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Friday’s briefing: Four points, Three Lions and two FA Cup ties
Arsenal’s lead at the top of the Premier League is four points after they were held to a 1-1 draw at Brentford.
England boss Thomas Tuchel signed a contract extension ahead of the Nations League draw, which put his side up against Spain, Croatia and the Czech Republic.
Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe apologised if he had “offended some people” after saying the United Kingdom has been “colonised by immigrants”.
Bees fight back to sting Gunners title push
Arsenal’s lead over Manchester City at the top of the Premier League stands at just four points after Mikel Arteta’s title-chasing side were held to a 1-1 draw at Brentford.
Noni Madueke headed Arsenal in front on the hour, but the hosts were back on terms only 10 minutes later when Keane Lewis-Potter struck following Michael Kayode’s long throw.
Following their equaliser, Brentford looked the more likely to score – with Igor Thiago wasting a golden chance in stoppage time.
However, substitute Gabriel Martinelli might have then won it for Arsenal only to be denied by Caoimhin Kelleher in a frantic end to the match.
Arsenal – runners-up for the past three seasons – will still have to visit the Etihad Stadium in April as they look to end their 22-year wait for the title.
Asked if he is concerned the title momentum is shifting towards City, Arteta said: “I understand (the question) – but that’s an ‘if, if, if’ – and if we would have lost to Newcastle, we were eight points behind Liverpool in October.
“There are a lot of ifs for 10 months in this competition, and you can only focus on what you have to do and try to do that in the best possible way.”
Thomas Tuchel commits to England stay
Thomas Tuchel has signed an extension to his contract as England head coach through to the end of the home European Championship in 2028.
The Football Association announced on Thursday morning the German was set to stay on, with his previous deal only running until the end of this summer’s World Cup in North America.
“I was always committed to this idea of extending the contract, the FA were always committed – there were no games, no second thoughts. The process was very straightforward,” said Tuchel, who had been linked with the Manchester United job.
“There is a possibility that I will be tempted to go back to club football, but not in the next two-and-a-half years.”
The Nations League draw, held in Brussels on Thursday evening, saw England in Group A3 with Spain, Croatia and the Czech Republic.
Wales will be in Group A4 along with Portugal, Denmark and Norway. In Group B1, Scotland take on Switzerland, Slovenia and North Macedonia.
Northern Ireland are in Group B2 with Hungary, Ukraine and Georgia, while the Republic of Ireland are in Group B3 alongside Israel, Austria and Kosovo.
Man Utd stress club values
Manchester United said the club takes pride in being “inclusive and welcoming” following co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s claim that the UK has been “colonised by immigrants”.
Ratcliffe said he was sorry if he had “offended some people” for his remarks in a Sky News interview on Wednesday, which were heavily criticised by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham.
The Press Association understands Ratcliffe’s claims will also be examined by the Football Association to see whether they brought the game into disrepute, while on Thursday afternoon the Premier League club issued a statement defending their inclusion policy.
It read: “Manchester United prides itself on being an inclusive and welcoming club. Our diverse group of players, staff and global community of supporters, reflect the history and heritage of Manchester; a city that anyone can call home.
“Since launching All Red All Equal in 2016, we have embedded equality, diversity and inclusion into everything we do.
“We remain deeply committed to the principles and spirit of that campaign. They are reflected in our policies but also in our culture and are reinforced by our holding of the Premier League’s Advanced Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Standard.”
What’s on today?
The FA Cup fourth round action starts with Chelsea looking to avoid an upset when they travel to Hull – where Blues boss Liam Rosenior will face his old club – while Wrexham host Sky Bet Championship rivals Ipswich.
In the Women’s Super League, leaders Manchester City – beaten last weekend by Arsenal – take on bottom club Leicester at the Joie Stadium.
Several Premier League clubs are holding press conferences on Friday ahead of the weekend’s FA Cup ties.
Arne Slot and Eddie Howe are first up in the morning, with Pep Guardiola, Unai Emery, Marco Silva, Daniel Farke and Scott Parker all part of a busy afternoon schedule.
