Sports
Mikel Arteta is favourite to become Arsenal new boss
Mikel Arteta could be fast-tracked into the Arsenal hot-seat as his main rivals continue to drop out of the running.
Manchester City assistant and former Gunners captain Arteta has become the overwhelming favourite after the club finished the interview process.
The 36-year-old Spaniard fits the criteria of being the young head coach they are looking for in the wake of Arsene Wenger’s almost 22 years at the helm.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has already confirmed he will not stand in Arteta’s way if he wants to leave the champions’ backroom staff to succeed the now-departed Arsene Wenger.
Arsenal are planning for the future by building a new behind-the-scenes set-up to fit around a ‘head coach’ figure rather than a new manager, with Arteta the leading candidate for the role.
Another Gunners favourite, former midfielder Freddie Ljungberg, is expected to return to the club as Under-23s manager in the hope of creating a better link between the first team and youngsters coming through.
Current first team coaches Steve Bould and Jens Lehmann have been asked to stay while others – including Gerry Peyton, Boro Primorac and Neil Banfield – are leaving.
Mirror Football also understands physio Colin Lewin is also going as part of a reshuffle in the medical staff, and was told on Monday morning.
Lehmann is expected to remain, but Bould is believed to be weighing up his options and it is understood there is interest from relegated hometown club Stoke, the team he left to join the Gunners in 1988.
Juventus boss Max Allegri has pledged his future to the perennial Italian champions while Hoffenheim insist that their coach Julian Nagelsmann is also staying put.
Germany boss Joachim Low, who was an early candidate, has now signed a new contract to stay in charge of his world champions until 2022.
New York City boss and Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira was interviewed, but has been kept in the dark.
The fact Arteta – who is hugely respected, and is the choice of chief executive Ivan Gazidis – used to be unpopular with some players is actually seen as a good thing among the hierarchy.
They want someone to be tough, authoritative and clear in his coaching ideas. They like the fact that he is regarded as a top-class coach and is young at just 36.
Arsenal appreciate it would be seen as a gamble but Juventus boss Max Allegri has insisted he is staying, while clubless former Barcelona coach Luis Enrique appears to have priced himself out of the running.
The Gunners previously insisting they want to make an appointment before the start of the World Cup in mid-June.
However, former midfielder Arteta has long been in their sights and now could get unveiled quicker than had been anticipated.
Real Madrid produced a spectacular comeback against Bayern Munich to reach the Champions League final with Joselu striking twice late on, earning them a 2-1 win on Wednesday to progress 4-3 on aggregate.
Alphonso Davies smashed the visiting German giants ahead in the second half but record 14-time winners Madrid produced a sensational comeback with Joselu netting in the 88th and 91st minutes.
Bayern Munich’s Canadian midfielder #19 Alphonso Davies scores his team’s first goal in spite of Real Madrid’s Ukrainian goalkeeper #13 Andriy Lunin during the UEFA Champions League semi final second leg football match between Real Madrid CF and FC Bayern Munich at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on May 8, 2024. (Photo by OSCAR DEL POZO / AFP)
Spanish champions Real Madrid face another German side, Borussia Dortmund, in the Wembley final on June 1, after they stunned the team they call their “black beast”.
Squad player Joselu, on as a late substitute, wrote his name in Madrid’s history books with his last-gasp brace.
Bayern Munich’s English forward #09 Harry Kane reacts to their defeat after the UEFA Champions League semi final second leg football match between Real Madrid CF and FC Bayern Munich at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on May 8, 2024. (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO / AFP)
“There have been a lot of times we have looked dead and buried, but we have that mentality of never say die,” said Real midfielder Jude Bellingham.
“Joselu deserves it all, he has been an amazing squad member this season.”
Madrid had enjoyed the better of the match but it seemed Davies’ superb strike had set up a repeat of the 2013 all-German final in London.
Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel made three changes from the first leg, benching veteran Thomas Mueller and Leon Goretzka.
Dani Carvajal started for Madrid after missing the first leg suspended and was heavily involved as the hosts dominated the opening stages.
Real Madrid players celebrate their second goal scored by Real Madrid’s Spanish forward #14 Joselu during the UEFA Champions League semi final second leg football match between Real Madrid CF and FC Bayern Munich at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on May 8, 2024. (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO / AFP)
Rodrygo Goes was inches away from converting Carvajal’s low cross and the Spain defender then cleverly set up Vinicius Junior with a pass nutmegging a defender, and Manuel Neuer tipped the Brazilian’s shot against the post.
The rebound fell to Rodrygo but his effort was weak and with a desperate arm Neuer was able to claw it out to complete a fine double save.
Bayern’s Serge Gnabry limped off injured with Davies replacing him before Harry Kane’s first flash of danger.
Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin was alert to push the England captain’s vicious long-range volley around the post.
Neuer palmed away a Vinicius free-kick as the teams ended a high-intensity, relentlessly frantic first half level.
The second period was just as fraught, with Davies’ cross deflecting onto the roof of Lunin’s goal.
Vinicius was unplayable down Madrid’s left and Rodrygo prodded his low cross agonisingly wide of the far post.
The 38-year-old Neuer made superb saves to deny both Brazilian forwards again before the hour mark as Madrid controlled the game and ratcheted up the pressure.
However just as in Munich, when Los Blancos were at their strongest, Bayern pounced.
Kane fed Davies and the Canada international cut inside from the left and smashed a shot beyond Lunin into the far top corner after 68 minutes.
Madrid thought they had levelled moments later through Nacho but after a VAR review the strike was ruled out as the defender had grabbed Joshua Kimmich’s face before shooting.
Tuchel took off Kane in the final stages to try and hold on to victory but it slipped through his fingers as Madrid produced more indelible European memories.
Neuer, who had been sublime to this point, fumbled what appeared a simple Vinicius strike and Joselu gratefully bundled home from close range.
With Bayern reeling Madrid struck again, decisively. It was Joselu once more, the striker on loan from second division side Espanyol, turning home after Antonio Rudiger cut the ball back to him.
The goal was ruled offside but officials overturned the decision after review, and after nearly 15 minutes of stoppage time, Madrid earned the chance to go for their 15th Champions League trophy.
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