×
UCL 2025-26: Arteta urges Arsenal to play with ‘pure fire’ against Sporting after damaging defeats  Mikel Arteta has challenged Arsenal to play with “pure fire” as it looks to bounce back from a series of damaging defeats in Wednesday’s Champions League clash against Sporting Lisbon.Arteta’s side can reach the semifinals of the competition for a second successive season if it finishes off Sporting at the Emirates Stadium.The Gunners go into the quarterfinal second leg with a 1-0 lead after last week’s game in Lisbon.But that narrow success was Arsenal’s only victory in its last four matches, with three defeats sparking claims Arteta and his team are choking as the pressure mounts at the business end of the season.“There is no fear. Pure fire. That’s it. Me, the first one. Pure fire. That’s what I want to see on the players, on the people, on myself,” he insisted at his pre-match press conference.READ  |          Rice misses training to add to Arsenal injury concerns ahead of Sporting clash“Fire! I’m on fire. I’m on fire. That’s it. Nothing else. I’m dreaming so much. I’ve done so much to be in this position because I know how this club was. I’ve done so much and this is beauty.”Losing the League Cup final against Manchester City and the FA Cup quarterfinal against second-tier Southampton was bad enough.But a shock 2-1 home defeat against Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday left Arteta facing pointed questions about Arsenal’s character.Arsenal is just six points ahead of second-placed City, which has a game in hand and hosts the Gunners in a seismic showdown on Sunday.The north Londoners have finished Premier League runner-up for the past three seasons — twice blowing substantial leads to City in 2023 and 2024.It has also failed to win a trophy since the 2020 FA Cup, which remains the only silverware won by Arteta in over six years in charge.There is a growing feeling of deja vu among a nervous Arsenal fan-base, but Arteta launched a passionate defence of his squad.“We are in April, we have an incredible opportunity ahead of us. Let’s confront it, let’s go for it by really putting absolutely everything into it,” added the Spaniard.“I want to get it done for all these people that have been in this journey with us. And because they deserve it, because it’s been unbelievable. That’s what is driving me every single day. I have zero fear.”‘Doing something incredible’Arsenal hasn’t lifted the Premier League since 2004 and has never won the Champions League.If it makes the Champions League last four this season, it would be the first time it has reached the semifinals of the competition in two consecutive seasons.Arteta, whose side lost to Paris Saint-Germain in last year’s semifinals, acknowledged the size of the task facing Arsenal as they try to do a Premier League and Champions League double.“What we are trying to achieve is difficult, is challenging, and is bumpy and it’s supposed to be like this,” he said.“I said to the players, ‘Guys, we are trying to do something that hasn’t been done in the history of the club in 140 years. So that tells you the difficulty of what you are doing’.“We have the opportunity tomorrow to go to the semi-finals. We are competing to win the Premier League and we are in a really strong position.“So the team is doing something incredible because it’s never been done before.”Published on Apr 14, 2026  #UCL #Arteta #urges #Arsenal #play #pure #fire #Sporting #damaging #defeats

UCL 2025-26: Arteta urges Arsenal to play with ‘pure fire’ against Sporting after damaging defeats

Mikel Arteta has challenged Arsenal to play with “pure fire” as it looks to bounce back from a series of damaging defeats in Wednesday’s Champions League clash against Sporting Lisbon.

Arteta’s side can reach the semifinals of the competition for a second successive season if it finishes off Sporting at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners go into the quarterfinal second leg with a 1-0 lead after last week’s game in Lisbon.

But that narrow success was Arsenal’s only victory in its last four matches, with three defeats sparking claims Arteta and his team are choking as the pressure mounts at the business end of the season.

“There is no fear. Pure fire. That’s it. Me, the first one. Pure fire. That’s what I want to see on the players, on the people, on myself,” he insisted at his pre-match press conference.

READ | Rice misses training to add to Arsenal injury concerns ahead of Sporting clash

“Fire! I’m on fire. I’m on fire. That’s it. Nothing else. I’m dreaming so much. I’ve done so much to be in this position because I know how this club was. I’ve done so much and this is beauty.”

Losing the League Cup final against Manchester City and the FA Cup quarterfinal against second-tier Southampton was bad enough.

But a shock 2-1 home defeat against Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday left Arteta facing pointed questions about Arsenal’s character.

Arsenal is just six points ahead of second-placed City, which has a game in hand and hosts the Gunners in a seismic showdown on Sunday.

The north Londoners have finished Premier League runner-up for the past three seasons — twice blowing substantial leads to City in 2023 and 2024.

It has also failed to win a trophy since the 2020 FA Cup, which remains the only silverware won by Arteta in over six years in charge.

There is a growing feeling of deja vu among a nervous Arsenal fan-base, but Arteta launched a passionate defence of his squad.

“We are in April, we have an incredible opportunity ahead of us. Let’s confront it, let’s go for it by really putting absolutely everything into it,” added the Spaniard.

“I want to get it done for all these people that have been in this journey with us. And because they deserve it, because it’s been unbelievable. That’s what is driving me every single day. I have zero fear.”

‘Doing something incredible’

Arsenal hasn’t lifted the Premier League since 2004 and has never won the Champions League.

If it makes the Champions League last four this season, it would be the first time it has reached the semifinals of the competition in two consecutive seasons.

Arteta, whose side lost to Paris Saint-Germain in last year’s semifinals, acknowledged the size of the task facing Arsenal as they try to do a Premier League and Champions League double.

“What we are trying to achieve is difficult, is challenging, and is bumpy and it’s supposed to be like this,” he said.

“I said to the players, ‘Guys, we are trying to do something that hasn’t been done in the history of the club in 140 years. So that tells you the difficulty of what you are doing’.

“We have the opportunity tomorrow to go to the semi-finals. We are competing to win the Premier League and we are in a really strong position.

“So the team is doing something incredible because it’s never been done before.”

Published on Apr 14, 2026

#UCL #Arteta #urges #Arsenal #play #pure #fire #Sporting #damaging #defeats

Mikel Arteta has challenged Arsenal to play with “pure fire” as it looks to bounce back from a series of damaging defeats in Wednesday’s Champions League clash against Sporting Lisbon.

Arteta’s side can reach the semifinals of the competition for a second successive season if it finishes off Sporting at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners go into the quarterfinal second leg with a 1-0 lead after last week’s game in Lisbon.

But that narrow success was Arsenal’s only victory in its last four matches, with three defeats sparking claims Arteta and his team are choking as the pressure mounts at the business end of the season.

“There is no fear. Pure fire. That’s it. Me, the first one. Pure fire. That’s what I want to see on the players, on the people, on myself,” he insisted at his pre-match press conference.

READ | Rice misses training to add to Arsenal injury concerns ahead of Sporting clash

“Fire! I’m on fire. I’m on fire. That’s it. Nothing else. I’m dreaming so much. I’ve done so much to be in this position because I know how this club was. I’ve done so much and this is beauty.”

Losing the League Cup final against Manchester City and the FA Cup quarterfinal against second-tier Southampton was bad enough.

But a shock 2-1 home defeat against Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday left Arteta facing pointed questions about Arsenal’s character.

Arsenal is just six points ahead of second-placed City, which has a game in hand and hosts the Gunners in a seismic showdown on Sunday.

The north Londoners have finished Premier League runner-up for the past three seasons — twice blowing substantial leads to City in 2023 and 2024.

It has also failed to win a trophy since the 2020 FA Cup, which remains the only silverware won by Arteta in over six years in charge.

There is a growing feeling of deja vu among a nervous Arsenal fan-base, but Arteta launched a passionate defence of his squad.

“We are in April, we have an incredible opportunity ahead of us. Let’s confront it, let’s go for it by really putting absolutely everything into it,” added the Spaniard.

“I want to get it done for all these people that have been in this journey with us. And because they deserve it, because it’s been unbelievable. That’s what is driving me every single day. I have zero fear.”

‘Doing something incredible’

Arsenal hasn’t lifted the Premier League since 2004 and has never won the Champions League.

If it makes the Champions League last four this season, it would be the first time it has reached the semifinals of the competition in two consecutive seasons.

Arteta, whose side lost to Paris Saint-Germain in last year’s semifinals, acknowledged the size of the task facing Arsenal as they try to do a Premier League and Champions League double.

“What we are trying to achieve is difficult, is challenging, and is bumpy and it’s supposed to be like this,” he said.

“I said to the players, ‘Guys, we are trying to do something that hasn’t been done in the history of the club in 140 years. So that tells you the difficulty of what you are doing’.

“We have the opportunity tomorrow to go to the semi-finals. We are competing to win the Premier League and we are in a really strong position.

“So the team is doing something incredible because it’s never been done before.”

Published on Apr 14, 2026

Source link
#UCL #Arteta #urges #Arsenal #play #pure #fire #Sporting #damaging #defeats

When I arrived to cover the Minnesota Vikings for the St. Paul Pioneer Press in 2000, it was clear I was dealing with a star-studded roster.

The team boasted future Pro Football Hall of Famers; wide receivers Cris Carter and Randy Moss and defensive tackle John Randle. Plus, there were a ton of other stars including quarterback Daunte Culpepper, center Matt Birk and running back Robert Smith. The Vikings were loaded with star power.

The talent around the team wasn’t relegated simply to the roster, however.

That summer I first laid my eyes on a 16-year-old high school junior named Larry Fitzgerald Jr. The son of a local media member and close friend of Vikings’ head coach Dennis Green, Little Fitzy was a ball boy during training camp and on game days. It turns out, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. is very likely the most famous former NFL ball boy in history.

On reporting date, fellow reporter Kevin Seifert pointed out Fitzgerald to me and said “that’s a bad man.” Seifert didn’t say that about any of the actual Vikings that day.

Fitzgerald was already known as the best Minnesota high school prospect in years and he was considered one of the best high school players in the country. Seifert told me the buzz was that the kid was, no doubt, headed to the NFL in a half decade or so. Seifert was on the money. I’m not sure the Hall of Fame was mentioned or not.

But this weekend of course, that’s exactly where Little Fitzy is headed. He will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on Saturday as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

Fitzgerald will be remembered as one of the best and most productive wide receivers in league history after an incredible 17-season career with the Arizona Cardinals.

I have a ton of memories of being around Fitzgerald, but there’s one that stands out among them all.

One day after training camp, a nameless Vikings’ wide receiver camp body was getting extra work on a JUGS machine, catching balls. He was being tutored by Fitzgerald, who was showing this player how to properly approach the incoming ball. This was a child instructing a grown man an NFL team deemed good enough to attend training camp.

Larry Fitzgerald Jr. was special even back then.

In addition to his incredible natural football ability, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. stood out for his politeness and good nature. You could tell he was a good kid from the first time you met him.

There was no I’m-going-to-be-a-star attitude. He was genuine and he worked his tail off with the rest of the ball boys. There was no entitlement. It was as if he was using his time around an NFL camp as an internship for his future. He passed with flying colors.

I’ve always cherished following his career from his days at Pittsburgh in college to his days of dominating the NFL and I’ve enjoyed running into him over the years now and again.

Enjoy Canton, Little Fitzy, you’ve earned it.

#Larry #Fitzgeralds #Hall #Fame #induction #years #making">Larry Fitzgerald’s Hall of Fame induction is 25 years in the making  When I arrived to cover the Minnesota Vikings for the St. Paul Pioneer Press in 2000, it was clear I was dealing with a star-studded roster.The team boasted future Pro Football Hall of Famers; wide receivers Cris Carter and Randy Moss and defensive tackle John Randle. Plus, there were a ton of other stars including quarterback Daunte Culpepper, center Matt Birk and running back Robert Smith. The Vikings were loaded with star power.The talent around the team wasn’t relegated simply to the roster, however.That summer I first laid my eyes on a 16-year-old high school junior named Larry Fitzgerald Jr. The son of a local media member and close friend of Vikings’ head coach Dennis Green, Little Fitzy was a ball boy during training camp and on game days. It turns out, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. is very likely the most famous former NFL ball boy in history.On reporting date, fellow reporter Kevin Seifert pointed out Fitzgerald to me and said “that’s a bad man.” Seifert didn’t say that about any of the actual Vikings that day.Fitzgerald was already known as the best Minnesota high school prospect in years and he was considered one of the best high school players in the country. Seifert told me the buzz was that the kid was, no doubt, headed to the NFL in a half decade or so. Seifert was on the money. I’m not sure the Hall of Fame was mentioned or not.But this weekend of course, that’s exactly where Little Fitzy is headed. He will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on Saturday as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.Fitzgerald will be remembered as one of the best and most productive wide receivers in league history after an incredible 17-season career with the Arizona Cardinals.I have a ton of memories of being around Fitzgerald, but there’s one that stands out among them all.One day after training camp, a nameless Vikings’ wide receiver camp body was getting extra work on a JUGS machine, catching balls. He was being tutored by Fitzgerald, who was showing this player how to properly approach the incoming ball. This was a child instructing a grown man an NFL team deemed good enough to attend training camp.Larry Fitzgerald Jr. was special even back then.In addition to his incredible natural football ability, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. stood out for his politeness and good nature. You could tell he was a good kid from the first time you met him.There was no I’m-going-to-be-a-star attitude. He was genuine and he worked his tail off with the rest of the ball boys. There was no entitlement. It was as if he was using his time around an NFL camp as an internship for his future. He passed with flying colors.I’ve always cherished following his career from his days at Pittsburgh in college to his days of dominating the NFL and I’ve enjoyed running into him over the years now and again.Enjoy Canton, Little Fitzy, you’ve earned it.  #Larry #Fitzgeralds #Hall #Fame #induction #years #making

Follow Sportstar for extensive coverage of the tenth edition of the TNPL, from live scores and match reports to exclusive analysis and features.

TOSS

Tiruppur Tamizhans won the toss and chose to bowl first.

PLAYING XIs

Nellai Royal Kings: Athish SR(w), D Santhosh Kumar, Ajitesh Guruswamy, U Mukilesh, Rithik Easwaran, Sonu Yadav(c), Muhammed Adnan Khan, Ramalingam Rohit, Emmanuel Cherian, NS Harish, Rocky Bhasker

Tiruppur Tamizhans: Tushar Raheja(w), Amit Sathvik, Pradosh Ranjan Paul, Mohamed Ali, Uthirasamy Sasidev, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore(c), M Mathivannan, S Mohan Prasath, R Silambarasan, Esakkimuthu A, T Natarajan

Published on Aug 09, 2026

#TNPL #Live #Allround #batting #display #propels #Nellai #Royal #Kings">TNPL 2026 Live: All-round batting display propels Nellai Royal Kings to 206/8  Follow Sportstar for extensive coverage of the tenth edition of the TNPL, from live scores and match reports to exclusive analysis and features.TOSSTiruppur Tamizhans won the toss and chose to bowl first.PLAYING XIsNellai Royal Kings: Athish SR(w), D Santhosh Kumar, Ajitesh Guruswamy, U Mukilesh, Rithik Easwaran, Sonu Yadav(c), Muhammed Adnan Khan, Ramalingam Rohit, Emmanuel Cherian, NS Harish, Rocky BhaskerTiruppur Tamizhans: Tushar Raheja(w), Amit Sathvik, Pradosh Ranjan Paul, Mohamed Ali, Uthirasamy Sasidev, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore(c), M Mathivannan, S Mohan Prasath, R Silambarasan, Esakkimuthu A, T NatarajanPublished on Aug 09, 2026  #TNPL #Live #Allround #batting #display #propels #Nellai #Royal #Kings

Post Comment