Arsenal boss Unai Emery has revealed how a chance encounter with Javi Gracia in Spain coincided with his former team-mate s dismissal from Watford.

Gracia lost his job following a run of one draw and three defeats to start the Premier League season.

The ex-Osasuna, Malaga and Rubin Kazan head coach had travelled to his homeland during the international break and bumped into Emery in the Basque region.

The pair were discussing the forthcoming fixture between their teams when news of Watford s decision came through.

It s amazing, Emery said. I met him, we found each other last week in my town, in Hondarribia, when I was there with my family.

I was walking and in front of us was Javi Gracia.

And in the moment we started speaking about our …

For the first time in 34 years, Roma are in the Champions League semi-finals.

The next obstacle in their fairytale run is Jurgen Klopp s scintillating Liverpool and former Giallorossi forward and newly crowned PFA Player of the Year Mohamed Salah.

But Roma s remarkable achievements have also evoked memories of their infamous 1984 European Cup campaign – the last time they reached the final four.

Roma overcame a 2-0 first-leg deficit to thwart Scottish underdogs Dundee United en route to the title decider, which they lost in a penalty shoot-out on home soil to Liverpool at the Stadio Olimpico.

Their exploits in 1984, however, were soured by claims of attempts to bribe the referee – news that was brought to light again seven years ago.

Swep…

Arsenal have made contact with the representatives of Dejan Kulusevski over a potential transfer from Juventus, according to Italian journalist .

Asked if there was a chance for the Sweden international to join Arsenal or Tottenham Hotspur in January, Di Marzio said the Gunners would be the favourites in such a race, having already contacted his agents, and that Juventus would want around €35 million plus bonuses for his services. The journalist pointed to the conclusion that the matter pretty much depends on Arsenal s determination to get a deal done and whether they are willing to meet the asking price.

Having left his homeland in 2016, Kulusevski joined the Under-17 side at Atalanta and rose through the ranks there. He reached the first team three years later and w…

Serbian midfielder Radosav Petrovic hs secured a deal to Portuguese powerhouse Sporting, according to , whih was later today confirmed by the Portugal club themselves.

The 27-year-old Serbian international was plying his trade at Dynamo Kiev, but is the subject of a proposed €2 million deal that Ukrainian and Portuguese clubs have agreed upon.

Petrovic is believed to have signed a four-year contract that is to keep him in Lisbon until 2020.

Serbian defensive midfielder has made seven appearances for Ukrainian heavyweights adding one goal in the process in the 2015/16 season.

Former Partizan player is boasting Premier League experience having spent a season playing for Blackburn Rovers in 2011/12.

Petrovic spent three year in Turkey playing for …

The Premier League s top two will go head-to-head in the FA Cup semi-finals after Chelsea were drawn alongside Tottenham.

Chelsea secured their place in the last four on Monday with a 1-0 victory over holders Manchester United at Stamford Bridge, N Golo Kante s long-range strike sealing their progression.

When the two sides last met in the in January it was Spurs, looking for a first major trophy since 2008, who came out on top, ending Chelsea s stunning unbeaten run of 13 league matches.

The second semi-final will see Arsene Wenger s Arsenal face Manchester City, both matches taking place at Wembley on April 22 and 23.

For Arsenal who have won a record-equalling 12 FA Cups and ended Lincoln City s fairytale run on Saturday it represents a great chance at…

Matthijs de Ligt seems close to deciding his future and it appears to be good news for Juventus.

The Ajax captain has been linked with Europe s biggest clubs after a standout campaign, including leading the Dutch giants to the Eredivisie title and Champions League semi-finals.

Paris Saint-Germain were reportedly favourites to sign the centre-back, but it seems De Ligt is close to joining Juventus.

TOP STORY – DE LIGT AGREES TERMS WITH JUVE

De Ligt has accepted a five-year contract worth €12million a year from Juventus, according to Sky Sport.

It is a big step for the Serie A champions, who must still strike a deal with Ajax for the defender.

However, Sky Sport also report PSG are still in the race for De Ligt.

The ar…

Real Madrid head coach Julen Lopetegui has selected Keylor Navas rather than Thibaut Courtois for his first Champions League game in charge.

Courtois, who joined from Chelsea in the transfer window, has started each of Madrid s last two matches in LaLiga.

But the Belgium goalkeeper has missed out on Madrid s team to face Roma at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday, with Navas getting the nod as Los Blancos start their title defence.

Madrid s team is otherwise as expected, with Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale supported by Isco in attack following the sale of Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus.

Your starting XI to face !

— Real Madrid C.F.  (@realmadriden)

Roma have handed a debut to midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo, while Edin Dzeko leads the line …

Saudi Arabia s sports minister says the government will definitely support any private sector bids for Manchester United and Liverpool.

Fenway Sports Group (FSG), the owners of Liverpool, announced earlier this month it would welcome new investment at the club, while the Glazer family said they will explore a sale of United.

With fellow Premier League club Newcastle United taken over by Saudi owners in October 2021, there has been talk that Liverpool and United could also attract interest from the region.

Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, the kingdom s sports minister, believes the government would be extremely interested in the possibility of taking over two of the biggest clubs in Europe.

He told BBC Sport: From the private sector, I can t speak on …

The Mail Online understands that Jonny Evans is ready to snub Arsenal as he attempts to secure a deadline day move to Manchester City.

The Northern Ireland international has been linked with a move to the Citizens for some weeks though the club failed in an initial £18m move while Leicester City also saw a £23m bid rebuffed by the Baggies earlier this week.

Evans moved to West Brom form Manchester United in the summer of 2015 and still lives in the North West so would see a switch to the Premier League title favourites as ideal, plus it would also give him the opportunity to once again play in the Champions League.

The twenty-nine year old was on the books of United when they won Europe’s top prize in 2008 though he spent that season on loan at Sunderland…

Pele s cancer has advanced and the Brazil great will spend Christmas in hospital.

The three-time World Cup winner has spent the past three weeks in the Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein in Sao Paulo.

Pele has had colon cancer since 2021 and had a tumour removed in September of that year.

He has been undergoing regular treatment and a report from the hospital on Wednesday stated that he needs additional care related to renal and cardiac dysfunctions.

The 82-year-old will be in hospital for Christmas, his daughter Kely Nascimento revealed on social media.

In an Instagram post, she wrote: Our Christmas at home has been suspended.

We decided with the doctors that, for various reasons, it would be better for us to stay here with all the care …