Arteta calls for bigger squads as Arsenal suffer double injury blow

Arsenal's manager Mikel Arteta, center, Arsenal's Jorginho, right, and Arsenal's Declan Rice react after the Champions League Group B football match between Sevilla and Arsenal at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan stadium in Seville, Spain, Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023. Photo: AP

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Mikel Arteta called on the Premier League to consider increasing squad sizes as the Arsenal boss revealed on Friday that Gabriel Jesus and Thomas Partey could be out of action for several weeks.

Jesus, 26, suffered a suspected hamstring injury in the midweek Champions League win at Sevilla while 30-year-old Partey is absent after sustaining a muscle injury.

"The scan shows that there is a muscle injury (for Jesus) and we might lose him for a few weeks again," Arteta told a press conference.

"With Gabby I cannot give you any timeframe because he always surprises us, but there is something there.

"He felt it in a really awkward action and it's true he's had quite a lot of load in the last few weeks with the national team and then playing those games, which he hasn't done in a long, long time. That's really bad news for us."

Arteta said the club did not yet know the extent of Partey's injury.

"He has more tests today but he picked up that injury in a training session with the last kick of the ball before Sevilla, so very unfortunate," he added.

The Arsenal boss believes expanding squad sizes beyond the current limit of 25 could take the pressure off players.

From next season, every side that qualifies for the Champions League will play at least eight matches, while from 2025 there will be an expanded 32-team Club World Cup.

"If we have more games, more competitiveness and physically the standards are higher -- by playing more minutes -- we have to do that (increase the squad size) or instead of five subs, we have 10," he said on the eve of his team's match against bottom club Sheffield United.

"The five subs is now something normal but it was a big fight to go from three to five. I cannot imagine the game in the conditions we are in today after last year and the World Cup without five subs, it would be so difficult.

"If the calendar extends, for sure we would have to think of not dropping the quality. The only way to do it is players have to have certain availability and you need players to pick."

The unbeaten Gunners, last season's runners-up, are third in the Premier League table after nine matches, two points behind leaders Tottenham.

Xavi hints injured stars could return for Clasico

Barcelona s Polish forward Robert Lewandowski was back in training for the first time since his injury and could feature against Real Madrid. AFP 

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Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez said he could start some key players against Real Madrid on Saturday who have been out injured in recent weeks, if they arrive 100 percent fit.

The Spanish champions have been without forwards Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha, midfielders Pedri and Frenkie de Jong and defenders Jules Kounde and Sergi Roberto in the lead-up to the match.

However all those players took part in training on Friday except for the latter, with Xavi saying he was surprised by their recoveries and determination to play against Real Madrid.

"I was surprised to see them in training too," Xavi told reporters on Friday.

"Players that we had almost ruled out and they want to be there, they all want to play.

"They all feel very good and you'll have to wait until tomorrow for the squad list."

Barcelona's only out-and-out striker Lewandowski has not played since going off injured against Porto in the Champions League on October 4 with an ankle problem.

"Evidently I won't tell you the line-up or give clues, (but he's) feeling very good, he's well," said the coach.

"They all feel good and want to be there -- it's a very important game."

De Jong last played in September before he suffered an ankle sprain, while a hamstring injury has ruled Pedri out since August.

Winger Raphinha has been out with a thigh problem since September, while Kounde suffered a knee sprain against Granada on October 10.

Xavi said he would have no hesitance to start any of the returning players if they are fully fit.

"If they are 100 percent, I'll play them, there's no problem," added the coach.

Barcelona have been forced to lean heavily on youngsters from their La Masia youth academy, with Fermin Lopez, Lamine Yamal and Marc Guiu all scoring important goals.

Xavi had some advice for the younger players who may feature against league leaders Real Madrid.

"Having homegrown players is a boost, it's fantastic to have players from La Masia, they know about the rivalry, they know the importance of the game, it's always fundamental," said Xavi.

"(In the Clasico) there are always more nerves, more tension, controlling those nerves, controlling your character, the tempo of the game, it's hard, because the heart is hot, but (you need) a cold head, I think that's the key to these games.

"There is more emotion and desire than normal, but control is key."

The coach noted Jude Bellingham's impressive impact since arriving at Real Madrid from Borussia Dortmund this summer.

The England international has netted eight goals and is the division's leading scorer.

"Bellingham is very important for Madrid with their change of system, he has freedom, and attacks well from deep," added Xavi.

Newcastle's Sandro Tonali Faces 10-Month Ban for Betting Violations

Newcastle United s Italian midfielder #08 Sandro Tonali (C) reacts at the end of the UEFA Champions League Group F football match between Newcastle United and Borussia Dortmund at St James Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, north east England, on October 25, 2023. Borussia Dortmund wins 1 - 0 against Newcastle United. AFP

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Italian midfielder Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United has been suspended for a period of 10 months by the Italian soccer federation due to his involvement in betting on matches involving teams he was a part of. This suspension means that he will not be able to participate in the remainder of the Premier League season and is ruled out for competing with the Italian national team at the upcoming European Championship in 2024.

The 23-year-old Tonali, who is the second player to face suspension in this ongoing case, agreed to a plea bargain with the federation. This arrangement includes a requirement for Tonali to undergo therapy for a gambling addiction.

Tonali's agent, Giuseppe Riso, has recently acknowledged that his client struggles with a gambling problem. Tonali revealed to prosecutors that he had placed bets on matches involving AC Milan and Brescia when he was playing for these clubs.

The Italian soccer federation's decision to suspend Tonali comes after an investigation by Turin prosecutors revealed the involvement of soccer players in illegal betting activities on various games.

The ban imposed on Tonali also implies that he will miss Euro 2024, scheduled to run from June 14 to July 14. It's worth noting that Italy, the defending champion, has yet to qualify for the tournament.

Sandro Tonali's cooperation with the authorities has led to a significant reduction in his ban, lowering it from the standard three-year minimum for players involved in betting on soccer matches.

Gabriele Gravina, the President of FIGC, the Italian Football Federation, disclosed that Tonali's suspension is for 18 months. However, eight of those months can be commuted by actively participating in treatment for gambling addiction and by making at least 16 public appearances at centers for young soccer players and associations focused on aiding those recovering from addiction.

Gravina emphasized the importance of not solely punishing the players but also helping them recover and rebuild their lives. He believes that providing talks about their experiences, conducted in an honest manner with the right behavior, holds more value than a simple one-month suspension.

In a similar case, Juventus midfielder Nicolò Fagioli received a seven-month ban after agreeing to a plea bargain with the federation, which also mandates therapy for a gambling addiction.

Unlike Fagioli, Tonali admitted to placing bets on Milan games during his time with AC Milan, but it's essential to note that his bets were always for Milan to win, with no implication of match-fixing.

Gravina emphasized that these were straightforward bets with no influence on the match outcomes.

Sandro Tonali, who joined Newcastle from Milan in a significant transfer during the offseason, has signed a five-year contract with the English club.

Despite the gambling case, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe recently expressed the club's long-term commitment to Tonali.

Tonali made one of his last appearances for the season as a substitute in the 65th minute during Wednesday's Champions League match against Borussia Dortmund. However, it's important to mention that the ban must still be extended internationally by UEFA.

Sandro Tonali and Nicolò Zaniolo of Aston Villa were sent back to their respective clubs this month after police notified them of their involvement in the Turin probe during Italy's national team training camp. Zaniolo has stated that he did not place bets on games.

Tonali and Fagioli are among several top-level soccer players who have faced bans for violating gambling rules. Previously, Brentford striker Ivan Toney received an eight-month suspension from the English Football Association in May, admitting to 232 charges of breaching betting rules. In 2017, former Manchester City and Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton was banned for 18 months after confessing to placing 1,260 soccer-related bets over a period exceeding 10 years. This ban was later reduced by nearly five months on appeal.

Haaland Ends Champions League Goal Drought as Manchester City Triumph

Manchester City s Norwegian striker Erling Haaland (C) scores his team s second goal on a penalty shot (Photo : AFP)

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Erling Haaland put an end to his Champions League goal drought with a spectacular second-half brace, guiding Manchester City to a 3-1 victory against Young Boys. This win maintained the defending champions' flawless record in the group stage.

A Long Wait for Haaland's Goal

The Norwegian striker had endured a challenging spell of five games, which amounted to 543 minutes of play in the competition without finding the back of the net. He had also squandered six excellent goal-scoring opportunities in the match against Young Boys. Nonetheless, Haaland finally broke the drought with a successful penalty conversion, followed by a powerful right-footed shot, salvaging Manchester City's fortunes after a tense encounter in Switzerland.

A Tense Encounter and Quick Equalizer

The first half of the match concluded without any goals, despite Manchester City missing several promising scoring chances. It was not until after half-time when Manuel Akanji, making a return to his homeland, opened the scoring for the visitors. However, Young Boys swiftly leveled the playing field as Meschack Elia executed a stunning chip over Ederson on a quick counter-attack.

VAR Drama and Haaland's Heroics

Manchester City thought they had secured the lead through a Julian Alvarez goal, but VAR intervened, ruling it out due to a handball by Jack Grealish in the build-up. Nevertheless, Haaland emerged as the hero of the match by converting a penalty just over 20 minutes before the final whistle, following a foul on Rodri. He then sealed the victory with a high-quality finish in the dying minutes of the game.

What Lies Ahead for Manchester City

This result means that Manchester City now need just one win from their remaining three Champions League matches to secure qualification for the knockout stages. Their focus now shifts to the upcoming Manchester derby against local rivals United, a match set to be broadcast live on Sky Sports with a kick-off time of 3:30 pm.

Pep Guardiola's Response

In response to questions about Haaland's performance, Pep Guardiola, speaking to TNT Sports, offered a sarcastic response: "A lot, a lot. I'm so concerned about that. It's important, all the time, to have chances. People expect him to score four goals every time; people want him to fail. But I'm sorry, he's going to score all his life with the chances and the incredible threat. We missed sometimes the players who have the ability to find the pass and the tempo like Kevin [De Bruyne] and [Ilkay Gundogan], these types of players. But in all the games, he had a lot of chances, so it's about playing as well as possible because he's going to score until the last days he plays football."

Mbappé leads the way as PSG ease to 3-0 win over AC Milan in the Champions League

PSG s players celebrate after Lee Kang-in, scored his side s third goal during the Champions League group F soccer match between PSG and AC Milan (AP Photo)

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France forwards Kylian Mbappé and Randal Kolo Muani both scored as Paris Saint-Germain secured a 3-0 win against a lackluster AC Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday. 

eenage midfielder Warren Zaïre-Emery set up two goals, including PSG's third for South Korea winger Lee Kang-in near the end.

It was Lee's first for the club and a welcome win for PSG after it was routed 4-1 at Newcastle in the previous round, while seven-time champion Milan still has not won or scored in Group F.

PSG leads with six points from three matches and Milan is last. In other group game, Newcastle lost 1-0 at home to Borussia Dortmund.

Mbappé rifled a 32nd-minute shot past France goalkeeper Mike Maignan to give PSG the lead. Maignan was beaten again in the 53rd, when Kolo Muani tapped into an empty net after Maignan saved France winger Ousmane Dembélé's low shot following a short corner.

Milan coach Stefano Pioli picked a starting lineup without a single Italian player in it. According to OPTA statisticians, it was the first time in Milan's history that it had done so for a European game.

Midway through the first half, a spectator ran onto the field and hugged Mbappé, who seemed unfazed. The intruder evaded several security officials before getting escorted off.

Winger Rafael Leao shot just wide from outside the penalty area in the 26th and Mbappé did the same a few minutes later.

His next shot gave Maignan no chance, and the goal came following great work from the 17-year-old Zaïre-Emery.

He showed his strength breaking through midfield before picking out Mbappé, who junked right to put England defender Fikayo Tomori off balance before drilling a low shot into the left corner.

Kolo Muani's goal was much more straightforward as Maignan spilled the ball into his path after parrying Dembélé's snapshot from just inside the area.

Moments earlier, Dembélé thought he had scored his first for the club since joining this summer from Barcelona.

He broke down the right at great speed and arrowed a low shot into the left corner. But the goal was ruled out when a review showed Manuel Ugarte barging American midfielder Yunus Musah off the ball in the buildup.

Maignan expertly tipped Mbappé's curling shot onto the post late on but was well beaten when Lee struck a crisp shot past him in the 89th after swapping passes with Zaïre-Emery.

Liverpool defender Robertson faces shoulder surgery

Liverpool's Andy Robertson is facing surgery on a shoulder injury. Photo: AFP

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Liverpool defender Andy Robertson is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines as he prepares to have surgery on a shoulder injury.

The Scotland captain sustained the problem on international duty and the club have decided an operation is the best solution.

"There is a little bit there, I think the decision is we go towards surgery," said manager Jurgen Klopp.

"There is a little chance we could try without, but talking to pretty much all experts it looks like surgery will be the best thing, especially in the long term definitely, and that means he is out for a while.

"I don't know exactly how long but it is shoulder surgery so not exactly an easy one.

"In my experience you can train pretty quickly again but not football-specific because you have to be careful of challenges and all these kind of things so he will be out for a while."

Liverpool, fourth in the Premier League table, host struggling Everton in the Merseyside derby on Saturday.

UPDATED: Juve star Fagioli hit with seven-month gambling ban

FILE - Juventus' Nicolo Fagioli controls the ball during the Berlusconi trophy football match between Monza and Juventus in Monza, near Milan, Italy, Saturday, July 31, 2021. Photo: AP

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Nicolo Fagioli's season is all but over after the Italian Football Federation banned on Tuesday the Juventus and Italy midfielder for seven months for gambling offences.

In a statement the FIGC said that Fagioli had been given the ban for betting on football matches, an activity which is forbidden for professional footballers, after admitting his guilt and negotiating a plea bargain.

The FIGC said that Fagioli's sentence was officially 12 months but that five of those had been commuted into a "treatment plan" centred on combatting gambling addiction.

Fagioli, 22, has to take part in "at least 10 public meetings to be held within five months, at amateur sports associations and both local football federation and gambling addiction recovery centres" according to a FIGC programme.

The FIGC added that Fagioli's plea bargain would be terminated and that he would be subject to further disciplinary proceedings should he not adhere to that programme.

Fagioli has been a rising star of Italian football since returning to Juve last year following a loan spell at Cremonese, and has played once for his country.

However, he won't be available for Juve, who have already suffered the scandal of France star Paul Pogba failing a doping test, until mid-May by which time there will only be two games left in the season.

Fagioli could have been banned for as long as three years had he not struck a deal with the FIGC's disciplinary authorities and shown that he was taking steps to combat an admitted gambling addiction.

His punishment is the first in a betting scandal which exploded while the Italian national team was preparing for two crucial Euro 2024 qualifiers with Malta and England.

Gambling scandal

The FIGC investigation is running parallel to a criminal probe into the use of illegal gambling platforms allegedly linked to organised crime.

Sandro Tonali and Nicolo Zaniolo were released from the European champions' training camp last week after being questioned by criminal prosecutors for over two hours.

Zaniolo's lawyer Gianluca Tognozzi told the Gazzetta Dello Sport on Sunday that the Aston Villa forward has never gambled on football but that "it's possible he played card games like poker and blackjack on illegal platforms".

If Tognozzi's claim is true Zaniolo will not receive any ban from the FIGC but could be fined following the criminal probe.

On Tuesday Tonali's agent Giuseppe Riso admitted that the Newcastle midfielder had an "illness".

"Sandro is shaken up by the situation, but he has already started to fight back," Riso told Sky Sport.

"He's always been a fighter and now he's taken on his biggest challenge."

There is no indication as yet that any of the trio gambled on their own team's matches nor that they were involved in match fixing.

The news that Tonali and Zaniolo were being investigated was broken last week by disgraced Italian paparazzo Fabrizio Corona, who first claimed months ago that Fagioli had a gambling addiction.

Corona is a gossip specialist, hugely famous in Italy, who has spent time in prison for illegally obtaining photographs and blackmailing football clubs and players with them.

He also named Roma and Poland full-back Nicola Zalewski, who as yet is not being investigated by criminal prosecutors nor by the FIGC's disciplinary authorities.