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Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has jumped to the defence of Premier League leaders Arsenal, labelling the growing waves of criticism directed at Mikel Arteta’s side as "very unfair." Despite the Gunners sitting seven points clear at the summit following their 1-0 win over Brighton, rival managers and pundits have taken aim at their functional style of play and heavy reliance on set-pieces.

Arsenal will be “annoyed” at failing to win the Champions League, GOAL has been told, but that does not mean that the Gunners will “smash up” Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16 of this season’s competition. Former ‘Invincibles’ squad member Jeremie Aliadiere has warned Mikel Arteta’s side against complacency after being handed a supposedly favourable European draw in 2026.

Former Fulham and Benfica striker Carlos Vinicius managed to turn an already simmering Brazilian derby into a full-blown riot with nothing more than a plastic water bottle. Representing Gremio in the second leg of the Campeonato Gaucho final against arch-rivals Internacional, the Brazilian forward proved he hasn't lost his knack for getting under the skin of his opponents.

Grok, the AI tool available on the X social media platform that is owned by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, is facing action from the UK government after allowing users to generate “sickening and irresponsible” posts. The most shocking content relates to the Hillsborough and Heysel tragedies, the death of former Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and the Munich air disaster.

Barcelona talisman Robert Lewandowski has lifted the lid on the drastic lifestyle changes that have allowed him to remain one of the world's most feared strikers at the age of 37. The Polish international, who has scored close to 400 league goals across Europe’s top-five divisions, revealed that he had to cut out sweet treats and specific food groups to maintain his physical edge.

In an explosive tell-all interview, former Barcelona manager Xavi has revealed how the club’s hierarchy apparently blocked his attempts to sign current Arsenal midfield anchor Martin Zubimendi. The legendary Spaniard, who was sacked in 2024, identified the then-Real Sociedad star as the perfect replacement for Sergio Busquets, only to seemingly see his request flatly rejected by the board during a period of intense financial scrutiny at the Catalan giants.

Sandro Tonali has been told that he “deserves to play for a big team”, with the Newcastle midfielder reported to be attracting admiring glances from the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea. The Italy international has been at St James’ Park since 2023, with Giuseppe Rossi telling GOAL why big-money bids for a proven Premier League performer could be tabled during the summer transfer window of 2026.

Raheem Sterling was left visibly unimpressed following Feyenoord’s chaotic 3-3 draw with NAC Breda after a reporter appeared to laugh while questioning the winger about a missed scoring opportunity. Making his first start for the Eredivisie giants, Sterling was taken off after 64 minutes and was left baffled when his interviewer asked if he'd rather have stayed on the pitch.

Manchester United and England legend Wayne Rooney has claimed that a Wrexham match he recently attended was the finest spectacle he has witnessed since hanging up his boots. While the football world was gripped by Inter's extraordinary 7-6 aggregate victory over Barcelona in the Champions League semi-finals last year, Rooney suggested that the atmosphere and drama surrounding the Welsh club's FA Cup defeat to Chelsea topped the lot.

Micah Richards has warned Arsenal that 'you haven't won anything yet' despite their dominant form, though he still considers Mikel Arteta’s side the primary candidates to lift the Champions League trophy. The Gunners are currently chasing silverware on multiple fronts, leading the Premier League while preparing for a definitive European knockout run, but Richards believes a reality check is necessary before the red ribbons are ordered at the Emirates.

Jurgen Klopp continues to see a return to management speculated on, and Gary McAllister has told GOAL that a second spell at Liverpool cannot be ruled out. The enigmatic German walked away from Merseyside in the summer of 2024, but questions are being asked of his Anfield successor Arne Slot and an emotional retracing of steps to a spiritual home is being mooted.

Eddie Howe has turned up the heat ahead of Newcastle United's monumental Champions League last-16 first leg against Barcelona, describing it as the "biggest game in the club’s history". Following a disappointing FA Cup exit at the hands of Manchester City, the Magpies boss is determined to ensure his squad does not dwell on domestic setbacks with the eyes of the footballing world turning to St. James' Park on Tuesday.

In one of the most surreal moments witnessed in European football this season, a German second-division clash between Preussen Munster and Hertha Berlin descended into chaos. As referee Felix Bickel was summoned to the pitch-side monitor to review a potential penalty incident at the end of the first half, he was met with a completely blank screen because a supporter had physically intervened to stop the technology from working.

Xavier Vilajoana made headlines during his failed bid to become Barcelona's new president by claiming to have already made "some contact" with Bayern Munich superstar Harry Kane over a move to Camp Nou. In reality, though, the most interesting topic the industrial engineer raised while on the campaign trail centered around another Englishman in Marcus Rashford.

A revelation regarding a new “three-season story” for Ted Lasso has been made ahead of Jason Sudeikis and Co delivering Series 4 of the Emmy Award-winning production. With an initial run coming to a close in 2023, fans across the globe are readying themselves for a return to the world of AFC Richmond. One of the show’s co-creators has hinted at there being many more stories to tell.

Barcelona’s superstars have swapped the sunshine of Catalonia for the historic charm of Northumberland, and it seems they have found themselves in a wizarding wonderland. Ahead of their massive Champions League last-16 first-leg tie against Newcastle United, Hansi Flick’s squad checked into Matfen Hall, a stunning 200-year-old mansion that left the players convinced they had accidentally boarded the Hogwarts Express rather than a private jet.

Manchester United are ready to raid Nottingham Forest as they step up their efforts to find a long-term successor for Casemiro. The Brazilian veteran has been a pillar of the United midfield, but the club are now transition planning for a post-Casemiro era. In a move that may surprise many fans, recruitment chiefs have reportedly set their sights on Ibrahim Sangare as the man to anchor their engine room.

Mansfield Town have taken a cheeky swipe at Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori following their valiant defeat in the FA Cup fifth round. The Stags pushed their Premier League opponents all the way at the One Call Stadium before ultimately falling to a narrow 2-1 loss. The League One club then targeted the Italian international on social media, poking fun at his distinctive running style before insisting the post was "banter".

Cruzeiro’s trophy-clinching victory over arch-rivals Atletico Mineiro descended into chaos as ugly in-game scenes saw players and coaching staff from both teams caught up in an unsightly scuffle. The fuse was lit during second-half stoppage-time, following a coming together between Everson and Christian, with a mass brawl breaking out that saw kicks and punches thrown.

Former Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez has dropped a massive bombshell, claiming that Joan Laporta deliberately vetoed Lionel Messi's return to the club in 2023. Despite securing La Liga approval to re-sign the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner that summer, Laporta allegedly blocked the transfer, shattering fans' dreams.

Manchester United have reportedly drawn up a five-man wish list of potential replacements for Marcus Rashford, including Paris Saint-Germain treble winner Bradley Barcola and Everton star Iliman Ndiaye. Rashford is expected to join Barcelona on a permanent deal when his loan deal ends this summer, and United are planning to bring in another left winger to fill the void in their squad.

GOAL reviews the major takeaways from Americans playing in Europe, including important three points for Pulisic's AC Milan.

Former Tottenham Hotspur manager Tim Sherwood has launched a scathing attack on interim boss Igor Tudor, claiming the Croatian looks completely "lost" in the Premier League. As Spurs continue to slide towards the Premier League relegation zone, Sherwood has urged Tudor to abandon his perceived harsh methods and adopt a supportive approach to save the team from the drop.

Alyssa and Gisele Thompson impressed as the USWNT won the SheBelieves Cup, but a crowded midfield and a quiet night for Phallon Tullis-Joyce left a few questions to answer.

Everton playmaker Jack Grealish has shared a defiant message with supporters as he continues his rehabilitation from a season-ending foot injury. The England international, currently on loan at Goodison Park from Manchester City, was forced to undergo surgery last month after suffering a stress fracture during a Premier League clash against his former club, Aston Villa, in January.

PSV have issued an update on Sergino Dest's weekend injury, with the U.S. Men's National Team star himself stating that he's determined to be back before the end of the season. The injury occurred on Saturday in PSV's 2-1 win over AZ Alkmaar. Dest has made 24 league appearances for PSV this season and has 37 caps for the U.S.

The highly anticipated O Classico ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw as Benfica fought back from a two-goal deficit against Liga Portugal leaders FC Porto. The dramatic equaliser in the dying minutes sparked heated touchline altercations, leading to the dismissal of manager Jose Mourinho, who clashed with rival staff and made a provocative gesture before exiting the pitch.

Alisha Lehmann led the way for Switzerland Women as they maintained their perfect start to their 2027 World Cup qualification campaign, securing a convincing 4-1 victory over Malta on Saturday. The Leicester City star scored the all-important second goal as the Swiss completely overpowered their opponents, registering a total of 28 shots.

Former Paris Saint-Germain defender Presnel Kimpembe has weighed in on the eternal GOAT debate between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. The Frenchman has explained exactly why he believes that Argentine genius Messi operates on a completely different level, citing his natural talent and unmatched technical superiority.