mikkysmithonsport1

Slot is creating his own Gordon in Liverpool's "special" 17-year-old Right from the get-go, there have been claims from some corners of the football world that Arne Slot's Liverpool have what it takes to lift the Premier League title come May. Of course, the Reds were written off before a ball had been kicked, Jurgen Klopp having stood down from his long-held position, but each passing month has buttressed the title charge. Now, in February, Liverpool are 13 points clear at the top of the league ladder. On Wednesday, Newcastle United were brushed aside at Anfield in a prequel to next month's Carabao Cup final at Wembley. Promising stuff. The Champions League also suggests a treble is on the cards, with Paris Saint-Germain awaiting in the last 16. Might Slot be riding on his predecessor's coattails? The Dutch boss, after all, has scarcely put an external stamp on the club transfer-wise. Mohamed Salah's playing like a Ballon d'Or...

Arsenal dream line-up after Joshua Kimmich 'signing' in crucial summer transfer plan Latest Arsenal transfer news and gossip as Bayern Munich Joshua Kimmich has emerged as a potential target for the Gunners Arsenal will already have an eye on the summer transfer window, and may already be considering which players they want to sign ahead of next season. It was only a few weeks ago that the Gunners were heavily linked with signing a striker when the January window was open. In the end, Arsenal opted not to bring in a new centre forward to strengthen the squad and will now have to wait until the end of the season to go into the market once again. While a new striker has been the position the majority of Arsenal supporters would say is the most essential area of a squad in need of reinforcements, that's not where one of the latest rumours suggests the Gunners are looking to strengthen. Sky Germany have reported that Arsenal are showing an interest in sign...

Arsenal: The four options for Mikel Arteta until Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli return A new formation and turning to youth among the things Arteta could do to spark their blunt attack into life YOUNG STRIKER NATHAN BUTLER-OYEDEJI WAS ON THE BENCH AT NOTTINGHAM FOREST AND COULD BE AN OPTION OFF THE BENCH Mikel Arteta this week vowed to only give up on the title race “over my dead body”, but it is hard for Arsenal to do that when their attack shows no signs of life. Arsenal have failed to score in back-to-back Premier League games for the first time since May 2023 after Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to West Ham was followed up by a 0-0 draw at Nottingham Forest on Wednesday. The Gunners are now 13 points off leaders Liverpool and, even with a game in hand, it is difficult to see how they rein them in over the next 11 matches. Arsenal’s attack looks blunt without the injured quartet of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz. MIKEL A...

Bailey Hall signs first professional contract with LFC Bailey Hall has signed his first professional contract with Liverpool FC. The 17-year-old goalkeeper joined the Reds four years ago from his hometown club, Sunderland. This season he has been a regular member of Marc Bridge-Wilkinson's U18s squad, who have reached the semi-finals of the Premier League Cup. Hall was also part of the U19s group that qualified for the knockout stages of the UEFA Youth League, making 19 appearances in all competitions so far in 2024-25.

Alexander Isak signs, Viktor Gyokeres clause, Cunha option - Arsenal striker transfer decided PaperTalk writers debate which striker Arsenal should try and sign in the summer transfer window Arsenal's transfer business, or lack thereof, has been a topic of debate over the last few weeks. With the Premier League title seemingly slipping away over the last few days, questions about the Gunners' decision not to sign a striker in January have got even louder. Only time will tell if Arsenal's choice not to bring in a new centre-forward will be the right one. In the meantime, a host of strikers are already being linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium, as was the case in the New Year. It remains to be seen which players will actually be on Arsenal's transfer shortlist in the summer. Newcastle United's Alexander Isak, RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko, Sporting Lisbon's Viktor Gyokeres and Galatasaray's Victor Osimhen are just some of the names who have bee...

Alexander Isak transfer admission, Liverpool 'growing interest', Arne Slot's true feelings Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak is one of the in-form forwards in the Premier League and interest is piling up for him Liverpool supporters across the country were breathing a sigh of relief on Wednesday night when they saw Newcastle United's teamsheet for their Premier League clash. Alexander Isak was a surprise absentee for the visitors at Anfield having scored a brace against Nottingham Forest at the weekend. Isak's injury ensured he was not risked by Eddie Howe and Liverpool capitalised winning 2-0 and strengthening their hand at the top of the Premier League. While the Reds would have been relieved not to have come up against him on Wednesday, they would love to have him playing regularly at Anfield in the Liverpool shirt. Amid new rumours surrounding Isak's move to the Reds,  the PaperTalk  has rounded up the latest news on the centre-...

Arsenal schedule Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli injury meeting after new timeline emerges Mikel Arteta and Arsenal’s medical staff are meeting on Thursday as they seek to define the timelines of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli’s return from injuries. Martinelli and Saka are currently both on the sidelines due to hamstring injuries, while Arsenal are also without Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz. Jesus and Havertz are set to miss the rest of the season and Arteta confirmed on Wednesday night that Martinelli and Saka are not due back before the March international break. The pair would therefore miss both legs of Arsenal’s Champions League last-16 tie with PSV Eindhoven and Premier League games against Chelsea and Manchester United. BUKAYO SAKA Arteta hopes Martinelli and Saka can return after the international break when Arsenal host Fulham on April 1. The Gunners are not in the FA Cup, meaning they have a clear weekend when players return from internationa...

Arsenal handed new Xavi Simons transfer hope as RB Leipzig summer stance outlined The latest Arsenal transfer news as the Gunners have been linked with an interest in the midfielder who completed a big money move to RB Leipzig in January. Arsenal-linked Xavi Simons could be on the move in the summer transfer window, with the Premier League a possible destination, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano. The 21-year-old has been one of the most sought after players in recent transfer windows. He completed a move to Red Bull Leipzig in the January transfer window, after spending time on loan with the German side. The move saw Leipzig spend €50 million (£41.3m), plus bonuses to make the move permanent. That has however not stopped the midfielder being linked with a move away from the Bundesliga side just six months later. Arsenal are one of the teams linked with an interest, but face competition from several other sides. Speaking on GiveMeSport’...

Arsenal XI vs Nottingham Forest: Starting lineup, confirmed team news, injury latest for Premier League today One change for Gunners after defeat to West Ham Your matchday briefing on Arsenal, featuring team news and expert analysis from Simon Collings I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice. Young Arsenal star Ethan Nwaneri has been passed fit to start against Nottingham Forest. Nwaneri was forced off with nine minutes to go during Arsenal’s defeat to West Ham on Saturday. CLICK HERE TO FOLLOW NOTTINGHAM FOREST VS ARSENAL LIVE! Mikel Arteta explained after the match that was due to “fatigue” and the teenager once again starts on the right wing. “Ethan, he was just cramping [against West Ham]. Obviously, his loads have been very different in recent weeks, but he is fine,” said Arteta on Tuesday morning. “Bukayo [Saka] and Gabi [Martinelli], they are progressing really well but they are still a...

Liverpool XI vs Newcastle: Predicted lineup, confirmed team news, injury latest for Premier League today A dress rehearsal for the Carabao Cup final Liverpool have been boosted by Alexis Mac Allister‘s fitness ahead of tonight’s visit of Newcastle, but Conor Bradley will definitely miss out. Mac Allister needed lengthy treatment during the first half of Sunday’s 2-0 win at Manchester City after sustaining a facial injury when colling with Omar Marmoush. The Argentine was patched up and deemed fine to continue as he played the full 90 minutes at the Etihad Stadium, later saying that he had been left feeling a little dizzy as a picture on social media showed him sporting a black eye and some bruising on his cheek. Mac Allister looks set to be ready to face Newcastle on Wednesday in a Premier League fixture that acts as a warm-up for next month’s Carabao Cup final between the same two sides at Wembley, with manager Arne Slot telling reporters at his pre-m...

GOAL!!! Man City 0-2 Liverpool (Szoboszlai, 38) SO EASY! SO CLASSY! Liverpool are making Manchester City look very ordinary.  Salah stretches the play and darts in behind. He's onside. City get bodies back but Szoboszlai takes a step into space. Salah finds him, of course he does, and the midfielder stays cool to wrongfoot Ederson with the finish. Liverpool are heading 11 clear!

GOAL!!! Man City 0-1 Liverpool (Salah, 14) THAT MAN AGAIN! EIGHT IN A ROW!!! This is a masterful set piece. So brilliantly worked. A flat corner meets Szoboszlai at the near post and his flick to Salah in space from 15 yards is perfect. His strike takes a deflection off Ake and flies into the net. Ruthless! Liverpool are motoring towards the title.

Arsenal 0-0 West Ham 4 mins:  Good pressing from Merino, who charges down Areola and forces the West Ham goalkeeper into rushed pass that wins Arsenal a thrown in high up the pitch. It comes to nothing but it’s been a lively start from Arsenal. 4 MINUTES AGO Arsenal 0-0 West Ham 3 mins:  Arsenal have started the better of the two teams. It feels like they’re going for West Ham early here. 5 MINUTES AGO Dom Smith at Emirates Stadium A nice, cohesive press in the opening exchanges from Arsenal, who just won the ball back through Saliba after the front three plus Odegaard pushed West Ham's defence further and further back.

Arsenal XI vs West Ham: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup, injury latest for Premier League Mikel Arteta has a big decision to make in attack for the London derby DECLAN RICE IS EXPECTED TO FEATURE FOR ARSENAL AGAINST HIS FORMER CLUB Your matchday briefing on Arsenal, featuring team news and expert analysis from Simon Collings Mikel Merino is pushing to start in attack when Arsenal host West Ham this weekend. Merino excelled off the bench last week as an emergency striker and scored both goals as Arsenal beat Leicester 2-0 at the King Power Stadium. The Gunners have just three fit forwards at the moment in Ethan Nwaneri, Leandro Trossard and Raheem Sterling - which is why Merino played as a No9. The midfielder could get another go there, possibly from the start, when Arsenal host West Ham on Saturday. Sterling would be the most likely of Arsenal’s three forwards to lose his place after struggling in the win at Leicester. The winger was taken of...

Liverpool XI vs Aston Villa: Predicted lineup, confirmed team news, injury latest for Premier League today MOHAMED SALAH IS SET TO LEAD LIVERPOOL’S ATTACK AGAINST ASTON VILLA Liverpool will tonight be without both Cody Gakpo and Joe Gomez for their Premier League trip to Aston Villa. Table-topping Liverpool beat Wolves 2-1 on Sunday to maintain their seven-point lead over Arsenal but will surely face a much more difficult task against Unai Emery’s side. CLICK HERE TO FOLLOW ASTON VILLA VS LIVERPOOL LIVE! Gakpo sat out of the win over Wolves due to a knock sustained against Everton and Arne Slot has confirmed the Dutchman will not return in time to face Villa. Joe Gomez will also miss the trip to Villa Park, having come off with a hamstring injury during Liverpool’s shock FA Cup defeat at Plymouth. Slot said: “Joe will take quite some time. He is going to be out for a number of weeks because of a hamstring injury. "It's a big blow for ...

GOAL! Liverpool 2-0 Wolves (Salah pen, 37) No mistake from Salah! Seven from seven in the Premier League this season. He also converts his 42nd league penalty out of 50!

Plymouth 0-0 Liverpool "Big blow for Liverpool if Gomez is injured again. He's only just returned from a hamstring setback which had sidelined him since December." Plymouth 0-0 Liverpool 25:  FOUL!  Diaz brings down Sorinola deep in the Plymouth half. Free kick Plymouth.  Plymouth 0-0 Liverpool 20:  PRESSURE!  Kelleher launches the ball out of play, under pressure from an intense Plymouth press.  Plymouth 0-0 Liverpool 18:  CLEAR!  Katic is back on the field after treatment and produces an important intervention to head clear a Liverpool ball into the box.  YELLOW!  Nyoni is shown the game's first caution for a challenge on Randall. Plymouth 0-0 Liverpool "We've had 15 minutes but about eight minutes played! "It's been a bit disrupted and hasn't flowed yet. Stop-start."

Liverpool cannot sign replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold after exit’ Trent Alexander-Arnold’s contract with Liverpool is set to expire in the summer but a big-name replacement arriving cannot happen, according to Jamie Carragher. Alexander-Arnold missed Liverpool’s Carabao Cup semi-final win over Tottenham on 6 February due to injury. Despite his absence, the team secured a 4-0 victory, sending Arne Slot’s side to Wembley to face Newcastle. Conor Bradley sent a message to Liverpool fans after his impressive display as he started in the England star’s place. Carragher spoke on Sky Sports Main Event (6 February) about the possibility of Alexander-Arnold leaving, saying that if he does leave, Bradley “needs to be Liverpool’s right back” instead of signing a replacement. He said: “If Trent was to move on, yeah you talk about big squads and two players for each [position] and you need to bring a defender in. “I don’t think Liverpoo...

GOAL! Liverpool 2-0 Tottenham (agg: 2-1) OF COURSE HE SCORES! TIE TURNED AROUND! High into the net. Kinsky had no chance. Spurs have been woeful. Liverpool looking down the lens of a Wembley trip.

HALF TIME! Liverpool 1-0 Tottenham (agg: 1-1) Good news for Spurs, they're not losing yet. They are on the night though, Cody Gakpo's opener completely with the run of play has levelled this semi-final for Liverpool. Spurs have been edgy and second best, the injuries have continued with Richarlison forced off.  But the bad news? Liverpool are going to shoot into the Kop in about 15 minutes...

Liverpool 0-0 Tottenham (Agg: 0-1) 2: Salah has a first run at Spence - two players in form at the moment. The Spurs left-back scoops the ball out for a throw-in. No chances taken there... Liverpool 0-0 Tottenham (Agg: 0-1 ) "You get the feeling Arne Slot was looking forward to this as one of the biggest nights yet for him at Liverpool." KICK OFF! Liverpool 0-0 Tottenham (agg:0-1) 1:  AND WE'RE OFF!  You'll Never Walk Alone rings around Anfield and only one of these teams will stride towards Wembley.  Liverpool or Spurs? Slot or Ange? Salah or Son? Danso or Darwin? Let's be having you...

GOAL! Newcastle 1-0 Arsenal (agg. 3-0) (Murphy, 19) THIS ONE WILL STAND!!!  It's that man again Isak. He is in Saliba and Gabriel's heads. Yet again he escapes in behind the pair and unleashes an unstoppable drive that crashes back off the crossbar.  Arsenal think they've survived but Murphy is following up on the angle and strikes one into the empty net! The Toon are loving this.

GOAL RULED OUT!!! Newcastle 0-0 Arsenal (agg: 2-0) Oh my. Isak is given OFFSIDE!! Talk about popping an atmosphere.  Referee Simon Hooper has to announce it to the stadium too. Poor guy. He's in for a long night. Huge disappointment for the Geordies. 

Arsenal XI vs Newcastle: Predicted lineup, confirmed team news, injury latest for Carabao Cup today The Gunners have a two-goal deficit to overturn in the semi-final second leg ARSENAL TRAVEL TO NEWCASTLE TONIGHT TRAILING BY TWO GOALS Mikel Arteta is unlikely to make changes to his Arsenal side away at Newcastle in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg tonight. The Gunners are heading to St. James’ Park off the back of a thumping 5-1 win over Manchester City on Sunday. Arteta is able to stick with the same side that beat City as Arsenal have picked up no fresh injuries from that game. The Spaniard has a number of selection dilemmas, though, most notably in attack. Ethan Nwaneri came off the bench against Manchester City and was impressive, scoring Arsenal’s fifth goal. The 17-year-old has scored seven goals this season and three of those have come in the Carabao Cup. “The only thing that I want with him is that he continues to do what he’s doing and...

When does the 2025 summer transfer window open as Chelsea gain Arsenal and Tottenham advantage As winter transfer deadline day comes to an end, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur will already have plans in place for the summer Based on the activity of London's Premier League clubs, even in the hours after the close of the winter transfer window, the big trio of Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur already have eyes on summer. Transfer deadline day brought with it the typical twists and turns, albeit with some quiet activity amongst the English top-flight's traditional 'big six'. Stealing the spotlight were Tottenham with their pursuit of Bayern Munich striker Mathys Tel. Days ago the 19-year-old had rejected Daniel Levy, only for him to board a plane headed to London on Monday to finalise a loan move with few minutes to spare before the 11pm cut-off. Not only that, the North Londoners even managed to convince the player an optional purchase clause was best...

Watkins decision, Osimhen obstacle and Jason Ayto scrutiny - Arsenal's January window explained football.london breaks down Arsenal's empty January transfer window after failing to sign a senior player for the second year in a row Despite all the signs, the messages and the hope, Arsenal ultimately ended the winter transfer window without making any signings for the second year in a row. Last season, even closer to the top, a lack of deals was referenced as a potential reason for the side falling short. In reality, the side won every game bar two - the draw at Man City and the defeat at home to Aston Villa. This season, however, the gap to the top is already significant. Mikel Arteta has also lost Gabriel Jesus for the season while Bukayo Saka is injured too. The need this time around has, therefore, been far greater, and yet the result is the same. Arsenal have been without sporting director Edu Gaspar since his resignation and into the void Jason Ayto has stepped into an...

Mikel Arteta's unexpected Arsenal gift which made Nico Williams transfer decision easy Arsenal decided against a move for Nico Williams in January as football.london explores the reasons behind the decision. The reality that Arsenal will not be signing a striker on the final day of the winter transfer window is one that supporters are rightfully finding frustrating. While there are certainly good arguments why one has not arrived, equally, not bringing one in regardless could prove very damaging for the club's hopes in the title race, Carabao Cup and UEFA Champions League. Arsenal did indeed make a move for a top striker when they proposed a £40million plus add-ons move for Ollie Watkins,  football.london  understands. However, they have not returned with another offer. Naturally, it had led to many supporters calling on the club to sign x, y, z players, naming names left, right and centre. One such name many know is of interest to the cl...

GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Man City (Odegaard, 2) FAST START INDEED! CALAMITY FOR CITY! What on earth is going on at the back?! Akanji at fault! The City defender is caught by Trossard and Rice shows quick thinking to play Havertz in. The attacker squares for Odegaard to tap into an empty net. The worst possible start for Guardiola. The Emirates is full of noise.

Arsenal XI vs Man City: Predicted lineup, confirmed team news and David Raya injury latest for Premier League Gunners face nervous wait over goalkeeper for clash at Emirates Stadium MIKEL ARTETA IS LOOKING TO GET ONE OVER OLD RIVAL PEP GUARDIOLA AS ARSENAL PLAY MAN CITY Arsenal hope David Raya will be fit to face Manchester City in their huge Premier League clash at Emirates Stadium. Raya missed Wednesday’s Champions League win against Girona with what Mikel Arteta said was a muscular issue. Neto started and looked shaky in Spain, so having Raya back would be a major boost for Arsenal. “We are still uncertain,” said Arteta on Friday when asked about Raya’s fitness. “We have another session tomorrow, another 48 hours, so we have to wait and see. It’s a muscular issue, so we have to wait and see.” Jurrien Timber and William Saliba are set to come back into the defence after getting a rest in midweek, while Myles Lewis-Skelly is available after having his r...

Benjamin Sesko and Mathys Tel in, Jesus among three sold - Arsenal alternative transfer window Latest Arsenal transfer news with PaperTalk taking a look at how different the January transfer window could have been Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta could well head into the second half of the 2024/25 season without any new signings. Despite Viktor Gyokeres, Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha being among those linked, with Ollie Watkins as the latest striker to emerge of interest, the Gunners are yet to do any business in the winter window. With Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka and Ethan Nwaneri all being hit by injury over the course of just a few weeks, Arteta was left light in attack and though he has regularly offered an insight into what exactly he is looking for, no additions have yet been confirmed. Watkins signs, Mathys Tel loan, double exit - Dream Arsenal attack after four January transfers Mikel Arteta learns final Ollie Watkins Arsenal transfer decision as huge deal agreed Mathys Tel t...