February 15, 2026

Arsenal

‘Years in the making’ – are Arsenal ready to shed ‘nearly men’ tag after beating Chelsea in EFL Cup semi-final images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSQZWaIXqMh26XyQ4siJO8oSw99IqkBEEXq-w&s

‘Years in the making’ – are Arsenal ready to shed ‘nearly men’ tag after beating Chelsea in EFL Cup semi-final

Zerwua Sunday Jude February 5, 2026 0
After nearly six years and four failed semi-finals, Arsenal’s 4-2 aggregate victory over Chelsea in the Carabao...
Read More Read more about ‘Years in the making’ – are Arsenal ready to shed ‘nearly men’ tag after beating Chelsea in EFL Cup semi-final
Every word of Mikel’s pre-Forest press conferenceMikel Arteta was back in front of the media at the Sobha Realty Training Centre for his pre-Nottingham Forest press conference on Friday. Our manager was asked to share the latest team news as well as his thoughts on our trip to The City Ground and more. Here’s everything he had to say on the following subjects… on if there are fresh injury concerns: No. on if there’s any chance for players who have been missing out: It might be, so I need to meet now with the medical staff. We have a training session now to see if somebody is available for the weekend. on who they might be: I can’t tell you. on how Gyokeres has been behind the scenes: I haven’t seen [him doubt himself], obviously he’s a very demanding person, he knows the level that we need, and basically he really wants to fulfil everything that we expect of him. He’s been trying, he’s been very consistent and I thought that against Chelsea, he had a great game and scored a goal that helped us to win the game. on Gyokeres having to get used to the scrutiny: For the rest of his career, I think when you know what he’s done in the last few years, you just set a standard and everybody expects you to maintain it. on if the scrutiny and criticism has been fair: I don’t know, it’s part of the expectations. But it’s not only for Viktor, it’s for every number nine in the league, or in every top club, in every position that you play you might see it. We expect to be really good, really consistent and to win constantly and that’s what we have to try to do. on playing four games in a row away from home and planning ahead for player availability: In certain things, yes, and especially looking at the opponent and the things we’re going to be able to train that we can replicate in those games. Sometimes, ideally we want to plan: ‘Ok for this game, we think this player could be better and the load,’ and some other times it’s just impossible – you have to go game by game. We have more players back now, we have better options and that’s very helpful because obviously we’ve been giving gametime to almost every player. Read more From the vault: Five classic wins at Forest on if he tells players he needs them more in certain games like Sir Alex Ferguson used to do: I don’t know the whole context of that. But the first thing is that, as a team, we prepare the game, and we win it, and then when you have rested players or managed the load, it’s beautiful because you win. But when the result is different, it’s a bad decision, you shouldn’t have done that, it’s too many changes, so it’s all related to how can we perform at the highest level, win, while all those things are happening? That’s the ideal scenario; it’s quite tricky. on what challenges Forest pose under Sean Dyche: He’s a top coach, really good at what he does. You can see straight away the fingerprints on the team, the way they play, the results that they got against some of the big teams as well, how difficult they constantly make it for you. He’s so experienced in the league, so it’s a very tough match. on if he will have an eye on the Man City game tomorrow: We know that we can only focus on what we can do. When the games are earlier, if you have the possibility to see them, you do it, if they are later, the same, nothing changes. But the only focus and the aim is to prepare for a very, very tough match. We have experienced that over there, and we have to win it. on if he senses belief among the squad that we can achieve something special: I think we are building very good momentum, and belief comes from performances, and the level of consistency that we have shown through our 32 games already this season, and what we did the other day at Stamford Bridge, it should help us to be very convinced that we have the ability to do that. But the reality is that you have to show it in every game and there’s still so much to happen. But we are glad that we are still alive in the four competitions. on Zubimendi’s offensive contributions: I’m very happy with the manner that he has settled at the club. When you talk to any member of staff or player about him, he has a big smile on his face and that’s something very positive. I think he has earned the respect very, very quickly of everybody here, our supporters and the league in general and that’s very difficult to do. He’s done it because he’s very humble, very focused, incredibly consistent and on top of that, he’s surprising a few people with his ability to attack the opposition box. Read more Zubimendi and Merino: Midfield maestros reunited on continuing to be good at set-pieces: I think practice, it is not a secret, I think mastering what you do, the same in many other aspects in the game. You can clearly see the tendency in the league, the amount of games and goals that are decided in that phase of play. It’s not only us, it’s more among any other teams than at any time in the history of this league. So constantly adapt and evolve. on how hard it is to play at The City Ground: Winning away from home in the Premier League is extremely tough. They are a team that we have beaten over the last few years, and we have done a lot of things right to beat a really good team. With Sean, they are different, very, very efficient in what they do, very clear identity and that’s what makes them very dangerous. on if we have to get used to the pressure of playing before or after Man City, rather than at the same time: Every season is normally the same. We don’t normally play at the same time, only probably in the Champions League. That happens more often, but that’s why more than ever, so just focus on what you have to do, the task ahead and that’s it. on the difficulty of playing a team fighting to stay in the league: I don’t know, it depends on the day what the game presents, but obviously when you’re in that situation you certainly want to get out of that and you might have an extra edge about you. But you want to win, the hunger to win as well and the motivation and the drive to do that is incredible as well. So every team will handle the emotional part in their way, we have to focus on what we do. on how we’ve managed not to concede more than two goals in a Premier League game since December 2023: With the right level of organisation, but especially with the desire to play showed every day and the commitment that they show to do all the duties that are necessary for us to be a team that is very difficult to play against and to score against. Read more Bench Cam: Arteta reacts to thriller at Chelsea on the importance of good social skills among the team, which Thomas Tuchel has been discussing: I fully agree with Thomas. I think it’s something incredibly necessary and many times undervalued. There are players that maybe in terms of minutes, they don’t have that much impact, but the impact that they have in and around the team to bring everybody together, to create that atmosphere, to support the team and to fulfil different roles in my opinion is critical. on if a player could get in our team with just good social skills: Unfortunately there are certain limits and certain things that have to be hit! on what he likes about playing two nines together: What the [Chelsea] game in my opinion was demanding as well because the spaces were opening up and what we needed from that position was somebody that could arrive in the box with the position they have. If they were to start even more aggressive as well, somebody that in direct play as well could be very, very efficient. We have combinations of players that can alter positions as well, the chemistry between them and another weapon that we have there. on if he wants to keep trying those combinations going forward: Yes and especially with certain games that we’re going to have in the next weeks as well. To have these options, especially against certain kinds of behaviours that we expect from opponents and can be something very interesting. on if Nwaneri might play in the next few games: They all have the option to play, we have to see for each game which ones. We have certain limitations, especially in the league with the numbers that we can bring in the squad, unfortunately. But yeah, everybody has to make contention. on what’s surprised him most this season about us: I don’t know. Probably the capacity to adapt to certain unexpected things that happened, and especially players having to play in positions that they haven’t played before. Not in the same area especially, and how we have adapted to that. I don’t know if it’s a surprise because I knew how they would react, but actually to do it in the manner that they’ve done it with that attitude is something that I’m very proud of. Read more FPL Focus: Saliba success, winter window and AFCON on how players have dealt with having more competition in their position: Very positively, and it’s something that we talked about from the start of the season. If we want to have any chance of doing that, we have to be there. I showed them the other clubs, and we have nothing different to that. You look at Chelsea, two, three and four, or Man City, or Liverpool, or any team that has been in that challenge over the years. This is the nature. We want this, we really have to accept this because there’s no other way. They haven’t done it with 14, 15 or 16 players, none of the clubs in the history in the last 10, 15 years. It’s something that we want to be there, we have to do it, and it has to be natural. on if he’s happy with the offside rule and the way VAR interprets it: Happy depends on the situation that you have to face really, honestly talking. I know they’re trying to do everything they can to simplify it, to bring as much clarity as possible, and sometimes it’s still a very difficult decision to make. We need to understand that, and on top of that there is a new possible rule coming up. We’re not going to have any say, so we’ll adapt to what’s coming. on if he’s in favour of the new rule suggested by Arsene Wenger: They are constantly trying to improve the game and to be as clear as possible, as consistent as possible. They are looking at options and they will decide and we will adapt. on if he’d support that: I don’t know, I need to see more details about that. on Rice’s discussion in the tunnel with Albert Stuivenberg against Chelsea: All sorted, all good. on if that shows the high standards among the group: Yes, and the good thing is that by the time I found out, the problem was resolved. So, that’s very good. EzeGoal_n8s5orbg

Every word of Mikel’s pre-Forest press conferenceMikel Arteta was back in front of the media at the Sobha Realty Training Centre for his pre-Nottingham Forest press conference on Friday. Our manager was asked to share the latest team news as well as his thoughts on our trip to The City Ground and more. Here’s everything he had to say on the following subjects… on if there are fresh injury concerns: No. on if there’s any chance for players who have been missing out: It might be, so I need to meet now with the medical staff. We have a training session now to see if somebody is available for the weekend. on who they might be: I can’t tell you. on how Gyokeres has been behind the scenes: I haven’t seen [him doubt himself], obviously he’s a very demanding person, he knows the level that we need, and basically he really wants to fulfil everything that we expect of him. He’s been trying, he’s been very consistent and I thought that against Chelsea, he had a great game and scored a goal that helped us to win the game. on Gyokeres having to get used to the scrutiny: For the rest of his career, I think when you know what he’s done in the last few years, you just set a standard and everybody expects you to maintain it. on if the scrutiny and criticism has been fair: I don’t know, it’s part of the expectations. But it’s not only for Viktor, it’s for every number nine in the league, or in every top club, in every position that you play you might see it. We expect to be really good, really consistent and to win constantly and that’s what we have to try to do. on playing four games in a row away from home and planning ahead for player availability: In certain things, yes, and especially looking at the opponent and the things we’re going to be able to train that we can replicate in those games. Sometimes, ideally we want to plan: ‘Ok for this game, we think this player could be better and the load,’ and some other times it’s just impossible – you have to go game by game. We have more players back now, we have better options and that’s very helpful because obviously we’ve been giving gametime to almost every player. Read more From the vault: Five classic wins at Forest on if he tells players he needs them more in certain games like Sir Alex Ferguson used to do: I don’t know the whole context of that. But the first thing is that, as a team, we prepare the game, and we win it, and then when you have rested players or managed the load, it’s beautiful because you win. But when the result is different, it’s a bad decision, you shouldn’t have done that, it’s too many changes, so it’s all related to how can we perform at the highest level, win, while all those things are happening? That’s the ideal scenario; it’s quite tricky. on what challenges Forest pose under Sean Dyche: He’s a top coach, really good at what he does. You can see straight away the fingerprints on the team, the way they play, the results that they got against some of the big teams as well, how difficult they constantly make it for you. He’s so experienced in the league, so it’s a very tough match. on if he will have an eye on the Man City game tomorrow: We know that we can only focus on what we can do. When the games are earlier, if you have the possibility to see them, you do it, if they are later, the same, nothing changes. But the only focus and the aim is to prepare for a very, very tough match. We have experienced that over there, and we have to win it. on if he senses belief among the squad that we can achieve something special: I think we are building very good momentum, and belief comes from performances, and the level of consistency that we have shown through our 32 games already this season, and what we did the other day at Stamford Bridge, it should help us to be very convinced that we have the ability to do that. But the reality is that you have to show it in every game and there’s still so much to happen. But we are glad that we are still alive in the four competitions. on Zubimendi’s offensive contributions: I’m very happy with the manner that he has settled at the club. When you talk to any member of staff or player about him, he has a big smile on his face and that’s something very positive. I think he has earned the respect very, very quickly of everybody here, our supporters and the league in general and that’s very difficult to do. He’s done it because he’s very humble, very focused, incredibly consistent and on top of that, he’s surprising a few people with his ability to attack the opposition box. Read more Zubimendi and Merino: Midfield maestros reunited on continuing to be good at set-pieces: I think practice, it is not a secret, I think mastering what you do, the same in many other aspects in the game. You can clearly see the tendency in the league, the amount of games and goals that are decided in that phase of play. It’s not only us, it’s more among any other teams than at any time in the history of this league. So constantly adapt and evolve. on how hard it is to play at The City Ground: Winning away from home in the Premier League is extremely tough. They are a team that we have beaten over the last few years, and we have done a lot of things right to beat a really good team. With Sean, they are different, very, very efficient in what they do, very clear identity and that’s what makes them very dangerous. on if we have to get used to the pressure of playing before or after Man City, rather than at the same time: Every season is normally the same. We don’t normally play at the same time, only probably in the Champions League. That happens more often, but that’s why more than ever, so just focus on what you have to do, the task ahead and that’s it. on the difficulty of playing a team fighting to stay in the league: I don’t know, it depends on the day what the game presents, but obviously when you’re in that situation you certainly want to get out of that and you might have an extra edge about you. But you want to win, the hunger to win as well and the motivation and the drive to do that is incredible as well. So every team will handle the emotional part in their way, we have to focus on what we do. on how we’ve managed not to concede more than two goals in a Premier League game since December 2023: With the right level of organisation, but especially with the desire to play showed every day and the commitment that they show to do all the duties that are necessary for us to be a team that is very difficult to play against and to score against. Read more Bench Cam: Arteta reacts to thriller at Chelsea on the importance of good social skills among the team, which Thomas Tuchel has been discussing: I fully agree with Thomas. I think it’s something incredibly necessary and many times undervalued. There are players that maybe in terms of minutes, they don’t have that much impact, but the impact that they have in and around the team to bring everybody together, to create that atmosphere, to support the team and to fulfil different roles in my opinion is critical. on if a player could get in our team with just good social skills: Unfortunately there are certain limits and certain things that have to be hit! on what he likes about playing two nines together: What the [Chelsea] game in my opinion was demanding as well because the spaces were opening up and what we needed from that position was somebody that could arrive in the box with the position they have. If they were to start even more aggressive as well, somebody that in direct play as well could be very, very efficient. We have combinations of players that can alter positions as well, the chemistry between them and another weapon that we have there. on if he wants to keep trying those combinations going forward: Yes and especially with certain games that we’re going to have in the next weeks as well. To have these options, especially against certain kinds of behaviours that we expect from opponents and can be something very interesting. on if Nwaneri might play in the next few games: They all have the option to play, we have to see for each game which ones. We have certain limitations, especially in the league with the numbers that we can bring in the squad, unfortunately. But yeah, everybody has to make contention. on what’s surprised him most this season about us: I don’t know. Probably the capacity to adapt to certain unexpected things that happened, and especially players having to play in positions that they haven’t played before. Not in the same area especially, and how we have adapted to that. I don’t know if it’s a surprise because I knew how they would react, but actually to do it in the manner that they’ve done it with that attitude is something that I’m very proud of. Read more FPL Focus: Saliba success, winter window and AFCON on how players have dealt with having more competition in their position: Very positively, and it’s something that we talked about from the start of the season. If we want to have any chance of doing that, we have to be there. I showed them the other clubs, and we have nothing different to that. You look at Chelsea, two, three and four, or Man City, or Liverpool, or any team that has been in that challenge over the years. This is the nature. We want this, we really have to accept this because there’s no other way. They haven’t done it with 14, 15 or 16 players, none of the clubs in the history in the last 10, 15 years. It’s something that we want to be there, we have to do it, and it has to be natural. on if he’s happy with the offside rule and the way VAR interprets it: Happy depends on the situation that you have to face really, honestly talking. I know they’re trying to do everything they can to simplify it, to bring as much clarity as possible, and sometimes it’s still a very difficult decision to make. We need to understand that, and on top of that there is a new possible rule coming up. We’re not going to have any say, so we’ll adapt to what’s coming. on if he’s in favour of the new rule suggested by Arsene Wenger: They are constantly trying to improve the game and to be as clear as possible, as consistent as possible. They are looking at options and they will decide and we will adapt. on if he’d support that: I don’t know, I need to see more details about that. on Rice’s discussion in the tunnel with Albert Stuivenberg against Chelsea: All sorted, all good. on if that shows the high standards among the group: Yes, and the good thing is that by the time I found out, the problem was resolved. So, that’s very good.

Zerwua Sunday Jude January 16, 2026 0
Mikel Arteta was back in front of the media at the Sobha Realty Training Centre for his...
Read More Read more about Every word of Mikel’s pre-Forest press conferenceMikel Arteta was back in front of the media at the Sobha Realty Training Centre for his pre-Nottingham Forest press conference on Friday. Our manager was asked to share the latest team news as well as his thoughts on our trip to The City Ground and more. Here’s everything he had to say on the following subjects… on if there are fresh injury concerns: No. on if there’s any chance for players who have been missing out: It might be, so I need to meet now with the medical staff. We have a training session now to see if somebody is available for the weekend. on who they might be: I can’t tell you. on how Gyokeres has been behind the scenes: I haven’t seen [him doubt himself], obviously he’s a very demanding person, he knows the level that we need, and basically he really wants to fulfil everything that we expect of him. He’s been trying, he’s been very consistent and I thought that against Chelsea, he had a great game and scored a goal that helped us to win the game. on Gyokeres having to get used to the scrutiny: For the rest of his career, I think when you know what he’s done in the last few years, you just set a standard and everybody expects you to maintain it. on if the scrutiny and criticism has been fair: I don’t know, it’s part of the expectations. But it’s not only for Viktor, it’s for every number nine in the league, or in every top club, in every position that you play you might see it. We expect to be really good, really consistent and to win constantly and that’s what we have to try to do. on playing four games in a row away from home and planning ahead for player availability: In certain things, yes, and especially looking at the opponent and the things we’re going to be able to train that we can replicate in those games. Sometimes, ideally we want to plan: ‘Ok for this game, we think this player could be better and the load,’ and some other times it’s just impossible – you have to go game by game. We have more players back now, we have better options and that’s very helpful because obviously we’ve been giving gametime to almost every player. Read more From the vault: Five classic wins at Forest on if he tells players he needs them more in certain games like Sir Alex Ferguson used to do: I don’t know the whole context of that. But the first thing is that, as a team, we prepare the game, and we win it, and then when you have rested players or managed the load, it’s beautiful because you win. But when the result is different, it’s a bad decision, you shouldn’t have done that, it’s too many changes, so it’s all related to how can we perform at the highest level, win, while all those things are happening? That’s the ideal scenario; it’s quite tricky. on what challenges Forest pose under Sean Dyche: He’s a top coach, really good at what he does. You can see straight away the fingerprints on the team, the way they play, the results that they got against some of the big teams as well, how difficult they constantly make it for you. He’s so experienced in the league, so it’s a very tough match. on if he will have an eye on the Man City game tomorrow: We know that we can only focus on what we can do. When the games are earlier, if you have the possibility to see them, you do it, if they are later, the same, nothing changes. But the only focus and the aim is to prepare for a very, very tough match. We have experienced that over there, and we have to win it. on if he senses belief among the squad that we can achieve something special: I think we are building very good momentum, and belief comes from performances, and the level of consistency that we have shown through our 32 games already this season, and what we did the other day at Stamford Bridge, it should help us to be very convinced that we have the ability to do that. But the reality is that you have to show it in every game and there’s still so much to happen. But we are glad that we are still alive in the four competitions. on Zubimendi’s offensive contributions: I’m very happy with the manner that he has settled at the club. When you talk to any member of staff or player about him, he has a big smile on his face and that’s something very positive. I think he has earned the respect very, very quickly of everybody here, our supporters and the league in general and that’s very difficult to do. He’s done it because he’s very humble, very focused, incredibly consistent and on top of that, he’s surprising a few people with his ability to attack the opposition box. Read more Zubimendi and Merino: Midfield maestros reunited on continuing to be good at set-pieces: I think practice, it is not a secret, I think mastering what you do, the same in many other aspects in the game. You can clearly see the tendency in the league, the amount of games and goals that are decided in that phase of play. It’s not only us, it’s more among any other teams than at any time in the history of this league. So constantly adapt and evolve. on how hard it is to play at The City Ground: Winning away from home in the Premier League is extremely tough. They are a team that we have beaten over the last few years, and we have done a lot of things right to beat a really good team. With Sean, they are different, very, very efficient in what they do, very clear identity and that’s what makes them very dangerous. on if we have to get used to the pressure of playing before or after Man City, rather than at the same time: Every season is normally the same. We don’t normally play at the same time, only probably in the Champions League. That happens more often, but that’s why more than ever, so just focus on what you have to do, the task ahead and that’s it. on the difficulty of playing a team fighting to stay in the league: I don’t know, it depends on the day what the game presents, but obviously when you’re in that situation you certainly want to get out of that and you might have an extra edge about you. But you want to win, the hunger to win as well and the motivation and the drive to do that is incredible as well. So every team will handle the emotional part in their way, we have to focus on what we do. on how we’ve managed not to concede more than two goals in a Premier League game since December 2023: With the right level of organisation, but especially with the desire to play showed every day and the commitment that they show to do all the duties that are necessary for us to be a team that is very difficult to play against and to score against. Read more Bench Cam: Arteta reacts to thriller at Chelsea on the importance of good social skills among the team, which Thomas Tuchel has been discussing: I fully agree with Thomas. I think it’s something incredibly necessary and many times undervalued. There are players that maybe in terms of minutes, they don’t have that much impact, but the impact that they have in and around the team to bring everybody together, to create that atmosphere, to support the team and to fulfil different roles in my opinion is critical. on if a player could get in our team with just good social skills: Unfortunately there are certain limits and certain things that have to be hit! on what he likes about playing two nines together: What the [Chelsea] game in my opinion was demanding as well because the spaces were opening up and what we needed from that position was somebody that could arrive in the box with the position they have. If they were to start even more aggressive as well, somebody that in direct play as well could be very, very efficient. We have combinations of players that can alter positions as well, the chemistry between them and another weapon that we have there. on if he wants to keep trying those combinations going forward: Yes and especially with certain games that we’re going to have in the next weeks as well. To have these options, especially against certain kinds of behaviours that we expect from opponents and can be something very interesting. on if Nwaneri might play in the next few games: They all have the option to play, we have to see for each game which ones. We have certain limitations, especially in the league with the numbers that we can bring in the squad, unfortunately. But yeah, everybody has to make contention. on what’s surprised him most this season about us: I don’t know. Probably the capacity to adapt to certain unexpected things that happened, and especially players having to play in positions that they haven’t played before. Not in the same area especially, and how we have adapted to that. I don’t know if it’s a surprise because I knew how they would react, but actually to do it in the manner that they’ve done it with that attitude is something that I’m very proud of. Read more FPL Focus: Saliba success, winter window and AFCON on how players have dealt with having more competition in their position: Very positively, and it’s something that we talked about from the start of the season. If we want to have any chance of doing that, we have to be there. I showed them the other clubs, and we have nothing different to that. You look at Chelsea, two, three and four, or Man City, or Liverpool, or any team that has been in that challenge over the years. This is the nature. We want this, we really have to accept this because there’s no other way. They haven’t done it with 14, 15 or 16 players, none of the clubs in the history in the last 10, 15 years. It’s something that we want to be there, we have to do it, and it has to be natural. on if he’s happy with the offside rule and the way VAR interprets it: Happy depends on the situation that you have to face really, honestly talking. I know they’re trying to do everything they can to simplify it, to bring as much clarity as possible, and sometimes it’s still a very difficult decision to make. We need to understand that, and on top of that there is a new possible rule coming up. We’re not going to have any say, so we’ll adapt to what’s coming. on if he’s in favour of the new rule suggested by Arsene Wenger: They are constantly trying to improve the game and to be as clear as possible, as consistent as possible. They are looking at options and they will decide and we will adapt. on if he’d support that: I don’t know, I need to see more details about that. on Rice’s discussion in the tunnel with Albert Stuivenberg against Chelsea: All sorted, all good. on if that shows the high standards among the group: Yes, and the good thing is that by the time I found out, the problem was resolved. So, that’s very good.

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