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Arteta: Raya Has Elevated Arsenal To A Different Level

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Mikel Arteta believes Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya has “elevated the team to a different level” in recent years.

 

Raya joined Arsenal from Brentford in 2023, initially on a season-long loan before joining permanently the following year, and has made 153 appearances for the Gunners.

Since the start of the 2023-24 season, Raya has kept more clean sheets (72) than any other goalkeeper in the top five European leagues, while he has saved 72.3% of the shots he has faced.

In that same time, only Caoimhín Kelleher (five) has saved more penalties among Premier League goalkeepers in all competitions (excluding shoot-outs) than Raya, following the Spaniard’s save against Enzo Le Fee last time out.

Raya helped Arsenal win the Premier League last season, claiming his third consecutive Golden Glove in the process, and reach the Champions League, and Arteta praised his goalkeeper’s impact on the squad.

When asked if Raya has been his best signing at Arsenal, Arteta said: “He’s been a tremendous signing, there is no question about that.

“Whether he is the best or not is just an opinion. It doesn’t matter, we are so happy to have him.

“He has elevated the team to a different level and now we have to maintain that level.

“I think it’s his mentality. David has tremendous quality but he has overcome a lot of difficulties and challenges to reach this point. It wasn’t easy at the beginning, he had to dig in and prove himself.

“Now, he has the right to be one of the best.”

Arsenal will look to maintain their perfect start to the season when they face Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday.

The Gunners have won four of their last six Premier League games against Brighton (D2), as many as they had in their first 12 against the Seagulls (D3 L5).

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No Regrets Joining Liverpool- Isak

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Alexander Isak revealed he has never regretted joining Liverpool since his move from Newcastle United last summer.

 

The 26-year-old joined the Reds for a British record transfer fee of £125m on deadline day in September 2025, but struggled under Arne Slot before a leg break in December ruled him out for four months.

Isak scored just four goals in 22 appearances last season, but has made a better start this term under Andoni Iraola, netting three times in six matches.

Liverpool are currently unbeaten in 2026-27, despite winning just one of their four Premier League games (D3) ahead of visiting Bournemouth this Sunday.

And despite their struggles last season, Isak has not had any feeling of regret since leaving Newcastle.

“No, never. I would never think like that,” Isak told BBC Sport’s The Football Interview when asked if he had any regrets.

“[The leg break] was tough. Anyone who had a long injury would know. But on the other hand, when you’re in a good place and when you feel good, you don’t really tend to look back because it doesn’t really benefit you.

“So, I’m just looking forward and feel really optimistic and excited about the season, and what it can bring to us.”

Bournemouth, meanwhile, are still waiting for their first Premier League win under Marco Rose (D3 L1), who succeeded Iraola in the summer.

However, the Cherries will enter this match with plenty of confidence after defeating Real Sociedad 2-1 in the Europa League – their first-ever match in a major European competition.

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Harry Kane: The Ballon d’Or? I Don’t Like Talking About Myself — The 73 Goals Speak For Themselves

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Harry Kane has revealed that he does not like to speak about his Ballon d’Or domination, adding that his goals will do the talking.

 

In a brief chat with Marca, the Bayern Munich attacker said : I have never liked talking too much about myself. The only thing I would say is that last season was incredible, both personally and as a team.

“By far, it was the best season of my life. It is true that scoring 73 goals — the second-highest total in history [after Lionel Messi’s 82 goals in 69 appearances in 2011/12] — speaks for itself. I am extremely proud of it. I can only thank my teammates and everyone who helped make it possible.

“But the Ballon d’Or is not in my hands. It depends on the people who vote. From my point of view, last season is already in the past. Now I am focused on this season and excited to see what else I can do. I know there will be a lot of talk about the award until October because it is a major prize”

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Saudi Arabia Dropped As World Rally Championship Host

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The final round of the 2026 World Rally Championship (WRC) will be held in Italy instead of Saudi Arabia because of the ongoing unrest in the Middle East.

 

Saudi Arabia had been set to host the 14th and final rally of the season from 11-14 November.

The championship has now been shortened to 13 rounds and will conclude with the Rally Italia in Sardinia from 1-4 October.

Rally Saudi Arabia in Jeddah, which joined the WRC calendar in 2025, will still take place on the planned dates but as part of the Middle East Rally Championship.

The FIA, the global governing body for motor sports, said Saudi Arabia “remained ready to host the event safely” but the decision was due to “ongoing uncertainty in the region and its effect on logistical arrangements”.

In a statement, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem said: “We have worked closely with our partners to explore every possible route that would allow Rally Saudi Arabia to take place as planned.

“These are never easy decisions, particularly after the significant work undertaken by everyone involved in preparing for the event.

“While the WRC element of the event will not take place this year, our confidence in the organisers and in the long-term future of the rally remains unchanged.”

Great Britain’s Elfyn Evans sits at the top of the WRC standings before the final round, 17 points clear of Finland’s Sami Pajari, and is the favourite to take the title with a maximum of 35 points up for grabs across the final round.

The Welshman has finished runner-up in the championship five times, and is looking to join former British winners Colin McRae and Richard Burns in winning the title.

Numerous conflicts are ongoing in the Middle East, including the Israel-Gaza war, with Israel and the United States at war with Iran and Saudi Arabia battling Houthi rebels in Yemen.

The WRC is not the first sporting event to avoid the region, with the FIA cancelling Formula One Grand Prix races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia in April.

The Bahrain race has since been relocated to Malaysia – to be staged in early October – with races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi later in the season are scheduled to go ahead as planned.

In February, tennis players, staff and media were left stranded in Dubai following missile strikes on the United Arab Emirates while in March, an ATP Challenger event in the country was disrupted by drone strikes. The sport’s governing bodies are reportedly considering replacement hosts for events in the region for the 2027 season.

On Wednesday, English golfer Matt Fitzpatrick said he is not “100% comfortable” with prospect of travelling to Dubai for his DP World Tour Championship title defence in November.

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