Mikel Arteta has called for managers and referees to work together to improve the game after the Arsenal boss avoided punishment for a recent outburst.

The Spaniard was charged by the Football Association after labelling the decision to award Anthony Gordon’s goal in a 1-0 defeat to Newcastle last month a “disgrace” and “embarrassing”.

It was announced on Thursday afternoon, however, that Arteta had escaped a fine or a touchline ban after an independent panel ruled the FA charge E3.1 was not proven.

Arteta, who returns to the dugout this week having been suspended for last weekend’s loss at Aston Villa after picking up three yellow cards, said he was pleased with the process.

An independent Regulatory Commission has found the charge against Mi…

Vincent Kompany believes Manchester City have the hunger of a pack of lions as they approach a shot at history in the FA Cup final against Watford.

Pep Guardiola s men beat Brighton and Hove Albion 4-1 last weekend to prevail in a relentless title race against Liverpool, adding back-to-back Premier League triumphs to consecutive EFL Cups.

If City overcome a Hornets side they have already beaten twice this season they will become the first team to complete a clean sweep of England s domestic trophies in the same season.

And, with the treble on the line, Kompany is not about to let his team-mates take their collective eye off the ball.

It s not about adding that achievement [the treble] to my CV, I don t care about my CV, he told reporters

I know…

Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi wants an end to the celebrity behaviour at the club and hopes the return of Leonardo as sporting director will help achieve it.

Leonardo was on Friday named as Antero Henrique s successor in the role, which he previously held between 2011 and 2013.

Thomas Tuchel s side retained their Ligue 1 crown last season, but they exited the Champions League at the last-16 stage and the Coupe de la Ligue in the quarter-finals, before losing to Rennes in the Coupe de France final.

And following a largely underwhelming 2018-19 campaign at the Parc des Princes, Al-Khelaifi wants PSG s players to reconsider how they conduct themselves.

Players will have to assume their responsibilities even more than before, he told Franc…

Arjen Robben is hoping to play for another two years at the highest level  but is not getting worried about his Bayern Munich future as he approaches the end of his contract.

Robben has been at Bayern since 2009, when he was cast aside by Real Madrid, and although injuries have been a regular hindrance, he has enjoyed an immensely successful time in Bavaria.

Now 34, Robben s deal expires at the end of the season and that could see him depart the Allianz Arena in search of new challenges, despite the club planning on having discussions with him later in the campaign.

While Bayern could ultimately say they are not willing to give him an extension, Robben feels very fit and will not give too much thought to the future of coach Jupp Heynckes when making a decision …

Mauricio Pochettino is back in management. Over a year after leaving Tottenham, the Argentine coach has landed one of Europe s biggest jobs.

Paris Saint-Germain appointed Pochettino as Thomas Tuchel s replacement on Saturday, and the new boss is sure to have ideas about players he would like to join him.

PSG have been hit by a run of injuries this season, with Neymar currently sidelined with an ankle problem.

Their owners are no strangers to big-money purchases, though the coronavirus pandemic has made all of Europe s big clubs take stock and rein in their spending.

But who could be the likely candidates to join PSG under Pochettino?

Welcome Mauricio Pochettino

— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English)

Christian Eriksen

Erik…

According to a recent report from Sky Sports News, Manchester United are interested in bringing in a striker on loan – with two of the leading candidates being Islam Slimani and Odion Ighalo. 

Ighalo is currently with Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua, whereas Slimani is currently on loan with Monaco from Premier League side Leicester City. Ighalo was arguably best known for his tenure with Watford. 

The void that has been created by forward Marcus Rashford, who could wind up being out for the rest of the season, is a serious one. While Mason Greenwood and Anthony Martial can try and pick up some of the slack, United need to bring in one or two more natural goalscorers if they’re serious about making a push for the top four in the Premier League. 

With…

According to reports in Spain, Barcelona striker Luis Suarez is growing increasingly unhappy at the Camp Nou and would be willing to consider a return to Liverpool.

Suarez played for Liverpool for three and a half years, having arrived from Ajax in January 2011. Between then and his departure to the Catalan giants in 2014, he scored 82 goals in 133 games in all competitions. He was a part of the team that won the last trophy for Liverpool before this year s Champions League the 2012 League Cup, and he was crucial to their incredible but ultimately doomed Premier League title run in 2013/14.

Together with Lionel Messi, the Uruguayan missed a few games at the start of this season, and apparently, since his return, he has drawn criticism from the club and was whistled by a…

Roberto Martinez has blasted the Belgian media for coverage of a genius French-based report detailing supposed unrest in the Belgium camp ahead of a huge World Cup match against Croatia.

Belgium lost 2-0 to Morocco in their second Group F game and must now defeat the 2018 finalists to be sure of advancing to the knockout stage.

The Red Devils preparation for that fixture has been hampered this week by discussion of a rift within the team, first reported by RTL and L Equipe.

Belgium s players subsequently came together for a meeting – it wasn t a crisis meeting, as we might have heard from some quarters, insisted Timothy Castagne – as they aim to show more solidarity against Croatia.

Castagne added the reports had exaggerated a lot and he had seen wors…

Pep Guardiola insisted revenge was not his motivation as he prepares Manchester City for their Champions League semi-final rematch with Real Madrid.

City were beaten in heartbreaking fashion by the Spanish giants in the last four a year ago and have a chance to make amends this term.

The first leg of their latest encounter takes place at the Bernabeu on Tuesday and Guardiola is focusing on the game in hand rather than looking back 12 months.

The City manager said: “It was tough but we made an exceptional first game in Manchester and played a really good game here.

Focused

— Manchester City (@ManCity)

“In general it was a good performance but it was not enough. You congratulate them and accept it and now one year later we are here.<…

Zlatan Ibrahimovic said he wanted to score a goal and celebrate like a God after playing a Serie A match for Milan for the first time in 2,794 days.

Ibrahimovic made his return to San Siro on Monday but he was unable to enjoy a winning comeback following Monday s 0-0 draw against Sampdoria.

The 38-year-old, who was part of the last Milan side to win the Scudetto in 2010-11, came on for Krzysztof Piatek 10 minutes into the second half as the Rossoneri s winless streak extended to three matches.

I could feel a lot of adrenaline, emotion, and feelings I d been carrying around with me for nine or 10 years, Ibrahimovic – who arrived on a free transfer until the end of the season, told Sky Sport Italia.

The rapport with the fans remains wonderful and gives…