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Arteta Wants ‘Dominant’ Performance at Liverpool

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta during the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal FC and Brighton & Hove Albion, in London, Britain, 17 December 2023. (EPA)
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta during the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal FC and Brighton & Hove Albion, in London, Britain, 17 December 2023. (EPA)
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Arteta Wants ‘Dominant’ Performance at Liverpool

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta during the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal FC and Brighton & Hove Albion, in London, Britain, 17 December 2023. (EPA)
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta during the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal FC and Brighton & Hove Albion, in London, Britain, 17 December 2023. (EPA)

Arsenal has recorded wins at some iconic stadiums in Mikel Arteta's four years as manager. He hopes to add Anfield to the list.

First place in the English Premier League will be up for grabs Saturday when Arsenal faces Liverpool.

"We have done it at Old Trafford, we have done it at Stamford Bridge and many other places that for many years we haven’t," Arteta said Friday. "That’s the next challenge. Go there and win. (If) you want to be at the top, you’re going to have to go to those places and be dominant and win the games, and that’s what we’re going to try to do."

The winner would sit atop the league regardless of the outcome of third-placed Aston Villa's home match Friday against Sheffield United. The Gunners lead Liverpool and Villa by one point, with Klopp's team second on goal difference.

Arsenal hasn't won at Anfield since September 2012, when Arteta was still playing in Arsene Wegner's midfield.

They were on track to snap the streak in April when Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus scored early to give them a 2-0 lead. The Gunners were in the title race with Manchester City. But Mohamed Salah scored before the break and Roberto Firmino tied it in the 87th. It ended 2-2.

"The atmosphere is something that is important to understand as well, but we have now the experience of what we did last year there as well for big parts of the game," Arteta said. "That’s a lot of things that we have to replicate and some others that we have to do better to win tomorrow.

"We allowed them to run, especially. When they get that momentum and the space, they are a really dangerous team."

Speaking of atmosphere, Klopp spent time Friday talking about his post-match comments that followed a 5-1 win over West Ham in the League Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday at Anfield.

Klopp had said he was "not overly happy with the atmosphere behind me," and urged subdued supporters to "give your ticket to somebody else" if they can't be on their toes Saturday.

The manager said Friday that it boils down to him wanting the game to be "a proper Anfield experience."

"I can’t wait for the first whistle," he said.

Liverpool defender Andy Robertson could be back in January. The left back had shoulder surgery following an injury in October while on international duty with Scotland.

"We all hope it will be in January," Klopp said.

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Sports

Teenage Super Sub Mbaye Could Prove Decisive for Senegal

Senegal's Ibrahim Mbaye celebrates after scoring during the Africa Cup of Nations best of 16 soccer match between Senegal and Sudan in Tangier, Morocco, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP)
Senegal's Ibrahim Mbaye celebrates after scoring during the Africa Cup of Nations best of 16 soccer match between Senegal and Sudan in Tangier, Morocco, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP)
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Teenage Super Sub Mbaye Could Prove Decisive for Senegal

Senegal's Ibrahim Mbaye celebrates after scoring during the Africa Cup of Nations best of 16 soccer match between Senegal and Sudan in Tangier, Morocco, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP)
Senegal's Ibrahim Mbaye celebrates after scoring during the Africa Cup of Nations best of 16 soccer match between Senegal and Sudan in Tangier, Morocco, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP)

Senegal’s 17-year-old Ibrahim Mbaye has emerged as a potential future star for African football, and his role as a super substitute at ​the Africa Cup of Nations could yet prove decisive for his team.

One of a number of exciting new players on display over the last three weeks at the tournament in Morocco, Mbaye has made the biggest impact, featuring in each of Senegal’s matches off the bench.

As they prepare to face Egypt in Wednesday’s semi-final in Tangiers, his impact will be part of the planning as Senegal look to advance to Sunday’s final.

His powerful and pacy running, dribbling skills, and a sharp nose for goal have given Senegal a ‌serious addition ‌to their already much-vaunted attack.

“He’s a gem, and we need ‌to ⁠nurture ​him,” said ‌coach Pape Bouna Thiaw.

“We know what he can bring to this team, and we will do everything we can to ensure he thrives and is at his best.”

Mbaye netted in Senegal’s 3-1 win over Sudan in the round of 16, officially becoming, at 17 years, 11 months, and 11 days, the second youngest scorer in tournament history. The youngest is Chiva Nzigou of Gabon, who was allegedly 16 when he scored in the 2000 finals, but has since ⁠admitted being an age cheat, although the record is not expunged.

Mbaye, who turns 18 this month, was close to a ‌goal in Senegal’s second group game against the Democratic ‍Republic of Congo when he was brought ‍on a minute after the Congolese took the lead in Tangiers.

IMPACT EIGHT MINUTES AFTER ‍COMING OFF THE BENCH

Eight minutes later, a surging run down the right led to him firing off a shot that the goalkeeper could not hold, allowing Sadio Mane to equalize.

"He has this spark within him. He's young, but you don't notice that on the pitch. Every time he comes on, ​he brings something extra," said Senegal teammate Krepin Diatta.

Mbaye won his first cap in November, in a friendly against Brazil, having one month previously played ⁠for France’s under-19 team, with Thiaw visiting him at Paris St Germain to persuade him to switch allegiance.

"It was easy to convince the player. Ibrahim wanted to play for Senegal," said the coach.

They had been tracking him from last season when PSG used him as a starter for their opening match of the Ligue 1 campaign. He was an unused substitute in the Champions League final against Inter Milan in May and this season has started eight times for the French giants, including October’s Champions League win at Barcelona.

Thiaw says the experience of rubbing shoulders with Senegal’s top players will be beneficial for Mbaye.

“He is in a squad where he has the chance to work with players like Sadio Mane, who has won everything ‌and can guide him, like Kalidou Koulibaly and Gana Gueye, who are familiar with the highest level. Now, we need to protect him properly,” added the coach.

Sports

Barcelona Beats Real Madrid Again to Win Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia Clasico

Players of Barcelona celebrate with the trophy after winning the Spanish Super Cup final soccer match between Barcelona and Real Madrid in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, 11 January 2026. (EPA)
Players of Barcelona celebrate with the trophy after winning the Spanish Super Cup final soccer match between Barcelona and Real Madrid in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, 11 January 2026. (EPA)
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Barcelona Beats Real Madrid Again to Win Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia Clasico

Players of Barcelona celebrate with the trophy after winning the Spanish Super Cup final soccer match between Barcelona and Real Madrid in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, 11 January 2026. (EPA)
Players of Barcelona celebrate with the trophy after winning the Spanish Super Cup final soccer match between Barcelona and Real Madrid in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, 11 January 2026. (EPA)

Raphinha scored twice as Barcelona beat Real Madrid 3-2 on Sunday in the final of the Spanish Super Cup played in Saudi Arabia.

Raphinha's 73rd-minute winner came in a fortuitous manner after he slipped while shooting and the shot deflected off Madrid defender Raúl Asencio to fool goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

The clasico final featured a hectic end to the first half when three stoppage-time goals were scored before the break, two by Real Madrid and one by Barcelona. Barcelona beat Madrid 5-2 in last year's final, when Raphinha also scored twice.

“We gave all we had,” Raphinha said. “I was emotional at the end of the match, we needed a win like this."

It was the 16th Super Cup title for Barcelona, more than any other club. Madrid is second with 13 titles.

Kylian Mbappé, who had missed the semifinals of the mini-Super Cup tournament because of a knee issue, entered the match in the 76th but couldn't do enough to help Madrid equalize. The France forward missed Madrid’s win over Atletico Madrid in the semifinals on Thursday but then traveled from Spain to Saudi Arabia to be available for the final of the mini-tournament.

Robert Lewandowski also scored for Barcelona. Madrid’s goals were scored by Vinícius Júnior and Gonzalo García.

The trophy was lifted by Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo, who had been out since November because of private reasons. Spanish media reports said he was on a mental health break.

The Catalan club opened the scoring in Jeddah on Sunday with Raphinha in a breakaway in the 36th. Madrid equalized with a superb goal from Vinícius two minutes into first-half added time, with the Brazil forward capping a nice run by splitting a couple of defenders before scoring from inside the area.

Vinícius hadn’t scored in 16 matches with Madrid, since October.

Lewandowski put Barcelona back ahead two minutes after Vinícius’ goal, and García evened the game again three minutes later at the end of the first half.

Madrid had two golden chances to equalize again in added time but couldn't capitalize on them.

“We have to turn the page as soon as possible,” Madrid coach Xabi Alonso said. "It’s just one game, one competition, and it’s the least important one we have. We have to look ahead, try to get everyone back together, recover our morale, and move on.”

Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong was sent off in second-half stoppage time.

Barcelona reached the Super Cup final by routing Athletic Bilbao 5-0, while Madrid defeated Atletico Madrid 2-1.

Barcelona is the first league champion in eight seasons to win the Super Cup, and the first team to retain the trophy since Pep Guardiola’s team won three in a row in 2010, 2011 and 2012.

Sports

Fragile United Need to Dig Deep, Says Fletcher

Football - FA Cup - Third Round - Manchester United v Brighton & Hove Albion - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - January 11, 2026 Manchester United interim manager Darren Fletcher reacts after the match. (Reuters)
Football - FA Cup - Third Round - Manchester United v Brighton & Hove Albion - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - January 11, 2026 Manchester United interim manager Darren Fletcher reacts after the match. (Reuters)
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Fragile United Need to Dig Deep, Says Fletcher

Football - FA Cup - Third Round - Manchester United v Brighton & Hove Albion - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - January 11, 2026 Manchester United interim manager Darren Fletcher reacts after the match. (Reuters)
Football - FA Cup - Third Round - Manchester United v Brighton & Hove Albion - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - January 11, 2026 Manchester United interim manager Darren Fletcher reacts after the match. (Reuters)

Manchester United interim manager Darren Fletcher said Sunday's FA Cup defeat by Brighton and Hove Albion at Old Trafford exposed the fragile nature of the squad.

Near silence greeted the final whistle as the ​2-1 third-round loss ended United's hopes of silverware while some boos rang out as the players trudged off the pitch.

Former United midfielder Fletcher stepped up from his role as the club's Under-18s coach to take charge of the first team after the sacking of Ruben Amorim last week.

But after a 2-2 draw away to Burnley in the Premier League, his hopes of providing a boost at Old Trafford were frustrated as former United player Danny Welbeck scored for the visitors after Brajan Gruda put them in ‌front early on.

"It ‌was mixed really, we started okay but the goal ‌knocked ⁠the ​stuffing out ‌of us," Fletcher said. "Our passing was quite slow so I challenged them at halftime. It was similar to the game in the week, we needed to move the ball with more tempo.

"When we got back to 2-1, I thought here we go, the crowd was up, the energy was up, but ultimately we couldn't get the equalizer. I think you can see the players are fragile and need to build themselves up. It's up to them to ⁠respond."

United are expected to announce a caretaker manager for the rest of the season next week but Fletcher said ‌that whoever that is, it is up to the players ‍to dig deep.

"Confidence is the most ‍powerful thing in football, but when you don't have it you have to dig ‍deep, battle, grind and work and work to win games, then the confidence comes back."

United have failed to survive a round in either of the domestic cup competitions for the first time since 1981-82 and with no European football, the season threatens to fizzle out.

They are seventh in the ​Premier League, however, and only a point behind fifth place which is likely to be a Champions League qualification spot.

"They are experienced players. They've ⁠got to make sure they have a lot to play for this season," he said. "This team is still good enough to achieve success this season but they have to dig deep."

Fletcher was critical of referee Simon Hooper for showing teenager Shea Lacey a second yellow card for hurling the ball down in frustration near the end.

"Shea Lacey's yellow card is ridiculous compared to the fouls that we had against us all game, which ultimately then the lad makes a mistake and is sent off," Fletcher said.

"For me it is poor refereeing."

Lacey apologized and said he had let the club down.

"I want to apologize to all of my teammates, staff and the fans," he posted on social media.
"I let everybody down tonight, I shouldn’t ‌let my emotions get the better of me, I will do everything I can to make this right."