Mikel Arteta has told his Arsenal players to “stand up and be counted” after their Premier League title bid took a hit with defeat to Aston Villa.
Two late goals gave Unai Emery and his players a deserved 2-0 victory at the Emirates Stadium to boost their own top-four hopes.
In yet another twist in the title run-in, the Gunners were well beaten as Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins struck within three minutes of one another to stun the home fans.
“We have to show real character and cohesion and togetherness, because on Wednesday we have a beautiful opportunity to make history again at this club.”
Mikel on our upcoming opportunity
— Arsenal (@Arsenal)
Liverpool had lost at home to Crystal Palace earlier on Sunday and a fifth league …
Jonathan Pitroipa has warned not to write off Burkina Faso s Africa Cup of Nations chances following their defeat to Gabon.
Jonathan Pitroipa has backed Burkina Faso to reach the Africa Cup of Nations final ahead of Wednesday s clash with Equatorial Guinea in Bata.
The Al Jazira man was named Player of the Tournament at the African showpiece two years ago as Burkina Faso lost to Nigeria in the final.
It was the best Burkinabe showing at the competition but their hopes of replicating or bettering that achievement were dented by Saturday s 2-0 loss to Gabon in their opening Group A encounter.
Goals for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Malick Evouna did for Paul Put s men, but Pitroipa feels confident that he and his team-mates can hit back and show w…
Aston Villa have completed the signing of defender Micah Richards on a free transfer, according to the club s official website.
Richards, 26, has agreed a four-year deal with the club and will move to Villa Park on a free transfer following the expiration of his contract with Manchester City on July 1.
I m really pleased to get Micah on board and I m sure he will prove to be an excellent signing for the football club, Villa manager Tim Sherwood said.
Richards, who spent last season on loan at Italian Serie A side Fiorentina, helped City win the English Premier League in 2011/12 and 2013/14.
Villa are priced at to secure a Top 10 finish in the Premier League table next season.
Sirigu staying put
Paris Saint-Germain goal…
Arsenal did little to ease the pressure on Mikel Arteta as they dropped points for a sixth successive Premier League match and had a player sent off yet again in a 1-1 home draw with Southampton on Wednesday.
Arteta s men did at least manage to avoid a historic fifth home league defeat in a row, but, as has become something of a habit, they were compromised by indiscipline just as they had started to show encouraging signs and could ultimately consider themselves lucky to hold on to a point.
Arsenal initially struggled to get to grips with Southampton and only really began offer a threat of their own in the latter stages of the first period – by that point, former Gunner Theo Walcott had already given the visitors a deserved lead.
Southampton s urgency dropped …
Juventus confirmed the signing of Rolando Mandragora for €10.7million, but the midfielder will remain at Udinese on loan.
The one-time Italy international left Juve on a permanent deal in 2018 and has since become a regular at Udinese.
But the Serie A champions confirmed the signing of Mandragora on Saturday, although the 23-year-old will stay in Udine.
The fee will be paid across two seasons, with Mandragora – who has signed a contract with Juve until 2025 – staying on loan at Udinese for 2020-21.
Agreement with for the acquisition of the player Rolando Mandragora
— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen)
Udinese also hold an option to extend that loan through 2021-22.
While the loan is free, Juventus said Udinese may recei…
Lionel Scaloni quickly turned his focus towards Argentina s next game against Mexico as he struggled to come to terms with their sensational defeat to Saudi Arabia.
Argentina are the reigning South American champions and were on a 36-match unbeaten run – one short of Italy s record – going into their World Cup opener.
But a series of disallowed goals meant they could not build on Lionel Messi s early penalty, and Saudi Arabia netted twice in quick succession after half-time to claim a famous 2-1 win.
The Albiceleste have no room for error now, facing Mexico on Saturday and then Poland next Wednesday – their final two Group C opponents set to begin their campaigns against one another later on Tuesday.
It s difficult to digest, Scaloni said. In four,…
New Paris Saint-Germain head coach Mauricio Pochettino says he is honoured to take charge of some of the world s most talented players .
The former Tottenham boss signed a contract until June 2022, which includes an option for a further year, with the Ligue 1 champions on Saturday.
Pochettino replaces Thomas Tuchel, whose dismissal was finally confirmed on Tuesday after reports of his sacking initially emerged on Christmas Eve.
After his appointment was confirmed, Pochettino discussed his pride and ambition after returning to the club he played for between 2001 and 2003.
The prospect of managing the likes of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe was one about which he was already excited.
I am really happy and honoured to become the new coach of Paris Saint…
Zenit set to pounce on Moutinho
Zenit are readying a fresh offer from Porto star Joao Moutinho, Portuguese newspaper A Bola .
The Portuguese midfielder is one of the most south-after players in Europe and he was on the verge of joining Tottenham on transfer deadline day in England.
However, Spurs failed to wrap up the deal before the transfer deadline and fail to add the Portuguese to the captures of Hugo Lloris and Clint Dempsey.
A Bola understands that Zenit plan to take advantage of the situation and are ready to meet Porto’s €25 million asking price.
Russian clubs have until Thursday to sign new players and Zenit chiefs believe they can close the deal before the deadline.
The Portuguese newspaper states that the Russian giants wou…
Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber will see a specialist to determine the extent of his knee injury, with reports suggesting he is set for an extended spell on the sidelines.
The Dutchman, signed from Ajax in a £38.5million summer transfer, limped off early in the second half of Saturday’s win over Nottingham Forest in the Gunners’ opening Premier League match.
According to reports, Timber has suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury, which if confirmed would see the Netherlands defender facing a lengthy spell of rehabilitation and possibly being out until early 2024.
A medical update on Jurrien Timber.
— Arsenal (@Arsenal)
Arsenal confirmed on Monday evening that further assessments will be needed to determined a timeframe for Timber’…
Turkish newspaper Vatan claims that Manchester United are keen on Galatasaray goalkeeper Fernando Muslera.
The Red Devils are actively searching for a new shot-stopper due to the fact that David De Gea is widely expected to join Real Madrid in the summer transfer window.
And while they have been linked with Hugo Lloris and Asmir Begovic, the latest reports suggest that Fernando Muslera has emerged as their top target.
Vatan has even suggested that Manchester United submitted a €35 million bid for his services with a hope of luring him to Old Trafford.
The Uruguayan has spent last four years at Galatasaray, having joined from Lazio, and went on to make 133 Super Lig appearances for the club.
Muslera has been capped 72 times by Uruguay, starting …