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Ian Wright claims David Moyes was right about ’embarrassing’ Declan Rice fee

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Ian Wright has heaped praise on Declan Rice following his sensational performance against Real Madrid, suggesting the midfielder’s club-record transfer fee now seems like a bargain.

Rice made headlines with two stunning free-kicks during Arsenal’s Champions League quarter-final clash, helping the Gunners take a major step toward reaching just their third-ever semi-final in the competition.

The £100 million fee Arsenal paid West Ham in 2023 raised eyebrows at the time, but performances like this are proving why that investment is paying off.

Rice’s decision to leave West Ham for Arsenal surprised many, especially with Chelsea and Manchester City also battling for his signature.

However, Mikel Arteta’s vision for the team won Rice over, and the England international hasn’t looked back since.

From the moment he arrived, he’s delivered consistent, high-level performances, quickly becoming a leader on the pitch. His recent heroics against Real Madrid are just the latest example of his growing influence.

David Moyes, who managed Rice during his final season at West Ham, once claimed that the midfielder was worth £150 million. At the time, many dismissed that valuation, but Moyes now feels vindicated.

Speaking ahead of West Ham’s recent match with Arsenal, he joked that Gunners fans “owe him £50 million” for letting Rice go too cheaply.

He also praised Rice’s conduct during his departure, calling him a role model and suggesting he’s on track to become England captain.

Wright echoed those sentiments, pointing out how Rice has made his £100 million price tag look “embarrassing” given how influential he’s been since joining.

He highlighted the midfielder’s mentality, leadership, and technical ability, all of which were on display during the high-stakes clash against Real Madrid.

Wright also commended other players like Jakub Kiwior, Thomas Partey, and Bukayo Saka—who played through injury—for stepping up during the big night.

Despite the strong position Arsenal finds themselves in after the first leg, there’s still a sense of caution. Arteta and the players have made it clear that the tie is far from over, especially with the second leg set to take place at the Bernabeu.

Real Madrid’s history in the Champions League makes them a dangerous opponent, even if they’ve never overturned a 3-0 first-leg deficit. Still, Arsenal’s defensive form in Europe this season and the depth in their squad offer reasons for optimism.

Looking ahead, Rice’s value is only set to rise. His current deal runs until 2028, with the option of another year, but if he maintains this level of performance, he’ll likely be in line for an improved contract by 2026.

A promotion to vice-captain feels inevitable, and with Martin Odegaard’s future uncertain, Rice could be in line for the armband. Compared to other £100 million signings like Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo, Rice has clearly outshone his peers.

Roy Keane wasn’t surprised by Rice’s stunning goals either. He praised the 26-year-old’s technique and ability to strike the ball cleanly, noting that if Rice continues to add goals to his game, he could reach a new level among elite players.

Whether or not he can repeat his free-kick magic remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—Declan Rice is proving every week that he’s worth every penny.

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‘We want him’ – Club chief confirms he wants to sign Man Utd outcast in permanent transfer

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‘We want him’ – Club chief confirms he wants to sign Man Utd outcast in permanent transfer

Andre Onana could remain in Turkey beyond his loan spell, with Trabzonspor keen to secure him on a permanent deal.

The 30-year-old moved to Trabzonspor after falling out of favour at Manchester United, who brought in Senne Lammens last summer. Since then, Lammens has established himself as the club’s first-choice keeper, paving the way for Onana’s temporary switch.

In Turkey, however, Onana has rediscovered his form and quickly become a key figure. He recently grabbed attention with a standout performance in the Turkish Cup, saving three consecutive penalties to help his side overcome Samsunspor and reach the semi-finals.

The moment sparked widespread reactions online, especially from United supporters recalling their earlier penalty shootout defeat to Grimsby Town, where Onana managed just one save.

Trabzonspor president Ertugrul Dogan has openly expressed the club’s desire to keep the goalkeeper. He indicated that while Onana has his own career plans, the club would be eager to make the move permanent if the circumstances align, leaving the final decision in the player’s hands.

Back in England, United are expected to consider selling Onana, particularly with Lammens now firmly established as their number one. The club will likely aim to recover a significant portion of the £47.5 million they paid to sign him from Inter Milan in 2023, with two years still remaining on his contract.

Beyond his cup heroics, Onana has been a consistent presence in the league, starting every match for Trabzonspor and playing a vital role in their push for the title. His performances have earned strong praise in Turkey, with the club currently sitting third in the table, just six points behind leaders Galatasaray.

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Man City place Arsenal ‘bottles’ for sale outside Etihad Stadium before 2025/26 Premier League decider

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Man City place Arsenal 'bottles' for sale outside Etihad Stadium before 2025/26 Premier League decider

Manchester City appear to have kicked off the psychological battle ahead of their Premier League showdown with Arsenal.

In the build-up to the match, bottles branded with the Arsenal logo were reportedly being sold outside the stadium, priced cheaply and seemingly intended as a tongue-in-cheek way for home fans to mock the visiting supporters.

The stunt draws inspiration from a recent viral moment at Stamford Bridge, where a City fan was seen jokingly “drinking Arsenal tears” during their emphatic 3-0 win over Chelsea—a clip that quickly spread across social media.

With tensions already high given the importance of the fixture, the gesture adds another layer to the rivalry between the two sides. Arsenal, meanwhile, will be focused on responding where it matters most—on the pitch—as they aim to silence critics and deliver a strong result in what could be a defining game in the title race.

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Bruno Fernandes responds to Manchester United star’s dig at Chelsea flop Alejandro Garnacho

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Bruno Fernandes responds to Manchester United star’s dig at Chelsea flop Alejandro Garnacho

Alejandro Garnacho faced criticism from his former Manchester United teammates following Chelsea’s latest Premier League setback.

A first-half goal from Matheus Cunha secured a narrow but important win for United, strengthening the position of Michael Carrick’s side in the race for Champions League qualification. Chelsea, meanwhile, continue to struggle, with the defeat marking their fourth consecutive league loss without finding the net.

Pressure is mounting on head coach Liam Rosenior, who only took charge a few months ago after replacing Enzo Maresca. While the club has not publicly wavered in its support, questions are beginning to emerge over several players, including Garnacho, whose performances have failed to meet expectations since his £40 million move from Old Trafford.

Reports suggest Chelsea could be open to offers for the 21-year-old after a difficult start to life at Stamford Bridge. He had an early opportunity to impress against his former side after coming on for the injured Estevao, but once again struggled to make an impact, finding it hard to break through a United defence that was missing several first-choice centre-backs.

Garnacho also received a hostile reception from United supporters during the match, and the reaction appeared to carry over beyond the pitch. After the game, Luke Shaw shared an image on social media showing himself standing over Garnacho following a challenge. Bruno Fernandes responded with a playful but pointed comment, while former teammate Alex Telles also joined in with reactions.

Chelsea’s broader struggles are becoming increasingly concerning. They now sit four points behind Liverpool in the race for fifth place, despite having played an extra game. The current run—four straight league defeats without scoring—is their worst in nearly three decades, with an even longer drought not seen since 1912.

Across all competitions, the form is equally worrying, with six losses in their last seven matches and 16 goals conceded during that stretch. A significant portion of their recent goals have come in a single outing against Port Vale, highlighting their lack of consistency in front of goal.

After the match, Rosenior admitted uncertainty about what failing to qualify for the Champions League could mean for his future. He acknowledged the result was difficult to take, especially given that Chelsea created numerous chances but failed to convert them. He pointed out that United capitalised on a limited opportunity, while his side were unable to make their attacking pressure count.

Despite the frustration, Rosenior emphasized the need for continued effort and improvement, insisting that the team must find a way to turn their form around before the situation worsens further.

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