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    Huge Premier League boost as Arsenal win over Real Madrid CONFIRMS fifth place will qualify for the Champions League

    THE Premier League will officially have FIVE teams in the Champions League next season.Arsenal secured the extra place with a huge 3-0 win over reigning European Champions Real Madrid on Tuesday night.The Premier League will officially have five teams in the Champions League next seasonCredit: APThe extra place was confirmed when Arsenal beat Real Madrid on TuesdayCredit: GettyIt took England’s coefficient points total up to 24.535 – leaving the nation top of the Uefa table.Both Spain and Italy are battling it out for second, with Spain on 21.678 points and Italy on 20.187 points.Regardless of competition, each Uefa win is worth two coefficient points, a draw gets one point and nothing is given for a defeat.Points gained by all teams in a coefficient are added together and the total score is divided by the number of clubs a country has in Europe that season. READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThat gives the coefficient average, which the table is based on.Arsenal and Liverpool are both set to earn a Champions League place for the 2025-26 season.Nottingham Forest, Chelsea, Newcastle, Manchester City, Aston Villa, Fulham and Brighton are all battling for the remaining places.England needed just one team in Europe to win this week to guarantee five places in the Champions League next season.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSArsenal cruised to a 3-0 victory over Real Madrid at the Emirates Stadium.Declan Rice broke the deadlock with a stunning free kick in the 58th minute.’Give me your right foot please’ – Crocked Arsenal star issues plea to Declan Rice in dressing room after stunning goalsHe then bettered that with another strike into the top-right corner.And Mikel Merino made it three with a composed finish in the 75th minute.After the match, Mikel Arteta said: “When you’ve not played this team for 20 years then you have the chance to write your own history and it is nights like these where you can do that.”They were magic moments. We have a lot more to give. It will give us even more belief.”I did believe and you have to believe. The crowd was incredible, they gave us so much energy.”Race for the Champions League places More

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    Paul Merson suffers awkward wardrobe malfunction live on Sky Sports as he jumps up to celebrate Arsenal goal

    PAUL MERSON suffered an awkward wardrobe malfunction live on Sky Sports after jumping up to celebrate one of Declan Rice’s incredible free-kick goals.The Arsenal star delivered two dead-ball strikes in the space of 12 minutes as his side thumped Real Madrid 3-0 in the Champions League.Paul Merson suffered an awkward wardrobe malfunction on Sky SportsThe former Arsenal legend was reacting to one of Declan Rice’s free-kicks against Real MadridCredit: EPAMikel Merino also netted in the quarter-final first-leg clash at the Emirates on Tuesday night.And Arsenal are now on the verge of setting up a semi-final tie against one of Aston Villa or Paris Saint-Germain.There were star performances all over the pitch for the Gunners yesterday.But it was Rice who stole the show with two sumptuous free-kicks.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe England star, who had NEVER scored one single direct free-kick in his entire career beforehand, hit his first from distance in the 58th minute.However, Rice’s second goal in the 70th minute was even better.Standing at an angle akin to set-piece legend David Beckham, Rice curled a beauty round Real Madrid’s wall and into the far-top corner.Watching in the Sky Sports studio, former Arsenal star Merson was left delighted by the effort.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSHowever, as he jumped up in delight to celebrate, fan favourite Merse’s jumper rode up his body, leaving his tummy exposed.Supporters found his cheeky gaffe brilliant though.Declan Rice reveals Arsenal’s set-piece coach told him to CROSS… before firing stunning free-kickMerse’s jumped slid up his body, delighting his fans at homeOne said: “Take off your shirt Mese, I know you want it, come on you Gunners!”Another declared: “Brilliant from Merson.”One noted: “Lol Merson’s belly as he jumps up to celebrate.”Another added: “What an epic reaction, iconic.”Following his jump, Merson had to plenty to say about Rice’s goal too.He boomed: “What a goal, it’s a phenomenal free kick, Rice Rice baby!Read More on The Sun“What a goal, honestly, the first one was good, this one is better!“He’s bent it, whipped it, beat Courtois from there, what a goal.”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

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    ‘Isn’t she a Liverpool fan?’ – Dua Lipa spotted celebrating Arsenal win over Real Madrid at Emirates to fans’ confusion

    DUA LIPA was spotted celebrating Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Real Madrid at the Emirates – to the confusion of fans. The singer joined the Gunners faithful in cheering on Declan Rice’s two stunning free-kicks as well as Mikel Merino’s late strike. Dua Lipa was spotted celebrating Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Real Madrid at the EmiratesCredit: Premier SportsFans were surprised by her attendanceCredit: ESPNBut Dua – born in London – has shown her allegiance to Liverpool before – posing with Anfield legend Jamie Carragher. And her Grammy-award winning song “One Kiss” has become a staple of Liverpool matches – played before and after games. So it came as a shock to some when Dua was spotted celebrating Arsenal’s Champions League quarter-final win from the Emirates stands. One fan said: “One week Liverpool one week Arsenal.”READ MORE ON ARSENALAnother asked: “Isn’t she a Liverpool supporter.”A third joked: “Liverpool fans sorry.”Despite Dua’s history with Liverpool – she has been known to support Arsenal – posing in Arsenal attire in 2023. And she is not the only one. Most read in FootballThe singer has an affiliation with Liverpool, pictured here with Jamie CarragherDua Lipa pictured in 2023 showing her support to ArsenalCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSOscar-winning actress Anne Hathaway is a Gooner while Kim Kardashian and her kids also support Arsenal. And YouTuber-turned-boxer KSI even has a box at the Emirates – meeting with Thierry Henry before the Madrid game. KSI was spotted going berserk after Rice’s free-kick heroics.Kim Kardashian is an Arsenal fanCredit: Instagram/@arsenalAnne Hathaway is also a GoonerCredit: Instagram @annehathawayKSI invited Thierry Henry into his box at the Emirates More

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    ‘Give me your right foot please’ – Crocked Arsenal star issues plea to Declan Rice in dressing room after stunning goals

    DECLAN RICE had injured Arsenal team-mate Gabriel pleading to have his right foot following his pair of stunning free-kicks against Real Madrid. Rice scored two sensational set-pieces at the Emirates to help the Gunners to a 3-0 Champions League quarter-final first leg victory. Gabriel demanded he have Declan Rice’s right footCredit: https://x.com/now_arsenaIIt came after Rice’s two wonder free kicksCredit: https://x.com/now_arsenaIHis first beautifully curled around the wall past keeper Thibaut Courtois while the second rifled into the top corner. Mikel Merino put the game – and possibly the tie – to bed before the end but Rice rightly took all the spoils. And even crocked defender Gabriel – out for the remainder of the season with a hamstring injury – was left stunned. He told Rice: “Give me your right foot, please, please, please. Come here, Dec. Give me, give me. Unbelievable brother!” READ MORE Arsenal NEWSRice had only taken 12 free-kicks as a professional without scoring – but two came in one match. He said: “I don’t know whether it will ever sink in I’ve gone back to my phone then and it’s gone crazy. “To score my first free-kick in a game is a special one. And then when I got the second one. I just had the confidence. I’m speechless really.”I don’t think it’s going to hit me, what I’ve done tonight. It’s a historic night.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSArsenal now travel to the Spanish capital next Wednesday in the return tie with a healthy lead thanks to talisman Rice. Manager Mikel Arteta said: “Declan’s been very determined because we have said in the last few months that we have not scored a direct free-kick in three-and-half years.Declan Rice reveals Arsenal’s set-piece coach told him to CROSS… before firing stunning free-kick“So, to score two goals in 12 minutes of that magnitude and of that quality from the same player, a player that has never scored a free-kick before in his career, what are the odds?“This night was all about two factors; one is the atmosphere that we created 15 minutes before kick-off with something I haven’t seen before. “And then the magic, the individual moments that decide all matches. And the first two goals from Declan sums up the night.”Mikel Arteta hailed Rice after his free-kick heroicsCredit: Getty More

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    ‘Best striker at our club’ – Man Utd fans in meltdown over Chido Obi’s solo goal for U21s team

    MANCHESTER UNITED fans were in meltdown after Chido Obi’s wondergoal for the Under-21s.Obi, 17, joined the United academy from Arsenal last summer. Chido Obi scored a superb solo goal for Manchester United’s Under-21sObi has made three Premier League appearances this term aged 17Credit: AlamyAnd he has certainly impressed his new supporters in his debut campaign with the club. So much so that the teenager has already broken into Ruben Amorim’s first team this season. Obi came off the bench against Tottenham, Everton and Leicester in the Premier League – and Fulham in the FA Cup. But he was back in Premier League 2 action for the U21s on Monday.READ MORE ON MAN UTDObi scored twice in the thrilling 3-3 draw against Nottingham Forest to take his tally across the Premier League 2, FA Youth Cup and U18 Premier League to 14 in 13 games.His first goal saw him turn home from close range.But it was his second effort that put United’s youngsters 3-1 up that caught the eye. Obi received the ball with his back to goal on the halfway line with a centre-back pressing into him. Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old TraffordHe spun past the defender and sprinted towards the Forest goal. Then when surrounded by a rabble of Forest defenders, he twisted past between two.New Man Utd signing arrives at Old Trafford for first time since transfer… only to see horror show against TottenhamAnd Obi rounded off the superb solo effort by unleashing a low strike into the bottom corner. It didn’t take long for United fans to flood social media with comments in awe of the goal. One said: “We made the right decision snatching him from Arsenal. Serious talent.”Another wrote: “That is absolutely ridiculous, abnormally good. U21 football or not.”A third added: “This is a ridiculous goal.”A fourth commented: “Simply too good for that level.”And a since-deleted tweet labelled Obi the “best striker at the club”. United’s first-team forwards have struggled in front of goal this term.Read More on The SunRasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee both have three goals apiece in the Premier League in 2024-25. And while Obi is yet to get on the scoresheet, goals like his U21s strike mean it surely won’t be long before he finds the net for the Amorim. Obi picked up the ball near the halfway lineHe drove towards the box, turned past defenders and found the corner More

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    Chelsea files: Champions League star targeted with Sancho and Mudryk not in plans and Enzo Fernandez transfer dilemma

    CHELSEA have started looking for yet MORE wingers – as they are planning for next season without both Jadon Sancho and Mykhailo Mudryk.The Blues have Noni Madueke, Pedro Neto and youngster Tyrique George as flank options, while Cole Palmer drifts wide when he sees the opportunity.Enzo Maresca will seek new attacking reinforcements this summerCredit: AlamyJadon Sancho is expected to return to Man UtdCredit: AlamyMykhailo Mudryk will likely remain unavailableCredit: GettyBut boss Enzo Maresca is working on the likelihood that neither on-loan Sancho nor Ukrainian Mudryk will be available next term.Forward Christopher Nkunku, who was a target for Bayern Munich in January, also remains likely to be moved on.Madueke is another to keep an eye on and could well be allowed to move on should a club come in with the right sort of offer.Chelsea chiefs are ready to pay Manchester United £5m to back out of their agreement to sign one-time England winger Sancho.And the club are still in the dark over the future of Mudryk after he was provisionally suspended for a failed drugs test.Mudryk costs the Blues £7.3m plus his £5.2m wages every season, with his amortisation precept still standing at nearly £45m this summer.The Ukrainian faces a potential four year ban under World Anti-Doping rules which are followed by the FA.Brazilian boy wonder Estevao Willian is being viewed as a potential first team squad member next year after his arrival from Palmeiras in a deal worth up to £48m.Join SUN CLUB for the Chelsea Files every Tuesday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Stamford BridgeIt is expected that Ecuadorean teenager Kendry Paez, 18, will be sent out on loan next season, although he could first be included in the squad for this summer’s Club World Cup.The youngster has been training with Liam Rosenior’s Ligue 1 side Strasbourg this week as he prepares for the move to Europe.Chelsea vs Tottenham descends into chaos as Romero sparks mass melee after shoving Colwill to groundChelsea have wanted to help Paez acclimatise to European life and the training culture before making the move permanent.Sources have indicated that there is no guarantee he will join Strasbourg next season, though it seems likely.OPEN THE DORONE winger Chelsea are tracking is Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens.The England Under-21 international is keen on a move to the Premier League with Liverpool also keeping a close eye.Chelsea have identified Jamie Gittens as a potential targetCredit: GettyChelsea may feel they hold an advantage over the Reds, with midfielder Carney Chukwumeka already on loan with the Bundesliga club.Dortmund hold an option they can activate for the former Aston Villa man, signed by Chelsea for £20m.The German side are understood to be able to sign Chukwuemeka for just below his £40m release clause at Stamford Bridge.That means any deal which involved Gittens would require Dortmund’s clause to be renegotiated, which some believe to be unlikely at this stage.Chukwumeka’s loan has been disrupted by injury but he scored on his first Bundesliga start in an eye-catching performance against Freiburg over the weekend.The midfielder also played a role in Serhou Guirassy’s goal, with a superb defence-splitting pass.Dortmund are keen to make the move permanent, so long as they qualify for the Champions League this season.’GAMING’ THE RULESCHELSEA’S near £200m sale of their relentless winning women’s team was a perfect example of “gaming” the Prem’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules.Despite that, Uefa will NOT allow the Blues to include the sale to parent company BlueCo 22 in their calculations, meaning a likely eight-figure fine for breaching Euro regulations.Chelsea sold its women’s team to parent company BlueCo in an attempt to remain in line with the Prem’s PSR rulesCredit: GettyUefa will not allow the Blues to include the sale in their calculationsCredit: PABut with Prem clubs – who voted against clamping down on “inter-group” property sales last summer – having also agreed to maintain the PSR status quo until the end of next season, Chelsea could have few other assets to flog to the company owned by Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali.Two of those are on the Stamford Bridge site, the restaurant at the front of the ground and the Health Club situated at the corner of the main East and Matthew Harding Stands.There is also the 117 acre Cobham training ground, a section of which is understood to have been sold to BlueCo this season.And at the main entrance to Cobham, there stands a large detached house, also owned by the club.However, the sale of the women’s team does mean that the costs and revenues associated with Sonia Bompastor’s side cannot be used in PSR calculations for this season or next term.ENZ OF THE ROAD?TALK of a summer exit for Enzo Fernandez is growing, with Madrid giants Real and Atletico both snooping around the Argentine playmaker.But the eight and a half year deal agreed when the South American made his £106m switch from Benfica in January 2023 means the Blues could be faced with a HUGE loss on any transfer – causing them a significant PSR issue.Enzo Fernandez could leave Stamford BridgeCredit: GettyThe massive contract length allowed Chelsea to “amortise” his annual cost – not including estimated wages of £9.3m a year – at £14.5m per season.Yet if Fernandez did leave this summer, with six years still to go on his initial deal, Chelsea would need to agree a deal of £87m JUST to break even.Any figure below that would significantly cut into their PSR calculation numbers, even if the Blues will be allowed to bank their up-front £30m entry fee for this summer’s Club World Cup.SAFETY CONCERNSCHELSEA fans need to be careful in Poland this week.The club failed in their bid to get more than 742 tickets for Thursday’s Europa Conference League quarter-final away to Legia Warsaw.Chelsea travel to face Legia Warsaw this weekCredit: ReutersThe behaviour of the Polish club’s notorious ultras was the reason why Chelsea received less than the normal 2000 tickets for an away game due to fears over the travelling supporters’ safety.Although Chelsea asked for more tickets Uefa insisted that they had to stick with the original amount.Equally, Legia are allowed only 1000 fans inside Stamford Bridge next week which is half the number they requested and there will be a huge police presence at the game.Legia fans are known for causing all sorts of problems home and away.They were banned from five away European games due to violent clashes before the Conference League match at Aston Villa in November 2023.In total, 46 men were charged after fans ran riot. A number of police officers were injured.In a statement, Villa said: “This shocking behaviour followed Legia club officials’ complete lack of cooperation with West Midlands Police, Aston Villa and UEFA throughout the day.”Legia have continued to be in hot water with Uefa this season. They unfurled a giant banner before a game against Molde criticising the governing body and this led to a one-game stadium ban.NO EXCUSESLOOKING through the Legia squad offers another example of how absurd it is the Blues are even in this competition.The Polish side’s most notable and valuable player is former Wolves defender Ruben Vinagre.According to Transfermarkt, in total the Warsaw squad is worth just over £31miliion, or one Malo Gusto.This week they face up with a Blues squad valued at a staggering £791m and recently confirmed as the most expensive in history in UEFA’s financial report.Chelsea have few excuses for not winning this competition. More

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    Man City target Morgan Gibbs-White and Florian Wirtz as shock transfer replacement for Kevin De Bruyne

    MORGAN GIBBS-WHITE is a transfer target for Manchester City.And City want to complete a double swoop by also landing Florian Wirtz. Morgan Gibbs-White has been identified as a transfer target for Manchester CityCredit: PAFlorian Wirtz could also be on his way to the EtihadCredit: AFPKevin De Bruyne will leave the Etihad at the end of the season after ten years with the club.And the hunt to replace his crucial goals and assists is already underway.It is still to be decided whether City will target a like-for-like player or look to strengthen elsewhere and mould another player into the De Bruyne role.No deals will be finalised until incoming director of football Hugo Viana is fully underway after starting work this week. READ MORE ON FOOTBALLBut as first reported by The Athletic, City identified Gibbs-White as one of their key priorities when the transfer window reopens in the summer.The midfielder, 25, has enjoyed a superb season for Forest.The £42million 2022 signing from Wolves boasts an impressive five goals and nine assists for Nuno Espirito Santo’s Champions League chasers.Those strong performances earned Gibbs-White his senior England debut in September. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSPlaymaker Wirtz, 21, has also been in red-hot form for Bayer Leverkusen with 15 goals and 12 assists across the Bundesliga and Champions League. The German was crowned player of the year as he spearheaded Leverkusen to their maiden league title – plus the DFB-Pokal cup success. Pep Guardiola talks about Kevin De Bruyne’s decision to leave Man City after 10 years Arsenal and Real Madrid are among the big European clubs already linked with Wirtz.But City may test Leverkusen’s resolve with a summer approach. Pep Guardiola could, however, opt to move Phil Foden from his current wide role into more of a central position when De Bruyne leaves.The academy graduate – a six-time Premier League winner – has 97 goals and 60 assists for City.Of those, ten goals and just six assists come this term in what has been a difficult campaign for the player and the team. Manchester City spent huge money in January to sign Omar Marmoush (£64m), Abdukodir Khusanov (£34m), Vitor Reis (£29m) and Nico Gonzalez (£50m) to try and rescue their season. And now they are already being linked with plenty of new signings to bolster their fortunes next term.Kevin De Bruyne will leave City at the end of the seasonCredit: APPhil Foden could move into a more central roleCredit: Alamy More

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    Marcus Rashford’s camp ‘in talks with PSG’ as it’s revealed how close on-loan Man Utd star came to Paris transfer

    MANCHESTER UNITED loanee Marcus Rashford almost joined Paris Saint-Germain before his loan move to Aston Villa… and is still in talks with Wednesday’s Champions League opponents.Rashford was loaned out to Villa during the January transfer window after falling out of favour at Old Trafford under new United manager Ruben Amorim.Aston Villa ace Marcus Rashford could have been playing for Paris Saint-GermainCredit: RexMan Utd star Rashford came close to joining PSG, with whom he still talksCredit: GettyAnd now the star forward is set to lock horns with PSG in the Champions League quarter-finals at Parc des Princes in a match that could have easily seen him wearing a different jersey.According to L’Equipe, the England international came extremely close to a move to Paris in the summer of 2022.In fact, the Parisians wanted Rashford to come in and replace Neymar in the starting line-up.At least three meetings took place between the club and the player’s entourage.Read More on Man UtdTalks went so well with then sporting director Leonardo that the versatile winger gave the “green light” for a move to Ligue 1.However, a deal fell apart in May of that year after PSG axed Leonardo.There is a strong feeling that if the Brazilian chief had stayed then Rashford would be playing for Paris tonight.Nevertheless, the same source reports talks have been revived between the Man Utd ace and Leonardo’s replacement Luis Campos.Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old TraffordThis comes as no surprise as the French outfit’s president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has previously gone public about his admiration for the star.However, PSG could face competition from Villa, whose loan deal with the Red Devils includes a £40million release clause.Roy Keane breaks silence on Marcus Rashford’s shock transfer to Aston Villa and has MAJOR concernRashford seems happy at Villa Park for the time being where he is eyeing Champions League glory.The forward has already amassed a total of three goals and four assists in 12 appearances with the Villans. More