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      Mikel Arteta urges Arsenal fans to bring the noise in the WARM-UP as Bukayo Saka warns Real Madrid ‘you should fear us’

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      ARSENAL’S Bukayo Saka taunted Real Madrid ahead of tonight’s Champions League quarter-final and  vowed:  “You  should  fear  us.”The Gunners are unbeaten in their last ten matches in the competition at the Emirates — winning eight.Bukayo Saka has returned from injury just in time for Arsenal to take on Real MadridCredit: PAMikel Arteta has urged the fans to ramp up the atmosphere for the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finalCredit: GettyAnd boss Mikel Arteta wants fans to bring the noise to unsettle Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Co.Asked if the reigning champs should fear Arsenal, fit-again winger Saka said: “Yeah, 100 per cent. Just looking at our home record in the Champions League itself, I don’t think we’ve lost a game in the last two seasons there.“I’m sure Real know that and they need to be ready — because we’re pretty good at that.“It’s Madrid. You have to respect what they’ve done in their history but anything can happen.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLArsenal, who have yet to win a European Cup, want to write a new chapter by beating Carlo Ancelotti’s 15-time champs, who lost 2-1 at home to Valencia in LaLiga at the weekend.And boss Arteta pleaded with the Emirates crowd to produce an unmatched atmosphere to get them over the line in tonight’s first-leg blockbuster.The Spaniard said: “I encourage them to come very early to the warm-up and create those nights that we haven’t lived at the Emirates a lot.“We’re going to need our people playing every single ball with us.“You need your home stadium to create a very special atmosphere.”Most read in Champions LeagueArsenal have reached back-to-back Champions League quarter-finals for the first time in 15 years.And Arteta wants more. He added: “It is 100 per cent the biggest night of my career.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS“It’s a great opportunity to build our own story.“The excitement around the club, the magnitude of this match. This is the stage we want to be at.“I am super convinced we are ready to win and to beat them. That’s the mindset I want.”Arsenal are without Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel and Riccardo Calafiori — but Saka is ready to start after two sub appearances following his return from a torn hamstring.Glamorous Real Madrid TV host names England star she’d like to see at LaLiga giants ahead of Arsenal clashAnd he gave Arsenal a pre-match lift by hinting he is ready to sign a new deal.The England star, 23, who has two years left on his contract, said: “I want to win and I want to win wearing this badge. It’s pretty clear the fans know how much I love them. I think they love me back.“I’m really happy to be here.“In an Arsenal shirt, it probably will be the biggest night of my career.“I couldn’t ask to come back at a better time of the season than now. I have no doubt that the fans are going to be up for it.“It’s a game that I definitely want to be involved in. If you ask my physios, there was a lot of conversation about this game.“That’s what I spent months working massively towards. We’re here now so I’m excited.”The last time Arsenal played Real Madrid in the Champions League was in 2006, when Saka was just four years old.In the first leg of that last-16 tie, Thierry Henry scored an iconic solo goal to down Real at the Bernabeu before a goalless draw at Highbury sent the Gunners through. Galvanised by the triumph, Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal followed it up with aggregate wins over Juventus and then Villarreal to reach the final, losing to Barcelona 2-1 in Paris.Saka would love a moment like that, emulating a club legend that he regularly chats to for advice.He said: “We want to write our own story. But a moment like that would be nice.“The biggest thing I take when I speak to Thierry is the confidence that he has in himself.“Obviously he gives me a few details in certain situations on the pitch and what he sees and how he sees the game. For me, when I speak to him, I like the way he’s so confident.Read More on The Sun“He genuinely believes that when he was on the pitch no one could stop him.“With that belief he literally just destroyed the league. That’s what I admire about him the most.”Arteta with Saka and Ben White in training ahead of facing MadridCredit: GettyThe Gunners face a tough test against Bellingham, Mbappe and CoCredit: GettyThierry Henry is the last Arsenal player to score against Real when the sides met in 2006Credit: PA:Press Association More

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      Glamorous Real Madrid TV host names England star she’d like to see at LaLiga giants ahead of Arsenal clash

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      REAL MADRID’S glamorous TV host Maria Arreghini has revealed which England star she would love to head join the La Liga giants.Madrid already signed England superstar Jude Bellingham in 2023 and look set to add Trent Alexander-Arnold to their ranks in the summer.Maria Arreghini has revealed which England player she would like to see play for Real MadridArreghini is the host of Real Madrid TVCredit: instagram @meriarreghiniShe is always posting updates from the Santiago BernabeuCredit: instagram @meriarreghiniBut superfan and club presenter Maria has her eyes on another Lion to swap the Premier League for football on the continent.The 26-year-old social media sensation exclusively told SunSport that she would love to see Chelsea star Cole Palmer lining up for Los Blancos.Asked which England player she would choose to play at the Bernabeau, she said: “That’s an interesting question. I would choose Cole Palmer as an attacking midfielder.”He’s very young, talented and an exciting player. He could have a good future at Real Madrid. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”Maybe in the future replacing [Luka] Modric when he retires”.Palmer has been a revelation since joining Chelsea in the summer of 2023, scoring 39 goals and registering 23 assists in 80 games for the Blues.While he impressed on the big stage with a goal in the Euro 2024 final last summer.Even more England players will be in the shop window for Madrid on Tuesday night when Carlo Ancelotti’s side take on Arsenal in the Champions League quarter-finals.Most read in FootballArreghini would like to see Cole Palmer play for Los BlancosCredit: GettyTrent Alexander-Arnold looks set to join Jude Bellingham in Madrid this summerCredit: GettyMaria will be keeping a keen eye on proceedings as both a Madrid fan and the face of their TV coverage.The Italian-born presenter is in her first few months as Real Madrid TV’s host, having first declared her love for the club back in October.Glamorous Real Madrid TV host in busty display as she treats fans to mesmerising gym workout video after landing new job Since starting in January she has posted a number of stories to her social media of her presenting work both at the training ground and at the illustrious Santiago Bernabeu.As well as appearing on TV, Maria presents her very own sports show – in which she covers boxing and football.She has even featured boxer Ryan Garcia as a guest on her podcast, with other major names including musician Will.i.am, ex-Premier League star Adel Taarabt and former motorcylist Jorge Lorenzo.Maria was a competitive swimmer for around a decade, while studying journalism at university to ignite her career.Away from work she boasts an incredible 698,000 Instagram followers, regularly uploading snaps that leave her fans in awe.TAKE A PEEK INSIDE MARIA ARREGHINI’S GLAMOROUS LIFESTYLE…Maria Arreghini is a social media star alongside her work with Real MadridCredit: Instagram @meriarreghiniShe boasts almost 700,000 followers on InstagramCredit: Instagram @meriarreghiniMaria joined the team at Real Madrid in JanuaryCredit: Instagram @meriarreghiniThe 26-year-old used to be a competitive swimmerCredit: Instagram @meriarreghiniShe also has a degree in journalismCredit: Instagram @meriarreghiniThe Italian-born host lives in MadridCredit: Instagram @meriarreghiniMaria presents her own sports show that covers football and boxing tooCredit: Instagram @meriarreghini More

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      New footage sees raging Jude Bellingham KICK VAR monitor in frustration after Real Madrid’s last-gasp defeat

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      JUDE BELLINGHAM kicked the VAR monitor in frustration after Real Madrid’s last-gasp defeat.The Spanish giants fell to a shock loss at home to Valencia after Hugo Duro headed home in the dying seconds.Jude Bellingham kicked the VAR monitor after Real Madrid lost to ValenciaThe midfielder let his emotions get the better of himIt is not the first time Bellingham has lost his cool this seasonReal Madrid spurned enough chances to win the match, although few fell the way of Bellingham.The England star produced the assist for Vinicius Jr’s goal but he cut a frustrated figure at the final whistle.As he walked off the pitch at full-time Bellingham let his emotions get the better of him.He unleashed his anger on the VAR monitor, kicking the bottom of the machine in a fury.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIt is not the first time Bellingham has lost his cool this season after he got in trouble for his verbal assault on a referee in February.The Real Madrid midfielder was red carded in a 1-1 draw with Osasuna after what he claims was a “miscommunication” between him and referee Jose Munuera.Munuera claimed Bellingham yelled “f*** you” – which could have landed the England international a TWELVE-GAME ban.In Munuera’s report after the game, he claimed: “In the 40th minute, Bellingham was sent off for the following reason: For addressing me, being just a few metres away, in the following terms: ‘F*** you’.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSBellingham immediately refuted the claim, insisting: “It’s clear that it was a mistake and there is a miscommunication. I remember the incident very well but I’ve also seen the video and the video doesn’t match the report.”I don’t want to go too much in detail about what was said but it’s like an expression like ‘f***’.Jude Bellingham says ‘The Referee Made a Mistake’ giving red card “I hope that the footage review can show that is not the same as the report and going forward that the federation can keep it under consideration because it’s huge evidence.”Obviously we can’t change the result but I think that going forward there will be a change.”Bellingham received a two-game ban for his behaviour. More

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      How Arsenal could line up with £200million of new talent as they target Gyokeres as part of dream triple transfer swoop

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      ARSENAL are working on a sensational £200million triple transfer spree ahead of the summer market.SunSport revealed the Gunners’ new sporting director Andrea Berta is planning to sign a top centre-forward and elite midfielder, while hoping to also add a quality winger.Arsenal are targeting Sporting Lisbon star Viktor Gyokeres ahead of the summer transfer windowCredit: RexArsenal are also hoping to add Athletic Bilbao star Nico WilliamsCredit: GettyReal Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi is a top Arsenal target as wellCredit: GettyThe North Londoners are confident of landing Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi for around £50m.Berta is also doing the sums to see if Arsenal can afford a star centre-forward as well as a game-changing wideman.And Sporting Lisbon hitman Viktor Gyokeres as well as Athletic Bilbao star Nico Williams pose as top targets for the Italian chief.The Premier League giants’ chances depend in part on whether Sporting and Bilbao hold out for release clauses for Gyokeres and Williams, believed to be £83.6m and £49m respectively.Read More on ArsenalHowever, Berta knows he will first have to generate significant income by selling players.Arsenal chiefs are also determined to do all they can to give manager Mikel Arteta the superstar signings he needs to finally win the Premier League title.Jorginho and Thomas Partey are both expected to leave the Emirates on free transfers this summer.Therefore, it will be essential to buy Zubimendi or another top defensive midfielder.Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from The EmiratesThe Spain international has been very impressive this season with two goals and two assists in 41 appearances across all competitions.Gyokeres, on the other hand, has been absolutely dominant with Sporting as he currently counts a staggering total of 43 goals and 11 assists in 43 appearances.Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is looking forward to match against Real Madrid And after a stunning Euro 2024 with Spain, Williams continues to impress with Bilbao where he has registered nine goals and seven assists in 39 appearances. More

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      Arsenal FAVOURITES to beat Real Madrid according to Champions League supercomputer.. but can they go all the way?

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      ARSENAL have the edge over Real Madrid in their blockbuster Champions League quarter-final tussle… according to Opta’s supercomputer.The Gunners host Carlo Ancelotti’s Spanish giants at the Emirates for the first leg of their last eight tie on Tuesday night.Mikel Arteta’s side have a mammoth task ahead of themCredit: GettyJude Bellingham and Co will be in North London on Tuesday nightCredit: RexReal Madrid have won two of the last three editions of the Champions League and six of the last 11.Ancelotti’s men overcame Borussia Dortmund 2-0 at Wembley Stadium in last year’s final.Despite the weight of history being on Real Madrid’s side, Opta’s supercomputer reckons that Arsenal have the narrow edge in their tie.The Gunners, who have never won the European Cup in their history, are given a 50.2 per cent chance of reaching the semi-finals, with Real Madrid on 49.8 per cent.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLArsenal defeated PSV Eindhoven 9-3 on aggregate in the last round, while Real Madrid beat rivals Atletico on penalties after drawing 1-1 across two legs.Both sides sit second in their respective domestic leagues – Arsenal 11 points behind Liverpool and Real four off Barcelona.The Gunners will have to do without key defender Gabriel following his season-ending hamstring injury last week – while Gabriel Jesus, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Kai Havertz and Riccardo Calafiori all remain out.Real Madrid, meanwhile, may be without both Thibaut Courtois and Andriy Lunin – with 19-year-old Fran Gonzalez potentially having to deputise in goal. Dani Carvajal, Aurelien Tchouameni, Ferland Mendy and former Gunner Dani Ceballos are all likely to miss out.Most read in Champions LeagueBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKThe winner of Arsenal and Real Madrid will take on Paris Saint-Germain or Aston Villa in the semi-finals.French champions PSG are overwhelming favourites to go through against Unai Emery’s team, having knocked out Liverpool in the last round.Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will be missing four defensive starters for a mammoth Champions League quarter final Luis Enrique’s side are given a 71.3 per cent probability of beating Villa and 36.2 per cent shot of also then beating Real Madrid or Arsenal to reach the final.The Gunners are said to have a 29.5 per cent chance of making it to the Munich final, with Real Madrid narrowly behind on 25.2 per cent and Villa all the way back on 9.1 per cent.Mikel Arteta’s men are third-favourites to win the competition, given a 15.6 per cent likelihood of doing so.Barcelona are seen as most likely on 23.1 per cent, with PSG second on 19.3 per cent.Real Madrid are viewed as fifth-favourites on 12.2 per cent, behind Inter Milan in fourth spot on 13.8 per cent.Barca face Borussia Dortmund in what has been seen as the weaker side of the draw.Hansi Flick’s side are overwhelming favourites to go through on 78.2 per cent, compared to Dortmund’s 21.8 per cent.In fact, Dortmund are seen as the least likely remaining team to win the competition, given just a 1.5 per cent shot of doing so.Read More on The SunVilla are second-to-last on 3.7 per cent, while interestingly Bayern Munich, the potential hosts, are sixth on just 10.8 per cent.Harry Kane and Co will take on Inter in the quarters, with the 2023 finalists just favoured in the tie at 51.5 per cent compared to Bayern’s 48.5 per cent – with the winner to take on Barcelona or Dortmund in the semis. More

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      Champions League winner, 41, who scored for Barcelona in El Clasico now working on shop floor at sports chain

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      A FORMER Barcelona star is now living a completely different life – working in a sports shop.The 41-year-old hung up his boots in 2020 following a three-year spell with Sporting Lisbon.A former Barcelona star is now working in a sports shopJeremy Mathieu spent three years at Barcelona and won the Champions LeagueCredit: AFP or licensorsThe centre-back scored against Real Madrid in El Clasico in 2015Credit: Getty Images – GettySince then, he has swapped the fast-paced life of the beautiful game for a new job – in retail.The player in question is ex-France defender Jeremy Mathieu.Mathieu has been spotted working at Intersport in Cabries, a French sportswear shop.A photo of him alongside two fans in the shop went viral on social media last week.Read More in FootballIn the picture, Mathieu could be seen wearing an Intersport vest with his name on.It is understood he is a manager at the shop and leads a department as well as some different teams.While working at Intersport, located between Aix-en-Provence and Marseille, he is also looking to obtain his coaching badges.Mathieu kicked off his playing career with French outfit Sochaux in 2002 following a stint in the club’s youth setup.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSHe then joined Toulouse, where he spent four years before moving to Spain.Having spent five seasons with Valencia, the Frenchman was then signed by La Liga giants Barcelona in 2014.Real Madrid star Vinicius clashes with Atletico crowd after winning Champions League game on penalties He made 94 appearances for the club, scoring four goals.During that time he also won two LaLiga titles, the Uefa Supercup, the Club World Cup and the Champions League.He even scored for Barcelona in a 2-1 El Clasico win over Real Madrid in 2015.Mathieu retired following a three-year spell with Sporting Lisbon in 2020 after suffering a knee injury in training. More

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      How Martin Odegaard’s Real Madrid career began with Cristiano Ronaldo ‘PR exercise’ under unenthusiastic Carlo Ancelotti

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      IT remains one of the most iconic substitutions in Real Madrid’s long and illustrious history.With 58 minutes on the clock on the final day of the 2014-15 LaLiga season and with Real leading Getafe 5-3 at the Bernabeu, Cristiano Ronaldo’s No 7 lit up the fourth official’s board.Cristiano Ronaldo gave way for Martin Odegaard’s Real Madrid debutCredit: GettyCarlo Ancelotti’s former assistant Paul Clement spoke exclusively to SunSportCredit: GettyReplacing the Portuguese legend, who had scored a first-half hat-trick, was No 41 Martin Odegaard, the youngest Los Blancos player to make a competitive appearance at 16 years and 157 days.It is a record that still stands a decade later.With manager Carlo Ancelotti serving a suspension up in the stands, it was trusted assistant Paul Clement who orchestrated the substitution from the dugout.English coach Clement, 53, told SunSport: “I’ve got a really nice picture at home.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS“I’m in the background but you can see Cristiano welcoming Martin on to the pitch and he gets a good welcome from the crowd.“Carlo didn’t come down to the dressing room at half-time. We spoke on the phone. “He said, ‘Let’s do the substitution’. I didn’t tell Martin but I did tell Cristiano.“Cristiano asked, ‘Who’s going to come on for me?’ I told him and he said, ‘OK’. I told Martin to go and enjoy it. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”Play simple. The last thing he needed was to be bombarded with information. What a moment for a young man to make his debut.“The youngest player in the history of the club, at the Bernabeu, 80,000 fans, coming on for arguably one of the greatest players ever. A special debut, for sure.”Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will be missing four defensive starters for a mammoth Champions League quarter final Nearly a decade on and Odegaard, now 26, is preparing to lead Arsenal out in a Champions League quarter-final against Ancelotti’s Real Madrid tomorrow.Memories will come flooding back. The Norwegian has said his headline-making £3.5million switch from Stromsgodset to Madrid in 2015 was the making of him — turning down the likes of Bayern Munich, Arsenal and Liverpool in the process.But he is the first to admit he struggled and there were those who believed it would break him.In his 2016 autobiography Quiet Leadership, Ancelotti described the move as a “PR exercise”.He wrote: “[Odegaard] could go on to be the best player in the world after I’m gone, but I’m not interested in the signing. He is being recruited for the future, for other managers after my time.”On top of that, Odegaard — who already had three senior caps for Norway — was walking into one of the most intimidating dressing rooms in world football with Ronaldo, Sergio Ramos and Karim Benzema.Clement remembers the media frenzy that followed.Paul Clement with Carlo Ancelotti in 2014Credit: GettyHe explained: “Madrid is not an easy club to say ‘no’ to. You’re never sure when it’s going to come around again.“There are many players a lot of people will not even remember or know the names of because Madrid was too big for them and they didn’t make the grade. But Martin dealt with it very well.“I’m sure it was quite daunting. You never know what’s going on internally with somebody. He was quiet, humble but good to coach.“In training, he could hold his own with his technical quality. He was a sensation, wasn’t he? He had the dedication, too.“I would work alongside him. He was constantly practising his weaker foot, passing over different ranges, finishing . . .”Odegaard’s arrival not only ruffled Ancelotti’s feathers but also those of Zinedine Zidane, who was coaching Madrid’s Castilla reserve team and was forced to pick the young rookie despite him spending most of the week training with the first team. Cristiano asked, ‘Who’s going to come on for me?’ I told him and he said, ‘OK’. I told Martin to go and enjoy it. Paul ClementClement, who left Madrid in May 2015 following Ancelotti’s sacking, said: “We tried to find a balance but it was not an ideal situation. It was probably a bit weird for Martin.”By December 2020, Odegaard was 22 and had played just 489 minutes for Madrid in almost six years, having been on loan at Dutch sides Heerenveen and Vitesse, plus LaLiga outfit Real Sociedad, before a six-month stint at Arsenal from January 2021 that led to a permanent £30m switch that summer — two months after Ancelotti’s Madrid return.So, the question remains: was joining Madrid so young the right decision?Clement said: “I’d be interested to speak to him now, as a grown man, about how he was feeling inside. “I don’t think there was any doubt about the talent. It was just his physical maturity, understanding of the game.“When I look back, the best move for him would have been at a club like Ajax. He would have played regularly, really developed.“But the loan moves he took at that time in his career, he needed. He had to take a couple of steps back to go forward. He’s shown great resilience in doing that.Read More on The Sun“You look at what he is now — he’s an elite player at a great club. It worked out well for him.“I was thinking the other day whether Martin could play in Real Madrid’s current team? Yeah, for sure.”Martin Odegaard is now the Arsenal captainCredit: GettyAncelotti is now in his second spell in charge of Real MadridCredit: Getty More

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      Antony hailed as ‘the GOAT’ after Robert Lewandowski nutmeg as £86m Man Utd flop haunts Barcelona for second time

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      ANTONY was hilariously hailed as the “GOAT” after haunting Barcelona once again.The Manchester United flop, 25, has enjoyed a superb resurgence during his loan spell at Real Betis.Antony nutmegged Robert LewandowskiCredit: XThe incident came during the first half of the LaLiga clashCredit: XAnd it got even better with one piece of magic during Betis’ 1-1 draw against Barcelona on Saturday night.With the scores level at 1-1 approaching the half-hour mark at Barca’s temporary Olympic Stadium home, Antony embarrassed Robert Lewandowski. The Brazilian winger received the ball in his own right-back position.Immediately, Lewandowski closed him down to try and win back possession for Barca.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLHowever, the skillful star produced a genius roll of the ball to nudge it straight through the Polish striker’s legs. Lewandowski’s only response was to yank his opponent down to the ground and give away a free-kick.It is not the first time Antony has got one over Barcelona, though.In February 2023, he grabbed a dramatic winner for United – one of just 12 goals in 96 appearances – against the Spanish giants to dump them out of the Europa League. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSAnd fans on social media lauded the £86million man’s latest heroics.One said: “My GOAT.”‘Leaving Man Utd works wonders’ – Fans love Antony’s wild Real Betis celebrations as he goes topless and waves huge flagAnother wrote: “The GOAT in action.”A third joked: “Antony > Messi.”And a final user quipped: “He has to win the Ballon d’Or now.”Antony got out of the tight situationIt finished 1-1 at Barcelona’s Olympic StadiumCredit: AlamyAntony scored the goal to dump Barca out of the 2022-23 Europa LeagueCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun More