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Arteta feels ‘pain in my tummy’ as Arsenal slip up

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Arteta feels ‘pain in my tummy’ as Arsenal slip up


Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said he felt a “pain in my tummy” after his side conceded their first goal in 881 minutes and then again in stoppage time to draw 2-2 with Sunderland on Saturday, a result that potentially breathes new life into the title race.

Brian Brobbey‘s goal in the fourth minute of added-on time ended Arsenal’s winning run of five matches in the league — and 10 in all competitions — that had been built on one of the stingiest defences English football has seen in a generation.

Arsenal hadn’t let in a goal since Sept. 28 — nine games ago — before their former academy player, Danny Ballard, lashed in the opener for Sunderland in the 36th minute at the Stadium of Light.

“I felt a pain in my tummy,” Arteta said. “I don’t want to concede any goals. It was a goal and put the game in a difficult position.”

Back in the Premier League for the first time in eight years, Sunderland gave the leaders their most uncomfortable game for some time but second-half strikes by Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard looked like earning Arsenal a battling victory.

Brobbey’s late equaliser, after the substitute beat goalkeeper David Raya and defender Gabriel to the loose ball after a flick-on, means Arsenal’s lead is now seven points over second-place Manchester City, who play defending champions Liverpool on Sunday.

“The last feeling, it’s disappointment and frustration because we wanted the three points and we have to navigate through a really tough game,” Arteta said.

“We knew that, very disruptive. We have to deal with situations that are obviously difficult to deal with. They played really well, we conceded a goal that is not in our standards.

“After that I think the team reacted really well, we showed a lot of personality and courage, scored the first goal, scored the second goal and we had totally dominated the game.

“Then you have to rely on defending the box when they start to put six or seven players there. It can be from a direct play, a throw-in or any situation, we can defend the action better.

“Today we haven’t done it and conceded the goal.”

Following Brobbey’s goal, Arsenal did go close to finding a late winner, but Riccardo Calafiori and Mikel Merino were denied in quick succession by Robin Roefs and Ballard, respectively, at the death.

“In the last minutes, we have another massive chance with Riccy and Mikel to win it, which I think we deserved to do.

“It didn’t happen, but it shows what we’ve done in the last 10 games, winning them in the manner that we’ve done it with clean sheets, missing seven players in the frontline. It shows how difficult it is.”

Information from The Associated Press and PA was used in this report.



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2026 Winter Olympics: Live updates from Milan Cortina

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2026 Winter Olympics: Live updates from Milan Cortina


The second Sunday of the 2026 Winter Olympics is a busy one for fans of Team USA.

Mikaela Shiffrin skis in the giant slalom — the race she won at the 2018 Olympics, and her second shot at a medal in Milan Cortina. It’s also the race where she suffered a severe injury with a puncture wound in 2024. Shiffrin has had to deal with PTSD from the crash, and competing again in Olympic giant slalom is part of her comeback. Speedskater Erin Jackson will attempt to defend her Olympic gold in the 500 meters. Pairs figure skating begins, with Ellie Kam and Danny O’Shea the top American pair. They had clutch performances to help the U.S. win gold in the team event and have an outside chance of a medal. And U.S. men’s hockey will be back in action against Germany.

Key events (all times ET)

  • 4:00 a.m. — Women’s giant slalom

  • 11:03 a.m. — Women’s 500m speedskating

  • 1:45 p.m. — Pairs figure skating

  • 3:10 p.m. — Men’s hockey (USA vs. Germany)

MORE: Medal tracker | Full schedule of events | Olympics 101

Here’s a live look at the top moments from Sunday’s events.




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The biggest sporting event in Milan on Saturday wasn’t the Olympics

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With a global sporting spectacle going on nearby, locals in Milan flooded San Siro to witness a riveting Derby d’Italia between Inter Milan and Juventus.



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Jamaica unveil snazzy kits ahead of World Cup playoffs

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Jamaica unveil snazzy kits ahead of World Cup playoffs


We’re four months away from the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but if they manage to qualify, Jamaica might have already sewn up the competition for the snazziest kits with their new home and away strips unveiled Friday.

Both ensembles have been designed in collaboration with the Bob Marley Foundation and as such are positively drenched in the vivid red, green and gold colors that have become synonymous with the legendary reggae star and Rastafarian culture.

The home shirt has a yellow-gold base overlaid with a weave pattern that makes it look like the crocheted garments and Rasta headwear Marley wore in the 1970s. There are also horizontal bands in black, red and green that span the shirt and feature a pattern intended to resemble vinyl records.

The away shirt is arguably even livelier, with the Jamaican national colors once again used to create a black alternative design that pays homage to the rocksteady rhythm of the island’s music.

The dark base is covered in line-drawn patterns inspired by soundwaves, vinyl records and even the reels of old cassette tapes. The Reggae Boyz/Girlz tag on the collar is also inspired by the font used by Marley’s record label, Tuff Gong. Added to that, the use of the classic trefoil logo in gold just caps everything off nicely.

Marley was known to love soccer and regularly played in matches against fellow musicians and even professional players, notably several members of Brazil‘s famous teams of the 70s. As such, there is a tag attached to the lower hem of both 2026 jerseys that bears a portrait of the icon alongside his well-known quote, “Football is freedom.”

All that’s left now is for Jamaica to actually qualify for their first World Cup since 1998. The Reggae Boyz finished second behind surprise package Curaçao in Concacaf Group B, meaning that two rounds of interconfederation playoffs in March still stand between them and a place at this summer’s tournament.



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