Ross Barkley impressed in the 3-2 win against Arsenal before being substituted in the second half. AFP
Ross Barkley impressed in the 3-2 win against Arsenal before being substituted in the second half. AFP

Sarri's faith in Barkley is good news for one England international at Chelsea, not so good for another



Maurizio Sarri must be wondering what all the fuss was about. Two games in to his Premier League career and the new Chelsea manager has known only victory. Saturday's 3-2 win over Arsenal broke a cycle of six games without victory against their London rivals to deal an early psychological blow on a top-four rival. Spare a thought for his opposite number Unai Emery, a fellow newcomer, who is still seeking his first point after a baptism of fire that has seen Arsenal also lose to champions Manchester City.

No doubt Chelsea rode their luck at Stamford Bridge, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Henrikh Mkhitaryan particularly wasteful with first-half chances. The introduction of star man Eden Hazard with the game poised at 2-2 reinvigorated Chelsea. The Belgian is slowly being reintegrated back into the team following an impressive World Cup with Belgium that saw the forward collect a bronze medal. Hazard provided the penetration and pass to set up Marcos Alonso's 81st-minute winner that is testament to a team enjoying life under a new regime.

While results are what Sarri will ultimately be judged on, healing wounds and fomenting a team spirit damaged beyond repair by his predecessor Antonio Conte was one of the Italian's most pressing issues when taking the Chelsea hot seat. One of the most vocal about his breakdown in relations with Conte has been Brazilian winger Willian, who said earlier this month there was "no chance" he would still be at the club if the Italian was still in charge. Spanish pair Pedro and Alvaro Morata, Chelsea's other goalscorers against Arsenal, are others known to have been at odds with their former manager.

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Read more:

Premier League team of the week: Philippines goalkeeper Etheridge makes history

Chelsea can make Stamford Bridge a fortress again believes Alvaro Morata

Chelsea edge Arsenal in five-goal thriller to move top of Premier League table

Richard Jolly: Rise of goalkeeper fees a sign of changes in modern football

Willian: No chance I'd still be at Chelsea if Conte was still in charge

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Another to have suffered under Conte who is now thriving under Sarri is Ross Barkley. Conte made no attempt to disguise his contempt that the midfielder's arrival in January from Everton was done without his approval. In a classic case of cutting off his nose to spite his face Conte would play Barkley in games where he clearly lacked match fitness to portray him as a poor signing by the Chelsea board.

Barkely's future at the Bridge looks more encouraging under Sarri. Although no trees were uprooted in the opening day win over Huddersfield Town his passing against Arsenal was sharp and crisp while a second-half burst into the box forced a superb save from Petr Cech.

Sarri's faith in one England international means frustration for another. Ruben Loftus-Cheek was a late inclusion in Gareth Southgate's World Cup squad off the back of an impressive season on loan at Crystal Palace. Although his game time was limited to one start in the mauling of Panama and a handful of cameo appearances, the 22 year old had done enough to suggest his career at Chelsea would finally kick-start this term, particularly given the struggles of Barkley and French midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko last season, while Cesc Fabregas looks a fading force in the English top flight.

However, the arrival of Jorginho from Napoli has meant N'Golo Kante being pushed further forward, occupying one of the more advanced midfield roles Loftus-Cheek would have had designs on. That, coupled with the manager's trust in Barkley and the arrival on Mateo Kovacic - who replaced Barkley in the second half on Saturday - on a season-long loan from Real Madrid, seems to have put the England man back down the pecking order.

Of course there is every chance that Sarri is limiting Loftus-Cheek's playing time for now, given his extended summer in Russia, as is the case with Hazard. Loftus-Cheek was named on the bench in Chelsea's first two games, but failed to come off the bench against Arsenal. But if Barkley continues to impress, Loftus-Cheek may feel his chances of establishing himself in the first team at the club he joined at age 8 are farther away than ever.

Arsenal's pre-season fixtures

Thursday Beat Sydney 2-0 in Sydney

Saturday v Western Sydney Wanderers in Sydney

Wednesday v Bayern Munich in Shanghai

July 22 v Chelsea in Beijing

July 29 v Benfica in London

July 30 v Sevilla in London

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The specs
 
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All times UAE ( 4 GMT)

Saturday
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Alaves v Real Madrid (6.15pm) 
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Girona v Barcelona (10.45pm)

Sunday
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Getafe v Villarreal (6.15pm) 
Eibar v Celta Vigo (8.30pm)
Las Palmas v Leganes (8.30pm)
Real Sociedad v Valencia (10.45pm)

Monday
Real Betis v Levante (11.pm)

Some of Darwish's last words

"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008

His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.

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Tickets

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Dubai Rugby Sevens

November 30-December 2, at The Sevens, Dubai

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Why does a queen bee feast only on royal jelly?

Some facts about bees:

The queen bee eats only royal jelly, an extraordinary food created by worker bees so she lives much longer

The life cycle of a worker bee is from 40-60 days

A queen bee lives for 3-5 years

This allows her to lay millions of eggs and allows the continuity of the bee colony

About 20,000 honey bees and one queen populate each hive

Honey is packed with vital vitamins, minerals, enzymes, water and anti-oxidants.

Apart from honey, five other products are royal jelly, the special food bees feed their queen 

Pollen is their protein source, a super food that is nutritious, rich in amino acids

Beewax is used to construct the combs. Due to its anti-fungal, anti-bacterial elements, it is used in skin treatments

Propolis, a resin-like material produced by bees is used to make hives. It has natural antibiotic qualities so works to sterilize hive,  protects from disease, keeps their home free from germs. Also used to treat sores, infection, warts

Bee venom is used by bees to protect themselves. Has anti-inflammatory properties, sometimes used to relieve conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, nerve and muscle pain

Honey, royal jelly, pollen have health enhancing qualities

The other three products are used for therapeutic purposes

Is beekeeping dangerous?

As long as you deal with bees gently, you will be safe, says Mohammed Al Najeh, who has worked with bees since he was a boy.

“The biggest mistake people make is they panic when they see a bee. They are small but smart creatures. If you move your hand quickly to hit the bees, this is an aggressive action and bees will defend themselves. They can sense the adrenalin in our body. But if we are calm, they are move away.”

 

 

The biog

Name: Timothy Husband

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Education: Degree in zoology at The University of Sydney

Favourite book: Lemurs of Madagascar by Russell A Mittermeier

Favourite music: Billy Joel

Weekends and holidays: Talking about animals or visiting his farm in Australia

PSA DUBAI WORLD SERIES FINALS LINE-UP

Men’s:
Mohamed El Shorbagy (EGY)
Ali Farag (EGY)
Simon Rosner (GER)
Tarek Momen (EGY)
Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL)
Gregory Gaultier (FRA)
Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY)
Nick Matthew (ENG)

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Raneem El Welily (EGY)
Nour El Tayeb (EGY)
Laura Massaro (ENG)
Joelle King (NZE)
Camille Serme (FRA)
Nouran Gohar (EGY)
Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG)

While you're here
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Veil (Object Lessons)
Rafia Zakaria
​​​​​​​Bloomsbury Academic

When is VAR used?

Goals

Penalty decisions

Direct red-card incidents

Mistaken identity

Scoreline

Abu Dhabi Harlequins 17

Jebel Ali Dragons 20

Harlequins Tries: Kinivilliame, Stevenson; Cons: Stevenson 2; Pen: Stevenson

Dragons Tries: Naisau, Fourie; Cons: Love 2; Pens: Love 2

A Cat, A Man, and Two Women
Junichiro
Tamizaki
Translated by Paul McCarthy
Daunt Books 

The specs: 2019 Jeep Wrangler

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