Author: Rowan Clarke

Arsenal’s attention has turned to building on their Premier League title success following Sunday’s trophy parade in north London. Manager Mikel Arteta’s powerbase at Emirates Stadium has grown significantly after he led the club to their first domestic title in 22 years. Following the Champions League final defeat by Paris St-Germain, Arteta said there are “important decisions” to make in order to take the club to the next level. The priority this summer is to finalise a new contract with Arteta, whose current deal expires at the end of next season. BBC Sport revealed last month that talks over fresh…

Portugal and Spain have met 41 times across competitive and friendly international football, producing one of Iberia’s most storied rivalries. The overall record favours Spain considerably, with Portugal winning just seven matches compared to eighteen defeats across the full historical series. Sixteen of those meetings have ended in draws, underscoring how tightly contested this fixture has consistently been at international level. The two nations first met in December 1921, with Spain winning 3-1 in what was recorded as an international friendly encounter. Early results were heavily dominated by Spain, including a crushing 9-0 World Cup qualifying victory in Madrid back…

Leeds United FC vs Birmingham City often produces an exciting match timeline, with plenty of action and goals. Leeds United have faced Birmingham City across a substantial number of competitive matches, building one of the club’s more closely contested historical rivalries. The overall record shows Leeds United have won 43 games against Birmingham City across all competitions throughout their shared history. Birmingham City have claimed 42 victories in matches against Leeds United, making the head-to-head record remarkably tight between the two clubs. The remaining 26 fixtures between the two sides ended in draws, reflecting how evenly matched these clubs have…

The West Ham United vs Brenford FC timeline is closely monitored by pundits and fans alike. West Ham United and Brentford have met 60 times across all competitions, producing a record of 25 wins, 12 draws, and 23 losses for the Hammers. The two clubs first faced each other on 24 September 1898, with West Ham winning 3-1 in the Southern League Second Division. Their early rivalry was dominated by Southern League football, with matches played consistently from 1898 through to 1913 across both divisions. West Ham’s heaviest Southern League victory in this fixture came on 21 October 1911, a…

Algeria have handed Luca Zidane, son of France legend Zinedine Zidane, a call-up to his first World Cup tournament. The 28-year-old goalkeeper was Algeria’s first-choice stopper at the Africa Cup of Nations before breaking his jaw and chin in April while playing for Spanish club Granada. Zidane represented France up to under-20 level before choosing to represent Algeria, the country where his grandparents were born. Former Manchester City and Leicester forward Riyad Mahrez, now 35 and playing for Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli, will also feature at the tournament. Former Tottenham midfielder Nabil Bentaleb has been recalled by coach Vladimir Petkovic…

Manchester United youngster Tyler Fletcher has been named in Scotland’s World Cup squad despite making only two senior substitute appearances totalling 17 minutes. The Fletcher family had originally planned to attend the World Cup as fans, travelling around the United States to watch Scotland’s matches together. That trip was meant to offer some respite after a difficult end to the season, with dad Darren’s Manchester United Under-18 side losing two major cup finals. Tyler’s twin brother Jack, who plays for England’s youth teams, had also suffered a final defeat, meaning the family faced a summer of near misses. Instead of…

Oliver Glasner is reportedly set to hold talks over the vacant AC Milan managerial position following the sacking of Massimiliano Allegri. The former Crystal Palace boss is being considered for the role at the Italian giants, according to reports in the Mail. Bayern Munich are targeting Bournemouth’s France Under-21 forward Junior Kroupi, 19, as back-up for 29-year-old Colombia winger Luis Diaz. Liverpool and Inter Milan are in negotiations over England midfielder Curtis Jones, 25, but the Reds are demanding more than the proposed 20 million euros. Liverpool view Jones as an academy product and are unwilling to let him leave…

Manchester United teenager Tyler Fletcher has been called into Scotland’s World Cup squad as a replacement for the injured Billy Gilmour. Fletcher, who is 19 years old, had already made his international debut during the same match that saw Gilmour pick up his injury. The young midfielder came on as a half-time substitute in Scotland’s 4-1 friendly victory over Curacao at Hampden Park. Gilmour, who plays his club football for Napoli, suffered a knee injury during a first-half incident in that same friendly fixture. Scotland’s governing body confirmed the Napoli midfielder’s withdrawal from the World Cup squad later on Saturday…

Paris Saint-Germain have retained their Champions League title after Arsenal defender Gabriel missed the decisive spot-kick in a penalty shootout. Gabriel blazed his penalty over the bar, handing PSG the victory and allowing the French club to successfully defend their European crown. The result means Arsenal have again fallen short in their pursuit of Champions League glory, losing out in the most heartbreaking of fashions. PSG’s triumph confirms their status as the dominant force in European football, securing back-to-back Champions League titles for the club. The shootout proved to be the difference between the two sides after the match itself…

Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League final victory over Arsenal has triggered widespread unrest across France, resulting in more than 400 arrests. Thousands of police officers were deployed across the capital to contain disorder that disrupted bus, train and rail services throughout Paris. Fireworks and flares were set off during the chaos, with several police officers sustaining injuries as crowds clashed with authorities. Police responded by firing tear gas to disperse revellers who had gathered in large numbers across the city centre. Footage from Paris appeared to show flares being ignited, electric bikes burning on roads, and crowds smashing the glass of…