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 Mikel Arteta has shown a ruthless edge whenever he decides a player no longer fits his ethos, with several contracts terminated since his return to the Emirates. On the pitch, however, he has often been more measured, with critics accusing his approach of being overly controlled and lacking an alternative plan. The 43-year-old has long faced claims of micromanaging talent, yet the finest managers are those who trust their principles while also recognising when adjustment is required. That is why Arsenal’s setup at Elland Road represented a significant moment in the title race. Arteta and his staff faced a delicate balance during the week. Arsenal sit top of both their domestic and European league tables, evidence that their approach has been effective. Changing too much would have risked undermining what has brought success. Still, there was a growing sense that creativity in the Premiership had dipped, with chances becoming harder to come by. A statement of flexibility By leaving...

  Former Real Madrid manager, Xabi Alonso, has joined Manchester City’s three-man shortlist of managers to replace Pep Guardiola. According to the UK Telegraph, there is increasing belief that Guardiola will quit the club at the end of this season. City are already being proactive by drawing up possible replacements. Guardiola’s current contract runs until 2027, but the Spaniard could walk away in May. Alonso is on a three-man shortlist alongside former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca, who informed the Blues twice that he was in talks with City. Como head coach, Cesc Fabregas, is believed to be on the list too. His Serie A team sits in sixth place and are on track for European qualification. https://dailypost.ng/2026/02/03/epl-man-city-shortlist-three-managers-to-replace-guardiola/

Arsenal's title hopes are in the balance after being winless in their last three Premier League games. They are still top of the league, but only by four points, and have frustrated their supporters by not being able to extend their lead. The Gunners have been heavily criticized for their over-reliance on set-pieces. Their lack of attacking threat from open play is a concern. They need to be more fluid, and this needs to be throughout the team, including the back line. Arsenal's title hopes are in the balance after being winless in their last three Premier League games. They are still top of the league, but only by four points, and have frustrated their supporters by not being able to extend their lead. The Gunners have been heavily criticized for their over-reliance on set-pieces. Their lack of attacking threat from open play is a concern. They need to be more fluid, and this needs to be throughout the team, including the back line. Mikel Arteta's strong defensive line has...

Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola has said he will be forever grateful to Galatasaray players Leroy Sane and Ilkay Gündoğan. Guardiola was speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of Manchester City’s UEFA Champions League clash with Galatasaray on Wednesday night at the Etihad Stadium. The Spaniard coached Sane and Gündoğan during their time together at Man City in the past. Leroy Sane was fantastic here,” Guardiola said. “Ilkay was our captain, and he achieved great things here. They both made huge contributions, and I am forever grateful to them. I’m happy to see them again.” Sane left Manchester City for Bayern Munich in 2020, while Gündoğan had two spells at the Cityzens, but ultimately left them in 2025 to join Galatasaray. https://dailypost.ng/2026/01/27/ucl-guardiola-names-two-players-hell-forever-be-grateful-to-in-his-life/

  Via the club’s website and its social media accounts, FC Barcelona has officially announced the outgoing transfer of La Masia product Dro Fernandez to Paris Saint-Germain. “FC Barcelona and PSG have reached an agreement for the transfer of the player Pedro Fernandez 'Dro’ to the French club,” Barca wrote in a statement, before wishing the youngster “all the best for the future both on and off the field”. The Galician player brings to an end his three and a half season stint as a blaugrana. He came to the club in the summer of 2022 from the youth teams at Valmiñor and this season he has made five appearances for the first team and three for Barça Atletic,” the Catalans then added, to terminate the short correspondence. On the Friday before a weekend loss to Real Sociedad earlier this month, news that Dro had told head coach Hansi Flick he would leave the club through his release clause being triggered by a then-unnamed outfit came as a bombshell in Catalonia. The following day, it...

  Benfica manager Jose Mourinho has wished Alvaro Arbeloa well with Real Madrid ahead of their clash in the Champions League, albeit not when the two face off at the Estadio da Luz. Mourinho will come up against his former player for the first time, and against Los Blancos for the first time in six years, since he faced them with Manchester United. The Eagles are in need of a win to qualify for the knockout stages in the Champions League, as they currently sit in 29th spot, two points outside of the play-off places. Mourinho will have to improve his record against Los Blancos with stands at four defeats and one draw, the latter result dating back to his Porto days. In light of the ongoing Negreira case in Spain, and Mourinho’s most famous Real Madrid press conference, in which he asked why Barcelona get decisions from referees, the Portuguese neglected to get in involved with it. “I’m not interested, honestly. I live my career day by day. What happened, happened.” ‘The most importa...