Football

Inter Milan maintained their unbeaten streak in the Champions League with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Arsenal at the San Siro. Hakan Calhanoglu's first-half penalty proved to be the decisive moment, handing the Gunners their first defeat in the revamped tournament.Inter dominated the early exchanges, with Denzel Dumfries rattling the crossbar within the opening minute. However, Arsenal gradually grew into the game and created several chances of their own. Mikel Arteta's side felt aggrieved when they were denied a penalty after Yann Sommer collided with Mikel Merino, but their protests fell on deaf ears.Just before the break, Inter were awarded a spot-kick when Merino was adjudged to have handled Mehdi Taremi's flick. Calhanoglu stepped up and coolly slotted home, giving the hosts a slender advantage heading into the interval.After the restart, Arsenal continued to press for an equalizer, but Inter's defense held firm. Dumfries cleared off the line to deny Gabriel Martinelli, while Sommer produced a stunning save to keep out Kai Havertz's effort.Simone Inzaghi introduced Marcus Thuram, Nicolo Barella, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan in the second half to bolster Inter's attack. However, Arsenal remained a threat, with Havertz coming close to scoring on several occasions.In the end, Inter held on for a hard-earned victory that keeps them in contention for a top-eight finish in the Champions League. Arsenal, meanwhile, will be disappointed to have lost their unbeaten record but will take solace in the fact that they played well against a strong opponent.

Arsenal, currently sitting in third place in the Premier League, will face a formidable challenge on Sunday as they host Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners will be without key defender William Saliba, who received a red card in their surprising defeat to Bournemouth last weekend.Despite the absence of Saliba, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta remains confident in his team's ability to overcome the odds. "This is the game. Obviously, we didn't want to be in this situation, but we are lucky to have the squad we have. Don't feel sorry for ourselves," Arteta said.Bukayo Saka, Riccardo Calafiori, and Jurrien Timber are all racing against time to be fit for the clash. Their availability would provide a significant boost to Arsenal's chances of securing a victory.Liverpool, under the guidance of Jurgen Klopp, have been in impressive form this season. They currently trail Arsenal by four points in the league standings. The Reds will be looking to extend their winning streak and close the gap on the Gunners.The match promises to be an exciting encounter between two of the Premier League's top teams. Arsenal will be eager to bounce back from their recent setback, while Liverpool will be determined to maintain their momentum.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has revealed that the team has had to adapt its tactics in the absence of captain Martin Odegaard, who has been sidelined with an ankle injury. Odegaard has missed Arsenal's last six games, forcing Arteta to change his usual 4-2-3-1 formation.In Odegaard's absence, Leandro Trossard has taken his place in the starting lineup, while Kai Havertz has played alongside him in a two-man strike partnership. This tweak has allowed Arsenal to maintain their unbeaten record in the Premier League, with the Gunners sitting in third place just one point behind leaders Liverpool."We had to be different," said Arteta. "The impact Martin has in everything that we do, it was too big to try to replicate it with one player. We've tried to do it in a different way, adapting a few things, using players' qualities, players that can play in different positions and with the right chemistry around them."Arteta praised the team's ability to adapt, but admitted that they still miss Odegaard's presence. "We found a way, but we still miss him," he said. "We don't have Martin, there are all the things that we cannot do. But as well we have a big threat in other areas and we have to make the most of them."Odegaard is working hard to return to action, but Arteta could not provide a specific timeline for his comeback. "He's working so hard," said Arteta. "He's doing everything he can to get back as quickly as possible, but we don't want to rush him. We want to make sure he's fully fit and ready to go when he comes back."

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has signed a new long-term contract at the Emirates Stadium, the Premier League title chasers announced on Thursday. The Gunners said in a statement that the 42-year-old Spaniard, who has reportedly agreed a three-year deal, "has been a key figure in re-establishing us as a force back at the top of English and European football."Arteta, who became Arsenal boss in late 2019, said he felt "extremely proud." "I feel extremely lucky to work every single day with good people and the ambition we have here," he said. "I feel very inspired, I feel challenged, I feel supported and I want to do much more than what we've already done together."Arsenal co-chairman Josh Kroenke said he was delighted with the new deal. "Mikel is a dynamic and passionate manager, who is relentless in the pursuit of excellence," he said. "He has a deep understanding of Arsenal's values, and since joining us as head coach, he has taken the team to another level in an Arsenal way."Arteta, who had been working as an assistant coach under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, replaced compatriot Unai Emery as Arsenal boss in December 2019. He won the FA Cup in his first season in charge -- his first silverware as a manager.Arsenal have finished as runners-up to City in the Premier League for the past two seasons. Last term, they went agonisingly close to lifting the trophy for the first time since 2004 before being pipped by City on the last day of the season.Arteta's men, who face north London rivals Tottenham on Sunday, are currently fourth in the table after two wins and a draw. They begin their Champions League campaign next week against Atalanta.Arteta, who played 150 times for Arsenal and captained the side, called for calm last month regarding his contract situation, insisting his focus had been on the transfer window. "We are on it and we will take care of that in the right moment," said Arteta, who had previously been linked with Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona."I don't think anybody has to panic. I am in the place where I want to be and am really happy. Hopefully the club thinks the same thing and the players I work with, who in my opinion are the most important ones."Arsenal strengthened in the summer transfer window, bringing in a clutch of players including Raheem Sterling, Mikel Merino and Riccardo Calafiori. There are still questions over whether they have enough firepower to overhaul champions City after their failure to sign a striker to compete with inconsistent Germany forward Kai Havertz.But Arsenal sporting director Edu has no doubts about Arteta's ability to keep the club on course for sustained success. "It's a very positive and proud moment for everyone at the club and an important part of what we're all working towards," Edu said."Mikel has shown his qualities since the very first day he joined us, not only as a football manager, but as a person with wonderful values. We have a strong belief in what we are doing and what we want to achieve together. Mikel's new contract gives us stability and clear direction as we aim for new heights."

Arsenal's title aspirations received a significant boost as they secured a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Aston Villa at Villa Park. The Gunners, who narrowly missed out on the Premier League crown last season, displayed resilience and determination to overcome a stubborn Villa side.Leandro Trossard, a recent acquisition from Brighton, proved to be the catalyst for Arsenal's triumph. Introduced as a substitute in the second half, Trossard made an immediate impact, scoring with his first touch just 10 minutes after entering the fray. His composed finish from close range broke the deadlock and gave Arsenal the impetus they needed.Thomas Partey sealed the victory in the 77th minute with a low strike that found its way past Emiliano Martinez, the Villa goalkeeper who had an uncharacteristic lapse in concentration. Martinez's error allowed Partey's shot to trickle through his legs, handing Arsenal a crucial three points.Arsenal's victory was particularly satisfying given their disappointing results against Villa last season. The Gunners lost both encounters, including a costly defeat in the closing weeks of the campaign that dealt a blow to their title hopes.Mikel Arteta, the Arsenal manager, praised his team's character and ability to adapt to Villa's defensive approach. "We had to change momentum," Arteta said. "We had a 10-minute gap when we didn't get the rhythm and they were on top. They had the big chance and David Raya made an unbelievable save. It was the magic moment of the game."Unai Emery, the Villa manager, acknowledged his team's shortcomings but remained optimistic about their prospects. "We had our chance to score and had even better chances than them," Emery said. "If we score one goal then maybe we win the match. There's still work to do. I accept the result because we are doing our way and trying to improve. The players will stay calm."Arsenal's victory moves them to the top of the Premier League table, while Villa remains in 13th place. The Gunners will face Fulham in their next match, while Villa will travel to Crystal Palace.

Mikel Arteta, the manager of Arsenal, has expressed his desire to extend his contract with the club once the summer transfer window closes next week. Arteta's current deal expires at the end of the season, and he is eager to continue his tenure in North London.Ahead of Arsenal's Premier League match against Aston Villa on Saturday, Arteta revealed that discussions regarding his future will take place after the club's transfer business is concluded. "The focus has been on the transfer window. We had quite a lot of things to do and discuss. We are on it and we will take care of that in the right moment," Arteta told reporters.When asked if talks would occur after the transfer window shuts, Arteta replied affirmatively. He expressed his gratitude for the support and harmony within the club, stating, "I am very grateful first of all for where I'm sitting and the people I work with every single day because it's really difficult to find that harmony, trust, belief, and alignment in the vision."Arteta emphasized his excitement about the future of Arsenal, saying, "It's something I always mention because I believe we still have an unbelievable time ahead of us. It's very exciting, and I am very excited about it."While Arteta is focused on strengthening Arsenal's squad before discussing his own future, he declined to comment on reports linking the club with a £32 million move for Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino. "I cannot talk about any player that's not with us. There's still time in the market," Arteta said.The Arsenal manager acknowledged that the final week of the transfer window could bring surprises, but he confirmed that striker Eddie Nketiah would be involved against Aston Villa despite interest from Nottingham Forest. "I expect Eddie to train with us today. To be prepared for tomorrow. That's it. Whatever happens will happen if it's good for everybody," Arteta said.There is also speculation about a potential move for Raheem Sterling to Arsenal after the 29-year-old was left out of Chelsea's opening Premier League game of the season against Manchester City. Sterling, who was also omitted from England's Euro 2024 squad, worked with Arteta at Manchester City when the Arsenal boss served as Pep Guardiola's assistant."I can talk about my time with Raheem. It was exceptional. We built a really strong relationship together," Arteta said. "He was unbelievable at the time we were together, and he taught me a lot as well. About individuals, how they play, and how we give them support and help them. He's someone I have a really strong feeling about."

Arsenal's valiant title chase ended in heartbreak on the final day of the Premier League season, as they fell just short of ending their 20-year wait for the championship. Despite a 2-1 victory over Everton, Manchester City's triumph at home against West Ham denied the Gunners the title.Arsenal's season had been a tale of resilience and growth. After a disappointing end to the previous campaign, they began this season with renewed determination. They set the pace for much of the season, showcasing their skill and character in crucial moments.However, a challenging December period, which included defeats to Aston Villa, West Ham, and Fulham, threatened to derail their title hopes. But the Gunners responded with an impressive eight-game winning streak, scoring a remarkable 37 goals.Arsenal's squad depth and firepower were key factors in their success. Declan Rice, a £105 million signing from West Ham, proved to be a midfield powerhouse, while the partnership of Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba at center-back provided stability. In attack, Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka remained influential figures.Despite their valiant efforts, Arsenal ultimately fell short. The pressure of the title race seemed to weigh heavily on them, as they struggled to maintain composure in clutch situations.However, the Gunners can take solace in the progress they have made under Mikel Arteta. They have a young and talented squad, with several key players in their mid-20s. They will believe that their time to lift the Premier League trophy is just around the corner.

Manchester City, led by Pep Guardiola, stands on the cusp of history as they prepare for the final day of the Premier League season. With a two-point lead over Arsenal, City's destiny lies in their own hands. A win against West Ham at home will secure an unprecedented fourth consecutive English title.Arsenal, despite their impressive form, face an uphill battle. They must defeat Everton at the Emirates Stadium and hope for a City slip-up to end their 20-year title drought. However, Guardiola remains focused on his team's performance, dismissing any expectations of Everton's assistance.City's relentless form in the run-in has been a testament to their dominance. They have dropped only six points since mid-December, showcasing their unwavering determination. Guardiola has defended the competitiveness of the Premier League, despite suggestions of boredom due to City's financial advantage.Arsenal, under Mikel Arteta, has set a club record with 27 Premier League wins this season. However, it may not be enough to dethrone City. "We have to give ourselves the opportunity to live a beautiful day on Sunday," said Arteta.Liverpool, under Jurgen Klopp, will bid farewell to their manager at the end of the season. Despite finishing third, Klopp's legacy at Anfield will be remembered fondly. Manchester United, on the other hand, face the prospect of missing out on European football altogether.Tottenham and Chelsea are poised to secure top-six finishes, while Luton and Nottingham Forest battle to avoid relegation. The final day of the Premier League promises to be a thrilling climax, with history and destiny hanging in the balance.

The Premier League title race is reaching its climax, with Manchester City and Arsenal locked in a fierce battle for the trophy. With just four games remaining, City hold a one-point advantage over Arsenal but have a game in hand.City's destiny is in their own hands. If they win all four of their remaining matches, they will be crowned champions. However, Arsenal have shown remarkable resilience throughout the season and are unlikely to drop many points.Arsenal's remaining fixtures include Bournemouth, Manchester United, and Everton. While none of these teams are considered title contenders, Manchester United could pose a threat at Old Trafford.City's schedule appears slightly easier on paper, with Wolves, West Ham, and Fulham standing in their way. However, Tottenham Hotspur, who defeated Arsenal earlier this season, could prove to be a formidable opponent.If either team draws or loses a match, Arsenal's superior goal difference could become a decisive factor.Both Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta are aware that they must win every remaining game and hope that their rivals slip up. The title race is set to go down to the wire, with both teams determined to claim the coveted trophy.