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      Mikel Arteta ‘ready to sell Nuno Tavares in permanent transfer’ but deal at risk thanks to Nottingham Forest

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      MARSEILLE are reportedly pushing to sign Arsenal defender Nuno Tavares this month.However, a deal is dependent on Nottingham Forest.
      Marseille want to sign Nuno TavaresCredit: Getty
      Tavares joined Forest on a season-long loan in September after falling down the pecking order at Arsenal.
      The full-back has been limited to just six appearances since moving to the City Ground.
      Nottingham Forest will have the opportunity to sign him on a permanent basis for £12million at the end of the campaign.
      But Tavares is allegedly open to a move away.
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      And according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Marseille want to sign him.
      Arsenal are now “100 per cent open” to selling the Portuguese international in a permanent transfer.
      However, Nottingham Forest insist on keeping him until the end of the season.
      Arsenal have no recall clause, so Tavares will likely stay at the City Ground until June.
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      The 23-year-old spent the 2022-23 campaign on loan at Marseille.
      He made 39 appearances for the Ligue 1 side during his spell in France. More

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      Arsenal and Man Utd blow as Premier League rivals ‘enter race for in-demand Everton star Jarrad Branthwaite’

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      TOTTENHAM are interested in signing Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite, according to reports.The Toffees star, 21, has emerged as a key player under Sean Dyche this season.
      Jarrad Branthwaite has impressed for Everton this seasonCredit: Rex
      His impressive form has seen him linked with the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal.
      According to the Mail, Spurs are also keen on Branthwaite, despite already improving their defence this month.
      Ange Postecoglou’s side beat off competition from Bayern Munich to sign Radu Dragusin from Genoa in a deal worth £21.5million plus add-ons.
      Djed Spence also moved in the opposite direction on loan as part of the deal, with Tottenham covering his wages.
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      Despite Dragusin’s arrival, Spurs remain interested in strengthening their back line.
      Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero have both missed numerous games due to injury and, in the latter’s case, suspensions.
      Postecoglou had to make do with a makeshift centre-back partnership comprised of Emerson Royal and Ben Davies earlier in the campaign.
      Branthwaite joined Everton from hometown club Carlisle in 2019.
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      He went on to impress in loan spells at Blackburn Rovers and PSV Eindhoven, before breaking into Dyche’s starting XI this season.
      The strapping 6ft 5in defender is an England Under-21s regular and skippered Lee Carsley’s side in their last match.
      Gareth Southgate has kept an eye on his form this term, watching him in person at Goodison Park last month.
      Tottenham are trying to get a deal over the line for highly-rated Club Brugge winger Antonio Nusa this month.
      The Lilywhites remain in talks with the Belgian side, who are said to be demanding £25m for the 18-year-old’s signature.
      A deal this month would likely see Nusa remain at Brugge on loan until the end of the season.
      As for outgoings, SunSport revealed earlier this week that Tottenham had rejected a £20m bid from Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr for defender Emerson Royal.
      Royal, 25, is happy at Spurs, but the Saudi Pro League side could launch a new bid.
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      Tottenham may consider offers for Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg before the end of the month.
      But they will only let him leave on a permanent deal or on a loan with an obligation to buy.
      Emerson Royal has attracted interest from Saudi Arabia this monthCredit: Rex More

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      AC Milan list Arsenal and Chelsea stars Kiwior and Chalobah on transfer shortlist as alternatives to top target

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      AC MILAN have three Premier League players on their shortlist as they look to sign a centre-back, according to reports.The Serie A side are dealing with a defensive injury crisis with Fikayo Tomori, Pierre Kalulu and Malick Thiaw all sidelined.
      Jakub Kiwior is wanted by AC MilanCredit: Getty
      Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah is an option for AC Milan despite them being concerned over his injury problems this seasonCredit: Getty
      Milan have already recalled Matteo Gabbia from his loan at Villarreal but are still keen to enter the market this month.
      The club reportedly hold an interest in Clement Lenglet, who is on loan at Aston Villa.
      But the Frenchman could be recalled and sent out again by Barcelona due to him only playing ten games in all competitions this season.
      However, Milan know a deal will be difficult to complete for their top target.
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      Sky Italia claim Arsenal star Jakub Kiwior is an alternative option.
      The Polish centre-back knows Serie A from his time at Spezia and he could be allowed to leave this January.
      Speculation also suggests Trevoh Chalobah might move to the San Siro.
      But Milan have doubts over the Chelsea ace’s fitness as he has not played all season due to a hamstring problem.
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      They already have former Blues stars Olivier Giroud, Christian Pulisic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Tomori at the club.
      A loan for Atletico Madrid and ex-Leicester defender Caglar Soyuncu was also explored, but he will join Fenerbahce.
      And Torino rejected Milan’s offer for Alessandro Buongiorno.
      Clement Lenglet could be recalled from his loan at Aston Villa and sent out to AC MilanCredit: Getty More

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      Inside Arsenal’s set-piece mastery with Mikel Arteta’ side using several cheat codes to become lethal in the box

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      IT was not long ago that Arsenal were considered a naïve group with a soft touch.Mikel Arteta’s solution has been to fill his side with gigantic bruisers with the nous, skill and talent to match, transforming the Gunners into the Premier League’s set-piece beasts.
      Gabriel scored from yet another corner for Arsenal against Crystal PalaceCredit: Getty
      Mikel Arteta has set-piece coach Nicolas Jover (right) to thankCredit: Getty
      They currently top the Prem charts with 13 set piece goals already this campaign – including 10 from 164 corners – proving they can find different ways to score goals and win games.
      Before the 5-0 thumping of Crystal Palace – which included two goals from corners – Arteta’s Arsenal had gone 48 shots at home in all competitions without scoring.
      Gabriel was involved in both set-piece goals, scoring one and forcing an own goal from another. The Brazilian has scored 12 since arriving in England in 2020, more than any other defender in the Prem during that time.
      Alongside fellow six-footers Declan Rice, William Saliba, Kai Havertz and Ben White, this Arsenal are now formidable from dead-ball situations, as well as in their own box, conceding just four goals from corners this season.
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      Arsenal are also yet to lose a Prem game in which they have scored directly from a set-piece, winning nine and drawing one.
      Arteta said after the Palace win: “We work on everything and we want to dominate every phase of play. We want to be the best team in the world so you have to be the best in everything.
      “Having the ability to score from many different ways, especially when you are attacking low blocks, to score in this certain way, everything has to be nailed absolutely perfectly.”
      So far this campaign, set-piece goals account for 31 per cent of their total number of league strikes (42), almost double what it was last year (17 per cent).
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      The plaudits are thrown the way of Arsenal set-piece specialist Nicolas Jover, who has revolutionised the club’s set-pieces since arriving from Manchester City in July 2021.
      Bukayo Saka said post-Palace: “We do a lot of work on set-pieces. It’s the worst! Nico tries to make it fun. We’re doing well and what he’s doing is working.”
      Here, SunSport takes a closer look at how Arsenal have got the better of their opponents from their 13 set-piece goals this season, including 10 corners, two free-kicks and one cheeky throw-in.
      The Gunners have managed to find a few cheat codes that they’ve used more than once to score from set-pieces…
      SET-PIECE 1 – CORNERScorer: Eddie Nketiah (26th minute)Taker: Bukayo SakaArsenal 2-1 Nottingham Forest, August 12, 2023

      The opening day of the season and it takes Arsenal less than half an hour to show off their set-piece prowess, but not in the traditional way.
      Bukayo Saka’s delivery towards the front post is not the best, well flicked on by Kai Havertz (right arrow), but the next two loose balls are won inside the six-yard box, first by Thomas Partey (left arrow) and then William Saliba (middle arrow).
      As a result, Gabriel Martinelli is able to gain possession, produce some outrageous skill to beat two defenders before teeing up Eddie Nketiah.
      SET-PIECE 2 – CORNERScorer: Declan Rice (96th minute)Taker: Bukayo SakaArsenal 3-1 Manchester United, September 3, 2023

      In the dying seconds with the scores level, Arsenal overload at the back post with Takehiro Tomiyasu, Gabriel, Gabriel Jesus and Declan Rice, while Saliba acts as a distraction for United keeper Andre Onana.
      In the end, it is Jonny Evans who is distracted by Gabriel, allowing Rice to peel off in behind and take a touch before firing past Onana.
      Poor defending from United, but great instinctiveness by Rice to sense the overload and trust his teammates to act as blockers.
      SET-PIECE 3 – CORNERScorer: Leandro Trossard (69th minute)Taker: Bukayo SakaEverton 0-1 Arsenal, September 17, 2023

      A rare short corner from Arteta’s men as Saka taps to Martin Odegaard and Leandro Trossard immediately pulls away from Gabriel and Saliba outside the six-yard box looking for the lay-off.
      It does not happen, as Fabio Vieira is found outside the box instead, with the Portuguese midfielder looking for Trossard only to see his passing lane blocked.
      Trossard stays alive and makes a forward dart as Saka gets the ball back before firing in off the post.
      Perhaps a routine that went wrong, but was made right by some off-the-cuff brilliance.
      SET-PIECE 4 – FREE-KICKScorer: Ben White (93rd minute)Taker: Martin OdegaardBournemouth 0-4 Arsenal, September 30, 2023

      The game is already won at 3-0 up, but there is still time to notch a first goal of the campaign from a free-kick.
      Odegaard’s arm is raised and Gabriel (arrow) jumps from an offside position and acts as a blocker on Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo, who is trying to mark Ben White.
      Semenyo runs into Gabriel and loses White, allowing the Gunners right-back to drift in unmarked and connect with a looping header.
      SET-PIECE 5 – CORNERScorer: Eddie Nketiah (50th minute)Taker: Bukayo SakaArsenal 5-0 Sheffield United, October 28, 2023

      In a different approach, Saliba and Rice power towards the near post while Nketiah (arrow) wrestles away his man and lurks at the far post.
      Nketiah is given a helping hand as Wes Foderingham drops his catch allowing the Hale End striker to fire into the side-netting.
      Also worth noting that White acts as a shield between Foderingham and the ball the entire time Saka’s looped delivery is in the air.
      SET-PIECE 6 – CORNERScorer: Takehiro Tomiyasu (96th minute)Taker: Fabio VieiraArsenal 5-0 Sheffield United, October 28, 2023

      Same game, different tactic as Fabio Vieira aims for the near post and an onrushing Mohamed Elneny flicks on.
      Tomiyasu (arrow) stays on Foderingham for as long as possible before running away from goal to pick up the loose ball and firing home.
      Interesting to note that Saliba ducks at the last minute to avoid connecting with Elneny’s flick-on, knowing Tomiyasu would be retreating to that position.
      SET-PIECE 7 – CORNERScorer: William Saliba (57th minute)Taker: Leandro TrossardArsenal 3-1 Burnley, November 11, 2023

      Some more clever movement by Arsenal’s French centre back puts the side back in front from a whipped Trossard corner.
      Saliba begins way behind James Trafford but at the last minute swerves his run under the crossbar and nudges in front of the keeper to lose his marker Zeki Amdouni.
      A simple finish, but had he managed to miss, Havertz and Gabriel would have mopped up having also made the run at the near post.
      SET-PIECE 8 – CORNERScorer: Oleksandr Zinchenko (74th minute)Taker: Leandro TrossardArsenal 3-1 Burnley, November 11, 2023

      Burnley do not learn their lessons as Saliba produces a carbon-copy movement, this time finishing a few yards to the side of Trafford.
      He connects with another header that hits the bar while Oleksandr Zinchenko (arrow) catches his marker Luca Koleosho napping on the edge of the box.
      The ball eventually falls to the Ukrainian thanks to some more loose-ball aerial dominance from Tomiyasu.
      SET-PIECE 9 – THROW-INScorer: Gabriel Martinelli (20th minute)Taker: Gabriel JesusLuton 3-4 Arsenal, December 5, 2023

      Luton keeper Thomas Kaminski’s fluffed clearance looks to have found safety but Jesus’ quick-thinking sees Saka free down the by-line.
      Martinelli may finish off the cut-back but Havertz makes it, his run towards goal taking several Luton defenders with him.
      Arsenal have been trying this move all season, the brainchild of Nicolas Jover, especially in the past few weeks, but this is the only time they have pulled it off so far.
      SET-PIECE 10 – CORNERScorer: Gabriel Jesus (53rd minute)Taker: Bukayo SakaArsenal 2-0 Brighton, December 17, 2023

      Arsenal’s big boys forcing opposition defenders into mistakes once more as Saliba, Gabriel and Havertz sprint towards the middle of the goal.
      Seagulls centre back Jan Paul van Hecke takes care of the front post but, knowing who is behind him, flicks the ball towards the back post.
      There ready and waiting is Jesus, free as a bird with Brighton’s other defenders pre-occupied by Arsenal’s towering trio.
      SET-PIECE 11 – FREE-KICKScorer: Gabriel (4th minute)Taker: Martin OdegaardLiverpool 1-1 Arsenal, December 23, 2023

      Very similar to the free-kick against Bournemouth – Odegaard stands with his hand raised and Gabriel (arrow) jumps back from an offside position.
      However, instead of acting as a blocker, the Brazilian is given a free header with Virgil van Dijk concerned about Saliba and Ibrahima Konate stuck underneath Havertz.
      The Liverpool line is also keeping one eye on Zinchenko, who fakes nipping in behind his marker Mohamed Salah on the edge of the box.
      SET-PIECE 12 – CORNERScorer: Gabriel (11th minute)Taker: Declan RiceArsenal 5-0 Crystal Palace, January 20, 2023

      Despite Trossard being on the pitch, Rice decides to take on this corner, with devastating effect.
      The delivery is lofted and loopy, giving Gabriel (arrow) plenty of time to arc his run and outmuscle Chris Richards.
      The work of his teammates should not go unnoticed either. Saliba drags Marc Guehi away from the goal while Trossard blocks off Joachim Andersen where Gabriel eventually heads home.
      SET-PIECE 13 – CORNERScorer: Dean Henderson OG (37th minute)Taker: Bukayo SakaArsenal 5-0 Crystal Palace, January 20th, 2023

      The above paragraph could almost be repeated word-for-word.
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      Gabriel beats Richards towards the far post. Saliba creates space by running to the near post. Trossard acts as a blocker.
      The only disappointment is Gabriel not getting credit for the goal as it bounces in off an unassuming Henderson, unable to deal with a devilish Saka delivery. More

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      New TV angle shows why Gabriel has Arsenal goal taken away as Premier League release statement on controversial strike

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      FANS were left raging after Arsenal’s second goal against Crystal Palace was attributed to a Dean Henderson own goal rather than Gabriel.The goal looked to have been nodded on target by the Arsenal defender, before taking a big deflection off Henderson, for his second of the game.
      Gabriel looked to have scored his second of the gameCredit: Alamy
      But the ball deflected off Henderson’s head in the chaotic scenesCredit: TNT SPORTS
      It’s a Gabriel double!Dean Henderson is left helpless as the Brazilian charges in and forces a goal off of the back of his head 🫣 pic.twitter.com/MLnDYJ1RkH— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 20, 2024

      The Brazilian had already shown he was a threat after scoring after 11 minutes courtesy of a Leandro Trossard delivery.
      And The Gunners were able to repeat the trick after 37 minutes when Bukayo Saka’s whipped corner found the head of Gabriel again.
      The goal looked to clearly be Gabriel’s given the goalbound nature of the header.
      However, the ball did bounce up off the back of Henderson’s head on its way in, leading to debate over who should be given the credit for second.
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      The punditry team in the TNT Sports studio were also convinced that it was a Henderson own goal.
      Adding to the confusion was the fact that the Premier League’s official X account (formerly known as Twitter) initially had the goal down as Gabriel’s courtesy of a Saka assist.
      But the account has since then updated fans to say the goal was in fact down to Henderson’s head rather than Gabriel’s.
      The account tweeted a statement to say: “After review, the Goal Accreditation Panel have confirmed Arsenal’s second goal to be an own goal by Dean Henderson.
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      “Gabriel is therefore awarded the assist.”
      Footage from TNT behind the goal showed why this was the case.
      Despite Gabriel losing his man to head a shot on goal, it looks as though it would have rolled across the width of the six yard box had it not been for Henderson’s head.
      One confused fan wrote: “He’s literally headed it on target, how’s that different to a deflection?”
      Another wrote: “The header was on target though.”
      While a third said: “The goal accreditation panel is wrong on this decision.”
      Footage from behind the goal shows the ball going across goal rather than in the net More

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      I’m a Premier League title winner with Arsenal – Mikel Arteta needs to send urgent message to Gunners stars

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      MIKEL ARTETA needs to instil an important message into his players’ minds if they are to win the Premier League title this season, says club legend Ray Parlour.The Gunners’ bid to win their first league trophy since 2004, when Parlour was still playing with the Invincibles, has faltered after losing three of their last five matches to Aston Villa, West Ham and Fulham.
      Ray Parlour insists Arsenal can still win the Premier League titleCredit: Getty
      Kai Havertz, Ben White, Gabriel Jesus, Jakub Kiwior, Gabriel Martinelli and Reiss Nelson were among the Arsenal squad who escaped to Dubai for some warm weather trainingCredit: Getty
      That led to the North Londoners plunging to fourth place in the table and getting eliminated from the FA Cup by Liverpool.
      Despite recent struggles, former midfielder Parlour remains adamant Arsenal still have a massive chance of conquering the Prem as long as they win their next “three or four games” to regain their momentum.
      That in turn would help them find the required form that would allow them to become consistent, something that will be especially important in April and May when they approach the finish line.
      The ex-England international remembered how that sort of mentality helped Arsene Wenger’s side win the Double in 1998.
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      Arsenal were 12 points away from the top but a massive victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford led to a 10-game unbeaten run that saw Parlour lift one of three league trophies he won.
      But in order to do that Arteta needs to make his players understand that they’re still in a title race despite their recent poor run.
      The 50-year-old hopes these sort of necessary talks took place during the club’s recent warm-weather training camp in Dubai.
      Parlour told SunSport on behalf of NetBet Betting: “Well, all they got to do now is win their next three or four games, that is vital now [starting with] Crystal Palace next week.
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      “You know they’ve had that little bit of a blip, sometimes when a break comes around is a bad time for your club. When you do really well you want the next games to come on very, very quickly.
      “But I think this break has come at a good time for Arsenal where they’ve had three defeats to Liverpool, Fulham and West Ham but now they can go away together.
      “They can have a couple of meetings, they can get that little bit of togetherness because they are in a title race still, as much as they’ve had three disappointing results – I mean the FA Cup is always an important trophy for the club as well but they are in a title race.
      “Whether Man City drop points we’ll have to wait and see. They nearly dropped points at the weekend against Newcastle, [Kevin] De Bruyne made a big difference when he came off the bench.
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      “But you’re still in a title race and that is what Mikel Arteta has got to get across to the players. It’s an old cliche, one game at a time but the next three games for Arsenal gotta guarantee three wins.
      “As a title winner myself, it doesn’t really kick in. You got to stay in the hunt. But when you get to the last seven games, that’s when every game is so important, every single game.
      “And I’ll go back to ’98, we was 12 points behind [and] we managed to get a run going. We beat Manchester United at Old Trafford and then we went on a 10-game unbeaten run. That’s that sort of form you gotta find towards that sort of time.
      “I mean, March [and] April, is when it really starts hotting up. That’s when it starts.
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      “Every single game gets pressurised and I’m hoping the youngsters – because it’s a young squad – they’re still learning but hopefully they learned a little bit from last season and they can probably turn that around a little bit.
      “But yeah, it’s gonna be really tight up there. And I really hope it goes down to the last three games and Arsenal have got a chance.
      But Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta needs to convince his players they are still in a title raceCredit: Getty More

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      Forgotten Arsenal flop Nuno Tavares handed transfer lifeline by European giants as he struggles on loan

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      MARSEILLE are reportedly considering a swoop for out-of-favour Arsenal full-back Nuno Tavares.The 23-year-old made 39 appearances for the Ligue 1 side during his loan spell last season.
      Nuno Tavares could return to MarseilleCredit: Getty
      Despite his strong start at the Stade Vélodrome, Tavares fell down the pecking order under Igor Tudor.
      He was kicked out of a training session at the end of the campaign for an alleged lack of effort and returned to Arsenal in the summer.
      But despite the misdemeanour, Marseille officials want him to return.
      According to French outlet L’Equipe, the Olympians are in the market for a new left-back and Tavares is on their list of targets.
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      They have already signed Ulisses Garcia from Young Boys this month, but having sanctioned the departure of Renan Lodi they are now seeking another addition.
      Tavares is currently on loan at Nottingham Forest, but he has been limited to just five appearances across all competitions.
      The Reds have the option to buy him for £12million at the end of the season, but the Portuguese international is allegedly open to a move away.
      Tavares joined Arsenal in a £8m transfer from Benfica in 2021.
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      Although he initially impressed Mikel Arteta during his first few appearances, the full-back fell down the pecking order following a series of defensive errors.
      He has made just 28 appearances for the Gunners since moving to England.
      His first Arsenal goal came in a 3-1 win over Manchester United in April 2022. More

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      I turned Arsenal star into one of the best defenders in the world – just like I did with Virgil Van Dijk

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      CLAUDE PUEL watched Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool last month like a proud father.In the heart of defence for Jurgen Klopp’s side was Virgil van Dijk – a player that Puel, 62, briefly coached during his one-season spell at Southampton in 2016/17 with great success.
      Arsenal’s William Saliba is one of the best young defenders in the worldCredit: Getty
      Saliba developed at St Etienne under Claude Puel in the 2019/20 seasonCredit: Getty – Contributor
      But it was in the Gunners’ back four where the French manager’s eyes were firmly fixed, inspecting one of his more recent protégés – 22-year-old William Saliba.
      Puel told SunSport: “You see that game against Liverpool, [Saliba] was one of the best players on the pitch. He is young, but all the ability to play in top, top teams.
      “I think he is one of the best in Europe, in the world, right now.”
      In October 2019, Puel was appointed manager at Ligue 1 club St Etienne and came across an 18-year-old Saliba back in France on loan after signing for Arsenal that summer.
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      Puel recalled: “He was a young player with some moves to correct technically. He was a little too slow, he did not produce enough good passes.
      “He took too much time on the ball but he had all the quality, the anticipation to read the play.
      “It was interesting to see him work in training sessions on passes to play quicker and to earn more time on the ball.
      “It took two, three months to correct him, with my staff. He was a very good learner. After that, he had a fantastic season with us.
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      “I remember, I put him in the team alongside Wesley Fofana, now at Chelsea. They were perfect together. It was a pity we could not keep those two for a couple more years.
      “Of course, it was not possible. Saliba was an Arsenal player and we had to sell Wesley to Leicester because it was a difficult financial time for the club.”
      However, Saliba did not make his senior Arsenal debut until August 5, 2022, having been sent on loan to OGC Nice and Marseille in the seasons prior for further development.
      Saliba was reported to be frustrated by manager Mikel Arteta’s reluctance to introduce him to Premier League football sooner, something that Puel sympathised with.
      Puel explained: “[Arteta] decided not to pick him because he was too young, but at this time he was in a good position to win his place at Arsenal. He would have played, no problem.
      “He was ready to compete. Perhaps they didn’t see enough of him during his games at St Etienne. [Saliba] was frustrated. He felt that he was at a good enough level.
      “But, he kept a good mentality to show his quality with Nice and Marseille. He is a fantastic player but also a fantastic man also. Very, very interesting for a manager to manage him.
      “He is a simple man. He doesn’t change. He always keeps a good attitude and has a good mind and feeling about his work as a professional player.
      “He still has the same mentality now, even after his back injury at the end of last season.”
      Puel cannot help but admit his pride at playing a part in Saliba’s rise – and he has become so important for Arsenal that his back injury practically cost them the title last year.
      Currently unemployed after getting the sack from St Etienne in December 2021, Puel was often criticised during his time with the Saints, as well as Leicester from October 2017 to February 2019, for playing negative football.
      Yet Puel argues that what cannot be denied is his coaching impact on young defenders, such as Saliba, Van Dijk, Fofana and former Foxes centre back Harry Maguire.
      All the time, players can develop and get better, and it was the same thing with Van DijkClaude Puel
      Dutchman Van Dijk was 24 when Puel arrived at St Mary’s – and was made captain in January 2017, such was his growing influence before joining Liverpool 12 months later.
      Maguire played some of his best football under Puel at the King Power, earning a £80m move to Manchester United in July 2019.
      Puel said: “I am a manager. I like to work with a player. All the time, players can develop and get better, and it was the same thing with Van Dijk.
      “He was not a modern player. He played at the beginning at Southampton sometimes like an older player, without moving, without pushing the team high up the pitch.
      “Without making the covers for the full-backs, not wanting to pass the ball out or dribble out of his area. He needed to make the progress like a modern centre back.
      “It was important to develop him, and it was the same with Maguire, helping him on the ball, with his anticipation and positioning to read the run of the attacker.
      “It was the same with Fofana, Saliba. It is important to work with these players, not just for the moment but it will be better for them in the future too.”
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      Inevitably, talk returns to Saliba – who Puel was unable to select for St Etienne’s Covid-delayed Coupe de France final in July 2020 against PSG with his loan-back deal expired, something that still bothers him.
      They lost 1-0 to the Parisians, but even up against the likes of Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Angel Di Maria, Puel suggested: “We could have won with Saliba in the team.”
      Virgil van Dijk (left) is an imperious defender after being developed by PuelCredit: Rex
      Van Dijk with his mentor Puel following his move to LiverpoolCredit: PA:Press Association
      Puel also coached Harry Maguire while manager of LeicesterCredit: Reuters More