Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior has spoken out in support of Vinicius Jr after the alleged racial abuse suffered by the Real Madrid forward in their Champions League play-off tie with Benfica on Tuesday. Rosenior drew on his own experiences in the game and stated that those convicted of racial abuse do not deserve a place in football, as an ongoing investigation continues into the comments made by Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni.
Piers Morgan led the Arsenal fury on social media on Wednesday night after Mikel Arteta's side squandered a 2-0 lead at Wolves to draw in the 94th minute with the Premier League's bottom side at Molineux. Gunners fan Morgan fumed that his side are "choking again" as they failed to extend their lead over Manchester City, who could go to within two points of the summit if they win their game in hand.
Arsenal have assembled a squad with the intention to compete on all fronts this season, but the club will already be planning for the summer transfer window. The Gunners will hope to be recruiting from a position of power as gaffer Mikel Arteta aims to steer the team towards silverware this term, with his side leading the Premier League and their attention now shifts to the north London derby on Sunday.
Inter have been left furious regarding the playing conditions at the Aspmyra Stadion following their 3-1 Champions League defeat to Bodo/Glimt. The Nerazzurri are incensed after club captain Lautaro Martinez sustained a calf injury on a surface they described as unfit for professional football, especially as they had complained to UEFA about the surface before the game.
Leicester City have officially moved to appeal their six-point deduction for breaching Profit and Sustainability Rules. However, the Premier League has launched a counter-appeal, seeking even stricter punishments for the Foxes' financial conduct.
Arsenal star Bukayo Saka has signed a new long-term contract, making him the highest-paid player at the club. The England international verbally committed to a new deal earlier in the year, but has now formally put pen to paper on a contract that will run until 2031. The 24-year-old's previous deal was due to expire in 2027, but fans can rest knowing their star boy has pledged his peak years to his boyhood team.
Arne Slot has delivered a promising update on Alexander Isak, with a potential return date for the Swedish striker being pencilled in. Isak, who is the Reds’ record signing, was forced to undergo surgery after suffering a broken leg against Tottenham on December 20. His campaign has not become a complete write off, with positive progress being made through a rehabilitation programme.
Ethan Nwaneri’s loan spell at Marseille is back on track following the swift appointment of Habib Beye as Roberto De Zerbi's successor. While Mikel Arteta has defended the decision to send the teenage prodigy to Ligue 1 despite an injury crisis at Arsenal, the tactical shift at the Stade Velodrome could help unlock the youngster's full potential.
Real Madrid have confirmed that they “actively collaborated with the investigation opened by UEFA” following accusations of racist abuse being aimed at Vinicius Junior during the Blancos’ Champions League clash with Benfica. Gianluca Prestianni stands accused of making the comments in question, with ugly scenes playing out at Estadio da Luz in Lisbon.
Manchester United have identified Barcelona’s Alejandro Balde as the primary solution to their long-standing left-back issues. However, the Red Devils face a significant battle to land the Spanish international, with Serie A giants Inter also monitoring his situation ahead of a potential summer bidding war for a player who still holds a vital role in Hansi Flick's team.
Weston McKennie endured a tough time when suffering relegation out of the Premier League during a forgettable loan spell with Leeds in 2023, but the United States international may not be finished with the English top-flight. Former USMNT star Tab Ramos has told GOAL why the versatile Juventus midfielder would “make any team better” ahead of potentially hitting free agency this summer.
The race for Bournemouth’s defensive lynchpin Marcos Senesi is reaching fever pitch as the Argentine international approaches the final months of his contract. While the Cherries have benefited from his rugged performances in the Premier League, the 28-year-old appears increasingly likely to seek a new challenge as a free agent this summer. With his contract set to expire, Senesi has become one of the most coveted cut-price options on the market, attracting interest from across Europe’s top five leagues.
Dusan Vlahovic has reportedly instructed his representatives to prioritise a move to Barcelona as he nears the end of his contract with Juventus. The Serbian striker is eager to succeed Robert Lewandowski at Camp Nou, viewing the Blaugrana as his preferred destination despite interest from the Premier League and Serie A rivals AC Milan.
Arsenal dropped more precious points in their Premier League title bid when throwing away a two-goal lead at Wolves, with a stunning statistic highlighting how badly the Gunners continue to shoot themselves in the foot. Mikel Arteta has overseen three successive runners-up finishes, and is in danger of squandering another glorious opportunity to land the English top-flight crown.
Tottenham have continued their aggressive recruitment of top-tier domestic talent by securing the signature of former Chelsea defender George Jobling. The highly-rated youngster, who has captained the England Under-16 side, has completed a move to north London following a successful trial period that left Spurs coaches impressed with his potential. In a surprising turn of events, Chelsea chose not to offer the teenager a scholarship deal, allowing one of their brightest academy prospects to join a direct Premier League rival without the need for a compensation fee.
Tottenham legend Glenn Hoddle has criticised Bukayo Saka’s leadership following Arsenal’s disappointing 2-2 draw against bottom-of-the-table Wolves. The former England manager questioned the winger's "flat" demeanour as the Gunners' title charge stuttered at Molineux in Wednesday evening's Premier League clash.
Manchester United and Chelsea are among those to have been credited with interest in Brazil international centre-half Murillo, and Nottingham Forest legend Viv Anderson has told GOAL that any team that gets a transfer deal over the line would be acquiring the Reds’ “best player”. It has previously been suggested that the mercurial South American could become the first £100 million ($135m) defender in world football.
Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg has apologised for his “clumsy” analysis of the incident involving Real Madrid forward Vinicius and Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni that has seen allegations of racism surface. Clattenburg formed part of Amazon Prime Video’s coverage of a Champions League fixture that took place at Estadio da Luz.
Football fans across the United Kingdom have received a major boost ahead of the 2026 World Cup after the government confirmed a significant relaxation of licensing laws. Pubs in England and Wales will be permitted to extend their operating hours for knockout matches. This legislative victory ensures supporters can stay at their locals into the early hours as the tournament unfolds across North America.
Ange Postecoglou has candidly admitted that his decision to take the head coach role at Nottingham Forest earlier this season was a mistake. The Australian strategist, who was dismissed by Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis following a dismal 39-day winless run, believes the move came "too soon" after his high-profile departure from Tottenham in the summer.
Ange Postecoglou has offered a fascinating insight into the fierce mentality of Cristian Romero, admitting the defender even intimidates his own teammates. The former Spurs boss defended the Argentine’s aggressive style, labelling him a "winner" who is essential for producing a high-performance culture at the Premier League team.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has identified Dominik Szoboszlai as a potential successor to the Anfield armband following a string of influential displays from the Hungarian midfielder. Despite an inconsistent campaign for the Merseysiders, Szoboszlai has emerged as a beacon of reliability for Arne Slot’s side, frequently bridging gaps in the squad by operating in various roles, including an unconventional stint at right-back. His adaptability and work ethic have caught the eye of the current skipper, who believes the 25-year-old is fast becoming the heartbeat of the team.
One of Cole Palmer’s close friends has boldly claimed that he will talk the Chelsea playmaker into returning to his roots at Manchester United. The England international, who is a Wythenshawe native, grew up as a Red Devils supporter. He made his senior breakthrough with Manchester City and is now a talismanic presence at Stamford Bridge.
Presidential hopeful Marc Ciria has launched a bold bid for the Barcelona top job by unveiling a massive tribute to Lionel Messi in the heart of the city. The 'Moviment 42' leader aims to rectify the "historical injustice" of the Argentine's 2021 departure as his campaign to replace Joan Laporta as club chief centres on emotional reconciliation and a rigorous five-point economic plan to revitalise the Catalan giants.
Mikel Arteta has transformed Arsenal into a juggernaut, but the shadow of an impending exit is already looming over the Emirates Stadium. Despite the Gunners' current dominance, former midfield general Emmanuel Petit believes that a return to Spain is inevitable for the current boss, with a specific destination already carved out in the stars. Arteta, who has guided Arsenal to the top of the Premier League and into the latter stages of the Champions League, is increasingly seen as the natural heir to the throne at one of European football's most prestigious institutions.
Tottenham have been warned that “crazy” club captain Cristian Romero is threatening to undermine collective efforts, with Bobby Zamora telling GOAL why the enigmatic Argentine defender has become an “easy target” for opponents. The South American centre-half can be wound up to the point that he does something reckless, with rivals able to get under his skin.
Arsenal forward Alessia Russo is eyeing a historic European showdown after the Gunners secured their spot in the Women's Champions League quarter-finals. Following a dominant aggregate victory over OH Leuven, the England star expressed her excitement for an all-London affair against domestic rivals Chelsea.
Tom Brady met up with another born winner when paying a visit to San Siro. The NFL GOAT is in Milan to experience live action at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games. While passing through Italy, the seven-time Super Bowl made a point of heading to an iconic football venue. He watched AC Milan take on Como, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic presenting Brady with a personalised Rossoneri shirt.
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher reveals why he was happy to see Arsenal stumble at Wolves, despite wanting Mikel Arteta’s side to beat Manchester City to the Premier League trophy. The London side were held to a shock 2-2 draw against the Premier League bottom feeders on Wednesday, providing their rivals with the chance to catch up.
