08/05/2026

SPORTS FRIDAY | MAY 8, 2026

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Arteta’s ‘gut feeling’ pays off Move to stick with same XI that beat Fulham proves decisive in win over Atletico M IKEL ARTETA said he trusted his “gut” when he decided to select the same XI from the win over was my gut feeling. It’s painful to leave important players out but you saw the finishers, how much they helped the team.” Arteta said he had never experi enced such a raucous build-up and atmosphere both inside and outside the stadium during his time at the Emirates, and that his side now had the bit between their teeth again. and conviction today, that is for sure.” Arsenal’s midfield engine, Declan Rice, also said the side had regained their momentum. Ű BY LAWRENCE OSTLERE

Wright tells Gunners’ fans to ignore Rooney criticism IAN WRIGHT urged Arsenal fans to celebrate reaching the Champions League final in full, despite criti cism from pundit Wayne Rooney. Mikel Arteta’s side booked their place in the showpiece in Budapest on May 30 with a 2-1 aggregate vic tory over Atletico Madrid. Bukayo Saka’s first-half tap-in in Tuesday’s semifinal second leg was enough to propel the Gunners to the final after a 1-1 stalemate in the first leg, putting them a step closer to a first Champions League title – as well as in the driving seat in the Premier League title race. Saka’s goal at the Emirates Stadium sparked wild celebrations and fans flooded the pitch at full time to celebrate with the players, leading to criticism from Rooney. He said on Amazon Prime : “They deserve to be in this position, but they haven’t won it yet. I think the celebrations are a little bit too much. Celebrate when you win.” Former Arsenal star Wright was quick to respond, posting a video to social media in which he said: “Arsenal fans, let me tell you some thing: enjoy this. The celebration police will be out in force, do not get nicked! “Enjoy yourselves, football’s about moments and this is a big moment. Enjoy it and let’s hope that in the final and after the final we have another massive moment. It’s a great day!” Midfielder Declan Rice was also quick to encourage celebrations, telling Amazon Prime after the win: “I don’t think you can underesti mate what we have done in this competition up to this point. “We have every right to cele brate that moment. The most pres tigious competition in club foot ball. We are just trying to soak it all in.” The atmosphere at the Emirates has occasionally come under criti cism in recent seasons for failing to replicate the kind of vocal support enjoyed at other teams’ home grounds. But a superb atmosphere was created from before kickoff on Tuesday night as supporters greeted the team bus with flares and chants, the first time that has happened, and Arteta paid tribute to that warm reception afterwards. He said: “It was an incredible night. We made history again together and I cannot be happier and prouder for everybody that’s involved in this football club. “The manner that we (were) received outside the stadium was special and unique. “The atmosphere, our support has created the energy, the way they managed every ball with us… I never felt that in the stadium (before]. “We knew how much it meant to everybody... the boys did an incredible job and after 20 years and a second time in our history, we are back in the Champions League final.” – The Independent Ű BY FLO CLIFFORD

“We have kind of turned a corner again. We went through a stage where we weren’t performing at our best. We were a bit sloppy in our play, but we have found a new way to play again,” Rice told Amazon Prime . “When you have got confidence in football it is everything. I know every one is focused.” Rice also underscored the longer term progression Arsenal have made and the importance of their League game against his former side West Ham United at the weekend. “We have kept building – we have kept pushing each other. This competi tion and the Premier League. We have gone full throttle,” Rice said. “Sunday now is a massive one.” – The Independent

Arteta, who had sprinted onto the pitch at the final whistle to hug his play ers and then ran to the home fans for a series of oles, said it had been an “incredible night”. “I cannot be happier, prouder for everybody that is involved in this foot ball club,” Arteta told reporters. “We have all been so aligned on the desire and ambition that we had.” The victory means Arsenal

Arsenal’s season appeared to be fal tering a few weeks ago but having over come Atletico and seen Premier League title rivals Manchester City stumble the previous night, the North London side are within touching dis tance of a first English title since 2004 and potential European glory.

Fulham at the weekend for Arsenal’s Champions League semifinal second leg victory over Atletico Madrid. A tap-in from captain Bukayo Saka just before half-time and a ninth clean sheet in this season’s competition gave Arsenal a 2-1 aggregate semifinal vic tory over Atletico Madrid. They now face holders Paris St Germain, who knocked them out in last season’s semifinals, in the Puskas Arena in Budapest on May 30 – a week after they hope to have sealed a first Premier League title for 22 years. “Did you see my iPad with all the different line-ups I’ve done, ‘what about this, freshness, the possible subs…’ ” Arteta laughed. “In the end it

“It’s great. Everybody can feel a shift in energy and belief in everything,” Arteta said. “Let’s use it in the right way and understand that the margins and the diffi culty of what we are try ing to achieve is huge, but we have the ability

have also equalled their club record for most wins in a single season, according to Opta. They have now won 41 games across all competitions, matching the 55-year-old record set in the 1970-71 cam paign.

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick (right) and Amad Diallo. – REUTERSPIC

Devils happy if Carrick stays: Diallo

told TNT Sports Brazil : “Everyone says whatever they want on television. I’m not someone who gets involved in that. “But it’s a bit normal, because I won two Champions League titles over his team. Maybe after you win two titles against his club, there’s still some bitterness there.” Carragher has since reversed his stance on those comments, prompting the United midfielder to extend an olive branch. He said: “I respect his opinion. I don’t hold any resentment. “The important thing is that he recognised he was wrong and changed his opinion. That’s what matters most.” – Express Newspapers will be happy if we have him next season as manager.” Diallo has not scored or provided an assist since Carrick’s appointment, but the manager has still lauded the 23-year-old for his work rate and overall impact. “Even when you are in tough moments, he’s there to talk to you, he’s there to help you,” Diallo explained. “I think the biggest change maybe is because the team is now more impactful. Like in the dressing room, we are really together. “Every mistake is not a problem, your mis take is my mistake, so we are a team that doesn’t care if you do a mistake, you go again, so we go forward, we want to win as a team.” United are next in action away to mid-table Sunderland tomorrow (10pm Malaysian time) The match will see Diallo return to the Stadium of Light, where he had a season-long loan in 2022/23. “I really enjoyed my time in Sunderland. Honestly, I have nothing bad to say about the club,” said the Ivory Coast international. “Now I’m one of the big fans because I watch every game when they play, so I’m so happy for what they did this season.” – AFP

Liverpool in finals in 2018 and 2022, and suspects Carragher may have been unsettled by those occa sions when he delivered his infamous dig at him. Back in 2024, when United were enduring a dreadful spell of results, Casemiro was targeted with Carragher insisting he needed to exit the Premier League. He said:“This has to stop because we are watch ing one of the greats of the modern time. I always remember the saying ‘leave the football before the football leaves you’. The football has left him. “He is too good of a player to be putting in a performance like that being laughed at by Crystal Palace. He needs to call it a day.” Casemiro was pressed on those remarks and AMAD DIALLO has no doubt “everyone” at Manchester United would be pleased to see Michael Carrick carry on as head coach next season. The 44-year-old former United midfielder returned to Old Trafford as interim boss until the end of the campaign shortly after the end of Ruben Amorim’s ill-fated reign in January. Carrick has overseen a huge upturn in the Red Devils’ fortunes and United have qualified for the Champions League with three games to spare. Kobbie Mainoo said the players “want to die for” Carrick following a 3-2 victory over Liverpool on Sunday that left third-placed United six points clear of their arch-rivals in the Premier League table. Carrick’s long-term future at Old Trafford remains in doubt, however. “Honestly, it’s not the player who decides who is going to stay here next season, but what I can say (is) everyone is happy to have him as manager,” Diallo told Sky Sports . “Everyone is with him. “He’s that manager who has a good rela tionship with every player, so we are really happy to have him as manager and, yeah, we

Casemiro hits back at ‘bitter’ Carragher CASEMIRO believes that Jamie Carragher’s “leave the football” jibs from two years ago was probably driven by “bitterness” following his cherished Liverpool’s double defeat to Real Madrid in Champions League finals.

The veteran midfielder will leave Manchester United this summer despite experiencing a resur gence under Michael Carrick. He’s been instrumental to their recovery, which will see them qualify for the Champions League following a disappointing few months. Casemiro has been pivotal, turning back the clock and resembling the player who was so influ ential at Real. During his spell at the Bernabeu, he lifted the Champions League five times, beating