Sports
Why £60m Star is Being Left on Arsenal Bench
Jamie Redknapp has revealed a theory behind why Eberechi Eze continues to be left on the bench by Mikel Arteta. The much-loved England international was an unused substitute during Arsenal’s 3-2 win at Bournemouth on Saturday evening, as they extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to six points ahead of Manchester City playing their game in hand.
Arsenal’s hierarchy spent £67.5 million to help the attacking midfielder complete his dream move back to his boyhood club over the summer, and it initially appeared the former Crystal Palace creator-in-chief would be an instant hit in north London. However, he has been left on the bench in the last four fixtures, even at times when it seemed his new club were struggling to find the back of the net.
Last season, Eze scored eight goals and provided a further eight assists in the Premier League with far less help around him. Meanwhile, his return of three goals and two assists in the FA Cup proved a driving force behind the Eagles’ first major honour, and his influence gives ample reason to believe he deserves more playing time at the Emirates Stadium.
Redknapp Shares Theory on Eze’s Limited Playing Time
Speaking after Arsenal’s victory over Bournemouth, Redknapp claimed that Arteta’s desire to close out games could mean that Eze may struggle for playing time if he is named as a substitute. The pundit told Sky Sports, via the Metro:
“They’re bringing on [Mikel] Merino towards the end of the game, and he’s [Arteta] not looking around to bring on Eze or Myles Lewis-Skelly to go and win the game 4-2 or 5-2. He’s thinking, ‘I want to keep hold of what I’ve got’, that’s the sort of manager he is, I don’t think he’s going to be that expansive.”
It would seem that, while successful managers in the past have lived by the mantra that attack is the best form of defence, Arteta instead subscribes to the belief that it is defence which wins you titles.
The Gunners have become set-piece specialists during his time at the club, while their defensive record has regularly topped the charts, resulting in a more pragmatic approach to their pursuit of a first league title since 2004.
Arsenal’s Premier League Title Chances
Following Arsenal’s 4-1 win over third-placed Aston Villa in midweek, second-placed Manchester City were held to a goalless draw at Sunderland. That result saw Arteta’s side open up a four-point lead at the summit, which has since grown to seven points ahead of Pep Guardiola’s side facing managerless Chelsea on Sunday evening.
It feels as though this year could finally be Arsenal’s, following three successive runners-up finishes. Their mentality and ability to navigate a busy winter period both appear to have improved drastically this time around.
Much of that can be attributed to squad depth that Paul Merson has described as being as strong as Manchester United’s peak years under Sir Alex Ferguson, while the supercomputer now gives the Gunners an 82 per cent chance of lifting the title come May.
Winning the World Cup is often cited as one of the hardest things to do in football. Cristiano Ronaldo is a living testament to this. Despite being an icon of the game, the Portuguese star will now finish his career having failed to achieve this one dream.
The hopes of his nation fell apart in the Last 16 clash against Spain. The game was actually a bit of a damp squib and did not really spark into life until the dying stages. Substitute Mikel Merino came off the bench to net a 91st-minute winner, while Bernardo Silva then missed a good late chance as Portugal fell to a 1-0 defeat.
And with that, 41-year-old Ronaldo left the pitch in tears, his hopes of ever winning the World Cup finally over.
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The former Man City teammates were at each other’s throats during the game.
Ronaldo Confirms World Cup Dream Over With Bold Interview
While most players would have long retired, Ronaldo has continued to play into his 40s. Many feel as if this has been to the detriment of the Portuguese team, but manager Roberto Martinez (who has now quit) continued to trust in the Al-Nassr star throughout.
Ronaldo appeared desperate to win the World Cup before retiring, but has now confirmed that he won’t be part of the national team in four years time at the next tournament. That said, when speaking to the press, he did not reveal whether or not that was his final international game, saying:
“I’m sad to be leaving the World Cup like this. I gave it my all. I did my best. It was my last World Cup, yes, but I’ll now have time to reflect and be with my family. I won’t be making any rash decisions. I don’t decide anything in the heat of the moment. Now is not important whether I will continue [to play].”
Ronaldo then continued, and his next comments have caused a bit of a stir. Not necessarily known for his humility, the striker’s ego was on full display once again as he talked about his achievements with Portugal just moments after their disappointing World Cup campaign came to an underwhelming end:
“Tomorrow I will get up the same way I got up today: with a clear conscience. I played 23 years in the national team and won three titles. Before Cristiano, Portugal had not won anything. The Euros was the most important. For me, 2016 has the same dimension as a World Cup, honestly.”
The interview quickly circulated online and sparked a big response, with fans less than impressed by his arrogance. From talking in the third person to claiming the European Championship win of 2016 is as big as the World Cup, supporters took aim at Ronaldo for his comments.
One fan wrote: Cristiano Ronaldo’s ego is genuinely one of the most fragile things in football history.” They added: “This is a man who played SIX World Cups, failed in all six, never scored a single knockout goal and then started devaluing the competition he spent his entire career desperately trying to win.”
Before then concluded: “The biggest fraud, the biggest victim complex, and the most shameless propaganda machine football has ever seen.”
Another simply called him an ‘Utterly charmless individual,” while somebody else added:
“Used to not understand Cristiano Ronaldo hate but I see why now.”
One couldn’t believe the comments were real, asking: “Did he really say this?” While another added: “It’s impossible for feel sorry for him man, I tried, I did.”
Adding to the hate, somebody suggested: “This is why his teammates will never play for him… sore loser!” While a final fan said:
“You wonder why people don’t respect him despite his achievements, well this is one. You never see Messi making statements like this. For someone that had little goal contributions on the course of winning those trophies, it’s very arrogant and selfish to take the glory of the win all to yourself.”
Spain will now play Belgium in the World Cup quarter-finals, while Portugal will have to fly home and prepare for a future without Ronaldo.
FIFA have released a statement after US President Donald Trump described 2026 World Cup referee Raphael Claus as “very suspect”.
Brazilian official Claus was the ref who sent off Folarin Balogun during the United States’ 2-0 victory over Bosnia & Herzegovina in the Round of 32.
Balogun was initially suspended for the USMNT’s last 16 clash against Belgium, but the AS Monaco forward was controversially allowed to play after FIFA suspended his one-game ban.
Trump: Claus Past ‘Very Suspect’
It later emerged that Trump, who has close ties with FIFA president Gianni Infantino, personally intervened after describing Claus’ decision to send off Balogun as “horrible”.
“I think it [the suspension] would have left a big stain,” Trump said before the United States faced Belgium. “I can’t tell them what to do. I don’t believe they made the decision; I believe it was the commission that made the decision. And it was the right decision.”
Trump went further by describing Claus as “a little bit suspect”, adding: “If you check his past. Very suspect. I don’t want to say that because I don’t like to create controversy. If you like I’ll provide you with the past.” Watch the clip below:
FIFA and Collina Issue Statement
After Claus’s integrity was called into question by arguably the most powerful person on the planet, FIFA have responded with a statement defending their South American match official. The statement reads:
“FIFA recognises Raphael Claus as one of the world’s leading professional referees and a valued member of Team One at the FIFA World Cup. Throughout his career, he has consistently demonstrated the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.”
Pierluigi Collina, the legendary Italian official who now works as FIFA’s Referee Committee Chairman, added:
“Raphael Claus is refereeing at his second FIFA World Cup having been with us in Qatar in 2022. He is an experienced and highly respected referee and we maintain full confidence in him as a trusted match official.”
United States Knocked Out By Belgium
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Despite a suspension being placed on Balogun’s one-match ban, the United States were knocked out of the World Cup after suffering a heavy 4-1 defeat against Belgium.
Belgium rubbed salt into American wounds with two savage post-match tweets, while the players were seen mocking Trump shortly before the final whistle.
The Belgians will now face Spain, who defeated Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal on Monday, at the Los Angeles Stadium on Friday.
The winners of that tie will take on either France, the current tournament favourites, or Morocco in the semi-finals next Tuesday.
Arsenal have opened talks to sign a Manchester City midfielder in the summer transfer window as they look to bolster Mikel Arteta’s young options.
It’s not so often you see players move between Arsenal and Man City, although there have been a handful in recent years.
Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko are two recent examples, but there’s unlikely to be too many in the future due to their Premier League rivalry.
The Gunners are in the market for reinforcements this summer as they aim to build on what was a phenomenal 25/26 season.
The North London club will be hoping to go one better in the Champions League and lift the trophy, but they will also aim to win the Premier League title once again.
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Arsenal hold talks for Man City star
According to a report from Team Talk, Arsenal have held talks to sign Manchester City midfielder Xavier Parker in the summer transfer window.
City are hoping to keep hold of the 16-year-old talent and have offered him a new contract, believed to be one of the biggest financially for a player his age in Europe.
Parker, described as a ‘powerhouse’, is yet to commit his long-term future to City, which has alerted a number of clubs around Europe, including Arsenal.
The Gunners are set to face competition from a number of clubs, including Premier League sides. Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, and RB Leipzig are also keen, while Real Madrid are aware of his situation.
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Arsenal eyeing Morgan Rogers deal
In terms of strengthening their first team, Arsenal are in talks to sign Aston Villa forward Morgan Rogers in the summer transfer window.
The Midlands club have slapped a £130m price tag on his head, and it remains to be seen whether the Gunners will get close to that figure.
Arsenal are looking to bring in young talent from around the world, but they will also be looking to add new signings to improve the senior squad.
Mikel Arteta’s side certainly don’t need to panic when it comes to additions for the first team after such an impressive 25-26 season, which saw them win the Premier League title.
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