Zheng Qinwen powers into WTA Finals, Arsenal pay penalty for handball rule, Ming’s madness
The world of sport carries on as normal, which means Champions League, tennis, and a row over Olympic boxing gold medallist Imane Khelif
The world may be about to go to hell in a handcart but at least we have sport to distract us, and there was plenty of it overnight.
Champions League action in Europe, some cricket in the West Indies, where England managed to actually get a semi-respectable score in their third one-day international, and tennis in Saudi Arabia just the tip of the iceberg.
The boxing gender row at the Paris Olympics has even reared its ugly head again, so, here’s what happened while you were sleeping.
Wheels falling off?
An unlucky defeat where only a controversial penalty and some inspirational defending denied Arsenal victory, or an impotent attacking display in a 1-0 loss at Inter Milan evidence of the wheels falling off at title-chasing wannabes?
Really it comes down to whether you’re a glass half-full or empty type of person. There is no doubt defender Mikel Merino was harshly punished for the ball hitting his hand, a gift Hakan Calhanoglu did not need to look at twice. An while Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer made a stunning save to deny Kai Havertz, and both Gabriel and Havertz had efforts blocked on the line, Arsenal had 20 attempts on goal and still lost.
Coming after a run of three Premier League games without a victory, which has left the Gunners seven points behind leaders Liverpool, a first defeat” in Europe leave’s Mikel Arteta’s side 12th in the 36-team league.
“I am very proud of my players, the level of domination we had,” Arteta said. “We were very harshly done by in the sense that is obvious. The way we played tonight, the team can go to Chelsea and win.”
Ming’s madness
Honestly, and I know I’m showing my age, but all I’ve got in my head at the moment is Flash Gordon, the 1980s version, in all it’s kitsch space-opera glory.
