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    Why are Arsenal wearing an all-white kit against Oxford United and can I buy it?

    ARSENAL will take a stand against knife crime by donning an all WHITE kit for their FA Cup clash against Oxford United. The Gunners wore the bespoke shirt last season against Nottingham Forest at the same stage of the competition.
    Arsenal will wear their white shirts against Oxford United in the FA Cup
    It will kick off the club’s ‘No More Red’ campaign against youth violence in the capital.
    The Gunners are once again linking up with kit sponsors adidas to build on work being done with young people by their Arsenal in the Community initiative.
    “Young people face multiple challenges as they grow up in today’s world and we don’t have all the answers, but we are confident our work makes a significant contribution to the lives of our participants,” said Freddie Hudson, head of Arsenal in the Community.
    “Our hard work must continue and we’re proud to be building on the achievements of the first year of No More Red by adding more social action projects and a volunteer programme that broadens the reach of this powerful initiative.”
    Actor Idris Elba, boxer Anthony Yarde and Arsenal legend Ian Wright backed the campaign last year.
    The Gunners will be hoping for a different result this time, however, as last year they were knocked out of the FA Cup by Forest thanks to Lewis Grabban’s goal.
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    The all-white shirt won’t be available to buy – instead it will be awarded by Arsenal to people and organisations tackling the causes of youth violence.
    London saw more than 10,000 knife crime offences between June 2020 and June 2021, but the number was lower in 2022 at 6, 843.
    Arsenal in the Community already delivers sport and educational programmes to over 5,000 young people each week. More

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    FA Cup third round fixtures: TV channel, live stream and kick-off time with FREE games on BBC and ITV

    The FA Cup is a truly magical competition in the football calendar.We have seen surprise winners in the past, with Wigan notoriously defeating Manchester City at Wembley thanks to a goal from Ben Watson.
    Wigan Athletic beat Man City to the FA Cup back in 2013Credit: PA
    However, in more recent years the bigger teams have taken the competition seriously and fielded strong teams throughout,.
    Here at SunSport we have all the TV information for England’s iconic tournament.
    Full FA Cup third round fixtures and where to watch
    Friday, January 6

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    Saturday, January 7

    Preston vs Huddersfield – 12:30pm
    Reading vs Watford – 12:30pm
    Tottenham vs Portsmouth – 12:30pm – BBC Red Button / BBC iPlayer
    Gillingham vs Leicester – 12:30pm – BBC One / BBC iPlayer
    Forest Green vs Birmingham – 12:30pm
    Crystal Palace vs Southampton – 12:30pm
    Hull City vs Fulham – 3pm
    Middlesbrough vs Brighton – 3pm
    Fleetwood vs QPR – 3pm
    Ipswich Town vs Rotherham – 3pm
    Bournemouth vs Burnley – 3pm
    Blackpool vs Nottingham Forest – 3pm
    Chesterfield vs West Brom – 3pm
    Millwall vs Sheffield United – 3pm
    Boreham Wood vs Accrington Stanley – 3pm
    Shrewsbury vs Sunderland – 3pm
    Brentford vs West Ham – 5:30pm
    Coventry vs Wrexham – 5:30pm
    Luton Town vs Wigan – 5:30pm
    Grimsby vs Burton – 5:30pm
    Sheffield Wednesday vs Newcastle – 6pm – BBC One / BBC iPlayer
    Liverpool vs Wolves – 8pm – ITV4 / ITVX

    Sunday, January 8

    Bristol City vs Swansea – 12:30pm
    Cardiff vs Leeds United – 2pm – ITV1 / ITVX
    Stockport vs Walsall – 2pm
    Hartlepool vs Stoke City – 2pm
    Norwich vs Blackburn – 2pm
    Aston Villa vs Stevenage – 4:30pm – BBC Red Button / BBC iPlayer
    Man City vs Chelsea – 4:30pm – BBC One / BBC iPlayer

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    Monday, January 9

    Oxford United vs Arsenal – 8pm – ITV1 / ITVX

    Liverpool lifted the FA Cup last year after beating Chelsea in the finalCredit: AP
    How to watch FA Cup third round FREE
    The chosen televised clashes will either be shown live on the BBC or ITV.
    Matches are available to watch on a range of channels from BBC One and the Red Button to ITV 1 and ITV 4.
    The games will also be available to live stream on your mobile and tablet devices from the BBC iPlayer or ITVX. Both apps are free to sign up for if you have a television licence.
    Furthermore, you can watch the games on the BBC iPlayer and ITVX websites. More

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    Frank Lampard demands his Everton flops show ‘big balls’ to keep him in a job as he faces axe

    FRANK LAMPARD demanded his flops start showing “big balls” to get Everton out of trouble — and keep him in a job.The Toffees boss is fighting for his future ahead of Friday’s FA Cup third-round clash at Manchester United but insists he will not seek assurances over his position.
    Frank Lampard is fighting for his future at EvertonCredit: Getty
    Lampard said: “Sometimes you have to show big balls to get a result.
    “As a player, I always took personal responsibility.
    “I’m not being a saint in saying that but you hope your players are always looking to get better.
    “I’m not silly, we need to get results —  and I’m not walking away from that.

    “I want to be a success at this club and whatever challenges that come, I’ll take them head on.
    “We’ve slipped into the bottom three, that’s not my major concern — and I’m not talking away from that.
    “I’m just saying we’re in and around this area, that’s the reality, and if we win our next game we’ll probably be out of the bottom three.
    “But, above all, we’ve got to be up for a fight.”
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    Defiant Lamps will not go cap in hand to majority owner Farhad Moshiri and plead for his Goodison job.
    He added: “I would never seek reassurances. Part of my job is to absolutely focus on the job at hand.
    “I try to improve a little bit every day — myself, the team,  squad, everything.”
    Yet Moshiri is putting together a hitlist of potential replacements following a woeful seven-game winless run.
    Players were booed off after Tuesday’s 4-1 home thrashing by Brighton.
    Lampard was also hit by news full-back Nathan Patterson is out for six weeks with a knee issue.
    And 17 Everton fan groups yesterday wrote an open letter to Moshiri demanding changes at boardroom level “to save our club from decline”. More

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    Talks over major shake-up to English football that could change FA and Carabao Cups & see Community Shield played ABROAD

    A MEETING will take place on Friday over a major shake-up to the English game that could see changes to the FA and Carabao Cup and the Community Shield played abroad.The country’s leading footy figures from the FA, Premier League and EFL are set for talks to thrash out a number of proposals made from top-flight clubs.
    The Community Shield could be set to be switched abroadCredit: The Times
    As reported previously, these include Premier League clubs looking into SCRAPPING replays in the FA Cup.
    This idea forms part of a “New Deal for Football”, which could also see sides competing in Europe play U21 sides in the Carabao Cup.
    The Times is also now stating that Community Shield could be switched from its traditional place as the season’s curtain-raiser.
    The game, which is contested between the Premier League champions and FA Cup winners, raises money for charities and grassroots projects.
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    It usually occurs on the Sunday before the start of the top-flight campaign kicks-off – a time that big clubs are claiming disrupts their pre-season build-up and also affects the opportunities of lucrative overseas tours.
    Several alternatives have been offered regarding a date change – as well as playing it abroad in order to promote the Premier League globally.
    This fresh update says that “at least one club would like it to be an ‘All Stars’ game”.
    That would see “each Premier League team providing a maximum of two players and playing against the top stars from other European leagues” instead of its current format.
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    Discussions will take place over ideas to potentially deliver £300million in extra funds to the EFL while also reforming parachute payments.
    The ideas all come after the government warned the Premier League must provide a major cash injection for the EFL with a new deal – or else be forced to do so.
    However, top-flight clubs have only agreed to about £160m so far. More

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    Dream Team’s January Monthly competition gets underway with FA Cup action – winner takes home a PlayStation 5!

    DREAM TEAM’S January monthly competition gets underway in the coming days, kicking off with the FA Cup third round action.With the winner set to take home a brand new PlayStation 5, gaffers may feel it’s worth targeting a couple of favourable fixtures this weekend but team selections will be difficult to predict – this month’s winner may need a slick or two of luck as well as their knowledge!
    The gaffer who racks up the most points between January 6th and February 2nd will take home the widely-desired games console worth £449 RRP.
    Remember, you can check the monthly leaderboard anytime HERE.
    January’s winner will land a late Christmas presentCredit: DREAM TEAM
    If your XI is struggling in the classic Season game, fear not, a fruitful few weeks could land you a PS5 as only points gained during the given period are taken into account for our monthly competitions.
    With that in mind, you could tailor your team specifically to January’s remaining fixtures once transfers are refreshed, ignoring long-term viability, with a view to scooping the monthly prize.
    Alternatively, you can create a new team and fill it full of players with favourable fixtures for the month in question – each Dream Team gaffer is allowed a maximum of ten teams per season.
    And of course, if you’re happy with your progress in the classic Season game and believe your best XI is also likely to rack up plentiful points in the coming weeks then you don’t need to alter your strategy at all.
    You can even get involved if you didn’t sign-up for Dream Team at the start of the season.
    Simply create an XI ahead of this weekend’s fixtures and if your team achieves the most points between January 6th and February 2nd then the PS5 will be yours.
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    Previous Dream Team Monthly winner David Bradbury and his grandsons
    West Brom supporter David Bradbury won August’s Monthly competition and was ‘over the moon’ when his victory was confirmed.
    “My grandsons will be even more pleased when I pass the PS5 onto them!” he told us.
    “I always try to pick players that do not get rotated and manage to stay injury free. I have been doing Dream Team since it started and this shows that perseverance pays off in the end.
    “I am very grateful for your generosity. I will be trying my hardest to stay in contention for the rest of the season.”
    A reminder that Dream Team assets score points in all competitions so gaffers hoping to replicate David’s success would do well to consider packing their XI full of players with the most fixtures to fulfil – Game Week 17 features FA Cup games and Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
    Good luck! More

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    Antony hands Man Utd injury boost as he returns to training ahead of FA Cup clash against Everton

    MANCHESTER UNITED have received a major boost as Antony is back in training ahead of the FA Cup tie versus Everton.The Brazilian winger missed the 3-0 victory over Bournemouth on Tuesday with a minor injury.
    Antony has resumed training after missing the Bournemouth gameCredit: Getty
    He missed the last game with a small injuryCredit: Getty
    Harry Maguire will be hoping for another startCredit: Getty
    Lisandro Martinez could make his first start as a World Cup winnerCredit: Getty
    Raphael Varane and Diogo Dalot were at Carrington after being benched in the previous fixtureCredit: Getty
    However, it appears it will be the only game he will miss as he was pictured in training alongside his team-mates ahead of tomorrow’s third round clash with the Toffees.
    The ex-Ajax star began life at Old Trafford well, scoring in the first three Premier League games he played in.
    But since then his goals have dried up, failing to net in his last five league matches and he has also missed another five fixtures in total due to multiple injuries.
    His return will be music to the ears of manager Erik ten Hag, as with Jadon Sancho out, Bruno Fernandes played on the right-wing versus Bournemouth.
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    Donny van de Beek started in the win although the Dutch midfielder is set to be unavailable for some time after sustaining a potential ACL injury.
    Elsewhere, Anthony Martial picked up a knock in the previous game but he is expected to be fit to face Everton as he trained.
    Most first-team stars practised and youngsters such as Zidane Iqbal, Sam Murray, Kobiee Mainoo, Nathan Bishop and Radek Vitek joined in too.
    Diogo Dalot trained as he is back from injury, as did Lisandro Martinez, who has returned to Carrington after winning the World Cup with Argentina.
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    Man Utd are in incredible form, having lost just one of their last 16 games in all competitions, with the one blemish coming in a 3-1 defeat to Aston Villa.
    Marcus Rashford has been one of the standout performers for the club lately, continuing his goalscoring run from the World Cup.
    He has found the back of the net in all four games since his return from Qatar, scoring in victories over Burnley, Nottingham Forest, Wolves and Bournemouth.
    After their game tomorrow, attention will turn to the Carabao Cup quarter-final against Charlton next Tuesday.
    Marcus Rashford wrapped up warmCredit: Getty
    Victor Lindelof and Casemiro got warmed upCredit: Getty
    Tom Heaton, Nathan Bishop and Radek Vitek trainedCredit: Getty More

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    Cody Gakpo’s £37m move to Liverpool is finalised with Dutch star available to face Wolves in FA Cup

    LIVERPOOL have finalised the signing of Cody Gakpo and the forward could face Wolves in the FA Cup this weekend.The Reds confirmed on Tuesday that they had completed all of the formalities regarding the initial £37million transfer.
    Cody Gakpo’s move to Liverpool has been finalisedCredit: PA
    Liverpool announced last Wednesday that they had agreed a deal with PSV Eindhoven to sign the 23-year-old.
    He underwent a medical and was in the stands at Anfield for the 2-1 win over Leicester on Friday.
    Gakpo was not available for the 3-1 defeat to Brentford on Monday.
    But he is able to play at the weekend after being officially registered as a Liverpool player.
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    Jurgen Klopp’s side host Wolves on Saturday evening in the FA Cup third round.
    And the German boss will be hoping his side perform better than last night’s woeful display against the Bees.
    Liverpool swooped to sign Holland international Gakpo ahead of Manchester United.
    The Reds could end up paying £44m in total for Gakpo after add-ons.
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    He scored nine goals and provided 12 assists in just 14 Eredivisie games for PSV before the World Cup break.
    He then netted three goals in Qatar during Holland’s run to the quarter-finals.
    The forward, who can play out wide or through the middle, has taken the No18 shirt at Anfield.
    United boss Erik ten Hag was left frustrated at missing out on Gakpo to the Reds, according to ESPN. More

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    Emile Smith Rowe set to make eagerly awaited Arsenal return at Oxford after six months out with groin injury

    EMILE SMITH ROWE is in line to make his long-awaited Arsenal return in next Monday’s FA Cup third round tie at Oxford.The 22-year-old England international has endured a frustrating six months watching from the sidelines as his Arsenal team-mates have roared to the top of the Premier League.
    Emile Smith Rowe could make his Arsenal injury return in the FA CupCredit: Getty
    But now Smith Rowe believes his injury worries are behind him after returning to full training before Christmas.
    And he is hoping to be involved in some capacity next week when manager Mikel Arteta makes wholesale changes to his starting line-up for the trip to League One Oxford.
    Smith Rowe has not started a game for the Gunners since the 2-0 defeat at Newcastle last May.
    And he has managed just four brief substitute appearances totalling 46 minutes this season.
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    He underwent surgery in September to correct a persistent groin problem which had prevented him from participating fully in pre-season training.
    That operation ended any outside hopes of breaking into Gareth Southgate’s World Cup squad after winning three senior England caps last season.
    But now he is ready to get his career back on track.
    And his availability could not come at a better time for Arteta.
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    The Arsenal boss is keen to reduce the workload on his young team.
    But he has been forced to rely on a core of just 13 players in the League so far this season.
    However, the return of the versatile Smith Rowe gives Arteta the opportunity to rest playmaker Martin Odegaard, or wingers Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka.
    A number of other senior players are expected to be given the night off at the Kassam Stadium next Monday.
    And the likes of Rob Holding, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Mohamed Elneny, Sambi Lokonga, Matt Turner and Marquinhos are all lined up to step in.
    But Arsenal are determined not to rush Smith Rowe’s comeback.
    And it has not yet been decided whether he will start the FA Cup tie or come on from the bench as the medical team continue to monitor his progress. More