Football
‘If I could pause the game’ – Mikel Arteta identifies moment in Arsenal’s season he wishes he could go back and change
Mikel Arteta admits he wishes he could have frozen time to protect Gabriel Jesus from injury back in January and regrets not doing more to prevent the setback.
Since then, Arsenal have endured a tough run without a natural striker, relying instead on midfielder Mikel Merino and winger Leandro Trossard to fill the No. 9 role.
The absence has taken a toll on the Gunners’ season, contributing to their FA Cup third-round exit, a Carabao Cup semi-final defeat, and the collapse of their Premier League title hopes, which now appear to be in Liverpool’s hands.
Adding to the injury woes, Kai Havertz was sidelined after undergoing hamstring surgery due to a freak incident during a mid-season training camp in Dubai. Yet it’s the long-term injury to Jesus that continues to haunt Arteta the most.
The Brazilian forward ruptured his ACL during an FA Cup tie against Manchester United on January 12 and has been battling to return before the end of the year.

Since making a £45 million move from Manchester City in the summer of 2022, Jesus has spent significant time in the treatment room, missing over 50 games through injury. Before his latest setback, he had started only 12 matches in all competitions this season, scoring seven goals but struggling for rhythm and consistency.
Despite the adversity, Arsenal have managed to stay competitive, reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League. They face Paris Saint-Germain in the second leg tomorrow night, trailing 1-0 on aggregate and aiming to pull off a dramatic comeback.
Speaking on the Men in Blazers show, Arteta reflected on whether he would do anything differently this season. He said: “Possibly. Yeah.
“It’s very difficult now to understand that, if I could pause the game and say, Gabriel Jesus, we brought you back to life. You know, you are doing incredibly well.
“You’re going to now get injured, so stop. I would stop him, bring another player in and continue to play the game. Unfortunately, we cannot do this in football.”
Injuries aren’t the only source of frustration for the Arsenal boss. Discipline has also been an issue, with the Gunners picking up five red cards in the Premier League this season—three of which came in the opening ten games.
Declan Rice received two yellow cards in a controversial 1-1 draw with Brighton in August. Leandro Trossard saw red in a tense 2-2 stalemate with Manchester City the following month. William Saliba was handed a VAR-reviewed straight red in a 2-0 loss to Bournemouth in October.
Teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly has already been sent off twice since making his senior debut. The first, in a 1-0 win over Wolves in January, was later rescinded, but a second red card in a damaging home defeat to West Ham a month later raised fresh concerns.
Despite everything, Arteta remains proud of his squad and how they’ve coped under pressure. “I am probably prouder than I was back in August,” he said.
“While we have to deliver, we’ve been through a lot this season with a lot of very difficult situations that in any other circumstances would have put the club and the team in a very, very difficult position.
“I see the team where we are and how we are competing and it is an absolute joy because in ten, 15, 20 years I analysed what happened when these things happened to other clubs and it’s very different.
“In the period that we play with the amount of injuries, you have zero chance to win the league and you have very few chances even to play in the Champions League.
“That’s history, what we’ve done in the Champions League with that, with those conditions in my opinion is extraordinary.”
One thing that continues to lift Arteta’s spirits is Arsenal’s team dog, “Win”. The adorable Labrador was introduced at the end of the 2022/23 season and has since become a regular presence around the club’s London Colney training ground.
Arteta was recently spotted walking Win in the background of a Sky Sports segment, and it’s become common for players to take turns bringing the dog home for a night.
“It brings me joy and peace. When we are all with Win, you change your energy. It is all love, all hugs. He wants to be touched. She wants to go on the floor and given massages and pleasure,” Arteta explained.
“That dog is the most loyal and unbelievable animal that exists. I feel very attached to her.”
Football
FIFA finally sanctions Israel and sounds message for peace: Here’s why
FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee has taken action against the Israel Football Association (IFA) after finding breaches of its rules relating to offensive conduct, fair play, and incidents involving discrimination and racist behavior.
As part of the ruling, the IFA has been fined CHF 150,000 (around €165,000), with conditions attached. The federation is required to roll out preventive measures, including displaying a clear anti-discrimination message at its next three home matches in FIFA competitions. The message, which promotes unity and rejects discrimination, must appear alongside the federation’s emblem, with its design, size, and placement submitted to FIFA for approval at least 15 days before each fixture.
Beyond matchday requirements, the IFA must also take longer-term action. Within 60 days, it is expected to allocate one-third of the fine toward a detailed anti-discrimination initiative. This program is set to include structural improvements, defined protocols, monitoring systems, and educational campaigns across stadiums and official platforms throughout an entire season, all subject to FIFA’s approval. The remaining portion of the fine must be settled within 30 days. FIFA has also issued a formal warning regarding future conduct, with the option for the IFA to appeal the decision.
In relation to a separate complaint raised by the Palestinian Football Association concerning teams based in disputed territories, FIFA chose not to impose any measures. The governing body pointed to the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the legal status of the West Bank under international law, but emphasized its willingness to encourage dialogue and mediation between both sides.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino reiterated the organization’s stance on the role of football during periods of political tension, stressing that while the sport cannot solve global conflicts, it can still play a part in bringing people together and fostering understanding through competitions like the World Cup.
Football
New angle emerges of massive brawl in Brazil: Brutal close-range fight footage (VIDEO)
The Minas Gerais state championship final between Cruzeiro Esporte Clube and Clube Atlético Mineiro ended in chaos on Sunday, with a massive on-field brawl. Cruzeiro secured a 1-0 victory, but the match will be remembered for the violent fallout.
Reports from Brazilian media indicate that the referee issued an additional 23 red cards following the melee.
The incident that sparked the conflict occurred in the 97th minute inside Atletico’s penalty area after a collision between Christian of Cruzeiro and home goalkeeper Everson. Everson reacted aggressively, first pushing Christian and then pinning him to the ground with both knees.
Close-range footage of the altercation later surfaced online, showing the intensity of the clash and adding fuel to an already controversial derby.
This extraordinary sequence will likely result in disciplinary action from the league and raises questions about player conduct in high-stakes matches.
Football
Michael Carrick blow as ‘prominent’ target on Man Utd’s managerial shortlist is ‘keen’ on Old Trafford job
Former Brighton & Hove Albion FC boss Roberto De Zerbi is reportedly “keen” on becoming the next manager of Manchester United FC.
The 46-year-old is currently without a club after leaving Olympique de Marseille by mutual agreement last month. Both Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur FC have been linked with a summer move for the Italian as they search for a permanent head coach.
According to reports from The Telegraph, De Zerbi would favour the Old Trafford role if given the choice.
His potential appointment could be a setback for interim United boss Michael Carrick, who has largely impressed since taking charge in January.
Carrick suffered his first defeat on Wednesday as United lost to Newcastle United FC, with goals from Anthony Gordon and William Osula sealing the result.
Despite that setback, several United players are believed to support Carrick being given the role permanently. Senior figures such as Bruno Fernandes, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw are reportedly impressed by his tactical ideas and deep understanding of the game.
United’s hierarchy have yet to decide whether to stick with the former England international or appoint a new manager. Other names linked with the role include Julian Nagelsmann and Roberto Martínez.
De Zerbi has also been mentioned as a potential candidate at Tottenham. Spurs currently sit 16th in the Premier League, just one point above the relegation zone.
The club dismissed former head coach Thomas Frank last month and appointed Igor Tudor as interim manager.
Tudor has yet to register a win, but after a recent defeat to Crystal Palace FC he insisted the team is still moving in the right direction.
“Unfortunately this is the moment we pay for everything. One red card changes everything,” Tudor said.
“Maybe it will sound strange, but I believe more after this game than before. I saw something. I need to choose the right players because the boat is going in the direction that I want it to go.
“When the injured players return, I’m sure we will have a good team and the victories will come. It’s not easy to accept where we are now, but it is how it is.”
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