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Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Luke Littler gets reality check as he's told he wouldn't get near darts icon
Luke Littler has been tipped to surpass Phil Taylor as the greatest darts player of all time, but Dennis Priestley believes the 18-year-old wouldn't be able to rival 'The Power' Darts legend Dennis Priestley has suggested that Luke Littler wouldn't "get close" to Phil Taylor if they played in the same era. Littler, 18, has made huge waves on the darts scene since his remarkable debut at the PDC World Championship in 2023. Following his extraordinary journey to the final at Alexandra Palace when he was only 16, Littler went on to become the youngest ever darts World Champion in January this year. Despite the teenager's meteoric rise and predictions that he could break Taylor's record of 16 world titles, 1991 World Champion Priestley remains sceptical. He even places Littler's fierce rival, Luke Humphries, above him. "I think Phil Taylor in his prime was more consistent than even Luke Humphries and Luke Littler are at the moment," the 74-year-old told OLBG. "Phil's records tell us the whole story and he was so good that it was hard for anyone to get close to him. I think if you put a prime Phil Taylor into the current game he would be world No. 1 with Humphries in second and Littler in third." Littler, known as 'The Nuke', is also chasing Taylor's haul of six Premier League Darts titles, just one behind Michael van Gerwen's seven. The prodigy has already claimed one title, having won it on his first attempt last year, reports the Express. However, he failed to retain his title on Thursday night, as Humphries triumphed over him 11-8 in London, avenging last year's defeat. In an unexpected twist, Humphries disclosed that it was Taylor himself who offered him some sage advice to help him defeat Littler. "Phil Taylor has given me a lot of support over the last couple of weeks or so," Humphries shared with Sky Sports. "Phil, if you are watching, thank you. He gave me a lot of advice and that extra support." The notion of 'The Power' backing Humphries is bound to raise eyebrows, especially after the 64-year-old suggested that Littler would need to make a significant impact in the sport if he wants to surpass him. "If he wants to carry on and win, beat my records, then he's going to have to be dedicated. And I mean dedicated for at least 25 years," Taylor told talkSPORT. Taylor had a glittering 31-year professional career from 1987 to 2018, during which he clinched two BDO world titles in 1990 and 1992. He also won the World Championship 14 times between 1995 and 2013. However, in what some saw as a veiled jibe at the man he's trying to outdo in the history books, Littler suggested that Taylor would "struggle" in today's environment. "He (Taylor) also won the World Matchplay 16 times, so he's won two of the big majors 16 times - it'll take some doing," Littler said on the Stick to Football podcast in April. "It (the competition) is a lot better now. You still had Phil Taylor, Eric Bristow - it was still a good field but nowadays, I think Phil would struggle," he added. "If I can be bothered to stay around for that time (I could maybe beat his record). If I want to (continue playing), then I will." Littler has been confirmed to represent England in the 2025 World Cup of Darts alongside Premier League winner Humphries. The duo will join forces at the event scheduled from June 12 to 15 in Frankfurt, Germany.
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Thierry Henry details fallout with club legend immediately after he quit Arsenal
Thierry Henry arrived at Barcelona as an Arsenal legend but was quickly brought back down to earth by club legend Xavi, who took issue with the Frenchman questioning the team's motto Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has revealed how he clashed with Xavi when he joined Barcelona after questioning their club motto. The Frenchman will go down as one of the greatest forwards in recent history after winning almost every major trophy in football and scoring 366 times. The biggest move of his career came when he signed for Barcelona in 2007-08, having become a legend at Arsenal across eight seasons, helping them win two Premier League titles and three FA Cups after netting 226 goals in 370 appearances. But he was quickly brought down to earth shortly after he arrived at Barcelona by new team-mate Xavi, who told him to "shut up and work" when Henry mocked their slogan "mes que un club", which translate to "more than a club". Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, he revealed: "When I joined Barcelona, I was upset as I was the new one on the block - people are having a go at you more than the guy that won before, which I understand but it does wind you up. "I always remember, I was with Samuel Eto'o, we're going up the stairs at the Camp Nou, and I'm looking at the Més que un club. I'm talking to Samuel Eto'o, and I said 'Mes que un club? Come on man'. "Xavi was behind me, and I didn't see he was behind me. He goes 'Oi – what did you say?' He said, 'Don't talk about my club like this, you've never won anything here. Shut up, work, and when you win something one day, you can talk about it.' "I looked at him at that moment, he was well within his rights for me to understand what it was – because I didn't know what it was. Now I know what it is, because I lost there, I won there, I understood what the club meant and what it means. "This is why the club is what the club is, because Xavi passed it onto me at that moment. I didn't say anything back, and it's not like me to not have the last word, but I looked at him and said sorry. "With Barcelona, they will all hammer you with what the club is. Anyone who went to La Masia, anyone who won there, they will talk about to you, they will pass it on, because they believe in it, because they have a duty, they have a way of playing, you like it, or you don't. They are proud of what they do, and proud of the club – but it's nice to have people around the club like that." Henry did not enjoy one of his most clinical seasons during his first year at Barcelona. He played 30 times in La Liga but scored just 12 - with 19 in all competitions - though he did win the treble of the title, Copa del Rey and Champions League. His second second at the Nou Camp was much better for him personally, scoring 26 goals in total and winning La Liga once again. In his third campaign, Henry picked up fewer minutes as stars like Pedro began to challenge his position and he scored just four times in all competitions. Henry left Barca in 2010 and would finish his career with New York Red Bulls in the MLS, where he netted 52 times in 135 outings. Arsenal fans will also cherish his brief loan spell back with the Gunners in the 2011-12 season, where he scored twice in seven appearances. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
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First Post
4 days ago
- Sport
- First Post
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry says fans are right to question lack of trophies under Mikel Arteta: 'They should have brought one cup'
Arsenal have finished runners-up in the Premier League but the lack of trophies under manager Mikel Arteta has been criticised by many fans. read more Arsenal should have some silverware to show for their efforts over the past three seasons, according to the club's record goalscorer and former captain Thierry Henry. Former midfielder Mikel Arteta has turned Arsenal back into a force since taking charge in 2019 but has delivered just one major trophy during his reign, the FA Cup in 2020. Arsenal have finished as Premier League runners-up three times in succession, twice pushing Manchester City hard but this time finishing a distant second to Liverpool. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Henry says Arteta and Arsenal should have more trophies They exited the Champions League semi-finals, having reached the quarter-finals the season before, and were knocked out in the semi-finals of the League Cup. 'I'm not saying that I'm disappointed with Arsenal, but it's normal that people are raising questions now about what the team is doing,' Henry, 47, told the Stick to Football podcast. More from Football 'I understand that at the very beginning you arrive and it's not your team. You need at the very least three or four transfer windows to change everything that you want to. 'It takes time and you have to give a manager time to be able to implement what he wants to do. For the last three years Arsenal have been in a situation where they should have at least brought one cup or (reached) a final.' Arsenal's north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur ended their 17-year wait for a trophy by winning the Europa League last week, while Newcastle United snapped a decades-long drought by winning the League Cup. Crystal Palace won the first major trophy in their history by triumphing in the FA Cup. Even Manchester United, who have endured a stark decline in recent seasons, have still managed to win trophies, notably last season's FA Cup and the 2022-23 League Cup. 'Manchester United have played in five finals in the last five years, the United that everyone laughs at – whereas for Arsenal in the last three years of building, they've not reached a final,' said Henry. 'So I do understand when people ask the question, 'Surely you should compete for a trophy?'' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
The Star
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Soccer-Arsenal should have won more trophies under Arteta, says Henry
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Newcastle United - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - May 18, 2025 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta REUTERS/David Klein/File Photo LONDON (Reuters) -Arsenal should have some silverware to show for their efforts over the past three seasons, according to the club's record goalscorer and former captain Thierry Henry. Former midfielder Mikel Arteta has turned Arsenal back into a force since taking charge in 2019 but has delivered just one major trophy during his reign, the FA Cup in 2020. Arsenal have finished as Premier League runners-up three times in succession, twice pushing Manchester City hard but this time finishing a distant second to Liverpool. They exited the Champions League semi-finals, having reached the quarter-finals the season before, and were knocked out in the semi-finals of the League Cup. "I'm not saying that I'm disappointed with Arsenal, but it's normal that people are raising questions now about what the team is doing," Henry, 47, told the Stick to Football podcast. "I understand that at the very beginning you arrive and it's not your team. You need at the very least three or four transfer windows to change everything that you want to. "It takes time and you have to give a manager time to be able to implement what he wants to do. For the last three years Arsenal have been in a situation where they should have at least brought one cup or (reached) a final." Arsenal's north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur ended their 17-year wait for a trophy by winning the Europa League last week, while Newcastle United snapped a decades-long drought by winning the League Cup. Crystal Palace won the first major trophy in their history by triumphing in the FA Cup. Even Manchester United, who have endured a stark decline in recent seasons, have still managed to win trophies, notably last season's FA Cup and the 2022-23 League Cup. "Manchester United have played in five finals in the last five years, the United that everyone laughs at -- whereas for Arsenal in the last three years of building, they've not reached a final," said Henry. "So I do understand when people ask the question, 'Surely you should compete for a trophy?'" (Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Ken Ferris)
Reuters
5 days ago
- General
- Reuters
Arsenal should have won more trophies under Arteta, says Henry
LONDON, May 28 (Reuters) - Arsenal should have some silverware to show for their efforts over the past three seasons, according to the club's record goalscorer and former captain Thierry Henry. Former midfielder Mikel Arteta has turned Arsenal back into a force since taking charge in 2019 but has delivered just one major trophy during his reign, the FA Cup in 2020. Arsenal have finished as Premier League runners-up three times in succession, twice pushing Manchester City hard but this time finishing a distant second to Liverpool. They exited the Champions League semi-finals, having reached the quarter-finals the season before, and were knocked out in the semi-finals of the League Cup. "I'm not saying that I'm disappointed with Arsenal, but it's normal that people are raising questions now about what the team is doing," Henry, 47, told the Stick to Football podcast. "I understand that at the very beginning you arrive and it's not your team. You need at the very least three or four transfer windows to change everything that you want to. "It takes time and you have to give a manager time to be able to implement what he wants to do. For the last three years Arsenal have been in a situation where they should have at least brought one cup or (reached) a final." Arsenal's north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur ended their 17-year wait for a trophy by winning the Europa League last week, while Newcastle United snapped a decades-long drought by winning the League Cup. Crystal Palace won the first major trophy in their history by triumphing in the FA Cup. Even Manchester United, who have endured a stark decline in recent seasons, have still managed to win trophies, notably last season's FA Cup and the 2022-23 League Cup. "Manchester United have played in five finals in the last five years, the United that everyone laughs at -- whereas for Arsenal in the last three years of building, they've not reached a final," said Henry. "So I do understand when people ask the question, 'Surely you should compete for a trophy?'"
