Arteta Says League Cup Final Will Give Arsenal Boost for Run-in

Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta (R) clashes with the fourth official Thomas Bramall (L) during the English League Cup semi-final second leg football match between Arsenal and Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium, in London on February 3, 2026. (AFP)
Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta (R) clashes with the fourth official Thomas Bramall (L) during the English League Cup semi-final second leg football match between Arsenal and Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium, in London on February 3, 2026. (AFP)
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Arteta Says League Cup Final Will Give Arsenal Boost for Run-in

Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta (R) clashes with the fourth official Thomas Bramall (L) during the English League Cup semi-final second leg football match between Arsenal and Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium, in London on February 3, 2026. (AFP)
Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta (R) clashes with the fourth official Thomas Bramall (L) during the English League Cup semi-final second leg football match between Arsenal and Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium, in London on February 3, 2026. (AFP)

Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta said reaching Wembley for the first time since 2020 - thanks to a 4-2 aggregate League Cup semi-final win over Chelsea - would give his players a boost ​for a hectic season run-in.

"It's the best vitamins we can put in our bodies because we are playing every three days," Arteta told reporters after Arsenal beat their London rivals 1-0 on Tuesday to seal their place in the final of England's second domestic cup competition.

The Spaniard said the prospect of a return to Wembley for the first time since he guided his team to victory in ‌the FA Cup ‌final - also against Chelsea - six years ago ‌was ⁠magical, ​before ‌adding: "Now we are going to have to go and win it."

Arsenal had failed to make it through their previous four major cup semi-finals - two in the League Cup and another two in Europe - before overcoming Chelsea on Tuesday.

With the visitors desperately seeking the goal they needed to level the tie on aggregate, former Chelsea attacker Kai Havertz ran clear to ⁠score in the final moments of the semi-final second leg.

The German has missed much of ‌this season through injury and Arteta hailed ‍his return to form.

"Today was a ‍special moment for him and I hope that he fully enjoys ‍it," he said.

The Premier League leaders - who are also competing in the FA Cup and the Champions League - will face either Manchester City or Newcastle United who play their semi-final second leg on Wednesday with City 2-0 ahead ​from the first leg.

Chelsea coach Liam Rosenior said his players' disciplined performance showed how much the team had developed ⁠since the chaotic 3-2 home loss to Arsenal in last month's first leg, which was only his second match in charge after replacing Enzo Maresca.

"Ultimately their goal comes when we’re throwing the kitchen sink at the game. That’s going to happen," Rosenior said. "We can’t let this setback affect our future. There were aspects of our game that I am very happy with."

He said winger Pedro Neto and club captain Reece James had not made the squad on Tuesday after picking up "small knocks" and he praised 18-year-old Brazil winger Estevao who made a 48-hour round trip ‌to Brazil for compassionate reasons but was back in London to come off the bench for Chelsea in the second half.



Tirante Topples Top Seed Shelton to Reach Houston ATP Semi-finals

Argentina's Thiago Tirante is through to the semi-finals of the ATP clay court tournament in Houston after an upset win over top-seeded American Ben Shelton. Kenneth Richmond / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
Argentina's Thiago Tirante is through to the semi-finals of the ATP clay court tournament in Houston after an upset win over top-seeded American Ben Shelton. Kenneth Richmond / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
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Tirante Topples Top Seed Shelton to Reach Houston ATP Semi-finals

Argentina's Thiago Tirante is through to the semi-finals of the ATP clay court tournament in Houston after an upset win over top-seeded American Ben Shelton. Kenneth Richmond / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
Argentina's Thiago Tirante is through to the semi-finals of the ATP clay court tournament in Houston after an upset win over top-seeded American Ben Shelton. Kenneth Richmond / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP

Thiago Tirante stunned top-seeded Ben Shelton 7-6 (7/5), 3-6, 6-4 on Friday to book a semi-final showdown with friend and fellow Argentine Roman Burruchaga at the ATP clay court tournament in Houston, Texas.

Tirante, ranked 83rd in the world, notched his second career win over a top-10 player as he sent the ninth-ranked Shelton packing to reach the second ATP semi-final of his career.

"I knew that Ben was a very difficult player, a great player, so I had to take more risks at some times of the match," said Tirante, who fended off a break point early in the third set and broke Shelton for a 5-4 lead before serving it out with a comfortable hold.

"I did sometimes good, I did sometimes bad, but that's the key. (I had to stay) mentally strong all the time and try to break the serve -- he serves amazing."

Burruchaga, ranked 77th, upset third-seeded American Learner Tien, ranked 22nd in the world, 7-5, 6-4 to reach his first career semi-final.

The son of former soccer player Jorge Burruchaga, who won the World Cup with Argentina in 1986, the 24-year-old had already knocked out another member of the world top 40 on Thursday, 33rd-ranked local favorite Brandon Nakashima.

Second-seeded American Frances Tiafoe saved a match point in the third set tiebreaker to reach the semi-finals with a 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (8/6) victory over Australian Alexei Popyrin.

Tiafoe will face fourth-seeded Tommy Paul in an All-American semi after Paul beat Argentina's sixth-seeded Tomas Etcheverry 6-4, 6-2.


Saudi Crown Prince Meets FIFA President

Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud met with FIFA president Gianni Infantino. (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud met with FIFA president Gianni Infantino. (SPA)
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Saudi Crown Prince Meets FIFA President

Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud met with FIFA president Gianni Infantino. (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud met with FIFA president Gianni Infantino. (SPA)

Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, met with FIFA president Gianni Infantino in Jeddah on Friday to review areas of mutual sports cooperation and explore promising opportunities for further development, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

Saudi Minister of Sport Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal and President of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation Yasser Al-Misehal attended the meeting.


Gattuso Out as Italy’s Coach After Team Failed to Qualify for World Cup

Italy's head coach Gennaro Gattuso greets supporters after winning the playoff FIFA World Cup 2026 European qualification semifinal football match between Italy and North Ireland at the Gewiss stadium in Bergamo, on March 26, 2026. (AFP)
Italy's head coach Gennaro Gattuso greets supporters after winning the playoff FIFA World Cup 2026 European qualification semifinal football match between Italy and North Ireland at the Gewiss stadium in Bergamo, on March 26, 2026. (AFP)
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Gattuso Out as Italy’s Coach After Team Failed to Qualify for World Cup

Italy's head coach Gennaro Gattuso greets supporters after winning the playoff FIFA World Cup 2026 European qualification semifinal football match between Italy and North Ireland at the Gewiss stadium in Bergamo, on March 26, 2026. (AFP)
Italy's head coach Gennaro Gattuso greets supporters after winning the playoff FIFA World Cup 2026 European qualification semifinal football match between Italy and North Ireland at the Gewiss stadium in Bergamo, on March 26, 2026. (AFP)

Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso left his role by mutual consent on Friday, three days after the national team failed to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup.

The Italian football federation announced the news in a statement thanking Gattuso "for the dedication and passion" during his nine months in charge.

Italy’s chances of reaching this year’s tournament in North America ended on Tuesday after a penalty shootout loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina in a qualifying playoff.

"With pain in my heart, not having achieved the goal we had set ourselves, I consider my experience on the national team bench to be over," Gattuso said.

Gattuso’s departure comes a day after Italy’s football federation president Gabriele Gravina resigned along with Gianluigi Buffon, who was the national team’s delegation chief.

The defeat to Bosnia added more misery for four-time champion Italy after being eliminated by Sweden and North Macedonia, respectively, in the qualifying playoffs for the last two World Cups.

Gattuso took over from the fired Luciano Spalletti in June with the squad already in crisis mode following a defeat at Norway in its opening qualifier.

Spalletti had also overseen a disappointing European Championship campaign in 2024, when titleholder Italy was knocked out in the round of 16 by Switzerland.

"I would like to thank Gattuso once again," Gravina said. "Because, in addition to being a special person, as a coach he has offered a valuable contribution, managing to bring enthusiasm back to the national team in just a few months.

"He has conveyed great pride in the national team jersey to the players and to the whole country."

Under Gattuso, Italy went on a six-match winning streak before another loss to Norway in November to finish second in their group and end up in the playoffs again.

Gattuso had been given a contract until the end of this summer’s World Cup, with an automatic renewal until 2028 if Italy returned to football’s biggest stage.

"The Azzurri shirt is the most precious asset that exists in soccer, which is why it is right to immediately facilitate future coaching staff decisions," Gattuso said.

"It was an honor to be able to lead the national team and do so also with a group of boys who have shown commitment and attachment to the shirt. The biggest thanks go to the fans, to all the Italians who have never failed to show their love and support for the national team in recent months."

Among those being mentioned to replace Gattuso are Roberto Mancini, Simone Inzaghi, Antonio Conte and Massimiliano Allegri.

Mancini coached Italy to the European Championship title in 2021 then failed to get the Azzurri to the next year’s World Cup before bolting to take over Saudi Arabia’s national team. He left that role in October 2024 and is currently coach at Al-Sadd in Qatar.

Inzaghi steered Inter Milan to the Serie A title in 2024 and now manages Saudi club Al-Hilal.

Conte coached Italy at the 2016 European Championship and is currently at Napoli.

Allegri is coach at AC Milan.

Italy will play two friendly matches in June but is unlikely to have a new coach by then, given that the election for a new FIGC president won't take place until June 22.