The Armenian played down the significance of the Gunners’ latest Premier League win against Southampton, which saw them overtake Manchester United

Henrikh Mkhitaryan says Arsenal will not allow complacency to creep in as they chase a top-four Premier League finish, despite moving ahead of their rivals in the table.

Unai Emery’s side are now fourth in the standings on 53 points after 27 games, one ahead of Manchester United and three ahead of sixth-placed Chelsea, who have a game in hand.

The Gunners comfortably beat Southampton 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, thanks to goals from Alexandre Lacazette and Mkhitaryan, extending their winning run to four matches across all competitions.

Arsenal have endured a mixed 2018-19 campaign to date, but they seem to be hitting their stride at the perfect time, with huge fixtures against Bournemouth and Tottenham to come over the next seven days.

Speaking after their latest win, Mkhitaryan insisted that the squad is fully focused on taking one game at a time and not getting carried away by their current position in the table.

“We are not looking at the table at the moment because we still have lots of games to play,” Mkhitaryan said, per The Independent.

“The most important is to be focused and to be ready for every game because we are not going to think that we are in the top four and nothing will change. We just have to keep working and trying to our best to win three points in every game.

“It is not the main thing at the moment. The season is not done as we still have lots of games to play. The most important thing is to stay focused and keep winning games.”

Mkhitaryan’s 17th-minute strike against the Saints was his first since scoring in Arsenal’s 3-2 reverse fixture back in December and it capped a superb individual performance.

The 30-year-old has struggled for consistency at the Emirates since his switch from United in January 2018, but he thrived as part of a trio of attacking midfielders playing in behind Lacazette on Sunday.

Despite excelling in a more advanced role, Mkhitaryan went on to add that he will always give his best no matter what position Emery decides to play him in.

“It doesn’t matter where I play,” he said. “The most important is to be in the starting line-up and to help the team win games, that is the most important thing. I don’t care if I play from the left, the right or the middle – the most important is to do something good for the team.”

Mkhitaryan has now contributed five goals and two assists for the Gunners over the course of 16 Premier League matches this term and he is in line to retain his place in the starting XI for the home clash with Bournemouth on Wednesday.

When asked if he feels any pressure to maintain such a high level of performance to earn a regular spot in Emery’s line-up, the Armenia international responded: “Everyone knows what they have to do. There is nothing to be under pressure about because we know exactly what we have to do.

“We know how to play the ball and understand each other to have a good connection between the players to score goals.”

Former Red Devils midfielder Paul Ince believes the Norwegian’s exploits in an interim role merit the job on a long-term basis

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer should be appointed manager at Manchester United on a permanent basis, says Paul Ince, claiming ‘it would cause outrage’ if the Norwegian did not stay at the club.

Solskjaer has been a revelation since replacing Jose Mourinho, winning 14 of his 17 games in charge and losing just once since he took over in December.

During that time he has taken United to the quarter-finals of the Champions League after a dramatic 3-1 victory away to Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday night, as well as guiding them into fourth place in the Premier League.

Former England captain Ince says that Solskjaer has to get the job as he has changed the feeling around the club and made the fans happy for the first time in a long time.

“After the first few games for Ole at Old Trafford, I thought it was a bit premature to start saying he should get the job,” Ince told PaddyPower News.

“We knew there was a cloud hanging over the club, we knew that the players were unmotivated and unhappy. But no one expected United to do what they did in Paris, and that’s down to Ole.

“The most important thing is the Man United fans. And the fans are happy for the first time in a long time, so why would you want to change that? It would cause outrage if they didn’t go with him.

“For me, looking at it now, there’s no reason why he shouldn’t get the job.

“When you see the reports where the Molde CEO is saying he expects Ole back, but the United fans are calling for him to be named permanent manager, just put it to bed and appoint him now.

“Are they waiting until the end of the season to see if they can get someone else? If they’re not, then just come out and give Ole the job! He’s worked miracles.”

Although Ince was full of praise for the new manager, he has regularly said that it was an easier job than many have made out and believed he could have had a similar effect himself if he was appointed.

However, he has since acknowledged the impressive work Solskjaer has done and changed his view after the Red Devils’ run of form, which included overturning a 2-0 deficit against PSG.

He added: “As I said, initially, getting the players smiling was the first phase for Ole. I still believe anyone could have done that that knows the United way.

“What I would admit is, since then, Ole has taken it to another level. We expected them to beat the first so-called lesser teams that they played.

“But, now, what we’re seeing is he’s taken it to a completely different level. That love for Ole from the players, that change of mood, it hasn’t worn off. It’s just got better and better, and I’m over the moon about it.”

It was a hotly-contested position in 2016 and the spot at the back of the scrum will be intriguing again this season.

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Where do the contenders rank right now?

1.  Richard Hardwick

Richard Hardwick has bolted into Wallabies contention with a breakout Super Rugby season and coach Michael Cheika revealed last month that the 22-year-old was among a group on the verge of crossing over from development player to real Test side contender. With injuries and  suspensions plaguing the number eight contenders and David Pocock on a sabbatical, Hardwick’s stocks have skyrocketed.

2. Lopeti Timani

Had it not been for a brain fade against the Brumbies, Lopeti Timani would surely be a fair way in front in this race. Earmarked to succeed David Pocock during the latter’s sabbatical after a super Test season in 2016, Timani has shot himself in the foot. Timani will be back in action from round 13 onwards, giving him time to re-assert himself as the first-choice eight. 

3. Scott Higginbotham

Scott Higginbotham hasn’t missed a beat since returning to Super Rugby this season. While his defence can be patchy, it’s his dynamism in attack that gives him a real X-factor. The Waratahs were wary of the big man ahead of their derby and they were right to be. Three tries from nine games show his finishing abilities as well. 

4. Sean McMahon

Sean McMahon is yet to play this season but the Rebels are hoping to have their skipper back in round 12, a date that should give him just enough time to try and work his way back up the pecking order. He was given first crack at the number eight with David Pocock injured and is highly-rated by Cheika, with his potential shown in the World Cup and in his Test cameos. If he’s fit, he’s surely in contention. 

5. Michael Wells

Michael Wells has wrestled the starting Waratahs number eight jersey of incumbent Jed Holloway this season, as the latter works his way back to full fitness. Has played a consistent role in the Waratahs’ lineout this season and his work rate has helped them plenty. Would be a rank outside to be picked. 

6. Jed Holloway

Jed Holloway has failed to reach the 2016 heights that saw him clinch a hat-trick off the bench, after an injury-affected off-season. Long tagged as Wycliff Palu’s potential club replacement, Holloway has shown his ability to break the line this year but it’s not enough to propel him into Wallabies calculations.

Unavailable

David Pocock – sabbatical

President TrumpDonald John TrumpNYT publisher: US didn’t step in to protect reporter from arrest in Egypt so paper turned to Ireland Trump instructed administration to withhold military aid for Ukraine days before call with president: report More Democrats threaten impeachment over Trump’s dealings with Ukraine MORE is facing an escalating controversy surrounding a whistleblower complaint said to be centered on his communications with Ukraine’s leader.

Congress has not seen the complaint, even though Intelligence Community Inspector General Michael Atkinson determined that the allegations were credible and of “urgent concern.” 

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Here are five things to know about the complaint and the whistleblower process.

It’s supposed to protect classified information

The intelligence community whistleblower statute is set up to provide a pathway for individuals to come forward with allegations of urgent concern in a way that does not endanger classified information.

Atkinson, describing the process in a letter to Congress earlier this month, said it’s supposed to allow those complaining to contact congressional intelligence committees directly.

Someone making a complaint would first go to the inspector general (IG) to relay it. The IG for the intelligence community would then spend two weeks conducting a preliminary investigation to determine whether the complaint is both credible and of urgent concern. An urgent concern is considered to be “a serious or flagrant problem, abuse, violation of the law of Executive order, or deficiency,” according to the statute.

The IG would then bring this complaint up the chain of command and share their findings with the director of national intelligence (DNI), who would be expected to pass along this information to the congressional oversight committees within seven days of receiving the vetted complaint.

As a fail-safe, the DNI can determine that the information in the complaint is too sensitive to share with Congress and decline to share it, but either way, the DNI is required to notify Congress about this determination.

Maguire finds loophole to keep whistleblower from Congress

The acting DNI under Trump, Joseph Maguire, is not allowing the whistleblower’s report to be shared with Congress, even though the IG found it to be credible and of urgent concern.

Maguire is making his case on an argument put forward by Jason Klitenic, the DNI’s general counsel.

In a letter to Atkinson, Klitenic said Maguire, in consultation with the Department of Justice, determined that “no statute requires disclosure of the complaint to the intelligence committees” because “the disclosure in this case did not concern allegations of conduct by a member of the Intelligence Community or involve an intelligence activity under the DNI’s supervision.”

“What he’s saying is, ‘It’s not that I’m saying I’m not going to follow the statute, it’s that the statute is not triggered because I don’t agree that this is an urgent concern that falls within the statute,” said Steven Cash, a former staffer and counsel to the Senate Intelligence Committee.

Legal experts who have practiced in this field for decades, however, say they have never heard of a DNI overruling an IG assessment to send a complaint to Congress, particularly one found to be credible and urgent.

Atkinson has rejected Maguire’s explanation, stating that he believes this matter falls within the DNI’s jurisdiction. In a letter sent to the House Intelligence Committee last week, Atkinson said this disclosure relates to “one of the most significant and important of the DNI’s responsibilities to the American people.”

Legal experts warn this episode could subvert the process

Legal experts on whistleblower complaints say Maguire is going too far.

“We are seeing not just a politicization but a legalization of the whistleblower process that was never intended to exist. It was not intended that the system would be put under a microscope so that lawyers could derive any type of loophole interpretation,” said Mark Zaid, a D.C.-based national security lawyer who handles whistleblower complaints. “These are the type of cases that are supposed to be broadly interpreted.”

Zaid spoke to The Hill for this story shortly before he joined the legal team representing the whistleblower in this case.

Cash, a lawyer at Day Pitney specializing in criminal and national security law, argued that Maguire has misinterpreted the statute in making his claim that the complaint falls outside the IC whistleblower process.

“The statute says ‘relating to an intelligence activity,’” he said. “I think [Maguire is] wrong.”

Whistleblowers put in tough spot

The politicization of this case is raising the chances that the individual’s identity could be exposed.

Multiple news outlets have zeroed in on the details of the allegations, describing in detail the topics Trump discussed with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

And while the whistleblower brought the allegations forward through the proper channels, the president has since gone on the attack, arguing the whistleblower is a partisan even as he acknowledges not knowing the person’s identity.

This could have a chilling effect that deters others from coming forward with allegations.

“I think the more this story becomes about the whistleblower, the more that the identity is put out into the public and then they become the subject of attack by either or both sides, the less likely anyone else is going to want to come forward because why would they want to subject themselves or their family to such scrutiny?” said Zaid. “The whistleblower is not the story. The whistleblower’s identity is irrelevant.”

Congress has several tools to compel the DNI to hand over the complaint

Congress has several tools to compel the DNI to hand over the complaint, and House Democrats have already conveyed plans to use them if Maguire refuses to budge.

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam SchiffAdam Bennett Schiff Seven Freshman Democrats pen op-ed urging Congress to impeach Trump if new allegations are true Flynn pleads the Fifth, rejecting House Intel appearance: report Whistleblower fuels impeachment talk MORE (D-Calif.), who has already issued a subpoena to Maguire, has announced that the acting DNI will testify Thursday about his decision to not share the complaint. He’s also telegraphed that Democrats could try to withhold funding from the DNI or go to court to get the complaint.

It is also possible the White House will seek to exert privilege over Maguire’s testimony, which would set up yet another subpoena showdown between the executive and legislative branches.

Legal experts say Schiff can go after Maguire and take him to court to enforce the subpoena but that it would likely become a lengthy court battle. And even then, the battle between Maguire and Atkinson is not subject to judicial review. 

They also strongly argued against the idea of subpoenaing the whistleblower, as doing so would strip the individual of their protections and undermine the system.

The fight over the complaint appears to be just getting started.

“If the allegations that appear to be out there are in any way true, this is perhaps the most significant issue that has faced the intelligence committees ever,” said Cash. “This is as big as it gets.”

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Sen. Ed MarkeyEdward (Ed) John MarkeyMassachusetts Democrats call for 100 percent fentanyl screening of international mail from ‘high-risk’ nations The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by National Association of Manufacturers – Pelosi feels heat as Dems pursue whistleblower complaint Democrats dread Kennedy-Markey showdown in 2020 MORE (D-Mass.) and Rep. Katherine ClarkKatherine Marlea ClarkMassachusetts Democrats call for 100 percent fentanyl screening of international mail from ‘high-risk’ nations Ten notable Democrats who do not favor impeachment The Hill’s Morning Report – Trump searches for backstops amid recession worries MORE (D-Mass.), the sixth-ranking Democrat in the House, on Tuesday introduced legislation requiring 100 percent screening of international mail and cargo from “high-risk countries” for fentanyl and other synthetic opioids.

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The Massachusetts Democrats’ legislation would screen for the synthetic drug using automated, nonintrusive technology, according to a statement from Markey’s office.

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Federal officials are currently only able to screen a “tiny fraction” of inbound international mail and express cargo for the drug, which is shipped primarily from China.

“After 9/11, when we lost 3,000 lives, Congress passed my law to require 100 percent cargo screening, in order to prevent another tragedy. But now we’re seeing ten times that number die from fentanyl each year,” Markey said in a statement.

“The technology that will allow us to automatically and non-intrusively detect fentanyl in the mail is on the horizon. We need to complete research and development and then deploy it. Far too many lives are at stake for a less ambitious response,” he added.

“If we are going to stop the suffering, we need to prevent fentanyl from entering the country by targeting the most common distribution channel, the U.S. Postal Service,” Clark said, noting the drug is present in nearly 90 percent of Bay State overdose deaths.

“This bill will provide the USPS the support and technology they need to screen packages and hopefully end the flow of foreign fentanyl that is killing tens of thousands of Americans every year,” she added.

The World Cup winner cannot feature against his hometown club, adding to the lengthy list of headaches that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer faces in France

Paul Pogba has made the trip with the Manchester United squad to face Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday for the second leg of the last-16 Champions League clash, but the World Cup winner is unable to take to the Parc des Princes field.

The 25-year-old is suspended for the encounter in his hometown and therefore cannot feature, adding to a long side of injury problems troubling the Red Devils.

Pogba endured a frustrating night in the first leg, which PSG won 2-0 thanks to goals from his international team-mates Presnel Kimpembe and Kylian Mbappe.

He was man marked by Marquinhos throughout the game and was unable to exert the influence that has come to be expected of him since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took temporary charge of the team from Jose Mourinho in December.

With just a couple of minutes of the match remaining, he lunged into a tackle with Dani Alves, which referee Daniele Orsato deemed worthy of a second booking.

Solskjaer felt that the France international was unfortunate. Speaking to BT Sport, he said: “Paul is trying to get his body across and Dani Alves is clever enough to put his foot in there. Paul wants to shield the ball – he’s unlucky.”

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Despite his dismissal, it was the first time that Pogba had found himself in hot water over the course of this season’s competition.

As such, UEFA has elected to only give him a one-match suspension, meaning that if United were able to overcome the French champions, he would be eligible to play in the first leg of the quarter-final.

And even if they lose to PSG, he will be able to feature in the first group stage match next season if United can work their way to qualification via a top-four finish in the Premier League.

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His first dismissal came towards the end of the 2012-13 season, when he was ordered off seven minutes from the end playing for Juventus in a Serie A match against Palermo. He was subsequently handed a three-match ban and missed all the remaining fixtures as the Turin side closed out the Italian title.

Pogba has an excellent disciplinary record at club level, with that red card just the third in his career.

His only Premier League red card, meanwhile, came during the 2017-18 season, when he was sent off after 74 minutes in a 3-1 victory against Arsenal, in which he had provided two assists.

It proved a costlier blow as he missed the Manchester derby against leaders City, which United lost 2-1. Subsequently, he watched from the stands as the Red Devils narrowly beat Bournemouth and WBA.

The former France defender says Real Madrid’s players have not stepped up to replace the Portuguese star since he left for Juventus

Marcel Desailly has categorised Real Madrid’s post-Cristiano Ronaldo plans as a “failure” as he pointed to Gareth Bale’s inability to properly replace the Portuguese star throughout this season.

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Real Madrid have endured a catastrophic week, culminating with their shocking Champions League elimination at the hands of Ajax .

The loss came on the heels of a Copa del Rey defeat at the hands of Barcelona as well as another Clasico loss in La Liga, one which leaves them 12 points off the pace of the leaders.

Ronaldo’s departure looms large over Santiago Bernabeu, and Desailly says it is easy to see that the club failed to properly account for his absence.

“I’m sure they believed that the player that was going to bring them to a different level was going to be Bale – failure,” Desailly said on beIN Sports .

“[Marco] Asensio, Isco, they thought the fact that Cristiano is gone, [Karim] Benzema was going to get to a different dimension. He had his time, four five, six, seven games he’s done well, but it was not enough!”

Joining Desailly was Ruud Gullit, who agreed with Desailly’s sentiment that change was coming to Madrid. 

Santiago Solari is expected to leave this summer if not before , and Gullitt says that a number of players could be on their way out as well while signalling out Luka Modric and Toni Kroos as two that should remain. 

“I think so. They have done wonderful things for the club, but I think it’s going to happen,” said the former Netherlands star.

“They have already been getting a lot of stick in the newspapers, these players. The only one that has stood out is Modric, he can do it for sure. Kroos is also.”

However, Desailly says, if a mass exodus does occur, it will be difficult for the club to truly replace everyone as modern football has changed how clubs can rebuild squads.

“During the time Madrid was doing well, they secured the contract of players,” he said. “It’s not something that is easy.

“It’s the modern days. You really have to consider this.”

The French winger believes the Bundesliga title holders have “a real chance” of knocking the Reds out of the Champions League at the last-16 stage

Franck Ribery insists Bayern Munich are “not afraid of Liverpool”, with the two clubs preparing to lock horns again in the Champions League.

The 2018-19 campaign has been a testing one for those at the Allianz Arena, but it could yet deliver another enviable haul of major honours.

Despite making a slow start to the defence of their Bundesliga title, the German giants have drawn level with leaders Borussia Dortmund at the top of the table.

They are also through to the quarter-finals of the DFB-Pokal and are looking to reach the same stage in Europe.

A last-16 encounter with Liverpool is currently locked at 0-0 from the first leg, with the Reds due in Bavaria for a return date on Wednesday.

The Premier League title chasers will offer another stern test of Bayern’s credentials, but Ribery insists Niko Kovac’s side are ready to face that challenge.

The veteran French winger told BILD: “We are feeling positive and will be playing at home. 

“Liverpool have a strong side but we are Bayern. 

“We have confidence in our ability and are not afraid of Liverpool. 

“If we play together and fight, then we can move into the quarter-finals. We have a real chance.”

Ribery was introduced off the bench during an initial meeting with Liverpool at Anfield.

He was able to help shut down Jurgen Klopp’s side, but could not provide an attacking spark.

It could be that he gets another chance to deliver when two heavyweight rivals meet again, with the 35-year-old convinced that he can make an impact on the grandest of stages.

Ribery added: “The games against Liverpool are very important. I’m really motivated. 

“If you play in the Champions League, it’s a very special feeling, there’s a different atmosphere. 

“I’m fit for the game and I could play.

“The decision lies with Niko Kovac, but we have a very good relationship and a lot of trust.”

Prior to taking on Liverpool, Bayern have a domestic date with Wolfsburg to take in on Saturday.

They will enter that contest having emerged victorious in 11 of their last 12 games in the Bundesliga.

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The Blues are making pre-season plans in Asia as they aim to improve their schedule for the manager next season

Chelsea are in talks to play two friendlies in Japan this summer, with Barcelona and Kawasaki Frontale options for the Blues to play against, Goal understands.

Manager Maurizio Sarri complained about the amount of travel this pre-season, with Chelsea heading to Australia and then back to Europe to play friendlies in France and Ireland.

The Blues are now looking to make life easier for their coach, whose recent defeat to Man City on penalties and win against Tottenham have eased fears that he was soon to lose his job.

The Omiya Stadium in Saitama is one venue being discussed, which houses 15,500, as the Blues look to also include some commercial activities with one of their main sponsors, Yokohama Tyres.

The Blues are also looking at having a training camp in Europe, with camps in Austria in several recent seasons proving popular among players.

Their plans come outside of the International Champions Cup, which they have taken part in over recent seasons, giving the club more power to dictate their own schedule.

An unorthodox end-of-season friendly has also been arranged with New England Revolution, which has been described as a ‘Game For Change’, as the Roman Abramovich led ‘Say No To Antisemitism’ campaign produces a marquee event with the MLS club.

The campaign won Community Project of the Year prize at the London Football Awards on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Barcelona are also likely to face J-League outfit Vissel Kobe – the current team of their former star players Andres Iniesta and David Villa – while they visit the Far East over the summer.

 

The 34-year-old guided his side to the last eight of the Champions League this week and his representative says there is much more to come

Cristiano Ronaldo is the greatest footballer of all time and will make history at Juventus, says the Portugal superstar’s agent Jorge Mendes.

Ronaldo, 34, is enjoying a fine debut season in Serie A since joining Juve from Real Madrid last summer. The Portuguese attacker has scored 19 times in the Italian top-flight, with a further four goals coming in the Champions League. 

Ronaldo, who won four of his five Champions League titles with Real Madrid, ensured his side remain in contention for this year’s European crown with a star performance in Turin on Tuesday.

While Madrid suffered a shock last-16 exit at the hands of Ajax, the Juve striker hit a sublime hat-trick to overturn a first-leg deficit and knock out Atletico Madrid 3-2 on aggregate.

He therefore drew level with old rival Lionel Messi on a record eight Champions League hat-tricks, but Mendes is in no doubt who is better.

“He is the best player in the history of the game and he proved it against Atletico Madrid,” Mendes said to Gazzetta dello Sport of his client.

“He is an alien, he made the difference in England and Spain and the same is happening in Italy.

“Without him, Real Madrid wouldn’t have won that much, he was the leading light and he is the best player in the history of Real Madrid.

“I am sure he will make the difference in Italy as well. He will make history at Juventus.

“Cristiano is epic, incredible, divine.”

Juventus will find out their quarter-final opponents when the Champions League draw is made on Friday. The remaining teams in the competition are Ajax, Barcelona, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Porto and Tottenham.