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Ian Wright says Arsenal star is ‘proving himself’ after ‘nervous’ Champions League performance

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Arsenal legend Ian Wright has heaped praise on Jakub Kiwior, commending the defender’s recent form and resilience after a difficult Champions League performance against Bayern Munich.

Kiwior was heavily scrutinized after being outplayed by Leroy Sane in last season’s first leg, where he was substituted at halftime during the 2-2 draw. However, his form has seen a significant turnaround.

With Gabriel Magalhaes sidelined due to a season-ending hamstring injury, Mikel Arteta turned to Kiwior, who has stepped up impressively in Gabriel’s absence.

Despite an up-and-down start to life at Arsenal and speculation about a potential summer departure, the Polish international has started all five matches since Gabriel’s injury. He has looked composed and confident alongside William Saliba in the heart of defense.

Kiwior played every minute of Arsenal’s quarter-final clashes against Real Madrid, helping the team secure a historic aggregate win over the reigning champions.

He followed that with a solid performance in the Premier League, contributing to a 4-0 clean sheet victory over Ipswich. He is expected to retain his place in the starting lineup as Arsenal prepare to face Crystal Palace midweek.

Wright, who was previously critical of Kiwior’s performances, acknowledged the defender’s improvement on The Kelly & Wrighty Show.

He pointed out that Kiwior has shown significant growth under pressure, especially at this crucial stage of the season.

Wright admitted there were concerns about Kiwior’s ability to perform against top-level opposition, especially with the increased expectations of the title run-in and Champions League campaign.

But he emphasized that the 25-year-old has exceeded expectations and proven he can handle the responsibility.

“He’s made some mistakes, but what matters is how he responded. When we needed him, he delivered,” Wright said. “That speaks volumes about his character and potential.”

The former striker also praised Arsenal’s evolution as a team, especially after their impressive Champions League performances.

He believes their displays against Madrid will attract top players looking to join a club on the rise. Wright also highlighted the impact of sporting director Andrea Berta, who has helped elevate Arsenal’s profile in European football.

Wright suggested that the way Arsenal controlled both legs of their tie against Real Madrid, despite missing key players like a recognized striker and a natural left-back, sent a strong message to rivals and potential recruits. He noted that Mikel Arteta’s intensity and tactical approach have made the team one to watch.

In Wright’s view, Arsenal have transformed into a genuinely competitive side, not only in the Premier League but also in Europe. He called the club an “attractive destination” for players, thanks to Arteta’s leadership and their upward trajectory.

As the Gunners chase glory both domestically and in Europe, Kiwior’s rise could be a crucial factor in their continued success.

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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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