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.”
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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