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      Fans are only just realising the Champions League will never look the same again after this week

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      FANS of the Champions League are only just realising that after this week’s round of fixtures the competition will never look the same again.That’s because starting from next season, there will be no group stage in the competition.
      The group stage will be scrapped next season in favour of the Swiss modelCredit: Rex
      A change in the Champions League’s format will see it expand from 32 to 36 teams next season.
      And that’s because Uefa bigwigs approved to change the format to a “Swiss league”.
      That will mean that the competition’s group stage will be replaced by a 36 team league with teams playing eight times rather than the current six.
      These eight games will be played against eight different teams.
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      The games will be against seeded opposition and not at random, with a focus being on creating a balanced and fair fixture list for clubs in the competition.
      The top eight from the final league table will progress to the knockout stage automatically.
      They will then be joined by the eight winners of the play-offs between sides placed ninth to 24th in the table.
      The bottom eight teams will then be knocked out of the competition.
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      The expansion of the competition means in theory the Premier League’s top five teams could all qualify for next season’s Champions League.
      Currently, four teams can qualify for the Champions League but five clubs will qualify next season if English teams perform well in Europe.
      With Manchester City winning the Champions League and West Ham winning the Europa Conference, England would have had five places in this season’s Champions League if the system was implemented last year.
      In fact, in five of the past six seasons – or seven of the last 11 – England would have been handed an extra spot for being among the best two performing nations.
      But things are looking less secure this year.
      The Premier League needs as many teams as possible to go deep in Europe and Manchester United and Newcastle are both on the brink of crashing out of the Champions League. More

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      Mikel Arteta hails Arsenal wonderkid as ‘next Jack Wilshere’ ahead of PSV Champions League clash

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      ARSENAL manager Mikel Arteta has praised academy wonderkid Ethan Nwaneri by comparing him to club hero Jack Wilshere.Nwaneri, 16, has travelled with the Gunners to the Netherlands and is expected to take part in tonight’s Champions League dead rubber against PSV Eindhoven at the Philips Stadion.
      Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praised academy wonderkid Ethan NwaneriCredit: Getty
      Arteta even compared Nwaneri to Arsenal hero Jack WilshereCredit: Getty
      Arteta is very impressed with the playmaker, who already left his mark in English football last year by becoming the youngest ever player to compete in the Premier League at 15 years and 181 days old.
      In fact, the Spanish tactician is so dazzled by the England Under-17 international that he sees similarities to former team-mate Wilshere because of the way he handles the ball in tight areas.
      And that is no coincidence as Nwaneri could make even more history in Eindhoven by also becoming the youngest Arsenal player to play in the Champions League at 16 years and 265 days, beating none other than Wilshere’s 2008 record by 64 days.
      Arteta said: “There’s something unique that he’s got that I really liked from the beginning, his ability to take the ball in tight areas and to escape a little bit like Jack Wilshere used to do.
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      “The personality he has, he trains with us like he trains with the Under-18s or Under-16s and I love that in a player.
      “He’s got that bit between his teeth as well that he wants to show every single day how good he is and to impress people.
      “When you have someone like that, you have to give him hope and as well it was a really important moment for us.
      “We really wanted to keep him and I think it was a strange sign for him that this is his place for him to develop. It is early days, but we need to get the machine going because we want more of those and we have to produce more of those.
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      “There’s a lot of work going into the academy and that’s big credit to all of them every single day for the amount of work that they’re putting in. They do a lot, they’ve planted the seeds and now we need to bring them up.”
      Nwaneri isn’t the only youngster expected to make his Champions League debut at Eindhoven.
      The versatile forward has also been joined by fellow Arsenal academy talents Lino Sousa, 18, and Reuell Walters, 18.
      Arteta added: “Three big prospects. We want to bring a lot of players from a system and they deserve to be here.
      “They’re still really really young but we want to get them the experience because they have the talent hopefully to be very close to us. We’ll try to give them the opportunity if we can in the right moment.
      “Obviously it gets harder and harder, so the talent has to be really good and and you have to find and build the space in the squad to give that talent an opportunity.
      “We should not forget that because it’s a big part of what we want to do in the future. And especially when you have it, you cannot let it go. I think we have some good space and good talent to develop in the environment.
      “I think on TV, it looks easier. If one day we give them a chance to train with the boys, they will probably realise that the level is really, really high.
      “The competition is huge, because we can pick players from anywhere in the world and we have the ability to do that.”
      Arteta is expected to hand Nwaneri a historic Champions League debutCredit: Getty More

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      Mikel Arteta is ready to hand three Arsenal academy stars their Champions League debuts – making history in the process

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      SAT on a bunk bed in the La Masia academy as a 15-year-old, Mikel Arteta gazed around at his roommates – all of them dreaming of one day playing for Barcelona.Those teenagers, who would soon become good friends, were Pepe Reina, Victor Valdes, Andreas Iniesta, Thiago Motta and Carlos Puyol.
      Mikel Arteta failed to make the grade at Barcelona but found his feet at RangersCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      Gunners academy stars Lino Sousa, Ethan Nwaneri and Reuell Walters could make their European debuts tonightCredit: Getty
      Only Arteta failed to realise his dream, instead heading off to France and then Scotland to kickstart his career.
      Regardless, it was a room dripping with competitive edge and immense desire – something that Arteta is now referring back to with Arsenal’s latest crop of exciting academy prospects.
      With injuries mounting up ahead of tonight’s dead rubber Champions League group stage finale at PSV, the Gunners boss has brought three of his brightest talents along for the ride.
      Right-back Reuell Walters, 18, left-back Lino Sousa, 18, and, most notably, 16-year-old midfielder Ethan Nwaneri – the Golden Boy who broke records and made headlines after Arteta handed him his Premier League debut last September at the age of 15 years and 181 days.
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      European debuts await them, but all eyes will be on Nwaneri – who could become the youngest Arsenal player to feature competitively on the continent at 16 years and 265 days, beating Jack Wilshere’s 2008 record by 64 days.
      With nothing riding on tonight’s clash in Holland, Arteta is considering creating more history, having made Nwaneri Arsenal’s youngest ever Prem player and the youngest to ever feature in the English top flight last season against Brentford.
      Arteta said: “They are still really, really, really young but we want to start giving them some experience because they have the talent, hopefully to be very close to us.
      “There is something about it, when they are in a meeting or you talk to them, there is that energy and their eyes are open. There is something fresh, something new.
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      “I have been there so you feel a sympathy for them. Everybody wants to help them, and I really want to help them to fulfil that dream and hopefully we can achieve that.”
      Speaking of his experience at Barca’s famed La Masia academy, Arteta added: “It was really difficult. The culture was very different. I was in a room with bunk beds.
      “It was huge competition within that room already. We were all little brothers living with each other but the competition was fearless and that’s what made us.
      “We had to compete with those players who were ready. It is always really tough to put them in the environment to see what they will need in the future.”
      Nwaneri made his Prem debut as a 15-year-old last September at BrentfordCredit: Reuters
      Arteta cannot help but smile when talking about Nwaneri – a player born after the Emirates Stadium was built in March 2007 and is scoring goals for fun in the club’s academy teams.
      Criticism came the Spanish coach’s way when he chucked on the fresh-faced kid against the Bees in second half stoppage time over a year ago, but there remain no regrets – especially after recently fighting off interest from Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United to agree in principle a first professional contract.
      Arteta explained: “[Nwaneri] has something unique that I really liked from the beginning. His ability to take the ball in tight areas, escaping a bit like Jack Wilshere used to do.
      “The personality he has to train with us, I love that in a player. He has got that thing between his teeth that he wants to show every day how good he is and impress people.
      “When you have someone like that you have to give him hope. We really wanted to keep him and it was a strong sign that this was his place to keep developing.”
      Bukayo Saka, 22 – a young star who also made his Arsenal debut in Europe back in November 2018 – and Gabriel Martinelli did not train at London Colney yesterday morning.
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      Martinelli has been left in the capital with illness, but Saka has made the trip despite nursing a foot knock.
      Emile Smith Rowe has also travelled and is set to feature having appeared to overcome a knee injury that has ravaged his season since October and limited him to just four Prem appearances so far. More

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      Mason Greenwood is ‘wanted by European giants as club boss plans to sign striker permanently from Man Utd in just WEEKS’

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      AN ICONIC Italian team is reportedly looking to sign former Manchester United player Mason Greenwood in a bombshell transfer.The owner of Champions League team Lazio is “obsessed” with the English striker and a January bid can’t be ruled out, Italian media have reported.
      Mason Greenwood’s transfer future is promising after positive performancesCredit: Getty
      La Lazio Siamo Noi, a Lazio news website, has reported the boss of the Serie A side still has feelings for Greenwood after a summer deal fell through.
      Lazio president Claudio Lotito is reported to be hellbent on having a second go at signing Greenwood as the team currently sits in 10th, with the sale potentially happening as soon as January.
      The Romans are struggling with their attack and have only scored nine goals in 10 games, with three coming from the spot.
      Greenwood has scored four goals in 13 games for Getafe FC since moving to the Madrid team in September.
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      “The talent of 2001 is enormous, impossible to argue with, he can play as a winger and also as a pure striker,” writes the Lazio press.
      “Greenwood remains an obsession of Lotito, it cannot be ruled out that the president could make an attempt in January.”
      Lazio would need to nab Greenwood from Manchester United as Greenwood is being loaned from them to Getafe.
      La Lazio Siamo Noi reports that Lazio could lure Greenwood with the possibility of Champions League football, but the Italians are currently five places outside of playing European football.
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      The 22-year-old’s contract with the Red Devils ends in 2025 and the Bradford player has impressed in Spain since returning to football.
      Greenwood was arrested in January last year following charges of attempted rape, assault and coercive control.
      He denied all the charges and they were later dropped by the CPS.
      Manchester United then started their own internal investigation with the plan to bring Greenwood back into the team.
      That investigation ended in August, but after huge fan pressure and internal backlash, Greenwood was sent to the La Liga side on a season-long loan.
      His last appearance for United came in a 1-0 win over West Ham on January 22, 2022.
      The former England star was farmed out to the Spaniards on transfer deadline day to try to rebuild his career away from the spotlight.
      It comes as The Sun also reported Valencia and Real Sociedad are understood to both be “monitoring” the England striker and could be poised to make a move in the summer.
      Greenwood runs with the ball against Valencia CFCredit: Getty More

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      Man Utd’s ‘Sunday League’ rondo goes viral as furious fans say ‘end the season already’

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      MANCHESTER UNITED’S training ground rondo went viral and left fans pleading to “end the season already.” United welcome Bayern Munich to Old Trafford tonight needing a win and results elsewhere to go their way in order to qualify for the Champions League knockout stages.
      Man Utd’s training ground rondo went viral for all the wrong reasons
      Erik ten Hag’s struggling side can barely string a couple of passes together

      But supporters have not been filled with confidence after a video of their rondo taken by journalist Andy Mitten went viral.
      Erik ten Hag’s struggling side can barely string a couple of passes together before losing possession.
      One fan fumed: “United fans have been arguing about Rondo’s all day, end the season already…”
      Another said: “They can’t even complete 3 passes??
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      “That’s a shockingly poor clip. 13-year-olds can do a better rondo than this and I’m not even overreacting.”
      One added: “Hand on heart I’ve seen Sunday league teams hit rondo’s with more intensity and accuracy. Goodness gracious.”
      Another raged: “There’s probably £5m per week salaries in that clip – and they’re worse than my old Sunday league team.”
      Ten Hag was renowned for playing possession-based football at Ajax, where he won three league titles.
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      But in October, the Dutchman confessed that his current United squad are not capable of playing with the same style.
      Ten Hag said: “We will never play the football we played at Ajax here. I now have other players, that’s not why I came here.
      “The player material you have determines how you will play. That’s why we play here in a different way than I did at Ajax. 
      “That will have to be the case, because I can’t play the same way here. That is not in the DNA of Manchester United at all.
      “The football at Ajax is very typical, here we will play much more directly. We also have the players for that, especially at the forefront.”
      United twice threw away a lead to draw 3-3 with Galatasaray in Turkey to leave them on the brink of being dumped out of Europe.
      They now must beat Bayern – who have already qualified – while Copenhagen and Galatasaray would need to draw.
      Erik ten Hag addresses his squad in trainingCredit: AFP More

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      Man Utd vs Bayern Munich: Get 30/1 for a goal to be scored in tonight’s huge Champions League clash with Paddy Power

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      PADDY POWER have a monster new customer offer ahead of tonight’s huge Champions League fixture between Manchester United and Bayern Munich.They’re offering brand new customers an outstanding 30/1 for at least one goal to be scored in the contest – which is up from 1/200!!
      Get 30/1 for a goal to be scored in Man Utd vs Bayern Munich in Champions League
      GET 1+ GOAL SCORED AT 30/1 – CLAIM HERE*
      How to claim…Paddy Power

      Visit the Paddy Power website HERE*
      Open a new account using Promo Code: YFBCTS
      Deposit a minimum of £5 by Cards
      Place a max £1 bet on the Over 0.5 Goals market in the Manchester United vs Bayern Munich game on Wednesday, December 12
      If your bet is successful, you will be paid in cash based on the normal price on the website and will have the extra amount, bringing the bet up to the cumulative 30/1 payout, credited in free bets
      You will receive your Free bet after your qualifying bet settles. Free bets are valid for 7 days

      GET 1+ GOAL SCORED AT 30/1 – CLAIM HERE*

      What’s the offer?
      Paddy Power are offering brand new customers colossal odds of 30/1 for a goal to be scored in tonight’s Manchester United vs Bayern Munich game.
      How to claim?
      Head over to the Paddy Power website using this link HERE, register a new account using promo code: YFBCTS and deposit a minimum of £5 using a card.
      Once that’s done, place a maximum £1 bet on the Over 0.5 Goals market in the Man Utd vs Bayern Munich match.
      What happens next?
      If your bet is successful, you will be paid in cash based on the normal price on the website and will have the extra amount, bringing the bet up to the cumulative 30/1 payout, credited in free bets.
      You will receive your Free bet after your qualifying bet settles. Free bets are valid for 7 days.
      GET 1+ GOAL SCORED AT 30/1 – CLAIM HERE*

      Remember to gamble responsibly
      A 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

      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.

      *New customer offer. Place a max £1 bet on the Over 0.5 Goals market in the Man Utd v Bayern Munich game on Tuesday, December 12th. Winnings paid in cash at normal odds and are topped up to the enhanced price in Free Bets. Free bets are valid 7 days, only deposits with cards are eligible. Excludes multiples & in-play bets. T&C’s apply. Please gamble responsibly. More

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      Terrified Man Utd fans say ‘it’s over… it’s done’ after seeing Kim Kardashian post ahead of must-win Bayern clash

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      MANCHESTER UNITED fans are fearing the worst ahead of their clash with Bayern Munich after Kim Kardashian posed in a Red Devils cap.The influencer is notorious for her bad luck when it comes to supporting football teams.
      Kim Kardashian posed in a Manchester United cap ahead of the game against Bayern MunichCredit: Instagram/KimKardashian
      The influencer watched Arsenal crash out of the Europa League last seasonCredit: Getty
      United face Bayern tonight and need a win to have a hope of progressing from their group.
      But they also require a draw between Galatasaray and Copenhagen – victory for either side will see United eliminated regardless of what happens Old Trafford.
      So fans were not happy to see Kim K posed in a red United cap with her family, as some feel she is cursed when it comes to football.
      One supporter replied saying: “It’s over. We’re done. Never beating Wolves again.”
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      Another added: “We’re losing today 100 per cent cuz of this”
      A third joked: “Now we know why the bad luck lol.”
      And another commented: “We’re already terrible at football we don’t need the Kim curse. 😢”
      Kardashian’s son Saint is a big Arsenal fan so she took him to watch the Gunners in Europa League action last season.
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      Arsenal were knocked out of the competition as they watched on from a VIP box at The Emirates, losing to Sporting Lisbon.
      Just days later she put a curse on Paris Saint-Germain as she watched them lose their unbeaten home record which had lasted an incredible 715 days.
      Even Arsenal’s botched title bid last season was blamed on the Kardashian curse, with the Gunners suffering a dreadful run of form following the Sporting match which handed Manchester City the Premier League trophy. More

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      Jurgen Klopp smashes Sir Alex Ferguson’s Man Utd record with incredible feat as Liverpool stars conquer ‘inner enemies’

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      JURGEN KLOPP claims his Liverpool mentality monsters have conquered their “inner enemy” to climb to the top of the Premier League.But it has required all hands on deck to overcome fatigue and keep coming back from behind.
      Klopp has become the master of late winners
      The man who invented Fergie Time always knew how long was left
      No top-flight boss has made more changes to his starting line-up nor used more subs in all this season than Klopp.
      That has helped Liverpool to recover a staggering 18 points from losing positions after Harvey Elliott’s stoppage-time winner at Crystal Palace at the weekend.
      Under Klopp, the Reds’ 17 injury-time winners is now higher than Manchester United’s ‘Fergie Time’ era under their legendary boss Sir Alex.
      Klopp said: “The bad thing about the amount of games we’re playing is that it’s really tiring. The good thing is that everyone gets to play.
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      “It’s tough. These boys play an awful lot of football and sometimes their inner enemy is louder than it is at other moments. It’s all about the mindset.
      “A lot of the boys have been struggling with that but we have been able to change things from the bench because we don’t just change the players, we also change the system.
      “But it’s still down to the players to take advantage of these little helping hands that we give them.
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      “It’s a very similar situation to when we won the Champions League [2018–19] and when we won the Premier League [2019–20].
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      “Everyone thinks we used the same team all the time but we had Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, Gini Wijnaldum, James Milner, Adam Lallana, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita in midfield and up front we had Mo Salah, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, Xherdan Shaqiri, Divock Origi and Takumi Minamino.
      “That’s what you need to make a difference and now we have that quality again.
      “That allows us to make the moves we did at Crystal Palace when we sent on Cody Gakpo, Elliott and Curtis Jones. We were able to completely change our shape to win the game.
      “We can play with different systems but at the moment we have to work with the players who are physically available. We are playing three games a week.”
      Elliott became the 11th Reds sub to score this term and Klopp has made 138 changes to his starting XI in all competitions and another 104 from the bench.
      With top spot confirmed, Klopp can rest his stars for Thursday’s Europa League trip to Union Saint-Gilloise ahead of Sunday’s game with Manchester United.
      Then they face a Carabao Cup last-eight tie with West Ham on December 20 before a Prem clash with Arsenal three days later. More