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    Arsenal boss says players’ progress to Women’s Champions League knockouts is the ‘perfect end’ to an intense run

    RENEE SLEGERS described Arsenal reaching the Women’s Champions League’ last eight as the “ultimate end to an intense” block of games. It took her Gunners 89 minutes to break Juventus’s resistance with Lina Hurtig’s strike securing their sixth win in seven matches across all competitions. Arsenal have gone a seven-game unbeaten run since Renee Slegers became interim manager of the WSL sideCredit: GettyLina Hurtig’s first goal in the Women’s Champions League this season secured the Gunners’ place in the contest’s quarter-finalsCredit: AlamyWhile their performance last night at the Emirates was less goal-laden than their 4-0 demolition of the Serie A side last week, the result maintained their unbeaten run under Slegers. The stand-in boss has impressed since taking charge of the side in mid-October following Jonas Eidevall resigning from his role as head coach. Following a mixed start to the season, Arsenal have looked more fluid in attack in three of their last four games with 12 goals scored. During their 5-0 defeat of Brighton on November 8 one fan was spotted holding a placard with the words “In Renee we trust” daubed across it. Read More Football StoriesThe team’s fourth win on the bounce since then has strengthened the case for the Netherlands-born stand-in Arsenal boss to continue in her role. Although the result gave the Gunners what she describes as “breathing space”, she sees the situation as surreal. Of their seven-game unbeaten run, Slegers said: “It’s the ultimate end to a very busy and intense block we have had here. “It is the perfect ending for this block. It means a lot. Most read in Sport”All of the players totally deserve it because of the work they put in. It gives us some breathing space in the last two games as well.”We wouldn’t give ourselves a ten out of ten but we will give ourselves a big fat ‘enough’. “We will never play the perfect game so it won’t be a ten, but we are very happy with what we have done so far.  “I never felt we would get into this situation. “We have done really well but I was part of Jonas (Eidevall’s) staff and there was so much that was built during his time. I don’t want to separate that. “There is so much we are still building on. It’s surreal in so many ways but we are very happy. “Compared to last term with Chelsea the only WSL side in the contest’s knockout phase, all three English clubs competing this season have fared well in the group stage. Gareth Taylor’s Manchester City currently sit top of group D above Barcelona with four wins from four matches including their 2-0 win against the LaLiga Women’s leaders in October.  An efficient 2-1 defeat of Hammarby last night, with City also entering the tournament’s last eight, came courtesy of two goals netted by Khadija Shaw.Khadija Shaw struck twice to seal Manchester City’s away win against Hammarby in their fourth Champions League group stage game this termCredit: GettyThe Jamaica striker has been in fine form in Europe for City so far this term netting three times in four Champions League appearances. READ MORE SUN STORIESMeanwhile Chelsea also maintained a hundred per cent win record in the group stages so far The team claimed a quarter-final place by beating Celtic 3-0 on Wednesday ahead of duels with FC Twente and Real Madrid next month.  More

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    Captaincy options for Gameweek 12: Bruno Fernandes and Mohamed Salah lead nominees

    IT’S once again time for Dream Team managers to select their captain (and vice captain) for the Gameweek ahead.Gameweek 12 is set to feature a full round of Premier League fixtures as well as the continuation of the European competitions in midweek, meaning double headers for Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, Aston Villa, Manchester United, Tottenham and Chelsea.We strong advise gaffers to pick a captain who is likely to play twice – let’s run through the strongest candidates.Dream Team’s leading point scorerCredit: ReutersDream Team bosses who have opted to double Mohamed Salah’s (£7.3m) points in recent weeks have gained ground on those who have remained loyal to Erling Haaland (£8.6m).Liverpool’s main man has matched or bettered the Norwegian poacher’s score for four consecutive Gameweeks.And there’s every chance he’ll extend that streak to five with Arne Slot’s side due to face 20th-placed Southampton this weekend.The Reds will then welcome Real Madrid to Anfield in midweek.Los Blancos are the kings of the Champions League as 15-time winners but they’ve already been beaten by Lille and Milan in this season’s competition – a trip to Merseyside comes at a bad time for Jude Bellingham and company.Haaland is capable of punishing his doubters but Man City’s form is a concernCredit: GettyAs for Haaland, he’s due to face Spurs and Feyenoord and could easily plunder plentiful points, especially with the North Londoners missing key defenders through injury.But it’s simply true that Pep Guardiola’s side are in a bad moment having lost four games on the spin.Most read in FootballSalah is seemingly the logical choice for Gameweek 12.Elsewhere, many gaffers will be tempted to stick the armband on Bruno Fernandes (£6.1m).The Red Devils’ skipper is both Dream Team’s most in-form player right now and the most popular recruit ahead of Gameweek 12’s deadline.Dream Team’s form manCredit: ReutersRuben Amorim’s first game in charge of Man United comes away to Ipswich, quickly followed by a Europa League meeting with plucky Norwegian outfit Bodo/Glimt at Old Trafford.All things considered, that’s a favourable double header for the former Sporting tactician and so there’s every chance Fernandes continues his fine form.The 30-year-old notched more points than any other player in Gameweek 11 and that alone makes him a viable captaincy option.Score PredictorPlay Score Predictor with Dream Team this season!FREE to play£250 weekly prizePredict scores of five selected Premier League fixtures and earn points for accuracyMost points wins weekly cash prizePLAY NOWSome gaffers will be tempted to captain Cole Palmer (£6.2m) now the Chelsea talisman is expected to be available for the Blues’ trip to Leicester on Saturday.However, please be aware that the reigning PFA Young Player of the Year will not feature against Heidenheim on Thursday night because he is not part of Chelsea’s Conference League for the league phase.In fact, Enzo Maresca tends to rotate pretty much his entire starting line-up for European games.That’s not to say Palmer isn’t capable of a big double-digit haul against the Foxes, he’s produced several such performances in the last year, but gaffers aiming to play the odds by targeting two fixtures in Gameweek 12 will have to look elsewhere.Saka is a doubt for Gameweek 12 at this stageBukayo Saka (£6.6m) is usually a relative popular captain but Arsenal’s No7 is an availability doubt at this stage.Plus, high-flying Nottingham Forest and Sporting CP is a deceptively tricky double header on current form.READ MORE SUN STORIESOther nominees to consider include Alejandro Garnacho (£4.1m), Luis Diaz (£4.6m) and Dominic Solanke (£4.3m) but it looks to be between Salah, Fernandes and Haaland for captain this time around.Elect your skipper for Gameweek 12 before Saturday’s 11:30am deadline.BetMGM sign up offerBetMGM: Get £40 in free bets — HERE**New cust only. 7 days to opt in by placing a £10 qualifying bet at 1/1 (2.0) odds or greater to receive 4x Free Bets: 1 x £10 horse racing, 1 x £10 Bet Builder, 1 x £10 Acca and 1 x £10 football. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. 18+. T&Cs apply.Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org More

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    Ruben Amorim ‘to introduce one of the most radical mid-season changes in strategy ever’ as Man Utd face Ipswich

    JAMIE CARRAGHER has revealed he is excited about watching Manchester United take on Ipswich on Sunday.The Red Devils return following the international break with a trip down to Portman Road. Ruben Amorim will deploy a ‘radical’ change of system at Man UtdCredit: GettyJamie Carragher is intrigued to see how United play against Ipswich on SundayCredit: PAHowever, they will be boasting a new manager and coaching staff to boot in the form of Ruben Amorim, who is taking charge of his first competitive game after taking charge on November 11.Amorim’s tactics are known to be quite divorced from previous boss Erik ten Hag’s, particularly in formation with the Portuguese preferring a 3-4-3 over Ten Hag’s 4-3-3.The 39-year-old whetted the appetite for what he could achieve by beating Manchester City 4-1 in the Champions League in his final home game with Sporting Lisbon.However, Liverpool icon Carragher is intrigued to find out whether Amorim’s radical new system will yield the same success it did for him at Sporting, where he won two league titles. READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd in particular, he is keen to see whether former Man Utd coach Kieran McKenna will be able to exploit the weaknesses in the team he will be aware of.Writing in his column for The Telegraph, Carragher said: “I cannot wait to see United take on Ipswich Town on Sunday afternoon.”We are about to witness one of the most radical mid-season changes in formation and strategy ever imposed by one of the elite clubs. “Facing the side fourth from bottom might seem a gentle introduction to English football for Amorim. Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”My suspicion is it will be much trickier than many think. “United are not just playing Ipswich at Portman Road. How Ruben Amorim will resurrect Marcus Rashford’s Man United career with subtle position change”They face a manager who arguably knows more about the strengths and weaknesses within United’s squad than the new coach.”SunSport have taken an extensive look into how Amorim is expected to get the team playing in the latest edition of our Tactics Exposed series.A win can put Man Utd seventh in the table if results elsewhere go in their favour.Meanwhile, Ipswich are one point above the drop zone but are coming off the back of a win over Tottenham before the international break.Ruben Amorim leaves Sporting on a highBy Charlie WyettRUBEN AMORIM would have preferred to leave Lisbon in a blaze of glory after winning a third Primeira Liga title.Yet football does not work like that. And in what was surely his final game before taking charge of Manchester United, Amorim prepared to say his goodbyes at a half-empty Estadio Jose Alvalade in a League Cup quarter-final against Nacional.Sporting won 3-1 thanks to  second-half goals by captain  Morten Hjulmand and Viktor Gyokeres, who scored two.Luis Esteves pulled back for Madeira-based Nacional.The stadium  will be a good deal more lively on Tuesday when Manchester City are here for  a Champions League match — although Amorim should by then have his feet firmly under his desk at Old Trafford.Liverpool and Aston Villa were both interested in Europe’s most sought-after coach. Even City could have been a possible destination post-Pep Guardiola.Yet the United job is one Amorim, 39,  could not turn  down — even if not everyone saw it that way at Sporting last night.There is clearly a huge split in the Portuguese club’s fan base over their coach leaving at this stage of the season with many believing he should have seen the job through.Yet Amorim, along with the three-man coaching team who are expected to follow him, leaves a club in a much better state than when he arrived here in 2020.Inside the stadium, there was applause — albeit muted — when his name was read out before the game along with the line-ups.And there did not appear to be any jeers when Amorim shuffled out from the tunnel awkwardly towards the dugout.So, while his departure is hard to take for some, none of the fans will forget his legacy.This is a club which is back as the dominant force in Portugal. Even this term, Sporting have won their first nine league games, scoring 30 goals and conceding just two.They are also eighth in the Champions League table, which is one hell of an effort.In contrast, Lisbon was not exactly hit by League Cup fever last night.Amorim made lots of changes, which saw Sporting’s star man Gyokeres, the former Coventry striker, start on the bench.There was, however, a first appearance in six weeks for former Tottenham winger Marcus Edwards. He is certainly one player who has been transformed by Amorim since arriving at the club from Vitoria in 2022 and will be sorry to see the coach leave.While he changed his team, Amorim stuck with his tried and trusted formation of a back three.It will certainly be something Manchester United’s fans will have to get used to over the  coming months.But looking at the Premier League table, none of them will be complaining about the change. More

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    Man City star Rodri opens door to astonishing Real Madrid transfer just weeks after club’s Ballon d’Or snub

    MANCHESTER CITY star Rodri has opened the door to a potential move to Real Madrid.It comes just weeks after the midfielder won the Ballon d’Or, leading Real Madrid to boycott the event.Rodri has opened the door to a switch to Real MadridCredit: GettyLos Blancos’s star Vinicius Jr was tipped to win the award and the snub led Real president Florentino Perez to turn down the invite.But Rodri still admires the club and said it would be difficult to ignore the Spanish giants if they came knocking.He told Spanish podcast El Larguero: “When Real Madrid call you, the best club in history and the most successful… it makes you proud and you always have to listen.“It’s obvious. You always have to pay attention.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLRodri, 28, also has no qualms about joining Real despite his affiliation to fierce rivals Atletico Madrid, having come through the club’s youth system.He recently stated he was not bothered about Real Madrid’s claim that Vinicius deserved to win the Ballon d’Or.Rodri said: “All the Spanish clubs would have to congratulate me and they haven’t.“I care about my family and my club. They must have their reasons, I wouldn’t have done it that way and there’s no point in going over it.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSBallon d’Or 2024 results1: Rodri, Man City and Spain2: Vinicius Jr, Real Madrid and Brazil3: Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid and England4: Dani Carvajal, Real Madrid and Spain5: Erling Haaland, Man City and Norway6: Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid and France7: Lautaro Martinz, Inter Milan and Argentina8: Lamine Yamal, Barcelona and Spain9: Toni Kroos, Real Madrid and Germany10: Harry Kane, Bayern Munich and England11: Phil Foden, Man City and England12: Florian Wirtz, Bayer Leverkusen and Germany13: Dani Olmo, Barcelona and Spain14: Ademola Lookman, Atalanta and Nigeria15: Nico Williams, Athletic Bilbao and Spain16: Granit Xhaka, Bayer Leverkusen and Switzerland17: Federico Valverde, Real Madrid and Uruguay18: Emi Martinez, Aston Villa and Argentina19: Martin Odegaard, Arsenal and Norway20: Hakan Calhanoglu, Inter Milan and Turkey21: Bukayo Saka, Arsenal and England22: Antonio Rudiger, Real Madrid and Germany23: Ruben Dias, Man City and Portugal24: William Saliba, Arsenal and France25: Cole Palmer, Chelsea and England26: Declan Rice, Arsenal and England27: Vitinha, PSG and Portugal28: Alejandro Grimaldo, Bayer Leverkusen and Spain29: Mats Hummels, Roma and Germany30: Artem Dovbyk, Roma and Ukraine“The mistake is giving so much attention to a club that hasn’t decided to participate.”Rodri is also hopeful he will be back from his ACL injury before the end of the season.Erling Haaland does pull ups on cliff edge and runs with wolves as Man City ace stars in insane Beats by Dre advert He said: “The seasons are getting longer and this one has the Club World Cup.“It is good to have a challenge and I have it in my head to return this season — we’ll see when.” More

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    Inside Plymouth Argyle’s 46,000-seater World Cup stadium plans as Wayne Rooney’s side battle relegation to third tier

    PLYMOUTH ARGYLE are battling relegation from the Championship under former England captain Wayne Rooney’s management.And the Pilgrims’ home form has been crucial in keeping their heads above water – with Rooney’s men currently sitting 18th in the Championship and a point ahead of the bottom three.Plymouth Argyle once had ambitious plans for a stunning 46,000-seater stadiumCredit: Rotolok/JLLIt would have hosted four World Cup matchesCredit: Rotolok/JLLArgyle have lost just one home game so far this season at their 17,000-seater stadium.But in a parallel universe, Home Park could have looked very different.That’s because Plymouth once had ambitious plans for the 2018 World Cup, and was chosen by the FA as one of the host cities.However, England’s failed bid to host the World Cup that year – with the tournament instead being handed to Russia – ultimately saw the plans fall flat.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHad England won the bidding, Home Park, where Plymouth have played since 1893, would have been set to become a stunning 46,000-seater arena.This would have been surrounded by a £150million project of shops, cinemas, restaurants, a hotel and an ice rink.State-of-the-art tramlines, as well as a new pier and stunning Drake’s Island would attract the super-rich.The city’s rejuvenation would also see it playing host to other major sporting events such as the America’s Cup – sailing’s own version of the World Cup.Most read in FootballThe ambitious project would have created 3,700 jobs and £292m in investment for the city.Argyle would have hosted four World Cup matches, along with training camps around the region and “Fan Fests” on the Hoe and at Stonehouse Creek costing over £15m over 31 days.There was widespread support for the bid from locals, while politicians jetted to South Africa to try and promote Plymouth’s campaign.BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHowever, the light of ambition became shrouded in the darkness of the ashes that nearly became Plymouth Argyle.The Plymouth Herald revealed the city council itself lost £700,000 in the failed bid.Every Premier League stadium ranked by the number of pubs nearby with one boasting over 130 local boozersPlymouth City Council alone spent £147,000 with another £250,000 being underwritten by Argyle.The Devon outfit owed £17m due to the project, sending the club into administration in 2011.James Brent’s Akkeron Group eventually agreed a deal with administrators to buy the club, with former chairman Peter Risdale leaving the club when the deal was completed.Argyle sold Home Park back to the city council for £1.6m and agreed to pay £135,000 a year in rent.READ MORE SUN STORIESIf this project had not been torpedoed by Fifa, Plymouth may well have been among the first names when considering who might host games for Euro 2028.However, the tournament – which will be across England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland after Northern Ireland pulled out – will not feature any trips to the West Country. More

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    Premier League clubs rebel against Man City and agree new financial rules in huge win for Richard Masters

    PREMIER LEAGUE clubs have voted in favour of new financial rules – in a huge win for embattled chief exec Richard Masters.Manchester City had led the charge against the tweaks to the Associated Party Transaction rules.Man City failed to convince the other clubs to vote against the rule changesCredit: GettyThe decision is a huge win for league chief Richard MastersCredit: GettyCity had warned the other 19 top-flight clubs that the changes – backed by an independent KC – remained unlawful.But at this morning’s meeting of the shareholder clubs at a central London hotel, the measures were passed by 16 votes to four.League bosses propelled the matter to the top of the agenda in a sign of their confidence.And in a surprise twist, Chelsea, who had been thought to be in City’s corner, backed Masters and spoke up – alongside Manchester United – in support of the “need for rules”.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIt is understood that Aston Villa, Newcastle and Nottingham Forest joined City in voting “no”.But the scale of the support for the Prem board, which significantly exceeded expectations, is a huge victory for Masters.League chiefs tabled the new regulations after an Arbitration Tribunal of three senior former judges found aspects of the rules, introduced in February despite fierce opposition led by City, were “unlawful”.Senior commercial expert Daniel Jowell KC advised the revised rules met the demands of the Arbitration Panel and commercial law.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSIn a statement, a Prem spokesperson said: “At a Premier League Shareholders’ meeting today, clubs approved changes to the League’s Associated Party Transaction (APT) rules.“The amendments to the rules address the findings of an Arbitration Tribunal following a legal challenge by Manchester City to the APT system earlier this year. Moment Pep Guardiola launches furious F-word rant at ‘unacceptable’ Phil Foden captured in Man City documentary“The Premier League has conducted a detailed consultation with clubs – informed by multiple opinions from expert, independent Leading Counsel – to draft rule changes that address amendments required to the system. “This relates to integrating the assessment of Shareholder loans, the removal of some of the amendments made to APT rules earlier this year and changes to the process by which relevant information from the League’s ‘databank’ is shared with a club’s advisors.”The spokesman added: “The purpose of the APT rules is to ensure clubs are not able to benefit from commercial deals or reductions in costs that are not at Fair Market Value (FMV) by virtue of relationships with Associated Parties.“These rules were introduced to provide a robust mechanism to safeguard the financial stability, integrity and competitive balance of the League.” More

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    Joshua Zirkzee ‘would gladly go back to Italy’ after Man Utd struggles just months after transfer with Juventus keen

    JOSHUA ZIRKZEE is open to moving back to Italy after a nightmare four months at Manchester United, according to reports.The Dutchman’s agents have supposedly offered him to Juventus ahead of the January transfer window.Joshua Zirkzee is keen on a move back to Serie A just months after joining Man UtdCredit: GettyZirkzee, 23, joined the Red Devils in a deal worth £36.5million in the summer. But newspaper La Stampa claim he is already looking for a way out after struggling to adapt to the Premier League.Zirkzee’s representatives have been in contact with Juventus as their manager is Thiago Motta.The boss got the best out of him last season at Bologna, with him scoring 12 goals.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLZirkzee’s time at Man Utd started positively, scoring the winner just 26 minutes into his debut against Fulham on the first day of the season.But the player has since struggled and it remains his only goal in 17 appearances.SunSport exclusively revealed that sacked manager Erik ten Hag did not want to sign him and he was a stone overweight when he rocked up at his new club.It took him a while to shift the unwanted timber and his former boss was unhappy about his fitness.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSZirkzee was an Ineos buy as they identified the deal as good value for money.But just months into his five-year contract, they could now let him go to potentially free up space to sign Sporting Lisbon star Viktor Gyokeres at the end of the season.Ruben Amorim takes charge of first Man Utd training sessionNew manager Ruben Amorim is reportedly keen on bringing the Swedish goal machine with him to Old Trafford.But the transfer will not come cheap as the Portuguese giants are set to demand around £80m for the man with 23 goals in 18 games this term.Three Sporting stars Amorim could swoop for after joining Man UtdRUBEN AMORIM has ruled out poaching any of his Sporting Lisbon players in the January transfer window.But the Portuguese side’s chiefs expect Amorim will come calling in the summer – with his cheque book wide open.Here’s are three Sporting starts United could swoop for… but they won’t come cheap:VIKTOR GYOKERESAge: 26Position: StrikerCost: £84millionSwede has shone since joining Sporting last summer from Coventry — catching the eye of all Europe’s top clubs.Hit 43 goals in 50 games last season and boasts 18 strikes already this term.GONCALO INACIOAge: 23Position: DefenderCost: £50millionBall-playing centre-back was handed his debut by Amorim and has since become a key figure in Sporting’s recent title successes.Can also slot in at left-back if required and has 12 caps for Portugal.MORTEN HJULMANDAge: 25Position: MidfieldCost: £40millionDane is one of the top holding midfielders in Portugal — and made skipper by Amorim.He could be the man to replace Casemiro. More

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    Inside Arsenal legend Edu’s bombshell move from title contenders to madhouse under eccentric and impatient owner

    EDU has swapped a Premier League penthouse for a multi-club madhouse.As Arsenal welcome Nottingham Forest this weekend, the Gunners are still trying to pick up the pieces from the shock departure of their Sporting Director for an expanded role under City Ground owner Evangelos Marinakis.Edu Gaspar is preparing for his new multi-club role after quitting ArsenalCredit: GettyEdu will oversee the stable of clubs owned by Nottingham Forest chief Evangelos MarinakisCredit: PAIt has come at a time when the title-chasing North Londoners are at their most stable, consistent and successful on and off the pitch since the glory days of Edu’s own Invincibles side under Arsene Wenger.A dream job, some would argue.In comparison, Forest have been leaving a trail of undesirable box office drama behind them for many years now, from VAR squabbles to cigar-spitting accusations, under their eccentric owner Marinakis who is eyeing world domination via his Manchester City-inspired multi-club model.So, why would Edu risk tainting an impressive dossier of work at Arsenal for an unspecified triple-your-money role with Grecian grouch Marinakis – a man currently at the centre of a blackmail conspiracy in his home country?READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe simple answer is: power. Edu is an ambitious Brazilian who quietly eyed a bigger role at the Emirates, and discretely looked elsewhere when it was clear that was unlikely.Despite several Brazil stars currently in Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta’s squad, Edu’s expertise and knowledge of the country and English football was not solely relied upon with Arteta having a large say in all recruitment dealings.Under Marinakis, however, he is expected to have greater say as a powerful and extremely well-paid executive over the general running of an empire which so far consists of Forest, Olympiacos and Portuguese side Rio Ave.Marinakis has also eyed up Serie A’s Monza and is reportedly in talks to add Rio de Janieiro-based Vasco da Gama to his growing portfolio.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe latter is believed to have been with Edu in mind – a man who has great connections in Brazil from his time as a director of football at Corinthians and general coordinator of the national team before joining Arsenal in July 2019.But Edu will also be aware that Marinakis is prone to pulling the trigger if expectations are not met.Edu’s exit is a huge loss for Mikel Arteta and Arsenal will feel very different without him, says SunSport’s Jack RosserArsenal and Edu resignation statement in fullEdu Gaspar has today resigned from his position as our Sporting Director.Edu, our former player and Invincible, re-joined us in the role of Technical Director in July 2019. He progressed through the club and was promoted to Sporting Director in November 2022, where he oversaw men’s, women’s and academy football.   We thank Edu for the part he has played in our renewed football strategy and driving the club forward with the values of Arsenal in his heart. Edu said: “This was an incredibly hard decision to make.”Arsenal has given me the opportunity to work with so many amazing people and the chance to be a part of something so special in the club’s history. It has been a special journey and I thank Stan, Josh, Tim and Lord Harris for the support they’ve given me.  “I’ve loved working with so many great colleagues across our men’s, women’s and academy teams, especially Mikel, who has become a great friend. “Now it is time to pursue a different challenge. Arsenal will always remain in my heart. I wish the club and its supporters only good things and all the very best.”Our Co-Chair, Josh Kroenke, added: “We respect Edu’s decision and thank him for his immense contribution and dedication to drive the club forward.  “Everyone at the club wishes him well. We are all so fond of him and the positive energy he brings to everything and everyone.  “Change and evolution is a part of our club.  We remain focused on our strategy and winning major trophies. Our succession plan will reflect this continued ambition.”Marinakis’ erratic trial and error process for this role began with Spaniard Antonio Cordon in June 2023 after his past success with Villarreal and Real Betis.Cordon was initially the Olympiacos Sporting Director before Marinakis promoted him to also cover Forest and Rio Ave six months later. Cordon left the role in July 2024.In the middle of all this, Portuguese Sporting Director Pedro Alves was given the Olympiacos gig in December 2023, but lasted just two months.One of Edu’s great strengths is his ability to control communications from top to bottom, something Arsenal chiefs are understood to be aware of replacing sooner rather than later.But Edu knows he will be dealing with quite the character in Marinakis, one who has been known to smash TVs in director’s boxes in anger at the City Ground, and played his part in the club being fined £750k last term for green-lighting a tweet that accused referee Stuart Atwell of bias.Edu’s 35 signings rankedEDU oversaw the arrival of 35 players during his time at the club.Some worked out better than others.Here, SunSport ranks them from worst to best…35. Nicolas Pepe (£72m)34. Willian (Free)33. David Luiz (£8m)32. Runar Alex Runarsson (£2m)31. Mat Ryan (Loan)30. Fabio Vieira (£34m)29. Neto (Loan)28. Marquinhos (£3m)27. Nuno Tavares (£8m)26. Matt Turner (£5m)25. Cedric Soares (Free)24. Albert Sambi Lokonga (£17m)23. Pablo Mari (£5m)22. Dani Ceballos (Loan)21. Raheem Sterling (Loan)20. Jakub Kiwior (£17m)19. Jorginho (£12m)18. Riccardo Calafiori (£42m)17. Kieran Tierney (£25m)16. Takehiro Tomiyasu (£20m)15. Mikel Merino (£28m)14. Aaron Ramsdale (£24m)13. Oleksandr Zinchenko (£30m)12. Gabriel Jesus (£45m)11. Kai Havertz (£65m)10. Jurrien Timber (£38m)9. Gabriel Martinelli (£6m)8. David Raya (£27m)7. Leandro Trossard (£20m)6. Thomas Partey (£45m)5. Ben White (£50m)4. Gabriel Magalhaes (£27m)3. Declan Rice (£105m)2. William Saliba (£27m)1. Martin Odegaard (£30m)Click here to read more Arsenal stories.He then was hit with a five-game ban last month for spitting at the feet of an official, his defence being that it is due to smoking two to three cigars a day.And this week, Olympiacos were forced to come out in defence of Marinakis and board members, claiming they were being “blackmailed” with allegations of financing “sports violence”.The influence of the City Football Group on Marinakis cannot be understated.Under Abu Dhabi United Group owner Sheikh Mansour, a 13-strong collection of teams across five continents includes City, Melbourne City, New York City, Mumbai City, Girona and Shenzhen Peng City.This is Marinakis’ blueprint, one that is expected to be overseen and run by Edu – an opportunity of global expansion that was not seen as a priority at Arsenal.But for every City Group, there is Chelsea’s topsy-turvy and messy growth under Todd Boehly’s own multi-club vision, one that feels constantly on the verge of a crisis.READ MORE SUN STORIESOn his six-month gardening leave before beginning his Marinakis adventure, Edu will watch Arsenal vs Forest from home this weekend.A penny for his thoughts, whatever the score.How Edu made Arsenal great againBy Jack RosserEDU GASPAR has been on a mission to ‘Make Arsenal Great Again’ ever since returning to the club he played for 2019.After a few wobbles early on – signing Nicolas Pepe will never reflect well – the Brazilian has, alongside Mikel Arteta, been crucial in the club’s transformation.Arteta was brought in as the new manager within months of Edu’s return to North London and the former midfielder stuck by the boss when the pressure was on two years into the job.Instead of making the knee-jerk decision to change manager again, the former Brazil international, joined forces with Arteta to institute a huge change of culture at The Emirates.Overpaid toxic influences such as Mesut Ozil and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang were purged from the dressing room and Arsenal set about adding strong characters.Edu finally got the club competing in the transfer market again, with Martin Odegaard an outstanding capture for the club. In landing Declan Rice ahead of Manchester City last year Arsenal showed they couple compete for and sign some of Europe’s biggest talents once more.Arsenal have become one of the most attractive clubs in the Premier League and one of the most efficient in the market.While there have been big deals for the likes of Rice and Calafiori, there have been smart ones too – picking out value where others have lost hope.Kai Havertz appeared as a surprising signing after a dreadful season at Chelsea. But after Edu gave the German space and support to rebuild his confidence he has developed into a fine asset for Arteta.Edu does not only have a tight relationship with Arteta – who many fans will be glad signed a new deal before the sporting director’s departure – but the players too, always ready and waiting to check in, keep them going.London Colney and The Emirates will feel a very different place for all of them without Edu. More