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I won’t get time Arteta had at Arsenal – Amorim

By in News, Sports News

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Sean Kearns
BBC Sport
  • 1249 Comments

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim says the club will not give him the time that Mikel Arteta was afforded to change fortunes at Arsenal.

Spaniard Arteta replaced Unai Emery as Arsenal manager in December 2019 and has helped transform the Gunners into regular title challengers.

Arteta won the 2020 FA Cup in his first season but it remains the only piece of silverware he has won since his appointment – and it took him three seasons to return the club to the Champions League.

“I will not have the time the Arteta had”, said Amorim.

However Amorim said he could draw inspiration from the manner in which Arteta dealt with a number of issues during his early days at Arsenal.

“I feel that]Arsenal] is a different club”, continued Amorim.

Arsenal travel to Old Trafford on Sunday in the Premier League (16: 30 GMT) and face a United side without a number of key players including long-term absentees Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw and Mason Mount.

Amorim said it was unlikely any other injured players would return for Sunday, but did raise hopes that Amad Diallo could be back before the end of the season.

“I think it is just Amad]who is out long-term]”, said Amorim.

“Even Amad, we will see the end of the last month]of the season].

” I have the hope to have Amad before, we will see.

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Arsenal beat PSV Eindhoven 7-1 in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday, while United managed a 1-1 draw away at Real Sociedad two days later.

Despite being Europe’s secondary competition, Amorim says playing in the Europa League impacts Premier League form more than the Champions League.

“In the beginning people talked about our rotation in Europe. We were changing all the time and it is because of this”, said Amorim.

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  • Football

Not luck if you work as hard as we do – Slot

By in News, Sports News
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Mandeep Sanghera
BBC Sport journalist

“The harder you work, the more luck you have”.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot drew on a quote from basketball legend Michael Jordan as he addressed claims suggesting the runaway Premier League leaders have enjoyed good fortune of late.

The Reds escaped with a 1-0 win against Paris St-Germain on Wednesday in the first leg of their last-16 tie in the Champions League.

PSG dominated the Reds at the Parc des Princes and had 27 shots but found keeper Alisson in inspired form before Harvey Elliott grabbed a late winner for the visitors.

“We weren’t a little bit lucky]against PSG], we were really lucky – but as Michael Jordan said once, ‘ The harder you work, the more luck you have'”, said Slot.

“This is the biggest compliment you have to give the players, they worked incredibly hard.

” That also has to do with the players being – if you were 45 minutes with the other team having the ball a lot and having to defend so much – mentally and physically so strong to come up with the second-half performance of not giving away as many open chances as we did in the first half.

‘ Injuries not down to luck – we do things right way ‘

However, that game at PSG has resulted in some rival fans believing luck is playing a part in Liverpool’s success this season.

Regular title challengers and rivals Arsenal and Manchester City have struggled this season with both teams suffering injuries to key players, and Liverpool have capitalised by moving 13 points clear at the top of the Premier League.

The Reds can go 16 points clear with a win against Southampton on Saturday, before the second-placed Gunners play the two games in hand they would have by then against Manchester United on Sunday and Chelsea a week later.

Prior to the game in Paris, the Reds won against a Manchester City side who were missing striker Erling Haaland and beat a Newcastle side without free-scoring forward Alexander Isak.

The Magpies will also be missing the suspended forward Anthony Gordon and the injured defensive duo of Sven Botman and Lewis Hall when they play Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday, 16 March.

“If you want to win something you need to have once in a while a game where you don’t play your best football and you are lucky – which is maybe not luck if you work as hard as we do – to get away with a result”, added Slot.

“There are almost no teams that play 38 games]in the league] or in the Champions League that play only good football.

” Real Madrid are the best example of that, they also find a way to win a game if the other team are better than them. “

Slot, who will serve the second game of a two-match touchline ban against Southampton, also defended his team against suggestions they have been fortunate on the injury front compared to their rivals.

Arsenal, who have finished second for the past two seasons, are without forwards Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz, while champions Manchester City have been without Ballon d’Or-winning midfielder Rodri for most of the season.

” If you think injuries are only a part of luck or bad luck then we’ve been lucky but we try to believe in the fact that we try to prevent them from a certain way of working, “said Slot, who is in his first managerial season in the Premier League after replacing Jurgen Klopp last summer.

” That we don’t have many injuries, I don’t see that as luck. I see it as, first of all, top professionals – our players do everything to try to stay fit – and, second of all, great facilities and a great staff.

“You need to show this over a longer period of time to consider it luck or bad luck. If we can continue doing this for years without many big injuries then it’s probably also quality, although you cannot go through a season in the Premier League, Champions League and all these cup competitions we play in this country without any injuries.

” Diogo Jota was out for three or four months without a start, Alisson has been out for weeks, maybe even months, Trent Alexander-Arnold has been out, Conor Bradley]is injured]. Joe Gomez is out now for three months.

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Dozens reported killed as Syrian forces and pro-Assad fighters clash

By in News, World News

Security forces in Syria are battling gunmen loyal to deposed President Bashar al-Assad in the country’s coastal region for a second day, with dozens of people reported killed in the fighting.

Syrian authorities said remnants of the removed al-Assad regime launched a deadly and well-planned attack on their forces in Latakia on Thursday.

Latakia’s police chief told Al Jazeera that the city was secured on Friday afternoon, and a siege on military and security sites had been lifted. Meanwhile clashes continued elsewhere.

Authorities have not issued a death toll, but war monitor Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Friday that more than 70 people had been killed in the fighting. Among the dead were security forces, gunmen and a few civilians, it said.

Al Jazeera was unable to independently verify the death toll.

Government forces sent major reinforcements overnight to the cities of Latakia and Tartous as well as nearby towns and villages that are the heartland of the minority Alawite sect and a base of support for al-Assad, to try to get the situation under control, state media reported.

A curfew was also imposed in Latakia and Tartous until Saturday.

The violence has shaken interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s efforts to consolidate control as his administration struggles to get United States sanctions lifted and grapples with wider security challenges, notably in the southwest where Israel has said it will prevent Damascus deploying forces.

Reporting from Damascus, Al Jazeera’s Resul Serdar said security forces have gained “full control” of Latakia and have been able to “break” into Tartous and are positioning themselves in the city centre.

“In Banias, which is another town in the outskirts of Tartous, still the fighting is continuing between government forces and the rebel forces”, he said, although security forces were able to secure other surrounding areas.

Serdar said that intense fighting is taking place in some areas, but the siege has been lifted in others.

Peace ‘ threatened ‘

Neighbour Turkiye on Friday warned against “provocations” in Latakia province, saying they threatened peace.

“Such provocations must not be allowed to become a threat to the peace of Syria and our region”, Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Oncu Keceli wrote on X.

Meanwhile, Alawite activists say their community has been subjected to violence and attacks since al-Assad fell, particularly in rural Homs and Latakia.

While al-Sharaa has pledged to run Syria in an inclusive way, no meetings have been declared between him and senior Alawite figures, in contrast to members of other minority groups such as the Kurds, Christians and Druze.

A statement by a group of Alawite leaders, the Alawite Islamic Council, laid blame for the violence on the government, saying “military convoys had been sent into the coast with the pretext of ‘ regime remnants ‘ to terrorise and kill Syrians”. It called for the coastal region to be put under UN protection.

Pete Doherty says ‘people can be so cruel’ as he shares heartbreaking health update

By in Entertainment News, News

Pete Doherty has revealed that he is now wearing orthopedic shoes to help with his diabetes after revealing fears that he may have to get his leg amputated.

The Libertines frontman, 45, recently shared a candid health update as he revealed that he may require an amputation due to his worsening condition. Diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, Pete warned that failure to address his health could lead to the loss of his toes. Despite having overcome his past struggles with addiction, Pete admitted his health is currently in a worse state than during his hedonistic days.

Speaking on The Chris Moyles Show on Radio X, the musician told host Toby Tarrant that he is now wearing orthopedic shoes amid his diabetes diagnosis. Sharing an update on his health, Pete said: “I’m alright. I’m alright. It’s just the, I’ll show you. Look, the feet. I’ve got the old orthopaedic shoes on. It’s a diabetes thing, actually. The toes, you see. They went a bit…They’re still there, and they’re on the mend. But I’ve just got to wear these”.

Pete revealed he has been bullied for his orthopedic shoes
Pete revealed he has been bullied for his orthopedic shoes (Global Player)

Pete then revealed that people in the streets have been ‘ cruel ‘ to him amid his changed appearance due to his diabetes diagnosis: “It’s been hard, it’s been hurtful, walking around the streets of London in these, do you know what I mean? People can be so cruel”.

During a recent concert in Berlin, Pete shared his struggles with his audience, revealing that his doctor had warned him to stay off his feet to avoid losing his toes. “I saw the doctor today, and he said you need to stay off your feet as much as you can”, he said.

Despite his health challenges, Pete has made progress by giving up many of his vices, including heroin, although he still struggles with alcohol, smoking, and indulgent food choices like cheese and sugar.

The Libertines frontman has been open about his struggles with diabetes
The Libertines frontman has been open about his struggles with diabetes (Global Player)

In a previous interview, Pete humorously reflected on his new lifestyle, explaining that while he gave up heroin, his new “poisons” of alcohol and cheese have made him “unhealthier”. He described his new addiction to food as part of his ongoing struggle.

Even as he battles with his health, Pete remains open about his experiences, continuing to share his journey with fans and the public.

In the wake of his health confession, Pete recently took some time for himself in France, where he resides, before performing at Le Bikini in Toulouse.

Pete reveals he faces amputation amid his diabetes battle
Pete reveals he faces amputation amid his diabetes battle (Europa Press via Getty Images)

A photo of the star shows him seated on a bench, looking reflective while smoking a cigarette. Dressed in a black suit with a white T-shirt and tweed cap, Pete appeared far removed from his wild past.

**The Chris Moyles Show on Radio X weekdays from 6: 30am – 10am and on Global Player.

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‘He Desired A Better Nigeria,’ Tinubu, Obi, LP Pay Tribute To Okupe

By in News, Nigeria News

President Bola Tinubu has led tributes for a former presidential spokesman Doyin Okupe who died on Friday morning, describing the late politician as one who played “a significant role in Nigeria’s political landscape”.

Okupe died at 72 following a battle with illness.

In his tribute to the Ogun-born politician, Tinubu’s spokesman Bayo Onanuga said Okupe was “a bold and articulate advocate for national development” and expressed “deep sorrow over his passing at a time when his wealth of experience and insight were still invaluable to the nation”.

Onanuga in a statement said Tinubu commiserates with “the government and people of Ogun State, particularly the Iperu-Remo community, who have lost an esteemed son and leader”.

“He recognises Prince Okupe’s enduring impact on his home state and the deep void his passing leaves in the hearts of those who came in direct contact with him,” the statement read.

READ ALSO:  Former Presidential Spokesman Doyin Okupe Is Dead

‘He Desired a Better Nigeria’

Okupe left LP in 2024. X@doyinokupe

Okupe worked with Peter Obi who flew the Labour Party (LP)’s flag in the 2023 presidential election. He was the party’s presidential campaign Director-General but left.

Saddened by his death, Obi said the former LP chieftain was an “active figure in the nation’s political space and a man who desired a better Nigeria”.

Obi in a post on his X handle described his death as “a profound loss – not only to his family and loved ones but to all of us”.

“I would therefore like to urge members of the Obidient Movement and other groups to pray for the eternal repose of Dr. Okupe’s soul and to remember his family during these trying times,” the former Anambra State governor wrote.

READ ALSO:  [VIDEO] Doyin Okupe Speaks On Weight Loss Journey, Says He Is An Ordained Evangelist

‘He Loved The Nation’

Meanwhile, the LP said it will miss Okupe’s charismatic leadership, according to the party’s national chairman Julius Abure.

A statement by the LP chair on behalf of the opposition party said the news of the death of its former DG was “sudden”.

Abure said “his active participation in the Labour Party’s push for the presidency in 2023 clearly revealed his inspirational and charismatic self as well as his statesmanship. He loved the nation and he believed that a new Nigeria was possible.

“Though he resigned his membership of the party last year based on principles, his fraternity with the party didn’t cease, and neither did he stop giving us invaluable advices. We cherished his short but impactful association with the party leadership. He was lively, energetic, honest, and creative; great virtues we will be missing in him,” the LP chief said.