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      My dad will look down with pride when Forest host Liverpool and rekindle 70s rivalry, says Brian Clough’s son Nigel

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      BRIAN CLOUGH will be looking down with pride when Nottingham Forest host Liverpool in an amazing rekindling of their 70s rivalry.That is the message from his son Nigel — who played for both sides — ahead of tonight’s unlikely Premier League title crunch at the City Ground.Liverpool and Nottingham Forest collide in an unlikely top-of-the-table clash tonightCredit: GETTYThe match is a throwback to the ’70’s when the clubs were the best in the landCredit: REXBrian Clough was in charge of Forest when they went toe-to-toe with the Reds for major honoursCredit: PASon Nigel believes his late father will be looking down proudly this eveningCredit: REXForest are the story of the Prem season after six consecutive top-flight wins that has them battling with the big boys at the top.If Nuno Espirito Santo’s side make it seven on the bounce, they will cut Liverpool’s lead to just three points.Clough Sr took Forest from the old Second Division in 1977 to break the dominance of Liverpool and land the First Division title and two European Cups within just three years.Mansfield boss Nigel, 58, whose League One side play Wigan in the FA Cup tonight, declared: “Dad would have been very proud to see Forest back up there.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS“So many older supporters have said they wish their children were around to see that time.“Now, they are getting a little taste. Not of what it was — but a little taste of them being up there.“It’s just brilliant for those fans. It was always special playing Liverpool and I couldn’t believe the recent stat that Forest had not won at Liverpool since 1969.“For how much Forest did challenge them, they could not win at Anfield — despite some good nil-nils there.Most read in Football“It will be another sell-out at the City Ground. People can’t get tickets there these days, although they are welcome to come to the One Call Stadium if they want to see some live football.”Back in the late 1970s, Forest versus Liverpool was the country’s biggest rivalry.Elon Musk wants to buy Liverpool in stunning takeover says dad who fears club will ‘raise price’ for world’s richest manOld Big ’Ead, who died in 2004, masterminded Forest’s rise from the second tier in 1976-1977 and they won the First Division the next year.What followed was even more remarkable — European Cup triumphs in 1979 and 1980, following on from Liverpool’s consecutive wins before that.Forest also beat Liverpool in the 1978 League Cup final at Wembley as Clough and his Anfield rival, Bob Paisley, created an enduring rivalry.Clough Jr, who was 12 when Forest won the title in 1978, said: “I never thought I would see the sides up there together in the top three or four again.“It brings back memories of the late 70s when they were English football’s dominant forces.“Every time they have played in recent history, it’s always Liverpool who have been strong favourites.“But this does take you back all those years, when Forest were the only side responsible for preventing Liverpool’s dominance continuing.Dad would have been very proud to see Forest back up there.Nigel Clough“They were established European champions, had dominated in the mid-70s and looked as though they would continue to do that until Forest came along and upset the apple cart.”For a few years, Forest were then equal to them at least.”It will bring back a lot of memories for the older Forest supporters, who can tell their children that 40-odd years ago they were toe-to-toe with Liverpool.“This is the closest it’s been since that time at the moment.“I remember watching the rivalry build and Liverpool players from that time acknowledge the role Forest played in giving them that challenge they were not getting anywhere else in Europe.“It was not a geographical rivalry. It was just a rivalry on the pitch after becoming Liverpool’s closest challengers.“It wasn’t like a Liverpool v Manchester United situation.“But we just had so many battles around that time — including the League Cup final, as well as pipping them for the title and beating them in the European Cup first round.Matches between Forest and Liverpool were the pinnacle of English football in the 1970sCredit: GETTYNigel Clough played for both Nottingham Forest and LiverpoolCredit: GETTY“It all just evolved. The one uniting factor, if anything, was the Hillsborough disaster a few years later.“You would never get the tragedy chanting like with Liverpool v Manchester United — it’s not that sort of rivalry.”It is just purely the rivalry on the pitch of two very, very good football teams at their peak.”After two seasons finding their feet back in the top flight, Forest have suddenly hit form.They are the only team to win at Anfield this season, thanks to Callum Hudson-Odoi’s goal in September.And Clough — who played over 300 times for Forest before signing for Liverpool in 1993 — reckons they have to be taken seriously as title contenders.He added: “You can’t ignore Forest now because of the run they have had, similar to when Leicester won it.“It breeds confidence, which is a commodity in football you can’t buy.“You can’t instil it, either. The only way to get it is by winning games.“I saw some of the game at Wolves the other night and, after Forest scored early, the home side failed to take one of two or three chances.READ MORE SUN STORIES“Forest won it 3-0 when it could have maybe been 1-1.“When games like that are going for them, you can’t rule them out.” More

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      Borussia Dortmund in chaos and forced to move 140 MILES AWAY after horror bout of flu at training ground

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      BORUSSIA DORTMUND have been thrown into chaos by a savage bout of Die Manflu.Last season’s Champions League finalists are being forced to quit their training ground as a result and move into the German FA headquarters in Frankfurt which is 140 miles away.A flu outbreak has wreaked havoc with Borussia Dortmund’s squadCredit: GettyThe Germans have been forced to temporarily leave their training ground as a of a resultCredit: GETTYThey are due to play at Holstein Kiel tonight but the squad has been severely weakened by illness.Dortmund were beaten 3-2 at home on Friday night by Bayer Leverkusen – conceding after only 25 seconds.The players have been banned from shaking hands with only fist bumps allowed to minimise the risk of infection.Dortmund will continue to base themselves at the HQ of Germany – known as Die Mannschaft – until their own training ground gets the all clear.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSManager Nuri Sahin said of the outbreak: “Emre, Ramy, Pascal, Filippo and Alex are the sick ones and their hearts are fine now.”But to be honest, we don’t know yet whether it’ll be enough.”The boys were really ill and they’re on the right track, but we still have to wait and see how they tolerate training.”Karim’s got it too, and he’s a big question mark, Jamie is question mark for the game and with Donny we have to wait and see.”Most read in FootballManager Nuri Sahin has gone to extreme lengths to quell the outbreakCredit: GETTYSahin himself is struggling, saying: “Maybe you can tell by my voice it broke us all a bit.”We’re very careful in our interaction but somehow this virus got in and now we have to endure it.”Watch the moment Dortmund and Celtic fans BOTH sing You’ll Never Walk AloneDespite his side being ravaged by illness, Sahin insists his troops won’t go down without a fight.He said: “We still want to achieve our goals.”Of course, it’s a bit harder but we play in Kiel tomorrow to get the three points.”No matter what the personnel situation is, we will play 11 against 11 tomorrow, and as Borussia Dortmund we want to win the game.” More

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      Who is Liverpool wonderkid Rio Ngumoha, 16, who becomes Reds’ youngest EVER player after debut in FA Cup

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      RIO NGUMOHA has been handed a shock first start for Liverpool in the FA Cup third round against Accrington Stanley.He will become Liverpool’s youngest EVER player when he makes his debut against the League Two side.England Under-17 international Rio Ngumoha will start against Accrington Stanley in the FA CupCredit: REXThe 16-year-old has been training with the Reds’ first-team squad this seasonCredit: AFPThe 16-year-old wonderkid “truly believes” he can win the Ballon d’Or one day and is the talk of the Anfield faithful?SunSport is on hand to shed some light on the starlet, who has the brightest of futures ahead of him.How long has Rio Ngumoha been at Liverpool?The teenager joined the Merseysiders in September from Chelsea in a deal that proved to be the last of Arne Slot’s first transfer window.Liverpool made their move to sign the starlet in April after seeing his goalscoring exploits in Chelsea’s Under-17 Premier League Cup final win over Wolves.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSBut the west Londoners’ fury at the Reds’ snapping up of Ngumoha meant he wouldn’t be able to play for the Kop club’s Under-18s until September.The forward has impressed Slot during his brief stint at the club, so much so that he was called up to train with the first team in November.Ngumoha recently travelled with the Reds for their Champions League clash with Girona.But he was ineligible to play in the match as he didn’t meet the List B criteria for Europe’s elite club competition. Most read in FootballThe only way he could’ve played in the match would have been if he’d taken a place in the 25-man List A squad.He was then an unused substitute for the Reds during the Carabao Cup match against Southampton on December 19.Liverpool snapped up Rio Ngumoha from Chelsea in the summerCredit: GETTYWhat position does Rio Ngumoha play?The right-footed starlet can play across the front line but predominantly features on the left wing.Has Rio Ngumoha represented England?Ngumoha has been capped at Under-15 and Under-17 level for the Three Lions, finding the back of the net twice for the former side.Arne Slot says its ‘Not only Trent’ who played poorly against Man Utd What has Rio Ngumoha said?Ngumoha isn’t short of confidence and has already set his sights on winning the Ballon d’Or – despite not having a single first-team appearance to his name.During an appearance on Inside the Academy, he said: “I truly believe I can win the Ballon d’Or one day.”I want to be regarded as one of the best players to ever play football and be a legend of the game.”The love for football started when I was four or five. Rio Ngumoha has represented England at Under-15 and Under-17 levelsCredit: REXThe starlet has ambitions of one day winning the Ballon d’OrCredit: AFP”I was watching my brother and I wanted to be like him.”I was going to academies from a young age and it was a big thing when so many clubs wanted to sign me.”I have learned you have to be resilient and believe in yourself. “You can have a few bad games but you have to have that belief that you are the best.”For me, if I am in bad form I just put it behind me and work hard.”What has Arne Slot said about Rio Ngumoha?Before Ngumoha’s debut, Slot said: “It’s always special if young players make their debut, there’s a smile on my face, he’s a young kid.READ MORE SUN STORIES”Everytime he trains with us, he’s not afraid to do what he’s good at.”What shirt number will Rio Ngumoha wear?He has been handed the No 73 shirt. More

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      Champions League club granted permission for unique 15,000-seater new stadium after moving games 70 miles away

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      SURPRISE package Brest will keep playing Champions League home games 70 miles away – despite winning permission to build a jaw-dropping new stadium.The French club are a stunning seventh out of 36 teams in the group phase of Europe’s top event – having never before qualified for ANY continental tournament.Brest got the go-ahead for this state-of-the-art venueBrest can’t play European games at their Stade Francis Le BleCredit: GettyBut Brest’s 15,000-capacity stadium falls short of Uefa requirements.So they’ve been taking on European giants at Guingamp’s Stade de Roudourou, which holds 18,400 fans.Unsurprisingly, there’s huge demand for tickets in such an historic season.So Brest enquired with Stade de France chiefs about using the famous 80,000-capacity venue.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSBut that come to nothing – and now the club say they will stay at Guingamp for the rest of their European adventure.Last month, however, Brest won the go-ahead for a new site called Arkea Park with futuristic sloping stands.The only drawback is it will still be limited to hosting no more than the 15,000 figure that their current Stade Francis-Le Ble can take.The club even had to get special permission from Ligue 1 to play French top-flight football at their home venue.Most read in Champions LeagueThe French top-flight club play their European games 114km away from home at at Guingamp’s Roudourou stadiumCredit: AFPAnd Brest worked out that building Arkea Park would be cheaper than getting Stade Francis-Le Ble up to scratch.They’d also have to cut capacity by between 25% to 40% whilst renovating their home – meaning 3,500-6,000 fewer fans would fit inside,FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSIt would also have forced “demolition of private homes and one or two buildings of the Charles de Foucauld School” next to Stade Francis-Le Ble.In contrast, Brest believe the alternative of Arkea Park will give them the potential to host far more than just 17 Ligue 1 matches a season.Eighth-tier football club move into former Rugby Premiership stadium with bigger capacity than Premier League side They plan to make it suitable for a wide range of events all year round. In the meantime, Brest await the Champions League visit of Real Madrid on January 29… at Guingamp – 114 kilometres (70m) from their normal home. More

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      Jude Bellingham caught ‘humbling’ LaLiga rival who threatened to knock Real Madrid team-mate out ‘in 10 seconds’

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      JUDE BELLINGHAM was caught “humbling” a LaLiga rival who threatened to knock out Vinicius Jnr.Real Mallorca defender Pablo Maffeo claimed that he would only need 10 seconds to knock out the Brazilian if they were in a boxing match.Jude Bellingham patted Pablo Maffeo on the headCredit: xFans claimed that Bellingham humbled the defenderCredit: xMaffeo claimed he could knock out Vinicius Jnr in ten secondsCredit: AFPMaffeo, 27, was in the team as Mallorca took on Real Madrid in the Supercopa de Espana semi-final on Thursday evening.He and Vinicius were up against each other and clashed throughout the match.During the game, Bellingham, 21, took the chance to humble the former Manchester City starlet.A clip emerged of the England international patting Maffeo on the head.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThe Spaniard could be seen trying to react afterwards as Bellingham walked away.Fans reacted to the moment on social media and claimed that the midfielder got the better of Maffeo.One posted: “Bellingham humbling Pablo Maffeo.”A second commented: “Bellingham slapped Maffeo out of nowhere lmaooo.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSA third wrote: “Bellingham slapping Maffeo, he will always protect Vinicius.”A fourth said: “Bellingham putting sense into Maffeo head.”Wholesome moment Jude Bellingham leaves a young Real Madrid fan crying with happiness as he hands him his shirtBellingham netted in the match against Real MallorcaCredit: GettyBellingham’s trophy haulHere is a look at the trophies Jude Bellingham has won in his career so far…Borussia DortmundDFB-Pokal – 2021Real MadridLaLiga – 2024Champions League – 2024Supercopa de Espana – 2024Uefa Super Cup – 2024Intercontinental Cup – 2024England U17Syrenka Cup – 2019Another added: “Bellingham cooked Maffeo.”Real Madrid ran out victors in the match at the King Abdullah Sport City ground in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.Bellingham opened the scoring in the 63rd minute before Martin Valjent netted an own-goal to double Real’s advantage. Rodrygo wrapped the scoring in the 95th minute to send Los Blancos to the final.They will play Barcelona in an El Classico final on Sunday as the Catalonians beat Athletic Bilbao 2-0 in the other semi-final.Bellingham did suffer an injury scare in the game as he pulled up with a muscular problem in the closing stages.Manager Carlo Ancelotti revealed post-match that the heat affected his players as Federico Valverde was forced off.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe said: “He had an adductor strain, like Bellingham.”It was an unexpectedly hot game, it was very hot… and it could have affected both of them.” More

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      Mikel Arteta is in the doghouse with Arsenal fans and running out of time to show he has pedigree to end trophy drought

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      IT IS A WELL KNOWN fact that dogs learn through repetition.Especially their names. Call it over and over again and soon your clever pooch will be your loyal pal performing tricks for treats.Mikel Arteta is under pressure to win another trophy with ArsenalCredit: AFPArteta won the FA Cup with Arsenal just months after taking over but is yet to secure any other titlesCredit: APSo spare a thought for Arsenal’s poor pet chocolate labrador.Boss Mikel Arteta came up with the idea of having man’s best friend live at the club’s training ground to give the place a family feel. And she was named ‘Win’.That is not a word being heard quite as often as it should at London Colney today. At least not when it comes to getting over the line and winning a trophy.A crushing home defeat to Newcastle in last night’s Carabao Cup semi final first leg leaves Arteta licking his wounds after blowing a great chance of silverware.Read More in FootballWin will be licking other bodily parts as per usual.The concept of having a dog at a Premier League training ground is a positive one even if the choice of name is so North London and cringey.And there is no doubt that Arteta has re-energised Arsenal in the five years since he took over as manager in December 2019.But Tuesday’s inglorious stuffing feels like a barometer moment in the Spaniard’s time at the club. And the pressure is increasing.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSArteta introduced a dog named Win to the training ground two years agoCredit: GettyAs if to ram the message home in terms that Win would understand – Arsenal have let the lead slip five times this season – twice against Brighton but more importantly against their main rivals Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea. Boom boom.All of those games ended in draws, dropping vital points in the title race in the process.Arsenal player vs Newcastle in the Carabao Cup first leg tie at the Emirates (1)Arteta won the FA Cup at the end of his first half season in charge – breathing life into a flatlining football giant in December 2019 when taking over from the uninspiring Unai Emery.Victory in the 2020 FA Cup final over Chelsea should have been the trigger for more trophies to follow.But since then there has been nothing tangible to celebrate. No open top bus parade through the London Borough of Islington where skipper Martin Odegaard can show off a shiny cup.Since the FA Cup win four and a half years ago, even car-crash Manchester United have won something. And they are considered a laughing stock, now taking a punt on their third manager since Arteta took over the reins at the Emirates with a mission to make Arsenal great again.Ironically, Manchester United beat Newcastle in the 2023 Carabao Cup Final.The Geordies are renowned as serial chokers. Seven times losers in the FA Cup Final, twice in the League Cup, even throwing it away five times in the old Charity Shield. Without a major domestic trophy in 70 years.Succumbing to the Toon at home in such a feeble way does not mean Arteta’s time is up. Far from it, even if social media tells a different story with the notoriously fickle Gooners jumping on their keyboards over their chai lattes to ensure ‘Arteta Out’ has been trending.His 59.2 percent win rate is superior to that of his immediate predecessor Unai Emery and surprisingly better than that of Arsene Wenger – the man who laid the foundations for modern Arsenal.The French legend won 57.3% of his 1235 games. But Arteta has had only 262 so far which makes it slightly easier to maintain a higher ratio of victories.Wenger also had the Premier League in the bag in his second season – ripping the trophy from the best Manchester United team of all time led by the most successful British manager in history in Alex Ferguson.Arteta has enjoyed three full seasons of goodwill as he attempts a similar assault on football’s Mount Everest, overhauling Manchester City’s imperious four-in-a-row champions.The Gunners suffered a 2-0 defeat to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup semi-final on TuesdayCredit: EPAAlexander Isak was a thorn in Arsenal’s side againCredit: GettyThat’s a big ask and the club and the fans have been patient up to now. It’s still too early to panic but there is a growing fear Arsenal have reached a ceiling unless bold moves are made.Their arch-tormentor Alexander Isak, opening scorer against them last night, is a £150 million transfer target.Former players like Paul Merson are demanding swift action by the board to sign the Swede and provide Arteta with the dedicated number nine they appear to crave so badly.Kai Havertz is only three goals behind Isak this season but will never be the consistent out-and-out centre forward they so painfully lack. Neither is Gabriel Jesus.It’s curious that in more than five years Arteta has overseen a net spend of £483.79 million but he is yet to find a player like Isak to lead the forward line with such venom.Wenger got away without one too for donkey’s years but then he had Thierry Henry and few players compare favourably to the masterful Frenchman.It is no shame to have finished second in the Premier League twice in succession to imperious Man City.But the dominant force in English football suddenly looks fallible so there’s a big excuse for failure gone.Champions League quarter finals last season, the last 16 of the Europa League the year before that. Gallant defeats but defeats nonetheless.The title race looks beyond them this season. Third time in a row.Arteta is a bright, young, energetic coach with a lengthy managerial career ahead of him at only 42.READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd if he takes Arsenal up to St.James’ Park next month and turns Newcastle over in a stunning second leg comeback to get to Wembley, ignore all of the above.But for now time is not on his side as the clock keeps ticking and Arsenal’s near-misses mount up.Arsenal ratings vs Newcastle as Havertz fluffs golden chance with academy statlet the only bright light for GunnersARSENAL have a mountain to climb to reach the Carabao Cup final after a shock 2-0 first-leg defeat to Newcastle.Here SunSport’s Jordan Davies rates every Arsenal player on a disappointing night at the Emirates…DAVID RAYA – 6/10Looked nervy with ball at feet at times but could do nothing to stop Alexander Isak’s brilliant close-range finish.Unlucky to see his palmed save tapped in by Anthony Gordon.MYLES LEWIS-SKELLY – 8The academy product was very impressive again. Turned out of danger well at both ends of the pitch. So calm under pressure.GABRIEL – 6Gave Isak far too much space to manoeuvre a shot in the box before the Toon’s second. Wasteful and ineffective from corners.WILLIAM SALIBA – 6Had an early effort blocked near the line by Dan Burn. Was dealing with Isak well until losing a header to Sven Botman that saw the Toon striker score.JURRIEN TIMBER – 5Missed an absolute sitter from a yard out from a corner.Was then caught sleeping just after the break to allow Gordon to double Newcastle’s lead.THOMAS PARTEY – 6Linked defence and attack fairly well without ever really doing anything spectacular.DECLAN RICE – 6Plays Jacob Murphy onside from a flicked on free-kick that leads to Newcastle taking the lead.Took more responsibility in the second half on the ball.MARTIN ODEGAARD – 7Heavily man-marked by Joelinton but looked back to his very best after a spate of illness.GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 8Much more direct in his running. Unlucky not to open the scoring with his driven shot hitting the post after a half-way line sprint.Continued to be positive in his play – just lacked the finishing touch.LEANDRO TROSSARD – 6Sneakily got away with dragging Isak down to stop the Swede joining a Newcastle counter in the first half and a good first-time pass to set Martinelli away. Those were his only highlights.KAI HAVERTZ – 5May just be back from a sickness bug, but the big German did very little, apart from somehow fluffing a header wide unmarked from six yards.SUBS:JORGINHO (PARTEY, 59) – 7Some nice passes into dangerous areas and sprayed the ball about with conviction.GABRIEL JESUS (TROSSARD, 59) – 6Lively and sharp without every really testing Newcastle’s back four or goal.OLEKSANDR ZINCHENKO (LEWIS-SKELLY, 77) – 5Booked within a minute of coming on for a rash challenge on Joelinton. More

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      Mikel Arteta faces third different ball this week after Newcastle excuse as Man Utd target FA Cup surprise vs Arsenal

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      ARSENAL manager Mikel Arteta bizarrely suggested the Carabao Cup ball factored into his team’s 2-0 defeat to Newcastle on Tuesday.But the Gunners will be forced to play with ANOTHER different football this weekend when they face Manchester United in the FA Cup third round.Mikel Arteta suggested the Carabao Cup ball contributed to Arsenal’s loss against NewcastleCredit: ReutersThe Gunners missed several opportunities on TuesdayCredit: GettyAs things stand, Arsenal remain competitive in four different major competitions – each of which use a different ball.Arteta highlighted the main difference between the Carabao Cup and Prem balls after the club’s defeat to Newcastle earlier this week, citing numerous missed attempts on goal.He explained: “We also kicked a lot of balls over the bar, and it’s tricky that these balls fly a lot so there’s details that we can do better.”But at the end that’s gone, there’s no way back it’s about the next game and that’s our world, the reality is our world.Read More in Football”It’s just different. Very different to a Premier League ball, and you have to adapt to that because it flies different.”When you touch it the grip is very different as well so you adapt to that.”In response to Arteta’s comments, an EFL spokesperson said: “As is required throughout the professional game, the PUMA ball used in this season’s Carabao Cup and in EFL competition since 2021/22 is tested in accordance with the FIFA Quality Programme for Footballs, and meets the FIFA Quality Pro standard.”In addition to the Carabao Cup, the same ball has been successfully used in other major European leagues, including both Serie A and LaLiga and our three divisions in the EFL.Most read in FA CupFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSArsenal’s average shot on target percentage with different footballsThe Gunners have enjoyed a slightly higher success rate in the Champions LeagueCredit: GettyArsenal play with the Premier League football mostCredit: Getty”All Clubs play with the same ball, and we have received no further comments of this nature following any of the previous 88 fixtures which have taken place in this season’s Carabao Cup.”Before Tuesday’s semi-final first leg against Newcastle, 27 of Arsenal’s 51 shots in the Carabao Cup this season were on target – an average of 53 per cent with the Puma football.Arsenal player vs Newcastle in the Carabao Cup first leg tie at the Emirates (1)In comparison, 102 of Arsenal’s 197 shots in the Premier League have been on target – an average of 52 per cent with the Nike ball.And in the Champions League, the Gunners have managed to direct 58 per cent of their shots on target – 33 out of 57 shots with the Adidas ball.The Carabao Cup ball slammed Arteta will be used in the Prem next season.SunSport understands that an exact version of the ball has already been developed and agreed as the new Prem model – despite the complaints by some managers about it this season.Like other competitions, the FA Cup also involves the use of a different ball.The beloved domestic competition has its footballs supplied by Mitre.Arsenal will use them for the first time this season on Sunday when they face Man Utd.The Gunners will go into the match with some key players absent.READ MORE SUN STORIESBukayo Saka remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, while his replacement, Ethan Nwaneri, is also unavailable due to a muscle problem.Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu both remain absent from the squad due to injuries.Cup ball to be used in PremBy Martin LiptonTHE Carabao Cup ball slammed by Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will be used in the PREMIER LEAGUE next season.Gunners chief Arteta suggested the “tricky” Puma ball used by the EFL in its flagship competition had been a factor in his side’s shooting woes during the 2-0 semi-final first leg defeat by Newcastle.Arteta said the Puma balls “fly a lot”, admitting “there’s details that we can do better”.Pressed further, Arteta added: “It’s just different. It’s very different to a Premier League ball.“You have to adapt to that because it flies different. “When you touch it, the grip is very different as well, so you adapt to that.”But Arteta  and his players will certainly have to adapt next term as Prem chiefs will switch to the SAME ball for the new season.The Prem has used Nike balls since 2000 but a contract dispute saw the decision to switch to the German manufacturer from the 2025-26 season in what was described as a “lucrative” deal.Sun Sport understands that an exact version of the Carabao Cup ball has already been developed and agreed as the new Prem model – despite the complaints by some managers about it this season.Moving to Puma may, though, help ease the delayed introduction of semi-automated offside technology.The versions used by Fifa and Uefa have been developed in collaboration with Adidas, while Italy’s Serie A has brought in the technology with a Puma ball.PGMOL had hoped to introduce a semi-automated system developed by US-based Genius Sports in the autumn but it is now not expected to be unrolled until next term after issues in decision-making accuracy.Working with Puma specialists, who have already used a similar system, over the coming months should enable a fool-proof version to be ready for the big kick-off in August. 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      Why Dream Team managers should prioritise Tottenham, Liverpool and Arsenal players for the next month

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      DREAM TEAM managers need to stay alert at this time of year.The upcoming Gameweeks will not only feature fixtures from both domestic cups alongside the bread and butter of the Premier League but the resumption of the Champions League and Europa League league phases as well.It’s a busy time of year for Spurs, Liverpool and ArsenalCredit: Dream TeamThere will be plenty of points on offer in the next month or so but only if gaffers stay on top of the schedule.With this in mind, it’s important to note that Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham are the only three teams with EIGHT games to fulfil across the next four Gameweeks.These three clubs being the only ones involved in the Carabao Cup semi-finals as well as the European competitions.LIVERPOOL’S UPCOMING FIXTURESGW19: Accrington Stanley (h), Nottingham Forest (a)GW20: Brentford (a), Lille (h)GW21: Ipswich (h), PSV (a)GW22: Bournemouth (a), Spurs (h)ARSENAL’S UPCOMING FIXTURESGW19: Manchester United (h), Spurs (h)GW20: Aston Villa (a), Dinamo Zagreb (h)GW21: Wolves (a), Girona (a)GW22: Manchester City (h), Newcastle (a)TOTTENHAM’S UPCOMING FIXTURESMost read in FootballGW19: Tamworth (a), Arsenal (a)GW20: Everton (a), Hoffenheim (a)GW21: Leicester (h), Elfsborg (h)GW22: Brentford (a), Liverpool (a)Mohamed Salah is Dream Team’s top points scorer this seasonCredit: AlamyThere are several factors to consider when making transfers but it’s simply true that more fixtures equals more point-scoring opportunities.Cole Palmer (£6.1m) is one of the standout performers of the season with a mega average of 10.4 points-per-game but he will have a maximum of five outings in the same stretch that will see Liverpool, Arsenal and Spurs will play eight times each.This is not to say backers of Chelsea’s talisman should rush to ditch him but Dream Team bosses should ensure the fixture deficit doesn’t get out of hand.Alexander Isak (£5.9m), Bryan Mbeumo (£4.5m) and Anthony Gordon (£5m) are other popular players in fine form who may suffer when the European competitions resume later this month.Palmer owners will have a big decision to make in Gameweek 20Credit: GettyOn the surface, it might seem there’s little difference between three Stamford Bridge residents and three Spurs assets but if all six players appeared in every available fixture between the start of Gameweek 19 and the end of Gameweek 22, that’s a disparity of nine games in favour of the North Londoners, which could equate to a significant points swing!That being said, this is only theory.In reality, it’s likely Arne Slot, Mikel Arteta and Ange Postecoglou will rotate their squads throughout this busy period to some degree at least.READ MORE SUN STORIESFor starters, second-string outfits from Liverpool and Spurs should be expected against Accrington Stanley and Tamworth in the FA Cup third round this weekend.But the point being there are healthy returns to be had if gaffers can identify which form players are about to experience an increased workload.Score PredictorPlay Score Predictor with Dream Team this season!FREE to play£250 weekly prizePredict scores of five selected Premier League fixtures and earn points for accuracyMost points wins weekly cash prizePLAY NOW More