Excited Arteta Says Trophyless Run will Add to Arsenal's Drive in League Cup Final 

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta (File Photo/AFP)
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta (File Photo/AFP)
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Excited Arteta Says Trophyless Run will Add to Arsenal's Drive in League Cup Final 

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta (File Photo/AFP)
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta (File Photo/AFP)

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta shook off the nerves ahead of Sunday's League Cup final against Manchester City, saying his team were determined to win their first silverware in six years.

Arsenal, who finished second in the Premier League in the last three seasons, have not won a major trophy since the FA Cup in 2020.

With Arsenal sitting nine points above second-placed City in the English top flight and reaching the quarter-finals of the Champions League and the FA Cup, Arteta said their trophy drought added to their drive ahead of this weekend's showdown at Wembley, Reuters reported.

"When you have been in this position and years without a trophy, it adds more necessity but also more drive. That's something that we have, it's important for us and something we've been looking to achieve for a while," Arteta told reporters on Friday.

Arteta was an assistant coach at City when Pep Guardiola's side beat Arsenal at the League Cup final in 2018. City have won the Premier League six times since then, also lifting the FA Cup twice and the Champions League in 2022-23.

Asked if a win on Sunday can help Arsenal win more trophies down the line, Arteta said it would be a massive boost for the players.

"We want it so much," the Spaniard said.

But the 43-year-old denied being under extra pressure ahead of facing City, who have not beaten Arsenal in their last four meetings, although three of those matches ended in draws.

"Excited. Enthusiastic. Positive," Arteta said when asked about nerves.

With four trophies still up for grabs this season, Arteta played down talk of achieving a quadruple.

"No, we need to go game by game. Trophy by trophy," he said.



Saudi Arabia Appoints Donis as Coach Ahead of World Cup

Coach Georgios Donis (Photo by Essa Doubisi)
Coach Georgios Donis (Photo by Essa Doubisi)
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Saudi Arabia Appoints Donis as Coach Ahead of World Cup

Coach Georgios Donis (Photo by Essa Doubisi)
Coach Georgios Donis (Photo by Essa Doubisi)

Saudi Arabia made its coaching change official Thursday by replacing Hervé Renard with Georgios Donis until July 27, less than two months before the start of the World Cup in North America.

The 56-year-old Donis, a former Greece international, joins from Al-Khaleej, one of several Saudi Pro League clubs he's coached.

“He has extensive experience in the league, including his most recent post (which) enhances his ability to adapt quickly," the Saudi Arabian Football Federation said in its announcement.

Saudi Arabia opens its Group H play at the World Cup against Uruguay on June 15. It also plays Spain and Cape Verde.

Donis was a longtime Panathinaikos midfielder who also played in England for Blackburn, Sheffield United and Huddersfield. He has also coached Panathinaikos and Maccabi Tel Aviv, among others.

The Federation said it will hold a press conference in Riyadh with the national team's coaching staff before ⁠the ⁠squad depart for their training camp in the United States.


Saudi PIF and ATP Launch Program to Support Rising Talent

The program is aimed at supporting rising talent and widening opportunities for players from the Global South. Photo: PIF
The program is aimed at supporting rising talent and widening opportunities for players from the Global South. Photo: PIF
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Saudi PIF and ATP Launch Program to Support Rising Talent

The program is aimed at supporting rising talent and widening opportunities for players from the Global South. Photo: PIF
The program is aimed at supporting rising talent and widening opportunities for players from the Global South. Photo: PIF

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and the ATP launched the ATP Next Gen Accelerator on Thursday, a program aimed at supporting rising talent and widening opportunities for players from the Global South as they seek to break onto the ATP Tour.

Eligible players will gain access to ATP Tennis IQ Powered by PIF, ⁠an integrated performance technology ⁠platform, along with medical support, structured education and enhanced promotion across ATP platforms.

The initiative seeks to level the playing field for emerging players and provide greater stability ⁠for young professionals.

The launch aligns with PIF’s 2026–2030 strategy, under which the fund plans to focus investment across six key themes as it looks to diversify Saudi Arabia’s economy beyond oil.


Inspired by Nadal, Ruud Returns for Madrid Defense

Casper Ruud of Norway in action during his match against Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada at the ATP Monte Carlo Masters tennis tournament in Roquebrune Cap Martin, France, 09 April 2026.  EPA/SEBASTIEN NOGIER
Casper Ruud of Norway in action during his match against Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada at the ATP Monte Carlo Masters tennis tournament in Roquebrune Cap Martin, France, 09 April 2026. EPA/SEBASTIEN NOGIER
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Inspired by Nadal, Ruud Returns for Madrid Defense

Casper Ruud of Norway in action during his match against Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada at the ATP Monte Carlo Masters tennis tournament in Roquebrune Cap Martin, France, 09 April 2026.  EPA/SEBASTIEN NOGIER
Casper Ruud of Norway in action during his match against Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada at the ATP Monte Carlo Masters tennis tournament in Roquebrune Cap Martin, France, 09 April 2026. EPA/SEBASTIEN NOGIER

Casper Ruud hoped his short training stint at Rafa Nadal’s academy in Mallorca would reignite his season as the 27-year-old returns from an injury to defend his Madrid Open title this week.

Ruud, who lifted his maiden Masters 1000 title in the Spanish capital last year, sustained a leg injury and was forced to retire from his third-round match at the Monte Carlo Masters against Felix Auger-Aliassime earlier this month.

The Norwegian then ramped up his comeback under the close watch of ⁠22-times Grand Slam ⁠champion Nadal.

"I'm happy to say I'm fully recovered,” Reuters quoted Ruud as saying in Madrid.

"I was a bit worried at first, I thought Madrid would be tough. But I've had good days of recovery. I spent a week in Mallorca, training at Rafa's academy and ⁠working on fitness off the court. I'm really pleased to be here, ready to compete again."

Ruud said he was inspired by the now-retired Nadal’s determination during a glittering playing career that came to an end in 2024.

“If there's one thing you can learn from him, it's determination,” Ruud added.

“He never gave up, and he was able to win many matches without being at his best because he was ⁠so well ⁠prepared physically and mentally.

"There are so many things you can learn from Rafa. This time, we didn't spend much time together on court. He encouraged me to keep going and told me I have plenty to fight for in the coming weeks."

Ruud begins his Madrid campaign against Jaume Munar or Alexander Shevchenko in the second round.

The twice French Open runner-up is eyeing a strong run in the weeks leading up to Roland Garros, which begins on May 24.