. The bid was believed to comprise around €70m up front with what one source described as “significant add-ons,” although the overall package was still thought to be short of Shakhtar’s €100m valuation. Chelsea beat Arsenal in signing of Mykhailo Mudryk, presents him to fans He looked poised to sign for London rivals Arsenal before a last-minute intervention from Chelsea’s recruitment head Paul Winstanley and co-owner Behdad Eghbali on Saturday, January 14, with the pair flying to Turkey to negotiate the deal. Chelsea offered Mudryk a better wage package and a longer contract than what Arsenal tabled. Insiders also said the €30m in bonuses involved in the Chelsea deal are easily achievable. “We are delighted to welcome Mykhailo to Chelsea,” Todd Boehly, Chelsea chairman said. Behdad Eghbali, the co-controlling owner, added “He’s a hugely exciting talent who we believe will be a terrific addition to our squad both now and in the years to come. He will add further depth to our attack and we know he’ll get a very warm welcome to London.” Chelsea beat Arsenal in signing of Mykhailo Mudryk, presents him to fans The 22-year-old was in attendance for Chelsea’s game against Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge today, January 15, and he was presented to fans. Speaking to the club website, Mudryk said; “I’m so happy to sign for Chelsea. This is a huge club, in a fantastic league and it is a very attractive project for me at this stage of my career. I’m excited to meet my new team-mates and I’m looking forward to working and learning under Graham Potter and his staff.” The Ukrainian footballer is now the fifth arrival at Stamford Bridge in the January transfer window.

English FA launch spot-fixing investigation after Arsenal vs Oxford match

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The English FA has opened a spot-fixing investigation into suspicious betting patterns during Monday’s game between Oxford United and Arsenal in the FA Cup third round. English FA launch spot-fixing investigation after Arsenal vs Oxford match The investigation will be centered on an Oxford player who played in the match which ended 3-0 in favour of Arsenal.  Daily Mail reported that the FA has a dossier of evidence regarding supposed corruption that includes phone messages before kick-off at the Kassam Stadium concerning a specific incident. One message reportedly displayed a betting slip with around £200 staked on a specific bet at odds at 8-1. It is said that one bookmaker was forced to pay out around £1,600 following the clash.

English FA launch spot-fixing investigation after Arsenal vs Oxford match

Eyewitnesses at the Kassam Stadium reportedly saw many people celebrating in the stands, with several fans bragging about having won hundreds of pounds. It is however unclear how many bets were actually placed ahead of the game but the FA is taking the matter very seriously. Reacting to the development, Oxford United said in a statement;

English FA launch spot-fixing investigation after Arsenal vs Oxford match

“Oxford United can confirm that they have been made aware of a specific allegation of irregular betting around our Emirates FA Cup game against Arsenal on Monday evening. The club will co-operate fully with any investigation and while this is ongoing, we are unable to make any further comment.” This is also not the first time that an FA Cup clash involving the Gunners has ended in controversy.

Former Arsenal and Celtic striker Anthony Stokes arrested over possession of cocaine

Former Arsenal and Celtic striker Anthony Stokes arrested over possession of cocaine

Former Arsenal and Celtic striker Anthony Stokes arrested over possession of cocaine

Former Irish footballer, Anthony Stokes has been arrested and detained in Dublin after a short car chase following the discovery of £4000 worth of cocaine in his possession.
Former Arsenal and Celtic striker Anthony Stokes arrested over possession of cocaine
Stokes who failed to score in his 9 international appearances for Republic of Ireland during his career, sped off with a passenger in his car before being apprehended.  The vehicle was targeted in what the Irish police described as ‘an intelligence-led operation’.
An Irish police spokesperson told MailOnline;

“Gardai arrested two men (aged in their 30s) in the early hours of Friday morning in relation to incidents of dangerous driving in Dublin 12. A quantity of drugs was also recovered from the vehicle.
Former Arsenal and Celtic striker Anthony Stokes arrested over possession of cocaine

“Both men were detained in Crumlin Garda Station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 and have been charged in relation to this.

“They have since been bailed and are due to appear before court at a later date.”

Stokes came through Arsenal’s academy, making one appearance for them in the League Cup before leaving permanently for Sunderland in 2006. He is best known for his time at Celtic where he grabbed 76 goals in 191 appearances before leaving at the start of the 2015/16 season.

Mikel Arteta fumes at referee Andy Madley for not awarding two ‘scandalous penalties’ to Arsenal

Mikel Arteta fumes at referee Andy Madley for not awarding two 'scandalous penalties' to Arsenal

On Tuesday night, Arsenal was held to a 0-0 draw by Newcastle at the Emirates stadium in London.
Mikel Arteta fumes at referee Andy Madley for not awarding two 'scandalous penalties' to Arsenal
Speaking after the match, Arsenal’s coach Mikel Arteta who highlighted how Newcastle’s coach, Eddie Howe adapted his game plan to match that of his team, also lashed out at referee Andy Madley for not awarding two ‘scandalous penalties’ to the London-based club.
Arteta said;
“There were two penalties. It’s very simple. I’m talking about what I’ve seen. It was two scandalous penalties. Newcastle wanted to set-up like this. It is not the way they play. They have not set-up like this against anyone else.
Mikel Arteta fumes at referee Andy Madley for not awarding two 'scandalous penalties' to Arsenal
“When you cannot win you cannot lose and we kept a clean sheet and had a really good performance. Now we go again. We should have done some things better in the final third and we should have had two penalties to win the game.”

Arsenal is in a really good place to win Premier League

Arsenal is in a really good place to win Premier League

Arsenal is in a really good place to win Premier League - Arteta

Mikel Arteta has said that he feels that Arsenal is in a good place to win the Premier League which will be rebooted after the 2022 World Cup has been concluded.
Arsenal is in a really good place to win Premier League - Arteta
Recall that Arsenal went for the World Cup break with a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League.
Their first game at the relaunch of the Premier League will be a home game against West Ham on December 26.

Arsenal is in a really good place to win Premier League - Arteta

When asked about Arsenal’s title race after his side’s 2-0 recent friendly loss to Juventus, Arteta said;
“I think we’re in a really good place. Everybody is in a high emotional state because we are where we want to be which is the top of the league.
“I think we have deserved to be in the position that we’re in with the way we have played and approached games. This window has been to reinforce the position that we’re in. The good news is the amount of things we can still to do to improve to be a better team.”