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Arsenal to progress? Roy Keane predicts which teams will reach Champions League final

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Roy Keane believes Arsenal are on the verge of something special, backing the Gunners to make it to the Champions League final alongside Barcelona. After dismantling Real Madrid 5-1 on aggregate in the quarter-finals, Arsenal look like serious contenders.

Declan Rice played a pivotal role across both legs, earning Man of the Match honors and scoring two outstanding free-kicks to lead a dominant 3-0 win at the Emirates. Mikel Merino added to the tally before Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli sealed the tie with goals in a narrow 2-1 victory in Madrid.

This marks Arsenal’s first return to the Champions League semi-finals since 2009, when they were knocked out by Manchester United. Now, 16 years later, Mikel Arteta’s squad is aiming to reach their first final since 2006.
Back then, they were heartbreakingly beaten by Barcelona in Paris. PSG stand in their way this time, but the momentum is firmly with Arsenal, who appear more focused and dangerous than ever.

Ian Wright, a former Arsenal striker, expressed his excitement following the quarter-final win. Speaking on The Overlap, Wright emphasized that beating Real Madrid—the most successful team in Champions League history—should not be taken lightly. “Real Madrid are built for this competition.

We beat them convincingly. That says a lot,” he said. “It’s okay to be optimistic when you’ve beaten a side like that. You have to believe Arsenal can go all the way.”

Roy Keane, never one to offer praise lightly, also tipped Arsenal to go the distance. When asked who he sees reaching the final, he replied, “Arsenal vs. Barcelona. It’s got it written all over it.”

He didn’t hold back in his criticism of Madrid’s second-leg performance, calling their lack of discipline “crazy.” Keane highlighted their inability to maintain control, pointing to reckless challenges and lost composure as key reasons for their collapse.

Keane also had high praise for Declan Rice, noting the England international’s powerful presence in midfield. “He’s running past people, stronger than anyone else out there. The goals were superb, but his overall play has been top-tier. He looks a level above right now.”

Wright added further admiration for Saka, who has returned from a serious hamstring injury and is already making a huge impact. “He’s still not fully fit, and yet he’s out there creating and scoring,” Wright said. “Players like him, Rice, Partey, and Kiwior—this is why Arsenal have a real chance.”

Wright also pointed out a unique pattern: the last four teams that reached a Champions League final hosted by Bayern Munich for the first time ended up winning it. “That includes Arsenal and PSG this time. It’s superstitious, but interesting.”

As the semi-finals approach, Arteta’s side carries confidence, history, and momentum. Arsenal fans may dare to dream again, and with the way this team is playing, it might just be their year.

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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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