Mikel Arteta says that Arsenal still believe they can claim the title even after dropping points in the potential decider against Manchester City at the Etihad. Gunners manager Arteta emerged defiant following a devastating defeat at the Etihad and surprisingly declared he has even greater belief after their spirited performance.

City can move top on goal difference if they secure victory in their game in hand at Burnley on Wednesday evening but Arteta says his squad are prepared for the direct confrontation in the final five matches. Arteta said: “if they need to be more convinced, I think they are now more convinced. They were talking about it in the dressing room.

“It’s a new league now. They were a game in hand. We have three points of advantage and five games to play. So everything is still to play for.

“So we know how much we’ve won it and we’re not going to stop and we’re going to go again, that’s for sure. Obviously, they were very disappointed not to get a result from the game in the manner that it happened.

“That’s the feeling, immediately you could tell that they were talking about, and they said okay, we lost an opportunity today, but we have the biggest one now in the next five games, so let’s do it.”

Kai Havertz restored parity for Arsenal but then squandered a golden opportunity in the 95th minute to secure a point which would have genuinely shifted the race in their direction.

Arsenal also struck the frame twice and captain Martin Odegaard maintained they can still claim the title. Odegaard said: “Disappointed not to win. Obviously we wanted to get a result and we were really up for it today. We played a good game, we pressed really well.

“Especially in the second half we looked dangerous, big moments in front of goal. Small margins to decide a game like this and we weren’t sharp enough in front of goal and that’s why we go home with nothing.

“That’s football at this level. It was always going to be like that. Very intense, very tough. Small margins. Frustrating but a lot of good things in the game from us. Now it’s about looking forward to the next game to bounce back.”

Zhao Xintong (China, 1) v Liam Highfield (England)

Ding Junhui (China, 16) v David Gilbert (England)

Xiao Guodong (China, 9) v Zhou Yuelong (China)

Shaun Murphy (England, 8) v Fan Zhengyi (China)

John Higgins (Scotland, 5) v Ali Carter (England)

Ronnie O’Sullivan (England, 12) v He Guoqiang (China)

Chris Wakelin (England, 13) v Liam Pullen (England)

Neil Robertson (Australia, 4) v Pang Junxu (China)

Kyren Wilson (England, 3) v Stan Moody (England)

Mark Allen (Northern Ireland, 14) v Zhang Anda (China)

Barry Hawkins (England, 11) v Matthew Stevens (Wales)

Mark Williams (Wales, 6) v Antoni Kowalski (Poland)

Mark Selby (England, 7) v Jak Jones (Wales)

Wu Yize (China, 10) v Lei Peifan (China)

Si Jiahui (China, 15) v Hossein Vafaei (Iran)

Judd Trump (England, 2) v Gary Wilson (England)

The World Cup 2026 is rapidly drawing closer and a supercomputer has assessed England and Scotland’s prospects of glory at the summer tournament. The opening fixture between Mexico and South Africa is scheduled for June 11.

Thomas Tuchel’s England side were imperious in qualifying, winning all eight of their matches. The Three Lions are once again being touted among the frontrunners as the men’s team look to end the nation’s lengthy wait for a second World Cup triumph. England face some stern tests at the tournament after being drawn alongside Croatia, Ghana and Panama in Group L. However, the Euro 2024 finalists have delivered strong performances at recent major tournaments and will be desperate to finally go all the way.

The Opta supercomputer highlights the considerable challenges England could encounter, giving them a 67.77 per cent chance of advancing from the group stage. Notably, the Three Lions are afforded a slightly higher probability of 69.22 per cent to progress to the round of 16.

In the latter knockout rounds, England are rated at 47.78 per cent to reach the quarter-final, the stage at which they were eliminated last time around, and 30.22 per cent to reach the semi-finals. The Three Lions are given an 18.79 per cent chance of reaching their first World Cup final since 1966.

The Opta supercomputer currently predicts England’s chances of lifting the famous trophy at 11.05 per cent. This places them as third favourites to win the tournament, behind Spain and France.

European champions Spain are given the highest likelihood of going all the way with a 15.98 per cent probability. They are closely followed by France at 12.24 per cent, who were crowned champions in 2018 and also reached the 2022 final.

World Cup holders Argentina are rated at 10.26 per cent to defend their title. Portugal (6.99 per cent), Brazil (6.6 per cent) and Germany (5.6 per cent) are considered slight outsiders to claim the trophy.

Meanwhile, Scotland are set to make their World Cup return for the first time since 1998. Steve Clarke’s side secured their place at the tournament after topping their qualification group, a feat accomplished via a remarkable victory over Denmark.

On their return to the world stage, Scotland have been drawn alongside Brazil, Morocco and Haiti. Group C poses considerable challenges, though the expanded format means the top two from each group and eight third-placed sides will progress to the next round.

Opta gives Scotland a slim 9.93 per cent chance of making it through the group stage, given the calibre of their opponents. However, their odds of reaching the round of 16 rise to a remarkable 24.25 per cent should Clarke’s men negotiate their demanding opening fixtures.

Opta gives Scotland an 8.8 per cent chance of progressing to the quarter-finals, with the odds of securing a semi-final place standing at just 2.7 per cent. For the truly optimistic, the likelihood of Scotland reaching the World Cup final is put at 0.82 per cent, with a mere 0.23 per cent chance of lifting the trophy itself.