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      Arsenal can get into Champions League spots AND win FA Cup and Europa League this season, insists club legend Lauren

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      ARSENAL can still make the top four AND win both the FA Cup and Europa League, according to Gunners legend Lauren.
      The Gunners have staged a revival under boss Mikel Arteta after hovering above the relegation zone just a few weeks ago.

      Mikel Arteta has overseen a change in fortunes for his Arsenal sideCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd

      Defender Lauren spent seven years at Arsenal after arriving in 2000Credit: Action Images – Reuters

      The North Londoners have taken 13 points from a possible 15 in their last five Premier League games and have climbed into the top half of the table.
      And former right-back Lauren, 44, believes the men at the Emirates can still make the Champions League spots despite being seven points off the pace.
      He told GentingBet: “There has been a big change at Arsenal since the New Year.
      “The team have been getting results, beating Chelsea, playing very good attacking football – I think that Arsenal have shown enough that they can finish in the Champions League positions.

      “A successful season for Arsenal this year is getting into the Champions League positions.
      “This season, Arsenal didn’t start as expected and have lost many games that they should have won.
      “Because I like to think with great ideas, I believe that a club like Arsenal have to focus on achieving the greatest targets.
      “Therefore, I am looking at the Champions League places as a target for this season.”

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      Lauren won three FA Cups under Arsene WengerCredit: AFP – Getty

      Ahead of Arsenal’s FA Cup fourth round tie at Southampton on Saturday, Lauren – who won the tournament three times under Arsene Wenger – believes the Gunners should still be bringing home silverware.
      Arteta’s side are the defending champs and will also face Benfica in the Last 32 of the Europa League next month – with the team capable of winning both trophies, according to the Cameroonian.
      The Invincibles hero added: “At a club like Arsenal, you can’t sacrifice any trophy – you need to go out to win them all and fight for everything.
      “You have to go out to win every competition that you enter. By setting those standards, that’s the only way that you can win things.

      Arsenal have the quality to win the Europa League this year.”
      Lauren

      “You can’t go into a season only focusing on one competition because no one knows how that might end – you might get nothing as you put into players mind that other competitions aren’t as important.
      “Arsenal have the quality to win the Europa League this year.
      “There are still some good teams left in the competition but if Arsenal keep all their players fit, Partey, Saka, Xhaka, Aubameyang, Lacazette, Emile Smith Rowe.
      “And the fact that Arsenal have been keeping clean sheets, winning the ball high up the pitch and more efficient in attack – all of this points to the fact that Arsenal can go on to win the Europa League. Why not?”
      ⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news from The Emirates

      Arteta says he is proud of Arsenal’s performance collectively and individually after their 3-0 victory over Newcastle More

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      Bournemouth clash in FA Cup with Crawley OFF after coronavirus outbreak at League Two club and ELEVEN positive tests

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      BOURNEMOUTH’S FA Cup clash with Crawley on Saturday is OFF, SunSport understands.
      The fourth-round tie will be switched to Tuesday following a Covid outbreak in the visitors’ camp.

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      Crawley Town have recorded ELEVEN new cases of coronavirusCredit: PA:Press Association
      A total of 11 Red Devils players have tested positive for coronavirus.
      The League Two club’s boss John Yems said yesterday he wanted to play the tie regardless as he still had 18 fit players available and would have been willing to field a weakened line-up.
      He said: “Our FA Cup Final was Leeds, you’ll never take that away from us – and if we have to go to Bournemouth with a weakened side, we’ll do it.

      “We might have to throw in a few 16 and 17 year-olds but I don’t care. We’re not going to hide. David-v-Goliath and all that, it’s the spirit of the Cup.
      “All I keep hearing about is what footballers are not doing and can’t do. Let’s have a little look at this for a moment.
      “We’re not trying to do anything wrong. We’re not taking any player who has tested positive. We’re just trying to get the game played.
      “If our brilliant nurses and NHS staff can keep going to work throughout this crisis then I am sure a team of hairy-a**ed footballers and kids can play a game in the world’s greatest cup competition.”

      But FA chiefs have contacted both clubs this morning as it seems the tie will now be postponed.

      Crawley boss John Yems said he would be prepared to play a weakened team at BournemouthCredit: AFP or licensors

      It means celebrity TV host Mark Wright will have to wait a little longer for another run out after signing for the League Two side.
      It will then be rearranged for Tuesday, subject to the results of two rounds of tests beforehand.
      Crawley’s League Two clash at home to Stevenage last night was postponed and the Sussex club’s stadium and training ground both been shut down the FA.
      But Saturday’s FA Cup fourth-round tie between Everton and Sheffield Wednesday is still set to go ahead, despite a Covid outbreak in the Owls’ squad, subject to test results.

      Crawley hero Tsaroulla gets emotional as he celebrates knocking Leeds out of Cup after car crash hell More

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      Mesut Ozil becomes final member of 2014 FA Cup winning team to leave Arsenal… but where are they now?

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      MESUT OZIL has arrived in Turkey ahead of his anticipated move to Fenerbahce, finally ending his Arsenal saga.
      The German midfielder, 32, has been frozen out under Mikel Arteta for the best part of a year, despite collecting £350,000 a week.

      Arsenal’s 2014 FA Cup winners Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      Mesut Ozil celebrates with his Gunners team-mates at WembleyCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      And Ozil has agreed to give up a chunk of his remaining salary in order to leave the club on good terms this month.
      His imminent departure means he is the last of the 2014 FA Cup winners to leave the Emirates.
      Ozil bid farewell to his Gunners team-mates and staff over the weekend and it was current boss Arteta who captained the North Londoners to glory at Wembley nearly seven years ago.
      SunSport takes a look at what happened to all of Ozil’s fellow Cup winners after they mounted a comeback to beat Hull City 3-2 after extra time.

      Lukasz Fabianski
      Polish shot-stopper Lukasz Fabianski left Arsenal as his contract expired in the summer after the FA Cup win.
      He joined Swansea where he spent four years before signing for West Ham for £7million in 2018.
      The 35-year-old is now David Moyes’ No1 at the London Stadium and has kept six clean sheets in 17 Premier League appearances so far this season.
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      Bacary Sagna
      Another to leave the summer after winning the Cup, Bacary Sagna made 284 appearances for the Gunners in a seven-year spell.
      He joined Manchester City on a free and told Goal last year: “I didn’t knock at the club’s door to change contract, I respected my contract, but the way I left was a bit dirty.
      “I didn’t like it, I didn’t feel comfortable anymore. Something broke inside my head.”
      Sagna has been without a club since leaving the recently rebranded Club de Foot Montreal 12 months ago.
      Per Mertesacker
      German giant Per Mertesacker finished his playing career at Arsenal in 2018 before being named head of the club’s academy.
      He is coming up to three years in the role and previously filled in as an interim assistant coach to Freddie Ljunberg after Unai Emery was sacked in November 2019.
      Laurent Koscielny
      Former skipper Laurent Koscielny angered Gooners by ripping off the Arsenal jersey in his unveiling at Bordeaux in 2019.
      It took him a year for him to apologise to Arsenal fans in 2020 and the 35-year-old is still at the French club and has made 13 Ligue 1 appearances so far this term.

      Arsenal’s players parade the 2014 FA Cup trophyCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Kieran Gibbs
      England international left-back Kieran Gibbs left Arsenal after a decade in North London in 2017.
      He signed a four-year deal at West Brom with a transfer fee in the region of £7m and still turns out for Sam Allardyce’s Baggies now aged 31.
      Mikel Arteta
      Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta captained the victorious Gunners from central midfield at Wembley nearly seven years ago.
      He retired in 2016 and then spent three years as Pep Guardiola’s No2 at Manchester City before returning to the Emirates as manager in December 2019.
      Aaron Ramsey
      Welsh midfielder Aaron Ramsey made 371 appearances for Arsenal before leaving for Juventus on a free in 2019.
      Ramsey earns a cool £400,000 a week in Serie A and has begun to find his feet under Andrea Pirlo in a new false nine role.
      Santi Cazorla
      Spaniard Santi Cazorla left Arsenal in 2018 after a horrific Achilles tendon injury in 2016 looked like it could have ended his career.
      Cazorla returned to Villarreal after eight operations and a skin grant and enjoyed something of a renaissance before signing for Qatari side Al Sadd in 2020, where he still plays.
      Mesut Ozil

      Ozil is the last of Arsenal’s 2014 FA Cup winners to move onCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Mesut Ozil hasn’t played for Arsenal since the 1-0 win over West Ham in March 2020 having been axed by Arteta – who left him out of both the Premier and Europa League 25-man squad.
      In a Twitter Q&A earlier this week, Ozil – who made 254 Arsenal appearances – admitted his love for new side Fenerbahce and even compared them to Real Madrid.
      Lukas Podolski

      Lukas Podolski owns SIX Kebab joints in GermanyCredit: Getty – Contributor
      German forward Lukas Podolski joined Galatasaray from Arsenal in 2015, before moving to Japanese side Vissel Kobe two years later.
      The Polish-born star bagged 31 goals in 82 appearances for the Gunners and 12 months ago returned to Turkey with Antalyaspor.
      Off the pitch, the 35-year-old is quite the businessman after opening SIX Kebab shops in Germany – with hungry crowds flocking to try his meaty offerings.
      He also owns a boozer, an ice cream parlour and a clothes shop as Podolski diversifies his income with a view to life post-football.

      The 35-year-old Kebab king is working on his business interests Credit: EPA
      Olivier Giroud
      Olivier Giroud crossed London to join Chelsea from Arsenal in January 2018 and went on to win the World Cup with France that summer.
      The 34-year-old haunted his old side with a goal and an assist in the 4-1 defeat in the 2019 Europa League final.
      He is still part of Frank Lampard’s Blues side although a move when his contract expires in the summer is being widely talked about.

      The Gunners celebrate overturning a 2-0 deficit to beat Hull and lift the FA CupCredit: Getty Images – Getty
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      Jack Wilshere
      English midfielder Jack Wilshere left Arsenal for West Ham in 2018.
      But he quit the Hammers in the summer after his £100,000-a-week contract was ripped up and is now set to sign a six-month deal at Bournemouth.
      Tomas Rosicky
      Legendary Czech midfielder Tomas Rosicky left Arsenal to return to boyhood side Sparta Prague in 2016.
      He retired a year later and is now sporting director at the club.
      Yaya Sanogo
      Talented striker Yaya Sanogo left the Gunners for Toulouse in 2017.
      But he was released by the French side in the summer after netting just 12 goals in three years and is currently without a club.
      ⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news from The Emirates

      Mesut Ozil makes trip to rainy Emirates to say ‘farewell’ after Arsenal ‘agree’ to terminate contract More

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      Lampard has FULL backing of Chelsea fans – support would be vocal if Stamford Bridge was open, says group behind banner

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      FRANK LAMPARD has the FULL backing of Chelsea fans – they’re just not able to show it. That’s the opinion of supporters’ group We Are The Shed, who have unfurled a huge 15m x 1.5m banner at Stamford Bridge to endorse the Blues legend. The banner – which reads ‘In Frank We Trust. Then. Now. […] More

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      Tottenham could be handed SECOND Cup bye of season after Covid outbreak infected Wycombe dressing room

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      SPURS could be handed their SECOND cup walkover of the season – after a Covid outbreak infected the Wycombe dressing room.
      The Buckinghamshire club’s Championship clash with QPR tomorrow was postponed after Wycombe told the EFL they were unable to fulfil the fixture.

      Tottenham could be handed an FA Cup bye after Wycombe’s Covid outbreakCredit: EPA

      That will bring an EFL inquiry into the circumstances, although Wanderers said that a number of positive tests meant players and staff were now self-isolating.
      But with the FA Cup fourth round tie with Tottenham due to be played at Adams Park on Monday January 25, Wycombe may struggle to be able to field a team.
      The Chairboys would have the option of following Aston Villa’s third round example against Liverpool and fielding a youth side to fulfil the fixture.
      If they were unable to field a team, a decision on the tie would be placed in the hands of the FA’s Professional Game Board.

      But unlike with Shrewsbury’s game at Southampton, rearranged for next week with the Saints’ Prem clash at Leeds moved, there is far less wriggle room for FA bosses.
      Spurs are due to play Liverpool on January 28, which would be a possible option.
      But Tottenham already need to catch up two fixtures, this week’s postponed game at Aston Villa and the trip to Fulham, which clashes with the Carabao Cup Final at the end of April.
      Spurs’ European schedule also limit the options.

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      The north Londoners have back to back games against Austrians Wolfsberger next month in the last 32 of the Europa League, with the fifth round looming in the second midweek of February.
      And just as Spurs were handed a Carabao Cup walkover against Leyton Orient in September, Jose Mourinho’s side might be gifted a passage through to the last 16.
      Although FA chiefs will try to find a solution that prevents that worst-case scenario.

      Tottenham vs Leyton Orient axed and Spurs declared winners of Carabao Cup tie after coronavirus rips through O’s squad More

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      FA Cup fourth round TV fixtures: How to live stream FREE and watch matches on BBC iPlayer and BT Sport

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      ONCE again the world’s oldest and grandest cup competition resumes with one third and 16 fourth round games for fans to get their teeth into.
      With the UK back in lockdown the magic of the FA Cup will be a tonic for supporters facing months under new coronavirus regulations.

      Manchester United face Liverpool at Old Trafford after squeezing past Watford in the third roundCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      And in a boost for fans, you’ll be able to watch every single clash on TV – with a number of matches on free-to-air.
      FA Cup fourth round TV matches
      There are 16 matches this weekend, spread across four days of action.
      Matches are being shown on BT Sport, BBC and for the first time, on the FA Player.
      Games on BBC ONE and BBC iPlayer are FREE to watch for everyone.

      BT Sport games will be available to anyone who has a subscription to the service, with the BT Sport Extra channel available by pressing the red button.

      BT Sport will be showing the majority of matchesCredit: Paul Marriott – The Sun
      If you have an EE phone contract, you can grab a three-month BT Sport trial by texting SPORT to 150.
      To get the FA Player, head to their official website or download the app from the App or Play Store on your mobile.
      Third Round
      Tuesday, January 19
      Southampton vs Shrewsbury Town – 8pm (BT Sport 2)
      Match rearranged due to Covid
      Fourth Round
      Friday, January 22
      Chorley vs Wolverhampton Wanderers – 7.45pm (BT Sport 1)
      Saturday, January 23
      Southampton/Shrewsbury vs Arsenal – 12.15pm (BT Sport 1)
      Bournemouth vs Crawley – 3pm (BT Sport Extra 2)
      Swansea vs Nottingham Forest – 3pm (BT Sport Extra 4)
      Barnsley vs Norwich – 3pm (BT Sport Extra 5)
      Millwall vs Bristol City – 3pm (BT Sport Extra 6)
      Brighton vs Blackpool – 3pm (BT Sport Extra 3)
      Sheffield United vs Plymouth – 3pm (BBC iPlayer)
      West Ham vs Doncaster – 3pm (BBC iPlayer)
      Cheltenham Town vs Manchester City – 5.30pm (BBC One/iPlayer)

      Sunday, January 24
      Chelsea vs Luton Town – 12 Noon (BBC One/iPlayer)
      Fulham vs Burnley – 2.30pm (BT Sport Extra 2)
      Brentford vs Leicester – 2.30pm (BT Sport 1)
      Manchester United vs Liverpool – 5pm (BBC One/iPlayer)
      Everton vs Sheffield Wednesday (BT Sport 1)
      Monday, January 25
      Wycombe vs Tottenham 7.45pm (BT Sport 1) More

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      Man Utd’s FA Cup showdown with bitter rivals Liverpool will be shown live on BBC iPlayer as TV picks are made

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      MANCHESTER UNITED’S FA Cup showdown with bitter rivals Liverpool will be shown live on BBC One.
      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side will go head to head with Jurgen Klopp’s men in the fourth round as the race for the Premier League title heats up as well.

      Manchester United will take on Liverpool on terrestrial TVCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      United leapfrogged Liverpool this week to claim the top spot in the league following their narrow 1-0 win over Burnley.
      And both club’s seasons could be heavily shaped by their back-to-back clashes in the Prem and FA Cup.
      United and Liverpool’s fourth-round clash is the highlight of TV picks for the BBC when it kicks off at 5pm on Sunday, January 24.
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

      The Old Trafford fixture will be the first meeting in the competition between the two teams since 2012.
      Manchester City’s visit to League Two outfit Cheltenham Town the day before will also be screened on terrestrial TV.
      Last season’s FA Cup finalists Chelsea will be looking to secure their fifth round spot when they host Championship side Luton Town on BBC One.
      Elsewhere, Sheffield United against Plymouth Argyle and West Ham United v Doncaster Rovers will be available via BBC iPlayer.

      Non-league Chorley have been handed another showing on BT Sport with the opening tie of the round against Wolves on the Friday night.

      BBC’s TV Picks for FA Cup fourth-round

      Saturday, January 23
      Cheltenham Town v Manchester City – KO 5.30pm, BBC One and BBC iPlayer
      Sheffield United v Plymouth Argyle (15:00 KO) – Live on BBC Digital Platforms
      West Ham United v Doncaster Rovers (15:00 KO) – Live on BBC Digital Platforms
      Swansea City v Nottingham Forest (15:00 KO) – BBC One Wales
      Sunday, January 24
      Chelsea v Luton Town – KO 12.00pm, BBC One and BBC iPlayer
      Manchester United v Liverpool – KO 5.00pm, BBC One and BBC iPlayer

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      Similarly, FA Cup holders Arsenal will be on BT on Saturday, January 23 against either Southampton or Shrewsbury.
      SunSport recently revealed that League One Shews have been handed an FA Cup reprieve – after Prem bosses agreed to put back Southampton’s trip to Leeds to create space in the calendar.
      Shrewsbury faced being booted out of the competition when a Covid outbreak meant they could not play their third-round tie at St Mary’s last weekend.

      The FA Cup 5th round draw could see Chorley play Arsenal More

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      Shrewsbury given FA Cup lifeline after coronavirus woe as Prem shift back Southampton game to create space for clash

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      SHREWSBURY have been handed an FA Cup reprieve – after Prem bosses agreed to put back Southampton’s trip to Leeds to create space in the calendar.
      League One Shews faced being booted out of the competition when a Covid outbreak meant they could not play their third round tie at St Mary’s last weekend.

      Jason Cummings of Shrewsbury poses with the FA Cup trophy last year Credit: Getty Images – Getty

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      When the winners were pulled out of the hat to face Arsenal in the fourth round, Saints appeared set to be handed a walkover because of the Gunners’ congested fixture schedule and Europa League games next month.
      But Wembley’s Professional Game Board, which includes former Prem chairman and current FA acting head Peter McCormick, reached out to League bosses to find an alternative.
      And now the delayed third round tie will be played with an 8pm kick-off on Tuesday, allowing the fourth round to proceed as scheduled the following weekend.

      But the move will see Southampton’s scheduled Prem game at Elland Road, due to be played on Wednesday, postponed until a slot can be found later in the campaign.
      Confirming the decision, Wembley said: “The FA would like to thank the Premier League, EFL, BT Sport, Southampton, Shrewsbury Town and Leeds United for helping to make the re-scheduling possible.”
      The League said the delayed Prem clash “will rescheduled in due course”.
      A spokesman added: “Any future FA Cup rescheduling decisions involving Premier League teams will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.”

      The agreement is a sign of the mutual determination of the Prem and FA to complete the season as scheduled despite the growing list of Covid-enforced postponements.

      League bosses are expected to confirm they have granted Aston Villa’s request to call off Sunday’s rescheduled trip to Everton with the club’s Bodymoor Heath training ground still closed.
      Middlesbrough were sent crashing out the cup losing 2-1 against Brentford which came amid a Covid-19 outbreak.
      The Teessiders training ground had been closed, leaving Neil Warnock’s side unable to prepare for the clash.

      The FA Cup 5th round draw could see Chorley play Arsenal More