Arteta Backs Eze To Create ‘Magic Moments’ At Arsenal

According to Gunners manager Mikel Arteta, Eberechi Eze will create “magic moments” and elevate Arsenal to a whole new level.

Eze was presented to the Emirates crowd shortly before Arsenal’s 5-0 victory over Leeds, which established the north London side as a Premier League champion.

After Arsenal scuppered his proposed move to Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal have agreed to a four-year contract in a deal that could be worth up to £68 million ($92 million).

Although the 27-year-old did not arrive in time to face Leeds, Eze might be given his Gunners debut against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday with both Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard injured in their second win in as many games.

On a seller’s stall outside the Emirates Stadium in London on August 23, 2025, ahead of the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Leeds United, images of scarves featuring Eberechi Eze are displayed. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP)

He can produce these magical moments, according to Arteta.

“He can do it in a variety of positions and circumstances.” He has that charisma and flair that is infectious.

It demonstrates how much we want to change the course of this organization. His skill is unquestionable. He has knowledge of this category. Amazing people there.

He has versatility. He can play either right or left as an attacking midfielder. He is uninterested. And you can tell from what transpired on the pitch before the game that he is so blessed to have him.

With the signings of Viktor Gyokeres, Cristhian Mosquera, Martin Zubimendi, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Christian Norgaard, and Noni Madueke, Arsenal have now spent about $ 290 million on the summer transfer window.

READ MORE: Gyokeres Scores Twice As Arsenal Rout Leeds

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During the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Leeds United on August 23, 2025, Swedish striker #14 Viktor Gyokeres and Arsenal’s English midfielder #41 Declan Rice celebrate scoring the team’s fifth goal from the penalty spot at the Emirates Stadium in London. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP)

Arsenal has won a trophy five years ago and finished second in the Premier League every three years.

Eze’s signing, however, adds to their resolve to put an end to a 22-year wait for the Premier League title.

After scoring the winning goal in the Eagles’ FA Cup final victory over Manchester City in May, Eze is assured of a place in Crystal Palace history as a result of his return to the boyhood club Arsenal, which was their first major trophy.

In Leeds, Saka and Odegaard both suffered hamstring and shoulder injuries, respectively.

Saka missed three and a half months of last season with a broken right hamstring, and club captain Odegaard missed 12 games with an ankle issue as a result of injuries that prevented Arsenal from pursuing silverware.

On Sunday, the pair will go through scans to find out how many of their most recent setbacks they have experienced. Arteta continued, “You just have to see how many minutes the team played in 2023/24. The XI that comes first could be named.

Due to the number of injuries we had, and the start of the season not been as good as it was last year, “it was a little different.”

“We are, without a doubt, much more equipped, which is necessary. There is no other choice if you want to compete at this level and be extremely dominant.

India Bans Online Gambling 

After government figures revealed that businesses had systematically defrauded 450 million people of $2.3 billion annually, India’s parliament passed a comprehensive bill to outlaw online gambling.

The ban has an impact on platforms like India’s wildly popular homegrown fantasy cricket apps, which include cards, poker, and fantasy sports.

Additionally, it’s unclear who will be India’s top cricket team’s key sponsor.

The biggest fantasy sports gaming platform in India, Dream11, was named as the nation’s lead sponsor for three years in July 2023, with its logo appearing on Team India jerseys.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not made any announcements regarding that significant sponsor.

Devajit Saikia, the secretary of the BCCI, stated on Friday, “We will not do anything if it’s not permissible.” The BCCI will adhere to all national policies that the central government has set forth.

Late on Thursday, the legislation that criminalizes the offering, promotion, and financing of such games was passed by both chambers of parliament. Offenders could spend up to five years in prison.

In a statement released on Friday, Dream 11 advised fans to “stay tuned” even though the bill had been passed.

The bill still needs to be formally ratified by the president before going into effect, but other games did as usual on Friday.

READ MORE: Gyokeres Scores Twice As Arsenal Rout Leeds

Predatory gaming platforms,  

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi attends a meeting of the Saudi-Indian Strategic Partnership Council on April 22, 2025, as depicted in this handout image from the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA). (Photo by -STR/SAUDI PRESS AGENCY SPA/AFP)

 

A government statement stated that “this legislation is intended to reduce addiction, financial ruin, and social distress brought on by predatory gaming platforms that thrive on deceptive promises of quick wealth.”

The Indian gaming sector, which has one of the largest markets worldwide, has been made exceptions for e-sports and educational games, which the government claims will be promoted as part of the digital economy.

The new law, according to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will “encourage e-sports and online social games” and “at the same time, protect our society from the negative effects of online money games.

Around a third of the world’s most populous nation, according to the government, had lost money gambling online.

Instead of a blanket ban, industry groups had urged regulation and taxation, warning that the move might lead to players turning to illegal offshore platforms.

However, bill supporters claimed that the social costs were excessive.

According to officials, widespread financial distress, addiction, and even suicide have been brought on by the rapid expansion of gambling platforms.

According to the government, it is also connected to terrorism financing, money laundering, and fraud.

The law distinguishes “social” online games from those that are played for money, according to Minister of Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw.

A government briefing note read, “It encourages e-sports, which are organized competitive video games, and promotes safe online social and educational games.”

It distinguishes legitimate online games of chance from wagering, gambling, and fantasy gambling games that use up users’ money to make fictitious profits.

Teenage Cyclist Dies After Junior Vuelta Crash

  

A massive crash that occurred on Saturday during the second stage of the Junior Tour of Spain resulted in the death of a 17-year-old cyclist.

Ivan Melendez Luque, a member of a group of about 20 riders who were involved in the collision between Langa de Duero and Laguna Negra, was one of the riders, according to Spanish radio station Cadena Ser.

Eighteen riders in Soria were taken to the hospital, three of whom, including Melendez, were in a serious condition.

The young Tenerife team rider later died as a result of his injuries, according to Marca, a sports daily.

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The other two riders’ conditions have not been disclosed.

The race’s organisers announced on Saturday night that the remainder would be canceled.

In Aranda del Duero on Sunday morning, a memorial service was held.

The International Cycling Union (UCI) and its president, David Lappartient, expressed their condolences to “his family, friends, and the cycling community” and stated that they were “deeply saddened” by Melendez’s passing.

Melendez is the second junior cyclist to pass away in a race this year, joining Samuele Privitera, an Italian teenager, who was competing in the Italian Tour of Aosta Valley.

Andre Drege, a Norwegian who competed in the Tour of Austria, passed away last year, and Muriel Furrer, a young Swiss rider, passed away in a crash during the U23 road race in Zurich.

Sinner, Sabalenka Chasing Rare Repeats As US Open Begins

  

As the final Grand Slam of the season begins in New York on Sunday, defending champions Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka are chasing elusive repeat victories.

In one of the highlights of the first-ever Sunday singles competition, world number one Sabalenka faces Swiss player Rebeka Masarova, who is the unseeded player from Switzerland, on the Arthur Ashe Stadium’s Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Meanwhile, Sinner, the world number one in Italy, will face Czech Vit Kopriva on Monday to begin his bid for back-to-back titles.

Both Sabalenka and Sinner are attempting to win the first titles they have successfully won in more than ten years.

Since Serena Williams won the final of her hat-trick of titles in 2014, following victories in 2013 and 2012, no woman has ever won the US Open.

Also read: Sinner defends his second Grand Slam triumph at the US Open.

Men’s history: 17 years since a successful title defense, with Roger Federer’s victory in 2008 closing a remarkable run of five straight championships.

The Flushing Meadows fortnight, where everything is noisier, flashier, and simply bigger than other Grand Slams, is a challenge, according to Sabalenka, who believes repeatability is a part of it.

“I believe there is a lot of pressure,” she says.

The Belarusian remarked, “Just because this place is so big, and it feels bigger than the other slams in some ways,” “…

“Maybe they put so much pressure on themselves every time the defending champions arrive.” However, I don’t think I’ve done enough to try to emulate that outcome because I’m so experienced.

Sabalenka remarked, “My thought is to change it, given that the last 11 US Open titles have been split by 10 players.

Very challenging

Sinner echoed Sabalenka’s assertions, pointing out that the difficulty of repeating in New York is a result of a number of factors, including size, game scheduling, and season-ending fatigue.

Some players are tired because we are approaching the end of the season, according to Sinner.

It’s also the year’s final significant trophy. I’m not sure what will happen this time because things can change. But, he continued, “It’s a very, very challenging tournament.”

The top seeds, who will receive a $90 million prize money, will make the US Open the world’s richest tournament.

The men’s and women’s singles champions will each receive $5 million.

Spanish second-seeded Carlos Alcaraz poses the greatest threat to Sinner’s chances of defending his title.

Carlos Alcaraz
On day 15 of the French Open tennis competition at the Roland-Garros Complex in Paris on June 8, 2025, Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz reacts after winning a game against Jannik Sinner from Italy. (Photo by AFP photographer JULIEN DE ROSA)

The 22-year-old, who won the US Open in 2022, has already faced Sinner twice in Grand Slam finals this year, winning a five-set classic at the French Open in June before falling short to the Italian in the Wimbledon final last month.

As Alcaraz prepared to face unseeded American Reilly Opelka in the first round on Monday, he said, “Every time we face each other on court, we raise the level to the top.”

Former world no. 1 Novak Djokovic will also attempt to win a record 25th Grand Slam in the men’s draw.

Djokovic, 38, hasn’t played since reaching the semi-finals of last month’s Wimbledon against Sinner, who was also systematically defeated.

Novak Djokovic, a Serbian tennis player, gestures as he addresses the audience after winning a second-round match of men’s singles against Daniel Evans in a Wimbledon, southwest London, match on July 3, 2025. Adrian Dennis/AFP photo:

Iga Swiatek, who won the Cincinnati Open and later a title that came with a breakthrough win at Wimbledon, will be wary of Sabalenka, who is back in the women’s draw.

Emiliana Arango of Colombia is Swiatek’s opponent in her Monday campaign.

Iga Swiatek of Poland and Cristina Bucsa of Spain play in a women’s singles match on day five of the Australian Open tennis competition in Melbourne on January 20, 2023. (Photo by Martin KEEP/AFP) / IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE – IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE

Venus Williams might bid her adieu at the US Open after Monday’s first round matches.

After recently returning to tennis after missing 16 months, the 45-year-old tennis legend was given a wild card into the draw.

FILE: On August 29, 2023, the US Open women’s singles first round match takes place at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City. (COREY SIPKIN/AFP photo)

It’s “super exciting to be back.” Williams said on Saturday ahead of his record-breaking 25th US Open appearance, “It does not get old; it just gets more exciting.

De Bruyne Strikes In Napoli’s Strong Start To Scudetto Defence At Sassuolo

With a simple 2-0 victory over Sassuolo, Kevin De Bruyne gave his debut for Napoli on Saturday, starting their title defense.

De Bruyne opened his account for Napoli in the 57th minute when his free-kick swung in from the left flank and evaded everyone before nestling in the far corner. It was the top signing of the summer transfer window in Italy.

De Bruyne ensured that Napoli would start winning the new campaign in Reggio Emilia with a header header from Scott McTominay, who had already left last season.

READ MORE: Gyokeres Scores Twice As Arsenal Rout Leeds

With 12 goals and another impressive performance for Antonio Conte’s side, McTominay was the star of Napoli’s second Scudetto triumph in three years.

The Scotland midfielder had no luck to double his evening’s total when his rasping first-time effort slammed against the crossbar just before half-time.

Napoli
On August 23, 2025, Sassuolo and Napoli play at the Mapei – Città del Tricolore stadium in Reggio Emilia, Italy’s No. 27 Lorenzo Lucca and Sassuolo’s No. 90 Ismael Kone fight for the ball in a fight for the ball at the Mapei – Città del Tricolore stadium. (Photo by Stefano RELLANDINI/AFP)

Napoli’s attempt to win the league title after the historic success of 2023 ended in 10th place is unfulfilled, not even when Diego Maradona strutted his stuff in southern Italy in the 1980s.

Conte has chosen to stay put, which has given fans hope for another great season, in contrast to Luciano Spalletti, who left immediately after winning the league and immediately destabilized Napoli.

Without Romelu Lukaku, the current team will have to compete in the first few months of Napoli’s quest for a fifth league title.

De Bruyne’s Belgium teammate, Lorenzo Lucca, struggled to get into the game on his Napoli debut, and his thigh muscle tear could keep him out until the end of the year.

Sassuolo won the Serie B title last year, but they were outclassed when they made a second-place finish. The match was finished with 10 men after debutant Ismael Kone was given a two-game penalty in the 79th minute.

Luka Modric will start AC Milan’s first match of the campaign against promoted Cremonese as the veteran star kicks off a new chapter in northern Italy after 13 successful years at Real Madrid.

Gyokeres Scores Twice As Arsenal Rout Leeds

With a 5-0 victory at the Emirates, Victor Gyokeres gave Leeds a harsh lesson in the step-up to the Premier League.

Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard both suffered injuries eight days before Arsenal’s trip to Liverpool.

As the only two teams to have a 100% record in their opening two games, Arsenal surpassed north London rivals Tottenham at the top of the table in goal difference.

After Jurrien Timber opened the scoring, Saka fired a blistering strike from a close range to double the home side’s lead.

As a solution to Arsenal’s need for a killer number nine, Gyokeres was acquired from Sporting Lisbon.

During the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Leeds United on August 23, 2025, Swedish striker #14 Viktor Gyokeres and Arsenal’s English midfielder #41 Declan Rice celebrate scoring the team’s fifth goal from the penalty spot at the Emirates Stadium in London. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP)

Despite scoring 97 goals in 102 games for Sporting, the Swede’s ability to succeed in the Premier League has been questioned.

Before Timber bundled his second from another Declan Rice corner, Gyokeres made his mark with a strong solo run and finish.

With almost the final kick of the game, Gyokeres sealed the score from the penalty spot.

Before kick-off, new £60 million ($81 million) signing Eberechi Ezi was paraded after he turned down a move to Tottenham.

However, a routine win was hampered by the sight of captain Odegaard and his field-topping talisman Saka.

To win the season opener 1-0 at Manchester United, Arsenal needed to rely on their threat from set pieces.

Despite a dominant opening, the Leeds defense was considered to be highly competitive.

Before Saturday, Timber had only scored twice in 52 games for Arsenal.

The Dutch international doubled that total in the 34th minute when he first tapped Rice’s warm delivery head.

Odegaard then left after it appeared to have injured his shoulder, which was severely slammed against the turf.

Saka quickly restored the momentum of the Emirates crowd when he allegedly used his weak right foot to pass Timber high past Lucas Perri.

Before making the move to Portugal, Gyokeres had once been a target for Leeds while he was a player for Coventry in the Championship.

Arsenal’s new £66 million signing showed what the Yorkshire side had missed when he slammed onto Riccardo Calafiori’s ball over the top and cut inside before striking the near post.

Saka’s hamstring injury nearly cost her the season last year.

The England international was concerned for Arteta when he was replaced after 53 minutes by holding the back of his left leg.

When Leeds stifled another Rice corner and Timber forced the ball over the line from close range, Arsenal added a fouth.

Max Dowman, 15, could then have the opportunity to make his Premier League debut.

After teammate Ethan Nwaneri, he became the second youngest player to play in English football.