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    I jumped in front of a lorry after blowing my life savings at casino – now it’s a joy to be alive, says Clarke Carlisle

    AFTER being released from his club ten years ago, former footballer Clarke Carlisle lost a £100,000-a-year TV job and blew much of his life savings in one trip to a casino.The same night as that loss, the ex-Premier League star, who was battling depression, went missing before jumping in front of a truck in an attempt to end his life.Ex-Premier League star Clarke Carlisle and wife CarrieCredit: Richard WalkerClarke went missing in 2015 before jumping in front of a truck in an attempt to end his lifeCredit: *Clarke in action for football club BurnleyCredit: PA:Empics SportBut today, the 45-year-old speaks of the joy of being alive — and explains that instead of turning to gambling in his dark days, he now seeks solace . . . by hiding behind the fridge.Clarke and his wife Carrie work to help others facing suicidal thoughts, holding online talks and courses for people dealing with mental health issues.The defender, whose clubs included Blackpool, Burnley and QPR, said: “I have been to the edge of existence.”Now I can proudly say I’ve not had an episode of depression for years. I’ve not needed meds for three years. I am the most well I’ve ever been.”Read more on Clarke CarlisleCarrie added of one of his new coping mechanisms: “He literally goes and hides behind the fridge. He goes there and takes a little moment.“I won’t even know he’s there, and I’ll open the fridge and the fridge light will go on and I’ll see the ears from his Batman onesie.”Clarke, who has two children with Carrie and three from previous relationships, added: “I know when I start coming down and I need to withdraw. I would stand in the dark, on my own and in my own thoughts.“So I would stand there when I needed to with-draw. The key part of it, it is also where the radiator is. When I do experience depression, I physically get cold. It’s about finding the way for you to deal with things.”Most read in FootballClarke, who was chairman of the Professional Footballers’ Association and has also appeared as a contestant on TV game show Countdown, said: “I was a perfectionist as a footballer, critical of things that I would do.“I was in an environment where it is about wins and losses. I tried to replicate that in normal life and in my relationships. My self-worth was governed by results and performances on this pitch.Clarke Carlisle joined Jim White on talkSPORT to discuss mental health and his own battles“So if we won, I felt great. I was a good human and then that would give me positivity going into all my wider interactions, because in my head, that makes me a good dad, a good husband, a good son.“If we lost, that meant I was a terrible human because other people were sad and I’d let them down, which made me a bad dad, a bad husband, a bad brother.“Now I prioritise the things that matter. I meditate a lot, I pray, I prioritise family. I make sure I put the kids to bed at least once a week.“I make sure that they can come into my bedroom and jump on me in the morning. And Carrie and I make sure we have monthly date nights.”With the annual mental health awareness Time To Talk Day next Thursday, Clarke said he still finds exercise triggers pressures he felt in his playing days and gets PTSD around the anniversary of his suicide bid.He is now calling for an independent body to oversee the mental health of all footballers in the UK.‘Terrible human’Ex-TV presenter Carrie, a former alcoholic, said starting the process of writing a series of self-help material, such as Shut Up, Alcohol, played a part in helping Clarke get better.Clarke was released by Burnley in 2012 and in 2014 lost his £100,000-a- year ITV Champions League pundit role before that fateful trip to the casino. He then went missing before throwing himself in front of a lorry on the A64 Leeds to York dual carriageway.Clarke was airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary. He suffered cuts, bruises, internal bleeding, a broken rib and a shattered left knee.On Christmas Day 2014, he was admitted as an in-patient to a psychiatric unit in Harrogate and placed on suicide watch.He remained there until he was discharged in February 2015, when, shortly after, he did an interview with The Sun.Ten years on, Clarke said: “After that, I knew I was very unwell. In the lead-up to that, I was being very negative, hypercritical, insular.“I’d never done anything about my depression, and I was clinically depressed.Clarke and Carrie getting married in 2016Credit: SuppliedClarke revealing superman-style vest in game for QPR in 2002Credit: Getty”I didn’t take medication for a myriad of reasons but predominantly because I thought, ‘I’m a man and a Premier League footballer’. I didn’t understand that my thoughts were different or dangerous.“A lot of it was tied into self-worth. I do have an analytical mind. I was using alcohol so that my brain stopped thinking. I was using gambling so that my brain was thinking about something else.“I’m really blessed I never got into drugs. If I had I would be dead now.“Football was pretty much the only thing I thought gave me value. So when I left, I was totally bereft of anything that anyone else valued about me.“I brought my football home, the perfectionism, the autistic portion, compulsive aspect, the need for everything to happen at this time, at this pace, immediate success or failure. There’s no middle ground.I knew then he was an amazing, handsome man. And I know that even more to this dayCarrie“And it’s a dynamic that is ingrained within you, and everything falls into these two categories.”For the first year of my therapy, I had to discover this middle ground of things just being OK, being good enough.“Because in football that had never been good enough, because it’s not the best, it’s not perfect. This transferred into relationships. It was so, so destructive. It was dangerous.”In 2016, Clarke met Carrie, who worked as an ambassador at football anti-racism charity Kick It Out.She said: “It was a whirlwind romance. We gave each other our business cards and I don’t think we ever thought we’d see each other again.‘Dead by tomorrow’”But he emailed and we went for dinner. Within five minutes of sitting down for dinner, he was like, ‘We are gonna get married, have babies’. On the second date he brought his psychiatric papers.“We moved in together three weeks later. Then we got engaged a few months later. And then nine weeks after, we got married.“I knew then he was an amazing, handsome man. And I know that even more to this day. I’m obsessed with him.”The pair worked with each other to support their needs, Carrie with her anxiety and Clarke with his depression.But in 2017, Clarke went missing again and was eventually found in Liverpool before being taken to a psychiatric facility in Blackburn.Carrie said: “When Clarke was found, I wanted to bring him home. I was six months pregnant and I was like, ‘Let’s just go back to this place’, because up to 24 hours ago, I didn’t know anything was wrong.“Luckily, someone took me aside and said, ‘OK, Mrs Carlisle, if you take him home, he’ll be dead by tomorrow’. And that was a slap in the face that I needed.”Clarke then began counselling. He said: “I started to dig deeper and realised I needed to be well.Clarke on TV’s Countdown in 2010Credit: Channel 4“I needed to be alive. I wanted to be here.”Carrie asked him to read through some thoughts she had around her Shut Up, Alcohol method, which she developed in 2006.Clarke said: “The incredible thing about my awesome wife is that she’s been able to put that into a clear and really quite simple process of self-progression and self-accountability, and it brings the power back when you’re talking about your mental health.”You’re not waiting on the NHS to come and fix you.“She asked me to read something she was writing about other issues and it helped me with my attitude to gambling.”Using her Shut Up method, Carrie has written more than 20 books, as well as devising courses to accompany each one.The pair offer online talks and courses for issues such as alcohol, gambling and suicidal thoughts.Carrie said: “Most people don’t want to die.“They just can’t live like this any more. We aim to guide them on their own journey out of it.“We both see it as a great opportunity to pay our own lived experiences forward.”I do miss certain moments of footballClarke CarlisleClarke, who now has a degree in psychology, says he is in the best shape mentally he has been for years. He is “finally able” to enjoy watching football again.But he said: “I can’t go and do a simple run without thinking, ‘Oh, you’re only cheating yourself. You can go faster than this’, or ‘You should have been in the Olympics next year’.”“But I do miss certain moments of football — the first day of the season, a magnificent end of the season, a successful season.”Last week, ex-Premier League referee David Coote said he would be prioritising his mental health after a series of scandals led to him being stripped of his job.And Clarke now wants an independent advisory board for players and referees to help them deal with mental health.He said: “It would great to see a new independent body. They need to stop acting in silos, whether it’s the individual organisations — EFL, Premier League, the WSL, the Championship, the PFA, the FA.“They’re all individual things and giving cursory nods to each other’s activities.“But there is no continuation of care. We need an external third party, an advisory board.“But everyone, even if you are not in football, should be aware that there is help out there.“I have a professional coach. I have the people who I trust. I prioritise the things that make me feel good and keep me well, irrespective of what’s going on.“I am proof that you find a path. You just need to talk to the right people.”READ MORE SUN STORIES Find out more about Clarke and Carrie’s work at clarkeandcarrie.com.Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club.Help for mental healthIf you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support.The following are free to contact and confidential:Mind, www.mind.org, provide information about types of mental health problems and where to get help for them. Email info@mind.org.uk or call the infoline on 0300 123 3393 (UK landline calls are charged at local rates, and charges from mobile phones will vary).YoungMinds run a free, confidential parents helpline on 0808 802 5544 for parents or carers worried about how a child or young person is feeling or behaving. The website has a chat option too.Rethink Mental Illness, www.rethink.org, gives advice and information service offers practical advice on a wide range of topics such as The Mental Health Act, social care, welfare benefits, and carers rights. Use its website or call 0300 5000 927 (calls are charged at your local rate).Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk, is the a mental health initiative spearheaded by The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales. More

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    How Arsenal’s DJ brutally trolled Erling Haaland just seconds after Man City thrashed 5-1 at the Emirates Stadium

    ARSENAL’S DJ savagely trolled Erling Haaland after Manchester City’s humuliating 5-1 loss at the Emirates.The Gunners destroyed their Premier League rivals in a match that saw them getting some revenge after losing the title to City by a whisker the previous two seasons.Arsenal destroyed Manchester City at the EtihadCredit: GettyArsenal’s DJ then decided to troll Man City superstar Erling HaalandCredit: GettyThe North Londoners opened the scoring with Martin Odegaard after just two minutes but Man City equalised with Haaland, 24, in the second half.Mikel Arteta’s men then went on full blast as they thrashed the Citizens with goals by Thomas Partey, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Kai Havertz and Ethan Nwaneri.This marked another embarrassing display for Pep Guardiola’s men, whose woeful season continues.However, the Emirates’ DJ decided to pour some more salt in the visitors’ wounds.Read More on ArsenalAnd they targeted Haaland following his confrontation with Arteta in the two teams’ first Premier League meeting at the Etihad in September where they drew 2-2.After a fiery clash in Manchester the star striker was heard telling the Arsenal boss: “Stay humble, eh? Stay humble.”That was after the Spanish tactician was fuming with John Stones’ last-gasp equaliser taking place after the allocated seven minutes of stoppage time.Haaland also had a furious confrontation with Gabriel Jesus and Lewis-Skelly after his comments towards Arteta.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe Arsenal DJ never forgot and decided to poke some fun on the Norway international after the final whistle.That is why Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Humble’ hit started echoing around the Emirates.’Bro thinks he’s Kate Abdo’ say fans as David Jones introduces very familiar panel for Sky’s coverage of Arsenal vs CityThis was seen as a direct hit for Haaland after a miserable performance. More

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    Erling Haaland’s dad trolls Arsenal with seven-word post after Man City ace was brutally trolled in Gunners celebrations

    ERLING HAALAND’s dad hit back at brutal trolling from Arsenal with an even icier message of his own.Alf-Inge Haaland saw the Gunners milk a 5-1 win over Manchester City by copying his son’s goal celebrations and posting the picture afterwards.Arsenal taunted Man City by sharing this picture of team-mates hailing Myles Lewis-Skelly after he scored amid a second-half spreeCredit: GettyFans appeared divided over whether Erling Haaland’s dad has helped out his son by intervening online following the 5-1 loss at the EmirateCredit: EPAAwkward, if not angry, feelings between the clubs have run high following a dramatic 2-2 Prem draw at the Etihad last September.Haaland Junior struck first that day but City only rescued a point against the 10-man Gunners when John Stones scrambled an equaliser eight minutes into stoppage time.The Norwegian hitman then inflamed a tense situation by telling Arsenal chief Mikel Arteta to “stay humble”.Gunners defender Gabriel Magalhaes led the animosity that followed.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSHe said: “It’s a battle, a war. It’s normal to have provocative acts in football, it’s part of the game.”And simmering emotions were ratcheted up when Gabriel hailed Martin Odegaard’s opener on Sunday by rejoicing in Haaland’s face.But the ex-Borussia Dortmund star soared to equalise in the 55th minute.Haaland marked his goal coldly, with a look that bordered on a smirk.Most read in FootballAlf-Inge Haaland hit back after Arsenal crowed on social mediaCredit: EPAJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSBut the Gunners then netted four more times via Thomas Partey, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Kai Havertz and Ethan Nwaneri to go second in the Prem.And Lewis-Skelly, in particular, taunted Pep Guardiola’s men with the way he lauded his strike.Mikel Arteta issues worrying transfer update with Arsenal desperately scrambling after failed Ollie Watkins bidThe left-back, 18, mimicked a Haaland celebration by sitting on the ground, as if meditating, while his team-mates looked down on him.Defeat left champions City 15 points behind leaders Liverpool.And Arsenal’s media team responded to their side’s thumping victory by sharing a snap of a cross-legged Lewis-Skelly being mobbed.The Gunners added the words: “This team” – along with a clenched fist.Ex-Man City defender Haaland Senior quickly replied: ” «This Team» that wins everything. Ehhhhh, not” – followed by a blue heart.That’s a reference to City winning six of the last Prem titles, whereas Arsena’s last silverware came when lifting the FA Cup in 2020.But fans were split over whether Alf-Inge’s intervention was helpful for his son.One observer posted: “Stay humble has gone crying to his dad I see.”Gabriel couldn’t resist a cheeky encounter with HaalandAnother added: “Watch your boy, he is still eating humble pie.”But some supporters appeared to back Haaland Senior as they mocked the Gunners’ announcement.One said: “That result wins them the social media trophy until Newcastle bounce them out of the only competition they could win this season.”That’s because Arsenal visit Newcastle in Wednesday’s Carabao Cup semi-final, 2-0 down from the first leg.READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd a few fans were positively delighted by Alf-Inge.One wrote: “Spot on. More a***d about winning made-up social media battles than trophies.”Arsenal fans hadn’t forgotten Haaland Jr’s commentsCredit: PA More

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    Mikel Arteta opens door to Arsenal signing striker on transfer Deadline Day after Ollie Watkins bid is rejected

    MIKEL ARTETA hasn’t ruled out the possibility of Arsenal making a deadline-day signing tomorrow.The North Londoners are chasing a new striker following a potentially season-ending knee injury to Gabriel Jesus, which came on the back of the crocking of star man Bukayo Saka.Injuries to Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus have left Arsenal short up topCredit: PAGunners boss Mikel Arteta hasn’t ruled out a deadline day arrivalCredit: GETTYA bid for England hitman Ollie Watkins was rejected by Aston Villa late last month. But Arteta hasn’t ruled out bolstering his squad with a stunning deadline-day arrival.After the Gunners’ battering of Manchester City, the Spaniard admitted it’s “possible” there may be a new face at the club come 11pm on Monday.He did, however, admit he hadn’t been scouring the market before the match as his phone had been “off” all day.READ MORE ON ARSENALHe said: “I have been focused in the last 24 hours on what we needed to do to beat Man City.”Intention, we have been clear from every angle of what we want to do.”Arteta warned the Emirates faithful there may not be a new arrival in the build-up to the visit of City.He said: “We are trying everything that we can, but I don’t want to give any reassurance or not.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS”It doesn’t depend only on us.“We have the intention, the purpose and the ambition to try to help the team and support the squad to be better and to finish the season really, really strong.Arsenal player ratings vs Man City – article”We are actively trying to do that.“I’m very confident with the work that the club is doing, and exploring every single opportunity that we believe can have an impact on the team.“If that’s the certainly the case and we can agree on something, we will.”And if not, we won’t. I’m not going to talk about any individuals.”Arsenal narrowed the gap between themselves and league leaders Liverpool to six points thanks to a stunning 5-1 WIN over City.Goals from Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Kai Havertz and Ethan Nwaneri sent the Emirates into pandemonium and heaped even more pressure on City boss Pep Guardiola.Arenal ran riot against struggling Premier League champions Manchester CityCredit: EPA More

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    ‘Aura’ – Fans convinced Gabriel told Haaland ‘go fetch my boot’ as heated rivalry hits new peak in Arsenal vs Man City

    FANS reckoned Gabriel told Erling Haaland to “fetch my boot” as their rivalry hit new levels.The pair famously clashed at the Etihad earlier in the season when Haaland threw the ball at Gabriel’s head following John Stones’ dramatic equaliser. Gabriel and Erling Haaland renewed their rivalry at the EmiratesCredit: bein SportsThe Arsenal defender pointed at his boot – leaving fans in hystericsCredit: bein SportsThe Norwegian striker then told Mikel Arteta to “stay humble” in the aftermath of the controversial 2-2 draw.Neither Gabriel nor Haaland was backing down in the latest instalment of this bitter feud as Arsenal ran riot with a thumping 5-1 victory over Manchester City. And it was the Arsenal man who had viewers in stitches with his antics late on at the Emirates.Following their latest tussle, the Brazilian defender ended up on the deck missing his right boot.REAAD MORE ON ARSENAL VS CITYAs Haaland walked off, he grabbed the City striker’s shorts and then pointed at his point.While it seems he was simply pointing out that Haaland had knocked his boot off in the challenge, plenty of Arsenal supporters were convinced he was ordering Haaland to go and get it for him.One said: “Gabriel telling Haaland to go fetch his boot is all the ‘stay humble’ aura we need.”Another wrote: “Oi little bro, go fetch my boot like a good boy.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSA third added: “Gabriel told him to grab his boot for him on live TV in front of the world.”A fourth commented: “Gabriel telling Haaland to go pick his boot has to be the funniest thing ever. Stay humble eh.”‘Stay humble,’ Erling Haaland tells Arteta who gives him brutal death stare before Gabriel Jesus confronts Man City ace A fifth replied: “He’s fully rattled.”And a final user quipped: “Gabriel asking Haaland to pass him in his boot after mugging him off. I’m afraid there’s simply no other option but for Haaland to retire now.”Gabriel was relishing his chance to have another go at Haaland.And he did not have to wait long to get his first pop in.With less than two minutes on the clock, Arsenal capitalised on a defensive error and Martin Odegaard slotted home.Gabriel screamed in Haaland’s face in the centre circle – Martin Keown vs Ruud van Nistelrooy style – as he ran past to join in the team celebrations. Haaland got in the next blow by rising above Gabriel’s centre-back partner William Saliba to thunder in a powerful header for the equaliser.But as Arsenal took control of the game, Myles Lewis-Skelly joined in the digs at Haaland by brilliantly copying his trademark ‘meditating’ celebration when he made it 3-1.Then when Ethan Nwaneri curled home a beauty with the final kick of the game to wrap up the 5-1 thumping, Gabriel sarcastically and pointedly clapped right in front of Haaland.The City star refused to bite despite his frustrations and calmly smirked and pointed to the golden Premier League badge on his sleeve – reminding his foe of their respective recent silverware. Gabriel, meanwhile, got into an animated argument with Matheus Nunes as the tempers continued to sizzle away after the full-time whistle once again.READ MORE SUN STORIESHaaland’s dad even got involved in his son’s battle, sharing a post from Arsenal of the Gunners stars enjoying Lewis-Skelly’s celebration captioned “this team” by writing: “‘This Team’ that wins everything. Ehhhhh, not.”But in the end, it was the centre-back who enjoyed the last laugh with an emphatic demolition job of the crumbling, catastrophic champions. Gabriel roared in Haaland’s face when Martin Odegaard scoredCredit: ViaplayThe defender enjoyed Myles Lewis-Skelly’s cheeky celebrationCredit: GettyGabriel sarcastically clapped towards Haaland near at the endCredit: ReutersThe striker responded by pointing at the gold Premier League badge on his sleeveCredit: ReutersGabriel clashed with Matheus Nunes at the endCredit: RexThe defender clearly enjoyed the sweet thumping victoryCredit: Getty More

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    Mystery as Kyle Walker’s wife Annie is no-show at his AC Milan debut despite pair enjoying meal with kids hours before

    LOVE cheat footie ace Kyle Walker made his AC Milan debut – but there was no sign of his estranged wife Annie Kilner in the stands.The former Manchester City skipper, 34, was named in the starting line-up for the fierce derby match against arch rivals Inter.Kyle Walker made his AC Milan debut but his estranged wife Annie Kilner wasn’t at the matchCredit: GettyAnnie was seen arriving in Milan ahead of the matchCredit: BackGridThe family were spotted eating together earlier this weekCredit: BackGridWalker was left dejected after his derby debut ended in a drawCredit: AFPBut he arrived at the iconic San Siro stadium alone with his model wife, Annie, 31, nowhere to be seen.Onlookers said she had not left the five star Melia Milano hotel ahead of the 5pm kick-off a short drive away.It was unclear if the couple’s children – Roman, 12, Riaan, nine, seven-year-old Reign and baby Rezon – were with her.Kyle took to the pitch ahead of the match wearing a new pair of boots with their dates of birth on.read more in Kyle WalkerSources said he was extremely excited to make his debut in front of the Rossoneri in the Milan derby.He played all 90 minutes with AC narrowly missing out on a derby victory due to a last gasp Stefan de Vrij equaliser in added time.But Annie’s apparent absence cast a shadow over Kyle’s debut.There had been doubts over whether Annie would travel to Italy in the first place after a series of rows.Most read in FootballBut she changed her mind at the last minute and flew in for his much anticipated debut – along with his mum and dad.The family were reunited at the hotel where Kyle has been staying since he signed for his new club. Kyle Walker opens up on ‘uncomfortable’ conversation with Guardiola as he admits ‘things weren’t going well’ at Man CityEngland full-back Kyle signed for AC Milan on loan until the end of the season after telling City he wanted to quit and play abroad.His shock move was completed just days later and he went straight into the side.Kyle, who received a pre-match good luck message from David Beckham, looked focused as he entered the San Siro.He is now the fourth Englishman at AC Milan, joining on-loan Roma striker Tammy and more former Chelsea players – Fikayo Tomori and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.He was said to be desperate to escape the UK after he confessed to fathering a second child with his ex-mistress, Lauryn Goodman, 34.The scandal has dogged him for over a year and shows no signs of ending.He was kicked out of the family home in December 2023 and Annie, heavily pregnant with Rezon at the time, vowed it would be the last straw and filed for divorce last August.The former Manchester City skipper, 34, was named in the starting line-up for the fierce derby match against arch rivals InterCredit: ReutersThe full back arrived at the San Siro in all black ahead of his debutCredit: GettyIt was Walker’s first game since departing Manchester City in JanuaryCredit: AFP or LicensorsIn an exclusive interview with The Sun, the footie ace apologised publicly and begged for forgiveness.He admitted: “What I’ve done is horrible and I take full responsibility.”I made idiot choices and idiot decisions. I can’t begin to think or imagine what Annie is going through.”The man that’s meant to love, care and be there for her, did this.”The only person to blame is me.”My actions have caused a lot of pain to a lot of people. I’m sorry because, as a family, this isn’t meant to happen.”He has told pals he knows the loan move to Italy will not be an end to his problems.But he was determined to find some breathing space amid the ongoing off-field dramas.His move is expected to be made permanent in the Summer – bringing an end to his eight year career at the Etihad.During that time he won 17 major honours with City – including six Prem titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups and the Champions League.The £150,000-a-week full-back was tipped for a move to the Saudi league to join Cristiano Ronaldo and Co.But Kyle was desperate to reach 100 caps for England. He currently has 93.READ MORE SUN STORIESTo reach the milestone, he would need to be on the plane for the World Cup next year.A source said he refused to give up on that dream and chose AC Milan in the hope that it will boost his chances.Walker’s first game ended in a 1-1 drawCredit: GettyAnnie had flown out to see Kyle in MilanCredit: BackGrid More

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    Arsenal player ratings: Lewis-Skelly thrives when it matters but Saliba’s biggest flaw brutally exposed in win

    ARSENAL kept their Premier League title hopes alive with a battering of floundering champions Manchester City.The Gunners welcomed Pep Guardiola’s troops to the Emirates on Sunday afternoon, which they started nine points behind league leaders Liverpool.Arsenal welcomed Manchester City to the Emirates for a pivotal Premier League clashCredit: RexThe Gunners ran out 5-1 winnersCredit: GETTYMartin Odegaard opened the scoring for the GunnersCredit: ACTIONBut they reduced the gap between themselves and the Merseysiders to six points thanks to a 5-1 WIN over the visitors.Goals from Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Kai Havertz and Ethan Nwaneri did the business on a cold evening in north London.SunSport’s Chisanga Malata was live in attendance at the Emirates to rate and slate the performances of Mikel Arteta’s troops…David Raya – 7/10Had very little to do in the first half but made a brilliant save in the 22nd minute to deny a goalbound header from Josko Gvardiol. READ MORE ARSENAL NEWSMade another stunning save two minutes from the half-time interval, stopping a deflected Savinho shot from close range. Powerless to stop Erling Haaland’s 55th-minute header from briefly levelling the scores.Jurrien Timber – 6Didn’t offer his usual attacking threat going forward but was solid defensively. Picked up a pointless yellow breaking up a harmless counter-attack in the 24th minute. Almost scored late in the second half.William Saliba – 5Didn’t have much to do in the first half but won all his aerial battles in the first 45 minutes. Marshalled the defence well early in the second period but was embarrassingly outjumped and outmuscled by Haaland for City’s equaliser – a major flaw of his that continues to be exposed.JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSWilliam Saliba was bullied by Erling Haaland for City’s equaliserCredit: RexDavid Raya made two brilliant saves, including one from a goalbound Josko Gvardiol headerCredit: AFPGabriel Magalhaes – 6Like his defensive partner, he was seldom called into action in the first half. Dominant in the air in his battles with Haaland, who he trolled after Odegaard’s goal.Most read in FootballArsenal boss Mikel Arteta heaps praise on ‘calm and composed’ youngster Ethan Nwaneri for Champions League victory Myles Lewis-Skelly – 8Continues to endear himself to the Emirates faithful with composure and tenacity beyond his years as he brilliantly floated between left back and midfield.Put real daylight between the two sides with a thumping finish just after the hour mark. This young lad is a real bright prospect for both the Gunners and England.His trolling of Haaland by copying the Norwegian’s ‘Lotus’ celebration went down a storm with fans.Myles Lewis-Skelly continues to showcase skills and tenacity beyond his yearsCredit: AFPLewis-Skelly put daylight between the two teams in the 62nd minuteCredit: RexThomas Partey – 7Steady in the heart of midfield and broke up play well when required.Fired the Gunners back into the lead in the 57th minute with a deflected shot from outside the box.Martin Odegaard – 7Was in the right place at the right time to benefit from the aftermath of an uncharacteristic Manuel Akanji error and break the deadlock.Was at the heart of everything good the north Londoners did going forward.Returning skipper Martin Odegaard was at the heart of everything good the Gunners didCredit: APDeclan Rice – 6Combative, as always, in the middle of the park and played a role in the home side taking the lead, teeing up Havertz who squared the ball to Odegaard.Leandro Trossard – 6Was particularly lively on the left in the first half, giving Matheus Nunes a real run for his money. His end product, however, wasn’t the best.Leandro Trossard was lively on the wing early doors but lacked end productCredit: GettyGabriel Martinelli – 6Lively on the right wing in the early goings. Found the back of the net in the fifth minute after some beautiful play from Odegaard but was needlessly offside.Forced a good save out of Ortega with a rasping effort in the 68th minute.Kai Havertz – 6Lively early doors, testing Stefan Ortega with a tame shot in the first minute. Teed up Odegaard for a tap in a few moments later.Missed a golden opportunity to double the lead in the 25th minute, dragging the ball wide with the goal at his absolute mercy. Made amends for his howler by finishing an even harder chance in the 76th minute. He well and truly needed that as he looked absolutely devoid of confidence.Kai Havertz missed an absolute golden chance to double the Gunners’ lead in the first halfCredit: PAThe German made amends for his howler by scoring an even harder chanceCredit: GettySubstitutesEthan Nwaneri – 83 (on for Trossard) – 7Put the cherry on top of the cake with an outrageous effort in second-half stoppage time.Mikel Merino – 83 (on for Odegaard) – 5READ MORE SUN STORIESRaheem Sterling – 89 (on for Kai Havertz ) – N/ARiccardo Calafiori 89 (on for Lewis-Skelly) – N/A More

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    How Ruben Amorim’s bizarre Kobbie Mainoo false 9 experiment failed as Man Utd boss struggles to solve goalscoring crisis

    YOU can’t say Ruben Amorim didn’t try something new.But choosing a teenage 5ft 9ins holding midfielder to play up front for the first time did nothing to solve the goalscoring crisis at Manchester United.Kobbie Mainoo played up front for Manchester United in the defeat to Crystal PalaceCredit: AlamyRuben Amorim’s experiment failed as the Red Devils lost 2-0Credit: ReutersEyebrows were certainly raised when Kobbie Mainoo, 19, got the nod to lead the line for United as Crystal Palace visited Old Trafford. Especially when the Portuguese manager named not one but two senior strikers on the bench.Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee watched on as Mainoo took his place up top. Safe to say, the experiment failed as Manchester United scored zero and Palace scored two on another miserable afternoon for Amorim. READ MORE ON MAN UTDMainoo’s role was not as an out-and-out No9 – instead dropping in as a No9 to get involved in the play.It meant at times he was more of a No10, where he excelled in the Europa League win at FCSB on Thursday. And his average position reflected that, only just in front of Bruno Fernandes with Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo further forward. In Mainoo’s defence, he is not responsible for the rogue tactic not paying off as he tried his best against a trio of towering Palace centre-halves.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSAfter all, he is not a striker and has six goals in his professional career – albeit memorable ones against Wolves and Manchester City last season before his maiden European goal on Thursday night, his first strike of the season. Zirkzee has 47, Hojlund has 57 and Aston Villa-bound Marcus Rashford has 155 – a penny for his thoughts as a fellow academy graduate started up front…Man Utd stars hit Ruben Amorim as he runs birthday gauntlet in training… and is left holding his backBut in fairness to Amorim, it wasn’t all bad, either.In fact, it started relatively brightly with Mainoo teeing up Garnacho well and also hitting the post. But that chance with six minutes on the clock proved to be the youngster’s only shot of the match. In his 70 minutes on the field, Mainoo racked up 31 touches in all – three in the Eagles’ penalty area – with 12 of his 15 passes successful.He won three duels but lost nine and failed to complete a single dribble as he struggled to hold the ball up or stretch the Palace defence. In the end, Mainoo was taken off with 20 minutes to go as Amorim sent on both Zirkzee and Hojlund – but neither of them offered much more. And with that, Amorim is no closer to knowing where or who goals will come from in the second half of the season.Diallo is United’s top scorer in the Premier League on six – three of which came late on against Southampton – with Fernandes on five, three of which have been from the penalty spot.Next is Rashford on four – despite him not making a league appearance since December 7. The January transfer window shuts on Monday night and United do not appear to be bringing a striker in to follow defenders Ayden Heaven and Patrick Dorgu into Old Trafford. Amorim will be relieved to look at the fixture list and see it is Leicester in the FA Cup next.The leaky Foxes defence have conceded 60 goals this season, including eight in two games away at Manchester United during their now-boss Ruud van Nistelrooy’s brief stint in interim charge with the Red Devils. But when attention returns to the Premier League away at Spurs in a fortnight before games against Everton, Ipswich and Arsenal, who can Amorim rely on to deliver the much-needed goals to secure much-needed wins and earn much-needed points to climb up from 13th in the table?READ MORE SUN STORIESOn today’s evidence, it is not Mainoo – for Mainoo is a midfielder who chips in with the odd goal from time to time.But is it Hojlund? Is it Zirkzee? Or does it need to be someone else? Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee were sent on with 20 minutes to goCredit: GettyMainoo struggled to have the impact he would have wantedCredit: AlamyHis one shot of the match came back off the postCredit: EPAAmad Diallo is United’s top scorer in the Premier League with sixCredit: Alamy More