'Arsenal have really matured'
Arsenal's "real maturity" in regards to their game management in big European fixtures has been a big improvement this season, says former Gunners defender Matthew Upson.Mikel Arteta's side are preparing to face Paris St-Germain on Tuesday in the first leg of their first Champions league semi-final since 2006."I've been so impressed with Arsenal's game management in this Champions League campaign and how they've performed," Upson told 5 Live Breakfast."They've really matured. They will all be great players on that pitch tonight, you don't get to this stage of the Champions League if you are not a top player."But the management of the game, the tiny decisions, the tactical choices you make to win the match or stop an attack or start an attack, that's the difference."Arsenal have shown a real maturity in that area of late and PSG are a very young team."They have hit a funny little patch, they are maybe not quite the force that turned up at Liverpool, in terms of how they are performing week in week out."Arsenal's midfield was key in their domination of holders Real Madrid in the round of 16 but Arteta will be forced to rethink his first leg approach due to Thomas Partey's suspension, while Jorginho also misses out through injury."The bit that's going to be great is the midfield battle," Upson added. "It's such a shame that Thomas Partey got that silly yellow card against Real Madrid."It forced Arteta to have to reshuffle. Mikel Merino playing in the nine position worked well against Madrid, they had a nice balance, but now they'll have to change all that because of Partey's absence."
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South Wales Guardian
7 minutes ago
- South Wales Guardian
Jonathan Rowe clinches England Under-21 Euros glory with extra-time winner
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Scottish Sun
11 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
‘A shandy or two' – No wild celebrations for England's U21 heroes as boss Carsley reveals they have 3.30am flight home
BEER-IRO 'A shandy or two' – No wild celebrations for England's U21 heroes as boss Carsley reveals they have 3.30am flight home Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) JONATHAN ROWE was England's hero as they sealed back-to-back Under-21s Euros glory. But the Marseille supersub and his team-mates will NOT be partying into the night — as they had to go straight to the AIRPORT. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 England retained their U21 European Championship title with a 3-2 victory over Germany Credit: AFP 2 Super-sub Jonathan Rowe won it for England with an early goal in extra-time Rowe headed home Tyler Morton's cross to seal an extra-time triumph over Germany in front of senior Three Lions chief Thomas Tuchel. Boss Lee Carsley sent on Rowe at the end of normal time — and the former Norwich forward stooped to nod a 92nd-minute winner to emulate England's 2023 success. But as fans watching on at home toasted another thrilling success — the players will be limited to "a shandy or two". That's after Carsley revealed the squad were booked onto a flight back to Birmingham just a few hours after lifting the trophy. READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS ENGLAND 3 GERMANY 2 Lions retain Euro U21s crown as supersub Rowe wins it in extra-time Asked how his side planned to celebrate, Carsley said: "We go back to the hotel. "We have a couple of hours and then fly back into Birmingham at 3.30. "It's a quick turnaround. The players will be on holiday tomorrow. Their time is very important to them. But it's important that they have a shandy or two tonight." CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS He added: "I'm really proud of the players. The commitment they've shown for the last 28 days, all the instruction we've tried to put into them so quickly, they've taken it on board and they've got so much belief. "I'm so happy for them. To be European champions for the second time is a great achievement and the challenge now is to do it again in two years. England 3 Germany 2- Young Lions retain Euro U21s crown in THRILLER as supersub Jonathan Rowe wins it in extra-time "Any setback we've had, the players have just got together. I said at the start of the tournament, the longer we can stay in, the better we play. "I didn't think we played great tonight. I thought we probably sat a little bit too deep and didn't have as much control as I would've wanted, but I probably won't remember that in a couple of days." Meanwhile, hero of the hour Rowe, who was subbed on at full-time of normal time, praised the team for rallying together. The striker said: "I was not starting but I knew that at some point all of us on the bench would have to come on and make a difference and help the team to push us over the line. "I'm so happy we managed to do that in front of some important people. The job's finally finished and we can all celebrate."
The Herald Scotland
16 minutes ago
- The Herald Scotland
Jonathan Rowe clinches England Under-21 Euros glory with extra-time winner
Omari Hutchinson doubled the lead 20 minutes later, but goals from Nelson Weiper and Paul Nebel either side of the break dragged Germany back into the game. England were given a scare when Nebel's deflected strike hit the crossbar with a minute to go in normal time and a pulsating encounter went into extra time. Substitute Rowe made an instant impact after coming off the bench, scoring with a diving header, and his goal proved decisive, despite Germany coming close again at the death when Merlin Rohl's effort hit the bar. Lee Carsley's side struck after five minutes when Hutchinson forced Noah Atubolu into a brilliant low save and the rebound was cleared to Elliott, who coolly slotted the ball into the bottom-right corner to score his fifth goal of the tournament. James McAtee sliced a shot across the face of goal and Jay Stansfield was inches away from converting a McAtee cross. Harvey Elliott celebrates scoring England's opener (PA Images) Germany captain Eric Martel sent an effort over the crossbar before England grabbed a second goal in the 25th minute. McAtee had a chance blocked and he tapped the ball to Hutchinson, who drilled a strike between the legs of Atubolu and into the net. Hutchinson came close again moments later as his shot flew wide and another dangerous England counter-attack saw Atubolu make a diving stop to deny McAtee. Carsley was forced to make a change when Alex Scott was forced off through injury and Germany pulled a goal back in first-half stoppage-time when Nebel's pinpoint cross reached Weiper, who powered a header past James Beadle. McAtee had an effort roll just past the upright after the break before Beadle was called into action at the other end to push away Nebel's effort. Back-to-back 🏆🏆 Lee Carsley becomes the first England U21 manager to win consecutive #U21EUROs since Dave Sexton in '82 and '84 💫 — England (@England) June 28, 2025 Germany began to threaten and equalised in the 61st minute when a corner reached the unmarked Nebel and he hit a stunning finish into the top corner. McAtee curled a strike over the bar as England looked to regain some control and substitute Brooke Norton-Cuffy had a shot comfortably collected by Atubolu. Germany missed the chance to snatch a dramatic winner when Nebel rattled the crossbar. McAtee and Elliott came off for Ethan Nwaneri and Rowe, with the Marseille forward scoring just two minutes into extra time when he flicked Tyler Morton's superb cross into the bottom corner. A solid defensive display saw England fend off some promising Germany attacks and Rohl hit the woodwork with two minutes to play as Carsley's Young Lions managed to successfully defend their European crown.
