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WAYNE ROONEY has enraged fans after naming just THREE Arsenal players in his combined XI with Real Madrid.The Gunners are in the Spanish capital to face the LaLiga giants in their Champions League quarter-final second leg tonight.Wayne Rooney has infuriated Gunners fans with his combined Arsenal and Madrid XICredit: X formerly Twitter / @primevideosportLIVE BLOG: Latest news from Real Madrid vs ArsenalThe Premier League side shell-shocked the reigning European champions with a stunning 3-0 first leg win a week ago.Two outrageous Declan Rice free-kicks were finished off by a slick curling finish from Mikel Merino, to leave Madrid needing to create club history in order to come back.Arsenal fans believe they have one foot in the semi-final, with a couple even wearing ‘Champions League WINNERS’ shirts against Brentford on Saturday.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSSupporters have every belief after watching Mikel Arteta’s defence nullify superstars Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr last Tuesday. So the Emirates faithful have laid into Rooney for leaving so many Arsenal players out of his current combined XI.Speaking to TNT, Rooney began with choosing world class goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois over David Raya. Seems plausible.But fans were left baffled when Wazza picked Lucas Vasquez – a makeshift right-back for Madrid – over Jurrien Timber.Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from The EmiratesThe Manchester United legend can be forgiven for backing Antonio Rudiger over Jakub Kiwior and William Saliba over Raul Asencio.Rooney also picked Myles Lewis-Skelly over David Alaba at left-back.How Declan Rice can be ‘world class’ AGAIN vs Real Madrid | Tactics Exposed Deano’s DecisionBut there were plenty of question marks when Eduardo Camavinga – who was sent off at the Emirates – earned a spot over Thomas Partey.The final Arsenal player chosen was Rice over Federico Valverde.That means Jude Bellingham made the cut over Martin Odegaard.And after a few seconds of stewing, Bukayo Saka was completely LEFT OUT for Rodrygo on the right wing.There should be few complaints over Vinicius and Mbappe completing the line-up over Gabriel Martinelli and Merino.But, naturally, Arsenal fans were outraged with Rooney’s picks – with a few teasing the ex-England striker about his poor managerial career.One said: “Not putting in Saka over Rodrygo has got to be one of the worst takes I’ve seen.”A second quipped: “Finally, I have found out the reason why he is always sacked… poor first team selection.”Another said: “Camavinga over Partey… This man is not Ok. He needs to be checked. Rodrigo and Vasquez over Saka and Timber.”A third added: “Lucas Vasquez in front of Timber is just football malpractice!”Rooney was forced to defend himself on live TV after being caught jokingly whispering behind Gabby Logan’s back on Tuesday night.Meanwhile, supporters been rocked by the ever-so-close comebacks of Aston Villa and Borussia Dortmund last night. After going 5-1 down on aggregate, Villa mounted an incredible revival to bring the score to 5-4 across to two legs. Read More on The SunAnd they could’ve won the game enough to go through, before missing untold chances at Villa Park.Meanwhile, Dortmund also gave Barcelona a scare after climbing close to a 5-3 aggregate scoreline on Tuesday night.Arsenal ratings vs Real Madrid as Declan Rice’s free-kick thunderbolts earn him an ELEVEN out of 10BEND it like Beckham? More like bend it like Declan…It was a set-piece clinic from the Arsenal midfielder as he scored the first free-kicks of his career against Real Madrid – and the first player in Champions League history to score multiple direct free-kicks in the same knockout stage game.Thibaut Courtois was on hand to save Real Madrid in a fast paced first half as he pulled off a fine double save to deny a Rice header and a follow-up effort from Gabriel Martinelli.The deadlock was finally broken in the 58th minute as England star Rice whipped in a sensational free-kick.Rice then sent the Emirates into the stratosphere with as he added a second with an even better free-kick from the left side of the goal which he rifled into the top right corner.Mikel Merino then swept a devastating third into the bottom corner from a low cross to put the cherry on a remarkable night.Rice’s epic showing was enough to earn him an unprecedented ELEVEN in our player ratings.Here’s how SunSport’s Jordan Davies rated the rest of the Gunners… More

REAL MADRID have sent Arsenal an ominously blunt warning – and translated it into 20 different LANGUAGES.The 15-time Kings of Europe have a near impossible task on their hands to keep their Champions League hopes alive after losing the first leg of their quarter-final tie 3-0 at the Emirates last week.Real Madrid have sent out a warning video to Arsenal that ’90 minutes at the Bernabeu is very long’Credit: X formerly Twitter / @realmadridenThe club posted it today and asked the AI system to write it in different languagesCredit: X formerly Twitter / @realmadridenMadrid have every belief that the legendary club can come back from 3-0 downCredit: X formerly Twitter / @realmadridenDeclan Rice scored two sensational free-kicks that stunned Madrid in the first legCredit: GettyMadrid have NEVER came back from 3-0 down across two legs in the Champions League.But they know a thing or two about legendary revivals and have fought back from first leg defeats on three out of four occasions.After trailing, the Los Blancos came back against Wolfsburg in 2015-2016 and against both Paris St-Germain and Manchester City in 2021-2022.Carlo Ancelotti warned Arsenal that “anything can happen” after two outrageous Declan Rice free kicks and a sleek Mikel Merino finish shell-shocked Madrid last Tuesday.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSWhile Madrid star Jude Bellingham said that “everyone believes it’s nailed on” that he and his team-mates will still go through at the Bernabeu on Wednesday night.And now, Madrid’s social media accounts have taken to X to send Arsenal a new and final message before kick-off.Real posted a video where they asked ChatGPT to translate a staunch message: “Ninety minutes at the Bernabeu is very long.”The club began it’s request, asking: “Can you translate this into as many languages as possible?”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSBellingham revealed that the word “Remontada” – which translates to “comeback” – has been bouncing around the Real dressing room.While Vinicius Jr wrote on Instagram “Tomorrow. 9pm”, with the Brazilian seemingly ready to put in a big performance after being kept quiet in the first leg.Jude Bellingham confidently claims ‘everyone thinks it’s nailed on’ that Real Madrid will win Arsenal tie from 3-0 downAnd the Spanish giants will be boosted by Aston Villa’s second-half surge against Paris Saint-Germain at Villa Park last night.Unai Emery’s side were asked to overcome a 3-1 first leg defeat to PSG – already champions of France.But the Premier League side quickly saw themselves 5-1 down after two early goals from the Parisians. Yet, out of nowhere, Villa mounted a shock comeback and missed plenty of chances to lose 5-4 on aggregate after winning 3-2 on the night.And Borussia Dortmund also gave Barcelona a scare on Tuesday night.Barca had thrashed Bellingham’s former side 4-0 last week, before the German giants won 3-1 in their second leg.But it wasn’t enough to bring Dortmund through, with Barca winning 5-3 on aggregate. However reports of internal chaos at Madrid threatens to derail their chances of doing the same.Reports in Spain claim Bellingham and Antonio Rudiger had to be separated in a training ground bust-up on Friday.On top of all of this, Madrid have also been rocked by news that defender Ferland Mendy is definitely out of the tie.That adds on to the already absent Eduardo Camavinga after he was sent off at the end of the game at the Emirates.There are also fitness doubts surrounding Federico Valverde and David Alaba, while Dani Ceballos is almost certainly out against his former club.Read More on The SunLos Blancos returned to winning ways on Sunday with a 1-0 win at Alaves, despite Kylian Mbappe being sent off for a horror tackle when he went diving in with his studs raised and caught Antonio Blanco high on his shin.The French superstar is free to face Arsenal and will serve a one-match ban in La Liga over the weekend.Jude Bellingham and Antonio Rudiger had a training ground bust-up, reports claim More

MIKEL ARTETA has urged his Arsenal stars to ignore Real Madrid’s ‘comeback’ narrative and do their talking on the pitch.The Gunners will step out onto the Bernabeu turf with the Champions League odds firmly stacked in their favour – bringing with them a 3-0 quarter-final first-leg advantage.Mikel Arteta is wary of Real Madrid’s talk of a comebackCredit: GettyThe Gunners lead 3-0 going into the second leg of their CL quarter final at the BernabeuCredit: GettyIf statistics and pub quiz-style factoids won football matches, Arteta’s side would already be in the semi-finals. The numbers are overwhelmingly positive.On the previous 13 occasions Arsenal have headed into a second leg European tie with a three-goal cushion, they have progressed on every occasion.Of the 11 previous English teams to have won a Champions League first-leg knock-out tie by three goals or more, all of them have advanced.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLIt has been 79 games since Arsenal last conceded three goals in a single match in all competitions – a 4-3 Prem win away at Luton in December 2023 – and the last time they lost a game 3-0 was nearly two years ago, at home to Brighton in the Prem in May 2023.Of the 47 teams to go into the second leg of a Champions League knock-out match with a lead of three or more goals, only four of them have not advanced. That is just 8.5 per cent.This second leg should be a mere exhibition, a formality, Arsenal’s procession into the competition’s final four for the first time since 2009.And yet, there remains an air of doubt because they are playing Real Madrid – the 15-time European champions who have also earned the title of Champions League comeback kings.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKTheir reputation of never knowing when they are beat is stuff of legend, making them one of the most feared beasts on the continent, no matter the context nor the scoreline. Rumour has it the footballing gods bow down to Real Madrid.Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is looking forward to match against Real Madrid The Spanish press know this, hence their intense propaganda machine over the past few days in an attempt to convince Arsenal that a comeback is not just possible but inevitable.On the back page of every major outlet has been the phrase “Remontada”, meaning “comeback” in Spanish.Arteta laughed: “It’s impossible [to block that out], but outside we can do it on the pitch. “Now I understand that it’s the narrative that is going to give the fuel to them.”We have tried to repeat the opposite message. So in the brain of the players, what they have here in the last 72 hours is something completely different.”We are very close to them and hopefully that’s more powerful than anything else.Arsenal ratings vs Real Madrid as Declan Rice’s free-kick thunderbolts earn him an ELEVEN out of 10BEND it like Beckham? More like bend it like Declan…It was a set-piece clinic from the Arsenal midfielder as he scored the first free-kicks of his career against Real Madrid – and the first player in Champions League history to score multiple direct free-kicks in the same knockout stage game.Thibaut Courtois was on hand to save Real Madrid in a fast paced first half as he pulled off a fine double save to deny a Rice header and a follow-up effort from Gabriel Martinelli.The deadlock was finally broken in the 58th minute as England star Rice whipped in a sensational free-kick.Rice then sent the Emirates into the stratosphere with as he added a second with an even better free-kick from the left side of the goal which he rifled into the top right corner.Mikel Merino then swept a devastating third into the bottom corner from a low cross to put the cherry on a remarkable night.Rice’s epic showing was enough to earn him an unprecedented ELEVEN in our player ratings.Here’s how SunSport’s Jordan Davies rated the rest of the Gunners…”But you have to be out there, you have to experience it, you have to feel it and you have to go through it. That’s what we have to do.”I understand [comebacks] are a part of their history and they have the right to be talking about these kinds of scenarios.”Ours is very different and our mindset, preparation, our thoughts and how we’re going to have the best chance to be better than them in the aspects that are crucial.”To prepare for a semi-final like this and be convinced that we can handle any situation and we’re going to enjoy actually playing any kind of game that we have to be thrown in.”But we’re going to try to take the game to places very different to their intentions and if we do that we’re going to have a good chance to win the game.”The first leg, that’s in the past. We have to prove it now in this context. And that’s the beauty of it. That’s the challenge and that’s the great thing about sports.”We’ve shown that we are capable of doing it. Now, let’s talk on the pitch and do it on the pitch. It’s the only thing that matters.”It would be natural for this Arsenal squad – one that is young and inexperienced – to perhaps fear the wave of noise and pressure coming their way in the Bernabeu.This group have only experienced one other Champions League journey – last year’s progression to the quarters only to be knocked out by Bayern Munich in a gut-wrenching second leg in Germany.Arteta argued: “I wouldn’t use that word [fear]. Mikel Arteta’s striker shopping listBy Jordan DaviesARSENAL are stepping up plans to sign a world-class striker in the summer after their Champions League heartbreak.Mikel Arteta splashed out £204.5m last summer on Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber.But the Spanish manager accepts he needs a proven goalscorer to take the club to the next level.And here are the players he is looking at to get the Gunners firing:BENJAMIN SESKO (RB Leipzig, value £40m-£45m)One for the future at 20 years old. Scored 16 goals for RB Salzburg in the Austrian Bundesliga last season and the Slovenian has carried on that good form in Germany with Leipzig this campaign.VIKTOR GYOKERES (Sporting Lisbon, value £60m-£80m)Been scouted several times this season. The Swedish striker, 25, is more of a traditional No 9 so may not suit Arsenal’s demand for flexibility but would bring a physicality that boss Mikel Arteta craves.ALEXANDER ISAK (Newcastle, value £75m-£85m)Impressed in his first two seasons in English football. The Swede, 24, has the pace and finesse to match his finishing ability, and Eddie Howe’s Toon may need to sell to balance the books this summer.JOSHUA ZIRKZEE (Bologna, value £45m-£50m)Dutch wonder  is attracting the attentions of clubs across Europe. At 6ft 4in the 22-year-old forward would have no trouble adapting to the Premier League and already has an eye for goal.XAVI SIMONS (RB Leipzig, value £70m-£80m)An incredible talent in the Bukayo Saka mould, currently on loan from Paris Saint-Germain. The future of the Dutch attacker, 20, depends on how much money his parent club want to make from him.”Respect, admiration for what they’ve done in the competition as a club over the years, the history they have, the values that they defend.”Unbelievable. Amazing. And inspiration for any coach, any manager, any team. But after that is the competition.”It’s what we are going to face tomorrow, an opposition that we know very well and that we are determined to go out there and try to win the game.”When you have to create a story, when you have to build a story, first of all you have to be excited about it. Then you have to be really convinced about what you want to achieve.Read More on The Sun”A lot of clubs have built their history by doing it many times, trying many times, sometimes failing, sometimes being successful.”Last year we had an experience and we want to be better this season.” More

JUDE BELLINGHAM has claimed that there is a lot of belief that it is “nailed on” that Real Madrid will beat Arsenal.The Spanish giants face an uphill battle to overturn a 3-0 deficit against the Gunners after a crushing defeat at the Emirates last week.Jude Bellingham has shared his thoughts on the second leg against ArsenalCredit: GettyDeclan Rice stunned Real with two brilliant free-kicks in the 3-0 winCredit: GettyBellingham is hopeful of a stunning turnaround in SpainCredit: GettyMikel Arteta’s side are hopeful of reaching the Champions League semi-finals for the first time in 16 years.The North London club would have to produce an astonishing collapse as Real have NEVER come back from this position before.However, England international Bellingham, 21, has insisted that there is plenty of belief that the 15-time European champions can do just that.He said: “Everyone thinks it is nailed on that we will come back.READ MORE ON FOOTBALL“It is a weird environment, but it is a nice feeling. It means there is a lot of trust in the talent. “There is an expectation from around the world that when we get into these kinds of holes, we can come back, even if it is a really tough one. “It is a night made for Real Madrid, and would go down in history, but also something people are familiar with around this part of the world.”Hopefully, we can add another special night.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS“It is something that you want to be a part of, it is something that you want to add to the history of this club. “There is not a lot you can do for Real Madrid in the Champions League that has not already been done.New footage sees raging Jude Bellingham KICK VAR monitor in frustration after Real Madrid’s last-gasp defeatReal Madrid have pulled off historic comebacks in the pastCredit: Alamy“This is an opportunity for us to do something for the first time. That is really important to us.”Arsenal can take comfort in knowing that out of the 11 previous English teams to be in this position, all have advanced to the next round.Real Madrid have shown they are capable of the incredibly improbable in the past.Back in the 2021/22 season, they stunned Manchester City with a 6-5 aggregate victory despite being 4-3 down.They have also produced similar turnarounds against Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea.Bellingham has also insisted that a comeback is possible and pointed to Liverpool’s famous win over Barcelona in 2019.He added: “Probably in England it is not as common but it has happened, Liverpool did it a couple of years back [against Barcelona in 2019].“What makes us confident is the quality we have, the history of the club, the fans that will turn up and give everything on the night, the aura of the Bernabeu and these Champions League nights, that is always something. “The more you get to speak to the other lads and you see how confident they are, the more it rubs off on you. They have experienced these kinds of nights before.Read More on The Sun“It is infectious and it makes you a lot more confident, a lot more comfortable with the situation you are in.“If we just increase our level numbers a bit more, we can be in it. We are not stupid but also we are confident in the ability we have.” More

CARLO ANCELOTTI has revealed he rejected the chance to take up a huge managerial role because it seemed “like a part-time job”.The Italian coach, 65, is hoping to mastermind a stunning comeback from 3-0 down for Real Madrid against Arsenal on Wednesday, although preparations have been anything but smooth.Carlo Ancelotti has said he rejected the Italian national team job in 2018He said he thought it might ‘make me lose a bit of my passion’Credit: RexAncelotti has been with the club since 2021, but he has now opened up on how he turned down the Italian national team gig in 2018, before they ultimately appointed Roberto Mancini.Speaking to Swiss broadcaster RSI, he said he rejected the role because he feared it would make him “lose a bit of passion”.He explained: “I said no because I didn’t feel like it.“I really like being on the pitch daily to prepare training sessions, and the national team seemed like a part-time job that would make me lose a bit of my passion.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”That’s the only reason.”Ancelotti’s contract with the Spanish giants runs until 2026.However, the club face a mountain climb to defend their Champions League crown and are trailing Barcelona in La Liga by four points.They also play their arch-rivals in the Copa del Rey final later this month, and if they fail to overcome Barcelona in at least one of the domestic competitions, they could be left trophyless this season.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKIf that happens, ruthless club bosses may not waste any time in relieving him of his duties as manager despite his stellar record during his second spell in Madrid.Journalist Fabrizio Romano has claimed Real Madrid will make a move for Bayer Leverkusen’s Xabi Alonso if Ancelotti leaves.How Declan Rice can be ‘world class’ AGAIN vs Real Madrid | Tactics Exposed Deano’s DecisionAncelotti said he would discuss his future with the club at the end of the season, telling reporters: “I shouldn’t talk about things about my future, because the contract is quite clear.”Whatever it is, it will be discussed at the end of the season. The club always supports me, especially in difficult moments.”Since returning to manage Los Blancos, Ancelotti has won 11 titles, including two Champions Leagues, two league titles, the Copa del Rey and the Club World Cup.The former AC Milan and Chelsea manager joined the club from Everton, and revealed he initiated contact over a return.Carlo Ancelotti has now won 28 trophiesHe added: “Actually, I was the one who called them.”The year before, I had reached out to see if they had any players available, and we ended up signing James Rodriguez.”I knew they were looking for a coach the following year.”I spoke to the director and said they needed to get a good one.”I shouldn’t talk about things about my future, because the contract is quite clear.Carlo AncelottiAncelotti also admitted that before joining the Toffees his dream was to manage Liverpool, but after experiencing the Merseysiders’ rivalry first hand he was now “absolutely” an Everton fan.He said: “My dream was to coach Liverpool, but then I found myself at Everton and I experienced their rivalry, and now I’m absolutely an Everton fan.Read More on The Sun”I really liked the environment, because there is a spectacular passion for colours.”You also notice the suffering that the fan has for Liverpool, which for many years and still today excels in the Premier League.” More

REAL MADRID will need all hands on deck to complete an unbelievable Champions League turnaround against Arsenal on Wednesday.However, the Spanish giants have been hit by internal chaos ahead of the crunch quarter-final tie.Real Madrid have been hit by chaos ahead of their Champions League quarter-final second leg against ArsenalCredit: ReutersKylian Mbappe was sent off at the weekendCredit: AFPThe first leg at the Emirates saw the 15-time European champions fall 3-0 behind after a second half blitz by the Gunners led by two outrageous free-kicks from Declan Rice.Carlo Ancelotti called for calm ahead of the reverse leg at the Bernabeu, but it seems the message has not trickled down to his distracted multi-million pound stars.Los Blancos returned to winning ways on Sunday with a 1-0 win at Alaves, despite Kylian Mbappe being sent off for a horror tackle when he went diving in with his studs raised and caught Antonio Blanco high on his shin. Training before the game was equally chaotic for Ancelotti’s squad.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLReports in Spain claim Jude Bellingham and Antonio Rudiger had to be separated in a training ground bust-up on Friday.El Chiringuito claims that former Chelsea star Rudiger clattered Bellingham with a rough challenge during a training game.This prompted the England international to bite back with a scathing insult, which subsequently sparked a clash between the pair as team-mates were forced to intervene to separate them.Despite the confrontation, Bellingham and Rudiger are said to have resolved the matter quickly.Most read in FootballJude Bellingham and Antonion Rudiger had a training ground bust-upCredit: GettyLuka Modric is looking to become a shareholder in SwanseaCredit: Sunday TimesFerland Mendy has also been ruled out of the clash through injuryCredit: GettyBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKMeanwhile, news has emerged that veteran midfielder Luka Modric is set to become a minority shareholder in Championship club Swansea.A deal has reportedly been agreed that sees the 39-year-old legend acquire a stake in the Welsh club.Thierry Henry’s blunt six-word statement to Kylian Mbappe before Arsenal’s incredible win over Real MadridThe amount of the Swans he is buying and the cost of the investment is currently unclear with Modric set to join Andy Coleman, Brett Cravatt, Nigel Morris and Jason Cohen as part-owners of Swansea.The move will not impact his ongoing playing career and he is not ready to hang up his boots just yet.But buying into a football club is likely to have been a distraction.On top of all of this, Madrid have also been rocked by news that defender Ferland Mendy is definitely out of the tie.The left-back suffered a hamstring injury before the first leg, and it has now been reported by AS there is no chance of him making a sudden comeback.That adds on to the already absent Eduardo Camavinga after he was sent off at the end of the game at the Emirates.There are also fitness doubts surrounding Federico Valverde and David Alaba, while Dani Ceballos is almost certainly out against his former club.The one boost Real can count on is the return of Aurelien Tchouameni from suspension.Speaking about the clash, Ancelotti referenced previous times huge deficits have been turned over in the Champions League, with the term “remontada” being born after Barcelona overturned a 4-0 first-leg defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017.He said: “Remontada? We will try. Read More on The Sun”It happened many times. “We will try until the last minute.”Arsenal ratings vs Real Madrid as Declan Rice’s free-kick thunderbolts earn him an ELEVEN out of 10BEND it like Beckham? More like bend it like Declan…It was a set-piece clinic from the Arsenal midfielder as he scored the first free-kicks of his career against Real Madrid – and the first player in Champions League history to score multiple direct free-kicks in the same knockout stage game.Thibaut Courtois was on hand to save Real Madrid in a fast paced first half as he pulled off a fine double save to deny a Rice header and a follow-up effort from Gabriel Martinelli.The deadlock was finally broken in the 58th minute as England star Rice whipped in a sensational free-kick.Rice then sent the Emirates into the stratosphere with as he added a second with an even better free-kick from the left side of the goal which he rifled into the top right corner.Mikel Merino then swept a devastating third into the bottom corner from a low cross to put the cherry on a remarkable night.Rice’s epic showing was enough to earn him an unprecedented ELEVEN in our player ratings.Here’s how SunSport’s Jordan Davies rated the rest of the Gunners… More