Carabao Cup

Subterms

    More stories

    • 225 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Arsenal ratings: Tomiyasu has stinker vs Liverpool as classy Odegaard only bright spark in Gunners’ Carabao Cup defeat

      by

      ARSENAL lost 2-0 to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup semi-final second-leg at the Emirates on Thursday as their Wembley dream crumbled.Takehiro Tomiyasu had an absolute shocker at right-back while Martin Odegaard’s calmness and class in midfield meant he was one of few bright sparks for the home side.
      Martin Odegaard was best of a fairly average bunch at the EmiratesCredit: EPA
      Takehiro Tomiyasu looked miles off the pace and had a night to forgetCredit: Rex
      Alexandre Lacazette hit the bar with a free-kick in the early stages after Bukayo Saka was brought down on the edge of the box.
      And just minutes later Diogo Jota left Tomiyasu for dead before his scuffed effort wrong-footed Aaron Ramsdale and trickled over the line.
      It was a fairly attritional affair for the remainder with neither team creating any huge chances until Jota sealed the win with 13 minutes to go.
      Arsenal lost the ball in sloppy fashion in the middle of the park, Trent Alexander-Arnold looped a trademark ball over the top, and Jota took it on his chest and dinked it over the on-rushing Ramsdale.
      It survived a VAR check that showed Gabriel just played him onside and the Merseysiders cruised to the end without being troubled.
      And here’s what SunSport’s William Pugh thought of the Gunners’ individual performances.
      @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in EFL.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
      JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
      AARON RAMSDALE – 6/10
      Couldn’t do much for the first goal as Jota’s mis-hit fooled everyone.
      Huge double save just before the hour mark when he kept Ibrahima Konate’s header out from a corner before blocking Jordan Henderson’s goal-bound effort from the floor.
      Wasn’t to know the England midfielder was offside for the second one.
      Well beaten by a great Jota finish for 2-0.
      Ramsdale could only watch on as Jota put Liverpool aheadCredit: Reuters
      TAKEHIRO TOMIYASU – 3
      Had an absolute stinker.
      Beaten too easily by Jota as the Portuguese whiz dribbled round him to tuck home the opening goal.
      Generally sloppy in and out of possession from then on.
      Booked for tugging back Curtis Jones after he let the Liverpool midfielder nick it off him.
      Jota dribbled round Tomiyasu too easily before he made it 1-0 in the 20th minuteCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      GABRIEL – 5
      Stood up to everything thrown at him.
      Couldn’t be blamed for Liverpool’s opener and then largely saw the game played in front of him.
      Played Jota onside – just – as the winger took it on his chest and sealed Liverpool’s win.
      BEN WHITE – 5
      Solid enough for most of the evening. Couldn’t do anything for Jota’s opener.
      But let the winger past him too easily in the second-half and saw his blushes saved when Kaide Gordon blasted Jota’s pass over the ball.
      Vital block on an Alexander-Arnold cross just past the hour-mark which prevented an almost certain Liverpool goal.
      Ben White and Gabriel could only watch on as Jota’s effort trickled over the line in the first halfCredit: Getty
      KIERAN TIERNEY – 6
      Professional performance. Earned his money.
      Took a whack in the face from Ramsdale in the second-half which was about the most exciting thing involving the Scot all night.
      Kieran Tierney was his usual professional selfCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      ALBERT SAMBI LOKONGA – 6
      Looked a little flustered on occasion as he played at the base of midfield with Odegaard.
      Played a superb ball through to Lacazette which the Frenchman should have scored on 48 minutes.
      No huge impact but OK overall.
      BUKAYO SAKA – 5
      One of his quieter games.
      Struggled against Robertson down Arsenal’s right as Liverpool’s deep defensive block made counter-attacks difficult for the Gunners.
      MARTIN ODEGAARD – 7
      Classy and calm under pressure throughout.
      Played slightly deeper to assist Lokonga and looked a cut above his team-mates.
      The Gunners missed his creative influence further up the pitch where he usually plays.
      Martin Odegaard was a cut above when on the ballCredit: Reuters
      EMILE SMITH ROWE (subbed 73mins) – 4
      The game largely passed him by.
      Fluffed a big chance on the hour mark when a cleared Arsenal corner fell to him on the edge of the box but he blazed over.
      And killed a promising Gunners break with 23 minutes to go when his weak pass to Saka was easily intercepted as Liverpool were on the ropes.
      Understandably hauled off as the Gunners looked for an equaliser.
      GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 6
      Full of energy and running and had Alexander-Arnold worried on occasion.
      But lacked end product whenever he got into a decent position.
      Beat Alexander-Arnold to force an easy save from Caoimhin Kelleher in the second-half.
      Looked like he was playing better than he actually was. Frustrating for Gooners no doubt.
      ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE (subbed, 73mins) – 5
      His free-kick was destined for the top corner before Kelleher got a finger tip to it and brushed it onto the crossbar.
      Booked for a late challenge on Curtis Jones just before the break.
      Blazed over the bar when played through by Sambi Lokonga early in the second-half.
      Hooked as Mikel Arteta chased an equaliser.
      Lacazette got this free-kick over the wall but it cannoned back off the crossbarCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      ⚽ Get all the latest Arsenal news, updates and transfer gossip with our live blogs
      Subs
      EDDIE NKETIAH (replaced Lacazette) – 5
      Zero impact from the bench.
      THOMAS PARTEY (replaced Smith Rowe) – 3
      Was praised in the build up for turning up at the game straight from the airport where he landed at midday from Afcon duty with Ghana.
      But made Arteta wish he’d stayed in Cameroon when he was shown two quick-fire yellow cards and was sent off with mere minutes remaining.
      The first was shown on 87 minutes before a stupid lunge on Fabinho three minutes later sealed his fate.
      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS More

    • 225 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Do away goals count double in Carabao Cup semi-finals and is extra time used when matches are drawn?

      by

      ARSENAL and Liverpool are meeting in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final.The teams drew 0-0 in the first leg at Anfield and now have ALL to play for at the Emirates. The winner will face Chelsea in the final at Wembley on February 27.
      Granit Xhaka’s was sent off in the first leg and will play no part
      Do away goals count in the Carabao Cup semi-finals and is extra time played?
      Cup football is great fun but can sometimes get a little bit confusing.
      Especially when the rules seem to change from competition to competition.
      If a Carabao Cup semi-final ends level on aggregate after two legs this season, the away goals rule will NOT apply.
      Should this happen, the tie will go into 30 minutes of extra time.
      There is no golden goal or anything similar – and if the sides are still level following ET, it’s the dreaded penalties.
      @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}MOST READ IN SPORT.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
      Does the Carabao Cup have VAR?
      From the semi-final stage up to the final, VAR WILL be used in the Carabao Cup.
      But it will NOT be used in rounds up to the semi-finals this season.
      VAR was used in the Carabao Cup in 2018/19 but the EFL opted to get rid of the system last season on the grounds that it was only being used at Premier League venues.
      This caused particular controversy in the FA Cup when Man City were given a controversial penalty at Swansea and no VAR was allowed to be used even though the Liberty Stadium had the system installed. More

    • 263 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Arsenal vs Liverpool set to go ahead as Gunners get FIVE stars, including Saka and Odegaard, back from Covid and injury

      by

      ARSENAL’S Carabao Cup second leg against Liverpool IS set to go ahead with five more Gunners stars available.There were doubts over Thursday night’s match at the Emirates with so many of the home side’s players out of action.
      Bukayo Saka has returned from a knock picked up in the first leg against LiverpoolCredit: AP
      Martin Odegaard missed the match but has now completed his isolation periodCredit: Getty
      It is understood Mikel Arteta was missing 14 players through a combination of Covid, injury, international call-ups and suspension.
      But according to the Daily Mail, the Gunners boss has been boosted by some of those returning and ready for selection.
      Martin Odegaard tested positive for Covid last week but has now completed his isolation period.
      Elsewhere, Bukayo Saka, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Calum Chambers and Cedric Soares have all shaken off minor injuries.
      And that should rule out the possibility of the match being rearranged.
      The first leg was due to take place at the Emirates on January 6.
      @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in Football.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS
      However, Liverpool got the game cancelled thanks to 40 false positives, with the first leg actually taking place at Anfield last Thursday instead.
      Granit Xhaka was sent off but Arsenal held on for a 0-0 draw.
      But Arsenal picked up a number of injuries in the game – plus Xhaka’s suspension – and their request to have Sunday’s North London derby postponed was granted by the Premier League.
      The call did not go down well with Tottenham, especially as the Gunners let a few senior players leave in January loan transfers.

      But Arteta’s side were not even close to having the 13 senior outfield players plus a goalkeeper available to play.
      Arsenal were handed a further boost, though, with Ghana getting knocked out of the Africa Cup of Nations.
      That means Thomas Partey will return earlier than expected.
      And Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has also come back from Cameroon.
      But that was over a potential health scare and the former captain is frozen out by Arteta anyway.
      @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Read More Sun Sport.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
      ⚽ Get all the latest Arsenal news, updates and transfer gossip with our live blogs More

    • 213 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Arteta salutes Arsenal ‘brotherhood’ after surviving SIXTY-SIX minutes with ten men after Xhaka red in Liverpool draw

      by

      MIKEL ARTETA saluted Arsenal’s band of brothers as his ten-man team pulled off an Anfield shut-out in their Carabao Cup semi-final.Granit Xhaka’s first-half red card for a foul on Diogo Jota left the Gunners to play with a man down for 66 minutes.
      Mikel Arteta saluted Arsenal’s band of brothers as his ten-man team pulled off an Anfield shut-outCredit: Getty

      But they still restricted Liverpool to just one shot on target all night to leave next Thursday’s return leg on a knife edge.
      Arteta said: “The players revelled in the situation and showed great fight, determination, attitude and brotherhood.
      “You could see the emotion they were playing with and they never gave up. To survive here that long with ten men is extremely difficult against this opponent.
      “I said to them before the game that you need a certain attitude to play here because in difficult moments you have to act rather than react because then it becomes really complicated.
      “We played the game we had to play which isn’t our game but we do not have any midfielders in the squad so whatever we did was not going to be natural.
      “We played with a midfield three of Martinelli, Lonkonga and Saka and they have never played in that formation in their lives.
      @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in Football.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS
      “But it doesn’t matter about the formation. Tonight was all about the attitude of the player and the quality of their decision making.”
      Man of the match Ben White admitted: “It wasn’t ideal to have that red card so early but Granit is looking at the ball and he doesn’t know where the man is.
      “It’s hard enough to come here with 11 men but there is so much fight in this team and we showed that tonight. We dug deep and got the result we needed.”
      Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp claimed that the absence of star strikers Mo Salah and Sadio Mane as well as a number of players returning from false positive Covid tests had affected his team.
      He said: “It’s strange because even without the symptoms the boys who came back were not exactly the same.
      “It’s not an explanation but we have to consider that.
      “I would have preferred to score the goal instead of them getting the red card because after that we had to change the system to be more creative and we couldn’t do that because we’re used to some movements that we don’t have right now.
      The players revelled in the situation and showed great fight, determination, attitude and brotherhood.Mikel Arteta
      “But it doesn’t mean that we cannot solve this issue and that’s exactly what we will do.
      “This tie is only at half-time and I cannot remember any time in my life when I was sitting with 0-0 and thinking we have no chance any more.”
      Now weary Arsenal have to pick themselves up for Sunday’s crucial North London derby and Arteta admitted that he is struggling to name a team after Cedric Soares and Calum Chambers were added to his lengthy injury list.
      Asked whether the match could be called off, he said: “I don’t know. It’s a possibility in every game because of the amount of issues that everyone is having every week.
      “But we always prepare for games thinking we are going to play and if something happens along the way, it is what it is.”
      Ben White was named man of the match at AnfieldCredit: EPA More

    • 225 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Liverpool vs Arsenal LIVE REACTION: 10-man Gunners HOLD Liverpool in EFL Carabao Cup semi-final after Xhaka red card

      by

      ARSENAL held Liverpool to a goalless draw in their Carabao Cup semi-final first leg at Anfield after playing for over 66 minutes with 10 men.Granit Xhaka was sent off in the 24th minute for a reckless lunge as the last man on Diogo Jota, which forced the Gunners to successfully stick to their defensive formation for the remainder of the game.
      The second leg at the Emirates is set to take place next Thursday, with Chelsea awaiting the winner in the final at Wembley on February 27 after their victory over Tottenham.

      Kick-off: 7.45pm
      TV/ live stream: Sky Sports Main Event, Football
      Liverpool XI: Allison; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Henderson, Milner; Minamino, Firmino, Jota
      Arsenal XI: Ramsdale; Cedric, White, Gabriel, Tierney; Sambi, Xhaka; Saka, Lacazette, Martinelli; Nketiah

      JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
      Follow ALL of the latest updates below…
      Not enough Klopptions
      The German boss was not too disheartened with the draw, he said: “We did not see the best of us. We started well but I would rather have scored the goal than got their red card.
      “We changed the formation tonight and I am not surprised that we struggled.
      “We were not good enough but it is a two-legged game.
      “We have an important game in between but then we have the second game and we will give it a proper try.”
      Two to tango
      Paul Merson fears Liverpool will not cope without Mo Salah and Sadio Mane.
      The Arsenal hero said: “The biggest worry tonight if I were a Liverpool fan? Salah and Mane.
      “If they play tonight, it’s a different story.
      “You can take two players out of Manchester City’s team, doesn’t really make a difference. Take two out of Chelsea, not really.
      “Take two out of Liverpool, it is completely different.”
      The art-eta of war
      The Arsenal boss loved watching his charges battle side-by-side.
      He said: “I think they showed great fight, determination and attitude, they showed a brotherhood.
      “All credit to the boys. To do what we did deserves a lot of credit.
      “I told them you need a certain attitude to come here and it got extremely complicated after the red card. We played the game we had to play.”
      Carra disappointed
      Jurgen Klopp was not proactive enough for Jamie Carragher’s liking, especially after Arsenal went a man down after 24 minutes.
      The ex-defender said: “I was convinced Jurgen Klopp would make a change [at half-time] and I can’t believe they came out with the same XI.
      “Not that anything wasn’t working in the first half but Arsenal are down to 10 men and you’ve got a very workmanlike midfield.
      “The first substitution was for James Milner on the hour. It had to be made at half-time.
      “It’s probably the only thing I can question Jurgen Klopp about at times. Does he make substitutions early enough?”
      High praise
      Arsenal hero Paul Merson has not always been a fan of his old side’s backline.
      But he was hugely impressed after they battled for over an hour with 10 men.
      He said: “Liverpool made it easy for Arsenal but credit where credit is due.
      “I’ve been a critic of Arsenal’s defence over the years and how they can capitulate in certain games, but today they stood up, every single one of them.
      “Arteta got them in at half-time, set them up, and they all worked. Everybody had to put a shift in and they all worked their socks off.
      “The players and managers should be proud.”
      No White flag
      On the red card, Ben White said: “It was not ideal was it but there is so much fight in this team and it showed today.
      “He (Xhaka) was looking at the ball and didn’t know where the man was.
      “We just did not want to concede but it is hard enough to do with 11 so it was superb from everyone.
      “It was not easy at all, we had a bit of luck but it is also well deserved.”
      Liverpool 0 Arsenal 0
      All over and we have to go to The Emirates in a week to settle this one.
      Arsenal have dug in and held off the marauding Scousers.
      The Gunners have run themselves into the ground.
      Big performances from Ben White and Aaron Ramsdale in the Arsenal goal.
      Liverpool 0 Arsenal 0
      94 There are five additional minutes added on to this League Cup semi-final first-leg.
      And White clears one off the line from Williams after Ramsdale over-commits to a high cross and drops the ball.
      Liverpool’s best chance goes begging.
      Liverpool 0 Arsenal 0
      92 Arsenal defender Ben White gets named the Man of the Match and that sums up this match.
      Minamino fires over an open goal after Ramsdale finally makes a mistake. Massive chance missed.
      Curtis Jones goes down but it’s never a penalty.
      Liverpool 0 Arsenal 0
      89 Nico Williams darts down the right and dinks in a cross but Ramsdale claims it.
      Liverpool have missed Salah and Mane so much.
      This will be a great draw for Arsenal after playing for so long with 10 men.
      Williams whips in a cross down the right but Ramsdale gobbles it up again.
      Liverpool 0 Arsenal 0
      83 Saka does leave the pitch and is replaed by Nuno Tavares.
      Oxlade-Chamberlain takes aim against his former club and hits a minger into the crowd.
      Then his cross is too heavy and bounces out for an Arsenal goal kick.
      Liverpool 0 Arsenal 0
      79 Saka needs medical attention and looks like he may need replacing.
      The England ace takes a tablet with some water and tries to continue.
      Another Liverpool attack collapses onto Ramsdale’s arms.
      And Henderson skies an effort well over the bar.
      Liverpool 0 Arsenal 0
      75 Liverpool make three changes all at once.
      Oxlade-Chamberlain, Nico Williams and Joe Gomez on for Fabinho, Alexander-Arnold and Matip.
      Can fresh legs settle this tie?
      Liverpool 0 Arsenal 0
      74 Arsenal defender Gabriel goes into the book for a foul.
      Alexander-Arnold is about to be subbed off.
      Martinelli breaks for the Gunners but he cannot complete the killer pass.
      Liverpool 0 Arsenal 0
      72 Another Liverpool attack amounts to nothing.
      James Milner is seen on the subs’ bench icing his face after taking a whack.
      Minamino boots away a Liverpool clearance.
      Saka gets a chance at close range but cannot convert as Alisson clears.
      Liverpool 0 Arsenal 0
      68 Matip, Jota and Henderson swap short passes until Arsenal rob them.
      But the visiting 10 men cannot create anything.
      Lacazette is furious with his side’s efforts and then Liverpool go close with Minamino firing across goal.
      Liverpool 0 Arsenal 0
      65 It looks like a training session out there for Liverpool.
      Arsenal absorbing so much pressure.
      Liverpool are looking for the 82nd goal of their season.
      But Arsenal are digging in and battling.
      Liverpool 0 Arsenal 0
      62 The Gunners are getting 10 men behind the ball and defending well.
      Crunching tackle between Matip and Saka leaves the Liverpool defender wounded.
      Milner is subbed off for Curtis Jones.
      Liverpool 0 Arsenal 0
      56 A slow start to the second half.
      The red home side is poking and probing but Arsenal hold firm.Alexander-Arnold tries to find Firmino.
      Robertson gets booked for tugging Saka’s shirt and Alisson punches away the free-kick.
      Liverpool 0 Arsenal 0
      47 Rapid Ramsdale races out to claim another loose Liverpool pass.
      Arsenal create down the right but Liverpool defend stoically.
      The whistle goes for half-time.
      Liverpool 0 Arsenal 0
      45 Opening half about to end with the match goalless.
      Both sides have had half-chances.
      But Xhaka’s red has killed Arsenal’s game.
      Liverpool 0 Arsenal 0
      42 Jurgen Klopp is not happy with a wasted Firmino chance.
      And then Matip gifts Arsenal a corner with a sliced clearance.
      Alisson punches the ball away and then Saka wins a free-kick.
      But it bounces out of play after being over hit.
      Liverpool 0 Arsenal 0
      40 Holding concedes a corner that Alexander-Arnold takes but it is poor.
      Ramsdale races off his line and claims a Liverpool through-ball.
      Arsenal are sitting off and deep and inviting pressure.
      Liverpool 0 Arsenal 0
      38 Liverpool win and waste a free-kick own the left.
      The home side calmly builds another attack.
      Henderson passes to Matip and then Firmino.
      Patient build-up play.
      Liverpool 0 Arsenal 0
      34 Liverpool knocking it about and Arsenal no longer pressing high and hard.
      Tierney belts a clearance into the crowd.
      Alexander-Arnold balloons a cross out for an Arsenal goal-kick.
      Load more entries… More

    • 225 Shares199 Views

      in Soccer

      Arsenal verdict: Gunners shoot themselves in the foot yet again… and, as usual, Granit Xhaka is the culprit

      by

      IF the definition of insanity really is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result then Arsenal must be due a visit from the men in white coats.For no other team in the country shoots themselves in the foot on such a regular basis without learning any lessons.
      Granit Xhaka was sent off against LiverpoolCredit: Rex

      And no one epitomises that madness more than serial offender Granit Xhaka.
      Mikel Arteta had spent all week sweating over the availability of the Swiss international who had been in isolation after contracting Covid last week.
      But he probably should have spared himself the stress because Xhaka only lasted 24 minutes before he was heading for another early bath.
      And he really could have no arguments about the fifth sending-off of his Arsenal career after bringing down Diogo Jota on the edge of the area to deny the Liverpool striker a goalscoring opportunity.
      It wasn’t a malicious tackle and his eyes were on the flight of the ball all the time as he tried to intercept Andrew Robertson’s long pass over the top.
      But the second his raised boot caught Jota square in the chest he left ref Michael Oliver with virtually no option but to reach for red.
      @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in Football.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS
      Don’t forget it was Xhaka who conceded the penalty which set Manchester City on their way to victory at the Emirates on New Year’s Day.
      And his indiscipline that day immediately set the tone for centre-half Gabriel, who minutes later became the club’s 100th red card of the Premier League era.
      No other team has yet reached that dubious landmark and rather than cleaning up their act it seems that Arsenal are actually getting worse.
      They have only just stumped up a £20,000 fine after accepting an FA charge of failing to control their players during that frustrating City defeat.
      PREM PLAYER RED CARDS SINCE 2016-17IN all competitions
      Granit Xhaka – 5
      Fernandinho – 5
      David Luiz – 4
      Christian Kabasele – 4

      But they have become so accustomed to playing with ten men that maybe it’s no surprise that they are learning to cope with being outnumbered.
      Because since Arteta was appointed manager in December 2019,  they have suffered no less than 13 red cards in all competitions.
      It’s almost as bad as the early days of Arsene Wenger’s reign, when the likes of Patrick Vieira and Martin Keown would regularly lose the plot and pay the consequences.

      Now Xhaka, who was also dismissed during the 5-0 defeat at Manchester City in August, will be suspended for Arsenal’s next two games away to Spurs on Sunday and the Emirates rematch with Liverpool next Thursday.
      And with Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny away at the Africa Cup of Nations, Martin Odegaard Covid positive and Emile Smith Rowe nursing a groin strain, Arteta needs the loss of another midfielder like a hole in the head.
      Yet at least he can take heart from the character and resilience the rest of his makeshift team showed last night to keep this semi-final alive.
      MARK HALSEY’S VERDICTON Xhaka’s red card
      GRANIT XHAKA made it easy for Michael Oliver to send him off after his challenge on Diogo Jota.
      The Arsenal midfielder tried stretching to reach Andy Robertson’s long ball but only succeeded in clattering into the Liverpool attacker.
      It is not clear whether Oliver shows the red card for serious foul play or a denial of an obvious goal scoring opportunity (DOGSO).
      With Xhaka’s boot connecting into Jota’s chest you could argue the challenge is endangering the player’s safety.
      However, if it was DOGSO there is an element of doubt to the likelihood of Jota keeping or regaining control of the ball as his first touch bounces off his chest at pace.
      Either way, Xhaka has forced Oliver into making a decision which went against him.

      It would have been the easiest thing in the world for young Arsenal heads to drop the minute Xhaka received his marching orders, particularly given their dreadful recent record at Anfield.
      Yet rather than feeling sorry for themselves they dug deep to keep Liverpool at arm’s length and unable to find a route through to goal.
      And no one owes a greater debt of gratitude to those exhausted Gunners than Xhaka.
      Diogo Jota was taken out by Granit XhakaCredit: Rex More

    • 250 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Liverpool 0 Arsenal 0: Frustration for Klopp as Reds fail to break down 10-man Gunners after Xhaka’s early red card

      by

      FROM 40 false positives to one big negative for Jurgen Klopp.Liverpool’s Carabao Cup semi-final against Arsenal is proving to be anything but straightforward.
      Ten-man Arsenal kept Liverpool at bay in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final showdownCredit: Rex
      Granit Xhaka was sent off after 24 minutes but the game ended in a 0-0 stalemateCredit: Rex
      Despite playing against 10 men for 66 minutes at Anfield, Jurgen Klopp’s team were unable to find a way past a stubborn Arsenal men team who lost Granit Xhaka with a straight red after a stupid challenge on Diogo Jota.
      And you have to give enormous credit to Arsenal for defending superbly and fighting like hell to frustrate Klopp’s team.
      With Ben White and first-half substitute Calum Chambers both outstanding in defence, Arsenal showed some real guts away from home with their backs to the wall, something we have not always seen over the last few years.
      Mikel Arteta’s team now appear to have the slight edge ahead of next Thursday’s semi-final at the Emirates as they look to secure a London derby in the final against Chelsea.
      This was supposed to be the second leg until those 40 false positive tests at Liverpool forced last week’s first leg to be postponed.
      The hosts were playing their first domestic Cup semi-final for five years and they named a strong team despite Mo Salah and Sadio Mane being away on Afcon duty.
      Liverpool huffed and puffed but couldn’t find a way past Arsenal’s stubborn defenceCredit: AP
      Arsenal had one or two opportunities themselves to score but were also deniedCredit: AFP
      @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in Football.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
      That included a start for Alisson who was featuring in his first EFL Cup game since arriving in Liverpool from Roma in 2018.
      Yet the Brazilian had a quiet evening and despite their one-man advantage, Liverpool failed to make it a busy night for Arsenal keeper Aaron Ramsdale.
      Yet Liverpool’s lack of quality in the final third was summed up in the 90th minute when Taki Minamino blazed over when he had an open goal.
      And the night would certainly have been easier for Arteta had Xhaka avoided his fifth dismissal for Arsenal.

      Arsenal suffered an early injury blow with Cedric Soares limping offCredit: AFP
      There are also fears for Bukayo Saka after he was forced off late onCredit: Getty
      He actually pulled off the feat of effectively managing two red cards with one challenge on as his lunge was at Jota high while he was also the last man.
      The Swiss midfielder will now miss the north London derby against Spurs on Sunday along with Thursday’s second leg at home to Liverpool at the Emirates
      Xhaka was shown a straight red against Manchester City in August for a challenge on Joao Cancelo but reckons he begins games “closer to a red card” than other players.
      Xhaka is probably right – but it is his fault rather than the referee’s.
      And the game would have been a lot easier for Arsenal had Xhaka not lost the plot as he tried to cut out a long cross from Andy Robertson.
      Jurgen Klopp will have been left frustrated with his side’s inability to scoreCredit: Reuters
      There is all to play for at the Emirates with Mikel Arteta’s 10 men keeping a clean sheetCredit: AFP
      Keeper Ramsdale was going to rush off his line but hesitated, although it was not the first time he lacked composure during the evening.
      Xhaka found himself in a difficult situation, panicked and delivered the silly challenge and referee Michael Oliver had no hesitation in showing a straight red.
      Central defender Gabriel hardly helped his team as he had pushed up in the middle of the Liverpool half when trying to close down Bobby Firmino but did not get close enough to the Brazilian forward to cut out the move.
      Once Robertson delivered his long punt, Gabriel was caught hopelessly out of position with Xhaka having to cover his team-mate.
      Arsenal had made a change in the 11th minute when Chambers replaced the injured Cedric Soares.
      Arsenal are sure to miss Xhaka’s presence in midfield next weekCredit: Rex
      Arsenal’s midfield crisis has deepened further with Xhaka now suspendedCredit: Rex
      So, the game was not even 30 minutes old and Arteta was forced into a second switch for tactical reasons with Eddie Nketiah replaced by defender Rob Holding.
      Even on a night like this, Bukayo Saka looks like a real star for Arsenal with his fine technique and reading of the game.
      Alexandre Lacazette, who started the game playing as a No10 until Nketiah’s substitution, did a hell of a lot of running.
      MARK HALSEY’S VERDICTON Xhaka’s red card
      GRANIT XHAKA made it easy for Michael Oliver to send him off after his challenge on Diogo Jota.
      The Arsenal midfielder tried stretching to reach Andy Roberton’s long ball but only succeeded in clattering into the Liverpool attacker.
      It is not clear whether Oliver shows the red card for serious foul play or a denial of an obvious goal scoring opportunity (DOGSO).
      With Xhaka’s boot connecting into Jota’s chest you could argue the challenge is endangering the player’s safety.
      However, if it was DOGSO there is an element of doubt to the likelihood of Jota keeping or regaining control of the ball as his first touch bounces off his chest at pace.
      Either way, Xhaka has forced Oliver into making a decision which went against him.

      Liverpool failed to carve open Arsenal until halfway inside the second half but Minamino delivered a shot which went for a goal-kick even though Ramsdale looked to have got a fingertip to it
      And Arsenal took 70 minutes to test Alisson with the Brazilian blocking a strike from Saka who later substituted after being handed some tablets and a water by a club medic.
      And despite Liverpool pressing, with Minamino missing that sitter, Arsenal remained organised at the back and gave very little away.
      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS
      And in many respects, this draw was even more encouraging than some of the results Arsenal have delivered this season in their unlikely bid for the Champions League.
      Having been booted out of the FA Cup by Nottingham Forest, they still have a half decent chance of finishing the season with a trophy.
      For Tottenham fans, the one positive from their midweek – which saw them knocked out by Chelsea – will be that Arsenal’s players who covered so much ground could be knackered on Sunday. More

    • 213 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Watch Granit Xhaka’s reckless waist-high challenge on Diogo Jota as Arsenal midfielder is sent off vs Liverpool

      by

      GRANIT XHAKA once again proved his recklessness after being sent off for a waist-high challenge on Diogo Jota. The Swiss midfielder left the Gunners down to ten men for 66 minutes of their Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg at Anfield.
      Granit Xhaka was sent off against LiverpoolCredit: Rex
      Granit Xhaka wiped out Diogo JotaCredit: AFP

      It came after Xhaka took out Jota following a cross field pass by left-back Andrew Robertson.
      Robertson’s pass put the Liverpool forward through on goal, before Xhaka’s misstimed tackle with the score level at 0-0.
      He ended up booting Jota in the stomach as he tried to clear and immediately saw red for denying the goalscoring opportunity.
      It is the fifth time Xhaka has been sent off for Arsenal, with the other four coming in the Premier League.
      He was last sent for an early bath in Arsenal’s 5-0 hammering at champions Manchester City in August.
      No player has received more Premier League red cards than Xhaka since his Arsenal debut in 2016.
      @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in Football.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS
      Xhaka was slammed by Liverpool legend and Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher following his latest gaffe.
      Carragher said: “Xhaka has two or three looks at Jota, he knows he’s there. It’s a perfect pass from Robertson and Jota just needs to get his chest on it.
      “Xhaka does what Xhaka does. Makes and absolutely ridiculous challenge when Jota has still got so much to do.
      “If the goalkeeper keeps coming, I think he maybe scares Jota and heads it away.
      “But, was it a red card? There is no doubt. The way he has taken him out, the forced he’s done it with, it’s a ridiculous challenge.”
      MARK HALSEY VERDICT
      GRANIT XHAKA made it easy for Michael Oliver to send him off after his challenge on Diogo Jota.
      The Arsenal midfielder tried stretching to reach Andy Robertson’s long ball but only succeeded in clattering into the Liverpool attacker.
      It is not clear whether Oliver shows the red card for serious foul play or a denial of an obvious goal scoring opportunity (DOGSO).
      PREM PLAYER RED CARDS SINCE 2016-17IN all competitions
      Granit Xhaka – 5
      Fernandinho – 5
      David Luiz – 4
      Christian Kabasele – 4

      With Xhaka’s boot connecting into Jota’s chest you could argue the challenge is endangering the player’s safety.
      However, if it was DOGSO there is an element of doubt to the likelihood of Jota keeping or regaining control of the ball as his first touch bounces off his chest at pace.
      Either way, Xhaka has forced Oliver into making a decision which went against him. More