Tag: Arsenal

Who could Liverpool, Arsenal, Aston Villa, Man City and Celtic face in UEFA Champions League play-offs and last 16?
Fans have been treated to goals galore in this season’s UEFA Champions League – now things are about to heat up once again as the draw for the knockout phase play-offs loom.

It has been a season of firsts in the Champions League, with the inaugural play-off round set to get underway in February.

The draw must take place first though, and with that in mind, here is everything you need to know about the next step on the road to Munich.

When is the UEFA Champions League knockout phase play-off draw?

The Champions League knockout phase play-off draw will get underway at 11:00 UK time on January 31 – live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

The draw will be held at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland, which is UEFA’s headquarters.

The fixtures themselves will be played over two weeks, with the first legs set to take place on February 11 and 12 before the second legs on February 18 and 19.

Who could Manchester City and Celtic face in UEFA Champions League knockout phase play-offs?

British clubs Manchester City and Celtic have the same two possible opponents in the UEFA Champions League knockout phase play-offs after finishing 22nd and 21st.

The Scottish giants and the Premier League champions will face either face 15-time winners Real Madrid or German icons Bayern Munich after they finished 11th and 12th.

Who could Liverpool, Arsenal and Aston Villa face in UEFA Champions League last 16?

While the top eight sides will not find out their opponents until the last 16 draw on February 21, the bracket format means they have four possible opponents.

Liverpool finished top of the league phase standings, but there are no easy games in the UEFA Champions League, and they will now face one of Monaco, Brest, Paris Saint-Germain or Benfica.

Arsenal ended their league phase campaign in third, and will take on one of Feyenoord, Juventus, AC Milan or PSV Eindhoven when their campaign resumes

Aston Villa secured their spot in the top eight with an entertaining 4-2 triumph over Celtic, and will now face a mouth-watering encounter with one of Atalanta, Borussia Dortmund, Sporting Lisbon or Club Brugge in the last 16.

How does the UEFA Champions League knockout phase play-off draw work?

The top eight sides in the league phase table will progress automatically to the last 16, meaning only the teams that finished between ninth and 24th will be included in the play-off draw.

Teams that finished between ninth and 16th place will be seeded while the teams that were placed between 17th and 24th will be unseeded.

Unlike a traditional UEFA knockout draw – where any seed can meet any unseeded team – the competition adopts a bracket format from the play-off stage onwards.

There is still a draw, but potential opponents are reduced to two options. For example, teams finishing ninth and 10th can only be drawn against teams finishing 23rd and 24th; teams finishing 11th and 12th can only be drawn against teams finishing 21st and 22nd; and so on…

With only two teams in each pot, the first side selected is put on the silver side of the bracket and the other team placed on the blue side of the bracket.

Teams that draw each other will go head-to-head across two legs, with the winners progressing to the last 16.

The seeded clubs will play the return leg of their draw at home.

Seeded teams: Atalanta, Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, AC Milan, PSV, PSG, Benfica

Unseeded teams: Monaco, Brest, Feyenoord, Juventus, Celtic, Manchester City, Sporting Lisbon, Club Brugge

Can teams from the same country face each other?

Yes, sides can face another team from the same national association from the knockout phase play-offs onwards.

Intriguingly, they can also face teams they played during the league phase.

Stream the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, Europa League, Conference League and much more live on TNT Sports and discovery+

As the UEFA Champions League group stages come to a close, fans of Liverpool, Arsenal, Aston Villa, Manchester City, and Celtic are eagerly awaiting the draw for the play-offs and last 16. With some tough competition in the mix, the potential opponents for these teams could make for some exciting matchups.

Liverpool, as one of the top seeds, could potentially face teams like Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan, or RB Leipzig in the play-offs. In the last 16, they could come up against Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, or Juventus.

Arsenal, on the other hand, may face tough opponents like PSG, Sporting Lisbon, or Ajax in the play-offs. In the last 16, they could potentially meet Barcelona, Sevilla, or Borussia Dortmund.

Aston Villa, making their return to the Champions League after a long absence, could be drawn against teams like Porto, Lille, or RB Salzburg in the play-offs. In the last 16, they could face teams like Atalanta, Benfica, or Shakhtar Donetsk.

Manchester City, as one of the favorites to win the competition, could face teams like Napoli, Zenit St. Petersburg, or Villarreal in the play-offs. In the last 16, they could potentially meet AC Milan, Wolfsburg, or Marseille.

Celtic, as the Scottish champions, could potentially face teams like Sevilla, Dinamo Zagreb, or Young Boys in the play-offs. In the last 16, they could come up against teams like RB Leipzig, Porto, or Inter Milan.

With so many potential matchups on the horizon, fans of these teams will be eagerly awaiting the draw to see who their beloved clubs will face in the next stages of the Champions League. Stay tuned for updates and analysis on these exciting matchups!

Tags:
1. Liverpool Champions League play-offs
2. Arsenal UEFA Champions League opponents
3. Aston Villa potential last 16 match-ups
4. Man City UCL play-offs draw
5. Celtic Champions League opponents last 16
#Liverpool #Arsenal #Aston #Villa #Man #City #Celtic #face #UEFA #Champions #League #playoffs
January 30, 2025
Arsenal battling Manchester United for Bayern Munich star Mathys Tel but face one stumbling block
Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Arsenal and Manchester United are investigating a move for Bayern Munich‘s Mathys Tel, with his desire to leave the Bundesliga side causing a flurry of activity that has also seen Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur declare their interest.

A significant issue that the Gunners must overcome is whether a loan with an option to buy is possible. Fewer clubs would be interested if it is just a loan without an option to buy.

Meanwhile, United would need to spin plates financially in order to make the move happen but they are one of Tel’s preferred options. He is understood to only want to go to a club where he will be guaranteed a certain number of minutes and who can offer him the most football may well decide his ultimate destination.

A lack of regular football is the primary reason he has pushed to leave Bayern during this January window before the deadline, with the Bavarian giants now discussing what to do next.

The 19-year-old was already on the radar of Arsenal, with plans to bring in a new forward and the player fits all their criteria, especially regarding his potential to flourish with a consistent role. Tel is two-footed and can play across the forward line, while being able to move the ball with pace and is also considered to be a good finisher.

Mikel Arteta‘s general preference has been for young signings who he can help to develop.

The news that the French under-21 international has become available surprised Arsenal due to his obvious talent.

It has naturally caused the club to look at a potential deal, and what could be done to convince Bayern to sell.

The German club would nevertheless want to keep a player of such talent, and seek to do some kind of deal where he can get the football he wants but retain the option to bring him back in the future.

Mathys Tel of Bayern Munich is being monitored by Arsenal and Chelsea (Getty Images)

Tel himself is also known to be very open to Arsenal, both due to the status of the club right now, but also the possibility for football due to the thinness of Arteta’s attacking options. The latter is not the case currently with Chelsea, who are also interested in Tel, due to the abundance of players they have in the forward positions.

Arsenal are still pursuing a deal for Rosenborg’s Sverre Halseth Nypan, although they face increased competition from the likes of Aston Villa.

The Birmingham club believe they can offer a persuasive package, and potentially offer more regular and immediate first-team football.

According to recent reports, Arsenal and Manchester United are both vying for the signature of Bayern Munich star Mathys Tel. The talented midfielder has caught the eye of several top clubs with his impressive performances in the Bundesliga.

However, both Arsenal and Manchester United are facing a major stumbling block in their pursuit of Tel – Bayern Munich’s reluctance to sell. The German giants are determined to hold on to their prized asset and are reportedly not interested in entertaining any offers for the player.

Despite this setback, both Arsenal and Manchester United are said to be keen on securing Tel’s services and are willing to do whatever it takes to bring him to the Premier League. It remains to be seen whether either club will be able to convince Bayern Munich to part ways with the talented midfielder.

Stay tuned for more updates on this developing transfer saga as both Arsenal and Manchester United continue to battle it out for Mathys Tel’s signature.

Tags:
1. Arsenal transfer news
2. Manchester United transfer rumors
3. Bayern Munich star Mathys Tel
4. Premier League transfer gossip
5. Mathys Tel transfer update
6. Arsenal vs Manchester United transfer battle
7. Football transfer news
8. Mathys Tel contract negotiations
9. Transfer market latest
10. Mathys Tel potential move to Premier League
#Arsenal #battling #Manchester #United #Bayern #Munich #star #Mathys #Tel #face #stumbling #block
January 30, 2025
Champions League knockout draw: who Liverpool, Man City, Arsenal and Villa could face
Myles Lewis-Skelly can look forward to a potential knockout match in the Champions League – Getty Images/Stuart MacFarlane

Manchester City face a blockbuster Champions League play-off tie against Real Madrid or Bayern Munich after scraping through the new league phase with a 3-1 victory over Club Brugge.

The Premier League champions, enduring their most turbulent season in Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering reign, again underwhelmed but recovered from a 1-0 deficit at half-time against the Belgian underdogs.

The comeback sparked a dramatic outpouring of emotion from Guardiola, who twice booted a pitchside coolbox in apparent relief after being left immensely frustrated by a nervous and lacklustre first half.

Elsewhere, the night proved significantly less stressful for other English sides as Arsenal and Aston Villa joined Liverpool in securing last-16 spots for finishing in the league phase’s top eight.

The Etihad Stadium suffered a huge scare as City, knowing only victory would suffice to avoid the abject embarrassment of slipping out of the top 24 places in the tournament’s new format, were forced to battle back from Raphael Onyedika shock opener just before half-time.

Guardiola’s men rallied in the second half, however, with Mateo Kovacic driving low past Simon Mignolet. Joel Ordóñez then turned Josko Gvardiol’s cross into his own net before the substitute Savinho scored with a low shot.

It was a goal-laden night elsewhere in the deciding matchday eight, with Aston Villa overwhelming Celtic 4-2 and Arsenal winning 2-1 away at Girona. An understrength Liverpool, their place already safe, slipped to a 3-2 defeat at PSV Eindhoven.

Arsenal will face AC Milan, PSV, Feyenoord or Juventus in the last 16. Liverpool also face one of four potential opponents in the next round, with Paris St-Germain the standout potential opponent while Borussia Dortmund are among four potential opponents for Villa.

Celtic, like City, are also waiting to find out if they face Real Madrid or Bayern Munich.

The new league phase of the Champions League had divided fans until Wednesday night, but Uefa have now declared the changes over the summer an unmitigated success.

Here is how the next stages unfold.

When is the Champions League knockout draw?

The draw for the knockout phase play-off round takes place in Nyon, Switzerland, on Friday, January 31. It will start at 11am UK time (12pm European time) and will be live-streamed on Uefa.com.

How does the play-off round work?

Teams that finished the new Swiss-format league phase between ninth and 16th are seeded for the first draw for the knockout phase and will face a team placed 17th to 24th. The seeded team will, in principle, play the return leg at home. Potential opponents are also pre-defined by pairings of teams’ final league positions. For example, teams finishing ninth and 10th will face the sides that ended 23rd or 24th; teams finishing 11th or 12th will be drawn against either the 21st or 22nd-placed sides and so on.

Who will Manchester City and Celtic face?

Celtic’s 21st place finish, with City immediately beneath them means they will face either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich, who finished 11th and 12th respectively. The draw starts with the unseeded teams, in this case City and Celtic, who will play at home first.

Who can Liverpool face?

Liverpool, Arsenal and Aston Villa finished in the top eight so progress directly into the last 16. The Merseyside club’s top spot and top seed status hands them a tie against either PSG, Benfica, Monaco or Brest, who need to come through the play-off stage first. Liverpool will also play their second leg of the round of 16 tie at home.

Who can Arsenal face?

Arsenal’s third place finish means they face either AC Milan, PSV, Feyenoord or Juventus.

Who can Aston Villa face?

Villa’s eight-place slot hands them either Atalanta, Dortmund, Sporting or Club Brugge.

What happens to the teams who are knocked out?

There will be no buffer of the Europa League like years gone by. Those teams who finished 25th or below have been eliminated and, to use that old football adage, can concentrate on their respective domestic leagues. The Europa League and Europa Conference are also using the Swiss Model format.

When is the play-off round?

First legs will be played on February 11 and 12, with the return leg the following week on February 18 and 19.

The rest of the tournament follows as . . .

Round of 16: March 4/5 and 11/12
Quarter-finals: April 8/9 and 15/16
Semi-finals: April 29/30 and May 6/7
Final: May 31

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.

As the Champions League knockout draw approaches, fans of Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal, and Aston Villa are eagerly anticipating the potential matchups that could await their teams. With some of Europe’s top clubs still in the competition, the stakes are high as the road to the final becomes clearer.

Liverpool, last year’s champions, will be looking to defend their title and could face tough opponents such as Bayern Munich, Barcelona, or Juventus in the next round. With their attacking prowess and solid defense, the Reds will be a force to be reckoned with no matter who they come up against.

Manchester City, one of the favorites to win the tournament, will be hoping for a favorable draw as they seek to finally clinch the Champions League trophy. Pep Guardiola’s side could potentially face Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, or Paris Saint-Germain in the knockout stages, setting up some exciting clashes.

Arsenal, who have been impressive in the competition so far, will be aiming to make a deep run and could potentially face teams like Borussia Dortmund, Inter Milan, or RB Leipzig in the next round. With their attacking talent and solid defense, the Gunners will be looking to cause some upsets along the way.

Aston Villa, the surprise package in this year’s Champions League, will be looking to continue their fairy-tale run and could face heavyweights like Chelsea, Manchester United, or Sevilla in the knockout stages. With their never-say-die attitude and strong team spirit, the Villans will be a tough opponent for any team they come up against.

As the draw takes place, fans of these four teams will be eagerly awaiting the matchups that could potentially define their Champions League campaigns. With so many top clubs still in the competition, anything can happen, and the excitement is sure to be at an all-time high. Stay tuned for the Champions League knockout draw to see who Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal, and Aston Villa could face next!

Tags:
1. Champions League knockout draw
2. Liverpool Champions League draw
3. Man City Champions League opponents
4. Arsenal Champions League knockout stage
5. Aston Villa potential Champions League opponents
6. UEFA Champions League draw predictions
7. English Premier League teams in Champions League draw
8. Champions League last 16 matchups
9. European football knockout stage draw
10. Champions League round of 16 fixtures
#Champions #League #knockout #draw #Liverpool #Man #City #Arsenal #Villa #face
January 29, 2025
Who Could Arsenal Play in the Champions League Knockout Stage?
Arsenal earned a bye to the round of 16 by finishing in the top eight of the league phase. The club will skip the two-legged playoff required by teams finishing ninth through 24th. A much-needed boost given Arsenal’s injury troubles.

The club finished third in the league phase, as high as they could coming into the final day given Barcelona and Liverpool were out of reach. The side conceded just three goals in the league phase, a testament to the team’s defensive strengths fueled by William Saliba and Gabriel.

Arsenal and their supporters might have to wait a bit to find out their guaranteed opponents, but there’s a certain pool of four they could play.

JOIN SI SOCCER’S ARSENAL WHATSAPP COMMUNITY – GET ALL THE LATEST NEWS AND ANALYSIS STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE

Based on UEFA’s format and the final league phase table, Arsenal can play the following sides come the round of 16:

Arsenal’s four potential opponents are made up of two Eredivisie and Serie A sides. Juventus and AC Milan on paper would be highlight matches, but don’t discount the two Eredivisie sides having strong performances throughout the league phase.

The Champions League knockout stage playoff draw will take place Friday, Jan. 31 at 6 a.m. ET. After that, Arsenal will have to wait to see which side of the bracket they’ll be drawn into. But, by that time they’ll have just two potential opponents based on who has advanced.

READ THE LATEST ARSENAL NEWS, PREVIEWS, PREDICTIONS, TRANSFER RUMORS AND MORE

As Arsenal fans eagerly await the Champions League knockout stage draw, the question on everyone’s mind is: Who could Arsenal potentially face in the next round?

With the group stage coming to a close, Arsenal have finished at the top of their group and are now set to face a second-placed team in the Round of 16. The possible opponents for the Gunners include some of Europe’s biggest clubs such as Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Juventus, Atletico Madrid, and Paris Saint-Germain.

While the draw is random and anything can happen, Arsenal will surely be looking to avoid some of the powerhouse teams in the competition. However, as we all know in the Champions League, there are no easy games and each match will be a tough challenge for Mikel Arteta’s side.

As Arsenal prepare for their return to the knockout stages of the Champions League, fans will be eagerly awaiting the draw to see who their beloved team will face next. Stay tuned for updates and analysis as we wait to see who Arsenal’s opponents will be in the Round of 16.

Tags:
1. Arsenal Champions League Knockout Stage opponents
2. Potential Arsenal Champions League matchups
3. Arsenal’s possible Champions League Round of 16 opponents
4. Arsenal’s path in the Champions League Knockout Stage
5. Arsenal’s potential rivals in the Champions League Round of 16
6. Arsenal’s potential opponents in the Champions League Knockout Stage
7. Arsenal’s potential draw in the Champions League Round of 16
8. Arsenal’s potential Champions League Round of 16 fixtures
9. Arsenal’s potential opponents in the Champions League Knockout Stage
10. Arsenal’s chances in the Champions League Knockout Stage
#Arsenal #Play #Champions #League #Knockout #Stage
January 29, 2025
Champions League permutations: Who could Liverpool, Arsenal, Aston Villa, Celtic and Man City play in knockout stages? | Football News
The Champions League group stages are over and we’ve got a much better idea of who will play who in the knockout stages. Who will the English sides and Celtic face?

Pep Guardiola faces a potential return to Bayern Munich in the play-offs after his Manchester City side beat Club Brugge to continue their Champions League campaign.

But City will face a tough test to reach the last 16 with City and Celtic facing either Bayern Munich or Real Madrid for a chance to play Atletico Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen after that in the last 16.

Aston Villa snuck into the top eight by the skin of their teeth after Atalanta failed to beat Barcelona and dropped into the play-offs, meaning Unai Emery’s side will face one of Atalanta, Borussia Dortmund, Sporting or Club Brugge in the last 16.

Arsenal and Liverpool already knew their automatic progression was secured.

Liverpool top the overall table and will now face one of Paris Saint-Germain, Benfica, Monaco or Brest.

Arsenal could face one of two Serie A giants with AC Milan, PSV, Feyenoord or Juventus their possible last-16 opponents.
Champions League knockout schedule

January 31: Play-off round draw

February 11-12 and 18-19: Play-off first and second legs

February 21: Last-16 draw

March 4-5 and 11-12: Last 16 first and second legs

April 8-9 and 15-16: Quarter-final first and second legs

April 29-30 and May 6-7: Semi-final first and second legs

May 31: Champions League final at Allianz Arena
Who will British teams play in the next round – and who could they face in the last 16?

Liverpool (Ranked No 1)

Round of 16: vs PSG (15th), Benfica (16th), Monaco (17th) or Brest (18th).

Arsenal (Ranked No 3)

Round of 16: vs AC Milan (13th), PSV (14th), Feyenoord (19th) or Juventus (20th).

Aston Villa (Ranked No 8)

Round of 16: vs Atalanta (9th), Borussia Dortmund (10th), Sporting (23rd) or Club Brugge (24th).

Celtic (Ranked No 21)

Knockout playoffs: vs Bayern Munich (11th) or Real Madrid (12th).

Round of 16: vs Atletico Madrid (5th) or Bayer Leverkusen (6th).

Manchester City (Ranked No 22)

Knockout playoffs: vs Bayern Munich (11th) or Real Madrid (12th).

Round of 16: vs Atletico Madrid (5th) or Bayer Leverkusen (6th).

Why there could be two all-British quarter-finals…

We won’t know the exact format of the tournament beyond the play-offs until February, when the last-16 draw is held.

But, there is a chance there could be two all-British quarter-finals.

After finishing first and eighth, should Liverpool and Aston Villa win their last-16 games they may well end up facing one another in the last eight.

Likewise one of Celtic and Manchester City will set up a potential quarter-final with Arsenal if they win their play-offs and then beat Atletico Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen.

Who are all the teams through to the next round?

Confirmed in round of 16

Liverpool, Barcelona, Arsenal, Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, Lille, Aston Villa.

Confirmed in knockout phase play-offs

Atalanta, Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, AC Milan, PSV, PSG, Benfica, Monaco, Brest, Feyenoord, Juventus, Celtic, Man City, Sporting, Club Brugge.

Eliminated

Dinamo Zagreb, Stuttgart, Shakhtar Donetsk, Bologna, Crvena Zvezda, Sturm Graz, Sparta Prague, RB Leipzig, Girona, RB Salzburg, Slovan Bratislava, Young Boys.
With the Champions League group stage coming to a close, football fans are eagerly awaiting the knockout stage draw to see who their favorite teams will face next. As Liverpool, Arsenal, Aston Villa, Celtic, and Man City all look set to progress to the next round, let’s take a look at the possible permutations and potential opponents for each team.

Liverpool, who are currently topping their group, could face tough opponents such as Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, or Inter Milan in the knockout stages. Arsenal, on the other hand, are likely to face teams like Barcelona, Juventus, or Atletico Madrid if they finish as runners-up in their group.

Aston Villa, making their return to the Champions League after a long absence, could potentially face PSG, Ajax, or RB Leipzig in the next round. Celtic, who have had a strong showing in the group stage, might come up against teams like Manchester United, AC Milan, or Porto in the knockout stages.

Lastly, Manchester City, one of the favorites to win the competition, could face tough opponents such as PSG, Real Madrid, or Inter Milan in the next round.

As the group stage comes to a close, football fans will be eagerly awaiting the knockout stage draw to see who their favorite teams will be facing next. Stay tuned for more updates on the Champions League permutations and potential matchups for Liverpool, Arsenal, Aston Villa, Celtic, and Man City.

Tags:

Champions League permutations, Liverpool, Arsenal, Aston Villa, Celtic, Man City, knockout stages, football news, UEFA Champions League, potential opponents, group stage results, round of 16 matchups, European football, top clubs, football analysis.

#Champions #League #permutations #Liverpool #Arsenal #Aston #Villa #Celtic #Man #City #play #knockout #stages #Football #News
January 29, 2025
Arsenal and Liverpool discover Champions League last 16 opponents after chaotic night | Football | Sport
After a frantic night on which all 36 Champions League teams played at the same time, Arsenal and Liverpool now have a much clearer picture of which team they will face in the last 16.

Both teams were assured of their places in the knockout stage even before a ball was kicked on Wednesday night. Arsenal made a host of changes but still beat Girona 2-1 in Spain, while Liverpool‘s youngsters lost 3-2 at PSV Eindhoven.

Barcelona’s draw with Atalanta means that Liverpool top the table with seven wins and a defeat. Bypassing the need for a play-off, they will face either the 15th, 16th, 17th or 18th-place team, depending on how the play-offs unfold.

Arne Slot‘s side are therefore in line to play either Paris Saint-Germain, Benfica, AS Monaco or Brest.

Arsenal finished third in the standings with a six wins, a draw and a defeat. Like Liverpool, the strong finish has boosted their chances of earning a favourable last-16 draw.

Mikel Arteta‘s players will face either the 13th, 14th, 19th or 20th-place team. The Gunners are therefore on course to face AC Milan, PSV, Feyenoord or Juventus.

The pool of four potential teams will be narrowed down to two in the knockout phase play-off draw on Friday. Then, once the play-offs have been contested, the draw for the last 16 itself will be made on February 21, with the two-legged knockout ties pencilled in for March.

MORE TO FOLLOW

We’ll be bringing you the very latest updates, pictures and video on this breaking news story.

For the latest news and breaking news visit: express.co.uk/sport/football. Stay up to date with all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter @dexpress_sport – the official Daily Express & Express.co.uk Twitter account – providing real news in real time.

We’re also on Facebook @dailyexpresssport – offering your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day to like, comment and share from the Daily Express, Sunday Express and Express.co.uk.

Arsenal and Liverpool have discovered their Champions League last 16 opponents after a chaotic night of football. Both teams were drawn against tough opposition in the knockout stages of the competition.

Arsenal will face off against Spanish giants Barcelona in what promises to be a thrilling encounter. The Gunners will have to be at their best to overcome the talented Barcelona team, led by superstar Lionel Messi.

Liverpool, on the other hand, will take on Italian champions Juventus in a mouth-watering tie. The Reds will need to be on top form to navigate past the formidable Juventus side, who are known for their solid defense and clinical attack.

Both Arsenal and Liverpool will be hoping to progress to the quarter-finals of the Champions League, but they will have to overcome tough opposition to do so. Football fans can look forward to some exciting matches as these two English clubs battle it out in Europe’s premier club competition.

Tags:
- Arsenal
- Liverpool
- Champions League
- last 16
- opponents
- chaotic night
- football
- sport
#Arsenal #Liverpool #discover #Champions #League #opponents #chaotic #night #Football #Sport
January 29, 2025

Arsenal have discussed signing “superstar” CF for £0

The transfer window slams shut in under a week, and Arsenal are still yet to make their first signing.

Within the context of their goals heading into the season, it would be fair to say that Mikel Arteta’s side are not in a great spot in the Premier League at the moment, so their lack of activity in the market is more than a little surprising.

Now, just because they haven’t pulled the trigger on anyone yet doesn’t mean the board isn’t working to bring players in, as the North Londoners have been linked with a plethora of talented forwards this month, from Juventus’ Dušan Vlahović to Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Matheus Cunha.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta celebrates after the match

However, the name that has perhaps been touted for a move to the Emirates more than any other this month has been RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Šeško, although recent reports have now linked another centre-forward from the continent, a forward who could be an even better signing than the Slovenian.

Arsenal target free-scoring forward

According to a recent report from the Daily Mail, Arsenal are interested in LOSC Lille star Jonathan David.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

In fact, the report has revealed that the club have already held internal discussions about the Canadian sharpshooter, although they are not the only ones, with Newcastle United reportedly having done the same.

A potential transfer fee is not mentioned in the story, but as the 25-year-old’s £31k-per-week contract is set to expire in the summer, he’d either be available for a reasonable fee, of far more likely the North Londoners would try to sign him on a pre-contract agreement this month, to get him on a free at the end of the season.

jonathan-david-lille-real-madrid-champions-league

It could be a complicated transfer to get over the line should Arsenal go after David, but given his ability and sensational record, it’s one well worth pursuing, and he could even be a better signing than Šeško.

How David compares to Šeško

So, let’s say it ends up being a decision between David and Šeško for Arsenal this month or in the summer; which player should they go for?

Aside from the fact that the Canadian would either cost tens of millions of pounds less or nothing at all, he looks like he’d be the better option, at least from a pure output perspective, which ultimately matters most for a centre-forward.

For example, in just 31 appearances for Lille this season, the “superstar” striker – as he was described by international teammate Jonathan Osario – has found the back of the net on 18 occasions and provided seven assists. That comes to an average of a goal involvement every 1.24 games.

In contrast, the Leipzig star has scored 14 goals and provided three assists in 27 games for the German outfit, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.58 games.

However, it’s not just this season that the Canadian phenom has been scoring for fun; he’s been in sensational form for years now.

David’s recent club career
Season	21/22	22/23	23/24	24/25
Appearances	48	40	47	31
Goals	19	26	26	18
Assists	0	4	9	7
Goal Involvements*	0.39	0.75	0.74	0.80
All Stats via Transfermarkt (*per Match)

Since the start of the 21/22 campaign, the 59-capped goal machine, whom journalist Tony Marinaro dubbed “one of the best strikers in the world,” has scored 89 goals and provided 20 assists in just 166 club appearances.

That means he has been averaging a goal involvement every 1.52 games for almost four entire seasons, which has to make him one of the most consistently dangerous centre-forwards in world football.

Moreover, the ambipedal dynamo has been just as effective on the international stage, racking up a brilliant haul of 31 goals and 18 assists in his 59 senior caps, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.20 games for Les Rouges.

Now, due to Šeško being just 21 years old, there is certainly an argument to be made that he could have the higher ceiling of the pair.

Nevertheless, with Arsenal desperate to win a Premier League title by next year at the latest, it might be wiser to invest in the striker who has already proven that he can consistently score goals at the highest level.

Therefore, while he might not be the biggest name around, the Gunners should do what they can to bring David to the Emirates, either this month or for free in the summer.

He could revive Odegaard: Arsenal pushing to sign £120m “nightmare”

The unreal goalscorer would supercharge Arsenal’s attack.

Arsenal have discussed signing “superstar” CF for £0

In a shocking turn of events, Arsenal have reportedly been in talks to sign a “superstar” center forward for absolutely nothing. The Gunners are said to be exploring the possibility of bringing in a top-class striker without having to pay a transfer fee.

While the identity of this mystery player remains unknown, fans are buzzing with excitement at the prospect of adding a proven goal-scorer to their squad without breaking the bank. Arsenal have struggled to find a reliable striker in recent seasons, and this potential acquisition could be a game-changer for the team.

With negotiations ongoing, it remains to be seen whether Arsenal will be able to pull off this incredible coup. But one thing is for sure – if they manage to secure the signature of this “superstar” CF for £0, it could be a game-changer for the club’s fortunes on the pitch. Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.

Tags:

Arsenal transfer news
Arsenal latest signings
Premier League transfer rumors
Football transfer gossip
Arsenal CF transfer target
Arsenal transfer budget
Arsenal superstar striker
Football transfer news
Arsenal potential signings
Arsenal transfer updates

#Arsenal #discussed #signing #superstar

January 29, 2025

Arsenal ‘Hold Talks’ to Sign ‘One of the Best Strikers in the World’ for Arteta

Arsenal have internally discussed a potential January move for Lille striker Jonathan David, according to MailOnline.

The Gunners, alongside Newcastle United, are reportedly considering the 25-year-old, who has entered the final six months of his contract in France.

Arsenal are thought to be prioritising a striker signing in the final days of the January transfer window, having lost Gabriel Jesus to a season-ending injury earlier this month.

They seem unlikely to strike a blockbuster deal to sign one of their primary targets, Alexander Isak or Benjamin Sesko, and may look at cheaper options before the deadline on February 3.

Arsenal Discuss Move for Jonathan David

Among Premier League clubs interested

According to MailOnline, Arsenal have David firmly among other names on their shortlist, including Isak, Sesko and Wolves star Matheus Cunha.

The Gunners could look to strike a low-cost deal for the Canadian international, though it remains to be seen if David himself would be keen on a mid-season move.

According to GIVEMESPORT sources, the 25-year-old would like to keep his options open until the summer, even if Lille would entertain cashing in on their star forward at the very last opportunity.

The 25-year-old, labelled ‘one of the best strikers in the world’ by Tony Marinaro, has been in excellent form for Lille this season and is currently joint second-top scorer in Ligue 1 with 11 goals in 18 appearances.

The Brooklyn-born ace is also Lille’s leading scorer in the Champions League, having registered five goals and one assist in seven games.

Aside from any potential new signings, Arsenal could see one or two first-team departures in the coming months, with full-backs Kieran Tierney and Oleksandr Zinchenko now targets for European clubs.

The Scotsman is reportedly being eyed by Celtic on loan until the end of the season, while Zinchenko has suitors at Atletico Madrid and Borussia Dortmund.

Jonathan David’s Lille Stats (2024/25)

Games

31

Goals

18

Assists

7

Minutes per goal

141

Minutes played

2,533

Sign up to The GIVEMESPORT Report to get exclusive daily updates from Fabrizio Romano, Ben Jacobs, Dean Jones and Tom Bogert sent straight to your inbox.

Related

Fabrizio Romano: Arsenal Make Contact Over Shock Deal for ‘Phenomenal’ Striker

Arsenal recently made a call to understand the situation of Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt. Correct as of 29-01-25.

According to recent reports, Arsenal have reportedly held talks to sign “one of the best strikers in the world” to bolster their attacking options under manager Mikel Arteta.

The Gunners have been in search of a top-class striker to lead their line and it seems they have identified a potential target to fill that role. Although the identity of the player in question has not been revealed, the mere mention of Arsenal pursuing one of the best strikers in the world is enough to excite fans.

With Arteta looking to build a competitive squad capable of challenging for major honors, signing a world-class striker could be a game-changer for the North London club. The addition of a prolific goal-scorer could provide the firepower needed to propel Arsenal to new heights and secure a top-four finish in the Premier League.

While negotiations are still ongoing, the prospect of Arsenal securing the services of a top striker is certainly a tantalizing one. Fans will be eagerly awaiting further updates on this potential transfer as the summer transfer window progresses. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.

Tags:

Arsenal, Hold Talks, Sign, Striker, Best, World, Arteta, Transfer, Premier League, Football, Soccer, Negotiations, Club, Manager, Attack, Goal, Scoring, Potential, Top, Target.

#Arsenal #Hold #Talks #Sign #Strikers #World #Arteta

January 29, 2025
Reports: Arsenal tracking Bayern Munich forward – Arseblog News
Various reports suggest Arsenal are interested in France U21 international Mathys Tel who has apparently decided to leave Bayern Munich before the end of the transfer window.

The 19 year old joined the German giants from Rennes in 2022, and in 82 appearances has scored 16 goals and made 7 assists. His role this season has been peripheral however, playing just 396 minutes across all competitions with just 1 Bundesliga assist to his name.

The Gunners need for reinforcements is obvious, with Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus sidelined, so a move for a versatile forward would make sense. Tel has featured across the front three during his time in Munich, and would provide some depth for the likes of Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard who are carrying a heavy burden at present.

It is believed Bayern are willing to let Tel go, but any loan deal this month could require an obligation to buy in the summer – and having paid almost €30m for him, they’d be keen to recoup as much as possible from any sale.

Arsenal are not the only London club sniffing around, with Sp*rs and Chelsea both paying attention to his situation, and Man Utd reportedly keen too, but he could well a name we hear more of between now and the transfer deadline on Monday, February 3rd (11pm).

For the first time this window, we’ve broken out the Poo-O-Meter, so let’s see what happens.

Reports: Arsenal tracking Bayern Munich forward

According to recent reports, Arsenal are keeping a close eye on Bayern Munich forward as they look to bolster their attacking options in the upcoming transfer window. The Gunners have been impressed with the player’s performances and believe he could be a valuable addition to their squad.

While no official bid has been made yet, Arsenal are said to be in talks with the player’s representatives to discuss a potential move. The forward has expressed an interest in playing in the Premier League and could be tempted by a switch to London.

It remains to be seen whether Bayern Munich will be willing to let go of their star player, but Arsenal are determined to do everything they can to secure his signature. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.

Tags:
1. Arsenal transfer news
2. Bayern Munich forward
3. Soccer transfer rumors
4. Arsenal transfer targets
5. Football transfer updates
6. Arsenal FC news
7. Bayern Munich transfer gossip
8. Soccer transfer market
9. Arsenal latest signings
10. Bayern Munich player transfer
#Reports #Arsenal #tracking #Bayern #Munich #Arseblog #News
January 29, 2025
Girona – Arsenal, en directo
Última hora del Girona-Arsenal de la Champions League:

¡¡¡BUENAS TARDEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES!!! ¡La Fase Liga de la Champions llega hoy a su fin! Bienvenidos a este Girona-Arsenal, un encuentro correspondiente a la octava jornada de la Liga de Campeones. Un partido al que los de Míchel llegan ya eliminados de la competición tras su última derrota ante el Milan en San Siro (1-0).

El Girona dice adiós esta noche a un sueño. Los catalanes se despiden de su primera participación en la máxima competición continental, una aventura que será recordada para siempre en el club. Al equipo, a pesar de la entidad y de la dificultad del rival, le vendría bien un triunfo para olvidar el último tramo del curso en el que ha sumado tres derrotas consecutivas.

El Arsenal, por su parte, se juega mucho. Acarician -lo tienen prácticamente asegurado- los ingleses su presencia en el ‘top 8’, ese que da acceso directo a los octavos de final y que con un solo punto lo tendrían en su poder. Además, los de Arteta, en función de lo que haga el Barcelona, podrían incluso alcanzar el segundo puesto de la clasificación.

No hay tiempo que perder. El balón rueda en el estadio de Montilivi en unas dos horas, pero aquí en MARCA.com os vamos a contar desde este momento todo lo que suceda en la previa del encuentro. ¡¡COMENZAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMOS!!

¡Bienvenidos al directo del partido entre Girona y Arsenal! Estamos aquí para traerte todas las emociones de este emocionante encuentro. Sigue con nosotros minuto a minuto para no perderte ni un detalle de lo que sucede en el terreno de juego. ¡Vamos a por un gran partido! #GironaArsenal #EnDirecto

Tags:
- Girona Arsenal live
- Girona vs Arsenal
- Girona vs Arsenal live stream
- Girona vs Arsenal en vivo
- Girona vs Arsenal score
- Girona vs Arsenal highlights
- Girona vs Arsenal prediction
- Girona vs Arsenal match preview
- Girona vs Arsenal team news
- Girona vs Arsenal streaming live
#Girona #Arsenal #directo
January 29, 2025