Arsenal did the difficult part, but then faltered at what they’re supposed to be best at, making this title challenge that bit more testing. Except, much of that was down to Brentford. Keith Andrews’s side beat – or perhaps drew with – Arsenal at their own game.

Brentford fully deserved Keane Lewis-Potter’s set-piece equaliser, and the 1-1 draw ultimately leaves Arsenal’s lead down to just four points.

They even looked likelier to win it at the end, Gabriel Martinelli’s late chance only came after Arsenal required crucial interventions from Cristhian Mosquera and Declan Rice.

That is why Brentford are still seen as one of the Premier League’s acid tests, perhaps even more testing than ever before. It is the most classic battle, the one teams have to really work through.

Failing to win this fixture isn’t a sign you won’t win the title, but it’s a match that goes some way to showing your mettle and how you can really go through the gears in a title race.

Arsenal’s minimalism wasn’t enough here. It may end up serving as another warning.

Mikel Arteta will nevertheless be most frustrated that it should have been enough. Arsenal had the lead through Noni Madueke’s fine header, only for the team that normally shuts down games to see themselves opened up again and again.

Brentford just forced them open. On conceding the goal, they immediately upped it in so many ways. It’s rare to see Arsenal so threatened on set-pieces.

Maybe part of that was down to the absence of William Saliba.

The Gunners didn’t get going until it was too late in the game, allowing Brentford that margin.

That could be seen in the fact that they had just one shot in the first half, their lowest in an opening 45 minutes since a 5-0 thrashing to Manchester City in August 2021.

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It is a balance that Arteta still has to figure out, as he too often leans towards control too often. The sense remains of a team trying to win the league on calculated probabilities rather than the true end product, of being so close now that the coach is now not taking enough risks.

You almost extend it to the expenditure.

One reason that Arsenal are where they are across all competitions is their squad depth, and yet there are moments when it’s hard not to wonder whether they could have used their budget in a slightly different way.

The starting attack in this game was a prime example. As good as Viktor Gyokeres and Madueke are in their own way, would the club have been better served pooling the money for both together, in the region of £107m, and going for one “killer”. An elevated star that they are still missing.

Even Leandro Trossard, brilliant as he’s been for the club, often feels like he should be the impact sub rather than the starter.

Eberechi Eze was signed to offer that extra stardust, but it is going to be difficult to rise to the occasion when he is constantly in and out.

And, after that first half, Arteta made the changes.

Martin Odegaard was introduced. The Norwegian did have an initial impact, which helped force the opener.

There was a sense of what might have been.

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Madueke remains a tantalisingly frustrating player, as if there are still elements missing to complete his game. One is delivery.

There are so many occasions when he does wonders to beat his man, and often embarrasses them, only to try the same slowly floated cross that is so easy to defend against.

He perhaps saw the benefit of a more traditional effort on 61 minutes, which allowed the 23-year-old to show the productive player he often promises to be.

Arsenal’s changes had admittedly ensured that they were starting to pen Brentford in, with Odegaard looking especially lively.

It was his pressing that forced Andrews’s backline into an error, the ball then arriving at the feet of Piero Hincapie. He hooked over a fine cross, although one where Madueke looked like he might have stepped forward a touch too early. It was instead Caoimhin Kelleher who was wrong-footed, although only because Madueke showed impressive agility.

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The winger arched back to loop a header across the goal and into the bottom corner.

That should have been that, only for Odegaard to then look a bit more culpable at the other end. He only stuck his leg out for one of Brentford’s aerial assaults, allowing Lewis-Potter to plunder a brilliant header.

Arsenal were lucky not to concede from that route again.

Brentford are more than just an awkward team, or a physical one. There’s so much calculation in everything they do, as befitting a modern club built on analytics. You can almost see the science behind every move, the manner in which the ball is played into areas of probability.

A favoured attack is one of the wingers immediately playing a first-time ball across the opposition area on the break, which tends to instantly cause angst.

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Arsenal had to be on their toes, from start to especially raucous finish. The end of the game had a lot of football in it, particularly in a helter-skelter stoppage time. David Raya had already offered one of the saves of the season from Igor Thiago and had to be constantly alert as a relentless Brentford just kept roaring forward. The home side could have won it at least twice in the closing stages, Arsenal once.

Those late blocks may prove important to Arsenal in another way. It may end up a good point in the grander scheme of things. Rather than such one-off moments, though, Arteta and his staff will be looking at those two lost points.

If Arsenal wanted more, however, they should have done more.

J.J. McCarthy has spent two years in Minnesota, but according to Bleacher Report‘s Moe Moton, his stint may end this offseason. Moton predicted all landing spots for high-profile passers in the 2026 quarterback carousel, nominating McCarthy to the Arizona Cardinals in a trade that would send Kyler Murray to Minnesota.

Not much suggests the Vikings want to move McCarthy, but the QB carousel buzz keeps dragging Arizona and Murray into it.

Most Vikings fans don’t consider McCarthy for sale, but without general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah in the mix, all bets are off regarding McCarthy’s future.

Arizona Gets Pulled into the McCarthy Plot

McCarthy would get a fresh start in the desert at the age of 23.

Moton: J.J. McCarthy and Kirk Cousins to Cardinals

At the very top of his list, Moton theorized McCarthy and Cousins to Arizona, noting, “The Arizona Cardinals could turn over their quarterback room under new head coach Mike LaFleur. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the team is ‘likely’ to move on from Kyler Murray before his guaranteed money raises the cost to keep him.”

“The Cardinals should call the Minnesota Vikings about a signal-caller swap to dump Murray’s contract and take on J.J. McCarthy’s rookie deal. The third-year quarterback’s contract would cost only about $6 million against the cap. In addition, Arizona can add Kirk Cousins to replace Jacoby Brissett, who may not fit into the new coaching staff’s plans.”

McCarthy would work with the Cardinals’ new offensive coordinator, Nathaniel Hackett, who oversaw a couple of offenses years back when Aaron Rodgers won MVP awards in Green Bay.

Moton continued, “Because of the perceived gap between Fernando Mendoza and the other quarterback prospects in the 2026 draft class, the Cardinals are unlikely to add a signal-caller with the No. 3 pick. Instead, they can develop McCarthy, who’s only 23, and have him battle Cousins for the lead job.”

“If Arizona doesn’t think the former is ready to play, the latter can run the offense as the unquestioned starter for at least a year. In this scenario, LaFleur would have an experienced quarterback under center while working on a high-upside developmental player who showed flashes in the previous season.”

The Cardinals would quickly turn into “Vikings Southwest” with McCarthy and Cousins duking it out for QB1.

A Fascinating Camp Battle to Monitor if So

In Moton’s scenario, the Vikings would employ Murray and a QB2 to be named later, perhaps Max Bromser as QB3. Minnesota would not have much training camp battle intrigue at quarterback, rolling with Murray at QB1 — but the Cardinals sure would.

Vikings fans would hang on pins and needles to learn who would win in the Cardinals’ summer battle, as both McCarthy and Cousins have such in-your-face and longstanding connections to Minnesota. It almost feels too weird to be true that both players would end up on the same team, battling it out for the top job.

The Vikings’ past in Cousins versus the guy who was supposed be the Vikings’ future in McCarthy. Front-row seats needed.

McCarthy’s First Two Seasons in the Pros

The forecast for McCarthy in 2025 wasn’t about eye-popping statistics, but something closer to 3,200 yards and 20 touchdowns — incremental growth, competence, and good health. The goal was for the young quarterback to gain experience and show progress by December.

His first six starts were rough. His statistics were unimpressive, and at times, the film was even worse, drawing unfavorable comparisons to 1st-Round busts of years past. His mechanics deteriorated, his footwork became rushed, and routine throws became unpredictable.

Then came the Washington game, followed by Dallas.

Suddenly, his timing improved, his base steadied, and his ball placement became more precise. He attacked tight passing windows with confidence, and the offense moved with rhythm instead of panic. This version of McCarthy looked like a quarterback who understood how to lead a team.

Importantly, even amidst the early struggles, glimpses of clutch potential emerged. McCarthy remained composed during two-minute drills and delivered under pressure in late-game situations. For example, in his first-ever start at Chicago, McCarthy often looked herky-jerky with all operations, but when Minnesota needed him the most, he turned on the jets in the 4th Quarter and won the game. He took home the NFC Offensive Player of the Week in his first game.

With all that in mind, especially considering his lack of durability, the Vikings must decide to remain loyal to McCarthy’s development — or trade him to Arizona, as the BR piece suggested.

Weapons McCarthy Would Inherit

The Cardinals would gift McCarthy just a few core pieces. The offensive line needs 2-3 sturdy trenchmen this offseason, the WR corps will require a WR3, and a healthy Trey Benson would do wonders.

Overall, McCarthy would be asked to cook with these offensive players under contract in 2026:

• Trey Benson (RB)
• Hjatle Froholdt (C)
• Marvin Harrison (WR)
• Paris Johnson (OT)
• Trey McBride (TE)
• Michael Wilson (WR)

His setup is markedly better in Minnesota, so Cardinals fans would have to hope for a momentous offseason, courtesy of general manager Monti Ossenfort.

The betting market believes Murray will land in Minnesota, but whether the Vikings must trade McCarthy to acquire him is not widely agreed upon as of mid-February. It’s just a Bleacher Report theory.

Mateus Fernandes (West Ham): He’s one of those players that looks like he would infuriate me, both to play with and against. He did all the ratty things really well. He’s got high energy, he’s young, talented and he’s the heartbeat of the team. He gets caught up sometimes in silly moments, trying to buy fouls when he doesn’t really have to. I thought it was his best performance for West Ham this season – a very mature performance.

Nico O’Reilly (Manchester City): I love seeing him play in midfield. He adds the legs and energy into City’s midfield – and obviously he gets his goal there as well. I feel the more he plays in his natural position – with Rodri around him – he’ll be a star, not only for Manchester City but England moving forward as well.

Jacob Ramsey (Newcastle): When Newcastle’s midfield has been torn up because of injury or suspension in the last few weeks, he’s quietly gone about his business. He’s been excellent and made sure he delivers in terms of performances and now goals. I think he’s a real steal for Newcastle.

Cole Palmer (Chelsea): I’m going to give a sympathy vote to Cole Palmer. He was in there last week because he scored a hat-trick against Wolves – but this week: goal, assist, and is a level above everyone else – but what a miss that was. If he scores that goal, Chelsea obviously win the game. He’s a shoo-in. That miss does put a little stain on it, but I thought his overall performance was miles better.

Feb 7, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel (7) dribbles against the Atlanta Hawks in the fourth quarter at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

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A Slovakian native was in Italy this week, 16 years after prosecutors in the country issued a warrant against him.

The 44-year-old unidentified man traveled to Milan to watch his native country’s Olympic hockey team take on medal favorite Finland, a 4-1 upset victory for the Slovaks.

However, he never got a chance to see the Slovaks’ version of the “Miracle on Ice.”

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Slovakia fans inside the arena before a match against Finland in men’s ice hockey Group B during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena.  (Geoff Burke/Imagn Images)

Police said they tracked down the suspect after he checked into a guesthouse in the Milan suburbs, then escorted him to the central San Vittore Prison before he could attend the game.

The warrant stemmed from a string of alleged thefts in 2010. He now has 11 months, seven days to serve, according to police.

Slovakia will close out the preliminary round on Saturday against Sweden, another squad that could compete for the gold medal.

Juraj Slafkovsky of Slovakia in action during a men’s preliminary Group B match against Finland at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena Feb. 11, 2026, in Milan, Italy.  (RvS.Media/Monika Majer/Getty Images)

US SNOWBOARDER CHLOE KIM STUNNED BY SOUTH KOREA’S GAON CHOI, SETTLES FOR SILVER IN WOMEN’S HALFPIPE

Slovakia won the bronze medal in Beijing when NHL players were not yet allowed to compete. Now, the team is led by Montreal Canadiens superstar Juraj Slafkovsky, who has Olympic experience.

Slafkovsky competed in 2022 because he had not yet been in the NHL. He was 17 at the time, the youngest player in the Olympics, yet still managed to be the Olympics’ points leader and the tournament’s most valuable player.

Juraj Slafkovsky of Slovakia celebrates the team’s 4-1 victory in a men’s preliminary Group B match against Finland at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena Feb. 11, 2026, in Milan, Italy.  (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

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Slafovsky scored twice against Finland, and Dalibor Dvorsky of the St. Louis Blues got the game-winning goal with less than 13 minutes left.

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Defending champion Rory McIlroy made a solid start to the first round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am as Japan’s Ryo Hisatsune set the early pace with a 10-under 62.

Hisatsune, 23, was six under at the turn and concluded a stunning performance with four more birdies on the back nine on the PGA Tour’s first signature event of the season.

Northern Ireland’s McIlroy is still in contention six shots back after carding a four-under 68 in California.

But it was a case of what might have been for McIlroy, who opened with consecutive birdies on the 10th and 11th holes and another on the 17th at Spyglass Hill, with the highlight of his front nine coming when he chipped out of a greenside bunker on the 14th for an eagle.

However, his progress was checked after the turn with double bogeys at the two par-three holes – the third and the fifth – when his putter ran cold.

While the world number two picked up shots on the second, fourth and ninth, he has ground to make up in Friday’s second round, although not as much as the man directly above him in the rankings, Scottie Scheffler.

The American, who has not finished outside a top 10 place since last year’s Player’s Championship, struggled to a disappointing even par 72.

With the opening two rounds of the event split across two courses, Scheffler’s friend and compatriot Sam Burns fared much better at Pebble Beach golf links, to end the day in second on nine under alongside Keegan Bradley.

Chris Gotterup, a two-time winner already this season, began with six successive birdies and is well placed at eight under along with Tony Finau and Patrick Rodgers.

England’s Matt Fitzpatrick is at six under and Tommy Fleetwood and Ireland’s Shane Lowry made solid starts to sit at five under with Englishman Harry Hall one further back.

With a $20m (£14.7m) purse available, 18 of the top 20 players in the world are competing in the 80-man field, with Pebble Beach hosting Saturday and Sunday’s third and fourth rounds.

The Black Caviar Lightning rightfully claims Australia’s elite sprint showdown status, as this Saturday’s Flemington feature will rank a captivating generation under the spotlight.

In the 1000m Group 1, expect returns from Golden Slipper winner Marhoona of last year, Golden Rose record-setter Beiwacht, and Coolmore Stud Stakes ace Tentyris.

Never before have same-year Slipper, Golden Rose, and Coolmore Group 1 winners locked horns since those races gained top-grade prestige.

Coolmore graduates often target the Lightning next, unlike winners of the prior two.

Exosphere is unique as a Group 1 Golden Rose winner racing the Lightning at three, with Crystal Lily and Stratum the solitary Slipper winners doing so the following season since 1990.

Crystal Lily met Black Caviar in 2011 en route to fifth place, echoing Stratum’s 2006 finish behind Takeover Target.

Three Slipper alumni sit on the Lightning winners’ list, last being Storm Queen in 1967.

Fifteen three-year-old boys and nine girls have prevailed in the Lightning, but post their 1998-2005 surge of six in eight, just Home Affairs (2021) and Coolangatta (2023) have won as juveniles.

Six three-year-old winners this century from 72 runners, below the nine expected by markets.

Only Home Affairs didn’t reach peak Timeform pre-race among those six, yet clocked 126 – equaling the century’s top three-year-old Lightning mark – shy one pound of his 127 Coolmore.

Of 72, 22 (30 percent) hit or topped previous bests, suffering average eight-pound regression.

This field’s Group 1 three-year-olds see Marhoona most desperate for uplift from 117 Golden Slipper, with no sub-118 Lightning winner since 2002’s Spinning Hill (114).

Beiwacht (123 Golden Rose) and Tentyris (124+ Coolmore Stud Stakes) top the 10-year 122.2 average since Black Caviar/Lankan Rupee’s 130+ feats.

Little room for decline exists in Saturday’s test against My Gladiola (112), Military Tycoon (103), and Giga Kick (back-to-back 122s last spring); explore the top racing betting markets ahead of the Black Caviar Lightning.

Giga Kick notched 122 first-up in the October 11 Group 2 1100m Schillaci Stakes at Caulfield, duplicating in Flemington’s Group 1 1200m Champions Sprint.

Group 1 winners Baraqiel (120 peak) and Benedetta (116) complete the field.

The post a-closer-look-black-caviar-lightning/882124 first appeared on Just Horse Racing.

The reaction among Barcelona fans to the latest news about Marcus Rashford speaks volumes

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Messages of support for Marcus Rashford have been flooding in from Barcelona fans following his recent injury setback.

The Manchester United loanee was ruled out of Thursday’s Copa del Rey semi-final first leg clash with Atletico Madrid after picking up a knock in Barca’s 3-0 La Liga win over Mallorca at the weekend.

The absence comes as a significant blow for both player and club, with Rashford enjoying an impressive run of form, scoring three goals and providing one assist in his last six appearances in all competitions.

Barcelona confirmed the injury on social media, sparking a wave of heartfelt messages from supporters wishing the forward a swift recovery.

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“Big miss. He was great the last game. Played through pain probably. Now missing Pedri, Raphina and Rashford for the away leg,” one fan wrote on X.

“That’s unlucky timing. He was just settling in,” commented another. “Speedy recovery Marcus Rashford. Come back stronger,” a third added, while a fourth said: “We wish him the best of luck.”

The reaction underlines just how highly Rashford is regarded at Camp Nou. The 28-year-old has settled seamlessly in Catalonia, scoring 10 goals in 34 appearances across all competitions.

Although he is due to return to Old Trafford when his season-long loan expires this summer, a permanent switch to Barcelona now looks most likely, with the La Liga club holding an option to buy the forward.

Even in the wake of his latest injury setback, the outpouring of support from supporters has not wavered, with many already viewing Rashford as one of their own – support that could help pave the way for a summer transfer.

It isn’t the first time the England international has made a strong impression while out on loan. He spent the second half of last season at Aston Villa, earning widespread praise for his performances and overall contribution.

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That spell also helped revive his England career, with Three Lions head coach Thomas Tuchel handing him eight caps in 2025 – a sharp rise from just one appearance the previous year.

Having fallen out with then-United manager Ruben Amorim, a second loan move away from Old Trafford was agreed that summer. Rashford’s United career appeared all but over, but with Amorim now gone, the door has been left ajar for a potentially sensational return.

However, while interim head coach Michael Carrick is reportedly keen to reintegrate him into the squad, Rashford has made it clear that his preference is to remain at Barcelona beyond the end of the season. “What I want is to stay at Barca,” he said back in December.

“That’s the ultimate goal, but it’s not the reason I train hard and give my all. The purpose is to win. From the moment I arrived, I felt very welcome. For me, the reason I’m here is to help the team win trophies.”

The best Light Cones for Yao Guang in Honkai Star Rail should provide all the necessary stats that could give the character an edge in the battle. However, picking the right option can be tricky considering the 5-star character uses the power of Elation. Players have limited ideas regarding how the Path operates in combat.

All they have to work with is Yao Guang’s ability to deploy a special field to buff teammates’ Elation stats. Unfortunately, she has limited synergy with the available roster as of writing. Regardless, if you are still planning to summon and build the 5-star general, this article is for you. It explores some of the best Light Cones for Yao Guang in Honkai Star Rail.

Best 5-star Light Cones for Yao Guang in Honkai Star Rail

When She Decided to See

We have deemed three different Light Cones suitable for building Yao Guang, including her signature option in Honkai Star Rail. Known as When She Decided to See, the 5-star LC grants 18% SPD to the wearer and generates Great Fortune when they use Ultimate on an ally. The effect increases squad members’ CRIT Rate by 10% and CRIT DMG by 30%.

Additionally, Yao Guang will get a 12% Energy Regeneration Rate via Great Fortune. The effect is also triggered when she enters combat, meaning she will be able to obtain Ultimate points each turn. Besides, the Light Cone bolsters Yao Guang’s support potential, allowing her to buff teammates’ critical stats.

Best 4-star Light Cones for Yao Guang in Honkai Star Rail

1) Today’s Good Luck

Today’s Good Luck is a 4-star Light Cone that was added to the battle pass during the Honkai Star Rail 4.0 update. It boasts some impressive passives that Yao Guang can benefit from. For starters, the LC increases the wearer’s CRIT Rate by 12%, which ensures a consistent damage output from her attacks.

As such, you can use Yao Guang as a sub-DPS. However, the 12% Elation boost from the LC will be particularly useful.

2) Mushy Shroomy’s Adventures

Mushy Shroomy’s Adventures is the best free-to-play Light Cone for Yao Guang in Honkai Star Rail. It rolls with a slightly lower ATK stat but grants a 12% Elation boost to the wearer. Casting the Elation skill will further increase the DMG taken by all enemies by 6%.

The extra Elation will improve the effectiveness of Yao Guang’s special zone and improve her persona damage.