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How Pope Francis helped Arsenal complete signing of Danny Welbeck from Man Utd

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Pope Francis, known not only for his spiritual leadership but also for his progressive stance on LGBTQ+ rights, has long held a deep love for football. That unexpected passion once had a subtle yet surprising influence on Arsenal’s transfer activity during the 2014 summer window.

On the final day of the transfer period, then-Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger found himself in Rome. His trip wasn’t for football business, but rather for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet Pope Francis and participate in a charity football match.

Still, even while awaiting his meeting with the Pontiff, Wenger was engaged in last-minute negotiations aimed at bringing Danny Welbeck to the Emirates from Manchester United.

Reflecting on the experience, Wenger shared how meaningful it was for him personally. As a devout Catholic, he saw meeting the Pope as an unforgettable moment, describing Francis as a humble and welcoming figure who made time to speak with everyone.
The former Arsenal boss also noted the Pope’s Argentine roots and his support for San Lorenzo, joking that being a football fan is almost a given if you’re born in Argentina.

Despite the spiritual nature of his visit, Wenger’s mind was still partly on football matters. Even as he stood in Vatican City, his focus shifted between religious reverence and the tactical need to bolster his squad.

And that’s exactly what happened. Arsenal completed the £16 million signing of Danny Welbeck from Manchester United just in time before the transfer window closed.

Interestingly, Wenger later credited his early start that day with helping seal the deal. Having woken up at 6 a.m. for his flight to Rome, he remained fully available and connected throughout the day. In his own words, the ability to stay in touch thanks to modern technology meant negotiations never paused, even across borders.

Although Pope Francis didn’t personally weigh in on Arsenal’s squad, his meeting with Wenger may have indirectly helped bring Welbeck to North London. Arsenal fans have every reason to be thankful, as Welbeck went on to become a fan favorite at the Emirates.
He netted 32 goals in 126 appearances for the Gunners and delivered some unforgettable moments, including a dramatic late winner against Leicester City during the 2015-16 season.

Welbeck eventually departed the club in 2019 as a two-time FA Cup winner. Now 34, he continues to play in the Premier League for Brighton, where he has enjoyed a resurgence this season, scoring nine goals and providing four assists — his best return ever in the competition.

What began as a spiritual journey for Wenger ended up being a pivotal moment in Arsenal’s transfer history, adding another unique story to the footballing world where faith and sport unexpectedly intertwined.

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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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