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      ‘He’s changed a bit’ – Arsenal legend Ian Wright stunned by ‘unrecognisable’ ex-team-mate spotted at Oxford FA Cup tie

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      IAN WRIGHT was wowed by how one of his former Arsenal team-mates had changed his look.The retired striker was working as a pundit during the Gunners’ third-round FA Cup tie against Oxford United when he saw his old friend.
      Ian Wright was on the pundit team for Arsenal’s clash with Oxford UnitedCredit: Reuters
      Wrighty spotted his old team-mate in the stands
      While watching the monitor, Wright’s former Arsenal team-mate David Platt popped up on the screen.
      Wright couldn’t believe how he had changed as he said: “Wow. He’s changed a bit.”
      Platt was amongst the crowd at the Kassam Stadium to watch the match in which the winner would face Manchester City in the fourth round.
      The pair played together for two years at Highbury, between 1996 and 1998.
      READ MORE ON ARSENAL
      They were part of the Gunners team that won the Premier League and FA Cup double in 1998.
      The duo then left the club in the same year as Wright Joined West Ham, while Platt moved to Nottingham Forest as player-manager.
      Platt only made five league appearances for the Midland side before leaving in 2001.
      Afterward, he went into coaching full-time and joined the England set-up as he took a role as the manager of the under-21 side for three years until 2004.
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      In 2010, Platt joined Manchester City as a first-team coach alongside manager and his former team-mate Roberto Mancini.
      Five years later, Platt became the manager of Pune City in the Indian Super League, but only stayed in the role for a year.
      In 2018, he was appointed as a club consultant of the English-owned Italian side Palermo.
      He returned to management in 2020, as he took charge of Wilmslow Sports Under-15s.
      Wright was ‘wowed’ when he saw how much his former team-mate David Platt had changedCredit: Rex
      Platt’s looks have changed a bit since his Arsenal daysCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd More

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

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      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.
      LIVE: OXFORD VS ARSENAL LATEST
      “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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      Oxford vs Arsenal: Stream FREE, TV channel, kick-off time, team news for FA Cup third round clash TODAY

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      ARSENAL are back in FA Cup action as they face League One side Oxford in the third round TODAY.And the winner will visit Manchester City in the fourth round.
      Arsenal take on Oxford in the third round of the FA CupCredit: Getty
      The Gunners were knocked out at this stage last year against Nottingham Forest.
      But this season, Mikel Arteta’s side are on fire as they sit top of the Premier League.
      They’ll want to progress in the FA Cup, however, having exited the Carabao Cup earlier this season at the hands of Brighton.
      Arsenal will also wear their all-white limited edition kit that they sported during their defeat at Nottingham Forest last season.
      When is Oxford vs Arsenal?

      Arsenal’s trip to Oxford will take place on Monday, January 9.
      The match will get underway at 8pm UK time.
      Oxford vs Arsenal will be held at the Kassam Stadium.

      What channel is it and can it be live streamed?

      Oxford vs Arsenal will be shown live on ITV1 in the UK.
      You can live stream the action from the ITV X app, which is available for download onto your mobile or tablet device.

      Can I watch for FREE?

      Yes, the game is available for FREE on ITV 1, so long as you have a TV licence.
      You can also catch the action on the ITV X.

      Team news
      Both Kyle Joseph and Sam Baldock won’t be in action for Oxford as they still have injuries.
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      Gabriel Jesus and Reiss Nelson are both still injured with knee and thigh problems.
      Emile Smith Rowe could make an appearance, however, following his groin surgery.
      Albert Sambi Lokonga, Rob Holding and Fabio Vieira may all be afforded starts.
      Odds

      Oxford – 14/1
      Draw – 7/1
      Arsenal – 1/7

      *Odds courtesy of Betfair and correct at time of publication. More

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      Glamorous female football star Gabby Howell cheers on Tottenham during FA Cup win over Portsmouth

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      GLAMOUROUS Football star Gabby Howell joined supporters in the stands as Tottenham took on Portsmouth in the FA Cup. Howell, who turns out for Sutton United Women, used her downtime to go and cheer on Spurs.
      Gabby Howell took in a game at her beloved TottenhamCredit: Instagram / @_gabbyhowell
      She regularly posts glamourous pics to her Instagram pageCredit: Instagram / @_gabbyhowell
      Howell turns out for Sutton UnitedCredit: Instagram / @_gabbyhowell
      Taking to Instagram, she was snapped in pairing light blue jeans and a jacket, accompanied by a black handbag and black boots.
      She captioned her post: “U ARMY.”
      And fortunately for Tottenham, talisman Harry Kane stepped up with a special finish to help the North Londoners progress past Portsmouth, who proved a tough nut to crack.
      Thanks to Kane’s stunning goal, Tottenham have now set up an away tie at Preston in the fourth round.
      READ MORE ON THE BEAUTIFUL GAME
      The 22-year-old, who plays as both a midfielder and a defender for Sutton, has a following of 235,000 on the social media platform.
      Howell regularly shares glamourous pics to her Instagram page.
      Recently she posted a photo of her in a blue bikini as she enjoyed a holiday in Ibiza.
      Howell has previously opened up on vile abuse she has received from trolls, revealing that she wants to be a source of inspiration for young girls.
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      She said: “You can be both – you can play football and like wearing high heels…
      “I like to keep (the hateful comments) on my profiles and I don’t delete them.
      “Young girls think they want to be an influencer but they don’t see the downsides. I like to make people aware.
      “Not everyone’s going to like you. I repeat that to myself when I see these comments.”
      Howell shared snaps of her holiday to IbizaCredit: Instagram / @_gabbyhowell
      She has 235,000 followers on InstagramCredit: https://www.instagram.com/_gabbyhowell/ More

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      Graham Potter admits Man City drubbing was ‘painful’ as Pep Guardiola urges Todd Boehly not to sack Chelsea manager

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      PEP GUARDIOLA is urging Chelsea not to sack Graham Potter.Guardiola’s Manchester City inflicted what Potter admitted was a “tough, painful” 4-0 FA Cup defeat.
      Cesar Azpilicueta shows the misery of Chelsea’s 4-0 FA Cup lossCredit: AFP
      Graham Potter says criticism and handling a poor run are all ‘part of the challenge’ and he’s been backed by rival boss Pep GuardiolaCredit: AFP
      But despite Chelsea’s fifth loss in seven games, the City chief told Stamford Bridge co-owner Todd Boehly his manager “needs more time”.
      Visiting fans chanted for old boss Thomas Tuchel after a three-goal blitz destroyed their men before half-time.
      Riyad Mahrez’s brilliant free-kick, a Julian Alvarez penalty and a neat Phil Foden finish on 38 minutes killed off dismal Chelsea.
      Midfielder Mahrez, who hit the only goal in Thursday’s Premier League clash between the same sides, then tucked home a late spot-kick.
      READ MORE ON CHELSEA
      Injury-hit Chelsea were booed off at both the interval and full-time as City outclassed them – just three days after their much tighter game.
      Potter said: “The first half was painful and tough for us all. We were second best to a very, very good side. 
      “We are not in a great moment and even though it was a cagey first 20 minutes we couldn’t attack the backline well enough.
      “Manchester City are very good at stopping you doing that but at the same time we struggled.”
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      And of Chelsea’s poor run, he added: “You can make excuses and look for reasons or say it isn’t good enough. Both of those answers are correct. 
      We have to keep improving and stick together because clearly we are suffering as a football club and it’s not nice at all.”
      “You understand the supporters’ frustration, we respect that.
      “There are always other opinions and negativity and criticism because the results haven’t been positive.
      “That’s part of the job and part of the challenge.”
      Englishman Potter believes Chelsea should be patient in the same way City were with Guardiola in his first season at City.
      And the Spaniard agrees.
      Guardiola said: “I would say to Todd Boehly, ‘Give him time’. I know in the big clubs the results are important but I would say give him time. 
      “What he has done in Brighton was outstanding, but all managers need time. We needed time in my first season.” More

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      I once snuck into Old Trafford dressed as a steward… now I’m back as Charlton boss, says Man Utd superfan Dean Holden

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      MANCHESTER UNITED’S biggest fan will arguably be sitting in the Charlton dugout at Old Trafford on Tuesday night.For Addicks boss Dean Holden is a ‘forever Red’, a proud season ticket holder for 30 years.
      Ardent Man Utd supporter Dean Holden is hoping to leave Old Trafford with a shock Carabao Cup victory for his Charlton sideCredit: Rex
      Erik ten Hag is keen for the Red Devils to win silverware in his first seasonCredit: Rex
      And someone who also played for the club at junior level.
      But that deep connection will not stop Greater Manchester-born Holden from wanting to oust his heroes from the Carabao Cup.
      The two clubs meet in a quarter-final clash — and this time Holden will not have to disguise himself as a fake steward to watch the tie, either.
      Instead, he will proudly walk out from the tunnel where he once “worked” at a Champions League semi-final second leg clash with Borussia Dortmund.
      READ MORE ON MAN UTD
      Holden, 43, recalled: “My dad, uncle and brother-in-law were all stewards at Old Trafford.
      “I got let down once with a ticket for the Champions League game with Borussia Dortmund in 1997.
      “However, one of the stewards didn’t turn up for the game.
      “So, there was a spare hi-vis jacket and radio. I wore them and went and sat next to my old man by the tunnel.
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      “God knows what I would’ve done had there been a pitch invasion!”
      Holden has used that light touch and sense of adventure to help Charlton recover from a poor season following his appointment last month.
      Now after two successive wins in League One, including the 2-1 defeat of Lincoln on Saturday which moved them up to 12th place in the table, the club are starting to believe.
      So can they really KO United? Holden said: “I’ve told my players, ‘if you don’t believe it can happen, it won’t happen’.
      “I’m not just talking about beating Man United, either. It applies to everything.
      “My old man has been a United supporter all his life.
      “So it will be special for him also to see me coming out of the tunnel.
      “Old Trafford is the best stadium in the world, and we’re playing one of the best clubs in the world. My Charlton players can enjoy it, though — it’s a free hit for them.”
      Holden’s United dream came true when he also played for United’s junior teams before joining Bolton as a teenager.
      United are in my blood. If we don’t beat them on Tuesday, I hope they win the competition.
      He recalled: “I played alongside Wes Brown and current Leyton Orient boss, Richie Wellens.
      “United are in my blood. If we don’t beat them on Tuesday, I hope they win the competition.
      “I shall definitely try for a chat with Erik ten Hag, United’s manager. He has changed the culture at the club.
      “You can see that by the way he handled Ronaldo and also dropped Marcus Rashford for a disciplinary reason.
      “He’s put standards in place, and he’s got the team playing with confidence. He’s the right man for the job.”
      Holden is not the only Charlton figure with a United connection.
      Winger Corey Blackett-Taylor, who scored the club’s second goal after Scott Fraser’s opener against Lincoln at the Valley, has known first-hand about red-hot United striker Rashford since he was a kid.
      Blackett-Taylor, 25, said: “When I was nine or 10 in Aston Villa’s academy, we used to play against Rashford and Manchester United.

      “We all knew he was going to be a player. In those days, he played more as a No 10 or in centre midfield.”
      He added: “The game at Old Trafford is definitely winnable. I’ve never played there before and we’re going to enjoy it and express ourselves.” More

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      Chelsea legend Frank Leboeuf calls for Graham Potter to be SACKED after Man City drubbing as he slams ‘shameful’ stars

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      CHELSEA legend Frank Leboeuf has called for boss Graham Potter to be sacked after just four months at the helm.The Blues were battered 4-0 by Manchester City in the FA Cup this afternoon.
      Graham Potter has endured a tough start to life at ChelseaCredit: Getty
      Blues legend Frank Leboeuf was furious with his old side’s performanceCredit: Action Images – Reuters
      Potter’s men were three down by half-time, delivering a limp performance miles off their third round opponents.
      Appearing on ESPN after the game, Leboeuf claimed that “enough is enough”.
      The Frenchman, 54, cried: “Mr Potter, enough is enough now, something needs to be changed.
      “That’s not the club I know. You are so far away from being a Champion of Europe.
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      “I’m very upset with what I see. I think it’s really disrespectful.
      “They don’t do anything to at least make people proud. Fight! Go for it!”
      The former defender, who played 201 times for the Blues between 1996 and 2001, claimed that he’d never seen his old side in a worse state.
      He continued: “I’ve never seen Chelsea so low.
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      “The players don’t have the will, they don’t have the guts, they don’t have the courage to fight for their colours. They don’t have pride.”
      While taking shots at Potter, Leboeuf also savaged the lack of commitment he felt was shown by certain players during the match.
      Kai Havertz was hooked at half-time after bafflingly PUNCHING the ball in his own box to gift City a penalty.
      The German was among those to be blasted by Leboeuf, who added: “The players who are forming the spine, they are shameful. They do nothing.
      I don’t know what Jorginho is doing on the pitch stillFrank Leboeuf
      “I don’t know what Kai Havertz is doing. Mason (Mount), I love you, but come on!
      “I don’t know what Jorginho is doing on the pitch still.”
      Chelsea sit tenth in the Premier League after enduring a run of one win in eight in the competition.
      They have also crashed out of both domestic cups, and no Blues boss has endured a worse Prem start than Potter’s over 11 games in the last 30 years.
      Despite Chelsea’s current woes, City boss Pep Guardiola believes that the Blues need to stick with the ex-Brighton boss in order to see improvements.
      ‘GIVE HIM TIME’
      After the match, the Spaniard said: “I would say to Todd Boehly: Give him time.
      “I know in big clubs, results are important but I’d say give him time.
      “What he’s done at Brighton is outstanding, but he’s right, we need time in the first season. I had [Lionel] Messi in Barcelona my first season so I didn’t need two seasons because Messi was there.
      “Everyone needs it. To play against City, when we are at this level, it’s not easy for any team.”
      During the game, Chelsea fans in the away end chanted the name of Potter’s predecessor Thomas Tuchel.
      We understand the supporters’ frustration, we respect thatGraham Potter
      Asked about the chants after the match, Potter said: “We can’t do anything apart from do our jobs better.
      “We understand the supporters’ frustration, we respect that. But we have to keep working. There are always other opinions and negative opinions because the results aren’t positive.
      “I understand their frustration and when you look at the results and team performance today it is so far away from Manchester City. That is clear.

      “We have to focus on the next match and stay together as a group and I am sure we will get the support of the supporters when they see good performances and good results.”
      Chelsea next make the short trip to West London neighbours Fulham on Thursday, with the Cottagers going into the match three points ABOVE their rivals.
      Pep Guardiola has called on Potter to be given time at ChelseaCredit: AFP More

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      Unai Emery has beaten Bayern & Juventus in knockout games in last year.. but even he can’t halt Villa’s awful FA Cup run

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      UNAI EMERY stunned Bayern Munich and Juventus on the way to firing Villarreal to the Champions League semi-finals less than 12 months ago.But even the mastermind knockout manager and four-time Europa League winner is not immune from a huge FA Cup upset – or Aston Villa’s woeful run in the competition.
      Unai Emery stunned Juventus and Bayern Munich with Villarreal last seasonCredit: Getty
      He saw his Aston Villa side crash out of the FA Cup to League Two StevenageCredit: Reuters
      Emery’s side, including former £145million man Philippe Coutinho, looked to be in total control at home against League Two Stevenage in their third-round clash.
      But Leander Dendoncker’s moment of madness sparked a red card, penalty and Stevenage equaliser with two minutes to go.
      And the stunning turnaround was complete in the 90th minute as Dean Campbell caught Villa’s defence napping and Robin Olsen out at his near post to fire the Boro through.
      It means the West Midlands side have lost to a fourth-tier side in the FA Cup while playing in the top tier once again – just as they did in 1964 against Aldershot.
      READ MORE ON ASTON VILLA
      More worryingly and painfully for the fans, the defeat also extended a truly wretched stretch of results for the Villans, who have now lost EIGHT FA Cup matches in a row.
      The club reached the final in 2015 when they lost to Arsenal.
      The following season, Remi Garde’s men needed a replay to scrape past Wycombe then were stuffed by Manchester City in round four.
      Since then, they have crashed out in round three in seven successive seasons.
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      That includes exits to Tottenham Peterborough, Swansea, Fulham, Liverpool, Manchester United and now Stevenage.
      Emery – who declared his ambition was “winning the FA Cup” this season – apologised to supporters.
      The former Arsenal boss, 51, said: “I’m upset, disappointed and sorry for our supporters. We have lost a very good opportunity to do something in the FA Cup.
      “It is a process and I will continue to be demanding. Maybe now, I need to be more demanding.
      “I’m very shocked. But it can happen when you have good chances to score but don’t take them.
      “They had chances as well. Our mistake was a big mistake and they scored. After that, the last five minutes, we were a little upset and did not control our minds.”
      Stevenage celebrate on the Villa Park pitch after their famous winCredit: Getty
      Villa’s last FA Cup win was way back in January 2016 against WycombeCredit: Getty Images – Getty More