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Arne Slot hits back at Mikel Arteta criticism ahead of Liverpool vs Arsenal

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Arne Slot has praised Mikel Arteta for building what he describes as a “special” Arsenal team, even as the Gunners prepare for a tough Premier League clash against Liverpool this Sunday.

Arsenal, who were eliminated from the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain in midweek, face the reality of another season without silverware.

Despite their disappointment in Europe, Slot believes Arteta’s work deserves recognition, highlighting the tactical flexibility and identity Arteta has instilled in the squad.

The Gunners were outclassed by PSG over two legs, resulting in heavy criticism of Arteta’s approach, particularly regarding their inability to break down the French side’s defensive setup.

The results have compounded a difficult spell in the Premier League, where Arsenal have slipped 15 points behind Liverpool, who have already secured the league title.

To add to the challenge, Arsenal will give Liverpool a guard of honour before kick-off at Anfield, a gesture that underscores the gap between the two clubs this season.

Nevertheless, Slot was clear in his admiration for Arteta’s coaching. He emphasized that Arsenal are one of the few sides capable of adapting their game plan to different opponents and situations.

According to Slot, Arsenal have proven their ability to press high, defend deep, exploit set-pieces, and build from the back or play directly. This versatility, he says, makes Arsenal difficult to analyze and prepare for, a testament to the depth and quality of Arteta’s training methods.

Slot also pointed out that not many managers are able to develop such a multi-dimensional style, even with years at the same club. He believes this makes Arteta’s Arsenal stand out in the modern game.

His comments suggest that the absence of trophies doesn’t fully reflect the progress the club has made under Arteta’s leadership since their last major success, the FA Cup in 2020.

Arteta, for his part, acknowledged Liverpool’s remarkable consistency this season, attributing much of their success to keeping key players fit and maintaining a stable tactical setup.

He noted that Liverpool’s ability to sustain a high level across competitions has been vital in their title charge. Arteta praised the Merseyside club’s infrastructure and atmosphere at Anfield, which has helped them stay at the top level throughout the campaign.

Reflecting on Arsenal’s season, Arteta admitted they lacked the consistency needed to compete for top honors. He stressed that while injuries and other issues played a role, he doesn’t want to use those as excuses.

He also pointed out that Arsenal were the only Premier League side to reach the Champions League semi-finals this season, highlighting the strength of the competition in Europe and the challenge of balancing domestic and international demands.

As Arsenal prepare to face Liverpool, the focus will be on salvaging pride and regaining momentum. While silverware may have slipped away this year, the groundwork laid by Arteta suggests a promising foundation for the future.

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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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