Transfer Pulse

I’d take fewer stoppages, but only if standards stay consistent. The biggest issue without VAR isn’t one bad call—it’s that obvious errors have no safety net, so fans leave arguing the ref instead of the football.

Arsenal announce rise in season-ticket prices for fifth consecutive season Arsenal’s season-ticket prices will rise for a fifth season in a row, with the cost of a ticket for the most dedicated fans rising by an average of 3.9%

🚨 Arsenal raise season-ticket prices for a fifth straight year.\n\nThe club says it’s for financial sustainability, but supporters are pushing back hard despite strong revenue growth and title contention.\n\n📰 The Guardian

James Trafford could leave Manchester City after being frozen out by Donnarumma James Trafford has admitted he did not expect Manchester City to sign Gianluigi Donnarumma after his transfer from Burnley last summer

🚨 James Trafford could leave Man City this summer

The £31m keeper admits he didn't expect Donnarumma's signing after returning from Burnley. Now frozen out after Guardiola swooped for the Italian. Trafford: 'It's football, you've got to keep grafting.'

📰 The Guardian

Football gossip: Murillo, Scott McTominay, Morgan Gibbs-White, Yan Diomande, Christian Pulisic, Sandro Tonali Murillo has suitors in London and on Merseyside, his Nottingham Forest team-mate Morgan Gibbs-White could be heading to Manchester, and Everton remain keen on Fulham's Harry Wilson.

🚨 Monday Gossip: Murillo to Chelsea/Liverpool, Gibbs-White to Man City?

• Forest's Murillo wanted by Chelsea & Liverpool
• Man City told £60-70m for Gibbs-White
• Pulisic back to PL? United/Arsenal interested (£61-70m)
• Tonali reaffirms Newcastle commitment

📰 BBC Sport

🚨 Man City keeper Trafford eyes exit after Donnarumma arrival

James Trafford admits his lack of game time 'wasn't what I expected' after joining from Burnley. Donnarumma's signing has frozen him out completely.

📰 The Guardian

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta admits worry over Gunners quadruple bid due to injury crisis - Paper Talk Mondays other top stories include: James Trafford has opened up about his return to Man City, admitting that his lack of action wasnt what I expected; Raheem Sterlings new club Feyenoord have set up an emergency training camp in Belgium so the winger can train with his new team-mates

🚨 Arteta fears injury crisis could derail Arsenal's quadruple bid

The Arsenal boss admits he's worried another midfield injury crisis could threaten their historic quadruple hunt. Odegaard, Calafiori & White updates still pending.

📰 Sky Sports

Arsenal 4-0 Wigan Athletic: FA Cup fourth round – live The Premier League leaders made light work of the Latics at the Emirates to book their place in the last 16

🚨 Arsenal blitz Wigan 4-0 to reach FA Cup fifth round

All four goals in first 27 mins — Jesus on target, Hunt OG, Martinelli & Madueke score. Gunners 4-0 up at HT.

Safe passage for Arteta's second-string side. Wigan go back to League One.

📰 The Guardian

Rangers 4-2 Hearts: Youssef Chermiti hat-trick closes gap to league leaders Report as Rangers beat Hearts 4-2 at Ibrox; Marc Leonard’s opener was cancelled out by a Michael Steinwender own goal; Claudio Braga restored Hearts’ lead before Youssef Chermiti scored either side of half-time to put Rangers in front; Striker completes his hat-trick late on

🚨 Chermiti hat-trick as Rangers beat Hearts 4-2

Portuguese striker steals the show at Ibrox — Rangers close gap to league leaders to just 2 points.

Wild Sunday in Scottish Premiership title race. Hearts had led twice through Leonard & Braga.

📰 Sky Sports

Stoke City 1-2 Fulham: Harrison Reed's late winner sends Marco Silva's Cottagers into FA Cup fifth round Report from the FA Cup fourth-round tie between Stoke City and Fulham at the bet365 Stadium; Jun-Ho Bae put the Potters in front, but Kevin and Harrison Reed hit back to send last seasons quarter-finalists through to the fifth round again

🚨 Fulham comeback to beat Stoke 2-1 in FA Cup

Harrison Reed capitalises on defensive howler to send Cottagers through. Keeper Simkin's short pass intercepted, Reed punishes with 6 mins left.

Kevin scored Fulham's equaliser after Jun-Ho Bae opener.

📰 Sky Sports

Kilmarnock 2-3 Celtic: Julian Araujo scores 97th-minute winner as Martin O'Neill's side complete comeback to keep title hopes alive Celtic won 3-2 at Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership title race; Martin ONeills side were 2-0 down at half-time thanks to goals from Tyreece John-Jules and Joe Hugill; Sebastian Tounekti and Benjamin Nygren brought Celtic level after half-time; watch Hearts vs Rangers on Sky now

🚨 Celtic seal 97th-minute comeback win at Kilmarnock

Down 2-0 at HT, Martin O'Neill's side complete stunning turnaround with goals from Tounekti, Nygren & Araujo (97').

Keeps title hopes alive. Killie boss: 'Seven minutes [added time] - I'm not sure where that came from.'

📰 Sky Sports

FA Cup highlights: Birmingham City 1-1 (2-4 pens) Leeds United Watch highlights as Leeds United hold their nerve to beat Championship oppponents Birmingham City 4-2 on penalties and reach the FA Cup fifth round.

🚨 Leeds beat Birmingham on penalties to reach FA Cup 5th round

Held their nerve in shootout after 1-1 draw. Championship clash went all the way — Leeds advance 4-2 on pens.

📰 BBC Sport

'I'm buzzing' - Man Utd's Marc Skinner toasts seventh-straight win Manchester United are getting the job done when it matters most - and their seven-game winning streak has gone under the radar.

🚨 Man Utd Women win 7th straight

Came from behind to beat London City 2-1 despite injuries and midweek CL fatigue. Skinner: 'This team always finds a way.'

11 games unbeaten. League Cup final vs Chelsea next.

📰 BBC Sport

Medhi Benatia: Moroccan leaves Marseille sporting director role amid 'growing dissatisfaction' Marseille sporting director Medhi Benatia says he is leaving his role just days after the exit of Roberto de Zerbi as manager of the French club.

🚨 Benatia leaves Marseille amid 'growing dissatisfaction'

Sporting director departs days after De Zerbi exit. Cites a rift he 'deeply regrets' at the club.

Marseille 4th in Ligue 1, fans boycotted last match.

📰 BBC Sport

WSL: Brighton v Arsenal postponed because of waterlogged pitch Brighton's game at home to Arsenal in the Women's Super League on Sunday is postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.

🚨 WSL: Brighton vs Arsenal postponed due to waterlogged pitch

The match was scheduled for 14:30 GMT at Brighton's Broadfield Stadium but has been called off after a referee inspection.

Rearranged date yet to be confirmed.

📰 BBC Sport

La Liga Highlights: Real Madrid 4-1 Real Sociedad Trent Alexander-Arnold claims an assist on his first start in more than two months as Real Madrid beat Real Sociedad to move top of La Liga.

🚨 Alexander-Arnold assists on first Real Madrid start in 2+ months

TAA claims an assist as Real Madrid thrash Real Sociedad 4-1 to move TOP of La Liga.

First start since December for the Liverpool academy graduate — settling in nicely in Spain.

📰 BBC Sport

Nottingham Forest: Vitor Pereira announced as new boss on 18-month deal Nottingham Forest appoint Vitor Pereira on an 18-month deal as the 57-year-old becomes the club's fourth manager of the campaign.

🚨 BREAKING: Nottingham Forest appoint Vitor Pereira as new boss

The 57-year-old Portuguese becomes Forest's FOURTH manager this season, replacing Sean Dyche.

Forest are 17th, three points above the drop zone. First game: Europa League vs his former club Fenerbahce on Thursday.

📰 BBC Sport

Virgil van Djik says Mohamed Salah is 'so important' for Liverpool and he wants him to stay Liverpool captain hails the importance of Mohamed Salah, why the Egyptian brings more than goals and his desire for Salah to stay beyond the summer

🚨 Van Dijk: Salah is 'so important' for Liverpool

'I always want him to stay. He gives the team more than goals — his presence benefits everyone.'

Salah's recent assist equaled Gerrard's club record (92 PL assists). Saudi interest remains despite contract until 2027.

📰 BBC Sport

🌶️ SPICY TAKE: Arsenal haven't proven they can win ugly yet.

Beating Wigan today won't tell us anything. The real test is March: City, United, Chelsea in 10 days.

Title winners grind out results when playing badly. Arsenal still look for perfection.

That's the difference.

FA Cup winners' medal, Odegaard's armband & Pictionary with Arteta As his team prepare to face his old club Arsenal, Wigan midfielder Matt Smith tells BBC Sport about his FA Cup final winners' medal and the advice Mikel Arteta gave him before he left.

🏆 Wigan's Matt Smith returns to Arsenal with FA Cup medal — from the bench

Smith was a 19-year-old sub in Arsenal's 2020 final win vs Chelsea. Now he faces his old club with Wigan.

'Arteta used Pictionary in team meetings to get us switched on. It was very different — he made it fun.'

📰 BBC Sport

Martin Zubimendi: Is midfielder Arsenal's best player? After an impressive start to his Arsenal career, BBC Sport looks at whether Martin Zubimendi is the Gunners' most important player.

⚽ Is Martin Zubimendi Arsenal's best player?

Arteta called him exactly that in October. The £60m signing has played the most minutes of any Arsenal outfielder and has 6 goals already — his best career return.

📰 BBC Sport

Gerard Deulofeu wants to make 'history' after more than three years out injured Gerard Deulofeu has not played for more than three years but believes he can make "history" by fighting for a "miracle" comeback.

🚨 Deulofeu fighting for 'miracle' return after 3 years out

Former Barca/Watford winger hasn't played since Jan 2023. ACL injury turned into devastating cartilage infection. He's chasing the longest comeback ever.

'I lost all my personal life.'

📰 BBC Sport

🌶️ SPICY TAKE: Igor Tudor won't fix Tottenham

Spurs' problem isn't the manager — it's a broken squad. Tudor will be gone by May and we'll be here again.

The issue is above the dugout. #THFC #Spurs #PremierLeague

Harry Kane reaches 500 goals - what other records could he break? Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane became the first Englishman to reach 500 career goals on Saturday, but what other records could he break?

🚨 Harry Kane becomes first Englishman to 500 career goals

Hit the milestone with a brace vs Werder Bremen. Reached it in 743 games — faster than Ronaldo (753). 26 Bundesliga goals already this season.

📰 BBC Sport

Liverpool v Brighton: FA Cup fourth round – live <strong>Minute-by-minute:</strong> Arne Slot’s side take on the Seagulls, who conquered Manchester United in the third round. Join Scott Murray

🚨 HALF TIME - Anfield

Liverpool 1-0 Brighton

Curtis Jones scores in the 42nd minute with an improvised knee finish after Kerkez cross.

Brighton had their chances but Liverpool go into the break ahead. Second half coming up!

Aston Villa v Newcastle: FA Cup fourth round – live Two Premier League heavyweights lock horns in the cup. Join Barry Glendenning for minute-by-minute updates

🚨 NEWCASTLE LEAD!

Aston Villa 1-2 Newcastle (88')

Nick Woltemade scores on his 24th birthday to put Newcastle ahead.

Villa down to 10 men. Martinez in goal. Now trailing.

Cup football is BRUTAL. 🏆

Keeper sending off is always chaos. Villa had to sacrifice an outfield player to get Emi Martinez on - down to 10 men AND no sub left for extra time if it goes there. Brutal.

Aston Villa v Newcastle: FA Cup fourth round – live Two Premier League heavyweights lock horns in the cup. Join Barry Glendenning for minute-by-minute updates

🚨 VILLA PARK CHAOS

Aston Villa 1-1 Newcastle

• Villa keeper Bizot SENT OFF for knee-high horror tackle
• Emi Martinez on in goal (Villa down to 10 men)
• Tonali equalizes for Newcastle
• Villa's opener would've been ruled out by VAR

Cup football at its finest 🍿

Slaven Bilic (Croatia), Nuno Espirito Santo (Portugal), Branko Ivankovic (Croatia) and now Igor Tudor. The Balkan influence in English football management is growing. Tough characters who demand discipline.

FA Cup: Tammy Abraham scores controverisal goal for Aston Villa against Newcastle United A well-worked free-kick routine is finished off by Tammy Abraham for his first goal since returning to Aston Villa, but the replays show the goal would have been ruled out for offside had VAR been in use.

🤔 Controversy at Villa Park! Tammy Abraham's opener would have been ruled out for offside had VAR been in use.

Replays show he was clearly offside when the free-kick was taken. No VAR in the FA Cup fourth round - should it be introduced?

FA Cup: Man City 2-0- Salford - from 'demoralising' 8-0 defeat to pushing Man City all the way Thirteen months after being embarrassed 8-0 by Manchester City, Salford City produce a performance to make their fans proud.

👏 What a difference 13 months makes! Salford City pushed Man City all the way in the FA Cup after that 8-0 drubbing last year.

The Ammies can hold their heads high - held the champions to 2-0 and made them work for it. Proper cup performance 🏆