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      Which Premier League team has the hardest run-in? All 20 sides ranked as race for European places hots up

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      THE Premier League season is rapidly drawing to a close with runaway leaders Liverpool set to win only their second crown.The bottom of three of Southampton, Leicester and Ipswich also look resigned to relegation.Liverpool are the runaway league leaders and look almost certain to regain their Premier League crownCredit: EPAMan Utd look unlikely to land a European spot for next season with a trickier run-inCredit: GettyBut there’s plenty to fight for in terms of European places.With five Champions League spots – and even a chance that 11TH PLACE could grab a European berth – no club will be giving up just yet.Opta’s supercomputer has crunched the numbers, working out a rating for each team out of 100, with the higher the number, the tougher the team.And we can bring you the results – starting with the easiest run-ins and working our way to the toughest…READ MORE SPORT STORIES20. Man City – 87.8 (average opponent rating)Currently fifth, just one point below Chelsea in fourth and yet a mere four points above TENTH-PLACED Bournemouth, City will be thrilled by having statistically the easiest run-in.April 2 – Leicester (h) April 6 – Manchester United (a)April 12 – Crystal Palace (h) Most read in FootballApril 19 – Everton (a) April 28 – Aston Villa (h)May 3 – Wolves (h)May 10 – Southampton (a)May 18 – Bournemouth (h)May 25 – Fulham (a)CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS19. Wolves – difficulty rating: 88.7Down in 17th and eight points adrift of West Ham in 16th, Wolves will be relieved to have a comfortable run-in, despite sitting nine points ahead of Ipswich.April 1 – West Ham (h) April 5 – Ipswich (a)April 13 – Tottenham (h) April 20 – Manchester United (a) April 26 – Leicester (h)May 3 – Manchester City (a)May 10 – Brighton (h)May 18 – Crystal Palace (a)May 25 – Brentford (h)Roy Keane fears Man Utd will get WORSE and reveals biggest red flag that could spell the end for Ruben AmorimNottingham Forest look likely to land a Champions League spot amid their terrific seasonCredit: Reuters18. Nottingham Forest – 89.1Returning to their glory days, Forest sit third, just four points below Arsenal – but with just a five-point cushion to Chelsea and ten to tenth, they’ll enjoy their simpler season finale.April 1 – Manchester United (h) April 5 – Aston Villa (a)April 12 – Everton (h) April 21 – Tottenham (a) April 26 – Brentford (h)May 3 – Crystal Palace (a)May 10 – Leicester (h)May 18 – West Ham (a)May 25 – Chelsea (h)17. West Ham – 89.2Down in 16th, 17 points above the relegation zone and miles off Europe, the Hammers’ run-in will largely be about regaining some form and momentum – a cushy run-in should help.April 1 – Wolves (a) April 5 – Bournemouth (h)April 13 – Liverpool (a) April 19 – Southampton (h) April 26 – Brighton (a)May 3 – Tottenham (h)May 10 – Manchester United (a)May 18 – Nottingham Forest (h)May 25 – Ipswich (a)16. Arsenal – 89.4The Gunners look destined to finish second AGAIN, 12 points off leaders Liverpool but 11 points above sixth – Champions League is the minimum requirement from this run-in.April 1 – Fulham (h) April 5 – Everton (a)April 12 – Brentford (h) April 20 – Ipswich (a) April 26 – Crystal Palace (h)May 3 – Bournemouth (h)May 10 – Liverpool (a)May 18 – Newcastle (h)May 25 – Southampton (a)Arsenal’s title charge appears to have faltered yet again and a tough run in won’t helpCredit: Getty15. Newcastle – 89.7Fresh off their Carabao Cup win, ending a 70-year trophy drought, the Toon are just one point off the final Champions League place – so a simpler-than-most run-in could help them return to Europe’s top table.April 2 – Brentford (h) April 7 – Leicester (a)April 13 – Manchester United (h) April 16 – Crystal Palace (h)April 19 – Aston Villa (a) April 26 – Ipswich (h)May 3 – Brighton (a)May 10 – Chelsea (h)May 18 – Arsenal (a)May 25 – Everton (h)14. Ipswich – 89.8Nine points behind 17th-placed Wolves, the Tractors Boys have impressed many with their style of play, but even with one of the easier run-ins, they look set to go down.April 2 – Bournemouth (h) April 5 – Wolves (h)April 13 – Chelsea (a) April 20 – Arsenal (h)April 26 – Newcastle (a)May 3 – Everton (a)May 10 – Brentford (h)May 18 – Leicester (a)May 25 – West Ham (h)13. Bournemouth – 89.8Tenth, but only four points behind Man City in fifth, the Champions League places are very much within the Cherries’ reach.April 2 – Ipswich (h) April 5 – West Ham (a)April 14 – Fulham (h) April 19 – Crystal Palace (a)April 27 – Manchester United (h)May 3 – Arsenal (a)May 10 – Aston Villa (h)May 18 – Manchester City (a)May 25 – Leicester (h)Bournemouth and Brighton are both vying for a European berthCredit: Alamy12. Brighton – 90.1One point of the Champions League places, the Seagulls will hope to take advantage of a not-too-tricky run-in.April 2 – Aston Villa (h) April 5 – Crystal Palace (a)April 12 – Leicester (h) April 19 – Brentford (a)April 26 – West Ham (h)May 3 – Newcastle (h)May 10 – Wolves (a)May 18 – Liverpool (h)May 25 – Tottenham (a)11. Leicester – 90.1Level on points with Ipswich but down in 18th, the Foxes have a middle-ground run-in, which will surely be too tricky for them.April 2 – Manchester City (a) April 7 – Newcastle (h)April 12 – Brighton (a) April 20 – Liverpool (h)April 26 – Wolves (a)May 3 – Southampton (h)May 10 – Nottingham Forest (a)May 18 – Ipswich (h)May 25 – Bournemouth (a)10. Liverpool – 90.2The runaway leaders are 12 points clear of Arsenal in second, so a medium-level end to the season should see the Reds get over the line to land only their second Premier League title.April 2 – Everton (h) April 6 – Fulham (a)April 13 – West Ham (h) April 20 – Leicester (a)April 27 – Tottenham (h)May 3 – Chelsea (a)May 10 – Arsenal (h)May 18 – Brighton (a)May 25 – Crystal Palace (h)9. Tottenham – 90.3An appalling season by their standards have Spurs in 14th – safe from relegation but surely too far off the European places to consider a late charge.April 3 – Chelsea (a) April 6 – Southampton (h)April 13 – Wolves (a) April 21 – Nottingham Forest (h)April 27 – Liverpool (a)May 3 – West Ham (a)May 10 – Crystal Palace (h)May 18 – Aston Villa (a)May 25 – Brighton (h)While Spurs languish in the bottom half, Aston Villa are enjoying a fine seasonCredit: Getty8. Aston Villa – 90.3Poised just three points behind City, Champions League quarter-finalists Villa will hope to keep their spot at Europe’s top table next year with a tricky but manageable run-in.April 2 – Brighton (a) April 5 – Nottingham Forest (h)April 12 – Southampton (a) April 19 – Newcastle (h)April 28 – Manchester City (a)May 3 – Fulham (h)May 10 – Bournemouth (a)May 18 – Tottenham (h)May 25 – Manchester United (a)7. Southampton – 90.5Dead last and one of the worst teams in Premier League history with just nine points from a possible 87, the Saints could have the easiest run-in available and still go down.April 2 – Crystal Palace (h) April 6 – Tottenham (a)April 12 – Aston Villa (h) April 19 – West Ham (a)April 26 – Fulham (h)May 3 – Leicester (a)May 10 – Manchester City (h)May 18 – Everton (a)May 25 – Arsenal (h)6. Chelsea – 90.5Sitting in fourth, for now, the Blues will hope to cling on to their place despite a congested 4th-10th in the table, but a trickier run-in won’t help their Champions League cause.April 3 – Tottenham (h) April 6 – Brentford (a)April 13 – Ipswich (h) April 20 – Fulham (a)April 26 – Everton (a)May 3 – Liverpool (h)May 10 – Newcastle (a)May 18 – Manchester United (h)May 25 – Nottingham Forest (a)Chelsea are still in the Champions League places as things standCredit: Reuters5. Brentford – 90.8Down in 11th but only seven points off the Champions League places, the Bees won’t have completely given up hope, but a Conference League spot is more likely, even if tricky given their run-in.April 2 – Newcastle (a) April 6 – Chelsea (h)April 12 – Arsenal (a) April 19 – Brighton (h)April 26 – Nottingham Forest (a)May 3 – Manchester United (h)May 10 – Ipswich (a)May 18 – Fulham (h)May 25 – Wolves (a)4. Man Utd – 91.0A lowly 13th after an abysmal season, United look unlikely to play in Europe next season, at least through their league place, and a tough run-in will only hurt their cause.April 1 – Nottingham Forest (a) April 6 – Manchester City (h)April 13 – Newcastle (a) April 20 – Wolves (h)April 27 – Bournemouth (a)May 3 – Brentford (a)May 10 – West Ham (h)May 18 – Chelsea (a)May 25 – Aston Villa (h)3. Everton – 91.5Looked almost-certain to go down at one stage, the Toffees are vastly improved under David Moyes and now look safe – a tough run-in shouldn’t prevent them from maintaining their Premier League status.April 2 – Liverpool (a) April 5 – Arsenal (h)April 12 – Nottingham Forest (a) April 19 – Manchester City (h)April 26 – Chelsea (a)May 3 – Ipswich (h)May 10 – Fulham (a)May 18 – Southampton (h)May 25 – Newcastle (a)Everton looked to have avoided relegation after a horror start to the seasonCredit: Getty2. Crystal Palace – 91.8Mid-table, unlikely to grab a European spot with this run-in but the Eagles are almost certain to survive, despite the second-toughest end to the season.April 2 – Southampton (a) April 5 – Brighton (h)April 12 – Manchester City (a) April 16 – Newcastle (a) April 19 – Bournemouth (h)April 26 – Arsenal (a)May 3 – Nottingham Forest (h)May 10 – Tottenham (a)May 18 – Wolves (h)May 25 – Liverpool (a)1. Fulham – 91.8Currently eighth, the Cottagers harbour dreams of a late charge into the Champions League, just three points off City – but with the toughest run-in, they could miss out on Europe altogether.April 1 – Arsenal (a) April 6 – Liverpool (h)April 14 – Bournemouth (a) April 20 – Chelsea (h)April 26 – Southampton (a)May 3 – Aston Villa (a)May 10 – Everton (h)READ MORE SUN STORIESMay 18 – Brentford (a)May 25 – Manchester City (h) More

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      I’m Arsenal’s biggest fan but people want me banned because I turn up to stadium in nothing but body paint

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      ARSENAL’s self-proclaimed ‘biggest female fan’ has claimed supporters want her “BANNED” from games because she rocks up to the Emirates in just body paint.Life-long Gunners fan Arabella Mia has gone viral on numerous occasions for her lack of outfits at the Emirates.Adult star Arabella Mia is a massive Arsenal fanCredit: JAM PRESS / @GREENGIRLBELLA_The 27-year-old is a regular outside of the Emirates – albeit in the buffCredit: JAM PRESS / @GREENGIRLBELLA_She interviews the Emirates faithful while completely starkersCredit: JAM PRESS / @GREENGIRLBELLA_Her lack of clothing has repeatedly been met with major backlash, but the 27-year-old influencer insists her nude antics are helping women break into the football space.She said: “Men always assume I’m just another girl pretending to like football and think I don’t know anything about it.“But I usually end up knowing more than those who try to catch me out.“I’ve been into football since I was a kid but it was my first boyfriend who inspired my love for Arsenal.READ MORE SPORT STORIES“He was a die-hard Gooner and taught me all about the team.“But I knew from the get-go that I’d have to fight my way into this space and make myself memorable.“That’s how the whole idea of going to the matches nude came about.“I can’t understand why seeing a woman’s body is such a problem.Most read in FootballArabella Mia is an incredibly knowledgeable football fanCredit: JAM PRESS / @GREENGIRLBELLA_But men assume she just pretends to be interested in the sport to boost her profileCredit: JAM PRESS / @GREENGIRLBELLA_“At first, I wanted to be the new face of Arsenal – but it’s so much more than that now.“We need more women in football communities, so it is important to me to be at the forefront of this.Inside a day in the life of an Arsenal player as newly promoted goalkeeper, 19, gives glimpse behind the scenes“And this is how I choose to do it.”Mia, who also makes and sells adult content on OnlyFans, spends several hours painting her body with a skin-tight Arsenal kit.She then proceeds to interview Gunners fans for their thoughts on Mikel Arteta’s side.And she’s become so accustomed to chatting to her fellow Gooners in the buff that she sometimes forgets she’s nearly completely starkers.She said: “Once I got past the initial nerves, I absolutely loved it.“I was just standing there talking about football and interacting with other fans – I honestly forgot that I was even naked.“We had a laugh and I surprised some of the men with my sports knowledge.“But online, it was a different matter.“Somebody recorded me at the stadium and posted it online, calling me out for being naked in public.“It went viral and the hate I got was insane. Some people called for me to be banned from the stadium.”Despite the immense online backlash, Arabella continues to stick to her guns and attend stadiums in the buff – although sometimes she likes watching games from the comfort of the pub.Arabella Mia has no plans to stop her near-nude interviewsCredit: JAM PRESS / @GREENGIRLBELLA_Mia could care less about the backlash her antics receiveCredit: JAM PRESS / @GREENGIRLBELLA_“I don’t always stay at the stadium,” she said. “Sometimes, I’ll find the nearest pub and watch from there.“At away matches, I’ve even had to sit in the competition’s local and keep my head down.“But I don’t care – I will always support the boys, no matter what.“Every time I’ve actually been at matches with the fans in person, they love the body paint and most people are happy to get involved with the interviews.“Even the stadium security are fine with it – I just have to chuck a top on before I go inside.“One time when I was in body paint, a little girl with her family said, ‘Dad, can I have a photo with the superhero?’“That’s what she thought I was.“In my opinion, my nude outfit is no different than Scarlett Johansson wearing the Avengers catsuit.READ MORE SUN STORIES“I don’t care so much what people think anymore and just do what feels right to me. This is pure passion.“I can’t wait to see what’s next for the team – I’ll be there every step of the way, body paint on and ready for more madness.” More

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      Arsenal board has FAILED Arteta and have ‘got what they deserve’ for wasting money, says ex-chief in bombshell interview

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      KEITH EDELMAN was Arsenal’s managing director during one of the most successful and defining periods in the club’s history.Alongside vice-chairman David Dein and legendary manager Arsene Wenger between 2000 and 2008, Edelman oversaw the construction of the Emirates Stadium and departure from Highbury, as well as an iconic recruitment drive that won two Premier League titles – including the 2004 Invincibles.Keith Edelman (right) knows what it takes to succeed at ArsenalCredit: PA:Press AssociationThe former managing director helped to build the Invincibles teamCredit: ReutersEdelman helped build title-winning teams with David Dein (left) and Arsene WengerCredit: Getty – ContributorHe also oversaw the construction of the Emirates StadiumCredit: GettyAnd nearly two decades on, in an exclusive tell-all interview with SunSport, English businessman Edelman has opened up on:The “failure” of the current board to provide Mikel Arteta with a title-winning squadHow cash-strapped Arsenal worried about paying player WAGES in 2003Why the Emirates will stand the test of time WITHOUT increasing the capacitySelling Thierry Henry because he was “losing his speed”Twenty-one years on from their last title triumph, the Gunners look set to finish second for a THIRD year on the spin following yet another drop-off that sees them 12 points behind leaders Liverpool with nine games remaining.Arteta has been left hamstrung in attacking areas this term after failing to sign a striker in the past two windows, compounded by long-term injuries to forwards Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.Edelman, now 74, knows the value of building a squad capable of challenging for – and ultimately winning – major honours, working on deals for the likes of Robert Pires, Sylvain Wiltord, Sol Campbell, Gilberto Silva, Jens Lehmann and Jose Antonio Reyes during his time.Those six stars were bought for a combined total of around £42.5million, which in today’s money would be around £76million. In comparison, Havertz and Jesus were brought in for £110million.Edelman told The Sun: “I’m quite strategic in the way I see squads being built up and [Arsenal now] haven’t really built a balanced squad. They have failed on that front.“If that happens, you normally fail. You get what you deserve in a competitive environment.“If you look at the wage bill and the playing squad they have, you have to conclude that they’ve spent their money unwisely.“At the end of the day, the board has got to be responsible.”’He’s got a sense of humour’ – Sky Sports panel in stitches after Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta’s stunt in live TV interviewArsenal are hoping to announce the appointment of new sporting director Andrea Berta in the coming weeks, following the resignation of Edu back in November, ahead of a huge summer window.Berta will work alongside current managing director Richard Garlick, co-owners Stan and Josh Kroenke, executive vice-chair Tim Lewis and Arteta.It’s amazing how people who are paid huge amounts of money make so many big mistakes. People do lose their marbles a bit.Keith Edelmanformer Arsenal managing director From an era where Wenger ruled the roost when it came to incomings, Edelman continued: “It is clear that the manager now, with all the pressures and all the strains, can’t do everything.“He needs support in building a team and doing deals and transfers.“When I first joined Arsenal, there was one executive who ran one of the big football clubs who said to me: ‘You know, if Wenger doesn’t win the league this year or next year, you ought to fire him’.“He said, ‘It’s no good coming second all the time. You’ve got to win these things’. Fortunately, we did go on to win things.“Quite often people who are running football clubs seem to lose what I call their strategic nous in terms of working out what it is they need to do and how to build the squad.Arsenal’s biggest signings in the past 17 years“There are a lot of people who do it very well. There were some very wily operators like Ken Bates (Chelsea), Martin Edwards (Man Utd), and Daniel Levy.“And then of course, we’ve moved from that to large American organisations who think they know how to do football because they’ve done baseball or American football.“I’m not against all that. I’m just saying it’s a change. It’s different.“But it’s amazing how people who are paid huge amounts of money make so many big mistakes. People do lose their marbles a bit.“It’s extremely important to be really thoughtful and strategic and not be too emotional.“One CEO I knew used to go down to the training ground every day and had his initials put on his training gear, like one of the lads. That’s not what a CEO should do.”In their recent financial report, Arsenal’s wages have risen from £234.8million to £327.8million and posted an annual loss of £17.7million, despite record revenues of £616.6million – up £150million from last year.Those numbers are a world away from Edelman’s time at the club. Despite being one of the biggest clubs in English football, money was tight with little investment – even ahead of their unbeaten season of 2003/04.Arsenal were forced to sell many of their stars under EdelmanCredit: AFPThierry Henry left for Barcelona in a £16million dealCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdEdelman explained: “It was a very, very small business at that time. We had some big ideas about building a new stadium but we had no cash at all.“We used to turn over £65million when I joined. It’s a small number. The highest-paid player was on around £1.4million a year in those days.“Late in 2003, we’d sent some guy off to do a property deal. He said to me, ‘They’re not coming up with the right number. I should walk out of the room. I’ll get more tomorrow’.“I said, ‘No, you’ve got to sign the deal tonight because we can’t pay the wages on Thursday’. So yes, it was a bit stretched.”It was this sort of financial situation that led to the Invincibles squad being broken up just a few years after their historic 2004 triumph, seeing the likes of Pires, Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry depart and replaced with young, bargain-buy hopefuls with potential.In the aftermath, Arsenal went nine years without lifting a major trophy. Edelman said: “If you’ve got endless amounts of money, as Manchester City had, you could keep a team going longer.“If you win things, you have a lot of world-class players because that’s how you win things. But when they get older, it’s very difficult to replace them. They won’t be world-class forever.“This is what I mean about looking at things strategically. You’ve got to ask the right questions. You’ve got to be probing. I don’t think a lot of people do that.”Henry – who was club captain and 29 at the time – was sold to Barcelona in the summer of 2007 for £16m. The Frenchman cited Dein’s departure and uncertainty over Wenger’s future as the reason.Edelman continued: “The reason Thierry moved on was because he was losing his speed. His game was basically all about speed. And if you lose your speed, then you’re dead.“So, we got money for him despite the fact that he was on the downward trap. It’s like Kevin De Bruyne. Would you have been better to sell him for more money at the end of last year?“Or, keep him and risk that he’d keep going this season?”Edelman is arguably best remembered for the Emirates Stadium, raising around £500million through loans and sponsorship to finance the construction, which was finished on time in the summer of 2006.Nearly 20 years on, there have been calls to increase the 60,704 capacity to compete with the likes of Old Trafford and Tottenham’s billion-pound stadium, something that could prove impossible given the original design and surrounding housing estates.And Edelman argues: “When I go there, I look around and it has stood up terribly well over time.“There are some things that are ageing and need to be replaced, but the fabric of the building is still amazing. It looks like it could have been built two years ago, not 20.“I know everyone wants to go bigger, but when I go to Wembley, I don’t enjoy the experience. You’re too far away from the pitch.”Edelman has landed a new role away from football. He has taken up a position with the country’s leading keynote speakers’ agency, Champions Speakers, to deliver speeches in the business world More

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      Andrija Delibasic dead at 43: Former LaLiga star dies after two-year battle with brain cancer as tributes pour in

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      FORMER LaLiga star Andrija Delibasic has died aged just 43 after a two-year battle with brain cancer.The Montenegro striker scored in a 2-2 draw with England in a Euro 2012 qualifier in Podgorica.Andrija Delibasic earned 21 caps for his countryCredit: AFPDelibasic played for several clubs in LaLigaCredit: AFPDelibasic played for Spanish clubs Real Mallorca, Real Sociedad, Hercules and Rayo Vallecano.He won two Serbian titles with Partizan Belgrade, and played a small part in Benfica’s 2005 Portuguese league triumph.Capped 21 times, Delibasic went on to coach Montenegrin club Mornar from 2021 to 2023.He underwent surgery after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut home-country media revealed that he tragically passed away on Wednesday.Delibasic’s former clubs were quick to pay tribute to the Niksic-born ace.Hercules wrote: “We lament the passing of Andrija Delibasic. He was the key to our promotion to the Primera Liga in 2009-10.”He scored 20 goals in two seasons for us.  We send our deepest condolences to his family and friends.”Most read in FootballMeanwhile Mallorca said: “We deeply regret the loss of our former player, Andrija Delibasic.”We send our thoughts to his family and loved ones.”Globe-trotting Delibasic also played for Portuguese clubs Braga and Beira-Mar as well as Greek big-hitters AEK Athens.He had a spell with Thai club Ratchaburi before ending his playing career with Sutjeska, based in his home town Niksic.Delibasic played in many countries during his careerCredit: Rex More

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      Premier League stars including Haaland and Grealish wear red-tinted glasses in new trend for surprising health benefit

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      PREMIER LEAGUE stars including Erling Haaland and Jack Grealish are wearing red-tinted glasses for a new surprising health trend.The Manchester City duo were previously spotted with the eye-catching shades while on a flight.Erling Haaland and Jack Grealish are among stars wearing red glasses for a surprising health benefitCredit: Instagram @ra_opticsAnthony Elanga is the latest ace to don the shadesCredit: RexAnd Nottingham Forest winger Anthony Elanga has become the latest ace to rock the new look.The former Manchester United man stepped out on international duty for Sweden wearing the red glasses.Elanga’s interesting style sparked questions over the meaning of the shades.But it turns out they are not for fashion alone.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAmazingly, the glasses are actually beneficial for health.It’s believed red tints can increase melatonin in the body.The naturally-occurring hormone plays a huge role in regulating sleep.Levels are meant to be lower in the day and higher at night.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSThat allows people to drift off quicker, while also allowing for a deeper rest and therefore better recovery.Elanga revealed: “It helps me sleep. It’s important to keep an eye on your body, especially when you play so many matches. I am my own stylist.”Top 10 highest-paid Premier League starsEdgar Davids used to wear red glasses, albeit for completely different reasonsCredit: GettyHaaland previously opened up on his reasons for wearing the shades.He said: “I think sleep is the most important thing in the world.“So to sleep good, simple kinds of things, blue blocking glasses, shutting out all the signals.”Elanga, Haaland and Grealish aren’t the first footballers to wear red glasses.Edgar Davids famously rocked a pair of shades when he took to the field.But the Dutch legend wore his for a completely different reason.The former Milan, Juventus and Barcelona star suffered from glaucoma and needed surgery to correct the problem.READ MORE SUN STORIESDavids began wearing his glasses in 1999 as a way to protect his eyes.And the iconic look has been synonymous with him ever since. More

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      ‘I’ll sleep on the floor’ – Premier League rivals stunned after being given double bed to share on international duty

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      PREMIER LEAGUE rivals Alex Iwobi and Ola Aina were stunned to discover they were given one bed to share while with Nigeria.The pair have been in fine form this season and were called up for the latest round of World Cup qualifiers.Alex Iwobi was stunned after discovering the double bedOla Aina found the situation hilariousCredit: tiktokThe pair found they had been given one bed while away with NigeriaCredit: tiktokThey quickly began posting about the situation on social mediaCredit: tiktokNigeria’s contingent of English-based players touched down on Tuesday and two were dealt a surprise when they entered their hotel room.Fulham star Iwobi was shocked when he realised there was just one double bed in his room to share with Nottingham Forest’s Ola Aina, who found the situation hilarious.Iwobi reacted saying: “Oh my days bro. Surely this can be separated man because bro I’ll sleep on the floor.”Aina could barely stop laughing as he said: “Alex! Alex! Don’t kiss me. Doubled bed!”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLFans found the situation very entertaining and made jokes in response.One said: “Takes team bonding to a new level 😂”Another added: “Sharing is caring 🤷‍♂️”A third wrote: “Aina’s buzzing 😂”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSAnd another commented: “Those boys dey kill me 😂😂”The issue was later corrected the the players were given individual beds, although they were situated right next to each other.Ex-Arsenal ace Alex Iwobi releases music video for his second single What’s Luv as fans call it ‘great retirement plan’ More

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      I made Champions League debut against Real Madrid and scored winner against Barcelona – now I make a living cutting hair

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      DANNY HOESEN made his name with his ability to cut in and finish.Now he is proving his worth with a very different cut and finish.Danny Hoesen scored against Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona in the Champions LeagueCredit: Getty Images – GettyHe has taken on a new career as a barberCredit: MAESONSHoesen is honing his skills away from the football fieldCredit: MAESONSHoesen, 34, enjoyed the best night of his football career when he scored the winner for Ajax in the Champions League against Barcelona in front of Johan Cruyff – in the stadium named after his legendary compatriot.He also played against Real Madrid on his Ajax debut, found the net against Borussia Dortmund and won both the Eredivisie and KNVB Dutch Cup. But after being forced to retire aged just 32 with a hip injury that plagued his career, Hoesen has launched himself into a new job as a barber.The ex-forward is now working part-time at his brother-in-law’s salon Maesons in Utrecht after going through their very own academy to get trained up in his clipping skills.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHoesen told SunSport: “I had no cartilage left in my hip. My level and the pain were getting worse and worse. I couldn’t finish one training session and decided to quit football.“I needed something to do, needed to have goals and was looking to invest. My brother-in-law’s business was a golden opportunity.“In the beginning as a co-owner, I was just in the office trying to understand and help the business but it was kind of boring.“I always enjoy watching the barbers when they cut hair because it looks satisfying. I wanted to try it myself.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS“I really enjoyed it. There’s not a lot of football players that started doing this.“I never really had that big ego or thought I was bigger or better than anybody else. So the transition for me wasn’t that hard.Football Fixers | Cutting it with Premier League Football Stars“I always had respect for people because every job is hard – especially at the club, even the cleaners or the chefs or physios.”Hoesen played against some of the best footballers of his generation on big European nights with Ajax – including Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Neymar.He named Xabi Alonso as his toughest opponent but reckons a shift at the barbers is even harder work.But getting out of the football “bubble” has been a breath of fresh air for Hoesen, who was on Fulham’s books from 2009 to 2012 but didn’t make a first-team appearance amid his hip struggles and a revolving door of managers.He added: “In the beginning, I was thinking it would be quite easy but you notice it’s hard work because you have customers all day.“If you’re a bit late, then you need to catch up, miss your break and paying customers are waiting. It’s a huge focus.“I said to my brother-in-law, ‘I feel like I played two games.’ I was just completely tired, which is funny because you’re standing still but you also have to realise that every customer comes and wants to tell their story.“So not only are you cutting hair but you’re also talking all the time.“I always say as a footballer, you live in a bubble. You’re only around other football players.“If I stayed working in football, then I would be in the exact same world again with the exact same things. I wanted to do something completely different.Hoesen had a stint with Fulham as a youngster but did not make a first-team appearanceCredit: AlamyHis strike against Barcelona in front of Johan Cruyff proved to be the winnerCredit: GettyThe forward spent six years in America but struggled with his ongoing hip issueCredit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun GlasgowHe ‘signed’ for his brother-in-law’s barbers in 2024Credit: MAESONS“It’s really interesting hearing other people’s stories as well. That’s probably what I like the most.“It doesn’t matter what you do, you always have something in common with other people: work, relationships, kids or whatever.“I have customers who are lawyers or pilots or in the government. As a football player, you just don’t talk to these people.“I get very positive reactions because for some people this is the closest they will get to a footballer.“Apparently people thought I was very arrogant as a player so it’s nice for me to show people that I’m a normal human being and always was.”Hoesen’s brother-in-law Maeson launched the company and has a long list of footballer clients – plus ex-Prem goalkeeper Michel Vorm as another co-owner – with plans to franchise abroad.Maeson travels to London to cut Jurrien Timber’s hair every couple of weeks, does a few Tottenham players and looks after the Holland national team squad, even flying out to Brazil to keep their fades fresh throughout the 2014 World Cup.When “super nice and relaxed” Timber’s Arsenal played at PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League, the Gunners defender got in touch and his barber sorted out the entire squad’s trims for the 7-1 demolition.Hoesen, though, admits he hasn’t got to the level of being trusted to cut any player’s hair just yet.And part of the reason is because he understands the intrinsic link between footballers and hair.’LOOK GOOD, FEEL GOOD’He explained: “You’re on TV, a lot of people are watching, so you want to look good. I truly believe in look good, feel good.“So the days before a game, all the players get treatments and ice baths just to feel as good as possible.“You don’t leave one bit behind to have a good game.“Everybody feels better after going for a haircut or a shave. You look in the mirror and you’re happy with what you see and ready.“I do believe it helps confidence on the field for sure.”SunSport quizzed Hoesen on some of the best and worst haircuts he has seen in football.He replied: “It’s funny because like Brazilian Ronaldo at the 2002 World Cup, that was a terrible haircut but it became so iconic. That was cool at the same time.“So sometimes you see that a haircut can be funny or silly and at first people are like, ‘Nah, this doesn’t look good.’ But now everybody over 15 who sees that haircut knows it’s R9.”But while he refused to heap praise on any team-mates for their hair, he was quick to point out two Premier League players for their ability.Hoesen said: “It has always been Mousa Dembele and Christian Eriksen. Those two were pure talent.READ MORE SUN STORIES“Different type of players, but so good. Even in bad moments, those two always wanted the ball.“Sometimes the fans sometimes don’t understand Dembele but if you saw that guy day in, day out in training, how he can handle the ball, that’s something you don’t see a lot.”Hoesen’s brother-in-law Maeson cuts Jurrien Timber’s hairCredit: MAESONSHoesen has not been trusted to do any footballers’ trims yetCredit: MAESONSThe former striker is enjoying being out of the football bubble and meeting new peopleCredit: MAESONS More

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      Arsenal star Ben White should be slapped with two-year England BAN after ‘spitting dummy out’, slams Three Lions icon

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      CHRIS WADDLE has demanded that Ben White is slapped with a two-year England ban for “spitting his dummy out”.The Arsenal star has ended his international exile after walking out of Gareth Southgate’s World Cup camp in 2022 for “personal reasons”.Ben White should be banned from playing for England for two YEARS, Waddle claimsCredit: GettyChris Waddle feels the right-back should be punished for ‘spitting his dummy out’Credit: Hulton Archive – GettyWhite’s last England game came three years ago.And although injury has ruled him out of Thomas Tuchel’s first squad, the right-back is firmly in the German’s plans after the pair held peace talks.However, former Three Lions star Waddle reckons White should not be allowed to waltz straight back in.He feels the Arsenal ace made his own bed by refusing to play under Southgate.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd nobody should be able to pick and choose when they represent their country on the pitch.Waddle, who won 62 caps, told 10bet: “No, I wouldn’t bring Ben White back in. He said he didn’t want to be picked again.“He spat the dummy out, didn’t he? So now he’s alright to play. So, he wants to pick and choose his England career?“Listen, you would never say you never want to play for England.Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from The Emirates“I would never have said that. I would have played if I was 50. So, modern day players who say that, I’m not being picked, so don’t pick me again, all of a sudden become available.“For the time he didn’t play, he didn’t want to play, I would say, ‘Well, we’ll give you the same ban’.Dan Burn eyes World Cup after finally breaking into the England squad White is back in England’s plans after talks with Thomas TuchelCredit: GettyMikel Arteta has hailed White for being ‘brave’Credit: Getty“So if it was a year or two years, then I’d consider you in two years’ time. For me, you should never say no.“Now, OK, if you don’t get on with the manager and you don’t like the style of play, you wouldn’t be picked anyway. But when you get a late call-up, you don’t say no.”Waddle’s comments come days after Tuchel revealed White’s England U-turn.The gaffer said: “He loves to be back in the squad but it is too early now for him given the seriousness of the injury.”I am delighted that he is back in back-to-back trainings. We are monitoring the process.”Now it is a question of getting more minutes and he has every chance and he wants to be back.”Meanwhile, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta hailed White as “brave” for telling Tuchel he wants to play for England again.Arteta noted: “What Ben did was very brave and not a lot of people would have done it. I was very involved in [White refusing to be called up].“I know how Ben felt and it was very clear for me the reason why he made that decision.READ MORE SUN STORIES“It wasn’t about [letting his country down]. It was about facing the situation and saying, ‘I can’t handle it now and I am not the best person to represent the country the way I feel right now’.“So it was completely the opposite. What a lot of people would do is hide in that environment.” More