In Video: Arteta disappointed with Arsenal's transfer window | Back Pages Tonight
Back Pages: A First Look at the Sports Stories in the Morning’s Newspapers
On Sky Sports News, Miguel Delaney from The Independent and Ian Ladyman from The Daily Mail joined us to discuss the top sports stories in the morning’s newspapers. In this article, we’ll dive into the key headlines and stories that made the cut.
Arsenal’s Transfer Window Misses the Mark
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed his disappointment in the January transfer window, citing a lack of forwards in the squad. Arteta was quoted as saying, "We had a clear intention to explore opportunities to improve our squad with players with injuries, but we haven’t achieved it." The Metro’s headline read, "Window Pain Disappoints, But Arteta Keeps Faith."
According to Miguel Delaney, Arteta’s comments were a departure from his usual collaborative tone. Delaney noted that Arteta has been particular about his forward options and didn’t just want to bring in a player for the sake of it. He believes that Arteta is willing to wait until the summer to sign a top-quality striker.
Newcastle’s St James’ Park Conundrum
The Daily Mail’s headline read, "Failed: Teta Misery After Arsenal Blow Chance to Sign a Striker." Ian Ladyman discussed the conundrum surrounding Newcastle’s St James’ Park, which is in need of a rebuild. Ladyman pointed out that the club’s owners, Mike Ashley, have been forced to sell players like Lloyd Kelly to stay within the Premier League’s financial guidelines.
The debate surrounding the stadium’s future is tied to the spending restrictions in the country. Ladyman believes that if Newcastle wants to move to the level of a regular Champions League club, they need to increase their match-day revenue. However, this could mean rebuilding St James’ Park or building a new stadium, which would require finding a temporary home for the team.
Rugby: England’s Bold Move with Marcus Smith
The Guardian’s headline read, "England Set to Name Both Smiths Finn and Marcus Starting 15 for France Clash." The Times reported that Marcus Smith will play fullback at Twickenham, a bold attacking move by coach Steve Bick. Ian Ladyman expressed his surprise at the decision, noting that it’s a massive gamble that could backfire if it doesn’t pay off.
Miguel Delaney agreed, saying that England need something different to compete with football. He believes that Marcus Smith’s skill and flair out wide could be the spark the team needs to get back on track.
Conclusion
In this edition of Back Pages, we discussed the top sports stories in the morning’s newspapers, including Arsenal’s transfer window disappointments, Newcastle’s St James’ Park conundrum, and England’s bold move with Marcus Smith in rugby. Tune in next time for more analysis and debate on the latest sports news.