Mikel Arteta defended Aaron Ramsdale after the Arsenal goalkeeper’s error-strewn display in the 1-0 win at Brentford. Not even Kai Havertz’s late winner, which sent the Gunners to the top of the Premier League for the first time this season, could mask a horror show from Ramsdale. The 25-year-old was back in the spotlight on his first league appearance since September 3 with David Raya, now seemingly the club’s undisputed number one, still on loan from Brentford and ineligible to face his parent club. But the England international made a horribly nervous start which almost gifted the Bees an early goal. Having exchanged passes with Gabriel from a goal kick, Ramsdale suddenly developed a bout of the yips, hesitating with his clearance and allowing Yoane Wissa to pinch the ball away. Luckily for Ramsdale, Declan Rice had already spotted the danger and got back to clear Bryan Mbeumo’s shot off the line, before Wissa put the rebound wide. But Ramsdale hid his face under his shirt following another embarrassing error before half-time, somehow letting the ball slip out of his hand. Instead of throwing it up-field he ended up looking like a fast bowler delivering a bouncer which went straight to Bees midfielder Frank Onyeka. The danger was quickly cleared, but Ramsdale’s confidence was ebbing further down the drain. However, Arteta insisted: “This is football, I’m so happy with the team, we kept a clean sheet and we move on. “He has big courage, big personality and that’s why we love him. I enjoy to see the players encouraging each other.” Nevertheless, the Gunners won it when Bukayo Saka swung in a cross from the right and substitute Havertz ghosted in at the far post to plant his header past Mark Flekken and send them back to the top of the pile. It was only the German’s second goal since his summer switch from Chelsea. “That’s the beauty of it, when things come easy you don’t value it,” Arteta added. “We love him for a reason and the way he behaves in difficult moments. We could not be happier that a big player like him won the game. “I’m so happy, when you have opportunity to go top and you come to Brentford, an uncomfortable place to come, the team showed so much willingness to compete.” For the Bees a record of 14 London derbies without defeat came to an end. “I think we did so many things right, it was a very even game in many ways,” said boss Thomas Frank. “There were two chances for each team. Unfortunately they took one and we didn’t. The game should have been a draw. I’m pleased with the performance and effort of the players.” Read More Two teenagers arrested for ‘misogynistic chanting’ towards referee Rebecca Welch Novak Djokovic left to rue ‘bitter’ end to season as Serbia beaten in Davis Cup We have to be better – Brendan Rodgers says Celtic’s penalty record must improve Mauricio Pochettino angry as ‘soft’ Chelsea fall apart at Newcastle Brighton boss explains ‘big, big celebration’ and says no disrespect was meant Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola full of praise for two-goal Marcus Tavernier

Practicing one particular Chinese martial art could help curb symptoms and complications of Parkinson’s disease for several years, according to a new study. Regular practice of Tai Chi, which involves sequences of very slow controlled movements, is linked with slower progression of the debilitating neuro-degenerative condition, with patients likely to require lower doses of drugs over time, according to the research published in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry. Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disorder affecting nerves and muscles, characterised by slowness of movement, resting tremor and stiff and inflexible muscles. It is the fastest growing neurological condition in the world, with two people in the UK diagnosed with the disease every hour, according to Parkinson’s UK. There are still no cures for the condition and while drugs can improve symptoms, they don’t treat all manifestations of the disease. Previous research had hinted that Tai Chi may have some positive effects on Parkinson’s patients, but whether this can be sustained over a long term isn’t known. In the new study, scientists, including those from Shanghai Jiao Tong University in China, monitored two groups of patients with Parkinson’s disease for more than five years from January 2016 to June 2021. Disease severity, medication use, age and education level were found to be similar in both the groups. One group of 147 patients practised Tai Chi twice a week for an hour, while another group of 187 patients continued with their standard care, but didn’t practise the martial art. Doctors monitored disease severity and progression in all the participants as well as their increases in the need for medication at the start of the monitoring period and in November 2019, October 2020 and June 2021. The extent of movement, mood, sleep quality and cognition as well other symptoms like the prevalence of complications like involuntary movement (dyskinesia), abnormal muscle tone (dystonia), hallucinations and restless leg syndrome were also tracked. Scientists found that disease progression was slower at all monitoring points in the Tai Chi group, as assessed by three validated scales to assess overall symptoms, movement and balance. They also found that the number of patients who needed to increase their medication in the comparison group was “significantly higher” than it was in the Tai Chi group. Researchers said cognitive function deteriorated more slowly in the Tai Chi group, while sleep and quality of life also continuously improved. However, scientists acknowledge that the study is observational and can’t establish cause and effect. Citing another limitation of the research, they said the number of study participants was relatively small. “Our study has shown that Tai Chi retains the long-term beneficial effect on [Parkinson’s disease], indicating the potential disease-modifying effects on both motor and non-motor symptoms, especially gait, balance, autonomic symptoms and cognition,” scientists concluded. Read More The 10 products to make 2023 your healthiest year yet Tai chi improves balance, mental health in elderly: study Non-invasive deep brain stimulation ‘could provide treatment for brain diseases’ Daily exercise for just 25 minutes may cut death risk from prolonged sitting Mysterious ancient ‘human face’ rock carvings revealed by receding waters in Amazon Bumblebees ‘prioritise getting maximum calories in shortest time’

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By Casey Hall and Laurie Chen SHANGHAI (This Oct. 21 story has been corrected to fix the reference