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      Former Wycombe and Barnet player Glyn Creaser, 62, ‘stable’ after suffering cardiac arrest during charity match

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      GLYN CREASER is ‘stable’ after suffering a cardiac arrest over the weekend.The 62-year-old was involved in a charity match at Stevenage’s Lamex Stadium when the incident occurred.
      Glyn Creaser, right, helped Wycombe to promotion in 1993Credit: Alamy
      Creaser lifts the FA TrophyCredit: Rex
      Creaser collapsed just as the second half was due to begin, with the match subsequently being abandoned.
      Thankfully, Stevenage have now confirmed that the former Wycombe Wanderers and Barnet favourite is in a ‘stable’ condition.
      A statement on their website read: “Stevenage Football Club is pleased to inform supporters that former Barnet player Glyn Creaser, who suffered a cardiac arrest at half-time during Sunday’s Martin Gittings Benefit Game, is now in a stable condition in hospital.
      “The Club and the player’s family would like to thank the prompt action of Club Doctor Kevin Zammit and the onsite Pro-Medicus Staff, who saved his life with the aid of a defibrillator.
      “The incident has once again highlighted the importance of defibrillators in sporting environments at all levels of the game.
      “The Club’s wishes Glyn a safe recovery and would like to thank those who attended Sunday’s match for their understanding of the situation which arose.”

      Creaser played 181 times for Wycombe between 1988 and 1995, having already racked up over a century of appearances for Barnet in the four years prior.
      After hanging up his boots, Creaser moved into coaching – going on to take charge of Aylesbury United between 2015 and 2017.
      The charity match was being played in order to raise funds for Stevenage legend Martin Gittings, who has been diagnosed with Multiple System Atrophy.
      A Paul Fairclough XI took on Barry Fry’s Barnet – who Creaser had been representing.
      The event was well attended, with around 1,200 fans believed to have turned out.
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      Arsenal legend Jack Wilshere offered move to League One side Wigan with 29-year-old considering retirement

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      JACK WILSHERE has been offered a footballing lifeline – with Wigan Athletic open to taking the former Arsenal and West Ham midfielder on board. Wigan chairman Talal Al Hammad has tweeted Wilshere saying he is ‘most welcome’ to turn out for the League One side.
      Jack Wilshere made 18 appearances for Bournemouth between January and JuneCredit: Reuters
      He also won two FA Cups during his time at ArsenalCredit: The Sun
      The 29-year-old is without a club with Bournemouth choosing not to offer Wilshere a new contract after he spent six months with the Cherries during the second half of last season.
      But Wigan fans shouldn’t get their hopes up of seeing the 34-cap England international turn out at the DW stadium.
      Wilshere has suggested that a move abroad would be the best option for him at this point in his career after even considering retirement.
      In a revealing interview with The Athletic, he explained: “I’ve said before that I’m open to going abroad. In fact, I probably want to go abroad.
      “I want to try something different. I think it’ll be good for me, for my life, for my family.
      “Have a fresh start somewhere where people, clubs, fans don’t think, ‘Oh, that’s Jack Wilshere. He’s going to get injured today’, or, ‘He’ll play five games and that’s it… waste of an investment.”

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      Wilshere left Arsenal for West Ham three years ago, but left just 12 months into a three-year deal, starting only six Premier League games.
      He told the Athletic that he still has the ‘hunger’ to play the game, but is yet to respond to Wigan’s contract offer.
      The midfielder suffered serious ankle problems and a broken leg during his ten year spell at Arsenal, with persistent injuries following him after his move to the London Stadium.
      During his time at the Emirates Wilshere made 198 appearances, including THAT display against Barcelona in the 2011 Champions League last-sixteen that has gone down in Arsenal history.

      A 19-year-old Wilshere put in a man of the match display in a 2-1 win against the Catalan giants during the height of their European dominance.
      He was the best player on the pitch that day despite lining up against footballing legends Andres Iniesta, Xavi and Sergio Busquets in the heart of midfield.
      A move to League One side Wigan would represent some difference to games like those, but it would likely offer Wilshere the opportunity to get back to playing first team football on a regular basis.
      ⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from The Emirates
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      Ex-Arsenal star Jack Wilshere offered move to League One side Wigan with 29-year-old considering retirement

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      JACK WILSHERE has been offered a footballing lifeline – with Wigan Athletic open to taking the former Arsenal and West Ham midfielder on board. Wigan chairman Talal Al Hammad has tweeted Wilshere saying he is ‘most welcome’ to turn out for the League One side.
      Jack Wilshere made 18 appearances for Bournemouth between January and JuneCredit: Reuters
      He also won two FA Cups during his time at ArsenalCredit: The Sun
      The 29-year-old is without a club with Bournemouth choosing not to offer Wilshere a new contract after he spent six months with the Cherries during the second half of last season.
      But Wigan fans shouldn’t get their hopes up of seeing the 34-cap England international turn out at the DW stadium.
      Wilshere has suggested that a move abroad would be the best option for him at this point in his career after even considering retirement.
      In a revealing interview with The Athletic, he explained: “I’ve said before that I’m open to going abroad. In fact, I probably want to go abroad.
      “I want to try something different. I think it’ll be good for me, for my life, for my family.
      “Have a fresh start somewhere where people, clubs, fans don’t think, ‘Oh, that’s Jack Wilshere. He’s going to get injured today’, or, ‘He’ll play five games and that’s it… waste of an investment.”

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      Wilshere left Arsenal for West Ham three years ago, but left just 12 months into a three-year deal, starting only six Premier League games.
      He told the Athletic that he still has the ‘hunger’ to play the game, but is yet to respond to Wigan’s contract offer.
      The midfielder suffered serious ankle problems and a broken leg during his ten year spell at Arsenal, with persistent injuries following him after his move to the London Stadium.
      During his time at the Emirates Wilshere made 198 appearances, including THAT display against Barcelona in the 2011 Champions League last-sixteen that has gone down in Arsenal history.

      A 19-year-old Wilshere put in a man of the match display in a 2-1 win against the Catalan giants during the height of their European dominance.
      He was the best player on the pitch that day despite lining up against footballing legends Andres Iniesta, Xavi and Sergio Busquets in the heart of midfield.
      A move to League One side Wigan would represent some difference to games like those, but it would likely offer Wilshere the opportunity to get back to playing first team football on a regular basis.
      ⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from The Emirates
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      Watch Martin Odegaard’s stunning flick set up Bukayo Saka goal in first Arsenal game since £30m Real Madrid transfer

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      MARTIN ODEGAARD crowned his second Arsenal debut with a stunning slick assist for Bukayo Saka.The Norway ace, 22, only returned to the Emirates last week in a £30million move from Real Madrid.

      Martin Odegaard produced a sublime assist for Bukayo Saka against West BromCredit: Reuters
      Odegaard, who impressed while on loan at Arsenal in the first half of 2021, was thrust into tonight’s starting XI at West Brom.
      And the playmaker helped his team to an epic 6-0 thrashing in the Carabao Cup second-round clash.
      Odegaard was unable to find the back of the net at the Hawthorns.
      But he did produce a sublime piece of magic to set up teammate Saka.
      The England winger made a sharp dribble down the left before cutting in centrally.
      Saka laid off the ball to Odegaard, who used some quick thinking to simply flick his leg behind.

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      The silky one-touch backheel then found Saka, who had continued running, right in front of the West Brom goal.
      And he pulled the trigger in front of jubilant away fans to make it 4-0.
      Nicolas Pepe and Alexandre Lacazette also scored in the thrashing.
      But it was Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who walked away with the match ball thanks to a terrific hat-trick.

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      However, Odegaard will have been left kicking himself in the first half after missing an open goal himself.
      The midfielder found himself facing an empty net following a Baggies mix-up at the back.
      But instead of firing it in the goal, or squaring it across the box, Odegaard instead sent a shot crashing into the side netting.
      ⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from The Emirates
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      West Brom 0 Arsenal 6: Aubameyang returns with stunning hat-trick as Gunners forget Prem hell to give Baggies a bashing

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      PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG answered Mikel Arteta’s call to arms as Arsenal finally remembered how to win again.Arteta had urged his senior stars to step up and take responsibility after the club’s worst ever start to a top-flight season.
      Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored three as Arsenal smashed West Brom 6-0Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      Bukayo Saka was also on the scoresheet as the Gunners picked up their first win of the seasonCredit: PA
      And captain Aubameyang climbed off his sickbed to see off West Brom’s reserves and get the Gunners’ up and running.
      Starting his first game since contracting Covid two weeks ago, the £60million superstar scored three and set up Nicolas Pepe for another to put this Carabao Cup tie safely to bed.
      Bukayo Saka and Alex Lacazette were also on target as Arsenal racked up their biggest win since December 2017.
      And how Arteta needed this result after back to back Premier League defeats by Brentford and Chelsea had left him feeling the heat like never before.
      Of course the Spaniard is not out of the woods yet and Saturday’s trip to Champions Manchester City will certainly provide him with a much sterner test than Albion’s kids could manage last night.
      But you can only beat what is put in front of you and Arsenal are in no position to turn up their noses at any sort of victory right now.

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      It was the first time that Arsenal had appeared at this early stage of the League Cup since they last failed to qualify for Europe 26 years ago.
      And the fact that West Brom changed the entire team which had beaten Blackburn at weekend confirmed that boss Valerien Ismael wasn’t half as desperate for a result as Arteta.
      The Carabao Cup was clearly way down on his list of priorities as he handed debuts to six players after David Button and Callum Robinson tested positive for Covid and Rayhaan Tulloch was injured in the pre-match warm-up.
      Yet what Albion lacked in experience they more than made up for in enthusiasm as Martin Odegaard, Granit Xhaka and Nuno Tavares were all subjected to early bone rattlers.
      And anxious Arsenal supporters would hardly have been reassured by the sight of teenager Caleb Taylor at the heart of the home defence.
      Because it was Taylor’s father Martin who infamously broke the leg of Eduardo while playing for Birmingham against the Gunners back in 2008.
      No wonder Arsenal were a bag of nerves as Aaron Ramsdale was forced into the first save of the evening by Tom Fellows and Taylor Gardner-Hickman shot narrowly wide from the corner.
      Ramsdale was making his Gunners debut following last week’s £24million move from Sheffield United and quickly realised that he is going to have his work cut out at the Emirates.
      Nicolas Pepe was in top form and found the target in the first halfCredit: Reuters
      Alexandre Lacazette came off the bench to score his first of the new termCredit: Reuters
      Martin Odegaard missed an open goal on his debut but made up for it with a gorgeous assistCredit: Reuters
      But just when it was shaping up to be the ultimate humiliation for the visitors, they bought themselves some much-needed breathing room with their first goal of the season.
      Midfield rookie Quevin Castro was caught in possession by Saka and though the England star’s 17th minute shot was saved by Alex Palmer, Aubameyang was lurking for a simple tap-in.
      It was a similar story just before the break, when he stroked home the rebound after Pepe’s shot had come back off a post.
      And Aubameyang returned the favour in first-half stoppage time when he hooked the ball across goal for Pepe to convert from close range.
      Saka was next up to make his mark, firing home after a beautiful backheel from Odegaard in his first appearance since completing his £30million permanent move from Real Madrid.
      But Aubameyang was not finished yet, cutting inside to complete his hat-trick with a beauty into the top corner before Lacazette came off the bench to complete the rout.
      Odegaard and Pepe also struck the woodwork as Arsenal’s superstars took full advantage of their opponents’ naivety to run riot.
      Yet Ismael won’t be too downhearted by this result as he focuses all his efforts on securing an immediate return to the Premier League.
      It was West Brom’s 3-1 defeat at the Emirates in May which confirmed their relegation and led to the departure of manager Sam Allardyce and half of the squad.

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      Aaron Ramsdale got his first taste of Arsenal action between the sticksCredit: Reuters
      New defender Nuno Tavares impressed at right-backCredit: Reuters
      It was captain fantastic Aubameyang who walked off with the match ballCredit: Getty
      But now their supporters have a new spring in their step after watching their team challenge Fulham at the top of the Championship.
      And they certainly won’t be losing any sleep over this one as they responded to the taunts of visiting fans by demanding: “How s*** must you be, we’re playing our kids.”
      It was hard to argue with their logic.
      ⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from The Emirates
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      Odegaard misses OPEN GOAL on second Arsenal debut… as fans joke they hope Gunners kept receipt after £30m transfer

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      MARTIN ODEGAARD fluffed an open-goal on his second Arsenal debut in tonight’s 6-0 Carabao Cup thrashing of West Brom.And the miss prompted Gunners fans to joke that the club should have kept a receipt for the £30million man.
      Martin Odegaard missed an open goal against West Brom on his second Arsenal debutCredit: Sky Sports
      Gunners fans joked the club should have kept a receipt for the £30m playmakerCredit: Sky Sports
      Odegaard, 22, rejoined Arsenal last week from Real Madrid, having spent the first half of 2021 on loan at the Emirates.
      The Norwegian playmaker was unable to make his first appearance as a permanent player in the 2-0 home defeat to Chelsea on Sunday.
      And Odegaard was instead thrust into Wednesday’s starting XI for the second-round win at West Brom.
      Arsenal started well as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang fired them ahead after recovering from coronavirus.
      But Odegaard could have the Gunners 2-0 up at the Hawthorns after taking advantage of a Baggies mistake at the back.
      Odegaard found himself in front of goal with the ball at his feet after a defensive mix-up.

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      But instead of playing a square ball across the box which would have absolutely guaranteed a successful strike, Odegaard instead decided to try his own luck.
      However, despite not being at a tight angle, the midfielder was unable to direct his shot into the back of the net, instead feebly hitting the side netting.
      And Arsenal supporters were quick to deride the effort from their new man.
      One quipped: “How am I going to tell my kids Odegaard missed from there?”
      Another said: “We spent £30million on Odegaard who’s just there for vibes.”
      One noted: “Ain’t no way Odegaard is being right now, my guy you played for Real Madrid.”
      Another tweeted: “Odegaard can’t be the same guy that played pro ball with Ronaldo at 15, he just can’t be.”
      One added: “Quick, get the receipt, this Odegaard guy is sus.”
      Odegaard’s miss was soon forgotten though when Aubameyang grabbed his second of the night before half-time.

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      And there were still seconds left for Nicolas Pepe to make it 3-0 ahead of the interval.
      Odegaard then bagged a sublime assist in the second half as Bukayo Saka hit the target.
      And Aubameyang netted his third hat-trick in a Gunners shirt with 30 minutes still on the clock before Alexandre Lacazette made it 6-0 with the final goal of the game.
      ⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from The Emirates
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      Neil Warnock slammed by Ref Support UK as ’embarrassment to football’ after Middlesbrough bosses latest rant

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      NEIL WARNOCK was labelled an “embarrassment to football” by a referee charity after the Middlesbrough boss’ latest rant. A furious Warnock marched onto the pitch following Boro’s 3-2 defeat to QPR and tore into ref Steve Martin, blasting him for missing an apparent headbutt from Rangers’ Charlie Austin on defender Grant Hall.
      Middlesbrough boss Warnock was furious because he felt Martin had missed a headbutt from QPR’s Charlie Austin on defender Grant HallCredit: Getty
      Warnock was blasted by a ref charity for “encouraging abuse”Credit: Getty
      But Ref Support UK hammered the 72-year-old, who is no stranger to dishing it out to officials, for encouraging others to do the same. 
      They said: “On the day that ITV run a two-day special report on ref abuse, this happens. 
      “This man is an embarrassment to football. Every season his pantomime show encourages ref abuse. 
      “Clubs that employ him, like Middlesbrough, need to take a hard, long look at themselves. Disgraceful.”
      Uche Ikpeazu gave Middlesbrought the lead at the Riverside from the penalty spot before Jonny Howson’s own goal made it 1-1. 
      Rangers then had Moses Odubajo sent off for a second yellow card before Lyndon Dykes put the visitors ahead. 
      Matt Crooks equalised for the Teessiders but Chris Willock, in front of his younger brother Joe who has just signed for Newcastle from Arsenal for £25million, won it. 
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      After Wednesday’s defeat, Warnock fumed: ”It’s just amazing really.
      “I thought he (Austin) headbutted Hall. It’s a straightforward headbutt. The ref saw it and thought it was a clash of heads but when you see the video it’s a bit different. I find it amazing they only see certain things. 
      “We have not been helped (by the officials). 
      “The linesman has given two offsides which are never offside in a million years and you expect better from that officials and I just told them that. I’ll have to write about it and I’ll get a report saying “yeah, you were right…”
      Neil Warnock in X-rated rant at referee at Middlesbrough youth game vs Leeds just 24 hours after Brentford loss
      Warnock, 72, has been the scourge of officials for over 40 yearsCredit: Getty More

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      Ex-Salford boss Johnson says horror Covid battle was scariest time of life after suffering kidney failure & pneumonia

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      FORMER Salford City boss Anthony Johnson revealed he almost died in a horror Covid battle.The 38-year-old  — who rose to fame in the BBC documentary about the Class of 92’s ownership of the club —  suffered kidney failure and pneumonia when he contracted the virus.
      Ex-Salford City gaffer Anthony Johnson was told his kidneys were failing whilst being treated in hospital for Covid-19
      He said: “It was the scariest time of my life. For a day or two, I thought that was it.”
      Johnson (left) tested positive for Covid last month — after his daughter, Bella caught it at school.
      He isolated and experienced flu-like symptoms but things took a turn for the worse and he was taken to hospital with serious breathing problems.
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      Paramedics arriving at his home were even forced to use a defibrillator to shock him back to life after they struggled to find a pulse.
      The father-of-three — who is now co-manager at Chester — had to wait five hours before he was taken in because the  Bury hospital was overwhelmed.
      He said: “At this point, I was thinking I could have been dead  — because if they hadn’t found my pulse, I wouldn’t have known any different.
      “I’d just had this defib and I’m in an ambulance bed thinking that I’m done.
      “Those paramedics were with me for nearly five hours. So while they’re sat with me — not being able to do anything apart from making sure I don’t die — there are other people not being seen to.”
      Johnson was eventually taken to the Covid ward where he was put in a bed next to elderly patients.
      I’m a nobody, I’m not a celebrity, I’m not a famous football manager. But I’ve had thousands and thousands and thousands of messages from peopleAnthony Johnson
      He was diagnosed with pneumonia, was forced to wear an oxygen mask and could not move without using a wheelchair.
      He said: “I was saying to the nurses and doctors, ‘I know I’m not as poorly as everyone else is in here.
      “And the doctor said, ‘You are, your kidneys are failing,  your blood oxygen level is lower than anybody else’s in here, you’re as poorly — if not worse — than everybody else’.
      “When he said that it struck a chord with me at how close I was to probably dying.”
      To make things even worse, Johnson could not see wife Kayla and kids  Lewis, 16,  Bella, nine, and Zac, seven.
      After seven nights in hospital, Johnson is now feeling “a million times better” — and was overwhelmed by the support of Chester.
      He added: “It has just been absolutely unbelievable. You realise how important you are to some people.
      Johnson said he has received thousands of messages from well-wishers as he recovers in hospitalCredit: Getty

      “I’m a nobody, I’m not a celebrity, I’m not a famous football manager. But I’ve had thousands and thousands and thousands of messages from people.
      “The players sent me a montage video with them and Bernard Morley, our co-manager.
      “I cried. Before that, I’d never cried in my whole life.”
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