February 26, 2026
Headlines

Guardiola ignites the f,ire in Catalonia! 🚨🚨🔥 It’s not Raphinha… Manchester City is planning to pounce on the most dangerous and important star at Barcelona this season in the upcoming transfer window, no matter the cost! 😱😱

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Press reports indicate that Manchester City is targeting Barcelona’s key player in the 2025 summer transfer window, a move that could shake up the market. The English club has already begun planning for the summer window to reinforce its squad for next season, aiming to bounce back from this year’s setbacks. Manchester City has struggled…

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Mikel Arteta has made five significant changes to his side as Arsenal prepares to face Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium in the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup this evening. The Gunners come into this match following back-to-back Premier League draws with Fulham and Everton, as they aim to return to winning ways in this competition against a team that represents their toughest test yet in this campaign. Arteta’s adjustments see Jakub Kiwior and Mikel Merino included in the starting eleven, with tactical shifts expected to address the team’s recent performance inconsistencies. Despite their recent struggles, Arsenal has steadily advanced through the competition by defeating Bolton Wanderers and Preston North End in earlier rounds. Now, they will aim to overcome the challenge posed by the Eagles, who have shown flashes of improvement in recent weeks. Crystal Palace’s path to the quarter-finals has been impressive, overcoming Norwich City, QPR, and Aston Villa in their journey. Oliver Glasner’s men recently picked up commendable results against Aston Villa and Manchester City and managed a victory over Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend. The Eagles’ form suggests they are no pushovers, and this promises to be a competitive clash under the lights at the Emirates. While Arteta has been focusing on tactical changes, injuries remain a key factor impacting his decisions. Oleksandr Zinchenko and Riccardo Calafiori will remain unavailable for this encounter due to ongoing injury concerns. Furthermore, Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu are sidelined, adding further depth to Arsenal’s injury woes. The projected starting lineup reflects Arteta’s attempt to balance rotation with maintaining a competitive edge. David Raya is expected to continue as the goalkeeper, with Gabriel Magalhaes’ return to full fitness potentially seeing him rested for this high-stakes fixture. This would mean William Saliba partnering with Jakub Kiwior in the heart of defense, while Jurrien Timber and Myles Lewis-Skelly occupy the full-back roles. Arteta could lean on Jorginho in the deep-lying playmaker role to give Thomas Partey some much-needed rest during the midweek fixture. Alongside him in midfield, Mikel Merino and Ethan Nwaneri are anticipated to form a dynamic trio, offering versatility and energy to combat Crystal Palace’s pressing midfield. The front line is set to feature Raheem Sterling, who is likely to start to provide fresh legs, allowing Bukayo Saka the opportunity to rest ahead of their next league commitments. Leandro Trossard will be stationed on the opposite wing, adding another dimension to their attacking shape. Gabriel Jesus will lead the line as the central striker, with Kai Havertz available as an attacking option off the bench. The expected tactical shift to a 4-3-3 system is a smart move by Arteta. With both defensive solidity and attacking fluidity as priorities, the inclusion of versatile players like Kiwior and Merino will allow the team to adapt to various scenarios as the match unfolds. Crystal Palace’s counter-attack remains one of their strengths, and Arteta’s adjustments will ensure that Arsenal has the necessary defensive cover while maintaining their attacking threat. This fixture is a pivotal one for Arsenal’s EFL Cup ambitions, as they look to secure a route to silverware. Despite their recent league struggles, this competition offers a chance for redemption. The squad changes reflect confidence in the depth of the roster and the opportunities that young, talented players like Merino and Nwaneri bring. Team Selection and Tactics: How Arteta Will Approach Crystal Palace Arteta’s choice to rotate his side reflects not only the packed fixture schedule but also his commitment to using all available resources effectively. Jorginho’s role in the defensive midfield could prove vital, as his experience allows Arsenal to dominate possession and dictate the tempo of the game. Meanwhile, the inclusion of fresh legs like Nwaneri and Merino injects both creativity and dynamism, elements needed to unlock a resilient Crystal Palace defense. Against a side that has managed draws against heavyweights like Manchester City and Aston Villa, Arsenal’s ability to adapt will be critical. Crystal Palace has demonstrated resilience this season, often finding opportunities on the counter-attack or exploiting lapses in concentration. Arteta’s preparations, therefore, involve ensuring that defensive players like Saliba and Kiwior maintain their composure and coordinate effectively. Up front, Gabriel Jesus’ ability to pressure opposition defenders will be key. His physicality and determination in high-pressure moments could make the difference in breaking down Crystal Palace’s defensive organization. Alongside him, Sterling and Trossard offer unpredictability and pace, with their ability to exploit space in wide areas. Such width could create the opportunities needed to convert possession into goals. Arteta will also rely on experience to guide the team through the tense moments that often accompany knockout football. With the leadership of seasoned players like Jesus, Jorginho, and Saliba, the Gunners will look to remain calm, regardless of the challenges that arise during the match. Crystal Palace’s Recent Form: A Tough Test Glasner’s Crystal Palace has come a long way this season, with their recent performances proving they are a force to be reckoned with. Their victory against Brighton and Hove Albion last weekend demonstrated their ability to control key moments in matches. Their previous Carabao Cup path has shown adaptability, having navigated difficult fixtures against QPR and Aston Villa. Although Palace’s season has had ups and downs, their defensive organization and counter-attacking fluidity make them a formidable opponent. This will undoubtedly test Arsenal’s defensive resilience, especially in light of their recent struggles and lineup changes. Final Thoughts This match represents more than just progression into the next round of the competition for Arteta and his team. It’s a chance to reset, build momentum, and test tactical adjustments that will prove vital in the season’s next few months. With Jakub Kiwior and Mikel Merino starting alongside key rotational changes, the Gunners will aim to establish control early, dictate possession, and impose their attacking style on a Palace team that has shown it can be competitive against top teams. The quarter-finals are always a high-pressure moment, and Arteta’s strategic adjustments suggest a measured yet attacking approach. As they take the pitch at the Emirates, all eyes will be on this fresh lineup to see if they can deliver and maintain Arsenal’s silverware ambitions for the 2024/25 campaign.

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The Arsenal line-up to take on Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals tonight…   Kieran Tierney, Raheem Sterling, Ethan Nwaneri and Gabriel Jesus all start for the Gunners. A huge amount of chances from Mikel Arteta.   We have to win.   Thoughts on the line-up?

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Erling Haaland criticized for behavior following Norway’s embarrassing 5-1 loss to Austria.

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Manchester City star Erling Haaland has been criticised for his post-match reaction after captaining Norway to a humiliating 5-1 defeat to Austria. With the usual skipper Martin Odegaard unavailable after sustaining an injury during the previous international break, the armband was handed to the former Borussia Dortmund man in his place.   However, Haaland’s performance…

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Arsenal Defender suffers huge injury setback before Man Utd – Mikel Arteta is worried, If issues of Injuries keep happening when we have Big Matches, honestly I don’t know our Fate.

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Arsenal faced a challenging game during their recent London derby against West Ham, dealing with several player injuries. Gabriel, Riccardo Calafiori, and Bukayo Saka were all substituted during the match, adding to the team’s concerns after Thomas Partey, Mikel Merino, and Myles Lewis-Skelly had already been ruled out due to injuries. However, Arsenal’s manager, Mikel…

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Manchester City fans were not best pleased with one particular player during their 3-2 defeat against Real Madrid in the Champions League play-off first leg at the Etihad on Tuesday.

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City went ahead thanks to a smart finish from Erling Haaland on 19 minutes, which was the only goal of the first half of proceedings in what was a nail-biting match.   Kylian Mbappé levelled the scores on the hour mark with an acrobatic volley past City’s goalkeeper Ederson.   However, the home side went…

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Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne response when asked if he would rather play with Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi.

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Kevin De Bruyne has revealed his preference for playing alongside Cristiano Ronaldo over Lionel Messi. When asked to choose between the two football legends, De Bruyne opted for Ronaldo, citing his traditional striker role. De Bruyne’s reasoning stems from his own position as a playmaker, suggesting that he would thrive with a target man like…

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🔵 Manchester City are closing in on Abdukodir Khusanov deal! Pep Guardiola also gave his own green light.

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Title: The Unraveling of a Star: Manager’s Disappointment After Rejected £70M Bid**   In a shocking turn of events, tensions have boiled over at Premier League club FC Glaston, as manager Richard Forrester publicly expressed his frustration over the behavior of star player, Daniel Foster, following Manchester City’s recent £70 million bid for the midfielder….

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He’s only got himself to blame” – Michael Owen says Trossard deserves no sympathy after his red card against Manchester City.

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Leandro Trossard found himself at the center of controversy after being sent off during Arsenal’s match against Manchester City, putting his team in a tough spot. Trossard, who was filling in for the injured Martin Odegaard, struggled to make an impact in the starting role and ended up being dismissed for a second bookable offence….

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Man City ‘offer more than’ £84m for ‘bombshell’ signing with Guardiola ‘willing to do whatever’ 🙀🙀🙀

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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is reportedly determined to do whatever is necessary to secure Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen. The team has made a strong start to the Premier League season, securing victories against Chelsea, Ipswich Town, West Ham, and Brentford, positioning them at the top of the league.   This comes after Man…

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