25/01/2026

theSun on Sunday JAN 25, 2026

SPORTS 14

Nwaneri ‘must swim with sharks’

oper of young talent and the courageous way he plays, means it is going to be a great expe rience for Ethan.” Arsenal look to take another step towards ending their 22-year wait to win the Premier League when Manchester United visit the Emirates tomorrow. Arteta has a welcome dilemma on who to start up front after both Gabriel Jesus and Viktor Gyokeres scored in a 3-1 Champions League win at Inter Milan on Wednesday. Kai Havertz has missed most of the season through injury, but is also available, albeit the German international is not yet ready to start. “We were waiting for that,” said Arteta on finally having all three forwards available. “With the amount of games that are coming up, they’re all going to have opportunities and minutes, so it’s great to have them back. – AFP

MIKEL ARTETA said Ethan Nwaneri’s loan move to Marseille yesterday will be the mak ing of the 18-year-old. Nwaneri has joined the French giants until the end of the season after struggling for minutes for the Premier League and Champions League leaders. He scored nine times last season in a breakthrough campaign, earning a new five year deal at the Emirates. But Nwaneri did not start once in the Premier League this season prior to his move to the south of France. “The talented young players that we have need minutes, and Ethan wasn’t getting

Arsenal defence and the coaching of Roberto De Zerbi played an impact in Nwaneri’s next move. “The last thing we want to do is cut his development because he’s such a talent. He lives and breathes football. That’s his life,” added Arteta. “Having all the options, and understanding the experience that we had in Marseille with William and the fact that Roberto is there, who is an incredible devel

enough minutes,” said Arteta. “There is the fear and the insecurity of get ting out of a place that has been really com fortable for him. At the end you have to be thrown to the sharks in an incredible football atmosphere and it’s going to make him so good.” Arteta said the experience of William Saliba’s positive loan spell at Marseille prior to establishing himself as a key figure in the

Reds manager Arne Slot (right) and Florian Wirtz. – AFPPIC

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Draw Date: 24/01/26 (Sat)

Draw No: 6026/26 Venue: WISMA GENTING, KL

Reds on the up … as new signings hit form, says Slot

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LIVERPOOL BOSS Arne Slot believes the Reds will only get better in the years to come as a huge outlay on young talent in the transfer market begins to bear fruit. Hopes of retaining the Premier League title were high at the start of the season after Liverpool splashed out nearly £450 million (RM2.4 billion) on new signings. But bar some bright moments from Hugo Ekitike, the new faces struggled in the opening months of the season. Alexander Isak has been beset by injuries since his British transfer record £125 million (RM677m) move from Newcastle and will miss most of the rest of the campaign with a broken leg. But Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong have recently hit the form that saw them earn a move to Anfield during a 13-game unbeaten run for Slot’s men. “If you look at the age of the signings, they will be better next season and the season after,” Slot said. “We’ve spoken about Florian that he lacked goals and assists in the PEP GUARDIOLA said Man City are tasked with chasing down the best team in the world in Premier League leaders Arsenal as he launched a defiant defence of his players after a chastening week. City were well beaten by local rivals Manchester United last weekend before suffering one of the biggest upsets in Champions League history away to Norway’s Bodo/Glimt on Wednesday. Guardiola’s men are yet to win a league game in 2026, allowing Arsenal to open up a seven-point lead in the title race. But the City boss backed his “extraordinary” group of players to respond as they remain in contention for silverware in four competitions. “Absolutely, the best team right now in the world,” said Guardiola on the challenge of chasing down Arsenal, who have also won all seven of their

beginning but he was so close and even now he could almost double it with the chances he’s having or giving to his teammates. “I can only see positives in this team in terms of progress but we have to adapt so many times in the season. “We are already in a good place but this club will be a good place tomorrow and the day after and the day after.” Liverpool’s chances of retaining the title are long gone and their target switching to securing Champions League football next season. Liverpool took a giant stride towards the Champions League last 16 with a 3 0 win at Marseille on Thursday. But the Dutchman does not expect to add to his squad in what remains of the January transfer window. “That’s what I expect, yes,” he added on the prospect of no new signings this month. Champions League matches. “So look in the Champions League, in the Premier League, look in (the) FA Cup, in Carabao Cup – it’s the best team right now. Hopefully we can be close and getting better, getting better and have the chance to catch them. “I have an extraordinary team, an extraordinary group of players. And we are all together. We are a fantastic football team, I don’t have any doubts about that.” City’s dip in form has coincided with the loss of key defenders Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol to injury. The arrival of Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace should mitigate their absence. “It’s going to help us because the experience of Mark is exceptional,” added Guardiola. “Considering the absence of central defenders it’s really good.” – AFP

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“But as I always say, if there’s an opportunity in the market or we think we can strengthen, this club will try to do so, but at this moment in time I expect it to stay mainly the same.” – AFP City chasing ‘world’s best’ in Arsenal: Pep

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