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      Inside Mikel Arteta’s five years at Arsenal as boss celebrates anniversary – now pressure is on to win major silverware

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      TO understand the rise of Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, you must first remember the fall of Unai Emery.Hired as Arsene Wenger’s replacement in May 2018, Emery’s tenure showed early glimpses of hope, reaching the Europa League final and narrowly missing out on the top four.Mikel Arteta returned to Arsenal five years agoCredit: GettyThe Spaniard won the FA Cup shortly after arrivingCredit: APBut he was sacked on November 29, 2019 after a seven-game winless run – at the time the club’s worst since 1992 – leaving behind a mess that would take years to be fixed.The culture was toxic. The dressing room was divided. Big-money flops lacked motivation. The recruitment strategy was non-existent.Rumours some players were openly mocking Emery’s thick Basque accent and poor grasp of English never went away.On December 20, 2019, in came Arteta – a 39-year-old former Arsenal player raised by Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy and moulded by Pep Guardiola as an assistant at Manchester City.Read More in FootballArteta had witnessed first-hand the problems just five days earlier, in the away dug-out as City romped to a 3-0 Prem win at a half-empty and miserably flat Emirates against a woeful Arsenal under interim boss Freddie Ljungberg.He would later say about that game: “I saw what was going on and I felt sad. It wasn’t only the performance, it was the atmosphere and energy that worried me a little bit. So, let me help.”Five years on, and Arteta has done more than that. Arsenal are a club reborn, revitalised, reinvented – considered a Prem titan again and competing with the very best in Europe once more – even if they are still chasing their first top flight title for 20 years.But perhaps more impressively, Arteta rebuilt a crumbling culture from the ground up, brick by brick, with his non-negotiables and emphatic, obsessive desire for perfection on and off the pitch.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSArteta replaced Unai Emery, who was sacked by the GunnersCredit: APDuring that process, experienced pros were brutally axed in favour of young, hungry stars, both from the academy and in the transfer market, who continue to follow Arteta to the ends of the earth.Skipper Martin Odegaard joined permanently from Real Madrid in the summer of 2021 after a six-month loan spell. He said: “We were struggling a little bit with a lot of noise around the club.Arsenal player ratings: Gabriel Jesus resurrects Gunners career with three fine finishes but Sterling still yet to shine“We didn’t perform as well as a club like Arsenal should, but I believed so much in the project after speaking to him and speaking to the club and seeing everything that was going on around here.“He just gets everyone to work together and in the same direction, it’s unbelievable.”Mikel Merino – who signed this summer – revealed: “Mikel is a coach who speaks with players every single day, there’s not a single detail in training sessions that he doesn’t take a look at.”And Hale End product Myles Lewis-Skelly added: “It’s incredible the culture he’s built within the team, you can sense around the ground the energy’s always high and positive vibes.”The journey has not been smooth, but for a manager so young, Arteta had a knack of making the right calls at the right time – most of them caught on camera in their All Or Nothing Amazon documentary in the 2021/22 campaign.Bad eggs like Matteo Guendouzi, Sokratis, Mesut Ozil and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang were ousted and shamed – the latter a ballsy move considering the Gabon star was his captain.It did not solve everything. Bust-ups were snapped on the documentary, including Alexandre Lacazette and Cedric Soares having a tussle in training.Arteta has his fingerprints all over the training ground, from the length and colour of the grass to the slogans donning any available wall space.Yet Arteta himself is understood to enjoy confrontation. He recently admitted he wants to feel “uncomfortable” under the gaze of the owners Stan and Josh Kroenke, and did not always agree with former sporting director Edu on transfer targets.He has also surrounded himself with assistants who are NOT ‘yes men’, the likes of set-piece coach Nicolas Jover and 29-year-old youngster Carlos Cuesta.But Arteta also likes control at a football club, something he gained when his title was changed from head coach to manager in September 2020, and has made himself a strong voice in the recruitment team in charge of replacing Edu in the coming months.Unlike more experienced managers, Arteta is heavily involved in training sessions, often laughing in joking with players as he takes part in heated rondos, on one occasion even nut-megging Odegaard before running off to celebrate.Make no mistake, however, the intensity of these sessions have become infamous. Just weeks into joining the club, Merino commented: “I have never seen anything like it”.That is partly down to his obsessive nature. Arteta has his fingerprints all over the training ground, from the length and colour of the grass to the slogans donning any available wall space.In their inside training dome at London Colney – one that has just been ripped up and replaced to fit Arteta’s requirements – one of the walls reads: ‘Set-pieces win matches’.There is also a slick new paint job in the press conference room at Colney – now with all-black walls and a new air conditioning unit after suggesting it would get too hot on occasion.Arteta likes the colour black – it was his favoured kit in the 2022/23 campaign because he wanted his players to look and feel more intimidating during away games.The Emirates has felt the Arteta-effect for that very reason. The Spaniard was desperate for a club anthem to rev up the atmosphere, eventually picking out Louis Dunford’s ‘North London Forever’ hit.Mikel Arteta at ArsenalTotal matches – 256Wins – 155Draws – 41Losses – 60Trophies:1x FA Cup2x Community ShieldArteta has also been instrumental in pre-match inspirational videos to feature on the big screens before big matches.But there are different sides to a man often so focused and serious on camera – a man Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso called a “competitive monster” this summer after a pre-season clash.Arteta is devilish. He admitted to reporters he often toys with the truth when it comes to revealing team news before games in press conferences.He explained: “I am not going to lie to you, but if I don’t want to tell you, I will keep you guessing.”There have also been incidents where Arteta has deliberately had injured or unavailable players walk off the team bus in full kit with the squad for added mystery until the very last moment.The devil is in the detail, suggesting this month he wants Arsenal to be the “kings of everything”.Arteta will try anything to gain an extra edge, using props like lightbulbs and giant dominos, getting his players to squeeze lemons and hiring undercover waiters as football tricksters and pickpockets during team meetings.Arteta is devilish. He admitted to reporters he often toys with the truth when it comes to revealing team news before games in press conferences.In November 2021, before a trip to Anfield to face Liverpool, he played ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ on speakers by the training pitches to acclimatise his men.They went on to lose the game 4-0, one that Arteta learned a big lesson from. A dug-out clash with Jurgen Klopp inspired a response from the home fans, coinciding with Liverpool taking the lead and Arsenal crumbling in the second half.Despite his often frantic touchline appearance, Arteta has that game in his head at all times, notably at the Battle of the Etihad this term – refusing to react when Erling Haaland told him to “stay humble” at the end of the feisty 2-2 draw.So, what could the next five years bring?He has expressed a fanciful desire to one day field a starting XI with 11 academy players. So far, he has three in Bukayo Saka, Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly.But he remains an open book as a coach and person, currently in a WhatsApp group chat with figures from other sports like former England rugby boss Eddie Jones and New Zealand head coach Scott Robertson.Knowing Arteta, he will already have the future painstakingly mapped out, starting of course with winning major silverware sooner rather than later, as well as leaving the shadow of mentor Guardiola behind him on his quest for top flight domination.The Spaniard this week insisted that he has won three major trophies with Arsenal as opposed to just the FA Cup – if you include two Community Shields.But now is the time to go for more.Arsenal have narrowly missed out on the Premier League title for the last two yearsCredit: ReutersThe Gunners have spent the last two years edging closer and closer to the Prem title, with only Man City standing in their way.It was always expected that Arteta would be the cream that rises to the top when Guardiola leaves England.But despite signing on for at least another year, Guardiola finds himself in uncharted territory – with City spiralling in a run of poor form.Arsenal should, in theory, be right up there, leading the title race.But they are now behind both Liverpool and Chelsea.If the Gunners don’t win the Premier League this season – and if City fall short – it will be considered a huge missed opportunity for Arteta.Furthermore, a Champions League run is also crucial.Arsenal are on the verge of securing automatic qualification to the knockouts.But historically, they have rarely lasted too long in those when it comes to European football.READ MORE SUN STORIESNow is time for Arteta and Arsenal to push on and prove they can win trophies.Otherwise, he might not get another five years.How to stop Arsenal at cornersArsenal have turned into a prolific team when it comes to scoring from corners.The Gunners have now scored 22 goals from them since the start of last season – seven more than their nearest rival Manchester City and eight more than Premier League leaders Liverpool.Two of them came against Manchester United – Jurrien Timber and William Saliba netting in the second half to earn Mikel Arteta’s men a vital win as they chase down Arne Slot’s Reds.Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka were the architects with their deliveries, and each now have seven set-piece assists since the start of the 2023/24 campaign – more than any other player.United legend Dimitar Berbatov joked Arsenal are the new Stoke City of the top flight – a side under Tony Pulis who terrorised the so-called “bigger clubs” with set-piece mastery.Here are four ways to stop Arteta’s side at corners More

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      ‘I got to Arsenal at 28’ – Ian Wright’s impassioned defence of Marcus Rashford against fans ‘desperate to see him fail’

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      IAN WRIGHT has launched a staunch defence of Marcus Rashford.Rashford, 27, admitted he was “ready for a new challenge” earlier this week, leading to the belief he will be leaving Manchester United in the near future.Ian Wright has leapt to the defence of Marcus RashfordCredit: SportsfileHe has refused to write off the 27-year-old given his own experience at Arsenal having arrived there at 28Credit: GettyThe Red Devils academy graduate has not featured in either of the last two matchday squads under Ruben Amorim.However, some travelling supporters at the 4-3 defeat to Tottenham in the Carabao Cup revealed a banner which said: “Excuses. Ta ra, Marcus,” hinting they were happy he was leaving the club.Rashford has struggled for form over the last two seasons after hitting a career-high 30 goals.His future prospects led to a heated debate on The Overlap on whether the England international would be a good fit at Arsenal.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLGunners icon Wright leapt to the defence of Rashford during the debate, insisting he would be capable of doing amazing things under the right manager.And in a comment under an Instagram post of the Overlap episode, Wright added more context to his argument and slammed fans who were “desperate” to see him fail.He said: “I got to Arsenal at 28, but you expect ME to write off someone with the ability Marcus has at 27!!!! “So many of you are desperate to see these young people fail so that you can say you were right! Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”You would take one per cent of the career Marcus has had!”Wright, 61, scored 182 goals in 283 Arsenal appearances.Ruben Amorim responds to Marcus Rashford’s Man Utd transfer bombshell about wanting ‘new challenge’ The debate in the studio had also seen the topic of hunger brought up, with questions raised over whether Rashford – who has played 426 games and scored 138 goals for United – still had the same hunger to succeed.Roy Keane, who left Man Utd in controversial circumstances in 2005, said: “My only warning for players like that – if you lose that hunger, it’s hard to get it back.”We know that for great players, it’s nothing to do with money – it’s about the next challenge, and your pride. Marcus seems to have lost his way, and he’s lost his hunger.I got to Arsenal at 28, but you expect ME to write off someone with the ability Marcus has at 27!!!! Ian Wright”We’ve mentioned watches and all the stuff off the field, and if he’s a bit distracted by that, it might be hard to get it back.”He might get it back with a change of club and scenery, but I don’t think he’ll get the hunger back at United.”Man Utd are back in action on Sunday hosting Bournemouth at Old Trafford, the club’s first home game following the comments.After the comments first came out, Amorim told the star that United were now entering a new challenge and that the team was better with him than without.Man Utd ratings vs Spurs as Bayindir has a shocker and fans left laughing at AntonyALTAY BAYINDIR had a game to forget as Manchester United were dumped out of the Carabao Cup.Not many of the Red Devils were able to impress as they were beaten by Tottenham Hotspur.SunSport’s Katherine Walsh has provided her ratings of the Man United squad…Altay Bayindir – 2Squandered his audition after Andre Onana’s recent blunders against Nottingham Forest and Plzen.Was responsible for Spurs’ opener when he spilled Pedro Porro’s shot into the path of Dominic Solanke.Was probably fouled but still flapped as Son made it 4-2 from a direct CORNER in the 88th minute. Perhaps Onana isn’t so bad?Victor Lindelof – 4Caught slacking and lacking and a mile off the pace as Spurs’ front line rang rings around United for most of the game.No surprise he came off injured just before half-time.Leny Yoro – 5Was physically targeted by Solanke in the first half, but the 19-year-old stood up to him and Son fairly well.Jeered by the home fans when he was nutmegged by Djed Spence and was lucky when referee John Brooks blew for a foul early on.Made a crunching tackle on Son in the 86th minute right in front of a rowdy home end – but the Korean scored from the resulting corner.Lisandro Martinez – 3All over the place at the back. Directly assisted Tottenham’s second when Maddison’s cross hit off his extended back leg and into the path of Kulusevski from five yards.Solanke eased past him for 3-0 too and was lucky not to gift Spurs a fourth soon after.Diogo Dalot – 6Only United defender who had a clue.Solid crosses and switches in play while pressing the makeshift Spurs backline, which was often overplaying.Christian Eriksen – 6Inches away from bagging the equaliser at 1-0 but was blocked by Yves Bissouma.Overhit several corners as he was tasked with taking from both sides but was clapped off from the home fans when he made way for Kobbie Mainoo.Manuel Ugarte – 4Has perhaps stolen Martinez’s “Butcher” title at Man Utd as the Spurs fans wanted him hit with a booking.Constantly gave away fouls and conceded dangerous free kicks which isn’t ideal with James Maddison on the pitch.He almost poked Kulusevski’s cross into his own net, but did well to make sure it went just wide.Noussair Mazraoui – 5Knew he was in for a difficult evening against Son, who was wonderful going forward with several intricate passes.Booked for catching Spence, Amorim’s head was down when Maddison took the free-kick.Couldn’t get his feet right for chance just before half-time.Antony – 4A nervy start saw him lose the ball in a dangerous position with a minute gone which set Son away to cross into Brennan Johnson.Too casual on the ball and put visitors under pressure in the early passages.Basically gave the home fans something to laugh about every time he lost the ball, which was several times to 18-year-old Archie Gray.Bruno Fernandes – 6He did his creative job when he could, putting Hojlund through inside 11 minutes, only for the Dane to fluff his lines.Curled just wide from outside the area and assisted Zirkzee’s goal to give the travelling end a glimmer of hope.Drew a booking for Sarr for a tackle from behind and was booed before his free-kick clipped the top of the net.Rasmus Hojlund – 5Rarely got a sniff with United working on the counter early on and weak on the ball when did receive it.He was thumped and bullied by the makeshift Spurs backline of Gray and Radu Drăgușin and replaced by Joshua Zirkzee in the 55th minute.SUBSJonny Evans (’44 Victor Lindelof) – 4Solanke drove the ball through his legs for 3-0.Bizarrely got on the scoresheet with a last-minute consolation with a header from a corner.Kobbie Mainoo – (’56 Eriksen) – 6He was waiting on the sidelines before Solanke tripled Spurs’ lead and brought some much-needed composure with his side 3-0 down.Joshua Zirkzee – (’56 Hojlund) – 6Had United’s first attempt on target in the 61st minute but his header was well kept out by Fraser Forster.But gave United hope when he made it 3-1 a minute later from Forster’s blunder.Did better than Hojlund in out-muscling Dragusin.Amad Diallo – (’55 Antony) – 8Just as Martin Odegaard did last night against Palace, Amad’s introduction turned things around for the Red Devils.The tricky winger made it 3-2 when his unbelievable pressing forced Forster into ANOTHER error from a routine free-kick.The star of the show also fed the ball to Fernandes, who assisted Zirkzee’s goal and brought some much-needed impetus to United’s forward play.Alejandro Garnacho (’72 Ugarte) – 5The sub everybody was waiting for after he was dropped for United’s 2-1 win against Man City on Sunday.Chased every ball down but loses points due to the crazy impact of the earlier substitutions.And speaking to Sky Sports before the Spurs defeat, he added: “Nothing has changed – we believe in Marcus.”It’s hard to explain to you guys what I am going to do. I’m a little bit emotional so in the moment I will decide what to do.READ MORE SUN STORIES”It’s a hard situation to comment [on]. If I give a lot of importance it will have big headlines in the papers and if I say it’s not a problem then my standards are getting low.”I don’t talk about the future, we talk about the present. This kind of club needs big talent and he’s a big talent, so he just needs to perform at the highest level and that is my focus. I just want to help Marcus.”Why Rashford joining Arsenal is perfect fitBy Martin LiptonMARCUS RASHFORD is at a crossroads.But now the England star has to make the biggest choice he has ever faced – does he care about cash, or about his career?Rashford’s shock admission that he is “ready for a new challenge” after some two decades under the Manchester United umbrella has altered the dynamic around his future.That Rashford might not fit the blueprint of Ruben Amorim – who has now responded to Rashford’s comments – was not exactly a surprise.The Portuguese coach prefers a 3-4-3 formation but appears to have settled on Rasmus Hojlund as his starting central striker and wants two “narrow” inside forwards, with the width coming from the wing-backs.Rashford has always wanted to play through the middle but is often at his best exploiting spaces out wide – and that skillset does not necessarily suit the way Amorim wants to play.Even so, going public with his evident dissatisfaction at being bombed entirely from the squad for the Manchester derby was a major move, even if he vowed there would be “no hard feelings” if he does leave his boyhood club.In truth, Rashford has been leaving United almost from the moment he signed that new £325,000 per week contract in 2023.Something was broken in his connection to the club. His form dropped, his threat dissipated, his issues with the hierarchy deepened.When Erik ten Hag dropped him for hosting a birthday party after a derby defeat, and he later pulled a sickie to miss the FA Cup game with Newport, it felt even then that the writing was on the wall.The facts suggest the love affair has ended. After scoring 30 in all competitions to earn that new deal, he has scored just 15 in the 18 months since it was signed.Amorim’s arrival seems merely to have accelerated what was increasingly inevitable.Now, though, it is up to Rashford to determine what his future will bring.If it is only about the money, then his options might be somewhat limited.It is hard to see a Prem rival coughing up the same £16.9m annual salary – although Rashford’s comments have probably knocked £20m-plus off any transfer fee, even next month.But Real Madrid have their fill of big-money strikers and Barcelona’s budget remains restricted by La Liga financial controls.In Europe, then, that probably leaves PSG – but a move to a one-club league.Or, in the wider world, he could follow the likes of Ivan Toney, Cristiano Ronaldo, Roberto Firmino and Co and head to the Saudi desert.Lucrative, yep. Certainly a different environment – and that may be exactly what Rashford both wants and needs. But the football? Not in a million years.What Rashford needs, above all, is to be able to play for trophies and showcase his talents.There is no better stage than the Premier League – which has far more global eyeballs on it than any other domestic competition.And in that Premier League there is one club crying out for a goalscoring No 9, especially if he can also play down the left channel to balance out the side and widen its threat.Rashford has always been more Longsight than London.Yet Arsenal, and Mikel Arteta, might be the perfect fit.The Gunners’ lack of a proper scorer is one of the major factors many fans feel has hurt their title challenge this year.Gabriel Jesus has never been a natural finisher, while Kai Havertz is still a converted midfielder.And while the link-up between Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka makes their right flank deadly, faith in Gabriel Martinelli on the left is waning.There have not been too many who succeeded at Arsenal after leaving United – although Danny Welbeck was not a flop.Rashford has all the attributes to change that history, if he can reproduce what everybody knows is inside him.And by breaking free, giving himself the chance to start all over, Rashford can make a point to Amorim that will resonate for a very long time. 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      ‘I would never’ – Gabriel Jesus refuses to knock on Mikel Arteta’s door despite Arsenal hat-trick

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      GABRIEL JESUS is adamant Arsenal do not need to go looking for a No 9 – because they have one already.The Brazilian forward defended his scoring record for the Gunners and says his critics “don’t watch the game”.Gabriel Jesus netted a hat-trick earlier this week against Crystal PalaceCredit: APThe Brazilian forward has endured a tough year in front of goalCredit: RexJesus, 27, netted his first Arsenal hat-trick in Wednesday’s 3-2 home Carabao Cup quarter-final win over Crystal Palace.Before that, the club’s current No 9 had scored just TWICE in all competitions in 2024 – and it was his first goal at the  Emirates for a year.Jesus has 23 goals in 90 appearances since joining Arsenal from Manchester City for £45million in July 2022, although injuries have hampered parts of his time in North London.He is yet to score in the Prem this term in 13 appearances – starting just twice  – as he battles for a spot with Kai Havertz, who has one league goal since mid-October.READ MORE ON ARSENALFans have called for Mikel Arteta to splash the cash on a more efficient score.But Jesus argued: “A lot of people don’t watch the game. They just see the stats the day after and see who scored.”I want to score every game, like everyone. But sometimes we don’t have chances.”People say, ‘Gabby played 20 games and scored once’. But they don’t see I am coming on for five or ten minutes.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”Against Manchester City, I came on as a left wing-back.”Against Palace was the first game I played a full 90 minutes without cramp, a problem in my life always. ‘Tell me Arteta didn’t say that,’ says Piers Morgan after Arsenal manager’s ’embarrassing’ trophy claim “Sometimes, if you are not playing it is harder to come on and make an impact.”I am not complaining. I am not happy on the bench but I’m  professional.”I have sometimes been unlucky but I can create, I can run, help the team defending.”But the pressure to score goals will always be there. I am the No 9 for Arsenal. “Even if I score ten they will ask for 20 – and if it is 20 they ask for 30. This is the life.”Arsenal player ratings vs EvertonARSENAL wasted their chance to capitalise on Liverpool dropping points as they were left frustrated by a resilient Everton.Here’s how the players ratedDAVID RAYA – 6/10No save to make. Could have lounged in the dressing room for the majority of the 90 minutes.MYLES LEWIS-SKELLY – 7Started where he left off in mid-week in the Champions League, picking up great pockets of space in midfield and linking defence to attack with pace and precision.GABRIEL – 6Incredible recovery tackle to deny Doucoure with Saliba down injured. Well marked at corners with Everton doubling up on the Brazilian.WILLIAM SALIBA – 6Lucky not to see Everton take the lead when he was down and out of position, but other than that was fairly untroubled.JURRIEN TIMBER – 5Tried his best to insert some pace and urgency down the right-hand side but lacking in attacking areas.DECLAN RICE – 5A rare anonymous showing from the England international. Did not do enough to impose himself but for a few decent tackles. No shock to see him hooked after 62 minutes.MIKEL MERINO – 6Showed glimpses, but still needs to get up to speed with pace Arsenal want to play at through the middle.MARTIN ODEGAARD – 6Blazed over and dragged wide from two good early chances – missing his shooting boots in the first half just like against Monaco – and looked generally off it.It was still a surprise to see him subbed off just after the hour mark for Nwaneri.BUKAYO SAKA – 7Had a field day up against Mykolenko as Everton struggled to contain his brilliant movement and strength on the ball, yet Pickford made save after save.Got in the way of a free Havertz header towards the end.GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 6Lively, especially because he had the beating of Young with some darting runs that kept the 39-year-old busy and was denied by Pickford from a tight angle.But yet again, was taken off for Trossard.KAI HAVERTZ – 6Lacked a serious goal threat but created Arsenal’s best chance with a delicious flick around the corner for Saka.SUBS:ETHAN NWANERI (ODEGAARD, 62) – 6A few nice touches and turns, looking for that trademark left-footed curling finish.JORGINHO (RICE, 62) – 6Got on the ball as Arsenal’s primary dictator from deep.THOMAS PARTEY (LEWIS-SKELLY, 68) – 5Offered very little.GABRIEL JESUS (MERINO, 68) – 5One dangerous cross easily claimed by Pickford was about it.LEANDRO TROSSARD (MARTINELLI, 74) – 6A bright spark. A few good crosses as Young tired on the left.Arsenal face Palace again in the Prem tomorrow, only this time at Selhurst Park.Jesus could start following his hat-trick, with Jean-Philippe Mateta and ex-Gunner Eddie Nketiah scoring for the Eagles.But Jesus said: “I have knocked on a manager’s door only one time in my life.”I knocked on Pep Guardiola’s door – not to complain but to ask him what I could improve.I would never go to Mikel’s door and say, ‘I want to play’.Gabriel Jesus”I would never go to Mikel’s door and say, ‘I want to play’.”Arteta added: “The movement, the quality of touches, the way he  finished, it’s a message we have got Gabi back at his best.”READ MORE SUN STORIESJesus recently announced he is expecting another child with his partner – and walked out at the Emirates with his daughter for the first time on Wednesday.He said: “I would walk out with my nieces and nephews at City and I always scored. My daughter has given me luck.”Why Rashford joining Arsenal is perfect fitBy Martin LiptonMARCUS RASHFORD is at a crossroads.But now the England star has to make the biggest choice he has ever faced – does he care about cash, or about his career?Rashford’s shock admission that he is “ready for a new challenge” after some two decades under the Manchester United umbrella has altered the dynamic around his future.That Rashford might not fit the blueprint of Ruben Amorim – who has now responded to Rashford’s comments – was not exactly a surprise.The Portuguese coach prefers a 3-4-3 formation but appears to have settled on Rasmus Hojlund as his starting central striker and wants two “narrow” inside forwards, with the width coming from the wing-backs.Rashford has always wanted to play through the middle but is often at his best exploiting spaces out wide – and that skillset does not necessarily suit the way Amorim wants to play.Even so, going public with his evident dissatisfaction at being bombed entirely from the squad for the Manchester derby was a major move, even if he vowed there would be “no hard feelings” if he does leave his boyhood club.In truth, Rashford has been leaving United almost from the moment he signed that new £325,000 per week contract in 2023.Something was broken in his connection to the club. His form dropped, his threat dissipated, his issues with the hierarchy deepened.When Erik ten Hag dropped him for hosting a birthday party after a derby defeat, and he later pulled a sickie to miss the FA Cup game with Newport, it felt even then that the writing was on the wall.The facts suggest the love affair has ended. After scoring 30 in all competitions to earn that new deal, he has scored just 15 in the 18 months since it was signed.Amorim’s arrival seems merely to have accelerated what was increasingly inevitable.Now, though, it is up to Rashford to determine what his future will bring.If it is only about the money, then his options might be somewhat limited.It is hard to see a Prem rival coughing up the same £16.9m annual salary – although Rashford’s comments have probably knocked £20m-plus off any transfer fee, even next month.But Real Madrid have their fill of big-money strikers and Barcelona’s budget remains restricted by La Liga financial controls.In Europe, then, that probably leaves PSG – but a move to a one-club league.Or, in the wider world, he could follow the likes of Ivan Toney, Cristiano Ronaldo, Roberto Firmino and Co and head to the Saudi desert.Lucrative, yep. Certainly a different environment – and that may be exactly what Rashford both wants and needs. But the football? Not in a million years.What Rashford needs, above all, is to be able to play for trophies and showcase his talents.There is no better stage than the Premier League – which has far more global eyeballs on it than any other domestic competition.And in that Premier League there is one club crying out for a goalscoring No 9, especially if he can also play down the left channel to balance out the side and widen its threat.Rashford has always been more Longsight than London.Yet Arsenal, and Mikel Arteta, might be the perfect fit.The Gunners’ lack of a proper scorer is one of the major factors many fans feel has hurt their title challenge this year.Gabriel Jesus has never been a natural finisher, while Kai Havertz is still a converted midfielder.And while the link-up between Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka makes their right flank deadly, faith in Gabriel Martinelli on the left is waning.There have not been too many who succeeded at Arsenal after leaving United – although Danny Welbeck was not a flop.Rashford has all the attributes to change that history, if he can reproduce what everybody knows is inside him.And by breaking free, giving himself the chance to start all over, Rashford can make a point to Amorim that will resonate for a very long time. 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      Crystal Palace vs Arsenal: Get £40 in free bets and bonuses to spend with BetMGM

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      CRYSTAL PALACE and Arsenal do battle for the second time in a few days in a crucial Saturday night Premier League clash.Bookmakers BetMGM are offering brand new customers a cool £40 in free bets when you register an account and stake a tenner on the Selhurst Park showdown.Find The Sun’s betting publishing principles hereHow to claim..BetMGM £40 welcome bonusVisit the BetMGM website HERE*Select SPORTS OFFER on the websiteRegister a new account – No Promo Code necessaryOpt in for this promotion by depositing and placing at least £10 on football at odds of Evens or greaterOnce that’s settled – win or lose – your account will be credited with £40 in free betsCrystal Palace vs Arsenal: Get £40 in free bets — claim yours here*Not got a BetMGM account? No problem!This offer is just for you, and it’s incredibly easy to claim!Simply register a new account, deposit and stake a minimum of £10 on football at odds of Evens (1/1) or greater. This must be done within seven days of opening your account with the bookmaker.Once that’s settled – win or lose – your account will be credited with £40 in free bets!Crystal Palace vs Arsenal: Get £40 in free bets — claim yours here**BetMGM. New customers only. 7 days to place a qualifying bet of £10 at 1/1 (2.0) to receive 4 x £10 Free Bets: 1x £10 Free Bet on Football, 1x £10 Free Bet on Horse Racing, 2 x £10 Free Bet Builders. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. 18+. Full T&Cs apply.Remember to gamble responsiblyA responsible gambler is someone who:Establishes time and monetary limits before playingOnly gambles with money they can afford to loseNever chase their lossesDoesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry, or depressedGamcare – www.gamcare.org.ukGamble Aware – www.gambleaware.orgFind our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk More

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      Crystal Palace vs Arsenal prediction: Free betting tips, odds and Premier League preview

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      JUST a few days after battling it out in the Carabao Cup, Crystal Palace and Arsenal go toe-to-toe once again in a Selhurst Park Premier League clash.SunSport betting experts have previewed the Saturday evening contest and selected the best bets, tips and exclusive sign-up bonuses from our leading betting partners.Find The Sun’s betting publishing principles hereNew sign-up offersSunSport exclusivesCrystal Palace vs Arsenal previewCan you read too much into the cup clash just the other night? It’s difficult to say you can.For a start, Mikel Arteta made eight changes to his line-up and Palace could and should’ve been more ahead than the 1-0 half time lead.What it maybe did show is Arteta can’t quite trust his fringe players, having hooked two at the break and when holding onto a slender 3-2 lead late on, he had to throw on Gabriel to see the game out.Nobody could’ve predicted Gabriel Jesus’ hat trick. Will that be enough to see him push for a start here? Again, unlikely. As with everything he’s done in an Arsenal shirt, he’s very rarely backed it up with anything of note.Palace hooked Mateta and Eze on the hour mark with a view to this game, which in itself looked an unusual call from a manager who is in charge of a club that wouldn’t mind a cup semi final outing.That result ended Palace’s five-game unbeaten run which showed an upturn in their early season form.First scorer and correct score predictionsCorrect score: 1-1 at 7/1 with Betfred – HEREFirst scorer: Jean-Philippe Mateta at 19/2 with talkSPORT BET – HERECrystal Palace vs Arsenal latest oddsCrystal Palace at 9/2 with William Hill – CLAIM HEREOdds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.How to claim..William Hill £60 welcome bonusVisit the William Hill website HERE*Register an account using the Promo Code: T60Once your account is registered, click ‘opt in’ on the ‘Vegas Promotion’ pageDeposit a minimum of £10 in your main account to receive a £20 Vegas Bonus for use on Selected GamesThen place a bet with a minimum stake of £10 at odds of 1/2 or greater on any football marketOnce that’s settled, your account will be credited with £40 in free betsWilliam Hill: Claim £60 welcome bonus – click here*Crystal Palace vs Arsenal predictions and tipsLow scoreSeems strange after they played out a 3-2 game the other day.But Arsenal’s usual struggles in front of goal could continue here on the tighter home patch of Crystal Palace and they’ll certainly make the Gunners work hard for any goals.Arsenal struggled to break down Fulham at Craven Cottage and then could’ve played until this weekend against Everton last week without scoring. Two successive, low-scoring draws in the league – it could be three after this.Will he, won’t he?Will Hughes is enjoying something of a rejuvenation at Palace in recent months and looks set to start in what will be a competitive midfield.Arsenal will return to full strength in there come Saturday and his job up against Martin Odegaard could be crucial.Will Hughes to be carded at 23/10 with William Hill – CLAIM HERE*William Hill. 18+. Play Safe. New players only, using promo code T60. Valid from 13/04/2022. Online play. Get £60 Bonus split between Vegas & Sports in the following manner – (i) Deposit £10 to unlock £20 Vegas Free Bet on Selected Games (72hr expiry, wagering reqs apply); then (ii) bet £10+ (odds 1/2+) with cash (excl. £10 deposit) or Vegas winnings (after wager reqs met). Once settled, receive £40 Sports Free Bets excluding Virtual Markets (4x £10, 7 days expiry). Payment methods & country restrictions apply. Full T&Cs apply.*Betfred. New customers only. Register with BETFRED50. Deposit £10+ via Debit Card and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get 3 x £10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 x £10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility & payment exclusions apply. T&Cs apply.*BetMGM. New customers only. 7 days to place a qualifying bet of £10 at 1/1 (2.0) to receive 4 x £10 Free Bets: 1x £10 Free Bet on Football, 1x £10 Free Bet on Horse Racing, 2 x £10 Free Bet Builders. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. 18+. Full T&Cs apply.*talkSPORT BET. 18+ New customers only. Opt in, bet up to £40 (min. £20) on any football market at odds of 2.00+, in 7 days. Get up to £40 in free bets on selected markets. Bonuses expire in 7 days. T&Cs apply, see below. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly*Tote. New customers online only. Eligibility restrictions apply. Only valid with code B10G40 on registration. £10 min qualifying bet at 1/1 (2.0) odds or greater across sports or racing (if EW then min £10 Win + £10 Place). Receive £20 Tote Credit, £10 Free Sports Bet and 50 Free Spins on Big Bass Bonanza within 48 hours of qualifying bet settlement. 7-day expiry on free bets & Tote Credit. Your first bet will be your qualifying bet. One per customer. UK & ROI customers only. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Gambleaware.org. Full T&Cs apply.Remember to gamble responsiblyA responsible gambler is someone who:Establishes time and monetary limits before playingOnly gambles with money they can afford to loseNever chase their lossesDoesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry, or depressedGamcare – www.gamcare.org.ukGamble Aware – www.gambleaware.orgFind our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk More

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      Carabao Cup semi-final draw LIVE: Tottenham land horror tie as Arsenal get blockbuster last-4 clash – latest updates

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      THE draw for the Carabao Cup semi-final has concluded – and some blockbuster ties are coming up in the new year.Arsenal were first out of the hat as they landed a tough clash against trophy chasers Newcastle.While Premier League leaders Liverpool take on Tottenham in the standout Carabao Cup semi-final match.FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSFollow our live blog below…More from AmorimManchester United boss Ruben Amorim is adamant that winning silverware won’t fix everything after his team’s Carabao Cup elimination.We looked comfortable in the first-half even when we were trailing.Tonight there is nothing I can say to you about it. I will analyse it tomorrow, take a night to think.We cannot think winning silverware fixes everything. It will be a long wait.Our goal iis to win the Premier League. How long will that take? I do not know.Ruben AmorimSky SportsCopy linkCopiedMore on PostecoglouTottenham boss Ange Postecoglou “really liked” the way his team played despite the two howlers that almost cost them a place in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup.I liked the whole match, are you not entertained?! There you go, what do you want?! Do you want a scrambling 1-0 and the studio is probably going into meltdown at my lack of tactics!I love the fact that we just go out there and take it to oppositions, the fact we have so many absences at the moment, goalkeepers, centre-halves, left-backs, we have kids on the bench and yet these boys are trying to maintain their principles about the football we are trying to play.And if we get through this period, we are going to get enormous growth out of it, but I really liked how we played tonight, although those two goals do taint the moment.Ange PostecoglouSky SportsCredit: GettyCopy linkCopiedAmorim on RashfordManchester United manager Rubgen Amorim confirmed Marcus Rashford still has a future in his team.Tomorrow we have training, Marcus Rashford will be there preparing for the next game.And we’ll see the selection for next game.Of course [Rashford has a future at Man Utd]. He’s a Manchester United player.Everybody has a future in Manchester United.Ruben AmorimSky SportsCopy linkCopiedAnge Postecoglou reactsTottenham boss Ange Postecoglou admitted his team “made it harder than it should have been”.Obviously we made it harder than it should have been, for sure!We were in control, played really well, we looked like we were going to manage the game, but two unfortunate moments, the first one affected Fraser [Forster] for a bit and the second one came as a result as that.Then we had to scramble a bit, we showed some character in the end, got a fourth and through to the semis!Ange PostecoglouSky SportsCopy linkCopiedCarabao Cup semi-final fixturesObviously the draw means Arsenal and Tottenham will be at home in the first leg against Newcastle and Liverpool respectively.We might get a North London Derby in the final!Copy linkCopiedCarabao Cup semi-final fixturesReminding you all that the Carabao Cup semi-finals will be played over two legs.They will take place across the week commencing January 6 and the week beginning on February 3. The winners will battle it out at Wembley in the final on March 16.Credit: GettyCopy linkCopiedCarabao Cup drawAnd there we have it:Arsenal vs NewcastleTottenham vs LiverpoolCopy linkCopiedTottenham vs LiverpoolCopy linkCopiedArsenal vs NewcastleCopy linkCopiedCarabao Cup drawAnd we are ready to find out the first pair.And it’s…Credit: GettyCopy linkCopiedCarabao Cup drawSmall commercial break and the draw will get underway.Not long to go now…!Copy linkCopiedCarabao Cup drawAnd off we go!Time to find out the semi-final pairs of the Carabao Cup!Copy linkCopiedWhen will semi-final ties take placeThe Carabao Cup semi-final ties will take place over two legs across the week commencing January 6 and the week commencing February 3.The winners will meet in the huge final at Wembley.Credit: GettyCopy linkCopiedA reminder of the quarter-final resultsWednesday, December 18Arsenal 3-2 Crystal PalaceNewcastle 3-1 Brentford Southampton 1-2 LiverpoolThursday, December 19Tottenham 4-3 Man UtdCredit: ReutersCopy linkCopiedCountdown to the draw…The huge draw for the Carabao Cup semi-final is set to take place at approximately 10.30pm GMT.Here are the all-important ball numbers:ArsenalLiverpoolNewcastle UnitedTottenham HotspurCopy linkCopiedFT: Tottenham 4-3 Man UtdTottenham are through and join Liverpool, Arsenal as well as Newcastle in the Carabao Cup semi-finals.Draw is up next and we will be covering it live, don’t go anywhere!Copy linkCopiedTottenham 4-3 Man UtdTottenham ace Yves Bissouma scores an own goal and we still got stoppage time to go.Crazy match!!!Copy linkCopiedTottenham 4-2 Man UtdGoal!Son Heung-min!!!!Copy linkCopiedTom Barclay from TottenhamTHIS stadium is in complete shock. Fraser Forster has handed not just one but TWO goals back to Manchester United.Three-nil up and cruising, Forster tried to play out from the back as his manager wants him to but got it all wrong.First, his weak, simple, short pass to Radu Dragusin went straight to Bruno Fernandes who teed up sub Joshua Zirkzee to reduce the deficit.Then, remarkably, Forster had a free-kick played back to him by Archie Gray and despite having acres of space, his touch was heavy and his attempted clearance was deflected into his own net by another sub, Amad Diallo, closing him down.No one could believe it including Ange Postecoglou who had his head in his hands.Ex-Spurs stopper Kasey Keller, who told SunSport this weekend that Postecoglou was wrong to make Forster to play out from the back given it is not his natural game, must have been wincing somewhere.Suddenly, this game has an incredible tension for its denouement when it never needed to.Copy linkCopiedTottenham 3-2 Man UtdAnother terrible mistake by Tottenham goalkeeper Fraser Forster!The ball is passed back to Forster and Manchester United sub Amad Diallo chases it.The Spurs keeper takes his sweet old time to clear or switch the ball and Amad slides in front of him to block his clearance before the ball hits the back of the net!Twenty more minutes to go!!!Copy linkCopiedTottenham 3-2 Man UtdGoal!Amad Diallo!!!!!Copy linkCopiedTottenham 3-1 Man UtdAwful mistake by Tottenham goalkeeper Fraser Forster as he tries to play out the back and gives the ball away to Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes.Fernandes passes to Joshua Zirkzee who may have put Man Utd back in the game.Copy linkCopiedTottenham 3-1 Man UtdGoal!Man Utd hit back with Joshua Zirkzee!!!Copy linkCopiedTottenham 3-0 Man UtdTottenham are sealing their place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals!Djed Spence delivers a stunning long ball that releases Dominic Solanke who dances around Lisandro Martinez and Jonny Evans before firing past Altay Bayindir on 54 minutes.Just when Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim was planning three changes!Copy linkCopiedTottenham 3-0 Man UtdGoal!Dominic Solanke makes it three!!!Copy linkCopied More

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      Carabao Cup semi-final draw confirmed as Tottenham land horror draw and Arsenal given trophy hopes

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      THE Carabao Cup semi-final draw has been made with Tottenham Hotspur dealt a tricky tie against Liverpool.Spurs will have to topple the league leaders, while north London neighbours Arsenal will face Newcastle in the other tie.The Carabao Cup semi-final fixtures have been announcedCredit: GettyTottenham earned their spot in the semis with a dramatic 4-3 win over Man UtdCredit: GettyArsenal made the final four with a 3-2 win over Crystal PalaceCredit: AlamyArsenal will feel they have been given the kindest draw possible, while Spurs face a tough test against Liverpool.The tie also means that there’s a possibility of a North London derby final should both Arsenal and Spurs win their ties.Spurs will certainly have their work cut out for them against a high-flying Liverpool side.Arne Slot’s team, the current Carabao Cup holders, booked their place in the last four with a tricky victory at Southampton last night.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLDespite Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott’s first-half goals, the Reds made it hard work for themselves in the second period, with manager-less Saints unlucky not to draw level after Cameron Archer pulled one back.Arsenal dumped Crystal Palace out on Wednesday night, with a sublime Gabriel Jesus hat-trick completing an impressive turnaround in a 3-2 win.Jean-Philippe Mateta had netted an early opener, but the Brazilian’s treble ultimately proved decisive, even if a late Eddie Nketiah consolation did make for a nervy ending.Newcastle, meanwhile, edged one step closer to their first domestic trophy in nearly 70 YEARS by dumping Brentford out.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSSandro Tonali ran the show at St James’ Park with a first-half double, but the Toon Army’s celebrations were slightly overshadowed by concerns for Joelinton.The Brazilian midfielder needed hospital treatment after being on the wrong end of a nasty challenge.Roy Keane blasts Marcus Rashford for being distracted by ‘watches and off field stuff’ as star set for Man Utd exit Bees star Nathan Collins struck Joelinton with an elbow, and caught the Newcastle man’s head with his studs as he fell back to the ground.Tottenham completed the semi-final line-up by comfortably dispatching of Man Utd in arguably the game of the round at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.A Dominic Solanke brace either side of a Dejan Kulusevski goal set the wheels in motion, before those same wheels dramatically fell off.Fraser Forster committed two goalkeeping howlers to gift Ruben Amorim’s side a lifeline, before fellow understudy Altay Bayindir let Son Heung-min score directly from a corner.Jonny Evans’ late goal was not enough as Man Utd were sent home empty-handed.The Carabao Cup semi-final first legs will take place in the week commencing January 6th 2025, with the second legs to follow in the week beginning February 3rd.The final will take place at Wembley Stadium on Sunday March 16th.Carabao Cup draw in fullHere’s a look at those ties for the semi-finals…Arsenal vs Newcastle UnitedTottenham Hotspur vs LiverpoolLiverpool will be hoping to retain the Carabao CupCredit: GettyNewcastle are looking to bring an end to their 70-year trophy droughtCredit: Getty More

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      Premier League should be in mourning for final farewell to last genuine hardman in Kyle Walker – I thought better of him

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      BLACK armbands all round at Villa Park tomorrow lunchtime.Now, there is a good chance Kyle Walker will pull off a miraculous recovery from the ‘headbutt’ that sent him plummeting to the floor last weekend. Rasmus Hojlund head-to-head with Kyle WalkerCredit: GettyAnd that is something to rejoice.Even so, the Premier League should be in mourning for a final farewell to the game’s last genuine hardman.For if big, bad Kyle Walker has resorted to that kind of thing, what hope is there of football remaining an honest contact sport?For years now, the Manchester City and England defender has enjoyed a formidable reputation as unbreakable and unshakeable.READ MORE IN football Built like a Sheffield tram, faster than any joyrider on the scary Lansdowne Estate where he grew up, uncompromising in the extreme on the pitch, Walker was the closest thing to ingrained English oak.He also came across as the last bastion of sheer bs in the cosmopolitan, coiffured, cosy modern game.A hardened working-class boy brought up in a council flat in a place where getting to the bus stop was a daily obstacle course, dodging burnt-out cars and dope dealers.Even when his tangled love life was splattered across the front pages of this newspaper, as he juggled the balls of his professional career and his ability to father kids like Southampton ship goals, he would not be blown off course.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHe bulldozed his way past bewildered opponents, chased everything down like a hungry cheetah and gave the impression he could handle himself in any given situation.Your money would most certainly have been on him in a tear-up with Manchester United pretty boy Rasmus Hojlund.So when Walker went sprawling under the faintest of brushes from the Dane’s blond fringe, the era of the tough-nut footballer went crashing to the ground with him — and can never be revived.In one of those rare, jaw-dropping England press conferences some time ago, Walker laid bare some of the horrifying episodes from the nasty streets where he lived.A neighbour hanging himself, a fatal arson attack on a nearby flat, a woman wandering around wielding an axe like she was carrying home the weekly shop.People who witness that sort of stuff don’t fold like a free sheet being stuffed through a letter box unless they do it on purpose — but City’s captain didn’t do it very well and should definitely give up any thoughts of acting as a second career.Walker was in the same class as the likes of John Terry.A supremely gifted player with a cast iron core. A perversely admirable ‘doesn’t-give-a-s**t’ type who always comes out on top through grit and sheer self-determination.Walker was slammed for his theatricsCredit: GettyBut not any more.Ironically, just a couple hours after his symbolic collapse at the Etihad, Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella produced an equally embarrassing act of self-capitulation during a home match against Brentford.But you kind of expect it from him — after all he has long, curly hair and a bit of history with the dark arts of the game.I always thought Walker was a bit different.The toughest kid in the playground. The one you wanted on your side in football every lunchtime because not only was he brilliant, he was dead hard.He appears to have been losing his pace for a few months now and at 34 that is to be expected.Six Premier League titles catch up on you after all.The disappointing surprise is seeing him lose his dignity and resorting to the kind of tactics that much lesser men turn to in this day and age.Please don’t do it again.WRONG ‘WAY TO MAKE A GOOD POINTTHE only surprise about Ian Holloway’s confrontation with fed-up Swindon fans is that it has taken so long.Ollie was appointed as Robins boss in October and has been up against it from day one with a team clearly lacking in confidence.The Bristolian is never one to step backwards and while having a pop at moaning supporters who have trekked hundreds of miles to see their team lose is perhaps not the smartest move, it does throw up an interesting debate.Do supporters automatically claim a right to say and do whatever they please because they have paid for a ticket or travelled a long way?Holloway thinks not and believes constant negativity from the terraces will drag the team even further down.He makes a good point — even if he’s done it in an unceremonious way.Ian Holloway had a row with Swindon fansCredit: YouTube/Swindon Town Football ClubOSCAR LOSS SO PAINFULOCCASIONALLY a story hits you right between the eyes as a reminder of just how irrelevant winning or losing football matches is.While West Ham’s high-profile but under-pressure boss Julen Lopetegui is mourning the death of his 94-year-old father, the whole club has been shattered by the loss of teen keeper Oscar Fairs.At 15, he had the world in his hands as an academy player dreaming of mud, sweat and a distant hope of stardom.His death from a brain tumour last week leaves a family devastated and a community reeling.There seems no escape from the wicked curse that is cancer but, when it snatches someone so young, the pain is intensified exponentially.West Ham teenage keeper Oscar Fairs sadly passed awayCredit: West HamARABIAN FLIGHTSBOXING, the World Cup, Formula One, golf, tennis.All are now being staged in Saudi Arabia.The Tyson Fury versus Oleksandr Usyk world heavyweight rematch is just the latest major event taking place in the bone-dry desert.Fingers crossed there will be one sport that will be tempted to stage its biggest event in a country where booze is banned.The PDC World Darts Championship is underway at a raucous Ally Pally and the alcohol is flowing.Imagine it in a place where you can’t get on it morning, noon and night.Where you can’t slip away from your seat and get a bellyful of beer, where it’s impossible to reach out for a bottle of grog whenever you want.And that’s just the players.That’s a joke, before anyone decides to sue.Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury rematch in Saudi ArabiaCredit: GettyTHE ‘Unify League’ could involve up to ten Premier League clubs, we are told.Assuming it is a merit-based system, as it stands that would include Bournemouth, Fulham and Brighton.READ MORE SUN STORIESNo disrespect, but as a rejigged and more competitive version of the so-called ‘Super League’ invitational boys’ club, that doesn’t look very ‘super’ at all, does it?AS if you haven’t wasted enough of your hard-earned cash on useless old tat this Christmas, tickets for next summer’s Club World Cup in the USA are now on sale.What’s the ‘Unify League’ and which Prem teams would play in new version of European Super League? More