Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta shared his thoughts after his team’s 2-2 draw against Aston Villa, acknowledging defensive lapses as a key factor in the setback.

Arteta admitted that if the Gunners continue to defend as they did at Villa Park, their aspirations for the Premier League title will remain out of reach.

Arsenal’s Defensive Struggles
Despite holding a comfortable 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz, Arsenal saw their advantage evaporate in the second half. Within just eight minutes, Aston Villa struck back with goals from Youri Tielemans and Ollie Watkins.

For Villa’s first goal, Tielemans capitalized on a lapse in concentration from Mikel Merino, while Watkins exploited Thomas Partey’s defensive misstep to secure the equalizer.

Speaking to the media after the match, Arteta didn’t shy away from addressing the issues. “In attack and defense, we’ve been playing at an incredibly high level,” he told Sky Sports. “We’ve faced strong opposition and performed well, but there’s something missing.”

Arteta emphasized the importance of precision, saying, “The margin is so small. We can’t concede those kinds of goals and expect to stay at the top. Today, it was clear what was missing. We had discipline, commitment, and quality, but those defensive errors have cost us in the past, and we cannot afford them moving forward.”

A Missed Opportunity in the Title Race
The draw was especially painful for Arsenal, as Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the table with a dramatic stoppage-time win over Brentford. Arsenal now trail Liverpool by six points, with the Reds still holding a game in hand.

Despite the frustration, Arsenal had opportunities to reclaim the lead late in the match. Havertz had a goal disallowed for handball after deflecting a shot from Merino into the net, and Merino himself came close with a powerful strike that was tipped onto the woodwork by the Villa goalkeeper.

Arteta’s Rallying Cry
While clearly disappointed, Arteta took the opportunity to praise his team’s overall performance and resilience. “I’m incredibly proud of the way we played—how dominant and fluid we were,” he said. “We’ve just played three games in six days, and the effort from the players has been phenomenal.”

Looking ahead to a demanding stretch of six matches across the Premier League, Carabao Cup, and Champions League, Arteta urged his team to remain focused. “We deserved more from this game, and it’s painful not to get it. But we’ll take the lessons, stay together, and push on. There’s so much more to fight for this season.”

Manchester United have reportedly granted Tyrell Malacia the green light to secure a loan move before the current transfer window closes.

As per reports from VI, the club has communicated to the Dutch defender their willingness to facilitate a temporary move. This decision comes as Malacia continues his recovery journey following a prolonged injury spell, with the loan intended to help him regain peak fitness and form. The ultimate goal is for him to compete for a spot in Ruben Amorim’s plans.

Manchester United’s Left-Back Conundrum
The Red Devils have faced challenges in the left-back position during this transfer window. With Luke Shaw sidelined due to injury, Malacia—who has been out of action for nearly 18 months—only recently returned to contention. The new manager, Ruben Amorim, has been limited in options to cover the left side of defense.

Despite being the squad’s sole natural left-back, Malacia is reportedly free to leave on loan for the rest of the season. At 25 years old, he may struggle to secure sufficient game time under Amorim, as the club prioritizes his fitness and match readiness. A loan move would provide the regular minutes necessary for him to rediscover his form.

Interest from Top European Clubs
While Manchester United is open to offers, Malacia’s potential destination remains uncertain. Several prominent European clubs are rumored to be monitoring the situation.

Italian powerhouse Juventus is among the interested parties, as they contend with Juan Cabal’s injury and the possibility of Andrea Cambiaso’s departure, with Manchester City reportedly pursuing the latter.

Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund has also shown interest in Malacia in the past. However, their current focus appears to be on securing Chelsea’s Renato Veiga or Arsenal’s Oleksandr Zinchenko. Despite these pursuits, Malacia could still emerge as a viable option for the German side.

For now, it remains to be seen whether Tyrell Malacia will secure a move to reignite his career and return stronger to Manchester United.

Manchester City has confirmed that Erling Haaland has signed a new contract, extending his stay with the club until the end of the 2033-34 season. The Norwegian striker’s previous agreement was set to expire in June 2027, but he has now pledged his long-term future to the Premier League champions.

The announcement was made through the club’s X (formerly Twitter) account, which stated: “Erling’s here to stay! We’re thrilled to announce Erling Haaland has extended his contract at City to 2034.”

A Stellar Start to Life at City

Haaland joined Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2022 and immediately made a significant impact. During his debut season, he scored an astonishing 52 goals across all competitions, playing a pivotal role in City’s historic treble-winning campaign, which included triumphs in the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League. He followed this remarkable debut with another prolific season, netting 38 goals as City claimed a fourth consecutive league title.

Reflecting on his new contract, Haaland expressed his delight: “I am really happy to have signed my new contract and to be able to look forward to spending even more time at this great club. Manchester City is a special place, filled with incredible people and amazing supporters. It’s the perfect environment to bring out the best in everyone.”

The 24-year-old also extended his gratitude to manager Pep Guardiola, his coaching staff, and his teammates, stating: “They’ve all played a huge role in making my time here so special. I am City, no matter what.”

A Boost Amid Challenges

Haaland’s contract extension is a significant morale boost for Manchester City, especially during a season where they have faced unexpected struggles on the pitch. The club currently sits sixth in the Premier League table, trailing leaders Liverpool by 12 points. Haaland’s decision to commit his future comes at a critical time when City is also awaiting the outcome of an independent disciplinary case concerning over 100 alleged breaches of Premier League financial regulations—charges the club has consistently denied.

Outgoing director of football, Txiki Begiristain, hailed the contract extension, saying: “Everyone at the club is overjoyed that Erling has signed this new deal. His commitment reflects both our faith in him and his love for Manchester City. His achievements so far have been extraordinary, and his professionalism, humility, and dedication set a standard for all.”

Aiming for Records and Legacy

With this extended tenure, Haaland has a golden opportunity to chase down some of football’s most prestigious records, including Alan Shearer’s all-time Premier League scoring record of 260 goals. Haaland has already accumulated 79 Premier League goals in just 87 games and boasts a total of 111 goals in 126 matches for Manchester City in all competitions.

Begiristain added: “Under Pep’s guidance, Erling will continue to grow and achieve even more. He has the potential to create an incredible legacy here, and this long-term commitment allows him to focus entirely on his football and helping us reach new heights.”

A Busy Transfer Window

The announcement of Haaland’s renewal coincided with reports that Manchester City has reached a verbal agreement to sign Omar Marmoush from Eintracht Frankfurt. The Egyptian forward, who has been in sensational form with 20 goals in 26 appearances this season, is expected to add versatility and depth to City’s attack.

The Longest Contract in European Football

Haaland’s new deal, reportedly worth £500,000 per week, is among the longest active contracts in European football. It eliminates a release clause included in his original agreement and positions Haaland to cement his status as one of the game’s all-time greats. Long-term contracts of this nature are rare in football but are more commonly seen in American sports.

As Haaland continues to shine on the pitch, his extended commitment provides Manchester City with a stable foundation for sustained success in the years to come.