Arteta: Arsenal in High Spirits for Run-in

(FILES) Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta arrives ahead of kick-off in the UEFA Champions League, last 16 second leg football match between Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen at the Emirates Stadium in north London on March 17, 2026. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)
(FILES) Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta arrives ahead of kick-off in the UEFA Champions League, last 16 second leg football match between Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen at the Emirates Stadium in north London on March 17, 2026. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)
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Arteta: Arsenal in High Spirits for Run-in

(FILES) Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta arrives ahead of kick-off in the UEFA Champions League, last 16 second leg football match between Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen at the Emirates Stadium in north London on March 17, 2026. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)
(FILES) Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta arrives ahead of kick-off in the UEFA Champions League, last 16 second leg football match between Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen at the Emirates Stadium in north London on March 17, 2026. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)

Arsenal's season appeared on the brink of collapse last month but a run of good results has worked wonders for their mood, with manager Mikel Arteta saying on Thursday that his team are entering the season's final games in the perfect state of mind.

A League Cup final defeat by title rivals Manchester City in March was followed by a FA Cup quarter-final loss to second-tier Southampton, which ended Arsenal's pursuit of a quadruple.

They were also briefly knocked off the top of the Premier League by City, but four wins in five games across all competitions means the London club enter their penultimate league fixture with a two-point lead.

They ⁠have also sealed ⁠a spot in the Champions League final, where they will take on holders Paris St Germain.

"The team is really present. It's living the moment. It's emotionally in a really good state. The energy level is the right one," Arteta told reporters ahead of a home game against Burnley on Monday.

"We have most players available now. OK, ⁠we lost Ben White the other day but the other ones are coming back as well. Everyone is so enthusiastic and so positive about the way we can finish the season."

Arteta confirmed that defender White had suffered a long-term injury, leaving Arsenal short-staffed at right back with Jurrien Timber also sidelined.

"We need to look at alternatives. The two players we have are not available at the moment. So we need to look and do something else," the Spanish manager added.

"The good thing is that we have experienced that all over the ⁠pitch this ⁠season, because when we have had issues, normally they've been in the same position as well, and we have still managed to find the right level of performance and consistency, so I'm sure we will do that."

Arsenal lead the standings with 79 points from 36 games, two ahead of City, but Pep Guardiola's side have a superior goal difference.

Asked if Arsenal needed to score more in the event that goal difference decided the title, Arteta said: "First we have to earn the right to win the game. Obviously if you can make a difference with more goals, that's even better...

"But we know ideally that scoring goals is going to be important."



Liverpool Boss Slot: Salah Fit for Cameo Against Aston Villa

09 May 2026, United Kingdom, Liverpool: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah waves to fans ahead of the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield. Photo: Peter Byrne/PA Wire/dpa
09 May 2026, United Kingdom, Liverpool: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah waves to fans ahead of the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield. Photo: Peter Byrne/PA Wire/dpa
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Liverpool Boss Slot: Salah Fit for Cameo Against Aston Villa

09 May 2026, United Kingdom, Liverpool: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah waves to fans ahead of the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield. Photo: Peter Byrne/PA Wire/dpa
09 May 2026, United Kingdom, Liverpool: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah waves to fans ahead of the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield. Photo: Peter Byrne/PA Wire/dpa

Forward Mohamed Salah could make his return from injury in Liverpool's Premier League game at Aston Villa this week, manager Arne Slot said on Thursday.

Salah has not played since he was forced off during a 3-1 win over Crystal Palace last month with a hamstring concern, sparking fears his campaign and potentially his Anfield career could be over, with the Egyptian set to leave at the end of the season.

However, Liverpool later confirmed the injury was not as serious as initially feared.

"Mo (Salah) will be available tomorrow but only for a few minutes. Hopefully he can come in," ⁠Slot told reporters ⁠ahead of Friday's trip to Villa, according to Reuters.

"Alisson trained with us again, let's see tomorrow whether he is ready or has to wait one more week. Florian (Wirtz) had a stomach infection and is on antibiotics. Let's see if he is ready to play tomorrow."

Liverpool, fourth in the league standings and level on ⁠59 points with Villa, can secure a spot in next season's Champions League if they win at Villa Park, but there is little else for fans of the Merseyside club to look forward to in the final weeks of the campaign.

Slot's side have been unable to build on last season's Premier League success and will go without silverware, leading to questions over the Dutch manager's future at the club.

Asked if he would still be at Anfield next season, Slot said: "I don't think ⁠I am ⁠deciding that myself alone. I have every reason to believe that I am the Liverpool manager next season.

"First of all, I am contracted to this club, and second of all from all the talks we are having.

"If you don't have the best season, especially if you compare it with last season, this has definitely not been a great season. Then it is normal that criticism comes, and we've all had our share. That is how things work nowadays, if you don't win the league."

Liverpool host Brentford in their final league game of the season on May 24.


In-form Messi Hits Brace as Miami Win 5-3 at Cincinnati in MLS

(FILES) Inter Miami's Argentine forward #10 Lionel Messi gives a thumbs-up during the friendly football match between Peru's Alianza Lima and the US' Inter Miami at the Alejandro Villanueva Stadium in Lima on January 24, 2026. (Photo by Connie FRANCE / AFP)
(FILES) Inter Miami's Argentine forward #10 Lionel Messi gives a thumbs-up during the friendly football match between Peru's Alianza Lima and the US' Inter Miami at the Alejandro Villanueva Stadium in Lima on January 24, 2026. (Photo by Connie FRANCE / AFP)
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In-form Messi Hits Brace as Miami Win 5-3 at Cincinnati in MLS

(FILES) Inter Miami's Argentine forward #10 Lionel Messi gives a thumbs-up during the friendly football match between Peru's Alianza Lima and the US' Inter Miami at the Alejandro Villanueva Stadium in Lima on January 24, 2026. (Photo by Connie FRANCE / AFP)
(FILES) Inter Miami's Argentine forward #10 Lionel Messi gives a thumbs-up during the friendly football match between Peru's Alianza Lima and the US' Inter Miami at the Alejandro Villanueva Stadium in Lima on January 24, 2026. (Photo by Connie FRANCE / AFP)

Lionel Messi scored twice and had a hand in two others as Inter Miami fought back to beat FC Cincinnati 5-3 away in the MLS on Wednesday.

With the World Cup in North America less than a month away, Argentina captain Messi is in excellent form, AFP said.

He has 11 goals in 12 MLS matches this season, Miami's latest victory boosting them into second place in the Eastern Conference with 25 points.

Messi opened the scoring in the 24th minute with a fortuitous rebound off a poor clearance by Matt Miazga.

It was 1-1 at half-time after Kevin Denkey's 41st-minute penalty, then Pavel Bucha scored from close range to put the hosts 2-1 up soon after the break.

Messi struck again in the 55th minute, finishing off a flowing Miami attack with a left-footed shot from a cross by Rodrigo De Paul.

Cincinnati's Brazilian playmaker Evander put the hosts back in front again with a blast from outside the box in the 64th minute, his seventh goal in six matches.

But Messi set up a goal for young fellow Argentine Mateo Silvetti in the 79th minute, with Mexico international German Berterame scoring again for 4-3.

Messi forced the final goal in the 89th minute.

The 38-year-old launched himself at a cross from Silvetti and struck it with his right foot, the ball crashing off the post and deflecting in off goalkeeper Roman Celentano for an own goal.

Miami coach Guillermo Hoyos was full of praise for his side.

"What they did today was brilliant, against a tough team and on a difficult pitch," he said.

"It’s very hard to play here. It’s clear they’re not here to stroll around MLS.

"They're here to play, to give everything, and to show the world that football is played here too."

He added: "We’re leaving very happy.

"We were able to play football at a very high level."


A Quarter of World Cup Games Risk Searing Heat, Say Scientists

The MetLife Stadium in New Jersey will host the July 19 final of the 2026 World Cup, the largest and most complex edition of the tournament ever staged. AL BELLO / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
The MetLife Stadium in New Jersey will host the July 19 final of the 2026 World Cup, the largest and most complex edition of the tournament ever staged. AL BELLO / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
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A Quarter of World Cup Games Risk Searing Heat, Say Scientists

The MetLife Stadium in New Jersey will host the July 19 final of the 2026 World Cup, the largest and most complex edition of the tournament ever staged. AL BELLO / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
The MetLife Stadium in New Jersey will host the July 19 final of the 2026 World Cup, the largest and most complex edition of the tournament ever staged. AL BELLO / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP

One in four 2026 World Cup games could take place in very hot conditions as climate change has increased the risk of extreme heat in North America since the US hosted the 1994 tournament, researchers warned Thursday.

Concerns about heat already prompted FIFA to mandate a cooling break during each half of the World Cup matches that will take place between June 11 and July 19 in 16 stadiums across the United States, Mexico and Canada.

"Players and fans face a much higher risk of grueling heat and humidity at the 2026 World Cup compared to the 1994 tournament on the same continent," World Weather Attribution, a network of climate scientists, said in a statement.

WWA's scientific analysis estimates that 26 of the 104 matches could occur in conditions reaching at least 26C Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) -- an index that measures how effectively the human body can cool itself under heat, humidity, sun exposure and wind.

At 26C WBGT, the international footballers' union FIFPRO recommends cooling breaks as heat strain becomes a real risk for players, AFP said.

Of those 26 matches, 17 will be played in stadiums with cooling systems, reducing risks for players and fans.

During the 1994 World Cup hosted by the United States, 21 games would have been expected to reach a similar heat threshold, according to WWA.

Five games are expected to be played in conditions of 28C WBGT or higher, a level that FIFPRO says should lead to the delay or postponement of matches until conditions are safer for players and fans.

That risk has nearly doubled compared to the 1994 World Cup.

"It's dangerous for players, but of course there are also the fans who might gather outdoors and they are at even more risk because they will not be taken care of by a lot of medical doctors," said Friederike Otto, WWA co-founder and climate science professor at Imperial College London.

Three of the 16 stadiums -- in Dallas, Houston and Atlanta -- have air conditioning.

But more than a third of the games with a one in 10 chance of exceeding 26C will take place in venues without air conditioning.

The final, which will be played on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, has a one in eight chance of seeing 26C WBGT conditions and a 2.7 percent risk of 28C, according to WWA.

"That the World Cup Final itself -- one of the biggest sporting occasions on the planet -- faces a non-insignificant risk of being played in 'cancellation-level' heat should be a wake-up call for FIFA and fans," Otto said.