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      European Super League is BACK in new £2.7BILLION ‘Unify League’ format… and it could replace Champions League

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      A NEW version of the breakaway Super League has been launched.More than three years after the original idea crashed and burned in the space of 48 hours after a fan-led backlash, scheme promoters A22 have returned with a concept that answers many of the initial problems.Fans protested the previous Super League proposalCredit: APThe protests were successful in stopping the plans coming to fruitionCredit: GettyUnder the new model, named “The Unify League”, 96 teams in total would take part.There would be 16 teams, split into two groups of eight and playing each opponent home and away, in both the top tier Star League and the secondary Gold League.Follow the LATEST REACTION to the Unify LeagueThen two further competitions – Blue and Union – would each have FOUR leagues of eight clubs.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe Premier League would have three guaranteed entrants in the elite competition, with two places in the second one and up to five further slots across the remaining pair.Unlike the first and widely criticised Super League concept, which saw the 12 breakaway rebels – including the Prem Big Six – guaranteed entry, all positions will be earned by domestic performances in the previous campaign.Two places in the Star League, and seven in Gold, will be earned through a series of play-off rounds, with the winners of the two competitions earning automatic places in the top tier for the following season.A22 envisages the 14 league phase games being played between September and April.Most read in FootballThe top four in each group would then reach a two-legged quarter-final stage, with the winners progressing to a “final four” week of one-off matches to provide the winners.BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHow does the Unify League work?A NEW version of the European Super League has been proposed – now branded as the Unify League. Here’s all you need to know about how it works…Who plays in it?The proposed competition would see 96 teams from across Europe taking part each year.All positions will be earned by performances in domestic competitions the previous campaign – just as it currently is with the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League.What’s the format?There would be FOUR leagues: Star League, Gold League, Blue League and Union League.The top two divisions, Star and Gold, would each have 16 teams in them, split into two groups of eight.The groups of eight would play each other home and away, a total of 14 matches per club each season.The bottom two divisions, Blue and Union, would have 32 teams each, split into four groups of eight.They would also play each other home and away.In the Star and Gold leagues, the top four of each group would play a two-legged quarter-final.In the Blue and Union, it would be the top two teams from each group making up the quarter-finals.The winners of those matches would then progress to a “final four” week of one off matches to provide the champions of the four different leagues. Those games would be played on a neutral ground.How many English teams will take part?The Premier League would have three guaranteed entrants in the Star League.Two English teams would go into the Gold League.Up to five further slots for Prem teams would be spread across the remaining pair.While no formal start date has been set, SunSport understands that there is a provisional target of competition launch in September 2026.The prize fund is also yet to be confirmed but A22 – which is firmly linked to the ambitions of Real Madrid President Florentino Perez – promise £330m in “solidarity” payments to smaller clubs and countries while the total prize pot is expected to exceed the current fund of £2bn for the Champions League and £700m for the Europa and Conference Leagues combined.SunSport’s Jordan Davies reacts to first Champions League draw under radical new formatThe new overall title of the four competitions is a nod to the plan to show matches on a direct-to-fan streaming service called the Unify platform.While fans will have to sign up, there will be two versions available – an advertisement-supported free portal to watch games plus a subscription service with extra features.A22 said it will “dramatically improve the viewing experience at home by eliminating the need for multiple subscriptions while offering fans the advanced features they have come to expect and directly connect clubs with their global fanbase”.The launch comes as A22 said it had made a formal submission to Uefa and Fifa to “obtain official recognition for its new cross-border European club football competitions”.The Madrid-based company cited the December 2023 ruling of the European Court of Justice which stated that “any competition where qualification is inclusive and meritocratic, and which complies with the overall match calendar can be officially established”.A22 representatives have criss-crossed Europe to talk to clubs in the aftermath of the failure of the first project – which saw then-PM Boris Johnson promise a “legislative bombshell” to prevent English clubs from joining.Measures to block clubs from joining any breakaway competition are included as part of the Government’s new Independent Football Regulator, currently going through Parliament and backed by all major parties.But the new competition seeks to supplant Uefa and be club-run – in much the same way as the Premier League was set up more than 30 years ago.A22 chief executive Bernd Reichart said: “A22 is focused on ensuring the sustainable growth and development of football.“Our extensive engagement with key stakeholders revealed a number of pressing challenges facing the sport including increasing subscription costs for fans, an overloaded player calendar, insufficient investment in women’s football, and dissatisfaction with the format and governance of the current pan-European competitions.“Our proposal is designed to directly address these challenges.”Will the Unify League get off the ground?By Martin LiptonThe biggest complaint about the original European Super League was it was a closed shop.But the Unify League proposal would see teams qualify on merit, just as they do for the current Champions League, Europa League and Conference League.But whether people accept it is another matter.Many people will still think this is just another version of the same old thing, the rich wanting to get richer.Maybe that’s right, but I can see the appeal for the clubs here – one of which will be a prize fund much bigger than what is currently offered for competing in Europe.I think there’s a genuine chance that this could be the first thing that brings down the UEFA dominance of club competitions.But there are a lot of obstacles in the way.It’s proposed that it could start in September 2026.I don’t believe it can be as quick as 18 months, but money talks.We are into uncharted territory.This is very different from April 2021 when the whole thing crashed and burned so quickly.This could be real.This could happen and if it did, would change the face of football.Fans remain sceptical of the idea and have voiced their concerns.One said: “Perez doesn’t take no for an answer, does he???”Another added: “Rubbish, no-one wants this. Stop this nonsense now.”READ MORE SUN STORIESA third wrote: “Massive waste of everyone’s time. As useless as the new World Club Cup. Stop trying to please faceless clubs. Fans wants competitive local football.”And another commented: “At least the Super League sounded good. This is awful marketing.” More

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      How Chelsea & Forest are ripping up the script of how to run a football club… just don’t try to make sense of it

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      IT’S time to forget everything we thought we knew about how to run a football club.Forget stability, forget continuity, forget financial prudence, forget carefully-targeted player recruitment, forget inspirational managerial appointments.Chelsea chief Todd Boehly has splashed out over £1billion on signingsCredit: RexEvangelos Marinakis has turned Nottingham Forest into top-four contendersCredit: GettyJust tear everything to shreds, sell everyone, then max out the credit card by buying footballers.Dozens and dozens of footballers. Not just one new squad of players but two or three squads’ worth.Buy so many footballers that they can’t all fit into the dressing room at your training ground.Already got seven elite wingers? If another one becomes available, go and buy an eighth. You only live once.Read More on FootballBecause Chelsea and Nottingham Forest are the two great overachievers of this Premier League season — the Blues just two points off the summit and Forest in the Champions League places, above Manchester City.Both clubs have spent like sailors piddling it up on shore leave.If you have previously received the impressions from this column — or pretty much anywhere else in the media — that Chelsea’s Todd Boehly is a clueless American muppet, your mind must be playing tricks on you. Boehly always was a football genius.The nine-year contracts for unproven players. The knifing of more managers than Roman Abramovich. The transfer-window trolley dashes. Genius, all of it.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAnd any ideas you had that Forest’s Evangelos Marinakis was a panic-buying shopaholic — a wild conspiracy theorist who hired that bloke off Gladiators to rumble referees — must have been the product of your own overactive imagination.Here is a big cuddly Greek Santa, laden with gifts and leading Forest into the promised land.Chelsea player ratings vs BrentfordSince Boehly and his Clearlake crew purchased Chelsea in the summer of 2022, the club has signed 45 players for a total of £1.3billion.Since Forest won promotion to the Premier League that same summer, they have got more than 40 players for a combined total in the region of £300million.And at both clubs, somehow, it’s working.At the age of 33, Forest’s Kiwi striker Chris Wood is the new Erling Haaland. Chelsea star Cole Palmer was Pep Guardiola’s blind spot.Anthony Elanga and Jadon Sancho are more effective than any winger currently on Manchester United’s books.The Premier League is a madhouse. To succeed, join the stark-raving lunatics, as Chelsea and Forest have done.Understated managersWhat both clubs needed, it turns out, was an understated, unheralded manager to sift through the shopping, to settle on a core squad, to play ball with eccentric owners and coach a bloody good football team.Neither Enzo Maresca nor Nuno Espirito Santo were wildly popular appointments.Maresca had led Leicester to the Championship title but was nobody’s first choice to succeed Mauricio Pochettino this summer.Yet the Italian was 20/20 in his vision of Chelsea’s best team, ruthless in his pre-season squad-slashing and he is now presiding over a premature vindication of Boehly’s seemingly-unhinged regime.Nuno, after his car-crash reign at Tottenham, replaced Forest’s promotion-winning Messiah Steve Cooper to a chorus of shrugs, just before the club would be deducted four points for breaching PSR last season. The Portuguese boss with the charisma bypass is the polar opposite of Brian Clough. Yet he is threatening to become the best of Forest’s 29 managers since the exit of Old Big ’Ead.Enzo Maresca is proving his doubters wrong alreadyCredit: GettyDon’t make sense of itSimilarly to Maresca, it’s been a case of clearing dead wood from the Forest, seeing the Chris Wood for the Tricky Trees.Of course, this is a snapshot in time. Nobody expects Forest to play in the Champions League next season and nobody expects Chelsea to win the title this term.There are still PSR concerns at both clubs, still plenty of unwanted players on long, lucrative contracts.For every Palmer at Chelsea, there’s a Mykhailo Mudryk. Boehly’s mob are still paying Raheem Sterling £200,000 a week not to play for Arsenal.And at Forest, for every Morgan Gibbs-White, there’s a Jonjo Shelvey.But, at present, these two clubs — who seemed to be giving us a crash course in how not to run a football club — are doing exactly the bleeding opposite.Whatever you do, just don’t try to make sense of any of it.Andy’s AwfulLIVERPOOL’S exhilarating 2-2 draw with Fulham will be a contender for the Premier League’s match of the season.Which suggests that, to make things more interesting for everyone, the Reds should always be reduced to ten men for no apparent reason inside 20 minutes.One troubling aspect for Arne Slot is that his side were better AFTER Andy Robertson’s harsh early dismissal than they had been with the Scot, 30, on the pitch.Full-backs don’t tend to go over the hill, they fall off cliffs — as Robbo and his fellow stalwart, 34-year-old Kyle Walker at Manchester City, have done.Cottagers’ Antonee Robinson, 27, man of the match on Saturday, has a Scouse accent despite his USA international allegiance, and would be an ideal replacement.Except that Fulham are loath to do business with Liverpool, after the Kop outfit signed academy products Harvey Elliott and Fabio Carvalho on the cheap.Is Andy Robertson coming to the end of his prowess at Liverpool?Credit: EPABrit Of A ChangeTHERE can rarely have been a more predictable sacking than that of Gary O’Neil at Wolves.It wasn’t just two wins from 16 matches, it was his players’ meltdowns in consecutive defeats by West Ham and Ipswich which turned his side into Wolver-tantrum Wanderers.His exit came just before the equally obvious departure of Russell Martin at Southampton.It means there are   only  two  English bosses — Eddie Howe and Sean Dyche — in the top flight, along with just one other Brit, Kieran McKenna at Ipswich.A complete wipeout of homegrown bosses is on the horizon. Unless the Etihad sheikhs decide it’s time to break the glass on the emergency alarm and call up Fireman Sam Allardyce?He’s A Must PickJORDAN PICKFORD’S heroics in Everton’s 0-0 draw at Arsenal on Saturday suggested that, of all the changes Thomas Tuchel might make as England boss, the goalkeeping position will NOT be one of them.He has as many caps as Gordon Banks and more major final appearances than every other goalkeeper ever to play for England put together.And with the Wembley debacle against Greece in October perhaps his only truly bad performance in a Three Lions shirt, it might soon be time to show Pickford some proper appreciation.Jordan Pickford should continue to be England’s No1 for a while yetCredit: ReutersGive Spoty Men A GoIF the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award were for sporting achievement it would go to  Joe Root, who this year confirmed himself as England’s greatest ever batsman.If it were down to force of  personality, it would go to 17-year-old darts phenomenon Luke  Littler, who has made the Ally Pally arrow-slinging jamboree a global must-watch. But it will go to athletics’ Keely Hodgkinson — not unreasonably, as she’s an Olympic 800 metres gold medallist with a sparkling personality.And note that the previous three winners have all been women. Is it time for separate SPOTY awards for either sex — some  positive discrimination just to give the blokes a chance?Not Gund enoughWHILE  focus has fallen on Rodri’s injury, Kyle Walker’s terminal decline, Phil Foden’s form crisis and Erling Haaland’s lack of goals, the  re-signing  of  Ilkay  Gundogan has escaped much criticism.But Manchester City’s decision to bring back their 34-year-old former captain —  a year after he decamped  for Barcelona — was an extremely retrograde step from such a forward-thinking boss as Pep Guardiola.READ MORE SUN STORIESIlkay Gundogan has hardly pulled up trees on his return to Man CityCredit: Getty’Statistical anomaly’   TOTTENHAM have lost as many Premier League games as they have won this  season, yet after a 5-0 win in the “principles derby” at Southampton, they boast a goal difference of plus-17.This wild statistical  anomaly is perfect  testimony to the unique wonders of Angeball. More

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      Fans convinced Carlo Ancelotti has had lip fillers as reason for Real Madrid manager’s swollen mouth is revealed

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      FANS were transfixed by a lip-smacking thriller – before wondering if Carlo Ancelotti had lip-swelling filler.Viewers were open-mouthed with astonishment over the Real Madrid manager’s swollen bottom lip in a press conference following a 3-3 draw at Rayo Vallecano.Viewers were entranced by Carlo Ancelotti’s lips when he faced the mediaCredit: X @marcaJude Bellingham had earlier netted as Real Madrid drew 3-3Credit: AFPAncelotti saw his Real team fail to move top of LaLigaCredit: GettyMany fans were convinced the legendary ex-Chelsea chief must have had botox treatment or an operationOne posted: “What’s wrong with your lip? Have you had surgery?”Another claimed: “I’ve been giggling about Ancelotti’s lip filler since I woke up”  A third wrote: “Can someone explain to me what Ancelotti has done to his lips?”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe unexpected debate about Ancelotti’s facial features came after Jude Bellingham netted for a sixth LaLiga match in a row.The last player to do that was Karim Benzema, also for Real, eight years ago.But the draw means Ancelotti’s men remain a point behind neighbours Atletico Madrid and leaders Barcelona.So one fan felt able to ask: “Why did Ancelotti get lip filler. This is not a serious club.”Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSSpanish outlet mundodeportivo say his large lips were due to an allergy.But it didn’t save the former Bayern Munich and Everton boss from less than generous jibes.Jude Bellingham’s glorious England moment brought back in stylePlenty of fans on social media made up their own mind over the cause of the apparent swelling.One wrote: “Ancelotti has punctured his lips or is it just me.”Another said: “Ancelotti has been more concerned about his lips than about today’s game.”That was particularly unkind as Real recovered from trailing 2-0 to lead 3-2 through Federico Valverde, Bellingham and Rodrygo.But Isi Palazon rescued a valuable point for second-bottom Vallecano.So for Ancelotti it wasn’t a case of all’s swell that ends swell. More

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      Ben Godrey willing to give up winning Serie A for Premier League return as two clubs lead transfer chase

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      BEN GODFREY is willing to give up winning Serie A for a return to the Premier League.The 26-year-old joined Italian table-toppers Atalanta from Everton in a £10million deal last summer.Ben Godfrey is keen on a move back to EnglandCredit: GettyBut Wolves and Nottingham Forest are leading the chase in bringing versatile defender Godfrey back to England.Godfrey has made just four appearances for last season’s Europa League winners Atalanta since the move to Italy.In his four games, only one came in Serie A, which came as a substitute in the 4-0 over Lecce in August.But the two-cap England ace has had to wait for minutes in Gian Piero Gasperini’s side because of the Italian club’s shock success in Serie A.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLGodfrey’s last appearance came in the 6-1 Champions League away victory over Young Boys last month.Atalanta currently have a two-point lead at the top and play Cagliari on Saturday afternoon while second-placed Napoli travel to Udinese.But SunSport understands Godfrey would be prepared to play football rather than sit on the bench and potentially collect a medal next May.Atalanta will also have to deal with the likes of Inter Milan and Fiorentina, who are hot on their heels.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSBoth teams are three points behind the Bergamo side with a game in hand.Back in September, it was claimed that Godrey had been “struggling” to adapt to Gian Piero Gasperini’s system.Ruben Amorim introduces rarely-seen pre-match training tactic ahead of 4-0 thrashing of Everton Godrey came through the youth academy at York City before hearing a move to Norwich City in 2016.He spent four years at Carrow Road and helped the club back into the Premier League in 2019.However, after suffering relegation in 2020, he remained in the top-flight after sealing a transfer to Everton for a potential £25m fee.Godrey went on to make 93 appearances for the Toffees before leaving the club for Italy.Who are these famous footballers? More

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      Government plans for football will backfire… damaging the Premier League is in NOBODY’S interest

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      NO ONE watching this year’s Premier League could think English football isn’t in rude health.Liverpool are on top, with Chelsea in hot pursuit and Aston Villa flying high in the Champions League. Bournemouth, Brentford and Brighton are all pushing for Europe.The Football Governance Bill is currently being debated in ParliamentCredit: AlamyThe Premier League provides support further down the football pyramidCredit: GettyOur second league, the Championship, is thriving like never before.It’s now the sixth richest league in Europe, thanks to the EFL’s £1billion broadcasting deals and the Premier League’s financial support — the most generous of any major league in the world.Incredibly, our second tier is now far wealthier than even the Portuguese or Dutch first leagues.Meanwhile, club insolvencies across the pyramid are at a 30-year low.READ MORE ON FOTBALLBut a lot of our politicians seem to think English football is a fragile house of cards. Other countries would love to have our so-called “problems”.There’s a reason 1.5bn people around the world tune into English football.Because, from top to bottom, our leagues crackle with tension, high stakes and meaning.They are not boring hierarchies where one team dominates in half-full stadiums, but the best competitions on the planet — forged by those willing to take risks, invest millions and back their judgment.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSIn what was promised to be a “light touch” regulator concentrating on the issues that are very important to clubs and fans — heritage issues, better fan engagement, proper owners and so on — the Government has given the Independent Football Regulator a so-called “Backstop” power.It’s part of the Football Governance Bill, currently being debated in Parliament, although it is making slower than expected progress. Former Premier League star begins new career as rapper with debut album set to be released – Labour’s own backbenchers have suggested over 150 new clauses they believe should be added to their own Government’s Bill.That’s on everything from forcing clubs to socially engineer the make-up of their season ticket holders, to demanding that fans are defined as only those who have season tickets, regardless of if you can actually get a season ticket at your club or not.The Backstop power gives the Regulator the right to forcibly take money from Prem clubs, even if it harms or affects their own competitiveness.Less cash means less to spend on transfer fees or less cash to pay their players.Not all Prem clubs have endless wealth, that’s why there is over £2bn of debt in the Prem.The Prem is no miserly Scrooge. Every Championship club receives around £7million a season, each League One club gets around £1.5m and each League One club gets over £1m.These payments are a helping hand, agreed freely and with goodwill.And since their inception in 2007, they have increased more than tenfold.But the Government believes this generosity, more money shared than any other league on the planet, should make way for state intervention.The result of which could mean that Prem clubs have to take on more debt (which ironically makes them less sustainable) or invest less in their own team so that fellow owners in the other leagues no longer have to take similar risks themselves. This is trickle-down turned upside-down.The Championship is no soup kitchen queue. It hosts incredibly wealthy owners, nine of them billionaires, who plough millions into efforts to reach the promised land.Yet, a Prem side that has climbed the ladder the hard way,  through calculated risk-taking and sustained investment, may be forced to hand over more millions so that Championship owners don’t have to.That’s even if those owners have mismanaged their clubs, made bad decisions and ­deliberately put their clubs at financial risk.It won’t be their owners that have to face the consequences, it will be the Prem owners who have to pick up their tab!The Prem willingly supports the pyramid with £1.6bn over a three-year broadcast cycle.That’s how I believe it should stay: negotiated, reasonable and always voluntary.That’s why I think the Regulator could well consider £1.6bn is far too generous and decide to cut it back.Or wonder why League Two only get eight per cent of the total PL handout, as the Championship keeps 80 per cent.Or they may decide the Prem should not fund every part of the pyramid themselves and the EFL should support the National League, the league directly below them, rather than asking the Prem to do that for them.Or they may just simply decide to impose far more stringent self-help measures that the EFL will have to implement to ensure they manage their own money better.Any good Regulator will surely see that damaging the appeal of the PL, and creating a competition that’s less vibrant, less exciting and much less appealing is in no one’s interests.Because if that happens, the Premier League will go into reverse and there will be far less money for everyone in the football pyramid.Less money for grassroots football. Less money for the PFA. Less money for the Football Foundation. Less money for the women’s game.READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd less money for all the many community projects and charities the PL supports to the tune of over £50m a year.As they say, be careful what you wish for…Who are these famous footballers? More

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      Mikel Arteta backs Bukayo Saka to emulate idol Cristiano Ronaldo as boss opens up on ‘evolving’ star winger

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      MIKEL ARTETA backed Bukayo Saka to emulate idol Cristiano Ronaldo by becoming a world-class centre-forward.From Hale End product to global superstar, the 23-year-old Arsenal winger’s evolution has taken most people by surprise — even within the club itself.Mikel Arteta has backed Bukayo Saka to emulate Cristiano RonaldoCredit: AFPSaka previously revealed that Ronaldo was his idol growing upCredit: ReutersUsed as a left-back in the early stages of Arteta’s Emirates reign, he made his first senior Gunners start six years ago this week.That was as a 17-year-old under then-boss Unai Emery in a 1-0 Europa League victory at home against Qarabag.Saka is now a world-class winger and undroppable starter for Arsenal and England, who belongs in the same conversation as the very best.But boss Arteta believes it is only a matter of time before he follows in the footsteps of the legendary Ronaldo and moves from out wide to a more central No 9 role.Read More on ArsenalRonaldo — now aged 39 and at Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr — made his name at Manchester United as a winger.The Portuguese went on to become one of the game’s greatest goalscoring strikers at Real Madrid.Asked if he could envisage a similar path for his talisman, Arteta said:“We are thinking about these things.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSArteta regularly heaps praise on ‘starboy’ SakaCredit: AP“It will depend on the qualities of the players around him. For somebody to be inside rather than outside, somebody has to be outside.“That player, the full-back, the attacking midfielder and the No 9 has to allow the space to do that.Arsenal star Bukayo Saka’s glam girlfriend Tolami Benson steals the show in daring outfit at The Fashion Awards“But I’m certainly very open to keep evolving players.”With two goals and an assist in the Gunners’ 3-0 Champions League win over Monaco on Wednesday, Saka now has 21 goal involvements in 21 games in all competitions this term.Since the start of last season in the Champions League, only Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane (18) and Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr (16) have been involved in more goals than Saka’s 14.And with ten assists and five goals in the Prem this campaign, he tops Europe’s big five leagues for assists — more than Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal (9) and Liverpool’s Mo Salah (8).On what Saka’s goalscoring targets should be, Arteta continued: “We always set targets. The idea to score 30 or 40 goals is fine but how are we going to do it?“How are we going to create a plan to try to develop the player and give him the best possible chance to make sure he is able to do that.I’m certainly very open to keep evolving players.Mikel Arteta“Sometimes it is a role, sometimes it a position on the pitch and sometimes it is other things.“When the understanding of the game and the spaces and the timing of how they move in relation to each other is strong, the freedom has to increase.“The decision-making is going to improve as they understand it better. That will create uncertainty for the opposition and now they have much more freedom than in the past.”Speaking of his admiration for Ronaldo previously, Saka explained: “I love his mentality. He just always wants to be the best, always working hard on and off the pitch.“He’s one of the best players to ever play football. He is unique.“We are two different players but I always try to look at him and take the good things from his game.”Fellow academy graduate Myles Lewis-Skelly, 18, made his Champions League debut against Monaco.And the rookie left-back could make his first Prem start at home to Everton tomorrow, with fellow teen sensation Ethan Nwaneri, 17, on the bench.Full-backs Oleksandr Zinchenko and Riccardo Calafiori are absent with muscular issues but Brazilian centre-back Gabriel is in contention to return.I love his mentality. He just always wants to be the best, always working hard on and off the pitch.Saka on RonaldoArteta says he is in a better position to give young stars debuts because of his “unbelievable” Gunners dressing room.Unlike the toxic group that he inherited in December 2019 when he took over as boss.The Spaniard said: “They can be ready — but then the context in that team, dressing room, moment, is not right…“Now the work has been done and it is exceptional what everybody has done and now they have the right environment.READ MORE SUN STORIES“The way they look after them and make them feel.“The jump is so big but they are showing that they are capable of doing it.”How to stop Arsenal at cornersArsenal have turned into a prolific team when it comes to scoring from corners.The Gunners have now scored 22 goals from them since the start of last season – seven more than their nearest rival Manchester City and eight more than Premier League leaders Liverpool.Two of them came against Manchester United – Jurrien Timber and William Saliba netting in the second half to earn Mikel Arteta’s men a vital win as they chase down Arne Slot’s Reds.Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka were the architects with their deliveries, and each now have seven set-piece assists since the start of the 2023/24 campaign – more than any other player.United legend Dimitar Berbatov joked Arsenal are the new Stoke City of the top flight – a side under Tony Pulis who terrorised the so-called “bigger clubs” with set-piece mastery.Here are four ways to stop Arteta’s side at corners More

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      Pep Guardiola worryingly reveals he’s ‘struggling to eat and sleep’ during Man City’s shocking run of form

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      PEP GUARDIOLA revealed he is struggling to sleep and eat amid Manchester City’s disastrous run in the Premier League and Champions League.City have lost seven of their last 10 matches across all competitions, of which they have only won one.Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola revealed he is struggling to sleep and eatCredit: APGuardiola has seen Man City lose seven of the last 10 matchesCredit: EPAThis marks the reigning Prem champions’ worst ever run since Guardiola, 53, took over in 2016.In fact, this is the worst spell the Catalan tactician has ever endured during his 16-year career as manager.This has taken a toll on the ex-Barcelona boss and it showed after City gave away a three-goal lead against Feyenoord, who came back and drew 3-3 at the Champions League last month.Guardiola showed up for his post-match interview with scratches on his face and joked that he wanted to harm himself, before setting the record straight on social media.Read More on FootballCity’s woes grew on Wednesday when they lost 2-0 at Juventus at the Allianz Stadium, where the former Bayern Munich boss got to speak with ex-Brescia team-mate Luca Toni after the final whistle.And the six-time Premier League champion revealed that he “sleeps worse” and can’t digest his food “properly” due to the emotional impact the last few setbacks have had on him.Guardiola told Toni on Prime Video: “Sometimes you don’t need to have a great team to be happy.”There are no players or coaches who don’t play for months because the results aren’t good. All that is normal and can happen.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”I am a person who sometimes gets nervous, I have bad days, I make a lot of mistakes and rudeness makes me nervous.”Do I sometimes lose my head? Yes. I sleep worse and I don’t digest food properly now. I always have to eat light. Only soup at night. Beleaguered Man City boss Pep Guardiola involved in bizarre interview when discussing Rico Lewis red card”But I am the same coach as five months ago, the one who won the Premier League title.”If I’m in a bad mood, it’s bad. But I know it will pass. The same when I’m very happy. I know it will pass.”I sincerely believe that it will be a year of great difficulties. We have to find continuity. “But if we manage to get through to the Champions League, it will not be easy for anyone to face us.”City’s problems have led to a rare sight of Guardiola coming under fire.And ex-England boss Fabio Capello didn’t hold back on his criticism as he described the Barcelona legend as “arrogant and presumptuous”. More

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      World Cup winner’s £20,000 ‘gorilla’ guard dog saves Wag from burglars while she was ‘screaming for her life’

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      A ‘GORILLA’ guard dog came to the rescue after robbers targeted the home of a World Cup winner and left his fiancee “screaming for her life”.Lucas Hernandez’s luxury pad was targeted by thieves while he was away on duty with Paris Saint-Germain.Lucas Hernandez’ home was targeted by robbers while he was away on Champions League duty with Paris Saint-GermainCredit: AFPHernandez’s fiancee – Victoria Triay – was in the house during the horrid ordealCredit: INSTAGRAM@VICTORIATRIAYThe couple’s eight-stone guard dog foiled the would-be robbers’ plansCredit: INSTAGRAM@VICTORIATRIAYBut thankfully for the France international, who lifted the 2018 World Cup, his £20,000 dog thwarted their grand plans for a lucrative heist.Crooks targeted the World Cup winner’s plush Yvelines home during PSG’s midweek Champions League trip to Salzburg.The robbers, somehow, managed to evade local security and break into the house.Hernandez’s fiancee, Victoria Triay, was in the house at the time and panicked after realising their home had been breached.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSBut the couple’s terrifying guard dog managed to scare off the reported five intruders before they could ransack the place.A terrified Triay hid in a secluded area of the house while the harrowing ordeal took place and was said to have been “screaming for her life.”And she revealed on Instagram how the couple’s eight-stone black Presa Canario dog, which is worth £20,000, scared off the would-be robbers.Triay shouted out her pooch for its bravery on her Instagram story a few hours after the ordeal, posting a photo of it with a series of gorilla emojis.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSVictoria Triay took to Instagram to thank French police for their help with the incidentCredit: INSTAGRAM@VICTORIATRIAYSecurity eventually arrived at the scene after being alerted of the robbery but the crooks managed to escape.French police are conducting a thorough investigation into the attempted robbery.Arsenal player ratings vs PSGAnd Brazilian model Triary has been amazed by their response to the incident.She wrote on Instagram: “Extremely impressed with the French police system.”How fast and professional this issue has been handled. Thank you so much. You guys are heroes.”Hernandez has yet to comment on the attempted break-in at his plush home.The defender and his PSG team-mates will be back in action on Sunday night, welcoming Lyon to the Parc des Prince in a massive Ligue 1 clash. More