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Ian Wright says Arsenal star has silenced ‘disrespectful’ critics with Real Madrid displays

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Declan Rice delivered a performance for the ages in Arsenal’s Champions League quarter-final triumph over Real Madrid, leaving no doubt about his world-class status.
After lighting up the Emirates with two stunning free-kick goals in the first leg, Rice carried that momentum into the second leg at the Bernabeu, once again outshining Jude Bellingham and anchoring Arsenal to a convincing 2-1 win, sealing a 5-1 aggregate victory.

The result booked Arsenal’s place in the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since 2009, where they will face Paris Saint-Germain in a high-stakes showdown for a spot in the final.
Mikel Arteta’s men are showing belief and balance, and Rice’s influence is impossible to overlook.

The England midfielder found himself in a tense moment midway through the first half in Madrid when referee Francois Letexier pointed to the spot after a challenge on Kylian Mbappe. However, VAR intervention overturned the decision, allowing Rice to stay focused and ultimately earn Man of the Match honors for the second consecutive leg.

Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright heaped praise on Rice’s commanding displays, emphasizing that all critics must now fall silent. On his podcast, Wrighty’s House, he lauded Rice for completely dominating both legs of the tie, calling his impact undeniable and elevating him into the conversation of the world’s top three midfielders.

Wright also highlighted Rice’s adaptability, pointing out that whether he’s breaking forward into the box, controlling play from deep, or pressing high up the pitch, he excels in every role he’s handed.
The two free-kicks at the Emirates, Wright noted, were just another layer to a player constantly expanding his game.

It wasn’t just Rice stealing the spotlight in Madrid. Myles Lewis-Skelly delivered a performance that had Wright “astonished.” The 18-year-old not only held his own but effectively neutralized Real Madrid stars Rodrygo and Bellingham, showcasing maturity and awareness far beyond his years.
Wright praised Lewis-Skelly’s intelligence and composure, questioning in awe what kind of talent development magic Arsenal’s Hale End academy is producing.

Gabriel Martinelli’s resurgence has also coincided with Lewis-Skelly’s rise. Wright pointed out that since the youngster was introduced to the left side, Martinelli’s form has sharply improved.
He credited the partnership, especially Lewis-Skelly’s left-footed presence, for bringing balance and unpredictability to Arsenal’s attack.

With Arsenal now heading into a clash with PSG, the squad’s momentum is undeniable.
The blend of rising young stars like Lewis-Skelly and established forces like Rice is creating something special.
If current form holds, Arteta’s side may not just be dreaming of the final—they could be ready to win it all.

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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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