Archives for March 2024

Mikel Arteta has taken Arsenal from also-rans to title contenders after showing no mercy with some big-name stars, but his replacements for the likes of Mesut Ozil haven’t always stayed the course. Ozil was in and out of the team under Unai Emery but returned to the fold under Arteta during the 2019-20 season and was beginning to make an impact again when the Premier League went on hiatus at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. He didn’t feature after that point, though, eventually leaving for Fenerbahce in early 2021. As the former Real Madrid star was nearing the exit, Arsenal youngster Emile Smith Rowe was attracting Arteta’s attention. His form on loan at Huddersfield helped the Terriers keep their place in the Championship, and the playmaker was then welcomed into the fold at his parent club. Smith Rowe scored his first goal under Arteta in October 2020, adding three more that season, and developed into a full England international. Now, though, he finds himself at a crossroads at the age of 23 after falling down the pecking order as Arsenal have added strength in depth. Smith Rowe’s winner for Huddersfield against West Brom in July 2020 helped make sure of his team’s survival, while also dashing Albion’s automatic promotion hopes. When Arteta was asked about the goalscorer the following week, a smile crept across his face. “He’s a player with very specific qualities to play in those pockets in that position as an attacking midfielder,” Arteta told Sky Sports. “I am excited to work with him. I have been talking with him and I have followed him during his spell on loan. I think he’s someone who can be pretty impressive. “I’m pleased by what I’ve seen from him. He needed that exposure and he looks more mature now. I think he will be in a much better place when he comes back in pre-season. “The young players want to be important, they want to take the important numbers, and I like that. It’s a good step. and they can be important in the future, but it’s up to them to decide that.” Does Emile Smith Rowe have a long-term future at Arsenal? Have your say in the comments section Smith Rowe enjoyed a breakout season under Arteta in the 2021-22 campaign, scoring a career-high 10 goals as Arsenal narrowly missed out on Champions League football. It felt like vindication for the academy graduate, after the Gunners opted to keep hold of him amid summer interest from Aston Villa. Villa, who signed Emi Martinez from Arsenal in 2020, were prepared to reunite Smith Rowe with his former team-mate the following year. A £30m bid was knocked back, though, with Arteta coming good on his praise for the midfielder the previous season. “He’s having an incredible season ever since he started to play in December,” Arsenal’s manager said during the 2020-21 campaign. “But he’s scoring his first Premier League goal. An incredible season for a No 10 of Arsenal means he needs to score 15 goals and give 10 assists. “Then you are right up there with the top guys in Europe and in the league. He’s got the ability to do it but he hasn’t done it. We need to stay calm with him, give him the right support and step by step, I think he will be getting there.” Right when he was tipped to kick on even more, though, Smith Rowe got an injury at an unfortunate time. After four appearances from the bench at the start of the 2022-23 campaign, he underwent groin surgery which kept him out for three months. Gabriel Martinelli’s rise the previous season had already served as a taste of things to come, with the Brazilian seemingly a better fit for the starting role on the left under Arteta, while Leandro Trossard’s January arrival meant Smith Rowe’s options became even more limited. He didn’t start a single league game last term, though an assist on the final-day victory over Wolves offered hope going into the current campaign. Granit Xhaka’s exit suggested a role as a left-sided eight might become available to Smith Rowe, rather than a berth further forward. Instead, though, Arsenal spent big on Kai Havertz to leave a man once considered the club’s future worrying about his present. “Being at a massive club like Arsenal, we know there is so much competition,” Smith Rowe said in September after making his first club start in 499 days. “It is always going to be challenging, it is always going to be difficult to cement your place in the team. “I have just got to keep believing in myself. Coming back and not quite getting back into the team, I have had to stay strong in my head and try to stay as positive as I can.” That start against Brentford in the Carabao Cup was followed by another in the league as Arsenal beat Sheffield United 5-0. Another injury setback followed, but the wait for another start was shorter this time. Smith Rowe has already racked up more minutes this season than last, though he didn’t make it onto the pitch in either of the last two games. The 6-0 win at West Ham might have provided an opportunity for another run-out had he not picked up an ankle injury in training, Despite his relative lack of involvement, there are plenty of other Premier League clubs who see a lot in the 23-year-old. West Ham looked at doing a deal in January, but Arteta wasn’t ready to let Smith Rowe leave. “I’m really happy with Emile,” Arteta said in the middle of the month. “He’s on the right trajectory and now he’s settled, he’s training really well and you know that I won’t be talking about any individual situation. “Emile is Emile. He’s got incredible qualities and we really happy to have him,” Arteta added when quizzed on Smith Rowe’s game time. “What he needs now is chances to put all the qualities that he has on the pitch. In order to do that we have to give him minutes.” Even if a run in the first-team comes around, it might be too late for any hope Smith Rowe had of playing at Euro 2024. His three England caps came in 2021 and 2022, and he was left out of Gareth Southgate’s squad for the June 2022 break before surgery made a World Cup selection impossible. The priority, for now at least, is minutes in Arteta’s first team. Smith Rowe has made his manager smile before, and he’ll want to feel he can do so again. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. 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Comedian Matt Rife is not backing down from controversy sparked by his opening domestic violence joke for his first Netflix comedy special — instead, he seems to be courting new controversy by sending critics to a site for special needs helmets. Comedian Matt Rife is responding to controversy about domestic violence humor with ableism. The rising comic just released his first Netflix comedy special and the very first joke set off a wave of backlash. In response to that, Rife took to his Instagram Stories on Monday night not to defend his joke or apologize for it, but to target a whole different demographic and possibly stir up another nest of controversy. Colleen Ballinger Apologizes for Silly 10-Minute Song Addressing Serious Grooming Allegations View Story “If you’ve ever been offended by a joke I’ve told,” he captioned an image of himself on the stage, “here’s a link to my official apology.” Reminder Matt Rife is a POS pic.twitter.com/EoCWOM90V2 — Pro-choice Auntie (@WisKanSass) November 21, 2023 @WisKanSass The link itself was labeled, “Tap to solve your issue.” But it didn’t go to an apology page. Instead, it links to the Medicale Shop website’s page for special needs helmets. A few hours later, Rife returned to his Stories with an apparent reaction to that first post. “We on the naughty list,” he captioned a new image with a winky-smile emoji. This link was labeled, “This one’s real this time” with a crying-laughing emoji. It took fans to the latest link on his own own YouTube page where he teases a couple from his crowd about how they met. The bit is labeled “Bad Santa,” which explains his reference on the Stories. Jersey Shore Recap: Does Vinny Have ‘Issues’ with Ronnie After Apology? View Story matt rife you will begin to cough in seven days …. pic.twitter.com/w2UH9FSIyr — m (@imnotauntblazer) November 21, 2023 @imnotauntblazer The original offending joke was set up by Rife saying he and a friend were in a “ratchet” Baltimore restaurant when they realized their server had a black eye. When the friend wondered why she wouldn’t have been moved to the kitchen so customers wouldn’t have to see it, Rife responded, “Yeah, but I feel like if she could cook, she wouldn’t have that black eye.” Immediately after that opening joke, Rife appeared to gauge the audience response, telling the crowd he was “just testing the waters, seeing if y’all are gonna be fun or not.” “I figure if we start the show with domestic violence,” he continued, “the rest of the show should be smooth sailing.” Erin Andrews Breaks Down In Tears Recalling How Stalker Secretly Videotaped Her View Story Rife, who admitted in an interview with Variety that his fan base was originally more women, due to his viral success on TikTok, he wanted to prove with this first major special that his material is for both genders. “I would argue this special is way more for guys,” he told the outlet. Rife’s final slide on his Instagram Stories at the time of publication was him celebrating that his Netflix special Natural Selection is currently sitting at number one on the Top 10 TV Shows in the U.S. Today. Meanwhile, a good chunk of those who took in the special have taken to social media to respond to that opening choice to make a joke about domestic violence and they are definitely not laughing … at the initial joke or his ableist response. I see we’ve watched Matt Rife’s Netflix special… pic.twitter.com/eNIB3uTn9j — K*rk (@krktwe3ts) November 21, 2023 @krktwe3ts Now Playing: the downfall of Matt Rife — Jennuinely Tired (@jenn_ficarra) November 21, 2023 @jenn_ficarra I don’t usually let this kinda influencer drama get to me, but Matt Rife has crossed a line with his jokes on domestic violence and responding with the instagram story below. So gross. pic.twitter.com/dOYuG3dAqg — christi (@crispycarpy) November 21, 2023 @crispycarpy So cool of Matt Rife to show his ableism now. I’m so glad I didn’t get tickets. pic.twitter.com/HKaN3tzhyq — Amber (Taylor’s Version) 🥀🖤 (@amberpunkrose) November 20, 2023 @amberpunkrose the fact i used to like matt rife and turns out he’s literally abelist and making jokes about people going through domestic violence is insane to me.. — kaylin ♡ FREE PALESTINE 🇵🇸 (@coffinclaws) November 21, 2023 @coffinclaws remove Matt Rife’s comedy special @netflix pic.twitter.com/UymmHDIzas — court (@capitolstark) November 21, 2023 @capitolstark me meeting matt rife pic.twitter.com/ZZUDNVCruw — kait 🚕🎱🤍 (@mcntanasky) November 21, 2023 @mcntanasky this is the most disgusting thing i’ve ever seen @mattrife pic.twitter.com/8C0cxQhaN0 — mandi | ia era (@themoonishigh13) November 21, 2023 @themoonishigh13 Matt rife posts a link to an “apology” but it’s really just this……BIG YIKES pic.twitter.com/WjjMzk0TEO — 𝒸𝒽𝓇𝒾𝓈𝓉𝒾𝓃𝒶 (@ageofchris) November 20, 2023 @ageofchris Not Matt Rife building his platform on catering to his female audience and then opening his Netflix special with a domestic violence joke 🤡 pic.twitter.com/JnDppVdY2N — Chef Don (@The_Silicon_Don) November 20, 2023 @The_Silicon_Don is matt rife a real person or just a yassified daniel tosh — Al Shipley (@alshipley) November 21, 2023 @alshipley Matt Rife making a sexist/DV “joke”…then sending people to a website to special needs helmets as his “apology”. — Green (@palegreenmm) November 21, 2023 @palegreenmm There’s a difference between an edgy joke and just being disrespectful and distasteful. pic.twitter.com/T8YOwRU7fP if you support matt rife, tell me so i can block you immediately. he is sick. pic.twitter.com/GSZkTUXhw4 — haley on cornelia street ⸆⸉ 🫶🏻 (@loveisgolden13_) November 21, 2023 @loveisgolden13_ I’m here for the Matt Rife Netflix special slander. Dude’s comedy style bland af pic.twitter.com/NVW8X068e2 — Whitney Wells (@WellsWhitn91295) November 21, 2023 @WellsWhitn91295 Matt Rife’s team either has no clue what he’s doing or they’re just as idiotic as him because this is an INSANE response (note the link to special needs helmets) — Emma Stevens (@emcatco) November 21, 2023 @emcatco This guy is truly not smart enough to be funny. pic.twitter.com/c1X44tC9jY Matt Rife getting canceled? pic.twitter.com/H9c9laQsUy — Matt 🚩 (@yomattycakes) November 20, 2023 @yomattycakes damn y’all is Matt Rife okay?? 🤣 pic.twitter.com/1fH4CQqfwD — Summer 🌼👃🏻🌼 (@summorgue) November 20, 2023 @summorgue

Hold on to your partners, folks. The year of celebrity splits is traveling backward in time.

In a bombshell new interview with Today’s Hoda Kotb, Jada Pinkett Smith revealed that she and Will Smith have been living “completely separate lives” since 2016. “It was not a divorce on paper, but it was a divorce,” she confirmed to Kotb of the couple’s separation seven years ago.

As to why the couple put themselves through all of this very public scrutiny while still maintaining this giant secret, Jada said they were “just not… ready yet” to go public with the separation. “[We are] still trying to figure out between the two of us how to be in partnership, in regards to how do we present that to people, you know? And we hadn’t figured that out.”

Jada will presumably reveal more about why the couple feels ready to speak out now after all this time, in her memoir Worthy, out early next week. In the meantime, she also spoke to People about the infamous Oscar night when Will slapped Chris Rock. “I thought, ‘This is a skit.’ Like many people watching the incident unfold on live TV, she didn’t believe it was real at first,” she told the outlet. “I was like, ‘There’s no way that Will hit him.’ It wasn’t until Will started to walk back to his chair that I even realized it wasn’t a skit.”

As to why the marriage fell apart in the first place, it was “a lot of things,” as she told Kotb. “By the time we got to 2016, we were just exhausted with trying. I think we were still kind of stuck in a fantasy of what we thought the other person should be,” she continued.

Even though she and Will have been separated for more than half a decade now, Jada is holding on to at least one of her vows through the couple’s decision not to go through with a legal divorce. “I made a promise that there will never be a reason for us to get a divorce,” she said. “We will work through whatever. And I just haven’t been able to break that promise.”

You can watch Jada Pinkett Smith and Hoda Kotb’s full interview below.

The comedian, whose real-name is Stephen Kelly, is one of Ireland’s best-known online entertainers with more than 122,000 followers on TikTok.

He is a member of the well-known Hardy Bucks’ spin-off 3 Bucks Left and previously starred in the hit RTÉ show.

As Stephen “Cowboy” Lavin, he later adapted a live show idea into a successful TikTok account.

However, he has now sparked fury online after making a comment in a video saying he was “sweating here like a tinker trying to read”.

The video was condemned by a number of Traveller Rights groups on Twitter, now know as X, who called on him to apologise.

However, the comedian has now posted a video – on the 3bucksleft X account – where he addressed the clip which “has caused a bit of a stir, especially on ‘Twitter’.”

“Some people say the video is racist especially towards the Traveller community (and) other people are using it as a springboard and platform to launch personal attacks me online, which I’ve learned to expect at this game,” he wrote.

“Other people (are) demanding an apology and want me to apologise for the video. For anyone that knows me, for any length of time, knows that there is no (sic) racist bone in my body.

“Yes, of course I’ve made fun of pretty much every race on this planet, no more so than my own, myself and where I’m from. You don’t get to be from Mayo and hold the high moral ground for too long.

“But any video that I’ve ever did has always been made with no malice (sic) intent and with no real intent to cause any offence. Any video that I’ve ever did has always had the intention of humour.

“I say the intention, because comedy is subjective, sometimes it’s hit, sometimes it’s miss, (what) one person finds funny, another person won’t, and vice versa.

“That’s what makes the comedy world go around and that’s the beauty of comedy.

“So for me to issue an insincere apology over a few throwaway words when there’s so much more important things going on in the Traveller community at the minute and not just the Traveller community but communities in general, would be very disingenuous of me and serve absolutely no real purpose.”

However, Kelly adds that he will reach out “to any member of the Traveller community, any community group, and (I’d) love to sit down and discuss how things like this can be prevented from happening in the future with people like myself and communities like the Traveller community group.

“And maybe embrace humour as an inclusive tool for cross community better relations.

“Also what serves no purpose is nasty exchanges online between different people under a lot of my videos. That does absolutely no favours to either side.

“Unfortunately, the internet is a breeding spot for people that want to offend and want to be offended. And people that want to be offended will always find something to be offended by on the internet and people that want to be offended will always be the loudest people in the room.

“So, that is it guys, I’ve addressed it, I’m not coming back to it again. I’ve spent way too much mental time on it. I’ve much more important things to be at, as I’m sure most people on the internet too, so take care and stay safe.”

An earlier message on X reads that he “didn’t intent to offend anyone” as he suffered a backlash for the joke, adding that he believed, “it has been completely blown out of all proportion”.

“The last thing I want is people fighting online or on the streets,” he stressed.

However, he later sent out another tweet where he appears to be pushing back against some of the “personal attacks and bile” that he had encountered.

“Had intended to address the video that has caused such a stir on Twitter this evening,” he began, “but after reading some of the personal attacks and bile on Twitter I shall be taking a little more time.”

He added that “as a token gesture of good will” he had intended to take down video “but will reassess”.

One commentator said it was “Good to address it” as the “repercussions of a joke like that on young Travellers is immeasurable in society”.

“There are a lot of decent Travellers trying to better themselves just like settled people

“It’s tough enough for the decent ones without adding to the tsunami of bigotry they get.”

In response, Kelly said: “Unfortunately, Paddy, they don’t help themselves and I mean no ill will to any man or women and certainly don’t think that every Traveller is bad or every settled person is good, I would gladly work with the community in the future to give young Travellers a better life.”

One commentator said: “I’m sorry you’re receiving personal attacks, there’s no place for that. But that joke was a degrading stereotype, and hurtful to a community that faces unspeakable discrimination – not least in education. There’s strength in admitting mistakes and apologising. We’re all learning.”

But he also received some support with one comment reading: “Apologise for nothing. The heat will be on 10 times worse if ye do. A joke is a joke, for God’s sake.

“The country’s falling apart and clowns are worried about a comedian making a joke. Just carry on as normal, I have it on good authority that the sun will be high in the sky tomorrow.”

Another added: “Don’t you dare apologise. You’re a comedian. A hilarious one. Don’t dilute your craft and pander to the nonsense please.”

Emmerdale star Lawrence Robb has said he’s ‘crazy’ as he told fans about a challenge he’s taking on away from the Yorkshire village. The actor is currently back at the forefront of the ITV soap after his character Mackenzie Boyd was stabbed by his wife Charity Dingle. Charity has been secretly struggling with the fact she has killed somebody after saving her own life and Mack’s during a confrontation with villain Damon ‘Harry’ Harris, who also happened to be Chloe’s dad. She has been struggling to sleep, double checking her home is always locked and jumping at loud noises ever since she shot Harry in self-defence. But Charity’s torment caused shock events as after her latest night terrors and visions of Harry were triggered by another loud noise, Charity feared for her safety and had a knife with her as she slept on the sofa – only for her to experience the nightmares again. READ MORE: Gemma Atkinson shares rare picture with Gorka Marquez’s parents as they enjoy whirlwind break Try MEN Premium now for FREE… just click here to give it a go. As Mack went to check on his wife after he heard her shouting out, a barely conscious Charity suddenly sprang up and stabbed Mack, who she believed to be Harry. Still in her nightmare, Charity attacked the villain only to come round and realise it was Mack she had stabbed but as he pleaded for her to call for help, Charity remained in an almost paralysed state. But while Lawrence is busy playing Mack on-screen, he’s also now got his work cut out off-screen. That actor has revealed that he will be raising money for the charity Samaritans, which aims to provide support to those in emotional distress or at risk of taking their own life. Lawrence confirmed his participation in the upcoming marathon, which will be held in April, in an Instagram video, where he was seen snuggling up to his adorable pet dog. The soap star poke directly to his fans and followers as he said: “I have decided to run the London marathon because I’m crazy.” He then added: “I’m running because it’s a wonderful cause. I’m trying to raise as much money as possible to make people realise that they’re not alone.” Lawrence also posted photos and videos of some of his training session, alongside which he wrote: “London Marathon Run Alert!!! I’m going to ask you for your hard earned money now. Link to my fundraiser is on my profile. @samaritanscharity.” He added “I’m trying to raise as much money as possible to help train volunteers to help anyone that’s struggling to cope. Anything you can spare would be greatly appreciated! Big love all!!”