Chelsea's goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga during the English League Cup semifinal second leg soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022. (AP Photo / Alastair Grant)
Chelsea's goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga during the English League Cup semifinal second leg soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022. (AP Photo / Alastair Grant)
Chelsea's goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga during the English League Cup semifinal second leg soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022. (AP Photo / Alastair Grant)
Chelsea's goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga during the English League Cup semifinal second leg soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, Wednesday, Jan.

Sport

Football

Chelsea need Kepa Arrizabalaga to help save Premier League title hopes in vital few weeks

Spanish goalkeeper will be between the sticks while first choice Mendy is at Afcon and top-of-table clash with Manchester City is next up

Ian Hawkey
Ian Hawkey

January 14, 2022

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On any list of the footballers you’d least like to take on in a sprint, Lucas Moura would rank high. The Tottenham Hotspur winger has a rapid sixth gear, and he had shifted into it shortly before the hour mark of the League Cup semi-final second leg against Chelsea on Wednesday night.

The race was on. As Lucas chased down a through-ball, Kepa Arrizabalaga took him on, head on, advancing from the Chelsea goal. The speedster and the keeper reached the ball inside the Chelsea penalty area almost simultaneously. Lucas fell forward after their impact and a penalty was awarded. Thankfully for Kepa, VAR revealed not a foul but a tackle so finely timed any centre-half would have beamed with pride on seeing the replay.

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Thanks to VAR, a later Harry Kane ‘goal’ was ruled out for offside, Kepa forgiven, with the offside call, for the misjudged pass that had conceded possession to Spurs in the build up. By the end of the night, he was celebrating a place in the final and a second successive clean sheet against Spurs in the space of eight days. He will be keen to maintain that record when the clubs meet again in the Premier League in eight days’ time.

First, though, Saturday’s summit meeting of the most prolific team in England’s top division, Manchester City and the world’s most expensive goalkeeper, the status Kepa still retains. He is also by far the priciest understudy goalkeeper in the game.

The €80 million ($91.8m) paid by Chelsea to Athletic Bilbao in the summer of 2018 is a burdensome gauge by which Kepa is perpetually judged. Had his poor pass out from the back been punished by an onside Kane at Tottenham, he would have anticipated a cascade of criticism around the size of his fee and the frequency of his failings. "Negative coverage sometimes goes too far,” Kepa wrote in The Players Tribune, where he also noted that his record-breaking price-tag “felt like a huge responsibility”.

Had he mistimed that bold tackle, with an outstretched left leg on Moura, and conceded a penalty, sceptics would have referenced the €80m again even before the spot-kick was taken. Incidentally, Kepa may well have saved it: his record at keeping out spot-kicks is outstanding.

But that penalty-stopping record - he has starred in three Chelsea victories via shoot-outs in Cup matches this season - is not enough to elevate Kepa to first-choice gloveman at the club who invested so heavily in him. He lost his starting place in the side at the beginning of last season, having been dropped at the end of the previous campaign, 2019/20.

He knew the then Chelsea manager, Frank Lampard, had advised the club’s board to seek a new keeper and the immediate success of Edouard Mendy, bought for a little under €30m from Rennes, pushed Kepa back in the hierarchy.

Tottenham 0 Chelsea 1: player ratings

SPURS RATINGS: Pierluigi Gollini 5 – Conte’s decision to give back-to-back starts to the on-loan keeper from Atlanta over Hugo Lloris will be questioned. He made a couple of smart saves, but his performance was tarnished by a mistake made in the 18th minute, allowing Rudiger to score after failing to clear a corner. EPA
SPURS RATINGS: Pierluigi Gollini 5 – Conte’s decision to give back-to-back starts to the on-loan keeper from Atlanta over Hugo Lloris will be questioned. He made a couple of smart saves, but his performance was tarnished by a mistake made in the 18th minute, allowing Rudiger to score after failing to clear a corner. EPA
Japhet Tanganga 5 – Did not look comfortable in his defensive duties, failing to track Rudiger on multiple set pieces, which led to the Chelsea defender scoring. AP Photo
Japhet Tanganga 5 – Did not look comfortable in his defensive duties, failing to track Rudiger on multiple set pieces, which led to the Chelsea defender scoring. AP Photo
Davinson Sanchez 6 – Struggled in a dominant Chelsea display where he gave away possession cheaply at times. Headed a clearance straight at Werner early on, but the German forward couldn’t convert. EPA
Davinson Sanchez 6 – Struggled in a dominant Chelsea display where he gave away possession cheaply at times. Headed a clearance straight at Werner early on, but the German forward couldn’t convert. EPA
Ben Davies 6 – Looked to make amends for an own goal scored in the reverse fixture at Stamford Bridge but the defender repeatedly failed to stay goal-side against Lukaku, and he was lucky that the Belgian forward could not punish his mistakes. EPA
Ben Davies 6 – Looked to make amends for an own goal scored in the reverse fixture at Stamford Bridge but the defender repeatedly failed to stay goal-side against Lukaku, and he was lucky that the Belgian forward could not punish his mistakes. EPA
Emerson Royal 7 – Offered some positive attacking play for Spurs down the right and a powerful header was forced wide by Kepa after 60 minutes. EPA
Emerson Royal 7 – Offered some positive attacking play for Spurs down the right and a powerful header was forced wide by Kepa after 60 minutes. EPA
Matt Doherty 5 - Out of position at left-wing-back and he never looked comfortable before being taken off at 65 minutes. EPA
Matt Doherty 5 - Out of position at left-wing-back and he never looked comfortable before being taken off at 65 minutes. EPA
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg 7 – A solid performance from the Dane. Came close with a deflected shot on 31 minutes and shortly afterwards thought he’d won a penalty, but it was overruled by VAR as the initial contact was outside the area. AFP
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg 7 – A solid performance from the Dane. Came close with a deflected shot on 31 minutes and shortly afterwards thought he’d won a penalty, but it was overruled by VAR as the initial contact was outside the area. AFP
Harry Winks 6 – Tried to make things happen in the middle of the park but he was often pinned into his own half and so could not make any impact on the game. Getty Images
Harry Winks 6 – Tried to make things happen in the middle of the park but he was often pinned into his own half and so could not make any impact on the game. Getty Images
Lucas Moura 7 – His direct running appeared to be the only threat to the Chelsea defence. Drove forward at 13 minutes but sent his shot wayward. AFP
Lucas Moura 7 – His direct running appeared to be the only threat to the Chelsea defence. Drove forward at 13 minutes but sent his shot wayward. AFP
Giovani Lo Celso 7 – A determined performance from the Argentine who made a vital block on Sarr after 15 minutes and again at 51 minutes. EPA
Giovani Lo Celso 7 – A determined performance from the Argentine who made a vital block on Sarr after 15 minutes and again at 51 minutes. EPA
Harry Kane 6 – A subdued performance from the captain who saw his goal disallowed for offside after 63 minutes. He could have equalised just after the half-hour mark, but he couldn’t get on the end of Sanchez’ flick on from the corner. Reuters
Harry Kane 6 – A subdued performance from the captain who saw his goal disallowed for offside after 63 minutes. He could have equalised just after the half-hour mark, but he couldn’t get on the end of Sanchez’ flick on from the corner. Reuters
SUB: Ryan Sessegnon (Matt Doherty, 65) 5 – A frustrating cameo for the 21-year-old who lacked quality and could not seem to keep possession. Denied by Kepa in additional time. EPA
SUB: Ryan Sessegnon (Matt Doherty, 65) 5 – A frustrating cameo for the 21-year-old who lacked quality and could not seem to keep possession. Denied by Kepa in additional time. EPA
SUB: Bryan Gil (Lo Celso, 71) N/A – Lively performance with a lovely reverse heel pass to Emerson Royal at the 78-minute mark. Getty Images
SUB: Bryan Gil (Lo Celso, 71) N/A – Lively performance with a lovely reverse heel pass to Emerson Royal at the 78-minute mark. Getty Images
SUB: Oliver Skipp (Winks, 81) N/A – Could not get into the game following a long pause due to an incident in the crowd that saw eight minutes of stoppage time. AP Photo
SUB: Oliver Skipp (Winks, 81) N/A – Could not get into the game following a long pause due to an incident in the crowd that saw eight minutes of stoppage time. AP Photo
CHELSEA RATINGS: Kepa Arrizabalaga 8 – Had a busier second half marked by vital saves. Relieved to see VAR overturn Andre Marriner’s penalty decision after a crucial save saw him deny Moura after 57 minutes. He wandered from his goal which saw Kane put the ball in the net after 63 minutes but again VAR intervened to secure him a clean sheet. AP Photo
CHELSEA RATINGS: Kepa Arrizabalaga 8 – Had a busier second half marked by vital saves. Relieved to see VAR overturn Andre Marriner’s penalty decision after a crucial save saw him deny Moura after 57 minutes. He wandered from his goal which saw Kane put the ball in the net after 63 minutes but again VAR intervened to secure him a clean sheet. AP Photo
Malang Sarr 8 – Another impressive performance. Looked assured at the back and dangerous when he brought the ball out of defence. Dominated the left flank with Hudson-Odoi. AFP
Malang Sarr 8 – Another impressive performance. Looked assured at the back and dangerous when he brought the ball out of defence. Dominated the left flank with Hudson-Odoi. AFP
Andreas Christensen 7 – A solid enough display in defence other than a moment that allowed Tottenham a free-kick in a dangerous area after the Dane clattered into Lo Celso just outside the box after six minutes. Reuters
Andreas Christensen 7 – A solid enough display in defence other than a moment that allowed Tottenham a free-kick in a dangerous area after the Dane clattered into Lo Celso just outside the box after six minutes. Reuters
Antonio Rudiger 8 – Marked his return with a dominating performance. Conceded a free kick for a clumsy challenge on Hojbjerg, which VAR ruled outside the box, but leapt high to prevent any danger from the set piece. Scored the only goal of the game after beating Gollini to Mount’s corner. Man of the match. AFP
Antonio Rudiger 8 – Marked his return with a dominating performance. Conceded a free kick for a clumsy challenge on Hojbjerg, which VAR ruled outside the box, but leapt high to prevent any danger from the set piece. Scored the only goal of the game after beating Gollini to Mount’s corner. Man of the match. AFP
Cesar Azpilicueta 6 – Did not offer much in attack or defence. Blocked Tanganga to allow Rudiger to get free and score the opening goal. Getty Images
Cesar Azpilicueta 6 – Did not offer much in attack or defence. Blocked Tanganga to allow Rudiger to get free and score the opening goal. Getty Images
Callum Hudson-Odoi 8 – The 21-year-old was involved in plenty of the action and his link-up play was excelled. Forced a smart save from Gollini at 23 minutes following a darting run. AFP
Callum Hudson-Odoi 8 – The 21-year-old was involved in plenty of the action and his link-up play was excelled. Forced a smart save from Gollini at 23 minutes following a darting run. AFP
Jorginho 7 – A comfortable night for the Italian who worked hard until being substituted in the final moments of the game. EPA
Jorginho 7 – A comfortable night for the Italian who worked hard until being substituted in the final moments of the game. EPA
Mateo Kovacic 7 – The in-form midfielder controlled the game until he was replaced after 77 minutes. Reuters
Mateo Kovacic 7 – The in-form midfielder controlled the game until he was replaced after 77 minutes. Reuters
Mason Mount 6 – A quieter night than usual but he was key to the Chelsea press that troubled Spurs in the first half. Whipped in the corner that assisted Rudiger’s goal. Reuters
Mason Mount 6 – A quieter night than usual but he was key to the Chelsea press that troubled Spurs in the first half. Whipped in the corner that assisted Rudiger’s goal. Reuters
Timo Werner 7 – A bright first half saw a great chance at eight minutes, but the German sent it high and wide. His impact faded after the break, and he was replaced on 66 minutes. EPA
Timo Werner 7 – A bright first half saw a great chance at eight minutes, but the German sent it high and wide. His impact faded after the break, and he was replaced on 66 minutes. EPA
Romelu Lukaku 7 – The Belgian striker returned to the side in the reverse fixture following the fallout of his unsanctioned interview and he spearheaded the ruthless Chelsea press in the first half. Tried and failed to get on the scoresheet and came closest with a wild shot after 69 minutes. Getty Images
Romelu Lukaku 7 – The Belgian striker returned to the side in the reverse fixture following the fallout of his unsanctioned interview and he spearheaded the ruthless Chelsea press in the first half. Tried and failed to get on the scoresheet and came closest with a wild shot after 69 minutes. Getty Images
SUB: Marcos Alonso (Werner, 66) 7 – Got involved with a good delivery to Lukaku after 69 minutes. Getty Images
SUB: Marcos Alonso (Werner, 66) 7 – Got involved with a good delivery to Lukaku after 69 minutes. Getty Images
SUB: Thiago Silva (Christensen, 66) 6 – Brought on after 66 minutes to strengthen up his side after a spell of Tottenham pressure, marking his return from isolation. Getty Images
SUB: Thiago Silva (Christensen, 66) 6 – Brought on after 66 minutes to strengthen up his side after a spell of Tottenham pressure, marking his return from isolation. Getty Images
SUB: Hakim Ziyech (Mount, 67) 6 – Had a shot blocked shortly after coming on but made little contribution after this. AFP
SUB: Hakim Ziyech (Mount, 67) 6 – Had a shot blocked shortly after coming on but made little contribution after this. AFP
SUB: N’Golo Kante (Kovacic, 77) N/A – Had a run out on his return to the bench after Covid-19 isolation. Getty Images
SUB: N’Golo Kante (Kovacic, 77) N/A – Had a run out on his return to the bench after Covid-19 isolation. Getty Images
SUB: Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Jorginho, 82) N/A – Ineffective with little time to make an impact. Reuters
SUB: Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Jorginho, 82) N/A – Ineffective with little time to make an impact. Reuters

Mendy is currently in Cameroon with his country, Senegal, at an Africa Cup of Nations where he anticipates being involved well into the last week of the tournament. That means Kepa has the Chelsea gloves for a make-or-break period, perhaps lasting into the second week of February, in his club’s bid to stay in the Premier League title race.

Saturday’s assignment at the home of the league leaders, a City 10 points clear of second-placed Chelsea, will carry particular memories of the ups and downs of Kepa’s Chelsea career.

There was the painful six goals conceded on his first visit to the Etihad in his debut English season. There was the "misunderstanding" - as Kepa terms it - with his first Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri at the end of extra-time in the 2019 League Cup final against City, when he was substituted before the deciding penalty shoot-out.

Sarri thought the Spaniard was injured; Kepa protested he was not. The exchange between the two as veteran substitute gloveman Willy Caballero was brought on to face the spot-kicks was hot-tempered. City won the penalties.

There was last season’s FA Cup semi-final victory over City, when he was picked by a relatively new manager Thomas Tuchel, who over the last 11 months has set about rebuilding Kepa’s lowered confidence and backed him as number one in the domestic Cups.

There was the Champions League final against City last May. Kepa cherishes a photo of himself from that night, ecstatically lifting the trophy after Chelsea’s 1-0 win. Mendy had played the match, with Kepa on the bench, but the reserve keeper interprets his joy in that picture as a symbol of “how close we are as a team,” adding “the coaches deserve recognition for making every one of us feel important”.

Kepa is vitally important now and for the crucial weeks ahead.

Mubadala World Tennis Championship 2018 schedule

Thursday December 27

Men's quarter-finals

Kevin Anderson v Hyeon Chung 4pm

Dominic Thiem v Karen Khachanov 6pm

Women's exhibition

Serena Williams v Venus Williams 8pm

Friday December 28

5th place play-off 3pm

Men's semi-finals

Rafael Nadal v Anderson/Chung 5pm

Novak Djokovic v Thiem/Khachanov 7pm

Saturday December 29

3rd place play-off 5pm

Men's final 7pm

MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW

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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.

United States

2.

China

3.

UAE

4.

Japan

5

Norway

6.

Canada

7.

Singapore

8.

Australia

9.

Saudi Arabia

10.

South Korea
Company%20Profile
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What drives subscription retailing?

Once the domain of newspaper home deliveries, subscription model retailing has combined with e-commerce to permeate myriad products and services.

The concept has grown tremendously around the world and is forecast to thrive further, according to UnivDatos Market Insights’ report on recent and predicted trends in the sector.

The global subscription e-commerce market was valued at $13.2 billion (Dh48.5bn) in 2018. It is forecast to touch $478.2bn in 2025, and include the entertainment, fitness, food, cosmetics, baby care and fashion sectors.

The report says subscription-based services currently constitute “a small trend within e-commerce”. The US hosts almost 70 per cent of recurring plan firms, including leaders Dollar Shave Club, Hello Fresh and Netflix. Walmart and Sephora are among longer established retailers entering the space.

UnivDatos cites younger and affluent urbanites as prime subscription targets, with women currently the largest share of end-users.

That’s expected to remain unchanged until 2025, when women will represent a $246.6bn market share, owing to increasing numbers of start-ups targeting women.

Personal care and beauty occupy the largest chunk of the worldwide subscription e-commerce market, with changing lifestyles, work schedules, customisation and convenience among the chief future drivers.

Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

The Greatest Royal Rumble card

50-man Royal Rumble - names entered so far include Braun Strowman, Daniel Bryan, Kurt Angle, Big Show, Kane, Chris Jericho, The New Day and Elias

Universal Championship Brock Lesnar (champion) v Roman Reigns in a steel cage match

WWE World Heavyweight ChampionshipAJ Styles (champion) v Shinsuke Nakamura

Intercontinental Championship Seth Rollins (champion) v The Miz v Finn Balor v Samoa Joe

United States Championship Jeff Hardy (champion) v Jinder Mahal

SmackDown Tag Team Championship The Bludgeon Brothers (champions) v The Usos

Raw Tag Team Championship (currently vacant) Cesaro and Sheamus v Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt

Casket match The Undertaker v Rusev

Singles match John Cena v Triple H

Cruiserweight Championship Cedric Alexander v Kalisto

While you're here
The specs

Engine: 6.2-litre supercharged V8

Power: 712hp at 6,100rpm

Torque: 881Nm at 4,800rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 19.6 l/100km

Price: Dh380,000

On sale: now 

While you're here
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
  • Riders must be 14-years-old or over
  • Wear a protective helmet
  • Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
  • Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
  • Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
  • Do not drive outside designated lanes
Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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The bio

Favourite vegetable: Broccoli

Favourite food: Seafood

Favourite thing to cook: Duck l'orange

Favourite book: Give and Take by Adam Grant, one of his professors at University of Pennsylvania

Favourite place to travel: Home in Kuwait.

Favourite place in the UAE: Al Qudra lakes

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Gothia Cup 2025

4,872 matches 

1,942 teams

116 pitches

76 nations

26 UAE teams

15 Lebanese teams

2 Kuwaiti teams

Naga
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All times UAE

Wednesday
Poland v Portugal 10.45pm
Russia v Sweden 10.45pm

Friday
Belgium v Switzerland 10.45pm
Croatia v England 10.45pm

Saturday
Netherlands v Germany 10.45pm
Rep of Ireland v Denmark 10.45pm

Sunday
Poland v Italy 10.45pm

Monday
Spain v England 10.45pm

Tuesday
France v Germany 10.45pm
Rep of Ireland v Wales 10.45pm

How to vote

Canadians living in the UAE can register to vote online and be added to the International Register of Electors.

They'll then be sent a special ballot voting kit by mail either to their address, the Consulate General of Canada to the UAE in Dubai or The Embassy of Canada in Abu Dhabi

Registered voters mark the ballot with their choice and must send it back by 6pm Eastern time on October 21 (2am next Friday) 

Infiniti QX80 specs

Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6

Power: 450hp

Torque: 700Nm

Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000

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Specs

Engine: Duel electric motors
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Torque: 1075Nm
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Price: On request

Updated: January 14, 2022, 3:48 AM`
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