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    Arsenal’s Tielemans transfer could be HIJACKED by Liverpool as Reds could make shock move for wantaway Leicester star

    LIVERPOOL could hijack Arsenal’s transfer pursuit of Leicester midfielder Youri Tielemans, according to reports.Tielemans, 25, has been heavily linked with a move to North London this summer.
    Liverpool could hijack Arsenal’s pursuit of TielemansCredit: Getty
    Arsenal have held an interest in signing him since the transfer window opened in June.
    But no official bid has been placed yet.
    And with deadline day looming, Liverpool could now step in as Jurgen Klopp continues his search for a new midfielder.
    According to transfer guru Ben Jacobs, the Reds could swoop in and place an offer for Tielemans, who has made it clear that he wants to leave.
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    Last week, Brendan Rodgers hinted that the Belgium international had become distracted by the prospect of a transfer.
    He left him out of Leicester’s starting line-up ahead of the club’s 2-1 defeat to Southampton on Saturday, claiming he was “not in the right mindset” to play.
    Tielemans has less than one year remaining on his current deal so Leicester are willing to accept a cut-price offer of just £20million for his services.
    Liverpool are on the hunt for a new playmaker following their poor start to the season.
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    Thiago, who was regularly called upon by Klopp last season, is currently stuck on the sidelines with a hamstring issue.
    Young star Harvey Elliot has since been used to fill the void in midfield while club chiefs scramble to make a new addition before the transfer window shuts next week. More

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    Granit Xhaka jokes with Arsenal pal William Saliba as Gunners icon Patrick Vieira pays Swiss ace ultimate compliment

    GRANIT XHAKA enjoyed a chuckle with William Saliba as Arsenal trained for their clash with Fulham.The mood at the Gunners’ London Colney training ground is sky high following their perfect start to the Premier League season.
    Arsenal are top of the Premier League after three matcesCredit: Rex
    Midfielder Granit Xhaka was all smiles in training on FridayCredit: Getty
    The Brazilian enjoyed a laugh with defender William Saliba during trainingCredit: Getty
    And former skipper Xhaka and defender Saliba were in high spirits as they prepared for the visit of the Cottagers.
    As Mikel Arteta’s troops went through drills for this afternoon’s match, Xhaka was spotted smiling and putting his hands in a prayer position as Saliba grinned in the background.
    New signing Oleksandr Zinchenko was all smiles as he chatted with fellow defender Gabriel.
    Switzerland international Xhaka has come a long way since his X-rated rant at Arsenal fans three years ago.
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    And Gunners legend Patrick Vieira can’t help but see shades of himself in the combative midfielder.
    When asked which player reminds him of himself, the Crystal Palace boss said: “Xhaka at Arsenal, I think he is a team player.
    “I think he is somebody you may not notice, you may not mention a lot but he is doing really hard work for the team.”
    Vieira was one of Xhaka’s staunchest defenders when he was being slammed for his foul-mouthed rant at the Emirates faithful.
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    The Frenchman said: “I know how good he is, and he will come through this difficult period because he’s a strong man.
    “He’s a good player, and he will show how good he is.”
    Arsenal have a 100 per cent record going into this evening’s clash with Fulham and currently top the Premier League table after three matches.
    But Gunners boss Mikel Arteta isn’t resting on his laurels, insisting: “[It’ll be a really tough match.
    “They’ve been on an incredible run – last year in the Championship they did extremely well.
    Read More on The Sun
    “And they haven’t lost a game yet in the Premier League and they’ve played against three very difficult opponents, so credit to them.
    “I think it will be a difficult game.”
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    Troy Deeney: Everyone thinks I hate Arsenal after my ‘Cojones’ remark, I don’t and Arteta has them going right way

    EVER since I claimed that their team lacked ‘cojones’ five years ago, every Arsenal supporter seems to think I hate them.Even my own missus, Alisha, who is an avid Gooner, thinks I can’t stand them, too!
    Mikel Arteta is taking Arsenal in the right direction, according to DeeneyCredit: Getty
    But it simply isn’t true.
    I grew up on Arsenal being great. I was a massive fan of Ian Wright and the classic Arsenal back four featuring Tony Adams and Steve Bould and then was a huge admirer of Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira and that Invincibles side.
    And I think Arsenal are heading back in the right direction under Mikel Arteta.
    Back in 2017, when I was part of the Watford side who beat Arsenal 2-1 at Vicarage Road, I made some criticisms in a post-match TV interview.
    READ MORE ON ARSENAL
    The comment about lacking ‘cojones, a bit of nuts’ was seized upon. I still get reminded of it almost every day.
    What I was trying to get at was that, during Arsene Wenger’s latter years, when you played for a Premier League club outside of the ‘elite’, you felt as though you had a serious chance against Arsenal.
    They would always try to pass it out from the back and you knew you could press them high and get some success.
    They didn’t have enough of an ‘out ball’, they didn’t have a lot of genuine ball carriers, they didn’t have a truly dominant ­centre-half and they were not great at defending set-pieces.
    It was all those aspects, rather than just lacking guts, that made Arsenal beatable.
    But if I was playing for a smaller Premier League club now, I wouldn’t be feeling the same about facing Arteta’s Arsenal. They are far more united and far better organised.
    It feels as if they are a proper unit and, after 2½ years, they are truly Arteta’s team.
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    After three successive wins at the start of the new season, they are looking as good as they have in years.
    The signings of Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko are excellent ones.
    And the introduction of William Saliba into the first team — after the centre-back was loaned to Nice last season — has really improved them defensively.
    I like the way Arteta has made tough calls in moving on players like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alex Lacazette and Nicolas Pepe and shaped a team who really believe in his methods.
    Late last season, Arsenal collapsed in defeats at Tottenham and Newcastle and Spurs pipped them to fourth place and the final Champions League spot.
    But I think that might be a blessing in disguise.
    Had they made it, Champions League football would probably have arrived a year too soon.

    My missus has been glued to the Amazon Prime ‘All Or Nothing’ documentary about Arsenal last season and it’s easy to forget what a tough start to the campaign they endured — losing their first three games and then Aubameyang being stripped of the captaincy.
    So to finish fifth was a decent effort and they are capable of improving. Though it will still be tough to get above Spurs, Chelsea or Liverpool and into that top four this campaign.
    Arsenal are fully expected to win today’s home match against Fulham and I expect them to win, too.
    But it is a great test for them. Win and it’s four out of four. Drop points and people will say ‘typical Arsenal’.
    Fulham have started the season well under Marco Silva and they are unbeaten in the league. In Aleksandar Mitrovic, they have a centre-forward who will work Arsenal’s back four like few others will be able to in the top flight.
    I have the same nutritionist as Mitro — an excellent guy called Scott Robinson, who works with a lot of leading boxers.
    So I know Mitro takes his diet and lifestyle very seriously. He is dedicated to his craft.
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    He looks leaner, he is getting around the pitch brilliantly and his link-up play is excellent.
    The Serb will get 12 to 15 goals this season and keep Fulham up.
    But Arsenal also have a greater goal threat now. The signing of Jesus from Manchester City during the summer makes so much sense for player and club.
    At 25, Jesus is fully mature now. He is thriving on the responsibility of being the main man at Arsenal, playing every week as a centre-forward.
    Whereas at City, the Brazilian was just one of a talented squad of forward players, often playing wide or on the bench.
    Arsenal have youth and energy, they have those ball carriers who can get them up the pitch — players like Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Zinchenko and Ben White, too.
    Read More on The Sun
    They also look to have greater team spirit — ‘cojones’ if you must.
    So there you go, Alisha and every other Arsenal fan, I can say nice things about your team and I certainly don’t hate them! More

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    Arsenal NOT expecting any more transfer signings this summer with Pedro Neto and Youri Tielemans deals stalling

    ARSENAL are not expecting to make any more signings before next week’s transfer deadline despite Nicolas Pepe’s loan move to Nice.Mikel Arteta had been hoping to buy another winger to replace £72million club record signing Pepe and provide competition for Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.
    Mikel Arteta admits Arsenal may not be able to make any more signings despite losing Nicolas PepeCredit: Rex
    But an inquiry for Wolves’ Portuguese international Pedro Neto has been rebuffed.
    And the club are not going to pay silly money after already forking out £120million to sign Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Fabio Vieira, Matt Turner and Marquinhos this summer.
    Arteta said: “Part of the plan we have been preparing for the last two months was that Pepe could leave and now that is a reality.
    “We have done our business in a different way this year.
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    “We bought players at the start of the window before getting others out and that was a bit more risky.
    “Now we have let a player go and maybe we’ll be able to recruit somebody else.

    “But it’s not a guarantee and we must wait to see whether that will be possible.
    “Nico was here for three years and he had some very good moments and others where he hasn’t really contributed much.
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    “He wasn’t responsible for the price the club paid for him but he needs to play football again and it was the best decision for everyone to allow him to go.”
    Pepe’s departure could force the club to rethink their plans to allow Reiss Nelson to leave after spending last season on loan at Feyenoord.
    The Gunners have also been linked with Leicester star Youri Tielemans, although a deal is yet to materialise.
    The Gunners admire Wolves ace Pedro Neto but won’t match Wolves’ asking priceCredit: Getty More

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    Europa League draw simulated as Arsenal meet Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven while Man Utd face hostile trip to Fenerbahce

    PREMIER LEAGUE sides Arsenal and Manchester United could be set to face some tough sides in the Europa League draw this afternoon. The two giants will soon embark on a gruelling Thursday-Sunday schedule as they look to fight their way through Europe’s secondary competition.
    Mikel Arteta will be looking to replicate Arsenal’s domestic form in EuropeCredit: PA
    Erik ten Hag took Ajax to the Champions League semi-finals in 2019Credit: Getty
    Mikel Arteta and Erik ten Hag’s teams missed out on being in yesterday’s Champions League draw after failing to get into the top 4 last season.
    But they will be hoping to make progress in this season’s Europa League which will feature big European names such as PSV, Lazio, Monaco, Roma and Olympiakos.
    32 clubs will be divided into eight groups, with the top two in each group going through to the knock-out stages.
    Arsenal and United are both in pot 1, meaning they will avoid facing the toughest sides.
    READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
    But a draw simulation conducted by SunSport showed just how tricky the competition could still be, with Arteta’s side paired with Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven.
    The Eridivisie club are among the biggest in the competition and could give the Gunners issues if they were to face off over two games.
    Elsewhere in the group, the simulation also drew Arsenal against Cypriot side Omonia Nicosia, currently being led by ex-Celtic boss Neil Lennon.
    And they were also simulated to face FK Bodø/Glimt from Norway.
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    Manchester United could also find themselves facing some difficult European trips if the simulation is close to the truth.
    The hypothetical draw sees them face Fenerbahce with the Turkish side known to be tricky European customers.
    United would also play Austrian side Sturm Graz and Qarabag FK, who have previously played Spurs, Chelsea and Arsenal in Europe.
    The Europa League group stage kicks off on Thursday September 8 with Arsenal and United looking to go all the way.
    Arsenal came close in 2019 before losing in the final to rivals Chelsea, while United lifted the trophy in 2017 under Jose Mourinho.
    The pair have had contrasting starts to the season with impressive Arsenal top of the table with three wins from three.
    The Red Devils had an appalling start before stunning Liverpool at Old Trafford and getting their first win of the season.
    SunSport’s simulated Europa League draw
    Group A Omonia Nicosia Bodø/Glimt Arsenal PSV Eindhoven
    Group B Dinamo Kiev Freiburg Royale Union SG Ludogorets
    Group C Feyenoord Roma Union Berlin AEK Larnaca
    Group D Lazio Ferencvaros Real Sociedad Zürich
    Group E Qarabag FK Manchester United Fenerbahçe Sturm Graz
    Group F Midtjylland Malmö FF Nantes Sporting Braga
    Group G Olympiakos Monaco Trabzonspor Sheriff Tiraspol
    Group H HJK Helsinki Real Betis Stade Rennais Red Star Belgrade More

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    Who could Arsenal face in the Europa League group stage draw?

    ARSENAL will find out their Europa League opponents this week.Mikel Arteta’s Gunners return to European competition after a year off last season.
    Arsenal were last in Europe in May 2021
    In Arsenal’s last European campaign, they reached the semi-final of the Europa League in 2020/21.
    In that season they went on to lose in the semi-finals to eventual winner Villarreal.
    Villarreal defeated Manchester United on penalties that year in the Gdansk final.
    This year’s Europa League begins on September 8, but first up we’ve got the big draw.
    Read more Arsenal
    Who can Arsenal get in the Europa League draw?
    Arsenal are seeded in Pot 1 alongside Roma, Manchester United, Lazio, Braga, Red Star Belgrade, Dynamo Kiev and Olympiacos so cannot be drawn against any of those teams.
    Clubs from the same association cannot be drawn against each other, so United are out of the question in two different ways at this stage.
    Taking out teams in Pot 1, these are the teams Arsenal could face in the group stage draw:

    Nantes (FRA)
    Monaco (FRA)
    Rennes (FRA)
    Real Sociedad (ESP)
    Real Betis (ESP)
    Union Berlin (GER)
    Freiburg (GER)
    Feyenoord (NED)
    PSV Eindhoven (NED)
    Sturm Graz (AUT)
    Union Saint-Gilloise (BEL)
    FC Midtjylland (DEN)
    Qarabag (AZE)
    Trabzonspor (TUR)
    Bodø/Glimt (NOR)
    FC Zurich (SWI)
    Ferencvaros (HUN)
    AEK Larnaca (CYP)
    Ludogorets (BUL)
    HJK Helsinki (FIN)
    FC Sheriff (MOL)
    Fenerbahce (TUR)
    Omonia Nicosia (CYP)
    Malmo (SWE)

    When is the Europa League draw?

    The group stage draw for club footballs second-tier European competition is set to take place on Friday, August 26.
    It is scheduled to get underway at 12pm UK time – 1pm local time.
    Istanbul, Turkey will be where the draw is being hosted which is where Liverpool famously beat AC Milan in the 2005 Champions League final

    Arsenal cannot draw Man Utd at this stageCredit: Rex
    How can I watch the Europa League draw?

    The Europa League group stage draw will be shown LIVE on BT Sport 1 in the UK.
    Subscription members of BT Sport can also stream all the action via the BT Sport app or BT Sport website.
    UEFA will be streaming the entire action from their official website too.
    And BT Sport’s YouTube channel will be showing it FREE.

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    Man Utd, Arsenal, Chelsea and Spurs offload record transfer signings.. no wonder Europe talks of ‘stupid English money’

    AFTER Arsenal agreed to farm out Nicolas Pepe on loan to Nice, an extraordinary pattern of transfer activity was completed this summer.It meant that Manchester United, Chelsea, Tottenham and the Gunners have all allowed their club-record signings — who cost a combined £313.5million — to depart without a single penny being recouped in transfer fees.

    Paul Pogba left Manchester United for nothing earlier this summerCredit: GETTY
    Chelsea recently loaned out record signing Romelu LukakuCredit: GETTY
    Arsenal have done the same with flop winger Nicolas PepeCredit: GETTY
    There is little surprise that those four members of England’s ‘Big Six’ have been left trailing in the wake of Manchester City and Liverpool in recent seasons, with such haphazard and shambolic recruitment.
    And no wonder that clubs on the continent talk of ‘stupid English money’, knowing they can fleece filthy-rich Premier League sides in the market.
    First, United’s £89m man Paul Pogba was allowed to leave Old Trafford for Juventus on a free — for a second time — after a largely miserable six-year spell for the French World Cup winner.
    Then Chelsea sent £97.5m Romelu Lukaku back to Inter Milan, after a single season at Stamford Bridge, for a modest loan fee of £7m — so desperate was Thomas Tuchel to get the big Belgian striker out of the building.
    READ MORE IN SPORT
    Last week, Spurs loaned their most expensive recruit, Tanguy Ndombele — a £55m buy from Lyon in 2019 — to Napoli. There is an option, but no obligation, for the Italian club to buy the French midfielder next summer.
    And Pepe’s loan move to Nice completes the set.
    The Ivory Coast winger was a £72m purchase from Lille in 2019, even though Unai Emery insisted he wanted to buy Wilfried Zaha from Crystal Palace instead.
    Nice are paying only half of his £140,000-per-week wages and, again, there is no compulsion for a permanent move.
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    He made just five Premier League starts last term and it was clear that Mikel Arteta wanted rid of a player who was a relic of a previous regime.
    Arteta, unlike predecessor Emery, is in tune with the club’s hierarchy, including recruitment chief Edu, and his side boasts the top flight’s only 100 per cent record.
    Spurs can also argue that they are doing things differently — and more effectively — under Antonio Conte and his fellow Italian, football director Fabio Paratici.
    The deals for Richarlison, Yves Bissouma and Ivan Perisic were decisive and early, with boss Conte unusually content with life and Spurs currently unbeaten.
    Ndombele is a gifted player but, under four Spurs managers — Mauricio Pochettino, Jose Mourinho, Nuno Espirito Santo and Conte — he has shown his talent only fleetingly.
    His final Spurs appearance, before he was loaned to Lyon last January, saw the Frenchman substituted — and loudly booed — with his side 1-0 down at home to Morecambe in the FA Cup.
    Across town at Chelsea, the expensive, scattergun approach continues under new owner Todd Boehly.
    This summer’s £62m deal for Brighton left-back Marc Cucurella, in particular, suggests the Blues are still willing to gamble big.
    United’s long-term status as transfer market mugs is well-documented — 31 different players were signed for £10m or more during Ed Woodward’s eight-year reign and not a single one has been a cast-iron hit.
    Read More on The Sun
    The arrival of defensive midfielder Casemiro from Real Madrid is exactly what United need. Yet the Brazilian is 30, so a fee of up to £70m is staggering.
    No wonder they continue to talk of that ‘stupid English money’.
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    Nice confirm season-long loan transfer of Arsenal outcast Nicolas Pepe with NO option to buy in bizarre unveiling tweet

    NICE confirmed the season-long loan of Arsenal flop Nicolas Pepe in a bizarre unveiling tweet.And the deal does NOT include an option for the French side to buy the winger next summer.
    Nice unveiled the signing of Nicolas Pepe with a strange Twitter videoCredit: Twitter @ogcnice
    Pepe has completed a season-long loan transfer from ArsenalCredit: AFP
    He was given a hero’s reception by his new supportersCredit: AFP

    Pepe, 27, has struggled to live up to his £72million transfer fee since joining the Gunners from Lille in 2019.
    And following the arrivals of attacking players Marquinhos and Fabio Vieira this summer, Mikel Arteta deemed the Ivorian surplus to requirements.
    So the record-signing will now spend the 2022-23 campaign back in Ligue 1 trying to rediscover his best form.
    Pepe banged in 22 goals in his final season with Lille but has managed just 16 in his 80 Premier League appearances for Arsenal.
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    The announcement video from Nice – posted just before kick-off in their crunch Europa Conference League play-off – was truly strange.
    It featured a comic-strip-style ‘WANTED’ video which showed the club’s Allianz Riviera stadium, fans and then “new player” Pepe in the red-and-black home shirt.
    Nice captioned the post: “Before getting behind our Aiglons, a short manga?”
    Pepe was presented at the stadium in front of the fans wearing his new No29 jersey and received a huge ovation from the Aiglons supporters.
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    He becomes the latest big-name player to join Nice this summer.
    Aaron Ramsey completed a free transfer following his release by Juventus and Kasper Schmeichel ended his 11-year stint as Leicester’s No1 goalkeeper for another shot at European football.
    Both players, as well as defenders Jean-Clair Todibo and Dante, started against Maccabi Tel Aviv tonight.
    The bizarre video featured a comic strip with a pic of Nice fansCredit: Twitter @ogcnice
    It finished with the club confirming Pepe as their new playerCredit: Twitter @ogcnice More