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."



Messi Suffers Muscle Strain, Return Date Undetermined

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi walks on the field during the second half of an MLS soccer match, Sunday, May 24, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi walks on the field during the second half of an MLS soccer match, Sunday, May 24, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
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Messi Suffers Muscle Strain, Return Date Undetermined

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi walks on the field during the second half of an MLS soccer match, Sunday, May 24, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi walks on the field during the second half of an MLS soccer match, Sunday, May 24, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Inter Miami star Lionel Messi was suffering from muscle fatigue in his left hamstring when he requested a sub Sunday during a 6-4 win over the visiting Philadelphia Union, the club said Monday.

"After undergoing further medical tests this Monday, the initial diagnosis indicates an overload associated with muscle fatigue in his left hamstring," Reuters quoted Inter Miami as saying in a statement. "The timeline for his return to physical activity ⁠will depend on ⁠his clinical and functional progress."

Messi was seen grabbing at his upper thigh before he asked to sub out in the 73rd minute, and he headed directly to the locker room.

Messi's ailment ⁠comes about one week before Argentina begins to prepare for its World Cup title defense at a training camp in Kansas City, Kan.

It's unclear whether Messi will have to miss any time due to the overload. The Major League Soccer season has now begun its World Cup break, and Messi, 38, may return to ⁠training ⁠with Argentina or may need to rest further before matches begin.

Argentina plays Algeria on June 16 in Kansas City, Mo. for their first group- stage match. Messi and company will also face Austria and Jordan as part of Group J.

Messi helped Argentina win its first World Cup since 1986 and its third overall four years ago in Qatar. He won the Golden Ball for the tournament's top player.


Monfils Aims to Emulate Ronaldo, LeBron after Roland Garros Farewell

France's Gael Monfils (L) poses with a trophy next to French Tennis Federation's President Gilles Moretton (R) during a ceremony honoring his career on day 2 of the French Open tennis tournament on Court Philippe-Chatrier at the Roland-Garros Complex in Paris on May 25, 2026. (Photo by ALAIN JOCARD / AFP)
France's Gael Monfils (L) poses with a trophy next to French Tennis Federation's President Gilles Moretton (R) during a ceremony honoring his career on day 2 of the French Open tennis tournament on Court Philippe-Chatrier at the Roland-Garros Complex in Paris on May 25, 2026. (Photo by ALAIN JOCARD / AFP)
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Monfils Aims to Emulate Ronaldo, LeBron after Roland Garros Farewell

France's Gael Monfils (L) poses with a trophy next to French Tennis Federation's President Gilles Moretton (R) during a ceremony honoring his career on day 2 of the French Open tennis tournament on Court Philippe-Chatrier at the Roland-Garros Complex in Paris on May 25, 2026. (Photo by ALAIN JOCARD / AFP)
France's Gael Monfils (L) poses with a trophy next to French Tennis Federation's President Gilles Moretton (R) during a ceremony honoring his career on day 2 of the French Open tennis tournament on Court Philippe-Chatrier at the Roland-Garros Complex in Paris on May 25, 2026. (Photo by ALAIN JOCARD / AFP)

Gael Monfils is determined to emulate the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and LeBron James by playing into his 40s and hopes to play at Wimbledon, Montreal and the US Open before bringing down the curtain on his career on home soil at the Paris Masters.

The Frenchman, who turns 40 in September, bade a fond farewell to Roland Garros after going down 6-2 6-3 3-6 2-6 6-0 to compatriot Hugo Gaston in the first round on Monday, walking off to a standing ovation that celebrated a career that spanned two decades.

Monfils will retire at the end ⁠of the season ⁠as he seeks to manage his body into his 40s.

"Why do I want to get to the States? Because I want to play until 40. My wish is to be an athlete that plays until 40 years old," Reuters quoted Monfils as saying.

"Like Stan (Wawrinka), LeBron, Cristiano, (Patrice) Evra, like all of the athletes ⁠who have managed to continue their sport until the age of 40.

"That's what I want to do. You know that whatever happens this summer, I'm locked in to train."

Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - May 25, 2026 France's Gael Monfils poses with former tennis players Gilles Simon, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Richard Gasquet after receiving an award from Roland Garros. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier

The former world number six, who has enjoyed some of his best results on clay, acknowledged that the surface has become more challenging in recent years.

While he hopes to secure a wildcard for the US Open, he also plans to play Wimbledon and Montreal.

"Hopefully Wimbledon. Then need to decide if we go to ⁠Washington or ⁠not," he said.

"I think we will ask Montreal, hopefully. I want to say goodbye to Montreal. Obviously I will ask the French Federation to have the US Open wildcard. Hopefully I will have this one.

"Asia is a bit blurry, to be honest. Then the end of the year, I can tell you I will play Lyon, the new tournament. Nicolas (his agent) wants me to play Vienna, and then hopefully, Paris."

The 13-time ATP title winner reached the French Open semi-finals in 2008 and was a key part of France's Davis Cup runs in 2010 and 2014.


FIFA Reveals 48 World Cup Team Base Training Sites

TIJUANA, MEXICO - MAY 25: Panoramic view of Estadio Caliente on May 25, 2026 in Tijuana, Mexico. Francisco Vega/Getty Images/AFP
TIJUANA, MEXICO - MAY 25: Panoramic view of Estadio Caliente on May 25, 2026 in Tijuana, Mexico. Francisco Vega/Getty Images/AFP
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FIFA Reveals 48 World Cup Team Base Training Sites

TIJUANA, MEXICO - MAY 25: Panoramic view of Estadio Caliente on May 25, 2026 in Tijuana, Mexico. Francisco Vega/Getty Images/AFP
TIJUANA, MEXICO - MAY 25: Panoramic view of Estadio Caliente on May 25, 2026 in Tijuana, Mexico. Francisco Vega/Getty Images/AFP

Defending champions Argentina and England will have their World Cup teams based in Kansas City under a list of training sites announced by FIFA on Monday.

The record 48 teams competing in the global football showdown that begins next month will have 39 teams based in the United States, seven more based in Mexico and two based in Canada.

"Team Base Camps are an integral part of the fabric of any FIFA World Cup," said Heimo Schirgi, 2026 FIFA World Cup chief operating officer. "They are where teams put down roots, train and recuperate, and experience the day-to-day rhythms of the tournament."

Iran were confirmed with a team base in Tijuana, Mexico.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Monday said the country would allow Iran to be based there to avoid US visa restrictions.

Colombia, South Korea, Mexico, South Africa, Tunisia and Uruguay will also be based in Mexico with Canada and Panama based in Canada and the rest settled in US venues.

Saudi Arabia: Austin, TX (Austin FC Stadium)
Algeria: Kansas City (University of Kansas)
Argentina: Kansas City (Sporting KC Training Centre)
Australia: San Francisco Bay Area (Oakland Roots/Soul facility)
Austria: Goleta, CA (UC Santa Barbara)
Belgium: Renton, WA (Seattle Sounders performance centre)
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Sandy, UT (RSL Stadium)
Brazil: New York-New Jersey (Columbia Park Training Facility)
Canada: Vancouver (National Soccer Development Centre)
Cote d'Ivoire: Philadelphia (Philadelphia Union)
Congo DR: Houston (Houston Training Centre)
Colombia: Guadalajara, MX (Academia Atlas FC)
Cabo Verde: Tampa, FL (Waters Sportsplex)
Croatia: Alexandria (Episcopal High School)
Curaçao: Boca Raton, FL (Florida Atlantic University)
Czechia: Dallas (Mansfield Multipurpose Stadium)
Ecuador: Columbus, OH (Columbus Crew Performance Centre)
Egypt: Spokane, WA (Gonzaga University)
England: Kansas City (Swope Soccer Village)
Spain: Chattanooga, TN (Baylor School)
France: Boston (Bentley University)
Germany: Winston-Salem, NC (Wake Forest University)
Ghana: Boston (Bryant University)
Haiti: New York-New Jersey (Stockton University)
Iran: Tijuana, MX (Centro Xoloitzcuintle)
Iraq: Greenbrier, WV (Greenbrier Sports Performance Centre)
Jordan: Portland (University of Portland)
Japan: Nashville, TN (Nashville SC facility)
South Korea: Guadalajara, MX (Chivas Verde Valle)
Morocco: New York-New Jersey (Pingry School)
Mexico: Mexico City (Centro de Alto Rendimiento)
Netherlands: Kansas City (KC Current Training Facility)
Norway: Greensboro, NC (UNC Greensboro)
New Zealand: San Diego (University of San Diego - Torero Stadium)
Panama: New Tecumseth, CAN (Nottawasaga Training Site)
Paraguay: San Francisco Bay Area (Spartan Soccer Complex)
Portugal: Palm Beach Gardens (Gardens North County District Park)
Qatar: Santa Barbara, CA (Westmont College)
South Africa: Pachuca, MX (Pachuca - Universidad Del Futbol)
Scotland: Charlotte, NC (Charlotte FC facility)
Senegal: New York-New Jersey (Rutgers University)
Switzerland: San Diego (SDJA)
Sweden: Dallas (FC Dallas Stadium)
Tunisia: Monterrey, MX (Rayados Training Centre)
Türkiye: Mesa, AZ (Arizona Athletic Grounds)
Uruguay: Cancun, MX (Mayakoba Training Centre Cancun)
United States: Irvine (Great Park Sports Complex)
Uzbekistan: Atlanta (Atlanta United Training Centre)