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      Arsenal loanees William Saliba and Matteo Guedouzi star in big Marseille win as Gunners are battered 5-0 by Man City

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      ARSENAL loanees Matteo Guendouzi and William Saliba shone for Marseille on Saturday just after their parent club were humiliated at Manchester City.Midfielder Guendouzi opened the scoring in a 3-1 win against St Etienne as Saliba was described as a ‘joy to watch’.
      Matteo Guendouzi scored the first of Marseille’s three goals as they beat St Etienne on SaturdayCredit: AFP
      Fellow Arsenal loanee William Saliba also put in a near-perfect performanceCredit: AFP
      Guendouzi’s 23rd minute strike was his first of the season while Saliba’s stats vs St Etienne were phenomenal.
      The 20-year-old recorded 96 per cent pass accuracy, six successful dribbles from six attempted, one tackle, one interception, five clearances and eight out of 10 duels won.
      After the game, Jacek Kulig tweeted: “What a player he is. Enormous talent and a pure joy to watch.”
      Earlier in the day, across the Channel at the Etihad, Arsenal were thrashed 5-0 by Pep Guardiola’s side.
      They didn’t manage a single shot on target and the game was as good as over 12 minutes in when Ferran Torres added City’s second.
      Pint-sized Ilkay Gundogan had already peeled away from 6ft Calum Chambers – who was playing in centre-back Saliba’s position – to head City ahead.

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      And, as he has done on plenty of occasions before, hot-headed Granit Xhaka lost the plot and effectively guaranteed his side’s defeat when he was sent off for a brainless two-footed lunge on Joao Cancelo.
      Xhaka’s 35th minute red dashed any slim hopes Arsenal had of getting anything out the game and, sure enough, City went on to score three more while barley getting out of third gear.
      Gabriel Jesus and Rodri made it 4-0 before Torres bagged a second six minutes from time.
      Guendouzi was regularly criticised for his temperament at the Gunners and was shipped out on loan as a result.
      Yet Xhaka seems impervious to internal punishment despite repeated displays of ill-discipline. In fact he’s been rewarded with a contract extension.
      ‘TOO EASY’
      Marseille agreed a double loan deal for Frenchmen Saliba and Guendouzi this summer and they have both been a success at the Velodrome.
      And after watching the embarrassment at City, Arsenal legend Ian Wright was also baffled as to why Saliba is not still with the club.
      He told Premier League Productions: “You’ve got to show Mahrez down the line, Kieran Tierney lets him come inside and look how easy that is for Ferran Torres to go in there, in between the centre-backs, no-one is picking him up. Too easy.
      “I think between the goalkeepers and the central defenders it’s all too easy.
      “And I’m supposed to believe that Sead Kolasinac – someone that they’re trying to get rid of – is better than William Saliba?
      ⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from The Emirates

      “Saliba, who is out on loan and apparently not at the standard [required for this level].
      “So if he’s not at the standard to play in this team – and Kolasinac can play – why have we bought him?!
      “Because if Kolasinac can play in front of him, what’s going on?! Why have we bought him?”

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      Arteta thanks fans for their support after dire Man City thrashing More

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      Lionel Messi NO LONGER plays in top five European league as Portuguese league leapfrogs Ligue 1 in Uefa coefficients

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      LIONEL MESSI no longer plays in one of Europe’s top-five leagues after Ligue 1 was overtaken by Portugal’s Primeira Liga.The Argentine hero, 34, made the dramatic switch from LaLiga giants Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain this summer.
      Lionel Messi is no longer playing in one of Europe’s top-five leagues after France dropped below PortugalCredit: Alamy
      Messi is yet to make his Ligue 1 debut but the move has seen him drop out of the so-called big five due to the recent changes in the Uefa coefficient system.
      The points-based rankings take into consideration the results from each team in the European countries in Uefa club competitions.
      And this week’s Champions League qualifiers have tipped the balance in the favour of the Primeira Liga.
      Benfica beat PSV Eindhoven on penalties on Tuesday night which was enough for Portugal to lead France by just 0.05 coefficient points on 42.217 to 42.167.
      And then on Wednesday, Monaco lost their shootout with Shakhtar Donetsk after a 2-2 draw to further hinder Ligue 1’s ranking.
      Both Benfica and Shakhtar were in Pot 3 for Thursday’s group-stages draw.

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      According to the official Uefa website, Portugal are now fifth on 44.216 with France on 43.498.
      The points take into consideration performances across the last five seasons, from 2017-18 to the new campaign.
      England top the pile on 87.926 – helped by Champions League glory for Liverpool and Chelsea as well as final appearances for the Reds, Tottenham and Manchester City.
      In the Europa League, Chelsea beat Arsenal in the 2019 final while Manchester United were runners-up last season.
      Spain are second on 80.570 – helped largely by their duopoly of the Europa League with the Premier League.
      Italy come in third on 63.616, just pipping Germany on 61.427.
      That is despite Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich winning Europe’s elite club competition in 2020, beating PSG in the final.

      Inter Milan did reach the Europa League final in the same year.
      In the club rankings, Bayern lead the way on 116 points with Manchester City (111), Liverpool (105), Barcelona (103) and Chelsea (102) completing the top five.
      Real Madrid (98), Messi’s PSG (97), United (91), Juventus (91) and Atletico Madrid (90) are also in the top ten.
      Portuguese outfit Benfica booked their place in the Champions League group stages this weekCredit: Getty
      There was heartache for Moanco as they lost to Shakhtar Donetsk on penaltiesCredit: Getty
      PSG boss Pochettino leaves in doubt possibility of Messi debut at Brest More

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      When is transfer deadline day? Date and time for Premier League and EFL window end

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      THE transfer deadline is nearly here.And we have already seen some stunning moves around the Premier League and the rest of Europe.
      Jack Grealish’s £100million transfer to Manchester City from Aston Villa has been the biggest of the summer window so far in EnglandCredit: Getty
      This summer has seen one of the biggest transfers in history, with Lionel Messi leaving Barcelona to join Paris Saint-Germain.
      And Cristiano Ronaldo is controversially set to join Manchester City, 12 years after he departed Old Trafford for Real Madrid.
      But there is a limit to when teams can sign players and we’ve got all the info on this year’s transfer deadline day.
      When is the 2021 summer transfer deadline day?
      This year’s window shuts on Tuesday, August 31.
      Clubs have until 11pm in the UK to sign players and paperwork that has been submitted before the deadline but not completed will be accepted.
      The window opened on June 9, meaning clubs have had a massive 12 weeks to complete their signings.
      In the EFL, Championship, League One and League Two clubs all have the same deadline and timings.
      The Scottish leagues are also running to the same window.
      Do clubs in France, Germany, Italy and Spain have the same transfer window?
      Yes, the transfer window closes on August 31 around the other major European leagues.

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      The deadline times are different in each country though.
      For instance, the Bundesliga deadline time is 5pm local time.
      The windows in Germany, France, Spain and Italy all opened on June 1. More

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      Real Madrid accused of ‘illegal’ and ‘completely incorrect’ Kylian Mbappe transfer approach by PSG chief Leonardo

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      PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN chief Leonardo has slammed Real Madrid over their ‘illegal and unacceptable’ £137million bid to land Kylian Mbappe.But the French giants say they will not stand in the way of the former Monaco striker if the right offer comes in from the Bernabeu.
      Real Madrid have had an offer rejected by Paris Saint-Germain for Kylian MbappeCredit: Rex
      PSG chief Leonardo has hit out at Los Blancos over their bid for MbappeCredit: Rex
      The money put on the table for the 22-year-old is LESS than what his current club paid for him four years ago.
      And Leonardo believes it is a deliberate strategy from Madrid to land him on a free when he is out of contract in summer 2022.
      He said: “Kylian Mbappe wants to join Real Madrid and we will not hold him back. We said no to Madrid’s first offer but if our conditions are met, we’ll see.
      “We’ll allow it but on our conditions. Kylian always promised us he will not leave for free.
      “It seems like a strategy from Madrid to try to get a ‘no’ from us, to show that they have tried everything and to wait for a year to get him for free.”
      Leonardo added: “For the last two years the behaviour of Madrid has been incorrect, illegal, getting in contact with his representatives, unacceptable, completely incorrect towards us.

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      “And the proof of this strategy is to present an offer seven days before the market shuts and a year before the end of his contract. It seems like a strategy that suggests they have tried everything.
      “I’m not going to get into figures but the €160m [£137m] is less than we paid for him. But this goes further than this. It’s the way things have been done.
      “It’s disrespectful. We have done everything for Kylian to be with us and one week [from close of market] we are not going to change plans.
      “If a player wants to go, he goes, but under our conditions.”
      Real Madrid supremo Florentino Perez was asked about the bid and said: “They have already answered – and rudely.”
      If PSG do land a sizeable windfall in the next few days, it could lead them to renew their interest in Manchester United ace Paul Pogba.
      The Red Devils have a dilemma looming with the French international – who has less than 12 months on his existing deal – refusing to sign a new deal at Old Trafford.
      A possible move to the Parc des Princes ground to a halt after they swooped for Lionel Messi earlier this month.
      Messi is reportedly earning £1,000,000-a-week at PSG
      And Pogba has made an encouraging start to the season for United – turning in top stats in training despite his later return to Carrington.
      The arrival of his France international team-mate Raphael Varane from Real Madrid has also given the midfielder a lift.
      So Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be praying there is no more contact from PSG and that the 28-year-old can be persuaded to commit his future to United.

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      Real Madrid ‘make £137m move for Kylian Mbappe’ as superstar tells PSG he wants out after Lionel Messi transfer More

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      PSG confirm Kylian Mbappe wants to LEAVE and club rejected Real Madrid’s £137m transfer bid and demand £180m

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      PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN have confirmed Kylian Mbappe wants to leave the Parc des Princes.The World Cup winner’s future in the French capital has been up in the air ever since Lionel Messi’s sensational arrival earlier this month.
      France international Kylian Mbappe wants to leave Paris Saint-GermainCredit: AFP
      The World Cup winner’s future at the Parc des Princes has been up in the air since Lionel Messi’s arrivalCredit: Reuters
      Mbappe, 22, was the subject of a £137million bid from Spanish giants Real Madrid earlier this week and subsequently told the PSG brass he wants to move on to pastures new.
      The club’s sporting director Leonardo told RMC: “Kylian Mbappe wants to join Real Madrid and we will NOT hold him back. ”
      PSG have, however, rejected Real’s opening offer for the former Monaco man.
      Leonardo said: “We said NO to Madrid’s first offer, but if our conditions are met, we’ll see.”
      Mbappe’s current contract with the Ligue 1 champions is set to expire next summer.
      The Frenchman recently rejected PSG’s offer of a new bumper deal.

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      Leonardo said of the contract snub: “We made two important offers to Mbappe: one for the top players in the squad two months ago and one above these players very recently.
      “We want to prove to him that he is an important player, at the center of the project, but not above the project.”
      PSG are willing to cash in on their goal machine, but only if their £180m valuation of the player is met.
      Leonardo said of Real’s opening bid: “It seems like a strategy to try to get a NO from us, to show that they have tried everything and to wait for a year to get Mbappe for free.
      “Kylian always promised he wouldn’t leave for free.
      “Real Madrid official offer is very far from what we want for Kyilian. Yes, it’s around €160m (£137m).
      Kylian Mbappe wants to join Real Madrid and we will NOT hold him backLeonardoPSG sporting director
      “It’s less than what we paid for him in 2017
      “We have no plans to talk to Real again for Mbappe. The deadline is August 31 at midnight.
      “This is how the transfer window is: we keep him and we extend.
      “But we’re not going to let him go for less than what we paid when we still owe Monaco money.”
      Real are long-term admirers of Mbappe, who former Los Blancos chief Zinedine Zidane was eager to bring to the Bernabeu.
      And according to Leonardo, the Spaniards have been trying to secure his services for the last TWO years.
      Messi is reportedly earning £1,000,000-a-week at PSG
      He said: “We have NO plan to talk with Real Madrid again. Will Madrid raise the offer? I don’t know.
      “I only know what I said in relation to Madrid’s attitude. They have been working on Mbappe for two years, talking to everyone, the family.”
      Mbappe and his PSG team-mates will be back in action on Sunday, travelling to the Stade Auguste Delaune to take on Reims.

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      Real Madrid ‘make £137m move for Kylian Mbappe’ as superstar tells PSG he wants out after Lionel Messi transfer More

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      Real Madrid make £137m move for Kylian Mbappe as superstar tells PSG he wants out after Lionel Messi transfer

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      REAL MADRID have made a sensational move for Kylian Mbappe – who has reportedly told Paris Saint-Germain he wants to leave the Parc des Princes.The France international’s future with the Parisians has been up in the air ever since Lionel Messi’s stunning arrival to the French capital.
      Real Madrid have reportedly submitted a whopping £137million bid for Kylian MbappeCredit: The Mega Agency
      The Frenchman’s future at PSG has been up in the air ever since the arrival of Lionel MessiCredit: Getty
      Spanish giants Real – who are long-term admirers of the former Monaco man – were said to be mulling a move for the striker after Messi’s sensational move.
      Now it is understood the LaLiga big boys have submitted a whopping £137million bid for the World Cup winner.
      But that is still less than the £162m PSG paid to sign him from Monaco in 2017 — cementing Mbappe’s place as the world’s second-most expensive player behind Neymar.
      Spanish giants Real are confident they will grab him before next Tuesday’s transfer deadline.
      Mbappe, 22, recently snubbed PSG’s offer to extend his current deal, which is set to expire next summer.
      It is understood the offer from the moneybags club was for five years with the option of a sixth and a significant pay rise.

      But it would still leave the forward third in the salary ranks behind new  summer signing Lionel Messi and Brazilian striker Neymar.
      And he’s said to have informed the PSG brass that he wishes to move on to pastures new.
      PSG could be tempted to cash in on their goal machine in order to balance the books following Messi’s arrival, especially with Mbappe’s contract expiring next summer.
      But the Ligue 1 giant’s president, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, believes Mbappe has no reason not to prolong his stay with the club.
      He said: “I think everybody knows the future of Kylian, people from Paris and the players, he’s a competitive player, he wants to win, to win trophies, he’s said it in public.
      “He said he wants a competitive team and I think we’ve got the most competitive team in the world, so there’s no excuse for him now if it comes to anything else but staying.”
      PSG fans will be hoping Mbappe opts to stay and play alongside Messi, who is relishing the opportunity to line up with the Frenchman and his old Barcelona team-mate Neymar.
      The Argentine said: “It’s madness to be able to work with such great players on a daily basis.”
      He added: “PSG have made spectacular signings on top of the players that were already here.
      Messi is reportedly earning £1,000,000-a-week at PSG
      “I’m eager to get playing and I’m going to be doing it alongside some of the best players in the world.
      “It’s going to be a marvellous experience every day. I hope I can continue to win titles. I have the same hunger as when I was younger.”
      Mbappe and his PSG team-mates will be back in action on Sunday, travelling to the Stade Auguste Delaune to take on Reims.
      Kylian Mbappe spotted all alone at training as PSG boss Pochettino lifts lid on talks amid transfer speculation
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      Nice and Marseille could BOTH be docked points by Ligue 1 after home fans rioted and visitors refused to play on

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      NICE and Marseille could BOTH be docked points by Ligue 1 after the chaotic scenes brought Sunday’s derby to a premature end. The league clash was stopped when Nice fans launched a bottle at Dimitri Payet, who lobbed it back into the stands and the rioting descended as home supporters made their way on to the pitch.
      Nice and Marseille are awaiting the confirmation of their punishment following Sunday’s mass brawlCredit: Getty
      Following a huge melee which led to Payet bleeding and his team-mate Matteo Guendouzi getting strangle marks around his neck, the Marseille team refused to carry on after the 90-minute delay.
      As the investigation and disciplinary hearings begin with both clubs dragged in for a meeting on Monday, Marca suggest point penalties are a possibility for both sides.
      Nice would be slapped with the docking for the fan behaviour and attacks on Marseille players while the away side refused to follow the Ligue 1 order to return to the field to complete the match.
      Among the other potential sanctions are a suspension of several years for Marseille coach Pablo Hernandez who punched a Nice fan to the ground and a number of matches banned for the likes of Alvaro Gonzalez, who threw a ball into the stands, and Jean-Clair Todibo.
      It is thought Payet will escape punishment for his own bottle throw as he was the initial victim in the violence.
      It has already been confirmed Nice’s South Stand – which holds the ultras – will be closed for their next four home matches as a safety measure, even before the rest of the decisions are finalised.

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      In a move confirmed by the police, prefect Bernard Gonzalez said: “In view of the seriousness of the incidents that occurred, and without waiting for the sanctions to be decided by the professional football league (LFP), the prefect of the Alpes-Maritimes has taken the following decisions this evening: closure of the Populaire Sud stand where the incidents occurred for the next four home matches.”
      Anti-projectile fencing will also be installed at the front of the stand to prevent objects being thrown down on to the pitch again.
      With regards to the outcome of the match, there are still three options available.
      Nice were winning 1-0 at the time so could be given a 1-0 win, a 3-0 victory for either side is possible if Ligue 1 determine the other of being defaulted – although that is unlikely, especially for Marseille to be handed the win – or the match is replayed behind closed doors.
      The AFP news agency also reported a 28-year-old man had been arrested and taken into custody suspected of attacking a Marseille player.
      Jorge Sampaoli’s Marseille refused to take to the field again after the 90-minute delayCredit: Getty
      Shocking moment Marseille coach FLOORS Nice fan with one punch during crazy brawl before match is abandoned More

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      Shocking moment Marseille coach FLOORS Nice fan with one punch during crazy brawl before match is abandoned

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      A MARSEILLE coach floored a Nice fan with one punch during the crazy brawl on Sunday night.Tempers boiled over in chaotic scenes as idiotic fans stormed the pitch during the second half of the Ligue 1 match.
      A Marseille coach punched a Nice fan to the floor
      He walked up to the supporter and caught him off guard
      The backroom staff member then quickly backed off as the fan fell to the grass
      And as one Nice supporter made his way on to the pitch, the backroom staff member dealt with him in emphatic fashion.
      Wearing a black T-shirt, shorts and trainers with an orange bib, the coach ran up to the fan, who was wearing a white T-shirt and dark cap.
      Catching the spectator completely unaware, he thumped him with a heavy blow to the upper chest area.
      It sent the trespassing fan tumbling to the turf as Nice defender Melvin Bard looked on in shock.
      The Marseille employee backed away after hitting the fan to avoid any retaliation from the other Nice supporters invading the pitch.
      The carnage erupted after a bottle was launched from the stands towards Marseille star Dimitri Payet.

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      He picked up the missile and lobbed it back towards the crowd of Nice fans.
      Payet’s team-mates Alvaro Gonzalez and Arsenal loanee Matteo Guendouzi rushed over to back him up, also angrily shouting at the Nice supporters.
      That prompted a number of yobs to storm down from the stands and try to FIGHT Marseille stars.
      Amazon report that Nice ultras ‘drew blood’ from former West Ham hero Payet – with Luan Peres and Guendouzi having strangle marks on their necks.
      Luckless Peres has been at Marseille less than a month – and has already been burgled prior to being physically assaulted last night.
      Images show one moronic fan even launching a KICK at Payet.
      And with scores of fans having made their way on to the field of play, the referee had no option but to suspend proceedings before the match was abandoned with Nice leading 1-0.
      Dimitri Payet had a bottle thrown at him and was then kicked by a Nice supporterCredit: AFP
      Marseille boss Jorge Sampaoli had to be physically restrained by his playersCredit: Getty
      Nice fans storm the pitch to attack Marseille players during clash More