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      Arsenal and Chelsea to be dragged into Man City vs Premier League legal battle as landmark case leads to bitter war

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      MANCHESTER CITY’S legal brawl with the Prem is set to drag rivals, including Arsenal and Chelsea, into the fight.In what was hailed a landmark ruling, the Prem champs claimed victory as an element of the rules on commercial deals involving companies linked to clubs’ owners was judged “unlawful”.Manchester City claimed victory in a dispute with the Premier LeagueCredit: GettyMan City’s legal battle with the Prem is set to drag Arsenal and Chelsea inCredit: GettyArsenal and Chelsea are believed to have ploughed hundreds of millions into the club in loansCredit: AlamyIt related to shareholder loans not being included in the “Associated Party Transaction” calculation.Arsenal owners the Kroenkes are believed to have ploughed nearly £260million into the club in loans. Chelsea received £146m in the first year of their new ownership model.Brighton’s Tony Bloom has put £373m into the Seagulls, while Everton, who are subject to a takeover from The Friedkin Group, have the highest shareholder loans at £451m.That has been loaned at low or even zero interest and will almost certainly now need recalculating.Read More on FootballFormer Master of the Rolls — the country’s second most senior lawyer — Lord Dyson and two fellow judges agreed the rule preventing City from responding to the Prem over “Fair Market Value” of two proposed deals was “procedurally unfair”.But a number of City’s other claims against Prem rules “failed”, including that the League wrongly applied its regulations.Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool, Brentford, West Ham, Fulham, Wolves and Bournemouth gave evidence on behalf of the Prem.It has all left battle lines drawn even deeper — with the case into City’s alleged 115 financial breaches still being heard.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSCity launched the case after tighter rules were voted in by Prem clubs at a meeting in February.The club said yesterday: “The Tribunal found both the original APT rules and the current (amended) APT Rules violate UK competition law and procedural fairness . . . ”Man City vs Fulham: Player Ratings Breakdown“The Premier League was specifically unfair in how it applied those rules to the Club in practice.“They deliberately excluded shareholder loans while the Premier League reached decisions in a procedurally unfair manner.”City’s case centred on two sponsorship proposals, with First Abu Dhabi Bank and Etihad Aviation Group.But while the Arbitration Tribunal — which heard evidence in June — did side with City on some matters, League bosses claimed THEY had won.A Prem spokesman said: “Manchester City brought a wholesale challenge to the APT Rules.“The club was unsuccessful in the majority of its challenge.“Significantly, the Tribunal determined the APT Rules are necessary.“It rejected Manchester City’s argument that APT Rules were to discriminate against clubs with ownership from the ‘Gulf region’.“Except in two respects, it found that Manchester City’s arguments were unfounded.”READ MORE SUN STORIESBut League chiefs believe they need only make minor changes — and new rules will be tabled for club chiefs to vote on as soon as next week.The spokesman added: “In the meantime, the Premier League will operate the existing APT system, taking into account the findings made by the Tribunal.”Man City vs the Premier League: Q&ABy Martin LiptonBOTH Manchester City and the Premier League were claiming a win after their legal scrap over Associated Party Transactions.SunSport sifts the claims to try to explain the latest issues.What was the case about?City were furious that Prem bosses brought in new tougher regulations – by the smallest possible majority under League rules – in February. They were aimed at blocking clubs bypassing financial controls by earning “unfair” amounts via sponsorship from a company with the same owners, or selling players on the cheap to teams under the same ownership umbrella.Why were City so upset?The Etihad club argued that the rules were illegal and had been deliberately aimed at them by rivals and were both flawed and politically driven. They also branded the “two thirds support” rule that has been part of Prem regulations since its inception as a “tyranny of the majority”This was an Arbitration Tribunal – explain that?Under Prem rules, any club has the right to ask for Arbitration if they are unhappy about the regulations or due process. The three retired judges heard evidence in June and their full ruling was distributed to the 20 Prem clubs on Monday afternoon.And what did they say?Depending on who you listen to, they either totally vindicated one side or the other. The actual answer is that there were “wins” for both City and the Prem. But it’s your choice which ones meant more.OK, what were City’s wins?Maybe the most important one in terms of the repercussions. That both the new rules and the previous version – brought  in after Saudi Arabia’s PIF bought Newcastle in 2021 –  were “unlawful” as they exclude shareholder loans to clubs in any APT calculations.  City also won over their claims that the rulebook prevented them from responding to Prem decisions over whether two proposed deals with Abu Dhabi companies represented “Fair Market Value”, access to the “databank” of comparable deals and the time it took for decisions to be reached.That sounds pretty big. So what about the Prem’s side?The key finding as far as the League is concerned is that the Tribunal backed the concept of APT rules as well as the Fair Market Value tests. Additionally, City’s challenges to the actual decisions on the two proposed deals “failed”. Prem bosses insist the “rulebook has been found to comply with competition and public law standards and is an effective and necessary system”.Is that it, then?Of course not. That shareholder loan issue is a big deal, given that it is believed owners have loaned around £1.5bn at low or preferential rates across the Prem. Those loans will almost certainly have to be calculated at commercial rates now, unless the owners convert them into shares. But the League is convinced the main thrust of the rules remains valid.And what will be the impact on the “115 charges” case?Probably nothing. That is an allegation of breaking the rules, while this matter was City questioning whether one small element of the current rulebook was legitimate. But City are using the same legal team, headed by £10,000 per hour Lord Pannick KC. And the stakes on the bigger case are a great deal higher. More

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      Arsenal confident Kai Havertz will be ready after international break despite knee issue keeping him from Germany duty

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      ARSENAL expect Kai Havertz to be fully fit and firing after the international break.The Gunners striker pulled out of Germany duty at the weekend with “knee problems” – missing Nations League clashes against Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Netherlands.Kai Havertz finished the game against Southampton without any knee strappingCredit: ReutersHavertz netted Arsenal’s equaliser on the way to a 3-1 victory over SouthamptonCredit: GettyHavertz, 25, played the full 90 minutes in a 3-1 Prem win over Southampton on Saturday, scoring at the Emirates for the seventh game in a row in all competitions.But SunSport understands the German star has been managing a minor knee issue since the end of last season – something that he carried over into the Euros.Havertz has not been immune to knee knocks in his career, but they have seen him miss just two club games – one apiece at Bayer Leverkusen and Chelsea – since August 2017.In order to avoid any further damage or stress on the area, Havertz will remain at London Colney during this break for some much-needed rest and recovery before facing Bournemouth on October 19.read more arsenalYet the Arsenal are not losing sleep over the player’s fitness, in the knowledge it is simply the wear and tear of an intense few months of football.Havertz played the full 90 minutes in 11 of Arsenal’s remaining 16 Prem games last season before doing the same in three of Germany’s five Euros outings in the summer.This term, he has started and finished all but one of the club’s 12 games in all competitions, such has been his influence with six goals already – including four in his last four.As such, this 12-day break before travelling to the Cherries has come at the perfect time with Mikel Arteta’s first-choice striker playing with a slight discomfort.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSArsenal’s wage bill has risen over the past few seasonsNot that it is showing on the pitch, currently in the form of his life and one of Arteta’s most important figures in Arsenal’s title push having also netted 14 in 51 games last term.And Arteta needs Havertz at his best for a gruelling upcoming fixture slog that includes taking on title rivals Liverpool at home on October 27.After that, three tough trips on the bounce to Newcastle, Inter Milan and then Chelsea.Arsenal will be hoping to have several other big names back for that run, including skipper Martin Odegaard and defensive trio Oleksandr Zinchenko, Jurrien Timber and Ben White. More

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      Jonas Eidevall hopes Arsenal can get job done against Bayern Munich and Chelsea after Everton clinch draw

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      JONAS EIDEVALL wants Arsenal to move past the disappointment of their 0-0 draw with Everton, with clashes with Bayern Munich and Chelsea to come.The Toffees withstood a barrage before thwarting the Gunners’ attempts to claim their first win in the league at the Emirates on Sunday. Arsenal were frustrated by Everton with the Toffees putting in a gritty defensive shift at the EmiratesCredit: GettyCourtney Brosnan pulled off several saves as the hosts piled on the pressure against EvertonCredit: GettyEverton shot stopper Courtney Brosnan put in a player of the match shift as her side found themselves hemmed into their own half for large spells.The Republic of Ireland goalkeeper made several impressive saves including a close-range injury-time stop of Stina Blackstenius’s attempted tap-in.The stalemate resulted in Arsenal falling two points behind Manchester City ahead of two of their biggest games of the season in Europe and the WSL.The Cityzens leapt to top spot following their 2-0 home win against West Ham with moving to Liverpool fifth and one place above Eidevall’s side on goal difference.Read More FootballThe Arsenal boss, whose side will face Bayern in their Champions League group stage opener in Munich on Wednesday, said: “First half we played with too little intent and moved the ball too slow.”We had quite a bit of control in that half, but here at home at the Emirates we should have much higher demands and standards for ourselves and our attacking game.”When we don’t move the ball quick enough then it’s really hard to break down a side like Everton.”They defend with so many players behind the ball and are really dedicated in their defendingMost read in Football”We’re disappointed with the result and the performance. “But we need to look forward to two really exciting, tough, challenging games.”With the games coming up, playing away against Munich and at home against Chelsea, we don’t need any more fuel or motivation.”Those games and those opponents are fuel enough. “We now need to look forward because no matter how disappointed we are with the draw, we still have a job to do.”The Gunners’ scoreless draw with the Toffees was the first of three games they will play in the space of seven days.Eidevall added: “It’s a quick turnaround so we can’t put a foot wrong with recovery and preparation so that needs to be the focus, but no about it we’re disappointed.”Arsenal were handed a fitness boost with defenders Leah Williamson and Steph Catley making their returns from injury.Catley came on in the 77th minute with England skipper Williamson entering the fray 13 minutes earlier having missed Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Man City, and wins against BK Hacken and Leicester with StephOf their return to action, Eidevall said: “It’s really important for us. We’ve been playing a lot of minutes with the same players.”When we look at our back four and given we have five games within 15 days here. “It would not have been sustainable to keep on piling on the minutes for those players so it’s really important to have them back.”Arsenal’s Emily Fox almost broke the deadlock with her floated 10th-minute delivery into the box hitting the crossbar.At the other end a loose pass from Gunners keeper Daphne van Domselaar, in the 18-yard almost handed a scoring chance to the visitors moments later.Brosnan made a perfectly-timed diving stop to keep out Mariona Caldentey’s shot from distance before Veatriki Sarri prompted Van Domselaar to tip the ball against the crossbar close to half-time.The second spell saw Everton and Arsenal shuffle their decks with Blackstenius and Caitlin Foord amongst the subs coming on.And Foord went close with a half-volleyed 90th-minute strike before Brosnan denied Blackstenius in injury time. The scoreless draw resulted in Everton ending their winless run in the top tier and picking up their first point of the season.And Brian Sorensen’s side will hope to register their first victory in the league this term when they host West Ham next Sunday (13 October).Leah Williamson returned to match action for Arsenal having missed their last two league games due to injuryCredit: AlamyThe Toffees boss said: “We were strong defensively and I don’t think they had big, big chances. The plan was good and the girls were even better executing it.READ MORE SUN STORIES”What pleased me most? The resilience, the togetherness, the willingness to fight for each other, the coolness, the calmness. I’m super proud.”This result is only going to build our confidence.” More

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      Man Utd confirm signing of former Arsenal wonderkid, 16, who scored TEN goals in one game against Liverpool

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      MANCHESTER UNITED have announced the signing of ex-Arsenal wonderkid Chido Obi-Martin.Obi-Martin, 16, has put pen to paper with United after a goal-laden two-year stint in the Gunners’ youth system.Man Utd have announced the signing of teenage sensation Chido Obi-MartinObi-Martin scored a staggering 32 goals in 21 appearances with Arsenal’s Under-18sCredit: GettyThe highly-rated striker snubbed offers from the Gunners before leaving in the summer after amassing a staggering 32 goals and three assists in 21 appearances with the Under-18s.That led the Denmark Under-17 international to the Under-18 Premier League golden boot last term.The forward, though, really caught the eye by scoring a whopping TEN GOALS in one match against Liverpool.Obi-Martin also registered a seven-goal haul against Norwich, five goals against West Ham, four strikes in back-to-back games with Crystal Palace and Fulham as well as two more hat-tricks.Read More on Man UtdAnd the teenage sensation is looking forward to his new challenge at United.Obi-Martin said: “I’m very happy to sign with Man United, an amazing club.“It’s now time to focus and achieve all my dreams.”Obi-Martin is eligible to play for Nigeria but has also represented both England and Denmark at youth level.Most read in FootballThe ex-Arsenal centre-forward has played for the English and Danish Under-16 sides.The Denmark youth star scored twice as he helped his country reach the semi-finals of the Under-17 Euros in May.How would Southgate and Tuchel transform Man Utd flops and who is best for job?United have seen a number of youth stars break into the first team in recent years, such as Marcus Rashford, Scott McTominay, Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo. More

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      Arsenal player ratings: Bukayo Saka tears Southampton to shreds but team-mate Gabriel Jesus drained of all confidence

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      ARSENAL came from behind to beat Southampton 3-1 in front of a temporarily anxious Emirates crowd.The Saints, who sit 19th, were full of concentration in the first half, and saw themselves go 1-0 up through Cameron Archer.Kai Havertz drew Arsenal level within THREE minutes of Southampton’s openerGabriel Martinelli came from the bench in the 60th minute to put the Gunners in frontBukayo Saka bagged a goal and two assists as he ran rampant down the right hand sideFernandes’ diagonal after robbing Raheem Sterling, on his full Prem debut, set substitute Archer away in the 55th minute.But an immediate reply from Arsenal saw Kai Havertz cancel out Saints’ shock opener with a fantastic finish past Aaron Ramsdale – to score in his seventh home game in a row.Gabriel Martinelli completed the turnaround after no-one was close to tracking his far-post run as Bukayo Saka picked him out with a lovely deep cross to the back post.The visitors hit the post late on, before Saka built on his two assists to make it THREE – to leave Arsenal third and level on points with Manchester City in the Prem.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSHere’s how SunSport’s Ivan Speck rated every Arsenal player…David Raya – 6 A spectator for most of the game. Could do anything to keep out Cameron Archer’s curling opener.Cameron Archer put the visitors 1-0 up in the 55th minuteDavid Raya couldn’t keep out Archer’s bullet finishThomas Partey – 6 Swapped his usual defensive midfield role for right-back, though given the one-way traffic, he barely had any defensive duties. But he supported Saka at every opportunity.Most read in FootballWilliam Saliba – 6 Dependable as always when he was needed, which was mostly in the second half. Could have closed down Archer more quickly for the Southampton goal, but not alone in that.After a quiet first half William Saliba was called upon plenty in the second 45Gabriel – 6 Spent more time in the Southampton box trying to get his head on corners than in his own area, especially in the first half.Handled the giant Paul Onuachu well when Southampton threw him on.Antonio Rudiger instantly wins over Arsenal fans as former Chelsea defender pays Gunners stars huge complimentRiccardo Calafiori – 5Given a couple of uncomfortable moments by Tyler Dibling.Did not seem to know which way the St Mary’s youngster was going half the time.Riccardo Calafiori struggled with Tyler Dibling at timesJorginho (c)  – 6 Inches wide with a searing low shot late in the first half. Probed but rarely found an incisive pass through the yellow shirts. Taken off after an hour.Declan Rice – 6 His usual solid self and tried to take on a more creative role with Southampton camped out in front of their own area, but prefers an open game to showcase his box-to-box talents.Raheem Sterling  – 7 A freedom about his play. Happy to take on defenders at pace with his dancing feet.Unlucky not to finish off one dazzling run and even more unfortunate to be taken off after an hour.But was robbed of the ball for the Saints opener.Sterling was pushed off the ball for Southampton’s openerBukayo Saka – 9A game of two halves. Had to cope with being double-teamed every time he picked up the ball in the first half and there was disbelief around the Emirates when he launched one shot high into the stands.The second period was a different story. Tore Southampton to shreds time and again. A brilliant floated cross for Gabriel Martinelli to put Arsenal ahead, then a typically clinical finish for his side’s third.Kai Havertz – 8 Proved his worth again as a scorer of important goals with the crucial equaliser just as nerves were beginning to jangle around the Emirates.Gabriel Jesus – 4Too long in the shadows has drained him of the belief he had when he first arrived at Arsenal as the main man up front.Two tame shots summed up his current ineffectiveness.SubsGabriel Martinelli (Sterling 60) – 8Three weeks ago, his role in the Arsenal side was in question. His form has returned in spades with a second Premier League goal in successive weeks.Gabriel Martinelli put Arsenal in front from the benchLeandro Trossard (Jesus 61) – 7Like Martinelli, welcomed as a hero when he came on. Has become an important player in this Arsenal team. His run led to the third Arsenal goal.Mikel Merino (Jorginho 61) – 6A first Premier League appearance in Arsenal colours. Introduced just as the games was opening up and will benefit from the taster.READ MORE SUN STORIESTakehiro Tomiyasu (Partey 84) – 6Back from injury. Given a run out towards the end to ease him back into first team duties.Jakub Kiwior (Calafiori 90) – 6Introduced late on when the game was won. Not much to do. More

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      Aaron Ramsdale breaks down in tears on pitch after Arsenal fans’ reception on return to Emirates Stadium

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      AARON RAMSDALE was overcome with emotion as he broke down in tears on his first return to the Emirates since leaving this summer.The England goalkeeper joined Southampton on deadline day in a four-year deal worth £25m, bringing his three-year Gunners stint to an end.Aaron Ramsdale was reduced to tears after receiving a warm welcome from Arsenal fansIt marks the first time Ramsdale will play at the Emirates since leaving in the summerThe goalkeeper dried his eyes with his gloves ahead of Southampton’s game at the EmiratesRamsdale was left visibly emotional after he received a warm reception from Arsenal fans as the Saints face Mikel Arteta’s side in North London.The Emirates was less than half-full before the home fans were unanimous in giving Ramsdale a round of applause during the warm ups.The stopper was unable to hold back the waterworks as he headed for the tunnel before kick-off.After being treated to widespread applause and chants, Ramsdale was pictured using his gloves to wipe away tears.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSThe 26-year-old then flashed a thumbs-up and a cheeky wink at the crowd.Ramsdale produced several great saves in the first half, as Arsenal were held to a 0-0 scoreline at half-time.He made 89 appearances in total for Arsenal but left in search of more game time after falling behind David Raya in the pecking order.Him and his family, particularly his dad, were heartbroken to see him lose his place to Raya, then on loan, at the start of last season.Most read in FootballThe decision seemed harsh from Arteta, as Ramsdale hadn’t made too many mistakes in their first title charging season in 2022-23.The England star thanked Arsenal fans for their reactionFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSBut the Raya decision, however brutal, has proven be the right one, with the former Spaniard proving to be one of the league’s best.Ramsdale played just six Prem games last season but has been ever present for the Saints this term.I’m mum of an Arsenal star – I have a side hustle to help parents of Premier League footballers Ramsdale said he made the move down to the south coast because he had no desire to ‘”win trophies if I was sitting on the bench.”He told the BBC’s Football Focus show: “If I was sitting on the bench, it [winning a trophy] wouldn’t have meant that much to me.I just wanted to play football. As a kid I wanted to play football to play, not to just sit on a bench.”Ramsdale became the ninth goalkeeper to play against Arsenal in the Prem having previously played for them in the competition.The only one of the previous eight to keep a clean sheet in his first such match against the Gunners is Emiliano Martinez, in a 3-0 win at the Emirates with Aston Villa in November 2020. More

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      Mikel Arteta ready to play set-piece mind games with ex-Gunner Aaron Ramsdale ahead of Arsenal return

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      MIKEL ARTETA has warned ex-Arsenal keeper Aaron Ramsdale to expect set-piece MIND GAMES ahead of his North London return.Ramsdale plays at the Emirates today for the first time since swapping the Gunners for Southampton in a £25m deal this summer – ending his three-year stint.Aaron Ramsdale has endured a tough start to life at SouthamptonCredit: ReutersMikel Arteta axed Ramsdale for new No.1 David RayaCredit: GettyArsenal may be forced to create some new corner routines against RamsdaleCredit: AlamyAnd he is now able to give Russell Martin’s Saints the lowdown on his old side’s potent set-piece routines that have produced 45 goals in all competitions, excluding penalties, since July 2021 – the most in Europe’s top five leagues.Asked if Arsenal need to adapt with this in mind, Arteta said: “Probably.“Maybe we tell [Ramsdale] that we will adapt something but then do the same thing so he thinks we’re going to adapt it! So, there’s maybe going to be some mind games.“I’m sure that they will have discussed that. It’s not the first time that we have played against a player that was in our camp, it’s natural that it happens.read more arsenal“So, we need to have the capacity to understand and continue to do our things.”Signed from Sheffield United for £30m in August 2021, Ramsdale, 26, was Arsenal’s No.1 for two terms before being axed by last season’s new arrival David Raya from Brentford.Raya, 29, has since proven himself to be one of the best keepers in the Premier League, winning the Golden Glove last campaign with 16 clean sheets and was awarded August’s Save of the Month.Meanwhile, Ramsdale has so far conceded 10 goals in four outings for relegation-battling Southampton and was left out of Lee Carsley’s recent England squad.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSBut Arteta admits it was “hard” to let Ramsdale leave. The Spaniard added: “I am grateful for what he did. When we signed him there was a lot of noise around him.“We helped to create the environment he needed because we believed in his potential. He showed it and won the respect and admiration of all of us.Arsenal set to play Champions League decider in half-empty stadium with tiny away allocation thanks to little-known rule “And then the circumstances changed because this is elite sport and can happen. It was difficult to deal with that situation in a natural way and we decided to part ways.“He decided he wanted to take another step in his career. I called him straight away after I got the news. He was really happy.“He’s a player that we loved a lot, very charismatic and he really put his fingerprints here at the club in the way that he was. It will be very good to see him.”Ramsdale has revealed his main motivation for leaving title-chasing Arsenal was to stop sitting on the bench, even if that means missing out on future silverware.He explained: “If I was sitting on the bench, winning a trophy wouldn’t have meant that much to me.”I just wanted to play football. As a kid I wanted to play football to play, not to just sit on a bench. Getting out and playing was my aim.“So, I’m lucky I found myself here at Southampton.”Ramsdale has also put to bed any rumours that there were any bad feelings between himself and his replacement Raya – even if being picked up by cameras during games annoyed him.Ramsdale said: “It used to do my head in coming off the pitch and then my wife would say you were on TV five times today.“After [Raya] made a save or a goal went in and [the camera] would pan to me on the bench. I do think the story was bigger than what it needed to be.Ramsdale and Raya were battling against each other for a starting spotCredit: Reuters“It put pressure on David at times as well. I did an interview with David Seaman after my new contract. I said I wanted to emulate him an be there for eight to 10 years.“A couple of months later I was out of the team. I tried my hardest to dislodge David but I do think now the rewards are showing.“He’s started the season incredibly well. He was actually the first person to text me from Arsenal after my move here.“He was great and he was top. Like I say he’s made some big, big saves this season and kept them in some games. Just desperate he doesn’t have one of those games [today].”Ramsdale has defended Saints boss Martin’s style of play – one that sees the club with one point from six games in lowly 19th.During their 3-1 defeat to Bournemouth on Monday, Southampton had 60 per cent possession but just three shots on target.Ramsdale said: “Martin is top. His enthusiasm, the way he wants to play, the way he wants to do things – he’s going to stick by it.“He’s not going to change because other people say he needs to.”Arteta has also come out in defence of Martin’s approach, having seen this style help Southampton go 25 games unbeaten on their way to Prem promotion last term.Arteta argued: “I understand what [Martin] wants to do and why he does it.“It is very difficult to coach it and, at the level that he has done it, to perform, it was a joy to watch [in the Championship].“You need a lot of courage and I love that. When he was winning a lot of games nobody was talking about that and when you lose it is too much.READ MORE SUN STORIES“They’ve been very unlucky not to have many more points because there were moments in the game where they have far better than the opponents.”Arsenal are unlikely to have Jurrien Timber [muscular] and Ben White [groin] at their disposal, while skipper Martin Odegaard [ankle] and Oleksandr Zinchenko [calf] remain out until after the international break. More

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      Arsenal star Mikel Merino is lover of notorious bull run with La Liga cult hero dad and pro-basketball star mum

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      THE SPANISH city of Pamplona is famous for its Running of the Bulls festival.Every summer, daredevil locals volunteer to lead the bulls – often 10 or more – down narrow streets at high speed in an event that attracts hundreds of tourists from around the world.Mikel Merino is in contention to make his Premier League debut with ArsenalCredit: GettyArsenal ace Merino is a fan of the notorious Pamplona bull runCredit: AFPMerino is the son of Osasuna legend Miguel Angel Merino and basketball hero MaiteA regular face in the crowds is Arsenal’s Mikel Merino, 28 – a local Pamplona lad from the province of Navarre and an admirer of the power and unpredictability on show.There was a time during his upbringing at the famed Osasuna academy where Merino was viewed in a similar light: a midfield talent with an impressive physique – now standing at 6 foot 2 inches – but one who lacked control.Former Osasuna coach Jose Manuel Mateo told SunSport: “There was a period in which he was physically a very powerful player but was still not developed enough to move his body.“It was a bit difficult for him. He was very strong, really advanced for his age, something special that was above the others, but missing something muscularly.Read More on Arsenal“But by the end of his time with us, he was technically and physically a complete player. People could see he would reach the top immediately.“A great left foot, he had potential aerially, covered a lot of the pitch, stepped into both attacking and defensive areas with great ease and a lot of potential to score goals.”Merino arrived at the Osasuna academy at the age of 16 in the summer of 2012, already a minor celebrity thanks to his father Angel Miguel – a club legend of nearly 200 appearances turned youth coach.His towering stature for one so young however came from his mother Maite – a professional basketball player in her prime – while his brothers were also ready-born athletes.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSOsasuna’s most successful products include ex-Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta and former Gunners full-back Nacho Monreal, yet would often have their great youth talents snatched by neighbouring rivals Athletic Bilbao, such as Javi Martinez – a nine-time Bundesliga champion and two-time Champions League winner with Bayern Munich.But there was never a chance of Merino deserting, such was his love for family-club Osasuna, a decision that turned out to be pivotal in the long run.Emotional reason for Spain hero Mikel Merino’s celebration revealed as incredible footage from 33 years ago is unearthed In a tumultuous 2014/15 campaign that saw Osasuna narrowly avoid relegation from the Spanish second tier, Mateo was made interim coach in February 2015 and immediately promoted an 18-year-old Merino to the first team.Mateo explained: “What Osasuna gives young players is a charm, with demanding conditions that give them the necessary attributes to succeed.“The fact that players from here go on to play at big clubs, you can see they have been motivated by being in the lower leagues, showing their potential.“[Merino] Is proud to have become the type of player he is with us. It was special to see him arrive in the first team, like when you go to the salt and see the players from the quarry.“His debut came about in a very compromised situation, and from there he rose. It was an indisputable pillar of his famous rise to where we see him now.“To be thrown in and to do what he did, there was no doubt that he was no longer just a footballer, but one who was going to end up where he is now at Arsenal.”Becoming an ‘influential player’Merino played a starring role the following season, driving Osasuna to La Liga promotion via the play-offs with four goals in 34 league appearances.Mateo added: “Ever since, in every club he has been at, he has been an influential player.”From the outside, this perhaps did not look to be the case during underwhelming spells with Borussia Dortmund in 2016/17 and Newcastle in 2017/18.But Merino soon found a home at Real Sociedad before being highlighted by Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta this summer as a vital cog in the club’s Premier League title charge.No doubt Spaniard Arteta was impressed enough by compatriot Merino’s influence on Spain’s Euros triumph in July – including a quarter-final extra-time headed winner to knock out Germany – to bring him to the Emirates for £32million.Merino is in contention to make his Prem debut on Saturday against Southampton after finally making his first appearance in the mid-week Champions League 2-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain following a freak shoulder injury in his first training session back in August.But there are those at Osasuna who are already counting down the days until Merino ends his career back in Pamplona in a fairy tale return.READ MORE SUN STORIESMateo said: “Having had a father who has been a player and then to see the son, for those of us who are ‘Osasunistas’ it fills us with pride. That root continues to be maintained.“When a player touches the roof of football, at world or European level, to have them return would bring that pride back. It would be beautiful.” More