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      Arsenal 1 Chelsea 0: Gunners survive huge six-pointer to tighten grip on second place as Blues sweat on Champions League

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      MIKEL ARTETA this week said he was determined for Arsenal to be the best of the rest this season as Liverpool stroll to the Premier League title.They are on course to do just that, especially when “the rest” are as atrocious and as hot-headed as Chelsea are right now.Stand-in striker Mikel Merino gave Arsenal a deserved lead from a corner inside 20 minutesMarc Cucurella nearly punished a howler from David Raya on the brink of half-timeRobert Sanchez denied Merino from a second in the 60th minuteChelsea remain winless in seven games against ArsenalThe Gunners came into this one without a win in their last three league games, 15 points off Arne Slot’s rampaging Reds and in danger of being dragged into a top four scrap.Those nerves have settled now, nine points above Enzo Maresca’s Blues in fourth and four points above Nottingham Forest in third thanks to Mikel Merino’s 20th minute Emirates winner.It seems boss Arteta is content with a third-successive runners-up spot this term, something he sees as a real achievement given their damaging injury record this campaign.This was not Arsenal at their fluid best, not that they needed to be against a Chelsea outfit without an injured Cole Palmer – and it desperately showed.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSBut for now, Arteta’s men have bigger fish to fry in the Champions League – welcoming Real Madrid to North London for a mouth-watering quarter final tie next month.Chelsea meanwhile produced a performance worthy of the Europa Conference League they hope to win comfortably come May.Do not let the score line fool you – they were never, ever in this one.Chasing shadows for large parts, they spent most of it kicking lumps out of anything that moved and aimlessly arguing with officials, lucky not to be down to 10 men after Wesley Fofana’s blatant first half stamp on Declan Rice.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSA real sign of the times, and a sign of how much work Enzo Maresca still has to do with this group.For the neutrals, this had arguably the most important element to a London derby: needle.Mikel Arteta walks out of Sky Sports interview moments after Arsenal lose further ground in Premier League title raceThe visitors provided most of it, starting before a ball was even kicked by winning the toss and forcing the hosts to unusually kick away from the Clock End in the first half. Mind games?Chelsea’s approach after that smacked of a team who knew they would be inferior on the ball, so decided to be horrible b******s off it in the hope of disrupting their opponents, kicking lumps out of anything in red.Marc Cucurella was at his whinging, crowd-provoking best from the first whistle, while Enzo Fernandez led from the front when it came to niggly fouls and dramatic collapses to the turf.Then Fofana got in on it, perhaps a bit too much. The Frenchman bundled Rice to the floor and proceeded to plant his studs into the back of the England midfielder’s thigh.Rice reacted, squaring up to the offender. Arteta was frothing at the mouth. VAR took a less dramatic view on their review. Fofana somehow got away with no punishment at all.Declan Rice clashed with Wesley Fofana after the Chelsea star’s high bootArsenal were not exactly saints either. Thomas Partey got away with leaving one or two studs on the ankle of Pedro Neto. And Gabriel enjoyed a good old South American coming together with Enzo Fernandez.But still, in footballing terms, Arsenal were dominant. Chelsea were pathetically passive.It did not help that their front six players were all under six foot, trying to gain some momentum and territory against a trio of giants like Partey, Gabriel and William Saliba.The recalled Robert Sanchez in goal was at his nervy, frantic worst, passing straight out to Gabriel Martinelli and then parrying the Brazilian’s shot almost into the path of Leandro Trossard.Down the right, Jurrien Timber jinked around Cucurella in the box and squared for Martinelli but for a well-timed Fofana interception. After that, it was comical watching Chelsea attempt to clear.Benoit Badiashile deflected onto Colwill, forcing Sanchez to stop an own goal, and a second attempt to hoof it left a ball-print bruise on the face of Reece James as Rice then blazed over.The opening was inevitable, but the source of it was a surprise. Before this one, Arsenal – the corner kings – had failed to score from their last 51 deliveries.But they made No.52 count. Martin Odegaard whipped it to the near post and Merino flicked up and over everybody else into the far side-netting. His fourth goal in seven in all competitions as a No.9.This game should have been over at half time with Chelsea stinking the place out and Arsenal creating chance after chance. Enzo Maresca spent most of the first half slumped on his knees.And yet they almost nicked an underserving leveller from a David Raya howler, spilling a Cucurella volley and watching the ball trickle just past his far post.Not that this was enough to rally Maresca’s men at the break, instead looking more interested in some more of the dark arts. Arteta must have secretly been quite impressed, having taught his own players most of those tricks over the past few years.Neto picked up a yellow for dissent. Fofana was finally cautioned for delaying an Arsenal throw-in.At the other end, Arsenal were probing. READ MORE SUN STORIESMartinelli crossed for Merino whose eyes lit up only for his volley to be well punched away by Sanchez.Arsenal are the best of the rest. Chelsea are still scrambling finding their place below them. More

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      Furious Carlo Ancelotti threatens to BOYCOTT LaLiga games before Real Madrid’s Champions League clash with Arsenal

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      CARLO Ancelotti says Real Madrid will now BOYCOTT LaLiga games scheduled with less than 72 hours rest beforehand.Madrid beat Villarreal 2-1 on Saturday but the match kicked off 67 hours after his side’s penalty shootout victory over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday.Carlo Ancelotti has threatened to boycott future LaLiga games after Real Madrid won 2-1 at VillarrealIt comes after the team claimed a victory in a challenging 120-minute game against Atletico Madrid on WednesdayAncelotti said his players were exhausted without a 72-hour recoveryJude Bellingham was one of 11 players to play 120 minutes against Atletico Madrid on WednesdayAncelotti claimed Madrid had contacted LaLiga twice to ask for the time of Saturday’s 5:30pm game to be changed.Madrid travel to the Emirates to face Arsenal in the quarter-finals of the Champions League on April 8. The Italian manager then said it would be “the last time” such scheduling was arranged.He fumed: “The explanation (for the win in the circumstances) is that this team has something special, character, commitment.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS”But they can’t always do it, sometimes I even get angry with them.”We have to thank these players for their tremendous effort since January 3. Even more so today.“I think today is the last game we will play with less than 72 hours rest. We will never do it again. “We have asked LaLiga twice to change the time of the game and nothing has happened, but this is the last time.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSLaLiga sources indicated Madrid did not make a request regarding the Villarreal game before the schedule for this weekend’s match round was confirmed, according to The Athletic.The need for a 72-hour rest period between games has been raised to Fifa by player unions, but it’s not mandatory.Jamie Carragher exposes iShowSpeed’s ‘real name’ on live TV during Champions League coverage European mid-week competitors Barcelona, Atletico, Real Sociedad and Athletic Club all have league fixtures scheduled for Sunday.Madrid saw themselves 1-0 down after Juan Foyth’s seventh minute goal, before Kylian Mbappe’s quick-fire double secured the turnaround.Ancelotti could not rotate his team on Saturday, considering the league standings.Los Blancos are currently first in the LaLiga table with 60 points, while Barcelona sit three points behind and Atletico four.Meanwhile, Barca have another extra game following the postponement against Osasuna a week ago.Ancellotti added: “It was a trap game, because of everything that happened.READ MORE SUN STORIES”Because of the hours of rest and because of the strength of the opponent, who are a good team, but we watered down physically.”The team ended up exhausted, it’s quite normal. It’s a victory that says a lot about this team and the resources of this squad.” More

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      ‘He lives it’ – Craig Bellamy reveals shock at Arne Slot impact and doubts over replacing ‘personality of Jurgen Klopp’

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      CRAIG BELLAMY has hailed “incredible” Arne Slot for matching the high-energy personality of Jurgen Klopp.The Liverpool boss bids to breathe new life into a stunning debut season with his first silverware for the club after the midweek Champions League penalty shootout exit to Paris Saint-Germain. Slot has had an impressive first season with Liverpool; 15 points clear in the Prem and a League Cup final appearance at WembleyThe ex-Feyenoord boss replaced high-energy Jurgen Klopp on Merseyside last summerCredit: GETTYSlot, 46, leads his impressive Reds in today’s Carabao Cup final against Newcastle at Wembley.And the Dutchman already has one hand firmly on the Premier League title as his runaway leaders are a mammoth 15 points clear of nearest rivals Arsenal.Bellamy, who played for both of today’s finalists, says he never thought anyone could rival giant-like figure Klopp.But the Wales manager has admired ex-Feyenoord chief Slot for his sheer enthusiasm since replacing the German on Merseyside last summer.read more footballBellamy said: “I’ve been impressed with Arne. All day. First season at the biggest club in the world, he’s been incredible.”I just didn’t know if anyone could replace the personality of Klopp. BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS”They are not coming from two different worlds in terms of coaching. It’s quite similar in how they play.”Of course, Slot has his own influences but it was more the personality. How do you replace that type of profile and person of Klopp?Most read in Football”He was 100-mile an hour. Managers like that live it with you.”I feel that it’s quite important that someone breathes it with you.Liverpool boss Arne Slot looks ahead to Carabao Cup final against Newcastle Bellamy, now the manager of Wales, played in the Premier League for both Liverpool and NewcastleCredit: Alamy”Klopp would grip you with a bear hug after a match – he’s living it with you. And you could see the affection that they had for him.”Slot is different. He shows it in a different way but to have the season he’s had has been incredible. Nothing short of that.”So what attribute has really stood-out for boyhood Liverpool fan Bellamy?Bellamy, who had two one-season stints at Anfield in 2006 and 2011 – and then won the League Cup with Liverpool against hometown club Cardiff in 2012, replied: “Energy. He lives it. How do you find that? To be able to find that twice a week – I find that really impressive.”Student of the game Bellamy has tracked Slot’s path before his arrival in the Premier League.The 45-year-old is a big fan of Dutch football having spent a week in the Netherlands as a kid when he was just a budding footballer.Bellamy added: “I was impressed with Slot before when he was at Feyenoord. I have a soft spot for them.”It’s mad. I love the De Kuip. It’s one of my favourite stadiums. I scored there for Newcastle in the Champions League.”It seemed every European tournament that I watched as a kid had the final at that ground. It always felt like an amazing stadium.”I spent a week there as a kid. We went to Feyenoord and Ajax as well. Ajax were such an amazing team at the time.”But there’s something about Feyenoord, Rotterdam and De Kuip.”So it was really nice watching Slot with them over the last few seasons and then to watch him take Liverpool.”Bellamy will watch his old teams do battle in the first domestic final of the season at Wales’ Vale of Glamorgan HQ on the outskirts of Cardiff.The Dragons boss will be preparing for his nation’s opening World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign against Kazakhstan next Saturday night.Then Wales follow that up with a trip to North Macedonia three days later.But, before his Welsh players start arriving late on Sunday, Bellamy, who had a four-year spell at Newcastle between 2001-05, is excited to tune in.When asked how he saw the final panning out, he joked: “I couldn’t care. No Welsh players. I hope football is the winner.”READ MORE SUN STORIESBut Bellamy then raised a smile and added: “It’s a good game. I really like them both. I love the intensity that they go at.”It will be nice to watch. I’m not going to give you a prediction but it doesn’t interfere with my game so I’ll watch it. I’m actually quite excited for the game.” More

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      ‘Celebrate in style’ – Anthony Elanga’s embarrassing error after Nottingham Forest goal spotted by eagle-eyed fans

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      ANTHONY ELANGA’s latest goal celebration has left fans scratching their heads in confusion. The Nottingham Forest forward, 22, netted twice as this season’s surprise package beat Ipswich 4-2 at Portman Road.Anthony Elanga netted twice as Nottingham Forest saw off IpswichCredit: GettyThe forward baffled fans with his choice of celebrationCredit: GettyElanga’s brace helped Nuno Santo’s side keep up their remarkable form since the turn of the year.Forest sit in the Champions League places and have now won three on the bounce in all competitions. Former Man Utd star Elanga rifled in his side’s second against the relegation-threatened Tractor Boys.He leapt high into the air in celebration, before running towards the Forest away fans.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLElanga was spotted tapping the Adidas logo on his shirt rather than the Forest badge.Fans were quick to pick up on the celebration, with many torn on whether it was intentional or an error. One fan laughed in response: “Now me and the Mrs are asking why Elanga is pointing to his adidas badge in pride.”Another said: “Assuming this was a mistake and not some weird sponsorship-related version of kissing the badge?”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSWhile a third added: “Elanga pointing to the adidas badge after his first goal was hilarious.”And a fourth joked: “Maybe he’s a childhood Adidas fan?”Newcastle fans fume at Nuno Espirito Santo after spotting what Nottingham Forest manager did at end of 4-3 thrillerForest’s win proved even more vital as Manchester City dropped points at home to Brighton.Pep Guardiola’s men twice let a lead slip in the 2-2 draw.That leaves Santo’s side with a six-point cushion to the reigning champions back in fifth.Nikola Milenkovic put Forest ahead with a fierce finish from inside the box at Portman Road.Elanga doubled the lead shortly after, before adding a third just before the break.READ MORE SUN STORIESIpswich put up more of a fight in the second half, with the home side threatening an unlikely comeback.But after Jens Cajuste’s strike, Jota Silva made the points secure for high-flying Forest. More

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      Nottingham Forest fans aim X-rated chant at England manager Thomas Tuchel after Morgan Gibbs-White shock omission

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      NOTTINGHAM FOREST fans aimed an X-rated dig at Thomas Tuchel after Morgan Gibbs-White’s England omission. Gibbs-White has shined this season with five goals and six assists as Forest remain on course for Champions League qualification. Morgan Gibbs-White did not make Thomas Tuchel’s England squadCredit: GettyBut there was no place for the in-form midfielder in Tuchel’s first 26-man Three Lions squad. And Forest fans made their feelings known with a chant during their 4-2 away win at Ipswich. They sang: “Thomas Tuchel, what a w***er, what a w***er.” Callum Hudson-Odoi and Elliot Anderson were also noticeable omissions from Tuchel’s squad that plays Latvia and Albania in World Cup qualifiers. READ MORE IN footballAnd Tuchel said: “Morgan, Elliot and Callum play on such a high level every week and they are the high-fliers of the league. “Elliot, for example, can still play for the Under-21s so he will be close by at St George’s Park. “I see Elliot Anderson as a No8, Morgan as a No10 and Callum as a winger. “If you look at our squad you can also see they have huge competition on their position – world-class players who have proved themselves on the same level as Nottingham Forest, who have proved themselves in international football and even Champions League.Most read in FootballThe human tuchENGLAND’S new boss Thomas Tuchel has announced his first squad – to mixed reaction.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”They know it. They accept it. It is never easy to bring this message. It is never easy to take the message in. “But I just can tell everyone that we acknowledge the outstanding season they have and the calls were very close.”Dan Burn’s gone from pushing trolleys at Asda to potential England glory – he fully deserves his call-upBut midfielder Anderson was named in Lee Carsley’s U21 squad that play France and Portugal. Jordan Henderson – who has captained Ajax this season – made the squad alongside on-loan Aston Villa forward Marcus Rashford. Tuchel said: “Jordan is a serial winner. He’s captain of Ajax. What he brings to every team is leadership, character, energy and personality.”He makes sure everyone lives by the standards. He embodies everything we try to build. We want to build a team our fans are proud of.”England boss Thomas Tuchel named his first England squadCredit: Reuters More

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      Virgil van Dijk breaks silence after Wayne Rooney called Liverpool star ‘lazy’ in shock Champions League defeat to PSG

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      VIRGIL VAN DIJK has hit back at Wayne Rooney and insists the Liverpool dressing room doesn’t listen to outside noise.It comes after Rooney labelled Van Dijk’s movements in the lead up to PSG’s goal in their Champions League defeat on Tuesday “lazy”.Virgil van Dijk has broken his silence after Wayne Rooney called Liverpool star ‘lazy’Rooney called out Van Dijk for failing to track Ousmane Dembele’s run for PSG’s goal at AnfieldDembele celebrates scoring on TuesdayCredit: GettyLiverpool were beaten 4-1 on penalties by the reigning French champions at Anfield to exit Europe at the last-16 stage.Arne Slot’s side had held a 1-0 lead from the first leg, but PSG levelled the tie in the 12th minute of the second leg through Ousmane Dembele.Dembele scored from close range following a rapid PSG attack, with the forward having initially found Bradley Barcola on the right wing.Barcola’s cross led to confusion between Alisson and Ibrahima Konate and the Liverpool defender deflected the ball into Dembele’s path to finish.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSDespite the mix-up between Alisson and Konate, former Manchester United star Rooney called Van Dijk “lazy” in tracking Dembele’s initial run from the half-way line.Van Dijk has since said his focus on trophies and not on Rooney.The Dutchman responded: “Someone told me about this. I think at that particular moment I’m helping [Andy] Robertson, telling him to clear the outside, I take the inside.”I’m even explaining now what I thought at that moment but if he thought it was lazy then he gave his opinion, that’s it. Did you think it was lazy?Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”I think I said it to someone as well, there were so many challenges for those players years ago and obviously it’s a challenge for the players nowadays that you have to deal with opinions here and there and it gets blown up all the time.”But looking at what I see in the dressing room, I think the boys are doing well in terms of keeping their heads down and focusing on the task ahead. That’s the most important thing I want to see.Moment Mo Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold are pulled apart after apparent spat during Liverpool training “If we get the reward for it at the end of the season then I’m sure Liverpool is going to be bouncing.”The Liverpool skipper also cleared up his row with PSG chiefs in the corridor at Anfield after full-time.Rooney had told Amazon Prime: “This goal from Liverpool’s perspective is wrong in so many ways.”They are trying to press the ball and Van Dijk gets lazy. “If you keep your eye on Van Dijk, he’s walking and leaves a massive gap to Dembele.”All he has to do is come across and cover Dembele because there is no other pass for Paris to get out and he doesn’t.”Dembele gets it and he’s got a lot of space, gets the ball out wide and then Konate doesn’t switch on and then he reacts.”Van Dijk is out of contract in the summer and fans could well be witnessing the end of his Anfield career.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe latest reports claimed the 33-year-old is mulling over a mega-money approach from Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal.Liverpool are focusing on the business end of the season, including Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Newcastle at Wembley.Van Dijk’s stats in the Champions League this season More

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      If Newcastle beat Liverpool it could be the catalyst for a new dynasty, the first trophy in a new golden era

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      JUNE 11, 1969, is not a date most football fans will remember.Unless, of course, you support Newcastle.A few weeks later, Neil Armstrong would take his giant leap for mankind on the moon but, for Newcastle, it marked the start of a big step backwards.Eddie Howe is desperate to end Newcastle’s decades of hurtCredit: GettyAlexander Isak is set to lead the Toon’s hopes in attackCredit: GettyThe Toon Army sank several battalions of Newcastle Brown Ale in 1969 as it was the last time their club — by common consent one of the best supported in the land — actually won a trophy.Winning the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, the forerunner of the Uefa Cup and Europa League, came so long ago that the match was only covered for TV in black and white.The Magpies beat Hungary’s Ujpesti Dozsa 6-2 over the two-legged final but have since had to endure heartbreak, false dawns and decades of near misses.That could all change this weekend, 56 years later.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLShould they win the League Cup at Wembley on Sunday, Toon boss Eddie Howe will achieve Tyneside immortality as the manager who finally brought home silverware.Many have tried, all have failed, but Howe could be the one to end 56 years of hurt for Newcastle.This match represents so much more than just a trophy.It’s about proving that Newcastle are a serious force again.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSAnd that the investment under their new owners is translating into real success —  that this is just the beginning, not the end, of a new era for the club.Howe has done a remarkable job turning Newcastle from relegation candidates into genuine contenders for silverware in just a few seasons.Dan Burn’s gone from pushing trolleys at Asda to potential England glory – he fully deserves his call-upWinning this final would be a statement of intent, a sign that they are not just here to challenge but to dominate.Yet they have one major obstacle — and that’s the best team in the country at the moment, Liverpool.Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup — you name it, they’ve won it.Tuesday’s unexpected Champions League exit means there’s no doubt they will approach this game like wounded tigers — dangerous and determined.Quiz question? How many trophies have Liverpool won since 1969. I looked it up.The Reds have lifted 12 league titles and are almost certainly about to make it another.They have also racked up six European Cups, seven FA Cups, ten League Cups, three Uefa Cups and a Club World Cup.That’s 39 major trophies, to Newcastle’s none. Liverpool, quite simply, are a club that knows how to win.Arne Slot hopes Liverpool bounce back quickly from their PSG exitCredit: RexI suspect many neutrals will be wanting a Newcastle victory to end that tale of woe and the Toon Army hope and pray this weekend finally ends that astonishing streak.Newcastle’s last domestic success came even further back, when they won a third FA Cup in just five seasons in 1955.For a club which gets 52,000 into St James’ Park every home game, they are on a remarkably bad run — especially when you consider some of the managers who have been on Tyneside, including the late Sir Bobby Robson and Kevin Keegan.They both got very close to trophies but Howe could be the one who finally delivers.It will be fascinating to see how Arne Slot’s Liverpool react to their European exit at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain in midweek. It could galvanise the players to show their boss that PSG was just a blip on an otherwise memorable season that sees them poised to win a record-equalling 20th league title, level with their local rivals Manchester United.READ MORE SUN STORIESFor Newcastle, losing this final would be gut-wrenching. Another painful chapter in a long history of near-misses.But if they win? It could be the catalyst for a new dynasty, the first trophy in a new golden era for the club. More

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      Former France star who played with Arsenal legend Thierry Henry now a BUTCHER after retiring

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      FORMER Champions League star Laurent Leroy has swapped scoring for sausages… by working in a BUTCHER’S SHOP.The Paris Saint-Germain ace struck against Bayern Munich, Rosenborg and Deportivo La Coruna in Europe’s elite competition.Laurent Leroy has swapped football for working in a butcher’s shopCredit: GettyCapped for France’s Under-21s, he also played for Cannes and Bordeaux as well as winning a Swiss title with Servette.Leroy spent five seasons with PSG, scoring 12 goals in 67 games, and faced Rangers in the 2001-02 UEFA Cup.He struggled to find ways to bring home the bacon after retiring from football in 2012.But the 48-year-old has since carved out a new career, helping his pal run a butchery chain in France.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLLeroy revealed: “I now work with a mate of mine.  He asked me to help him out.”He is the owner of three butcher’s shops.”I now work in a butcher’s, and the world of football is finished for me.”Leroy also made mincemeat of Thierry Henry, his former France Under-21 teammate – branding the Arsenal legend “selfish.”Most read in FootballCheltenham Festival betting offers and free betsThe former PSG player was better known for creating goals than scoring them.Leroy insisted: “I could have made the France senior side. I got into the Under-21s alongside Henry and David Trezeguet.Fans ask ‘how’s Henry spotted that?’ as they are left stunned by Arsenal icon’s analysis of Man Utd star’s goal vs Man City “But they were selfish players – true goalscorers. I could have been like that as well, but it was never my temperament.”I regret nothing. But I was not selfish – I have never been that way.”I helped my PSG team-mate, Christian, to shine and to get into the Brazil national side. He talks about me whenever he does an interview.”I added value to him. But I didn’t give a damn about being a star myself.” More