^ ^ John Obi Mikel says Arsenal star got ‘bullied’ in win over Newcastle

Bukayo Saka got ‘bullied’ in Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat of Newcastle (Picture: Getty)

John Obi Mikel says Arsenal were ‘very lucky’ to get the better of Newcastle and Bukayo Saka was ‘bullied’ before Gabriel Magalhaes popped up with a crucial late winner.

Arsenal had looked on course to drop more points in the Premier League after Nick Woltemade found the net with a towering header in the 34th minute to take the roof off St James’ Park.

But the visitors dominated possession and the pressure eventually told, with second-half substitute Mikel Merino nodding home Declan Rice’s pinpoint cross to equalise with six minutes remaining of normal time.

With Newcastle’s backline pushed back progressively deeper, Arsenal dug deep and once again capitalised from a set-piece to steal all three points right at the death.

Gabriel, who had been outjumped for Woltemade’s opener, redeemed himself by rising highest and heading home Martin Odegaard’s inswinging corner to send the away end into raptures.

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The result saw the Gunners move to within two points of leaders Liverpool, who suffered a shock 2-1 defeat away to Crystal Palace a day earlier.

But according to ex-Chelsea midfielder Obi Mikel, Mikel Arteta’s side are ‘very weak’ and ‘still miles off it’ when it comes to ending their long wait for a Premier League title.

Gabriel found a winner deep into stoppage time (Picture: Getty)

The Gunners got ‘very lucky’ at St James’ Park, says Obi Mikel (Picture: Getty)

‘Arsenal were very, very lucky. Yes, they did win the game,’ Obi Mikel said on The Obi One Podcast.

‘I hear people saying, “That’s what champions are made of”… what?! Champions are made of Arsenal? Champions?

They just won a game! They’re not champions. Arsenal talking about this being what champions are made of? Give me a f***ing break, mate!

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‘They argue about winning two trophies, one of which is the Community Shield. That’s not a trophy.

‘I don’t think Arsenal can win the Premier League this season, I don’t think so. I think they’re still miles off it with the team they have.

‘They have the best squad in the Premier League, absolutely no doubt about it, but when you watch that game, the way they played, I think mentally they are very, very weak.’

Saka was ‘always on the floor’ against Newcastle, says Obi Mikel (Picture: Getty)

Obi Mikel heaped praise on Newcastle’s ‘aggressive’ performance, claiming Arsenal’s star man Saka got ‘bullied’ for the most part.

‘If you are able to bully them and be aggressive on Arsenal then you have the upper hand,’ the two-time Premier League winner added.

‘For the best part of 80 or 85 minutes, Newcastle were very aggressive, bullied Arsenal and you can see Saka was always on the floor.

‘One thing I have to say: credit to the referee. Fantastic. We don’t give them enough credit, we always batter the referees.’

Arteta’s side moved to within two points of Liverpool with the win (Picture: Getty)

Obi Mikel continues to be impressed by Newcastle’s midfield combination of Sandro Tonali, Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes, widely considered to be among the finest in the English top flight.

‘Newcastle were absolutely brilliant. The way they started the game, they were absolutely brilliant,’ he went on.

‘They were aggressive, they were first on everything, they won the first balls, they won the duels. That’s what you want in massive fixtures like that.

Liverpool dropped points away at Selhurst Park before Arsenal’s victory (Picture: Getty)

‘You want your players to be up for it and Newcastle were absolutely up for it.

‘I think Tonali is an absolutely brilliant player for Newcastle. When you have him, Joelinton with his energy and aggression and Bruno Guimaraes as well… those three in the midfield look solid.

‘Eddie Howe has done a fantastic job at that football club but, again, Arsenal, set-pieces… they score goals from set-pieces and they’re masters at it and credit to them for doing that.’

Arsenal return to action with a group-stage clash at home to Olympiakos in the Champions League on Wednesday evening.

The Gunners must then switch their attentions back to Premier League matters, with three London derbies against West Ham, Fulham and Crystal Palace next up for Arteta’s men.

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^ ^ Ruben Amorim to hand ‘serious chance’ to forgotten Man Utd star with exile over

Amorim could hand him his chance in the coming weeks (Picture: Getty Images)

Ruben Amorim has ended Tyrell Malacia’s exile from Manchester United and will give the left-back a ‘serious chance’ to force his way back into the first-team.

Malacia was part of United’s ‘bomb squad’ during the summer transfer window – the small group of players deemed surplus to requirements at Old Trafford, ordered to train away from the first-team while they searched for new clubs.

Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Antony and Alejandro Garnacho made up the group with the quartet all moved on.

Malacia was also expected to leave but despite interest from Lille, Roma, Elche and clubs in Turkey and Saudi Arabia, no move materialised.  

The 26-year-old briefly featured under Amorim last season having returned to fitness from a long-term knee injury and despite the club’s efforts to offload him, is now back in the manager’s plans.

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Voetbal International report Malacia has returned to the first-team squad with ‘immediate effect’.

The Netherlands international has been training with United’s Under-21 squad for the last couple of weeks with those around the group impressed by his attitude and intensity levels.

Amorim could have another option on the left (Picture: Getty Images)

His hard work has now been rewarded.

Malacia became the first signing of the Erik ten Hag era in the summer of 2022 and enjoyed a bright first season in Manchester, providing cover and competition for Luke Shaw.

Injury struck at the end of the 2022-23 season however and he would spend the next 17 months out of the team.

Malacia last played for United in January (Picture: Getty Images)

He returned to action for the club’s Under-21s in November 2024, making eight first-team appearances under Amorim before joining PSV Eindhoven on loan in the January transfer window.

Patrick Dorgu has become Amorim’s first choice at left wing-back since his arrival in January with Diogo Dalot occasionally brought over from the right to provide cover.

Luke Shaw’s days at full-back or wing-back appear to be over with the England international playing exclusively as part of a back three this season.

With no European football this season having already been dumped out of the Carabao Cup, Malacia may find starting opportunities hard to come by in the coming months.

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^ ^ Premier League boss would replace Ruben Amorim ‘in a heartbeat’ if offered Man Utd job

Ruben Amorim is fighting to save his job as Manchester United manager (Picture: Getty)

Oliver Glasner would jump at the chance to replace Ruben Amorim as Manchester United manager if the opportunity were to arise.

Defeat at Brentford on Saturday represented a new low for the the Red Devils’ beleagured boss who has now taken just 34 points from his 33 Premier League games in charge.

With little sign of progress being made, despite a bold summer recruitment drive and a full pre-season at the helm, calls for Amorim to be sacked after less than a year in charge are reaching a crescendo.

Glasner, who masterminded Crystal Palace’s FA Cup triumph last season, is among a number of candidates who are being considered as potential replacements.

The Austrian’s contract expires at the end of the season and the lure of Old Trafford could prove too enticing a prospect to resist, even despite United’s current struggles.

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Publicly, Glanser has remained coy on the links to United, telling Kicker earlier this week he is paying little attention to the speculation.

‘I follow all the rumours – and that’s all there is – neutrally and completely relaxed,’ said the Eagles’ boss.

Oliver Glasner is set to be a man in demand (Picture: Getty Images)

‘Focusing on the daily work with my players and coaches, and trying to enjoy it as much as possible.’

According to talkSPORT’s Ben Jacobs, however, the 51-year-old wouldn’t think twice about defecting to United should they come calling at any point in the near future.

‘My information is that if Oliver Glasner was offered the Manchester United job, he would take it in a heartbeat,’ Jacobs said.

‘As a consequence, Manchester United will feel there are quality managers, and some with Premier League experience, that will be willing to move. There are options closer to home.

Glasner has lifted two trophies as Crystal Palace boss (Picture: Getty; Images)

‘I don’t think Glasner playing a similar system to Ruben Amorim will really put off Manchester United.’

Should United bring the curtain down on Amorim’s reign, any successor would find the club in an urecognisable state according to Wayne Rooney.

‘I just don’t know what’s going on,’ Rooney, 39, said on his BBC podcast. ‘I have tried my hand in management and it didn’t work out too well, so I get it. Ruben Amorim is my age, he’s still a young manager and I’m sure he’s got a massive future, but what’s going on at Man Utd, this is not Man Utd.

‘I honestly hope he can turn it round and he does. But…after everything I’ve seen, honestly, I’ve got no faith in it.’

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Amorim was appointed as Erik ten Hag’s successor last November after winning two Portuguese titles with Sporting Lisbon.

United endured their worst Premier League campaign last season, finishing 15th – their lowest position since they were relegated from the old First Division in 1974.

‘I don’t recognise the whole football club,” said Rooney, who won five Premier League titles and the Champions League with United.

‘I don’t see players fighting, I don’t see character, I don’t see desire to win. I go to a game watching… expecting the team to lose or maybe pick up a point.

‘The soul has gone from the club. It needs a new engine, a new lease of life. It needs something to kickstart that football club.

‘What is going on, this is not all on the manager, by the way. Players, they’re not deserving to wear that shirt and it hurts.’

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^ ^ Chelsea’s stance on Enzo Maresca’s future after disappointing start to season

Chelsea remain ‘fully confident’ in head coach Enzo Maresca (Picture: Getty)

Enzo Maresca maintains the full support of Chelsea bosses and there are currently no plans to sack the manager despite the club’s poor start to the campaign.

Chelsea have picked up just two wins from their opening six matches in the Premier League, leaving them seven points adrift of leaders Liverpool down in eighth place.

The Blues had been tipped as a potential title contender after Maresca oversaw wins in both the Europa Conference League and the Club World Cup last term, while also leading the west London giants to Champions League qualification with a fourth-place finish.

But three defeats in four games has seen Maresca come under intense pressure at this early stage of the season and the Italian’s position in the hot seat has once again come under some scrutiny in recent weeks.

It doesn’t get any easier for Chelsea either. Maresca’s men host Benfica in the Champions League on Tuesday night before returning to top-flight action with a tricky run against Liverpool, Nottingham Forest and high-flying Sunderland.

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According to BBC Sport, though, Chelsea’s hierarchy are refusing to hit the panic button and Maresca ‘continues to hold the club’s full confidence’ at this stage.

The report claims there is a feeling behind the scenes at Stamford Bridge that some of the negativity and pessimism surrounding Maresca has been over the top and club chiefs believe the 45-year-old can turn the side’s fortunes around.

The Italian was appointed Chelsea boss in June 2024 (Picture: Getty)

Brighton consigned Chelsea to a second successive league defeat on Saturday (Picture: Getty)

Chelsea are said to be taking a ‘fuller perspective on matters’ and recognise that a disrupted pre-season has likely been a significant factor in the club’s struggles of late.

Maresca hasn’t been helped by a lack of discipline from his players in Chelsea’s last two defeats, with Robert Sanchez and Trevoh Chalobah sent off against Manchester United and Brighton respectively.

A morale-boosting victory at home to Benfica could prove key in rebuilding a sense of confidence within a star-studded squad which is among the costliest ever seen in football.

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‘We have 72 hours and we go again,’ Maresca told reporters following Chelsea’s latest setback at home to Brighton.

‘Fortunately, we have the game in three days, so it’s a matter of recovering energy and we will try to win on Tuesday.’

The ‘frustrated’ Chelsea head coach scolded his players for repeatedly gifting the opposition ‘presents’.

He added: ‘The frustration is there because we scored one and could’ve scored more than one.

Maresca boasts a 61.11 win percentage at Chelsea (Picture: Getty)

‘If we score the second one, even with ten players, it’s better to defend a two-goal lead.

‘It’s a moment we’re giving away presents, and we cannot continue to do this.’

Maresca boasts a 61.11 win percentage since taking over the reins from Mauricio Pochettino back in July 2024 – the highest among the last five permanent Chelsea managers.

The former Leicester boss put pen to paper on a five-year contract when he arrives through the doors at Stamford Bridge, tying him to the club until the summer of 2029.

Alan Shearer, the Premier League’s all-time top goalscorer, is confident Maresca will ‘understand’ the criticism and scrutiny he has faced after Chelsea’s inauspicious start.

‘I think as a Chelsea manager, once you accept that position, you know that you are under pressure if you lose matches – and they’ve lost two,’ the ex-Newcastle and England striker said on Match of the Day.

‘That’s the rule of management, I guess, but more so when you are at Chelsea.

‘You can’t lose games and they’ve now lost two so I think you understand the situation.’

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