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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta brushed off talk of Manchester City’s growing lead at the Premier League summit, but did admit injuries were already starting to test his squad. The Gunners were pegged back twice by rivals Tottenham on Sunday and dropped points again following an entertaining 2-2 derby draw. It left Arsenal already four points off City, who are perfect after six fixtures, with the memory of Pep Guardiola’s side being able to overturn an eight-point deficit in April to clinch title success last season still fresh at the Emirates. Guardiola’s City visit north London on October 8 but Arteta, when asked about the current points deficit, insisted: “We’re not thinking about this. We have a game every three days, we try to win our games. “We tried to win our game again and we didn’t manage it for very obvious reasons. That’s it and we have to improve.” Declan Rice added to Arsenal’s growing injury list when he was forced off at half-time with a back problem. It makes the England international an early doubt for Wednesday’s Carabao Cup tie at Brentford, although the ex-West Ham midfielder would likely have been rested in west London anyway. “He had some discomfort in his back. He was telling us during the first half that he was uncomfortable,” Arteta said of Rice. “When we assessed him at half-time, he could not continue so we had to change him. “We have to assess him. It’s strange that a player like him asked to come off because he was uncomfortable. Hopefully not (long-term), but let’s see.” Arsenal were light of attacking options against Tottenham after Leandro Trossard suffered a muscle problem in the midweek thrashing of PSV Eindhoven and Gabriel Martinelli was absent after picking up a hamstring injury at Everton. With Jurrien Timber (knee) out long-term and Thomas Partey sidelined for “weeks” with a groin issue, Arteta’s team are being stretched with cup competitions to juggle alongside league commitments. “It (injuries) was already a test because we missed five big players (for Tottenham), but it’s what we have,” Arteta said. “As well, it gives opportunities to the other ones. We have a game every three days and that’s the level we have to show, so go for it.” They are really well coached. You can feel the spirit in the team, the energy in them, but I think six games is too early for everybody to discuss where we’ll (all) be. Mikel Arteta on Tottenham Fifth-placed Arsenal remain level on points with Tottenham after this draw and, while Arteta praised Ange Postecoglou’s team, he was reluctant to list them as title contenders. “I think they are a really good side,” he acknowledged. “They are really well coached. You can feel the spirit in the team, the energy in them, but I think six games is too early for everybody to discuss where we’ll (all) be.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Football rumours: Ivan Toney can leave Brentford if the price is right On this day in 2013: Stephen Lee banned from snooker for match-fixing The sporting weekend in pictures

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After a lot of back and forth about the north London derby itself, Mikel Arteta was eventually asked about what mattered most. It was put to the Arsenal manager whether it was a concern that his side are already four points behind Manchester City following this 2-2 home draw with Tottenham, with that just the sixth game of the season. It is already a lot to make up, and a sizeable psychological task given the champions’ points return. “I’m not thinking about that,” Arteta insisted, even if it wasn’t completely convincing. The same could be said of the display, which is maybe what is most relevant for what the Basque said he was most bothered by, which is just winning games. This was a frustrating afternoon for Arsenal in a few senses. There was first of all the fact they were in complete control, and could have killed the game even before it became a proper contest: Gabriel Jesus wasted a huge chance. There was then how they lost Declan Rice to injury, conceded two soft goals from a defensive point of view, and never really had that big chance towards the end. They didn’t really bring on any game-changer. Arteta fairly pointed to five injuries but it still feels as if Arsenal are missing something more. It is actually what most of the market was looking for this summer. That is a prime finisher. It makes it increasingly surprising that Arsenal didn’t pursue this option. They instead went for Kai Havertz, who was brought on in this match as a potential game-changer. It didn’t do much. This isn’t to criticise the German, who is obviously a far better player than much of the worst criticism has made out so far. He could go on to become a very productive player for Arsenal, and it was obvious he was signed to give them a different tactical option, especially given how their main first XI ran out of steam last season. He is still adapting, though, and his qualities weren’t quite what was needed here. Many will similarly point to Jesus, who missed that big chance. That reflected a lot of the discussion. Jesus is a brilliant all-round forward who links play superbly, but arguably the least of his abilities is his finishing. That missed effort brought echoes of a common refrain within the game, that the Brazilian isn’t “a killer”. Arsenal still don’t really have that. If it seems harsh to be focusing on the attack when Arteta’s side still scored two and conceded such soft goals, it is mainly because it was their inability to make sure that offered Spurs such encouragement. That fed into the defensive issues. They should have been out of sight. It may well mean they look around next summer, or perhaps even as early as January. All of the major London clubs like Ivan Toney, including Arsenal’s derby opponents here. The Brentford forward feels like he is now ready to make that step up. Could he step across? Arsenal are monitoring the situation. That’s natural, since he is an obvious option, all the more so since Arteta didn’t have such clear choices on the bench. Good youth products in Reiss Nelson and Emile Smith Rowe were brought on, and it would of course be better for everyone if they were capable of rising to that level; of offering that difference. That might even have been the case in a sport that didn’t involve such concentration of resources at the top as the modern game. As it is, for all Arteta’s insistence he isn't even thinking about it, Arsenal face the most modern of problems. They have to match City’s points return. That may mean trying to match the champions with a clear number-nine in Erling Haaland. Arteta is now so close to that finished product, even allowing for these slips at the start of the season. They maybe just need that finisher, and those finishing touches. Read More Ange Postecoglou has already transformed Tottenham with Arsenal comeback Mikel Arteta provides Declan Rice injury update after ‘strange’ half-time change Arsenal vs Tottenham result and player ratings as Son Heung-min and James Maddison lead Spurs fightback Football rumours: Ivan Toney can leave Brentford if the price is right Pep Guardiola jokes he could play for much-changed Man City in Newcastle cup tie I don’t understand handball rule – Spurs’ Ange Postecoglou bemused by penalty

OSAKA, Japan--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep 25, 2023--

PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep 25, 2023--

The European Union’s trade commissioner has called for a more balanced relationship with China, noting a trade imbalance of nearly 400 billion euros ($425 billion)

The 61-year-old, who spent decades on the run, boasted that he could "fill a cemetery" with his victims.