Micah Richards has called for Arsenal teenager Ethan Nwaneri to receive more game time ahead of their crucial Champions League semi-final second leg against Paris Saint-Germain.

Arsenal are looking to overturn a narrow 1-0 deficit in Paris after Ousmane Dembele’s goal separated the sides in the first leg at the Emirates Stadium. Despite opportunities for Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard, both were denied by PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma in what was ultimately a frustrating night for the Gunners.

Mikel Arteta was criticized for his cautious approach to substitutions in the first leg, with his first change coming in the 83rd minute due to an injury to Jurrien Timber.

Nwaneri was brought on in the 89th minute to replace Martin Odegaard but was unable to influence the game with so little time on the pitch.

Richards, a former Manchester City and England defender, believes the 18-year-old has the unpredictability and flair needed to make a difference, especially when Arsenal need a spark from the bench.

Richards stated that Nwaneri has the quality to impact the game and should be trusted with more meaningful minutes, especially in a high-stakes encounter like this.

The second leg in Paris presents an opportunity for Arsenal to respond, and Richards believes that if the game is still goalless after an hour, the Gunners will have a real chance to capitalize—though he acknowledges the quality PSG bring to the table.

One key difference this time will be the return of Thomas Partey, who missed the first leg due to suspension. His presence in midfield could allow Declan Rice to play further forward, a tactic that was effective in Arsenal’s recent domestic outings.

Richards emphasized how important it is for Arsenal to remain patient and not go all-out attack too early in the game. He believes the team functions best in transition, striking with pace and numbers, especially with Rice given the freedom to advance.

Questions remain about Arsenal’s defensive setup. Although Jakub Kiwior has put in solid performances, Richards feels the absence of Gabriel Magalhaes has been significant.

He praised Gabriel’s leadership, presence, and confidence—qualities that are vital in a Champions League semi-final environment. According to Richards, Arsenal have missed his influence badly, and it could prove costly if he remains unavailable.

As the pressure mounts, Richards remains cautiously optimistic. He acknowledges PSG are favorites but sees an opportunity for Arsenal to play with freedom, having nothing to lose.

The outcome will determine who faces Inter Milan in the final, after the Italian side edged Barcelona in a thrilling contest at San Siro.

Inter needed extra-time to secure the win thanks to Francesco Acerbi’s late equalizer and Davide Frattesi’s dramatic winner.

For Arsenal, it all comes down to how they handle the moment. With Partey back, Rice unshackled, and potentially Nwaneri given a bigger role, Arteta’s men have the tools to challenge PSG.

But discipline, timing, and the courage to take calculated risks will be key if they are to book their place in the Champions League final.

Andrea Berta has firmly responded to Real Madrid’s growing interest in William Saliba by prioritizing the Arsenal defender as a key part of the club’s future plans.

With Berta now leading the charge as Arsenal’s new sporting director following Edu’s departure, this summer promises to be a pivotal one for the Gunners, both in terms of transfers and player retention.

Among the biggest challenges on Berta’s plate is ensuring Saliba remains in North London, despite interest from some of Europe’s top clubs.

Saliba, who joined Arsenal in 2019, has rapidly developed into one of the best centre-backs in world football under Mikel Arteta’s guidance.

The Frenchman is considered central to Arsenal’s defensive structure, but his long-term future has come into question.

His current deal runs until 2027, but with another season potentially ending without silverware, speculation has emerged regarding his openness to a new challenge abroad.

Spanish outlet Marca has labeled Saliba as “the chosen one” for Real Madrid as the club looks to reinforce its defense following another disappointing campaign.

Real were knocked out in the Champions League quarter-finals and are on track to finish behind rivals Barcelona in La Liga. With Antonio Rudiger now 32 and Eder Militao recovering from a second ACL injury in a year, Los Blancos are actively looking for a new defensive leader. Saliba fits the profile perfectly — young, composed, and physically dominant.

Despite the noise from Madrid, Arsenal are taking a proactive approach. According to French outlet L’Équipe, Berta is not concerned by Real’s public pursuit and has already initiated new contract discussions with Saliba.

The player, who supported Arsenal as a child, is reportedly inclined to stay. The club believes that early negotiations could prove crucial in reinforcing his commitment.

Saliba himself has addressed the rumors. When asked about his future ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League tie against Real Madrid, he expressed happiness at the club.

He said there was no urgency regarding a new contract but emphasized his satisfaction with life in North London, stating, “I am really happy here. I want to continue here. Not yet [talks over a new deal], there is no rush. I am happy here. That’s it.”

Mikel Arteta has also dismissed any suggestion that Saliba is looking elsewhere. When speaking after Arsenal’s recent defeat to Bournemouth, the manager noted that the situation is being handled by Berta and the club.

Arteta added that Saliba remains committed to the team and has expressed a clear desire to continue his journey at Arsenal. He stressed the importance of taking time with negotiations but remained confident about the outcome.

Real Madrid may consider Saliba the ideal addition to their backline, but Arsenal remain determined to hold on to one of their most valuable assets.

With new leadership at the helm and early contract talks underway, the Gunners hope to end any speculation and build a future around a player who could define their next era.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has stirred controversy with a bold assertion that the 2026 FIFA World Cup could potentially help end Russia’s war in Ukraine.

The ongoing conflict, which began in February 2022 following Russia’s invasion over Ukraine’s growing alignment with NATO, has become the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War II.

While Ukraine is not a NATO member, its increasing cooperation with the alliance has been perceived by Russian President Vladimir Putin as a threat to national security. The war has now dragged on for over three years with no resolution in sight.

Despite previously attempting to mediate between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trump has yet to broker peace.

Nonetheless, he remains adamant that he would secure a ceasefire on the very first day of a second presidential term should he win the upcoming election.

Most recently, Trump has floated an unexpected idea: that allowing Russia to rejoin international football competitions, particularly the 2026 World Cup hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, could serve as a compelling incentive for peace.

Russia is currently banned from participating in events sanctioned by FIFA and UEFA due to its military aggression in Ukraine. Trump suggested that lifting this ban might appeal to Putin, potentially encouraging him to end the conflict.

The former president remarked that the global scale and unifying nature of the World Cup might offer a diplomatic opportunity that traditional negotiations have not yet achieved.

However, Trump’s remarks also exposed a notable gaffe. During a meeting with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Trump confused the FIFA Club World Cup with the FIFA World Cup, mistakenly referring to the club competition trophy as the prestigious World Cup prize.

This mix-up raised eyebrows, especially as he expressed surprise upon learning that Russia was banned from the upcoming tournament. Infantino confirmed the ban and expressed hope that peace would allow Russia’s return to international football in the future.

Trump responded optimistically, stating that such an incentive could be worth exploring, referencing the thousands of young lives lost weekly in the ongoing war.

He was quick to clarify, however, that the decision to readmit Russia was entirely up to FIFA, praising Infantino as the one with ultimate authority on the matter.

Putin himself is known to be an avid football fan, particularly of Zenit St Petersburg. In the past, he has criticized the club for fielding too many foreign players and not enough Russian nationals.

His interest in football is well-documented, and Russia previously hosted the 2018 FIFA World Cup despite international tensions surrounding its annexation of Crimea in 2014.

As European nations continue their qualifying campaigns for the 2026 tournament, it remains unclear whether FIFA would consider such a dramatic policy reversal.

Given the current geopolitical climate, allowing Russia to participate would require an extraordinary shift in both international relations and FIFA regulations.

Nevertheless, Trump’s unexpected suggestion has added a new layer to the ongoing conversation about how sports and diplomacy might intersect in times of global crisis.