Football
Jamie Carragher blown away by player he claimed Arsenal should never have signed
Jamie Carragher appears to have changed his stance on a player he once criticized Arsenal for signing. Earlier in the season, Carragher had voiced doubts about Mikel Arteta’s decision to bring in Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad for a reported fee of over £30 million.
At the time, the former Liverpool defender questioned the club’s transfer priorities, arguing that Merino wasn’t the kind of player who could make a decisive impact.
He had even remarked, “Prioritising signing midfielder Mikel Merino ahead of another attacker last summer looks like a mistake. Merino is not a game-changer.”
Those criticisms seemed valid during Merino’s quiet first few months at the Emirates, where he struggled to impose himself in a new league and system. But circumstances have shifted drastically since the turn of the year.
When injuries sidelined both Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus, Arteta was forced to experiment—and Merino was unexpectedly pushed into a more advanced role.
Many pundits, Carragher included, were skeptical about using the Spanish midfielder as a makeshift striker. However, Merino has defied expectations by becoming an unlikely catalyst in Arsenal’s campaign.
Since stepping into the attacking role, Merino has delivered a consistent stream of goals and assists, helping Arsenal stay competitive in the Premier League and reach the Champions League semi-finals.
He’s recorded six goals and four assists in his last 13 appearances, a run of form that has silenced many of his early critics.
Before Arsenal’s dominant 4-0 win over Ipswich Town, Carragher acknowledged Merino’s remarkable transformation during a segment on Sky Sports. “I just look at Merino, he’s been a revelation since he took on that striker role,” Carragher said. “I know he’s deeper today, but in the last 13 games he has six goals and four assists.”
That performance against Ipswich further underlined Merino’s growing importance to Arteta’s squad. Goals from Leandro Trossard (twice), Gabriel Martinelli, and Ethan Nwaneri sealed the victory, pushing Arsenal seven points ahead of third-placed Newcastle and virtually condemning Ipswich to relegation.
Arteta was pleased with his side’s performance, particularly how they responded following a red card.
“Our first 35 minutes were exceptional, we scored two and could have scored more but the sending off changed the game,” the Arsenal boss explained.
He also highlighted the opportunity it provided to give game time to less-used players, noting the many positives to take away from the match.
With Liverpool’s title celebrations temporarily put on hold, Arteta stressed that Arsenal’s focus remains on finishing as strongly as possible. “All we can do is delay that moment and from our side earn the right to finish as high as possible,” he added.
Next up for Arsenal is a midweek London derby against Crystal Palace, followed by the highly anticipated Champions League semi-final showdown with PSG.
As the season reaches its climax, Mikel Merino’s rise from overlooked midfielder to key contributor has become one of Arsenal’s most unexpected success stories.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is reportedly growing concerned that Ruben Amorim might walk away from Manchester United.
After Erik ten Hag’s dismissal in October 2024 following a 2-1 loss to West Ham, United moved swiftly to bring in Amorim on the back of his success at Sporting CP.
Yet translating his tactics at Old Trafford has proven challenging, with the Red Devils languishing in 16th place in the Premier League.
Despite domestic struggles, United have excelled in Europe and stand one win away from securing Champions League football by beating Tottenham Hotspur in Wednesday’s Europa League final.
Amorim himself hinted at the possibility of an early exit if results don’t improve, saying, “It’s a decisive moment in the history of the club. We need to be really strong in the summer and to be brave because we will not have a next season like this. If we start like this, if the feeling is still here, we should give the space to different people.”
According to The Sun, Ratcliffe—United’s minority owner and INEOS chairman—“remains concerned” that Amorim may decide “enough is enough after a campaign of chaos.”
The report suggests Ratcliffe views the 40-year-old Portuguese as somewhat of a “loose cannon” and wants reassurance that Amorim will honour the final two years of his contract rather than depart and leave the club in disarray.
Ahead of the crucial final, Amorim appeared undeterred, insisting on his belief in the squad’s readiness. “I am really confident. I feel that my players are ready for this game. They know what it means, not just for us but for our fans and for the club.
After this season, we are ready to fight for the one thing that can help us remember this season in a different way.
So I am really confident.” With both Ratcliffe’s concerns and Amorim’s resolve laid bare, all eyes will be on Wembley to see whether the Europa League final serves as a turning point for United’s tumultuous season.
Football
Ex Arsenal star Lacazette’s home burgled while playing final game for Lyon with cash and jewellery stolen
Alexandre Lacazette’s home was targeted by burglars while he was on the pitch for Lyon last night, according to French outlet Le Progrès.
The 33‑year‑old, playing his 391st and final match for his boyhood club, was facing Angers at Groupama Stadium when two intruders are reported to have broken into his residence in Lyon’s fifth arrondissement around 9.30 pm local time.
Once inside, they accessed a safe and made off with jewellery, luxury leather goods and cash, with the stolen haul “claimed to be tens of thousands of pounds.”
Security cameras captured the suspects, and police launched an investigation after the burglary was officially reported at 1.30 am.
Lacazette rose through Lyon’s youth system before joining Arsenal in 2017, then returned to France in 2022.
Manager Paulo Fonseca recently confirmed that Lacazette will depart when his contract expires this summer, as Lyon look to balance the books amid financial concerns.
In recognition of his service, supporters unveiled a giant tifo before kick‑off, and Lacazette honored them by scoring both goals in a 2-0 victory over Angers—his 200th and 201st for the club—securing a sixth‑place finish.
He joins several teammates who have suffered similar crimes in recent seasons, including Georges Mikautadze, who was robbed at gunpoint last December, and Dejan Lovren, who faced an attempted break‑in in October 2023.
Football
Inside Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Liverpool ‘leaving party’ as Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk attend
Liverpool recently held a summer celebration to honor Trent Alexander-Arnold as he prepares to leave Anfield after the 2024-25 season. The 26-year-old fullback, who has been with the club since he was just six, confirmed his departure earlier this month.
Despite spending two decades with Liverpool and making over 350 appearances, the news has divided fans—some even booed him during the recent 2-2 draw against Arsenal.
The event, which appeared to take place at Liverpool’s training base in Kirkby, featured teammates, family, and festive touches including food vendors, games, and a “Summer of 66” theme—referencing Alexander-Arnold’s shirt number.
TikTok user Nevada Linton shared footage from the event with a heartfelt message encouraging the defender to chase his dreams.
Key players including Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson, Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota, and Luiz Diaz were spotted enjoying the gathering.
The party served as an internal gesture of appreciation despite the tension from parts of the fanbase.
Throughout the season, Liverpool pushed to secure contract extensions for Alexander-Arnold, Salah, and Van Dijk. While the latter two signed new deals, Alexander-Arnold opted to move on, with Real Madrid widely expected to be his next destination.
His farewell statement emphasized how difficult the decision had been, citing the need to step outside his comfort zone for new personal and professional challenges.
The backlash from some supporters has sparked reactions from fellow players. Salah voiced disappointment over the treatment Alexander-Arnold received, saying fans should recognize the defender’s loyalty and contributions over the years.
Van Dijk echoed the sentiment, stating that the team aims to win their final matches and celebrate together, including honoring Alexander-Arnold’s legacy.
Liverpool’s final fixtures of the season include a clash with Brighton and a home finale against Crystal Palace at Anfield, where the hope remains for a more appreciative farewell from the stands.
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