you might know, but mikel arteta says tonight mikel arteta says... he was at, this time last year, many left is the assistant, pep guardiola to leave manchester city to get to arsenal. they've won the fa cup, one match away from the semifinal but u nfortu nately, away from the semifinal but unfortunately, the position that they are in which is almost a powerless position in the premier league is the one that is dominating the thoughts when it comes to arsenal at the moment. so much speculation surrounding mikel arteta and his future. he says not walking away, but do think you will have a choice. i would be staggered if he walked away from this, because we know from what he said that he is determined to see this through and determined to see this through and determined to see this through and determined to turn it around. you don't have to go back too far to when it looked promising, really promising, in his early days as the manager of arsenal. 0k, they are going through a sticky spell. the concern for me is that he does not appear to be getting the

the 2—1 loss at everton was their fifth in seven games and mikel arteta now has to solve the age—old how do you turn 18 round when it is in freefall? i like to look around me, whether it is the staff, coach, players, and i want to see fighters. normally when that happens, you have two types of people, fighters and victims. people who fight, people who contribute, and people who are ready to give everything to the cause in this moment. arteta has been in charge 110w moment. arteta has been in charge now for over a year. the early signs we re now for over a year. the early signs were good, arsenal won the cup and had two wins at the start of the season. had two wins at the start of the season. but in the last ten games it has fallen apart. only sheffield united have got fewer points in those games, and most of arsenal's goals have been penalties. they are just looking points off the bottom three, so cannot get any worse?m is awful, gary, no creativity, players going through the motions, not working hard enough, not closing down, and arteta should be a worried man relying on those group

they have beaten chelsea tonight 3—1 at the emirates to ease some pressure on boss mikel arteta.uld have wanted for christmas was a home when stop the emirates hadn't seen one since 0ctober. four defeats and a draw since have left arsenal headed towards a relegation fight. they beat chelsea last time they met in the fa cup final five months ago and another win would steer them back on track. frank lampard's side slipped up track. frank lampard's side slipped up at wembley i did so again when reece james brought down kieran tierney. alexandre lacazette grateful for his first premier league goal since september. if that was a surprise, league goal since september. if that was a surprise, so was league goal since september. if that was a surprise, so was this. chelsea, sloppy for a second time and granit xhaka giving arsenal a two goal lead at the interval for the first time this season. that prompted tactical changes from lampard prompted tactical changes from lampa rd but they prompted tactical changes from lampard but they didn't make much difference. the fate seems to be against

with arsenal now 15th in the league, we'll look at what the future holds for manager mikel arteta.s rashford is recognised with a special award at the bbc sports personality of the year following his campaign to help feed the uk's poorest families. hello and welcome to sportsday. elite sport could be significantly disrupted over the festive period because of covid, with a number of high—profile sporting fixtures already postponed this weekend. games were called off in the efl, the wsl, as well as several matches in rugby's european champions cup. looking ahead, both millwall and ipswich's next two championship fixtures have been postponed after an outbreak of covid in the squads. this season's efl cup final has been re—scheduled from february to april the 25th in the hope that fans will then be allowed in at wembley. and the masters snooker will take place without fans next month now, despite originally planning on having a crowd at alexandra palace in london. it's all after a new tier 4 was imposed on the capital and parts of the south east due to the new varient of covid. experts

. -- mikel arteta with southampton leading 1—0. —— mikel arteta. that's all from sportsday.roughout the evening. goodbye. you're watching bbc news with jane hill. we will talk a little bit more about coronavirus and christmas in particular. but before that let's bring you the latest government figures which have been released for the uk. borisjohnson has boris johnson has been borisjohnson has been speaking today. restrictions will still be eased as promised, but the prime minister said people should think hard before meeting family and friends. having looked at the latest data with our colleagues in the devolved administrations — scotland, wales, northern ireland — we have decided that the overall situation is, alas, more challenging than we'd hoped when we first set the rules. so, while it would not be right, we think, to criminalise people who have made plans and simply want to spend time with their loved ones, we are collectively — across the uk, governments at every level — asking you to think hard and in detail about the days ahead, and whether you can do more to prote

with mikel arteta's arsenal already knocked out, we ask what next for the under—pressure boss.monies like this, as organisers of the tokyo games announce a simpler, stripped back version for next year? welcome to the programme, thanks forjoining us. a group of former footballers and politicians have today joined forces in calling for an urgent review into the possible link between heading a ball and brain damage. a letter addressed to the culture secretary oliver dowden has been signed by nine ex—players asking the government to assess its current guidelines. former footballers are three—and—a—half—times more likely to die of dementia than the general population and five members of england's 1966 world cup—winning squad have been diagnosed with it, including nobby stiles, who died in october. former chelsea and charlton player mickey ambrose is one of those behind this letter and joins me now. mickey, thanks for joining mickey, thanks forjoining us. what is the letter say? basically we want the football association to be reviewed. the research has been done, but it's taken near

but the pressure continues to build on mikel arteta after arsenal dropped points yet again.ake matters worse, former arsenal player theo walcott gave southampton the lead at the emirates. but the home side managed to rescue a point when pierre—emerick aubameyang equalised for them in the second half. arsenal are just five points above the relegation zone. it finished 1—1 in the london derby between west ham and crystal palace. christian benteke, who was later sent off, had put palace ahead with his third goal in as many games. but a spectacular overhead kick from sebastien haller earned the hammers a point at the london stadium. sam allardyce is back in the premier league after being appointed as west brom boss following the sacking of slaven bilic. the 66—year—old has been out of the game for two and a half years after leaving everton back in 2018. allardyce has previously taken charge of seven clubs in the premier league and is yet to be relegated from the top flight. west brom are 19th in the table with just seven points. in other news, trials for concussion substitues ha

manager mikel arteta has admitted he must "take the bullets" for the club's poor form, having lost four're 15th in the table and nowjust five points above the relegation zone. we have to face it and we have to face that we embrace fighting and no one giving up for anything. there is no time to hide, it's time to put your face no time to hide, it's time to put yourface and no time to hide, it's time to put your face and body on the line. at the moment, i'm sorry, but we have to ta ke the moment, i'm sorry, but we have to take the bullet. we are not winning matches. have the right to hate me because i'm not winning, so what else can i do? put my head down, work harder and fight to do things better and improve. bournemouth are the new leaders in the championship after a 1—0 win over ten man wycombe. junior stanislas got the goal, while brentford also had a player sent off at watford. despite being a goal down, an ivan toney penalty was enough for thomas frank's side to snatch a point side to snatch a point. elsewhere, barnsley beat preston 2—1 to go ninth, millwall won at bristol city, not

neighbours and mckellar tessa is in his hardest speu mckellar tessa is in his hardest spell —— mikel artetather this is true. unlike spurs, his main man have not been firing, although perhaps a 4—0 win in the europa league. the slide. we created many chances. into sunday, a very special game, we are looking forward to it and let's do it again. mourinho has never lost a home game in his career against arsenal, all signs point to against arsenal, all signs point to a totte n ha m against arsenal, all signs point to a tottenham win, but this season has been anything but predictable. craig templeton, bbc news. well, champions liverpool will be keeping a keen eye on that game, only below spurs of course on goal difference. their home game with wolves won't be allowed fans because the city is in tier 3 and managerjurgen klopp has been very vocal on the debate over the number of substitutes, accusing the fa of "ignoring player welfare" after they refused to increase it to five. it's about all the players. and it's about load management and nothing else, and load management not for getting an advan

as arsenal are in tier two they were allowed to have up to 2,000 fans at the emirates and mikel arteta'smething to smile about. alexander lacazette scored this great opening goal to put them on their way to a 4—1 win over rapid vienna. they had already made it through the knockout stages and the victory takes them through as group winners with a game to spare. tottenham qualified with a draw at lask. they had gone behind, but a penalty from gareth bale and then this from son heung min put them 2—1 up. they were pegged back, but went ahead again through a dele alli penalty before the austrians made it 3—all. they have dropped to second in their group behind antwerp and jose mourinho was not happy about the commitment of some of his players. some of the players, they feel that they shouldn't be here. but the contradiction on that is that players like seong and pierre, our players like seong and pierre, our players starting every match and they are the examples of the guys. it does not matter where, it does not matter the competition, they are there and they are there for the tea m there an

mikel arteta's watch had onlyjust hit the two—minute mark when his side fell behind, an early gift forjesusut of fernandinho and ceballos. the brazilian was lucky that there is no var. as the clock ticked on, arsenal started to click. and when lacazette leapt, they had their equaliser. concentrate, was the message. but runarsson can't have been listening. his mistake handing the lead back to city. this time, they wouldn't let it go. because foden had the game in his grasp. first he flicked it over runarsson's head, then provided the kind of cross that you just can't miss from. city were slick, but arsenal haven't won domestically since early november. the kind of run that has you looking over your shoulder. craig templeton, bbc news. there was a great story in the evening's other cup game — as brentford reached a major semi—final for the first time in their history. josh dasilva scored the only goal — as newcastle became the fourth premier league team brentford have knocked out of this year's competition. the manager of league one club ipswich town paul lambert says the lack of testing supp

all sorts of problems at the moment — but granit xhaka isn't one of them, according to manager mikel artetaclub. they're 15th in the premier league after their worst start to a season for 46 years and there's speculation linking the swiss midfielder with a move in the january transfer window. he was sent off in their home defeat to burnley on sunday, having previously had a rocky relationship with the club's fanbase. arteta maintains that xhaka's professionalism should not be questioned he knows and we all know that he had a moment where he has lost it and i know the reason why, but what i cannot do is just through everything that he has done away because he has made a mistake, we all make mistakes, and i am here as well to protect the players when i see that they deserve that and for sure granit is one of them. the former yorkshire bowler azeem rafiq has filed a legal complaint against the club under the equality act, following his allegations of institutional racism at the club. rafiq played for the county for ten years until 2018, and he first spoke out in august, saying the incidents ha

manager mikel arteta has admitted he must "take the bullets" for the club's poor form, having lost fourthey're 15th in the table and nowjust five points above the relegation zone. we have to face it and we have to face that we embrace fighting and no one giving up or anything. there is no time to hide, it's time to put your face and body on the line. at the moment, i'm sorry, but we have to take the bullet. we are not winning matches. you have the right to hate me because i'm not winning, so what else can i do? put my head down, work harder and fight to do things better and improve. bournemouth are the new leaders in the championship after a 1—0 win over ten man wycombe. junior stanislas got the goal, while brentford also had a player sent off at watford. despite being a goal down, an ivan toney penalty was enough for thomas frank's side to snatch a point. elsewhere, barnsley beat preston 2—1 to go ninth, millwall won at bristol city, nottingham forest moved clear of the relegation zone with a win over bottom side sheffield wednesday and it was goalless between stoke and qpr. hibernian

challenge in the league cup was ended by manchester city — with life getting no easier to manager mikel artetath city boss pep guardiola saying it would be a big mistake if arteta was sacked. city meanwhile remain on course for a fourth straight win in the competition. brentford knocked out newcastle in the night's other game. whilst messi was claiming the accolades in spain, cristiano ronaldo and juventus suffered a chastening evening in turin, beaten 3—0 by fiorentina in serie a. after going behind, juve's night took a worse turn less than 20 minutes in whenjuan cuadrado was sent off for this tackle. despite initially being shown a yellow card for the challenge on gaetano castrovilli, it was sent off after a var review and the referee upgraded it to a red. after the break, things got worse for the hosts when alex sandro could only turn this cross into his own net. martin caceres put the result beyond doubt five minutes later for the third. juventus are fourth in the table, with napoli, inter and ac milan all in action on wednesday. after the opening two games of the season on tuesday, wednes

coming up in the sport on bbc news later in the hour, after another defeat, mikel arteta admits arsenal in big trouble unless they can turn things around quickly. good afternoon and welcome to the bbc news at one. there's been disruption in dover this morning. borders have reopened, but thousands of drivers are facing more delays as they have to wait for covid tests. rail, air and sea services have resumed, after the french government eased its ban on people entering from the uk. but lorry drivers say the situation in kent remains chaotic — there were scuffles with police as some protested about the delays, and one man was arrested. some of the 3,000 hauliers who are stuck say they're simply not getting enough information. simonjones reports. the border to france may have finally reopened but this morning angry drivers left the manston lorry park where they'd been sleeping in their cabs to vent their anger. they'd been stuck in the uk for days, they'd been promised a coronavirus tests. they say they still don't know when they will get out of here. the police are here now in numbers on t

they haven‘t had one in nearly two months, but manager mikel arteta says they could be heading for a

nicolas pepe equalised from the spot but mikel arteta's side are without a league win since the start5. if they had out points for the best club brand where, southampton would be climbing the table. manchester city deal in raheem sterling. if they handed out prizes for unfortunate comedic and gold, matt ritchie would be in with a shout. left red faced as newcastle drew 1—1 with fulham. it's looking good for rangers in the scottish premiership. a 3—1 win over motherwell leaves them 16 points clear. a goal for cedric itten and two from kemar roofe in the final 17 minutes ensured they bounced back after defeat in the league cup. british boxer, callum smith, was well beaten in his super middleweight clash with saul canelo alvarez this morning who inflicted the liverpudlian‘s first defeat. alvarez, widely regarded as one of the best pound—for—pound boxers on the planet, takes smiths wba belt and the vacant wbc belt. he won on a unanimous points decision. he himself has only lost once before. i made the weight 0k. no excuses from me, he is a good fighter, i have lost. we could have been a b

the arsenal manager, mikel arteta, says that they will be in big trouble unless they can turn things. they were beaten 4—1 by manchester city in the quarterfinals of the league cup last night and that's now eight domestic games without a win. arteta gave keeper alex runarsson his first game outside the europa league and he was to blame for the goal that saw city retake the lead in the second half. he should have done a lot better with riyad mahrez‘s free kick. arteta has been at arsenaljust over a year since leaving city where he was pep guardiola's assistant for three years. he has backed arteta to come good saying that arsenal would be making a "big mistake" if they sacked him. i was with him a long period and the most successful period that our club in history. we cannot understand this success without him. i learn a lot from him. he is an outstanding manager. incredible work ethic. he puts the club in front of any other decisions he has to make. sometimes in ourjob, we need to do this. sometimes in ourjob, we need to do this. the other two quarter—finals are this evening. tottenh

it goes from bad to worse for arsenal boss mikel arteta.y're out of the league cup, thrashed by the holders manchester city. arteta says it's a hard result to take. it's been a year when we've needed inspirational people like never before. we'll meet some of those you've nominated as the heroes of 2020. somebody like kate, who gives so much to others, decided to go back into work regardless of her own recovery in order to be instrumental in getting the covid vaccination rolled out. good morning. persistent rain across england today and across wales, that could lead to localised flooding. in northern ireland, after a cloudy start, you could see some sunshine. but it will feel cold. it's wednesday, 23rd of december. our top story. rail, air and sea services between britain and france have resumed this morning, after french officials lifted a blanket ban on people entering the country from the uk. french citizens and hauliers are among those who can now travel, if they've tested negative for covid—i9. almost 3,000 lorry drivers stranded at dov

yes, arsenal have just confirmed that head coach mikel arteta has tested positive for covid—19.remier league will convene an emergency club meeting tomorrow. all english and scottish football matches are suspended because of the impact of coronavirus. england have cancelled their two test cricket matches... the f1 season suspended until may at the earliest. the marathon is the latest sporting event to be postponed. the final round of six nations fixtures, a complete write—off. what you have seen over the last 48 hours or so in effect is the collapse of the global sporting calendar. within a fortnight, the country was locked down, and with much of the world also under restrictions, the final dominoes were bound to fall. wimbledon was cancelled for the first time in peacetime, while euro 2020 was shifted to 2021. the women's euros moved to 2022. and having cost at least £10 billion, the biggest event of all finally accepted the inevitable. we came to the conclusion that we have to postpone the olympic and paralympic games tokyo 2020 to the year 2021. i feel relieved, because we we

relief for mikel arteta exactly one year after he took charge of the gunners, engineering a necessaryenal's fortunes. five months after beating chelsea in the fa cup final, they needed to end a run of seven games without a premier league win and did it in style. granit xhaka put them 2—0 up by half—time. bukayo saka made it three. he claimed on purpose. arsenal could have scored more, although a lacklustre chelsea did pull one back. bernd leno kept a smile on arsenal's faces with an injury time penalty save. i'm really pleased, first of all for the players, because they are the ones that had to come out here and win the game, and then for our supporters, because we have let them down for many weeks with results and i think it is a good day to give them something to cheer about. everton also have something to cheer about. they were heading for a goalless draw in the rain at bottom club sheffield united but it all changed with ten minnutes to go. carlo ancelotti's side rise to second in the premier league thanks to gylfi sigurdsson. a 1—0 win puts them two points behind liverpool who pl

mikel arteta says he has no plans to walk away from his job as arsenal manager.as the rapid spread of a new variant of coronavirus that helped convince ministers to tighten the mixing rules for millions of people over christmas. it was first detected in october and some scientists have suggested it could be up to 70% more infectious. the usual guidance for avoiding infections remains the same — including keeping your distance and covering your face. but more and more is being learnt about how the virus is transmitted. 0ur science editor david shukman has been looking at the research. the virus may be changing but it's still spreading from the same ways. either someone infected contaminates an object that someone else touches, or a cough sprays out droplets containing the virus that reach people nearby. 0r tiny virus particles emitted just by talking linger in the air and get breathed in. the result is that infections happen most easily indoors. we've known that for a while, and scientists say that even original forms of the virus can reach further and faster than

arsenal boss mikel arteta insists everyone at the club knew there would be no "quick fix" to get theirto tomorrow's match against everton down in 15th in the league, winless in six and on their worst start to a top flight season since 197a. it's like anything, this industry, you need results. but after a big shake—up we need to find the stability. we need time, we all knew — at least the people who made the decision with me at the start of the new project — that this wasn't a quick fix and it was going to take time. and when you're shaking things up, things can take a while. footballers are "overwhelmingly in support" of continuing to take a knee to highlight racial inequality and fight discrimination. that's the message from the players' union, who asked their members if they wanted to carry on with the gesture following recent protests by fans. millwall, colchester united and cambridge untied supporters had booed the action before matches in the past fortnight. but players said they wanted to continue with "this act of solidarity". there's huge formula 1 news today — mercedes team pr

arsenal boss mikel arteta says he has no plans to walk away from hisjob and is calling on his playersrn around their awful recent form. they've lost five of their last seven matches in the premier league, arsenal's worst start to a season in a6 years and they face manchester city in the quarter final of the league cup tomorrow. i like to look around may, whether it is the staff, coach, players, and i want to see the fighters. anomaly when that happens you have to make types of people, fighters and victims. we just need fighters to stop you don't want any victims. they bring negativity and a stack to blame anything that is happening around them or not is going for them. people who fight, contribute and people who are ready to give everything to the cars in these moments. the legendry former south african cricketerjacques kallis isjoining england's coaching team for their upcoming tour of sri lanka. he's going to be working as a batting coaching consultant for the two match test series which begins on january the iath in galle. kallis is the third highest run—scorer in test cricket and

we'll have the latest from the emirates as manager, mikel arteta, comes under increasing pressure topend more money on trying to prevent young people from sleeping rough. the charity centrepoint say young people are facing ‘a winter like no other‘, with rising levels of homelessness among those aged 16 to 25. ministers say they‘re investing over £750m to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping next year. 0ur social affairs correspondent michael buchanan has been speaking to two young people made homeless in recent months. covid has cost me my family home and my relationship with my family. i was just on the road, i was just walking up and down with my black bags, staying on park benches, staying in tower blocks and stuff like that. the city is a lonely place when you‘re homeless, time a constant enemy. joshua spent six weeks sleeping on london‘s streets. the pandemic cost the 20—year—old hisjob in construction. tension is built up at home, and his mother couldn‘t cope. my mum called me and was, you know, she said, yeah, she can‘t managed no more, and she said, you know, she doesn‘t wa

but the pressure continues to build on mikel arteta after arsenal dropped points yet again.pton. to make matters worse, former arsenal player theo walcott, that man there, gave southampton the lead at the emirates. but the home side managed to rescue a point when pierre—emerick aubameyang equalised for them in the second half. arsenal are just five points above the relegation zone. it finished 1—1 in the london derby between west ham and crystal palace. christian benteke, who was later sent off, had put palace ahead with his third goal in as many games. but a spectacular overhead kick from sebastien haller earned the hammers a point at the london stadium. sam allardyce is back in the premier league after being appointed as west brom boss following the sacking of slaven bilic. the 66—year—old has been out of the game for two and a half years after leaving everton back in 2018. allardyce has previously taken charge of seven clubs in the premier league and is yet to be relegated from the top flight. west brom are 19th in the table with just seven points. in other news, trials f

mikel arteta's side have lost 5 of their last 7 premier league games, and are having their worst startere was nearly a big shock at the world darts championships last night as world number three gerwyn price was given a scare byjamie lewis — a player ranked 60 places below him. the match went the distance, before a relieved price finally won it to book his place in the third round at alexandra palace. that's all the sport for now. i will have more for you throughout the afternoon. convicted as an american spy, us—british citizen paul whelan is preparing to spend christmas in a russian labour camp as talks to negotiate his release have faltered. in his first detailed interview since his arrest, mr whelan has described life as a "very, very grim existence" and called for more to be done to get him out. he's been speaking to the bbc‘s sarah rainsford. russia calls this man an american spy, but paul whelan has told me he is a political hostage. he's been phoning me from prison to relate his story in detail for the first time. why did you come to russia generally? for months, we followed ev

the new west brom manager sam allardyce has ramped up the pressure on arsenal boss mikel arteta by sayingm sees arteta's side in 15th place and just four points above the bottom three. west brom are second bottom, seven points behind arsenal. we are in the bottom made at the moment, yes, absolutely, because i believe they haven't won a premier game for... wa nt to want to cross to westminster for the possibility of a brexit deal. let's talk to nick early. what can you tell us? it's another holding statements, i'm afraid. it looks like the talks are going to go on for a few hours yet. we know that they are into the real nitty—gritty now. it's trop yet crossing the tease and dotting the eyes, but the latest we've heard is it's unlikely to be concluded in the experience. it looks like it will be morning before we know for sure that this deal is done. it seems to be going that way. i don't pick anything's happened that necessarily makes us think that there's not going to be a deal agreed between the eu and the uk, bots, if you are holding your breath for one to a night, i think you're going t

the arsenal manager, mikel arteta, says they will be in big trouble u nless says they will be in bigngs around quickly. they were beating a—1 by manchester city in the quarterfinals of the league cup. that is a domestic league games without a win. arteta has been at the gun is just over a year since leaving city where he was pep guardiola's system for three years. he has backed out at come good saying arsenal would make a big mistake if they sacked him. come good saying arsenal would make a big mistake if they sacked himlj was with him for a long period, the most successful period our club had in its history. we cannot understand, he is an outstanding manager. he puts the club in front of any other decisions he has to make. the chief executive of the tokyo 0lympic organising committee says the opening and closing ceremonies will be simplified next year. the games, scheduled to start injuly were year. the games, scheduled to start in july were postponed for year. the games, scheduled to start injuly were postponed for a year because of the pandemic and the organisers admitted the cere

as arsenal are in tier two they were allowed to have up to 2,000 fans at the emirates and mikel arteta'slexander lacazette scored this great opening goal to put them on their way to a 4—1win over rapid vienna. they had already made it through the knockout stages and the victory takes them through as group winners with a game to spare. tottenham qualified with a draw at lask. they had gone behind, but a penalty from gareth bale and then this from son heung min put them 2—1 up. they were pegged back, but went ahead again through a dele alli penalty before the austrians made it 3—all. they have dropped to second in their group behind antwerp and jose mourinho was not happy about the commitment of some of his players. some of the players, they feel that they shouldn't be here. but the contradiction on that is that players like seong and pierre, our players starting every match and they are the examples of the guys. it does not matter where, it does not matter the competition, they are there and they are there for the team over time. —— all the time. leicester had already made it through to t

the arsenal manager mikel arteta says it was a perfect day for his side as they beat chelsea 3—1 at thecommitted three, he claims on purpose. arsenal could have scored more, and low a lacklustre chelsea pulled one back, there was an injury time penalty save. please have to come out here and win the game, and therefore, our supporters, because we have let them down for many weeks with the results, and i think today is a good day to give them something to cheer about. everton also have something to cheer about — they were heading for a goalless draw in the rain against bottom club sheffield united, but it changed with ten minutes to go. a 1—0 win puts them two points behind liverpool who pay less from this afternoon. lester came from behind. brendan rogers' side staysjust came from behind. brendan rogers' side stays just above opponents. manchester city and a fifth in the table, behind united! pep guardiola's side remain unbeaten. crystal palace beaten 3—0 despite having tyrone ming sent off. rounding up the last home game of 2020 with a flourish, up to sixth in the table. drew savage, bb

they haven't had one in nearly two months, but manager mikel arteta says they could be heading for aegation battle. championing change — why lewis hamilton is backing the eco—friendly competition that drives motorsport into new terrain. good morning. storm bella is starting to bear down across the uk. we still have severe flood warnings out as a result of recent rain, numerous other flood warnings and an amber warning for those potentially damaging winds later today. i will have more detailfor you in around a quarter of an hour. it is saturday 26 december, boxing day. a december, boxing day. belated happy christmas fl our top story: 6 million more people in the south and east of england are now living under the toughest level coronavirus restrictions, tier 4, which means they must stay at home unless it is for work or education. gyms, hair salons and all non—essential shops are also closed. emily unia reports. returned to lockdown, with more shops, pubs and restaurants across the uk forced to close to try and slow rapidly rising infection rates thought to be caused by a new strain of

closed doors the new west brom manager sam allardyce has ramped up the pressure on arsenal boss mikel artetaecond bottom, seven points behind arsenal. we are in the bottom made at the moment, yes, absolutely, because i believe they haven't won a primarily game for almost double figures, and of course, getting beat again last night, even though it's not in the league in the cup, as it does with our players, drains the confidence of arsenal's players. of course, it well. because they will be wondering why they are down there, and they will be wondering what it's going to ta ke to will be wondering what it's going to take to get out of that position. now, a group of formerfootballers have sent a letter to the government calling for an urgent review into the possible link between having a ball and brain damage. the possible link between having a balland brain damage. former footballers are three and half times more likely to die of dementia than the general population. mickey ambrose — who played for both charlton and chelsea — says the football association and players football association aren'

mikel arteta's side have lost five of their last seven premier league games, its their worst start toall hurting, because people are hurting and everyone is worrying and suffering at the moment, because we want much more and we are working to get much more. in the dressing room, when you are losing football matches, it is difficult, because they care, because they want more. but the unity is there. fifa's lodged a criminal complaint against its former president sepp blatter in connection with the finances of a museum project in switzerland. it is the latest allegation of financial impropriety against blatter, who resigned from his post as president in 2015 amid a corruption scandal. he's always denied any wrongdoing. and one in five professional rugby union players in england suffered concussion during the 2018—19 season, according to figures released by the rfu. several former players have launched a legal case against the sport's authorities for alleged negligence in relation to dementia caused by playing. the rfu figures show that in 2018—19, for the eighth consecutive season, conc

the pressure continues to build on mikel arteta after arsenal dropped points yet again.e former arsenal player, theo walcott, gave southampton the lead at the emirates. but the home side managed to rescue a point when pierre—emerick aubameyang equalised for them in the second half. arsenal though are 15th in the table, five points above the relegation zone. well, the big game of the night is just getting under way at anfield — the top two, spurs and liverpool, are facing each other. both are currently goalless. west brom have appointed sam allardyce as manager after sacking slaven bilic this morning. the 66—year old has been out of the game since leaving everton back in 2018. allardyce has previously taken charge of seven clubs in the premier league. and is yet to be relegated from the top flight. west brom are 19th in the table with just seven points. trials for concussion substitutes have been approved by football's lawmakers, ifab, this afternoon. from next month, it means that clubs could get an additional substitution for incidents like this. you might remember wolv

arsenal play manchester city in the efl cup tonight, and the pressure is on boss mikel arteta to turnall for —— we are all hurting, because of the results in the premier league, but we want much more, and we are working to get much more. in the dressing room it is difficult, because they want more but the confidence level starts to go, but the unity is there. the league cup final has been moved from late february to late april. 0rganisers hope the change of date will allow many more supporters to be in wembley stadium for the match. the pandemic continues to have an impact on sport. ipswich town are the latest club to have to cancel matches after six members of staff tested positive for covid—19, including manager paul lambert. their next two matches in league one are off. championship side millwall have also postponed their next two matches, and with infection rates growing in london and the south east, there are concerns over christmas fixtures. it's just a common sense thing, isn't it? the fixtures were already condensed. every time there is a game called off because of a virus, or

receive this award that it's the 1st one in my and i'm with you and i'm so happy arsenal boss mikel arteta has confessed that the gunners have to be wary of being dragged into a relegation battle the club is on a render us run of form of slump to 15th in the english premier league having taken just one point from their last 5 games when you are in this position. and we have the boys that we have and the moment you have to look and be careful because if we haven't been in this position at the last year when i came in we were not very similar position and the same joke was around the place is normal because we knew just how big you know points and then forget about it. cricket no installer fast bowler mohammad shami has been ruled out of the rest of india's tour of australia the 30 year old fractured it's for betting on day 3 during the 1st test in adelaide which the aussies went on to win emphatically by 8 wickets shimmies absence is a massive blow to india as the tourists will already be without caps and without kohli will miss the rest of the series on paternity leave 2 of the 4 match ser

manager mikel arteta has admitted he must "take the bullets" for the club's poor form, having lost four zone. we have to face it. and we have to face it being brave. fighting, no one giving up, oranything. there's no time to hide, it is time to put your face and your body on the line. at the moment, i'm sorry, but we have to take the bullets. we are not winning football matches. you have to put your chest there, and hit me, because you have the right to hit me because i am not winning, so what else can i do? but my head down. work harder and then try to do things better and improve. it's a confusing time for football fans with spectators allowed to attend some premier league games depending on what tier the stadium is in. well, the tottenham boss jose mourinho admits he's also "confused" by the restrictions on fans with london set to move into tier 3 tomorrow. spurs trip to liverpool tomorrow night will be played in front of 2,000 people at anfield, but their next home game against leicester will be behind closed doors. not just at the football level, but also and especially at the soci

arsenal boss mikel arteta admits he must "take the bullets" for the club's poor form.me to put your face and your body on the line. at the moment, i'm sorry, but we have to ta ke moment, i'm sorry, but we have to take the bullets. you have to put your chest there, and hit me, because you have the right to hit me because you have the right to hit me because i am not winning, so what else can i do? work harder and then try to do things better and improve. england's women will begin the defence of their cricket world cup title against australia in 2022. they'll meet in hamilton on the 5th of march. england took the crown on home soil in 2017, with victory over india. the 50—overs competition was moved back a year, due to the pandemic, with the same six venues in new zealand hosting the 31 matches. the former yorkshire bowler azeem rafiq has filed a legal complaint against the club under the equality act, following his allegations of institutional racism at the club. rafiq played for the county for 10 years, until 2018, and he first spoke out in august, saying the incident

arsenal boss mikel arteta insists everyone at the club knew there would be no "quick fix" to get theirh me at the start of the decision with me at the start of the new project, that this wasn't a quick fix and it was going to take time. and when you're shaking things up time. and when you're shaking things up things can take a while. to some big formula 1 news now — mercedes team principle and ceo toto wolff will remain in charge of the team for a further three years. he's signed a new deal with the world champions and has increased his holding in the team to a third of the comapny. chemical giant ineos have also purchased a one third shareholding within mercedes, which sees daimler reduce its current 60% holding to create three equal partners. and is lewis hamilton also about to sign a new contract? well, mercedes tweeted hinting as much, with hamilton saying he plans and wants to be at the team next year. and finally, there's that saying, "like father like son". well, we've seen wayne rooney's son follow in his dad's footsteps, as 11—year—old kai signed a contract at manchester unite

the arsenal manager mikel arteta says that they will be in big trouble unless they can turn things aroundoutside the europa league and he was to blame for the goal that saw city retake the lead in the second half. he should have done a lot better with riyad mahrez‘s freekick. arteta has been at arsenaljust over a year since leaving city where he was pep guardiola's assistant. he has backed arteta to come good saying that arsenal would be making a ‘big mistake' if they sacked him. better news for another london club though, brentford boss thomas frank says his players have "created a new chapter" in the club's history. the championship side beat newcastle 1—0 in the league cup last night to reach their first major semi—final. josh dasilva scored the winner. the bees haven't had it easy, that's the fourth premier league team they've knocked out of this year's competition. the other two quarter finals are this evening, everton host manchester united and before that tottenham travel to championship side stoke. ian holloway has resigned as grimsby town manager. he leaves them 20th in league 2

problems continue for mikel arteta.a point of the top four, they beat southampton 1—0. raheem sterling finishing off this ball from kevin de bruyne. saturday's other match featured a comic own goal from matt ritchie but his newcastle side earned a point at home to fulham thanks to callum wilson's second half penalty. it's looking good for rangers in the scottish premiership. a 3—1 win over motherwell leaves them 16 points clear. a goal for cedric itten and two from kemar roofe in the final 17 minutes ensured they bounced back after defeat in the league cup. british boxer callum smith was well beaten in his super middleweight clash with saul ‘canelo' alvarez this morning, who inflicted the liverpudlian's first defeat. alvarez, widely regarded as one of the best pound—for—pound boxers on the planet. takes smith's wba belt and the vacant wbc belt. he won on a unanimous points decision. he himself has only lost once before. following in the footsteps of a famous father is never easy, made even harder if yours happens to be

i was reading mikel arteta's interview, he was asked, where does this defeat leaves them?osition. pretty much sums it up! and a 1—0 defeat at home to burnley perfectly demonstrated their problems. granit xhaka losing his cool and grabbing ashley westwood's neck. that's twice this season an arsenal player has been sent off for violent conduct. and captain pierre emerick aubameyang put the ball in his own net. that took burnley out of the relegation zone but left arsenal fans and the players in despair. it's terrible, to be honest. not what we are, not as a club, not what the fans deserve. not what the manager deserves, not what the board deserves. it's us players that need to take responsibility for this. we are arsenal, we need to be better than this. we're not performing up to the standards and we don't deserve to be, not playing well enough, we're doing well in stages but it's not good enough, we need to be better for the full game, take charge and score goals. it's arsenal, it's just not good enough, man. and this won't make arsenal fans feel any better. tottenham are s

arsenal play manchester city in the efl cup tonight, and the pressure is on boss mikel arteta to turnnts. meanwhile, the league cup final has been moved from late february to late april. 0rganisers hope the change of date will allow many more supporters to be in wembley stadium for the match. good for arsenal to look forward to. and the olympics. and the ryder cup. in the aeros. there is plenty to look forward to, we have just got to get past this terrible start and end of this year, start of next year. that is a bit of a dark thoughts to end on! the league cup final is in april, we could all be there.” wonder how many people are getting diaries this christmas? you have to get them before christmas, christmas is too late, you have to look ahead to next week. i used to have a real diary, now it is now all out there. 0n diary, now it is now all out there. on your phone. retailers have played down fears of food shortages after france shut its borders to uk hauliers for 48 hours due to the uk's new coronavirus variant. but they have warned of "serious disruption" if there are longer delay

a very special night, according to the arsenal boss mikel arteta, after his side became the first premier fans into the emirates for the match — a small fraction of the 60,000 normally there. but they had plenty to cheer, especially when alexandre lacazette, scored the goal of the game. tottenham secured their place in the knockout round after drawing 3—3 with lask, while leicester lost 1—0, to zoria luhansk in ukraine. rangers made it through to the knockout stage after a dramatic 3—2 victory over standard liege at ibrox. steven gerrard's side twice came from behind, with scott arfield scoring the decisive goal. celtic lost 4—2 against ac milan. england's men play the first of three one day matches in south africa later, but the build up has been dominated by the tourists' novel way of getting messages to players on the pitch. england hung a series of coded signs from their dressing room windo, during the recent t20 series. 0ne read "c three". they know what it means. ex—captain michael vaughan says it's nonsense and a step too far, but the current england one—day skipper says it is in t