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      Arsenal great Ray Parlour explains why Mikel Arteta can win title and where transfer target Declan Rice needs to improve

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      ARSENAL legend Ray Parlour believes his former club will win the Premier League because Manchester City may focus on other competition.The Gunners are top of the table with eight points separating them from second-placed City, who have a game in hand.
      Arsenal can win the Premier League title, claims club legend Ray ParlourCredit: Getty
      Arsenal legend Parlour believes Manchester City prefer the Champions LeagueCredit: The Sun
      Parlour, who won three titles with the North Londoners, believes manager Mikel Arteta can lead his team all the way to the trophy.
      That is because the reigning Prem champions will be preoccupied with the FA Cup and the Champions League, which remains the only major honour that still evades them.
      The former England international loves how Arsenal are playing and advised them to enjoy the challenge as that will help them win more matches and apply more pressure on City.
      Parlour told SunSport: “Well, there certainly is a long way to go. And I’ve always tried to play it down a little bit because the pressure will build on Arsenal because that’s what happens when they’re six or seven games to go but all they can do – and I know it’s a cliche – just keep playing the way you are. Enjoy it.
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      “And again, it’s a young team, so they look a little bit fearless at times. I know Man City beat them at the Emirates and the [Manchester] United game wasn’t great, but even then they had a few chances in the first half.
      “So all I can say is Mikel Arteta has got it really going. What I like about their play now is when they lose the ball they’re trying to win it back quickly. A little bit like City do sometimes, so I think they could do it. I really do.
      “I mean, Man City are gonna have the FA Cup. They’re gonna have the Champions League, which I think deep down Pep Guardiola really wants that Champions League for the club.
      “So hopefully that takes their mind off it a little bit and they’ve got a tricky game against Bayern Munich now with [Thomas] Tuchel going in. So I think Arsenal have a big game at the weekend with Leeds United at home fighting to avoid relegation.
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      “So if you’re getting another three points, it starts putting a little bit more pressure on Manchester City and we know that game against [Crystal] Palace was a big one because Man City didn’t play and went into the international break with an eight-point gap. You know that sometimes mentally that’s really good for you.”
      Arsenal are focused on the Premier League title race, but are also keeping an eye on the summer transfer window with West Ham superstar Declan Rice a top target.
      Parlour insists Rice would be a perfect fit for Arteta’s midfield if the Gunners manage to win the bidding war against the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea.
      However, the former midfielder insists the England international still needs to improve and has to learn to get forward “a little bit more”.
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      West Ham star Declan Rice will have to learn to get forward, claims ParlourCredit: Getty
      Parlour added: “Declan is a super player, we saw him play for England the other night [against Italy] and he was brilliant again as he scored a goal.
      “But yeah, sometimes you have to get forward a little bit more because I always think [when it comes to] holding midfielders there’ll be occasions in a game where you do get past your other midfielder and it’s just a bit of common sense for me that the other midfielder fills in for you.
      “That’s what I used to do when we played for Arsenal, because you know, not everybody’s got a set position at times, you’ll see yourself in a different part of the pitch.
      “And that’s where the other team-mates have got to say, ‘Right, he’s out of position there but we fill in for him and then there’s no problem’. So I think Declan Rice definitely can get forward a little bit more.
      “At any team he goes into he would make them stronger, so if Arsenal have got a chance to maybe buy Declan Rice, especially if they can win the league this year, that would be a fantastic signing.
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      “But I’m sure there’s a big queue of people waiting to see where he’s going in the summer.”
      Ray Parlour was speaking to The Sun on behalf of Fairplay. Fairplay is a peer to peer, free to use betting app which is revolutionising the way people wager, collect and distribute funds. More

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      Man Utd legend Andy Cole makes bold Premier League title prediction and reckons Arsenal will get ‘schooled’

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      ANDY COLE has blasted Arsenal’s chances in the Premier League title race and tipped Man City to prevail.Speaking on the Filthy Fellas channel on YouTube, the former Manchester United striker gave a strong warning to the Gunners.
      Andy Cole has given Arsenal a warningCredit: Getty
      Cole revealed how Sir Alex Ferguson would look at the title raceCredit: Getty
      Arsenal currently sit top of the table, with 69 points from 28 games.
      Second-placed Manchester City are only eight points behind, and have a game in hand.
      Cole, who won five Premier League titles under manager Sir Alex Ferguson, didn’t hold back on his assessment of Arsenal’s chances.
      He said “I still think Manchester City will win it [league title].
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      “You are what, eight clear? The way Liverpool have been inconsistent, then I can see Man City winning [in this weekend’s clash]”
      He was asked if he’d change his prediction if Liverpool beat Manchester City at the Etihad on Saturday.
      He replied “Then Arsenal [for the title], yeah, yeah. But then Arsenal need to go to the Etihad and Anfield!”
      “Every time I have seen Arsenal play Manchester City, they have schooled Arsenal. I mean schooled.”
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      He then quoted his former manager, Sir Alex, saying “When I was playing, the manager (Sir Alex) always used to say to us, ‘The season doesn’t get started until Easter’.”
      “That’s when you dropped points. If Arsenal come through that period, because there are mad games during that time, if they come through that dropping three or four points, then yeah [they’ll win the league].”
      Arsenal have been without a league title since the 2003-04 season, which could give the team a boost to win.
      However, it also makes them less experienced compared to Man City, who have Pep Guardiola as manager.
      The Spaniard has won four of the past five English top-division trophies, making him no stranger to a title race.
      Man City are also yet to lose to Arsenal in the Premier League since 2015, making them favourites when they meet on 26 April.
      Arsenal play Liverpool before that on 9 April at Anfield. More

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      John Stones vows to play until he’s 40 as he makes most of second chance at Man City under Pep Guardiola

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      JOHN STONES would love to make the most of his second chance — by playing on at Manchester City until he is 40.The England centre-back’s time at the Etihad looked to be over when he lost his place in Pep Guardiola’s side in the summer of 2020.
      John Stones has had a career resurgence under Pep Guardiola after looking like he was out in the cold three years agoCredit: Getty
      The centre-back has already won four Premier League titles under PepCredit: News Group Nrewspapers Ltd
      Yet he is back at the heart of the champions’ defence — and looking to make history in what could be a thrilling end to the season.
      It all starts with the visit of old rivals Liverpool tomorrow, when City will be aiming to keep themselves firmly in the title race.
      Stones, 28, could have been forgiven for fearing days like these had gone for good when he slipped out of Guardiola’s first-choice team three years ago.
      The manager picked wantaway Eric Garcia ahead of him for key games — and a few months later paid what was then a club-record £64.5million to sign Ruben Dias.
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      Guardiola strongly hinted that Stones may be allowed to go that summer — but the defender was determined not to give up without a fight.
      He knuckled down and won his place back and is looking to be part of a City team that makes history.
      Stones said: “This is home for me now and has been for seven years — I would love to play here for as long as I can. I would even love to finish at 40 if I could.
      “The time when I was out of the side was hard. I didn’t want to leave first and foremost. I didn’t want to give up.
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      “I’ve always been a fighter from when I had setbacks in age groups because they said I was too small.
      “I wanted to stay true to myself and show — not anyone in particular, but myself — that I could do it.
      “I believe I am here for a reason and I am good enough.
      “That seems a while ago now but I’m really proud of myself for what I did and what I’m doing now.

      “I’m trying to go from strength to strength. I want to achieve everything I can . . . trophies, make history.”
      Some might say he has done that already — as Stones is one of several players at the club to already have four Prem title medals in his back pocket.
      The former Everton defender has also lifted five domestic cups with City — but says the feeling in the dressing room is that they are by no means finished.
      Stones told Arab News: “We definitely want to be remembered among the great teams of the past.
      “I think we have already done that with some of the milestones we’ve achieved. I’d love to be in this club’s history — and go down as maybe the best-ever team.
      “That comes with time, though, and you don’t really think about that when you are in the moment.
      “It happens after you finish and I will always give 110 per cent to the team, to myself — and hopefully that shows out on the pitch.”
      But to have any chance of being remembered in those terms, City will have to end their long wait for a Champions League trophy.
      Stones has been part of the journey that took them agonisingly close in the last couple of seasons, only to come up short both times.
      They have reached the quarter-finals again but German giants Bayern Munich and then either Real Madrid or Chelsea — teams who have ended their dream in the last two years — stand in the way of reaching Istanbul in June.
      But Stones said: “We can achieve whatever we want.
      “We have got the ability, we’ve got the chemistry together and we all want the same thing as well, to be successful.
      “We have got that hunger, which is exciting. My aim is to win the Premier League again, then to make history and win the Champions League for everyone.”
      First, though, City have to get past Liverpool as the two old rivals line up for what could be another epic clash.
      Stones famously produced an incredible goalline clearance to deny the Reds what could have been a crucial goal in this fixture back in January 2019.
      That was a moment that cemented his place in the hearts of City fans.
      And he added: “I think the fans have always had a love-love relationship with me. I can’t thank them enough.
      “I hope they appreciate that I also appreciate them, I always give everything and fight right until the end.”
      As well as carrying on with City for at least another decade, Stones revealed his other target is to win 100 caps.
      Between November 2018 and March 2021, Stones made only two appearances for England — and did not feature at all in the last 17 months of that spell.
      Stones, on 66 caps, said: “I set my goal for England at 50 caps and didn’t think I was going to get to that when I wasn’t in the squads and I was on 42.
      “Now my next goal is to get 100. I’ve set the bar high, but why not? I think it’s achievable.”
      Meanwhile, Trent Alexander-Arnold’s own England ambition has stalled.
      The Liverpool right-back was left out of the last squad — and he is now concentrating on helping the sixth-placed Reds spring a surprise at City.
      He said: “We’ve got it in us. We haven’t shown that this season but we’ve been together long enough to know our qualities — we know we are able to put a run of great results together.
      “There’s no better way to go and start than against the reigning champs. We’re excited to go and try to get that started on Saturday.
      “We’ve got our aims — to make sure that we get Champions League football for next season.

      “This is a very important week to go on and secure it.
      “And every time you play against Man City, the motivation is there.”
      Stones says he wants to play until he is 40Credit: Getty
      The City star is also a key player for Gareth Southgate with EnglandCredit: Getty More

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      Vincent Kompany is shock leading contender for Tottenham job despite Pep saying Man City move is ‘written in the stars’

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      VINCENT KOMPANY has emerged as a leading contender to become Tottenham’s new boss.The Belgian looks to be leading Burnley back to the Premier League at the first attempt but SunSport understands he would be interested in the Spurs job.
      Kompany’s stunning debut season as Burnley boss has seen his managerial stock sky rocketCredit: Rex
      Manchester City icon Kompany’s work in his debut season at Turf Moor, where he plays an exciting brand of football, has impressed Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy.
      Spurs are putting together a shortlist after Antonio Conte finally left the club on Sunday.
      Julian Nagelsmann, Mauricio Pochettino, Luis Enrique, Marco Silva and Thomas Frank are all in the running.
      Kompany’s Championship leaders Burnley are 16 points clear of third spot ahead of hosting Sunderland tonight and can confirm automatic promotion by next weekend.
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      Yet he knows he will not be able to spend big to keep the Clarets in the top flight.
      Kompany, who cut his teeth with two years as Anderlecht boss, rebuilt the squad last summer after losing top stars like Nick Pope, Ben Mee, James Tarkowski and Dwight McNeil.
      Last May’s relegation saw Burnley owners ALK Capital hit with an early repayment of £65million on a loan taken to help fund their 2020 takeover.
      At 36, Kompany is just a year older than Nagelsmann who was axed by Bayern Munich last week.
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      And City boss Pep Guardiola claims it is “written in the stars” that Kompany will one day be manager at the Etihad.
      The Clarets were beaten 6-0 at City in the FA Cup quarter-finals this month — and Kompany reckons that is just what his players needed.
      He said: “The timing of it was impeccable. 
      “By that, I mean you could have seen the start of international weeks as like a mini-break where you rest with maybe one foot on the beach.
      “But it gives you a shock effect. The result was dramatic but the game was enough to show we’re not passengers here — that’s the standard, that’s the level.”
      Cristian Stellini, who was Conte’s No 2, takes charge as interim Spurs coach for the first time at Everton on Monday.
      He said: “I’m sad, when you change manager in the middle of the season everyone feels responsible. 
      “My relationship with Antonio is the same because we are friends.
      “I feel honoured to be trusted with the team to the end of the season. The players and everyone have to do more.” More

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      Man Utd, City, Chelsea and Liverpool in major Jude Bellingham transfer boost as Real Madrid set £88m limit

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      REAL MADRID have reportedly set a limit on how much they will pay for Jude Bellingham.And the news comes as a boost to Premier League rivals Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea, who are all linked with a swoop for the teenage sensation.
      Jude Bellingham is a summer transfer target for Europe’s top clubsCredit: Rex
      Spanish newspaper AS claim Real Madrid have set a limit on how much they will pay for BellinghamCredit: AS
      Spanish newspaper AS claim Real Madrid will not fork out more than £88million for Bellingham.
      The La Liga giants are adamant that they will not overpay for the 19-year-old.
      It’s thought Real hope to persuade Bellingham to snub a Premier League move and tempt him to the Bernabeu thanks to the club’s “legendary history”.
      But Real are refusing to enter a bidding war for Bellingham – on both the transfer fee and his salary.
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      The club know any potential fee is in the same sort of ballpark as what they would have to pay for a striker.
      Karim Benzema is 35-years-old and Real know buying a new goalscorer in the near future will not be cheap, meaning they do not want to overpay for Bellingham.
      Liverpool and City are reported to be the two front runners for his signature.
      Borussia Dortmund are also hopeful of keeping Bellingham for another season, and reportedly plan on offering him a contract extension with a mammoth pay rise and release clause for 2024.
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      However, Real Madrid are hopeful of reaching an agreement with Borussia Dortmund if Bellingham opts to join them.
      AS report the two clubs have an “excellent” relationship, and negotiations would not prove to be much of a problem.
      Real Madrid president Florentino Perez and Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke are said to be good friends.
      Although Real appear prepared to miss out on Bellingham if a bidding war drives his price up past £88m. More

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      Man Utd blow in Gabri Veiga transfer race as Celta Vigo midfielder ‘dreams of joining Arsenal’

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      MANCHESTER UNITED and their rivals in the chase to sign Celta Vigo star Gabri Veiga have allegedly suffered a huge blow.And that is because the 20-year-old Spanish Under-21 international is “dreaming about joining Arsenal”.
      Gabri Viega allegedly has his heart set on ArsenalCredit: Rex
      A host of Premier League teams, including both of the above and Man City and Newcastle, are all interested in the midfielder.
      A report in today’s Faro de Vigo has also stated that Serie A leaders Napoli are “willing to activate” his £35.2m release clause at the end of the campaign.
      But it seems that Veiga has no desire to move to Italy – with the publication instead saying that he wants to “fulfil the dream of signing for Arsenal”.
      They are allegedly his “favourite” team and both he and his representatives like the club’s commitment towards youth and the sporting project being led by Mikel Arteta.
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      And it also adds that the prospect of living in London also appeals to the young ace.
      Arsenal are not thought to have yet tabled an offer for the youngster as they allegedly prepare for the bidding auction to begin.
      Veiga has shone bright this season in LaLiga as he has bagged nine goals and three assists in 29 appearances across all competitions.
      And Celta president Carlos Mourino recently accepted that holding onto Veiga is virtually impossible – not least financially.
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      He also revealed that at least four Premier League clubs are seriously interested in signing him.
      Mourino said: “We want to keep Gabri Veiga but it will be impossible due to his release clause.
      “We don’t want to sell, but they are going to buy him from us. And we can’t do anything there.
      “We know some of his offers and it is impossible to reach them.
      “There are several teams behind Gabri. Real Madrid? They haven’t asked us, we don’t know if they will have called the player. 
      “Of the top 10 in the Premier League, four have asked about him.” More

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      Tony Adams: Arsenal might be eight points ahead in Premier League title race.. but it’s STILL Man City’s to lose

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      IF Manchester City were eight points clear with ten games to go, there would not even be a question about the title race already being over.But because it’s Arsenal in that position, I still don’t think they’re favourites to be champions.
      Arsenal could find it harder and harder the closer they get to the finishing lineCredit: EPA
      Erling Haaland and Co will be desperate to close the gap for champs Man CityCredit: Rex
      Speaking from personal experience, I know just how difficult it is to get over that finishing line for the first time.
      Arsenal are going to get tighter and tighter with every game they play.
      In our last ten games of the season we were scrapping at home against teams who had absolutely nothing to play for.
      We lost 2-1 at home to Derby and Dean Saunders scored twice. I was ready to rip his head off.

      I was screaming ‘Jesus Christ, why are you trying so hard? Do you want Liverpool to win the title again?’
      He told me he was  trying to win the Golden Boot and I said ‘well just stop it’.
      But that’s how it’s going to be for Arsenal over the next two months because every game is going to feel like a cup final.
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      City might have as many as 18 more games to play but Pep Guardiola has so much talent at his disposal that he can pick one team in the league and another for the cup competitions.
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      They’ve won the title before and because they’re coming from behind they will be able to play with much more freedom than Arsenal.
      Speaking from personal experience, I know just how difficult it is to get over that finishing line for the first time.Tony Adams
      It’s going to be so tight and right now I’m experiencing a proper Fever Pitch moment because I’m watching every game from the edge of my seat like a proper fan.
      Maybe it’s a blessing in disguise that Arsenal have been knocked out of the Europa League because it was never going to be their priority once they hit the top of the league.
      We all saw what happened in that competition when they rested some of their top boys and they’re definitely not going to win the league with their back-up players.
      Even with their best players available, they might not do it.
      I might be the only person saying this but I still think it’s  City’s title to lose. More

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      Man City ‘monitoring Celta Vigo wonderkid Gabri Veiga’ with Man Utd and Newcastle also chasing transfer

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      MANCHESTER CITY have joined Man Utd and Newcastle in trailing Celta Vigo midfielder Gabri Veiga.That’s the claim from Spain as the LaLiga side fight an uphill battle to keep the 20-year-old beyond this summer.
      Celta Vigo say four Prem giants are keen on attacking midfielder Gabri VeigaCredit: Rex
      Real Madrid are also thought to be keen, with Veiga understood to have a £35million release clause.
      Etihad chief Pep Guardiola has one eye on strengthening in midfield.
      That’s partly because City duo Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva face uncertain futures in the summer 
      And Celta president Carlos Mourino accepts holding onto Veiga is virtually impossible – not least financially.

      He also revealed that at least four Premier League clubs are seriously interested.
      Mourino said: “We want to keep Gabri Veiga but it will be impossible due to his release clause.
      “We don’t want to sell, but they are going to buy him from us. And we can’t do anything there.
      “We know some of his offers and it is impossible to reach them.
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      “There are several teams behind Gabri. Real Madrid? They haven’t asked us, we don’t know if they will have called the player. 
      “Of the top 10 in the Premier League, four have asked about him.” More