Mikel Arteta reveals the moment he knew Arsenal would win the Premier League

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta lifting the Premier League trophy (Picture: Getty)

Mikel Arteta has revealed the moment that convinced him Arsenal would become Premier League champions.

After a tense and turbulent title race with Manchester City, Arsenal were crowned Premier League champions for the first time since 2004 earlier this week.

Arteta had led the Gunners to three successive second-place finishes before finally delivering Arsenal a first league title in 22 years.

Man City’s draw with Bournemouth on Tuesday night allowed Arsenal to avoid a nervy final-day title decider but Arteta says he was convinced for a month that his side would get over the line.

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Arsenal suffered a painful defeat to Pep Guardiola’s City in April but Arteta says that loss actually emboldened his belief that the Premier League trophy would be heading to the Emirates Stadium.

Asked if there were any moments that made him believe Arsenal would win the title, Arteta told beIN SPORTS: ‘The very first one probably came when we all came together in pre-season, the week before we played Manchester United.

‘I got all the players together and asked them what they were happy to do for the team. They were happy to do anything for the team and I knew we had a big chance to compete in every competition because we had the depth and the quality to challenge.

Arsenal fans celebrating their Premier League title win (Picture: Getty)

‘Their response was immediate and incredible and they weren’t just words – it’s easy to say it in a meeting, but then you need to produce it throughout a ten-month season.

‘The boys deserve so much credit because they’ve done it in an incredible way.

‘The second moment is when we lost at Manchester City. That day I thought, “we are going to win it”. I looked at the players in the dressing room and I wanted to see their reactions before I said anything.

Mikel Arteta with the Premier League trophy (Picture: Getty)

‘And I could tell they were very hurt but they realised we can beat them and we can be better than them.

‘It was in our hands and we had to do what we had to do, after that we focused on what we needed to become champions and the response was immediate.

‘From that moment I realised we were going to go very close to winning it.’

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Reflecting on the moment Arsenal became Premier League champions, Arteta added: ‘It’s one of the best feelings I’ve ever had.

‘I was supposed to be here, at Sobha, watching the game with the boys and the staff, because that’s what they wanted, but I couldn’t. I think 20 minutes later, before the game, I had to leave.

‘I couldn’t bring the energy that I wanted and I think it was the moment as well to watch it together, to be themselves and just see what the outcome would be.

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‘I went home, I went outside to the garden, I started to build a fire, and I started to do some barbecue. I didn’t watch any of it. 

‘I was just hearing some noises in the background, in the living room and suddenly the magic happened.

‘My oldest son opened the garden door, he started to run towards me, he started to cry, he gave me a hug and said: “We are champions, daddy.”

‘Then my other two boys and my wife came over and it was beautiful. Just to see that joy on them as well, that they are always with me, it was magical.’

Arsenal celebrated becoming Premier League champions with a final-day win over Crystal Palace.

Gabriel Jesus and Noni Madueke scored either side of half-time for the much-changed Gunners before Jean-Philippe Mateta netted a late consolation goal.

After fully celebrating their Premier League title win, Arsenal will turn their attentions to next weekend’s Champions League final against PSG.

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Casualty confirms devastating baby Pearl scenes as Iain and Faith fear the worst

Emotional times for Iain and Faith in Casualty (Picture: BBC / Metro)

Casualty spoilers follow for Saturday’s (May 24) episode that is now available to view on BBC iPlayer. The episode in question will air on BBC One at 8:10pm. 

Emotions ran high for Faith Dean (Kirsty Mitchell) and Iain Dean (Michael Stevenson) in Casualty this week after a devastating scare involving baby Pearl.

Faith, as viewers will know, welcomed Pearl in a dramatic scenes earlier this year – at the end of the BBC medical drama’s previous boxset – reuniting with Iain in time for their little one’s arrival.

In the weeks since, Pearl has been in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), with Rash Masum (Neet Mohan) keeping a watchful eye over her while working in the department as part of his CESR rotation.

This Saturday’s (May 23) edition of the popular show – the fourth in the Lethal Legacy saga – saw Faith excited at the prospect of baby Pearl coming home but Rash reiterated that the little one needed to learn to feed on her own before such a thing can happen.

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The news disappointed Faith, who worried that Pearl didn’t know who she was given that Rash handles her more than she does but Rash reinforced the importance of all the time she’s spent with Pearl, assuring her that the baby knows exactly who she is.

Faith attempted to help a fellow mum, Mia, whose baby Leo was in the neonatal unit and needed a lumbar puncture. The two bonded and Mia consented to the procedure.

Rash swooped into action to help (Picture: BBC STUDIOS)

But after Rash performed the lumbar puncture, his attention was elsewhere as a devastated Faith alerted him to the fact that Pearl was choking.

After a few moments, Pearl stopped breathing. Rash and the fellow doctors swooped into action, with Iain being notified via text to get to the NICU as soon as he could.

Iain arrived soon after and comforted Faith (Picture: BBC STUDIOS)

Iain had temporarily lost access to his phone after a passerby stole it from his hand but the person’s attempt to flee the scene resulting him in ending up with a serious injury, which Iain subsequently tended to.

When he checked his device to see a string of text messages, he raced to the NICU to see devastated Faith in tears, desperately hoping their baby would be okay.

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‘What happened?’, he exclaimed. Rash revealed that Pearl had arrested but she is stable now. Iain comforted emotional Faith.

Later, Iain assured Faith that he would get to the bottom of why their little girl is in the NICU. The question is: will he succeed in doing so?

Casualty airs Saturday at 8:45pm on BBC One or stream from 6am on BBC iPlayer.

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Man arrested after five people stabbed in west London

Emergency services were called to Horn Lane in Acton this afternoon to reports five men were assaulted and stabbed in an altercation (Picture: Google Maps)

Five people have been stabbed outside a shop in west London.

Emergency services were called to Horn Lane in Acton this afternoon to reports five men were assaulted and stabbed in an altercation.

Four of the men, aged 20, 22, 42 and 47, were taken to hospital with stab wounds.

Their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

The fifth man, aged 26, was taken to hospital where his injuries have not been deemed to be life-threatening.

He has been arrested arrested on suspicion of GBH and Possession with intent to supply Class A & B drugs.

Images from local groups show the men being treated outside an electrical goods shop.

Chief Superintendent Jill Horsfall said: ‘We recognise this will be concerning for the local community and want to reassure them that our detectives are working quickly to establish exactly what has taken place.

‘Residents can expect to see an increased police presence in the area over the coming days. If you have any concerns, please come and speak to our officers.’

The Metropolitan Police said: ‘Police on patrol on Horn Lane, Acton at 14.47hrs on Friday, 22 May were alerted to reports that five men had been involved in an altercation, whereby they were assaulted and stabbed.

‘Officers provided emergency first aid to the five people. 

‘Four of the men, aged 20, 22, 42 and 47, were taken to hospital with stab wounds. Their condition has been deemed not to be life-threatening or life-changing.

‘Another man – aged 26 – was taken to hospital where his injuries have also been deemed not to be life-threatening or life-changing. He has been arrested on suspicion of GBH and Possession with intent to supply Class A & B drugs but remains in hospital at this time.’

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Revealed: The staggering amount of Brits who’d swap their dad if they had the chance

Although many people have good relationships with their dad, some are very challenging (Picture: thortful/Cover Media) 

If your relationship with your dad is a tricky one, you’re not alone, new research has revealed.

One in five Brits have admitted they would swap their father given the chance, while one in three pretend they have a better relationship with their parent than they really do.

Many also confessed that they buy Father’s Day cards out of obligation rather than love, according to the survey by online greetings card marketplace thortful.

The research busts the common myth of the perfect dad or hero father, which can leave people agonising over which greetings card to buy.

It also found that one in four would rather celebrate their mum than their dad on Father’s Day.

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Some of the cards from thortful’s Father’s Day, which reflect complex feelings people can experience (Picture: thortful/Cover Media) 

Thortful has launched a new campaign called “Dad’s not perfect… but” challenging the idea of the “best dad ever” stereotype ahead of the event on June 21.  

The company is offering 50 specially designed cards providing an option for those who do not have the perfect relationship. 

They also reflect that Father’s Day can be shaped by loss, absence, distance or a relationship that simply isn’t straightforward. 

Andy Pearce, founder and CEO of thortful said: ‘Father’s Day can bring up a real mix of emotions. 

‘My own experience of losing my father was one of the catalysts for this campaign, because I know first-hand that the day does not look or feel the same for everyone. 

The cards are designed to bust the myth of the perfect dad or hero father (Picture: thortful/Cover Media) 

‘Our research shows that plenty of Brits are navigating relationships with their dads that are more complex than traditional cards tend to allow for, and we wanted to create a range that makes space for that. 

‘These cards are about honesty, humour and genuine relationships, giving people a way to mark Father’s Day in a way that reflects their actual relationship, not the one they feel they are supposed to have.’

Pip Heywood, MD at thortful, added: ‘Our research shows that Father’s Day messaging needs a reality check and at thortful we are championing a new kind of Father’s Day – one that reflects real life, not just clichés. 

‘Ultimately, we want to help people mark Father’s Day in a way that is true to them, without the pressure to pretend their relationship is something it is not.’

Thortful’s alternative Father’s Day card range is available here.  

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Alan Shearer tips ‘exceptional’ Arsenal star to miss out on England World Cup squad

Former England captain Alan Shearer (Picture: Getty)

Alan Shearer believes that Myles Lewis-Skelly will be one of the high-profile omissions from Thomas Tuchel’s England World Cup squad.

Lewis-Skelly scored the first goal of the Tuchel era last March against Albania, but has found himself outside the squad in recent international breaks after his minutes dried up at Arsenal.

However, the teenager has enjoyed a resurgent end of the season under Mikel Arteta, displacing Martin Zubimendi and starting in central midfield alongside Declan Rice for key games in the end-of-season run-in.

That versatility could come in handy for England this summer, but Shearer suspects Lewis-Skelly might not have done enough to force his way into Tuchel’s squad, which is set to be announced on Friday.

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‘Tuchel has used Hall and Livramento in a left-back position as well, so my guess is that two of the three will go,’ Shearer told Metro.

‘Nico O’Reilly I think will definitely go and then it will be one of either Livramento who will go left or Lewis Hall.’

On Lewis-Skelly, Shearer added: ‘I think he’s not played a lot of football this season, he’s just come back into the fold, into the midfield, and he’s been exceptional.

Myles Lewis-Skelly could be handed a surprise England recall (Picture: Getty)

‘But whether that’s been enough to get him into the left-back position or midfield, I don’t think so.’

One player who appears guaranteed to miss out on the squad is Harry Maguire, who took to social media to share his disappointment at his impending omission.

And Shearer wondered whether Dan Burn’s added time spent with Tuchel in England camps compared to Maguire may have proved the pivotal factor.

Harry Maguire is set to miss out (Picture: Getty)

‘Well, I think Konsa and Guehi are guaranteed,’ Shearer, a Betfair ambassador, added. ‘I think he’ll take Jon Stones because of the experience and he’s already said how much he sort of admires and likes him.

‘So then it would be between Dan and Harry, and I might guess, and it’s only a guess, that he might opt for Dan. I think just because he’s had him in camp, he knows what he brings to the camp and that’s perhaps why he might edge it.’

Reports suggest that high-profile names such as Phil Foden, Cole Palmer and Morgan Gibbs-White are set to miss out on Tuchel’s squad for this summer’s tournament.

But Shearer suspects that Tuchel will given no consideration to any potential fan or media furore when finalising his picks.

‘I don’t think he’s bothered,’ he added. ‘I think the one good thing about Thomas Tuchelt is that he won’t be bothered by what people think of him or what people say about him.

‘I genuinely don’t think he’ll be interested in what anyone has to say about his squad or team selection. I think one of the positive things for him is that I think he’s too experienced to worry about different opinions; he will think there’s only one opinion that matters, and it’s his.’

Alan Shearer was talking at the launch of Betfair’s World Cup campaign. Everyone’s got an opinion, back yours at Betfair…

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Family of three women who died off Brighton beach ‘struggling to come to terms’ with deaths

Jane, Christina and Rebecca were sisters, from the Uxbridge area of London (Picture: Family handout)

The family of the sisters found dead off Brighton beach have said ‘no parent should ever have to bury their child, let alone all three’.

Jane Adetoro, 36, Christina Walter, 32, and Rebecca Walter, 31, were pulled from the water near Madeira Drive on May 13.

They are believed to have entered the water close where they were found, before emergency services were called.

A fundraiser for their dad Joseph, who has ‘been left with a great emptiness that words cannot heal’, has been set up to help support funeral costs.

His brother Adesoji Adetoro said: ‘As a family, we are still struggling to come to terms with what has happened.

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‘The girls had so much life ahead of them, and their loss has left a pain and emptiness in our hearts that words cannot describe.

The three women were in the sea off Brighton beach on May 13 (Picture: Charlotte Coney/Getty Images)

‘While trying to process this unimaginable tragedy, my brother is now also faced with the heartbreaking task of arranging three funerals.

‘As a family, we simply want to give the girls the loving and dignified farewell they deserve.’

More than £10,000 has already been donated to the family.

Their father, Joseph, said in a statement: ‘Jane, Christina, and Becky were more than daughters to me; they were my joy, my strength, and the beautiful light that filled our family with happiness and love.

Flowers were laid at the scene where the three sisters were found (Picture: Anahita Hossein-Pour/PA Wire)

‘Each of you was unique and precious in your own special way. Your smiles brightened dark days, your laughter brought comfort, and your presence made life more meaningful.

‘Though your time on earth was short, the impact you made will remain in our hearts forever.

‘The tragedy of losing all three of you has left an emptiness that words cannot heal. There are days when the grief feels unbearable, yet I hold tightly to the memories we shared — the laughter, the conversations, the love, and the bond that death can never take away.’

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Moment Rachel Reeves hits back at flag heckler calling her a ‘piece of s***’

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Nigel Farage has offered to buy a pint for a man who shouted that the Chancellor is a ‘piece of s***’ to her face.

Rachel Reeves was filmed trying to ignore a Reform UK supporter yelling abuse as she tried to do a piece to camera at a petrol station in Leeds.

The man in a truck, flying two St George’s flags, repeatedly shouted over her, causing her take to be ruined.

The driver yelled: ‘Nigel Farage, go on Nigel,’ before telling her: ‘You’re ruining the country. Get Keir Starmer out.’

As he drove off, he continued: ‘I’ve got British flags on. Am I going to get arrested? We’ve got English flags on here, Rachel, am I going to get arrested?’

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Rachel Reeves tried to get her point across at the pumps during a media visit to a Leeds petrol station
(Credits: Jacob King/PA Wire)

Ms Reeves responded: ‘I love our country. I love our country – and one of the things about our country is good manners.’

He is then heard yelling ‘piece of s***’, at her, before she shouted back ‘Not very British’.

Regaining composure, Reeves joked with reporters: ‘I don’t think he heard the news about the freeze in fuel duty.’

It took moments for the clip to be posted online before Nigel Farage weighed in, adding: ‘I’d like to buy this man a pint.

‘Does anyone know how I can find him?’

A man heckles the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves during her visit to a petrol station in Leeds (Picture: Jacob King/PA Wire)

The clash came as Labour faces mounting pressure following heavy losses in recent local and devolved elections, raising fresh questions about Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership.

Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister confirmed the 5p per litre fuel duty cut, first introduced in March 2022, will be extended until the end of the year.

That means duty will remain at just under 53p per litre, with previously planned rises now scrapped.

Fuel prices have surged in recent months, with petrol up around 26p per litre and diesel up 44p since late February amid disruption linked to tensions in the Middle East.

Ms Reeves said the move would give families and businesses ‘certainty’.

‘This isn’t a war we started or joined,’ she said. ‘But it is having an impact here in the UK… and I recognise the challenges people are facing.’

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