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Trump On Alex Pretti Shooting
We’re Looking Into It, But He Did Have a Fully Loaded Gun!!!

Published
January 26, 2026
4:21 AM PST
|
Updated
January 26, 2026
5:08 AM PST

Arsenal have not won the Premier League title for 22 years – is it starting to show?

The pressure of ending the long wait to win the Premier League appeared to show as Mikel Arteta’s side were beaten 3-2 by Manchester United at the Emirates.

It’s a result that has alarm bells ringing at Arsenal, whose lead at the top of the Premier League has been reduced from seven to four points following a three-game winless run.

So, are Arsenal feeling the pressure? What are the resons behind their mini slump in the league? Sky Sports takes a look at the problems facing the Gunners as they look to finally get across the line and claim the title…

Is the pressure too much for Arsenal?

You’d hope not.

If Arteta and his men are feeling the pressure in January, what will they be like in April and May if they are still trying to get over the finish line?

Sky Sports‘ Roy Keane said there were nerves from the Gunners as they slipped to a first home defeat of the season on Sunday, while former Gunner Patrick Vieira raised question marks around his former side’s mentality. There was anxiety all around at the Emirates and after blowing leads at the top of the Premier League table in two of the last three season, it’s probably understandable.

After an excellent 30 minutes against United, Arsenal collapsed. It was a similar story against Liverpool but Arne Slot’s men couldn’t find the back of the net. There was also signs of tension at Nottingham Forest and it has led to Arsenal blowing the opportunity of extending their lead at the top of the table to 11 points.

Instead, Man City and Aston Villa are now lurking just four points back.

The next few weeks will certainly show us whether this is just a blip or something more sinister.

Have Arteta and his players learned of the mistakes of the past or is there scare tissure from previous failed title challenges? We’ll find out what the Gunners are truly made of as they look to bounce back quickly.

Arteta needs to get his attack firing

Goals would help take some of that pressure away!

Arsenal’s attack is coming under intense scrutiny, with key forwards not contributing and an over reliance on set-piece goals.

The stats are alarming!

• Bukayo Saka – No goals in the last 13 games in all competitions.
• Viktor Gyokeres – No non-penalty goals in his last 11 Premier League appearances.
• Gabriel Martinelli – No goals in his last 13 Premier League appearances.
• Noni Madueke – No goals in his last 25 Premier League appearances.
• Leandro Trossard – One goal in his last 11 appearances in all competitions.

Apart from set-pieces, no-one is scoring consistently for Arsenal in the league as they struggle for fluency going forward.

There is not one Arsenal player in the top 20 for Premier Leagie goals this season, while they have the third lowest percentage for goals scored by forwards in the Premier League.

That is in stark contrast to the Champions League where the Gunners have not had the same issues. They have scored 18 goals in seven matches, scoring three past both Bayern Munich and Inter Milan, and hitting four past Atletico.

The question then is why are Arsenal struggling for goals from their forwards in the Premier League?

Arsenal need to go back to basics. To express themselves, play with freedom, and go forward. They got to the top by playing in the right way and being positive.

One argument is teams attack against Arsenal more in the Champions League, leaving the likes of Saka, Odegaard and Trossard more space, but many will point to a perceived safety-first approach deployed by Arteta in the Premier League.

It’s hard to argue that it’s not worked for Arteta so far with his side still in a healthy position at the top of the table, but how he strikes the right balance going forward could be crucial.

Do the Gunners have an Odegaard problem?

So often a key component in that Arsenal attack, Martin Odegaard failed to deliver against Man Utd.

Chasing the game, Arteta hooked his captain off after just 62 minutes, something that would have been unthinkable in recent seasons with Odegaard so often his side’s creative spark.

However, Odegaard, who had just 27 touches in his time on the field against United, was a bystander when his side needed him the most.

“Odegaard is one of the technical leaders of the team, because of his vision, of his last pass,” Vieira said when asked about Odegaard’s impact. “I would like to see him play higher, between the lines. I think at times he plays it too safe, comes too close to the back four. You need those type of players closer to the goal.”

In the past, there would have been no question that Odegaard would keep his place in the Arsenal team. Arteta trusts him and loves the control the Norwegian brings to his team. However, now there is another option in Eberechi Eze.

While Eze has also been far from his best in recent weeks, fans have been quick to point out on social media that some Arsenal’s most fluent attacking displays have been with the former Crystal Palace star in the No 10 position. The 4-0 win over Atletico, the wins over Bayern and Inter Milan, and the 4-1 demolition of Spurs in the north London derby all had Eze pulling the strings for Arsenal in attack.

Odegaard has been a crucial lieutenant for Arteta, but it may be time for the him to roll the dice on Eze’s unpredictability.

The best squad but is Arteta using it right?

Arsenal’s lacklustre display against United was lightyears away from their brilliant performance in Milan in midweek.

But did Arteta get his team selection right for both games?

When the team news dropped in midweek, there were more questions than answers as Arteta selected a number of his first-team regulars for a game that had nothing riding on it.

Arsenal had their place confirmed in the last 16 of the Champions League ahead of the game at the San Siro, but the likes of Saka, Trossard, Zubimendi, Jurrien Timber and William Saliba all started with the likes of Christian Norgaard, Noni Madueke, the returning Kai Havertz and Ethan Nwaneri, who is now on loan at Marseille, craving minutes.

All five of those players backed up and started against United, including Gabriel Jesus, and it showed with Arsenal looking like they lacked energy against a fresh Manchester United side.

A lot has been made of Arsenal’s excellent squad depth and you would be hard pushed to find someone who didn’t think they had the best squad in the Premier League.

However, that depth is worthless if not used correctly.

It’s not all doom and gloom

Despite the negative noise after the defeat to Man Utd, it would be easy to forget that Arsenal are still four points clear at the top of the Premier League.

They are also top of the Champions League table with a perfect record and through to the last 16. They have a one-goal lead going into next week’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Chelsea and they have an FA Cup fourth-round clash against Wigan on the horizon.

Arsenal are where they want to be. All four trophies remain firmly on the table.

Despite a run of three games without a victory, the Gunners remain firm favourites for a first league title in 22 years, according to Opta.

The supercomputer has Arteta’s men an 81.7 per cent chance ending their long wait for the title, while Aston Villa now have a 9.4 per cent chance of lifting their first top-flight title since 1981, with Man City on 8.7 per cent.

“Arsenal haven’t won the title is a long time,” former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira said on Sky Sports following the defeat to Man Utd. “The first title is always the most difficult one.

“But Mikel Arteta will be showing his Arsenal players the table. They are the best team in the Premier League.”

Arsenal didn’t play like it against Liverpool, Nottingham Forest or Man Utd, but now is not the time to panic with everything still in their hands.

The painful defeat to United is a chance for Arsenal to re-group and show what they are made of as they look to finally get over the line. Captain Martin Odegaard called on the players to stick together and with league games at Leeds, at home to Sunderland and away at Brentford coming up, Arsenal have a great opportunity to get their title hopes firmly back on track.

However, if their league form doesn’t change quickly, starting at Elland Road on the Saturday, questions will continue to be asked and the pressure on Arsenal and Arteta will continue to grow.

At least four people have been killed after a fire broke out at a food factory near the central Greek city of Trikala, the country’s fire service says.

The blaze began early on Monday at a Violanta biscuit factory, where 13 workers were on site, local media reported. Eight managed to escape.

One person remains missing, but the city’s deputy mayor for civil protection, Giorgos Katavoutas, told the BBC that “there is no hope of finding any of the missing workers alive, given the force of the explosion and the fire that followed”.

An investigation into the cause of the blaze is ongoing but unconfirmed reports have suggested a possible gas leak.

Television footage showed extensive damage to the factory, with part of the building destroyed, effectively splitting the structure in two. Thick smoke could also be seen billowing from the fire.

Violanta said it was “deeply saddened” by the fire.

“Today a serious incident occurred at our factory premises, during the night shift, for a currently unknown reason,” Violanta said in a statement.

“We are fully cooperating with the relevant authorities and providing all available assistance.”

Health minister Adonis Georgiadis earlier told the Skai news agency that six workers and a firefighter had been taken to hospital, adding that they were “in good health, mainly suffering from respiratory problems”.

The fire service said more than 50 firefighters and 16 fire trucks had been sent to tackle the blaze.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis referred to the fire during opening remarks at a cabinet meeting on Monday.

“Our thoughts are with the families of the victims,” he said, adding that the fire service was already investigating the circumstances of the incident” so that “responsibilities can be established”.

Andy Dick
Out of Rehab

Published
January 26, 2026
4:30 AM PST

Leeds Rhinos Women have announced Bella Sykes and Izzy Northrop are both leaving the club to take up new opportunities in Australia.

Northrop recently travelled to Australia following the completion of her PGCE at Newcastle University and her teaching role, and has made the decision to make the move permanent.

The prop, who joined the Rhinos in 2023 from Huddersfield Giants, has taken up an opportunity to play for BMD Premiership side Norths Devils.

Northrop said: “I have loved my time at Leeds Rhinos and I am grateful for the opportunity the club gave me. I leave with many fond memories, including playing in the Women’s Challenge Cup final twice at Wembley and I have made lifelong friends.

“I wish the Rhinos all the best and will be following and cheering them on from over here and I would love to return to the club one day.”

Meanwhile, Sykes, who will complete her studies at Leeds Beckett University later this year, has also informed the club that she will also be moving to Australia to play in the NSW Women’s Premiership.

Sykes, who also joined the Rhinos from Giants in 2023, is also set to move down under later in the year on completion of her degree in physical education.

Sykes said: “It’s been a super difficult decision to make as I’ve loved my time at the Rhinos. The club and girls have been great and loved every moment. The opportunity came about to move over to Australia and play in the Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership and the challenge to go over and develop my game is super exciting to me.

“I’m hoping it makes me both better as a player and a person and push me to be at my best. I was honoured to make my England debut in 2024 and I want to continue to put my hand up for selection when I am in Australia.”

Leeds Rhinos Women’s head coach Lois Forsell said: “Both players have gone from strength to strength since joining Leeds and it’s been great to see them develop and go on to earn international honours.

“We wish them all the best in the next chapter of their careers and thank them for all they have given to the club. We continue to develop our squad, the girls are working hard throughout pre-season and we are looking forward to getting going in April.”

2026 Super League – key dates and what to look out for

• Opening night: Thu Feb 12: York Knights v Hull KR, 8pm (Sky Sports)
• World Club Challenge: Thu Feb 19: Hull KR v Brisbane Broncos, 7:30pm (Sky Sports)
• Rugby League in Las Vegas: Sat Feb 28: Hull KR v Leeds Rhinos, TBC (Sky Sports)
• Super League’s 30th birthday: Thu Mar 26: Castleford Tigers v Bradford Bulls, 8pm (Sky Sports)
• Rivals Round: April 3-April 5
• Super League in Paris: Sat Jun 6: Catalans Dragons v Wigan Warriors (Paris), 6:30 UK (Sky Sports)
• Magic Weekend: July 4-July 5
• Rivals Round reversed: July 23-July 26
• Elimination Play-offs: September 19-September 20
• Play-off semi-finals: September 26-September 27
• Grand Final: October 3, Old Trafford.

Sky Sports will again show every game of the Super League live this season – including two matches in each round exclusively live, with the remaining five matches each week shown on Sky Sports+

Sam Darnold’s first NFL team traded him away after three years.

His second team moved on after 17 starts.

His third team signed him solely as a backup.

His fourth team won its most games in a quarter-century with Darnold as its starter. But when he couldn’t win his last two, pressure-packed games, however, the team decided to go with an untested rookie instead.

Last spring, the Seattle Seahawks became the fifth NFL team to give Darnold a chance when they signed the 28-year-old as a free agent. Less than a year later, Darnold gave them a Super Bowl berth Sunday.

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In Seattle’s 31-27 win over the Rams in the NFC championship game, Darnold threw for 346 yards and three touchdowns with no turnovers — the type of performance in a high-stakes game that, given the way he was traded, released and given up on by his four previous teams, few believed Darnold was capable of during his winding, eight-year path through the NFL.

“You can’t talk about the game without talking about our quarterback,” Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said. “He just shut a lot of people up tonight, so I’m really happy for him.”

A private jet carrying eight people has crashed while taking off from Bangor International Airport in the US state of Maine, aviation authorities have said.

The Bombardier Challenger 600 went down at around 19:45 local time (00:45 GMT on Monday), the Federal Aviation Administration said, but the fate and identities of those on board were not immediately clear.

The incident came as a dangerous winter storm barrelled across a large swathe of the US, killing several people and leaving hundreds of thousands without power. Pilots had reportedly been struggling with visibility at the airport before the crash.

Bangor remains under a winter storm warning until Tuesday, with heavy snowfall forecast.

Bangor International Airport said following the incident that it had closed and that emergency crews were responding, urging members of the public to avoid the area.

Audio from air traffic control, reported by the BBC’s US partner CBS News and published by LiveATC.net, captured discussions between controllers and pilots minutes before the crash concerning poor visibility, though it is unclear which aircraft were heard in the communications.

Shortly afterwards, a controller was heard saying there was “a passenger aircraft upside down”. Images from the scene showed smoke and flames on the runway.

The disruption came amid widespread travel chaos due to the storm, with more than 11,000 flights cancelled and nearly 5,500 delayed across the US on Sunday, according to tracker FlightAware.

Airports in Philadelphia, Washington DC, Baltimore, North Carolina, New York and New Jersey were among those affected.

Between 10 and 16 inches (25-40cm) of snow is forecast to accumulate in parts of Maine, including Bangor, by Tuesday morning, according to the National Weather Service.

The Golden State Warriors won a “bizarre and sad game” against the Minnesota Timberwolves that was played in a “sombre atmosphere” following the fatal shooting of a nurse by immigration agents, said visiting head coach Steve Kerr.

The death of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis on Saturday followed Renee Good, another Minnesota resident, being shot and killed by anti-Immigration and customs enforcement agents (ICE) on January 7.

The state’s sports franchises – NBA’s Timberwolves, NFL’s Vikings, NHL’s Wild, WNBA’s Lynx, MLB’s Twins and Major League Soccer’s United FC – have penned an open letter calling for peace and “real solutions”, while the National Basketball Players Association released a statement saying players can “no longer remain silent.”

ICE agents have the power to detain and arrest those they suspect of being in the US illegally as part of an operation ordered by the administration of President Donald Trump.

Saturday’s game between the Warriors and Timberwolves was postponed but the sides did meet on Sunday with the away side winning 111-85.

‘You could tell people were suffering’

Warriors coach Kerr said: “It was one of the most bizarre, sad games I’ve ever been a part of. You could feel the sombre atmosphere.

“We could tell [the Timberwolves] were struggling with everything that’s been going on and what the city has been through, so it was a very sad night.”

“[People] came to the game to try to forget about stuff, I guess, but I don’t think anything went away for the city or their team. They were suffering.”

Stephen Curry – who scored 26 points for Warriors – said of protests in Minneapolis: “It was like three straight hours in -10 degree weather. It was beautiful to see that turnout and speaks to how important people felt it was to have their voice heard.”

There was a minute’s silence for Pretti ahead of Sunday’s game, during which anti-ICE chants were heard from spectators.

Warriors forward Moses Moody said after the match: “I couldn’t imagine too many different times where that large amount of people are together in the midst of a situation like this, so you definitely felt that.”