Latest news with #friendly
BBC News
2 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Arteta on Gyokeres taking Henry's number, transfers and Spurs
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been speaking to the media before Thursday's pre-season friendly against rivals Tottenham in Hong Kong (12:30 BST).Here are the key lines from his news conference:Arteta confirmed defenders Gabriel Magalhaes and Riccardo Calafiori will miss the match through injury while new signings Viktor Gyokeres will be assessed by the medical team today to determine whether he can be Gyokeres taking the number 14 shirt, famously worn by Thierry Henry: "I use the word conviction and that's the first thing that I noticed when I spoke to him. Someone very determined, someone that was already really attached to the club in the way he was talking, about the history and in this case Thierry and what the shirt represented. He straight away felt it. When you feel it, go for it."Arteta said he is content with the Gunners' transfer business so far: "I am extremely happy with the way we have approached the window and how aggressive we have been. There's still a long period still with the window open. So far we are very happy with what we've achieved so make sure at the end of the window we continue to be super happy."On the first north London derby to take place outside the UK: "[It is] a great idea to bring football tradition and a rivalry to a completely different country. It's an opportunity for everybody to feel that and for us, it increases the competition level again and is a different challenge."On the atmosphere in Hong Kong: They're going to be so lucky to play in this incredible stadium with 50,000 people, who I'm sure are going to be super loud and passionate. The most impressive thing is our supporters. It makes us feel that this trip is worth it as people here deserve to see the team as well."On his goals for next season: "To do better than the previous one. I think we all know what that means. Everything this time is in preparation - in terms of how we build the squad and how ready the team is going to be to compete from day one. Everything that we've seen so far is very very positive."
New York Times
2 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Viktor Gyokeres could feature in Arsenal friendly against Spurs; Gabriel, Riccardo Calafiori out
Mikel Arteta says 'it is possible' that new signing Viktor Gyokeres will feature in Thursday's friendly against local rivals Tottenham Hotspur in Hong Kong. Arsenal held an open training session at the Kai Tak Stadium on Wednesday in which Gyokeres took an active part. Around 20,000 fans attended the hour-long session to see the 27-year-old Swede in action, and Arteta hinted he could yet have an involvement against Spurs. Advertisement 'He's only done today's session and yesterday — very little,' Arteta told a news conference after training. 'We're going to assess tonight how he is, and if the medical staff are happy as well with his condition to participate in tomorrow's match, then it's a possibility. We're going to discuss that tonight.' While Jurrien Timber was fit to take part in the session, there were two notable defensive absentees. 'With the rest, everybody's going to be okay apart from big Gabi (Gabriel) who is still out and Riccy (Calafiori) — it's probably going to be a bit too early for him tomorrow,' Arteta said. Gabriel, who is coming back from hamstring surgery, played 45 minutes in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Watford, but picked up an injury in the run-up to Arsenal's friendly against Milan on Wednesday, July 23. In the Brazilian's absence, Calafiori started both friendlies in Singapore as the left-sided centre-back. In the second, against Newcastle, he was substituted and disappeared straight down the tunnel for treatment on an injury. With Gabriel and Calafiori out, Jakub Kiwior is likely to start against Spurs as William Saliba's central defensive partner. Arsenal fans will be a little concerned that they've yet to catch a glimpse of Gabriel in pre-season. The 27-year-old, who signed a new long-term contract this summer, has become an integral part of the team. His partnership with Saliba has been the bedrock of Arsenal's defensive structure. In Gabriel's absence, it has been interesting to see Arteta starting Calafiori ahead of Kiwior on tour. The Italian was ostensibly bought to play as a left-back, but has extensive experience as a left-sided centre-back. Calafiori's issue has been staying fit. While the extent of Gabriel and Calafiori's injuries remains unknown, it could present another opportunity for Kiwior to have a run in the team. The Poland international stepped in ably when Gabriel was ruled out in April, and barely put a foot wrong in big games such as the two-legged ties against Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
🚨 BREAKING: Liverpool seal comeback win over Yokahama F. Marinos
Liverpool completed a 3-1 comeback win over Yokohama F. Marinos in their latest pre-season Uenaka 55'; Wirtz 62', Nyoni 68', Ngumoha 87' The Premier League champions handed Hugo Ekitike a first start at the Nissan Stadium while fellow summer recruits Milos Kerkez and Florian Wirtz also started. Asahi Uenaka opened the scoring for the hosts ten minutes into the second half with a slotted finish after beating the offside trap and Giorgi Mamardashvili. But a well-worked move saw the Reds level courtesy of Wirtz's maiden goal for the club in a well-rounded team move after being teed up by Mohamed Salah. Arne Slot's side finally took the lead when Jeremie Frimpong's searching ball was met by academy graduate Trey Nyoni, who stabbed it home at the far post. Rio Ngumoha added a third in the closing stages with an impressive solo effort. Next up for Liverpool is a double header with Athletic Club at Anfield on 4 August. 📸 STR
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ekitike handed Liverpool debut against Yokohama F. Marinos
Liverpool have named their starting XI for Wednesday's friendly with Yokohama F. signing Hugo Ekitike has been handed his first outing with the Premier League champions since joining from Eintracht Frankfurt in a reported £69m transfer. Here's how Arne Slot's side will be lining up at the Nissan Stadium. Goalkeeper Alisson is a notable absentee after the Reds allowed him to leave their pre-season tour to deal with a personal matter. 📸 KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV - AFP or licensors
The Guardian
4 hours ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
Lionesses set Wembley date for China friendly as Euro 2025 heroes return to action
England will play China in a friendly at Wembley on 29 November, their first confirmed fixture following European Championship glory at the weekend. The match will be the third of four friendlies for Sarina Wiegman's victorious team across the autumn, with the first two, in October, still to be announced, and pits the Asian champions against their European counterparts. It will also be the Lionesses' third Wembley fixture of 2025 so far, following victories over Spain in February and Portugal in May. England's autumn friendlies will help them prepare for their 2027 World Cup qualifying campaign, which begins in February. Wiegman's side were World Cup finalists in 2023 and will be hoping to go one better in Brazil in two years' time. England's most recent meeting with China came during their run to the 2023 final, . They won 6-1 in Adelaide. 'After an incredible month and the celebrations this week, we are already planning ahead,' Wiegman said. 'It will be special to have a final visit to Wembley this year and something for us all to look forward to once the new season starts. 'There are not many opportunities for us to play non-European opposition in the calendar so I am happy we have been able to secure a top Asian side like China for this Fifa window.' This meeting with China, who are ranked 17th in the world, will be a 5.30pm kick-off and broadcast live on ITV.
