Mikel Arteta faces losing Thomas Partey at the end of the season (Picture: Arsenal FC)

Mikel Arteta has sent a clear message to Arsenal transfer chief Andrea Berta over Thomas Partey’s expiring contract.

The experienced midfielder i…

Mikel Arteta appears to be set on his first choice back four following Gabriel Magalhaes’ injury (Picture: Getty)

William Gallas fears one of Mikel Arteta’s mainstays faces an uphill struggle to win his place back in the Arsena…

The comeback to end all comebacks.

Some shocking comments from the skipper.

Diego Simeone is looking to rebuild his Atletico Madrid midfield in the summer (Picture: Getty)

Atletico Madrid are eyeing up a move for Thomas Partey as Diego Simeon plots a midfield rebuild this summer.

The 31-year-old is out of contra…

Thomas Partey will miss the first leg of the Champions League semi-final after picking up a yellow card against Real Madrid (Credits: REUTERS)

Arsenal will have to cope without one of their key players for the first leg of their Champions …

Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir were in contention to start in goal for Man Utd against Lyon (Picture: Getty)

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has confirmed Andre Onana will return to the starting line-up against Lyon.

The Cameroon i…

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side are favourites to progress (Picture: Getty)

Arsenal fans hoping for a straightforward evening at the Bernabeu will no doubt have been left feeling a little less secure after watching Aston Vill and Borussi…

Mikel Arteta and David Raya were at the Bernabeu on Tuesday for pre-match press conference duties (Picture: Getty)

Jamie Carragher has warned Arsenal they will be making a grave mistake if they believe it’s a case of mission accompli…

Carlo Ancelotti has some big selection decisions to make against Arsenal (Credits: EPA)

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti considering taking a huge selection gamble against Arsenal in tomorrow’s Champions League quarter final secon…

Mikel Merino was on the scoresheet in Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Real Madrid last weekend (Picture: Getty)

Mikel Merino made a surprise choice when asked which Real Madrid player he loves the most.

The Spain international is preparing t…

Arsenal are sweating on the availability of two experienced players.

Real Madrid face Alaves on Sunday before they are due to play Arsenal on Wednesday

Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed Dani Ceballos has returned to full fitness and will be available to make his comeback against Alaves on Sunday.

The 28-year-o…

Toni Kroos has believes Arsenal’s lack of Champions League heritage offers Real Madrid a chance of producing another stunning European comeback against Arsenal.

A devastating second half display in last week’s first leg at the Emirates Stadium has put the Gunners in a commanding position, but not an unassailable one.

Real have made a habit of coming back from the brink in Europe in recent seasons and an early goal at the Bernabeu on Wednesday would dramatically change the complexity of Arsenal’s assignment.

Arsenal were eliminated at the quarter final stage last season following a tame second leg defeat against Bayern Munich and they haven’t been beyond the last eight since 2009.

‘The emotional factor will be a huge decider against Arsenal,’ recently retired former Real Madrid star Kroos told Einfach mal Luppen.

‘The team has to decide it in the first 15 minutes. That’s how it should go ideally. You need to make Arsenal, who have no Champions Leaguequarter-final experience, especially not in Madrid, think: ‘woah, it’s not over yet’.’

He added: ‘I can say from experience, usually when Real Madrid are chasing, there’s always that phase where you have a feeling that they will score one goal, even if it’s five, six or seven minutes left.

‘And as you know a goal in this stage is always important to survive. That one goal is so crucial for the 2nd leg.

‘But you felt that from the boys’ body language (I can assume since I’ve played with them for years), they’re saying ‘Please don’t score the fourth goal’.

‘And that’s very weird, because it was never this way. It didn’t matter against who, there were some matches which we lost, but that’s not how it was.’

Arsenal and Mikel Arteta, meanwhile, are certainly making the right noises and taking nothing for granted given Real’s recent acts of European escapology.

‘We’re going to enjoy the win, because we feel we deserve to do that, but we know it’s just half-time, and we’re going to have to be even better in Madrid to go through,’ said Arteta in Wedneday’s post match press conference.

‘They were talking about it immediately. You know, great, enjoy it, and now let’s prepare for Saturday very well, and then we’ll have the time to prepare for the next challenge in Madrid. But they are all very excited.’

Speaking ahead of today’s game against Brentford, captain Martin Odegaard echoed those sentimements, saying: ‘At the final whistle we enjoyed it, but what I really liked was the reaction from every player as soon as we got back inside the dressing room.

‘We know it’s only halfway through the tie – it’s different when you go to Madrid. We have to go there and put in another performance like the first leg if we want to get through.

‘That was the mindset of everyone in the dressing room and it was great to see everyone focused like that straight away.’

‘We ‘can’t get carried away, it was a top performance against probably the best team in Champions League history, but we know it’s going to be a tough battle out there and we have to be ready.

‘We’ve spoken about being able to win in any context against any team and now we get a chance to prove that against Brentford.’

Toni Kroos has believes Arsenal’s lack of Champions League heritage offers Real Madrid a chance of producing another stunning European comeback against Arsenal.

A devastating second half display in last week’s first leg at the Emirates Stadium has put the Gunners in a commanding position, but not an unassailable one.

Real have made a habit of coming back from the brink in Europe in recent seasons and an early goal at the Bernabeu on Wednesday would dramatically change the complexity of Arsenal’s assignment.

Arsenal were eliminated at the quarter final stage last season following a tame second leg defeat against Bayern Munich and they haven’t been beyond the last eight since 2009.

‘The emotional factor will be a huge decider against Arsenal,’ recently retired former Real Madrid star Kroos told Einfach mal Luppen.

‘The team has to decide it in the first 15 minutes. That’s how it should go ideally. You need to make Arsenal, who have no Champions Leaguequarter-final experience, especially not in Madrid, think: ‘woah, it’s not over yet’.’

He added: ‘I can say from experience, usually when Real Madrid are chasing, there’s always that phase where you have a feeling that they will score one goal, even if it’s five, six or seven minutes left.

‘And as you know a goal in this stage is always important to survive. That one goal is so crucial for the 2nd leg.

‘But you felt that from the boys’ body language (I can assume since I’ve played with them for years), they’re saying ‘Please don’t score the fourth goal’.

‘And that’s very weird, because it was never this way. It didn’t matter against who, there were some matches which we lost, but that’s not how it was.’

Arsenal and Mikel Arteta, meanwhile, are certainly making the right noises and taking nothing for granted given Real’s recent acts of European escapology.

‘We’re going to enjoy the win, because we feel we deserve to do that, but we know it’s just half-time, and we’re going to have to be even better in Madrid to go through,’ said Arteta in Wedneday’s post match press conference.

‘They were talking about it immediately. You know, great, enjoy it, and now let’s prepare for Saturday very well, and then we’ll have the time to prepare for the next challenge in Madrid. But they are all very excited.’

Speaking ahead of today’s game against Brentford, captain Martin Odegaard echoed those sentimements, saying: ‘At the final whistle we enjoyed it, but what I really liked was the reaction from every player as soon as we got back inside the dressing room.

‘We know it’s only halfway through the tie – it’s different when you go to Madrid. We have to go there and put in another performance like the first leg if we want to get through.

‘That was the mindset of everyone in the dressing room and it was great to see everyone focused like that straight away.’

‘We ‘can’t get carried away, it was a top performance against probably the best team in Champions League history, but we know it’s going to be a tough battle out there and we have to be ready.

‘We’ve spoken about being able to win in any context against any team and now we get a chance to prove that against Brentford.’

Chelsea legend Joe Cole admits he’s worried about Chelsea’s chances of finishing in the Premier League’s top five this season.

Arsenal’s midweek demolition of Real Madrid means that English teams are now guarantee…

Real Madrid made a request to get this weekend’s game against Alaves moved to allow them more rest ahead of their Champions League clash against Arsenal.

The reigning European champions are slated to play on Sunday, three days before they will attempt to stage another miraculous European comeback at the Bernabeu.

According to Cadena SER, Real made their plea after La Liga had publicly released the schedule on March 20 bit it fell on deaf ears.

‘As you well know, this match is strategically located between the two matches we will play against Arsenal in the Champions League quarter finals, on Tuesday, April 8 in London and Wednesday, April 16 in Madrid,’ read an email sent to La Liga, obtained by the Spanish radio station.

‘Moving the match against Deportivo Alavés to Saturday, April 12 would allow us more time to adequately prepare for both that match and the decisive match on Wednesday, April 16 at the Santiago Bernabeu.

‘We are convinced that our request is entirely reasonable and we trust that it can be met.’

Real made contact with Alaves before submitting their request to bring the game forward by 24 hours and although their opponents were happy to accommodate them, Carlo Ancelotti’s side has been ordered to play the game as scheduled tomorrow.

Los Merengues could well have done with an extra 24 hours to prepare given they are 3-0 down in the tie following a disastrous first leg at the Emirates Stadium and have several injury concerns ahead of the return fixture.

Arsenal, meanwhile, host Brenftord this afternoon still on a high from one of the most impressive results in their European history.

‘Great, it’s been an unbelievable energy, it was a very special night,’ said Mikel Arteta when asked how his squad as reacted to a famous win.

‘That’s over, and now the full focus is on Brentford, because it’s a game that is going to require the best of us.’

He added: Just one [day off]. I think they were very happy with that. Sometimes after winning you want to spend the next day in and around the team because you want to share that feeling.

‘But we had a day off because it was the best way to recover and prepare for the game against Brentford.

‘It’s not about bringing them back. It’s now maintaining that energy and that momentum and using it towards Brentford and the very difficult game that we’re going to face against a team that, when you look at what they’ve done, it’s just incredible. It’s remarkable.

‘It’s a beautiful story and they have earned it in the way they work, in the way they organise, in the way they believe, in the way they play. So big credit to them, it’s going to be a really tough test for us.’

Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka both failed to complete 90 minutes against Real Madrid on Tuesday night (Picture: AMA)

Mikel Arteta has provided fitness updates on Arsenal duo Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice ahead of Saturday’s Premier Leagu…

Edu left Arsenal in November after five years in a senior position with the club he once played for (Picture: Getty)

Edu Gaspar has penned an emotional farewell message to Arsenal fans, six months after his shock Arsenal departure.

The B…

Amateur Jose Luis Ballester was caught short during his opening round (Picture: Getty)

Amateur Jose Luis Ballester was unapologetic after he was spotted urinating into Rae’s Creek in the first round of the Masters on Thursday.

Playi…

Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta will work in tandem this summer to oversee Arsenal’s transfer plans (Picture: Getty)

New Arsenal transfer chief Andrea Berta has been advised to hijack Manchester United’s move for Mattheus Cunha.
…

Ian Wright has lavished praise on Declan Rice and believes his club record transfer fee looks a bargain in light of Tuesday’s matchwinning heroics against Real Madrid.

The England international raised eyebrows when he chose Arsenal as the next step in his career progression upon his decision to leave boyhood club West Ham nearly two years ago.

Chelsea and Manchester City, who submitted a rival bid, were also in the running but Mikel Arteta’s vision for Rice convinced the midfielder to join the Gunners.

Rice has vindicated Arteta’s judgement with a series of outstanding displays and capped a superb individual performance against Real on Tuesday night with two stunning free-kicks that have put his side within touching distance of what would be only Arsenal’s third appearance in a Champions League semi-final.

At the time Rice’s £100million fee looked steep, but David Moyes, his manager during his final season at West Ham, suggested Arsenal signed him on the cheap, a claim Wright is now in full agreement with.

He told The Overlap: ‘With David Moyes saying we haven’t got enough for him. Remember him saying he wanted £150 million for him.

‘I know like now we can all jump back and say ‘yeah David Moyes was right’ but Declan from the time he’s been at Arsenal he’s made that fee look embarrassing.’

Arteta, Rice and a host of his teammates were quick, meanwhile, to point out that the tie against Real is only at the halfway stage with next week’s second leg at the Bernabeu anything but a forgone conclusion.

Arsenal’s defensive record in Europe this season gives genuine hope for optimism, especially after Jakub Kiwior deputised so ably for the injured Gabriel but Wright is taking nothing for granted.

He said: ‘[On Arsenal beating Real Madrid] It was an amazing game. I think everybody played well – [Jacob] Kiwior did very well and so did Thomas Partey.

‘Especially [Bukayo] Saka, being 50% fit – he was amazing. The manager has always gone on about the group and their mentality and they had to show it in that game.

‘There were times that I thought Real Madrid played well and the crowd were going off it in that place.

‘Real Madrid have never come back from a 3-0 down in the first leg. They’ve never done that so hopefully we won’t be the first. However, they have players that can score goals quickly.’

Whether Rice is capable of repeating his dead ball magic remains to be seen, but Roy Keane was not surprised to see the 26-year-old leave Thibaut Courtois grasping for thin air twice in the space of unforgettable 12 minutes.

‘Declan Rice has great technique in terms of striking the ball,’ said Keane. ‘Those two goals against Real Madrid, I was not that shocked that he did it. He has got that in his locker. The second goal was fantastic though.  

‘If Rice can keep getting more goals, then he can be on a whole different level like some of the greater players out there. The goals add to it.”   

‘However, Nottingham Forest are exciting to watch.’

Rory McIlroy’s four-year-old daughter showed her father how it was done by delighting the Augusta crowd with a monster putt on the eve of the 89th Masters.

The Northern Irishman, who needs to win the Masters to complete the career grand slam, helped Poppy sink a long birdie putt on the final hole of the Par 3 contest.

‘Yeah, very cool,’ McIlroy, who was joined on his round by wife Erica Stoll, said when asked about that heartwarming moment.

‘It’s just such a fun afternoon. Being out there with Shane (Lowry) and Tommy (Fleetwood) and their families, we’re all very, very close, so to have the kids out there and them having fun is the most important thing.

‘It’s a really nice way to sort of end the preparation going into what is the serious part of the week. So it’s nice to be able to get out here and do this.’

The McIlroy family were not the only ones to make special memories during the traditional pre-tournament competition.

Sammy Spieth, aged three, hit a better tee shot by his standards than playing partners Justin Thomas and Max Homa did by theirs on the second hole.

He teed up a driver, gripped it cross-handed and sent his ball about 30 yards down the middle, while Thomas and Homa hit their wedges short and right into a bunker.

Sammy’s dad, 2015 Masters champion Jordan Spieth, didn’t bother to tee off. He had enough to manage with a team of caddies — all wearing white Augusta National coveralls — that included Sammy, one-year-old daughter Sophie and wife Annie, who is expecting a third child in July.

The record book will show that Masters rookie Nico Echavarria won the contest beating J.J. Spaun with a birdie on the second playoff hole after each shot 5-under 22.

While the Masters is arguably the easiest major to win because of its small field that includes aging past champions, the Par 3 is much easier, because most players don’t even try.

Gary Player certainly does. The oldest living Masters champion at age 89, he made three straight birdies — flirting with aces on Nos. 6 and 7 — to get his name onto the leaderboard, although he ultimately didn’t post an official score.

The same was true of 70 players in the field of 90. That trend likely will continue as long as the winner on Augusta National’s tranquil, 1,090-yard par-3 course fails to win the green jacket. The contest began in 1960 and no one has won it and the Masters in the same year.

‘I’ve never really been, like, buy into the jinx too much, but I also don’t think I’ve ever turned in a card,’ Thomas said.

Participation in the Par 3 is optional, and a handful players — including Xander Schauffele, Patrick Cantlay and Phil Mickelson — opted out, choosing to grind on the range or play practice rounds well into the afternoon ahead of Thursday’s opening round.

‘If you’re not ready by now, then you don’t really have a chance. This week takes a lot of energy,’ McIlroy said.

‘It’s a tough walk, it’s hilly, and the mental energy you’re expending as well. Get this done, and then just go home, have dinner, relax and get ready for tomorrow.’

Emiliano Martinez is persona non grata with French football fans (Picture: Getty)

Emi Martinez was afforded a hostile reception during Aston Villa’s Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain at Parc des Princes.

The Argentina …

Nemanja Matic has hit back and Manchester United’s Andre Onana and branded him the worst goalkeeper in the club’s modern history.

The Cameroon international joined the Premier League giants from Inter at the start of last season following a £47 million move from Inter.

Erik ten Hag sanctioned the ruthless decision to dispense with the long-serving David de Gea in an attempt to assert his authority and accelerate United’s plan to play out from the back.

Jettisoning the Spaniard and placing his faith in the error prone Onana proved to be a disastrous decision, however, which went a long way to causing his downfall.

Onana has fared little better since the appointment of Ruben Amorim and his days at Old Trafford appear to short numbered.

Despite speculation mounting over his own future, Onana felt confident enough to declare his team the overwhelming favourites ahead of tomorrow’s Europa League quarter final first leg against Lyon.

While the Ligue 1 side may not be in the rudest of health themselves, Matictook issue with Onana’s suggestion that Lyon would struggle to compete over two legs against a team who are currently languishing in mid-table obscurity in the Premier League.

‘I don’t know to say that you need to have cover for something like that,’ said the former United and Chelsea midfielder when asked for his assessment of Onana’s bold statement. ‘I respect everyone then you need to give the answer.

‘If you are one of the worst goalkeepers in Man United history then you need to take care what you are talking about.

‘If David de Gea, or Van der Saar or Peter Schmeichel say that then I would question that.

‘But if you are statistically one of the worst goalkeepers in Man United’s history then he needs to show that before he says it. We will see.’

Kobbie Mainoo, meanwhile, trained with his team-mates ahead of tomorrow’s game as the midfielder prepares to return from his two-month lay-off.

The homegrown 19-year-old has been absent since picking up a muscular issue in training in the days after his most recent appearance against Leicester in the FA Cup on February 7.

Mainoo trained with the group in the opening section of the session at Carrington on Wednesday, but it remains to be seen whether he is part of the squad that travels to France for the quarter-final first leg.

United defender Matthijs de Ligt was conspicuous by his absence from training having missed Sunday’s 0-0 derby draw at home to Manchester City.

Toby Collyer also missed the session with a knock, joining Lisandro Martinez, Amad Diallo, Jonny Evans and Ayden Heaven on the sidelines.

Luke Shaw again trained with the group having returned to the bench in the Manchester derby after four months out.