Football
Mikel Merino Reveals What Arsenal Players Are Asking About Real Madrid

Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino has revealed that his teammates have been asking him about Real Madrid as they prepare for their highly anticipated Champions League quarter-final showdown next month.
The Gunners secured their place in the last eight with a dominant 9-3 aggregate victory over PSV in the round of 16. Meanwhile, Real Madrid had a tougher path, battling past city rivals Atletico Madrid and relying on a penalty shootout to advance.
The first leg between Arsenal and Real Madrid is set for April 8 at the Emirates Stadium, while the return leg will take place at the Santiago Bernabeu on April 16.
According to Merino, Madrid’s legendary status in the Champions League has been a hot topic in Arsenal’s dressing room.

“They ask me what the stadium is like, what the atmosphere is like, and if the aura surrounding Real Madrid in the Champions League and their comebacks is real,” Merino told Onda Cero.
“And of course, when they’ve done it so many times, that’s the image people have of them. That aura of comebacks and heroics isn’t a coincidence—it’s something they have proven time and again.”
Who Are the Champions League Favorites?
When asked about the favorites to lift the Champions League trophy, Merino remained cautious, insisting that no single team stands out above the rest.
“Talking about favorites is very difficult because the Champions League is decided by small details,” he said. “There are three or four teams that can be considered contenders, but you can’t just pick one.”
Champions League Quarter-Final Matchups
Beyond Arsenal’s blockbuster tie with Real Madrid, the other quarter-final fixtures feature some thrilling encounters.
- Inter Milan vs. Bayern Munich
- Barcelona vs. Borussia Dortmund
- Aston Villa vs. Paris Saint-Germain
The winner of Arsenal vs. Real Madrid will face either Aston Villa or PSG in the semi-finals, setting up a potential heavyweight clash.
With just weeks to go until the quarter-finals, anticipation is building as Arsenal prepares to take on one of Europe’s most decorated clubs.
Football
REVEALRD: Why do Man Utd have (Red) as their shirt sponsor vs West Ham

Manchester United host West Ham United at Old Trafford this Super Sunday with momentum on their side.
After securing a spot in the Europa League final by dispatching Athletic Bilbao 4-1 on Thursday night, the Red Devils are looking to continue their winning form in the Premier League.
They had already established dominance in the first leg with a 3-0 away win, and their emphatic performance in the return leg sealed the tie with authority.
Their upcoming final will be an all-English clash against Tottenham Hotspur, setting up one of the most highly anticipated matches of the season.

This weekend, however, fans will notice a subtle but meaningful change on the pitch. Manchester United’s players will not be wearing their usual kits with Snapdragon’s branding across the front.
Instead, their jerseys will feature the logo of (Red), a charitable organization focused on fighting health inequality and supporting life-saving initiatives in vulnerable communities.
The partnership is part of a wider campaign and has the backing of United’s principal shirt sponsor, Qualcomm Technologies, which holds a £60 million-per-year deal with the club.
The decision to highlight (Red) during Sunday’s match underscores the club’s commitment to global causes. (Red) was founded in 2006 by U2 frontman Bono and activist Bobby Shriver, with a mission to combat AIDS and address health injustice in some of the world’s most at-risk regions.
United’s women’s team also showcased the (Red) logo during their recent Women’s Super League match against Arsenal, aligning both men’s and women’s squads with the initiative.
In addition to raising awareness, the kits worn in these fixtures will be auctioned off on MatchWornShirt, an online platform dedicated to selling match-worn memorabilia.
Proceeds from the auction will go directly to (Red)’s campaign efforts. Jennifer Lotito, president and COO of (Red), expressed her enthusiasm about the partnership, highlighting how collaborations like this one help drive meaningful change.
She emphasized that the jerseys are more than collectible items—they are symbols of solidarity and tools for impact.
As United push toward the end of the season with silverware in sight, their collaboration with (Red) brings additional purpose to their performance.
Supporters not only get to watch their team chase European glory but also participate in a campaign that reaches far beyond the pitch. The combination of high-stakes football and meaningful advocacy makes Sunday’s fixture one to watch—for both sport and humanity.
Football
Two Premier League clubs line up moves for ex-Man Utd striker Mason Greenwood

Former Manchester United striker Mason Greenwood is attracting fresh attention from Premier League clubs as the summer transfer window approaches.
The 23-year-old has been in strong form for Marseille this season, netting 20 goals in 35 appearances, marking an impressive comeback after his high-profile departure from English football.

Greenwood left Manchester United in 2023 following a lengthy six-month internal investigation prompted by his arrest in January 2022. The arrest stemmed from allegations after disturbing content appeared online.
He was initially charged with rape and assault, though those charges were later dropped in February 2023 due to the withdrawal of key witnesses and new evidence that no longer supported a realistic prospect of conviction.
Despite his on-pitch performances in Ligue 1, Greenwood’s time in France has had its challenges. Some Marseille fans and even head coach Roberto De Zerbi have expressed concerns about his work ethic.
A recent incident saw supporters unveil a large banner at the Stade Vélodrome urging the young forward to improve his efforts during games. Nonetheless, Greenwood remains a significant attacking asset for the French club.
According to reports from The Telegraph, a move away from Marseille could be on the cards as early as this summer or in the January window. While interest from Spanish and Italian clubs, and even Saudi Arabian sides, has been mentioned, a return to England seems to be his preferred option.
However, such a move would be controversial given the nature of his exit from Manchester United and the public scrutiny surrounding his case. Campaigners in the UK, including domestic abuse advocacy groups, have openly criticized the idea of Greenwood returning to English football.
Manchester United issued a statement last year confirming Greenwood’s departure, stating that both the club and the player agreed it would be best for him to continue his career elsewhere.
The club also said the online material that led to public concern did not offer a complete picture and concluded that Greenwood did not commit the crimes he was initially charged with. Still, United acknowledged Greenwood’s admission of personal mistakes and his responsibility for them.
Following the club’s decision, Women’s Aid, a leading UK charity working to end domestic violence, welcomed the outcome, noting that it would offer some relief to survivors of abuse.
They also emphasized how football clubs’ handling of such cases can influence broader societal attitudes about what is deemed acceptable behavior.
Greenwood made 129 appearances for Manchester United, scoring 35 goals. At one point, he was considered one of the brightest prospects in English football and had earned a call-up to the national team under Gareth Southgate.
However, a return to the England squad is no longer in the cards after Greenwood switched his international allegiance to Jamaica.
While Barcelona’s rumored interest in the forward has faded, at least two unnamed Premier League clubs are reportedly evaluating a move despite concerns over public backlash. Greenwood remains under contract with Marseille, but if the right offer arrives, a transfer could soon become reality.
Football
Chelsea star Cole Palmer hits back at journalist over Reggie Walsh question

Cole Palmer had a lively exchange with a reporter following Chelsea’s convincing semi-final victory in the UEFA Conference League.
After the Blues secured their spot in the final with a 5-1 aggregate win over Djurgårdens IF, the spotlight wasn’t just on the result, but also on the club’s youngest star, Reggie Walsh.
The 16-year-old midfielder made headlines by becoming Chelsea’s youngest-ever starter in European competition during the second leg, just days after making his senior debut in the first leg.
Walsh, already turning heads in the England U17 setup, has made an impressive leap, joining a select list of teenagers trusted on the European stage by Chelsea’s coaching staff.

Palmer, who turned 23 this week, found himself being playfully compared to the teenage sensation.
When a journalist commented that Palmer must feel like an “old man” next to Walsh, the former Manchester City forward quickly replied with a laugh, saying, “F***ing hell, what are you then compared to Reggie?” He followed up by praising the young talent, stating, “He’s a very good player.
I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do. I’m still young myself, so I have to keep growing and growing.”
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca echoed Palmer’s sentiments after the dominant win over the Swedish side. Maresca expressed delight at Walsh’s performance and potential, saying, “You can see that he is a good player.
He is the kind of player we like—very good. He’s young and has a lot of room to grow. We’re very happy for him and his family.
He has to enjoy this moment.” The coach’s confidence in Walsh suggests that more first-team opportunities could be on the horizon.
Captain Reece James also shared his thoughts after seeing Walsh in action during an official match. “I’ve seen him in training, but games are different. This is the first time I’ve watched him play properly and I didn’t realise how good he actually was,” James admitted.
That admiration was shared by Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who scored the only goal in the second leg. The midfielder emphasized the importance of guiding younger players, noting, “Reggie is 16 and he was fantastic—composed.
My job is just to tell them to play the game that got them here. What you saw was composure and calmness, and that’s a credit to the academy.”
Walsh, who joined Chelsea at the age of seven, has grown through the club’s ranks with patience and maturity. Remarkably, he was born just five months after the infamous moment when Chelsea legend John Terry missed his penalty in the 2008 Champions League final.
Now, over 16 years later, the next generation is making its mark, and Walsh appears ready to carry the club’s future hopes. His recent appearances suggest that Chelsea’s long-term investment in their youth system is continuing to bear fruit.
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