Author: WTX Sports Team

Former Arsenal fan favourite emerges as frontrunner to replace Edu as sporting director | Football Tomas Rosicky has established himself as the frontrunner to take over the reins as Arsenal’s sporting director. Arsenal confirmed that Edu had vacated the position with immediate effect in November and it subsequently emerged that the 46-year-old had agreed to take on a role with Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis. Edu – a two-time Premier League winner and ‘Invincible’ with Arsenal during his playing days – initially rejoined the Gunners as the club’s technical director in 2019, before switching to sporting director in late 2022.…

  Ian Wright issues transfer plea to Arsenal and makes huge Alexander Isak claim Ian Wright believes Mikel Arteta has been forced to rely too heavily on the creativity of Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka and Arsenal must look to strengthen in the January transfer window. Odegaard was sidelined for two months with an ankle ligament problem at the start of the season and it’s no coincidence that Arsenal’s revival in form over the winter period has coincided with their captain’s return to full fitness. But just as Arsenal appeared to be building up a head of steam, an injury…

Lee Dixon slams Arsenal star after Anthony Gordon doubles Newcastle’s lead Lee Dixon singled out Jurrien Timber for criticism after Anthony Gordon doubled Newcastle’s lead in a 2-0 win over Arsenal, criticising the full-back for being ‘too slow’ to the rebound. Alexander Isak took his tally to 14 in all competitions with an emphatic 37th-minute strike from close range to break the deadlock in this evening’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg. The Magpies increased the deficit just six minutes into the second half after David Raya kept out Isak’s initial effort, only for Gordon to ghost in at the back…

‘I don’t even want to talk about that’ – Mikel Arteta shuts down question after Arsenal’s defeat to Newcastle | Football Mikel Arteta knocked back the suggestion that Arsenal’s players could be struggling with fatigue after the side’s 2-0 defeat to Newcastle, saying he ‘didn’t even want to talk about that’ as a potential excuse. Alexander Isak got Newcastle off to a perfect start in the 37th minute of tonight’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg, hammering the ball into the roof of the net after Martin Dubravka’s looping free-kick wreaked havoc inside the Arsenal box. Just six minutes into the…

Newcastle star labelled ‘best in Europe’ after performance in win over Arsenal | Football Alexander Isak was declared ‘the best in Europe’ by teammate Anthony Gordon after his performance in Newcastle’s 2-0 win over Arsenal. Isak continued his fine run of goalscoring form when he fired past David Raya to give Eddie Howe’s side the lead in the first half. And Gordon added the Magpies’ second after the break to secure a huge result for Newcastle, putting them firmly in control of the two-legged Carabao Cup tie. While Mikel Arteta’s side squandered a host of good opportunities in front of…

  Mikel Arteta makes embarrassing excuse for Arsenal failing to score vs Newcastle | Football Mikel Arteta dug deep into his books of excuses after his goal-shy Arsenal side slumped to a 2-0 defeat in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Newcastle. After Saturday’s costly draw at Brighton, where the Gunners failed to create a chance of note in the half an hour that remained after the hosts equalised, Arsenal were at least boosted by the return of Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli to the starting line-up against the Magpies. Both players missed glorious opportunities to score,…

Ronnie O’Sullivan faces old foes in eye-catching Championship League group Ronnie O’Sullivan, Mark Selby and Kyren Wilson join the Championship League Snooker Invitational fray on Wednesday for Group Three of the event. There have been two groups of the event already, with Hossein Vafaei coming through the first and Si Jiahui winning the second on Tuesday night. The four players surviving from Group Two are Jak Jones, Ali Carter, Chris Wakelin and Rob Milkins, who join the heavyweight trio in the third group, played over Wednesday and Thursday in Leicester. While it is an extremely low-key event on the calendar,…

Crystal Palace have dropped their asking price for Marc Guehi but knocked back Chelsea’s opening bid for the England defender, according to reports. Chelsea have expressed interest in signing Guehi, who they sold in 2021, as Enzo Maresca looks to bolster his defensive options at Stamford Bridge. Maresca is having to cope without injured defenders Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashille, with the absences likely contributing to Chelsea’s wobble over the festive period. The Blues emerged as genuine title contenders in the Premier League earlier in the season but picked up just two points in four games over Christmas to slip…

Ange Postecoglou faces another demoralising defeat when Tottenham entertain Liverpool in their Carabao Cup semi-final, first leg. Spurs have just taken one point from their last four Premier League games which includes a hefty 6-3 defeat on home soil by the table-toppers from Anfield. The pressure is on Big Ange to get results to move the fallen giants up the league ladder as they currently languish in 12th , but his job appears to be secure for the time being as Tottenham are still involved in the chase for Europa League silverware and Sunday’s FA Cup trip to non-league Tamworth…

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang knows the missing ingredient Arsenal must find if they are to end their wait for the Premier League title this season. The Gunners have endured a difficult first half of the campaign, characterised by injuries and refereeing controversies. Despite a seemingly never-ending stream of issues, Arsenal remain in contention to win four trophies and can take a step closer to Wembley this evening when they host Newcastle in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi final. While progress has undoubtedly been made under Arteta, who recently celebrated five years in charge, sileverware has continued to be elusive.…

Eating before exercise just got a lot more desirable.

West Ham next permanent manager odds, including ex-Chelsea and Man Utd bosses | Football West Ham are reportedly on the cusp of parting ways with Julen Lopetegui after an immensely disappointing start to the season for the club. Lopetegui, 58, put pen to paper on a two-year deal in the summer, taking over the reins from David Moyes’ second spell in the hot seat at the London Stadium. But wins have been few and far between for Lopetegui’s misfiring Hammers and reports this evening claimed the east London outfit had decided to bring the Spaniard’s brief reign to an end.…

Manchester United have added Lecce youngster Patrick Dorgu to their shortlist of targets at left wing-back. This month marks Ruben Amorim’s first transfer window in charge of United and the Portuguese is hoping to receive significant financial backing in the market, with the club languishing down in 13th place in the Premier League. A number of high-profile players have been linked with moves away from the Theatre of Dreams, including Marcus Rashford, Casemiro and Joshua Zirkzee, though Amorim made it clear he wished to keep hold of the Dutch forward after United’s draw at Liverpool. Meanwhile, INEOS have exploring potential…

Jamie Carragher has hit back with a typically quick-witted response after Mohamed Salah called him ‘obsessed’ for repeatedly discussing his delicate contract situation at Liverpool. Salah’s future has been the subject of intense speculation in recent months, with the 32-year-old forward set to leave on a free transfer in the summer and hinting more than once that this year will be his last on Merseyside. It’s a similar scenario for both Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold and the latter faced heavy criticism from Carragher in the aftermath of his nightmare showing against Manchester United at the weekend. Twenty four…

Gary Lineker has backed Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson to become ‘top-class’ despite admitting he has a glaring weakness. Jackson enjoyed a promising first-half to the 2024-25 campaign, scoring nine goals to help Chelsea emerge as surprise title contenders in the Premier League. Chelsea spent £32m to sign Jackson from Villarreal in the summer of 2023 but he endured a mixed first season at Stamford Bridge, contributing 17 goals in all competitions but also attracting criticism for some wayward finishing. Jackson, 23, appeared to take his game to another level at the start of this season but went four games without…

Wayne Rooney has been told he would be ‘absolutely brilliant’ in a coaching role at Manchester United just days after he left Championship side Plymouth Argyle. It was announced on New Year’s Eve that ex-England striker Rooney had left Plymouth by mutual agreement. Rooney, 38, won just four of his 23 league games in charge of the Pilgrims and left with Plymouth sitting bottom of the Championship. Former Manchester United captain Rooney spent a similarly disappointing spell in charge of Birmingham City before his stint at Plymouth. At the start of his coaching career, Rooney managed Derby County as well…

Liverpool 2 Manchester United 2: Trent needs to get real The back page of the Mirror reports on pundit Roy Keane’s comments over Trent Alexander Arnold’s performance in last night’s Premier League match.

Liverpool 2 Man Utd 2: You lot make me Amad! The back page of The Sun reports Man Utd boss Ruben Amorim has called for his players to show the same level of guts every week. Luke Littler also makes the back page.

Audacious Littler captured my heart The back page of The Times reports on 17-year-old Brit Luke Littler – who won the World Darts Championship over the weekend.

Salon de la Fama Spanish newspaper Superdeporte reports “with a goal from Martí, Valencia CF wins a valuable Teika Derbi against Levante UD that crashes against the marvelous performance of international goalkeeper Enith Salón.”

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes admitted Manuel Ugarte had ‘surprised’ him with his ‘quality on the ball’ after the side’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool. Ugarte produced arguably his finest performance yet in a United shirt as Ruben Amorim’s side came away from Sunday’s Premier League thriller on Merseyside with a valuable point. The visitors carved out a golden opportunity to seal an unlikely victory deep into stoppage time, only for Harry Maguire to balloon his effort over the crossbar from ten yards out. After a goalless first half, Lisandro Martinez sent United’s away support into raptures with an emphatic strike…

Paul Scholes believes Joshua Zirkzee made the ‘wrong decision’ passing to Harry Maguire in the dying moments of Manchester United’s 2-2 draw at Liverpool, denying himself of a Diego Forlan-esque winner. After a difficult start with United, Forlan made himself an overnight hero with a pair of second-half goals at Anfield, which consigned Liverpool to their first home loss in almost a year midway through the 2002/03 season. Zirkzee’s struggles in the early stages of his Old Trafford career have often been compared to those experienced by Forlan, with the Dutchman managing just three league goals since his summer arrival…

Arne Slot rejected the chance to sign Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte after taking over at Liverpool, according to reports. Ugarte was offered to a number of clubs, including United and Liverpool, after falling out of favour at Paris Saint-Germain. PSG spent more than £50m to sign Ugarte from Ruben Amorim’s Sporting Lisbon in 2023 but agreed to sell him at a loss just a year later. Ugarte has endured an underwhelming first six months at Old Trafford, starting just nine of Manchester United’s 21 league games due to problems with form and fitness. Earlier in the season Liverpool legends…

Former Premier League striker Michael Owen Michael Owen believes Newcastle United striker and Arsenal transfer target Alexander Isak would ‘walk into every team in the Premier League’. Isak is enjoying a superb season at St James’ Park, scoring 13 goals in 18 league games to help Newcastle climb to fifth in the English top-flight. The 25-year-old Sweden international was also prolific in front of goal last season, scoring 25 goals in all competitions to attract interest from a number of top clubs. Arsenal have long been linked with a move for Isak as Mikel Arteta considers bringing a new frontman…

Jamie Carragher fears there is ‘one thing’ that could stop Liverpool from winning the Premier League title. The Reds have opened up a healthy seven-point lead at the top of the table as they look to clinch their 20th league title and first since 2020. Liverpool saw title-chasing Arsenal drop points at Brighton on Saturday but failed to fully capitalise on the result as they too were held to a draw by struggling Manchester United. Arne Slot’s side looked set to pull even further clear in the title race after recovering from Lisandro Martinez’s superb opener to lead 2-1 at…