Mikel Arteta named Rafael Nadal as his number one idol and joked he hopes the tennis great chooses to attend an Arsenal game over Tottenham.

The Arsenal manager was asked to name the person – sports star or otherwise – he admires most in wake of Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola revealing Hollywood A-lister Julia Roberts was one of his idols.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of Thursday's Europa League last-16 second leg against Sporting CP, Arteta said: "Off the top of my head, Nadal is someone I've admired for a long, long time.

"His mentality, what he's won, the way he's done it, the way he's bounced back – he's top of my list for sure."

Guardiola, who named Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan as his other idols, quipped he felt upset that Roberts decided to visit City's fierce rivals Manchester United when she visited the city seven years ago.

Asked if he hoped Real Madrid supporter Nadal would opt for Arsenal over fellow north London side Tottenham, Arteta said: "I hope so."

Arteta had every right to be in high spirits when speaking to reporters on Wednesday, with his side five points clear of City at the top of the Premier League after easing to a 3-0 win over Fulham on Sunday.

Arsenal's focus now switches to the Europa League and the visit of Sporting, who they are locked at 2-2 with after last week's entertaining first leg in Portugal.

Rather than seeing the match as a distraction ahead of facing Crystal Palace in their final league match before the international break, Arteta is relishing playing in front of a large home crowd in a European competition.

"We haven't had a big European night for three years," he said. "Hopefully it will be a really good atmosphere and we can enjoy it.

"We know Sporting are a good team and they'll provide a challenge."

Much like ahead of the first leg, Arteta was unwilling to give much away in terms of team selection, but he did provide a positive update on Gabriel Jesus after the striker's return from a four-month lay-off against Fulham.

"It was great to see him back. You can feel the happiness of everyone around him - we missed him and now he's back," Arteta said.

"We have to manage his minutes, his involvement. He's feeling good and every day he's training he says his sensations are better so that's really positive.

"As for the team, we're looking to do the same as we did in Lisbon but we know we're going to have to do better than we did last week."

Alejandro Garnacho has withdrawn from the Argentina squad for two upcoming friendlies and will miss a string of key games for Manchester United, the injured teenage winger has announced.

The 18-year-old came off the bench in United's 0-0 draw with Southampton on Sunday and went down hurt during the latter stages after a challenge from Kyle Walker-Peters.

The Southampton defender won the ball on the stretch in the penalty area, but Garnacho's right ankle appeared to get trapped between Walker-Peters' legs.

Walker-Peters and Garnacho have exchanged pleasantries on social media since the incident, with no hard feelings, but United's exciting young talent faces a spell on the sidelines.

"It is difficult to put into words how I'm feeling right now," Garnacho wrote on Instagram.

"Unfortunately I will not be able to help my team and team-mates in the upcoming games in what is a very important part of the season for us at Manchester United.

"I am disappointed to also miss the opportunity to be with my team-mates of the Argentinian national team in what would have been a great and proud moment for me and my family.

"This is part of football and our profession, however, I am already focused in my recovery. God has taught me to never give up and I will make sure I am back stronger than ever!"

Garnacho left Old Trafford on crutches after the Southampton game and will miss the Europa League clash with Real Betis on Thursday, plus the FA Cup game against Fulham on Saturday.

He will also sit out Argentina's friendlies against Panama and Curacao during the international window, missing a chance to team up with Lionel Messi and co after the Albiceleste's World Cup triumph.

It remains to be seen whether he is fit in time for club duty by April 2, when domestic football resumes for the Red Devils with a trip to Newcastle United.

Wout Weghorst is still revelling in the "special" feeling of scoring his first Manchester United goal at Old Trafford, having waited "too long" to break his duck at the Theatre of Dreams.

At the ninth attempt since his loan move from Burnley, the Netherlands international finally netted his first home goal in the commanding 4-1 victory over Real Betis in the Europa League.

That marked Weghorst's second strike in 15 appearances, though the 30-year-old's work rate has been widely praised despite his modest goal return.

Reacting quickly in the box to turn home after Scott McTominay's shot had been saved by Claudio Bravo, Weghorst's sheer relief was evident.

"Yes, I think you could [see] it," he told United's official website. "[It was a] great feeling and, of course, I had to wait a long time for it – too long.

"[I'm] really happy. I got my goal, so that was a great feeling with the stadium, in front of the Stretford End. It was special."

United's performance against Betis on Thursday provided a timely response to their humbling 7-0 defeat by Liverpool at Anfield four days earlier.

Weghorst found himself at the centre of controversy after that loss, with footage emerging of him touching the 'This Is Anfield' sign in the tunnel ahead of kick-off, a gesture usually associated with Liverpool players rather than their opponents.

He claimed he was simply trying to wind up compatriot Virgil van Dijk as he attempted to prevent the defender from touching the sign.

But he got himself back in United fans' good books on Thursday, and he was thrilled to have played a part in helping the Red Devils bounce back.

"That was what we wanted, to give a reaction after the defeat that was, of course, not acceptable. It [was] not our level, not our standards and definitely something we should avoid, and have to avoid for the future.

"We were really [happy] to get a reaction and to show us, and I think that's what we did [against Betis]."

Erik ten Hag's side will look to continue that momentum against Southampton – the Premier League's bottom team – to tighten their grip on third place.

Frenkie de Jong has declared he has no intention of leaving Barcelona amid continued links with Manchester United.

The 25-year-old midfielder was heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford in the off-season but it never materialised despite the best efforts of United's Dutch manager Erik ten Hag to convince him.

The situation was complicated by De Jong's contractual situation with financially embattled Barcelona, turning it into a drawn-out saga, fuelling talk United could move for him again at the end of this season.

But De Jong has made clear that he has no intention to depart Camp Nou, where he is contracted until 2026.

"I was calm because I knew I wanted to stay at Barca and I haven't changed my mind," De Jong told RAC1.

"I had always dreamed of playing for Barcelona and I want to succeed at Barca. Right now I'm calm and I want to continue at Barca."

De Jong, who joined Barcelona from Ajax in 2019, added that he had plenty left to achieve with the Catalans.

"I've never won LaLiga," he said. "It's my fourth year here and it's the time I've been closer. But there is still a long way to go.

"It is our main goal and we will give everything to achieve it."

De Jong has made 18 starts with four appearances off the bench in Barcelona's 24 LaLiga games this term, ensuring he has been a key part of their success, sitting nine points clear with 14 games to play.

"The four-midfielder system benefits me, but beyond that, this year I'm playing more at the base of midfield, where I feel more comfortable," he said.

"And then, I have more freedom to move, to drive and overcome lines. Busquets helps me a lot because he transmits a lot of calmness. He's very confident with the ball and defensively he's much better than people think."

Roma may have won 2-0 over Real Sociedad in their Europa League last-16 first leg but head coach Jose Mourinho refused to call it a good result.

Goals from Stephan Al Shaarawy and substitute Marash Kumbulla secured the home victory which gives the Giallorossi a significant advantage ahead of the return leg in San Sebastian.

Despite that, Mourinho was not satisfied, urging caution with a quarter-final spot at stake.

"This 2-0 is only good if we don't lose by three in the second leg," Mourinho told Sky Sport Italia. "I will never say it's a good result after the first leg."

Mourinho acknowledged Roma have a complicated schedule around the second leg on Thursday 16 March, with a Derby della Capitale against Lazio three days later.

"Now we have a dangerous week," the Portuguese said. "After the return with Real Sociedad we play against Lazio, even if for me playing with them is like playing with Milan or Juve, but in this city it is not like that."

Roma actually had only 40 per cent possession against Sociedad, yet generated three shots on target compared to the Spanish side's one.

Despite not declaring it a good result, Mourinho said his side controlled the game and deserved the win.

"I liked the organisation, the effort and the empathy on the pitch," Mourinho said.

"We all helped each other. It’s hard to play against teams who field a midfield diamond. We faced it against Empoli and RB Salzburg, but it's difficult.

"We needed a strong mentality because when you don't have the ball for a long time, mentality is crucial. We controlled the match despite having less possession."

Roma may have won 2-0 over Real Sociedad in their Europa League last-16 first leg but head coach Jose Mourinho refused to call it a good result.

Goals from Stephan Al Shaarawy and substitute Marash Kumbulla secured the home victory which gives the Giallorossi a significant advantage ahead of the return leg in San Sebastian.

Despite that, Mourinho was not satisfied, urging caution with a quarter-final spot at stake.

"This 2-0 is only good if we don't lose by three in the second leg," Mourinho told Sky Sport Italia. "I will never say it's a good result after the first leg."

Mourinho acknowledged Roma have a complicated schedule around the second leg on Thursday 16 March, with a Derby della Capitale against Lazio three days later.

"Now we have a dangerous week," the Portuguese said. "After the return with Real Sociedad we play against Lazio, even if for me playing with them is like playing with Milan or Juve, but in this city it is not like that."

Roma actually had only 40 per cent possession against Sociedad, yet generated three shots on target compared to the Spanish side's one.

Despite not declaring it a good result, Mourinho said his side controlled the game and deserved the win.

"I liked the organisation, the effort and the empathy on the pitch," Mourinho said.

"We all helped each other. It’s hard to play against teams who field a midfield diamond. We faced it against Empoli and RB Salzburg, but it's difficult.

"We needed a strong mentality because when you don't have the ball for a long time, mentality is crucial. We controlled the match despite having less possession."

Manuel Locatelli saluted "phenomenon" Angel Di Maria, stating his Juventus team-mate is "in another category" after their narrow win over Freiburg.

Di Maria scored the only goal as the Bianconeri drew first blood in the opening leg of the Europa League last-16 tie, thumping home a header from Filip Kostic's 53rd-minute cross.

Following his hat-trick against Nantes in the previous round, the World Cup winner has now been directly involved in 10 goals in 2023 (scored seven, assisted three).

The 35-year-old revealed he is in talks with Juve over extending his 12-month contract, which expires at the end of the season, and Locatelli hailed his team-mate's influence on the side.

"Angel is a phenomenon, he's in another category, I think he's really a champion," the midfielder said. "For us, it's an honour to have him with us in training and in the game. We have to be thankful that he is here.

"We are only 1-0 up, today was only the first half, we must play a mature game there [in Freiburg next week]. The 1-0 may be enough, but we have to go there and play a great game.

Although they lead, Juventus will feel their advantage should be greater, having converted just one of their 20 shots on goal during the first leg.

Head coach Massimiliano Allegri has urged his players to demonstrate a greater clinical edge, though he also encouraged Dusan Vlahovic to stay patient with the striker now having gone five matches without finding the net.

"We have to improve in the number of goals scored," Allegri said. "We create enough, the [conversion] percentage is low. We need lucidity when we attack the area, we have to improve.

"I'm happy because physically Dusan is much better, he has to be calm. Maybe on Sunday [against Sampdoria], he will score."

Erik ten Hag hailed Manchester United's character after a 4-1 victory over Real Betis got his side back on track.

Not hindered by the humiliating result against Liverpool on Sunday, United bounced back at Old Trafford to take command of their Europa League round of 16 tie.

Marcus Rashford, Antony, Bruno Fernandes and Wout Weghorst were on target in a dominant win that put one foot in the quarter-finals and lifted the club's spirits.

Given the pressure heading into the game, Ten Hag felt the performance showed once again the team can respond to setbacks.

"I think we played a very good game. At half time, we should have been up 3-0, but it was 1-1, we made one mistake and were punished for it, but I think we played well," he told BT Sport.

"We scored good goals, it was a good performance, it gave something to the fans, and they gave us something back as well, they were behind us and we're very grateful after Sunday.

"There was a good attitude from the start, we were on the front foot and we were good on the ball, finding the spare man in midfield and making good switches, making good runs behind and creating a lot of chances, so we are happy today.

"You always have to see how a team reacts after a setback and this is not the first time this season, I think it's five or six times, we can reset, we can bounce back, this team has character."

Angel Di Maria revealed he is in talks with Juventus over a new contract after his header saw off Freiburg in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie.

The Argentina international settled the opening leg at the Allianz Stadium when he powered home Filip Kostic's 53rd-minute cross for his fourth goal in this season's competition.

Di Maria, who also netted a hat-trick against Nantes in the previous round, has now been directly involved in seven goals in his last six European appearances.

The 35-year-old endured an injury-hit start to life in Turin after signing a 12-month deal last July, but has already registered 10 goal involvements in 2023 (seven goals, three assists).

Bruno Fernandes and Toulouse's Branco van den Boomen are the only other midfielders in Europe's top five leagues to hit double figures in the calendar year.

Di Maria's future is uncertain, but he said negotiations to extend his stint with Juve are ongoing.

"I'm happy to have helped the team, we are doing a good job and we must continue like this," he told Sky. "The important thing was to win, and we did it.

"We will do our best [to reach the final of this competition]. We will try to win both the Coppa Italia and the Europa League.

"We're talking, I'm happy here, and I'm finally feeling the affection of the people after a difficult start."

Allegri also hailed Di Maria's impact, while saluting his side's display ahead of the second leg in Germany next week.

"Tonight, [Di Maria] scored a wonderful goal but, above all, he gave an extraordinary performance.

"We played a very good match tonight, with great intensity and good technically. The only thing we missed too many times was the last pass. We could have chosen better and that made the difference.

"In Freiburg, it won't be easy, but the thing that makes me think positive is that they will give us spaces, and we will have to exploit them."

Marcus Rashford highlighted the importance of Manchester United's Europa League victory over Real Betis after the humiliation against Liverpool.

An unchanged United side bounced back from Sunday's Anfield rout with a 4-1 victory at Old Trafford to take command of the round of 16 tie.

Rashford opened the scoring with his 26th goal of an outstanding season, with Antony, Bruno Fernandes and Wout Weghorst on target in the second half after Ayoze Perez had equalised for the visitors.

While the win will not wipe away the pain experienced on Merseyside, it put United back on track and Rashford says there must be more to come. 

"It's always important to win the next fixture, it's the only way for us to bounce back and try to continue the momentum we had before that game," he told BT Sport.

"So I'm pleased we managed to win the game and it has put us in a good way in the tie.

"We always try to start quick, a goal always helps that. I thought they defended the box quite well in the first half, the second half it opened up a bit more, as we expected with the game being 1-1, so we're pleased to win the game and start the tie in the right way.

"It's a step back in the right direction. We have to build on this now to gain momentum again, we can't put too much emphasis on something that has gone, we can't change it, but we have to look forward now."

Mikel Arteta did not hide his frustration with Arsenal's performance in Thursday's 2-2 draw with Sporting CP, but Fabio Vieira's display brought him a degree of pleasure.

The Gunners took the lead in the first half when William Saliba headed in from Vieira's corner, only for their hosts to level in similar circumstances just past the half-hour mark at the Jose Alvalade.

Paulinho put Sporting in front after the break with a tap-in, but Hidemasa Morita's own goal seven minutes later ultimately secured Arsenal a draw to take back to Emirates Stadium for the return leg of their Europa League last-16 tie.

The draw puts Arsenal – who have only lost at home twice all season – in a decent position ahead of the second leg, but Arteta feels they can do better, even considering the somewhat unfamiliar look to his starting XI.

"We are conceding too many simple goals," he told reporters.

"We spoke about the importance of boxes, especially in a competition where you're in or out. [On Thursday], we didn't defend that well enough, and we have to be better at threatening the opponents as well.

"But of course, you have an opponent there. We've played some really emotional games recently.

"We made a lot of changes and sometimes that takes time to get that cohesion, and you could feel it in the first 15 minutes that it needed some time to adapt and click.

"If we don't expose them, though, that's never going to happen."

He added: "When you concede two poor goals like we did away from home in Europe, it's very difficult to get a positive result.

"The game had different phases because we gave too many simple balls away in our own half and gave them the capacity to [exploit] transition moments, which they are good at.

"In other moments we had total control of the game and we lost a little bit of threat, especially with the four players we are missing in our frontline.

"There were some positives because we showed a lot of resilience to get back into the game, but we need to defend our box much better and be better on Sunday."

Vieira's performance was a surely one of those positives.

The Portugal international was given only his 13th start of the season, but his delivery for Saliba's opener was his sixth assist already – only Bukayo Saka (nine) has more for the Gunners this term, and he has played almost 1,600 minutes more than Vieira.

Arteta clearly values the former Porto midfielder.

"I'm really happy with him," he added. "I think he deserves more minutes than he's had, especially in the last two months.

"Obviously he had a difficult start because he was injured for two months after a surgery, and wasn't at the level that we want.

"You saw tonight he was probably our most dangerous player. He was always making things happen. He's a player that I absolutely love."

Manchester United got back on track with a 4-1 victory over Real Betis in the first leg of their Europa League round of 16 clash at Old Trafford.

Just days after humiliation at the hands of Liverpool, an unchanged United side responded fiercely to put one foot in the quarter-finals.

It was not all plain sailing for Erik ten Hag's side though, with Ayoze Perez equalising in the first half after Marcus Rashford gave the hosts an early need.

A strong second half put United in control though, as Antony guided home a trademark curler and Bruno Fernandes headed home to ensure a firm lead.

United came out of the blocks flying and, having already seen a Weghorst goal disallowed for offside, took the lead in the sixth minute as Rashford capped off a fine counter-attack to smash into the top corner. 

Claudio Bravo was called into action to deny Weghorst and Rashford, before Betis equalised against the run of play when Juanmi clipped a pass to Leicester City loanee Perez, who drilled into the far corner and give David de Gea no chance. 

Two minutes before the break, the visitors almost took the lead. De Gea sloppily gave the ball away to Juanmi, who fed a pass through to Perez, but United got away with it as his pass across the face of goal was deflected onto the post by Lisandro Martinez.

United retook the lead seven minutes after the restart, Antony cutting inside onto his left foot and curling beyond the reach of Bravo from outside the box.

The hosts' advantage was doubled just six minutes later, Fernandes finding space at the near post to head Luke Shaw's corner home despite Bravo getting both hands to the ball.

Bravo kept the scoreline respectable with a number of crucial saves but could do nothing as Weghorst tucked home on the rebound after Scott McTominay's effort was saved, with United on course for the quarter-finals.

Angel Di Maria scored the only goal of the game as Juventus beat Freiburg in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 encounter.

Juve registered a whopping 20 shots at the Allianz Stadium, where Di Maria's second-half header Bianconeri gave them a slender lead in the tie.

The Argentina international continued to shine in this competition, having netted a hat-trick against Nantes in the previous round.

Freiburg, who saw their five-match unbeaten streak halted, must come from behind when the teams recommence battle in Germany next week.

Massimiliano Allegri's decision to drop Paul Pogba from the squad for disciplinary reasons dominated the build-up to what was Juve's first Europa League showdown against German opposition since they faced Borussia Dortmund in the 1994-95 semi-finals.

Pogba's fellow France international Adrien Rabiot almost opened the scoring when he drew smart reflexes out of Mark Flekken, who also kept out Juan Cuadrado's free-kick.

Bremer then somehow failed to find an open goal in the 31st minute, the defender heading over Di Maria's deep corner from just two yards out, while Cuadrado stung Flekken's palms once more before the break.

Juve eventually made the breakthrough eight minutes into the second half, when Di Maria powered home a header from Filip Kostic's centre.

Freiburg thought they had responded in the 62nd minute but, following a consultation with the VAR, Lucas Holer's wonderful volley was ruled out as Matthias Ginter handled in the build-up.

Vincenzo Grifo was then marginally off target with a free-kick that represented the visitors' only recorded attempt on goal, as the Serie A side saw out a narrow victory.

Arsenal kept their hopes of winning a famous double on track with a fiery 2-2 draw in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie at Sporting CP on Thursday.

The Gunners took the lead, went behind and fought back to ensure it ended all square at Estadio Jose Alvalade in a four-goal encounter high on drama.

First-half headers from William Saliba and Goncalo Inacio left the two sides on level terms at the break, before Paulinho's tap-in had pushed Ruben Amorim's men in front.

But a Hidemasa Morita own goal just beyond the hour mark ensured Mikel Arteta's Premier League leaders will head into next week's second leg level with the Portuguese side.

On a humid evening, both teams started in cagey fashion, creating few clear-cut chances amid an atmosphere of simmering tension.

That taut mood increased in the 22nd minute when Saliba rose to power Fabio Vieira's corner home, with an off-the-ball altercation involving Oleksandr Zinchenko then sparking a minor melee.

Sporting refused to be cowed by their concession though, and took just a dozen minutes to strike back in near-identical fashion, with Inacio the man to divert a Marcus Edwards set-piece past Matt Turner.

The hosts then hit the front just 10 minutes after the restart, when Turner parried a Pote attempt straight to Paulinho, who fired home from close range.

Arsenal rose to the occasion once again though, albeit not without controversy after Bukayo Saka was adjudged to have been committed a foul in the build-up to Granit Xhaka's finish ricocheting in off Morita.

That left the tie nicely poised ahead of the return leg at Emirates Stadium next week.

Erik ten Hag has given his Manchester United players the chance to make amends for Sunday's annihilation at Liverpool by naming an unchanged XI for the visit of Real Betis.

United suffered the joint-worst competitive defeat in their history at Anfield, losing 7-0 as they found themselves on the end of a second-half blitz.

Ten Hag's men had arguably been the more threatening side in the first half, but after going into the interval a goal down, they capitulated in spectacular fashion and Liverpool ran riot.

Thursday's Europa League last-16 first leg provides United with the opportunity respond to that embarrassment, and Ten Hag surprisingly resisted the urge the drop any of those involved in Sunday's debacle.

David de Gea, Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro and Luke Shaw were the targets of particularly stinging criticism for their performances against the Reds, though they all kept their places.

Wout Weghorst also attracted the wrath of supporters after it emerged he touched the 'This Is Anfield' sign in the tunnel before kick-off, a gesture generally associated with Liverpool players rather than their opponents.

The Dutchman claimed he was trying to wind up international colleague Virgil van Dijk by preventing him from touching the sign. Weghorst also retained his place.

Betis – coached by former Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini – will be hoping to pile the misery on for United.

The Andalusians have had injury problems of late, however, with the talismanic figures of Nabil Fekir and Sergio Canales both absent.

Ex-City goalkeeper Claudio Bravo was named between the posts, while Ayoze Perez – on loan from Leicester City – was selected in attack alongside Betis' 41-year-old captain Joaquin.