Category: Football (Soccer)

Mikel Arteta has explanations for his team’s shortcomings that may hold water, but ultimately the Gunners simply couldn’t get it done when needed

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The problem is that when the game doesn’t matter, other elements begin to take over. In other circumstances, Arsenal’s 2-2 draw at Liverpool on Sunday would have been an intriguing minor classic; but then, in other circumstances, it might not have gone like that. As it was, with the title won and Arsenal secure in the Champions League qualification slots, a clash between the top two became the stage for discussion of the booing of Trent Alexander-Arnold and a weird confected online fury about whether Myles Lewis-Skelly had applauded Liverpool with sufficient gusto in the guard of honour.

At least, from Arsenal’s point of view, the game followed the opposite pattern to the one with which we’ve become familiar. Arsenal have dropped 21 points from winning positions this season (Liverpool just 13), while Liverpool have gained 22 (Arsenal just 13). If they’d matched each other in those respects, Arsenal would be two points clear at the top of the league; that essentially is the difference between them.

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Late-season at Anfield, a welcome show of spirit in a comeback from Arsenal became the tale of three full-backs. Following an early booking, Myles Lewis-Skelly, who began sketchily, found the measure of Mohamed Salah. There may be no tougher discipline for a defender in 2025. Does “MLS” have a long-term future as a defender or is his broad skillset better suited to midfield? The same questions have long been asked of Trent Alexander-Arnold, whose second-half arrival gave rise to a loud, vicious barracking, rancorous accusations of treachery that will grab headlines. If not unprecedented – Steve McManaman received similar treatment in 1999 – it was shocking to hear the Kop’s open contempt for one of their own, though one who has dared to flee the Merseyside nest. Before Alexander-Arnold’s arrival, Conor Bradley staked claims to be a first-teamer with typical ferocity in the tackle and speedy overlaps. He was also booked. As his replacement arrived to boos, the Kop pointedly sang the youngster’s name. John Brewin

Match report: Liverpool 2-2 Arsenal

Match report: Newcastle 2-0 Chelsea

Match report: Manchester United 0-2 West Ham

Match report: Nottingham Forest 2-2 Leicester

Match report: Tottenham 0-2 Crystal Palace

This was an exercise in how not to utilise the first of only two matches to tune up before a major European final from Manchester United that left Ruben Amorim so disenchanted he spoke of not being in charge if the start to next season is the same.

The head coach said: “I’m talking about myself, I’m talking about the culture in the club and the culture in the team. We need to be really strong in the summer and be brave. We will not have a next season like this if we start like this. If the feeling is still here we should give space [his position] to different persons.”

Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes topped and tailed a fraught but deserved victory for Newcastle against 10-man Chelsea

“Was wondering over the week, where I watched my club go out of the Champions League with strength but not quite enough of it, I did wonder... Would Newcastle do well against this PSG team?” writes Kieran McKintosh. “Physical midfields. Lightning-quick forward lines. Towering defenders. PSG have the better goalie, but other than that I did wonder if Newcastle have the tools to give them more of a run for their money.”

They thrashed them last season, didn’t they? A different PSG, I realise, but it supports your argument. I was surprised just how much Arsenal’s fast start unnerved PSG on Wednesday night. That said, I still think they’re the best team in Europe and I wonder whether Inter’s approach might be more effective. If you go after PSG, the chances are you’ll be picked off, what, nine times out of 10?

We have three more games so this won’t define the season, but for sure this is an important game.

We played Everton and Liverpool with the same team as today. They are doing well and it’s good to continue that.

A fleeting loss of first-half control on Nicolas Jackson’s part threatens to cost Chelsea an awful lot of money and prestige.

The striker’s dismissal for smashing a forearm into Sven Botman’s face jeopardised his team’s hopes of Champions League qualification on a day when Enzo Maresca’s initially second-best, ultimately strangely dominant side, could easily have ended up collecting an unlikely point.