Slot future seems more uncertain as new update emerges and it's wild

 Arne Slot could face the sack at Liverpool at the end of the season even if he guides the club into the Champions League again, according to reports.

The Reds won the Premier League in Slot’s first season at the club in 2024/25 but this season his side have been far from the levels set last term.

Liverpool are currently sixth in the Premier League, three points off third-placed Manchester United and 19 points adrift of leaders Arsenal.

There have been rumours that Slot could be sacked by Liverpool at the end of the season with the Reds board preferring not to make a change mid-season.

One manager who has been heavily linked with replacing the Dutchman is former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso, who was sacked by Real Madrid earlier this season.

And now our pals at TEAMtalk have the latest information about Slot’s future with the website insisting ‘that regardless of how the current campaign ends, the Dutchman’s position will face significant scrutiny this summer’.

Liverpool spent over £400m in the summer transfer window but the Reds hierarchy have so far seen little return for their money on the pitch.

There is now a growing call from sections of the fanbase for Slot to leave in the summer and TEAMtalk add that Liverpool ‘privately acknowledged concerns about several aspects of the season, both on and off the pitch’.

Some Liverpool officials are ‘seriously alarmed’ by the club’s drop-off this season and ‘sources admit the current position would have been almost unthinkable last summer after what was widely viewed internally as a hugely successful transfer window.

Former Premier League striker Gabby Agbonlahor doesn’t think Slot should be the Liverpool manager and picked out a number of reasons why.

“Because why talk about what the rest of the league’s doing, when you’ve got problems to sort out in your own team, he should be focused on getting Liverpool playing football. And it’s always: ‘Oh, we were unlucky, we’ve done this, done that’.”

As well as the lack of good results, Agbonlahor picked out other faults with Slot, and added: “I’m sorry, he’s just not got the fibre. He’s not got the soul, the family spirit that you need with Liverpool.

“I know it’s a big act to follow in Jurgen Klopp, I totally understand that, but he’s just not grasped the spirit of Liverpool Football Club.”

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Marseille boss reacts to Nwaneri penalty miss

 Arsenal loanee Ethan Nwaneri didn’t start Marseille’s Coupe de France quarter-final tie against Toulouse on Wednesday night, but the youngster was introduced at the half-time break with the scores level at 1-1.

Marseille took the lead not long after that, but they were pegged back for 2-2 just minutes later, with the game ultimately going to a penalty shootout.

With both teams missing one spot-kick but converting the rest, Nwaneri knew he had to score Marseille’s fifth kick to keep them in the competition, but he sent his effort over the bar.

Speaking after the game, Marseille boss Habib Beye admitted it was unfortunate that Nwaneri and Leo Balerdi had failed to score, but he respected their decision to take the kicks on.

“Unfortunately for Leo [Balerdi] and Ethan [Nwaneri], they missed,” Beye conceded. “It’s simply unfortunate that this technical skill that, at that moment in the game and at that moment in the competition, was not mastered.

“What I like is the personality of a player who decides to go for it. When we discussed it, we were very, very clear about the shooting order. And so, they went for it, and I respect that personality.

“I never judge a player who misses a penalty because you have to take the responsibility to step up.”

Nwaneri’s loan has already had some extreme ups and downs, especially considering he’s less than six weeks into it.

There have been highs, like his debut goal or his match-winning assist against Lyon at the weekend, but there have also been lows, like this cup exit or the impact of Roberto De Zerbi’s departure on his minutes.

These are all things Nwaneri will inevitably have to deal with as a professional footballer, so on the whole it’s a good thing he’s learning these lessons away from Arsenal. It just might not feel so good right now.

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Arsenal defender makes insulting gesture towards Brighton Coach: What he said...

 Piero Hincapie enhanced his growing cult hero status with Arsenal fans by shushing Fabian Hurzerler during last night’s fractious win over Brighton.

The Gunners cemented their position at the top of the Premier League table by claiming all three points on the south coast following a scrappy 1-0 victory.

Bukayo Saka’s deflected ninth minute strike was, ultimately, all that separated the two teams as Mikel Arteta’s battle-hardened crew ground out a 10th win by a one-goal margin this season.

The finer points of a resolute defensive display were, however, lost on Hurzerler who began his Arsenal related complaints in his pre-match press conference on Tuesday.

Brighton’s German boss was clearly in no mood to give up his agenda last night as Arsenal’s delaying tactics frustrated the home side and prompted the Seagulls’ manager to complain to the fourth official on numerous occasions.

Hurzeler was in the ear of the official early in the first half and began pestering Hincapie while the Arsenal defender was preparing to take a throw.

The Ecuador international had no time for Hurzeler’s complaints and put his finger to his lips while the opposition manager was offering some pointed advice.

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Hincapie started last night’s match at left-back and excelled in that role before he shifted to centre-half following the introduction of Riccardo Calafiori with Arteta opting to withdraw Cristian Mosquera who had been standing in for the injured William Saliba.

The 23-year-old, currently on loan from Bayer Leverkusen, is fast establishing himself as a vital component of the defensive unit that appears hellbent on powering Arsenal to the title.

Whether their conservative style of play may end up yielding the trophies they crave, they clearly haven’t won a fan in Hurzeler who continued his diatribe after the game.

‘I think there was only one team who tried to play football today,’ said Hurzeler, ‘And therefore I’m proud of how they did it.

‘I will never be that kind of manager who tries to win in that way. I want to do well. I want my players to keep improving, keep playing football on the pitch.

‘In the end, of course, every team will manage and waste time, but I think there has to be a limit, and the limit has to be set by the Premier League.

‘The limit has to be set by the referees, at the moment they just do what they want.

‘If I would ask now everyone in the room if he really enjoyed this football game I’m sure maybe one raises his arm because he is a big Arsenal fan but besides that, no chance.’

Arteta, meanwhile, was quick to dismiss the complaints of his Brighton counterpart and focus on the finer points of a victory that helped establish a seven point lead at the Premier League summit.

‘I loved it,’ he said. ‘It was a really tough one, we knew that.

‘We played so many games with very, very high intensity and demands, and you could see in certain moments that we lacked freshness, especially with the ball, to have more composure, for the heart rate to be a little bit lower to make better decisions and be a bit more precise. 

‘So when you don’t do that, you have to do a lot of very good things. You want to win in this league, especially here at Brighton, and the team showed an incredible desire, determination and attitude to win the game.’

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Mikel Artera provides worrisome update on Arsenal star after summer plans

 Former Gunners star turned Pundit Alan Smith says there is ‘every chance’ defender Myles Lewis-Skelly will leave Arsenal this summer after a ‘really difficult season’ at the Emirates Stadium.

Lewis-Skelly, 19, emerged as one of ARSENAL’s most exciting young talents during his breakthrough season, making dozens of appearances across competitions and even earning senior international recognition with England national football team. However, his momentum has slowed significantly during the current campaign, with opportunities in the first team becoming more limited.

Competition for places has intensified under manager Mikel Arteta, particularly in the left-back position where new arrivals and tactical adjustments have pushed the youngster down the pecking order. As a result, Lewis-Skelly has struggled to secure consistent Premier League starts this season.

Smith believes the situation could ultimately lead to a summer departure if the lack of minutes continues. Speaking about the player’s development, the former Arsenal forward suggested that the campaign has been challenging for the young defender

‘It’s been a really difficult season for Myles Lewis-Skelly, hasn’t it? He’s behind two players, really, for the left-back slot,’ Smith told BestBettingSites.

‘If he did get a chance, I’d quite like to see him in midfield. That’s his position. Just see how he fares there. He’s not the best of defenders, so it suits him better in midfield. He’s really creative.

‘I think it’ll probably be a shop window for him. I think there’s every chance he might leave in the summer. We’ll see on that.’

Smith also questioned whether Lewis-Skelly’s long-term future is even in defence. The pundit argued that the England youngster may be better suited to playing in midfield, where his creativity and technical ability could be more effective.

“He’s not the best of defenders,” Smith explained, suggesting that the player’s upbringing as a midfielder could mean he is more comfortable further up the pitch.

The comments have reignited debate among Arsenal supporters about how best to handle one of the club’s brightest academy graduates. Lewis-Skelly joined the Gunners as a child and progressed through the renowned Hale End system before making his senior debut in 2024.

Despite Smith’s suggestion of a potential exit, a number of observers believe ARSENAL could still choose to retain the youngster, either by integrating him into a midfield role or by sending him on loan to gain regular first-team football.

With the summer transfer window approaching, Lewis-Skelly’s future is likely to become a growing talking point. Whether Arsenal decide to keep faith in their academy product or allow him to seek opportunities elsewhere may depend largely on how Arteta plans to shape his squad for next season.

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Mikel Arteta puts two Arsenal youth players in the lineup against Kairat. Details....

 Arsenal youth duo Ife Ibrahim and Marli Salmon are set to receive call-ups to the first-team squad for Wednesday night’s Champions League match against Kairat Almaty.

Isaan Khan of the Daily Mail reports that Arsenal academy duo Ife Ibrahim and Marli Salmon are both set to be in the matchday squad against Kairat Almaty on Wednesday night.

Brando Bailey-Joseph and Jack Porter are also reportedly with the squad ahead of the game, though that doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll be named on the bench. Players will sometimes join the team pre-game as emergency backups, particularly goalkeepers like Porte

Kairat Almaty train to host Real Madrid in Champions Leag

Arsenal fans will be familiar with Salmon, given the defender has already made an appearance in this season’s Champions Leagu

The 16-year-old came on at right-back against Club Brugge in December, and he might be in line for another opportunity this midweek

Arsenal will be without William Saliba and Jurrien Timber due to minor knocks, Riccardo Calafiori, Cristhian Mosquera, and Piero Hincapie are only recently back from injuries of their own, and Mikel Arteta will be wary of overplaying Gabriel Magalhaes after his hamstring setback in November.

Then Ibrahim is a midfielder who signed his first professional contract with Arsenal this week. With Declan Rice and Mikel Merino suspended and Martin Zubimendi probably in need of a rest, there’s perhaps an opportunity for some midfield minutes on Wednesday as wel

If included, Bailey-Joseph is a winger, whilst Arsenal fans will know Porter from his performance in goal in the League Cup against Bolton Wanderers last season.

This is a rare game with relatively little at stake for the team. Arsenal would have to lose to even have a chance of conceding top spot in the Champions League’s League Phase, and they’d still finish second even if that happened (functionally the same as finishing first in terms of the draw).

Considering it’s a home game against the club in 36th in the table, a defeat by enough goals to overturn Arsenal’s five-goal advantage over Bayern Munich seems unlikely.

Arsenal have key Premier League fixtures, League Cup semi-finals, and FA Cup and Champions League knockout matches on the horizon. It’s hard to see the next time Arteta will have the chance to hand out some development minu

tes.

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Jeremy Jacquet transfer truth revealed as Liam Rosenior verdict clear on Chelsea target

 Chelsea remain in talks with French club Rennes over a deal to bring defender Jeremy Jacquet to Stamford Bridge with Liam Rosenior wanting a new centre-back at the club

Chelsea remain locked in talks with Rennes over the signing of defender Jeremy Jacquet this month, though there has been no significant movement in the last couple of days.

Reports in France recently claim that the Blues could reach a compromise with Rennes, who are reluctant to sell the 20-year-old midway through the season, and loan him back to Roazhon Park for the remainder of the campaign. Chelsea are considering numerous options in negotiations for Jacquet, football.london understands, as the Blues look to bring in the highly sought-after France Under-21 international.

Liam Rosenior was asked directly about Jacquet in his pre-Pafos press conference on Tuesday afternoon but the newly-appointed Chelsea head coach did not want to comment on players from elsewhere. He said: "You'll know about me, I don't speak about players at other clubs until something is agreed with any player. I think it is disrespectful.

"If I was a manager of another team and a manager was speaking about my player, I wouldn't be a happy person. So whether it is true or not, I will speak about that at the right time."

Jacquet is one of a few centre-back targets on the Blues' radar this month. Como defender Jacobo Ramon and Bournemouth's Marcos Senesi, whose contract at the Vitality Stadium is due to expire at the end of the season, are both admired by Chelsea chiefs.

Chelsea's pursuit of a centre-back is nothing new. Last summer, the Blues tried to sign Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth and were confident in doing so. Real Madrid, however, the club Huijsen supported as a child, swooped in and signed the Spaniard.

The west Londoners were looking at bringing in a starting-level defender all summer-long, even before Levi Colwill's anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in August. However, nobody Chelsea believed to be at said level, or a clear upgrade on what Enzo Maresca already had at his disposal, was available or moved during the 2025 summer transfer window.

Colwill remains fully backed by the west London club and remains imperative in the long-term vision, football.london understands. The England international's rehab is going very well, though no timeframe has been put on the 22-year-old's return due to it being such a serious injury.

Chelsea's search for a new defender, namely Jacquet, is not reactive. The club's transfer team, spearheaded by the likes of Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, have brought forward their summer plans and there is internal optimism a deal to bring a new centre-back to Stamford Bridge can be struck before the conclusion of the January transfer window.

Elsewhere, Chelsea remain open to selling Tyrique George this month. The 19-year-old forward has made just four Premier League appearances for the Blues this season, with Saturday's win over Brentford the first time he has been in a matchday squad for almost three months.

There is significant interest in George from the Premier League and a few foreign clubs, though nothing is imminent regarding a move. The England Under-21 international is open to leaving Stamford Bridge on a permanent basis before the deadline, but is not thought to be actively pushing for a departure this month.

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