22/01/2026

SPORTS THURSDAY | JAN 22, 2026

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Gunners seal top-two finish Arteta proud of Arsenal’s ‘hunger’ after win over Inter Milan

MANCHESTER UNITED have reportedly expressed interest in Barcelona’s midfielder Marc Casado, as they continue their quest to strengthen their midfield during the January transfer window. Under Ruben Amorim, United opted not to sign a midfielder in the summer, instead allocating their budget towards three forwards and a new goalkeeper. Another addition to Michael Carrick’s midfield is anticipated this January, but it’s believed that any new signing will be contingent on the right price. With Kobbie Mainoo’s return to the starting line-up against Manchester City, a potential move away from England is likely no longer an option. Manuel Ugarte, who is wanted by Ajax, and Casemiro are Carrick’s midfield options for the remaining 16 matches of the season. However, Mundo Deportivo has reported that Atletico Madrid also have their sights set on the mid fielder following Conor Gallagher’s switch to Tottenham earlier this month, having also been a summer transfer target for West Ham United. This news comes in the same week that reports suggested La Liga leaders Barcelona were advancing with plans to sign Marcus Rashford. The forward, currently on loan from United, could be signed per manently by Barca for €30 million (RM150m). Rashford has netted eight goals and provided 11 assists in 29 matches this season and it’s reported that the Spanish club are considering their options to extend his stay beyond the loan period. One option is to secure Rashford for less than the agreed price, while another is to extend his loan for the 2026/27 season with a commit ment to buy in the summer of 2027. It’s believed that United’s prefer ence is to sell this summer and use the funds for a significant revamp of the squad. Luckily, United’s interest in Casado presents another potential solution that could satisfy all par ties. United are in dire need of fresh talent in midfield, especially with Casemiro likely to leave when his contract ends after this season. – Express Newspapers Rashford in swap deal option for Utd United have joined Wolves in the race for Casado.

Ű BY PHILIP DUNCAN

told Amazon Prime . “Everyone wants to start, but I am a very respectful guy. I am not a kid any more, I am 28, so I understand football and I am very happy Vik came on and scored a goal.” Arsenal, seven points clear in the Premier League, will host Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday (Mon, 12.30am Malaysian time). For Inter, the defeat leaves them staring at the probability of a play-off tie to

reach the next stage. Head coach Cristian Chivu said: “I am never worried. We knew the Champions League jour ney would be difficult. “We don’t know if it

“It is a massive prize to the team because we know how difficult it is. We really had the hunger and desire to come to a place like this against a top, top side and prove what we are and what we can do. “We have ambition and the convic tion that we can compete against any team. I love the attitude to come to this atmosphere against the opponent that we had. The team has matured, are very ambitious and emotionally very controlled. We have to carry on going.” Jesus, who was sidelined for 11 months following knee surgery, staked

M IKEL ARTETA hailed the “hunger, desire and ambition” of his Arsenal players after they secured their place in the Champions League last 16 with a statement 3-1 victory against Inter Milan at San Siro. Gabriel Jesus, making his first European start in 405 days, sent Arsenal on the way to their seventh straight victory in this season’s com petition when he scored in the 10th minute. Petar Sucic fired back for the home side eight minutes later, only for Jesus to restore the Gunners’ advantage later in the first half. Substitute Viktor Gyokeres added a third on a brilliant evening for Arteta’s men in Italy. Arsenal are now certain of finishing the 36 team group either first or second which means home advantage for the second legs of their knockout games. And a point against Kazakhstan side Kairat at the Emirates next week will ensure top spot in the group as they chase their first Champions League title. Arsenal have seen off Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid and now last season’s beaten finalists, and Arteta said: “We’re very proud, not only for tonight’s game but for what we’ve done in the competition so far, and with one game to go to be already in the position that we want to be in. THOMAS FRANK will toast Tottenham’s “big win” over Borussia Dortmund with two glasses of red wine, but acknowl edged it must be the catalyst for more consistency. Dominic Solanke scored on his first start of the season to ease the pressure on Frank after a 2-0 win over 10-man Dortmund in the Champions League. Frank’s seven-month tenure looked close to being over after Spurs lost at home to West Ham on Saturday, which sparked chants from the club’s support ers that he was “getting sacked in the morning”, but the Danish coach stayed in post for this fixture. Even though talks with key figures over lunch on Monday offered no assur Ű BY GEORGE SESSIONS

will be enough, but we are ready to play the playoffs if neces sary. Arsenal deserved to win tonight because they seized the opportu nity, and they were stronger than us.” – The Independent

Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus shoots and scores his team first goal during yesterday’s Champions League match against Inter Milan at the San Siro. – AFPPIC

his claim to usurp Gyokeres as Arteta’s go-to No. 9 with an impres sive display. “I watched a lot of Serie A when I was a kid so to be in this stadium and score, I have tears in my eyes because I always dreamed of being here,” Jesus

Frank building something at Spurs

Quizzed on how he will celebrate, Frank said: “I think two big glasses of red will be necessary, I will enjoy that.” Dortmund boss Niko Kovac had no complaints about the result or Svensson’s red card for a studs-up tackle on Wilson Odobert – even if the force was minimal. Kovac added: “Congratulations to Tottenham, a deserved 2-0 victory. First half didn’t play well. Very passive, not aggressive in the one v ones and made it difficult. “We knew the situation. We expected the opponent to be physically strong, didn’t compete, conceded the 1 0. Then the red card, a tough one but at the end of the day the referee showed a red card. Better in second half but not enough.” – The Independent

“We do a lot of things in the right direction and today was a big perform ance and a big win. Of course, I’m very aware of that, but I’m also very aware that this we have done and we need to keep that consistency and turn that a lit tle bit. “As I say, some of the other games we easily could have won. Now we need to build on this. And I just see a team that is running very, very hard and I think that’s a very, very good sign. That’s a healthy sign of a culture and we are building something a little bit step by step. “We can easily have got better results the last three games, we just didn’t, but we’re running hard. I think the big thing is to build on this with a performance and a win against Burnley.”

ances over his future, Frank watched his fortunes turn with captain Cristian Romero firing the hosts ahead in the 14th-minute before Solanke’s fortuitous close-range finish made it 2-0. Daniel Svensson had been sent off by this point and Tottenham cruised home to claim a first win of 2026, but Frank quickly shifted focus to Saturday’s (11pm) Premier League trip to Burnley. Asked if this performance proved he was worth sticking with, Frank smiled: “I think it’s about the team and every thing, but of course I understand the question. “What I feel the whole time is the staff is with us, I think the players are with us, the ownership, everyone wants the same thing and we’re on the same page.

Liverpool boss Slot fires back at Alonso rumours

ARNE SLOT has dismissed rumours linking Xabi Alonso with his position at Liverpool, describing the suggestion as “one of the weirdest” questions he’s faced in his managerial career ahead of the overnight Champions League clash with Marseille. Alonso became available after parting ways with Real Madrid earlier last week, and despite Slot’s impressive 12-match unbeaten streak, cer tain Spanish media outlets have speculated about the former Liverpool midfielder potentially taking over at Anfield. Speaking at his pre-match press conference at the Orange Velodrome before this morning Champions League clash with Marseille, Slot

I know that.” Alonso was first linked with the Liverpool manager’s job two years ago when Jurgen Klopp announced that he would be leaving Anfield in the summer of 2024. The Reds went on to appoint Slot from Feyenoord, with Alonso going on to remain at Bayer Leverkusen at the time before joining Madrid last summer. Liverpool’s draw with Burnley at the weekend leaves them in fourth place in the Premier League table, and are now just one point ahead of fifth placed Manchester United, who beat Manchester City in their match on Saturday. – Express Newspapers

Addressing the mixed reception from fans fol lowing the 1-1 draw with Burnley, Slot said: “The boos? Maybe I heard a few but it wasn’t as if it was a lot. “But I also think it is completely normal that if you have a draw at home to Burnley that no one is happy about that. But I think the moment the people went home, when emotions calmed down, they proba bly thought in the one and a half years I have been at Liverpool we have never created so many chances against a low block as we did in that game. “Maybe it was a little bit more positive than the result showed but we are in a results business,

acknowledged the peculiar nature of the ques tion about Alonso. “Yes he called me and said: ‘What do you think about the team because I am going to take over in six months, can you tell me a little bit more?’” Slot joked. “Or maybe earlier. Maybe he takes over tomor row! … No, no, no. This is one of the weirdest questions I ever got. “What is there to say? I am working here for a little bit more than one and a half years and I really like my work over here. We won the League last season, struggled more in the league this sea son. That is also obvious, so yes what is there left to say?”