More stories

  • in

    Gabriel Jesus is uninterested in Mikel Arteta’s plot to sign a new No9 and is ready to fight for his Arsenal place

    GABRIEL JESUS is ready to fight for his place as Arsenal plot a summer move for a striker.The Brazilian forward has endured an injury-plagued period since signing from Manchester City for £45m in July 2022.Mikel Arteta is a big fan of Gabriel Jesus – but could sign his replacement this summerCredit: AlamyJesus has suffered from multiple injury issues during his time with the GunnersCredit: ReutersThe 27-year-old had surgery on his knee towards the end of last season but was under the knife again at the beginning of this term before a hamstring strain in October.He then missed a further five games in February with more knee troubles, and admitted this week that he cannot remember a time when he “played without pain”.Despite that, Jesus is confident he is fit enough to contribute for the Gunners in a crucial part of the campaign – top of the Premier League with seven games left and in the quarter finals of the Champions League.It would be timely for Jesus to prove his worth, with Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta planning to splash out on a No.9 in the next transfer window.read more on arsenalSporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres, Brentford’s Ivan Toney, Newcastle’s Alexander Isak and Red Bull Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko have all been linked.Yet when asked about the North London club’s ambitions to potentially replace him, Jesus said: “They already know if they want to [sign a striker] or not.“Maybe this question is not for me but for them. My job is to try to work, train hard, improve what I have to improve and help Arsenal win games and after win trophies.“The speculation will always be there, not only here but every club. People want to decide who the club wants to sign. This is not just happening at Arsenal but a lot of clubs.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERDue to his injury issues, and positional adaptability under Arteta as both a central forward and winger, Jesus has struggled to find form in front of goal this term.He has just four goals and three assists in 21 Prem outings, having scored 11 and provided six in 26 league games last season.Jesus’ Champions League record is much better for Arsenal, netting four goals in six games so far, with Bayern Munich at the Emirates on Tuesday night in the quarters.So far, City’s Erling Haaland has 25 goals in 32 appearances in the Prem and Champions League, while Bayern’s Harry Kane has 38 goals in 36 appearances combined.Jurgen Klopp manages to savage both Man Utd and his own Liverpool team with astonishing comment about ArsenalBut Jesus feels it is unfair to compare him to those heavyweight goal-getters, explaining: “Even if I’m playing in a position like they are I think it’s unfair because we are different types of players. That’s my opinion.“I have played this season maybe 40 per cent on the wing but people only want to know if I’ve scored or not. That’s football today. It’s not just with me but it’s a lot of strikers like this.“I don’t want to come here and say Gabi doesn’t care about playing as a winger when his position normally is a nine. This part of the season you don’t complain. I never complain.READ MORE SUN STORIES“When I get the chance I will show the manager and everyone else why I have to play. This part of the season I’ll put my ego aside and do what the manager wants to help the team.“It’s not easy, not just for me but for Eddie [Nketiah] as well. Kai [Havertz] is having amazing games and scoring. That’s the price you pay if you want to be in a big club.” More

  • in

    Worrying omen for Arsenal fans with Kim Kardashian set to attend Emirates clash for first time since disastrous defeat

    ARSENAL fans have been left worried over rumours that Kim Kardashian will be at the match against Bayern Munich.The Gunners face the Bundesliga giants in a Champions League showdown tonight.Kim Kardashian could be in attendance for Arsenal’s clash against Bayern MunichCredit: Richard Pelham / The SunShe was at the defeat to Sporting Lisbon last seasonCredit: GettyMikel Arteta’s side will be hoping for revenge, having lost their last three matches against Bayern by 5-1 scorelines.Arsenal made it to the quarter-finals of the Champions League after breaking their round-of-16 curses against Porto.A fan account has now claimed that Kim is planning to visit the Emirates for the vital match.She was in attendance for Arsenal’s Europa League exit to Sporting Lisbon last season with her son West.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLAnd fans are now worried that lightning could strike twice.One fan posted: “We’re finished man.”A second wrote: “Somebody stop her.”A third commented: “It won’t end well.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSA fourth said: “Noooooo, please tell the police to stop her.”A fifth joked: “Someone please inform Uefa that she is a Bayern Munich supporter.”The forgotten Arsenal wonderkidsAnother added: “Someone drive her to Etihad please.”After her appearance last March, club supporters believed that Kim was “cursed” as William Saliba and Takehiro Tomiyasu picked up injuries.There will be no Bayern fans at the match due to a ban after fireworks were thrown onto the pitch during their away fixture against Lazio.Elsewhere, Manchester City take on Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu for their quarter-final clash.The La Liga giants have made a special request to Uefa to shut the roof of the stadium to increase the atmosphere for the match.How Arteta made Arsenal horrible again, with Tony Pulis tactic and gentle star turned into Diego Costa-style hate figureBy Dave Kidd
    BOTTLERS, chokers, shandy-drinking southern softies.
    These were the charges levelled at Arsenal when they blew the title last season.
    And even if the actual reason they failed was because William Saliba got injured and Rob Holding had to start, Mikel Arteta clearly took those accusations to heart.
    If his team are not crowned champions next month, the Gunners boss has categorically ensured that they won’t go down being accused of nicey-niceyness.
    Because, as well as being thrillingly entertaining and free-scoring when they want to be, this season’s Arsenal are also thoroughly horrible.They are not here to make friends. They are not interested in being anybody’s second-favourite team.
    And so, six days after stink-bombing the Etihad with a display of Mourinho-esque anti-football for a 0-0 draw, Arsenal turned up at the home of former bogey-team Brighton and s***housed their way to a thoroughly impressive 3-0 win.
    How wonderful for the travelling Gooners to witness Ben White — against his former club — going down as if he’d taken a bullet to his neck when Brighton’s Pervis Estupinan brushed against him.
    White is renowned as a gentle and decent bloke, intelligent enough to challenge the zeitgeist and claim there might be things in life other than football.
    And yet suddenly he’s become some Diego Costa-style anti-hero hate figure, his wife goading the masses by posting social-media pictures of them playing a childish card game on a sun lounger after he’d refused an international call-up.
    Because Arsenal are horrible again. Even Ben White is a villain.And that might just be Arteta’s greatest triumph.
    Click here to read Dave Kidd’s column in full.
    To read more from Dave Kidd, click here. More

  • in

    Having flattered to deceive Kai Havertz has become a key player for Arsenal – just look at his Dream Team returns

    KAI HAVERTZ (£3.4m) has cut an enigmatic figure since arriving on English shores.His talent has never been in doubt but he’s often looked like a square peg in a round hole.At Chelsea he was neither a midfielder nor a striker and not even a winner in a Champions League final was able to convince all the Stamford Bridge faithful of his worth.Eyebrows were raised when title challengers Arsenal forked out £65million for the Germany international last summer and for the first few months of the season many of the same teething issues were widely discussed.However, as the campaign as progressed, Havertz has looked more and more at home at the Emirates.PLAY SCORE PREDICTOR AHEAD OF THIS WEEKEND’S ACTION – SOMEBODY MUST WIN £500 AMAZON GIFT CARD!Havertz’s stock is on the riseCredit: Dream TeamAnd now, with the Gunners chasing domestic and continental glory, he could well be described as a key player for Mikel Arteta.One only has to look at his Dream Team returns for evidence of his evolution.Havertz has produced 50 points across his last seven outings via four goals and four assists.Against Brighton last time he out, he scored one goal and assisted another to bank 12 points in one fell swoop for his best single-game haul of 2023/24.Most read in FootballHaving previously flattered to deceive as a false nine, he looks increasingly comfortable in whatever role he occupies at Arsenal.He’s seemingly developed a good understanding with Arteta’s other attacking threats and, most importantly, his confidence is as high as it’s been since his Bayer Leverkusen days.At the time of writing, he has ten goals and seven assists to his name in all competitions this season.Havertz has 17 goal involvements to his name this seasonCredit: RexCrucially, Havertz is categorised as a midfielder in Dream Team, increasingly his viability.Despite his fruitful form, he currently features in just 4% of teams but his ownership will surely increase if he adds a few more points to his overall tally of 174 when he faces Bayern Munich this evening.More broadly, now is a good time to back Arsenal assets and not just because of the North Londoners’ impressive form.The Gunners are one of just three teams with four fixtures to fulfil across the next two Gameweeks.They host Aston Villa in Gameweek 31 before travelling to Munich for the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Thomas Tuchel’s side.READ MORE SUN STORIESThen in Gameweek 32, they face Wolves and Chelsea in a Premier League double header.If Havertz maintains his current form then he’s likely to return more than his fair share of points throughout the rest of April.talkSPORT BET Welcome offer
    Get £30 in free bets when you bet £10 – CLAIM HERE
    18+ New customers only. Opt in & bet £10 on any sports at 2.00+ odds within 7 days. No Cash out. Get 3x £10 Free Bets on selected markets. Free bets expire in 7 days. Card payments only. T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly
    Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org More

  • in

    I won five Prem titles with Man Utd – I worry two games could derail Arsenal’s bid to topple Man City & Liverpool

    ARSENAL returned to the summit of the Premier League at the weekend after they breezed past Brighton.The Gunners 3-0 away victory put them top of the pile, but one former Premier League champion thinks two games could derail their chances of staying there come May.Arsenal returned to the top of the Premier League at the weekendCredit: GettyPeter Schmeichel has named the two games that could knock them off their perchCredit: GettyFive-time Premier League winner Peter Schmeichel has named the two fixtures that represent a new challenge for Mikel Arteta’s high flying Arsenal side.Although most people would point out tricky away trips to Spurs and Manchester United as likely stumbling blocks, Schmeichel thinks it’s the Champions League that could trip Arsenal up.The former Red Devil has pointed towards their two quarter-final legs with Bayern Munich as the real test for Arteta and Co to prove they can mix it with the big boys at the top of the table.Speaking to TalkSPORT, he said: “Seven games seems not very much for people who haven’t been in a title race before, it feels like you’re already there.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”But seven games – 21 points – is a long way to go. You have to really focus and concentrate”Everyone is pointing to Arsenal now but they have a few challenges coming up, the first one is Bayern Munich. “It’s one thing playing in the Premier League and getting on a roll but you need to play another way in the Champions League.”So these Bayern games will play a very big part in the title race. They’re not too experienced with this, either. They needed penalties to beat Porto remember.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSPeter Schmeichel won the Premier League five time with Manchester UnitedCredit: AP:Associated Press”You have to keep the momentum in a title race and I look at those Bayern games, if they get through them I think they will win the Premier League.”Arsenal are yet to lose a league game in 2024 winning every Prem clash they have played in bar their 0-0 draw with Manchester City.What happened to Highbury?But they have failed to do the same in Europe with the north Londoners falling to a 1-0 defeat in Portugal in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie with Porto.Arsenal did manage to level it up with a 1-0 win on home soil in the second leg, but only advanced to the quarter-finals thanks to David Raya’s penalty heroics.Two matches against Bayern Munich represent a new task for Arteta’s side who will have to balance the fixtures with their hectic Premier League schedule.Arsenal welcome the Bavarians to the Emirates Stadium tonight in the first leg of the quarter-final before heading to Germany next week in the hopes of advancing to the semi-final.Should the Gunners make it past Thomas Tuchel’s side then they will have to face the winner of Real Madrid and Manchester City in the next round – another gargantuan task. Mikel Arteta and his Arsenal side face a tough challenge to lift the Premier League in MayCredit: Getty More

  • in

    Man Utd could qualify for the Champions League by finishing SIXTH in unlikely quirk due to Uefa rule change

    MANCHESTER UNITED could qualify for the Champions League even if they finish SIXTH due to a Uefa rule change.Erik ten Hag’s side sit 11 points adrift of fifth-place Aston Villa with just seven games remaining having failed to win any of their last three Premier League matches.Manchester United could yet be cheering on West Ham in the Europa LeagueCredit: AlamyEngland are poised to receive an additional Champions League place as one of two countries with the best Uefa co-efficient – alongside Italy – in a rule change that has come about ahead of the competition’s expansion.This means fifth place is set to qualify for Europe’s elite competition, but this will likely benefit Tottenham or Villa rather than Man Utd.However, there is still a slim chance the Red Devils could qualify for the Champions League even if they do not finish in the top five.That is if West Ham clinch fifth spot AND win the Europa League.READ MORE ON MAN UTDDavid Moyes’ side face Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen in the quarter-finals, while they sit 12 points behind Villa in the Premier League.A West Ham Europa League triumph would free up another Champions League spot for an English club as the additional place only applies to a team’s domestic league finish.It does not account for the Champions League or Europa League winners.Theoretically, this means a seventh place finish in the Premier League could land Champions League football if both the winners of the Champions League and Europa League are English clubs that finish outside of the top four in the Premier League.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThis will not be the case this season as Manchester City and Arsenal – England’s two representatives left in the Champions League – are all but guaranteed a top four spot.But sixth place could secure Champions League football dependent upon how West Ham end their season.Who could be Man Utd’s next manager after Ten Hag?In addition to West Ham finishing fifth and winning the Europa League, Man Utd would also need to leapfrog Villa or Tottenham into sixth if they were to seal Champions League qualification.All this remains highly unlikely, but it is still possible as we head into the business end of the campaign.There is also potential for as many as 11 English teams to qualify for Europe, though this would require a clean sweep from Premier League teams in the three European competitions, along with a major shake-up in the Premier League table. More

  • in

    Atletico Madrid vs Dortmund: Get £40 in free bets and bonuses with BetMGM

    ATLETICO MADRID host Dortmund on Wednesday in the first leg of their Champions League quarter final.New customers with BetMGM can claim an incredible £40 in free bets when they sign-up and stake a tenner on the mammoth Super Sunday game!Get £40 in free bets and bonuses when you stake £10 with BetMGM
    BetMGM: Get £40 in free bets — claim yours here*
    How to claim..BetMGM £40 welcome bonus

    Visit the BetMGM website HERE*
    Select SPORTS OFFER on the website
    Register a new account – No Promo Code necessary
    Opt in for this promotion by depositing and placing at least £10 at odds of Evens or greater
    Once that’s settled – win or lose – your account will be credited with £40 in free bets

    BetMGM: Get £40 in free bets — claim yours here*

    Like the other ties at this stage of the competition, this one is hard to call. The bookmakers can’t split them either in the ‘winner of the tie’ markets, meaning we could be in for a top contest.Not yet got a BetMGM account? You’re in luck – they have an excellent sign-up offer you can claim right now!Simply register a new account HERE*, deposit and stake a minimum of £10 at odds of Evens (1/1) or greater.You must do this within seven days of opening your account.Once that’s settled – win or lose – your account will be credited with £40 in free bets to spend on the following;
    1 x £10 horse racing
    1 x £10 Bet Builder
    1 x £10 Acca
    1 x £10 football
    BetMGM: Get £40 in free bets — claim yours here**18+ BeGambleAware.org New cust only. 7 days to opt in by placing a £10 qualifying bet at 1/1 (2.0) odds or greater to receive 4x Free Bets: 1 x £10 horse racing, 1 x £10 Bet Builder, 1 x £10 Acca and 1 x £10 football. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. T&Cs apply.Remember to gamble responsiblyA responsible gambler is someone who:
    Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
    Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
    Never chase their losses
    Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry, or depressed
    Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
    Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org
    Find 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 to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites. More

  • in

    Real Madrid make special request to Uefa for Man City clash in desperate bid to intimidate Champions League holders

    PEP GUARDIOLA wants his Treble winners to ‘hurt and punish’ Jude Bellingham and Co tomorrow night.But Real Madrid will aim to bring the roof in on the Champions League holders by ramping up the noise in their new-look £1.5billion Bernabeu.Real Madrid want to close the roof for the visit of Mann CityCredit: GettyPep Guardiola will be hoping for a repeat of last season’s semi-finalCredit: GettyThe 14-time European Cup winners have asked Uefa for permission to close the roof for the quarter-final first leg and make the atmosphere as intimidating as possible for Manchester City.However, City boss Guardiola has told his players that simply trying to contain Real is not enough — especially as they walloped them 5-1 on aggregate in last season’s semi-final.He said: “We cannot come here just to control the game. We have to try to hurt them, to punish them.“We have to let them know we are here to score goals. We have to impose our game, show who we are.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“We did it — and if we did it once we can do it again.”Guardiola acknowledges England ace Bellingham has made Madrid a more formidable opponent than the one they thumped last season.He added: “He’s done an incredible season in terms of goals, assists, his presence in the box.“Not just Madrid but with the England national team he’s been brilliant.Most read in Champions LeagueCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS“It’s not just his skills — it is what he has done with his brain and mind.”City’s Spanish midfielder Rodri will have the task of trying to keep the Three Lions ace quiet.Top 10 highest paid footballers in the world revealed with no Premier League players making the top fiveFormer Borussia Dortmund star Bellingham, 20, is one of four Madrid players walking a disciplinary tightrope as they are on yellow cards.Rodri, 27, said: “We know him — we’ve faced Dortmund a lot, he is powerful, he has strength.“Madrid play differently. They have more control with him and we have to adapt but I don’t like focusing on one player.”And Rodri has warned Real that City are a more mature team after ending their long wait for a first Champions League trophy last season.He scored the only goal in the final against Inter Milan in June.Rodri added: “It gives you more composure, serenity on the pitch.“We’ve had the experience and we are more mature than when we  first played.“We are the winners and we want to do it again. I am so confident about how we will play.”Uefa will decide this morning whether Madrid will be allowed to close the roof at their revamped 81,000-seater home.It was shut when they beat RB Leipzig in the last 16 and they plan to create a red-hot atmosphere this evening.READ MORE SUN STORIESReal wanted this first leg moved to the Etihad to avoid a potential clash with neighbours Atletico, who host Dortmund tomorrow.They have also asked fans to wear white to help make it as intimidating as possible for Pep’s men.Phillips’ West Ham loan is a disaster… it’s toe-curlingly difficult to watch, says Dave KiddBy Dave Kidd
    HE’S had an extraordinary career, Kalvin Phillips.
    A Treble-winner and one of only 12 living Englishmen to have started the final of a major international tournament.
    A home-town hero at Leeds, where he was the kingpin of Marcelo Bielsa’s buccaneering Championship-winning side and feted as the ‘Yorkshire Pirlo’.
    England’s Player of the Year in 2021, when the Three Lions reached a final for the first time in more than half a century.
    Indeed, Phillips has featured in most of England’s best wins of the last three years — against Germany and Denmark at those Euros, home and away in qualifiers against Italy, against a Belgium side ranked No 1 in the world, the World Cup thrashing of Senegal and in last autumn’s hammering of the Scots.
    That record for Gareth Southgate’s side points to a great irony.
    If Phillips had stayed put as a Manchester City bench-warmer, he would be going to Germany this summer and quite possibly as a starter.
    The mighty man-bun man has been a fine footballer and, at 28, he might become one again.
    Phillips is also a good bloke too, much-loved in the England squad and attracting a full house from the entire Leeds staff when the club held a leaving do before his Etihad move in a £45million deal.
    But right now Phillips has become unwatchable. Toe-curling, cringeworthy, hide-behind-the-sofa-the-Daleks-are-coming levels of unwatchable.
    His loan switch to West Ham, which originally looked sensible for club and player, is an unmitigated disaster.
    And it feels as if Phillips is at the centre of a football-wide conspiracy which has deemed that anything which could go wrong, will go wrong. More

  • in

    Bayern Munich aces ‘frustrated’ as Wags forced to stay at home instead of travelling to Arsenal for Champions League tie

    BAYERN MUNICH’S players have been handed further “frustration” ahead of their Champions League clash with Arsenal.The German giants’ Wags have been forced to stay at home instead of travelling to London for the match.Bayern Munich’s Wags have been forced to stay at home ahead of their trip to ArsenalCredit: GettyA ban on away supporters has prevented Manuel Neuer’s wife Anika Bissel from travelling to LondonCredit: GettyThomas Muller’s wife Lisa will also be absent, with the issues ‘frustrating’ the dressing roomCredit: GettyIt comes ahead of Tuesday’s quarter-final first leg on Tuesday night.Bild report there is growing “frustration” within the dressing room following back-to-back Bundesliga defeats.However, the atmosphere has now been further affected by a lack of tickets for partners and families for the midweek match.A ban on away fans has limited the pool of tickets given out of players, which usually allows partners, children, parents, friends and agents to travel to matches.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLInstead, Bayern are set to only be supported by around 200 sponsors and honorary fans in North London.The partners of Joshua Kimmich, Konrad Laimer and Eric Dier were all spotted flying to London on Monday, though, the report adds.It remains unknown whether Harry Kane’s wife Kate has travelled for his return to Tottenham’s bitter rivals.Bayern’s supporter ban stems from their round of 16 tie against Lazio after fans used pyrotechnics during the away leg.Most read in Champions LeagueCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThe incident triggered a suspended sentence handed to the German side in October following their group stage trip to Copenhagen.Fans used pyrotechnics and threw objects during that match, prompting a suspended ban on away fans from Uefa which has now been triggered.Three ways Declan Rice has become one of the world’s top midfieldersMorale within the Bayern squad had already been low following consecutive Bundesliga defeats to Borussia Dortmund and Heidenheim.The losses have all but handed the title to Bayer Leverkusen, who now lead the table by 16 points and could become champions this weekend.Eric Dier’s partner Anna is expected to be supporting her man in North LondonCredit: Instagram @anna.dierJoshua Kimmich’s wife Lina was also spotted travelling to London on MondayCredit: Bongarts – GettyIt is unknown if Harry Kane’s wife Kate will be in attendance at the Emirates StadiumCredit: Instagram @katekanexTuesday’s match will be Bayern’s first meeting with Arsenal since completing their infamous 10-2 aggregate win in March 2017.The Gunners have lost each of their last three matches against Bayern 5-1.Mikel Arteta is expecting a unique atmosphere inside the Emirates on Tuesday with a full-house of home supporters.The Arsenal boss said during his pre-match press conference: “A full house and a lot of passion and emotion.READ MORE SUN STORIES”We haven’t had this opportunity for 15 years so that tells you how special this night is going to be for us.”We are going to have put everything into every ball to make it happen.”Leroy Sane’s wife Candice Brook is amongst the Wags to miss outCredit: Instagram @candice_b_Lisa Muller and Co were affected by Uefa’s ban on Bayern supporters at Tuesday’s matchCredit: Getty More