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MIKEL ARTETA OFFERS ALEX OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN COACHING ROLE AT ARSENAL

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is choosing between a playing career at Celtic and a coaching role offered by Mikel Arteta at Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta Offers Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain Coaching Role At Arsenal
Is Oxlade-Chamberlain retiring?

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, now a free agent, has a couple of big decisions on his plate. Arsenal recently offered him a spot on their coaching staff, even as he’s deep in talks with Celtic about a return to playing. Since leaving Besiktas last summer, he’s been figuring out his next steps and has been back training at Arsenal for a while.

Celtic look like they’re close to sealing the deal. Oxlade-Chamberlain, 32, is expected to head up to Glasgow soon to wrap things up. But Mikel Arteta isn’t giving up on him just yet. Arteta really rates him, wants more ex-Arsenal players involved behind the scenes, and hopes Oxlade-Chamberlain will consider coaching at the club when he decides to hang up his boots. While training at Arsenal, Oxlade-Chamberlain has been working toward his UEFA B coaching licence, so he’s clearly thinking ahead.

Even so, it sounds like Oxlade-Chamberlain told Arteta he’s not done playing. A move to Celtic keeps getting closer.

Arteta’s always been big on bringing former players into Arsenal’s backroom team. When asked about it, he said, “I love it. People who’ve really lived through the history of the club bring something different. It’s like an academy kid who’s been here since he was eight—they just have something extra. I’d love to have more. I’ve got some great relationships with ex-players from all sorts of Arsenal teams, and they’re really helpful.” As for signing Oxlade-Chamberlain, Arteta kept his cards close to his chest: “We explore every option.”

Still, Celtic haven’t locked anything in yet. The deal missed the deadline to register new players for their Europa League match against Stuttgart. Oxlade-Chamberlain’s already started medicals with Celtic, and personal terms don’t seem to be a problem. The sticking point? Contract length. His camp wants an extension option at the end, and that’s where talks have stalled.

Celtic are still interested, but just in case things fall through, they’re looking at Tiemoue Bakayoko, who used to play for Chelsea and AC Milan. Bakayoko left PAOK in January and is itching to get back into the game. Last month, he said, “Some things are coming about my future. I’m feeling 100 per cent ready for the next challenge. I miss football a lot.”

JURRIëN TIMBER: CARABAO CUP VICTORY CAN "SPRINGBOARD" ARSENAL TOWARD A HISTORIC QUADRUPLE

Jurriën Timber reveals how Kai Havertz’s return from a year-long injury has "electrified" the Arsenal squad ahead of Wembley.

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Jurriën Timber is right—Havertz is the most vital player in Arsenal’s squad

Jurriën Timber didn’t hold back on the praise for Kai Havertz after Arsenal punched their ticket to the Carabao Cup final. Havertz, fresh off a long injury layoff, came off the bench and put the game to bed with a stoppage-time goal against Chelsea.

It’s wild to think Havertz spent almost a year sidelined with hamstring and knee problems. Now, he’s scored twice in his last three games. You can feel the lift he gives the squad. “Kai’s presence makes a huge difference, both in the dressing room and out on the pitch,” Timber said. “Everyone can see the quality he brings, and honestly, we were all buzzing for him. He’s a fun guy to have around, not quiet at all, and everyone loves him. When he’s missing, you notice. So, we’re just glad he’s back.”

Timber hopes Havertz soaks up this moment—and that there’s plenty more to come.

Looking ahead, Timber sees the Carabao Cup as more than just a trophy—it could be the confidence boost Arsenal needs for an even bigger season. After beating Chelsea at home, they’re one win away from ending a six-year trophy drought. The vibe around the club is different this year. Arsenal sits six points clear at the top of the Premier League; they breezed through the Champions League group stage, and in just over a week, they’ll host Wigan in the FA Cup.

When someone asked Timber if a Carabao Cup win could lead to more silverware, he didn’t dodge the question: “We haven’t won anything yet, but we’ve put ourselves in a great spot. The Carabao Cup final comes early, so if we get that win, it could push us on for the rest of the season. You can’t always play your absolute best, but this team finds ways to win. We did it away at Chelsea, which is tough, and then at home too. We deserve this.”

You could see the relief and joy when they clinched their spot at Wembley. Timber summed it up pretty well: everyone’s hoping there’s more to celebrate soon.

Next up, Arsenal are back at the Emirates on Saturday against Sunderland. If they win, they could stretch their lead over Manchester City to nine points—at least until City faces Liverpool the following day. The momentum’s building.

KAI HAVERTZ HAUNTS CHELSEA WITH LAST-GASP WINNER TO SEND ARSENAL TO WEMBLEY

Kai Havertz sends Arsenal to the Carabao Cup final with a dramatic 96th-minute winner against his former club, Chelsea.

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Kai Havertz's goal secures the Carabao Cup final spot

Kai Havertz sealed the deal for Arsenal with a last-gasp goal in stoppage time, sending them past Chelsea 1-0 on the night and into the Carabao Cup final. That win, added to their 3-2 lead from the first leg at Stamford Bridge, means Arsenal are now just one step away from ending their trophy drought.

Havertz, who used to wear Chelsea blue, made sure Arsenal booked their spot at Wembley—marking their first final since lifting the FA Cup in 2020. He calmly rounded Robert Sanchez and slotted home with practically the last kick.

This season’s been rolling along nicely for Arsenal. They’re six points clear at the top of the Premier League and sailed through the Champions League group stage without dropping a point. Now, the Carabao Cup offers Arteta his first shot at silverware this year and only the second in his six years in charge.

Most likely, Arteta will run into some familiar faces in the final. Manchester City, his old club, have a two-goal cushion over Newcastle ahead of their own semi-final at the Etihad.

Unlike the first leg—a wild, open game—tonight was tense and cagey. Liam Rosenior, fresh off five straight wins, packed Chelsea’s defence with five at the back to keep Arsenal quiet. It mostly worked. The only real threat in the first half came when Piero Hincapie forced Sanchez into a decent save from distance after 18 minutes.

Arsenal usually make set pieces count, but Chelsea had a plan. They left three attackers upfield for every Arsenal corner, which forced Arsenal to hold back and took the sting out of their routines.

Just before halftime, former Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga had to punch away a strike from Enzo Fernandez.

The second half started with Arsenal still in control, but Chelsea were hanging around, just one goal behind on aggregate. In the hour, Cole Palmer and Estevao came on to chase an equaliser. Cucurella and Fernandez both tried their luck from a distance, but nothing came off.

Arsenal started to look a bit nervous. Declan Rice tried to settle everyone down—his teammates and maybe the crowd, too—as the tension ramped up.

Gabriel had a good chance to put things to bed with 14 minutes left, but Cucurella got in the way of his header from Martin Zubimendi’s cross. Down the other end, Wesley Fofana’s flick from a corner zipped just past Kepa’s post. Fernandez then blasted over as the clock hit 90, with six minutes of stoppage time to go.

Chelsea kept pushing, but honestly, they never really looked like they were forcing extra time. Then, right at the death, Havertz latched onto Rice’s pass and finished coolly. Arsenal march on, their season just getting better and better.

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