SETTABLOID

Arsenal are reportedly seen as less likely to sign Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak compared to other potential suitors.

Mikel Arteta’s side are among several clubs showing interest in the Swedish striker, who has risen to prominence as one of the world’s top No. 9s in recent times. Isak has netted 22 goals in all competitions for the Magpies this season, with his stellar performances instrumental in propelling Newcastle to the Carabao Cup final and a potential top four finish.

Arsenal’s interest in Isak comes amid their shortage of attacking options with Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz out for the season through injury, while Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are also injured.

But any hopes of signing Isak appear to be fading. The Independent’s Miguel Delaney has reported in his latest newsletter that the Gunners look unlikely to sign the striker due to his potential £105million price tag.

“Everyone wants Isak, with Liverpool having developed particularly strong interest,” he said. “Arsenal are currently seen as less likely to sign him because of that potential price – possibly up to £150m or maybe even more.

“If Isak decided to leave, he really would have his pick. Clubs like Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain are already looking at ways to put together some kind of attractive offer. It makes it all the more important for Newcastle to get back into the Champions League.”

Former referee Keith Hackett believes points deduction sanctions could come into force if managers and players are guilty of confronting officials on the pitch more often.

The issue of managers confronting referees on the field of play reared its head after Liverpool boss Arne Slot was sent off at the end of the Merseyside Derby with Everton. The Reds boss had just seen his side concede a 98th minute goal to draw 2-2 in the final ever derby at Goodison Park.

James Tarkowski’s equaliser came after only five minutes were added on at the end of the match and Slot made his feelings clear to referee Michael Oliver with a few words and a vigorous handshake. Slot was shown a red card, as was assistant Sipke Hulshoff, with both men receiving a two-game touchline ban too.

The match ended with Abdoulaye Doucoure and Curtis Jones also seeing red for a fracas after the final whistle. It was an unsavoury end to the match and has led to Hackett suggesting heftier punishments.

Speaking to Football Insider, he said: “I would like to see referees at the final whistle moving towards the tunnel rather than standing in the middle looking for handshakes and any complimentary comments.

“This will, I feel, reduce any tensions that have built up in the game. I hope that the level of fines will receive a more controlled approach by the manager and his assistant.

 

Arsenal could be handed a highly unlikely Premier League title race boost this weekend. The Gunners head into their weekend clash away at Manchester United after surprisingly thumping PSV 7-1 in the Champions League last-16 first leg on Tuesday evening in the Netherlands.

Just two goals and one victory from their last four games saw that result catch many off guard with Martin Odegaard bagging a brace and appearing back to his best while the front three all found the back of the net. If Arsenal can channel that cutting edge into the Premier League, the title race could be back on.

24 hours after their dominant triumph away in Europe, Liverpool endured a very different evening with Paris Saint-Germain causing them huge problems. Arne Slot’s side were able to hang on however and ultimately departed the French capital with a narrow 1-0 lead in the tie.

Mikel Arteta has just potentially seen the dream scenario emerge despite the fact Arsenal’s 2024/25 season looked likely to end with a whimper. Ahead of their Champions League last-16 first leg away at PSV on Tuesday, the Gunners had failed to score in three of their last four games which seemingly ended hopes for two trophies.

Last month, Arsenal were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Newcastle United with five points also dropped in the Premier League title race against Liverpool after losing to West Ham United before then drawing to Nottingham Forest.

13 points now separates the two teams, which could see Arteta and Co. place all their focus on the Champions League. Arsenal’s first task on the road to Munich in the knockout stages came in the Netherlands against PSV Tuesday and it’s fair to say they passed it with flying colours.

Despite not scoring in three of their last four games, Arsenal beat their Dutch opponents 7-1 with Jurrien Timber, Ethan Nwaneri, Martin Odegaard, Mikel Merino, Leandro Trossard and Riccardo Calafiori all on target while Noa Lang was the scorer for PSV.

Arsenal are the first side to be pencilled into the Champions League quarter-finals. The 7-1 away victory over PSV Eindhoven was the standout result on a night of entertaining but close encounters.

Borussia Dortmund and Lille drew 1-1 with it all to play for next week in France. Aston Villa struck twice late on against Club Brugge to take a two-goal advantage back to the Midlands. Real Madrid will need every part of their slender lead when they travel across the Spanish capital to face fierce rivals Atletico.

Villa are the favourites to progress from their tie now, and so are Real; but Arsenal are the only team who can truly be banked on getting through. They are miles in front at the halfway stage of the first last-16 ties and the upcoming fixtures promise to be tight affairs as well.

Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain is perhaps the best draw whilst Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen couldn’t be split in Bundesliga last month. Inter will be backed to beat Feyenoord over two legs in the other most lopsided tie on paper, while Barcelona and Benfica played out a 5-4 hum-dinger during the group phase.

This is the landscape for Arsenal to look out on as they plan for what is almost certain to be a second consecutive year in the quarter-finals. As well as taking great confidence from demolishing PSV, Mikel Arteta can be confident of things improving further still.

His side were not in good form entering the away leg at PSV. Neither, it must be said, were their opponents. But the destruction and clinical nature of the display will inspire optimism moving forward.

There were plenty of Arsenal players who looked the part in their 7-1 thrashing of PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League.

Declan Rice lauded Ethan Nwaneri’s showing against PSV as he claimed the 17-year-old’s “ability is crazy” after the game.

Rice himself was a class act, putting in an inch-perfect cross to set up Jurrien Timber’s opening goal.

Myles-Lewis-Skelly’s display against PSV was praised by Mikel Arteta as well, who looks like the best fit to be Arsenal’s starting left-back.

Arsenal’s victory is one that has basically guaranteed them a spot in the Champions League quarter-finals, a stage they reached last season as well before being knocked out by Bayern Munich.

But this time around, they could have an even tougher test in store as a potential match-up against Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid is one that will push the Gunners’ limits.

Alan Shearer full of praise for Declan Rice after Arsenal thrash PSV

But for now, Arsenal will be celebrating their emphatic win against PSV, with Mikel Arteta perhaps being satisfied that the big names like Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard came to the party.

While the focus from the result will naturally be on the seven goals the visitors scored on Tuesday night, what was perhaps even more impressive was the control that they exacted during proceedings.

With that being the case, Alan Shearer reserved special praise for Rice, who was at his all-conquering best in an Arsenal shirt against PSV.

Shearer said via BBC Sport: “It has not gone unnoticed the work that Declan Rice has done in that midfield.”

“Lots of energy to run in support of the forwards as well as protect that back four. He also produced the cross for Jurrien Timber’s goal.”

Even Arsenal fans hailed Rice’s performance against PSV as his standout of the season. Recently, Tony Cascarino claimed Rice is “carrying an injury” but he looked as fit and firing as ever against the Dutch side.

Declan Rice stats during PSV vs Arsenal

The Englishman will have to maintain such high standards if Arsenal aspire to win the Champions League this season.

The former West Ham United midfielder is arguably Mikel Arteta’s most important player and his side seem to play their best football when he is at his brilliant best.

The statistics certainly showcased just how brilliant Rice was against PSV.

As the stats suggest, despite being a defensive midfielder, it was further forward where the Europa Conference League winner excelled the most.

Rice provided an assist, created two big chances and played two key passes, which is further proof that he is much more than just a sitting midfielder.

As Alan Shearer pointed out, Rice deserved immense credit for his incredible display against PSV as Arsenal will be delighted that he has taken to Champions League football as well as he has since joining the club last season.

Riccardo Calafiori took to social media after starring in Arsenal’s historic win over PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League.

The Gunners claimed a 7-1 victory over the Dutch club in the first leg of their last-16 tie on Tuesday night. Martin Odegaard scored a brace and was supported by goals from Calafiori, Jurrien Timber, Ethan Nwaneri, Mikel Merino and Leandro Trossard, with Noa Lang converting a penalty for the hosts in the first half.

While still not certain, the six-goal margin gives Arsenal an overwhelming advantage over PSV heading into the second leg at the Emirates Stadium next week. The Gunners are now just 90 minutes away from reaching the quarter-final of the Champions League, where they would face either Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid.

Calafiori scored Arsenal’s final goal in the win in Eindhoven and took to social media after the final whistle to send a message. The strike from the Italy international was his first in the Champions League and his third since signing for the Gunners last summer.

“First in Champions League],” wrote Calafiori, followed by football and heart emojis. “Well done guys!!!”

The win was also a historic night for Arsenal in Europe. After scoring four goals against PSV, the Gunners became the first time in Champions League history to score that number of goals in a knockout tie away from home.

Arsenal will now prepare to travel to Old Trafford as they face Manchester United in the Premier League this weekend. The Gunners remain 13 points behind leaders Liverpool in the table, with a game in hand, as their title rivals face Southampton after taking on Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.