7 h. ago Martín Zubimendi: ‘I have to adapt but Arsenal signed me because they like what I do’

From replacing Rodri in the Euro 2024 final to leaving his hometown club, the calm Spain midfielder is taking everything in his strideMikel Arteta knew and so did Win. Dogs just do. “Well, of course,” Martín Zubimendi says, cracking up. The July day he walked through the doors at the Arsenal training centre, the club’s resident chocolate labrador – a therapy dog the head coach had brought in to bring the kind of calm wanted from the new signing too – was the first to welcome him. “It was lovely. I arrived with my parents, my agent, a small group, and he came straight to me, sat by me, rolled on the floor at my feet; that was very nice.”It was also the way he would have wanted it, part of the plan. “He’s a bit like yours,” the sporting director, Andrea Berta, offered as Win lent against the midfielder’s legs. Zubimendi’s dog, Lea, hadn’t made it to London – he’s hoping she will soon – but this was a good start. There was a letter from Mikel Merino and a video call from Martin Ødegaar...

Politics

14 h. ago Abandoned English stadium looks like wasteland as club can finally start work on new home

Non League side Grays Athletic look set to have their own home again after years of ground sharing with plans to revitalise Ship Lane, which has been abandoned for years.

Society

40 h. ago ‘Its mediocrity has grown on me’: time almost up for intimate stopgap stadium Messi calls home

The club will finally begin playing in Miami next season. For local fans near Chase Stadium there are mixed emotionsFrom an abandoned and derelict symbol of failed efforts to establish professional football in south Florida, to the arena where Lionel Messi has dazzled MLS while attracting visitors from around the globe. It has been a unique journey for the site where Fort Lauderdale’s Lockhart Stadium once stood.“Even after all these years it’s so funny to me that Lionel Messi, one of the most famous faces in the history of mankind, is not only playing for our club but playing in this stadium that was abandoned,” said Nico Abad, a member of The Siege supporters’ group and a native of Broward County, where Chase Stadium stands on the former site of Lockhart. “It’s where kids would go to do doughnuts and to smoke and drink.” Continue reading...

Politics

63 h. ago Benjamin Sesko agreement reached as feelings clear after Man Utd’s £74m decision

Benjamin Sesko has made a sensational start to life at Manchester United after finally joining the club following a lengthy transfer saga, with Arsenal and Newcastle United also in the running

Economics

3 d. ago Club World Cup has left an injury trail that is damaging football. But will anyone listen? | Jacob Steinberg

Response to strained schedule has been more football than ever, and a danger that the best will have nothing left to give at the World CupCole Palmer and Ousmane Dembélé looked great when they were photographed sitting on Top of the Rock on the eve of the Club World Cup final but it is not being wise after the event to suggest that both might have been better off spending their summer lying on sunbeds.Top players struggling with fitness issues was foreseeable before the first edition of Fifa’s expanded tournament took place. “The worst idea ever,” was Jürgen Klopp’s take, citing concerns over the long-term impact of squeezing even more football into an ever expanding calendar. “Last year it was the Copa [América] and the European Championship, this year it’s the Club World Cup, next year it’s the World Cup. That means no recovery for the players involved.” Continue reading...

Events

8 d. ago Leigh Leopards face £1MILLION fine if Super League club pull out of semi

Ramifications of Leigh Leopards pulling out of Super League semi final at Wigan could prove massive for the club and the sport in general

Economics

2 w. ago EFL release new statement amid Blackburn vs Ipswich controversy as timeline set

After Blackburn Rovers' home clash against Ipswich Town had to be abandoned, the English Football League has issued a statement on the Championship clash

Events

2 w. ago Premier Sports Cup draw LIVE as Brendan Rodgers relishes Rangers Hampden date

It's Russell Martin vs Brendan Rodgers at Hampden while Stephen Robinson will face his former club for a place in the final

Politics

3 w. ago Lionel Messi and Inter Miami near deal to extend contract through at least 2026, AP source says

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami are reviewing the final details of a contract extension to keep him with the club until at least 2026, a person with knowledge of the matter tells The Associated Press

Economics

3 w. ago The 1% Club viewers sink claws into question 'too easy for the final round' that they solved 'in two seconds'

The ITV game show, which is hosted by comedian Lee Mack, tasks 100 players with surviving increasingly difficult rounds of logic-based questions.

Society

3 w. ago Brisbane crush Gold Coast to remain king of Queensland and book preliminary final spot

Lions 14.16.100 defeat Suns 6.11.47 in second semi-final at the GabbaBrisbane bounce back to set up clash with Collingwood on SaturdayDuring finals sign up for our free weekly AFL newsletterIt was billed as the biggest game in Queensland ever: reigning AFL premiers Brisbane against their state rivals from down the M1. The long-derided Gold Coast had finally arrived as a force, winning an elimination final in an ecstatic finish over Fremantle, via a last-gasp point to retiring club great David Swallow.For a short time, the semi-final looked like it might live up to its billing. And then it fell apart. The Suns barely fired a shot after half-time, overpowered by a manic Lions side desperate to atone after being humiliated by Geelong in Melbourne last week. Brisbane now face Collingwood in a preliminary final at the MCG on Saturday. Gold Coast are done.During finals sign up for our free weekly AFL newsletter Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Brisbane crush Gold Coast to remain king of Queensland and book AFL preliminary final spot

Lions 14.16.100 defeat Suns 6.11.47 in second semi-final at the GabbaBrisbane bounce back to set up clash with Collingwood on SaturdayDuring finals sign up for our free weekly AFL newsletterIt was billed as the biggest game in Queensland ever: reigning AFL premiers Brisbane against their state rivals from down the M1. The long-derided Gold Coast had finally arrived as a force, winning an elimination final in an ecstatic finish over Fremantle, via a last-gasp point to retiring club great David Swallow.For a short time, the semi-final looked like it might live up to its billing. And then it fell apart. The Suns barely fired a shot after half-time, overpowered by a manic Lions side desperate to atone after being humiliated by Geelong in Melbourne last week. Brisbane now face Collingwood in a preliminary final at the MCG on Saturday. Gold Coast are done.During finals sign up for our free weekly AFL newsletter Continue reading...

Politics

4 w. ago Ange Postecoglou repeats final Tottenham mantra in first words as Nottingham Forest boss

Ange Postecoglou knew he was destined for the exit door at Tottenham despite winning the Europa League in what proved to be his final game for the club

Politics

4 w. ago Cardiff City want to 'annihilate' League One as summer exit finally finds new club

The latest news from Cardiff City Stadium

Sport