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      England new-boy Toney slams ‘cringey’ Arsenal after ‘nice kickabout with the boys’ Twitter jibe following Brentford loss

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      IVAN TONEY branded Arsenal “cringey” for their Twitter jibes.The England new boy enraged the Gunners by posting “Nice kickabout with the boys” after his Brentford side beat them 2-0 last season.
      Ivan Toney was amused at first but now thinks Arsenal stars have gone too far by copying his tweet twiceCredit: Getty
      Defender Gabriel was the second Gunner to repeat Ivan Toney’s message – after Arsenal won 3-0 at Brentford on Sunday
      That tweet was repeated by Alexandre Lacazette when Arsenal defeated the Bees at the Emirates last term — and again by Gabriel when his team won 3-0 at Brentford on Sunday.
      But striker Toney — called up by England for the first time before Friday’s clash with Italy — said: “Once was funny but the second time was a bit cringey.
      “I bit my tongue, I wanted to reply, I wanted to nibble.
      “But fair play to them, they played very well. They are a different Arsenal side to what we played before. They are doing well.”
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      Gunners boss Mikel Arteta also used Toney’s original “kickabout” tweet as motivation to fire up his troops before last season’s return match.
      But Toney, with five goals in seven games this campaign, reckons he could score even more playing for a club such as Arsenal or Manchester City.
      He said: “It is easy to say if I was in their team I would score goals but when you play teams like them they dominate possession.
      “So in theory you are more likely to score goals and have a lot more opportunities.
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      “But you still have to put it in the back of the net so until I am there, who knows?
      “Hopefully one day I will be in their shoes and have that opportunity to score goals like Erling Haaland and Gabriel Jesus.” More

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      ‘He is ‘very, very special’ – Arsenal star and ‘coach’ Granit Xhaka hails history-making wonderkid Ethan Nwaneri

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      WHEN 15-year-old Ethan Nwaneri stepped on to the pitch on Sunday, the words “F*** me, we’re looking old” uttered by a Brentford player hit home with Granit Xhaka.Arsenal’s midfielder, 29, is already preparing for when he hangs up his boots and has even coached the schoolboy as he works on his badges.
      Younger than the Emirates Stadium, Ethan Nwaneri made his debut at Brentford at the weekendCredit: Getty
      Granit Xhaka has emphasised the importance of protecting younger playersCredit: Rex
      When Nwaneri reaches Xhaka’s age, the Swiss hopes to be an imposing presence on the touchline as a grey-haired boss.
      Nwaneri became the youngest player to appear in English football’s top flight when he came on in the Gunners’ 3-0 win at Brentford, aged just 15 years and 181 days old.
      He broke a record held for 58 YEARS by Sunderland’s Derek Forster, who made his league debut aged 15 and 185 days.
      Nwaneri even had to change into his kit in a separate dressing room to his team-mates because of child protection rules.
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      Born in March 2007, he was not alive when Arsenal moved to the Emirates or when they played in their only Champions League final-  a 2-1 defeat by Barcelona – in 2006.
      Xhaka said: “We have to check the passport first! I am joking. To have a guy who is 15 and is nearly 15 years younger than me.
      “He looks old when I see him, but the club can be proud of a player like him.
      “He has a big future. I am doing my coaching licence and I have trained the under-16s.
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      “You can see a big difference with him and the other guys. He is very, very special.
      “You have to protect him as he is very young but if he keeps going like this with his hard work he has a big, big future.
      “It’s not only me that feels old. I spoke with one Brenford guy and I told him this guy was 15 and he looked at me and said: ‘f*** me, we are looking old!’.
      “When you have 15 years difference you think ‘OK the time is not gone but it is on the way’. But we are enjoying him, he is enjoying us as he has the quality.
      “He is not with us a lot in training. I have maybe seen him twice or three times now.
      “He is very shy, of course, but the time will come when he will be more with us but you have to protect him and help him.
      “Football is not everything for him and for us but yes, the club will help him and the experienced players have to help him.”
      Mostly used as a No 10, Nwaneri came to the attention of Gunners fans by scoring on his Under-18s debut last year at just 14.
      He was then promoted to first team training in the week after instantly impressing Emirates chief Mikel Arteta who had a “pure gut-feeling” to include him in his plans on Sunday.
      Cesc Fabregas held the previous Arsenal record at the age of 16 years and 177 days when he faced Rotherham in a League Cup match in 2003.
      Xhaka said: “Mikel is so smart and clever he knows before everyone. I am taking a lot from Mikel with my coaching and I am enjoying it.
      “Since last March. I am trying to do my next step and I am nearly done with my B licence. This week was twice as we did not have a midweek game. I am enjoying it.”
      Xhaka knows all too well how quickly fans can turn on players in the Prem, and that the club will have to protect Nwaneri.
      On Sunday when Arsenal keeper Aaron Ramsdale pushed the kid towards the away end to receive a standing ovation, Xhaka’s name had just finished blaring out.
      The Switzerland international famously clashed with supporters during a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace in 2019, which led to him being stripped of the captaincy by former boss  Unai Emery.
      He has come close to leaving the Emirates on more than one occasion but his relationship now with the Arsenal faithful is better than ever.
      Asked if he was emotional about fans chanting his name, Xhaka added: “Absolutely. I never ever thought one day this would happen, if I am being honest.
      “To be in front of them, to have them singing my name is very, very special and emotional. I always wanted that.
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      “I always wanted to give them something back after what happened. We were working a lot to try and change their minds of what they had for me and I am happy for what has happened. There is more to come from myself.
      “After what happened again three years ago, to be the captain and be in front of this team and to have the fans back me means a lot for me.” More

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      Ian Wright full of praise for Arsenal star Granit Xhaka after Brentford win despite once being his ‘staunchest critic’

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      ARSENAL legend Ian Wright has singled out Granit Xhaka for praise following the 3-0 win over Brentford on Sunday.The Gunners won their sixth Premier League game out of seven played thanks to goals from William Saliba, Gabriel Jesus and Fabio Vieira.
      Xhaka is one of Arsenal’s most important playersCredit: Alamy
      Wright has singled the Swiss star out for praiseCredit: Getty
      And the three points helped keep Arsenal at the top of the table heading into the international break.
      One of Arsenal’s best performers this season has been Xhaka.
      He provided a brilliant cross for Jesus’ goal against the Bees.
      The Swiss star, 29, at one point in his Arsenal career, looked like he’d never recover after being stripped of the captaincy.
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      However, he has since found his feet and continues to be a leader in the team despite not being the full-time captain of Mikel Arteta’s side.
      And one of his “staunchest critics”, Arsenal legend Wright, has recognised his performances.
      Wright told BBC’s Match of the Day: “For me, Granit Xhaka is a player that we’re finally see play like he does for Switzerland.
      “He’s playing in a position that suits him, playing more offensively. He’s playing with real authority and confidence.
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      “Lately he’s been able to find space and from there he can be really dangerous because, for me, he’s got easily one of the best left-foots in the Premier League.
      “It’s a great cross for the Jesus goal, it’s fantastic. He can also do the defensive stuff, he gets back and get his foot in there.
      “He set the tempo for Arsenal off the ball.
      “I’m really pleased for him because I was one of his staunchest critics. But now we’re seeing the best of Granit Xhaka.”
      Fans also treated the midfielder to choruses of “we’ve got Granit Xhaka” as he approached the away end at full-time. More

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      ‘Nice kickabout with the boys’ – Gabriel hilariously trolls Toney as Brentford ace has game to forget after England call

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      GABRIEL MAGALHAES has added salt to Ivan Toney’s wound’s after brutally trolling him following Arsenal’s emphatic win over Brentford.Toney had been left speechless by his first ever England call up – and he still hadn’t found his voice today.
      Gabriel Magalhaes enjoyed a good game against Brentford as he helped his side to a clean sheetCredit: AFP
      Gabriel then trolled Brentford striker Ivan Toney on Twitter after the gameCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      Brentford barely heard a peep out of their striker as he was outshone by Arsenal superstars William Saliba, Gabriel Jesus and Fabio Vieira.
      And Gabriel rubbed in the defeat even more when he Tweeted after the game: “Nice kick about with the boys.”
      Smug Arsenal fans joined in too, as they chanted “Ivan Toney, a stroll in the park.”
      The tweet and chant were a nod to the ex-Peterborough man’s cheeky “nice kick about with the boys” Tweet after Brentford inflicted a humbling 2-0 defeat over Arsenal on the opening day of the 2021/22 season.
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      The post was later used as ammunition in a team talk by Mikel Arteta ahead of Arsenal’s return meeting with Brentford in February last term.
      The Arsenal boss told his players to go and “f***ing win”. Win they did – and some too – as the Gunners proved revenge is a dish best served cool.

      Arteta will surely have scrolled back through his Twitter archives last night as he sipped on a glass of red and put his feet up on the sofa. 
      It had been a dream week for Toney as he was included in Gareth Southgate’s 28-man squad for the final two World Cup rehearsals against Italy and Germany.
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      Bees boss Thomas Frank said the usually loud-mouth striker was lost for words when he broke the news to him over the phone.
      He had been expected to cap his England call-up by rattling the visiting Arsenal backline at lunchtime, having already hit five Prem goals so far this season.
      But it was a bleak start for the ex-Newcastle striker who was out jumped by Saliba for the visitors’ opening goal after Bukayo Saka’s delicious, curling corner.
      He was unable to make any crucial touch in the first-half as Saliba did a superb job of snaffling him up.
      Social media was sent into meltdown of posts with Toney being emptied out of French centre-back Saliba’s pockets.
      Toney endured a frustrating game after his first-ever England call upCredit: Rex
      Toney did, in fairness, lash a peach of a Matt Le Tissier-esque free-kick, just inches over the bar after the break.
      Southgate will certainly need to see more of that if he is to lay his marker down for a place at the Qatar World Cup.
      Many will be championing Toney’s England plight given he has done it the hard way after being rejected at Leicester at age 14, saving Northampton from relegation at age 18 before being cast-off by Newcastle.
      He also played in League One at Barnsley, Shrewsbury, Wigan and Scunthorpe, before finding a home at Peterborough.
      Now he has made history at Brentford as their first player to be called-up by England since May 1939.
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      It is certainly a different path to the likes of Arsenal goalscorer Jesus’ glamorous journey from Palmeiras, Manchester City to Arsenal.
      With the way England is set up now Toney’s story will become even rarer in years to come – which is why many people will be willing him on to do well, just maybe not Arsenal fans.  More

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      Granit Xhaka is a new man this season, Arsenal’s best bit of business could be keeping him after Brentford masterclass

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      THERE’S barely a player in the Premier League that divides opinion quite like Granit Xhaka.The Arsenal star – captain in the absence of Martin Odegaard at Brentford – blows hot and cold like no other.
      Granit Xhaka takes the plaudits from the fansCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      Mikel Arteta has turned Xhaka’s Arsenal career around this seasonCredit: Getty
      His ability to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory are beyond questionable, bordering on lunacy at times.
      But when he’s on song, running the Gunners’ midfield, dictating the tone and shielding the Gunners’ young defence, he’s a joy to watch.
      You’ll rarely see a better performance in the centre of the park than the one he put in in the 3-0 win over Brentford on Sunday afternoon.
      With Thomas Partey just returning from injury, and a young Fabio Vieira just in front, they needed their midfield general on form.Boy did he deliver.
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      A lot has already been said about the tactical changes Mikel Arteta has made to this Arsenal team, especially with Oleksandr Zinchenko in the side.
      The Swiss international covers the left-hand side of the pitch, allowing his Ukraine team-mate to get forward and move into midfield.
      But with the ex-Manchester City full-back missing, Xhaka went back to what he does best, patrolling the midfield, sniffing danger.
      He didn’t put a foot wrong, no lapse in concentration or rush of blood to the head, leading to an error in judgement.
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      One of Arsenal’s best bits of business this season could be keeping hold of Xhaka.
      The central midfield was wanted by Roma in the summer, and there was real talk of him leaving.
      But he’s found a new lease of life under Arteta, and he could be the main man in getting them back into the Champions League. More

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      Arsenal ratings at Brentford: Granit Xhaka and Fabio Vieira on song as Gunners go back to top of Premier League table

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      ARSENAL returned to the top of the Premier League with an incredible 3-0 win at Brentford.The Gunners put in a sparkling display, bouncing back from their first defeat of the season at Manchester United.
      Arsenal put in a brilliant display to thrash Brentford away from homeCredit: Getty
      First-half goals from William Saliba and Gabriel Jesus put Mikel Arteta’s side in control.
      Fabio Vieira – on his league debut in the place of the injured Martin Odegaard – scored a stunning third to seal the win.
      It was Arsenal’s sixth win in seven Premier League matches so far this campaign, and they head into the international break top.
      Dan Cutts was at their clash with Brentford and here’s how he rated their performances…
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      AARON RAMSDALE – 6
      Didn’t have much to do in either half, and will rarely have a more comfortable day in goal.
      What he did have to do, was done well, and his distribution was solid to get his team going.
      BEN WHITE – 7
      Is keeping Tomiyasu out of the team with his consistent performances at right-back.
      Has looked better there as the weeks go on, and his versatility is proving a godsend for Arteta.
      WILLIAM SALIBA – 8
      Keeps getting better and better as the season goes on, another brilliant display from the young Frenchman.
      Bagged a wonderful header to open the scoring, and kept new England international Ivan Toney quiet all day.
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      GABRIEL MAGALHAES – 8
      Is creating a rock solid partnership with Saliba, especially for such a young duo.
      Also dealt with Toney very well, and passed the ball from the back. Looked at ease all game.
      GRANIT XHAKA – 9
      Took over the captaincy from the injured Martin Odegaard, and thrived with a stellar midfield performance.
      Dictated play, shielded the back four and made sure the Bees got nothing going all day.

      THOMAS PARTEY – 8
      Arsenal look so much stronger with him in the team, everything going through him.
      His injury problems are a concern, but if he can stay fit, the Gunners have a chance of doing something special this season.
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      FABIO VIEIRA – 8
      To come in and make your Premier League debut and score a rocket from 25-yards is what dreams are made of it.
      It wasn’t just his goal that stood out though, his overall play in tight spaces was impressive.
      BUKAYO SAKA – 7
      Getting better each week, but could really do with a goal for give his confidence a lift.
      Had a few chances, and is looking sharp, but could do with one to get his season going.
      GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 7
      A threat down the left all day, but his defensive work is something to admire as well.
      He tracks back and never gives up on a lost cause. So important to this team now.
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      GABRIEL JESUS – 7
      Has already equalled Alexandre Lacazette’s Premier League goal total for the entire of last season, with four.
      His work-rate, skill and ability to fashion chances out of nothing has turned Arsenal’s fortunes around.
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      Vieira makes first start as Odegaard and Zinchenko ruled out vs Brentford amid early season injury crisis for Arsenal

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      ARSENAL are already facing an early season injury crisis with Martin Odegaard and Oleksandr Zinchenko out of their clash against Brentford.The Gunners captain trained during the week, but has been struggling and is not fit to start at the Bees due to a calf injury.
      Mikel Arteta has picked his side to face BrentfordCredit: Getty
      Martin Odegaard managed to train in midweekCredit: Getty
      He has been Mikel Arteta’s star player so far this season, with a string of man of the match performances.
      Meanwhile, Zinchenko is missing through a calf muscle injury and is expected to be missing for around two weeks.

      Kieran Tierney comes in to replace him at left-back and Fabio Vieira makes his first start in place of Odegaard behind the front three.
      However, there is good news for Arsenal with the return of Thomas Partey to the starting line-up after a calf issue.
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      The Gunners also have injury concerns around Emile Smith Rowe, Mohamed Elneny, Reiss Nelson and Cedric Soares.
      Aaron Ramsdale continues in goal at Brentford, with Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel and Tierney at the back.
      Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey are in midfield with Vieira.
      And Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus start up top as the Gunners look to get back to winning ways.
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      Among those on the bench is 15-year-old midfielder Ethan Nwaneri.
      They lost their last Premier League match 3-1 away at Manchester United two-weeks ago, despite a solid performance.
      It was their first league loss of the season, after winning their opening five matches for the first time in nearly two decades.
      Fabio Vieira makes his first startCredit: Getty More

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      Arsenal transfer blow as ‘Newcastle look to steal £26m Shakhtar Donetsk prospect Mykhaylo Mudryk from under their noses’

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      ARSENAL have suffered a setback in their pursuit of Shakhtar Donestk star Mykhaylo Mudryk as Newcastle have emerged as rival bidders, according to reports. The Gunners have been interested in the Ukrainian star but reportedly pulled out of a deal in the summer due to the high fee Shakhtar were demanding.
      Mykhaylo Mudryk is wanted by a number of Premier League sidesCredit: Alamy
      Despite reports also suggesting Mudryk had agreed personal terms with Arsenal – the transfer was not completed.
      And now Newcastle want to hijack a deal claim Football Insider.
      Manager Eddie Howe has supposedly given the green light to the signing that could be worth £26million.
      The Magpies want to bolster their attacking options to support new big money signing Alexander Isak,.
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      Mudryk is a winger and the 21-year-old has netted two goals in the Champions League this season.
      He has been dubbed as Ukraine’s answer to Neymar.
      Overall, he has netted four times for Shakhtar and assisted 12 goals in 42 appearances.
      The player has previously expressed his willingness to join Arsenal but mega-rich Newcastle seem happier to meet Shakhtar’s demands.
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      Brentford and Everton have also been interested in him in the past.
      Arsenal could be active in the transfer market come January as they may also look to seal the signing of Douglas Luiz from Aston Villa after seeing a deadline day bid rejected over the summer.
      Mikel Arteta’s side are back in action tomorrow as they face fellow Mudryk suitors Brentford. More