The Premier League returns tonight in Manchester and everything is different
All remaining fixtures will be played behind closed doors, with no fans in attendance, and teams will be allowed to make five substitutions rather than the usual three.
The Premier League finally kicks off again this evening – and the first day of fixtures sees current champions Manchester City take on Arsenal at the Etihad stadium.
Man City’s reign as champions may soon be coming to an end, but the blues still need to solidify their runners-up position ahead of Leicester, who are lurking four points behind.
Pep Guardiola’s side will be aiming to complete the double over Arsenal, while the Gunners will be attempting to continue their unbeaten run and make a challenge for the top four.
The match will be a very different spectacle to what we’re used to.
All remaining fixtures will be played behind closed doors, with no fans in attendance, and teams will be allowed to make five substitutions rather than the usual three.
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The Premier League has also announced that all teams will have ‘Black Lives Matter’ printed on the back of their shirts instead of player names until the end of the season. This is in addition to a Black Lives Matter logo and an NHS badge featuring on the front of kits.
Despite losing 3-0 in the return fixture back in December, Arsenal will be hoping that an empty Etihad Stadium will negate home advantage and give the London team a shot at gaining some vital points to put themselves in contention for a top four position.
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Guardiola’s former assistant Mikel Arteta, who tested positive for Covid-19 back in March, makes his return to the Etihad with the hopes of steering Arsenal to victory against City for the first time in the Premier league since 2016.
The Arsenal manger is aware that the unique conditions presented by the pandemic will not make things easy for his team.
Speaking during a press conference, Arteta said the game would be “different” without the opportunity to use the energy of the crowds, noting how “passionate” fans are in England.
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Guardiola said that teams can only “adapt” to the situation but suggested things would be difficult with so many games in quick succession: “We are ready to play one game, but three days after another and four days after another… we are not ready.”
A three-month break has, however, given both teams a boost in terms of player availability.
City will be happy to see the return of Leroy Sane, who has a chance to play for the blues for the first time this season following an ACL injury. Aymeric Laporte, who has been unavailable since he took a knock in the game against Real Madrid, will also be back in contention.
It is not a completely fit squad for Arsenal, as Calum Chambers and Lucas Torreira are not quite ready for the game at the Etihad, but both players are back in training.
Manchester City v Arsenal will kick off at 8:15pm on Wednesday the 17th and will be shown on Sky Sports.
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Manchester United’s statement in full as Michael Carrick is sacked as manager
Emily Sergeant
Manchester United has now released a formal statement following the news that Michael Carrick has been sacked with immediate effect.
Carrick – who initially played for Manchester United as a midfielder between 2006 and 2018 – was first appointed as a caretaker manager in 2021, before he went on to become the interim manager and then men’s first team head coach earlier this year.
Unfortunately though, United have struggled to find form this season – with the team winning only three of their first 15 games across all competitions.
The club’s statement reads in full: “Manchester United can confirm that Michael Carrick has departed his role as men’s first-team head coach.
“Michael rejoined the club in January and guided the team to a third-placed Premier League finish by winning 12 out of the remaining 17 games of the 2025/26 season, accumulating the highest points tally in the league during that period.
“After a disappointing start to the season, the club has come to the extremely difficult conclusion that a change is necessary in order to achieve our ambitions.
“Michael is, and always will be, a Manchester United legend. Just as he did as a player, he has conducted himself with the highest standards of dedication and professionalism throughout his time back with the club. His leadership and achievements last season will always be fondly remembered.
“The club intends to appoint a permanent successor as quickly as possible.”
Featured Image – Sky Sports (via YouTube – screenshot)
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‘We couldn’t see f**k all’ – Bizarre Altrincham FC FA Cup clash played in thick fog leaves fans baffled
Daisy Jackson
Altrincham FC’s FA Cup clash with Notts County descended into extraordinary scenes on Saturday night as thick fog engulfed the stadium, leaving supporters struggling to see the players and even broadcasters questioning what was happening.
The bizarre first-round encounter at the J Davidson Stadium saw visibility deteriorate so badly that fans resorted to holding their mobile phone torches aloft in an attempt to follow the action.
What should have been a memorable FA Cup occasion turned into something resembling a scene from a horror film, with the players increasingly disappearing into the mist.
Altrincham Today captured the surreal atmosphere, posting: “Extraordinary scenes here at the J Davidson Stadium. Visibility down to a few yards. No-one has any idea what is going on. Supporters holding mobile torches aloft, like it’s an Elton John concert. It is still 2-2, we think.”
Even television coverage struggled to make sense of the conditions.
Broadcaster Jason Mohammad joked: “Bear with us at the end of the game. We’ve not seen much of extra time where we are. We don’t have the foggiest what’s going on down the away end. Fair play – cracking game and atmosphere!”
One social media user summed up the extraordinary conditions simply, writing: “Altrincham v Notts County is currently being played in a cloud.”
Others were equally bewildered, with one supporter asking: “Spot the ball anyone? #FACup @altrinchamfc on the verge of another league scalp – although who knows what’s going on?!”
Another fan was less than impressed, posting: “Shame we couldn’t see f**k all for most of it”.
Even the stadium’s advertising boards were struggling to make an impression. James Timpson joked: “It was hard to see the investment we have made in to our pitch side advertising boards last night at Altrincham V Notts County!”
It was hard to see the investment we have made in to our pitch side advertising boards last night at Altrincham V Notts County! https://t.co/trW9imo7Xu
The unusual conditions also prompted questions over whether the match should have continued.
One Notts County supporter reflected after the game: “Unlucky guys you gave us a great game and the conditions didn’t help still say it should have been abandoned even though we scraped through!!!! Good luck for the rest of the season lads”.
And it was certainly a dramatic contest before the fog took centre stage.
Notts County initially took the lead through Jacob Bedeau in the 28th minute, but Altrincham responded through Lucas Weaver just before half-time.
Lewis Banks then put the hosts ahead in the 59th minute, raising hopes of another famous FA Cup upset against higher-league opposition.
@altrinchamfc If you say so https://t.co/6ub5YiIogD
However, Callum Roberts equalised for County in the 84th minute, sending the tie into extra time.
With neither side able to find a winner, the match went to penalties, where Notts County eventually prevailed 3-2 to book their place in the second round.
While the result was heartbreaking for Altrincham, the extraordinary conditions ensured the match would be remembered for more than just the football.
For supporters at the J Davidson Stadium, it was certainly one FA Cup tie where seeing wasn’t necessarily believing.
Kate Jackson -
17th June 2020 
