Football
Mikel Arteta’s stance on changing Arsenal captain amid Martin Odegaard woes
Calls for Mikel Arteta to reconsider Martin Odegaard’s role as Arsenal captain have grown louder following a string of underwhelming performances from the Norwegian midfielder.
Once seen as the heartbeat of the team, Odegaard has struggled to recapture his early-season form since returning from a knee injury that sidelined him for three months.
While fans welcomed his comeback in November, the playmaker has managed only one Premier League goal in 2025 as Arsenal’s title challenge faded against a dominant Liverpool side.
Though Odegaard has registered three assists in his last three league matches, questions about his leadership intensified after he was blamed for a crucial mistake during Crystal Palace’s late equaliser at the Emirates.
His influence was also missing in Arsenal’s Champions League semi-final exit at the hands of PSG, where he failed to make an impact.
These performances haven’t escaped the attention of pundits like Alan Shearer and Frank Leboeuf, who have openly criticised the 26-year-old’s recent form.

Former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson has gone a step further, urging Arteta to hand the captain’s armband to Declan Rice.
Odegaard, who took over the role in 2022 following the departures of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette, also captains the Norway national team.
However, with Arsenal now facing a sixth consecutive season without a major trophy, his leadership has come under scrutiny.
Several players have led the Gunners at various points this season, including Jorginho, Bukayo Saka, and Gabriel Magalhaes.
But Rice, despite being praised for his leadership qualities, has yet to officially wear the armband in a Premier League match for Arsenal. Given his experience as West Ham and England captain, many believe he is well-suited to lead the North London side.
Despite the growing debate, it appears Arteta remains confident in Odegaard’s leadership. According to The Athletic, the Arsenal boss is expected to retain Odegaard as captain next season.
Rice, who has been vocal in his support, echoed that sentiment in a recent interview ahead of the PSG clash. He acknowledged that form dips are natural and emphasized Odegaard’s commitment and influence in the dressing room.
Rice described his teammate as a model professional, highlighting his consistency, dedication, and the respect he commands among the squad.
According to him, Odegaard’s influence goes far beyond what fans see on the pitch, praising his vocal leadership and the way he pushes the team forward.
The midfielder was emphatic in his support, stating he wouldn’t want anyone else wearing the captain’s armband, a view he believes is shared by the rest of the team.
As the Gunners prepare for another push next season, the question of who should lead them remains a hot topic. While some call for change, others believe Odegaard still has plenty to offer as Arsenal’s captain.
Football
‘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.
Football
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.
Football
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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