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      Why Arsenal had TOUGHEST run to Champions League knockouts… and Man City should have cruised through

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      IT’S official – Arsenal had the toughest run of the four Premier League teams in this year’s Champions League.The revamped format resulted in a chaotic final Gameweek on Wednesday with 18 matches played simultaneously. Arsenal endured the toughest run of all four Prem teams in this year’s Champions LeagueCredit: GettyOur research shows Pep Guardiola’s Man City were the biggest underperformersCredit: RexAll four of Arsenal, Manchester City, Aston Villa and Liverpool remain in this year’s competition. But City – the winners in 2023 – are the only English side who have to undertake the dreaded playoff route.Liverpool were safely through to the last-16 before kick-off against PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday.While wins for both Arsenal and Aston Villa successfully secured their path to the knockouts.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLSunSport has crunched the numbers and found the Gunners endured the hardest schedule of the four Prem sides.Pep Guardiola’s City – who won just 3 of their 8 games – were the biggest underperformers, according to our research. With every team’s schedule different, we looked at the final points tally for each team the Prem sides faced.BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSMost read in FootballTo make it fair, we’ve also looked at the number of games played against teams that eventually finished in the top 8. Teams playing against Arsenal amassed 92 points over the course of the group stage – the most of any English team. Man City boss Pep Guardiola looks forward to the return of injured players to help Champions League campaign That’s four more total points than those who faced Liverpool, with the Reds going through as group winners. City’s opponents clocked up 83 points, while teams playing Villa could only muster 72.Arne Slot’s Reds also had to take on two of the eventual top 8 – Lille and Leverkusen. Arsenal and City faced one of the eventual top 8 in Inter Milan. But City – who scraped through on Wednesday with a comeback win against Club Brugge – really should have secured qualification. They faced both Slovan Bratislava and Sparta Prague, who managed to amass just four points combined. City also came up against Paris Saint-Germain, who before the tournament kicked off looked to have a nightmare run. The French champions’ total came out at 93 points, just one ahead of the Gunners.While reigning champions Real Madrid – who could be on a collision course with City in the playoffs – played against teams who racked up a whopping 108 points.Arsenal’s third-placed finish means they will face one of AC Milan, Juventus, PSV or Feyenoord in the last-16.READ MORE SUN STORIESLiverpool could draw either PSG, Benfica, AS Monaco or Brest.While Villa will take on either Atalanta, Borussia Dortmund, Sporting Lisbon or Club Brugge. More

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      Tottenham ‘agree £50million Mathys Tel transfer’ but Bayern star now set to choose between Premier League clubs

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      TOTTENHAM have reportedly agreed a £50million fee for Bayern Munich’s Mathys Tel.Spurs had originally been tracking the 19-year-old striker for a potential loan deal this January.Tottenham have reportedly agreed a fee with Bayern for Mathys TelCredit: RexBut reports in France suggest the Premier League club have agreed a fee with the Bundesliga giants.Tel must now make a decision on whether to swap Munich for North London, according to L’Equipe. But Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea are all reportedly interested in bringing him to England. Tel was a wonderkid at Rennes, where he became the Ligue 1 side’s youngest-ever player in 2021. READ MORE ON FOOTBALLHe earned a big-money move to Bayern a year later, but has played a bit-part role this season. The teenager has been plagued by injuries, resulting in just 8 appearances and no goals in 2024/25. Tel is contracted at the Allianz Arena until 2029. But he is looking for regular minutes after a stuttering campaign, with Tottenham desperate for a versatile forward.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSTel, blessed with electric pace, can play anywhere along the front three.Spurs have been dogged by an injury crisis, with boss Ange Postecoglou clinging on to his job after a weekend loss to Leicester.Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou shows his dissagpointment after defeat to Leicester Tottenham have also been linked with Yoane Wissa from Brentford.Foot Mercato claims talks are underway and that Spurs have contacted Wissa to express their interest.The 28-year-old has been vital for the Bees since his arrival from Lorient in 2021.THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheSunFootball and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball. More

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      ‘This is laughable’ say fans as Arsenal CHARGED by FA after reaction to Myles Lewis-Skelly’s red card vs Wolves

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      THE FA has charged Arsenal for “improper” conduct against Wolves on Saturday.Arsenal stars were left furious when Myles Lewis-Skelly received a straight red card at Molineux for a cynical foul on Matt Doherty around 90 yards out from goal.Arsenal stars have been charged after stars surrounded the referee against WolvesCredit: GettyThey subsequently surrounded referee Michael Oliver to appeal the decision just before half-time.And the Gunners have now been charged for the incident.An FA statement read: “Arsenal FC has been charged after its players surrounded a match official during their Premier League fixture against Wolverhampton Wanderers FC on Saturday, 25 January.”The club allegedly failed to ensure that its players did not behave in an improper manner around the 43rd minute.”Arsenal FC has until Monday, 3 February, to provide a response.”The Gunners went on to win the match 1-0 thanks to a 74th-minute strike from summer signing Riccardo Calafiori.Mikel Arteta was left “fuming” as a result of the red card despite the win.However, Oliver’s controversial decision was overturned earlier this week following an appeal.Most read in FootballLewis-Skelly’s dismissal was deemed to be “wrongful” and his three-game suspension was rescinded.THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheSunFootball and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball. More

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      Arsenal vs Man City live stream: How to watch Premier League clash

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      ARSENAL and Manchester City meet head to head in the Premier League’s blockbuster fixture on Sunday.While both teams are fresh off a Champions league win, both sides will quickly turn their attention back to the domestic campaign in the interim.Arsenal won again in the Champions League securing third spotCredit: GettyMan City scraped through to the qualifying rounds after a first half scareCredit: PAArsenal have been in somewhat decent form winning five of their last seven games with no losses – Mikel Arteta knows they need nothing other than a win to keep their faint hopes of the Premier League title alive.Last time Arsenal were in domestic action, they overcame Wolves with 10 men by a one goal margin. As for City, they strolled past Chelsea putting them back up to fourth in the league. Despite City’s terrible start to the season, since Christmas they are slowly returning to their normal selves being unbeaten in six in the league winning four of them. It’s a fixture that could prove massive for both sides, with Arsenal dropping points could mean their title chances will be all but over.How to watch Arsenal vs Man CityArsenal and City’s mouthwatering clash will be broadcast live on Sky in the UK.Fans will also have the option to stream all entire action on Sky Go App and NowTV which is available to download via any compatible mobile device or tablet. Alternatively, tune into SunSport’s comprehensive live blog for all the action as it happens. Kick-off for the huge match is scheduled to get underway at 4.30pm GMT on Sunday, February 2.What other Premier League games are happening on the weekend?Nottingham Forest vs BrightonBournemouth vs LiverpoolEverton vs LeicesterIpswich vs SouthamptonNewcastle vs FulhamWolves vs Aston VillaBrentford vs SpursMan Utd vs Crystal Palace More

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      Inside 14,591-seater third tier stadium that could host El Clasico as desperate Barcelona seek venue to face Real Madrid

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      BARCELONA could play the final two games of their La Liga season in a THIRD DIVISION stadium.The club’s billion-pound expansion of their iconic Nou Camp home – which will become a 105,000-seater ground – was set to be completed in February.Barcelona are currently playing away from their iconic Nou Camp groundCredit: APThe world-famous stadium is undergoing a major revamp and expansionCredit: REXBarca have been playing their games at the Estadi Lluis Companys during their hiatus but could be turfed out for their last two fixturesCredit: ALAMYBut it was recently announced the works on the Catalan colosseum won’t be finished until MAY at the earliest.Barca have been playing their home matches at the Estadi Lluis Companys but could be forced to play elsewhere if the Rolling Stones take over the venue.The 58,000-seater Olympic Stadium has already been booked out for several concerts in May, including the first show of the Stones’ upcoming European tour.The Catalans are set to welcome bitter rivals Real Madrid and Villarreal to the Nou Camp in their final matches of the season.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSBut they’ve been handed a potential lifeline by third division side Gimnastic de Tarragona.The Primera Federacion side have offered the La Liga giants use of their 14,591 capacity Nou Estadi Costa Daurada stadium for the final games of their domestic campaign.Nastic president Lluis Fabregas told Diari de Tarragona: “Nastic could give up its facilities at the Nou Estadi for this match.”Barca, however, will be hoping they won’t have to make use of the third tier side’s home.Most read in FootballThe club – which were said to be considering using Wembley for El Clasico – are reportedly on the verge of striking an agreement with the local council to permit 24/7 works to the ground over the coming months.JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSBarca chiefs insist the Nou Camp will re-open it’s doors come MayCredit: GETTYBarca president Joan Laporta recently moved to quell concerns about the club’s return to the Nou Camp, saying: “[It] will be as soon as possible when possible.”During an appearance on RAC 1, vice-president Elena Fort said: “[The] return will be before the end of this season.”Spectacular Timelapse of the works in the Spotify Camp Nou Barcelona will be back in action on Sunday afternoon, hosting relegation battlers Alaves. More

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      Keira Walsh closing in on sensational transfer deadline day move to Chelsea from Barcelona

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      KEIRA WALSH is set to become Chelsea’s latest high profile signing with the club closing in on a deadline day swoop for England ace. The midfielder, previously linked with Arsenal, is set to join the WSL giants four days after they signed USA defender Naomi Girma. Chelsea’s impending of signing Keira Walsh is a huge boost for the club who hope to win the Women’s Champions League for the first time in their historyCredit: GettyWalsh’s upcoming move to the WSL leaders follows a trophy-laden spell at Barcelona with whom she won two Champions League medalsCredit: APThe Blues have agreed a transfer fee of £500,000 with Walsh’s current side Barcelona, according to Sky Sports. The former Man City ace is due to have a medical with Chelsea aiming to seal their deal before today’s January transfer deadline. The England star will be eligible to feature for Sonia Bompastor’s team in the Champions League knockout phase with the quarter-finals taking place in March. Chelsea’s signing of Walsh will be a massive coup for the team who are currently top of the Women’s Super League and chasing an eighth top-flight title win. Read More Football StoriesLast September reports in Spain claimed WSL rivals had a record transfer bid for the midfielder rejectedThe Rochdale-born player, who began her senior club career at Blackburn Rovers at the age of 16, has evolved into one of the sports’s most gifted midfielders. The player, who grew up watching Spanish football, played a key role in helping Manchester City win the WSL title in 2016 in the second year of her eight-year stint at the club. And after joining Barcelona in September 2022, for a then world record £400,000 fee, Walsh has gone on to become an integral part of  the LaLiga giants. Most read in FootballIn addition to making 54 top flight appearances for the club whose stars include Ballon d’Or winners Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas, the midfielder lifted eight major titles. Her silverware wins include two Champions League trophies, two La Liga Women’s titles and three Spanish Super Cups. The midfielder was also among the nominees for last year’s Fifa best women’s player of the year gong which was awarded to Bonmati. Since providing an assist on her senior England debut in a 5-0 World Cup qualifier defeat of Kazakhstan, Walsh has also shone on the international stage. The midfielder started in every single one of the Lionesses’ matches during the 2022 Women’s Euros. Among her tournament highlights was a standout pass that led to Ella Toone’s opening goal in their 2-1 tournament final defeat of Germany at Wembley. And she is in strong contention for a place in Sarina Wiegman’s squad ahead of this year’s Euros in July. Earlier this move Chelsea strengthened their defensive options by signing Olympic gold medal-winning USA centre-back Naomi GirmaCredit: GettyWalsh’s impending Blues move comes two and a half years on from Chelsea being linked with the player prior to her Barcelona move. READ MORE SUN STORIESThe club made headlines earlier this month by signing Naomi Girma from San Diego Wave for a record breaking US$1.1million dollar feeWalsh’s switch will see her become the second England star the Blues have signed from Barcelona following Lucy Bronze joining as a free agent in July last year. More

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      Champions League earnings so far revealed as Liverpool lead way on £83m and Man City bank £21m per WIN

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      LIVERPOOL have already banked a stunning £83million from the Champions League prize money fund despite losing their final initial stage match.And the Anfield side could end up earning £127m in total if they now go all the way to lift the trophy for a seventh time in Munich in May.Liverpool banked the most money from the Champions League group stageCredit: APBarcelona are also among the highest earnersCredit: APArsenal picked up £75.9m from six wins and a draw in their eight gamesCredit: AlamyArne Slot’s men took top seeding position for the knock-out stage as Barcelona conceded a late equaliser against Atalanta, even though an under-strength Anfield side were beaten by PSV Eindhoven.That secured their place as the top earners from the expanded competition so far, with the chance to add another significant sum of up to £43.9m in performance prize money in the knock-out stage.Liverpool’s run saw them earn £15.61m for qualifying for the competition, plus a further £12.32m for their seven wins – with each victory worth £1.76m.The Reds picked up a further £8.3m for topping the league phase table, £1.69m for finishing in the top eight and £9.22m for booking their place in the last 16.Read More in FootballIn addition, Liverpool had begun the competition guaranteed £35.44m, from the new version of the TV and historical market “pillar”, worth £715.5m of the total £2.07bn prize fund, plus a £570,000 share of the leftover £10.55m from the 18 draws across the 144 matches.Arsenal, who finished third in the table after their win at Girona, are the third highest earners so far.The Gunners have picked up £75.9m from six wins and a draw in their eight games to also go straight through to the last 16. Their share of the TV and market pillar was £29.8m.Barcelona, who split the two Prem sides in the table, also divided them in income so far, with the Catalans earning £76.3m.Most read in Champions LeagueCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThis season’s top earners so farMan City are the seventh-highest earners so farCredit: GettyDespite scraping through to the first knock-out stage with their win over Bruges, Manchester City are currently the seventh highest-earners in the competition so far.They will be hoping to overcome Bayern Munich or Real Madrid in the first knock-out round.Shock moment Aston Villa & Celtic fans clash before Champions League showdown as FLARE launched towards home supportersSo far, City have bagged £62.7m, mainly due to them taking the second biggest share – £37.3m – of the broadcast and past performance pillar.That equates to just under £21m for every match they won in the group stage – against Club Brugge, Sparta Praha and Slovan Bratislava.That leaves them behind the two possible last 16 opponents, with Munich having earned £66.8m and Madrid £66.5m so far, as well as PSG, who have banked £67.1m courtesy of the French TV deal being the biggest signed with Uefa.But Pep Guardiola’s side would add a further £9.2m for winning next month’s last 16 clash, taking their total to £71.9m.By contrast, despite the win over Celtic which confirmed their place in the top eight, Aston Villa have only banked £58.8m so far, due to the Villa Park side only taking a £15.6m share of the market pot.Who faces who in the Champions League?Here’s a look at the ties across the competition…Teams who finished from ninth to 24th in the Champions League league phase will play off to decide who reaches the last-16. PLAYOFF ROUNDAtalanta vs Sporting Lisbon or Club BruggeBorussia Dortmund vs Sporting Lisbon or Club BruggeReal Madrid vs Celtic or Man CityBayern Munich vs Celtic or Man CityAC Milan vs Feyenoord or JuventusPSV vs Feyenoord or JuventusPSG vs AS Monaco or BrestBenfica vs AS Monaco or BrestWinners of playoff ties will then face the teams who finished in the top eight of the league phase in the last-16…LAST 16Liverpool vs PSG/Benfica/AS Monaco/BrestBarcelona vs PSG/Benfica/AS Monaco/BrestArsenal vs AC Milan/PSV Eindhoven/Feyenoord/JuventusInter Milan vs AC Milan/PSV Eindhoven/Feyenoord/JuventusAtletico Madrid vs Real Madrid/Bayern Munich/Celtic/Man CityBayer Leverkusen vs Real Madrid/Bayern Munich/Celtic/Man CityLille vs Atalanta/Borussia Dortmund/Sporting Lisbon/Club BruggeAston Villa vs Atalanta/Borussia Dortmund/Sporting Lisbon/Club Brugge More

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      Jordan Henderson ‘closing in on shock Champions League transfer which could see him link up with Marcus Rashford’

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      JORDAN HENDERSON is closing in on a stunning move to Monaco, it’s been claimed.The former England international is currently plying his trade in the Netherlands with Ajax, who he joined last January after terminating his multi-million-pound contract with Al-Ettifaq. Jordan Henderson is reportedly on the verge of leaving AjaxCredit: GETTYHenderson is reportedly on the brinking of agreeing a lucrative contract with MonacoCredit: REXBut it’s been claimed he’s on the verge of leaving the Dutch giants for a shock move to the Principality. That’s according to Fabrizio Romano, who claims the former Sunderland and Liverpool ace has “almost agreed” an 18-month contract with the Ligue 1 side.He wrote on X: “AS Monaco are closing in on deal to sign Jordan Henderson from Ajax as new midfielder! “Permanent move almost agreed on contract until June 2026. READ MORE ON FOOTBALL”Here we go, soon.”News of Henderson’s reported imminent exit from Ajax – who want to retain his services – comes just a few weeks after he vowed to stay at the Johan Cruyff Arena.When pressed about a potential return to boyhood club Sunderland, he said: “It’s my club [Sunderland], ever since I was a boy of six or seven years old. “Then I was in the stands. But I just hope I stay here [at Ajax]. I really like it here. Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSMonaco are understood to be interested in signing wantaway Manchester United striker Marcus RashfordCredit: Getty“I want to help the club to grow further. We are also taking those steps. “But I also read it [the transfer speculation]. Marcus Rashford and Henderson OUT of Gareth Southgate’s England Squad for Euro 2024″I don’t even know where all this comes from, because there has been no contact.”A move to Monaco could potentially see Henderson link-up with his former England team-mate Marcus Rashford.Monaco are understood to be one of several European clubs interested in signing the wantaway Manchester United striker.The Ligue 1 outfit will be back in action on Saturday evening, welcoming Auxerre to the Stade Louis II. More