RAHEEM STERLING TO APPEAR IN COURT AFTER LAMBORGINI CRASH ON MOTORWAY

Raheem Sterling has been charged with dangerous driving and possession of nitrous oxide

Raheem Sterling during his time at Liverpool(Image: PA)

Former Liverpool footballer Raheem Sterling has been charged with dangerous driving and possession of nitrous oxide after a crash involving a Lamborghini on a motorway, police said.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said the charges followed a single-vehicle collision on the M3 southbound, near Minley interchange, on May 28. The 31-year-old former England winger is accused of dangerous driving, possession of nitrous oxide for wrongful inhalation and failing to provide a specimen. The force said no other vehicles were involved in the collision and no injuries were reported.

Sterling, from Berkshire, is due to appear at Basingstoke Magistrates' Court for a hearing on September 15.

He scored 20 goals in 82 appearances for England, helping Gareth Southgate's side reach the 2018 World Cup semi-finals and the final of Euro 2020. He came through the academy at QPR before joining Liverpool, where he made his senior debut.

Sterling, who was born in Kingston, Jamaica, moved to Manchester City in 2015 and won four Premier League titles, five League Cups and the FA Cup in 2019. He left for Chelsea in 2022 but after falling out of favour spent the 2024-25 season on loan at Arsenal.

After leaving Stamford Bridge, Sterling joined Dutch club Feyenoord on a short-term deal until the end of the season. He is currently without a club.

In the 2021 Queen's Birthday Honours, Sterling was made an MBE for services to racial equality in sport after fronting anti-racism and discrimination campaigns and speaking out strongly against racism on and off the pitch for several years.

It came amid controversy over England fans booing players taking the knee at matches as a gesture against intolerance.

- Georgia Bates and Megan Banner 

RAHEEM STERLING ARRESTED ON SUSPICION OF DRUG DRIVING AFTER M3 CRASH

Getty

 Former England star Raheem Sterling has been arrested on suspicion of driving “whilst unfit through drugs” after crashing his Lamborghini on the M3 at 9am on Thursday, a source close to the footballer says.

The source said the ex-Manchester City and Chelsea winger, who ended this season playing for Feyenoord in the Netherlands, had been suffering from “immeasurable” psychological strain after an “extremely tough couple of years”.

Sterling, 31, was arrested on Thursday morning by Hampshire Constabulary while driving a Lamborghini on the southbound carriageway of the M3.

In a statement, the force said: “Just before 9am on Thursday (May 28), we received reports that a Lamborghini was in collision with barriers on the M3 southbound, close to the Minley Interchange.

“No other vehicles were involved and no injuries were reported.

“The driver, a 31-year-old man from Berkshire, has been arrested on suspicion of driving a vehicle whilst unfit through drugs, driving dangerously, possession of a class C drug and failing to provide a specimen. He has been bailed while our inquiries continue.”

Confirming Sterling's arrest, the source said the incident "brings into the spotlight modern treatment of players who are no longer ‘fit for purpose’ – disposable".

“How a prolific English international who has steered the England squad to significant heights over the last decade has been made to feel worthless – forgotten about,” they said.

“The psychological strain that has put on him is immeasurable. Isolated. The second he touches a ball, being told he’s a flop and he’s finished. Mocked. Heckled.

“He moved to the Netherlands to escape and rediscover his love for the game but the negativity followed. It’s been an extremely tough couple of years for him and this incident encompasses that.”

The source said they wanted to emphasise that Sterling had been arrested “under suspicion”, adding there is no “proof of anything in his system”.

Sterling, of Berkshire, has been bailed while inquiries continue. ITV News has contacted representatives of Sterling for comment.

The player scored 20 goals in 82 appearances for England, helping Gareth Southgate’s side reach the 2018 World Cup semi-finals and the final of Euro 2020.

He came through the academy at QPR before joining Liverpool, where he made his senior debut.

Sterling moved to Manchester City in 2015 and won four Premier League titles, five League Cups and the FA Cup in 2019.

He left for Chelsea in 2022 but after falling out of favour spent the 2024-25 season on loan at Arsenal.

After leaving Stamford Bridge, Sterling joined Feyenoord on a short-term deal in February and played eight times in the Dutch top flight.

In the 2021 Queen’s Birthday Honours list, he was made an MBE for services to racial equality in sport amid controversy over England fans booing players taking the knee at matches as a gesture against intolerance.

MOGUL ATTACKED: MILLIONAIRE FORMER PREMIER LEAGUE CLUB OWNER STABBED IN HIS OWN HOME AFTER CONFRONTING MASKED ROBBERS

MILLIONAIRE football mogul Fawaz Al-Hasawi was stabbed when he confronted masked ­robbers in his home.

The former Nottingham Forest owner was injured as they tried to ransack his £10million house.

The Kuwaiti entrepreneur, 57, is thought to have been sleeping when thugs burst into his room, leaving him with stab wounds on his hand and neck injuries.

They fled and it is not clear if anything was taken in Mayfair, central London, earlier this month.

Images online show Mr Al-Hasawi in a bloodied hospital bed and with his hands bandaged.

His lawyers urged cops to give more details of the attack, claiming that other visitors from the Arabian Gulf “fear facing similar incidents”.

Al-Hasawi is a collector of watches, flashing them on social media.

The Met said the injuries were not life-threatening or life-changing and inquiries were continuing.

The businessman bought Forest from the estate of Nigel Doughty in 2012 and sold the Midlands club to Evangelos Marinakis in May 2017 after going through nine different managers in five years.

It comes just weeks after Manchester City star Ruben Dias and his girlfriend Maya Jama were left devastated after an “away day” gang ransacked their home.

Raiders are believed to have stolen more than £1million of designer watches, jewellery, handbags and clothes at their £4 million mansion in Cheshire.

Ruben and Maya had moved into the four-bedroom property before Christmas.

Prem stars fear that someone they know is tipping off burglars with several spooked by last month’s raid.

In December, The Sun revealed the shocking moment thieves fled Tottenham star Yves Bissouma’s mansion after stealing hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of designer gear.

The Premier League ace, 29, has since opened up on several “traumatic” raids on his home, which saw luxury watches, bags and jewellery nicked.

Bissouma, who earns £50,000-a-week at Spurs, has been targeted by thieves three times – losing £1million worth of precious items.

While the month before, Raheem Sterling confronted the masked burglar gang who broke into his home with a knife, it is understood.

The brave dad reportedly got hold of the weapon to protect his young family after the group of robbers smashed into his house.

- Thomas Godfrey

ARSENAL ISSUE THOMAS PARTEY TRANSFER STATEMENT AFTER BARCELONA CONTRACT TALKS

Thomas Partey's contract with Arsenal expires this month and the midfielder has been linked with a free transfer to Barcelona, despite Mikel Arteta wanting him to stay

Arsenal have confirmed that they remain in talks with Thomas Partey over his future at the club. Partey, 31, sees his current deal expire on June 30 but boss Mikel Arteta wants to keep him.

The midfielder is claimed to have held talks with La Liga giants Barcelona over a potential free transfer. Partey spent his formative years in Spain and joined Arsenal from Atletico Madrid for £45million in 2020.

This season, the Ghanian played more games than ever for Arsenal. Partey made a total of 52 appearances, topping his previous best tally of 40.

But his future remains uncertain, with Arsenal issuing an update when announcing their retained and released list on Wednesday. Partey is one of two men's team players whose current terms run out at the end of this month.

A passage read: "The following players' contracts also expire on June 30, 2025. Discussions are ongoing, and once matters are finalised between all parties, we will communicate in due course: Chloe Kelly, Thomas Partey and Michal Rosiak."

Arteta has gone on record to state that he hopes Partey will sign a new deal. "I think consistency-wise it's been his best season," the Arsenal manager said last month. "The way he's played, performed, his availability, has been exceptional and he's a really important player for us."

In April, Arteta was asked if there'd been any progress in contract talks with the 31-year-old. "Yes, there is progress with all the players," he replied. "I'll leave that to [sporting director] Andrea [Berta] and the club to decide and to talk about."

Pushed on whether it's his intention to have Partey in his squad next season, Arteta continued: "The intention is very clear. I'll leave that to Andrea and the club to take a step forward."

Mikel Arteta wants to keep Thomas Partey at Arsenal(Image: Eric Verhoeven/Soccrates/Getty Images)

Aside from the Ghana international, Arsenal have confirmed the departure of first-team stars Kieran Tierney and Jorginho. Tierney, 27, is set to rejoin former club Celtic while 33-year-old Jorginho has been linked with a move to Flamengo.

Loanee Raheem Sterling is confirmed to be returning to Chelsea. Neto will also return to Bounemouth after making just a single appearance.

Arsenal's full retained and released list: Nathan Butler-Oyedeji, Reece Clairmont, Khayon Edwards, Jakai Fisher, Romari Forde, Teyah Goldie, Jimi Gower, Jack Henry-Francis, Lina Hurtig, Amanda Ilestedt, Jorginho, Max Kuczynski, Salah-Eddine Oulad M'Hand, Ismail Oulad M'Hand, Neto. Brian Okonkwo. Elian Quesada-Thorn, Zacariah Shuaib, Raheem Sterling, Kieran Tierney.

- Nathan Ridley

FULL ARSENAL SQUAD AVAILABLE VS EVERTON AS FIVE RULED OUT AFTER GABRIEL INJURY BLOW

Latest Arsenal news and gossip as the Gunners prepare to face Everton in the Premier League

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta (Image: (Photo by Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images))

Arsenal will be without some key players when they face Everton in the Premier League this weekend.

The Gunners will travel to Goodison Park to face the Toffees in their top flight as they look to secure another victory. Arsenal go into the game having beaten Fulham in midweek, and will be looking to close the gap on leaders Liverpool with a win over Everton.

Mikel Arteta's side are 12 points behind Liverpool in the Premier League table going into their trip to Merseyside. Arsenal can close the gap to nine points for 24 hours at least, but Arteta will have to do so with several important players unavailable.

It was confirmed this week that Gabriel Magalhaes will be sidelined for the remainder of the season after suffering a hamstring injury in the win over Fulham. Arsenal will also be without Riccardo Calafiori, who picked up a knee injury during the international break.

"Ric [Calafiori] is not fit as well because in the last week or so we lost four players, and that's obviously a big task," Arteta told reporters on Friday.

"But let's see how Ben [White] and Jurrien [Timber] are tomorrow as well and that's it. Keep playing and keep competing the way we have been."

White was not included in the squad that faced Fulham in midweek, while Timber was withdrawn in the second half with a possible fitness concern. Arteta stated that both have a chance of playing against Everton, but are not certain to be included in the trip to Goodison.

"Yeah, there's a chance," said Arteta. "The problem is that we have a few of those so we're going to have to decide this evening or tomorrow, very early in the morning which player we can play and for how long, especially."

Arsenal will also be without Kai Havertz, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Gabriel Jesus who are all sidelined with long-term injuries.

Here's the full Arsenal squad that could be available to face Everton in the Premier League;

Goalkeepers: David Raya, Neto.

Defenders: Jurrien Timber, Ben White, Jakub Kiwior, Oleksandr Zinchenko, William Saliba, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Kieran Tierney.

Midfielders: Declan Rice, Jorginho, Thomas Partey, Mikel Merino, Martin Odegaard, Ethan Nwaneri.

Forwards: Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka, Raheem Sterling.

Unavailable for selection: Gabriel Magalhaes, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, Riccardo Calafiori.

- Mark Wakefield

WHY ARSENAL SHOULD BELIEVE THE CAN WIN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

As the Gunners head to PSV for the last-16 encounter, Mikel Arteta warned that his injury-hit squad still have the ‘gears to reach a different level’

Inside the Philips Stadion, there are reminders of PSV Eindhoven’s past, celebrations of former centre-forwards such as Romario, Ronaldo Nazario and Ruud van Nistelrooy who have graced the club and tormented defenders. As he walked along the corridors between the executive suites, Mikel Arteta could have been given a reminder of what he is missing.

It is carnival week in Eindhoven and plenty of people are descending on the Dutch city in fancy dress. Whether any have come in the garb of an Arsenal goalscorer or will impersonate a striker, even for a night, remains to be seen. The probability is that Mikel Merino will be leading the line for Arsenal in the Netherlands; the scorer of the Gunners’ only goals in their last four games but a midfielder by trade. With Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus injured, with Gabriel Martinelli only on the way back, with Raheem Sterling’s only goal this season coming against Preston, it may be Merino in attack.

“It is a beautiful challenge, especially up front,” said Jurrien Timber. It is an optimistic way of putting it. Another is to point out that PSV have defensive difficulties: since springing one of the surprises in the knockout play-off round, they have faced Go Ahead Eagles twice, losing both matches and conceding five goals to a side only seventh in the Eredivisie. “What I see is ahead is a team that has eliminated Juventus, with a history, so I know the difficulty,” said Arteta, paying PSV due respect.

It was a painful February for Arsenal as dropped points added to forward absences. Getty

If Arsenal’s attack is the resistible force, perhaps PSV’s defence is the movable object. A tie of teams meeting for the third consecutive year may be a clash of opposites. The Dutch champions can both score and concede; the perennial English runners-up sometimes do neither.

But there may be a path to progress amid the lack of drama. “For any team, I think when you look at the history of the team, that they’ve been very successful, the defensive record is critical,” said Arteta. England’s last two Champions League winners had identical records in that respect: Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea conceded just three goals in seven knockout matches in 2021, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City a mere three at the equivalent stage in 2023.

The Arsenal rearguard has earned many a compliment for its organisation and obduracy in recent years. There is statistical proof of its excellence. The north Londoners had the second-best defensive record in group stages, bettered only by Inter. “We have only conceded three goals and the lowest expected goals,” added Arteta. “That is great and a big platform.”

They kicked off the group stage with clean sheets against Atalanta and Paris Saint-Germain. Even as Arteta’s attacking options have been reduced, his defensive ones have increased. Timber welcomed the added competition from Ben White’s return to fitness although, with only two substitute appearances, the Englishman may be unlikely to make a first start in almost four months on Tuesday. On the other flank, meanwhile, Myles Lewis-Skelly, suspended for the stalemate at Nottingham Forest, is available again.

That was a draining, depressing night for Arsenal; along with the defeat to West Ham, the end of an ambition, at least for a year, to win the Premier League. A different competition offers a different incentive. “A game to change the narrative,” said Timber. If Arsenal have been labouring and toiling domestically, Arteta feels they could have a spring in their step. “It’s a game that really brings a different energy,” he said. “It’s a competition that puts everybody on their toes.”

It is a competition in which Arsenal have acquitted themselves well since Arteta ended their exile. They were knocked out by Bayern Munich last season; avoid defeat in the Netherlands and a home record of eight wins and a draw in nine home Champions League games bodes well.

Arsenal’s defensive record can give them confidence as they turn to knockout football. Getty

It could be a very open competition. Coming third in the group stage does not necessarily make Arsenal third favourites but there is a plausible route to the quarter-finals for them, whereas Manchester City have already fallen by the wayside and either Bayern or Bayer Leverkusen, Real or Atletico Madrid, and PSG or Liverpool will follow suit. Can Arsenal win the competition? “It’s an ambition,” added Arteta, while stressing his focus was purely on PSV.

There is a sense in which Arsenal have untapped potential: not so much defensively, but if they can add goals, if they can produce the sort of performances they mustered against PSG and Manchester City in knockout football. “And the fact that we have still gears, even with the players that we have, to take the game to a different level,” said Arteta. “When it comes to that stage, it’s about lifting the level and the standards.” Defensively, Arsenal can set the standards. They just need a goal or two.

- Richard Jolly, Senior Football Correspondent

LEICESTER 0-2 ARSENAL: POST MATCH PLAYER RATINGS

Mikel Merino celebrates after scoring against Leicester City (Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Arsenal left it late, but substitute Mikel Merino scored a brace to send the Gunners to within four points of leaders Liverpool.

After a first half with little attacking threat, the Gunners took the lead in the 81st minute. The inspired substitution of Merino paid dividends when the Spaniard fired Arsenal ahead as he headed home an Ethan Nwaneri cross.

Nwaneri, arguably the best player on the pitch, was the only real attacking threat until the introduction of Merino.

The former Real Sociedad midfielder scored a second six minutes later when he fired a Leandro Trossard cross past Mads Hermansen.

The Foxes looked shellshocked from there on out and Arsenal cruised to a comfortable win and closed the gap to leaders Liverpool ahead of their game against Wolves. 

• Arsenal player ratings:

David Raya – 7

Raya was not tested much but when called upon he made some good stops. The save from Wilfried Ndidi kept the game level at the interval.

Myles Lewis-Skelly – 7

Another solid display from the Hale End graduate. Lewis-Skelly’s most important intervention came before he was substituted when he prodded a Jordan Ayew away from the lurking Bobby Reid. The Jamaican winger had a certain tap-in if it wasn’t for the young left-back’s efforts.

Gabriel Magalhães – 7

Gabriel was an aerial threat from set-pieces but when is he not? The former Lille defender had little to do in terms of defensive work.

William Saliba – 7

The Frenchman dealt with the pace of Jamie Vardy well. Vardy had a quiet game and rarely threatened the Arsenal defence.

Jurrien Timber – 7

Timber was solid all around today. The Dutch defender was an attacking threat and also solid when the Foxes made a rare venture into the Arsenal half.

Thomas Partey – 6

Partey put up a decent showing against Leicester but made a few sloppy passes when looking to progress the ball.

Declan Rice – 7

Rice was decent in the No.8 role and carried the ball well. The English midfielder was one of the larger attacking threats in a game lacking quality.

Martin Odegaard – 6

Leicester did a good job in nullifying Odegaard’s threat on the ball. Apart from a few incisive passes, the midfielder was quiet for large parts of the encounter.

Raheem Sterling – 3

Sterling put in a low-quality display. When he was in possession, he failed to beat a man and lost the ball on multiple occasions. The Chelsea loanee is bereft of confidence and needs to pick up form if he is to remain at a top club.

Leandro Trossard – 6

Trossard had little service as the striker but did pull off a fine assist for Merino’s second goal. As the saying goes; if you cannot score, make sure you are still providing goals.

Ethan Nwaneri – 8

Ethan Nwaneri of Arsenal runs with the ball during the Premier League match between Leicester City FC and Arsenal FC (Credit: Shaun Botterill/GettyImages).

Nwaneri put in a performance of the highest quality against the Foxes. The Hale End graduate was by far the most threatening player, hitting the woodwork on two occasions. His cross for Merino’s opening goal was simply world-class.

Substitutes:

Mikel Merino – 8

Merino put in a superb performance as a makeshift striker. The Spaniard attacker the space in behind well and produced two good finishes to fire the Gunners to all three points.

Riccardo Calafiori – 6

The Italian was solid defensively when called upon in his short spell on the pitch.

Jorginho – 6

The former Chelsea man did not have time to impact the game, but did make a few key passes to help Arsenal keep the ball. 

Kieran Tierney – N/A

The Scot did not have time to impact the game. 

Arsenal take on West Ham next weekend as they look to continue their 15-game unbeaten Premier League run. 

- Harry Cooper-Smith

MIKEL ARTETA REVEALS EXTENT OF ARSENAL CRISIS WITH WORRYING INJURY ADMISSION

Mikel Arteta has admitted Arsenal's injury crisis is the worst he's seen at the club (Image: PA

Arsenal have suffered a number of injury problems this season after recently losing Bukayo Saka for two months and Mikel Arteta has been left baffled by the ongoing fitness issues his side are facing.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has admitted the team's injury crisis is the worst he has seen at the club - after Ethan Nwaneri became the latest star to suffer a set-back.

The Gunners have been battling with fitness issues across the board in this campaign, having already lost captain Martin Odegaard for a lengthy spell earlier on.

Ben White is currently sidelined after undergoing knee surgery in November while Bukayo Saka is out for two months after tearing his hamstring in a major blow.

Other affected players include defender Takehiro Tomiyasu and winger Raheem Sterling, who are also nursing knee problems, while Kai Havertz has been struggling with illness.

Arsenal were handed another setback on top of their injury crisis after Jurrien Timber was suspended for the 1-1 draw to Brighton, meaning Thomas Partey had to fill in at right-back.

Speaking ahead his side's Carabao Cup semi-final clash against Newcastle, Arteta was asked if he had faced an injury crisis like this. He replied: "Probably not. It’s a very good learning process, not only tactically but with preparation and training with very few players.

“Today we had seven, eight players with us and just [had] to fill the squad, which is unknown. But it is a way to learn as well, this is how I take it. I cannot change it, so let’s take the things that we can get out of them to be better. We discuss about the situation obviously and we have to use players in positions they have probably not played before.

“But we are learning a lot from that, and what I learn about the willingness of the team, anyone on the field and them. So that’s great as well to learn from the players."

Arsenal are six points behind league leaders Liverpool in the Premier League this season after struggling to keep pace with the Reds amid their injury woes, but they are still in the running to win the Carabao Cup. When asked if he has enjoyed this season, Arteta replied: "I love it. I mean, we are in all the competitions, we are where we want to be in most of them.

"Obviously in the league there’s been a lot of circumstances, we’re not where we want to be which is top and I understand that and we work every day to try to be better to improve, and don’t look for excuses.

"Because in anything you do you look for excuses you find them, these are challenges these are situations that we are facing and we are trying to overcome them and we are still a really good team."

ARSENAL'S BUKAYO SAKA OUT FOR 'MANY WEEKS' WITH HAMSTRING INJURY

Arsenal suffered a major injury blow on Monday after Mikel Arteta confirmed winger Bukayo Saka will be sidelined for "many weeks" with a torn hamstring.

Sources have told ESPN that the 23-year-old was told the news after seeing a specialist, having left the stadium on crutches following the Gunners' 5-1 win at Crystal Palace last weekend.

"It's not looking good," Areta said. "He's going to be out for many weeks. I cannot be too specific because I don't know, but it will be many weeks.

"It's a huge [blow]. He's obviously a big player for us, you just have to see the impact that he has on the team. It's going to be a really good exercise for us to think of ways to overcome another challenge because we've had a lot over the season.

"I am putting some ideas together. I haven't got there yet. But I have a few. Then I want to speak with the players as well to understand how we are going to generate that and take it in a positive way. Because that is going to mean we are going to be different.

"He was gutted. You can tell that he has not been injured because he was really, really emotional and really down. And we need to lift him up. It is a big part of his job. And he will be fine but he is going to need a few days. He will immediately realise that he is so important in that dressing room.

"His energy level, his body language, and how he communicates with the rest of the team has to be really good because it is the only way at the moment he can help, so he better do that well."

Bukayo Saka picked up the injury against Crystal Palace on Saturday. David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Although Arteta was keen to play up the internal alternatives, news that Raheem Sterling is also set for a spell on the sidelines following a knee injury is a further blow given the Chelsea loanee would have been an obvious replacement.

"He's going be out for weeks I believe," Arteta said. "He needs further testing tomorrow to understand the extent of his injury. It's his knee. We have to wait and see another 24 hours. Unfortunately he's going to be out for a while."

It is the third hamstring injury Saka has suffered this season.

The England international is a pivotal player for Arteta, starting 16 of their 17 Premier League matches -- only missing October's 2-0 defeat at Bournemouth through injury.

He has amassed nine goals and 13 assists in 24 games across all competitions and when asked whether Arsenal are ready to go into the January transfer market to replace Saka if needed, Arteta replied: "The preparation is done and we are ready if something happens. Obviously we didn't predict a situation with Bukayo and Raheem out at the same time.

"We predicted more it would be something else, for example if something happened in the defensive line. But the job is done and, okay, if something has to happen, we will be open. But the main focus is now, how will we extract still a lot of potential that there is in this squad."

Arsenal host Ipswich at the Emirates Stadium on Friday.

- James Olley, Senior Writer, ESPN FC

PRP GUARDIOLA REVEALS WHY MANCHESTER CITY LET MORGAN RODGERS LEAVE AFTER ASTON VILLA DEFEAT

Morgan Rogers inspired Aston Villa to a 2-1 win over Manchester City (Picture: Getty)

Pep Guardiola says it’s ‘obvious’ Manchester City would love to have a player of Morgan Rogers’ quality during their current crisis – but fierce competition for places blocked the youngster’s path at the Etihad.

Rogers left City for Middlesbrough in search of regular playing time last year and the 22-year-old has gone on to establish himself as one of the finest young players in Premier League football under Unai Emery’s guidance at Aston Villa.

This afternoon, Rogers was the star of the show as City’s crisis deepened, with the attacking midfielder assisting Jhon Duran’s opener before doubling Villa’s lead in a 2-1 victory.

Phil Foden’s stoppage-time strike proved too little, too late as City suffered a ninth defeat in 12 games and the result saw Villa leapfrog Guardiola’s side into fifth place in the table.

City are now nine points adrift of leaders Liverpool, who have two games in hand over the champions ahead of their trip to Tottenham tomorrow afternoon.

Shortly after the full-time whistle, former City goalkeeper Shay Given was among those to criticise the club’s decision to allow a player of Rogers’ undoubted ability leave.

But Guardiola defended the call at his post-match press conference, underlining just how many established players Rogers had in front of him, from Kevin De Bruyne to Bernardo Silva.

Do you know what happened with some players? It was a team that won the treble and the quadruple. Sometimes it’s the right tempo, the right time to give the chance,’ the City head coach told reporters.

‘Of course, everyone knows how good Morgan is. A lot of players went on loan or have been sold.

‘But he was in that age, that moment, we had the players that we had that allowed us to create the most successful years in the history of our club.

‘In that moment, sometimes when they arrive they are two, three years younger and at that moment there is Kevin in his prime, David Silva, Bernardo Silva, Riyad Mahrez, Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling and sometimes it’s difficult. That’s the only reason why.

‘In the situation we are in right now, of course these kinds of players would be with us. This is obvious.

‘I’m happy for him because he’s a lovely guy. He exploded last season and this season he’s a really, really top-class player. England have another exceptional player.’

In his post-match interview with TNT Sports, Rogers pointed to Villa’s counter-attacking prowess as a major factor in Villa’s win.

‘It felt tougher than it probably looked. They make you work and it is so demanding out of possession,’ he said.

- Tom Olver

ARSENAL RATINGS: SAKA, TROSSARD STAR IN WIN VS. LEICESTER

Leandro Trossard and Bukayo Saka celebrate after Arsenal take the lead vs. Leicester City in the Premier League. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Arsenal returned to winning ways on Saturday afternoon as they secured a 4-2 victory over Leicester City at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners dominated the first half and got themselves in front when Jurriën Timber crossed low towards Gabriel Martinelli, who registered his first Premier League goal of the season with an accurate finish. Martinelli was a regular spark for the home side's attack throughout the opening 45 minutes, and he was involved again before the break when providing the assist for Leandro Trossard to double the lead.

Manager Mikel Arteta looked comfortable as his side enjoyed 76% possession by the end of the first half, but it was just moments after the restart when the Foxes responded, with James Justin's effort deflected off Kai Havertz from Facundo Buonanotte's free kick.

Leicester City goalkeeper Mads Hermansen kept his side in it with saves against Gabriel Magalhães and then Trossard, before a spectacular effort from Justin was smashed in off the post to level the scoring. Hermansen was involved again when a poor pass out from the back allowed Declan Rice to play in Trossard, only for the 29-year-old to see his effort saved.

Raheem Sterling and Ethan Nwaneri were introduced as Arsenal looked to get a late winner, and after Hermansen made one more save from Riccardo Calafiori, it was one corner too many in the 94th minute as Trossard's effort was deflected in by Wilfred Ndidi to win the game. Havertz added a late goal to seal it with one of the final kicks of the match.

Positives

Arsenal's victory puts them on level points with Manchester City, while they continued to show how they continue to win games late, while being the best in the league at converting set pieces. Bukayo Saka's performance was also noteworthy, in an almost faultless display on the day.

Negatives

There were some moments when concentration could have been better, with Calafiori taking a chance on a yellow card -- but those were minor negatives in an otherwise convincing performance.

Manager rating (1-10)

Mikel Arteta, 7 -- Arteta's side created more than enough chances to win the game, and the Arsenal manager was unlucky to see his side concede from a deflected set piece and then a spectacular strike. Some might argue he could have made the introduction of Sterling sooner, but the Gunners did have a massive chance to retake the lead a minute before he came on.

Player ratings (1-10; 10: best. Players introduced after 70 minutes receive no rating)

GK David Raya, 5 -- There was little to do for Raya as Arsenal dominated the first half, but he had to pick the ball out of his net moments after the restart, with Leicester City converting from their free kick.

DF Riccardo Calafiori, 6 -- The Italy international combined well with Martinelli when advancing up the left flank, and was encouraged to shoot by the Emirates Stadium crowd after his effort against Manchester City last week. He could have been tighter to Justin before his strike, and was also careless with some challenges which may have seen him sent off on another day. Almost scored the winner with a powerful header but was denied by Hermansen.

DF Gabriel Magalhães, 6 -- Gabriel was a constant danger on set pieces as usual and came close to scoring when forcing a save from Hermansen. Composed in possession, and helped quickly restart attacks for his side after receiving the ball.

DF William Saliba, 7 -- A strong display from Saliba saw him regularly win the ball back with aggressive challenges high up the pitch, which allowed Arsenal to maintain pressure when their opponents tried to clear the danger. Involved in the first goal when challenging Jamie Vardy who claimed for a foul before the Gunners scored, but there didn't look to be too much in it. Booked in the second half for a foul on Vardy.

DF Jurriën Timber, 7 -- Timber fared well against Leicester City's attempts to counter-attack and dealt well against the threat of Stephy Mavididi. Registered an assist with a low cross that was delivered across the box to Martinelli.

MF Thomas Partey, 6 -- Kept things ticking in midfield by moving the ball on to Arsenal's more creative players, but didn't have too much to do defensively, with the majority of Leicester City's attacks going down the flanks.

MF Declan Rice, 7 -- An all-round strong midfield performance saw Rice help control the game as well as win possession back consistently, impressing with his decision-making. Played in Trossard after a big error from Hermansen, and was unlucky not to get an assist after the goalkeeper made amends with a save.

MF Kai Havertz, 6 -- The 25-year-old timed his runs well into the penalty area and was able to connect with multiple crosses but couldn't trouble the goalkeeper. He was also too deep from Leicester City's free kick, deflecting Justin's effort into his own goal. Got himself on the scoresheet late on to seal Arsenal's 4-2 victory.

FW Gabriel Martinelli, 8 -- Martinelli always looked to beat his marker down the left-flank and where he provided a regular option when Arsenal won the ball back high up the pitch. Got things up and running with a strong finish from Timber's low cross, and then turned provider to assist Trossard as the Gunners made it 2-0. Replaced by Sterling in the second half.

FW Leandro Trossard, 8 -- The Belgium international got into consistent intelligent positions and was rewarded at the end of the first half as he finished accurately from Martinelli's cut-back. Missed a big chance in the second half but made amends with his effort that was deflected into the goal in the 94th minute.

FW Bukayo Saka, 9 -- There was always a sense that something could happen when Saka had the ball on the right-flank, where Leicester City even struggled to deal with the 23-year-old when they doubled up on him. Impressed when beating his man down the line as well as cutting inside, and he consistently carried the ball into dangerous areas before creating shooting opportunities for himself and his teammates.

Substitutes (players introduced after 70 minutes = no rating)

Raheem Sterling (on for Martinelli, 74"), N/R -- Positive in possession and tried to beat his marker down the line, but couldn't get his deliveries into the box.

Ethan Nwaneri (Partey, 85"), N/R -- Brought on and provided an instant lift to the crowd amid a confident performance, and was involved as he helped win the corner that put Leicester under all sorts of pressure.

Gabriel Jesus (Trossard, 98",) N/R -- Introduced as Arsenal looked to play the remainder of the game out.

- Adam Brown

ARSENAL'S JACK PORTER, 16, BECOMES CLUB'S YOUNGEST-EVER STARTER

Jack Porter travelled with the Arsenal squad for their Champions League opener against Atalanta. Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Jack Porter became Arsenal's youngest-ever player to start a first-team game when the 16-year-old goalkeeper made his debut in a 5-1 win over Bolton in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.

At 16 years, 72 days old, Porter surpassed club icon Cesc Fabregas, who was 16 years, 177 days when he started against Rotherham in October 2003.

Porter was selected in place of first choice David Raya, who was ruled out with a thigh injury, Arsenal said. Raya left Etihad Stadium with a bandage around his right knee after picking up an injury in last weekend's 2-2 draw at Manchester City.

With Neto -- a summer loan signing from Bournemouth -- cup-tied and 18-year-old understudy Tommy Setford also injured, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has called on Porter, who only turned 16 in July.

Porter has trained with the first team on a few occasions previously and was named among the substitutes for last week's Champions League trip to Atalanta which ended 0-0.

He only signed scholarship terms with the Gunners in the summer and cannot agree a professional contract until next year when he turns 17.

As ESPN reported on deadline day, Arsenal attempted to sign two goalkeepers late in the window, having allowed Aaron Ramsdale to join Southampton in a permanent deal and Karl Hein to move to Real Valladolid on loan.

After securing Neto's arrival, they explored a deal for Joan García at Espanyol while also making an approach for Wolves' Dan Bentley but were unable to secure an agreement.

Arteta rotated his side for the game against Bolton with youngsters Ethan Nwaneri and Miles Lewis-Skelly among those included, while Raheem Sterling made his first start after arriving on a season-long loan from Chelsea.

Nwaneri, who scored twice against Bolton, holds the record as the youngest player to represent Arsenal's first team after coming on as a substitute aged 15 years, 181 days in September 2022.

Information from The Associated Press contributed to this report.

- James Olley, Senior Writer, ESPN FC

RICE RED CARD SETS ARSENAL BACK DESPITE BUSY TRANSFER WINDOW

Arsenal conceded an equalising goal against Brighton less than 10 minutes after Declan Rice was sent off for a second bookable offence. Nick Potts/PA Images via Getty Images)

The fretting over Arsenal's squad depth was supposed to end when the Premier League's summer transfer window closed on Friday.

Raheem Sterling's last-gasp arrival on loan from Chelsea had many Gunners supporters pitching up at Emirates Stadium on Saturday enthused by the options manager Mikel Arteta has at his disposal. Yet they left the ground after Saturday's 1-1 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion concerned about a midfield area that suddenly looks light ahead of the biggest week of the season by some distance.

First, there is an international break in which to draw breath and regain some of the composure that Arsenal temporarily lost here following Declan Rice's 50th-minute red card. But then comes a seven-day period in which they travel to Tottenham Hotspur for the north London derby, Italy for a Champions League opener against last season's Europa League winners Atalanta and then to Premier League champions Manchester City.

Right now, the indications are that new €32.5 million signing Mikel Merino will miss all three matches after suffering a fractured shoulder in his first training session. Rice is now suspended against Spurs after a controversial dismissal, the first of his 245-game league career.

After a strong tackle on Joël Veltman just before half-time, the pair tangled again shortly after the restart. As Veltman went to kick the ball -- a moving ball -- to restart play following a free kick in his favour, Rice nudged it away and Veltman, who had already started swinging his right leg, made contact with Rice instead of the ball.

The Premier League later clarified Rice had "delayed the restart," something he had technically done but in a manner not consistently punished; Brighton's João Pedro booted the ball away after it ran out in the first half with no sanction from referee Chris Kavanagh. Arteta also cited another first-half moment and claimed Veltman should have in fact been sent off for kicking Rice.

"I was amazed," Arteta said postmatch. "Amazed, amazed, amazed because of how inconsistent decisions can be.

"In the first half, there are two incidents and nothing happens. Then, in a non-critical area, the ball hits Declan [on the back of his leg], he turns around, he doesn't see the player coming and he touches the ball.

"By law, he can make that call, but then by law he needs to make the next call, which is red card so we play 10 versus 10. This is what amazed me. At this level it's amazing. [Declan] obviously had a reaction that his back was to the ball, that they're not in the middle of the park, trying to counter or anything.

"Anyway, I repeat myself; by law if you want to do it you have to do it, but you have to do it in the first half and play 10 against 10. That's it. Very simple."

Brighton took advantage within eight minutes. João Pedro turned home the rebound after David Raya saved Yankuba Minteh's shot, cancelling out Kai Havertz's well-taken 38th-minute opener, lofted over Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.

Fuelled by a sense of injustice, Arsenal reorganised and after a short spell in which they seemed flummoxed by how to reorganise with 10 men, Havertz and Bukayo Saka had glorious chances to score, but both were denied by Verbruggen. Brighton inevitably controlled possession and went closest through substitute Yasin Ayari in between those Havertz and Saka chances but had to settle for a point.

"We reacted to what we had to do playing at home with 10 men," Arteta said. "We didn't want to be so deep defending like this, but we read the game and we played the game that we had to play and we should have got rewarded."

There was at least some good news afterwards in that defender Jurriën Timber did not suffer a serious injury and was instead substituted late on with cramp. Timber has been cited as a possible option in midfield given his physicality and quality on the ball. It will likely be something Arteta considers for the challenges ahead, although Jorginho, Thomas Partey and Martin Ødegaard are the most obvious fits to start against Spurs as things stand.

The international break will shape their approach and also give Sterling a chance to sharpen his game ahead of the trip across the capital. Not selected for England by interim coach Lee Carsley, Sterling will instead work at Arsenal's London Colney base and reacquaint himself with Arteta, with whom he developed a strong relationship during three years working together at Manchester City.

"We have to see him, speak to him [about] what he's been doing and how he's feeling about it and try to find quick wins to get him up to speed as quickly as possible and for him to understand what we are looking for from him in the dynamics of the team," Arteta said of Sterling. "We will use that time to do that and get him involved as soon as possible."

And what of coping without Rice or Merino? "This is what happens," Arteta replied. "We have to adapt to that context. That's why we have other players that can fulfill that [role] and [I can] give that opportunity to somebody else."

Perhaps those squad concerns never truly go away.

- James Olley, Senior Writer, ESPN FC

ATLÉTICO, ARSENAL WIN TRANSFER WINDOW; CHELSEA BIGGEST LOSERS

For Europe's biggest clubs and leagues, the time for transfers in 2024 has come and gone.

The transfer window closed at 11 p.m. BST (6 p.m. ET) in England and Spain on Friday, an hour earlier in France and even earlier in Italy and Germany. It remains open in select countries such as the Netherlands, Turkey and Saudi Arabia, but there's little room for any more major deals.

All parties -- clubs, players, managers and agents -- will now sit back and assess. Some got their wishes and some didn't. Some excelled in their movements over the summer, while others will be lamenting missed opportunities.

With that, let's look back at what happened during the window and neatly sort the results into winners and losers (with a few who sit in between). Here's who nailed it -- and who didn't.

Winners

ATLETICO MADRID

Let's begin with one of the most impressive but shocking spending sprees of the window, courtesy of Atlético Madrid.

After a couple of very quiet years in the market, they exploded into life this summer, spending over €180m to sign four marquee players -- Julián Álvarez (€75m), Conor Gallagher (€42m), Robin Le Normand (€34.5m) and Alexander Sørloth (€32m) -- plus a few depth guys.

A big clear-out paved the way, as the club finally moved João Félix on permanently to Chelsea for €52m, let Samu Omorodion (€15m) and Álvaro Morata (€13m) depart for Porto and Milan, respectively, loaned midfielder Saúl Ñíguez again, and waved goodbye to four centre-backs. It marks the start of an exciting, new dawn for Los Colchoneros.

ARSENAL

Arsenal needed cover in defence and spent €45m to land Riccardo Calafiori, while manager Mikel Arteta also added to his midfield and landed Spain's Euro 2024 star Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad for a fair price (€33m).

Goalkeeper David Raya was secured permanently for €30m, having spent last season on loan at the club from Brentford, and his performances so far this season suggest the club's decision to back him as No. 1 is going to pay dividends.

Then in the closing moments, Raheem Sterling signed on loan for the season, adding much-needed depth to the wing corps and a healthy dollop of title-winning experience to the squad.

In addition, the Gunners raised funds extremely effectively, which is something they've not been particularly good at in recent years. They've made €80m-plus in moving on Eddie Nketiah, Emile Smith Rowe and Aaron Ramsdale, which could be very handy for market flexibility in the next 12 months.

It should be noted the club refrained from splashing a huge amount of cash on a striker, which many fans wanted, but they still go down as winners in this window.

PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN

In the wake of losing Kylian Mbappé to Real Madrid for nothing this summer, PSG kept their cool in the market. Rather than reflexively sign a mega-money, star-studded replacement, they instead invested in very good, young players as João Neves (€70m), Désiré Doué (€50m) and Willian Pacho (€40m) all arrived. Pacho is the oldest at 22, Doué represents another welcome French connection for the capital club to cherish, and Neves is just flat-out brilliant and has shown as much already.

PSG also successfully shifted a glut of players who don't suit manager Luis Enrique's style, most notably Manuel Ugarte to Manchester United for €50m. This feels a little like the turning of a page for PSG, not only in terms of eras (post-Mbappé) but in transfer strategy, too. We have to give credit when it's due.

JUVENTUS

Juventus have completely overhauled their squad this summer in an effort to make it a better fit for new manager Thiago Motta. Aside from losing out on one target (Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori, who joined Arsenal for €45m), they've nailed the brief.

Aston Villa's Douglas Luiz, Atalanta's Teun Koopmeiners and Nice's Khephren Thuram will all transform the midfield; two loanees from Fiorentina, Nicolas Gonzalez and Francisco Conceição, bring fresh life to the wings; and Monza's Michele Di Gregorio is a goalkeeper who excels with the ball at his feet, which is crucial for Motta's style.

Admittedly, Juve had to sacrifice a little to make this happen. Matìas Soulè and Dean Huijsen lead a notable crop of younger players departing, but it puts the club in a position to challenge Inter Milan as possibly the most credible title rival for 2024-25.

SAUDI PRO LEAGUE

It's only fitting to mention the Saudi Pro League as our last winner, as it was the great, late beneficiaries of the market's dying embers. Snaffling Brentford's Ivan Toney (€47.5m) and RB Leipzig's Mohamed Simakan (€45m) on the final day of the European window for very reasonable fees was a big win.

A handful of days previous, Manchester City defender João Cancelo had made the move to Al Hilal for €25m while, much earlier in the window, Al Ittihad paid €55m to land a top player in his prime: Aston Villa's 25-year-old winger Moussa Diaby. The Saudi transfer window tactics have changed. The league is a much quieter, smarter force these days.

Neutral

MANCHESTER UNITED

Under new ownership, it's clear and obvious Man United have shifted their transfer strategy. They're avoiding the temptation to patch up the squad with experienced signings and focusing on young or prime-age talents. They also adopted something of a "one in, one out" policy and set their sights on multiple targets per position, rather than set their hearts on one player they would then pay a wild amount to sign.

United have bought some good players for mostly reasonable fees, namely: Lille teenager Leny Yoro (€62m), midfielder Manuel Ugarte from PSG (€50m), Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee (€42.5m), and Bayern Munich duo Matthijs de Ligt (€45m) and Noussair Mazraoui (€15m). The new signings suit manager Erik ten Hag's intended style and it helps that half of them have worked with him before at Ajax. The club also finally said goodbye to a cluster of players who earn a lot but don't play much, such as Raphaël Varane and Anthony Martial.

So why aren't they in the winners' column? Well, for United, this is clearly progress, but for most other clubs, this is just normal behaviour. They've signed pretty well but haven't scored any major bargains who move the needle.

LIVERPOOL

Liverpool's transfer window was incredibly frustrating in parts. With fans entering the summer already fearful over what the post-Jürgen Klopp era might look like, a lack of activity in terms of incomings, plus a very public rejection from Real Sociedad defensive midfielder Martín Zubimendi, has done little to quell concerns.

But in the end, a couple of signings came. First, arguably the world's best young goalkeeper, Giorgi Mamardashvili, for €40m before they sent him back to Valencia on loan; then second, an intriguing punt on the brilliant-but-often-injured winger Federico Chiesa, from Juventus for a measly €13m. Otherwise, the club resisted the temptation to just sign anyone. Not falling into that trap is a positive -- in their search for a new No. 6, the Reds wanted top quality and refused to settle for less.

The events of this summer could still have a "losing" knock-on effect over the next year if Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah take a dim view of this inactivity and decide to leave for free next summer. Only time will tell on that one, though.

Losers

CHELSEA

Chelsea's remarkable, strange transfer window has confounded many. ESPN's Ryan O'Hanlon did a wonderful job questioning the hierarchy's strategy earlier this month, but here's a recap:

Twelve players in, 21 out; goalkeepers galore on the books; homegrown talents such as Conor Gallagher and Trevoh Chalobah pushed out the door; Raheem Sterling exiled to Arsenal; Ben Chilwell, David Datro Fofana and Harvey Vale stranded in no-man's land; and still no elite No. 9 striker signed, despite all the activity and interest in Napoli's Victor Osimhen throughout the summer.

It has left fans divided and neutrals utterly perplexed. Chelsea slimmed down the squad in the end, but at one point there were more than 40 players carrying first-team status, with just under half of them training away from Enzo Maresca's chosen crew. Just when you thought they were done, Jadon Sacho joined on deadline day on loan with an obligation to sign permanently next summer.

It's important to not forget Chelsea have acquired a lot of talented stars here, but the aggressive stockpiling of players, combined with treatment of some of the existing crop, has led to heavy scrutiny, which is well-deserved.

BARCELONA

It was another troubling transfer window for financially stricken Barcelona, who spent the first half of the summer publicly courting Athletic Club winger Nico Williams only to fail to sign him, then the second half of the summer frantically trying to cut enough costs to ensure they could register new €60m arrival Dani Olmo with the first team. It's not often you see a matchday squad with an asterisk next to a player's name.

Raising funds is an art form that continues to evade Barça. They did make €10m each from the exits of Julián Araujo and Mikayil Faye, but having to settle for loans for Clément Lenglet, Vitor Roque (who signed for only €40m in January), and Oriol Romeu means they weren't able to book income or fully clear the wage bill. Young striker Marc Guiu leaving to join Chelsea for a miserly €6m (his release clause) must have stung a bit too, but they did at least replace him with €2m worth of Pau Víctor.

The prime casualty of the Olmo signing was Ilkay Gündogan, who departed for free back to Manchester City after just a year. As good as Olmo is in an attacking sense, there will be concern over whether Barca's gaps in defensive midfield and centre-back will come back to bite them at some point this season.

NEWCASTLE UNITED

Newcastle United fans woke up on the morning of deadline day hoping for a signing or two, as up until that point the window had been pretty stagnant. Sadly for them, no new faces arrived.

That means that not only did a summer-long pursuit of €80m-rated Crystal Palace defender Marc Guéhi fail, but no one else was signed instead. It means long-standing interest in Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford led to nothing, and an enquiry for Nottingham Forest winger Anthony Elanga fell flat. In addition to that, no new home was found for winger Miguel Almirón.

To balance the argument, there's always something to be said for simply retaining your best players, and Newcastle achieved that in keeping Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimarães. But the club and fans alike were hoping to kick on and progress again. Sadly, that didn't happen.

HOMEGROWN PLAYERS

Spare a thought for the homegrown players this summer. For each one, the dream was to rise through the academy ranks, graduate to the first team and play football; many of them were representing clubs they and their families support.

Unfortunately for some, they were moved around to other clubs like pawns as Premier League clubs struggled to satisfy Profit & Sustainability Regulations.

It led to a strange mini-transfer window all of its own in late June, where players such as Omari Kellyman (€22m) and Elliot Anderson (€40m) made stunning transfers. Later in the window, Conor Gallagher (€42m) moved to Atlético Madrid in part because Chelsea needed the pure profit that academy graduates generate. It even played a part in Scott McTominay's €30.5m transfer to Napoli, with manager Erik ten Hag lamenting "it is the [financial] rules."

- Sam Tighe

ARSENAL SIGN CHELSEA'S RAHEEM STERLING ON SEASON-LONG LOAN

Arsenal have signed Chelsea forward Raheem Sterling on loan for the rest of the season, the clubs confirmed Friday.

Sterling has three years remaining on his current contract at Chelsea but had been deemed surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge. After previously being linked with Man United, Sterling completed his move to Arsenal just before the close of the summer transfer window.

The deal for Sterling came as ESPN reported that Chelsea had agreed to sign Man United winger Jadon Sancho on loan.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta distanced the club from a move from Sterling last week despite speaking positively about his character after the pair worked together for three years at Manchester City.

However, Arsenal have been open to signing an attacking player throughout the window and are discussing their options, having also been linked with a late move for Bayern Munich winger Kingsley Coman.

The move for Sterling came after Arsenal sent fellow winger Reiss Nelson on loan to Fulham for the season, with the Gunners of the view that Sterling would be an upgrade on the 24-year-old.

Also on Friday, Arsenal announced the signing of Bournemouth goalkeeper Neto on a season-long loan deal.

The 35-year-old has been identified by Arsenal as a backup for first-choice goalkeeper David Raya, with his arrival enabling Aaron Ramsdale to complete his move to Southampton.

As ESPN reported on Thursday, Ramsdale has agreed a deal worth up to £25 million ($33m) including add-ons.

- James Olley, Senior Writer, ESPN FC

ARSENAL GIVEN CHANCE TO SIGN CHELSEA'S STERLING - SOURCES

Raheem Sterling has been told he is surplus to requirements at Chelsea. Jeff Dean/Getty Images

Arsenal have been offered the chance to sign Chelsea winger Raheem Sterling, sources have told ESPN.

The 29-year-old has been deemed surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge and sources have said he is keen to secure a permanent move to another Premier League club to revive his career at club and international level.

Chelsea want to offload his £325,000-a-week wage and are thought to be open to a loan deal given Sterling has three years remaining on his contract.

They have been in talks with Manchester United over a possible swap deal involving Jadon Sancho but that proposal remains complicated given the salary levels involved.

Juventus also remain interested in Sancho, while Sterling's camp have sounded out other options including Arsenal and Aston Villa.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta distanced the club from a move from Sterling last week despite speaking positively about his character after the pair worked together for three years at Manchester City.

However, Arsenal have been open to signing an attacking player throughout the window and are discussing their options, having also been linked with a late move for Bayern Munich winger Kingsley Coman.

Meanwhile, Arsenal are closing in on the loan signing of Bournemouth goalkeeper Neto with the Brazilian set to undergo a medical on Friday morning, sources have told ESPN.

The 35-year-old has been identified by Arsenal as a back-up for first-choice goalkeeper David Raya and his arrival will enable Aaron Ramsdale to complete his move to Southampton.

As ESPN reported on Thursday, Ramsdale has agreed a deal worth up to £25 million ($33m) including add-ons. Sources have told ESPN that Arsenal are open to signing another goalkeeper on Friday if the right opportunity arises having allowed Karl Hein to go out on loan to Real Valladolid.

They have shown an interest in Espanyol's Joan García and have also been linked with Wigan's Sam Tickle. Sources added that Espanyol want a fee in excess of €20m ($22m) for Garcia.

ENZO MARESCA:CHELSEA STILL NEED TIME TO LEARN DESPITE FIRST WIN

Getty 

Enzo Maresca said his players still need time to learn his system, despite getting his first win as Chelsea manager against Servette on Thursday.

Chelsea beat the Swiss side 2-0 at Stamford Bridge in the first leg of their UEFA Conference League playoff, thanks to second-half goals from Christopher Nkunku and Noni Madueke.

Maresca describe the win as "important" after suffering a 2-0 loss to Manchester City to begin the Premier League season on Sunday. But he acknowledged that his team could have better managed the latter stages of the game, during which Servette hit the crossbar.

"The last 10 minutes we played a little bit with fire," Maresca said in a news conference. "I was a bit worried. We could have managed the game in a different way. I expected it because we are in a moment of learning things.

"In some moments the intention to keep the ball is the correct one, especially when you are 2-0 up, but where is not good. We tried to manage the ball in the last 10 or 15 minutes in our side of the pitch, we need to do exactly the same on the opposite side of the pitch. We didn't concede, but from there we can learn.

"All of them need more time to know better the system. Tonight was also not easy in terms of physical condition for some of them."

Chelsea made nine changes from the team that lost to City but did enough to get a result that puts them in pole position to finish the job in the second leg in Geneva in a week's time in order to reach the Conference League group stage.

Nkunku scored with a penalty in the 50th minute after being brought down in the box by Servette goalkeeper Jeremy Frick. Madueke then came off the bench to give the London side some breathing room with a powerful finish in the 76th minute.

"I really like Noni," Maresca said of Madueke. "The only problem with Noni is he has to understand he has to be consistent during the week, every training, every training, every training, but he is a good player and he is doing well since he started with us. He is the kind of player I like.

"The only thing he has to improve is to be consistent every day, work hard, and then he will get minutes for sure."

Chelsea's start to season has been dominated by talks of comings and goings, with England internationals Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell not included in the squad for Thursday's game and Maresca confirming that both are available for transfer. Meanwhile, latest signing João Félix was presented to fans ahead of the game.

One player who remains at the club is Mykhailo Mudryk, despite struggling since a €100 million move to Stamford Bridge in January 2023. The Ukraine winger played a rare 90 minutes on Thursday and Maresca said he will work to help Mudryk "change."

"This is the mission, this is Mudryk, not only tonight but since he joined the club," he said. "I think he had good moments but when he has the ball you don't know if you'll get one thing or another. It is consistency. We are going to try and help him to change.

"When he is in the final third it is is taking the right decision. Most of his mistakes are about the choice."

- ESPN 

CHELSEA HEAD COACH MARESCA WILL NEED TO IMPRESS CRITICS

Head coach Enzo Maresca was unable to get off on the right foot as Chelsea lost 2-0 to defending champions Manchester City in their Premier League opener. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)

LONDON -- Enzo Maresca is already walking on a tightrope at Chelsea, but the club's new head coach was spared an ordeal at the hands of Manchester City as his team began its new Premier League campaign.

A 2-0 defeat against the champions is an occupational hazard, but it only gets more difficult from this point on for Maresca.

Any team can be turned over by Pep Guardiola's City. They are chasing an unprecedented fifth successive title this season and goals from Erling Haaland -- his 91st in 100 games for the club -- and Mateo Kovacic at Stamford Bridge secured what was probably one of the most predictable results of the opening weekend of the 2024-25 season.

"We were against the champions today," Maresca said. "We will continue and win games. [City] are a master in this kind of moment.

"We had two or three chances. They are a master of keeping hold of the ball. The performance was there, and that is the main thing. Day by day, this team is getting better."

Progress perhaps, but acceptable defeats don't really exist at Chelsea. In England, only City have won more major trophies than Chelsea over the past decade, so standards are high and expectations remain undimmed, despite the upheaval of two chaotic years at the club since the BlueCo consortium became owners in May 2022.

Yet even though this was day one of the new season, there's still bubbling anger within the Chelsea fan base about events at the club this summer.

Those include the departure of former coach Mauricio Pochettino; the recruitment of Maresca -- a coach with no Premier League experience -- from Leicester City; the continuing churn of players in and out of the revolving door at the club (with 10 being signed and 20 moving on); and finally, the treatment of home-grown players such as Conor Gallagher and Trevoh Chalobah, who are both being made to train away from the first team while efforts are being made to offload them.

The best way to banish negativity at any football club is by winning, and in Maresca's seven games in charge -- six friendlies and the clash with City -- he has registered just one win, so all of the background noise that has helped spark the supporter unrest only grows louder.

Just moments after Haaland had given City the lead in the 18th minute, the Chelsea fans chanted the name of Gallagher -- the England midfielder was not in the matchday squad as talks continue over a move to Atlético Madrid -- while there were also noisy groans and complaints about the slow build-up play by the home side as Chelsea attempted to get back into the game.

Maresca said last week that the owners have told him he is under no pressure to finish in the top four this season, saying that they are prepared to give time and patience as he attempts to introduce a more deliberate, possession-based approach at the club.

However, the owners haven't taken into account the demands of the supporters who have witnessed repeated success over the past two decades under coaches such as Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti, Antonio Conte and Thomas Tuchel playing a more direct and fast-paced game. So if the team doesn't win and the manager demands a style of play that the supporters don't necessarily want, there will be trouble ahead, regardless of what the owners may or may not have told their new coach.

That said, no team should be judged against City. It is how Maresca's team shapes up in their next two league games against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Crystal Palace that will tell us whether the new coach has a plan that the players are prepared to buy into or if real turbulence lies ahead.

Maresca started without any of the club's new signings, but Wesley Fofana, Romeo Lavia and Christopher Nkunku, previous big signings whose time at the club has been hampered by long-term injuries, were part of the starting XI. Fofana and Lavia shone brighter than Nkunku, but there is no doubting the quality of any of them.

City were just too strong in all departments, despite having Phil Foden, Kyle Walker, John Stones and Jack Grealish on the bench and midfielder Rodri not even in the squad due to an extended break after helping Spain to Euro 2024 success in July.

Wingers Jérémy Doku and Savinho dominated and Kovacic and Kevin De Bruyne won the midfield battle, so even though Chelsea had moments when they threatened the City goal, Guardiola's side were always a level ahead of the home side.

Perhaps the state of flux at Chelsea won't disappear until the transfer window closes later this month and Maresca has a firm sense of which players he will be able to work with. It is clear that Gallagher and Chalobah have no future at the club, and the same seems to apply to Ben Chilwell and Raheem Sterling, who were both left out of the matchday squad.

Maresca said postmatch that some players will "have to leave," but he has so many to work with -- over 40 first-team players at this moment in time -- that there is no guarantee that the right players will stay and the right ones will leave.

Chelsea will need calm and patience, and Maresca certainly needs both. But the fans are already not liking what they see, so once again, be prepared for storm clouds over Stamford Bridge in the weeks ahead.

- Mark Ogden, Senior Writer, ESPN FC

RAHEEM STERLING SEEKING CLARITY AFTER CHELSEA SQUAD OMISSION

Raheem Sterling was left out of Chelsea's squad for their Premier League opener. Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images

Raheem Sterling wants clarity over his Chelsea future after being left out of the squad for Sunday's Premier League opener against Manchester City.

The 29-year-old played in all six matches during the club's preseason tour to the United States but was omitted from the matchday squad for Enzo Maresca's first competitive match in charge at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca had earlier called the England international "an important player," with the expectation he was part of his plans despite speculation linking him with a potential move away from Chelsea.

Sources have told ESPN that Juventus are among the clubs interested in the forward's services.

When approached by ESPN for comment on Sunday's absence, Sterling's camp issued the following statement: "Raheem Sterling is contracted to Chelsea Football Club for the next three years.

He returned to England two weeks early to conduct individual training and has had a positive pre-season under the new coach, who he has developed a good working relationship with.

"He is committed, as ever, to delivering at the highest level for Chelsea FC and the fans, who he holds in high regard, and given his inclusion in official club pre-match material this week, our expectation was that Raheem would be involved in this weekend's fixture in some capacity.

"As a camp, we have always had positive dialogue with, and assurance from, Chelsea FC in relation to Raheem's future at the club, so we look forward to gaining clarity on the situation. Until then, we will continue to support Raheem's desire to start the new season positively."

Maresca responded to the Sterling's statement in his pre-match interview with Sky Sports.

"It's just a technical decision, nothing else," he said. "Managers are paid to make decisions and sometimes players don't like it."

Sterling joined Chelsea from Manchester City in July 2022 for £47.5 million ($61.5m) and he has made 81 appearances across all competitions, scoring 19 goals.

Chelsea are in talks with Atlético Madrid over signing forward João Félix in a deal which, if completed, could see Conor Gallagher move to the LaLiga club in a separate £34m transaction.

- James Olley, Senior Writer, ESPN FC

CHELSEA AIMING TO SIGN MORE PLAYERS - ENZO MARESCA

Enzo Maresca is set to embark on his first season as a head coach in the Premier League. Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has said the club are targeting further incomings before the end of the transfer window despite completing their 10th summer signing earlier this week.

Pedro Neto joined Chelsea in a £54 million ($69.6m) deal from Wolves on Monday, following Tosin Adarabioyo, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Filip Jörgensen, Omari Kellyman, Aaron Anselmino, Caleb Wiley, Renato Veiga and Marc Guiu into west London while Estêvão Willian will join the club in 2025.

That activity has left Chelsea with a bloated squad of 43 players as they look to move on several unwanted members including Conor Gallagher, whose proposed £34 million move to Atlético Madrid is on hold while the LaLiga club raise funds to complete the deal.

Chelsea are in talks with Atlético over the possible acquisition of João Félix while Napoli are open to incorporating Victor Osimhen in a player-plus cash swap deal for Romelu Lukaku.

Asked about the links to Félix and Osimhen, Maresca said on Friday: "The only thing I can say is I always have to say the same. They are not our players so it is not correct, I think, to talk about a Napoli player or -- who is the other one? -- an Atlético Madrid player.

"In this moment, the club knows exactly what I think in terms of what we need in case we do something and hopefully before we finish the transfer window, we can bring in some players."

Gallagher and Trevor Chalobah are among a number of players training away from the first-team squad ahead of Chelsea's season-opener against champions Manchester City on Sunday.

Gallagher will not be available against City, while Ben Chilwell, Armando Broja and Raheem Sterling are among the players who could depart before the window closes.

"We have been 20 days in America with 28, 29 players so it has been quite good in terms of managing the squad," Maresca said. "Now we have the guys who are not involved in our squad, they are training apart. At the moment, it is not difficult, also because if I start to think I have 43 players, probably it is not a good thing.

"I just finished the session now and I am already thinking about tomorrow's session. It is the only thing I like to do, I like to control, If you start thinking about 43 players, 'manager [has] no time,' I think it is not worth it.

"The [sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart] are there trying to find solutions for these kinds of players. I am not the guy in charge of finding solution for these players otherwise they have to pay me double."

Maresca left Leicester City after winning the Championship title last season to succeed Mauricio Pochettino at Stamford Bridge and revealed that he has recently spoken with two fellow Italians in Claudio Ranieri and Carlo Ancelotti, both of whom managed Chelsea previously.

"I spoke with Claudio Ranieri and the reason why was also because I spoke with him before I started the season with Leicester and we won," Maresca said.

"So when I signed to Chelsea I called him immediately just to see if it would be the same! Then I spoke with Carlo Ancelotti when we played against Madrid [in preseason] for a while. Both of them were talking about the club [as] fantastic, about their experience here, fantastic."

- James Olley, Senior Writer, ESPN FC