Arsenal’s Trophy Drought Continues After Champions League Exit: What’s Next for Arteta’s Gunners?

Arsenal’s 2024–25 campaign ended in heartbreak as they were knocked out of the UEFA Champions League semi-finals by Paris Saint-Germain, losing 3-1 on aggregate. The result extends the Gunners’ trophy drought under Mikel Arteta, who last lifted silverware with the club in the 2020 FA Cup. Despite dominating large parts of the tie, Arsenal were undone by clinical finishing from PSG and a heroic performance from goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. Arteta, however, praised his team’s effort, stating, “I don’t think there’s been a better team than us in the competition, but we are out.” The exit has reignited debate over Arteta’s future. While critics question the lack of trophies, many supporters point to the club’s steady progress and tactical development under his leadership. Arsenal remain a competitive force in both domestic and European competitions, but are yet to turn their promise into tangible success. With the summer transfer window approaching, Arsenal now face a pivotal moment. Reinforcements, particularly in attack, will be essential if the team hopes to take the final step and finally break their silverware drought. The club’s board appears committed to Arteta’s long-term vision, signaling continued backing for the Spanish manager. As the Gunners look ahead to the 2025–26 season, the challenge is clear: convert potential into trophies and reclaim their place among Europe’s elite.

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UEFA Semi-Finals Week on GOtv: Arsenal, Man United, and Chelsea Target Finals

The business end of European football begins this week as the first legs of the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League semi-finals take centre stage. With five English clubs still in the mix, GOtv viewers are in for a thrilling run of high-stakes football action across three nights. Champions League: Arsenal Face PSG Test, Barcelona Eye Treble Arsenal will return to Champions League action on Tuesday, with a blockbuster clash against Ligue 1 champions PSG at the Emirates. Kick-off is at 8:00 PM on GOtv Channel 66 (SS Action). The Gunners earned their spot after a dominant 5-1 aggregate win over Real Madrid, but face a PSG side that’s already eliminated Liverpool and Aston Villa in the knockout stages. Arsenal will be hoping to avoid becoming the third English casualty on the Parisians’ path to the final. On Wednesday, Barcelona host Inter Milan in another heavyweight Champions League tie. Kick-off is at 8:00 PM on GOtv Channel 66 (SS Action). Fresh from winning the Copa del Rey over the weekend and sitting top of La Liga, Flick’s men are chasing a historic treble. However, Inter, who knocked out Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals, will be no pushovers. Europa League: United and Spurs Out to Salvage Seasons The Europa League semi-finals kick off on Thursday, with both Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur needing strong results to rescue otherwise disappointing domestic campaigns. United will be away to Spanish outfit Athletic Club, with kick-off at 8:00 PM on GOtv Channel 66 (SS Action). Erik ten Hag’s side have struggled in the Premier League and are currently in 14th place, but edged past Lyon in a 13-goal thriller (7-6 on aggregate) to stay alive in Europe. Tottenham, meanwhile, face Norwegian side Bodø/Glimt at home. Kick-off is also at 8:00 PM on GOtv Channel 65 (SS EPL). Spurs, sitting 16th in the league, have endured a torrid campaign but narrowly beat Frankfurt 2-1 over two legs to reach this stage. A path to the final, and potentially Champions League football next season, remains on the line for both clubs. If both English sides can navigate their semi-finals, a blockbuster all-English final could be on the cards. Conference League: Chelsea Look to Keep Perfect Run Alive Chelsea have been the standout team in the UEFA Conference League this season, winning 11 of their 12 matches. They’ll look to extend that dominance when they take on Djurgårdens IF at Stamford Bridge on Thursday. Kick-off is at 8:00 PM on GOtv Channel 61 (SS Football). With their domestic top-four hopes fading, this competition presents a golden opportunity for silverware and continental pride.

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Ancelotti: My Real Madrid Future Could End Tomorrow

Ancelotti: My Real Madrid Future Could End Tomorrow

Following Real Madrid’s elimination from the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals by Arsenal, manager Carlo Ancelotti has acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding his future at the club. In a post-match interview, Ancelotti stated, “I could be done at Real Madrid tomorrow,” but emphasized his gratitude towards the club regardless of any decision about his tenure. ​Sky Sports Real Madrid’s 1-0 loss at the Santiago Bernabéu resulted in a 3-2 aggregate defeat, marking a significant downturn for a team that has won the competition twice in the last three seasons. Currently, they trail Barcelona by four points in La Liga with seven games remaining. ​ Amidst this backdrop, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) is reportedly intensifying efforts to appoint Ancelotti as the national team’s head coach. Sources indicate that Diego Fernandes, a prominent Brazilian businessman, is facilitating discussions between Ancelotti’s representatives and the CBF. ​ Ancelotti, who extended his contract with Real Madrid until 2026, has previously expressed a desire to honor his commitments with the club. However, the recent Champions League exit and ongoing speculation about his future have fueled discussions about a potential move to manage Brazil.​ As Real Madrid faces challenges in both domestic and European competitions, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining Ancelotti’s next steps, whether he continues at the helm of Los Blancos or embarks on a new chapter with the Brazilian national team.

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Mikel Arteta Reveals Pep Guardiola Phone Call Before Arsenal Knocked Out Real Madrid

Mikel Arteta Reveals Pep Guardiola Phone Call Before Arsenal Knocked Out Real Madrid

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has revealed that he spoke with Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola ahead of Arsenal’s dramatic 1-0 victory over Real Madrid, which secured their place in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals for the first time in 16 years. Arteta, a former assistant to Guardiola at Manchester City, said the phone call took place a day before the second leg at the Santiago Bernabéu, where Bukayo Saka’s 68th-minute goal sealed a 3-2 aggregate win for the Gunners. Speaking after the match, Arteta said, “I spoke with Pep yesterday. He’s been here so many times with City, so of course I wanted his perspective. He knows this Madrid team very well and gave me some advice on how to manage the transitions and the pressure moments.” The two managers share a close friendship, with Arteta often crediting Guardiola for shaping his football philosophy during his time at the Etihad. Their clubs could now face each other in the semi-finals if Manchester City overcome Bayern Munich in their own quarter-final tie. Arteta added, “He wished me luck and said, ‘Be brave.’ That stuck with me. We were brave tonight, and I’m proud of the boys for the way they fought.” The win marks a major milestone in Arteta’s managerial career and adds to speculation that Arsenal are emerging as a real European powerhouse under his leadership.

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Champions League: PSG Survives Thriller at The Villa

Paris Saint-Germain beat Aston Villa 5-4 on aggregate to move into the semi-final of the Champions League where they will play Arsenal or holders Real Madrid. PSG went into the game at Villa Park leading 3-1 from the first leg at the Parc des Princes in Paris. Morocco international Achraf Hakimi increased the aggregate score to 4-1 when he swept home after 11 minutes. Fellow defender Nuno Mendes got his second goal of the tie mid way through the half to put the visitors 5-1 up and looking set to saunter into the semis. But just before half-time, William Pacho deflected Youri Tielemans’ shot into his own net past goalkeeper Gigi Donnarumma to offer Villa a shred of respectability. That transformed into a glimmer of hope 10 minutes after the pause. Villa skipper John McGinn picked up the ball just inside the PSG half and barrelled forward. Unchallenged, he let fly from 30 metres and his shot rose and dipped over a befuddled Donnarumma into the net. Donnarumma pushed away a vicious goal-bound drive from Marcus Rashford for a corner a couple of minutes later but from the ensuing kick, Villa worked the ball back to Rashford who foxed two defenders on the right wing, drove into the penalty area and cut back for Ezri Konsa to steer the ball past Donnarumma for 3-2 on the night and inflame Villa’s dreams. Villa pushed but PSG held off the charge to slink into the semis – 5-4 on aggregate. “Very proud of the boys,” Konsa told broadcaster Amazon Prime. “The two goals at the start killed us but we showed great heart to get back into the game. Unfortunately it wasn’t enough.” PSG will take on the winners of the tie between holders Real Madrid and Arsenal who go into the game at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday night leading 3-0 from the first leg at the Emirates Stadium. “It’s going to be such a difficult semi-final whether it’s Arsenal or Real Madrid,” PSG skipper Marqinhos told Amazon Prime. “But there’s belief we can go all the way. We knew it was going to be difficult against Villa. The tie is never won in the first leg. They scored the goals in the second-half and it wasn’t easy at times but we did what we needed to do and we are through to the next round.” In Tuesday night’s other quarter-final, Guinea international Sehrou Guirassy hit a hat trick as Borussia Dortmund beat Barcelona 3-1 at the Signal Iduna Park. However, the Spaniards advance 5-3 on aggregate to a semi-final clash with Inter Milan or Bayern Munich who play on Wednesday night. Inter won the first leg in Munich 2-1.

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Rice Cook Real Madrid With Stunning Freekicks To Double Fires Arsenal to 3-0 Win Over

UCL Second-Leg Fireworks on GOtv: Can Arsenal Hold Off Madrid?

Semi-finalists for the 2025 UEFA Champions League wil emerge this week, as the second leg matches of the lquarter-finals take place across different match venues. The pick of the matches, which will be broadcast live on GOtv, is the clash between defending champions, Real Madrid and Arsenal. Scheduled for Wednesday at the Santiago Bernabeu, the game will see Madrid attempt wipe out the 0-3 deficit suffered at the Emirates last week in what will require a staggering attacking performance. Arsenal go into the game with comfort and could adopt a safety-first approach that preserves their three-goal advantage. The action begins on Tuesday with Aston Villa welcoming Paris Saint-Germain to Villa Park in a match that is live on Channel 65 (SS EPL). Villa lost 1-3 in Paris and must pull off something special to reach the semi-finals. While PSG are among Europe’s elite this season, Villa’s home form and attacking spirit could make this one interesting. The French champions are well-rested after being exempted from domestic duties over the weekend and will arrive fresh and focused. Also on Tuesday, Borussia Dortmund host Barcelona at the Signal Iduna Park, The Spanish giants won 4–0 in the first leg and are unbeaten in 24 matches across all competitions. With 145 goals scored this season, Hansi Flick’s side have been ruthless. But Champions League history has seen bigger turnarounds. Can Dortmund deliver the impossible? The second game on Wednesday will see Italy’s Inter Milan host German giants Bayern Munich. Inter Milan hold a narrow advantage heading into the game after a surprising 2–1 win at the Allianz Arena. Though Inter are in form and have a home advantage, Bayern are not out of this yet. The game is live on Channel 65 (SS EPL). Don’t miss two nights of electrifying Champions League action live on GOtv, Channel 65 (SS EPL) and Channel 66 (SS Action). All matches kick off at 8:00 PM.

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Rice Cook Real Madrid With Stunning Freekicks To Double Fires Arsenal to 3-0 Win Over

Rice Cook Real Madrid With Stunning Freekicks To Double Fires Arsenal to 3-0 Win Over

Arsenal claimed a commanding 3-0 victory over Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final at the Emirates Stadium. Declan Rice was the star of the match, scoring two brilliant freekicks. His first came in the 58th minute, followed by another in the 70th, both of which left Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois with no chance. Leandro Trossard assisted on the third goal, with Mikel Merino finishing in the 75th minute to seal the win for Arsenal. Real Madrid, the reigning Champions League holders, struggled to break down Arsenal’s defense and were left frustrated throughout the match. The result puts the Gunners in a strong position going into the return leg at the Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid. Real Madrid’s manager, Carlo Ancelotti, acknowledged that while the team had a decent first half, their defensive frailties were exposed after Arsenal’s opening goal. Ancelotti took responsibility for the defeat, stating that improvements would be needed in defensive play if his side hopes to turn the tie around in the second leg. The match also saw Real Madrid’s midfielder Eduardo Camavinga receive a red card in injury time, which will add to their difficulties in the second leg. The stage is set for a thrilling return encounter in Madrid, with Arsenal holding a significant advantage.

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Bukayo Saka Returns From Injury for Arsenal

Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka is set to make his return from a lengthy injury layoff when the Gunners host Fulham in the Premier League on Tuesday. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said Monday that “Bukayo is ready to go” and could even start the game. Saka has not played since December after needing surgery on a hamstring tear. In his absence, second-place Arsenal has fallen 12 points behind leader Liverpool in the league. But Saka’s return comes as Arteta’s team is preparing to face Real Madrid in the Champions League quarterfinals, with the first leg at home next week.

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