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      England players ‘deserve the right leadership’, raps Gareth Southgate as disgraced Greg Clarke quits

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      GARETH SOUTHGATE has lashed out at disgraced former FA chairman Greg Clarke and insisted his England players ‘deserve the right leadership’.
      Clarke quit on Tuesday after making a string of shocking and outdated comments about racial diversity to a committee of MPs.

      Gareth Southgate has lashed out at disgraced former FA chairman Greg ClarkeCredit: Rex Features

      The England boss insists his Three Lions ‘deserve the right leadership’Credit: Rex Features

      And England boss Southgate revealed he had felt the need to speak to his England players – many of whom have spoken out about racism – to assure them Clarke’s attitudes did nor reflect his opinions or those of the FA.
      Southgate said: “I felt I couldn’t ignore what had happened and not explain to the players that (Clarke’s comments) weren’t what people within the FA thought was acceptable.
      “I talked about there being 800 people in the FA – which is such a broader organisation and younger and more diverse than people realise.
      “The biggest danger was the good work those people do was distracted from and it’s not what we do as a team.

      “So I felt it was important to speak from the heart about that and that the players understand where I am on it.
      “They had spoken so eloquently on numerous occasions on the issues we’ve faced as a team and the issues we’ve faced as society and they deserve the right leadership and support around that.”
      Meanwhile, FIFA have refused to sack Greg Clarke from his £190,000-a-year role as vice-chairman.
      The 63-year-old resigned from his position as chairman of the FA on Tuesday following a reel of offensive comments around race, sexuality and gender.

      Clarke’s term of office runs until 2023 and while Fifa released a damning statement, they said the ball is in his court whether he wants to resign from his post.
      The statement read: “FIFA’s zero tolerance position on discrimination remains steadfast and clear: any form of discrimination, including racism, sexism and homophobia, has no place in football.
      “In the circumstances and given the nature of his comments, FIFA considers that Mr. Clarke did the right thing to resign as chairman of the FA yesterday.
      “He is, of course, free to resign from the FIFA Council, just as he has resigned as chairman of the FA. It is for Mr. Clarke to take that decision.”

      FA Chairman Greg Clarke apologises for ‘coloured’ comment More

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      Uefa beg Fifa to change ‘unfair’ handball laws with VAR controversy in Chelsea’s win over Rennes the final straw

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      UEFA have pleaded with Fifa to change the “unfair” handball laws – after another night of VAR controversy.
      Chelsea’s second penalty in their 3-0 Champions League win over Rennes left the French side shocked by both the VAR spot-kick award and the second yellow card for defender Dalbert Henrique.

      UEFA have intervened after widespread dismay over a handball incident between Chelsea and Rennes last night Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

      BT pundit Rio Ferdinand slammed German referee Felix Swayer for an “absolute disgrace” of a decision, with Timo Werner slotting home his second penalty of the night.
      And now Uefa President Aleksander Ceferin has stepped into the ongoing rows over the handball Laws by urging Fifa boss Gianni Infantino to intervene.
      In a letter to Zurich, Ceferin said: “The attempt to strictly define the cases where handling the ball is an offense has resulted in many unfair decisions which have been met with growing frustration and discomfort by the football community.”
      Despite being the wealthiest and most powerful of Fifa’s Confederations, Uefa has NO place on the Law-making International FA Board, made up of the four Home Nations and four representatives of the world governing body.

      The latest Laws, agreed by Ifab in Belfast in March, came into effect on June 1.
      Infantino had championed the introduction of the “tee-shirt line” which means the shoulder is no longer considered part of the arm.
      But Ifab, backed by Fifa refs’ chief Pierluigi Collina, guides that handling offences when the body is made ‘unnaturally bigger’, must be punished.
      Although the Premier League was given dispensation to apply a less strict criteria after a controversial start to the season, Uefa is sticking more firmly to the official guidelines.

      Aleksander Ceferin wrote to FIFA over the handball rules Credit: Reuters
      In addition, the 2019 Law which sees any goal chalked off if the ball is handled by the scorer or player who passes directly to a scoring team-mate, has caused frustration.
      Ceferin added: ”The spirit of the game must be preserved at all times.
      “The arms are part of bodies dynamically engaged in athletic efforts and their movement is necessary to preserve the body balance, make the effort successful and avoid injuries.
      “Defenders are nowadays forced to assume ‘unnatural’ positions simply to avoid the risk of seeing their hand or arm accidentally hit by the ball and concede a penalty kick.
      “There are also plenty of situations where hands/arms exposed outside the profile of the body in moves which are understood to be natural, unintentional and unavoidable have been punished with penalty kicks. This is no good service to the game.”
      The Uefa President suggested in his letter that the widespread use of VAR had been more of a curse than a blessing in terms of decisions.
      Ceferin said VAR had ‘exacerbated’ problems, leading to ‘paranoid effects and controversial outcomes’.
      He added: ‘lf the original spirit of this amendment was to avoid that a goal is scored with a hand or arm, this goes far beyond the rationale.’

      Gianni Infantino may have some thinking to do as the handball rule continues to attract controversyCredit: Reuters
      “It leads to goals being disallowed following situations where the ball may have minimally hit the hand or arm of a player, without any intention, even when the deflection did not have any significant impact on scoring the goal.
      “There is no shame in admitting that sometimes decisions that are made for the good do not achieve their objectives and should be reviewed.

      “Doing so would certainly not undermine the credibility of IFAB.
      “I believe that going back to the previous wording, perhaps reviewed and integrated by a provision which does not allow goals to be scored with a hand/arm, is an option to be taken into account.”
      Ceferin’s letter comes ahead of the looming ‘business meeting’ of Ifab, which will determine any Law change proposals to be decided by the organisation’s AGM, due to be held in Cardiff next March. More

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      European Super League blow as Fifa boss Gianni Infantino refuses to back £4.6bn plans amid Man Utd and Liverpool talks

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      FIFA boss Gianni Infantino has refused to back the proposed European Super League – dealing the plans a significant blow.
      World chief Infantino was said to have been behind the plans, drafted by Real Madrid President Florentino Perez and backed by Liverpool and Manchester United.

      Fifa president Gianni Infantino has refused to back the European Super League proposalCredit: PA:Press Association

      Fifa were reported as the backers of a £4.6billion concept for an 18-club closed-shop elite, including five Prem giants, from the start of the 2022-23 season.
      But Infantino gave the thumbs down to the plans as he insisted his sole aim is to get the revised and expanded Club World Cup up and running in China in 2022.
      Infantino said: “As Fifa President, I’m interested in the Club World Cup, not the Super League. 
      “I’m not interested in Bayern versus Liverpool, but Bayern versus Boca Juniors from Buenos Aires. 

      “Liverpool has 180 million fans worldwide. Flamengo about 40 million. Flamengo has 39 of these 40 million fans in Brazil. 
      “But Liverpool, however, has perhaps only 5 million fans in England, the other 175 million around the world. 
      “I want clubs from outside Europe to have global appeal in the future. My vision is: there should be 50 clubs and 50 national teams that can become world champions.”
      The proposed “European Premier League” would have stripped Uefa of its biggest Champions League assets, dealing European football a devastating financial blow.

      But the Fifa President insisted: “The Club World Cup does not compete with the Champions League. 
      “It’s a different product. 
      “Fifa’s mission is to promote and develop football around the world and not just in Europe.
      “The differences between Europe and the rest of the world have grown and will continue to grow if we do nothing. 
      “That is why we want to help clubs outside Europe to get back on track.
      “And after coronavirus, these projects are more appropriate than ever.
      “We now see with this virus that we have to work together worldwide. That is exactly what Fifa does.”

      Shaun Custis wants VAR to be scrapped, after yet more controversy in the Premier League More

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      How £4.6bn European Super League would work with more than 70 games a season and END of Champions League

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      THE THREAT of a breakaway European Super League has resurfaced after Liverpool and Manchester United were unmasked as ringleaders of the latest plot.
      Fifa’s backing of the scheme, funded by Wall Street giants J P Morgan to the tune of £4.6billion, means the prospect has to be taken seriously.

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      Fifa President Gianni Infantino is backing the breakaway European Premier LeagueCredit: PA:Press Association

      But fans want to know what is proposed, how it would work and the impact any breakaway would have.
      SunSport explains the proposals, as they stand – and the hurdles that have to be overcome:
      WHAT IS THE PLAN?
      An 18-team, self-elected and ring-fenced European Premier League, with matches to be played midweek and an end of season play-off to determine the winners, with a provisional kick-off from the start of the 2022-23 season.

      WHO WILL BE INVOLVED?
      That is less than clear but the expectation is that we are only talking about the “Big Five” leagues.
      England will have the largest contingent, with Liverpool and United joined by three from Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Spurs.
      Spain would supply Real Madrid, Atletico and Barcelona, plus one other team – probably Sevilla.

      Italy want four places – Juventus, Inter, AC Milan plus one. Bayern Munich, Dortmund and one other German club would be invited with France represented by PSG and, presumably, either Lyon or Marseilles.

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      Here are the proposed teams
      AND THE FORMAT?
      It is envisaged that the teams will play each other home and away in a midweek league, with the top four – or eight – involved in the end of season play-offs.
      BUT THEY WILL STILL PLAY THEIR DOMESTIC LEAGUES?
      That’s the plan. At least, for now.
      HOW DOES IT ALL FIT, THOUGH?
      That is the big question.
      The Premier League’s 38-game season is already squeezed into a 34-week window and there would now be an EXTRA 34 games for each of the five selected Prem teams to fit in.
      Reducing the Prem to 18 clubs, as envisaged in Project big Picture – an element backed by all the Big Six – would create some wriggle room, as would scrapping the League Cup.
      But Prem sides are mandated to play in the FA Cup.

      IS THERE ANY OTHER ROOM FOR GAMES?
      Other than an early start and a late finish, no.
      Until 2024-25, when the new international match calendar – still being worked on by Fifa – comes into operation.
      One plan gaining support is for there to be three four-game international windows – in November, March and June – each year, opening up the entire autumn part of the season for extra club matches.
      WHAT WOULD THIS MEAN FOR THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE?
      Curtains – which is why Uefa will fight tooth and nail to kill the plot stone dead.
      If Europe’s biggest 18 clubs go it alone, the Champions League – let alone the Europa League – will plummet in commercial value, devastating European football’s economic model.

      AND THE IMPACT ON THE PREM?
      Not so much in the immediate term – but significant in the longer term.
      The “top four” race will be rendered redundant if there is a closed shop Super League, which will have an impact on future TV rights sales, although there will still be the appeal of the Big Six playing their domestic matches.
      But the financial disparity between the elite and the rest will become a gaping chasm that will make the Prem utterly uncompetitive – unless the big boys prioritise the new European Premier League and play shadow sides at home, which, of course, will make the Prem even less appealing to the broadcasters.
      CAN IT BE STOPPED?
      Uefa will do everything in their powers and this could all be part of an elaborate bluff by Fifa President Gianni Infantino to ensure he gets his way in other issues where he is fighting Europe, including his pet project, the expanded Club World Cup due to be played in China in 2022.
      The FA could also, in theory, block clubs from taking part and ban any players who were involved, although that would have to be part of a global collective policy from all national associations.

      Troy Deeney joins The Sun as our new hard-hitting columnist with Watford star to give you the inside track in football More

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      Watch hilarious moment Chelsea star Kante is left baffled by Gilmour’s Scottish accent and admits ‘I don’t understand’

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      CHELSEA’S N’Golo Kante was caught on camera hilariously trying to understand what Billy Gilmour is saying – before revealing he hasn’t got a clue.
      Scotsman Gilmour, 19, and the French World Cup winner were discussing a rating for the new edition of FIFA 21.

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      Gilmour and Kante discuss their FIFA 21 rankingsCredit: Twitter@sportbible

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      Kante looks puzzled when Gilmour is speaking to himCredit: Twitter@sportbible

      In the clip posted online, Gilmour can be seen reading out a question about the game’s player ratings to his Chelsea team-mate.
      Referring to a fan’s comment, the youngster is heard talking about how it is surprising that Thiago Silva has a lower physical rating than Kante.
      He then goes on to ask 29-year-old Kante what his views are on the comment.
      When the camera turns to the Frenchman, he looks clueless and admits that he couldn’t understand a word Gilmour said, to which they both burst out laughing.

      Fans also saw the funny side of the incident and took to social media to share their responses.

      One fan said: “N’Golo Kante not understanding Billy Gilmour’s Scottish accent is outstanding. His face ??”
      Another said: “Actually embarrassing. Can’t even understand your own team-mate”

      actually embarrassing. cant even understand your own teammate🤣
      — reguilon is the goat (@TTlads) October 11, 2020

      Despite the language barrier, Gilmour is being touted as the new Kante after a series of impressive displays at Stamford Bridge.
      Kante isn’t the only Blues star who has had problems understanding Gilmour’s accent.
      Chelsea’s new boy Hakim Ziyech was also present at the exchange and was pictured rolling around the floor in fits of laughter when the youngster had finished speaking.

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      Ziyech also had problems understanding GilmourCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      He later took to Instagram to explain by saying: “I don’t understand Billy.”
      The Chelsea squad’s FIFA 21 rankings see all the players ratings adjusted, but Kante leads the pack with a rating of 88.
      SunSport have compiled a list of all the Chelsea player rankings which you can view here. More

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      Arsenal FIFA 21 player ratings: Partey, Aubameyang and Saka stars to watch out for as Ozil stats drop after exile

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      ARSENAL’S players ratings for the upcoming FIFA 21 have been confirmed with Mesut Ozil’s rating taking a hit.
      In contrast, new signing Thomas Partey, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Bukayo Saka stats have shot up and are the ones to watch out for.

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      Aubameyang is Arsenal’s highest ranked player this season

      Ozil’s rating has dropped from 83 last year to 82, alongside Nicolas Pépé and Willian.
      Partey comes in at a strong 84 and leading the pack is striker Aubameyang who is 87 on FIFA 21.
      Mesut Ozil
      Ozil’s poor performances and off-field issues have affected the Arsenal star’s ratings this year.
      The German midfielder has gone from 86 to 82 in recent years but is still one of the club’s highest ranked players.

      Despite being downgraded, his passing is 85 and dribbling is 83 fans will be pleased to know.

      Thomas Partey
      The Gunners signed Partey on transfer deadline day from Atletico Madrid by activating his £45million release clause.
      He comes in with at bang and has been given a rating of 84, making him the highest ranking midfielder at the Emirates.
      His strongest assets are his defending which is 82, and physicality which is 85.

      Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
      Aubameyang will be Arsenal’s top-rated player on FIFA for another season.
      But he comes in one rating lower than his FIFA 20 ranking – despite finishing last season with 22 goals
      His best attributes this season is his sprint speed and his positioning, which have been ranked 94 and 93 respectively.

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      Arsenal fans are upset some players have been ranked so low
      Bukayo Saka
      The youngster’s ranking has seen a big jump from FIFA 20 where he was given a modest 65.
      After some impressive displays he rose to a 74 throughout the season.
      This year his ratings see a slight improvement and he comes in at 75.
      His biggest strengths are his acceleration which is 86, and his sprint speed 82.
      Arsenal’s Full Team Ultimate Ranking
      Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (87)
      Bernd Leno (85)
      Alexandre Lacazette (83)
      Mesut Ozil (82)
      Willian (82)
      Nicolas Pepe (82)
      Lucas Torreira (81)
      Dani Ceballos (80)
      David Luiz (80)
      Granit Xhaka (80)
      Hector Bellerin (80)
      Sokratis (79)
      Gabriel Magalhaes (78)
      Shkodran Mustafi (78)

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      Saka has shot up dramatically in his rankings from last season
      Sead Kolasinac (78)
      Kieran Tierney (78)
      Mohamed Elneny (76)
      Cedric (76)
      Ainsley Maitland-Niles (76)
      Bukayo Saka (75)
      Calum Chambers (75)
      Rob Holding (75)
      Pablo Mari (75)
      Gabriel Martinelli (74)
      William Saliba (74)
      Reiss Nelson (72)
      Joe Willock (71)
      Eddie Nketiah (71)
      Runar Alex Runarsson (70)
      Emile Smith-Rowe (69)

      Some Arsenal fans were left fuming when the FIFA 21 ratings were released, as they believe their club has drastically improved under boss Mikel Arteta.

      Arsenal fans fume as FIFA 21 ratings are revealed with Kieran Tierney just 78 same as flop Sead Kolasinac More

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      Arsene Wenger lists four changes he wants to make to rules of football that will affect corners, throw-ins and offsides

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      ARSENE WENGER listed four changes he wants to make to the rules of football – including to corners, throw-ins and offsides.
      The former Arsenal boss, 70, left his role in North London after 22 years in 2018.

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      Arsene Wenger has proposed a list of rule changes to the laws of football including over throw-ins in the defending halfCredit: Getty – Pool

      Last year he took on his position with Fifa as the Chief Head of Global Football Development.
      And part of that post means helping in the process of adapting the laws of the game.
      Speaking to L’Equipe via Get French Football News, Wenger reiterated his hope of changing the offside rule.
      The Frenchman wants to give attackers more of an advantage with forwards considered onside if any part of the body they can score with is level with the last defender.

      He also wants to shake up out-swinging corners, free-kicks and throws to help the attacking teams.
      Thankfully for Tony Pulis, this time he is not hoping to axe the long throws Stoke optimised for years against Arsenal.
      Wenger said: “For the moment, you are offside if a part of your body that you can score with sits ahead of the body of a defender.
      “I would like it to be that there is no offside so long as a (single) body part which a player can score with is in line with the defender.

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      Out-swinging corners will be allowed to go over the goal line and back into play under Wenger’s new rulesCredit: AP:Associated Press

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      Strikers would only need to have any goalscoring part of their body level with the defender to be deemed onsideCredit: Sky Sports

      “This could be too much of an advantage for an attacker, because that obliges the defenders to play higher up.
      “We are also considering other things: a corner that goes out of play and comes back in could be made valid, this would create new goalscoring opportunities.
      “There is also the option of quickly playing a free-kick to yourself.
      “I would also like to change the throw-in rule: five minutes before the end, a throw-in for you should be an advantage, but in these situations you are facing ten outfield players in play, whilst you only have nine.
      “Stats show that in eight out of ten of those throw-in situations, you lose the ball.
      “In your half of the pitch, you should have the possibility to take a kick instead.”
      One rule that has already changed in recent years is the ability for defenders to receive a goal kick from inside the penalty box – rather than wait for the ball to exit before touching it.
      And Wenger reckons this adjustment has been a genuine success as more teams play out from the back, starting with the goalkeeper.

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      Wenger took on his role as Fifa’s Chief Head of Global Football Development last year Credit: Getty – Contributor

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      He added: “I think that the new rule that allows you to play in the box from the start of play within 5.5m has profoundly changed play. I have to admit that I did not see it coming. This has consequences.
      “The real playmaker now is the goalkeeper. And instead of looking to play as quickly as possible in the opposition half, you are looking to create space in your own box.
      “This has created dangerous situations because teams press very hard, so well that they leave a lot of space.
      “And this rule, which was innocent at the start, has profoundly turned the game upside down.”

      VAR football control experts show how the virtual offside line is placed on the field of play More

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      REVEALED: Arsenal FIFA 21 player ratings: Partey, Aubameyang and Saka stars to watch out for as Ozil’s stats dip

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      ARSENAL’S players ratings for the upcoming FIFA 21 have been confirmed with Mesut Ozil’s rating taking a hit.
      In contrast, new signing Thomas Partey, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Bukayo Saka stats have shot up and are the ones to watch out for.

      3

      Aubameyang is Arsenal’s highest ranked player this season

      Ozil’s rating has dropped from 83 last year to 82, alongside Nicolas Pépé and Willian.
      Partey comes in at a strong 84 and leading the pack is striker Aubameyang who is 87.
      Mesut Ozil
      Ozil’s poor performances and off-field issues have affected the Arsenal star’s ratings this year.
      The German midfielder has gone from 86 to 82 in recent years but is still one of the club’s highest ranked players.

      Despite being downgraded, his passing is 85 and dribbling is 83 fans will be pleased to know.

      Thomas Partey
      The Gunners signed Partey on transfer deadline day from Atletico Madrid by activating his £45million release clause.
      He comes in with at bang and has been given a rating of 84, making him the highest ranking midfielder at the Emirates.
      His strongest assets are his defending which is 82, and physicality which is 85.

      Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
      Aubameyang will be Arsenal’s top-rated player on FIFA for another season.
      But he comes in one rating lower than his FIFA 20 ranking – despite finishing last season with 22 goals
      His best attributes this season is his sprint speed and his positioning, which have been ranked 94 and 93 respectively.

      3

      Arsenal fans are upset some players have been ranked so low
      Bukayo Saka
      The youngster’s ranking has seen a big jump from FIFA 20 where he was given a modest 65.
      After some impressive displays he rose to a 74 throughout the season.
      This year his ratings see a slight improvement and he comes in at 75.
      His biggest strengths are his acceleration which is 86, and his sprint speed 82.
      Arsenal’s Full Team Ultimate Ranking
      Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (87)
      Bernd Leno (85)
      Alexandre Lacazette (83)
      Mesut Ozil (82)
      Willian (82)
      Nicolas Pepe (82)
      Lucas Torreira (81)
      Dani Ceballos (80)
      David Luiz (80)
      Granit Xhaka (80)
      Hector Bellerin (80)
      Sokratis (79)
      Gabriel Magalhaes (78)
      Shkodran Mustafi (78)

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      Saka has shot up dramatically in his rankings from last season
      Sead Kolasinac (78)
      Kieran Tierney (78)
      Mohamed Elneny (76)
      Cedric (76)
      Ainsley Maitland-Niles (76)
      Bukayo Saka (75)
      Calum Chambers (75)
      Rob Holding (75)
      Pablo Mari (75)
      Gabriel Martinelli (74)
      William Saliba (74)
      Reiss Nelson (72)
      Joe Willock (71)
      Eddie Nketiah (71)
      Runar Alex Runarsson (70)
      Emile Smith-Rowe (69)

      Some Arsenal fans were left fuming when the FIFA 21 ratings were released, as they believe their club has drastically improved under boss Mikel Arteta.

      Arsenal fans fume as FIFA 21 ratings are revealed with Kieran Tierney just 78 same as flop Sead Kolasinac More