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      Arsenal ‘revive Raphinha transfer interest after Chelsea hijack Mudryk deal – but Barcelona name eye-watering price’

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      ARSENAL are interested in signing Barcelona star Raphinha, according to reports.The development comes after Chelsea beat the Gunners to the signing of Mykhailo Mudryk.
      Arsenal want to sign Barcelona winger RaphinhaCredit: Getty
      The Gunners have missed out on Mykhailo Mudryk to ChelseaCredit: Reuters
      The Gunners had multiple bids for Mudryk rejected before Chelsea agreed a £97million bid with Shakhtar Donetsk for the winger.
      Now Arsenal have turned their attention to Raphinha after previously showing an interest in the Brazilian while he was at Leeds, report Sport Italia.
      Barcelona won the race for his signature in the summer, sealing a £57m deal.
      But according to Sport the Spanish giants are demanding £88m to let him leave, despite him scoring only two goals in 18 LaLiga games.
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      Arsenal are believed to have submitted an inquiry to Barcelona about Raphinha’s availability.
      The Gunners are yet to make a bid for the 26-year-old but that could change after missing out on Mudryk.
      Raphinha has struggled to re-create his Leeds form at the Nou Camp and risks being sold if he does not turn around his form.
      Manager Xavi and the rest of his backroom stuff are thought to be getting “impatient” with the South American as they “expect much more from him”.
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      Ousmane Dembele has made the right flank position his own ahead of Raphinha.
      And there is a danger Ansu Fati could also leapfrog the ex-Leeds playmaker if his performances do not improve. More

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      Piers Morgan slams ‘weak’ Arsenal over Mudryk transfer ‘fiasco’ as fans rage after being gazumped by Chelsea

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      PIERS MORGAN has revealed his frustrations after Arsenal appeared to be beaten to the signing of Mykhailo Mudryk.Chelsea look set to confirm the 22-year-old as their latest star name after agreeing a stunning £97million transfer.
      Mykhailo Mudryk is set for the biggest move of his career after months of speculationCredit: Getty
      Arsenal had been patiently negotiating with Shakhtar Donetsk to secure the signature of their long-term target.
      But the Blues blasted their rivals out of the water and look set to pay nearly £100m for the Ukrainian winger.
      Sun columnist and Arsenal fan Piers has taken aim at his “weak” club over their approach.
      He tweeted: “I’m irrationally annoyed about this Mudryk fiasco.
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      “If Arsenal want to win the League this season, we can’t faff around for weeks on key targets and then get outflanked/outbid at the last minute. Looks weak.
      “We must buy another top class striker asap.”
      Earlier, Piers had also tweeted: “How can this be happening? Ridiculous that Arsenal let this transfer saga drag on so long we’ve apparently ended up losing him.”
      The TV personality was far from the only Gunners fan who was left fuming by yesterday’s developments.
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      One fan wrote on Twitter: “We were offering him a £35k a week contract. Which is so Arsenal. Chelsea have offered him a lot more. An awful lot more.
      “Can’t blame the player, blame Edu for not getting this done ages ago.”
      Another said: “Edu just got his pants pulled down and got taught a lesson on what happens when you take the p*** with transfers lol nothing more to add.”
      But some Chelsea supporters were also baffled by the latest splurge of cash under the new ownership led by Todd Boehly.
      The Blues have been by far the busiest Premier League team in January so far and Mudryk would be the fifth signing of the window.
      Along with the loan signing of Joao Felix, the Blues have also bought in the impressive young defender Benoit Badiashile for £35m.
      And they have recruited 20-year-old striker David Datro Fofana and teenage Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos.
      These deals come on top of a dizzying summer transfer window which saw Chelsea buy over £270m worth of talent.
      Chelsea were getting their fans in the mood for their new incoming signing yesterdayCredit: Instagram @chelseafc More

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      Chelsea all but confirm £97m Mykhailo Mudryk transfer with bizarre Instagram hint after gazumping Arsenal

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      CHELSEA can’t contain their glee over beating Arsenal to £97million Mykhail Mudryko – judging by their odd behaviour on Instagram.The Blues are already following the Shakhtar Donetsk winger and urged fans to “show him some love” – even though his arrival is not yet official.
      Chelsea’s Instagram post about Mudryk appeared brazen
      Chelsea gave a massive nod to suggest they’ve won the race for Mykhailo Mudryk by adding his handle to their bio
      Arsenal thought they had the Ukraine international in the bag but were hoping his club would reduce their sky-high demands.
      Mudryk, 22, had even regularly teased a moved to the Emirates himself on social media.
      But Chelsea gazumped them at the last minute with a stunning £97million offer to take their jaw-dropping January spending past £150m.
      And they were quick to rub it in to their London rivals, by adding the winger’s Instagram handle to their official page’s bio – even though the deal is not yet official.
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      They then urged fans to get involved as they posted a picture of their incoming star roaring with delight, alongside the words: “Drop @mmudryk10 a message to show some love!”
      That plea, though, sparked a hostile reaction from many followers.
      One replied: “Chelsea is embarrassing right now, We all know he wants to go to Arsenal we’re even putting him on our bio trying to get him to sign w/us is absolutely low.
      “If you don’t want to join us we must not sign you no matter the talent. this is not the Chelsea I know.”
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      Another said: “This club ruins young talent like no other.”
      A third fan was even more brutal: “Feel bad for him. He deserves better than coming here and lose every week.”
      And how about this for pessimism? “I wish you the best of luck with no European football next season. Yet another career ruined. Come on you Blues.”
      But of course some supporters did rally round as they anticipate soon watching one of Europe’s most exciting talents.
      One wrote: “Admin on fire tonight . We are Chelsea Football Club.”
      Mudryk is said to have accepted a seven-and-a-half year contract at Stamford Bridge, despite previously stating his preference was Arsenal.
      The Gunners agreed personal terms but are understood to have bowed out of the bidding war after having two offers rejected.
      It means Mudryk will follow in £35m centre-back Benoit Badiashile, £10m striker David Datro Fofana and wideman Joao Felix, whose half-season loan from Atletico Madrid is also costing the Blues £10m. More

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      Harry Redknapp: Fighters Xhaka and Partey are Arteta’s Vieira and Petit… and will be key to Arsenal beating Spurs

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      WHEN you think of those great Arsenal sides of the past, some of the greatest names to play the game come to mind.Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp are the obvious two, although there were so many others that you are spoiled for choice.
      Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey are fast-emerging as one of the most important midfield pairings in Arsenal’s Prem historyCredit: Reuters
      The Gunners’ most famous link-up in the middle was Patrick Vieira and Emmanuel Petit, who helped them win the Double in 1997/98Credit: Action Images – Reuters
      Everyone remembers the fantastic football they played, how they would rip sides to shreds with their brilliant passing game.
      Patrick Vieira and Emmanuel Petit were magnificent in the Gunners’ midfield and then Cesc Fabregas and Gilberto Silva after them.
      All great players and, although you don’t immediately think of Arsenal as a team of scrappers, up for a battle with anyone who fancied it.
      If things turned rough, those midfielders were all willing and able to fight against the best of them.
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      They didn’t lose many, either, and you can add Ray Parlour to that list, as well.
      And that is  the thing you get with all the great teams.
      They can all turn on the style but you need to have a bit of a snarl to your game as well.
      Well, there have been plenty of Arsenal sides since those glory days under Arsene Wenger who have played great football.
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      But when it got a bit nasty and they needed to roll up their sleeves, too often heads went down instead and they would be outmuscled.
      It has been their undoing so many times over the years.
      So when Arsenal went top of the Premier League table in August, most of us thought it was only a matter of time before things went belly up again.
      Only this season there is no sign of that happening.
      Mikel Arteta has got such a great blend that nobody is asking if they’re the real deal any more, as we  can all see that they are.
      Their football has been right out of the top drawer, with Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka magnificent down the wings, while Martin Odegaard is just  having a simply sensational season.
      But while they have the magicians — and none bigger than Odegaard — this time they’ve also got the dogs of war.
      And that could be the crucial thing that gets them over the line.
      Because while Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey might not win prizes for midfield style and sophistication, they have played as big — or maybe even bigger — part than most.
      Arsenal playmaker Martin Odegaard is having a ‘sensational season’Credit: Getty
      Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry formed a brilliant attack in front of Patrick Vieira and Co, but the current Gunners are exciting tooCredit: PA
      Both of them are real fighters — big, strong, powerful and aggressive — like a couple of minders taking care of the ball players around them.
      There’s no messing about, they just steam in, break things up, win the ball and then give it to others to make things happen.
      Partey looks the player we always felt he was, while Xhaka has gone from someone his own fans hated to someone they love.
      You’ll see how important they are in today’s North London derby because Tottenham will be right up for it — and any side with Harry Kane in it always has a chance.
      While Arsenal have the magicians — and none bigger than Odegaard — this time they’ve also got the dogs of war.Harry Redknapp
      But if Xhaka and Partey get on top in the middle, then I think those wingers will give Spurs’ full-backs a really tough afternoon.
      I can’t see Arsenal leaving with anything less than a draw, and  maybe three points, with how they’re playing.
      The bookies still make Manchester City title favourites and, obviously, when they’re in full flow they can mow down anyone.
      But they’ve also had a few bad performances this season, with a shock cup defeat at Southampton and league loss at Manchester United yesterday.
      Brentford went to the Etihad and won, Everton got a point there on New Year’s Eve and City are  well capable of chucking in the odd bad one.
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      Arsenal and City still have to play each other twice in the league and it could be a different story after that.
      But it’s definitely the Gunners’ title to lose  — and this time nobody sees it as only a matter of time before they do. More

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      Chelsea fans FUME as club agrees £89m Mykhailo Mudryk transfer after failing in Enzo Fernandez bid

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      CHELSEA fans have lashed out after the club reached a megamoney deal to sign Shakhtar Donetsk star Mykhailo Mudryk after giving up on their pursuit of Enzo Fernandez.The Blues have hijacked Arsenal’s bid for Mudryk, 22, as they reached a staggering £97million deal with Shakhtar.
      Chelsea have agreed a megamoney deal to sign Shakhtar Donetsk star Mykhailo MudrykCredit: Kenny Ramsay
      Chelsea fans are fuming as they insist the money could have been used for Enzo FernandezCredit: Getty
      The winger is expected to put pen to paper on a seven-year deal with the West Londoners and fly to the UK to undergo a medical.
      However, a section of Chelsea fans are not at all happy with that development as they insist that money should have been invested on Benfica star Fernandez, 21.
      Graham Potter’s side was at loggerheads with the Portuguese giants as they refused to pay the midfielder’s £105m release clause and failed in their bid to negotiate.
      That was after the Argentina international’s stunning 2022 World Cup campaign that saw him win the title and being awarded as the tournament’s best young player.
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      One fan tweeted: “Mudryk’s worth €100m but apparently Enzo Fernandez isn’t worth €120m. Todd Boehly. Genius.”
      Another posted: “Chelsea would rather pay £85m to hijack Mudryk from Arsenal than bring in Enzo Fernandez. Misplaced priority.”
      A third commented: “Banter aside, add a little extra and go get Fernandez man. Let Mudryk go to Arsenal.”
      That supporter said: “We are going to pay 100M for a player who prefers Arsenal (Mudryk) and we are not going to pay 120M for one of the best players in the world cup (Enzo Fernandez) who WANTED TO GET TO CHELSEA.
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      “It’s a shame, this club is going to s**t if we don’t change our president and coach.”
      And that one tweeted: “Why are we spending €100m on Mudryk when the Midfield needs more attention?This should be spent on Enzo Fernandez.”
      Mudryk has long teased a move to Arsenal having openly discussed his desire to join as well as posting pictures watching the Gunners’ games on social media.
      But it now appears the Ukraine international is on his way to Chelsea. More

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      Arsenal’s 3-0 loss to Spurs last season was the catalyst for title charge – this win would be most significant so far

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      FOOTBALL managers often talk about learning more from the agony of defeat than the glory of victory.They will tell you the most painful setbacks can inspire magnificent achievements. That the darkest hour comes just before dawn. 
      Mikel Arteta have taken Arsenal to the top of the league as we reach the halfway point of the seasonCredit: Getty
      And most of the time their words are a bloody great pile of horse manure, spoken in vain hope rather than expectation. 
      But when Arsenal capitulated at Tottenham last May – a 3-0 drubbing which eventually saw them surrender fourth place, and Champions League football, to their bitter rivals – it truly was a catalyst for this season’s title charge. 
      Mikel Arteta has frequently used memories of that night – as well as a second limp surrender at Newcastle four days later – to motivate his side for this season’s extraordinary title bid. 
      Arteta’s side had arrived for the North London Derby on the back of four straight wins and were four points clear of Spurs with three games to go. 
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      Victory would have sealed their return to the European elite, a draw would have kept the Gunners as white-hot favourites, but what followed was not just a costly defeat but a total embarrassment.  
      Rob Holding suffered a personal meltdown – sent off after 33 minutes for a string of cynical fouls on Son Heung-Min and Spurs rattled up a three-goal lead two minutes into the second half. 
      In public, Arteta defended his troops, laughably claiming he was ‘proud’ of them and that he could not give an honest opinion on the match for fear of a massive suspension. 
      That was supposed to lay the blame with ref Paul Tierney but it fooled nobody – Holding could have been sent off even earlier than he was and Arsenal had completely failed to show up for their biggest derby in years. 
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      Antonio Conte recently claimed it was a ‘miracle’ that he led Spurs to fourth last season but in truth it was an Arsenal disaster-class which gifted them Champions League football.
      Yet today, Arsenal return to the scene of the crime at the top of the Premier League – dreaming of a first title since the Invincibles almost two decades ago and looking nailed-on certainties to finish above Tottenham for the first time in seven years.    
      But Arsenal have failed to win on their last eight visits to Spurs – at three different stadiums, the old White Hart Lane, Wembley and the new Lane – losing six of them.
      So today represents the stiffest test yet of their mettle and stamina. The Lane will be a bearpit, as it was in May, when Son produced his last great performance in a Spurs shirt before this season’s slump.  
      A fesity game last may saw Tottenham take the last Champions League place beating Arsenal 3-0 in the processCredit: AP
      Since then Arsenal have made a couple of decent signings and recalled William Saliba from a loan in France.
      But with Gabriel Jesus injured and Eddie Nketiah standing in, at least seven of those who started at Spurs last season will line up again today. 
      The true difference has been in attitude rather than personnel. 
      Last season, Arsenal were exceeding expectations by reaching fourth but then the naivety and inconsistency of youth struck them down in the final straight. 
      William Saliba has been a key player for the Gunners this seasonCredit: Getty
      This term, Arteta’s men look the real deal. In the space of eight months, Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli – who all started last May – seem to have matured from youngsters with huge potential to senior men who can handle expectation. 
      Arsenal have already overcome some serious obstacles – winning their home North London Derby, pipping Liverpool in a classic and winning at Chelsea.
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      But victory at the Lane would be the most significant to date – especially after last season’s humiliation.    
      And if Arteta speaks of that painful night providing the fuel for this title challenge, then this time you’d better believe him. More

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      Chelsea AGREE stunning £97m Mudryk transfer after hijacking Arsenal move as he jets in to London for medical

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      CHELSEA have agreed a deal worth nearly £100million to sign Ukraine star Mykhailo Mudryk.The Blues have blown Arsenal out of the water by agreeing a mega-fee with Shakhtar Donetsk.
      Chelsea have hijacked Arsenal’s bid to sign Shakhtar Donetsk star Mykhailo MudrykCredit: Getty
      Chelsea reached a megamoney deal to sign Mykhailo MudrykCredit: Rex
      It is understood Chelsea will pay £62m up front, with up to £35m in performance-related add-ons, taking the potential total to an eye-watering £97m.
      Mudryk, 22, has agreed a seven-and-a-half year contract at Stamford Bridge – despite previously hinting that he wanted to join Arsenal.
      The Gunners agreed personal terms with the winger but pulled out of negotiations when Shakhtar started driving the price higher amid interest from Chelsea.
      Blues officials, including director of global talent and transfers Ben Winstanley, are reported to have travelled to Turkey, where Shakhtar are holding a training camp, to thrash out a deal.
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      The arrival of Mudryk will take Chelsea’s spending so far in January to well over £100m.
      Defender Benoit Badiashile arrived from Monaco for £35m, while David Datro Fofana came from Molde for about £10m.
      The Blues have splashed another £10m on a loan fee for Atletico Madrid’s Joao Felix, who was sent off on his debut against Fulham in midweek.
      The new Chelsea regime’s latest splurge on players follows the record-breaking £273m they spent last summer.
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      Mudryk is one of the hottest properties in world football after his impressive form for Shakhtar, particularly in the Champions League where he scored three goals and made two assists in six games.
      Chelsea boss Graham Potter is said to have personally driven the deal as he seeks to arrest a slump that has left the team in mid-table and facing a real battle to qualify for the Champions League. More

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      ‘Stop toying with us’ – Arsenal fans fume as Shakhtar Donetsk troll them over Mudryk transfer with teasing tweets

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      ARSENAL fans have been left fuming with Shakhtar Donetsk after the club teased news about transfer target Mykhailo Mudryk.The Gunners have had two bids rejected already for the 22-year-old by the Ukrainian outfit.
      Mykhailo Mudryk is a top transfer target of ArsenalCredit: Getty
      However a third offer worth around £62million plus add-ons was being lodged, despite the selling club wanting a larger fee up front for their star.
      There is a confidence that a deal will be completed and Arsenal fans are excited about the prospect of seeing the flying winger in their team.
      However, some were less than impressed at Shakhtar Donetsk’s social media account.
      As a way of building up to the announcement that Mudryk had won the club’s player of the year award, they hinted at news concerning the player, as the club tweeted: “Mudryk?”
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      However, Gunners’ fans thought that the announcement was to do with his transfer, and let their feelings known when they turned out to be wrong.
      One tweeted: “Stop toying with us…”
      A second commented: “Really don’t know why they doing this to us anyway…”
      A third added: “Why are you doing this?”
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      A fourth said: “We will mass report this account you better act accordingly.”
      And another added: “Admin working HARD to gas up us Gooners. I wanna hate it, but I can’t! The hustle is too good.”
      According to the Times, Arsenal believe that he will be part of the squad ahead of their game against Manchester United next weekend. More