Arteta Delighted with Impact of Arsenal’s Summer Signings 

Arsenal's German midfielder #29 Kai Havertz celebrates scoring the team's fourth goal during the English Premier League football match between Sheffield United and Arsenal at Bramall Lane in Sheffield, northern England on March 4, 2024. (AFP)
Arsenal's German midfielder #29 Kai Havertz celebrates scoring the team's fourth goal during the English Premier League football match between Sheffield United and Arsenal at Bramall Lane in Sheffield, northern England on March 4, 2024. (AFP)
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Arteta Delighted with Impact of Arsenal’s Summer Signings 

Arsenal's German midfielder #29 Kai Havertz celebrates scoring the team's fourth goal during the English Premier League football match between Sheffield United and Arsenal at Bramall Lane in Sheffield, northern England on March 4, 2024. (AFP)
Arsenal's German midfielder #29 Kai Havertz celebrates scoring the team's fourth goal during the English Premier League football match between Sheffield United and Arsenal at Bramall Lane in Sheffield, northern England on March 4, 2024. (AFP)

Arsenal's close-season signings have added a new dimension to the squad and are helping their team mates reach a higher level, manager Mikel Arteta said after their 6-0 Premier League win over Sheffield United on Monday.

Declan Rice and Kai Havertz, signed from West Ham United and Chelsea in the summer, were among the scorers as Arsenal matched their biggest Premier League away win with a free-scoring display at Bramall Lane.

Arsenal have won their last seven league games and are third with 61 points, two points behind leaders Liverpool.

Asked if the players signed in the summer had helped Arsenal hit top gear at the right time, Arteta told reporters: "Yes for sure.

"Obviously picking the right players that could bring something that we didn't have to the squad, and they're certainly doing that and improving every single player, and the mechanisms and culture around the team.

"They are doing that but there's still the most important part of the season ahead and we know that that's the case."

The Spanish manager also provided an injury update on Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, who did not play the full 90 minutes.

"(Saka) was feeling a bit sick and as well we have Fabio (Vieira) who we have to give minutes," Arteta said.

"It was great opportunity (for us) and then we had a little issue with Gabi Martinelli as well, he had a slight cut on his foot and we have to wait and see how he is."

Arteta added that Japan international Takehiro Tomiyasu is "very close" to returning from a calf injury.

Arsenal next host Brentford in the Premier League on Saturday.



South Korea Expresses Regret after Its Athletes Introduced as North Korea at Opening Ceremony

 Athletes of South Korea travel by boat along the Seine river during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, in Paris, France, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP)
Athletes of South Korea travel by boat along the Seine river during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, in Paris, France, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP)
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South Korea Expresses Regret after Its Athletes Introduced as North Korea at Opening Ceremony

 Athletes of South Korea travel by boat along the Seine river during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, in Paris, France, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP)
Athletes of South Korea travel by boat along the Seine river during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, in Paris, France, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP)

South Korea expressed regret that its delegation of athletes at the Paris Olympics opening ceremony on Friday was introduced as from rival North Korea and has demanded assurances from organizers the mistake will not happen again.

As the boat carrying South Korean athletes passed on the Seine, the announcer introduced them as the "Democratic People's Republic of Korea" - the official name of North Korea - in French and English.

The announcer used the same introduction when the North Korean delegation passed.

South Korea's vice minister for sports and culture, Jang Mi-ran, who was in Paris, had requested a meeting with International Olympics Committee President Thomas Bach, the ministry said in a statement.

"We express regret that the country was introduced as North Korea at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games when the athletes of the Republic of Korea were entering," it said.

South Korea's National Olympic Committee immediately referred the incident to the Games' organizers and requested that the error will not be repeated.

South Korea's delegation includes 143 athletes competing in 21 events. North Korea, which is returning to the Games for the first time since Rio 2016, has sent 16 athletes.