FootBall News

  Spain international Mikel Merino has joined us from La Liga side Real Sociedad on a long-term contract. The 28-year-old midfielder has been a vital member of Sociedad’s team since joining the Basque side in 2018. In the heart of their midfield, he made 242 appearances, scoring 27 goals and assisting 30 times. Born in Pamplona, Spain, Mikel started his career with Osasuna. He progressed through their youth ranks into the first team, where he made 67 appearances and scored eight goals. In July 2016, he joined Borussia Dortmund and helped them win the German Cup the following May. 

  EXCL: Trossard frustrated with super-sub role, Nketiah to Palace latest, plus will we see any late transfer surprises from Arsenal? Hint of frustration from Leandro Trossard? Saturday’s win at Aston Villa was huge for Arsenal, especially given the context of what happened against Unai Emery’s side last season. This was the first away game of the season and with trips to Manchester City and Spurs on the horizon, a win was crucial to give the team an early shot in the arm in terms of belief and confidence. If Arsenal had lost, everyone would have been talking about Villa getting the better of them again, so there was plenty of pressure on them going into the game. So the way they came through it was very impressive. Yes, they had to ride their luck at times and had Ollie Watkins had his shooting boots on they may well have ended up losing. But you have to make the most of what luck you get and Arsenal did that with those two goals from Leandro Trossard and Thomas Partey. David Raya’s s

  Henry names teams Arsenal should avoid in the Champions League Thierry Henry believes that Arsenal should hope to avoid facing Manchester City and Real Madrid in the next round of the Champions League if they wish to advance further in the competition. Following their hard-fought victory against FC Porto in the round of 16, Arsenal will be eager to secure a favourable draw in the quarterfinals. While every club that has qualified for the quarterfinals deserves respect and has the potential to progress, Henry views Manchester City and Real Madrid as formidable opponents who are particularly likely to reach the semifinals. He said, as quoted by The Sun: “You can never disrespect anyone in Europe. “There are two teams there who can be cocky – it’s Real Madrid and Man City, that’s about it. The others, you just take who you can play. “Man City are the team to beat still, for me. I know Pep, it’s not how he’s going to take it, I was just putting it out there. “Me as a player, I’ve been in

  Arsenal beats Porto on penalties to reach Champions League quarterfinals LONDON (AP) — Arsenal reached the Champions League quarterfinals for the first time since 2010 after beating Porto 4-2 in a penalty shootout on Tuesday, ending a streak of seven eliminations in the round of 16. David Raya saved Galeno’s spot kick to seal the win for Arsenal, which had won the game 1-0 to level the aggregate score at 1-1. Wendell also missed his penalty for Porto, hitting the post with his team’s second attempt at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal trailed 1-0 from the first leg in Portugal — when Galeno scored the winner deep into stoppage time — but went level through Leandro Trossard’s 41st-minute goal. Neither side could find another goal despite extra time as Porto’s disciplined defensive tactics largely held Arsenal at bay. Arsenal had been eliminated at this stage seven years in a row under Arsene Wenger between 2011-17, the last time the London club played in the competition. ___

  “Tactical Masterclass: Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta Named Premier League’s Best Coach of February” After leading us to four straight victories and scoring eighteen goals, the manager won the February award. He defeated Erik ten Hag and Pep Guardiola to take home the trophy, and he celebrated the win with his coaching staff, which included Inaki Cana, Carlos Cuesta, Albert Stuivenberg, Nicolas Jover, and Miguel Molina.  February started with our exuberant 3-1 victory over table-topping Liverpool, which put us back in the running for the title. Building on that energy, we thrashed West Ham United 6-0, making Mikel the only manager in the division to record a perfect record.  We then defeated Burnley 5-0 away from home to close out the month at Emirates Stadium, where we defeated Newcastle United 4-1 to draw even with Liverpool and Manchester City at the top of the league.  After being nominated five times, Mikel has won this award for the first time this season, adding to his growing list of

  Arsenal's Havertz seals 2-1 win London's Arsenal topped the English Premier League in a hard-fought 2-1 win over visitors Brentford Saturday. After Arsenal's Ben White whipped a cross, Declan Rice gave a 1-0 lead to the Gunners in front of their crowd at the Emirates Stadium through a header in the 19th minute. Brentford were on level in the first half's injury time. Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale failed to send a long ball as Brentford's Yoane Wissa blocked it with a sliding tackle and sent the ball into Arsenal’s net. Following Ramsdale’s blunder, the first half in London ended 1-1. In the second half, Arsenal piled the pressure on Brentford. Gunners' Rice fired outside the box but hit the woodwork. Arsenal's German star Kai Havertz came to the rescue in the 86th minute. Havertz powered a late header to score the winning goal for the home team, with White also making his second assist in the match. Mikel Arteta's Arsenal moved to the top of the Pr

  Barcelona contemplate summer swoop of £110,000-a-week Arsenal star, player open to move La Liga champions Barcelona are reportedly considering a Bosman move for 32-year-old Arsenal midfielder Jorginho. According to a report by Spanish outlet SPORT, Jorginho is the subject of interest from Barcelona. The reigning La Liga champions are in the market for a holding midfielder heading into the summer transfer window. And they have set their sights on the Arsenal midfielder, who might be open to joining them. Jorginho and his Arsenal Journey Thus Far Jorginho has been a solid performer for Arsenal since completing a shock move from Chelsea in January 2023, penning a £110,000-a-week deal. The Italian international arrived at the Emirates as a short-term solution due to the fitness issues plaguing Thomas Partey. And he has deputised well for the Ghanaian international in the last 12 months. The 32-year-old has turned out 26 times thus far for Arsenal this season, chipping in with one goal an