Mikel Arteta has revealed what would be his ideal Christmas present as the Arsenal boss prepares his side for the busy festive football period. The Spaniard also reflected on the "incredible journey" he's been on, with it having been six years since the Gunners appointed the former Manchester City assistant as their head coach. Click the play button above to watch the full clip ⬆️
Arsenal have been warned that they face the threat of enduring a bleak Harry Kane-esque scenario if major silverware is not captured soon. The Gunners have remained in contention for top honours across recent seasons, only to be left empty-handed. Frank Leboeuf has told GOAL why that lack of tangible success could lead the likes of William Saliba to explore transfer opportunities elsewhere.
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola revealed U.S. international Tyler Adams will be out at least two months after suffering an MCL injury in a press conference on Friday. The injury came against Manchester United, and it will rob the Cherries of the U.S. men's national team star's presence through this crucial winter stretch.
Cole Palmer appears to have a new love interest, but the Chelsea star was eager to keep his presence under wraps when stepping out with his model companion. The England international, who is back in action after shaking off a series of unfortunate injuries, has attended the Winter Wonderland extravaganza in London. He was joined on that trip by Olivia Holder.
Pep Guardiola became agitated with repeated questions about his Manchester City future days after a bombshell report suggested he was going to leave the club at the end of the season. Guardiola, who is into his tenth season at the Etihad Stadium, renewed his deal with the Cityzens during last year's troublesome campaign and is under contract until June 2027.
The identity of the star that "pushed" for a barber shop at Manchester United’s recently renovated Carrington training centre has been revealed. It is claimed that Diogo Dalot was the man eager to ensure that Red Devils stars did not have to go off site for a trim, with a hairdresser that boasts ties to Old Trafford icon Cristiano Ronaldo being drafted in.
Enzo Maresca is facing growing criticism over his handling of teenage sensation Estevao Willian, with claims that Chelsea’s head coach is mismanaging the Brazilian through stop-start appearances. Former Brazil and Tottenham midfielder Sandro has questioned Maresca’s approach, arguing that Chelsea risk damaging a rare talent whose potential he likened to Gareth Bale’s early days in north London.
Jamie Carragher has risked incurring further wrath of Chelsea supporters by reiterating his opinion that Enzo Maresca will not be the club’s manager next season. The Italian is being mooted as a successor to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City and Carragher believes that goings on behind the scenes in west London will lead to another change in the Stamford Bridge dugout.
Arne Slot’s position as Liverpool head coach is not under immediate threat, even if the Reds suffer what has been described as a "horrendous" defeat away to struggling Tottenham. Former midfielder Don Hutchison believes patience will be shown, though he warns that continued inconsistency could still derail Liverpool’s season and leave Champions League qualification out of reach.
Thierry Henry has urged Arsenal not to look for excuses in their latest Premier League title bid, with the Gunners legend pointing out that "everyone has problems". Injuries have started to pile up for Mikel Arteta at Emirates Stadium, while seeing a lead at the top of the table cut to two points, but collective focus must remain locked on the ultimate end goal.
Transfer fees have been creeping up for some time, with Neymar blowing the doors off that particular market when joining Paris Saint-Germain for €222m (£195m/$261m) in 2017. It appears to be only a matter of time before a defender moves for nine figures, with Marlon Harewood telling GOAL of why Nottingham Forest star Murillo could be the man to make history.
Micah Richards has backed Manchester City to take the Premier League title race with Arsenal to the wire largely thanks to the efforts of Erling Haaland, while he also claimed to have predicted former team-mate Vincent Kompany becoming a leading manager amid the Belgian's fine work with Bayern Munich. Richards was speaking exclusively to GOAL as part of Specsavers' Best Worst Team campaign.
Enzo Maresca has addressed the speculation suggesting that he is being lined up for a potential return to Manchester City as successor to Pep Guardiola. The Italian has previously taken in two coaching spells at the Etihad Stadium, but is currently committed to Chelsea and has stated with "100 percent" certainty that he will still be in charge at Stamford Bridge next season.
Scott McTominay has delivered his verdict on why certain players have improved after leaving Manchester United, with the Scotland international saying there is no obvious "excuse" as to why that has happened. McTominay is, as a Serie A title winner with Napoli, one of several stars to have flourished since severing ties with Premier League heavyweights at Old Trafford.
Dele Alli has hinted that a return to the professional ranks may be pending, with the former Tottenham midfielder continuing his search for a new club. The ex-England international has been a free agent since seeing his contract at Serie A side Como terminated. He has been working on an individual fitness programme, allowing him to stay sharp while waiting on offers.
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has opened up on his turbulent spell at Old Trafford, revealing he rejected two opportunities to leave the club despite personal frustration and uncertainty around his future. The Portugal international admitted his time at United has not unfolded as he hoped, but insists his belief in winning trophies remains the driving force behind staying put.
Erling Haaland is being tipped to snub any future interest from Real Madrid and Barcelona as he is already at a club that will allow him to land major silverware and smash countless records on the goalscoring front. Ex-Premier League forward Marlon Harewood has told GOAL why the prolific Norwegian is likely to honour an extraordinary 10-year contract at the Etihad Stadium.
Gary Lineker has responded to reports of his World Cup deal with Netflix, and the potential to front future Premier League programming, being a "revenge" mission against former employers at the BBC. The ex-Tottenham and England striker has a reported £14 million ($19m) agreement in place to front The Rest Is Football podcast on American soil next summer. He insists talk of getting one over on the Beeb is "utter nonsense".
The life of a professional footballer is a dream for most people. You get paid handsomely to play the most popular sport in the world. The fame and notoriety are to die for. Yet even this high of highs isn't enough to completely satisfy the one percent who actually make it to the top of the game, and Nicklas Bendtner is walking, talking proof of that.
After Chelsea's hard-fought Carabao Cup win in Cardiff on Tuesday, Enzo Maresca went to applaud the travelling support. They responded by singing the Italian's name. At most clubs, there would be nothing remotely remarkable about a pretty perfunctory display of mutual affection between a fan base and a trophy-winning manager. Chelsea are not most clubs, though.
Viktor Gyokeres has capped a remarkable year by being crowned Sweden’s best striker for the third season running, edging out Liverpool’s Alexander Isak for the honour. Following his high-profile move to Arsenal, the 26-year-old reflected on an "eventful year" that included trophies in Portugal, a major summer transfer and personal recognition back home.
Manchester United have reportedly softened their stance on Kobbie Mainoo ahead of the January transfer window, with the club now prepared to listen to offers after previously shutting down all interest. While Ruben Amorim still wants to keep the midfielder at Old Trafford, reduced game time and growing outside noise mean United are no longer ruling anything out.
Chelsea have been offered some advice on potential signings ahead of the January transfer window. Enzo Maresca's side spent heavily once again in the summer but currently sit down in fourth place in the Premier League table and already eight points behind current leaders Arsenal. The Blues have been told to strengthen their defence and that it may be wise to bring a familiar face back.
Gabriel Jesus has insisted he wants to stay at Arsenal and fight for his future, sending a clear message to Mikel Arteta amid speculation over his long-term role and future at the club. The Brazilian says he has unfinished business in north London, stressing his desire to win titles and help “wake up the sleeping giant” rather than seek a move elsewhere.
Kobbie Mainoo is currently in a challenging situation at Manchester United, grappling with a lack of consistent playing time under head coach Ruben Amorim this season, a dynamic made more public by a controversial t-shirt display from his half-brother. But he has been urged to focus on football and prove everyone wrong, rather than leave the club on loan in January, by club legend Roy Keane.
Leandro Trossard has been in brilliant form for Arsenal this season, establishing himself as a vital and often decisive presence in Mikel Arteta’s team. His intelligence and goal involvements have elevated the team's performances and helped maintain their title challenge, earning him high praise from an Arsenal legend, who has also claimed the Belgium international has more to offer.
Manchester United are reportedly preparing to go all out for Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo in January and believe they have a genuine chance of beating rivals Manchester City to his signature. With the winger’s £65 million ($87m) release clause about to come into play and amid uncertainty surrounding Pep Guardiola’s future, the Red Devils sense an opportunity to beat their city rivals to the punch.
Arsenal’s injury problems have deepened after Kai Havertz suffered a frustrating setback in his recovery, delaying his long-awaited return until mid-January. The German forward had been just one week away from rejoining the Gunners' matchday squad before suffering yet another setback in training, dealing Mikel Arteta another blow during a congested title run-in.
Perceived refereeing injustices have been a recurring theme for Manchester United this season, drawing strong reactions from the club's management, players, and pundits. Such is the resentment felt at Old Trafford the club now reportedly plan to formalise their grievances with the head of the referees' governing body PGMOL, Howard Webb in a key meeting.
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