-
)
Serie A
09 Feb 19:30
)
Atalanta
)
Cremonese
2 1 -
Serie A
09 Feb 21:45
)
Roma
)
Cagliari
2 0 -
)
LaLiga
09 Feb 22:00
)
Villarreal
)
Espanyol
4 1 -
)
Premier
10 Feb 21:30
)
Chelsea
)
LeedsUnite
- - -
Premier
10 Feb 21:30
)
Everton
)
AFCBournem
- - -
Premier
10 Feb 21:30
)
TottenhamH
)
NewcastleU
- - -
Premier
10 Feb 22:15
)
WestHamUni
)
Manchester
- - -
Premier
11 Feb 21:30
)
CrystalPal
)
Burnley
- - -
Premier
11 Feb 21:30
)
AstonVilla
)
Brighton&a
- - -
Premier
11 Feb 21:30
)
Manchester
)
Fulham
- - -
Premier
11 Feb 21:30
)
Nottingham
)
Wolverhamp
- - -
Premier
11 Feb 22:15
)
Sunderland
)
Liverpool
- - -
Premier
12 Feb 22:00
)
Brentford
)
Arsenal
- - -
)
Ligue 1
13 Feb 20:00
)
Rennes
)
ParisSaint
- - -
)
Bundesl
13 Feb 21:30
)
BorussiaDo
)
Mainz05
- - -
Serie A
13 Feb 21:45
)
Pisa
)
ACMilan
- - -
LaLiga
13 Feb 22:00
)
Elche
)
Osasuna
- - -
Ligue 1
13 Feb 22:05
)
Monaco
)
Nantes
- - -
LaLiga
14 Feb 15:00
Espanyol
)
CeltaVigo
- - -
Serie A
14 Feb 16:00
)
Como
)
Fiorentina
- -
SURGERY SUCCESS: DISCOVER MIKEL MERINO’S TIMELINE FOR AN ARSENAL RETURN THIS SEASON
Mikel Merino faces an 8-week race to fitness for Arsenal and the 2026 World Cup after surgery on a rare foot fracture.
Mikel Merino just had surgery on his foot after picking up an injury at the end of Arsenal’s 3-2 loss to Manchester United. There’s a decent chance he’ll return before the season wraps up, but he’s got a tough road ahead if he wants to play any part in what’s shaping up to be a nail-biting title race. Arsenal sit six points ahead of Manchester City right now, holding onto the top spot.
Football.London reports that Merino, who got hurt against United, needed surgery and now faces a real sprint to get fit before the campaign ends. He’s 29, with four goals and three assists to his name this season, but he’s looking at about eight weeks off his feet. He’ll still be able to work out in the gym, and there’s some hope he’ll make it back in time, especially with Arsenal chasing their first Premier League title since 2004.
When asked if Merino might play again this season, Arteta didn’t have a definite answer. “Well, we hope so. I don’t know. Obviously, he needs to go through a procedure, which is never always positive. He’s a big player for us. An athlete who has such versatility and capacity to compete in various positions. Yeah, that’s a big blow.”
Turns out, Merino’s dealing with a fractured foot, and Arteta called the injury “rare”. “Let’s see. It’s a very rare injury, so we have to wait and see once we have the surgery. How does that react daily? Obviously, monitor it throughout the week for the surgery. I know Mikel is going to do absolutely everything that he possibly can to come back as quickly as possible. But, as well, he has to respect the healing process and the fact that, obviously, it’s an injury that is quite rare.”
Merino’s also hoping to get back before the season ends because he wants a spot in Spain’s squad for the 2026 World Cup in the US, Mexico, and Canada.
It’s tough luck for a player who was really hitting his stride. Earlier in the season, he told the club website, “Obviously, football is not only about results. It’s the main thing, but when you can enjoy playing with these teammates, it’s just a joy, and I’m enjoying it every time I’m on the pitch. I think everyone is giving their best and enjoying it as well, and that’s the best mix we can have, so performing and enjoying is the magic recipe, so yeah, very happy.”
Merino came in as a midfielder, but he’s turned into a genuine option up front. Arteta’s clearly impressed with how adaptable he is. “Yes, as a striker, certainly not [something he ever dreamt he could do], but that’s the thing as well that you learn when you sign a player – I knew he could offer much more than what he had, and especially after I met him for the first time because a player that has that amount of curiosity, the way he loves his profession and football, it’s difficult to put limits to that.”
Arsenal are still six points clear at the top, but injuries keep piling up. Along with Merino, they’re also missing Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard. It’s not making this title chase any easier.
JUST IN: MIKEL ARTETA REVEALS HEARTFELT ADVICE RECEIVED FROM LEGEND ARSENE WENGER
Mikel Arteta reveals his biggest managerial mistake at Arsenal and how balancing tactics with emotion put the Gunners 6 points clear.
_1770644719.webp)
When Mikel Arteta first took over at Arsenal, he admits he got a little lost in the tactics. He focused so much on game plans and strategies that he didn’t really connect with his players the way he should have.
Back in 2019, Arteta left his job as Pep Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City to step into his first real management role with the Gunners. Right off the bat, he brought home the FA Cup, but the team still finished eighth in the Premier League two years running.
From there, he basically rebuilt the whole squad. Mesut Ozil, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and a few others moved on. Fast forward, and Arsenal’s now been fighting for the league title four seasons in a row. They’re sitting six points clear at the top right now.
It’s been quite the ride, not just for the club but for Arteta himself. When someone asked him about his biggest mistake as a manager, he didn’t hesitate.
“Where you put the focus sometimes,” he told TNT Sports. “Especially at the beginning, the focus was probably too much on the tactical aspect. That means you may be overloading them with information.
“And then, you realise how important the emotional part is. When a player isn’t doing what you ask, why is that? Is he just not capable, or are you asking for something he’s not comfortable with? Maybe he’s got fears or doubts or just doesn’t understand what you want from him.
“Helping the player with that—that’s the real key. When you really connect and figure out how each guy responds, that’s when things click.”
Arteta also talked about Arsène Wenger’s influence on him. He played five years under Wenger at Arsenal and says the biggest thing he took away was how Wenger handled people.
“He always wanted players to express themselves,” Arteta said. “He was firm about what he wanted, but he gave you freedom on the pitch to make your own decisions.
“That balance—being clear but still letting you play—he did that so well. And he never lost his cool. He was always calm and steady about it.”
MIKEL ARTETA CLAIMS VIKTOR GYOKERES HAS FINALLY HIT "THE HIGHEST LEVEL"
Viktor Gyokeres’ late double pushed Arsenal nine points clear at the top as Mikel Arteta hails the striker’s confidence and form.
Mikel Arteta says Viktor Gyokeres has hit “the highest level” after his two late goals in Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Sunderland.
Martin Zubimendi got Arsenal going with a great opener in the first half at the Emirates. Then, just six minutes after coming off the bench, Gyokeres scored his first. He added another in stoppage time, wrapping up a win that pushes Arsenal nine points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League.
Gyokeres has taken some heat during his first season in north London. Still, after this brace, he’s scored four goals in his last four games and six in his last eight.
Arteta didn’t hold back: “Confidence is the magic word. When you’re confident, when you feel important, when you’re at your best, that’s when you can really play at the top level.
“We’re right behind him, every step of the way, supporting him. He’s delivering now, and he’s in a great place.
“Wearing this shirt comes with a lot of responsibility and huge expectations. You have to live with that.
“On this journey, you’ll have good spells and tough ones too.
“With Viktor, it’s tough to read his emotions—he just looks you right in the eye. He doesn’t show much, whether things are going well or not. He’s always pushing himself, always trying to get better.
“I love his attitude—the way he approaches each day, stays focused on what he needs to do, and really wants to help the team, no matter what role he plays.”
Arsenal are now in a strong spot to win their first league title since 2004, with 39 points still up for grabs in the last 13 games.
Manchester City have to beat Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday just to cut Arsenal’s lead back to six points.
But when someone asked Arteta what this latest victory means for the title chase, he just shrugged it off. “Nothing. We still have so many games to win to get what we want.
“Tonight, I’ll have a nice dinner. Tomorrow, I start thinking about Brentford—because that won’t be easy.
“And while I’m at it, I’ll be watching a huge game between Liverpool and City.”
Sunderland have surprised a lot of people this season, but this was their third loss in four matches.
Their manager, Regis Le Bris, said, “Right after halftime we had chances to get back in it, but we didn’t take them—and when you don’t do that against a team like Arsenal, one of the best in England and Europe, the game slips away.”
Read More News