Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has hailed Manchester City as the finest team his side has encountered this season, placing them ahead of Premier League title rivals Arsenal. The Magpies were condemned to a 3-1 defeat at St James' Park on Saturday night as the Cityzens fought from behind to secure their spot in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, marking their fourth victory over Newcastle in a gruelling campaign.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has made a startling admission regarding his tactical preparation after his side narrowly avoided an FA Cup upset against Mansfield Town. The Premier League leaders were forced to dig deep to secure a 2-1 victory over the League One outfit, but the Spaniard revealed after the final whistle that his experimental starting XI was barely tested on the training ground before the trip to Field Mill.
Mikel Arteta could not hide his pride after watching his Arsenal side navigate a tricky FA Cup fifth-round encounter against Mansfield Town. While the Gunners required a late intervention from substitute Eberechi Eze to secure their passage, the headlines belonged to 16-year-old starlet Max Dowman, who returned from an ankle injury to deliver a man-of-the-match performance at Field Hill.
Mikel Arteta handed a historic start to 16-year-old sensation Max Dowman for Arsenal’s FA Cup fifth-round tie against Mansfield Town. The Hale End graduate became the youngest player to ever start a match in the competition for the Gunners.
Arsenal just about did enough to edge past League One side Mansfield Town in the FA Cup fifth round, running out 2-1 winners on the road on Saturday. Mikel Arteta made several changes to his starting XI and initially lined them up in a 3-5-2 formation with wingers in lieu of wing-backs, which only emboldened their ambitious hosts. Nevertheless, goals in either half helped see the Gunners into the hat for the quarter-finals.
In a shocking turn of events at the City Ground, Edu Gaspar has been brutally sacked by Nottingham Forest, bringing a swift and unceremonious end to his tenure as the club's global director of football. The former Arsenal executive, who was viewed as a major coup for Forest when he joined in July 2025, lasted less than a year in the role before the club's hierarchy decided to pull the plug on his project.
Mikel Arteta is looking to reinforce his engine room as Arsenal reportedly intensify their pursuit of Newcastle star Sandro Tonali. The presence of the player's representative at a recent Premier League fixture has sparked fresh speculation over a summer transfer following surprise links in January.
The Gazzetta dello Sport claimed earlier this week that Arsenal have expressed an interest in signing Inter prospect Francesco Pio Esposito. However, the Nerazzurri's CEO, Beppe Marotta, moved quickly to quell the transfer talk by insisting that there had not been any contact between the two clubs. "Arsenal did not ask for Pio," the Italian told Sport Mediaset before Inter's Coppa Italia semi-final first leg against Como on Tuesday. "But also Inter are not a selling club. We don't make player trading our main activity.
Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes dismissed harsh criticism from Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler after the Gunners' narrow 1-0 win at the Amex Stadium. As the Premier League title race heats up, the Brazilian centre-back insists Mikel Arteta's side are unconcerned by external criticism regarding their game management tactics and alleged time-wasting.
Arsenal face a high-stakes summer transfer window as financial pressures mount at the Emirates following last year's spending splurge. Despite their impressive Premier League form, the Gunners may be forced into a shock sale of at least one key star and academy graduates to balance the books.
Patrice Evra has refuted claims of having a personal vendetta against Arsenal, asserting that his criticism is merely intended as "banter." Nonetheless, the Manchester United legend has encouraged Mikel Arteta's side to embrace a "win at all costs" mentality in their quest to defeat Manchester City and secure the title. He posits that the Gunners should be prepared to "cheat and waste time" if they aspire to finally end their Premier League drought, as such tactics could provide them with a competitive advantage over their rivals.
Edu Gaspar's underwhelming tenure at Nottingham Forest appears to be nearing a sharp conclusion, with the former Arsenal chief reportedly instructed to stay away from the club's facilities. As his exit from the City Ground looms, rumors have intensified linking the Brazilian executive with a return to his homeland. Flamengo are said to be eyeing Edu as part of a major boardroom overhaul following a period of internal crisis.
Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo has revealed the club's stance on any potential summer sale for star striker Julian Alvarez. Cerezo has spoken out amid mounting speculation over the Argentine striker's future, with Arsenal and Barcelona both reportedly keen on signing the World Cup winner when the transfer market reopens.
The ambitious project involving former Arsenal sporting director Edu Gaspar at Nottingham Forest appears to be reaching a bitter conclusion, marking a dramatic and unexpected shift in the club's long-term strategic vision. The Brazilian has reportedly been formally instructed to stay away from both the iconic City Ground and the club’s training facilities as his official departure from the Premier League side draws closer following a turbulent, high-profile, and ultimately disappointing eight-month spell at the helm of football operations.
Arsenal legend Ian Wright has made a surprising admission regarding north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, insisting he has no desire to see them drop out of the Premier League. While the Gunners chase the title, Spurs are currently embroiled in a battle for survival, with interim boss Igor Tudor struggling to arrest a terrifying slump in form.
Chelsea’s disciplinary nightmare has taken another turn for the worse following their 2-1 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. Winger Pedro Neto, who was already facing a standard suspension for his red card, has now been officially charged by the Football Association for his conduct following the dismissal. The Portuguese international was sent off during a frantic second half as the Blues lost to their London rivals.
Arsenal supporters turned the Amex Stadium into a carnival on Wednesday night as news of Manchester City dropping points filtered through the away end. While the Gunners secured a gritty 1-0 win over Brighton, the real euphoria erupted when it was confirmed their title rivals had dropped points against Nottingham Forest.
Ethan Nwaneri endured a nightmare evening at the Stade Velodrome as his decisive penalty miss saw Marseille crash out of the Coupe de France. The 18-year-old, currently on loan from Arsenal, blasted his spot-kick over the bar to hand Toulouse a 4-3 shootout victory in Wednesday night's quarter-final clash.
Arsenal consolidated their position at the top of the Premier League with a gritty 1-0 victory over Brighton on Wednesday, but the fallout from the Amex Stadium has been dominated by a staggering statistic. While Bukayo Saka’s strike secured the points, the Gunners are facing accusations of taking gamesmanship to a whole new level after data revealed they spent over half an hour simply waiting to restart the game.
Popular TV presenter Laura Woods has hit back at former Premier League manager Alan Pardew following his sensational claim that Arsenal deserve an "asterisk" next to their name should they win the title. The Gunners moved seven points clear at the top of the table after a gritty 1-0 win over Brighton, while rivals Manchester City dropped points against Nottingham Forest. Despite the north London side's commanding position, Pardew was left unimpressed by the pragmatic nature of Mikel Arteta’s tactical approach at the Amex Stadium.
Arsenal have taken a massive step toward their first Premier League title in over two decades, but their ascent is drawing heavy criticism for its lack of aesthetic appeal. Following a gritty 1-0 victory over Brighton on Wednesday, former Newcastle and West Ham manager Alan Pardew delivered a scathing assessment of Mikel Arteta’s side.
Mikel Arteta was caught in a tense exchange after being confronted with Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler’s scathing assessment of Arsenal’s tactical conduct. The Gunners' narrow victory at the Amex Stadium was overshadowed by accusations of cynical gamesmanship and "making their own rules," leaving the Premier League leaders facing a barrage of criticism despite moving seven points clear at the summit.
Tempers flared at the Amex Stadium as Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler was caught on camera launching a foul-mouthed tirade at Arsenal defender Piero Hincapie. The heated exchange occurred during a tense 1-0 victory for the Gunners, which saw the north London side extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table amidst accusations of dark arts and time-wasting.
Tensions between Brighton and Arsenal exploded after the Gunners secured a gritty victory at the Amex Stadium to bolster their title charge on Wednesday evening. Seagulls boss Fabian Hurzeler launched a scathing attack on Mikel Arteta's side, accusing them of cynically manipulating the rules and using extreme time-wasting tactics in a match where he suggested only the hosts genuinely attempted to play football.
Bukayo Saka's first-half strike earned Arsenal a crucial 1-0 win at Brighton as they took full advantage of Manchester City's shock 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest to move seven points clear at the top of the Premier League. Mikel Arteta's side were far from their best at the Amex Stadium, but Saka's ninth-minute effort gave them something to hang onto, and with Gabriel Magalhaes colossal at the back they ground out a huge win on what could prove to be a pivotal night in the title race.
Arsenal are being advised to keep faith with Mikel Arteta regardless of what happens in their 2025-26 trophy bids, with former Invincibles squad member Jeremie Aliadiere telling GOAL why nobody could do a better job at Emirates Stadium. The Gunners are back in the hunt for the Premier League, as part of a quadruple quest, with their manager determined to turn potential into something more tangible.
Arsenal
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