14/04/2025

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MONDAY | APR 14, 2025

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Arteta throws in towel in towel Partey injury worry for Arsenal as title hopes hit hard by Brentford draw Arsenal’s Thomas Partey (right) in action with Brentford’s Mikkel Damsgaard. – REUTERSPIC

Ű BY PHILIP DUNCAN

where we are. But we want to be higher, that’s for sure. “Today, what we wanted to do was increase the probability of us really challenging for what we are looking for in the Premier League. With that result, obviously, it’s more unlikely to happen.” Brentford’s Christian Norgaard could perhaps count himself fortunate to escape a red card when his off-the-ground tackle on Gabriel Martinelli in the first half was deemed only a bookable offence. Martinelli felt his leg could have been broken after the Brentford captain escaped a sending off for a scissor tackle. Norgaard hacked the Arsenal winger to the ground in the first half, which evoked a reaction from both the Emirates crowd and the touchline, with Arteta also furious with the decision to only caution the midfielder with a yellow. VAR chose not to upgrade the decision after review despite strong appeals from Arteta to fourth official Simon Hooper. “I didn’t see that again but in the moment if my foot was on the floor he could break my leg,” Martinelli told Sky Sports . “He (Norgaard) said he didn’t mean it. I believe him but still he could have broke my leg. For me it was red. I need to see it again to be sure. But for me it was nasty.” On the touchline, Arteta was incandescent with the decision, and he added after the game: “I think my reaction says everything.” Reacting to Martinelli’s comments, Brentford manager Thomas Frank said: “That is his opinion. I thought it was a strong yellow.” For Brentford, the draw takes them up to 11th and leaves them with an outside chance of securing a European spot. “We want to end as high as possible,” said Frank. “There are some very good teams above us. We have six games left and we have to have a perfect run (to make it into Europe next season).” – The Independent

M IKEL ARTETA cast doubt over Thomas Partey’s availability for Arsenal’s decisive match against Real Madrid as he all-but conceded his side’s wafer-thin hopes of contesting Liverpool for the Premier League after a 1-1 draw with Brentford. Partey put Arsenal ahead against Brentford after 61 minutes at the Emirates only for Yoane Wissa to haul the visitors level 13 minutes later. Arsenal’s attention will now return to the Champions League as they head to the Bernabeu with a three-goal advantage following their stunning first-leg win against the Spanish giants four days ago. But Partey, who has impressed at the pivot of Arsenal’s midfield this season and yesterday operated as a makeshift right-back, has been ruled a doubt by Arteta after he was withdrawn with 20 minutes left. Asked if he would be fit for Wednesday’s (Thurs 3am Malaysian time) fixture in Spain, Arteta said: “We don’t know. “I haven’t spoken to the doctors yet so they will check him now and see how he is. He felt something so we didn’t want to take any risks.” Partey’s possible absence could create a headache for Arteta after Jorginho was unable to continue when he sustained a rib injury which left Arsenal contesting the closing moments with 10 men. Arsenal’s 12th draw of a disappointing League campaign means Liverpool could even be crowned champions as early as next weekend if the Gunners lose their next League fixture at Ipswich, and Arne Slot’s side see off West Ham and then Leicester at the King Power Stadium on Easter Sunday. “We still have six games to play in the Premier League, which are going to be really important, but for sure it is now all about Wednesday,” said Arteta, when it was put to him that it is now the Champions League or bust for Arsenal. “It is difficult because obviously there are a lot of reasons as to why we are that distance (behind Liverpool) and the amount of things that we have to deal with, and still, we are

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