Mikel Arteta keen to end Arsenal’s Everton hoodoo despite ’emotional connection’
Mikel Arteta admitted he has an emotional connection with Everton and expects his former side to put up a battle when Arsenal travel to Goodison Park in the Premier League on Sunday. Arsenal reignite their Premier League bid with a trip to Merseyside where they face Sean Dyche’s Everton, who are unbeaten at home against the Gunners since 2017. Arteta praised his former side’s attributes and highlighted the special connection between himself and the Toffees. “I’m really excited about it, the last six years we have not won there so we are going to have to earn it,” Arteta said. “We know we are going to have to be at our best to beat them there and that’s something we haven’t managed to do so that’s where we are going to start. “It is a big emotional connection I have to that football club with many years I spent there, the incredible memories that I have so I’m always grateful. It’s a big part of my playing career and as a coach I have to play against them and we have to beat them. “We’ve been here and we’ve been to grounds before where we haven’t won before and we’ve done it so it’s about understanding the importance and knowing what we lacked in those games and putting it right. “Sometimes you cannot avoid a battle (with Everton), the style of play they have is very clear and they’re very good at that. “We have a different one and it’s about trying to impose your way of playing and the tactic is just to make sure your opponent’s strengths are hiding and that ours are coming out every single time to fulfill the potential of your players, and that’s what I think both managers and players will try to do.” Arsenal’s Champions League opener against PSV next week is their first time back in the competition since the 2016-17 season. The Spaniard embraced the challenge of a difficult schedule alongside another battle with Manchester City at the summit of the Premier League this season. “We played three games a week last year, but the Champions League is obviously different with the expectations and that we’ve been away from it for seven years,” he added. “It’s excitement, this is where we want to be and when you look at the fixtures and the games we are going to have to play, I think everyone is really looking forward to it.” Arsenal terminated Nicolas Pepe’s contract on Saturday after the Ivorian failed to hold down a starting role at the Emirates since his reported £72 million move – then a club-record fee – in 2019. Arteta said: “What I can say is that he’s a phenomenal boy, he trained really hard, it’s not his fault that the amount of money we paid at the time. “When things aren’t working out you have to move on and there’s no point when things aren’t working either way. “The decisions has been made and I think it’s in the benefit of both parties.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Ange Postecoglou says Tottenham will give support to troubled Richarlison Ireland braced for ‘big step up’ ahead of facing Tonga’s ‘serious threats’ Erik ten Hag says he inherited Manchester United with ‘no good culture’
1970-01-01 08:00
Arm Eyes Second Day of Gains After Jumping 25% in Debut
Arm Holdings Inc. is extending gains in the second day of trading for the year’s biggest initial public
1970-01-01 08:00
Erik ten Hag says he inherited Manchester United with ‘no good culture’
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag says he inherited a club with “no good culture” after Jadon Sancho was told to train away from the first team. Sancho is being disciplined after claiming on social media that he had been made a “scapegoat” following his omission from the Arsenal defeat before the international break. Ten Hag declined several opportunities to discuss the winger when he was asked ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with Brighton at Old Trafford. Sancho’s misstep is the latest in a long line of off-field disciplinary issues that the Dutchman has had to deal with since his appointment last summer and he said part of his brief was to instil better discipline at the club. Ten Hag said: “Strict lines is what the club asked me because there was no good culture before I entered last season, so to set good standards, that is what I did and it is my job to control the standards. “Of course, it is never someone only makes one mistake, it is a whole process before you come to a certain outcome about strict lines. “If staff or players or whoever, there is a structure to cross lines so you have to be strong.” Despite Sancho’s long-term future at the club appearing to be up in the air and Antony currently away from the club while he deals with allegations of being violent towards women, Ten Hag claims the United squad is in good fettle. “I think everything is said. So the squad is strong, the squad is in good spirits and good mood going into the game,” he said. “You have sometimes setbacks in seasons, players are injured or for other reasons are not available, so you construct a squad and the squad is very good and the players who are available are very motivated to give a good performance.” Asked whether he knew how long Antony would be away, he replied: “I have no idea. Of course he is disappointed, but he is OK.” Ten Hag has also leapt to the defence of defender Harry Maguire, who was on the end of abuse from Scotland fans during England’s midweek friendly win. Maguire, who could have left United in the summer, described it as “banter” but his mother came out in support of him on social media. And Ten Hag added: “I have said many times, it is disrespectful, he doesn’t deserve it, he is a great player, gives great performances. It’s crazy but it’s how it works and Harry has to block this by performances. “It’s unjustified when you see his career, it’s a great career and it has a lot to come but he has to block it by good performances.” Ten Hag revealed Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof are fit to face the Seagulls, but Luke Shaw, Mason Mount and Raphael Varane are still injured. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Scorer who racially abused umpire Majid Haq handed lifetime ban Wales taking heed of France-Uruguay battle as they prepare for minnows Portugal England will gain full value with Nat Sciver-Brunt as an all-rounder – Jon Lewis
1970-01-01 08:00
Luis Rubiales given restraining order blocking him going near Jenni Hermoso
Spanish prosecutors have issued a restraining order against ex-football boss Luis Rubiales, barring him from going within 500 metres of player Jenni Hermoso. She has made complaints of sexual assault and coercion over a kiss following the team’s Women’s World Cup final victory. The former president of the country’s football federation was ordered to appear before Spain’s National Court to answer questions after prosecutors asked the judge to summon him to give preliminary testimony. The proceedings could lead to a formal court investigation that will end with a recommendation for the case to either be dismissed or go to trial. In a preliminary hearing on Friday he denied the claims, the prosecutor leading the case said. Rubiales, 46, has insisted the kiss was consensual. Hermoso has denied that in statements issued by her and her players’ union. According to a sexual consent law passed last year, Rubiales could face a fine or a prison sentence of one to four years if found guilty of sexual assault. He was suspended from his post by Fifa on 27 August, a day after he refused to step down when he delivered a defiant speech to the general assembly of his federation in which he said he was victim of a “witch hunt” by “false feminists”. A government legal panel overseeing sports has opened a probe to determine if he abused his authority by kissing Hermoso or tainted the image of Spain with his conduct. On Friday the football federation said the cup-winning players were still refusing to play for the women’s national team – just hours before new coach Montse Tomé was set to announce her first squad. When Rubiales refused to quit amid uproar over the kiss, the squad announced that they would not be playing for Spain again unless deep reforms including new leadership, were carried out at the federation. Tomé must now decide whether to still call up the striking players or select a completely different team for Nations League games against Sweden and Switzerland beginning a week today. Additional reporting by Reuters Read More Watch Luis Rubiales arrive at Spanish court over Jenni Hermoso kiss at Women’s World Cup Spanish women’s football league calls off strike after wage agreement
1970-01-01 08:00
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Deliveries Slip to October in Sign of Demand
Apple Inc.’s new iPhone 15 Pro Max quickly saw initial delivery times slip into October as the new
1970-01-01 08:00
Indigo Ag Gets $250 Million in Funds to Scale Up Carbon Capture
A sustainable farming company that helps fight climate change has secured $250 million in funding, a boost it
1970-01-01 08:00
3 areas where the Cavaliers should be drastically improved in 2023-24
The Cleveland Cavaliers made the 2023 NBA Playoffs without LeBron James for the first time this century last season but were eliminated in five games in the first round by the New York Knicks. Here's how they'll be better this year.
1970-01-01 08:00
Norway’s $1.4 Trillion Fund Steps Up Urgency on Climate Planning
Norway’s wealth fund said companies should move from “target setting to transition planning,” as the $1.4 trillion fund
1970-01-01 08:00
Jimbo Fisher's Contract Buyout Is Ridiculous
To fire Jimbo Fisher, Texas A&M would have to pay him $76.8 million.
1970-01-01 08:00
Newcastle announce Callum Wilson contract extension
Callum Wilson has signed a new contract extension with Newcastle that will run until 2025.
1970-01-01 08:00
Ukraine Recap: Belgium Says G-7 Plans Ban on Russian Diamonds
A ban on imports of Russian diamonds is expected to be agreed to by Group of Seven nations
1970-01-01 08:00
Roundup: Demi Lovato Opens Up On Drug Overdose; Deion Sanders vs. Jay Norvell Escalates; Red Sox Fire Chaim Bloom
Demi Lovato opened up about her overdose, the Deion Sanders-Jay Norvell feud escalated, the Red Sox fired Chaim Bloom and more in the Roundup.
1970-01-01 08:00
