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      Chelsea star who cost £112m eyed for shock transfer to Premier League rivals

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      ASTON VILLA could move for Chelsea’s Joao Felix as Emi Buendia looks to be leaving the club.Villa winger Buendia is close to agreeing a loan to Bayer Leverkusen, which includes an option to make the deal permanent for £17million.Aston Villa could move for Chelsea’s Joao FelixCredit: RexBuendia, 28, signed a one-year contract extension until 2027 on Sunday.But his future appears to be away from Villa Park with boss Unai Emery looking for his replacement.And the Spaniard could move for 25-year-old Blues forward Joao Felix.Felix was Emery’s top summer target before the Portugal star’s £38.4m move from Atletico Madrid to Stamford Bridge.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSAnd, with Felix starting just three times in the Premier League so far this season, Villa could reignite their interest before the January transfer window closes.Whether a move would be permanent or on loan may depend on another piece of business.Villa are also keen on Chelsea defender Axel Disasi and are battling with Wolves to seal a temporary switch.Emery wants defensive reinforcements after selling Diego Carlos to Fenerbahce and seeing Tyrone Mings hit by a fresh injury during Sunday’s 1-1 draw against West Ham.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSBut Prem rules ban clubs from taking more than one player on loan from any club, meaning a deal for Felix – who cost Atletico Madrid £112m in 2019 – would have to be permanent if Disasi also heads to Villa.Villa and Wolves meet at Molineux on Saturday with both in desperate need of central defensive reinforcements.Antony leaves Man Utd with more yellow cards than goals as £86m Ten Hag flop goes down as one of worst transfers everMings, who returned in October after 445 days out injured, fell to the turf in tears after injuring a knee again at the weekend.But Mings eased fears of another long lay-off by posting on Instagram: “I’ve had some serious knee injuries, this isn’t one of them.”Emery has also moved for Villarreal’s Juan Foyth, 27, who he worked with previously as boss of the Spanish club. Argentine Foyth plays centre-back and right-back which appeals to Emery.Villa could push to land Foyth AND 26-year-old Disasi given that Ezri Konsa is the club’s only available senior centre-back — with Pau Torres facing another month out with a broken foot.France international Disasi has started just three Premier League games all season.Even with fellow centre-backs Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile sidelined by injuries, Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has largely restricted the £39m signing from Monaco to Conference League and cup games. More

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      Pep Guardiola ditches tiki-taka for LONG BALLS as new signing Omar Marmoush sees Man City boss make THREE huge changes

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      OMAR MARMOUSH’S dazzling debut got Manchester City fans off their seats again.The £59million buy from Frankfurt ran Chelsea ragged for 74 minutes in their 3-1 win on Saturday — and was unlucky not to score.Pep Guardiola changed his tactics to accommodate new signing Omar MarmoushCredit: GettyMarmoush looked sharp on his Man City debutCredit: The SunAnd in SunSport’s Tactics Exposed show, DEAN SCOGGINS looks at how Marmoush is central to Pep Guardiola’s new ‘direct’ tactical plan as he tries to reignite their push for trophies this season.Here are three tactical nuggets from City’s Etihad triumph…1)  NOT TIKI-TAKA, BUT QUICK ATTACKERMarmoush was electric, playing off the left as more of an ‘inside forward’ rather than a winger or No 10.It was noticeable how direct City were — it was not the short, quick passes between the lines we are so used to from Guardiola teams.Read more football newsBut, instead, there were balls over the top and around Chelsea to the likes of Marmoush, Josko Gvardiol and Matheus Nunes bursting through the defence.Marmoush set the tone — pointing to where he wanted the ball played, coming short, off striker Erling Haaland, before spinning and darting into spaces behind Chelsea’s high line.Norwegian striker Haaland had cut a lonely and isolated figure during City’s horror run in November and December but he was back smiling again on Saturday.Marmoush was a constant threat, telling his new team-mates where he wanted the ball and running in behindCredit: Sun SportMan City played 53 long passes in the game as Guardiola evolved his tiki taka styleCredit: Sun SportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSHe scored a wonderful goal and had some mates to play with. Marmoush complemented Phil Foden on the other side in playing off and around the frontman.Most read in FootballCity keeper Ederson was direct and played it straight up to Haaland when he was left one-v-one against a defender.Pep Guardiola ‘SPLITS from wife after 30 years and three children together’ according to reports in SpainMarmoush and Phil Foden gave Chelsea’s defenders nightmares by running beyond Erling HaalandCredit: Sun SportBut it wasn’t just ‘hoof it’, this was a tactical plan with Marmoush and Foden completing a triangle of attackers that gave Chelsea’s backline nightmares.As Haaland pinned the defenders, Foden and Marmoush supported him. And when Haaland came short, his partners in attack burst into the space behind.It gave City a new dimension and, as Pep admitted last week, was more akin to the ‘modern’ style of Liverpool, Newcastle, Bournemouth and Brighton.2) NEW SHAPE, NEW CITYSpaniard Guardiola’s switch-up was not just in their direct style, it was also the shape he got his players to take up.Lots of Premier League teams move into a 3-2-5 attacking shape from whatever their ‘on-paper’ line up is.City would usually do this from a 4-3-3 set-up by inverting a full-back into midfield, leaving three defenders, a holding midfielder alongside that full-back in midfield and five attackers to roam ahead.Guardiola traditionally inverts a full-back into midfield while in possession allowing two attacking midfielders to join the attack in a 3-2-5 formationCredit: Sun SportHowever against Chelsea that all changed as his full-backs bombed on to leave just two defenders backCredit: Sun SportBut against Chelsea, Pep’s new shape saw it become a 2-3-5 in attack with Bernardo Silva, Mateo Kovacic and Ilkay Gundogan playing as the three in front of the centre-backs and full-backs Gvardiol and Nunes pushing right up into the attacking line.It was bold — Chelsea almost punished City losing possession early on but Nicolas Jackson and Cole Palmer wasted chances — though City grew into the game and were a constant threat to Chelsea.Enzo Maresca’s side pack midfield, so City went around and over it.3) FULL-BACKS A THROWBACKGvardiol is now the top-scoring defender in the Prem, so it’s no surprise to see him bursting forward into the box.It was more of a shock to see Nunes play at right-back in previous games — but in this shape, he wasn’t really a defender for most of the match.Matheus Nunes was a right-back only in name in this formationCredit: Sun SportPep got his full-backs to play like Nineties and Noughties attacking full-backsCredit: Sun SportPep got his full-backs to play like Nineties and Noughties attacking full-backs, overlapping, hugging the line and pushing their opposition wingers back.READ MORE SUN STORIESTheir heat maps show they barely ventured infield and Gvardiol’s goal came from Nunes’ shot and run being parried by Robert Sanchez as BOTH made runs beyond Haaland and in behind Chelsea.Gvardiol pinning back Noni Madueke also saw the Blues winger play Nunes onside for City’s opening goal. More

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      Chelsea ‘revisit talks with Bayern Munich to sign Mathys Tel’ and Nkunku could go the other way in swap transfer

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      CHELSEA are set to revisit talks with Bayern Munich to sign Mathys Tel, according to reports.The Blues showed an interest in the forward earlier this month but were told Tel wanted to stay at Bayern.Chelsea are interested in signing Mathys TelCredit: GettyChristopher Nkunku could join Bayern Munich in exchangeCredit: AlamyHowever after failing to feature in the last three matches the Frenchman could be available for a move with time running out in the transfer window.Chelsea are set to try again to see if Tel has changed his mind, according to the Daily Mail.They could even offer Christopher Nkunku as part of the deal with Bayern interested in the out of favour forward.Nkunku has made just three Premier League starts this season and could be allowed to leave on loan.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLManchester United are also keen on the French international.It has been rumoured Nkunku could move to Old Trafford on loan as part of a deal that would see Chelsea sign Alejandro Garnacho.United have reportedly slapped a £55million asking price on the head of the 20-year-old, who Blues boss Enzo Maresca is open to signing.He said: “We pay attention [to the market] if something can happen.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”But 10 days to go, we didn’t do anything, just we called back Trev [Chalobah].”We’ll see in the next 10 days if something is going to happen.”Fan spot classy gesture from Chelsea star Nicolas Jackson to Man City newbie Abdukodir Khusanov after horror debut More

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      Former Chelsea flop forced to explain himself after he is spotted sitting with Man City fans for defeat at Etihad

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      CHELSEA flop Danny Drinkwater has sparked a row after sitting with Manchester City fans and appearing to brand his old club a circus.The ex-England midfielder saw City dent the Blues’ top-four hopes with a 3-1 comeback win at the Etihad.Danny Drinkwater was with Man City fans, not in the Chelsea endDrinkwater offered this reason for his sittingCredit: InstagramDrinkwater is far from a favourite with Chelsea supporters following a dismal spell at Stamford Bridge from 2017-2022 after his £35million switch from Leicester.And fans who reckoned he was a waste of money were seething again after spotting him with home supporters in Saturday’s crucial Premier League clash.Drinkwater justified his actions on social media afterwards  – but his explanation stirred up more discontent.The now-retired star, 34, posted on Instagram: “For the @Chelsea fans asking why I’m in the City end… I asked the club for tickets!?! I didn’t receive any.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLDrinkwater then spelt out his feelings by adding two emojis – a circus and an eye roll.That didn’t go down well with fans who recalled his anonymous, injury-hit six years at Stamford Bridge.But other supporters slammed Drinkwater’s treatment by Chelsea at the weekend as proof of the “disrespectful” way former players are treated under the club’s majority owners Clearlake.The fortunes of the three-cap ace hurtled downwards on and off the pitch once he immediately swapped 2015-16 Prem title glory with Leicester for Stamford Bridge.Most read in FootballThe ex-midfielder had five injury-hit years with ChelseaCredit: 2021 VisionhausJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSAnd one fan said of his ‘snub’ at the Etihad: “Why would they give him tickets lol.”Another posted: “He took enough from the club. They gave him a nice retirement package.” Rapper Central Cee is lost for words when Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella serenades him A third wrote: “I wouldn’t give him any tickets either. He can f*****g buy them with the wage he received.”A fourth added: “If he really wanted to support the club then I don’t see any harm in him buying a ticket btw.” A fifth chuckled: “Did him dirty.. Didn’t do anything notable for the club.”But despite Drinkwater being such a costly misfit at Chelsea, the Etihad episode left some supporters pointing their finger at the current Stamford Bridge reign of Todd Boehly and private equity firm Clearlake.One fan said: “Clearlake disrespecting former Chelsea players, get them out.”Another demanded the same: “Get the owners out of here” – followed by two clown emojis.Drinkwater has described his humbling descent while at Chelsea as “the darkest I’d felt. It was like I was drowning and forgotten how to swim”. And his life away from the pitch has also been beset by an array of difficulties in recent years.He was banned from the wheel for 20 months in 2019 after admitting drink-driving following a crash in his Range Rover that injured his two passengers.And in September that year, Drinkwater was attacked outside a Manchester nightclub, suffering head injuries and ankle ligament damage.READ MORE SUN STORIESThen in November 2023, just a week after quitting playing, the Sun revealed how he lost £782,000 from a failed restaurant business.Drinkwater has since been working as a property developer. More

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      Chelsea star Andrey Santos victim of burglary as thieves ransack his home and he slams ‘cowards’ in now-deleted post

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      ANDREY SANTOS was the victim of a burglary while he played for Strasbourg on Saturday.Santos, 20, should have been celebrating a goalscoring performance as he helped the Ligue 1 team come back from 1-0 down against Lille to win 2-1.Andrey Santos’ house was burgled while he played for Strasbourg on SaturdayCredit: GettyThieves are said to have made off with £420,000 worth of goods from the on-loan Chelsea star’s houseCredit: GettySantos got married to childhood sweetheart Yngryd Freire in May 2023 and they are now expecting their first childCredit: instagram @ andreysantos_5But the Chelsea loanee took to Instagram to vent his fury after thieves attacked his home.In a now-deleted post to his story on the social media page, Santos said: “People from Strasbourg, I’ve always respected everyone, they were cowardly while I was playing today!”Whoever stole [from] my house has 24 hours to return everything.”According to Le Parisien, Santos’ home was burgled during the match.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe door to his home is said to have been broken down.Thieves then stole jewellery and valuables estimated to be worth around £422,000 (€500,000).Brazilian Santos signed for Chelsea in January 2023 in a deal worth £18.5million from Vasco da Gama.Santos is yet to make a competitive appearance for the Blues, but has been sent on loan three times.Most read in FootballThe first of these saw him return to his old club for the remainder of the season, before a loan at Nottingham Forest and then present club Strasbourg.He has played 19 games for the French outfit scoring eight goals and adding two assists in all competitions.Chelsea player ratings vs Man CitySantos got married to wife Yngryd Freire in May 2023.In December the couple announced they were expecting their first child. More

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      Chelsea ‘chasing Serie A midfielder Reda Belahyane’ in deal worth 30 TIMES more than he was bought for last year

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      CHELSEA are “pushing hard” to sign Verona star Reda Belahyane, according to reports.The Blues are keen to reinforce their midfield, with Cesare Casadei said to be nearing an exit.Reda Belahyane is reportedly being chased by ChelseaCredit: RexCasadei, 22, is claimed to be attracting strong interest from Lazio and Torino.Chelsea are said to want £12.6million for the 22-year-old, who has made just six appearances this season – and none in the Premier League.According to Sky Sports in Italy, the Blues could reinvest a similar sum in signing Belahyane.The Moroccan international signed for Verona from Nice in a £420,000 transfer in January 2024.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLShould Chelsea invest the full £12.6m they receive for Casadei into Belahyane, Verona will have received 30 times what they paid Nice for him 12 months ago.A Nice academy graduate, Belahyane made just eight first team appearances for the Ligue 1 club.He has since established himself in Italy and has played 20 times in Serie A this term.His performances earned him an international debut last October, when he featured for Morocco against the Central African Republic.Most read in FootballSUN BINGO GET £50 BONUS & 50 FREE SPINS TODAYChelsea could be busy up until the February 3 transfer deadline.The Blues have also been linked with Manchester United star Alejandro Garnacho.Rapper Central Cee is lost for words when Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella serenades him Earlier this week, SunSport reported that Chelsea are weighing up a bid for the Red Devils winger.They are set to face strong competition from Napoli for the Argentine’s signature. More

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      ‘Damn he looks emotional,’ say Man Utd fans as footage of Garnacho emerges after game amid Chelsea transfer links

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      ALEJANDRO Garnacho looked emotional as he thanked the home crowd while walking off the pitch at Old Trafford last night.Fans believe the winger’s post-match behaviour after Man Utd beat Rangers 2-1 hinted at an immediate exit amid his heavy links with Chelsea.Fans thought Alejandro Garnacho looked emotional while walking off last nightCredit: GettyThe winger could have played his final game at Old Trafford as he’s linked to move to ChelseaCredit: GettyGarnacho stayed behind after the whistle to walk around the pitch and soak in the atmosphere.Footage showed the Argentine looking emotional and seemingly holding back tears as he pressed his tongue to the side of his mouth. Garnacho first waved and began clapping, while looking up towards the top tier as he headed towards the tunnel.And fans in the Stretford End made their feelings known as they belted “Viva Garnacho” while applauding the 20-year-old.READ MORE MAN UTDGarnacho continued to clap and gave one final wave to everybody with his arms extended before making his way into the back area.Online fans spotted Garnacho’s moving reaction, with one writing: “Oh damn he looks emotional.”A second said: “We really don’t deserve him. It looks like a goodbye.”A third added: “It feels wrong to let him go. You can see he wants to stay.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSWhile another commented: “Wow. He looks sad to be leaving. I guess it’s his last match.”Garnacho could have played his last match at Old Trafford, with United’s next home game coming against Palace on February 2 – the day before the winter window shuts.Man Utd boss Ruben Amorim says he has no disciplinary issues with Rashford and Garnacho The Red Devils are away at Fulham on Sunday and travelling to Romania to face FCSB on January 30.Chelsea are expected to make a formal offer for Garnacho in the coming days.United did not respond to questions around a reported bid from Chelsea that is said to be around the £60million fee they are looking for.Garnacho’s representative, Quique de Lucas, was spotted watching Chelsea beat Wolves at Stamford Bridge on Monday.The Red Devils have been open around the fact their Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) situation is tight.Under PSR rules, selling a home-grown player like Garnacho, who has arguably been the side’s most exciting player over the previous two campaigns, creates more room under pure profit.Yet, United know such a move would go down badly with fans, especially if he joins their Prem rivals at Stamford Bridge. Napoli, who had a £40m bid for Garnacho rejected this month, have turned their attentions to Dortmund’s Karim Adeyemi.Garnacho reportedly has no desire to leave United but may be pushed out of the club as United worry about PSR.Those in red inside the stadium repeatedly chanted his name during his 90 minutes against Rangers.An Argentina flag was unfurled in one section of the Stretford End.Garnacho’s Instagram post shortly after further fuelled speculation that he’s waving goodbye to Old Trafford.He captioned it: “Strong team performance. Thank you Old Trafford.”When asked about Garnacho’s future after the game, Ruben Amorim said: “Let’s see in the next days. “He’s a Manchester United player and was really important for us today.”I think he’s improving in every aspect of the game, he was better today playing inside, also outside, changing positions, he’s improving the recovering position.”READ MORE SUN STORIESGarnacho joined Carrington’s academy from Atletico Madrid in 2020.He has made 118 first-team appearances for United since making his debut in 2022 and scored 23 goals.Man Utd ratings: Bruno Fernandes captain fantastic in last-gasp win but Harry Maguire asleep in dreadful cameoMANCHESTER UNITED all but sealed automatic qualification to the last 16 of the Europa League thanks to a last-gasp win over Rangers.The Red Devils welcomed the Scottish giants to Old Trafford in the penultimate group match of their European campaign on Thursday night.And they took a giant step towards a top-eight finish thanks to a 2-1 win at Old Trafford.A calamitous own second-half goal from Gers stopper Jack Butland broke the deadlock.Cyriel Dessers thought he’d rescued a point for the visitors in the 88th minute before Bruno Fernandes broke the hearts of the travelling Teddy Bears four minutes later.SunSport’s Ken Lawrence was in attendance for the Battle of Britain and is on hand to rate and slate the performances of Ruben Amorim’s side.Altay Bayindir – 7The Turk is a better keeper than No 1 Andre Onana, especially dealing with corners.Took a sore one colliding with Toby Collyer showing exactly that.Leny Yoro – 5The £52m central defender was deployed on the right side of Rubin Amorim’s three-man rearguard.Youngster was shaky at times but looked better when he had the ball.Matthijs de Ligt – 4Terrible early touch stranded Toby Collyer – Nicolas Raskin’s even worse touch let him off the hook.Hooked at the break – no surprise there, although Amorim said afterwards that he “felt something”.Lisandro Martinez – 5Once known as The Butcher of Amsterdam but he’s long lost that scary presence.Another one who doesn’t look happy in the new system.Amad Diallo – 7Looks a bit different these days since his tough time on loan at Rangers three years ago.Not on wonder-boy form this time but still a threat.Toby Collyer – 6Made his first appearance on a European stage and the boy done good.The 21 year old is a very decent emerging midfielder.Christian Eriksen – 6Turns 33 next month and his legs aren’t really up to playing in centre midfield.He’s always been a creator anyway but he dug in.Diogo Dalot – 5Started out on his wrong foot as a left wing back.Switched midway through the second half and looked far more comfortable.Bruno Fernandes – 9You wonder if he drives himself as mad as he must do his manager at times. But scored a fantastic winner.Joshua Zirkzee – 4Ruben. He’s NOT a centre-forward.Whatever £36m bought, it wasn’t a natural striker and it’s unfair to be playing him up there on his own.Alejandro Garnacho – 8Busy and focused – didn’t look like any talk of being sold to Chelsea was bothering him.On this sparkling evidence United would be mad to let him go anywhere.SUBSMaguire (for De Ligt 46) 3 Totally asleep for Rangers’ equaliser.Malacia (for Yoro 56) 5 : Looking happier now injury worries overUgarte (for Collyer 73) 5 : Put in a solid short spell.Mainoo (Eriksen 73) 5 : Added strength and mobility.Hojlund (for Zirkzee 82) 5 : Ran about a bit – he’s good at that. More

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      Chelsea set to seal Naomi Girma transfer with USA star due to sign for WSL leaders for world-record fee

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      NAOMI GIRMA is set to join Chelsea for a world-record transfer fee from NWSL side San Diego Wave.The deal for the USA international is thought to be around £900,000 ($1.1m), surpassing the £685,000 fee Bay FC paid for Zambia ace Racheal Kundananji.Naomi Girma is set to become Sonia Bompastor’s first January signing for ChelseaCredit: GettyThe USA ace helped San Diego Wave to win the NWSL Shield in 2023 and was named the division’s Defender of the YearCredit: GettyGirma also helped the USA win gold at the Paris Olympics in 2024 following their triumph in the women’s football tournament at the gamesCredit: GettyChelsea’s swoop for the player, who is 24, comes two months after their centre-back Kadeisha Buchanan ruptured an anterior cruciate ligament during their defeat of Liverpool. It will also see them beat Lyon to Girma’s signature with the eight-time Champions League winners believed to be keen on the defender. According to ESPN Chelsea are thought to have agreed terms with Girma, who is a key figure in the USA team managed by former Blues boss Emma Hayes. The California-born ace is one of the sport’s most highly-rated defenders and a player ex-San Diego Wave boss Casey Stoney believes will be a “massive gain” for the club. Read More Football Stories The centre-back played a significant role in helping her national side to win a gold medal in the women’s football tournament at last year’s Olympics in Paris. Hayes, who guided Chelsea to seven WSL title wins during her 12-year reign, described her as a player who is “unbelievable” on the pitch.Last August, the USA Women’s boss said: “She’s got everything, poise, composure, she can defend, she anticipates, she leads. She’s unbelievable.”Girma performances led to her being included in Fifa’s 2024 Best Women’s 11 side. Most read in SportThis line-up, which is dominated by Barcelona stars, also includes England and Blues right-back Lucy Bronze. Chelsea’s move for Girma follows the club breaking the British transfer record to sign Mayra Ramirez last January. The Colombia striker joined the WSL leaders from leaders from Spanish side Levante for a fee of £384,000 along with add-ous of up to £42,600. Chelsea will host Durham in the Women’s FA Cup ahead of their WSL game against ArsenalCredit: GettyChelsea, who host title rivals Arsenal in a WSL clash this Sunday, are currently top of the league after 10 wins and one draw so far this term. So far this season, under Sonia Bompastor, the Blues are currently unbeaten across all competitions. The Stamford Bridge duel will be Arsenal’s first away trip to the league leaders since Renee Slegers became the Gunners’ permanent head coach.  More