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    PSV 2 Arsenal 0: Ruthless Dutch side thrash Gunners with Arteta forced to wait to secure top spot in Europa League group

    ARSENAL’s plans to put their feet up in Europe have been scrapped after Mikel Arteta’s weary team continue to run out of steam.They arrived in Eindhoven only needing a point to be sure of winning their group after an electric start to their Europa League campaign.
    Joey Veerman opened the scoring for PSV as they kept their hopes of top spot aliveCredit: Getty
    Ex-Barcelona ace Luuk de Jong got a second not long afterCredit: Getty
    The Dutch striker beat Arsenal keeper Aaron Ramsdale in the airCredit: Getty
    Arsenal will have to wait until next week to secure top spotCredit: PA
    But now they must beat FC Zurich at the Emirates next week to guarantee they won’t be facing the likes of Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Juventus when they drop down from the Champions League in the next round.
    And that means Arteta won’t be able to field a team of kids after watching his senior stars getting a right run-around this evening.
    Second-half goals from Joey Veerman and Luuk De Jong mean that PSV can still snatch pole position from a Gunners team who looked to be in cruise control for the first 45 minutes.
    And while there is no need for panic while their fate remains in their own hands, the way his team wilted after the break will be a real cause for concern for Arteta.
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    Just as alarming as the sudden goal drought is the way opponents are now regularly finding a way  through a previously watertight defence.
    Cody Gakpo thought he had given Arsenal something  to worry about when he raced away to shoot past the advancing Aaron Ramsdale.
    But his celebrations were quickly cut short when he realised the linesman had raised his flag for offside.
    Ramsdale, making his European debut, had already been forced into a low save by Xavi Simons yet that was about as much as he was asked to do for most of the first-half.
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    Arsenal dominated the ball in Eindhoven
    Arsenal’s first attempt on goal didn’t arrive until Gabriel Martinelli’s 16th minute shot was deflected over and that was quickly followed by Eddie Nketiah’s near post effort which required a sharp save from Walter Benitez.
    Their best chance of the first-half arrived six minutes before the break when Takehiro Tomiyasu’s header picked out Martinelli in space in front of goal.
    But though the young Brazilian was able to bring the ball under control on his chest, his finish was sadly lacking as he volleyed over.
    And Arsenal were very neary punished for their wayward finishing when Simons wriggled past Kieran Tierney and William Saliba to prod a shot into the bottom corner.
    It was only as Arsenal were about to kick-off that Italian ref Marco Di Bello got word in his ear from the VAR to tell him that Anwar El Ghazi had been marginally offside before chesting the ball down for Simons.
    There was still time for Martin Odegaard to shoot straight at Benitez as Arsenal looked to regain control before the interval.
    Eddie Nketiah fired just wide on the turn before Tieerney cut inside to curl one over as Arsenal looked to take control.
    But the breakthrough never materialised and they paid the price in the 56th minute when sub De Dong teed up Veermans to smash home.
    Wore was to follow eight minutes later when Ramsdale came for Gakpo’s corner, completely missed his pounch and left De Jong free to head home.
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    The former Newcastle striker had the ball in the net again two minutes later but yet again it was ruled out for offside.
    Not that PSV were going to lose any sleep over that. This game was already done and dusted. More

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    Arsenal to scout Palmeiras wonderkid Danilo tonight as Arteta targets three signings in January transfer window

    ARSENAL will reportedly scout top transfer target Danilo tonight.That’s after SunSport exclusively revealed he’s one of THREE signings Mikel Arteta could make in January.
    Arsenal are set to scout top target Danilo this evening
    Danilo, 21, has been highly impressive for Palmeiras this term.
    And Ekrem Konur claims Arsenal are sending scouts to watch him in action against Fortaleza this evening.
    Arteta is hoping to land a new central midfielder in January.
    And Danilo is top of the list after previous target Douglas Luiz signed a new deal at Aston Villa.
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    Arsenal have been interested in Danilo since the start of the year.
    And they even attempted to make a late move for him in August.
    Danilo now has the chance to impress the Gunners in person when he takes to the field later.
    But he’s not the only player on Arteta’s shortlist.
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    The Spaniard also wants at least one attacking winger to boost his title hopes.
    Shakhtar Donetsk’s Mykhaylo Mudryk is the preferred choice, although he could cost up to £50million.
    Arsenal are also keen on versatile Villarreal forward Yeremy Pino.
    And should enough funds be scraped together, they could even move for both Mudryk and Pino – as well as Danilo. More

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    Man Utd and Arsenal transfer boost as Xavi makes shock U-turn over Ruben Neves as Wolves man ‘can’t replace Busquets’

    MANCHESTER UNITED and Arsenal have been handed a major boost in their pursuit of Wolves star Ruben Neves as Barcelona are no longer interested, according to reports.A number of top clubs have been keen to recruit the 25-year-old with his contract expiring at the end of next season.
    Wolves and Portugal midfielder Ruben Neves may not be heading to BarcelonaCredit: Getty
    Barcelona were one of them but they have had second thoughts and may now turn to other targets.
    Neves was reportedly on the Catalan giants’ shortlist for the January transfer window and were considering an initial loan bid with an obligation to buy for £43million.
    He was seen as part of the strategy to replace long-serving veteran Sergio Busquets in central midfield.
    But Barca boss Xavi is concerned he will not suit his side’s tactical setup, claim Spanish outlet Sport.
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    Xavi fears he does not have the right attributes to be a direct replacement for Busquets in the holding midfield role and will instead move for other players.
    This comes as a huge blow for Neves himself who recently flirted with a move to the Nou Camp saying it would be a “privilege” to play for “one of the world’s best clubs.”
    Man Utd are thought to be big admirers of the ex-Porto ace and they may make a bid for him.
    Erik ten Hag’s side were linked with Neves over the summer along with many other midfielders, including Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong.
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    Barca pulling out is also good news for Arsenal as Mikel Arteta is expected to bolster his options after attempting to sign an additional midfielder in the summer but with no luck.
    Busquets, 34, is set to join Inter Miami at the end of this season when his deal runs out.
    Barca reportedly prefer Ajax star Edson Alvarez and Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi to Neves.
    But their ability to make signings could be affected by their failure to get out the group stages of the Champions League amid a challenging financial situation. More

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    Man Utd, Chelsea and Arsenal boost as in-demand Lille ace Jonathan David reveals he’s keen on transfer to ‘massive club’

    MANCHESTER UNITED, Chelsea and Arsenal have received a huge boost after Lille target Jonathan David admitted being keen on a “massive club”. The Canadian is a man in form and is attracting huge attention from some of the biggest Premier League clubs.
    Jonathan David’s stepped-up his performances this season and wows fans regularly in FranceCredit: Getty
    The star is consistently linked with a move away and did little to play down his own hopes of a move.
    He made it clear he dreamt of a trip to one of Europe’s most decorated leagues in the future, opening the door to a big move.
    David told Football Daily: “Yeah, you know for me, I was always watching European football on TV.
    “So, for me that was always the goal. For me it was, I only wanted to go to Europe.
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    “The next step is always growing, having more ambition, a bigger club I think. Every player wants to play for a massive club in their life. So I think if I had the chance to do it, I’ll go for it for sure.
    “I think they’re two different leagues [the Premier League and La Liga]. But I think I can adapt to both for sure. And I think with the experience that I’ve had here in France, it will help me a lot if I need to adapt to some place else a lot faster.
    “So yeah I think both leagues suit me.”
    Chelsea have been heavily linked with David, with reports suggesting the forward could be Graham Potter’s first season.
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    A big move would represent another step in the 22-year-old’s journey who move to Lille from Belgium side Gent in 2020.
    This season he has caught attention after scoring nine goals and assisting three in his first 12 Ligue 1 games.
    Lille sit 6th in the French division having won their last three. More

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    English football’s longest-serving boss QUITS after 25 years having taken job a year after Arsene Wenger joined Arsenal

    THE longest-serving manager in senior English football has suddenly quit in his 26th season.Folkestone Invicta chief Neil Cugley made the shock decision – having been appointed the year after Arsene Wenger joined Arsenal.
    Non-league legend Neil Cugley was a Folkestone goal machine before becoming their manager for a record reign of 25 yearsCredit: Rex
    Arsene Wenger and Alex Ferguson were in the early days of their legendary rivalry when Neil Cugley took over as Folkestone boss in 1997Credit: Reuters
    The non-league legend, 65, replaced Wenger in 2018 as the most enduring manager in the country’s top seven tiers.
    And he bowed out on Wednesday after 1,299 games in charge, with his Kent part-timers mid-table in The Pitching In Isthmian League Premier Division.
    As a renowned striker, Cugley broke Folkestone’s goal record for a season with 46 in 1981-82.
    And after taking over as boss in 1997 he had been expected to remain as manager until the end of the current campaign.
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    But instead he has become embroiled in off-the-field talks about reviving the club’s financial situation after chairman Paul Morgan stepped down.
    Now he’s stepping down, having most notably won the Isthmian League Division One by 24 points in 2015-16.
    Alex Ferguson was approaching the midway point of his 26-year reign as Manchester United boss when Cugley took the Folkestone job.
    Graeme Souness was in charge of Liverpool and in November that year Christian Gross launched his ill-fated ten months as Tottenham chief.
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    And 1997 was also when Wenger won Arsenal’s first title in seven campaigns  – in his first full season in English football.
    Cugley has been one of the best-known and most popular names in part-time football for five decades.
    Apart from three spells up front with Folkestone, he played for Ashford Town, Dartford, Margate, Dover, Maidstone United and Thanet.
    He then managed Ashford and Hythe before returning to Folkestone for the past quarter of a century.
    Kent Online report him as saying: “Following discussions with Micheal Everitt and Roland Edge, I am pleased to say they have agreed to accept the responsibilities of running the first-team from this weekend until the end of the season.
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    “I hope that everyone will support them as they have been loyal employees at our club for a long time and deserve all of our support.
    “As we all know, the circumstances have changed during the latter couple of weeks and I have been involved with supporting the remaining members of the board in trying to get the investment required to maintain and meet the financial shortfall we now need.” More

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    Arsenal ‘open contract talks with technical director Edu amid speculation top rivals could pounce for Gunners legend’

    ARSENAL will reportedly look to tie down technical director Edu amid speculation rivals could pounce for the Gunners legend.The 44-year-old has played a part in Arsenal’s hugely successful start to the 2022/23 season, signing key players such as Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko from Premier League title rivals Manchester City.
    Edu played a part in Arsenal’s successful summer transfer windowCredit: Getty
    The Brazilian, 44, is Arsenal’s transfer chiefCredit: Getty
    Edu enjoys working at Arsenal despite interest from elsewhereCredit: Getty
    He also offloaded a number of unwanted stars, reducing the wage bill at the Emirates.
    Following a successful summer transfer window, Arsenal sit top of the table after 11 matches, edging out current champions City by two points.
    And according to the Daily Mail, Edu’s work behind the scenes hasn’t gone unnoticed.
    Two European clubs hold an interest in the ex-midfielder, something Arsenal are aware of.
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    And in an effort to scare off an interest, Arsenal have set the wheels in motion towards agreeing a new deal, securing Edu’s long-term future.
    The Brazilian is believed to be happy at Arsenal, which comes as a major boost to the Gunners.
    Edu could also spearhead Arsenal’s mid-season spending splurge in January.
    SunSport exclusively revealed boss Mikel Arteta wants at least two new faces through the door in the winter window to help sustain Arsenal’s title push.
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    Edu and Arteta will have £50millon to spend and are eyeing midfield reinforcements.
    Arsenal could revive their interest in Palmeiras star Danilo, 21.
     Shakhtar Donetsk’s young Ukrainian international Mykhaylo Mudryk and Villarreal’s exciting 20-year-old Yeremy are also on the radar. More

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    Arsenal urged to take advantage of ‘dithering’ Man Utd and sign ‘devastating’ Marcus Rashford in shock transfer swoop

    ARSENAL have been urged to poach Marcus Rashford from Manchester United in a shock transfer. Rashford, 24, has looked back to his best this season following a long-term injury lay off.
    Marcus Rashford could seal a shock move to Arsenal in the summerCredit: Getty
    Kevin Campbell broke through the Arsenal academy and went on to make nearly 200 appearances for the clubCredit: Getty
    But with his contract at Old Trafford running out in the summer, prospective suitors have been circling ahead of its expiry.
    And The Gunners have been urged by former club striker Kevin Campbell to sign the “devastating” forward.
    He told Football Insider: “He ticks some really good boxes for Arsenal.
    “On the counter attack, he can be devastating. He undone Arsenal at Old Trafford earlier this season with his speed.
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    “Rashford can be devastating on his day, we know that.
    “Manchester United are dithering by the sounds of it. I’m sure Arsenal would go for him if he became available next summer.

    “He is an international player who has played on the big stages. He knows how to get games won.
    “That is what Arsenal lack sometimes. It would be great to have a player of his experience as part of the rotation.”
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    Rashford’s return to form has seen him score five goals this season, the same as Arsenal talisman Gabriel Jesus.
    And playing predominantly through the centre of Erik ten Hag’s revamped United side, he has proved to be a key component in unlocking defences and pressing from the front.
    However, when previously asked about the Englishman’s contract situation, Ten Hag said: “In this moment we only think about performing.
    “We have to focus on football, on performances, not on negotiating, that’s what we are doing now.”
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    But Rashford has also seen himself deployed on the wing this season, with United legend Dwight Yorke warning: “Rashford is 24 and he needs to be playing consistently as a striker to score the goals we know he is capable of.
    “I feel sorry for Rashford because he’s played on the right, on the left and through the middle. You don’t master that position unless you’re playing there every week.” More

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    Arsenal planning to make moves for Danilo, Mykhaylo Mudryk and Yeremy in January transfer window to boost title hopes

    ARSENAL are plotting a January splurge with Danilo, Mykhaylo Mudryk and Yeremy Pino among the top targets.Gunners chiefs backed Mikel Arteta with a £130million summer transfer spree and are set to give him another £50m to spend in January.
    Mykhaylo Mudryk scored against Celtic last nightCredit: Getty
    The Gunners are eyeing up Brazilian ace DaniloCredit: Getty
    The club’s hierarchy have been pleasantly surprised by Arsenal’s blistering start to the season, finding themselves top of the league.
    But with the intense schedule starting to look like taking its toll, club bosses want to help Arteta bolster his squad with a fresh cash injection.
    The Spaniard has used a core of 15 starters this term, with Bukayo Saka and Granit Xhaka in particular taking on huge workloads.
    Arsenal want to recruit at least two players in January to help ease the burden on their top stars.
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    Plans to make another bid for Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz have been scrapped after he recently signed a new long-term contract.
    Arsenal could instead revive their interest in the 21-year-old Palmeiras star Danilo.
    The Gunners made two unsuccessful bids for Luiz on transfer deadline day but also sounded out Palmeiras about a potential deal for their midfield ace.
    They were prepared to pay £22m but the Brazilian league leaders were not interested in selling their young star while they were still involved in the Copa Libertadores.
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    But with the Brazilian season finishing before next month’s World Cup finals, Arsenal believe that Palmeiras could be willing to cash in on Danilo in January and will test their resolve with an improved £26million bid.
    They are also in the market for another winger and are currently keeping track of Shakhtar Donetsk’s young Ukrainian international Mykhaylo Mudryk and Villarreal’s exciting 20-year-old Yeremy, who would both cost somewhere in the region of £25m.
    Mudryk, 21, was in action on British soil last night, equalising for Shakhtar Donetsk as they drew 1-1 with Celtic in Glasgow.
    Yeremy, meanwhile, has already won six Spain caps and emerged as a key man for Villarreal.
    He has made 91 appearances for the Yellow Submarine in total – scoring 15 times from the flanks.
    Yeremy Pino is a key man for Villarreal aged just 20Credit: Rex More