Match Details

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  Edwin van der Sar praised Manuel Neuer’s “impressive performance” against Real Madrid while Bruno Fernandes celebrated winning the Premier League Player of the Month award for March. ​Edwin van der Sar paid tribute to Manuel Neuer following the goalkeeper’s heroic display in Bayern Munich’s 2-1 victory over Real Madrid. The retired Dutchman compared the performance to Neuer’s legendary 2011 semi-final display. Van der Sar noted on Instagram, “Yesterdays match reminded me of the @championsleague game against a talented @mauelneur in 2011 when I was 40yr myself! Impressive performance to see him doing the same thing.”

• Kevin De Bruyne praises Manchester United star’s potential

  Former Manchester City legend Kevin De Bruyne has tipped Manchester United loanee Rasmus Højlund to become a world-class talent after the Danish striker reinvented his career during a prolific spell with Napoli.

  ​Kevin De Bruyne has voiced significant praise for his Napoli teammate Rasmus Højlund, insisting the forward possesses the raw tools to reach the pinnacle of the game.

  Joining the Serie A side after a trophy-laden decade at Manchester City, De Bruyne has witnessed Højlund’s resurgence firsthand.

  Reflecting on the 21-year-old’s development in Italy, the Belgian playmaker noted: “He can become a top player, he has great qualities.”

  ​Højlund has flourished in Naples, tallying 14 goals and securing the Supercoppa Italiana.

  Despite his struggles at Old Trafford, De Bruyne believes the striker’s best years are still ahead. “He had a difficult time at United, but now he’s doing very well here. He’s still young.

  He has a lot of time ahead of him,” De Bruyne added, as Napoli prepares to trigger a £38 million permanent buy option.

• Player Ratings: Jesus and White flop as awful Arsenal exit FA Cup in Southampton defeat

  Arsenal’s ambitions for a domestic cup double were extinguished on Saturday night as Championship side Southampton pulled off a massive 2-1 upset in the FA Cup quarter-finals.

  Having already tasted defeat in the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City, the Premier League leaders arrived at St Mary’s under immense pressure to deliver.

  Instead, a series of defensive lapses and a lack of clinical finishing saw them dumped out by a resilient Saints squad, who now head to Wembley for the semi-finals.

  ​The hosts took the lead in the first half when Ross Stewart capitalized on a misjudged cross that drifted over the Arsenal defense.

  Although the Gunners found a lifeline through substitute Viktor Gyokeres in the 70th minute, their joy was short-lived.

  Shea Charles settled the tie with a brilliant curled effort, leaving Mikel Arteta’s side to focus solely on their remaining league and European commitments.

  ​Arsenal Player Ratings 

  ​Kepa Arrizabalaga (6/10):

  Retaining his spot after a difficult Carabao Cup final, the Spaniard was relatively solid under pressure. He produced several vital interventions to keep Arsenal in the contest while the Saints were dominant. He could hardly be faulted for either of the goals conceded.

  ​Ben White (3/10):

  It was a night to forget for the defender, who struggled with his positioning long before the opening goal. His inability to judge the flight of the ball led directly to Stewart’s strike, and he was repeatedly targeted by Southampton’s pace in behind.

  ​Cristhian Mosquera (6/10):

  The defender provided a crucial last-ditch recovery early on to prevent an opening goal after a defensive mix-up. However, his performance was nearly marred by a dangerous cross-field pass in the second half that almost gifted the hosts a second.

  ​Gabriel Magalhaes (6/10):

  Returning from injury, the Brazilian looked physically taxed but managed to provide the game’s turning point for Arsenal with a superb long ball to set up the equalizer. Unfortunately, his night ended early due to a knee concern.

  ​Myles Lewis-Skelly (5/10):

  The youngster failed to capitalize on a rare start, looking unconvincing in possession. He struggled to track back effectively when the Saints broke forward and was eventually replaced as Arsenal searched for more defensive stability.

  ​Christian Norgaard (6/10):

  Left as the solitary defensive anchor in a very attacking lineup, Norgaard performed admirably under the circumstances. He worked hard to shield the back four, though he was often overwhelmed by the sheer volume of Southampton counter-attacks.

  ​Martin Odegaard (6/10):

  The captain was the primary creative spark during a bright opening 20 minutes, though he failed to convert a clear-cut opportunity to take the lead. As the match progressed, his physical sharpness seemed to dip, and his influence faded before being substituted.

  ​Kai Havertz (6/10):

  For much of the evening, Havertz was a peripheral figure who struggled to impose himself physically. However, he showed great composure and balance to provide the assist for the equalizing goal before being withdrawn for a more defensive option.

  ​Max Dowman (7/10):

  The 16-year-old was comfortably Arsenal’s most dangerous outlet, constantly driving at the Southampton defense. It was a telling sign of the senior players’ struggles that the team relied so heavily on a teenager to create scoring chances.

  ​Gabriel Jesus (4/10):

  It was an anonymous display from the Brazilian forward, who failed to register any significant goal threat or link-up play. His lack of impact led to an early second-half exit in favor of a more traditional strike presence.

  ​Gabriel Martinelli (5/10):

  A night of high frustration for the winger, whose predictable approach was easily neutralized by the Saints’ backline. His evening was summed up by a booking for an unnecessary altercation with the official during a dead-ball situation.

  Substitutes

  Riccardo Calafiori (5/10):

  Introduced to provide more tactical security, the defender struggled to make a tangible impact. He was caught out of position during the buildup to Southampton’s winning goal, failing to track the run of Fellows effectively.

  Noni Madueke (6/10):

  Replacing Odegaard, he injected energy into the final third. While he successfully linked up with Dowman to create overloads, he lacked precision in the final moments, frequently carrying the ball out of play.

  Viktor Gyokeres (7/10):

  Providing an immediate focal point, the substitute proved far more dangerous in the box than his predecessor. He was perfectly positioned to convert the equalizer, showcasing the clinical presence Arsenal lacked earlier.

  William Saliba (5/10):

  Stepping in for the injured Gabriel, he was unable to tighten the defensive structure. Southampton continued to find gaps in the closing stages, and he could not prevent the late breakthrough.

  Martin Zubimendi (N/A):

  Introduced for a brief cameo following Havertz’s exit, he had insufficient time to influence the proceedings or settle into the high-intensity tempo of the final minutes.

• Harry Kane made his feelings clear on Arsenal stars ‘who should be banned’

  England captain Harry Kane has voiced his disapproval of players prioritizing club commitments over international duty following a wave of Arsenal withdrawals from Thomas Tuchel’s squad.

  ​England captain Harry Kane has reiterated that “England comes before anything” following a mass exodus of players from Thomas Tuchel’s latest squad.

  The Three Lions saw eight players withdraw, including Arsenal trio Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, and Noni Madueke, ahead of a friendly against Japan.

  Kane previously stated, “I don’t really like it if I’m totally honest,” regarding stars pulling out of the national camp.

  ​Gabriel Agbonlahor has called for the Premier League to intervene, suggesting players who desert international duty “should be banned” from their next domestic fixture.

  He expressed concern that club managers are pressuring stars to prioritize trophies over national pride.

  Agbonlahor argued that “playing for your country is an honour” and urged current players to stop treating international windows as opportunities to rest for their clubs.

• Arsenal stars ‘should face ban’ as Premier League urged to introduce strict rule

  Gabby Agbonlahor has urged the Premier League to suspend players who skip international duty after 11 Arsenal stars withdrew from their national teams during the current break.

  Former England striker Gabby Agbonlahor has called for the Premier League to introduce a mandatory one-game ban for players who withdraw from international duty.

  His comments follow a wave of 11 Arsenal players, including Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice, pulling out of their respective national squads.

  Agbonlahor argued that representing one’s country is an honor that should not be sacrificed for club benefit.

  “If I was part of the Premier League and I was making a decision, I would bring in a new rule, you miss the next Premier League game available if you pull out of international duty,” Agbonlahor told talkSPORT.

  While England manager Thomas Tuchel defended the honesty of his players, the high volume of Arsenal withdrawals has sparked suspicion as Mikel Arteta’s side chases the title.