Odegaard: Arsenal Must 'Stick Together' in PSG Showdown

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard. Glyn KIRK / AFP
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard. Glyn KIRK / AFP
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Odegaard: Arsenal Must 'Stick Together' in PSG Showdown

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard. Glyn KIRK / AFP
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard. Glyn KIRK / AFP

Martin Odegaard has urged Arsenal to "stick together" after their recent failures as they aim to defy the odds in Wednesday's decisive Champions League semi-final showdown with Paris Saint-Germain.

The Gunners head to the Parc des Princes faced with the daunting task of having to beat the French champions to reach the Champions League final for the second time in their history.

Mikel Arteta's side trail 1-0 from the first leg after Ousmane Dembele's winner in north London, said AFP.

PSG have already eliminated Premier League champions Liverpool in the last 16 and Aston Villa in the quarter-finals, after beating Manchester City in the group phase.

Arsenal, who have never won the Champions League, are on the brink of becoming PSG's latest English scalp this season after a disappointing first leg that could have ended in a heavier defeat.

Their preparations for the second leg in Paris couldn't have gone much worse as they slumped to a 2-1 home defeat against Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday.

Arteta said Arsenal were full of "rage and anger" after two painful losses.

But Gunners captain Odegaard said they can use those emotions as fuel to inspire an epic victory over PSG -- as long as there are no recriminations over the badly-timed slump.

"We're disappointed now, but we have to move on and be strong and stick together and prepare for a massive game," Odegaard said.

"It's a massive game. That's the good thing. When you're disappointed now and you're angry and frustrated, you can use all those emotions into Wednesday.

"We know what we're playing for. We have to stick together and create energy and be ready."

Arteta's decision to make just two changes against Bournemouth raised eyebrows as he risked the fitness of his key players.

Only Jurrien Timber and Mikel Merino did not face the Cherries, with Arteta revealing the Dutch defender faces a fitness test before his availability for the PSG clash is decided.

'A massive performance'

Second-placed Arsenal still need two wins from their last three league games to secure qualification for next season's Champions League.

But it is the current edition of the tournament that has Arsenal's attention for now.

After finishing as Premier League runners-up to Manchester City for the previous two seasons, Arsenal's failure to win a first title since 2004 weighs heavily on Arteta and his players.

Injuries and inconsistent form from their forwards stopped Arsenal keeping pace with champions Liverpool.

Without a trophy since winning the 2020 FA Cup, Arteta is desperate to turn Arsenal's undoubted quality into the tangible reward of silverware.

Arsenal eliminated holders Real Madrid in this season's Champions League quarter-final with a superb 5-1 aggregate triumph.

But the north Londoners' European history is littered with disappointment.

Arsenal's last European trophy came when Alan Smith scored the winner against Parma in the 1994 Cup Winners' Cup final.

Arsene Wenger's reign brought countless trophies, but their two European finals under the Frenchman ended in defeat to Galatasaray in the 2000 UEFA Cup and against Barcelona in the 2006 Champions League.

Arsenal also lost the 2019 Europa League final to Chelsea in Unai Emery's brief spell in charge.

It is that 1994 Cup Winners' Cup success for George Graham's men that Arsenal hope will prove a good omen for Wednesday's game.

The Gunners were underdogs in the semi-final 31 years ago against a PSG side featuring George Weah and David Ginola, but emerged with a 2-1 aggregate victory.

If Arsenal can overturn the deficit against the current PSG generation, it will go down as one of the greatest results in the club's history.

Arteta's rallying cry left no doubt about what is at stake.

"What we have created now is a lot of rage, anger, frustration and a bad feeling in the tummy," he said.

"So make sure we use that for Wednesday to have a massive performance in Paris, win the game and be in the final."



Man City Must Be ‘Perfect’ to Stun Real Madrid, Says Guardiola

 Football - UEFA Champions League - Round of 16 - First Leg - Real Madrid v Manchester City - Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain - March 11, 2026 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola looks on. (Action Images via Reuters)
Football - UEFA Champions League - Round of 16 - First Leg - Real Madrid v Manchester City - Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain - March 11, 2026 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola looks on. (Action Images via Reuters)
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Man City Must Be ‘Perfect’ to Stun Real Madrid, Says Guardiola

 Football - UEFA Champions League - Round of 16 - First Leg - Real Madrid v Manchester City - Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain - March 11, 2026 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola looks on. (Action Images via Reuters)
Football - UEFA Champions League - Round of 16 - First Leg - Real Madrid v Manchester City - Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain - March 11, 2026 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola looks on. (Action Images via Reuters)

Pep Guardiola admits Manchester City will have to play a "perfect" game when they face the "massive" task of overturning a 3-0 deficit against Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Guardiola's side are on the brink of elimination after the last-16 first leg loss in Madrid last week.

City must produce one of the greatest fightbacks in the history of the Champions League to avoid being knocked out by Real for a third successive season.

It is a daunting challenge against the 15-time European champions and City boss Guardiola knows only a sublime display in the second leg at the Etihad Stadium will give his team a chance of a miraculous escape.

"I have to admit the task is massive. To score more than three goals against Madrid is not easy," Guardiola told reporters on Monday.

"The result in the first leg was not the perfect one but at the same time we are here. It's a football game, everything can happen.

"We have to create as much momentum as possible with our people. It has to be a perfect game in many, many departments.

"Always we can create chances, we know that, but this season we're not finishing. If we are able to be clinical there and defend well, always we will be in the game."

Guardiola called on City to emulate the spirit of one of their most memorable fightbacks as they seek inspiration against Real.

City came from 2-0 down with three goals in the final 14 minutes against Aston Villa in the last game of the 2021-22 season to win the Premier League title.

- 'You never know' -

"Aston Villa, the last game to win the Premier League - 74 minutes 0-2 and we made three goals in in 12 minutes," Guardiola said.

"Of course we have to take more risk in terms of trying, but even if the results are not good in the first half we have to keep going, carry on, go, because you never know."

City captain Bernardo Silva echoed Guardiola's belief that the tie is not over yet.

"This sport has taught us that a lot of things can happen in a football game," he said.

"Even though the result in Madrid was really bad, we will fight until the end.

"After a big defeat, on the day you feel like everything is very dark, then it gets brighter and brighter. We know what this team is capable of."

City's preparations for the match have been unusual as Guardiola opted to give his players a day off on Monday and not train the day before the game.

That decision could potentially risk censure from tournament organizers UEFA as clubs are obliged to allow media access to a training session or match preparation for 15 minutes.

Guardiola's said the team's recent heavy schedule was behind his decision, with a lackluster 1-1 draw at West Ham on Saturday dealing a major blow to their Premier League title hopes.

"I prefer today everybody be at home. We'll train tomorrow," Guardiola said.

"Repetition for training will not make us play better in the game against Madrid because today in modern football, in the top teams, training doesn't much improve a lot."


Asian Football Confederation Says Iran Is Still Set to Play at the World Cup

A soccer field stands empty at Kino Sports Complex, where the Iranian men’s soccer team is scheduled to practice for the FIFA World Cup, in Tucson, Arizona, US, March 4, 2026. REUTERS/Rebecca Noble
A soccer field stands empty at Kino Sports Complex, where the Iranian men’s soccer team is scheduled to practice for the FIFA World Cup, in Tucson, Arizona, US, March 4, 2026. REUTERS/Rebecca Noble
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Asian Football Confederation Says Iran Is Still Set to Play at the World Cup

A soccer field stands empty at Kino Sports Complex, where the Iranian men’s soccer team is scheduled to practice for the FIFA World Cup, in Tucson, Arizona, US, March 4, 2026. REUTERS/Rebecca Noble
A soccer field stands empty at Kino Sports Complex, where the Iranian men’s soccer team is scheduled to practice for the FIFA World Cup, in Tucson, Arizona, US, March 4, 2026. REUTERS/Rebecca Noble

A leading football official in Asia says Iran is still set to play at the World Cup which kicks off in June in the United States, Canada and Mexico. 

Also on Monday in Tehran, a government spokesman again stressed it was for FIFA to explain why US President Donald Trump suggested last week Iran players' “life and safety” could be at risk by playing at the World Cup. 

In a social media post last week in reaction to comments from Trump, Iran’s football team said “no one can exclude” it from the global tournament where it should be a strong contender to advance to the knockout rounds. 

On Monday, Asian Football Confederation general secretary Windsor John said it had heard nothing to suggest Iran won't contest the World Cup. 

“They are our member. We want them to play,” he told a news conference in Kuala Lumpur, where the AFC is based. “As far as we know, Iran is playing. 

“It's a very emotional moment, everybody is saying a lot of things. At the end of the day it’s the (Iran football) federation who should decide if they’re playing and, as for today, the federation … has told us that they're going to the World Cup.” 

Trump posted on social media that the Iran team was welcome at the World Cup despite the ongoing war with Iran but that “I really don’t believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety.” It followed Trump's previous comment that “I really don’t care” if Iran plays. 

No team in the past 75 years has refused a World Cup qualifying place it earned on the field. 

Iran is set to play all three of its World Cup group games in the US, twice in Inglewood, California and then in Seattle. 

The regional war has put doubt on Iran’s ability to fulfil its World Cup entry, and sports minister Ahmad Donyamali told state TV last week that the current circumstances meant it was not possible to play. 

But the Iran team’s riposte on Instagram confirmed it still wants to participate, and pointed out that the tournament is run by FIFA, not Trump or the US. 

Iran Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said on Monday that “FIFA must respond” to the doubt cast by Trump. 

“FIFA is the organizer of the World Cup," Baghaei said. "When warnings are issued at the highest level about the environment being unsafe for Iranian football players, this indicates that the host country apparently lacks the capacity and ability to provide security for such an important sporting event.” 

FIFA has not commented in recent days beyond an Instagram post by President Gianni Infantino after meeting Trump at the White House last Tuesday. Infantino wrote that he got assurances Iran was welcome. 

Iran is scheduled to against New Zealand on June 16 and Belgium on June 21, before finishing group play in Seattle against Egypt on June 26. 

Iran is a power in Asian football, ranked No. 20 in the world by FIFA and has qualified for its fourth straight World Cup. 

Before the World Cup, Iranian football officials are due to attend FIFA’s annual congress on April 30 in Vancouver. The Iranian federation was unable to attend meetings in Atlanta this month to help teams prepare for the 48-nation tournament. 


Rooney: Let Arsenal Youngster Dowman Enjoy the Moment

Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Everton - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - March 14, 2026 Arsenal's Max Dowman celebrates scoring their second goal Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Everton - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - March 14, 2026 Arsenal's Max Dowman celebrates scoring their second goal Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
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Rooney: Let Arsenal Youngster Dowman Enjoy the Moment

Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Everton - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - March 14, 2026 Arsenal's Max Dowman celebrates scoring their second goal Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Everton - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - March 14, 2026 Arsenal's Max Dowman celebrates scoring their second goal Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs

Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney said Arsenal's Max Dowman should be allowed to enjoy his achievement after becoming the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history during Saturday's 2-0 win over Everton.

Dowman, 16 years and 73 days old, set the record after scoring with virtually the last kick of the match at Emirates Stadium, running more than half the length of the pitch ⁠to slot home.

While ⁠Arsenal will try to make sure the youngster keeps his feet on the ground, it was important Dowman be given room to grow, said Rooney, who scored for Everton against Arsenal in ⁠2002 at the age of 16 years and 360 days.

"Let him enjoy it and go and express himself," the former England forward said on BBC's 'The Wayne Rooney Show'.

"Mikel Arteta, some of the senior players in the Arsenal squad, will not let him get ahead of himself. But I think you have to enjoy it as ⁠well.

"So ⁠when we've got a young lad like that coming through as a 16-year-old, he's clearly got a lot of ability and you just hope he can go and fulfil that potential,” Reuters quoted Rooney as saying.

Arsenal, who are top of the league with 70 points from 31 matches, next face Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday in the second leg of their Champions League tie.