Nico O’Reilly will be available for Manchester City’s Premier League showdown against Arsenal on Sunday.

The City academy graduate has been in wonderful form in recent weeks, scoring twice against the Gunners in the Carabao Cup final in March.

After helping his side keep a clean sheet in the 4-0 thrashing of Liverpool in the FA Cup, the left-back was on the score sheet again last time out against Chelsea, scoring another header to spark a second-half drubbing of the Blues in west London.

10 minutes after his goal against Chelsea, O’Reilly went down clutching his left hamstring with Rayan Ait-Nouri brought onto replace him.

Pep Guardiola did not provide an update on the youngster’s condition after that game.

But speaking in his pre-match press conference on Friday, he told reporters his young star is ‘fine’ and available for selection.

O’Reilly has started 24 of City’s Premier League matches this term, predominantly at left-back.

If passed fit, he is expected to slot in beside Abdukodir Khusanov and Marc Guehi who are set to continue at centre-half with Ruben Dias ruled out.

The Portugal international has missed City’s last four games and remains unavailable this weekend with an ankle injury.

Josko Gvardiol remains a long-term absentee with doubts over the fitness of John Stones, who has been limited to just 15 appearances this season.

After Arsenal’s slip-up against Bournemouth last weekend, a victory for City will see them reduce the gap at the summit of the Premier League to just three points.

Guardiola’s side also have a game in hand still to play – against Crystal Palace on a date still to be confirmed.

Manchester City will be without Ruben Dias in their Premier League showdown against Arsenal this weekend.

City host the Premier League leaders at the Etihad on Sunday with just six points separating the two.

Dias, 28, has missed City’s last four games, including the Carabao Cup final victory over the Gunners in March.

The Portugal international was ruled out of the FA Cup victory over Liverpool and last weekend’s league win at Chelsea with Marc Guehi and Abdukodir Khusanov forging an impressive partnership at the back in those two outings.

While there had been hope Dias would be recover in time to be available for the visit of the Gunners, the Manchester Evening News report an ankle injury will keep him sidelined.

City also remain without long-term absentee Josko Gvardiol with doubts over the fitness of John Stones, who has been limited to just 15 appearances this season.

Nico O’Reilly has been in stunning form as of late, scoring twice in the Carabao Cup final before coming up with another valuable goal against Chelsea last time out.

The City academy graduate picked up a hamstring injury 10 minutes later which forced him off. Guardiola is expected to provide an update on O’Reilly’s fitness later today.

Arsenal have injury concerns of their own with Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori all doubts.

Declan Rice shook off a bout of illness to play the full 90 minutes against Sporting CP on Wednesday night with Mikel Arteta admitting his midfielder was ‘shattered’ by the end of it.

Noni Madueke was also forced off that evening with what appeared to be a knee injury.

Gary Neville has urged Declan Rice to step up and be the player to secure the Premier League title for Arsenal this weekend when they take on Manchester City.

After defeat to Bournemouth last week, the Gunners head to the Etihad with a six-point lead at the summit of English football after City took full advantage with a crushing win over Chelsea.

Arsenal are now looking over their shoulder and defeat to in-form City on Sunday would half that deficit with Pep Guardiola’s side holding a game in hand – against Crystal Palace on a date still to be confirmed by the Premier League.

Mikel Arteta’s side have won just one of their four games since the international break ended having also lost the Carabao Cup final to City last month.

But a win, or even a draw, in Manchester on Sunday would go some way in easing the considerable pressure piling on the north Londoners.

Arsenal booked their place in the Champions League semi-finals on Wednesday night with Rice in the side having been a major doubt ahead of kick-off.

The England international has been the heartbeat of the Arsenal team this season, completing the full 90 minutes against Sporting despite being ‘shattered’.

Former Manchester United captain Neville, still regretful over his old’s side failure to sign him while he was playing for West Ham, believes Rice is the man who must step up again this weekend.

Arsenal have not won at the Etihad since 2015 but Neville has urged Rice to have his ‘Roy Keane or Steven Gerrard moment’ on the blue half of Manchester and send Arsenal towards title glory.

‘I do think Declan Rice is someone… When he went to Arsenal for £100 million, I was gutted. I think he’s a Manchester United player,’ Neville told The Overlap.

‘He’s the player, Harry Kane, Declan Rice, that Manchester United would have always signed back in the day. You don’t let Declan Rice go to any other club.

‘To me, on Sunday, he is the player I am looking at. This is not me putting pressure on him, by the way. This is me expecting that this is the Roy Keane moment, the Gerrard moment.’

Bruno Guimaraes could make his long-awaited return for Newcastle United against Bournemouth this weekend.

The Brazil international has not been seen in action since picking up a hamstring injury in the 2-1 win over Tottenham in mid-February.

Newcastle were hopeful he would be able to return from his 11-game absence following this recent international break last weekend against Crystal Palace.

Illness delayed those plans, but Eddie Howe has seen plenty of positive signs in training this week.

While he stopped short of confirming the Brazilian’s availability, Guimaraes is pushing to make the squad for Saturday’s game against the Cherries.

‘There is a chance [he will be available],’ Howe told a press conference on Friday.

‘We’ve seen him in training. He’s pushing really hard to be back involved.

‘The medical team are trying to hold him back – there’s always that tug because the player desperately wants to play. I love that about Bruno.

‘I’ll make a decision based on what I see today in training. But there’s a possibility.’

Newcastle are heading into a huge summer with a number of their key players linked with moves away.

Anthony Gordon has reportedly decided his future lies elsewhere with Sandro Tonali a target for Manchester United.

‘I discuss things with players all the time. I don’t necessarily discuss transfer speculation unless I feel it’s got to a point that I have to,’ Howe said.

‘After I had the chat with Sandro (Tonali), the biggest thing I look for is the commitment to training because if I see that the player will perform. That will be same with Anthony and every player.

‘One thing I’m not going to do is play any player if I don’t feel they’re 100 per cent committed to the club and it’s future.’

Alan Shearer has revealed his predictions for this weekend’s Premier League fixtures including the ‘huge’ game between title rivals Manchester City and Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta takes the Premier League leaders to title-chasing Man City on Sunday in what Shearer has described as ‘the biggest game of the season’.

Arsenal boast a six-point lead over Pep Guardiola’s side but the title will be in Man City’s hands should they beat the Gunners as they have a game in hand to play.

Elsewhere there is another important game in the race for Champions League football as Manchester United take on Chelsea.

United have climbed to third in the Premier League under caretaker boss Michael Carrick while Liam Rosenior’s Chelsea have slipped to sixth following a difficult run.

Spiralling Tottenham will be desperate to return to winning ways at home to Brighton while fellow relegation-battlers West Ham take on London rivals Crystal Palace.

As ever, England legend and Betfair ambassador Alan Shearer has provided his Premier League predictions to Metro.

Brentford v Fulham

I was pretty disappointed with Fulham last week at Liverpool. I thought they could have gone for it a little bit more so, for that reason, I’m going to say, Brentford at home.

I mean, they drew with a late equaliser from Everton, but I think they’ll have enough to beat Fulham this weekend, so Brentford home win.

I’ve been hugely impressed with Igor Thiago this season. I know they got him the season before, but he got an injury and didn’t play too many games, and I think for what Brentford did in selling who they sold in Wissa and then Mbuemo, for him to come in and only be one goal behind Erling Haaland is remarkable.

He’s really horrible to play against. It’s not just his goals, he does a lot of work off the ball, running in behind, bringing people into the game.

The goals are obviously an added bonus, but there’s no doubt here he’ll feature in the Premier League team of the Season.

Prediction – Brentford win

Leeds v Wolves

If Leeds win this, then they’re staying up. That’s the way they’ll view it, and I think the confidence that the win against Man United will give them, will carry them through and be enough.

It’ll be a cracking atmosphere at Elland Road. They know what’s at stake and I think they’ll beat Wolves. Wolves have been poor. They’ve had a little pickup, but still away from home, I think they’re vulnerable.

Prediction – Leeds win

Newcastle v Bournemouth

I’ve got no belief in Newcastle winning. That’s the problem. I don’t know what Newcastle are going to turn up. When they get into the lead, they can’t get that second goal, and that’s hurt them so many times this season.

I was massively impressed with Bournemouth last weekend with how they played at Arsenal. Some really top performances from a lot of players, and their recruitment’s been good.

I know Iraola’s announced he’s not going to be there next season. That will be a huge loss for them. I just think his style of play, how brave he’s been, and that was summed up at going to Arsenal last weekend.

They press ridiculously high, do it really well and make it difficult for the opposition. After selling so many of their players at the end of last season, or the beginning of the season, to get through and get the recruitment that they have done is a huge plus for him and for Bournemouth, so they’ll miss him, definitely.

As much as I’d love to see a Newcastle win, I don’t feel confident in saying that, so I’m going to say a draw.

Prediction – Draw

Tottenham v Brighton

Brighton have been in superb form, I think they’re in ninth at the minute, and they’ve got a chance of getting into a European place, and they have picked up, and they’re in some good form.

I don’t have any belief in Spurs, either. I think what we saw last weekend at Sunderland, it wouldn’t fill me with confidence that they can get something at home under huge pressure. I’ve got no belief in them so I’m going to say a Brighton away win.

Prediction – Brighton win

Chelsea v Manchester United

It’s a huge game and probably one that Chelsea have to win if they want to play Champions League football next season.

I was disappointed with Man United on Monday evening, they were really flat and are struggling defensively with Maguire out and Martinez out. I think I’m going to go for Chelsea to win this one, Chelsea to win at home.

Chelsea do look a bit lost, I think. I’m not convinced defensively Rosenior’s got them doing the right things, and he made his point with Enzo Fernandez, it’ll be interesting to see how he reacts, and how he takes to that, and how the rest of the squad take to that.

I think they might just have enough to beat Man United this weekend, though.

Prediction – Chelsea win

Aston Villa v Sunderland

Sunderland, I know they’ve beaten Newcastle away from home, but they haven’t been great in large parts of the season away from home. And I think Villa, with the way they’re going, I think Villa will have enough to beat them at home.

Villa dropping points last week has put them back under a bit of pressure for those Champions League spots, that’s why they have to win, particularly their home games, and that’s why I think they’ll win this game.

Prediction – Aston Villa win

Everton v Liverpool

It’s a tough one. You know what I’m like when it comes to derby games. I’m going to sit on the fence and say it’s going to be a draw. I was going to say to keep both fans happy, but I’m not sure they will be.

Everton are having a brilliant season whereas Liverpool are not, so I think it’ll be a draw. Liverpool playing in midweek should not affect them because it’s a derby game, and we know what derby games are like, and there’s always an added, extra atmosphere.

The midweek game is no excuse at all for Liverpool because of the size of this game and what it means to the people.

Prediction – Draw

Nottingham Forest v Burnley

I think a home win here for Nottingham Forest. If they want to stay up, then they have to be winning these games.

I think Burnley will make it as tough as possible for them, but Burnley are done and have been for a while so I’ll go for a home win.

Prediction – Nottingham Forest win

Manchester City v Arsenal

The whole season effectively comes down to this game. I think it’s huge and the biggest game of the season for both clubs.

Confidence and momentum is such a big thing, which is why I’m going to say a Man City home win. I think the belief they’ll get from beating Arsenal in the Carabao Cup and the performances of the last couple of weeks.

I think a draw would be a good result for Arsenal, but I think City might have too much for them. Arteta knows there’s been no panic from Pep, has there?

It’s always been pretty consistent, and they always cone good at this time of the year, and it looks as if they are. They’ve won their first trophy and could even end up getting the treble.

I just think with the momentum that they’ve got and the confidence that they’ve got, I think they might have too much.

It’d be really interesting to see what Arsenal do, whether they sort of sit back or try to take the game to City, but I think City might just have too much for them.

Prediction – Manchester City win

Crystal Palace v West Ham

Crystal Palace beat Newcastle last week; they brought the three key players on for the last half an hour or so which won them the game. And they are in Europe.

Having said that, I’ve got a sneaky feeling West Ham might go there and nick something. I don’t think West Ham will be beaten.

Depending on what team Glasner wants to put out, because obviously they have a European game, I’m going to say a West Ham away win which doesn’t bode well for Tottenham. I’ve tipped all the other teams to win other than Tottenham.

Prediction – West Ham win

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Chelsea will listen to offers for Alejandro Garnacho this summer – just a year on from his arrival from Manchester United.

Garnacho and United had an acrimonious split last summer with the Argentina international heading to Stamford Bridge in a deal worth £40million.

The winger has a respectable haul of eight goals and four assists this season but has struggled to consistently hold down a place in the first-team.

Garnacho has started just 21 of Chelsea’s 51 games this term, 14 of those coming in the Premier League. Just one of his eight goals have come in the top flight.

Since Liam Rosenior’s appointment at the start of January, Garnacho has started just four times in the league with The Sun reporting the Chelsea boss is believed to have reservations over the former United winger.

The club are open to selling the 21-year-old at the end of the season should the right offer come in.

In an interview with Premier League Productions last week, Garnacho admitted he regretted the manner in which he left United in the summer having been exiled by Ruben Amorim for comments he made following the Europa League final defeat to Tottenham.

‘I remember in the last six months I was just not playing like before at Manchester United,’ Garnacho told Premier League Productions.

‘I started to be on the bench, it’s not a bad thing, I was only 20 years old, but in my mind it was like I had to play every game.

‘In my mind, maybe it is also on me, I started to do some bad things.

‘But yes, it was just this moment in life and sometimes you have to make decisions and I am really proud to be here and still in the Premier League at a club like this.

‘Everyone knows the team we have and the things we can do. Sometimes, we have better moments or worse moments, I am proud to be here but with United, I have nothing wrong to say about the club, no one in the club or the team-mates.

‘It’s just a moment in life that changes and life continues. I have no regrets.’

Arne Slot’s time at Liverpool is starting to feel a little like the slow end to a loveless marriage.

The Dutchman’s honeymoon period at Anfield was longer than usual after he led the Reds to the title with ease last season. Expectations soared after they spent big on Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz during the summer and reached the moon after five dramatic wins in their first five games.

And while there have been plenty of mitigating factors to point at for their inconsistent and sometimes disastrous form since then, recent results against Manchester City and PSG have left even the most patient Liverpool fans feeling like a change is needed.

Indecision has cost Liverpool this season

There’s a long list of reasons which most people will be aware of: poor squad building last summer, a huge drop off in performances from the best players and the impact of Diogo Jota’s death have all contributed.

However, in recent months one of Slot’s best qualities has started to become his biggest weakness.

The Dutchman was praised to high heaven last season for his decision making and ability to tweak things on the pitch during games to find ways to win.

That knack has all but left him this time around.

Take the constant changes to where Dominik Szoboszlai plays, for example, or the insistence on picking Alexis Mac Allister despite the fact he hasn’t looked fully fit once all season.

Substitutions have become panicked and the approach to both legs of the Champions League quarter-final proved to be badly misjudged.

The warning signs can be traced all the way back to Slot’s third competitive game in charge at Liverpool.

The Reds hosted Nottingham Forest and completely dominated the game, but were unable to create any meaningful chances against what was then Nuno Espirito Santo’s side.

Callum Hudson-Odoi scored a great goal in the 72nd minute against the run of play and Slot made changes to try get back into the game. Ibrahima Konate went off and midfielder Curtis Jones came on. Players were thrown forward and Virgil van Dijk was left to fend for himself at the back.

There’s logic to the changes – Slot desperately wanted to get back in the game – but the panicked feeling they induced meant what had been a controlled performance turned into a frantic one, with players being shunted around into different positions as each tweak was passed onto the pitch.

That feeling was visible again at Anfield on Tuesday night, and not for the first time this season. As Slot has tried to find a system and combination of players that works, each decision has felt less and less confident.

The club’s hierarchy don’t seem to think a change is needed, with all the noise coming from Anfield pointing towards Slot still being in charge next season. Take that with a big pinch of the finest salt – there’s little doubt that Liverpool’s owners are at the very least planning for a change, even if they’d prefer not to make one.

And while there is a world where Slot stays on, with Ekitike’s horror injury, Mohamed Salah set to leave and the shadow of Isak only now starting to look like he’s played football before, Liverpool’s short-term future now rests on the expensive shoulders of Wirtz.

I do seem to remember a certain former club hero getting the best out of him in Germany… if Liverpool were to file for divorce this summer, a rebound fling with Xabi Alonso would make everyone feel alive again.

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Rio Ferdinand has warned Arsenal supporters calling for Mikel Arteta’s sacking to ‘be careful what you wish for’ and believes the Gunners would struggle to recruit an elite-level manager in the same summer as Manchester United.

Arsenal currently sit six points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League ahead of their match at the Etihad Stadium this Sunday, while they have reached the Champions League semi-final where they will meet Atletico Madrid.

However, Arteta has faced calls to be sacked if he finishes the season without a trophy, with some supporters concerned over the team’s style of play in the second half of the season.

Ferdinand believes Arsenal would be wrong to dismiss Arteta and feels the club could struggle to compete with Manchester United, who may look beyond Michael Carrick and appoint a new manager this summer.

‘I would be careful what you wish for if I was an Arsenal fan if you think getting rid of Arteta is the best thing you guys could do,’ Ferdinand said on his YouTube channel.

‘You have to remember where you guys were when he came. You guys are consistently qualifying for the Champions League, you weren’t before Arteta came. You’re finishing second most of the time, fighting for the Premier League year in, year out.

‘You’ve got to get over the line, yes I know, but you think the grass is greener over there with another manager? Who is the other manager?

‘He [Luis Enrique] is not coming to Arsenal. He’s leaving the best team in the world to go to Arsenal – are you crazy?

‘Every manager other than Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira or Cesc Fabregas would go to Man United over Arsenal.

‘He [Fabregas] doesn’t guarantee you anything, he hasn’t won anything, as talented as he is.

‘I’m just saying, it’s not like you go from Arteta and say, ‘we’ve got a certainty’. Pep’s your only certainty and he’s not going to Arsenal.’

Ferdinand also hit back criticism of Martin Zubimendi’s recent performances for Arsenal and believes the biggest problem for Arteta is his lack of creativity in attack.

‘I’ve seen it, I’ve seen it loud and clear,’ Ferdinand replied when asked about the criticism directed towards Zubimendi.

‘They are saying he’s been a liability, he was bought just because of a good game in the Euros final, he’s the weak link.

‘Yeah, he might be at fault for a goal or something like that, he’s given the ball away a few times or made mistakes when the ball has been played directly from a goalkeeper in that holding role, but I wouldn’t say it’s down to him.

‘I think Arsenal’s biggest problem is their lack of attacking flair, their willingness to just take the shackles off and go for it. That for me, I’d be worried about that as an Arsenal fan.’

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Manchester United have been urged to raid Premier League rivals Newcastle United and sign Bruno Guimaraes to replace the departing Casemiro.

The Brazilian midfielder announced in January that he was leaving United at the end of the season after four years at the club.

And while it has been an up-and-down time for Casemiro at Old Trafford, his resurgence and impressive performances this season leave United with a sizeable hole to fill in the middle of the park.

The Red Devils were already in the market for one central midfielder, having tried to sign Carlos Baleba from Brighton at the end of the summer transfer window.

And so Casemiro’s imminent exit now makes recruiting a star midfielder a key priority alongside their ongoing search for a new permanent manager.

Baleba could well still be a name of interest this summer, while United are also said to be keen admirers of English duo Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton.

But former Red Devils striker Louis Saha believes that Guimaraes could be the ideal, ready-made replacement for Casemiro in central midfield, while also earmarking his teammate Sandro Tonali as an alternative option.

‘I’ve always been a big fan and defender of Casemiro,’ Saha told AceOdds.

‘He was asked to do one too many roles in the last two years, but that’s been cut and now he’s settled and his role is defined. He’s proved he’s a world-class player and I understand why the fans want him to stay.

‘United need aggressiveness and someone that will dictate the midfield. I see someone more like [Sandro] Tonali or [Bruno] Guimaraes, who are two monsters in midfield.

‘With players like [Kobbie] Mainoo, you need someone alongside him who has the experience and vision to manage the transition when Casemiro goes. You need that experience, directness and decisiveness. It’ll be hard to replace.

‘If you bring in a young player, it’s a disruption. It’s great for the future, but you need experience. If Casemiro goes, I think a combination of [Adam] Wharton and Guimaraes would be great because Guimaraes is more of a captain.’

Guimaraes, signed by Newcastle for £42million in 2022, has grown to become a pivotal player for Eddie Howe’s side and was made club captain in 2024.

The 28-year-old, who is currently out injured with a hamstring injury, has provided nine goals and four assists in the Premier League this season, but is out of contract in June 2028.

Tonali, meanwhile, was the subject of reported transfer interest from Arsenal at the end of the January transfer window.

The Italian midfielder appears to have a growing number of admirers, and his agent Giuseppe Riso hinted his client may seek a move from St James’ Park if Newcastle don’t qualify for the Champions League – which now seems extremely likely.

‘Newcastle are having a hard time letting go of Sandro, and he wants to lead the club to the Champions League,’ Piso said earlier this year.

‘We’ll evaluate and decide what to do in the summer. These transfer discussions will take place later.

‘We’ll see how the season ends and then we’ll decide what to do. There’s no preference at the moment.

‘It’s still early. What we’re saying today won’t apply tomorrow. Newcastle couldn’t let him go now, and there’s no point in moving, especially since Sandro is very attached to the club.’

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Nicky Butt has backed Frank Lampard for another stint in charge of Chelsea and says he would do an ‘amazing job’ back at Stamford Bridge.

Lampard looks set to take Coventry City back into the Premier League, with the Sky Blues requiring just a single point from their final four games to seal promotion to the top flight.

The Midlands club have been in brilliant form under Lampard, losing just seven games in a highly competitive league and scoring 84 goals – 11 more than any other Championship side.

This is by far Lampard’s most successful spell as a manager following his previous stints at Chelsea, Derby County and Everton.

Chelsea legend Lampard was appointed as manager at Stamford Bridge in 2019 and enjoyed an encouraging start to his tenure, guiding the Blues to a fourth-place finish in the Premier League and into the FA Cup final, which they lost to Arsenal.

The west London side continued to impress at the start of Lampard’s second season in charge, topping their Champions League group and climbing to the top of the Premier League in early December.

But Chelsea then won just two of their next eight games to slip to ninth and Lampard was sacked at the end of January 2021.

A disappointing spell at Everton followed before Lampard returned to Chelsea during the 2022-23 season as caretaker manager following Graham Potter’s sacking.

But Lampard failed to change the mood in west London, winning just one of his 11 matches in charge and taking Chelsea into the bottom-half of the Premier League.

Lampard has had no such issues at Coventry, however, and Manchester United hero Butt believes he should now be a candidate for the Chelsea job once again.

A large section of Chelsea supporters are already losing faith in Liam Rosenior, who was appointed in January following Enzo Maresca’s departure.

Chelsea were unceremoniously dumped out of the Champions League by PSG and have slipped to sixth in the Premier League, four points outside the top-five places.

The Blues are willing to give Rosenior more time to turn things around but Butt believes Lampard would do an ‘amazing job’ back at Chelsea should they be searching for a new manager in the near future.

Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, Butt said: ‘Do you think if Frank Lampard gets promotion with Coventry they could go back in for Frank?

‘He got the job too early the first time I think and he had the transfer embargo so he had to use a lot of young players.

‘It wouldn’t be a stupid thing to go and get Frank Lampard back in charge of Chelsea for me. He’s done a great job at Coventry.

‘He’s got a bit more experience now and he probably made a few mistakes the first time around. People need to understand that transfer embargo means you have to rely on loads of young players, that must have been difficult for him.

‘He would be a totally different manager now. I think Lampard would find it easier working with better players, it would be easier for him to get his messages across to more technical players.

‘If Frank went back into Chelsea, with all the experience he’s got now, I think he would do an amazing job, I really do.’

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Martin Keown has backed Arsenal to reach the Champions League final and says he wants his former club to avoid holders PSG.

Mikel Arteta’s Premier League leaders face La Liga giants Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals after beating Portuguese champions Sporting in the quarters.

Kai Havertz’s injury-time goal separated the two sides after the first leg in Lisbon and Arsenal held Sporting to a goalless draw at the Emirates Stadium to go through.

It was not the most convincing performance from an Arsenal team who just weeks ago were chasing a historic quadruple but have since fallen short in both domestic cup competitions and given Manchester City hope in the title race.

Arsenal will face Atletico Madrid for a place in the Champions League final after Diego Simeone’s side beat La Liga rivals Barcelona 3-2 on aggregate.

On the other side of the draw, Champions League holders PSG continue their title defence against German champions Bayern Munich.

Keown believes Arsenal will overcome Atletico to reach their first Champions League final since 2006 and says he would ‘prefer’ to face Bayern Munich than PSG in the showpiece event on May 30.

Asked for his prediction for the Champions League final line-up, Keown said on TNT Sports: ‘It’s too hard to call.

‘I’ll go with Bayern to get through on that side of the draw. An Arsenal-Bayern final.

‘We’ve seen out here already that Arsenal can beat Bayern Munich but Bayern are going through the gears now obviously.

‘I would still prefer Arsenal to play Bayern though just because of PSG’s pace which is ridiculous.’ 

Arsenal sealed emphatic victories over semi-final opponents Atletico Madrid and possibly Champions League finalists Bayern Munich in the group stage, beating the Spanish side 4-0 and the German outfit 3-1.

Joe Cole also expects the Gunners to advance at the expense of Atletico despite their recent unconvinving form.

‘Arsenal fans should be very, very confident,’ Cole said on TNT Sports. ‘They always knew they were on the better side of the draw.

‘A semi-final against an Atletico Madrid team that we saw against Barcelona, Arsenal are a lot stronger in so many different areas.

‘The only thing that Atletico Madrid have got over them is experience but I still think the double is on for Arsenal, I really do.

‘It will be chaos but Arsenal can’t be gentlemen in a game like that. There will be dark arts from Atletico so Arsenal need to manage that.’

Arsenal now put their Champions League aspirations on hold and turn their attentions to a huge Premier League clash against title rivals Manchester City on Sunday.

Arteta’s side, chasing a first league title since 2004, boast a six-point lead over Man City, who have a game in hand.

Arsenal drew 1-1 with City in the reverse fixture but lost 2-0 to Pep Guardiola’s team in last month’s Carabao Cup final.

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Sam Allardyce has urged Manchester United to sign a Premier League striker in the summer transfer window.

Much of the focus around United’s transfer plans for the summer is around the acquisition of a new midfielder.

Manchester United were already planning to sign a new central midfielder before Casemiro announced in January that he was leaving at the end of the season.

The Red Devils, back in the Champions League places under caretaker boss Michael Carrick, are now planning to sign two midfielders.

Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton and Carlos Baleba have been heavily linked with moves to Old Trafford, with the Nottingham Forest star believed to be United’s first-choice target.

Midfield is not the only area Manchester United could look at, however, with several pundits of the opinion that strengthening is also needed in the attacking and full-back positions.

Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly and Newcastle United’s Lewis Hall have emerged as full-backs targets for United, while Allardyce has recommended Old Trafford bosses sign striker Igor Thiago.

Thiago has been a revelation at Brentford since his £30m move from Club Brugge, scoring 24 goals in all competitions this season.

With 21 goals in the Premier League alone, only Manchester City’s Erling Haaland has registered more league goals than Thiago with 22.

Thiago’s form has not gone unnoticed with rival clubs and ex-Premier League manager Allardyce believes Manchester United should target the Brazilian.

Speaking on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast, Allardyce said: ‘I mean, who’s going to buy Brentford’s centre-forward, Igor Thiago?

‘Manchester United need to look no further as far as I’m concerned. He’s hit the 20-goal mark, you don’t need to look any further.

‘I thought they’d go for [Jean-Philippe] Mateta, but maybe with his age they thought better of it.

‘But this Brazilian lad [Thiago], he’s scored 20 goals already and has got Brentford almost pushing for Europe.’

Brentford were widely tipped to struggle at the start of the season following Thomas Frank’s departure but Keith Andrews has taken the Bees up to seventh in the Premier League.

Manchester United, meanwhile, remain third in the table and on course for Champions League qualification despite Monday’s shock defeat at home to Leeds United.

Carrick’s side travel to Stamford Bridge to face struggling Chelsea on Saturday while Brentford return to action against London rivals Fulham.

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Not for the first time, Bukayo Saka’s fitness is a concern for Arsenal fans.

The 24-year-old has so often been an ever-present figure in Mikel Arteta’s starting XI, once playing 87 consecutive Premier League games for the Gunners.

Arsenal have gone some way in addressing their overreliance on the Hale End academy graduate who has regularly carried them over the years. But in a season where they finally have viable alternatives, his output has dropped.

A return of nine goals and seven assists is meagre by his standards. While one can argue the manner in which Arsenal are playing this season has impacted that, Saka has at times been far from his usual self.

While only he can say for sure, physical demands placed on him over the years could be playing a role.

Last season, Saka missed three months – 21 games in total – with a torn hamstring that required surgery. Early in the 2025-26 season there was another hamstring issue, albeit a less severe one that saw him sit out of five matches.

A hip problem saw him miss games against Leeds, Sunderland and Chelsea in late January with his latest Achilles injury a concern heading into Sunday’s titanic Premier League clash with Manchester City.

As is typical of the Arsenal manager, Arteta has been cautious over revealing details behind his latest issue. Saka withdrew from international duty with England in March and missed games against Southampton, the first leg against Sporting CP and the weekend defeat to Bournemouth before his manager eventually disclosed it is an Achilles injury hampering his winger.

‘It’s something that he was carrying for a while,’ Arteta said. ‘It’s progression but hopefully it’s going to be a matter of days and not weeks. But he has to see when the load is more how he responds to that kind of progression.’

Achilles injuries have dominated headlines this week after Hugo Etkike’s devastating blow against Paris Saint-Germain. The Liverpool striker has suffered a rupture of his Achilles tendon, ending his season and his hopes of playing for France at the World Cup this summer. It is regarded as one of the most serious injuries a footballer can pick up with the recovery process long and painful.

Saka’s issue is likely at the other end of the of Achilles injury spectrum, a ‘common and manageable’ one according to Stephen Smith, CEO and founder of Kitman Labs which specialises in injury welfare.

Arsenal have not disclosed the exact nature of the problem but a tendonitis or a tendinopathy, inflammation of the tendon from repetitive strain, is likely to be the source of Saka’s current woes.

It should be no surprise that Arsenal have been exercising extreme caution over one of their most prized assets with managing the injury the solution right now rather than a quick fix.   

‘These issues can be caused when you get these tiny pieces of microtrauma around the tendon that causes swelling and causes pain,’ Smith told Metro. ‘That’s very, very common.

‘They will manage him, manage his training and exercise load and they will be treating that very differently to how they would if it was a tear or a rupture. But it is very common and manageable.

‘It isn’t about taking him out of the picture for a prolonged period and treating it, it is about managing it. If this is what it is, it is a chronic issue that can persist for a number of seasons that players must learn to manage. The medical staff will be looking at how he responds day-to-day and if that pain or swelling is increasing, that is a signal for them to intervene more so they will be constantly tracking things.

‘And they will look for pockets of elongated time where they can either get him off his feet or time to go do strength and rehabilitation work.’

Arsenal have indeed kept Saka out of the firing line. His last appearance for the club was in the Carabao Cup final against City on 22 March, sitting out of England friendlies and his club’s four games since the end of the international break.

He is one of four doubts heading into the weekend with Jurrien Timber, Martin Odegaard and Riccardo Calafiori also unavailable in recent games.

Every game for Arsenal has been important but Sunday’s trip to the Etihad towers above all else. Have the Gunners been saving Saka for the big one? It is a very likely situation, one every club will have utilised at some point.

‘We call it tactical periodisation,’ Smith continued. ‘They will be periodising their season, looking at the calendar tactically and thinking these are the games we want to target and we need players in a certain condition for them.

‘They will be building up all their preparation specifically for performance in that game. There is no doubt in my mind they will have an action plan for how they will manage Saka and everyone else in the squad leading up to the game on Sunday.’

Pre-match press conferences usually provide the biggest indication whether a player will play at the weekend. But so often reporters and supporters have been left none the wiser when Arteta speaks, preferring to keep his cards close to his chest.

Only the Arsenal boss, his staff and Saka himself will know how close he is to returning when his club might need him most.

Paul Merson has revealed his prediction for this weekend’s potential Premier League title decider between Manchester City and Arsenal.

The Gunners boast a six-point lead at the top of the table ahead of their trip to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

A victory or even a draw for Mikel Arteta’s side would surely ensure Arsenal become Premier League champions for the first time since 2004.

It looked as though Arsenal would cruise to that long-awaited title and potentially even win a quadruple just a matter of weeks ago but one win in five has raised fears of a capitulation at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal fell short in the domestic cup competitions either side of the recent international break, first losing to Man City in the Carabao Cup final and then suffering a shock FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Southampton.

The Gunners then lost at home to Bournemouth to give chasing City major hope in the title race, although Arteta’s side did at least advance in the Champions League courtesy of a narrow 1-0 quarter-final win over Sporting.

Manchester City were knocked out of Europe by Real Madrid before the international break and also dropped points in successive league games against relegation-battlers Nottingham Forest and West Ham.

Pep Guardiola’s team have looked ominously strong since then, however, outclassing Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final before thrashing defending Premier League champions Liverpool 4-0 in the FA Cup.

Man City’s momentum continued at the weekend as they beat Chelsea 3-0 ahead of Sunday’s monumental clash against Arsenal.

Merson says it is ‘extremely hard’ to ‘make a case’ for Arsenal and admits he now believes Manchester City will clinch a narrow win on their way to reclaiming the Premier League title.

‘Manchester City are the favourites to win the Premier League if they beat Arsenal on Sunday, 100 per cent,’ he told Sportskeeda. ‘It’s in their hands now because Arsenal did not play well at all against Bournemouth.

‘If City win on Sunday, they will beat Burnley next week and before you know it, they are at the top of the table with five games to go.

‘The way Arsenal are playing now, I can’t seem them winning all their remaining games, should they lose to City.

‘It’s just unbelievable how it has all turned around. Absolutely mind-blowing to say the least! You just look at it and go, “wow”.

‘In hindsight, you can’t see anything but a Manchester City win. I saw Arsenal in the first 15 minutes against Sporting in the Champions League and told my boy it would be 0-0. You just can’t see them scoring!

‘Defensively, Arsenal are solid. If they don’t lose this game, they win the league. For City though, a draw is no good. They must win.

‘I can’t see Arsenal winning all their remaining games if they lose to City on Sunday. It’s hard to watch Arsenal at the moment.

‘But the players need to look at the bright side of it. If they beat City, the league is done and they win it. That is how they must think about this game.

‘If Arsenal go to the Etihad, sit behind the ball, absorb all the pressure and try to play for a draw, they will get destroyed by City!

‘Even if they have a go and lose the game, it at least gives them confidence. Imagine if they sit behind the ball and lose 1-0? I don’t think it does any good for their confidence.

‘Mikel Arteta is the only person who can tell if he’s asking these players to play in a certain way or are they actually going into their shells due to the pressure.

‘Apart from Declan Rice, I don’t see anyone else being expressive on the pitch. There is no pace in that team, no urgency, no desire to get inside the box. They look nervous and what a bad time to be that way.

‘I don’t know what Arsenal turn up for this game. They need to take the game to City here. I’m desperately trying to make a case for Arsenal, but I’m finding it extremely hard to do so.

‘My heart says draw, but my head says Manchester City win. Football is so unpredictable and Arsenal will be hoping this game goes in their favour against all odds. But the way they’ve been playing is a big concern.’

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Paul Merson has revealed his prediction for the crucial Premier League clash between Chelsea and Manchester United and urged Michael Carrick to bench striker Benjamin Sesko.

Chelsea welcome Man United to Stamford Bridge on Saturday night hoping to boost their Champions League hopes following a difficult run.

Liam Rosenior’s side have won just one of their last six games in all competitions, slipping to sixth in the Premier League and crashing out of the Champions League.

Manchester United, in contrast, have climbed to third in the table since Michael Carrick was appointed caretaker manager in replace of Ruben Amorim.

The Red Devils have dropped points in each of their last two games, however, drawing 2-2 at Bournemouth before the international break before suffering a shock defeat at home to Leeds United on Monday night.

Merson believes United’s winless run to continue at Stamford Bridge, backing Chelsea to clinch a crucial 2-1 win to boost their hopes of Champions League qualification.

The Arsenal legend expects Enzo Fernandez to come back into the Chelsea team following his recent absence but says Sesko should be dropped and allowed to ‘make an impact from the bench’ as he has does effectively in the second-half of the season.

‘Chelsea were atrocious of the highest level in the second half against Manchester City,’ Merson told Sportskeeda.

‘Luckily for them, they now face Manchester United, who were also terrible in the loss to Leeds!

‘This is a must-not-lose game for United and a must-win game for Chelsea. After this, Chelsea face Brighton away, Nottingham Forest at home, Liverpool away, Spurs at home and Sunderland away.

‘If they lose this game, I don’t see them playing Champions League football next season.

‘As long as Manchester United avoid defeat, they are at an advantage for Champions League qualification because Chelsea will play Liverpool.

‘I would be shocked if Enzo Fernandez is not back in the line-up for this game.

‘I still can’t get my head around the fact that Chelsea banned him for two matches! They were crying out for someone like him to get on the ball and pass to break lines during the defeat to City.

‘Manchester United were poor against Leeds and have a few injuries to deal with.

‘I don’t know why Bryan Mbeumo did not start that game though. And Casemiro is nowhere near the same player without Kobbie Mainoo next to him!

‘I would probably leave Benjamin Sesko out of the line-up against Chelsea. He’s someone who they can bring on to make an impact off the bench.

‘The other day against Leeds, they had no one who could do that as a substitute because Sesko was in the starting XI.

‘Chelsea could be ninth in the league by the end of the week, if they don’t win this game. But I actually think they can trouble United. I’m backing Chelsea to get a 2-1 win.’

Manchester United beat ten-man Chelsea 2-1 the last time these two sides met back in September, taking advantage of goalkeeper Robert Sanchez’s early red card.

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Former Manchester United star Louis Saha believes his old club need another huge summer of investment if they are to build on the improvements they have made under Michael Carrick.

Monday’s shock home defeat against Leeds United represented a rare blot on the interim manager’s copy book since he took over from Ruben Amorim in January.

Despite that defeat, United remain well on course to secure Champions League qualification and would take a major step towards achieving that objective should they gain a positive result at Chelsea on Saturday night.

A return to Europe’s elite club competition would, however, mean a far busier schedule next term and place huge demands on a squad that will play just 40 games this season following early Carabao and FA Cup defeats.

United are already pressing ahead with plans to strengthen in central midfield in light of Casemiro’s impending departure.

The likes of Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton and Carlos Baleba are all under consideration, but Saha has urged United’s key decision makers not to neglect strengthening in attack.

Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko have all enjoyed promising debut seasons at Old Trafford but the former France international insists they are in need of additional support.

Saha is a huge fan of PSG winger Desire Doue but believes Victor Osimhen is a more realistic target.

He told World Cup Betting: ‘If he was available, my dream signing for Man Utd would be Desire Doue. He’s an amazing talent, and I really love his confidence and his work rate.

‘His potential is enormous. That’s why it would really be a matter of breaking the bank. He is like a young [Cristiano] Ronaldo.

‘If you ask me, the one I really want is him. Maybe the more realistic option would be Victor Osimhen to partner with Benjamin Sesko at some stage. 

‘The Champions League is going to be huge for the club next season and we have a need for a midfielder, some really physical players there. Players like Declan Rice and Sandro Tonali, others will say someone to support Kobbie Mainoo.

‘This is the balance that United need to find, and midfield is extremely important. And maybe another kind of playmaker, someone who is unpredictable, someone who is able to complement Bruno Fernandes as well. 

‘For some games, a different type of setup will be needed because of the opposition. So it’s important to have that right balance, and I think those three additions are extremely important.’

While Casemiro is definitely heading for the exit, one experienced campaigner in Harry Maguire will definitely be remaining.

The England international defender put an end to any speculation surrounding his future by signing a new contract earlier this month.

‘Harry Maguire earned that contract because he wanted it,’ added. Saha. ‘He wanted to be there. He’s a player that refused to leave.

‘Critics and pundits, who think they know better, never faced what Harry Maguire has faced.

‘I was always one of his supporters. I know he played badly in some games and needed to do better. But he was an easy target because the system and culture were not there, the foundations of this club were diminished.

‘The structure, for me, was the problem. So, Harry Maguire was an easy target, and that’s unfair. Since his debut, he’s always shown up, never hidden. He claimed he is one of the best in both boxes, and I think he is.

‘To be totally honest, he’s a leader, never hides, and this is the type of culture that Man United needs to rely on. For that, he deserves his new contract. I’m sure many fans feel the same, even if we are always looking forward to younger players. He deserved it.’

Former Arsenal and Liverpool goalkeeper Alex Manninger has died aged 48 after his car was hit by a train in Austria on Thursday morning.

The accident occurred in Nussdorf am Haunsberg, a municipality 13 miles north of Salzburg, on Thursday at approximately 8:30am.

A train on the Salzburg Local Railway struck a VW Multivan at a small, unmanned level crossing shortly after a stop. The vehicle was propelled several meters after being hit.

Around 25 passengers on the train and the driver were unharmed but the driver of the VW Multivan was trapped in his vehicle and had to be freed by first responders before being resuscitated with a defibrillator.

Police spokeswoman Ingrid Planitzer confirmed that the driver of the vehicle later died due to serious injuries.

‘It’s essentially a service road that crosses the local railway line there. If you continue along that road, you’ll come to several holiday homes and some fish ponds,’ Matthias Ganisl, commander of the Nussdorf volunteer fire department, told Salzburger Nachrichten.

Manninger joined Arsenal from Austrian side Grazer AK in 1997 and went on to make 64 appearances for the Gunners.

He was part of the Arsenal side that won the Premier League and FA Cup double in 1998.

Speaking about his time at Arsenal in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport earlier this month, Manninger said: ‘It makes me emotional just thinking about it. I was 20, a kid. Wenger wanted to bring an international dimension to the club and focus on young players. I was one of them.

‘Arsene even introduced a training camp, which was unusual for the Premier League at the time. I have to say that, despite my age, I felt comfortable in goal, up front I had a giant like Tony Adams. He taught me so much. I only have one regret – leaving too soon. But, you know, I wanted to play.’

Manninger, who made 33 appearances for Austria’s national side, finished his career at Liverpool in 2017.

Austrian Football Association sporting director Peter Schottel said: ‘Alexander Manninger was an outstanding ambassador for Austrian football, both on and off the pitch.

‘His international career set standards and inspired and influenced many young goalkeepers. His professionalism, composure, and reliability made him an integral part of his teams and the national team.

‘His achievements deserve the utmost respect and will be unforgettable. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time.’

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Anthony Gordon is ready to leave Newcastle United this summer amid interest from Bayern Munich and Arsenal.

The England international emerged as a transfer target for the Gunners last year with a new left winger likely to be high upon Mikel Arteta’s shopping list at the end of the current season.

Bayern Munich are also eager to bolster their attack and after the success of Harry Kane, Luis Diaz and Michael Olise, are now targeting another Premier League import.

While Gordon has not told the club he wants to leave, the former Everton star is keen to explore his options and find a new challenge this summer, the Daily Telegraph reports.

The 25-year-old hopes to resolve his future before England’s World Cup campaign begins in June.

The report states Gordon has not told the club he wishes to leave but the feeling within Newcastle is that a move is now on the cards with bids expected.

Reports in the German media have claimed Bayern will look to sign Gordon for a fee of around £60million. Newcastle signed Gordon from Everton for £45m three years ago with their asking price this summer likely to exceed £80m.

Liverpool were also interested in signing Gordon two years ago but it remains to be seen whether they rekindle that interest.

Gordon is a boyhood Liverpool fan and would jump at the chance to join the club who will need to revamp their attacking options this summer with Mohamed Salah leaving and Hugo Eikitike facing a long spell on the sidelines.

In addition to Gordon, Sandro Tonali is another Newcastle star who could seek a fresh challenge at the end of the season.

But according to the report, the Magpies are in a position where they only need to sell one of their prized assets to help fund summer recruitment with any departure for Gordon likely to strengthen their position with the Italy international.

Tino Livramento, another player admired at Arsenal, is likely to be sold if the right offer comes in. The former Chelsea youngster has just two years left on his contract on Tyneside.

Arsenal face a nervous wait to learn the extent of Noni Madueke’s knee injury but the winger appeared in good spirits as he celebrated the Gunners reaching the Champions League semi-finals.

A dull stalemate against Sporting CP at the Emirates on Wednesday was enough to secure Arsenal’s place in the final four of the competition thanks to their 1-0 away in Lisbon last week.

The result set up a semi-final showdown with Atletico Madrid but Mikel Arteta’s focus for now is on a season-defining Premier League clash with Manchester City on Sunday.

The Arsenal boss is already dealing with a string of injury problems with Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori all absent.

There was also concern for Madueke when he was forced off in the second-half against Sporting.

The former Chelsea star, who had a separate injury scare while on international duty with England last month, collided with Pedro Goncalves on the touchline with Max Dowman brought onto replace him for the remainder of the game.

Arteta confirmed it was a knee issue post-match but was unable to provide any further update. ‘It was something in his knee, we had to take him off,’ Arteta said.

‘I don’t know the extent of that.’

But there appeared to be positive signs at the final whistle in footage recorded by journalist Ryan Taylor.

As Arsenal players celebrated the hard-fought result that booked their place in the semi-final, Madueke hobbled over to join his teammates with Saka and Timber also emerging from the tunnel.

While moving with a limp, the winger did not appear too concerned by the issue, smiling and laughing with his teammates.

Arteta will be expected to provide a further update on his winger when he speaks to the media on Friday.

Saka has not played since the Carabao Cup final with Arteta revealing this week he is dealing with an Achilles injury.

Having still not returned to first-team training, he remains a doubt for Sunday’s trip to the Etihad.

Madueke has served as Saka’s understudy all season but any doubts over his fitness could open the door for 16-year-old Dowman to start against Pep Guardiola’s side.

Thierry Henry has warned Mikel Arteta that Arsenal cannot afford a repeat of their performance against Sporting CP in their Premier League match against Manchester City on Sunday.

Arsenal have secured their place in the Champions League semi-final where they will meet Atletico Madrid following a goalless draw at home to Sporting on Wednesday night.

But the Gunners, who had a 1-0 win from the first leg in Portugal last week, delivered another unconvincing performance as they registered just one shot on target against Sporting in the return fixture at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal now turn their attention to the Premier League this weekend as they play City at the Etihad Stadium in a game which will have a significant impact on the title race.

Arteta’s side currently sit six points clear of City at the top of the Premier League but Pep Guardiola’s side have a game in hand and will cut that lead to three points with a win.

‘I want to see that fire at the Etihad,’ Henry told CBS Sports.

‘That’s what I want to see, it’s easy to talk, go there, at Man City, and deliver.

‘I believe in what I see though, I believe in him Arteta, ‘the fire’, but when you talk like that you have to do it then. I didn’t see that tonight.

‘We are through, so happy, semi-final, I never won it, but I won the league though, go and win at Man City, I want to see that fire there, I believe Mikel, yes, but show it.’

Asked how he would approach the game against City, Henry replied: ‘Not like tonight, or against Bournemouth, or Brighton away, or Mansfield, or everything that I’ve seen this season.’

Asked if the performance against Sporting would be enough to beat City, Henry laughed and replied: ‘The Man City I’ve seen recently? We’re talking about the team that won four in a row, Liverpool came in between that if not it would have been more.

‘I do believe, I’ve been saying since the beginning of the season, this year I do believe we can win the league, this is the biggest chance in your life just to prove to yourself, as a team, that we can.

‘And then people will not talk about the word they want to use that I do not want to use.

‘I do believe personally but I am sitting in a chair for CBS, there’s nothing I can do. Now I heard ‘fire’, I want to see that fire at the Etihad.

‘If you have the face of Declan Rice go back to that, at the end of the game I stayed with his face, you had a lot of guys smiling but his face… I don’t know, maybe I need to speak to him to know what he had in his head. This is a guy who just went through to the semi-final of the Champions League.

‘There’s no positive or negative here. We are in a semi-final of a Champions League, well done, that didn’t happen a lot in history so obviously I’m over the moon. But City… I want the team to win there, not draw, statement.’

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Joe Cole has rated Arsenal’s chances of beating Atletico Madrid and reaching the Champions League final.

Mikel Arteta’s Premier League leaders edged out Portuguese champions Sporting 1-0 in a tight and cagey quarter-final.

Arsenal will meet Spanish giants Atletico in the semis after Diego Simeone’s side beat La Liga rivals Barcelona 3-2 on aggregate.

Champions League holders PSG face German champions Bayern Munich in the other semi-final tie after wins over Liverpool and Real Madrid respectively.

Following a brilliant first-half to the season, Arsenal appear to be stuttering towards the finish line, winning just one of their last five games in all competitions.

But former England star Cole still believes Arsenal fans should be ‘very confident’ about their chances of overcoming Atletico Madrid and reaching the Champions League final.

‘Arsenal fans should be very, very confident,’ Cole said on TNT Sports. ‘They always knew they were on the better side of the draw.

‘The Premier League is one entity but I think they will turn up against Sporting and perform and get through.

‘A semi-final against an Atletico Madrid team that we saw tonight, Arsenal are a lot stronger than so many different areas.

‘The only thing that Atletico Madrid have got over them is experience but I still think the double is on for Arsenal, I really do.

‘It will be chaos but Arsenal can’t be gentlemen in a game like that. There will be dark arts from Atletico so Arsenal need to manage that.’

Arsenal beat Sporting 1-0 in Lisbon last week courtesy of Kai Havertz’s injury-time goal and that proved to be enough to send the Gunners into the semi-finals of the Champions League.

Speaking after the victory over Sporting, Gunners boss Arteta said: ‘It’s a massive moment. To be part of those four teams is great work.

‘It’s a great night. I’m very happy for all our people. We are making steps that haven’t been done at this club for 140 years [back-to-back Champions League semi-finals].

‘You have to earn it. You have to go through a lot of work. Gratitude to the players.’

On Arsenal’s semi-final opponents Atletico Madrid, Arteta added: ‘I watched them yesterday – that stadium is special.

‘Those are the moments we want to live together as a team right now, so enjoy tonight. Tomorrow we will start to prepare for the weekend and then we will think about that.’

Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli also discussed the semi-final tie against Atletico Madrid, telling reporters: ‘We played them in the group stage but this will be a completely different game.

‘We have to earn the right, we have to do things right in the game as well. Let’s keep it up and try to win both games.’

Arsenal, sitting six points clear at the top of the Premier League, face title rivals Manchester City in a huge clash on Sunday.

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Sporting CP’s vice-captain Daniel Braganca singled out ‘extraordinary’ Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya after the Portuguese club’s Champions League exit.

Arsenal held a 1-0 advantage from the first leg in Lisbon last week and managed to secure their place in the Champions League semi-final with a goalless draw at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night.

Raya was named UEFA’s Player of the Match for his excellent performance in the first leg as his fine saves kept Sporting at bay.

The Spain international was only tested once by Sporting in the return leg on Wednesday evening but Braganca believes Arsenal’s goalkeeper was a key difference between the two sides.

‘Being eliminated for what we did hurts. It leaves a bitter taste after the game, because we could have scored and revived the tie,’ Braganca told Sport TV.

‘They also had opportunities but Arsenal have an extraordinary goalkeeper who makes the goal seem small.’

Meanwhile, Sporting head coach, Rui Borges, believes Arsenal were ‘lucky’ to progress to the Champions League semi-final.

‘I can’t say it hurts. It’s an infinite pride in the team’s personality and ability,’ Borges said.

‘I think in both games we were superior to Arsenal, they ended up being lucky with the goal at Alvalade and went through.

‘We showed character in both games, in this extraordinary atmosphere, our fans were also extraordinary. They deserved more but we have to leave with our heads held high, for the strength and joy they demonstrated.’

Elsewhere, Sporting captain, Morten Hjulmand, bemoaned Arsenal’s delaying tactics at set-pieces and claims it disrupted Sporting’s rhythm.

‘I think today was a balanced game. I think the impact of the first game, which we lost, made it harder to go to the Emirates and win, especially when we haven’t lost much at home. I knew it was going to be difficult here too but even so it was a game with little intensity, no rhythm, zero goals, boring, I’d say,’ Hjulmand told CBS Sports.

‘I think there were a lot of interruptions during the game, so we couldn’t get the rhythm we wanted. So, yes, a bit boring if I were a spectator. 0-0, and the first game was 1-0… that’s not how Sporting wants to show itself. We want to score goals, create opportunities and today we didn’t.

‘During the game I felt a lot of stoppages, especially on set-pieces, and that takes a lot of time away from the game and the rhythm as well.

‘When we managed to get into the rhythm, especially in the first half, I think we created many opportunities to make it 1-0. But, in the end, we didn’t create enough to win the game, to be honest.’

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Chelsea legend and former Manchester United and Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho is being lined up for another Premier League job.

Mourinho is still a much-loved figure at Stamford Bridge having won three Premier League titles across his two spells in charge of Chelsea.

The 63-year-old later won the Europa League and EFL Cup at Manchester United before an underwhelming stint at Tottenham.

Mourinho has had three managerial roles since leaving the Premier League, managing Roma, Fenerbahce and his current club, Benfica.

A long-awaited return to Benfica has not proved successful, however, and ex-Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has even been linked with replacing his fellow Portuguese this summer.

Mourinho still has admirers around the globe despite a number of disappointing managerial spells and has even been linked with a return to the Premier League.

According to talkSPORT, Newcastle United bosses would consider appointing Mourinho if they sack under-fire manager Eddie Howe.

Ex-England manager Howe has enjoyed a largely impressive spell in charge of the Magpies and led Newcastle to the Carabao Cup trophy last season.

But Newcastle have slipped to 14th in the Premier League this season, sparking huge speculation over Howe’s future at St James’ Park.

If Howe is moved on, Newcastle’s Saudi owners are believed to be keen to hire a big-name with former Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini another contender.

Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola, who is leaving the Cherries at the end of the season, would also reportedly be ‘open’ to taking over at Newcastle.

Discussing Mourinho’s possible arrival at St James’ Park, Newcastle fan Charlotte Robson told talkSPORT: ‘I don’t think he gives himself very long as a manager, but maybe we don’t need him to stay long term.

‘Maybe we just need two great years with one and then he leaves, and we’re in a slightly better position than we’re in now. I think that’s normal in the modern game.

‘It depends what we are looking for. Is it someone who wants to kick on in Europe or who wants to stay longer?

‘I’m sure the board understands what they want from a managerial profile. Eddie Howe has worked for Newcastle because he’s so risk-averse, but that’s not working anymore, so maybe we do need to put some more coal in the fire.’

Newcastle return to Premier League action on Saturday against Bournemouth, while Mourinho’s Benfica take on Portuguese champions Sporting.

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Mikel Arteta admits Declan Rice was ‘shattered’ before playing in Arsenal’s goalless draw with Sporting CP in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

Arsenal sealed their place in the Champions League semi-final where they will meet Atletico Madrid after a goalless draw at the Emirates Stadium.

Rice, meanwhile, did not train before the game due to illness but was handed the captain’s armband and went on to play a full 90 minutes against the Portuguese champions.

Arsenal now turn their attention back to the Premier League as they face Manchester City on Sunday in a game which will play a significant role in who will be crowned champions this season.

Speaking after Arsenal’s draw against Sporting, Arteta hailed Rice’s commitment but revealed that the midfielder was told he had ‘no chance’ of playing in Wednesday’s match due to his illness this week.

‘That is the reason why we are the only English team in the competition, because this league and this schedule takes the hell out of you, and it’s very difficult to do what we’ve done,’ said Arteta.

‘We are not perfect, we need to improve things, that’s for sure, we recognise that, but there’s value in what these players have done, because they deserve it.

‘Declan yesterday, he was shattered. He had no chance to play today, he wasn’t feeling good at all today, he played 94 minutes at the level that he’s done.

‘Piero [Hincapie] the same, every single player is putting everything through the line to contribute, to give his best, and I really value that from the team.’

Arteta also revealed that it was not his decision to make Rice captain for the game and claims it was a call made by the Arsenal squad.

‘They made a decision,’ Arteta said.

‘They made a decision because Declan has earned the status and the role.

‘The way he’s taken ownership in difficult moments. He’s a great leader, he’s a top player for us and I love that the players take that ownership.’

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Joe Cole has backed Mikel Arteta to start 16-year-old Max Dowman in Arsenal’s potential Premier League title decider against Manchester City but says Viktor Gyokeres should be dropped.

The Gunners travel to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday to take on Man City in the biggest game of the Premier League season.

Arsenal, chasing a first league title since 2004, boast a six-point lead over Pep Guardiola’s side but Man City’s game in hand means the title is effectively in both club’s hands.

Arsenal missed the chance to move 12 points clear of their title rivals on Saturday as they slipped to a potentially damaging 2-1 defeat at home to Bournemouth.

Manchester City still had to take advantage to keep the title race alive and did so impressively, thumping Chelsea 3-0 at Stamford Bridge.

A goalless draw with Sporting on Wednesday night means Arsenal have won just one of their last five games in all competitions.

But that was enough to send Mikel Arteta’s team through to the Champions League semi-finals courtesy of a 1-0 aggregate win over Portuguese champions Sporting.

It was another underwhelming performance from Arsenal in the final third, with Arteta’s side creating just one shot on target.

Arteta’s £64m summer signing Gyokeres was subbed off for Kai Havertz with over half an hour remaining and Cole believes the forwards should switch places at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

‘I think Mikel Arteta goes with Kai Havertz because you’re going to need to hold the ball up against Man City,’ Cole said on TNT Sports.

‘Viktor Gyokeres fluffed his lines tonight in terms of holding the ball up and that’s why he got dragged off. Havertz did that better and they looked a more composed team.’

Teenage sensation Dowman was introduced at a similar time as Havertz and Cole was impressed by his second-half cameo in the Champions League.

‘It would be a massive call [to start Dowman against Man City] but he is special, he’s clearly special,’ Cole added.

‘What he’s already done at the game at his age is incredible. He could start…

‘Arsenal were in a Champions League quarter-final tonight and Arteta turned to Dowman and that shows you the faith they have in him.

‘We might even see him on Sunday and that would be huge.’

Meanwhile, Arteta was full of praise for his Arsenal team after they reached back-to-back Champions League semi-finals for the first time ever.

‘It’s a massive moment,’ Arteta said. ‘To be part of those four teams [in the semi-finals] is great work.

‘It’s a great night. I’m very happy for all our people. We are making steps that haven’t been done at this club for 140 years.’

Arsenal have played Manchester City twice so far this season, drawing 1-1 at the Emirates Stadium in the Premier League and losing 2-0 in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley.

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Jamie Carragher has U-turned on backing Arsenal to win the Champions League this season after Mikel Arteta’s side reached the semi-final on Wednesday night.

Arsenal had a 1-0 advantage over Sporting CP from their first leg in Lisbon last week and in the return fixture at the Emirates Stadium, a goalless draw was enough to secure their place in the final four of the competition where they will play Atletico Madrid.

In the other semi-final, Paris Saint-Germain will meet Bayern Munich after Vincent Kompany’s side sealed a 4-3 win over Real Madrid on Wednesday evening.

Before the start of the Champions League last-16 matches last month, Carragher predicted that Arsenal would beat PSG in the final in Budapest on May 30.

However, the former Liverpool and England defender now believes Arsenal’s lack of a ‘star’ player across their attack will end their hopes of winning the Champions League this season.

‘I’m not sure they’ve got the quality in the attack,’ Carragher told CBS Sports.

‘The game we just watched tonight, you think of the players on both teams, Arsenal don’t have that.

‘It’s not a criticism, they just don’t have those players in attack, they haven’t.

‘So, that’s why I think when you get to the business end of the season, certainly in the Champions League… even though I tipped Arsenal to win it, I just don’t believe it.

‘I can’t see a team winning the Champions League who don’t have a star in the front four, and they haven’t got one.’

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Declan Rice has told Manchester City that Arsenal will be ‘ready’ for this weekend’s huge Premier League clash and insists the Gunners will go out to win at the Etihad Stadium.

Mikel Arteta takes his Arsenal team to Man City on Sunday boasting a six-point lead at the top of the Premier League.

The Gunners missed the chance to move 12 points clear at the weekend as they suffered a 2-1 defeat at home to Bournemouth.

Arsenal then saw title rivals Manchester City close the gap at the top of the table to six points with an emphatic 3-0 win at Chelsea.

Given the situation at the top of the Premier League, Sunday’s game has been described as a ‘title decider’ by Manchester United and England legend Wayne Rooney.

It has been suggested that a point at the Etihad would be sufficient for Arsenal to get over the line and secure a first Premier League title since 2004, but Rice insists they are only thinking about the three points.

Asked whether Arsenal ‘had to win’ their huge clash against title rivals Man City, Rice told TNT Sports: ‘Yeah, of course, you have to win every game, we want to win every game.

‘Our record has been amazing this season and these type of games… it’s why we play the game.

‘We’ll be ready for it, we’ll be ready to go. How much do you want it, you know? I know I’ll be ready and the boys will be ready, so let’s go.’

Rice was speaking after Arsenal booked their place in the semi-finals of the Champions League with a narrow 1-0 win over Sporting.

Kai Havertz scored an injury-time winner out in Lisbon last week and the return leg at the Emirates Stadium ended goalless.

Rice added: ‘I’m delighted. I’m so, so happy. We now want to go one step forward than last season and get to the final.’

‘Frustrating? No…we’ve just got to another semi-final. Who cares what people think.’

Analysing Arsenal’s performance against Portuguese champions Sporting, Chris Sutton said on BBC Radio 5 Live: ‘We know what is going to happen, we know what the narrative is going to be.

‘A lot of people will rip Arsenal to shreds with the way they attacked or, should I say, didn’t attack.

‘Towards the end of the game, it is about seeing it through – the objective tonight was going through and finding a way.

‘It wasn’t perfect by any means, but defensively they do a lot right. It has been a struggle for a while and things do need to change…’

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Manchester United are facing a defensive crisis ahead of their Premier League clash with Chelsea this weekend with Harry set to miss out.

Maguire was shown a straight red card in United’s 2-2 draw with Bournemouth on 20 March for the denial of a goal scoring opportunity, deemed to have hauled back Evanilson as he broke through on goal.

As a result of that sending off, the England international was suspended for United’s 2-1 defeat to Leeds United on Monday.

But the 33-year-old will now serve an additional ban with a misconduct charge upheld by the FA.

Maguire will miss out of the visit to Stamford Bridge on Saturday after thew FA ruled he swore at fourth official Matt Donahue following his red card at Bournemouth.

It leaved United short at the back with Lisandro Martinez also serving a suspension this weekend.

The trip to Chelsea is the first of three games the Argentina international will miss after he was sent off against Leeds for violent conduct when he was judged to have pulled Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s hair as the two battled for the ball.

Martinez will also miss the upcoming home games against Brentford and Liverpool.

How Man Utd can line up against Chelsea this weekend

With Matthijs de Ligt still out with a back injury that has sidelined him since the end of November, United are short of three senior options at centre-half.

It leaves them with the youthful pair of Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven to possibly start in west London.

Yoro, 20, has started the last six games while Martinez has been out injured, featuring again in the place of the suspended Maguire on Monday.

Heaven, 19, is United’s only other available centre-half, still to start a game under Michael Carrick. The former Arsenal youngster last started a game during Darren Fletcher’s brief reign in charge as interim boss in the 2-2 draw with Burnley in January.

Carrick will also have the option of deploying Luke Shaw at centre-half, a role he regularly played under Ruben Amorim, albeit in a 3-4-3 formation.

Moving Shaw inside would leave a void to be filled at left-back.

Patrick Dorgu is still working his way back from a hamstring injury with the Chelsea game likely to come too soon for the Denmark international.

Nossair Mazraoui, who started on the right against Leeds, is an option to slot in again with Diogo Dalot moving over to cover Shaw on the left.

Mikel Arteta will hope his latest rallying cry can push Arsenal over the line in their Champions League showdown with Sporting CP tonight.

But the Gunners boss may have to check his facts again after one particular claim made in the build-up to kick-off.

What can still be a phenomenal season for Arsenal has shown signs of faltering in recent weeks. After losing the Carabao Cup final to Manchester City, the north Londoners crashed out of the FA Cup against Southampton as their quadruple hopes were slashed to a double.

A dismal defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday piled further pressure on the Premier League leaders. The gap at the top is now just six points ahead of Sunday’s season-defining clash with Manchester City at the Etihad.

Focus is on the Champions League for now with Arsenal leading their quarter-final tie at its halfway stage after a 1-0 win away in Lisbon last week. They welcome the Portuguese giants to the Emirates tonight with a semi-final against Atletico Madrid awaiting the winner.

Arteta was loud and proud as he stressed just how far his side have come this season in his pre-match press conference.

‘What we are trying to achieve is difficult, it is challenging. It is bumpy at times. And it is supposed to be like this,’ Arteta said.

‘So you have to confront it. What I basically said is we are trying to do something in this competition that hasn’t been done in the history of the club, in 140 years. So that tells you the difficulty of that. It is the first time we are three years in a row in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, the first time in our history.

‘For other clubs, that is the daily meal. For us, no. So we value a lot where we are. We have the opportunity to go to the semi-finals, we are competing to win the Premier League and we are in a really strong position after 22 years without doing it. So we know the difficulty. But the beauty is that it is challenging.’

He added later: ‘There are things we have done. I repeat myself. We haven’t been in this position in the Champions League ever in our history. We have overcome a lot of hurdles that have been here for years so the team has done something incredible because it has never been done before. We want to go to the next step and that is where the beauty lies.’

While stirring stuff, it’s not strictly true. While victory tonight would mark the first time Arsenal have reached back-to-back Champions League semi-finals, the feat of three consecutive quarter-finals was achieved under Arsene Wenger between 2008 and 2010.

In the 2007-08 campaign, Arsenal reached the last eight, eliminated by Liverpool on a crazy night at Anfield. The following season, they went one stage further, reaching the semi-finals where they were again scuppered by Premier League opposition, outclassed by Manchester United across two legs.

There was another quarter-final run in the 2009-10 season, this one halted by Barcelona and Lionel Messi who scored four-times in the second-leg.

After those heights, Arsenal’s miserable run of six consecutive last 16 exits followed before a six-year absence from the competition with Arteta leading them back to Europe’s premier club competition three years ago.

Arsenal of course also have a Champions League final appearance to their name, coming up short against Barcelona in 2006.

John Obi Mikel has questioned Chelsea’s decision to sell Nicolas Jackson, insisting the Blues are ‘missing’ the striker this season.

Jackson enjoyed a promising first season at Stamford Bridge following his £32m move from Villarreal in 2023, scoring 17 goals in all competitions.

The Senegal international quickly formed a productive partnership with Cole Palmer and helped the England star win the Premier League Young Player of the Season award following his move from Manchester City.

Jackson was less influential in his second season at Chelsea, however, and attracted criticism from a number of pundits for his inconsistent finishing.

It quickly became apparent that Chelsea intended to replace Jackson last summer and the Blues welcomed Joao Pedro and Liam Delap to the club.

Jackson was subsequently sent on loan to Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, leaving Pedro and Delap as Chelsea’s two main striker options this season.

Pedro has largely impressed following his £60m move from Brighton, scoring 19 goals in all competitions, but ex-Ipswich Town forward Delap has netted just twice since his £30m transfer.

Obi Mikel has questioned both Pedro and Delap, however, claiming neither have provided Chelsea with what Jackson did during his time at Stamford Bridge.

‘We are missing Nicolas Jackson,’ the Chelsea hero said on his YouTube channel. ‘What he gave us, no striker has given us. So yes, we are missing Jackson.’

Bayern Munich paid an eye-watering £14.3m just to sign Jackson on loan for the 2025-26 campaign.

The German giants also agreed to sign Jackson on a permanent transfer this summer worth a further £56m if certain conditions were met.

Jackson has failed to play enough games to activate the transfer, however, meaning Bayern will have to renegotiate a new deal with Chelsea or send him back to Stamford Bridge.

The 24-year-old was delighted to join Bayern Munich and wanted to stay at the Allianz Arena but is now said to be ‘open’ to returning to west London.

Obi Mikel is not the only pundit to question Chelsea’s decision to offload Jackson, with Paul Merson and Paul Scholes voicing similar opinions earlier in the season.

Jackson has not had a huge impact at Bayern, playing back-up to England captain Harry Kane, but is still set to be a Bundesliga and potentially even a Champions League winner.

Vincent Kompany’s side are 15 points clear at the top of the Bundesliga table and preparing to face Real Madrid on Wednesday night for a place in the Champions League semi-finals.

Jackson’s parent club Chelsea, meanwhile, have lost five of their last six games to slip to sixth in the Premier League and crash out of the Champions League.

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Andoni Iraola is ‘open’ to joining Manchester United this summer with the Premier League giants also interested in signing two Bournemouth stars.

The Cherries boss announced on Tuesday he will step down as head coach when his contract expires at the end of the season.

The 43-year-old has been a revelation during his three years at the Vitality Stadium. And departs with no shortage of suitors.

Iraola is said to favour a return to Spain at this stage in his career with the job at his boyhood club Athletic Bilbao available. But the Spaniard will consider is options with there likely to be several Premier League clubs interested in his services.

Underwhelming campaigns for Liverpool and Chelsea mean there is pressure on Arne Slot and Liam Rosenior while United are still to make a permanent decision on will be their next permanent boss.

Michael Carrick remains the favourite for the role but Monday’s defeat to Leeds United underlined the size of the task at hand at Old Trafford.

With Iraola weighing up his next move, Fabrizio Romano reports the Bournemouth boss is open to remaining in the Premier League.

While there is no suggestions United have made any contact with the Spaniard, he would be ‘open’ to taking over in Manchester this summer.

Iraola is unlikely to be the only major departure on the south coast.

Having lost Dean Huijsen and Illia Zabarnyi to Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain respectively last summer, there is growing interest in current stars Junior Kroupi and Marcos Senesi ahead of the summer transfer window.

In his first season at the club, Kroupi has scored 10 goals, including two in games home and away to United who are now weighing up a possible move, the Daily Mail report.

Liverpool and Chelsea are also admirers of the young Frenchman.

Marcos Senesi is also being monitored by United. The Argentine is another who is out of contract at the end of the season and is expected to move on after four years.

The centre-half will have no shortage of Premier League offers with Chelsea and Tottenham also credited with interest.

Manchester United are not only working on incoming signings ahead of the summer transfer window but are also in talks to sell a number of current Old Trafford players.

Much of the speculation around United ahead of the summer has been on their search for a new midfielder to replace Casemiro, who announced in January his intention to leave at the end of the season.

The Red Devils were already planning to sign a new midfielder before the Brazilian’s announcement, with former manager Ruben Amorim left disappointed by the club’s failure to bring in a No. 6 last summer.

Manchester United have expressed interest in Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton, Carlos Baleba and Alex Scott ahead of the summer, with Nottingham Forest’s Anderson believed to be their top target.

While United’s priority is midfield reinforcements, they are also expected to sign a new forward to support Benjamin Sesko and are interested in signing a new full-back.

Manchester United’s new permanent manager should have money to spend with the Premier League giants on course to qualify for the Champions League.

They were just sixth at the time of Amorim’s sacking in January but have climbed to third under caretaker boss Michael Carrick.

Old Trafford bosses are already busy making plans for the summer and are just as preoccupied working on outgoings as incoming deals.

Manchester United hope to sell Marcus Rashford to Barcelona and have already agreed to offload Rasmus Hojlund, who looks set to earn a permanent move to Napoli.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his colleagues will look to cash in on Andre Onana despite his desire to return to Old Trafford while Jadon Sancho will finally leave after a dismal spell in Manchester.

Another player set to leave is goalkeeper Altay Bayindir, who has already agreed a deal to join European giants Besiktas, according to reports in Turkey.

Bayindir, who joined United during Erik ten Hag’s tenure, was the first-choice goalkeeper at times last season and in the early part of the current campaign.

But the 27-year-old is firmly behind Senne Lammens in the pecking order and was in talks over a move to Besiktas during the January transfer window.

While that deal fell through, Bayindir is set to return to Turkey this summer, with Besiktas preparing to announce the transfer, according to Fanatik.

Manchester United were reluctant to sanction Bayindir’s exit midway through the season but it is claimed they are ready to agree a deal ahead of the summer transfer window.

Bayindir looked set to feature regularly for United this season but £18m summer signing Lammens has emerged as the No. 1 at Old Trafford, even impressing legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

As a result Bayindir has not featured for Champions League-chasing Manchester United since September.

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Hugo Ekitike is expected to be sidelined for at least nine months with a serious Achilles tendon injury suffered in Liverpool’s Champions League exit against Paris Saint-Germain.

Liverpool’s last hope of silverware this season ended on Tuesday night after defeat to the French champions at Anfield who sealed a 4-0 aggregate victory to progress to the semi-finals of the competition.

But there was greater concern for their leading scorer Ekitike who was stretchered off in the first-half on Merseyside.

Eiktike fell to the ground unchallenged after 34 minutes, clutching the back of his ankle in visible pain.

Despite two attempts, the striker was unable to get back to his feet and received treatment from Liverpool’s medical staff before he was carried off the pitch in tears.

Arne Slot provided a grim update after the match, admitting the injury was ‘not good’ with Ibrahima Konare also fearing the worst for his teammate.

Liverpool are still to officially confirm the extent of the injury but L’Equipe report the former Eintracht Frankfurt star has ruptured his Achilles tendon which will sideline him for approximately nine months.

The report adds that timeline represents a ‘best case scenario’ for the 23-year-old who will also miss France’s World Cup campaign this summer.

When asked about Ekitike’s injury after his side’s loss,  Slot said: ‘Not too good, I think we could all see that.

‘Let’s wait and see what it will be. In the second half he went home so I haven’t seen him.’

Konate added: ‘I’m very sad for him. To be fair, I think it’s bad,’

‘I don’t want to talk about that, with a World Cup coming it’s very, very hard for him at the moment. I send him my prayers.’

Thierry Henry believes Arsenal could face trouble in their Champions League quarter-final if Sporting CP use similar tactics to Bournemouth.

Arsenal have a 1-0 advantage going into the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie on Wednesday night following their win in Lisbon last week.

However, Mikel Arteta’s side head into the game at the Emirates Stadium off the back of a 2-1 defeat at home to Bournemouth in the Premier League, which has cut their advantage over Manchester City at the top of the table to six points.

Arsenal delivered an unconvincing performance in the loss at home to Bournemouth as they struggled to create clear-cut chances in attack and failed to beat the press from Andoni Iraola’s players in their own half.

If they eliminate Sporting on Wednesday night, Arsenal will play Atletico Madrid in the Champions League semi-final and Henry feels a positive result can help the team ‘make a statement’ in their crucial Premier League game against Manchester City this Sunday.

‘If you’re Sporting, if you see the way Man City played Arsenal and the way Bournemouth played Arsenal at the weekend, the way they put pressure in that 4-2-4 early doors, Arsenal didn’t have an answer on how to step out from that,’ Henry told CBS Sports.

‘I don’t know what Sporting are going to do, but yes, it is very important for Arsenal to win the game and make sure they can prepare for the game we are all waiting for, what time it is.

‘Because for a very long time, I wasn’t even focusing on Bournemouth, even before Bournemouth winning I wasn’t focusing on that, I wanted that game, if I was a player, I want to win at statement, I want to make a statement.

‘I’m not saying it’s going to be easy, but that’s what I’m waiting for.’

Asked if he prefers Arsenal to face Atletico Madrid after they knocked out Barcelona, Henry replied: ‘We will see. We need to beat Sporting.

‘They [Atletico] can celebrate, we’re not there yet.’

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Arne Slot admits Liverpool will need to ‘sell to buy’ in order to replace Mohamed Salah this summer.

Liverpool crashed out of the Champions League on Tuesday night as two second-half goals from Ousmane Dembele sealed a 2-0 win for Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield.

Salah made his final Champions League appearance for Liverpool as he came off the bench in the first half to replace Hugo Ekitike, who is set to miss the rest of the season with an Achilles injury.

The 33-year-old has already confirmed he will leave Liverpool on a free transfer at the end of the season, while Andy Robertson is also departing Anfield as a free agent this summer.

Slot admits Liverpool face a ‘big challenge’ in the next transfer window and suggests the club may need to offload more key first-team players before making new signings.

‘I think much is being said recently and maybe by many people also through this year that the club is in a transition,’ Slot told Amazon Prime after Liverpool’s defeat at Anfield.

‘We’ve sold eight to ten players to recoup money to sign four, five, six very talented and good players.

‘Now we are losing Mo and Andy Robertson on a free transfer as we lost Trent [Alexander-Arnold] on a free transfer, and this model of the club means we have to sell usually to buy.

‘It’s a big challenge, it was already last season and it’s going to be a challenge in the summer again.

‘But this club has also showed many times this model works and we can be very successful with this model and I think we’ve signed, which you could see today, very good, talented players.

‘Let’s hope they’re all fit going into their second season in the Premier League, so as I said many times, the future looks really good especially if we can a few good signings after a few good players leave this summer.’

Speaking after Liverpool’s Champions League exit, Wayne Rooney dismissed Slot’s suggestion that the club are in ‘transition’.

‘I think you’re talking about rebuilds… they were champions last season,’ Rooney said after Liverpool’s Champions League exit.

‘They won the league last season and they spent an awful amount of money to try and make the squad better.

‘There’s certainly been faults from… whether that’s recruitment, obviously they’ve had players out injured but you shouldn’t be talking about a rebuild when you’ve just won the Premier League.

‘They’ve lost some really good players, you can see why the fans were so upset when they lost Trent.’

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Raphinha told Atletico Madrid supporters they will be eliminated in the Champions League semi-final after they eliminated Barcelona on Tuesday night.

Atletico held a 2-0 advantage from their win at Camp Nou last week but Barcelona pulled the quarter-final tie level after just 24 minutes in the return leg with goals from Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres.

Ademola Lookman then struck before the break to put Atletico 3-2 ahead on aggregate and Barcelona were unable to find a third goal before they were reduced to ten men with 11 minutes to go with Eric Garcia’s red card.

Atletico will now play either Arsenal or Sporting CP in the Champions League semi-final, with Mikel Arteta’s side heading into Wednesday night’s second leg at the Emirates Stadium with a 1-0 win from last week.

After Barcelona’s Champions League exit, Raphinha made his feelings clear towards Atletico’s supporters inside the Metropolitano as he was caught by DAZN’s cameras saying ‘out you go’ and gesturing with his thumb.

Raphinha’s fury continued in his post-match interview as he described Barcelona’s Champions League exit as a ‘robbery’.

‘For me, it was a robbery. Not only this [game] but the other one too,’ Raphinha told TNT Sports Brasil.

‘The refereeing has been very bad. The decisions he makes are incredible. Atletico committed I don’t know how many fouls and the referee didn’t show them a card.

‘It was difficult, even more so when you see that you need three times as much to win the game. I really wanted to understand their fear of Barca winning.

‘Making one mistake I can understand, but two games in a row… this tie was quite misleading in my view. Everyone can make mistakes, it’s human nature, but when the mistakes keep happening it’s a cause for concern.’

Speaking after his side’s defeat, Hansi Flick said Barcelona ‘deserved’ to be in the Champions League semi-final with their performance over the two legs against Atletico.

‘We’re disappointed. We had the chance to make it 3-0 and then conceded that goal. We had many opportunities, but we didn’t take them,’ Flick said.

‘We played a fantastic game. We played with one less man but the players were fantastic. I really appreciate what I saw today. We haven’t had much luck, we have to accept it.

‘We’ve talked about how to improve. In the first half, we should have scored more goals. We didn’t expect their goal. Looking at both matches, we deserved to be in the semi-final.’

Atletico head coach Diego Simeone said: ‘Every time we compete, we understand there’s only one way to face them – attack them.

‘They had more possession this time, in the previous match it was more even. If you don’t attack them, you lose. They’re very good at attacking. We knew the chances we had.

‘In the cup, we played a fantastic first half here and then had to suffer there. In the Champions League first leg, we took advantage of the important moments we had in our favour, and that 2-0 lead gave us some breathing room for a complex match.

‘The way Julian and Griezmann ran, the work of Llorente, Nahuel, Koke, Matteo’s outstanding performance, how the substitutes came on. It gave us enormous strength.

‘Playing a Champions League semi-final… wow, that’s great. We’ll go there with all the enthusiasm and faith. We know our strengths and weaknesses.

‘We have a lot of faith, we’re prepared, and we’ll go there to find what we’ve been looking for for many years.’

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Hugo Ekitike was forced off with a suspected Achilles injury during Liverpool’s 2-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

The French striker started alongside Alexander Isak for the second leg of Liverpool’s quarter-final tie against the Champions League holders.

In the 29th minute, Ekitike went down unchallenged after landing awkwardly moments earlier and immediately looked in pain as he was surrounded by both sets of players who looked concerned.

Ekitike could be seen clutching the Achilles on his right foot before medical staff helped him off the pitch on a stretcher.

The 23-year-old was clearly upset before leaving the pitch and he could now potentially miss Liverpool’s remaining six Premier League fixtures this season.

Ekitike is also pushing for a place in France’s World Cup squad with their campaign due to begin against Senegal on June 16.

When asked about Ekitike’s injury after his side’s loss, Arne Slot said: ‘Not too good, I think we could all see that.

‘Let’s wait and see what it will be. In the second half he went home so I haven’t seen him.’

Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate said: ‘I’m very sad for him. To be fair, I think it’s bad,’

‘I don’t want to talk about that, with a World Cup coming it’s very, very hard for him at the moment. I send him my prayers.’

Liverpool went on to lose 2-0 as two second-half goals from Ousmane Dembele sealed the win for PSG.

Luis Enrique’s side will now play either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-final.

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Mikel Arteta has confirmed Declan Rice has joined Arsenal’s list of injury doubts ahead of their Champions League showdown with Sporting CP.

The England international played the full 90 minutes away in Lisbon last week and again in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth in the Premier League.

But the midfielder was among the clutch of Arsenal stars to Tuesday morning’s training session ahead of the visit of the Portuguese giants.

Arsenal lead 1-0 at the halfway point in their quarter-final tie ahead of the return leg in north London on Wednesday night.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Arteta confirmed he is still waiting to learn if a host of names will be ready with a season-defining clash with Manchester City also waiting this weekend.

Arteta refused disclosed any details over Rice’s absence, suggesting the club will make a late decision on his fitness.

Asked if he could disclose anything specific on Rice’s issue, Arteta said: ‘I don’t want to do that. We will have to wait and see tomorrow but obviously he was unable to train.’

Asked if his issue was related to an awkward landing in the Bournemouth game, the Arsenal boss added: ‘He has played a lot of games which is part of the issue but he will do everything he can to be with us tomorrow.’

Arteta gives Saka, Timber and Odegaard update

Rice was one of five players not seen in training this morning.

Bukayo Saka has not played in Arsenal’s three games since the end of the international break. While Arteta had hoped to have him back last Saturday against Bournemouth, the winger did not recover in time.

‘It is something he has been carrying for a while,’ Arteta said. ‘It was an Achilles issue. It is progression and hopefully it is a matter of days and not weeks but he has to see when he is loading more, how he responds to that kind of progression.’

Jurrien Timber meanwhile has missed the last five games, not featuring since the mid-March victory over Everton.

‘We have to wait till tomorrow morning to see how some of the boys are.’

When asked if Timber or Saka could be back, Arteta added: ‘Maybe one of them, let’s see.’

Martin Odegaard has had an injury-hit start to 2026, missing 12 games through muscle and knee problems. The Norway international was back in the starting XI against Southampton and Sporting but was sidelined again lats week.

His national team manager Stale Solbakken revealed last week the midfielder had suffered a ‘minor setback’ with Arsenal still to provide a clear update on his condition.

Riccardo Calafiori played the full 90 against Sporting last week but was another who sat out of the Bournemouth game.  

Eidur Gudjohnsen has confidently backed Manchester City to go on and win the title this season, claiming Arsenal have ‘already lost the league’.

Arsenal entered last weekend’s action with an imperious nine-point advantage over Manchester City at the summit after four straight wins in the top flight.

But the Gunners’ league form does not paint the full picture of their recent performances, with Mikel Arteta’s men seeing their quadruple hopes go up in smoke with defeat to Manchester City in last month’s Carabao Cup final.

Just six days later, Arsenal suffered another major setback as they were denied a place in the FA Cup semi-finals by Championship outfit Southampton following a rudderless display at St Mary’s.

With the squad’s confidence levels rocked, yet more disappointment followed on Saturday as the north Londoners lost at home to Bournemouth to give City’s title hopes a significant boost.

City – who have a game in hand over Arsenal – made light work of Chelsea 24 hours later to move to within six points of the leaders ahead of the sides’ eagerly anticipated showdown at the Etihad this coming Sunday.

And while Arsenal’s fate remains in their hands, ex-Chelsea forward Gudjohnsen cannot see Arteta’s side bouncing back after what has been a gruelling few weeks for the club.

‘Even the fans are going, “What can we do? How can we stop this?”… I think they’ve already lost the league. We’re here to say our opinions,’ Gudjohnsen said of Arsenal on The Dressing Room Podcast.

‘In the end, it’s still in their own hands. They have to go to Man City, get a result, and if they get a win then it’ll be huge.

‘I just don’t see it happening. The way Man City played in the second half at Stamford Bridge, I felt I was watching the best team in the Premier League by far.

‘Just the ability to move the ball around, the physical part of it. They’re all so strong. Jeremy Doku, how strong he is! People just fall off him. When you see Antoine Semenyo run, he just eats the pitch up.’

According to Gudjohnsen, the vast majority of Chelsea’s fanbase will not have been too upset to see their team lose to City given the potential impact the result could have on Arsenal’s title hopes.

He added: ‘I had that feeling during the match: I want Chelsea to be in the Champions League but I don’t want Arsenal to win the league.

‘I think if you speak to 80 per cent of the fans… I’d even go as far as nearly 100 per cent of Chelsea fans would go, “I’d sacrifice today just so Arsenal don’t win it”, it’s strange.’

Turning his attentions to Chelsea, Gudjohnsen was left massively disheartened by the lack of ‘personality’ and ‘character’ he witnessed in the side’s defeat to City.

‘If you see Manchester City in the March and April periods for the last seven or eight years, they always seem to be at their best and the exact opposite is happening with Arsenal,’ the former Iceland international explained.

‘Unfortunately, you can’t compare Chelsea to Manchester City now, but we should be comparing them because they’re similar size clubs, we expect Chelsea to be up there.

‘Look at the difference on the pitch in personality, in ability, strength, pace. And you look at Man City’s bench and you look at Chelsea’s bench, you can put whoever on for Chelsea but it’s not going to make a difference, they’re all the same.

‘They’re all the same age, no one stands out, as in huge character. It’s just bland.’

Despite Arsenal’s poor form, Guardiola was adamant that his City side could not afford to rest on their laurels when facing the media on Sunday – a week out from the sides’ meeting at the Etihad.

‘We have done a good three games, but the best team in England so far is Arsenal, the best team in Europe so far is Arsenal because the numbers are there, the consistency they have,’ the Spaniard told reporters.

‘Prepare well this week, suggest what they will adjust compared to the Carabao Cup final and what we have to do with our people to try to perform well because it is what defines teams, how you play.

‘The Champions League is a completely different competition. In October, November to January and February, if you don’t grow as a team and the way you play, you don’t win.

‘We have to insist to play better and better.’

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Manchester United legend Edwin van der Sar believes Michael Carrick made a mistake starting Benjamin Sesko against Leeds United.

United were outplayed by Leeds in the first-half of Monday night’s Premier League clash and despite pulling one back through Casemiro in the second period, suffered a 2-1 defeat to their old rivals.

Carrick was forced into two changes on the night with Kobbie Mainoo picking up an injury and Harry Maguire serving a suspension with Manuel Ugarte and Lisandro Martinez replacing them. Noussair Mazraoui also started at right-back with Diogo Dalot only deemed fit enough for the bench after recent illness.

Bryan Mbeumo has regularly started through the middle since Carrick’s arrival with Sesko thriving in his role as a super-sub with four of his five goals under the interim manager coming off the bench.

The Slovenia international started ahead of Mbeumo on Monday night to little effect with Jaka Bijol having a good night up against his countryman.

Van der Sar, who won four Premier League titles in six years in Manchester, felt Mainoo’s absence on the night played a role in what was a limp performance from the hosts.

But the Dutch legend also suggested starting Sesko was not the right call.

‘What Carrick has done bringing Mainoo back in, it is important for United to have youth coming through,’ van der Sar told Premier League Productions.

‘He represents certain values and it has made him feel appreciated again has made a difference.

‘Casemiro and Ugarte are similar type of players so I think they missed him. With Benjamin Sesko up front, I am not sure if that was the right option to go to.’

Sesko has a return of 10 goals in 29 appearances for United this season as United’s only traditional no9 in the squad.

With United hoping to be back competing with Europe’s elite in the Champions League next season, another club great in Nicky Butt believes another striker must be signed to ease the burden.

‘I don’t think he can carry the club up front on his own, they’ll need another no9,’ Butt said. ‘He’s shown he’s got massive potential, great movement, he works his socks off. He can score a goal and you can see he’s good in the air but he’s not the complete centre-forward for United at that level. He can potentially get there.

‘When you go into the Champions League, it’s just a different kettle of fish. The tempo is totally different, the pressure on it is totally different. You’ve then got to come back and perform in the league, maybe two days later.

‘They’re going to have to go out and buy a top, top player. I do believe in recruitment there’s no point in going and buying a player who doesn’t improve the squad. You’ve got to go and buy the best player. I think Sesko will be a good player for United, I don’t think he needs replacing, but someone who is better than him that can lift his game as well.’

Paul Scholes fears there is no way back for Arsenal in the Premier League title race and is confident Manchester City will have their measure in Sunday’s top of the table clash.

The Gunners saw their nine-point lead reduced last weekend when their home defeat against Bournemouth was ruthlessly capitalised on by Pep Guardiola’s side who are hitting form at just the right point in the season.

A devastating second-half display at Stamford Bridge, decorated by quickfire goals from Nico O’Reilly, Marc Guehi and Jeremy Doku helped put Chelsea to the sword and piled the pressure on Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta’s side appear to be wilting in the face of mounting scrutiny and their record against the Premier League’s elite is hardly cause for optimism as they prepare to travel to the Etihad, a venue at which they haven’t won since 2015.

Faltering Arsenal must first overcome Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League tomorrow night before attention will turn to a potentially decisive clash with City, but Scholes fears the result is already something of a foregone conclusion.

‘I just think Arsenal have gone, me,’ the former Manchester United midfielder told  The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast

‘I just think all the momentum is with City. At some point, you have to beat your rivals. I’ve not seen them do it, they don’t win big games.’

Scholes’ former teammate and podcast co-presenter Nicky Butt agreed the writing appears to be on the wall for a group of players who are displaying the mental fragility that has reared its head in the past.

‘Until you’ve won it, or got over that hurdle, it is an absolute nightmare,’ he said.

‘You’re just thinking that you’re going to let them down again, and you can see that now with Arsenal and City, especially with Pep in charge, the amount of times he’s won the title.’

A third former United midfield general and multiple title winner Roy Keane, meanwhile, argued it us up to the senior players in the Arsenal dressing room, including Declan Rice, to get a grip of the current situation and display some much-needed leadership.

He said: ‘Rice has to show more leadership skills. That was a nervous performance. It’s okay being nervous, it’s how you deal with it.

‘When a team is pressing you – and Bournemouth really were – when it goes back to the goalkeeper and you’re showing for it, don’t; you’ve got a big target man.

‘Don’t complicate it, especially if you’re nervous. I’d rather be nervous up the field than giving the ball away cheaply in our own half.

‘You have to smell these things. It’s not like Arsenal learned from the first half, they were doing it in the second half too.

‘People like Rice, talking about leadership skills, they’ve got to get a grip of people.

‘People are looking at Arteta, the fans are nervous, no – this is on the players.

‘The fans aren’t going to do it for you, the manager can only do so much, he’s got a great squad together in a brilliant position.

‘Arsenal have got to get a grip – or it will slip by.’

Leeds United have taken a huge step towards Premier League safety after a famous win over Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Daniel Farke’s side ran the hosts ragged in the first-half with Noah Okafor giving them the lead after five minutes.

Sloppy and off the pace, United surrendered chance after chance with the visitors scoring a second inside half an hour with Okafor getting a second with his strike taking a deflection off Leny Yoro.

United, who were without the injured Kobbie Mainoo, laboured after 24 days without a game.

Michael Carrick’s side were reduced to 10 men just before the hour mark, dismissed for violent conduct after VAR judged he had pulled the hair of Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

United did pull one back after 69 minutes with the Bruno Fernandes-Casemiro combination again paying dividends.

Fernandes registered his 17th assist of the season to pick out the Brazilian, sparking hope of a late Old Trafford comeback.

The second goal never came however with Leeds hanging on to move six points clear of the relegation zone.

United remain in third place but missed the chance to tighten their grip on a Champions League spot.

Relive the action with Metro’s LIVE matchday blog.

Lisandro Martinez will sit out of Manchester United’s next three matches after his red card against Leeds United.

United fell to a 2-1 defeat to their old rivals at Old Trafford on Monday night, missing the chance to tighten their grip on third spot in the battle for Champions League qualification.

Martinez returned to the starting XI to partner Leny Yoro at the back having missed his side’s last five games with a calf injury.

But the Argentina international was sent off just before the hour mark.

Martinez was judged to have pulled Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s hair as they battled for an aerial ball.

While the incident was not picked up in real time, VAR John Brooks advised match official Paul Tierney to review the incident with the red card emerging shortly after.

Premier League Match Centre confirmed Martinez was sent off for violent conduct which will earn Martinez a three-match ban.

It immediately rules the defender out of Saturday’s game against Chelsea – a vital game in the battle for Champions League qualification.

Martinez will also miss key home games against Brentford and the visit of Liverpool on 3 May.

United boss Michael Carrick was fuming with the decision, furious Leeds’ opening goal was allowed to stand as Calvert-Lewin and Leny Yoro tangled before Noah Okafor slotted home the opener.

It was United’s second red card in as many games with Harry Maguire dismissed in the 2-2 draw with Bournemouth last month.

‘We didn’t start the game particularly well. We conceded, which came after Leny Yoro got a forearm smash in the back of his head,’ Carrick told Sky Sports.

‘They didn’t decide to overturn that, which was a big moment in the game. We didn’t quite have the rhythm, we didn’t click. We had some moments but it wasn’t there for large parts of the half.

‘I thought the boys stayed positive and fought for everything in the second half, after a shocking decision to send Licha [Martinez] off. 

‘That’s two games in a row we’ve had those decisions go against us, but that one was one of the worst I’ve seen.’

Roy Keane says Declan Rice is not showing enough leadership in the Arsenal team as the Premier League leaders wobble in the title race.

The Gunners are still six points clear at the top of the table, but confidence has been rocked after a bad weekend for them.

Mikel Arteta’s men were beaten 2-1 at home by Bournemouth on Saturday lunchtime and then watched Manchester City romp to a 3-0 win at Chelsea on Sunday afternoon.

City are the team six points behind them, with a game in hand and with Arsenal going to the Etihad on Sunday in a mammoth fixture.

The home team at the Emirates underperformed against the Cherries and while he is not criticising how he has played, Keane feels Rice needs to raise the levels of his teammates.

The Manchester United legend feels Arsenal are suffering with nerves as the title race hots up and Rice is someone who needs to solve the problem.

‘This is where Rice has to show a bit more leadership skills, I know he’s doing his best out on the pitch but he’s got to get hold of people,’ Keane said on Sky Sports.

‘That was a nervous performance, but if you’re going to play top level sport…it’s ok being nervous, it’s how you deal with it. It’s your decision making and body language from certain players.

‘People like Rice, we’re talking about leadership skills, they’ve got to get a grip of people.’

The Irishman, who knows plenty about winning Premier League title races as a midfielder, says edgy Arsenal performances are down to the players, rather than manager Mikel Arteta who is coming under some pressure.

‘At Arsenal a lot of the feedback the last few days, people are looking at Arteta, the fans are nervous. No, this is on the players,’ Keane said.

‘The fans aren’t going to do it for you, the manager can only do so much. He’s got a brilliant squad together, you’re in a great position, do not let this slip.

‘At this moment in time they’re letting the nerves get the better of them but you’ve got to deal with that and that’s just footballing decisions.

‘And don’t go on an ego trip to play 50 passes, just hit the target man, because if we’re nervous I’d rather be nervous up there than nervous and us trying to be too clever and give the ball away cheaply.

‘They [Bournemouth] got confidence out of Arsenal’s nervousness. They’ve got to get a grip of that or it will slip by.’

Keane picked out Rice as an example of an Arsenal star who needs to show leadership, but it is a job for the entire squad, as he tells them that losing this title race will leave a scar.

‘This is on the players now,’ Keane continued. ‘We’ll find out about what kind of characters these Arsenal lads are over the next three, four, five weeks, what they’re made of.

‘Challenge each other, not being best mates with everybody, falling out with each other. If they slip up here, they’ll never forgive themselves.’

‘It’s a big punch in the face’

Speaking after the surprise loss to Andoni Iraola’s side, Arteta said: ‘We were very far from the level that we were shown. That’s for certain, especially in certain areas that are critical when you play against a team like Bournemouth. They were very clear. But, again, I don’t want to criticise any player, especially here, publicly.’

He added: ‘It’s extremely disappointing; it’s a big punch in the face, but what I said to the boys, now it’s about how we react to that, because it’s game on, it’s going to require now a big spirit, a lot of fight and very clear how we’re going to approach that.

‘There are no grey areas; we are in, we are out, and we need to be very, very, very strong and determined to approach it in a different way than we’ve done today, especially when the game wasn’t going our way.’

Manchester United interim manager Michael Carrick has hinted that a new contract for Kobbie Mainoo is getting closer, with the club in a ‘good place with it.’

The 20-year-old burst into the Red Devils first team as a teenager under Erik ten Hag before dropping down the pecking order under the management of Ruben Amorim.

His future at Old Trafford was in doubt, with a loan exit heavily touted before the departure of Amorim and the arrival of Carrick as interim boss.

The former England midfielder has restored Mainoo to the starting XI and the Manchester United academy product has been a regular during the upturn in form under Carrick.

So much so that he has returned to the England squad and has restored hopes of going to the World Cup this summer with Thomas Tuchel’s squad.

Mainoo’s Manchester United contract expires in the summer of 2027 and the club is keen to extend it, although it will cost them a lot more than his current deal does.

The 12-cap England international is currently paid around £25,000-a-week and is likely to see that increased by about £100,000-a-week if he signs a new contract.

Ahead of the Red Devils’ clash with Leeds United on Monday night, Carrick was asked if he is confident Mainoo will indeed sign a new deal with the club.

‘Obviously we’d like to think so, yeah, and it’s getting closer so we’re positive with that,’ said Carrick.

‘We’re calm with it, but we’re positive with it. Time will tell how it goes, but at the moment we’re in a good place with it.’

Carrick made it clear when he returned to the club in January that he thought highly of Mainoo, pointing out that he has known the midfielder for years, dating back to his previous coaching stint with Manchester United.

‘I really enjoyed working with Kobbie. I have known him since he was young,’ Carrick said in January. ‘I started working with him when he was 13, 14 years old when I was going through my badges.

‘This club needs young players coming through and laying the foundation for understanding what it means, not only for the players or the squad, but for the club and the supporters.

‘It is something we need to grasp and build on and Kobbie is a prime example. To come through so quickly and have that rapid rise, he had to play in some awfully big games and had to impact those it shows an awful lot of quality in terms of his character and being able to handle it.’

Manchester United can cement third spot in the Premier League table when they host Leeds on Monday night, with victory moving them three points ahead of Aston Villa in fourth.

A return to the Champions League is looking increasingly likely as teams around them stumble, including Villa who drew with Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

Manchester United can tighten their grip on third place in the Premier League when they take on Leeds United tonight.

It’s been 34 days since Michael Carrick’s side were last in action but results elsewhere at the weekend have been kind to them with Aston Villa and Chelsea both dropping points.

A win tonight will see them open up daylight between those and the chasing pack in the battle for Champions League qualification.

Leeds are not safe yet – good results for Nottingham Forest and West Ham United threaten to pull them into the relegation battle but a shock win tonight at Old Trafford would go some way in alleviating those concerns.

Metro’s LIVE matchday blog will bring you all the build-up, confirmed team news and starting XIs, goal updates and minute-by-minute coverage.

Kobbie Mainoo misses Manchester United’s Premier League clash with Leeds United tonight due to a minor injury.

The 20-year-old has been ever-present in the United starting XI again under Michael Carrick having been frozen out of the team for the first-half of the campaign under Ruben Amorim.

But the midfielder’s run of games for his club comes to an end tonight, left out of the squad with Manuel Ugarte taking his place in midfield alongside Casemiro.

Mainoo’s absence is due to a minor injury with Michael Carrick explaining ahead of kick-off: ‘The last day or so in training he just picked up a small issue, so we’re hoping and it seems not too bad it just wasn’t worth pushing it tonight with the games coming up.

‘Manu came on against Bournemouth and did really well at the end of the game and played for Uruguay so he’s in good shape. We made that decision and took Kobbie out of it.’

The midfielder played for England during the international break and was part of the United squad that travelled over to Kildare, Ireland for a training camp last week.

He has started all 10 games since Carrick took the reins in January, playing the full 90 minutes on each of those occasions except for the defeat to Newcastle United.

Ugarte meanwhile starts for the first time under Carrick having managed just 65 minutes of game time across six substitute appearances.

Elsewhere in the team, Benjamin Sesko starts up front with Bryan Mbeumo named among the subs.

Diogo Dalot was not part of United’s recent training camp due to injury with Noussair Mazraoui starting ahead of him at right-back.

With Harry Maguire suspended after his red card against Bournemouth, Lisandro Martinez returns from injury to join Leny Yoro in defence.

Manchester City fan Tal Rehman insists he had no idea he would become a viral sensation after his Arsenal taunting antics were captured during Sunday’s win over Chelsea.

Pep Guardiola’s side laid down an ominous marker at Stamford Bridge ahead of next weekend’s summit meeting, scoring three second half goals in quick succession to close the gap on the long-time leaders.

With Mikel Arteta’s side showing the unmistakable signs of bottling a nine-point advantage, City are again sensing blood and will feel confident of landing a terminal blows to the Gunners’ hopes on Sunday at the Etihad Stadium.

Indeed, the growing confidence among players and fans alike was encapsulated by the performative celebrations of Rehman who produced a bottle, emblazoned with the Arsenal crest, shortly after Jeremy Doku had put the game to bed in the 68th minute, and pretended to drink enthusiastically from the empty container with the Sky Spots cameras firmly trained on him.

Suspicious Arsenal fans questioned how the City super fan was able to bring a bottle into the away end undetected, but Rehman had an explanation.

‘This time last year when we played Arsenal at the Etihad we sit close to the Arsenal bench and we asked for a drink because it was something we needed and obviously they passed us these bottles and I never thought of it,’ he said.

‘We bought the bottles home and just because I like being a prankster or a joker or whatever because that’s what I am really, I’m not serious about anything in life.’

Rehman’s timeline of events doesn’t quite stack up, however, given Arsenal haven’t played a game at the Etihad since September 2024, while the bottle in question looked in remarkably good condition for one that has supposedly been in his possession for 18 months.

Nevertheless, Rehman maintains he mean no ill-will towards rival Arsenal supporters and, to borrow Richard Keys’ time old excuse,it was all just a bit of light-hearted banter.

He continued: ‘So the bottle, I thought I’ll take it to London. If we see anybody at Euston or any of the Gooners in north London, I’ll just show it to them. ‘Have you got your bottle, son?’

‘The next thing is I’m at the stadium and then I realise I had it in the bag. And when we went 3-0 up I thought showtime baby.

‘So out comes the bottle and there I am. Unknown to me it’s just banter, people must understand that I’m not a tribal fan, I’m a football fan.

‘I respect the game, I respect the fans, respect the rules, everything.

‘So me and my son, I’ll just hold the bottle to my gob pretending to drink it. Next thing people are tapping me on the shoulder and saying I’ve gone viral, and I’m a meme.

‘I was in shock. After that I can’t tell you my phone was like ping, ping.’

Chelsea have been advised to sack Liam Rosenior after their latest defeat at the hands of Premier League rivals Manchester City.

Rosenior’s side kept title-chasing Man City at bay in the first half of Sunday’s clash at Stamford Bridge but conceded three second-half goals to slip to a fifth defeat in five games.

City’s Carabao Cup final hero Nico O’Reilly broke the deadlock with a header shortly after the restart before Marc Guehi doubled the visitors’ lead with a crisp finish.

The lively Jeremy Doku added a third for Manchester City, who closed the gap to Premier League leaders Arsenal to just six points following the Gunners’ defeat at home to Bournemouth earlier in the weekend.

Chelsea enjoyed a promising start to Rosenior’s tenure after the former Strasbourg manager replaced Enzo Maresca in the Stamford Bridge hot-seat.

But the Blues were embarrassed by PSG in the Champions League before the international break and just one win in their last seven games has seen them slip to sixth in the Premier League.

Chelsea are four points behind fifth-placed Liverpool and seven points outside the top-four places with six league games remaining.

The Stamford Bridge hierarchy are willing to give Rosenior more time to turn things around in west London but World Cup winner Marco Materazzi believes they ‘have to make a change’.

Materazzi even urged Chelsea to attempt to hire Premier League legend Cesc Fabregas, who has impressed during his first managerial role at Italian side Como.

Fabregas won two Premier League titles at Chelsea as a player after breaking through at London rivals Arsenal and also enjoying a successful spell at Barcelona.

‘I was at Chelsea’s game against Everton [a 3-0 defeat on March 21],’ Materazzi told Hajper. ‘I was at the FIFA Club World Cup final.

‘With Enzo Maresca, they were a totally different team. What I saw in Liverpool was an easy game for Everton. Chelsea did not impress me.

‘I think they have to change. They are a young team and I don’t know if they have the best manager for what Chelsea need right now.

‘They have to try for Cesc Fabregas this summer. I love the job he is doing right now in Como. I don’t know if he will move because he wants to take Como to the Champions League but I can see Chelsea in the future for Fabregas.

‘Why not? Chelsea are the best club for Cesc Fabregas because they have young players who will follow his words immediately.’

Rosenior cut a frustrated figure after Chelsea’s latest setback against Manchester City.

‘We weren’t good enough in the second half,’ the former Premier League star said. ‘We didn’t start well.

‘We had moments to clear the box and keep the ball, but we didn’t. They were camped in our half for the first five minutes and then we concede a goal.

‘Then it’s a similar story for the past month now in terms of dealing with setbacks. If you go down against teams as good as this, what you have to do for the next five minutes is to stay in the game.

‘It ended up being a really, really difficult second half.’

Chelsea will look to get back to winning ways next Saturday when they welcome Manchester United to Stamford Bridge.

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Gary Lineker has changed his Premier League title prediction after Manchester City took advantage of Arsenal’s defeat to Bournemouth by beating Chelsea.

Arsenal had the chance to open up a 12-point lead at the top of the table on Saturday but slipped to a 2-1 defeat at home to Bournemouth.

Man City took full advantage of their title rivals’ setback, thumping Chelsea 3-0 on Sunday to cut Arsenal’s lead in the title race to just six points.

Pep Guardiola’s side have a game in hand to pull even closer to Arsenal and a monumental home match against the Gunners next weekend.

England legend Lineker has repeatedly backed Arsenal to become Premier League champions but has changed his mind after a potentially defining weekend in the title race. 

‘They had nothing against Bournemouth, no creativity whatsoever,’ Lineker said on The Rest is Football podcast. ‘They didn’t seem to have any belief at all.

‘They weren’t even very good defensively and they’ve pretty much been able to guarantee that this season.

‘It was the first time I thought they might not win the title, particularly following Man City’s performance against Chelsea in the second half when I thought they were absolutely brilliant. 

‘I just thought to myself, for the first time I’m actually not sure Arsenal are going to do it. I’ve been convinced for months but I’m not sure now. Next week’s game is a monster, isn’t it? 

‘I’ve been telling everyone I know that Arsenal will be fine and that they’re not going to choke. But they’re stuttering, they’ve lost their form at the moment and we know how important momentum is. 

‘And all the momentum now is with Man City. It’s so tough to call now but if you said you need to put your life on the line, which I’d hate to have to do under these circumstances, I’d probably now go City because I think they will win next week.’

Meanwhile, Gary Neville – who won eight Premier League titles at Manchester United – believes it will be ‘traumatic’ for Arsenal if they miss out on the title once again.

‘I said a few months ago that Arsenal have to win this title from the position that they’re in and I still believe they have to because it’s a long road back at the end of the season,’ Neville told Sky Sports.

‘If they don’t win it this year, it will really be traumatic. We know the build-up to the game next week, what the narrative is going to be against Arsenal – that Man City are going to catch you, and there seems to be a sense of joy watching Arsenal collapse.

‘They’ve got to try and swim against the tide and hold their nerve. They’ve got a job to do in midweek in the Champions League, which actually might be helpful for them.

‘If Arsenal had a week to think about this match [against Man City], I don’t think it would help them at all. They can maybe get some confidence through progressing to the Champions League semi-final.

‘But before next Sunday, they’ve got to find a balance of that emotion that you need, which is passion and fight to win a football match, but not becoming too desperate.

‘Arsenal losing on Saturday isn’t because they don’t want it – it’s because they want it too much and their legs have started to get heavy.

‘You’re going for your first title, you start to become consumed, and it’s the mentally emotional drain that means your legs physically appear tired.

‘That’s a bit of what we saw against Bournemouth – the expectation of ‘we’re going to win this match, we’re going to win a title, and we’re desperate to do it’.

‘They’re not saying that themselves, it’s the noise around the club, the emotion in the stadium, the expectation, the fact they’ve not done it in the last two or three years when they’ve been in this position.

‘This is where it gets real. This is the title race now, and they’ve got to somehow clear their minds and get that emotional balance correct.’

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Gary Neville has doubled down on his prediction that Arsenal will win the Premier League title and ‘crawl’ over the finishing line, despite Manchester City gaining further ground.

Arsenal’s shock home defeat against Bournemouth on Saturday provided Pep Guardiola’s relentless machine with an opportunity to narrow the gap at Stamford Bridge just 24 hours later.

With the scent of blood in the water, City turned in a ruthless second half display, capped by goals from Nico O’Reilly, Marc Guehi and Jeremy Doku that helped put the seal on a comfortable 3-0 win.

This Sunday’s summit meeting between the top two at the Etihad now has the air of a title decider and given City hold the momentum, they will start as favourites to record a victory that would firmly turn the balance in their favour.

Neville, however, insists there is no need to panic and believes the setback against the Cherries is the sort of setback that can happen in a run-in and represents the sort of blow Arsenal must learn to recover from.

The former Manchester United defender, who won eight Premier League titles during his Old Trafford career, tipped the Gunners to end their 22-year wait to be crowned domestic champions and he sees no reason why they cannot still fulfil their objectives.

He told Sky Sports: ‘I have thought for a number of years with this Arsenal team that they’ve got to go and win a game that shakes the world. They’ve got to go to City next week and win.

‘It doesn’t matter how it happens – they could get battered in the first half, but be goalless half-time, but then go and nick one with 15 minutes to go, and all of a sudden the lights come on and you’re nine points clear.

‘That’s what Arsenal have got to believe this week.

‘The problem they’ve got is they haven’t got anybody of experience in the club of winning a title. Gabriel Jesus maybe, but I don’t think he’s the type of player that’s going to translate that to a dressing room.

‘He’s a good player, but he doesn’t seem to be that person who can really set the tone.

‘Mikel Arteta is always looking to try and find a way of how to gain an advantage and he’s got to try and find something this week.’

He continued: ‘I do feel now is the time for Arsenal.

‘I’m not going to go and say it’s now or never, but it does feel a bit like that.