By Alessandro Schiavone in Prague Christian Norgaard has sung the praises of false attacker Mikel Merino who took his tally for 2025 to a staggering 18 goals for club and country with his double against Slavia Prague. Those numbers would be nothing out of the ordinary or mind-blowing if the Spaniard was a classic centre-forward. But it's easy to forget that the ex-Real Sociedad star is a midfielder by trade. Norgaard, who made his first start for Arsenal in the Czech Republic

Exclusive by Alessandro Schiavone in Prague Capital Football had the honour to speak exclusively to Slavia Prague defender David Zima after the Czech giants' 3-0 reversal at home to Arsenal. Here is what he said. David, it was always going to be difficult for Slavia Prague against Arsenal. But did you expect the puzzle to be that difficult to solve? Apart from the first 10 minutes and maybe the last five the Gunners didn't give you a sniff.. "In my opinion Arsenal are one of

By Alessandro Schiavone at Fortuna Arena, Prague Champions League Matchday 4 Slavia Praha 0-3 Arsenal Goals: Saka 32' (penalty), Merino 46', Merino 68' There are 18 bridges in the city of Prague. But Slavia always knew they would be in for one hell of a ride to bridge the gap with Premier League big hitters Arsenal. Because, whether it's on the pitch or in the bank, the chasm between the two sides is evident. And how it showed. Mikel Arteta, who handed Max Dowman his Champio

Exclusive by Alessandro Schiavone The dice appears to be well and truly loaded in Arsenal's favour this season according to a West Ham legend. A 2-0 win over Burnley at Turf Moor saw Mikel Arteta's men extend their victorious streak to nine games and open up a seven-point gap at the top of the Premier League. Remarkably the Gunners haven't conceded a goal since their 2-1 away win at Newcastle in late September. There's been a surge of optimism and wind in their sails since th

By Alessandro Schiavone in Paris Ligue 1, Matchday 10 Paris FC 3-3 Olympique Lyonnais Goals: Tolisso, Sulc 2x (L), Camara, Kebbal, Marchetti Arsenal flop Ainsley Maitland-Niles had a face like thunder at the end of the game. The reason? His Lyon side cocked up a 3-0 lead to draw 3-3 with Paris FC under the watchful eye of club minority shareholder and Red Bull global head of sport Jürgen Klopp in the stands. With French football high society in the shape of Emmanuel Petit and

By Alessandro Schiavone at CEGEKA Arena, Genk KRC Genk 0-0 Betis Sevilla Balompié Oh Hyeon-gyu hit the foot of the post in the second-half as Genk and Real Betis Balompie could not be separated in a goalless draw in matchday 3 in the Europa League tonight. That's as good as it got in this dull game as the fifth-placed La Liga side, who were taken to the cleaners by Chelsea in the Europa Conference final in May, failed to turn up completely. Unlike their fans. Numerous and voc

By Alessandro at Stade Velodrome Olympique Marseille 6-2 Le Havre Goals : Kechta (24' LH) Greenwood (35' penalty), 67', 72', 76', Robinio Vaz 88', Murillo 90+3 (Olympique Marseille), Touré 90+2 (LH) Olympique Marseille replied to an early Le Havre sucker punch with six throws of their own as Premier League persona non grata Mason Greenwood became the first club player since Jean-Pierre Papin back in 1991 to net a quadruple. Despite late cosmetic goals by Robinio Vaz and Micha

Exclusive by Alessandro Schiavone A Brazilian football legend has snubbed Gabriel Magalhães in favour of William Saliba when quizzed on...

By Alessandro Schiavone at Emirates Stadium Arsenal 2-0 West Ham Goals: Rice 38', Saka 67' penalty West Ham United succumbed to an...

Exclusive by Alessandro Schiavone in Prague Olaf Marschall has backed countryman Kai Havertz to regain his place in Arsenal’s attack when...