
Arsenal manager Arteta pleased with early transfer business
Runners-up for the last three seasons, Arsenal have signed winger Noni Madueke and goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea, as well as midfielders Christian Norgaard from Brentford and Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad.
"They bring new excitement, a new energy as well," Arteta told reporters in Singapore on Monday ahead of a pre-season match against Serie A side AC Milan.
"We signed very important players as well. Again, everybody feels like their height has to go to a different level, and that's what we're seeking," he added.
"Ideally, you want it (transfers) done on day one in pre-season. We've done very, very well so far. I'm very pleased with the way the club is supporting the necessities and improvements that we required in the team."
Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres, who scored 54 goals in 52 games for Sporting last season, is also expected to move to the Emirates Stadium.
"There's still a long time in the window, and we are seeking. In terms of numbers, we are short, and we have to improve the depth and the quality of the squad," Arteta added.
"We are constantly looking in the market, but until that happens, I can focus on the players that we actually have, work with them, and I'm very pleased with what I've seen so far in the first 10-15 days."
Arteta briefly spoke about former player Thomas Partey, who was charged with rape and sexual assaulcharged with rape and sexual assault this month, after leaving the club at the end of last season.
"I think the club was very clear in its statement. There are a lot of legal matters that are very complicated so I cannot comment on any of that," Arteta said.
Asked if he felt like the club had followed the right processes in dealing with the issue, he replied: "100%, yes."
Arsenal have let Premier League titles slip through their grasp in the last couple of years but this season will be different, defender Gabriel Magalhaes said.
"I think the players that came will help us out a lot. The club is doing what is best for the players and the manager," Gabriel told the BBC in an interview published on Sunday.
"We want to have the best players. To be in the dispute for titles, you have to have the best players ... We have let a couple of titles slip through our fingers recently. We almost won but I think this year, things will be different."
Arsenal begin their 2025-26 Premier League campaign on August 17 with a trip to Manchester United.
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Dubai Eye
25 minutes ago
- Dubai Eye
India dig deep with bat to draw fourth Test against England
India, led by captain Shubman Gill, batted with great character to secure a hard-fought draw in the fourth Test against England on Sunday and keep the series alive going into the final game. After losing two wickets before they had scored a run in their second innings, India batted for over five sessions for the loss of two more wickets to end the final day on 425-4 at Old Trafford. A courageous hundred from Gill - his fourth of the series - and dogged unbeaten centuries from Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar gave the home crowd little to cheer on a tough day for England. A closely-fought series remains at 2-1 to England and the hosts must avoid defeat in the final test at the Oval in London, starting on Thursday, to win it. "This is no less than a win for us, given we were around 300 runs off the lead. Our batsman put on a great display," Gill told the BBC. "As soon as England got the new ball, it was doing a little bit but our batters did really well and it was tremendous, with a little bit of luck going our way as some balls can get dragged on, brilliant batting and brave batting." England captain Ben Stokes, who took five wickets in India's first innings but was not fit to bowl much on Saturday, brought himself into the attack on Sunday morning with India resuming on 174-2. The hosts were firm favourites to seal victory at this point, even more so when Stokes' reintroduction paid dividends. The 34-year-old trapped KL Rahul lbw for 90, ending his excellent third-wicket partnership with Gill at 188. Gill remained undeterred, however, even after getting a nasty blow on the hand. In his first series as captain, the 25-year-old became only the third skipper to score four hundreds in a single test series. After almost seven hours at the crease, a tired-looking Gill wafted at a Jofra Archer delivery to fall just before lunch for 103. Jadeja was dropped the next ball by Joe Root, a tough chance at first slip. England still had plenty of time to secure victory, but the home side barely created any chances, with India seeing out the draw in relative comfort. Washington moved along conservatively after lunch, but hit successive boundaries, one a huge six, to move to his fifth test half century. Jadeja reached his fifty and passed 1,000 test runs against England - the third Indian to do so this series. After tea, with their chance of victory gone, England offered India the chance to call a halt to proceedings early, but Gill kept his team out there. With England rotating their bowlers, Jadeja swept to his fifth test ton under no pressure, before Washington quickly completed his maiden test hundred. India did then agree to a draw - the first non-rain affected draw for England since coach Brendan McCullum and Stokes came together in 2022. "Another hard-fought test," Stokes told reporters. "Another five-dayer. We set the game up really well, the way we put the Indian bowlers under pressure, focusing on batting once. "We gave ourselves a great chance of bowling them out. We played the game how we wanted to, it didn't just pan out the way we wanted," Stokes added. "Mentally I feel fine, physically I've been better. It has been a pretty big workload this series."


Gulf Today
41 minutes ago
- Gulf Today
Resolute India put up brilliant batting performance with three tons to eke out gritty draw in 4th Test
A roller-coaster of a Test series between England and India is, fittingly, going down to the wire. India, against the odds, salvaged a draw in the fourth Test with a show of grit and sheer defiance at Old Trafford on Sunday, and kept alive its hopes of tying the five-match series at the Oval. England leads the series 2-1. India was 425-4 in their second innings - including three centuries - and 114 runs ahead when an early end to the final session was called. This Test might not have matched the drama at Lord's when England won by 22 runs, but it was engrossing throughout five days in Manchester, with India turning the tide after looking like being swept away. By Sunday evening, India's collapse in the opening over of its second innings a day earlier seemed an age away. At 0-2 at that point and 311 runs behind, the series looked lost. Not on Shubman Gill's watch. Not with an Indian batting order of such quality it has the top four run-scorers in the series. Top of the lot is Gill, who hit his fourth century of the series to provide the platform for the recovery. He was supported by KL Rahul (90), Ravindra Jadeja (107 not out) and Washington Sundar (101 not out) and, combined, they frustrated an England attack that simply ran out of ideas. It sets up a tense final test, which starts on Thursday. How quickly things change. When the wickets of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan went in successive balls from Chris Woakes before lunch on Saturday, India was in crisis at 0-2. In came captain Gill and his team hardly looked back. His partnership of 188 with Rahul held firm through the next two sessions and deep into the following morning. The series-leading run-maker's reached 103 before his near seven-hour stand over two days was put to a stop when caught by Jamie Smith off Joffra Archer. Gill is now on 722 for the series, while second-placed Rahul is on 511. The dismissal of that formidable pair before lunch raised England hopes, but there was more pain to come with the double-century partnership of Jadeja and Sundar guiding India to a draw. With India resuming the day on 174-2 and trailing by 137, England was crying out for Ben Stokes. And he didn't take long to deliver. Ultimately, though, it wasn't enough. After fitness concerns ruled him out of bowling on day 4, England's captain was back with the ball and quickly claimed his 17th wicket of the series when Rahul went leg before wicket. It was a reminder of just how badly he was missed from England's attack as Gill and Rahul batted so defiantly. Stokes, who had retired hurt with cramp on day 3 and then returned to reach 141, had decided not to bowl at all on day 4. It was hardly surprising his absence was felt, given the 34-year-old Stokes is the lead wicket-taker in the series and took five in India's first innings. His brilliant performance came after he underwent surgery in January following a second hamstring injury in five months and dubbed himself the bionic man. The result might have been different if he had been fit to play a full involvement in the second innings, but, frequently holding the back of his leg after each ball on Sunday, his effectiveness was limited and India took advantage. It is too close to call heading into the final test at the Oval. Agencies

Gulf Today
42 minutes ago
- Gulf Today
England women down Spain on penalties, retain Euro title
Defending champion England has won the Women's European Championship after defeating Spain in the final. The match in Basel was a repeat of the 2023 World Cup final where Spain defeated the Lionesses 1-0. Coincidentally, the same countries played in the men's European Championship final last year. Spain won that match 2-1. England has defended its European title by defeating Spain in a penalty shootout. The game was tied at 1-1 after extra time. England won the shootout 3-1 with Chloe Kelly scoring the winning penalty kick. It's 1-1 at full time and the players are coming off the pitch for a quick break. England equalized when Alessia Russo made it 1-1 in the 57th minute. Chloe Kelly whipped one of her trademark crosses into the box from the left and Russo rose above the defense to make it 1-1. England's Chloe Kelly celebrates after winning the penalty shoot-out. Reuters Spain heads into the break in the lead after Mariona Caldentey's goal in the 25th. Both teams traded early blows but Spain looked stronger after the goal. La Roja kept most of the possession and did not allow England to threaten much. England also trailed at halftime in the quarterfinal against Sweden and semifinal against Italy, but still won both games. Mariona Caldentey has made it 1-0 for Spain in the 25th minute. Ona Batlle whipped in a cross from the right, after good work by Aitana Bonmati, and Caldentey headed it powerfully home. Swiss former player Lara Dickenmann carried the trophy out onto the field after the closing ceremony of Euro 2025. A large circular banner was unfurled in the center of the field in tribute to the host nation, while smaller banners were displayed nearby with "Thank You' in Switzerland's four official languages -Italian, French, German, and Romansh. England's players celebrate after winning the UEFA Women's Euro final match against Spain. Agence France-Presse Two large Alpine-inspired shapes were then carried onto the field, with the England flag on one and Spain's on the other. Nearly 30,000 inflatable clappers had been distributed to the fans beforehand, while 40 members of the closing ceremony cast also had them on the field. The Asturia Quartet, an all-female string ensemble, performed the national anthems. In somewhat of a surprise change, Athenea Del Castillo has been named in Spain's starting lineup in place of Claudia Pina. Del Castillo's only other start in the tournament was in the final group-stage match, against Italy, when many regular starters were rested with Spain already through. The Real Madrid forward scored one and set up another. She also scored the opener in the quarterfinal win against Switzerland just four minutes after coming onto the field. Pina was decisive the last time Spain played England, scoring twice to help her team to a 2-1 comeback victory in the Nations League last month. The only other change to Spain's lineup from its semifinal victory over Germany is the return of defender Laia Aleixandri from suspension, with María Méndez dropping back down to the bench. Lauren James has recovered from injury and starts for England with coach Sarina Wiegman making just one change. England's players celebrate after winning the UEFA Women's Euro final match against Spain. Agence France-Presse James had to come off at halftime in England's semifinal victory over Italy on Tuesday with an ankle problem and was seen applying ice to her injury during the match. James has started all five of England's games at Euro 2025 and has been named in the lineup for the final. Defender Jess Carter returns after being omitted from the starting lineup for the first time against Italy, for tactical reasons, two days after revealing she was the target of racist abuse online during the tournament. Basel's soccer stadium has a capacity of 34,250 during Euro 2025 and no empty seats are expected at the final. With an hour to go until kickoff, thousands of fans have already taken their seats. Even before the final, the tournament has broken the total attendance record for a Women's European Championship. A total of 623,088 spectators have attended the 30 matches so far, surpassing the previous total attendance record of 574,875 from Euro 2022. There have been intermittent torrential showers and thunderstorms but that has not dampened the spirits of thousands of Spanish and England fans that have been gathering in the fan zones in Basel. The rain teemed down about two hours before kickoff but the sun came out shortly afterward and the skies above St. Jakob-Park have cleared up for now. England got off to a rough start with a 2-1 defeat to France, becoming the first reigning champion to lose its opening match at a women's Euros. The team bounced back with a 4-0 victory over the Netherlands and a 6-1 thrashing of Wales. Then came the craziness of its quarterfinal against Sweden when it was trailing 2-0 with 12 minutes to go before equalizing and taking the match to extra time and a penalty shootout. There were nine failed penalty attempts before England finally triumphed 3-2. England left it even later in its semifinal against Italy. Teenager Michelle Agyemang leveled in stoppage time to force extra time and fellow substitute Chloe Kelly scored in the 119th minute to secure a 2-1 win, just as it appeared another penalty shootout was looming. Spain swept through the group stage, winning all three matches against Portugal, Belgium and Italy - scoring 14 goals and conceding three. Spain found it tougher to get past Switzerland in the quarterfinals but finally broke the resistance of the host nation with two quickfire goals midway through the second half. Spain also missed two penalties and hit the woodwork three times. Like England, its semifinal lasted 120 minutes. It took a moment of magic from two-time Ballon d'Or winner Aitana Bonmatí in the 113th minute to secure a 1-0 win over Germany. Agencies