Saka Sparks Arsenal Attack into Life Ahead of Atletico Showdown

Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Fulham - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - May 2, 2026 Arsenal's Bukayo Saka celebrates scoring their second goal. (Action Images via Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Fulham - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - May 2, 2026 Arsenal's Bukayo Saka celebrates scoring their second goal. (Action Images via Reuters)
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Saka Sparks Arsenal Attack into Life Ahead of Atletico Showdown

Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Fulham - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - May 2, 2026 Arsenal's Bukayo Saka celebrates scoring their second goal. (Action Images via Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Fulham - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - May 2, 2026 Arsenal's Bukayo Saka celebrates scoring their second goal. (Action Images via Reuters)

Bukayo Saka's return from injury has jolted Arsenal's attack back into life just in time for the Gunners to dream of a Premier League and Champions League double.

Saka scored and provided an assist for Viktor Gyokeres as Mikel Arteta's men bagged three goals for the first time in 16 games in Saturday's 3-0 win over Fulham.

All three goals arrived before Saka was withdrawn by Arteta at half-time to protect the England winger, who has been nursing an achilles injury in recent months.

Arteta had one eye on Tuesday's visit by Atletico Madrid, with Arsenal hoping to reach just the second Champions League final in their history.

The clash is evenly poised at 1-1 after a first leg dominated by penalty decisions in the Spanish capital.

Both sides netted from the spot, but Arsenal thought they should have had a second penalty when Eberechi Eze was clipped inside the box.

Saka was involved in that move and his introduction as a substitute helped Arsenal turn the tide to finish the first leg on the front foot.

The 24-year-old was recently handed a new four-year contract, reportedly making him the highest earner at the club.

Saka has struggled to find his best form since a serious hamstring injury ruled him out for three months last season.

Arteta, though, is hoping the attacker is both physically and mentally fresh to end Arsenal's long wait for silverware.

- Difference maker -

Saka's quick feet and deadly delivery left Gyokeres with the simple task of tapping into an empty net to settle the Premier League leaders' nerves early on against Fulham.

The roles were reversed for the second as Saka latched onto the Swede's pass and arrowed a shot into the bottom corner for his 10th goal of an injury-disrupted campaign.

"He certainly made a difference. He made two actions that decided the game and we know what he's capable of," said Arteta.

"He's come back in the most important period of the season and now he's fresh.

"His mind is fresh, his hunger is at the highest possible height and I think he needed a performance like that to impact the team, so that's a big platform for Tuesday."

Robert Pires was part of the only previous Arsenal side to reach the Champions League final, a 2-1 defeat to Barcelona in 2006.

The Frenchman's wing play made him a legendary figure in north London for his part in two Premier League titles under Arsene Wenger and he believes Saka can have an inspirational impact on his team-mates.

"He's found his sharpness again, he's brought back his dribbling, his drive," Pires told AFP.

"When you have players like him, capable of making the difference, it already does everyone a lot of good.

"Above all, he pulls the others along, getting them to do, or at least try to do, what he does."

Arsenal's miserly defense, which has conceded just six goals in 13 Champions League games, has carried them to the brink of the final.

Now the onus is on Saka, nicknamed "star-boy" by the club's supporters, to provide the creative spark to take Arsenal to Budapest next month.



Leipzig’s Demichelis Relishing City Clash with ‘Best Friend’ Maresca

Argentinian coach Martin Demichelis addresses a press conference at the training grounds of German first division Bundesliga football club RB Leipzig on the eve of the UEFA Champions League football match between RB Leipzig and Manchester City in Leipzig, eastern Germany on November 3, 2026. (AFP)
Argentinian coach Martin Demichelis addresses a press conference at the training grounds of German first division Bundesliga football club RB Leipzig on the eve of the UEFA Champions League football match between RB Leipzig and Manchester City in Leipzig, eastern Germany on November 3, 2026. (AFP)
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Leipzig’s Demichelis Relishing City Clash with ‘Best Friend’ Maresca

Argentinian coach Martin Demichelis addresses a press conference at the training grounds of German first division Bundesliga football club RB Leipzig on the eve of the UEFA Champions League football match between RB Leipzig and Manchester City in Leipzig, eastern Germany on November 3, 2026. (AFP)
Argentinian coach Martin Demichelis addresses a press conference at the training grounds of German first division Bundesliga football club RB Leipzig on the eve of the UEFA Champions League football match between RB Leipzig and Manchester City in Leipzig, eastern Germany on November 3, 2026. (AFP)

RB Leipzig coach Martin Demichelis said it was an "honor" to face long-time friend and Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca ahead of Wednesday's Champions League clash.

Demichelis, 45, and Maresca were neighbors during their time playing together at Malaga and the Leipzig coach said Tuesday he considered the Italian as his "brother".

"I know Enzo very well -- he's one of my best friends in football. I'd say we're almost like brothers," Demichelis said Tuesday.

"We lived together -- or rather, right next door to each other -- in Spain. I'm familiar with his philosophy, his ideas.

"Our kids grew up together. Early on as players, we both wanted to become coaches.

"We started the journey together. He's very intelligent and pragmatic and it'll be an honor to take the pitch with him tomorrow."

The Argentinian, who took over in Saxony in the summer, said Maresca had called him on Monday trying to get the inside scoop of Leipzig's likely starting XI.

"Enzo is a winner. He'll be doing everything he can to win titles with Manchester City," Demichelis added.

"There was a lot of interest in my line-up when we spoke yesterday. We think very much alike when it comes to football...

"Enzo wants to know our line-up. I won't say anything. He'll find out tomorrow."

Demichelis spent three seasons at Manchester City, winning the 2013-14 Premier League title and two League Cups during the period the club were found guilty of having broken financial rules.

The coach said the looming penalties and the potential of having his titles stripped did not concern him.

"I spent three fantastic years there, but it was a long time ago," Demichelis said.

"(The charges are) not interesting, it's a long time ago, football has changed.

"I'm the coach of RB Leipzig and all I want tomorrow is a good game from RB Leipzig."


Saliba Back in Training with Arsenal After Being Out Injured Since the World Cup

UEFA Champions League - Arsenal Training - Arsenal Training Centre, London Colney, Britain - November 3, 2026 Arsenal's William Saliba during training. (Reuters)
UEFA Champions League - Arsenal Training - Arsenal Training Centre, London Colney, Britain - November 3, 2026 Arsenal's William Saliba during training. (Reuters)
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Saliba Back in Training with Arsenal After Being Out Injured Since the World Cup

UEFA Champions League - Arsenal Training - Arsenal Training Centre, London Colney, Britain - November 3, 2026 Arsenal's William Saliba during training. (Reuters)
UEFA Champions League - Arsenal Training - Arsenal Training Centre, London Colney, Britain - November 3, 2026 Arsenal's William Saliba during training. (Reuters)

William Saliba has returned to full training at Arsenal, 3½ months after his last game — in the World Cup semifinals for France.

Saliba has been out of action with a back injury that didn't require surgery but an extended period of rehabilitation, Arsenal said in July.

The center back took part in a training session on Tuesday, a day before Arsenal's Champions League match at Slavia Prague.

Saliba hasn't played since being substituted out of France's 2-0 semifinal loss to Spain at the World Cup during the first half.

Saliba has struck up an impressive, yearslong center-back partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes that was key to Arsenal winning the Premier League title last season.

However, despite his ball-playing qualities and excellent reading of the game, Saliba might not be rushed back into the first team by manager Mikel Arteta.

That's because the man who has replaced Saliba for the start of this season — summer signing Ezri Konsa — has put in a slew of strong performances so far and Arteta might not be ready to break up the Konsa-Gabriel combination just yet.

One option could be to switch Konsa to right back, where he occasionally has played for former club Aston Villa and England. Arteta also has Jurrien Timber and Ben White as options at right back.


West Ham Sack Head Coach Nuno After Poor Start to Championship Season

11 September 2026, United Kingdom, London: File Photo - West Ham United manager Nuno Espirito Santo reacts during the Championship match between West Ham United and Wrexham at the London Stadium. (dpa)
11 September 2026, United Kingdom, London: File Photo - West Ham United manager Nuno Espirito Santo reacts during the Championship match between West Ham United and Wrexham at the London Stadium. (dpa)
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West Ham Sack Head Coach Nuno After Poor Start to Championship Season

11 September 2026, United Kingdom, London: File Photo - West Ham United manager Nuno Espirito Santo reacts during the Championship match between West Ham United and Wrexham at the London Stadium. (dpa)
11 September 2026, United Kingdom, London: File Photo - West Ham United manager Nuno Espirito Santo reacts during the Championship match between West Ham United and Wrexham at the London Stadium. (dpa)

West Ham sacked head coach Nuno Espirito Santo on Tuesday after a disappointing start to the Championship season.

The 52-year-old Portuguese manager oversaw the Hammers' relegation from the Premier League last season but stayed with the London club.

Many viewed them as favorites to win automatic promotion back to the top flight but they are currently eighth in the second-tier table, six points behind leaders Middlesbrough, after 13 games.

West Ham had a good run after a shaky start to the season but have lost their past two league games, against Southampton and West Brom.

Nuno, who previously managed Wolves, Tottenham and Nottingham Forest, was appointed in September last year but was unable to keep West Ham in the Premier League.

"West Ham United can confirm that men's first-team head coach Nuno Espirito Santo has left his position with immediate effect," the club said in a statement.

"Following a thorough review of the start to the EFL Championship season, the board of directors believe that a change is necessary at this time in order to ensure that the club's objectives and expectations remain on track."

Assistant head coach Rui Pedro Silva and goalkeeping coach Rui Barbosa have also left the club.

West Ham said the process of recruiting a new head coach was already under way.