Sports
Bukayo Saka replies Arsenal critics after EPL victory, says “the laughter has suddenly stopped’
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Bukayo Saka said that Arsenal’s critics were “not laughing at us anymore” as the club celebrated their first Premier League title in more than two decades.
Gunners players and staff gathered at the club’s London Colney training ground on Tuesday to watch closest challengers Manchester City draw 1-1 away to Bournemouth — a result which gave Arsenal an unassailable four-point lead at the top of the table with just Sunday’s final round of matches remaining.
As the Arsenal squad relished the club’s first Premier League title since 2004, there were also joyous scenes at the north London side’s Emirates Stadium, where thousands of supporters gathered to mark the occasion by lighting fireworks and flares.
Arsenal, runners-up in the league for the previous three seasons, had faced accusations of “bottling” their title bid, with several observers questioning their temperament and ability to handle pressure following a 2-1 defeat at City on April 19.
But while City subsequently drew at Everton and then at Bournemouth, Arsenal won their next four league games without conceding a goal.
Arsenal’s success meant Gunners boss Mikel Arteta joined a select group who’ve won English titles both as a player and manager.
Arteta, who rejoined Arsenal as manager in December 2019 with the club in dire straits, installed a blacked-out Premier League trophy at Colney, which would light up only when the Gunners won the title
Arsenal’s Spanish manager Mikel Arteta shouts instructions to the players from the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Aston Villa and Arsenal at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England on December 6, 2025.
“Light that up,” Saka said in footage posted by defender Jurrien Timber on his Instagram account.
“Let me tell you something. Twenty-two years, 22 years. There was laughing, there was joking, they’re not laughing anymore,” the England international added. “Look, it is going to be shining, it is going to be shining bright.”
In an Instagram post, this time on Saka’s channel, Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly was seen holding a champagne bottle.
“They called us bottlers,” said Lewis-Skelly who, like Saka, came through the club’s Hale End Academy youth system. “And now we’re holding the bottle.”
Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger featured in a celebratory post put out by his old side.
Arsenal’s German midfielder #29 Kai Havertz celebrates scoring the opening goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Burnley at the Emirates Stadium in London on May 18, 2026.
The Frenchman, who won three Premier League titles with the Gunners, including the 2004 ‘Invincibles’, said: “You did it. Champions go on when others stop. This is your time.
Now, go on and enjoy every moment.”
City manager Pep Guardiola, who had Arteta as his assistant for two of the Manchester club’s league titles, paid tribute to his fellow Spaniard.
“On behalf of everyone at Manchester City, we congratulate Mikel and all the staff, players and fans on winning the Premier League,” Guardiola told Sky Sports. “They deserve it, for so much hard work and effort.”
Arsenal will be presented with the Premier League trophy after their final match of the domestic season at Crystal Palace on Sunday.
The Gunners could yet end the campaign with an impressive double when they go in search of their first Champions League title against Paris Saint-Germain in a Budapest final on May 30.
Sports
Anthony Joshua knocks out Kristian Prenga after initial scare
Anthony Joshua remains on course for a showdown with British heavyweight rival Tyson Fury later this year after recovering from being knocked down inside 20 seconds to secure a second-round knockout of Kristian Prenga in a wild clash in Jeddah.
Joshua endured a dismal first three minutes, hitting the canvas twice, firstly from a vicious uppercut, with the Albanian knockout specialist eyeing a seismic shock.
However, Prenga was demolished shortly after by right hands in AJ’s first outing since he was a passenger in a car crash last December that killed close friends Sina Ghami and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele.
Sports
Arsenal in surprise drive for Vinícius Jr. amid Real Madrid contract uncertainty
Arsenal are reportedly considering the possibility of signing Real Madrid superstar Vinícius Júnior in what could become one of the biggest transfer stories of the summer.
According to respected transfer journalist David Ornstein, the Gunners have internally approved the idea of pursuing the Brazilian winger if he fails to agree a new contract with the Spanish giants.
While there have been no club-to-club negotiations at this stage, the interest is said to have the backing of Arsenal’s hierarchy, with the North London club closely monitoring the player’s contract situation.
Vinícius has entered the final 12 months of his current deal at Real Madrid, raising questions about his long-term future at the Santiago Bernabéu. Madrid are keen to avoid losing one of their biggest stars on a free transfer and are also mindful of a substantial loyalty bonus that would become due if he remains at the club into next season.
Despite the growing speculation, the move remains in its early stages, with no formal talks having taken place between the clubs. However, Ornstein reports that Vinícius is among Arsenal’s primary transfer targets should an opportunity arise.
The Brazilian international has established himself as one of the world’s top attacking players since joining Real Madrid, playing a key role in the club’s domestic and European successes. Any potential deal would likely require a significant transfer fee and a major financial commitment from Arsenal.
For now, Arsenal are keeping a close watch on developments, with Vinícius’ contract negotiations expected to determine whether the Premier League side can turn their ambitious interest into a formal pursuit.
Sports
Just in: 23m support petition to ban Argentina from World Cup as FIFA pushes back
An online petition calling for Argentina to be banned from the FIFA World Cup has attracted more than 23 million signatures from football fans across the globe, following the conclusion of the 2026 tournament.
According to talkSPORT, the petition, titled “Argentina Out,” amassed 23,316,108 signatures from supporters in 170 countries in less than a week, making it one of the most widely shared online petitions in history.
Organisers had initially hoped to collect five million signatures, but the campaign quickly surpassed that target as frustration over Argentina’s performances and officiating during the tournament spread among football fans.
The petition accused FIFA and match officials of showing favoritism toward Argentina and captain Lionel Messi throughout the competition, allegations that FIFA has consistently denied.
The petition stated: “Why should the rest of the teams play in the tournament if the winner is known in advance? Exclude Argentina from the World Cup and give everyone a fair chance.” The campaign gained momentum during the World Cup but ultimately failed to achieve its objective.
Argentina’s campaign ended in disappointment after a 1-0 defeat to Spain in Sunday’s World Cup final. Messi, playing what many believe could be his final World Cup, was seen leaving the pitch in tears following emotional scenes after the final whistle.
The petition was officially closed after the tournament ended, with its website displaying the message: “FIFA ignored us but Spain delivered. Thank you Spain.” Despite the campaign’s widespread support, Argentina faces no disciplinary action and will continue to participate in future FIFA World Cup competitions.
The South American giants are expected to feature in the 2030 tournament, where they are among the nations scheduled to co-host an expanded 64-team competition. Although the petition drew more than 23 million signatures, it narrowly missed becoming the largest online petition ever recorded.
The current Guinness World Record remains with the Jubilee 2000 campaign, an international movement that called for the cancellation of unpayable debts owed by the world’s poorest nations.
Launched in April 1997, the campaign collected 24,319,181 signatures from 166 countries before being presented at the United Nations Millennium Summit in New York in 2000.
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