05/05/2026

SPORTS TUESDAY | MAY 5, 2026 30 B UKAYO SAKA’S return from injury has jolted Arsenal’s attack back into life just in time for the Gunners to dream of a Premier League and Champions League double. Saka scored and provided an assist for Viktor Gyokeres as Mikel Arteta’s men bagged three goals for the first time in 16 games in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Fulham. All three goals arrived before Saka was with drawn by Arteta at half-time to protect the England winger, who has been nursing an achil les injury in recent months. Arteta had one eye on tomorrow’s (3am Malaysian time) visit of Atletico Madrid, with Arsenal hoping to reach just the second Champions League final in their history. The clash is evenly poised at 1-1 after a first leg dominated by penalty decisions in the Spanish capital. Both sides netted from the spot, but Arsenal thought they should have had a second penalty when Eberechi Eze was clipped inside the box. Saka was involved in that move and his

Timely return Saka sparks Arsenal attack into life ahead of Atletico showdown

Robert Pires was part of the only previous Arsenal side to reach the Champions League final, a 2-1 defeat to Barcelona in 2006. The Frenchman’s wing play made him a leg endary figure in north London for his part in two Premier League titles under Arsene Wenger and he believes Saka can have an inspirational impact on his teammates. “He’s found his sharpness again, he’s brought back his dribbling, his drive,” Pires told AFP . “When you have players like him, capable of making the difference, it already does everyone a lot of good. “Above all, he pulls the others along, getting them to do, or at least try to do, what he does.” Arsenal’s miserly defence, which has con ceded just six goals in 13 Champions League games, has carried them to the brink of the final. Now the onus is on Saka, nicknamed “Star boy” by the club’s supporters, to provide the creative spark to take Arsenal to Budapest next month. – AFP

nerves early on against Fulham. The roles were reversed for the second as Saka latched onto the Swede’s pass and arrowed a shot into the bottom corner for his 10th goal of an injury-disrupted campaign. “He certainly made a difference. He made two actions that decided the game and we know what he’s capable of,” said Arteta. “He’s come back in the most important period of the season and now he’s fresh. “His mind is fresh, his hunger is at the high est possible height and I think he needed a performance like that to impact the team, so that’s a big platform for Tuesday.”

introduction as a substitute helped Arsenal turn the tide to finish the first leg on the front foot. The 24-year-old was recently handed a new four-year contract, reportedly making him the highest earner at the club. Saka has struggled to find his best form since a serious hamstring injury ruled him out for three months last season. Arteta, though, is hoping the attacker is both physically and mentally fresh to end Arsenal’s long wait for silverware. Saka’s quick feet and deadly delivery left Gyokeres with the simple task of tapping into an empty net to settle the Premier League leaders’

Bournemouth need something special: Iraola in-form Bournemouth still “need to do something special” to clinch European qualification after climbing to sixth in the Premier League with a comfortable 3-0 win over Crystal Palace. The Spaniard is determined to lead the south-coast club into continental compe tition for the first time before leaving his role at the end of the season. Jefferson Lerma’s own goal against his former team and a Junior Kroupi penalty set the hosts on course to stretch their unbeaten run to 15 top-flight games, prior to Rayan putting the result beyond doubt. Bournemouth host title-chasing Manchester City in Iraola’s final home match as head coach, in between trips to Fulham and Nottingham Forest. “We are in a good place, physically and mentally,” said Iraola. “The problem is we have three very difficult games. “We definitely need more points. If we want to get Europe, we need to do some thing special: win away against a very good team or win at home against City. “With normal performances we are not getting Europe. We have to find some thing special.” Bournemouth fans sang of a potential European adventure under incoming head coach Marco Rose in the closing stages of a comprehensive victory over a poor Palace side. While the Europa League or the Conference League are more realistic tar gets, the Cherries retain an outside chance of scraping into the Champions League. “If you give us the chance to play Conference League, we will sign it, 100%,” said Iraola. “Other clubs probably have easier games than us. You never know in the Premier League, you can never take anything for granted. “It’s a massive opportunity. I will do everything to try to grab it. But knowing that it still is very difficult.” Eagles boss Oliver Glasner admitted his below-par players were “mentally fatigued” due to the club’s European com mitments during a dismal display. “We’re all disappointed with the per formance but the tank was empty today,” said the Austrian. “This is what we have to accept. “I think we all could see that we just weren’t fresh enough for a Premier League game against a very good Bournemouth team with high intensity... the players were mentally fatigued.” – The Independent Ű BY EDWARD ELLIOT ANDONI IRAOLA insists

SIDENETTING Carrick hopes United win will give Fergie ‘a boost’ MICHAEL CARRICK has said that he hopes Manchester United’s 3-2 win over Liverpool will be a boost for Sir Alex Ferguson after his predecessor was taken to hospital before the game. Ferguson had been due to watch the Premier League encounter at Old Trafford before falling ill ahead of a kick off, with the 84-year-old taken into medical care as a precaution. The Scot is thought to be recover ing and should soon be able to recu perate at home. The manager led Manchester United to 38 trophies across nearly three decades at the club before retiring in 2013. Carrick worked under Ferguson after joining as a player in 2006, and is now impressing on the touchline he once occupied. Victory over Liverpool, secured by Kobbie Mainoo’s late goal, ensures that Manchester United will be back in next season’s Champions League. And Carrick hoped that it will serve as pleasing news for his old boss. “I haven’t got any updates so I don’t know the latest. I did hear about it before the game so I was aware about that,” he said of Ferguson. “All I can say is I was very affected by it the news. I hope he is all right. We hope him to be in good shape and we wish him all the best and hopefully the result gives him a good boost.” We just want to keep on winning: Kobbie KOBBIE MAINOO has said Manchester United’s job this season is not yet done, following our 3-2 win against Liverpool at Old Trafford yes terday. “We’re just looking forward,“ the 21-year-old told Sky Sports after the game. “We still need to finish the sea son strongly. This is not enough for us. We just want to keep on winning, win ning, winning.” Mainoo reserves plenty of credit for the head coach Michael Carrick, with regards to his own strong 2026 so far, which has culminated in him sign ing a new contract with United, which will keep him at the club until 2031. “He’s played a huge part in it (Mainoo’s recent performances),“ Mainoo admitted. “I mean, the confi dence he puts in, not just me, but all the players, you know? “You want to follow him, you want to fight for him, you want to die for him on the pitch, and I feel like that’s what we’ve shown today.”

Spurs boss De Zerbi happy with win

Spurs’ Richarlison (2nd from left) scores the winning goal past Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez during the Premier League clash at Villa Park yesterday. – REUTERSPIC

Ű BY JONATHAN VEAL

If you win, you are a champion. “No, you have to find a bal ance. We have to work this week because Leeds is a very tough game. We have to remember in ourselves what we have done in the past.” Spurs were fortunate to come up against a Villa side who pro duced their worst display of the season, with their attention clearly on Thursday’s (Fri 3am Malaysian time) Europa League semifinal second leg against Nottingham Forest. Asked if he was disappointed with some of the performances of his players, Emery added: “No. Because those same players three months ago were winning a lot of matches in a row. “Of course sometimes they don’t have the performance with individual quality. But I am so proud of them, so, so proud of them, how we are doing the sea son.” – The Independent

against a great Aston Villa,” the Italian said. “They had to play Thursday, a very important game for them, but this is always very tough play ing against (Unai) Emery, against this Villa in this stadium. “For that I am really pleased, it was a good performance with the ball, without the ball. Without the ball we showed great courage and we showed great qualities. “I am happy for this type of performance more than three points. We are one point more than West Ham but the most important thing is to play a great game and believe more and more in ourselves and believe in our qualities. “The crucial thing now is keep ing our head of what was the situation before the Wolves game. This is the most important mem ory to keep in our head. “In football it is very easy to change, if you lose, you are stupid.

TOTTENHAM BOSS Roberto De Zerbi is not getting carried away despite his side taking a major step towards Premier League safety with a 2-1 win at Aston Villa. Spurs put in their best per formance of the season to claim three crucial points at Villa Park, thanks to first-half goals from Conor Gallagher and Richarlison. They look a different side under De Zerbi, registering back to-back League victories for the first time since August, and are now favourites to beat the drop. The north London club leap frogged West Ham in the table and with a home game to come against Leeds, after the Hammers host Arsenal, their position could be even rosier by this weekend. But the Italian has called for bal ance, with three games to go. “I am very happy for the per formance, we won a great game