Arteta Buries Hatchet with Hurzeler ahead of Brighton Clash

Soccer Football - Premier League - Sunderland v Arsenal - Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Britain - September 12, 2026 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta applauds fans after the match REUTERS/Scott Heppell
Soccer Football - Premier League - Sunderland v Arsenal - Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Britain - September 12, 2026 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta applauds fans after the match REUTERS/Scott Heppell
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Arteta Buries Hatchet with Hurzeler ahead of Brighton Clash

Soccer Football - Premier League - Sunderland v Arsenal - Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Britain - September 12, 2026 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta applauds fans after the match REUTERS/Scott Heppell
Soccer Football - Premier League - Sunderland v Arsenal - Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Britain - September 12, 2026 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta applauds fans after the match REUTERS/Scott Heppell

Mikel Arteta has made peace with Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler following their row last season as the pair go head to head again on Saturday.

Hurzeler criticized Arteta's style of play during a 1-0 defeat against the Gunners at the Amex Stadium in March.

The German said "only one team tried to play football" and accused the Arsenal of "making their own rules".

With the champions heading back to Brighton in the top flight this weekend, the spotlight will be fixed on the touchline to see if the spat lingers.

Hurzeler refused to back down this week when quizzed on his comments from last season.
"I think it's very important that in football there are opinions," he said.

"I will definitely always share my opinion if I am asked. But, in the end, I congratulate Arsenal for being deserved champions. They deserved it."

Speaking on Friday, Arteta insisted there was no bad blood over Hurzeler's blast.

"That's all done. That's all in the past," the Arsenal manager told reporters.

"I have huge respect for Fabian, and what he's done and what Brighton has done as a club.

"It's just remarkable, and tomorrow is going to be a beautiful game to watch, I'm sure."

Arsenal have made a flying start to their Premier League title defense, with four successive victories taking them to the top of the table.

The north Londoners also won their opening Champions League match against Napoli and booked their place in the League Cup fourth round on Tuesday with a win at Ipswich.

Teenage playmaker Max Dowman starred against Ipswich in his first appearance this season, scoring twice to underline why is regarded as one of the brightest young talents in the Premier League.

The 16-year-old has made his case for a bigger role in Arteta's plans after being an unused substitute in the opening weeks.

But asked if the teenager has been knocking on his door to play, Arteta said: "The best way to knock on the door is to do it on the pitch, not in the office.

"Then you just leave out the arguments. When a player delivers constantly on the pitch, every single day in training, that's the best way, that's the best signal for the manager."

Including the Community Shield against Manchester City, Arsenal have won seven consecutive matches.

Another victory on the south coast would equal the club's 123-year record for their best start to a campaign.

"We know how complicated it is to win a football match at this level. So, to win seven, it tells a story," AFP quoted Arteta as saying.

"After the World Cup, there were a lot of unknowns about how the players and the team were going to react. We didn't have any time with them to work together.

"But I said from day one, the attitude and what I was seeing, I was really impressed with. Then you have to put it down to performances."

Arteta is yet to sign an contract extension, with talks ongoing for several months, but the Spaniard is relaxed over the situation.

"I think we are all very much aligned, whenever the time is right we'll get that done. There is nothing to be concerned about," he said.



Multinational Maritime Defense Coalition: From Foundational Phase to Active Deployment

The Multinational Maritime Defense Coalition gathered on Thursday representatives from 41 allied and partner nations. SPA
The Multinational Maritime Defense Coalition gathered on Thursday representatives from 41 allied and partner nations. SPA
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Multinational Maritime Defense Coalition: From Foundational Phase to Active Deployment

The Multinational Maritime Defense Coalition gathered on Thursday representatives from 41 allied and partner nations. SPA
The Multinational Maritime Defense Coalition gathered on Thursday representatives from 41 allied and partner nations. SPA

The Multinational Maritime Defense Coalition held its fourth planning meeting on Thursday at the Western Fleet Command in Jeddah, gathering 154 naval commanders, operational planners, ambassadors, and European Union representatives from 41 allied and partner nations.

The conference marked the coalition's transition from its foundational phase to active deployment after achieving Initial Operational Capability (IOC).

Delegations focused on integrating defense assets, defining operational requirements, and preparing forces for joint missions within the designated area of responsibility.

Discussions covered operational milestones, charter accessions, and capability pledges from member states, with 28 liaison officers currently assigned to coordinate multinational efforts under a unified command structure.

The coalition reaffirmed that safeguarding international navigation, maritime corridors, and strategic straits represents a shared global priority, emphasizing integrated capabilities, real-time intelligence sharing, and adherence to international maritime law to counter emerging threats.


Saudi Arabia Condemns Terrorist Attack on Pakistan Mosque

People stand near an ambulance and a damaged section of a police facility following a suicide attack in Kohat, Pakistan, September 18, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer
People stand near an ambulance and a damaged section of a police facility following a suicide attack in Kohat, Pakistan, September 18, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer
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Saudi Arabia Condemns Terrorist Attack on Pakistan Mosque

People stand near an ambulance and a damaged section of a police facility following a suicide attack in Kohat, Pakistan, September 18, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer
People stand near an ambulance and a damaged section of a police facility following a suicide attack in Kohat, Pakistan, September 18, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday expressed the Kingdom's strong condemnation and denunciation of the deadly terrorist attack that targeted a mosque in northwestern Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

The ministry reaffirmed the Kingdom's steadfast stance rejecting the targeting of places of worship, the terrorization of civilians, and the shedding of innocent blood.

It underscored full solidarity with Pakistan against all forms of violence, extremism, and terrorism, regardless of motives or justifications.

The Kingdom extended its sincere condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims and to the government and people of Pakistan, wishing the injured a speedy recovery.


EU, Tunisia, Uzbekistan and Oman Condemn Houthi Attacks on Saudi Arabia

General view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
General view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
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EU, Tunisia, Uzbekistan and Oman Condemn Houthi Attacks on Saudi Arabia

General view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
General view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)

The European Union, Tunisia, Uzbekistan and Oman condemned recent Houthi militia attacks targeting Saudi Arabia, reaffirming their support for the Kingdom’s security and calling for an end to actions that threaten regional stability.

The European Union strongly condemned the attacks targeting the Kingdom, including the recent hostility that targeted Makkah, reaffirming its full solidarity with the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported Friday.

“The targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure is unacceptable,” the spokesperson of the European Union said in a statement. He warned that Houthi attacks undermine efforts to achieve a non-military solution to the conflict in Yemen and further increase threats to regional security.

The EU called on the Houthi militias to halt all military actions, reiterating its commitment to supporting the Yemeni people and government and working with the United Nations, regional partners, and the international community to reduce escalation and achieve a comprehensive and lasting peace in Yemen.

Tunisia, Uzbekistan and Oman also condemned the attacks considering them a threat to the Kingdom’s security and stability and a flagrant violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

They expressed full solidarity with Saudi Arabia, affirming support for all efforts to safeguard its security and stability and ensure the freedom and safety of maritime navigation.