Arteta Urges Arsenal to Pile Pressure on Man City in Title Race

Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta gives thumbs up during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg soccer match between Sporting CP and Arsenal FC at Jose Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon, Portugal, 07 April 2026. (EPA)
Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta gives thumbs up during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg soccer match between Sporting CP and Arsenal FC at Jose Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon, Portugal, 07 April 2026. (EPA)
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Arteta Urges Arsenal to Pile Pressure on Man City in Title Race

Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta gives thumbs up during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg soccer match between Sporting CP and Arsenal FC at Jose Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon, Portugal, 07 April 2026. (EPA)
Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta gives thumbs up during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg soccer match between Sporting CP and Arsenal FC at Jose Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon, Portugal, 07 April 2026. (EPA)

Mikel Arteta challenged Arsenal to pile pressure on Manchester City by extending their lead at the top of the Premier League before their title rivals play 24 hours later.

Arteta's side host Bournemouth on Saturday and second-placed City travel to Chelsea on Sunday as the title race approaches a pivotal moment.

The Gunners are nine points ahead of City, having played a game more than Pep Guardiola's team.

That lead would increase to 12 points if Arsenal defeat Bournemouth, putting City under intense pressure to take maximum points from their tricky trip to Stamford Bridge.

Asked how important it would be to move further ahead of City, Arteta told reporters on Friday: "The closer we get, the relevance and importance of the match increases, obviously, and tomorrow is a big day for us.

"The players know it, our supporters know it, it's early kick-off, so get up early, have an early breakfast, bring your lunch, bring your dinner, as you say in England, and let's go all together for it because it has to be a big day."

After losing to City in the League Cup final and to second tier Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-finals, Arsenal bounced back with a hard-fought 1-0 win at Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League quarter-final first-leg on Tuesday.

The Gunners are chasing a first English title in 22 years, as well as their maiden Champions League crown.

And Arteta is convinced that they can finish the season with both trophies, which would finally end their six-year silverware drought since lifting the FA Cup.

"First of all, the capacity we have as a club and as a team, the will to win," Arteta said to explain his belief.

"We recognize the opportunity ahead and we are going to do our best to achieve it."

Arteta's Arsenal contract expires in 2027 and the Spaniard remains fully committed to the club after reports of talks over a new deal.

"There's no news on that. We have no time to discuss that now. The full focus is on what we have to do from here until the end of the season," he said.

"I am fully committed and really happy and I feel good. My family is good and I still have so much ambition to do with this football club, and for now we are in a good place.

"This job is about the present and what you do on the day. Give your very best and feel that you are the person that can lead and inspire the group to achieve great things for the club."



Alcaraz, Sinner, Osaka Commit to Australian Open '1 Point Slam'

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain in action against Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic during his final match of the Japan Open tennis tournament at Ariake Colosseum in Tokyo, Japan, 06 October 2026. EPA/FRANCK ROBICHON
Carlos Alcaraz of Spain in action against Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic during his final match of the Japan Open tennis tournament at Ariake Colosseum in Tokyo, Japan, 06 October 2026. EPA/FRANCK ROBICHON
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Alcaraz, Sinner, Osaka Commit to Australian Open '1 Point Slam'

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain in action against Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic during his final match of the Japan Open tennis tournament at Ariake Colosseum in Tokyo, Japan, 06 October 2026. EPA/FRANCK ROBICHON
Carlos Alcaraz of Spain in action against Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic during his final match of the Japan Open tennis tournament at Ariake Colosseum in Tokyo, Japan, 06 October 2026. EPA/FRANCK ROBICHON

The Australian Open will revive its innovative "1 Point Slam" in 2027 with Carlos Alcaraz, Coco Gauff, Naomi Osaka and Jannik Sinner among those agreeing to take part Thursday.

The sudden-death contest was played for the first time at Melbourne Park this year ahead of the opening Grand Slam of the year, pitting 24 professionals alongside 24 amateurs and celebrity wildcards.

Each match consisted of just one point -- win and you advanced, lose and you were out.

(FILES) Italy's Jannik Sinner celebrates winning against Germany's Alexander Zverev during their men's singles final tennis match on the fourteenth day of the 2026 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 12, 2026. (Photo by Henry NICHOLLS / AFP)

Against the odds, amateur Jordan Smith sensationally upset the star-studded field at a packed Rod Laver Arena to collect a Aus$1 million (US$670,000) prize.

"It creates an opportunity for grassroots tennis players to share the spotlight with some of the biggest names in the game," AFP quoted Tennis Australia's Tom Larner as saying.

"Having stars like Carlos Alcaraz, Coco Gauff, Naomi Osaka and Jannik Sinner locked in to play, alongside everyday Australians ... captures exactly what this event is about, bringing people together through tennis."

Japan's Naomi Osaka hits a return to Czech Republic's Karolina Muchova during their women's singles match at the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing on October 6, 2026. (Photo by ADEK BERRY / AFP)

The amateur field will again comprise winners of eight state championship rounds played across Australia, along with eight others who come through qualifying.

More than 1.3 million fans attended the 2026 Australian Open, and organizers are planning to increase viewing capacity and seating even further for the 2027 tournament which runs from January 17-31.


Saudi Arabia Climbs to 55th in FIFA World Rankings, Fourth among Arab Nations

File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
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Saudi Arabia Climbs to 55th in FIFA World Rankings, Fourth among Arab Nations

File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT

Saudi Arabia climbed three places to 55th in the latest FIFA World Rankings, released following the international break, up from 58th following the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Saudi national team accumulated 1,443.17 ranking points to finish fourth among Arab national teams, behind Morocco, Egypt, and Algeria, the Saudi Press Agency said.

Saudi Arabia's rise followed their unbeaten triumph at the 27th Arabian Gulf Cup (Khaleeji 27) in Jeddah, where they lifted the trophy without conceding a goal. The tournament's results were officially counted toward the FIFA World Rankings for the first time.

At the top of the standings, world champions Spain retained first place following a strong run of results in the UEFA Nations League qualifiers, securing progression to the later stages. Argentina remained second, followed by France in third and England in fourth.

Portugal climbed to fifth on the back of successive Nations League victories, ahead of Brazil in sixth and Morocco in seventh.

Elsewhere among Arab teams, Egypt slipped one place to 25th, while Algeria rose one spot to 28th.


Former Spurs Defender Vega to Stand for FIFA Presidency

Ramon Vega. (Getty Images)
Ramon Vega. (Getty Images)
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Former Spurs Defender Vega to Stand for FIFA Presidency

Ramon Vega. (Getty Images)
Ramon Vega. (Getty Images)

Former Tottenham defender Ramon Vega has become the first person to announce he intends to run against incumbent Gianni Infantino in the FIFA presidential election next year.

The 55-year-old former Switzerland center-back has been working in finance since he retired in 2004.

It is not the first time, though, that Vega has announced his intention to run for the top job at world football's governing body.

He had considered running against Infantino following the resignation of Sepp Blatter in the wake of a corruption scandal in 2015.

And he tried to challenge his fellow Swiss in 2022, but failed to garner sufficient support to make it onto the ballot.

"The situation has evolved a lot since then," Vega told AFP, adding FIFA's member associations were "much more open to change" than when he previously sought to stand.

"I am standing because my life has prepared me to serve the game," Vega added in an 11-page dossier announcing his candidacy.

"I believe I have a duty and a social responsibility to protect and defend football -- its integrity, its people and its future."

Pressure has been building on Infantino, who has lost the support of numerous FIFA member associations, since his aborted plan to create a commercial subsidiary to run FIFA's biggest events, such as the World Cup and Club World Cup.

Last week, the Swiss Football Association became the latest to withdraw its support for Infantino, citing concerns over his record on transparency, accountability and institutional responsibility.

"Faith and trust across the football family have been deeply damaged," said Vega in his dossier.

"We must rebuild both, restore FIFA's credibility and reunite the global football family."

It is not clear whether Vega would be able to stand.

He must first gain the backing of at least five of FIFA's 211 member federations, but also be proposed by one of those.

The rules stipulate a candidate must have been involved in football for two of the previous five years, and pass an eligibility review.

Potential candidates have until November 18 to meet those criteria.