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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta heaped praise on his players after the club's thumping 4-1 win over Newcastle United.

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Arteta in awe of Arsenal playersArsenal thrashed Newcastle 4-1Praised the team's off-the-ball movementsWHAT HAPPENED?

The Gunners' convincing performance against the Magpies left Arteta in awe of his players as he wholeheartedly praised the team for their dominance against a formidable opponent. The manager also claimed that he was left impressed by his team's off-the-ball movements which were lacking in their defeat against FC Porto in the Champions League earlier in the week.

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Speaking to BBC Match of the Day after the game, Arteta said, "I'm really happy with the performance against a Newcastle team who are really really good. The boys were really good, really aggressive and we deserved to win the game. They [Newcastle] have a lot of resources to create issues but we continued in the same way, we maintained our rhythm and it was a joy to watch the team play.

"We are really happy, we have to continue to do the things that we are doing well. There are still things that we can do better and we are bringing big players back from injury so that is a big boost. Against Porto, we were ourselves with the ball but not without the ball. It was a big lesson and you learn a lot from those moments."

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Sven Botman's own goal handed the north London club the lead in the 18th minute before Kai Havertz doubled his team's lead in the first half. Bukayo Saka and Jakub Kiwior then scored a goal each in the 65th and 69th minute to seal the crucial three points. Joe Willock then netted a consolation goal for Eddie Howe's side in the 84th minute.

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The Gunners are set to face Sheffield United and Brentford in their next two Premier League matches before they take on FC Porto in the second leg of their Champions League round of 16 fixture on March 12.

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Tottenham Hotspur again fell at the penultimate hurdle on Thursday, as they were beaten on penalties by Chelsea in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final, as per the BBC.

It marks their third semi-final defeat in cup competitions in a row.

Spurs headed into the game with a 1-0 aggregate lead thanks to Harry Kane’s penalty at Wembley in the first leg.

But the striker was absent for the deciding tie through injury, along with the likes of Dele Alli and Victor Wanyama. Son Heung-Min, so electric on the wing this season, was also away at the Asian Cup with South Korea.

With a squad stretched to its very limit, Spurs almost capitulated, with Chelsea taking a 2-0 lead at Stamford Bridge through N’Golo Kante and Eden Hazard.

CheekySport’s Joel claims Spurs badly need to invest in January after not having “the balls” to beat Arsenal. Check out his uncensored opinion in the video below…

Fernando Llorente, Kane’s replacement, pulled a goal back for Spurs and levelled the tie on aggregate but Mauricio Pochettino’s men were unable to find a killer second goal.

Eric Dier, the shootout hero at the World Cup when England beat Colombia, scooped his effort over the bar, while Lucas Moura’s kick was saved by Kepa Arrizabalaga. David Luiz then notched the winner to send the Stamford Bridge crowd into raptures.

Spurs fans were subsequently left to fume on social media as, yet again, a thin squad proved their undoing, with many calling on Spurs chairman Daniel Levy to step down after failing to buy a player in the last two transfer windows.

Olivier Giroud has hinted at retiring from international football after Euro 2024 as he labels it the "missing" trophy in his collection.

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Giroud keen to win Euro 2024Desperate to add missing trophy to his cabinetWas cautious in his assessment after Euro 2024 drawWHAT HAPPENED?

The forward was keeping a close eye on the Euro 2024 draw, which unfolded in Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie on Saturday, and saw France being drawn into Group D alongside Austria, the Netherlands, and the playoff winner A (among Poland, Wales, Finland and Estonia). It is one of the tournaments that Giroud is yet to win in his illustrious career and the 37-year-old vowed to keep no stone unturned to finish on the podium on July 14 in Berlin. It could potentially be a milestone match for the former Arsenal hitman as the forward revealed that he is contemplating hanging up his boots after the continental event.

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Speaking to , Giroud said: "I am missing this Euro. If we win it, I will bow out. That might also be the case if we don't make it to the end. I'm enjoying every moment. I said to some guys that if we won the 2022 World Cup, I was withdrawing. But I am hungry for titles with my country. I have a lot of hopes and ambitions. If it goes well, it is possible that it could be a possibility."

GettyWHAT GIROUD SAID ABOUT THE DRAW

Giroud was content with the draw results as he feels they have been placed in a relatively easier group than in 2021, where they had to take on Germany, Portugal, and Hungary in the round-robin stage.

"We know the Netherlands very well, it has always been contested against them. We will wait for the barrage because on paper, Wales and Poland are perhaps more armed. It is perhaps a draw more lenient than the last Euro," he said. "Austria has good young people. There are guys who play in big clubs. We have to move into this group but it won't be easy and it will make for good matches."

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Giroud made his debut for France against the USA in November 2011 and has netted 56 times for Les Bleus, which makes him the all-time leading goalscorer for his national team. he has been in prolific form in this campaign as he boasts of having seven goals in 11 matches for AC Milan in Serie A. He will be back in action against Atalanta on December 9 after missing the fixture against Frosinone due to suspension.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is giving Jurgen Klopp “a decision” to make, with the Liverpool defender back in training following a hamstring injury.

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Picked up knock against VillaHas sat out four gamesInjury setback for BajceticWHAT HAPPENED?

The home-grown Reds star picked up a muscle complaint during a 3-0 victory over Aston Villa on September 3. He has not played since, sitting out four games in all competitions, but is now back in full training ahead of a Premier League trip to Tottenham on Saturday.

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Klopp is not ruling Alexander-Arnold into his plans just yet, but the 24-year-old is in contention for game time. The Reds boss has said when delivering an update on his buccaneering right-back: “Trent trained yesterday normal. Will train today normal. So then we have to make a decision. But will be in the squad, I’m not a doctor so cannot make that decision, but it looks like he can be in the squad tomorrow and play.”

WHAT THEY SAID

While Alexander-Arnold is ready to return, Stefan Bajcetic has suffered a setback in his recovery from an adductor problem and experienced midfielder Thiago Alcantara – who has not played since April – is working his way back from hip surgery. Klopp added: “Stefan had a little, little, little, little setback. The problem with Stefan, I can imagine everybody wants to see him play more. I want (too) but we have to be really careful. Now, it’s a little, little, little, tiny calf issue. That’s how it is when you’re six months out and we try everything to get him up to speed without pushing him. Train, make a very specific plan for him, but in the end it’s disappointing for him, of course and for us as well. He got another one so we have to take him out for a little bit. He can work on pretty much everything else but not playing. That’s it I would say. Thiago still out, Conor [Bradley] still out. I think that’s it.”

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Liverpool remain unbeaten in the 2023-24 campaign, with 16 points collected from six games in the Premier League while also reaching the fourth round of the Carabao Cup and opening their quest for Europa League glory with a victory away at LASK.

USMNT boss Gregg Berhalter believes Sergino Dest's red card against Trinidad and Tobago was a "great moment for the team" as they can learn from it.

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Dest sent off against Trinidad & TobagoBerhalter says US can learn from incidentBarcelona man to miss Jamaica clashGetty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?

The Barcelona man was sent off in the 39th minute of the US' 2-1 loss to Trinidad and Tobago in the CONCACAF Nations League in November, with the full-back picking up two bookings in the space of 20 seconds. At the time, head coach Berhalter described the 23-year-old's actions as a "dumb mistake" but now he appears to have changed his tune.

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When asked if he had spoken with Dest about the incident, he replied: “Yep. To me, it’s a great moment for the team. It’s a great learning experience for the group, it’s a great moment for us to grow as a team.

“It’s not only his reaction that I think we need to talk about, but I think it’s everybody’s reaction. What do we do when things like this happen? How do we avoid getting derailed as the collective?

“For him [it’s about] how this moment can put the team in a difficult position. I think that’s a great learning experience for all of us as we go into Copa América, [CONCACAF] Nations League, and the World Cup.”

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While Dest, who is suspended for his country's semi-final Nations League clash against Jamaica on March 21, was criticised at the time for his costly actions, Berhalter clearly values his talents and it seems he still has a future with the national team.

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WHAT NEXT?

If the USMNT win their semi-final match with Jamaica, they will either take on Panama or Mexico in the final of a tournament (March 24) they have won for the past two years. This may give them a boost ahead of the 2024 Copa America, which features 16 teams from the Americas such as Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and more, this summer.

Jurrien Timber took a huge step towards making his return for Arsenal as the defender took part in training with his team-mates on Wednesday.

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Timber out since first game of seasonDefender needed surgery on ACL injuryBack in training with fellow GunnersWHAT HAPPENED?

The Dutch defender has been out with an anterior cruciate ligament injury that he suffered at the end of the first half of his Premier League debut. He required surgery on the issue but his rehabilitation appears to be nearing its end as the Gunners confirmed he is back working alongside his co-stars.

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Despite being back in training, the 22-year-old is not yet back in full group sessions with Arsenal, reports. Although he has been involved in some group drills, he is still mainly doing individual work before he can be completely reintegrated to normal training.

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As well as Timber, Arsenal are also waiting on good news regarding the rehabilitation of fellow injured stars Takehiro Tomiyasu, Thomas Partey and Oleksandr Zinchenko, having already seen Gabriel Jesus and Fabio Vieira return recently.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR TIMBER?

Arsenal's next match is at Bramall Lane against Sheffield United in the Premier League on March 4. That game will likely come too soon for Timber to feature, but Mikel Arteta will hope to have the defender back in the fold soon.

Zinedine Zidane has revealed that he is "a big fan" of Real Madrid sensation Jude Bellingham, as he hailed the Englishman's "incredible" performances.

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Zidane revealed himself to be a fan of Bellingham English midfielder shares Zidane's famous No.5 jersey Has scored 20 goals already this season with Los Blancos Getty/GOALWHAT HAPPENED?

When Bellingham moved to the Spanish capital in the summer, he decided to wear the No.5 jersey at Real Madrid, an iconic shirt previously worn by Zidane himself. While many scoffed at the daring of a 20-year-old, his performances on the pitch have silenced his critics and now the former midfield maestro himself has lavished praise on the youngster.

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During a chat with , Zidane said: "He’s an unbelievable player who does incredible things. You could have imagined what he was going to do, but he’s surpassed all the statistics with what he’s doing.

"Don’t forget that he’s only 20 years old. He arrived at Real Madrid with a lot of desire, a lot of goals and he is setting the bar very high. He’s just showing everyone what he is and it’s great to see him like that. I’m a big fan of his and now we want him to win trophies with Real Madrid. It’s everything he wanted for himself.”

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Bellingham has become the poster boy of Adidas and has featured in several commercials promoting the new line of Adidas predator boots, which was once worn by Zidane. He first wore those boots against Napoli in the Champions League and also scored the second goal for his team in a 4-2 win over the reigning Serie A champions.

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WHAT NEXT?

Bellingham has 20 goals and eight assists to his name in his maiden campaign at the Santiago Bernabeu. He leads the goal-scoring charts in La Liga and has already surpassed Zidane's tally of most strikes in a season for the club with a brace against Barcelona earlier in October.

Jude Bellingham gave Real Madrid a scare when picking up a shoulder injury, but he is expected to be fit for Champions League duty against Braga.

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Midfielder has been starring for the BlancosPicked up a knock in last La Liga outingIn contention to face Braga in European competitionWHAT HAPPENED?

The Blancos are set to face Portuguese opposition at Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday. Having already taken maximum points from their opening three games in Group C, the Liga giants have plenty of margin for error in their bid to reach the knockout stages.

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No risks need to be taken on Bellingham’s fitness, with the England international having become a talismanic presence in the Spanish capital. He has already hit 13 goals through 14 appearances in all competitions and is expected to land the prestigious Golden Boy award for 2023.

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Carlo Ancelotti may decide to rest the talented 20-year-old against Braga, with there bigger challenges to come for Real, but the all-action midfielder appears to be in contention for a starting berth. Real released images from their final training session on Tuesday, with Bellingham among those being put through their paces.

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WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Ancelotti did his best to play down concerns regarding Bellingham’s fitness after seeing him left sporting heavy strapping on his shoulder during a domestic meeting with Rayo Vallencano on Sunday. The England ace will be desperate to figure in midweek European action, with it now up to his manager to decide how many minutes he can play.

Rising United States star Rokas Pukstas has decided to sign a new contract at Hajduk Split despite interest from other teams in Europe.

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Pukstas agrees new deal with HajdukMidfielder will sign until 2027Impressing in Croatian top flightWHAT HAPPENED?

The midfielder has agreed to extend his stay at the Croatian club. According to, he will sign an extension that keeps him tied to Hajduk until 2027. Pukstas' current deal runs until 2025 but he will put pen to paper on a new contract soon.

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Pukstas' impressive performances for Hajduk and the United States youth teams have reportedly caught the attention of several teams across the continent. The 19-year-old has already scored three goals in seven league games for Hajduk this season, despite having to overcome a cruciate ligament injury.

DID YOU KNOW?

Pukstas joined Hajduk from the Barca Academy in his homeland in 2020 and rose through the youth system to make his first-team breakthrough in 2022. He has made 12 appearance for the USA Under-20s, including in the U20 World Cup this year where they reached the quarter-finals.

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR PUKSTAS?

Pukstas will hope to maintain his strong form for Hajduk to boost his chances of playing a key role for the national team at the Olympic Games in Paris next year. He will also have his eye on making the cut for the 2026 World Cup with the USMNT.

The 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia could be held in the winter, following the example set by Qatar last year.

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Saudi to be named 2034 hostsCompetition could be played in winterSummer tournament still an optionWHAT HAPPENED?

FIFA is set to announce the Middle East nation as the host for the tournament in 2034 after Australia withdrew from the bidding process before the deadline.

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Temperatures can reach 50C in Saudi Arabia in the summer, causing concerns about the safety of fans and players and raising the prospect of it being held later in the year. The 2022 edition of the tournament was the first to be moved to the winter, a controversial decision as it came in the middle of the European football season and therefore necessitated a winter break.

However, Saudi Arabian Football Federation president Yasser al-Misehal says that technology could be used to make stadiums cooler during the summer, but the prospect of holding the competition in the winter has not been ruled out.

WHAT THEY SAID

"Of course, we are ready for all possibilities," he said at the Asian Football Confederation awards in Doha. "Today there are many new technologies that help you with cooling or adding air conditioners in stadiums, in addition to the fact that there are many cities in the kingdom that enjoy a very wonderful atmosphere in the summer."

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(C)Getty ImagesWHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

FIFA will soon confirm Saudi Arabia as the 2034 World Cup hosts.