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The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Arsenal files: Awkward Sky Sports moment in press conference and how Mikel Arteta even helps his players sleep
ARSENAL manager Mikel Arteta got a surprise ahead of his pre-match press conference for Sunday's opening game at Manchester United. Arteta probably thought he was the one catching people off-guard today by arriving for his presser six minutes early. 8 Mikel Arteta was caught off-guard by Sky Sports at his press conference 8 Arteta was greeted by an Arsenal balloon, before being serenaded with a poem Advertisement But Sky Sports reporter Gary Cotterill had other plans. First, he revealed an Arsenal balloon and then used a party blower to make a sound. And then he said: 'I've got a little first question in the form of a new season poem.' Arteta replied: 'Okay, go on.' Advertisement READ MORE IN FOOTBALL FEELING BLUE Emotional Chelsea legend Petr Cech splits from wife after 26 years Cotterill added: 'Arsenal are red, United are too. It's Sky's biggest Premier League season ever. We're excited. Are you?' And then, we were off. Arteta replied: 'I'm super excited. I can't wait. "It's been a really productive pre-season. We made such an evolution in the squad as well, and we're ready to go.' Advertisement BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS WHERE THERE'S A WIL JACK WILSHERE has opted against returning to Arsenal's youth set-up to concentrate on getting a senior role in management and this is absolutely the right decision. And I have no doubt that Wilshere will be a huge success providing he picks the right EFL club and then eventually, will manage in the Premier League. How Mikel Arteta even helps his players sleep 8 Jack Wilshere is not returning as an Arsenal youth coach Credit: Getty 8 He is looking to progress as a manager after a spell at Norwich Credit: Getty Advertisement We should not forget that Wilshere, having quit the game early due to injury, is just 33, so is two years younger than Jordan Henderson. Sunsport revealed earlier this month that Wilshere was a leading candidate to take charge of Arsenal's under-21s with Mehmet Ali having joined Brentford's first-team coaching staff. In July 2022, four days after announcing his retirement from playing, the former England midfielder was announced as the new head coach of Arsenal under-18s and he led them to the final of the 2022-23 FA Youth Cup final. He then left Arsenal last October to take over as first-team coach at Carrow Road and was then interim boss for the last two games of the season before departing. Determined to get back into the game, he was interviewed for the Plymouth manager's job in June but it was given to Tom Cleverley. Advertisement Wilshere was clearly interested in the Arsenal under-21s job but the offer changed with Max Porter, having worked in the club's academy since 2017, being earmarked for that role. Arsenal wanted Wilshere to manage Arsenal's under-19s in the Uefa Youth League and also the EFL Trophy while supporting the under21s. Yet Wilshere, understandably, appeared to feel this job was not a satisfactory progression from his previous Arsenal role. The fact he has overseen the progression of Myles Lewis-Skelly, Ethan Nwaneri and Max Dowman shows you his qualities as a coach. Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri have both spoken about Wilshere being a good influence and he would talk to them in the canteen about how to act off the pitch. Advertisement 8 Wilshere's influence on Arsenal's youngsters has paid dividends for Arteta Credit: Getty 8 He was schooled in the ways of Arsene Wenger and can become a formidable boss Credit: Getty Yet Wilshere, with 34 international caps, is still learning. He is currently taking his Uefa Pro Licence along with experienced managers Dave Challinor and Gareth Ainsworth along with a number of young coaches. Each year, the FA asks a few of us journalists to attend sessions at St George's Park to deliver media training with the coaches taking their UEFA Pro Licence, the top coaching qualification. The likes of Wilshere, so used to dealing with the media, do not really need to do these pretend press conferences where we test the interviewees in fake scenarios. Advertisement Equally, though, some of the coaches taking their badges have never come across the media before so the training is important. Speaking to Wilshere after the session, where he revealed he was training for the London Marathon, he spoke with passion about coaching and seemed really focused. In terms of media training, Arsenal used to do something similar with their young players. I remember one day when the club asked me to speak to some of their youngsters at London Colney, the club were hoping Wilshere would be present but he was unable to make it. He had to play a cup tie for Bolton, where he was on loan. However, during the session, there was a young player who seemed incredibly bright and really inquisitive. Advertisement I asked who this confident youngster was. The Arsenal press officer told me: 'He is from Poland. His name is Wojciech.' Szczesny has also gone on to have a great career and while Wilshere's was cut short through no fault of his own, I am sure he has many years left in the game as a manager. 8 Arsenal fans will be treated to chartered trains for away games Credit: Getty TRAINING DAY FAIR play to Arsenal for going old school as they plan to lay on chartered trains for some away games this season. This is because fans will find it difficult to get home from some games using public transport. Advertisement Many of the big clubs are criticised for not helping out fans but when teams go the extra mile, they should be applauded. ART OF THE NAP MIKEL ARTETA isn't sleeping on the job in north London. That's because the Arsenal boss has hired a specialist to help his stars maximise the effectiveness of their snoozes. Arteta believes sleep is the key to recovery after a tough match. 8 Arteta has hired a sleep specialist to help his players nap better Credit: Getty Advertisement He felt a specialist was needed to educate staff and players at Arsenal on the benefits of a solid kip. Arteta told Men in Blazers: 'I have a specialist, I brought one in many years ago. Not just for myself but for the staff and players because it's sleep… 'We have so much education on diet, what to eat, when to eat, what is healthy or unhealthy, but with sleep there's still not enough education. 'For me it is the most fundamental part of the quality of your health.' With sleep at the forefront of Arsenal's plans for the season, maybe they should rename their beloved dinosaur mascot 'Gunnersnore-us'...
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Arsenal files: Awkward Sky Sports moment in press conference and how Mikel Arteta even helps his players sleep
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ARSENAL manager Mikel Arteta got a surprise ahead of his pre-match press conference for Sunday's opening game at Manchester United. Arteta probably thought he was the one catching people off-guard today by arriving for his presser six minutes early. 8 Mikel Arteta was caught off-guard by Sky Sports at his press conference 8 Arteta was greeted by an Arsenal balloon, before being serenaded with a poem But Sky Sports reporter Gary Cotterill had other plans. First, he revealed an Arsenal balloon and then used a party blower to make a sound. And then he said: 'I've got a little first question in the form of a new season poem.' Arteta replied: 'Okay, go on.' READ MORE IN FOOTBALL FEELING BLUE Emotional Chelsea legend Petr Cech splits from wife after 26 years Cotterill added: 'Arsenal are red, United are too. It's Sky's biggest Premier League season ever. We're excited. Are you?' And then, we were off. Arteta replied: 'I'm super excited. I can't wait. "It's been a really productive pre-season. We made such an evolution in the squad as well, and we're ready to go.' BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS WHERE THERE'S A WIL JACK WILSHERE has opted against returning to Arsenal's youth set-up to concentrate on getting a senior role in management and this is absolutely the right decision. And I have no doubt that Wilshere will be a huge success providing he picks the right EFL club and then eventually, will manage in the Premier League. How Mikel Arteta even helps his players sleep 8 Jack Wilshere is not returning as an Arsenal youth coach Credit: Getty 8 He is looking to progress as a manager after a spell at Norwich Credit: Getty We should not forget that Wilshere, having quit the game early due to injury, is just 33, so is two years younger than Jordan Henderson. Sunsport revealed earlier this month that Wilshere was a leading candidate to take charge of Arsenal's under-21s with Mehmet Ali having joined Brentford's first-team coaching staff. In July 2022, four days after announcing his retirement from playing, the former England midfielder was announced as the new head coach of Arsenal under-18s and he led them to the final of the 2022-23 FA Youth Cup final. He then left Arsenal last October to take over as first-team coach at Carrow Road and was then interim boss for the last two games of the season before departing. Determined to get back into the game, he was interviewed for the Plymouth manager's job in June but it was given to Tom Cleverley. Wilshere was clearly interested in the Arsenal under-21s job but the offer changed with Max Porter, having worked in the club's academy since 2017, being earmarked for that role. Arsenal wanted Wilshere to manage Arsenal's under-19s in the Uefa Youth League and also the EFL Trophy while supporting the under21s. Yet Wilshere, understandably, appeared to feel this job was not a satisfactory progression from his previous Arsenal role. The fact he has overseen the progression of Myles Lewis-Skelly, Ethan Nwaneri and Max Dowman shows you his qualities as a coach. Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri have both spoken about Wilshere being a good influence and he would talk to them in the canteen about how to act off the pitch. 8 Wilshere's influence on Arsenal's youngsters has paid dividends for Arteta Credit: Getty 8 He was schooled in the ways of Arsene Wenger and can become a formidable boss Credit: Getty Yet Wilshere, with 34 international caps, is still learning. He is currently taking his Uefa Pro Licence along with experienced managers Dave Challinor and Gareth Ainsworth along with a number of young coaches. Each year, the FA asks a few of us journalists to attend sessions at St George's Park to deliver media training with the coaches taking their UEFA Pro Licence, the top coaching qualification. The likes of Wilshere, so used to dealing with the media, do not really need to do these pretend press conferences where we test the interviewees in fake scenarios. Equally, though, some of the coaches taking their badges have never come across the media before so the training is important. Speaking to Wilshere after the session, where he revealed he was training for the London Marathon, he spoke with passion about coaching and seemed really focused. In terms of media training, Arsenal used to do something similar with their young players. I remember one day when the club asked me to speak to some of their youngsters at London Colney, the club were hoping Wilshere would be present but he was unable to make it. He had to play a cup tie for Bolton, where he was on loan. However, during the session, there was a young player who seemed incredibly bright and really inquisitive. I asked who this confident youngster was. The Arsenal press officer told me: 'He is from Poland. His name is Wojciech.' Szczesny has also gone on to have a great career and while Wilshere's was cut short through no fault of his own, I am sure he has many years left in the game as a manager. 8 Arsenal fans will be treated to chartered trains for away games Credit: Getty TRAINING DAY FAIR play to Arsenal for going old school as they plan to lay on chartered trains for some away games this season. This is because fans will find it difficult to get home from some games using public transport. Many of the big clubs are criticised for not helping out fans but when teams go the extra mile, they should be applauded. ART OF THE NAP MIKEL ARTETA isn't sleeping on the job in north London. That's because the Arsenal boss has hired a specialist to help his stars maximise the effectiveness of their snoozes. Arteta believes sleep is the key to recovery after a tough match. 8 Arteta has hired a sleep specialist to help his players nap better Credit: Getty He felt a specialist was needed to educate staff and players at Arsenal on the benefits of a solid kip. Arteta told Men in Blazers: 'I have a specialist, I brought one in many years ago. Not just for myself but for the staff and players because it's sleep… 'We have so much education on diet, what to eat, when to eat, what is healthy or unhealthy, but with sleep there's still not enough education. 'For me it is the most fundamental part of the quality of your health.' With sleep at the forefront of Arsenal's plans for the season, maybe they should rename their beloved dinosaur mascot 'Gunnersnore-us'...
Scottish Sun
05-08-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Celtic complete SEVENTH summer signing as Brendan Rodgers lands highly-rated star in swift transfer swoop
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) CELTIC have completed their SEVENTH signing of the summer transfer window. Brendan Rodgers has so far signed Shin Yamada, Kieran Tierney, Ross Doohan, Benjamin Nygren, Callum Osmand and Hayato Inamura. Sign up for the Celtic newsletter Sign up 2 Brendan Rodgers has been keen to add to his squad this off-season Credit: Alamy 2 Jahmai Simpson-Pusey in action for Manchester City in the Uefa Youth League Credit: Getty Yamada was the most recent of those signings and impressed on his maiden outing in the Hoops during the team's penalty shootout win over Al-Ahli. The Japanese striker scored the winning penalty against the Saudi side. He officially arrived on July 19 and today the club has unveiled Manchester City defender Jahmai Simpson-Pusey. The 19-year-old has joined the Parkhead outfit on loan for the duration of the 2025/26 campaign. There is no option to buy clause inserted as part of the deal. The England youth international has played six games for Manchester City, and ironically made his non-competitive debut against Celtic in 2024 under Pep Guardiola. He joined the Man City academy at the age of eight and his move to Celts is the first time he has been sent out on loan. He is rated highly by those at the Etihad and was crowned PL2 Player of the Year last season. Celtic beat off the likes of Ligue 1 side Strasbourg for his signature. Going in the opposite direction, Maik Nawrocki and Gustaf Lagerbielke have been allowed to leave the club and Stephen Welsh is on the verge of finalising a loan to Plymouth Argyle in League One. Shock scenes as Celtic and Ajax fans clash during Como Cup friendly tournament in Italy Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
The Irish Sun
18-07-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Man Utd ‘in transfer talks to sign goalkeeper Senne Lammens, 23, from Belgian side as Andre Onana replacement'
MANCHESTER UNITED are reportedly in talks to sign young Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens from Antwerp. Manager pre-season . 3 Man Utd are reportedly in talks to sign young Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens from Antwerp 3 Current goalkeeper Andre Onana has been linked with a move away after joining in 2023 Onana has been ruled out of the tour of the USA and potentially the opening stages of the 2025/26 Premier League season - which begins against And the Red Devils have now opened talks with Antwerp about a £17million deal for Lammens, according to journalist Ben Jacobs. United were first linked with Lammens, 23, in January, with scouts reportedly sent to watch him play. Widely considered as one of the best up-and-coming goalkeepers in Europe , Lammens enjoyed a breakthrough first year as Antwerp's No.1 last term. READ MORE MAN UTD NEWS Lammens ended the season with an eye-catching 173 saves, which works out to 4.3 saves per match and a solid 78 per cent save rate. He made 41 appearances and kept 10 clean sheets in that period and is contracted until 2027. The Belgian Under-21 international arrived from Club Brugge in 2023 and has also attracted interest from newly-promoted sides Leeds and Sunderland. Join SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plus in-depth coverage and exclusives from Old Trafford Most read in Football Antwerp have already signed another goalkeeper, Taishi Brandon Nozawa, strongly suggesting that they are preparing for life without Lammens. He even once scored for Club Brugge against Real Madrid in a Uefa Youth League group stage match in the 2019/20 season. A header from a corner, it sealed a 2-2 draw and sent his side into the knockout round play-offs. Man Utd fans fume over ill-timed video and rage 'get a grip' Amorim needs to overhaul his goalkeeping department amidst uncertainty over the futures of Onana and equally sloppy No.2 After the chaos of last season, things were meant to be better from the off for Amorim, but United seemingly struggled to reset their squad in the summer window. But the 40-year-old gaffer's fortunes are set to change after the club finally agreed a £65million deal with Mbeumo, and potentially Lammens, will link up with fellow new signings Matheus Cunha and full-back Diego Leon. United take on local rivals Leeds at the Friends Arena in Sweden on Saturday at 2pm. The five-player 'Bomb Squad' of Marcus Rashford , Alejandro Garnacho , , Antony and Tyrrell Malacia remain isolated from the tour. 3
Scottish Sun
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Man Utd ‘in transfer talks to sign goalkeeper Senne Lammens, 23, from Belgian side as Andre Onana replacement'
GLOVES ARE OFF Man Utd 'in transfer talks to sign goalkeeper Senne Lammens, 23, from Belgian side as Andre Onana replacement' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MANCHESTER UNITED are reportedly in talks to sign young Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens from Antwerp. Manager Ruben Amorim has been eyeing a replacement for Andre Onana even before the Cameroonian stopper suffered an hamstring injury in pre-season. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Man Utd are reportedly in talks to sign young Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens from Antwerp 3 Current goalkeeper Andre Onana has been linked with a move away after joining in 2023 Onana has been ruled out of the tour of the USA and potentially the opening stages of the 2025/26 Premier League season - which begins against Arsenal on August 17. And the Red Devils have now opened talks with Antwerp about a £17million deal for Lammens, according to journalist Ben Jacobs. United were first linked with Lammens, 23, in January, with scouts reportedly sent to watch him play. Widely considered as one of the best up-and-coming goalkeepers in Europe, Lammens enjoyed a breakthrough first year as Antwerp's No.1 last term. READ MORE MAN UTD NEWS STAR'S ROAD BAN Paul Ince BANNED from driving as he pleads guilty to drink-drive offence Lammens ended the season with an eye-catching 173 saves, which works out to 4.3 saves per match and a solid 78 per cent save rate. He made 41 appearances and kept 10 clean sheets in that period and is contracted until 2027. The Belgian Under-21 international arrived from Club Brugge in 2023 and has also attracted interest from newly-promoted sides Leeds and Sunderland. Join SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plus in-depth coverage and exclusives from Old Trafford Antwerp have already signed another goalkeeper, Taishi Brandon Nozawa, strongly suggesting that they are preparing for life without Lammens. He even once scored for Club Brugge against Real Madrid in a Uefa Youth League group stage match in the 2019/20 season. A header from a corner, it sealed a 2-2 draw and sent his side into the knockout round play-offs. Man Utd fans fume over ill-timed video and rage 'get a grip' Amorim needs to overhaul his goalkeeping department amidst uncertainty over the futures of Onana and equally sloppy No.2 Altay Bayindir. After the chaos of last season, things were meant to be better from the off for Amorim, but United seemingly struggled to reset their squad in the summer window. But the 40-year-old gaffer's fortunes are set to change after the club finally agreed a £65million deal with Brentford for winger Bryan Mbeumo. Mbeumo, and potentially Lammens, will link up with fellow new signings Matheus Cunha and full-back Diego Leon. United take on local rivals Leeds at the Friends Arena in Sweden on Saturday at 2pm. The five-player 'Bomb Squad' of Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, Antony and Tyrrell Malacia remain isolated from the tour.
