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      New leak of Arsenal away kit to be worn in Champions League blasted as ‘worst in years’ and is making fans ‘feel sick’

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      ARSENAL fans are in disgust after fresh images of their new away kit – which they will wear for their return to the Champions League – was leaked online.The Gunners are set to feature in Europe’s premier competition for the first time since 2016-17.

      But some fans are appalled by the kit Adidas have produced for away matches which will likely feature in some of their trips around the continent.
      Since taking over Arsenal kit manufacturing responsibilities in 2019 Adidas have proved popular amongst Gooners, but their latest design is a move from tradition.
      The bright colour of the shirt and socks has been described as “fluo-green-yellow” with flowing black lines patterned on the front.
      Fans were not happy when the kit was initially leaked last month and they have doubled down on that feeling.
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      One wrote: “I feel sick 🤢”
      Another added: “This has to be the worst Arsenal kit I’ve seen in years. Next season’s kits are worse than the peak Puma days. What happened @adidasfootball?”
      A third said: “There’s no way we finally have Ucl nights back and we’re rocking up with this😭 just keep the black away kit”
      And another commented: “Adidas have never let us down so badly.”
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      Arsenal’s home kit for next season has also been leaked and is a little out of step with recent designs.
      It features a gold Arsenal badge and stripes and some fans are concerned it will look a little silly if the Gunners fail to win the league. More

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      Where are Newcastle’s 2002-03 Champions League squad now? From MOTD pundit to bankruptcy and a landlord

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      NEWCASTLE UNITED are on the cusp of Champions League qualification for the first time in 20 years.But did you know one player from that 2003 squad now runs their own pub?
      Champions League nights are on the verge of returning to St James’ ParkCredit: AFP
      In the 2002-03 season Newcastle were knocked out of the European competition by Barcelona.
      Since retirement, many players have enjoyed success in football related activities.
      Whether that be through coaching, appearing as media analysts, or pulling pints for locals.
      Here, SunSport take a look at where the side that last played under the Champions League lights are now.
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      GK – Shay Given
      Newcastle United goalkeeper Shay Given made 450 Premier League appearancesCredit: AP:Associated Press
      Given was presenting for Sky Sports during the Carabao CupCredit: Alamy
      The Republic of Ireland’s second-highest capped player, Shay Given became head goalkeeping coach at Derby County under Frank Lampard.
      He left Derby in 2021, and has since dipped his toe in punditry at Sky Sports.
      RB – Andy Griffin
      Andy Griffin was a central figure in the Toon’s defence, and scored the winning goal against Juventus in the previous round of the Champions LeagueCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      Griffin has since gone into football coachingCredit: .
      Like many retired footballers, Griffin went into the coaching side of the game and joined Newcastle under Lyme college in 2014 assisting the development of their under-18s.
      He has since set up the Andy Griffin Football Academy (AGFA) which offers a two-year full time programme for players who have aspirations to play at the top-level.
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      CB- Andy O’Brien
      Andy O’Brien made 150 appearances for the MagpiesCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      O’Brien finished his career with two years at the Vancouver Whitecaps and has been a scout with Liverpool since 2015.
      The ex-Ireland international is credited for bringing fellow centre-back Nat Phillips to Liverpool.

      CB – Titus Bramble
      Bramble played for Newcastle United, Wigan Athletic and, controversially, Sunderland!Credit: Getty
      Bramble & Dyer came together again as the Ipswich Town youth coachesCredit: Dave Pinegar – The Sun
      Bramble has also gone into coaching.
      He re-united with former team-mate Dyer at Ipswich in 2019.
      The former defender assisted with the England under-20s side in 2018 and now works an ambassador for the Futurestars charity which delivers sports to under-privileged children in Africa.
      LB – Oliver Bernard
      Bernard joined on a free transfer from Lyon in late-August 2000Credit: Getty
      Oliver Bernard that is now the landlord of the Masons Arms.
      The former beloved winger can now be found pulling pints at his co-owned pub in Blyth – a town 15 miles north of St James’ Park.
      He is also the owner of non-league side Durham City FC.
      However, the ex-professional has faced heavy criticism from fans who claim he has neglected the club.
      RW – Nolberto Solano
      Solano is considered a cult hero at the Tyneside club, and was also noted forming his own salsa band named The Geordie LatinosCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Solano is now a key figure in South American footballCredit: Getty
      Former midfielder Solano went straight into coaching after retirement.
      Solano is the assistant manager of the Peru National team, and played a part in the team’s runners-up medals at the 2019 Copa America tournament.
      He was the technical assistant of Peru during the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
      CM – Jermaine Jenas
      Jenas left Newcastle for Spurs in 2005 for a fee of £7 million. He paid tribute to the fierce dressing room atmosphere under Sir Bobby RobsonCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Now, he mainly works as a studio guest or as a pundit alongside a commentator by BBC SportCredit: PA
      The 40-year-old has successfully gone into football punditry, commentating and television presenting.
      Most recently standing in for prime-time Gary Lineker on BBC’s Match of the Day.
      Jenas has also been rewarded with a permanent role as host of The One Show.
      CM – Kieron Dyer
      Dyer made 225 Premier League and 10 champions league appearancesCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      He’s also joins the long-list of those who are now coachesCredit: PA
      Another ex- Newcastle player to have successfully forged a career in the media.
      He stepped down from his coaching role at Ipswich in 2022, amid the announcement of his diagnosis with a liver condition.
      Dyer, 44, is now becoming a regular face on Sky Sports and as a panellist on BT Sport’s Saturday ‘Score’ show.
      LW – Laurent Robert
      Toon legend Robert returned to the UK to watch his former side take on Manchester United in the League Cup finalCredit: NNP
      The French international claimed that he never envisaged being a coach.
      However, he’s done just that.
      Robert is now a coach at his former side Montpellier.
      His son Thomas had been linked with a move to the Magpies.
      ST – Craig Bellamy
      Bellamy had 42 goals from 128 appearances with the MagpiesCredit: PA:Press Association
      Bellamy has joined former team-mate Vincent Kompany in the championshipCredit: Getty
      In rather unfortunate news, the former Wales captain has been declared bankrupt.
      He is now warning young footballers to be careful who they trust to run their finances.
      Amid his financial struggles Bellamy has admirably gotten his coaching career up and running – and has played his part in Burnley’s promotion back to the Premier League.
      ST – Alan Shearer
      Shearer scored 206 goals at his beloved NewcastleCredit: Reuters
      He now travels the UK and Europe as a football punditCredit: Rex
      The Premier League’s all-time goal scorer now enjoys a career as a top football pundit.
      His goal record is now being hunted by Tottenham’s Harry Kane.
      Read More on The Sun
      Shearer is a regular analyst on Match of the Day and Sky Sports.
      In addition, the hall of fame inductee has also launched his own foundation with the aim of supporting disability in the North East by raising at least £250,000 every year. More

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      Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag reveals transfer budget fears and fires stark warning to squad ahead of crucial West Ham clash

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      ERIK TEN HAG warned his troops that  sealing a Champions League spot is VITAL for his summer transfer plans.Manchester United are still favourites to claim a top-four finish despite Thursday’s last-gasp defeat at the Amex.
      Old Trafford chief Erik ten Hag ‘trusts’ his players and is ‘quite confident they will still finish in the Premier League top fourCredit: Reuters
      United stars reflect on Thursday’s agonising Prem loss at BrightonCredit: Rex
      Alexis Mac Allister’s ice-cool 99th-minute penalty sealed Brighton’s 1-0 win  but fourth-placed United  still have a four-point lead over Liverpool with a game in hand.
      But that gap could be trimmed on Saturday night to just a point if Jurgen Klopp’s side — on a five-match winning run  — beat Brentford at Anfield.
      Ten Hag knows United will be a less attractive option for transfer targets if they are not in Europe’s top competition.
      While the Dutchman does not know what his summer budget will be, amid ongoing  uncertainty over a potential takeover,  Champions League football will boost his  financial power in the market.
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      Asked how crucial that  top-four finish was to United in regards to investment, Ten Hag replied: “It is always vital to be in the Champions League.
      “It is a battle because many teams in the Premier League are competing for it.
      “We have the power and must fight for it as well. We’ll do everything to get there.
      “We want to be in there because we want to challenge  the best teams in the world. So, we do everything that’s in our power to get that done.”
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      United have the chance to bounce back  tomorrow night   at West Ham.
      Ten Hag is confident his men can recover from their Seagulls setback.
      The United chief said: “We had quite a good run before Brighton — four wins and a draw from the last five.
      “We have everything in our hands so have to focus on our performance. I trust my players. I am quite confident about that top four.”
      After the first two games of the season —   humbling defeats by Brighton and Brentford — Ten Hag’s side have followed each of their Premier League losses with a victory.
      And the former Ajax boss reckons the Red Devils can repeat the feat against David Moyes’ Hammers.
      He said: “Every time  we’ve had a defeat,  we bounced back. I count on my team, we have to do it again.
      “There is no time to stay in this. After one hour we move on to the game against West Ham and focus on that.
      “We will prepare them and make a good plan.
      “The players have to take responsibility and they will do — I count on them.
      “They have to do it and  can do it because we have the evidence this season.
      His passion is a strength. I just say, ‘Don’t go over the top, stay focused on your game’.Erik ten Hag on Antony
      “I am looking forward to it. We played them twice this season  because also we faced them in the FA Cup and it’s going to be another great game.
      “Every game is a battle, every game is a challenge. We have to get ready for that.”
      Ten Hag defended Antony after he took a wild swipe  at  Mac Allister in the 69th minute, which could have earned a red card, before squaring up to Lewis Dunk.
      Antony and Dunk were both yellow-carded by referee Andre Marriner  as Ten Hag quickly hooked the Brazilian.
      But backing his winger, Ten Hag added: “His passion is  a strength. You need passion and desire to win your games and win battles in the game.
      “It is very strong with him and he is very ambitious.
      “I just say, ‘Don’t go over the top, stay focused on your game and what the game needs’. If he does that, he is a great player.”
      United will make a late  call on whether Alejandro Garnacho returns from an ankle injury suffered in March.
      Read More on The Sun
      Asked about his 18-year-old winger, Ten Hag said: “Maybe he can be involved but we’ll see how his progress  goes.”
        MAN UTD (likely): De Gea, Wan-Bissaka,  Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw, Casemiro, Eriksen,  Fernandes, Antony, Martial, Rashford. More

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      Why is the Champions League music played at King Charles’ coronation?

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      THE Champions League music is one of the most recognised anthems in the world of football.But did you know it is based on the song that is played during the Royal Coronation?
      King Charles III’s coronation is this weekendCredit: PA
      Here is all you need to know about the iconic Champions League anthem and its relation to the Royal Coronation.
      Why is the Champions League music played at King Charles’ coronation?
      The Champions League music derives from George Frideric Handel’s ‘Zadok the Priest’.
      When the Champions League was rebranded in 1992, English composer Tony Britten was commissioned to write the new anthem.
      He adapted the famous Zadok the Priest to create the tune that is traditionally played before huge European nights.
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      The anthem was initially composed in 1727 for the coronation of King George II.
      It has since been traditionally performed during the anointing of the sovereign at the coronation of every British monarch, including the late Queen Elizabeth II.

      Zadok the Priest will be performed again on Saturday for the coronation of King Charles III.
      Why was the Champions League anthem not played during home matches involving British teams ahead of the Queen’s funeral?
      The iconic song was not played in Champions League fixtures that took place prior to the Queen’s funeral.
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      Liverpool, Rangers, Chelsea and Manchester City all had home Champions League games during the ten-day national mourning period.
      UEFA made the decision not to play the anthem, and clubs paid further respects with a period of silence.
      What are the Champions League anthem lyrics?
      Ce sont les meilleures équipesEs sind die allerbesten MannschaftenThe main event
      Die MeisterDie BestenLes grandes équipesThe champions
      Une grande réunionEine grosse sportliche VeranstaltungThe main event
      Die MeisterDie BestenLes grandes équipesThe champions
      Ils sont les meilleursSie sind die BestenThese are the champions
      Die MeisterDie BestenLes grandes équipesThe champions
      In English: 
      They are the best teamsThey are the best teamsThe main event
      The masterThe bestThe great teamsThe champions
      A big meetingA great sporting eventThe main event
      The masterThe bestThe great teamsThe champions
      They are the bestThey are the bestThese are the champions

      The masterThe bestThe champions More

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      Micah Richards gives his prediction on Man City’s Treble bid and admits he is ‘worried’ for Real Madrid clash

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      MICAH RICHARDS does NOT think Manchester City will win the Treble.And he pinpointed the Real Madrid showdown as the stumbling block.
      Manchester City could fall short of winning the Treble, according to Micah RichardsCredit: Getty
      The former City right-back is concerned about the Real Madrid European showdownCredit: Getty
      City returned to the top of the Premier League tonight with a 3-0 win over West Ham.
      Erling Haaland got his record-breaking 35th league goal of the season and Phil Foden volleyed in the 1,000th of Pep Guardiola’s Etihad reign.
      His side are a point clear of Arsenal with a game in hand and face rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup final on June 3.
      However, they go up against Real Madrid in a repeat of last season’s Champions League semi-final.
      READ MORE ON MAN CITY
      And Richards, 34, is concerned they could come unstuck against Carlo Ancelotti’s men again – just as they did at the same stage a year ago, despite leading 5-3 on aggregate with a minute to go in the Bernabeu.
      He does not think Guardiola will let lightning strike twice – but is not confident his beloved City can get past the 14-time European champions.
      Speaking before the West Ham win, the former right-back told the Filthy Fellas podcast: “I don’t think they’re going to do the Treble.
      “I am worried about that game [vs Real Madrid]. 
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      “I’m worried. I’m worried, man. I’m worried.
      “I’ve got to be honest – I am worried about them, I wrote off Real Madrid last season.
      “In the right moments, they know how to get it done.
      “The only thing is now, the second leg is at the Etihad, it’s not at the Bernabeu. That could be the difference.
      “The double, the double [City will win], I don’t think the treble.
      “It’s tough to call [who will win the Premier League] you know.
      “But the thing is, Man City are in the form of their lives – they have come with the best form at the right part, at the end of the season.”
      City were all smiles as they eventually broke down a resilient West Ham side.
      Nathan Ake headed in the opener on 50 minutes but it was Haaland’s delightful chip 20 minutes later that surpassed Alan Shearer and Andy Cole’s tallies to prompt a guard of honour after full-time.
      Phil Foden wrapped up the victory with a deflected volley.
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      But Richards – covering the game for Sky Sports – had a shocker before the game even got underway.
      He somehow managed to spill coffee down his designer shacket – and had a lady wipe him down to clean up the mess.
      City crashed out of the Champions League at the Bernabeu last seasonCredit: Getty More

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      Fears over Champions League final fan safety with chiefs concerned over violence in the streets in Istanbul

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      UEFA chiefs have more than just their fingers crossed that the Champions League final in Istanbul will go off smoothly.Nyon bosses are due to outline their official future steps later this week.
      The Champions League final will be played in Istanbul on June 10Credit: AFP
      It comes in the aftermath of last season’s chaos in Paris.
      And Manchester City fans who booked flights in expectation of a semi-final win over Real Madrid could be walking into a precarious situation in Turkey for reasons outside of football.
      Hardline president Recep Erdogan is in a brutal re-election fight with rival Kemal Kilicdaroglu before a first round of voting on May 14.
      Unless either gets more than 50 per cent of the vote there will then be a decisive second round two weeks later.
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      That is less than a fortnight before the European football showpiece event in the Ataturk Stadium on June 10.
      And there are fears that a tight result at the polls could see people on the streets and potential violence.
      The prospect of travelling fans being caught in Turkey’s domestic strains is causing significant concerns among Uefa’s top brass.
      The European governing body is also having to deal with disappointed VIPs and sponsors.
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      The Ataturk only has 12 top-of-the-range “Sky Boxes” at the stadium.
      But ensuring the “ordinary” fan is safe is a bigger issue.
      The Ataturk Stadium will host the biggest club match in European footballCredit: Getty More

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      Wilfried Zaha lined up for huge Champions League transfer as winger is named club’s ‘top priority’

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      A NEW report in France has claimed that a Champions League-chasing side will make Wilfried Zaha their “priority signing” if they qualify.The 30-year-old’s £130,000 a week five-year deal at Crystal Palace expires this summer.
      Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha could be playing in the Champions League next termCredit: AFP
      He is wanted by several high-profile clubs across Europe.
      And Palace have rejected offers for him in the past, with Arsenal previously making a move in the summer of 2019.
      We revealed how the Eagles have made one more bid to keep Zaha by offering him £200,000-a-week to stay.
      That would make him by far Palace’s highest-paid player in their history, and tie him down for four more years.
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      However, they now appear to be facing a fresh fight to hang on to their star man.
      Foot Mercato are claiming that Ligue 1 side Marseille are now plotting a swoop.
      They state that Zaha, who has appeared over 400 times for Palace, will reject a £9m-a-year offer from Saudi Arabia outfit Al-Ittihad.
      And after his entourage opened talks with Marseille last month, this fresh update claims that they remain ongoing.
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      Marseille president Pablo Longoria and sporting director Javier Ribalta are reportedly “ready to move heaven and earth” to complete the deal.
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      And Zaha is allegedly “very interested” in the move – but he has made playing in next season’s Champions League his main ambition as he decides on his future.
      The Ivory Coast international will now be Marseille’s “priority signing” should they qualify for Europe’s most elite club competition.
      They are second in the Ligue 1 standings with five games left to play, which would ensure them a direct path into the group stages. More

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      Last chance to win a PlayStation 5 via Dream Team Monthly this season – get your XIs in tip-top shape!

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      IT’S your last chance to win a PlayStation 5 via Dream Team Monthly!May’s competition gets underway this weekend and with transfers refreshed before Game Week 33’s fixtures begin, you should be able to get your XI in good shape to compete for the top prize.
      It’s worth noting that this season-ending competition is a bumper edition that will stretch into June to include the FA Cup final and the European finals, should English clubs make it that far.
      The gaffer who racks up the most points between May 5th and June 10th will take home a brand new PS5, worth £449 RRP!
      Remember, you can check the monthly leaderboard anytime HERE.
      May’s winner takes home a PS5!Credit: DREAM TEAM
      If your XI is struggling in the classic Season game, fear not, a fruitful few weeks could land you a PS5 as only points gained during the given scoring period are taken into account for our monthly competitions.
      With that in mind, you should tailor your team specifically to May/June’s remaining fixtures once transfers are refreshed, with a view to scooping the monthly prize.
      And of course, if you’re happy with your progress in the classic Season game and believe your best XI is also likely to rack up plentiful points in the coming weeks then you don’t need to alter your strategy at all.
      You can even get involved if you didn’t sign-up for Dream Team at the start of the season.
      Fancy a PS5? Of course you do…
      Want to know what it feels like to win a Dream Team competition?
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      We recently caught up with Miriam Chisholm, who performed brilliantly to win January’s monthly competition!
      “I’m not sure I can quite believe it, to be honest. It’s a huge surprise because, although I knew I was close, I thought it ended when January ended! I think it just goes to show it’s good to keep going with all your teams – the monthly prize is a nice touch.
      “I think most people had brought in the Newcastle defence along with the Kane/Haaland/Rashford combo up top, so it was just midfield I concentrated on. I picked three of the usual names and tried to go with a flyer as the fourth – James Ward-Prowse then Casemiro. Guess my luck was in!”
      Good luck! More