Sports

Arsenal and Wolverhampton draw 2-2: Premier League title hopes in jeopardy

The 27th round of the English Premier League saw Arsenal stumble with a dramatic 2-2 draw against Wolverhampton. Find out the details of the goals and the league standings as Manchester City closes in.

Published

14 minutes ago

February 19, 2026

Saudi Arabia News - saudinews50

In a shocking upset, Arsenal stumbled in their perilous journey to maintain their lead in the English Premier League standings, after falling into the trap of a 2-2 draw against their host Wolverhampton, in the exciting match that brought the two teams together on Wednesday evening as part of the twenty-seventh (27th) round of the competition.

A strong start and an unexpected scenario

The Gunners entered the match with their sights set on the three points and nothing else, and they succeeded in imposing their early control, as Arsenal took the lead just 5 minutes after the starting whistle through their brilliant star Bukayo Saka, ending the first half with the visitors ahead by a clean goal amid clear field control.

In the second half, Arsenal continued to press for a second goal, which they achieved when Hencapie scored in the 56th minute, leading everyone to believe the match was over for the league leaders. However, English football is unpredictable, and the home side rallied, with Hugo Bueno pulling one back for Wolverhampton in the 61st minute, breathing new life into the game.

Time-dead drama

As the match drew to a close and Arsenal fans prepared to celebrate a victory, disaster struck the visitors in the fourth minute of stoppage time (90+4), when Arsenal player Ricardo Calafiori scored an own goal, giving Wolverhampton a draw that felt like a victory, and inflicting a setback on his team that could prove costly in the title race.

The result's impact on the title race

This result intensifies the competition at the top of the Premier League. The draw takes Arsenal to 58 points, maintaining their lead at the top of the table, but the gap has narrowed to just 5 points over their closest and fierce rivals, Manchester City, who still have a game in hand from the same round (27). This setback puts immense pressure on Mikel Arteta's men, as a City victory in their postponed match would reduce the gap to just two points, opening the door to dramatic scenarios in the remaining rounds.

On the other hand, despite remaining in last place, Wolverhampton raised its tally to 10 points, in a draw that carries great moral value for the team at the bottom of the standings, confirming the difficulty of predicting the results of the English league regardless of the technical and point differences between the teams.

Sports

Jesus reveals the truth about Al-Nassr's objection to the match schedule

Learn about Al-Nassr coach Jesus's statements regarding the pressure of matches after the victory over Arkadag in the AFC Champions League 2, the truth about the administrative objection and the clean sheet streak.

Published

55 minutes ago

February 19, 2026

Saudi Arabia News - saudinews50

In important statements following the Asian encounter, Al-Nassr's Portuguese coach, Jorge Jesus, put an end to the rumors circulating about the club submitting a formal complaint regarding the congested schedule for the current 2025/2026 season. This came during the press conference held after his team's well-deserved victory over Turkmenistan's Erkadag, where the veteran coach clarified his and the team's stance on the current challenges.

Jesus confirmed to the media that any objections, if they exist, fall under purely administrative responsibilities and are not within his technical purview as the team's coach. The Portuguese coach emphasized his coaching philosophy, which considers playing a match every three days a normal and expected practice for major clubs competing for titles in various tournaments, noting that this schedule is the price of success and competition at the highest levels.

In a related context, the Al-Nassr coach highlighted the team's rising technical performance, explaining that Al-Nassr is fighting fiercely on two main fronts this season, namely the local league and the AFC Champions League 2. Jesus praised the high tactical discipline of his players, citing a remarkable record achieved by the team of playing nine consecutive matches without conceding a goal, which reflects the defensive solidity and great commitment of the team members on the pitch.

The 71-year-old addressed the difficulties the team faced recently, noting that Al-Nassr went through a critical period due to a spate of injuries to key players. However, he expressed great optimism about the noticeable improvement in performance and results in recent matches, emphasizing that the team is gradually regaining its strength and attacking prowess as the injured players return and the group gels.

Jesus concluded his remarks with an emotional and direct message to Al-Nassr fans, emphasizing that the players are making great sacrifices and deserve to have the stadiums packed to capacity to support and encourage them in the upcoming matches. It is worth noting that Al-Nassr secured their qualification after defeating their guest, Arkadag, 1-0 in the second leg of the AFC Champions League on Wednesday evening, repeating the same score as the first leg and thus confirming their determination to continue their pursuit of the continental title.

Sports

Dates for the Al-Nassr vs. Al-Wasl match in the 2026 AFC Champions League quarter-finals

Find out the dates for Al-Nassr (Saudi Arabia) vs. Al-Wasl (UAE) matches in the AFC Champions League quarterfinals. Details of the first leg in the UAE and the second leg in Riyadh, and the path to qualification.

Published

1 hour ago

February 18, 2026

Saudi Arabia News - saudinews50

All eyes of football fans across Asia, particularly in the Arabian Gulf region, are on the highly anticipated and fiery clash between Saudi Arabia's Al-Nassr and the UAE's Al-Wasl, in the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League. This encounter comes after both teams successfully overcame previous hurdles and secured their places among the continent's top eight.

Schedule of the first and second leg matches

According to the approved schedule for the continental competition, the dates for the decisive matches between the two Gulf clubs have been set. The first leg is scheduled for Tuesday, March 3rd , with Al-Nasr traveling to the United Arab Emirates to face Al-Wasl. This match presents an opportunity for the Emirati team to try and secure a positive result, taking advantage of playing at home in front of their fans, before the decisive second leg.

The second leg will be played on Tuesday, March 10, in the Saudi capital, Riyadh. Al-Nassr, bolstered by a squad of international stars and a massive fan base, will be looking to capitalize on playing the decisive match at their home ground, Al-Ahli Park, to secure a place in the semi-finals and continue their quest for the continental title that has eluded the club for so long.

The importance of confrontation and the historical context

Matches between Saudi and Emirati clubs always carry a special competitive edge, characterized by intense rivalry and excitement, given the similar skill levels and long history of competition in Gulf and Asian tournaments. This match holds added importance for Al-Nassr, who have made the Asian Champions League their top priority this season, especially considering the significant support and major signings the team has made to compete at the highest international levels.

Regional influence and global ambitions

The importance of this match extends beyond the purely sporting aspect, encompassing a wide media and public impact across the region. The fact that Al-Nassr and Al-Wasl have reached this stage reflects the development of Gulf football and its ability to dominate continental competitions. For Al-Nassr, overcoming Al-Wasl means taking a significant step towards realizing their Asian dream, placing a heavy responsibility on the coaching staff and players to deliver a performance worthy of Saudi football's reputation.

Both matches are expected to draw large crowds in Dubai and Riyadh, as fan groups have begun preparing early to support their teams in this important continental competition, promising enjoyable football matches worthy of the AFC Champions League's reputation.

Sports

Today's match schedule, Thursday, January 19, 2026, in the Roshan and European leagues

Check out the schedule of matches for Thursday, January 19, 2026, in the Saudi Professional League and the Europa League. Comprehensive coverage of the matches, broadcast channels, and key fixtures.

Published

1 hour ago

February 18, 2026

Saudi Arabia News - saudinews50

Match schedule for Thursday, January 19, 2026

Football fans will be glued to their screens today, Thursday, January 19, 2026, as numerous local and international stadiums host a packed schedule of crucial matches across various competitions. These fixtures of paramount importance given the sensitive mid-season period, with each team striving to improve their league position or secure qualification for continental competitions.

Domestically, Saudi football continues to shine and attract attention through the Saudi Professional League (SPL) . The league has witnessed tremendous development in recent years thanks to significant support and strategic planning that has made it a focus of global attention, attracting some of the brightest stars. Today's match features Al-Ahli against Al-Najma, a game in which Al-Ahli will be looking to prove their worth and compete for a top spot. The day also includes derbies and historically competitive matches, such as the Al-Ettifaq vs. Al-Fateh clash, which often carries a special significance in the Eastern Province.

Moving on to the first division, the Yelo League fierce competition among clubs vying for promotion to the top flight. This competition is the primary source of talent and strong teams for the Premier League, making today's matches, such as the Al-Jandal vs. Al-Raed clash, highly anticipated by fans, especially given the close points standings and the desire of established clubs like Al-Raed to solidify their position.

On the international stage, Europe's vibrant nightlife returns with the Europa League and the UEFA Europa League . These competitions offer a chance for established clubs to reclaim their former glory and for ambitious clubs to prove themselves on the continent. Today's schedule features some heavyweight clashes, most notably the classic encounter between Celtic and Stuttgart. The presence of established English clubs like Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace adds a special flavor and guaranteed excitement for viewers, as these clubs strive for European glory and aim to delight their fans.