List of All Articles with Tag 'football'

Carl Starfelt was handed what Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers feels will be a farewell appearance in a 4-2 cinch Premiership opening win over Ross County. Starfelt started on the bench with Maik Nawrocki making his debut in central defence before the Swede came on for the final quarter. The centre-half’s partner, Jacynta Galabadaarachchi, left Celtic for Sporting Lisbon this summer and Starfelt looks set to follow her out of Glasgow after two years at the club. Rodgers said: “I wanted to put Carl Starfelt on because it might be his last game here. He has been a great servant to the club. There is interest in him and he would like to take up that possibility. We will resolve that as quick as we can. “The clubs are in communication so I am sure that will go through at some point early next week, if not before. “He probably felt it was the time to move on. There are certain conditions there that has made him think he will be going to one of the top leagues, and economically it’s hard for us to compete on that side, and obviously his partner is no longer here and has moved on. “But I have to say, total professional, first class and if it didn’t go through, I know I can rely on him, but I think it probably will. “We would need to get another centre-half. My idea is to get four centre-halves who are competitive.” David Turnbull netted twice in the season opener after being handed his first Premiership start in nine months. The midfielder opened the scoring from the spot and netted from Matt O’Riley’s cross after Kyogo Furuhashi had notched his first goal of the season. Rodgers said of the former Motherwell player: “He’s a talent. I remember seeing him when I was first up here and I liked his game and he maybe just hasn’t quite hit the heights of what his talent is. “I spoke to him in pre-season and told him it would be a shame if you don’t achieve what you can do at a club like this, because you have the talent, but you have to be a working talent, and you have to be able to run and be aggressive in your game. If you can do that, then your qualities will come through. “He’s a player I really like. I love his care with the ball, his passing, and his efficiency. He gets in the box, he gets goals, and he maybe could have had a hat-trick.” The 24-year-old has entered the final season of his contract after a £3.25million move from Fir Park in 2020. On the chances of a new deal, Rodgers said: “It’s a door that’s open for him. he maybe hasn’t played as much as he would like, but that’s his responsibility. “I think he would like to be here but you have to consistently prove it. “It was a clean slate over pre-season and he did very well with the ball and against the ball, which is important. You have to be able to play without the ball and he has demonstrated that.” County manager Malky Mackay was frustrated his side could not take advantage of some early chances, which mostly fell for Simon Murray. Mackay said: “I thought we started well and international teams will score goals against Celtic. They just have, Yokohama, Athletic (Bilbao). We get those chances in the first 15 minutes and should have scored. If it’s an international team, Celtic are 2-0 down. “Our shape and system were good, our discipline were good, and we give away a stupid penalty. Then we don’t defend a cross in the last minute of the first half and next minute we are 3-0 down at half-time.” County hit back through Jordan White before James Brown scored in stoppage-time via Starfelt’s deflection after O’Riley had netted Celtic’s fourth. Mackay said: “I know at 3-0 here that can go on to become six or seven. My challenge for them at half-time was to be brave and go and score a goal and press high. “Sometimes we were able to do it and sometimes we didn’t because we have some new players who aren’t quite there with the explanations I give them but I was really happy with how brave they were in the second half.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Aaron Ramsey: Riches of Saudi league no contest for ‘priceless’ Cardiff return Katie Zelem admits World Cup debut was ‘tough moment’ after Keira Walsh injury Arsenal will need ‘unheard of’ points tally to win title – Mikel Arteta

There are Old Trafford debuts to savour. Wayne Rooney’s hat-trick against Fenerbahce, for instance, or Anthony Martial’s solo strike against Liverpool. A teenage Cristiano Ronaldo’s precocious display of trickery against Bolton. A similarly young Marcus Rashford’s two-goal emergence onto the scene against Midtjylland. Federico Macheda’s injury-time decider against Aston Villa was perhaps the goal that swung a title race. It is safe to say Andre Onana and Mason Mount’s United bows at Old Trafford do not belong in that category. They were introductions to forget, matches to be banished from the memory bank, moments that can at least be caveated with the knowledge that, as they happened in pre-season, there was an irrelevance to their ignominy. But these were inauspicious ways to start life at United’s home ground. Their £47 million goalkeeper was lobbed from perhaps 47 yards. Their £55 million midfielder missed an open goal. The £72 million striker, Rasmus Hojlund, was unveiled to smiles and applause but he is injured and will miss the start of the season. Erik ten Hag has landed his three major summer targets. They were not hired for one to be sidelined or humiliated. As United recovered to beat Lens 3-1, a three-goal comeback was preceded by a tale of three signings. The boyhood United fan Hojlund took the field first, though a problem sustained in pre-season with Atalanta means it is a few weeks before he does in earnest. He will be charged with converting chances. When Mount made a forceful run from deep into the box, the clearest of opportunities materialised. Bruno Fernandes’ cross-field ball was superb, Alejandro Garnacho centred and Mount only had to apply the finishing touch. But he swung his left foot and the ball hit his standing leg, his right. It was a glaring miss. Then came an extraordinary opener. United savoured a No. 7 lobbing a goalkeeper from the environs of the half-way line when it was David Beckham. Not when it was Florian Sotoca, a 32-year-old journeyman of a French forward. It was not entirely Onana’s fault, but it was a product of the shift in style since David de Gea’s departure. It was apparent from the off. There were cheers when, after barely 80 seconds, Onana came out of his box to get involved in a passing move. De Gea rarely did that. There was evidence of his confidence, too, with a cheeky header to Diogo Dalot when, had he held back a yard or two, he could have caught the ball in his box. On each occasion, his willingness to double up as the 11th outfield player showed the extra dimension he can offer United. But it was also a reason why Onana was on the edge of his area when Dalot misplaced a pass and Sotoca took aim with a combination of ambition and precision.c Backpedalling, flailing in thin air, Onana ended up in the back of the net. So did the ball. He had to untangle himself. It is a form of embarrassment that is an occupational hazard, part of the risk-and-reward equation for a footballing goalkeeper. De Gea probably would not have conceded that goal, because his starting position would have been five yards further back. Perhaps the Cameroonian has exacerbated the differences with his predecessor; his pre-season has been notable for how far he has strayed from his goal. United have gone from one of the most conservative keepers to one of the boldest. There is a showman in Onana; when a last-minute shot looped up off Lisandro Martinez, he made a flamboyant save, but if De Gea was undermined by his poor passing, the other issue was his errors. Meanwhile, a team who had lost their previous three pre-season games – albeit one with a youth side to Wrexham – went from a goal down to 3-1 up with a quick turnaround. First Marcus Rashford equalised with a deflected shot. The Mancunian operated as the centre-forward, a role that, with Hojlund injured, he is likely to occupy at the start of the season. Then Antony, who had provided the pass for Rashford’s goal, scored the second with a dink over goalkeeper Brice Samba following a ball from the electric Garnacho. Finally, Rashford’s header deflected in off Casemiro. They face Athletic Bilbao in Dublin on Sunday and return to Old Trafford to start their league campaign against Wolves. And then, Mount and Onana must hope, their first competitive action at Old Trafford will give them something to recall more fondly. Read More Manchester United complete £72m transfer of striker Rasmus Hojlund Marcus Rashford: Wayne Rooney wants me to break his Manchester United record A new era for old empires? How a summer of rebuilding could change the Premier League

Aaron Ramsey says the riches of the Saudi Pro League could not compete with his “priceless” return to Cardiff. The Wales captain had the opportunity this summer to become the first British player to join Saudi Arabia’s lucrative league, ahead of Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson moving there last month. But Ramsey put family first and returned to hometown club Cardiff, where he made his senior debut as a 16-year-old in April 2007 to break John Toshack’s record as the Bluebirds’ youngest-ever player. “There was an offer and there’s plenty of benefits to that offer over there,” said former Arsenal and Juventus midfielder Ramsey, speaking about the Saudi Pro League interest for the first time. “But for me, it wasn’t the right time or the right thing to do for me, my career and for my family. “It can be very appealing and probably depends on a lot of things, on what you’ve done financially, if you’re secure or not and things like that. “For another individual, it might be life changing, but for me, being around my family and things like that is priceless. So you couldn’t put a figure on that. It's a hot topic at the moment. Obviously, there are financial rewards for going there - probably very rewarding - and a lot of players can't see past that sort of thing Aaron Ramsey on the Saudi Pro League Saudi Arabia has emerged as a powerful influence in world football that has seen a huge influx of talent to the Saudi Pro League. It is estimated that Saudi Arabia’s football-related spending has exceeded £3.5billion in the past two years with a host of players following Cristiano Ronaldo to the Middle East kingdom. Ramsey told Sky Sports: “It’s a hot topic at the moment. Obviously, there are financial rewards for going there – probably very rewarding – and a lot of players can’t see past that sort of thing. “I think obviously it depends on the individual situation. I think I’ve been very fortunate in my career that I’ve done OK so far. “So there’s plenty of factors that go into people’s decisions, but I’ve made mine based on my situation.” Ramsey makes his third Cardiff debut – he had a short loan spell there in 2011 after suffering serious injury at Arsenal – at Leeds on Sunday with excitement swirling around the Bluebirds. Despite being under an EFL transfer embargo that has prevented them from paying fees for players, new boss Erol Bulut has strengthened a squad that flirted with relegation from the Sky Bet Championship last season. Bulut has signed six players in total with former Reading striker Yakou Meite and West Brom loanee Karlan Grant among the arrivals. “I like the way the manager has come in and put down his own stamp so far,” said Ramsey. “He’s very positive and so is the style of football that he wants to try and play. “He’s managed Fenerbahce – one of the top teams in Turkey – and is used to the expectations and pressures at the highest level to be able to perform and to win games. “The club had some great years at the highest level and that is something we want to try and bring back here. “So hopefully not too long in the future, we can see Cardiff back in the Premier League.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Katie Zelem admits World Cup debut was ‘tough moment’ after Keira Walsh injury Arsenal will need ‘unheard of’ points tally to win title – Mikel Arteta Pep Guardiola expects Arsenal summer signings to take them to the next level

Manchester United have completed the signing of striker Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta on a five-year deal for a reported £72million. The 20-year-old, who has scored 27 goals in 87 club appearances and netted six times in six appearances for Denmark, has an option for a further year which would take his Old Trafford stay to 2029. He becomes the third first-team signing of the close-season, following the arrivals of Mason Mount from Chelsea and goalkeeper Andre Onana from Inter, and was introduced to United supporters on the pitch at Old Trafford ahead of Saturday’s friendly against Lens. Hojlund, who leaves Atalanta after a single season since joining from Sturm Graz, told United’s website: “It is no secret that I have been a fan of this great club since I was a small boy, and I dreamed of walking out at Old Trafford as a Manchester United player. “I am incredibly excited by this opportunity to turn that dream into a reality, and I am determined to repay the faith that the club has shown in me. “It is still early in my career, but I know that I am ready to make this step up and play with this group of world-class players. “Once I had spoken to the manager, I knew that this environment would be perfect for my development; I am relishing the opportunity to work with one of the best coaches in the world. “Under his guidance and support I know that I am capable of achieving great things together with my new team-mates at this special club.” He began last season as a substitute for the side from Bergamo but later established himself in the team as a replacement for the injured Colombian striker Duvan Zapata. He scored four goals in four games in January to cement a burgeoning reputation in Serie A, as the team went on to finish fifth and qualify for the Europa League. United manager Erik ten Hag has been vocal about his team’s need for a striker this summer, particularly since the club pulled out of the race to sign Harry Kane from Tottenham. After Lens the team travel to Dublin to play Athletic Bilbao in their final pre-season outing before opening their Premier League campaign at home to Wolves a week on Monday. Director of football John Murtough said: “Rasmus is a truly exceptional talent. He possesses technical and physical attributes which rank him amongst the best players in the world for his age group. “Working under Erik ten Hag and his coaches will provide Rasmus with the perfect development platform.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Katie Zelem admits World Cup debut was ‘tough moment’ after Keira Walsh injury Arsenal will need ‘unheard of’ points tally to win title – Mikel Arteta Pep Guardiola expects Arsenal summer signings to take them to the next level

Manchester United have completed the signing of striker Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta on a five-year deal. The 20-year-old, who scored 27 goals in 87 appearances for the Serie A side and has netted six times in six appearances for Denmark, has an option for a further year which would take his Old Trafford stay to 2029. Hojlund told the club website: “It is no secret that I have been a fan of this great club since I was a small boy and I dreamed of walking out at Old Trafford as a Manchester United player. “I am incredibly excited by this opportunity to turn that dream into a reality and I am determined to repay the faith that the club has shown in me. “It is still early in my career, but I know that I am ready to make this step up and play with this group of world-class players.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

It is a team from another time, a glimpse of Arsenal’s post-Arsene Wenger identity crisis and Mikel Arteta’s decidedly imperfect inheritance. There are David Luiz and Shkodran Mustafi, Dani Ceballos and Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Alexandre Lacazette and Nicolas Pepe. They assume a greater pertinence now, and not merely as signs of the transformation of a side in three years. They remain the only Arteta side to beat Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, 2-0 in the 2020 FA Cup semi-final, courtesy of a brace from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Now, as Arteta’s current and former clubs prepare to meet at Wembley again, this time in the Community Shield, there is the probability that the Arsenal starting XI will feature no survivors of one of the manager’s first major wins. Perhaps Kieran Tierney but Granit Xhaka, the last regular in Arteta’s strongest side, was sold in the summer. And while Emi Martinez left Arsenal and went on to lift the World Cup, few of the others have experienced better times since Arteta’s FA Cup win. Since that deceptively good start, the apprentice has begun to pose more of a threat to the master: in the bigger picture, anyway. Arsenal topped the Premier League for 248 days last season; their return of 50 points at the halfway stage put them on course, albeit briefly, to equal City’s record of 100. There was the danger that Guardiola had taught Arteta a little too well. And yet the season ended with Guardiola having done different kinds of hat-tricks. There was the treble of trophies. There were also three wins over Arteta: 1-0 against a weakened Arsenal side in the FA Cup and, more emphatically and more importantly, 3-1 and 4-1 in the Premier League. It extended an increasingly impressive record in their private battles: the older man now has an 88 per cent win rate and eight victories against his former assistant. Among managers Guardiola has faced at least nine times, he only has a better record against Sean Dyche, Eddie Howe and Graham Potter, and the majority of those games came when they coached bottom-half teams, not supposed peers. Beating Guardiola over 38 games can entail beating him in two. Thus far this year, Arteta has had another kind of triumph: he beat Guardiola to Declan Rice. Arsenal’s prime target attracted City’s attention and yet preferred the capital. Rewind three decades and the most coveted young midfielder outside the title contenders was courted by the top two, rejected Kenny Dalglish and Blackburn after a volte-face and signed for Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United. Which isn’t to say Rice is necessarily the next Roy Keane. But if Arteta spent last summer signing City’s squad players, in Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko, pipping them to one of their targets felt they were conducting transfer business at another level. For City, Rice’s decision may have been a sign Arsenal are here to stay, that last season was not a one-off. It shapes the possibility that Arteta against Guardiola is the division’s new defining rivalry. If so, it would be the third to involve the Catalan, though the first, and most hyped, actually proved less compelling and enduring than the second. Guardiola against Jose Mourinho was a battle of ideas that the Catalan won; even when the Portuguese won twice in charge of Tottenham, the rivalry had lost some of its lustre. The knockout blow had already been struck as the ball was caressed around Guardiola’s midfields. Mourinho has the second-most wins against Guardiola – seven – while coming off second-best in their feud. Guardiola against Jurgen Klopp had epic status for at least four seasons, between 2017-20 and then 2021-22. Twice they were only separated by a solitary point at the top of the table. Once, Liverpool knocked City out of the Champions League. Once, they knocked them off their perch as champions of England. The overall score stands at 8-7 to Klopp in one respect, with more victories in their meetings in this country, and 5-1 to Guardiola in another: they have shared the last six Premier League titles, but not equally. Liverpool’s second underwhelming campaign in three, albeit for different reasons last time out than to 2020-21, prompts the question of whether, like Ferguson against Wenger, a previously even contest will become more one-sided and if this is a rivalry whose best days are in the past. Then there is the emerging rival in Arteta, lacking Klopp’s record of defeating Guardiola – something the German still did twice last season, including in the Community Shield – but with the more recent title challengers and the transfer business that has the stamp of ambition. Not every manager who runs Guardiola closest proves capable of overhauling him. Mourinho did in Spain, after finishing runners-up in La Liga with Real Madrid. When his Manchester United came second, however, he was sacked by the end of the calendar year. The same fate befell Ole Gunnar Solskjaer three years later. While Arteta seems to have more staying power, as Klopp did before him, the next challenge is to overcome Guardiola over both 90 minutes and nine months. Read More Arsenal will need ‘unheard of’ points tally to win title – Mikel Arteta Pep Guardiola expects Arsenal summer signings to take them to the next level Mikel Arteta offers injury update on Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus When is the Community Shield and how to watch this weekend Aaron Ramsdale reveals wife suffered miscarriage just before on-pitch assault Eddie Nketiah ready to step up again after Gabriel Jesus’ injury

Rasmus Hojlund has joined Manchester United for a fee rising to £72m and said he believes he can achieve “great things” at Old Trafford. The Denmark centre-forward, who has signed from Atalanta as Erik ten Hag’s summer search for a striker has ended, said a dream had come true as he joined the club he supported since childhood. He has signed a five-year contract – United have the option to extend it by a further year – and was unveiled on the Old Trafford pitch before their pre-season friendly against Lens. The 20-year-old scored nine goals in Serie A last season and was described as a “truly exceptional talent” by United’s director of football, John Murtough. Paris Saint-Germain also bid for Hojlund this summer but United landed Ten Hag’s top attacking target, who they had tracked since his days at FC Copenhagen. Hojlund said: “It is no secret that I have been a fan of this great club since I was a small boy, and I dreamed of walking out at Old Trafford as a Manchester United player. I am incredibly excited by this opportunity to turn that dream into a reality, and I am determined to repay the faith that the club has shown in me. It is still early in my career, but I know that I am ready to make this step up and play with this group of world-class players. “Once I had spoken to the manager, I knew that this environment would be perfect for my development; I am relishing the opportunity to work with one of the best coaches in the world. Under his guidance and support I know that I am capable of achieving great things together with my new teammates at this special club.” Hojlund, who is recovering from a minor injury, will not be fully fit for a few weeks, though he is back in training. United targeted Hojlund while choosing not to bid for Harry Kane and Victor Osimhen this summer and are excited by the potential of the former Sturm Graz player, who has six goals in as many caps for Denmark. Murtough added: “Rasmus is a truly exceptional talent; he possesses technical and physical attributes which rank him amongst the best players in the world for his age group. Working under Erik ten Hag and his coaches will provide Rasmus with the perfect development platform; everyone across the club will ensure that he is given the time and all the support required to reach his immense potential “Throughout the summer we have acted quickly and decisively to secure our primary targets early in the transfer window. This will ensure that Erik and his coaches have the best opportunity to prepare the squad to push for further success in the exciting campaign ahead.” Hojlund becomes United’s third summer signing, after Mason Mount and Andre Onana and takes Ten Hag’s spending in this window to around £170m. Read More Manchester City sign second most expensive central defender in history Man United join Romeo Lavia chase as midfield transfers look set to shape the market A new era for old empires? How a summer of rebuilding could change the Premier League On This Day in 2019: Harry Maguire joins Manchester United Man Utd vs Lens: Kick-off time and how to watch on TV Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna backed to handle step up to the Championship

England midfielder Katie Zelem admits it was bittersweet to make her World Cup debut knowing close friend Keira Walsh’s injury was the reason why. Manchester United captain Zelem started in England’s 6-1 victory over China, while Walsh has stepped up her recovery from the knee problem she sustained in the 1-0 victory over Denmark. Zelem, 27, was not part of boss Sarina Wiegman’s squad to face Brazil and Australia in April and confessed there was a time she did not think she would be on the plane to the World Cup. She said: “I think it’s a tough situation, to be honest, especially when Keira is one of my closest friends in the team. “I think you never want to be playing on someone else’s misfortune, but luckily we found out that Keira’s injury obviously wasn’t too long-term or serious, so that is brilliant news. “To be honest when I found out I wasn’t picked for the April camp I actually thought that was my World Cup dream over. “I think that was one of the hardest moments to take, especially following the Euros last year when I wasn’t selected. “It just kind of felt like there’s not another camp before obviously the selection. “I think for a couple of days I really thought I’ve worked so hard all season, and it’s just not meant to be, but we had some really important games at Manchester United, obviously fighting for the league title and the FA Cup final. “I think that really helped shift my focus to being the best I can for club and hopefully whatever I did was enough.” Walsh joined her team-mates at the Central Coast Stadium on Friday, though the Champions League winner took part in an individual programme while the remaining 22 Lionesses trained on the pitch. On Sunday they will travel to Brisbane ahead of Monday’s last-16 meeting with world number 40 side Nigeria, who emerged from Group B while Olympic champions Canada – 33 places above them in the global rankings – were sent packing alongside debutants the Republic of Ireland. Wiegman, who before this tournament had the reputation of being unfailingly consistent – starting the same XI for every match of England’s Euro 2022 triumph – has now shown she is willing to switch between players and systems to optimise the Lionesses’ chances of winning against sides with vastly different philosophies and approaches. The decision to switch to a 3-5-2 against China turned out to be an inspired choice, while new connections numerous players insisted were forming in training seemed to really start clicking as England played with more fluidity. On the flip side, even in the absence of Walsh, a regular place for someone like Zelem, who made not just her World Cup debut but earned her first senior England start in the final game of the group stage, is nowhere near a given. She said: “As much as we’re all pushing each other and fighting for the starting 11 spot, I think it really is a team effort. “You can see when different players come on and when different players start the sort of impact they make.” Read More Women’s World Cup TV schedule: How to watch every match today Women’s World Cup golden boot: Who’s leading the top-scorer standings? When do England play next? Women’s World Cup fixtures and route to the final Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

At Stamford Bridge on Saturday a number of football legends and celebrities will take to the pitch to raise money for war-torn Ukraine. The first Game 4 Ukraine will be played in front of fans, with the money designated to help rebuild the infrastructure and facilities damaged by the Russian invasion of the country. Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky will address the crowd, before a minutes silence for all those killed in the conflict, and the mascots will be displaced children. Here’s everything you need to know. When is Game 4 Ukraine? The Game 4 Ukraine is due to kick off at 6 pm BST on Saturday 5 August at Stamford Bridge in London, will music and lights continuing until after 9pm. While the game will kick off at 6 pm BST, but will be stopped at 6.24 pm to pay respect, with fans asked to cheer and clap to in tribute to the bravery of the people of Ukraine. Half time shows include Pete Doherty and Boombox, before a trophy presentation and live music, with The Pretenders closing out the music before a light show at 9 pm. How can I watch it? Game 4 Ukraine will be shown live on Sky Max, with coverage starting at 5pm (UK time). Sky subscribers will also be able to watch the game via Sky Go. Team news The Blue Team, or Team Shevchenko will be managed by Chelsea Women boss Emma Hayes and includes a number of players from Chelsea including Ricardo Carvalho, Michael Essien, and Claude Makelele, along with current Ukranian player Mykhailo Mudryk. The Yellow Team, or Team Zinchenko will be managed by Arsene Wenger contains a number of former Arsenal legends among other including Robert Pires, Jens Lehmann and Gilberto Silva. They will play alongside Cluj Ukranian winger Yevhen Konoplyanka and former player Yevhen Levchenko. Outside of football, Roman Kemp and Mark Strong will line up for the Yellow Team, and Russell Howard, James Arthur and Chelcee Grimes for the Blue Team. Read More Russia's war with Ukraine has generated its own fog, and mis- and disinformation are everywhere Ukraine accuses Russia of planning ‘false flag’ attack in Belarus to draw Minsk into war Ukraine says Russian missiles hit another apartment building and likely trapped people under rubble The Body in the Woods | An Independent TV Original Documentary The harrowing discovery at centre of The Independent’s new documentary

Mikel Arteta knows his Arsenal side will need a monumental points tally if they are to pip Manchester City to the Premier League title his season. The two rivals meet in Sunday’s Community Shield, the Gunners taking part after they finished second to treble-winning City last year. Arsenal led the way for much of the campaign but lost both home and away to Pep Guardiola’s men, who have now claimed five of the last six league crowns. “They’ve shown their consistency over the years and they merit that respect from everybody for what they’ve done,” Arteta said of his former club. “If you want to challenge for that championship you know the total points that you’re going to be needing and that’s unheard of in this league for the last 100 years. “So that’s the standard and, if you want to be there, you know what you have to do.” Asked if City’s treble-winning exploits could mark the pinnacle for Guardiola’s current crop, Arteta added: “I heard that a few times in the last seven years – and they won four titles, got to a hundred points and then they go to 95. “So I don’t think that’s the case. And knowing the manager and the people who work at the club I don’t think that’s going to be the case.” If you want to challenge for that championship you know the total points that you’re going to be needing and that’s unheard of in this league for the last 100 years Mikel Arteta Arteta has won the FA Cup and Community Shield since taking over at the Emirates Stadium in 2019 but now wants to show last season’s unexpected title tilt was not a one-off. “This is what we want, to be on every front fighting for trophies,” he added. “We have to prove that what we did last year was something, but it wasn’t enough to win the biggest trophy and the one we were looking (for). “We have to be better and that comes every day with trying to be better, making better decisions and playing better, and deserving to win the game. In the end, the outcome will come by itself.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Pep Guardiola expects Arsenal summer signings to take them to the next level Manchester City complete £77.6million signing of Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig Brighton goalkeeper Robert Sanchez completes £25million Chelsea move

Japan continued their impressive form at the Women’s World Cup to advance to the quarter-finals as they knocked out Norway with a 3-1 win in Wellington. Hinata Miyazawa sealed a clinical victory on the counter-attack with her fifth strike of the World Cup after Norway had given Japan a helping hand with both of their first two goals, with Ingrid Syrstad Engen diverting a cross into her own net for the opener and Vilde Boe Risa’s back-pass setting up Risa Shimizu’s second. Guro Reiten had equalised in the first half, the first goal Japan had conceded at the tournament, but Norway’s star forwards Caroline Graham Hansen and Ada Hegerberg, who came on as a late substitute, were largely kept quiet. In the earlier game, Aitana Bonmati scored a stunning brace as Spain reached the Women’s World Cup quarter-finals for the first time with a commanding 5-1 win over Switzerland. Spain were under pressure after their 4-0 defeat to Japan in the group stages but responded in style and will now face either Netherlands or South Africa in the last eight. Follow live updates from Japan vs Norway in the Women’s World Cup last-16 Read More Women’s World Cup TV schedule: How to watch every match today When do England play next? Women’s World Cup fixtures and route to the final Women’s World Cup golden boot: Who’s leading the top-scorer standings?

Tottenham have completed the signing of England youth international Ash Phillips from Blackburn. Phillips, 18, made eight appearances for Rovers in the Sky Bet Championship last season and has been allowed to leave for Spurs after his £2million release clause became active this weekend. The centre-back had been close to joining Tottenham last month before negotiations between the clubs stalled, but he has now signed a five-year contract with the Premier League club. Ex-Blackburn boss Tony Mowbray highlighted the excitement around Phillips back in the 2021-22 season when he described him as “a phenomenal young boy” before he told Lancashire Live: “If you were to create a defender in the mould of how you would want one, this kid has got every attribute.” Phillips earned his full debut in a Carabao Cup first-round tie against Hartlepool last August and also started Rovers’ 4-1 defeat to Premier League side Nottingham Forest in December. The teenager had signed his first professional contract with Blackburn by this point and played 14 times in all competitions last season under Jon Dahl Tomasson, winning Championship apprentice of the year. A regular in England age-group levels since he switched allegiances from Wales in 2021, under-19 international Phillips will continue his development at Tottenham, but the club are still working on plans to further recruit in the centre-back area. Spurs, who conceded 63 goals in the Premier League last season, are edging closer to the signing of Wolfsburg centre-back Micky van de Ven but have cooled their interest in Bayer Leverkusen’s Edmond Tapsoba. Tosin Adarabioyo of Fulham and former loanee Clement Lenglet remain targets. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live