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      Mikel Arteta hails Arsenal wonderkid as ‘next Jack Wilshere’ ahead of PSV Champions League clash

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      ARSENAL manager Mikel Arteta has praised academy wonderkid Ethan Nwaneri by comparing him to club hero Jack Wilshere.Nwaneri, 16, has travelled with the Gunners to the Netherlands and is expected to take part in tonight’s Champions League dead rubber against PSV Eindhoven at the Philips Stadion.
      Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praised academy wonderkid Ethan NwaneriCredit: Getty
      Arteta even compared Nwaneri to Arsenal hero Jack WilshereCredit: Getty
      Arteta is very impressed with the playmaker, who already left his mark in English football last year by becoming the youngest ever player to compete in the Premier League at 15 years and 181 days old.
      In fact, the Spanish tactician is so dazzled by the England Under-17 international that he sees similarities to former team-mate Wilshere because of the way he handles the ball in tight areas.
      And that is no coincidence as Nwaneri could make even more history in Eindhoven by also becoming the youngest Arsenal player to play in the Champions League at 16 years and 265 days, beating none other than Wilshere’s 2008 record by 64 days.
      Arteta said: “There’s something unique that he’s got that I really liked from the beginning, his ability to take the ball in tight areas and to escape a little bit like Jack Wilshere used to do.
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      “The personality he has, he trains with us like he trains with the Under-18s or Under-16s and I love that in a player.
      “He’s got that bit between his teeth as well that he wants to show every single day how good he is and to impress people.
      “When you have someone like that, you have to give him hope and as well it was a really important moment for us.
      “We really wanted to keep him and I think it was a strange sign for him that this is his place for him to develop. It is early days, but we need to get the machine going because we want more of those and we have to produce more of those.
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      “There’s a lot of work going into the academy and that’s big credit to all of them every single day for the amount of work that they’re putting in. They do a lot, they’ve planted the seeds and now we need to bring them up.”
      Nwaneri isn’t the only youngster expected to make his Champions League debut at Eindhoven.
      The versatile forward has also been joined by fellow Arsenal academy talents Lino Sousa, 18, and Reuell Walters, 18.
      Arteta added: “Three big prospects. We want to bring a lot of players from a system and they deserve to be here.
      “They’re still really really young but we want to get them the experience because they have the talent hopefully to be very close to us. We’ll try to give them the opportunity if we can in the right moment.
      “Obviously it gets harder and harder, so the talent has to be really good and and you have to find and build the space in the squad to give that talent an opportunity.
      “We should not forget that because it’s a big part of what we want to do in the future. And especially when you have it, you cannot let it go. I think we have some good space and good talent to develop in the environment.
      “I think on TV, it looks easier. If one day we give them a chance to train with the boys, they will probably realise that the level is really, really high.
      “The competition is huge, because we can pick players from anywhere in the world and we have the ability to do that.”
      Arteta is expected to hand Nwaneri a historic Champions League debutCredit: Getty More

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      Fears Everton could be forced into administration NEXT MONTH and be hit with fresh points deduction after takeover blow

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      FEARS are growing that Everton could be forced into administration next month, according to reports.Toffees owner Farham Moshiri agreed a takeover deal with 777Partners in September and the club is currently reliant on the American investment company’s funding to run.
      Everton could be forced into administration next monthCredit: Getty
      Josh Wander, middle, is co-founder of 777PartnersCredit: PA
      The Premier League have been investigating 777’s suitability as prospective owners since.
      Led by co-founder Josh Wander, 777 hope to have their takeover approved by Christmas.
      According to the Mail, however, the Premier League are expecting their investigation to continue into the new year.
      This could plunge Everton into trouble, with the indication being that 777 aren’t willing to keep funding the club via loans beyond the end of this month.
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      It’s claimed that they have already loaned the Toffees more than £100million since September in order to keep them operational.
      Moshiri is no longer funding Everton at all, with the club requiring an extra £20m on top of their fixed income in order to meet operational costs, including staff wages.
      Should 777 opt against providing another loan the Toffees could face administration for trading insolvent.
      Administration would trigger a further nine-point deduction, on top of the ten they have already been docked.
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      Premier League chiefs are reluctant to take action that could result in Everton entering administration.
      But equally they will not be pressured into rushing into a decision.
      Would-be buyers 777 plan to fund their own takeover of Everton rather than relying on loans.
      They are claimed to control £6bn worth of investment funds.
      Over 60 companies are claimed to be in their portfolio, proving difficult for the Premier League to investigate.
      Prem bosses are determined to establish the “source and sufficiency” of 777’s funds.
      While there are also numerous ongoing legal cases involving companies related to 777 in the US to consider.
      Everton are claimed to remain optimistic that the deal will go through.
      Read more on The Sun
      Sean Dyche’s side have performed admirably in the wake of their initial ten-point deduction.
      They are 17th in the Premier League table, and would be 10th without their dock. More

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      Man Utd ‘offer to double Barcelona defender’s wages as Ten Hag seeks transfer replacement for out-of-favour Varane’

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      MANCHESTER UNITED are interested in signing Ronald Araujo, according to reports.Erik ten Hag is keen to bolster his defensive options and United reportedly have a number of targets in mind.
      Manchester United are prepared to double Ronald Araujo’s wagesCredit: Getty
      Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof have featured more often than expected due to injuries to Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez.
      So United are lining up targets for January which includes Araujo, according to Mundo Deportivo.
      The report adds the Red Devils would be prepapred to double the defender’s wages – he is believed to earn around £125,000-a-week at Barcelona.
      However it could prove tricky to land the Uruguyan as Bayern Munich have made him one of their transfer priorities, reports transfer guru Florian Plettenburg.
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      And the German champions are prepared to spend £85million on Araujo.
      Barcelona could demand an even bigger fee since Araujo is under contract until 2026 with an £860m release clause.
      If United miss out on Araujo they could focus their efforts on signing long-term target Jean-Clair Todibo who has impressed at Nice this season.
      The Ligue 1 side are understood to value Todibo at around £50m.
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      Araujo has impressed for Barcelona this season
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      But United’s main transfer target is believed to be Benfica centre-back Antonio Silva, who has an £85m release clause.
      United are also in the market for a midfielder with Monaco star Youssouf Fofana targeted, while Timo Werner could arrive to boost the attack.
      Antonio Silva is believed to be United’s number one target
      Jean-Clair Todibo is a long-term target for United More

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      Arsenal boss Arteta says injured Jurrien Timber is ‘flying’ but still delivers bad news about crocked star 

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      ARSENAL manager Mikel Arteta revealed injured star Jurrien Timber is “flying” as he works his way back to full fitness…But Arteta also admitted that is not enough to bring Timber back in the near future as he will still be out for a “long time”.
      Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta revealed Jurrien Timber is making a lot of progressCredit: Getty
      But Arteta confirmed Timber is still facing a long time in the sidelinesCredit: Getty
      The versatile defender joined the Gunners last summer after a £38million deal with Ajax but picked up a knee injury on his very first Premier League match against Nottingham Forest in August.
      Initial reports suggested the Netherlands international could be out for the rest of the season.
      Arteta, though, raised fans’ hopes of a swifter comeback as he insists the 22-year-old is making “immense “incredible” progress during his gruelling road to recovery.
      However, the Spanish tactician is still not expecting Timber back in his backline any time soon.
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      Arteta said: “Timber is doing very well. He’s flying to be fair, the stage he is right now.
      “The way he works every single day is incredibly satisfying to watch but unfortunately we’re going to miss him still for a long time.
      “I think he’s in a really good place.”
      Arteta had big plans for Timber and hoped he would prove to be a major catalyst in Arsenal’s bid to win their first Premier League title in 20 years.
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      That is because the Dutch star can cover every single position in defence.
      However, Timber’s absence hasn’t really affected the North Londoners’ defensive prowess.
      That is because Arsenal have the joint best defence in the league with Liverpool having conceded only 15 goals in 16 Prem matches. More

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      Tottenham star Richarlison reveals groin injury was so bad he had to stop SHOOTING as he opens up on ordeal

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      RICHARLISON has opened up on the groin injury ordeal that led to him not wanting to shoot in warm-ups.The Brazilian, 26, returned to form on Sunday by scoring twice in Tottenham’s 4-1 win over Newcastle.
      Richarlison returned to form against Newcastle on SundayCredit: Reuters
      The Brazilian had struggled earlier in the campaignCredit: Reuters
      Spurs’ triumph marked Richarlison’s first start since recovering from groin surgery.
      The forward struggled with the issue earlier in the campaign before resorting to surgery following talks with boss Ange Postecoglou after the 4-1 defeat to Chelsea last month.
      He returned to make cameos as a substitute against Manchester City and West Ham, before being handed a start against the Magpies.
      Following his two-goal performance, Richarlison said: “I’m very happy to be back playing.
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      “I recovered very quickly and this has been an extra motivation for me. Since last year, I had been suffering from these pains and felt a lot especially when it was time to finish.
      “So much so that I didn’t even practice kicking in the warm-up before the games, because it always got worse and I couldn’t do the simplest movements afterwards without feeling discomfort.
      “Out of my desire to help both the club and the national team, I ended up postponing this surgery for many months, until I realised that I was actually harming myself and the teams, as I was not in a good physical condition to continue.”
      Prior to Sunday, Richarlison had scored just one Premier League goal this season – coming against Sheffield United in September.
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      His struggles extended to international duty, where he was spotted in tears on the bench during Brazil’s clash with Bolivia.
      Reflecting on his season so far, Tottenham’s No9 told the Mail: “I am ‘hungry’, I always want to play, but I learned this lesson the hard way.
      “If your health and mental health are not up to date, there is no point.
      “A lot of people criticised me, said bad things about me, because I really wasn’t performing at my best, and since my head wasn’t feeling good anymore due to the lack of confidence and off-field matters, which wasn’t great either, everything went down a very bad path.
      “So much so that I took a break from social media and I’ve been saying very little, because I want to recover and I am focused on that.
      “Thank God, I am feeling much better and without that pain. Very happy for the goals I scored, but also for being able to help the team more effectively.
      “I had the energy to recover, I stole the ball from the first goal in midfield and arrived in one piece to finish later, things that hadn’t been happening and that makes me very confident. 
      “Now we have to think about evolving with each game, having a good sequence and things will return to their place.”
      Read more on The Sun
      Richarlison is next set to be in action on Friday night when Spurs travel to struggling Nottingham Forest.
      During last season’s clash at The City Ground the former Everton star was crunched in a challenge after performing some keepy-ups.
      Richarlison was crunched during a clash with Nottingham Forest last seasonCredit: Alamy More

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      Reece James set to be ruled out until MARCH with hamstring injury in huge blow to Chelsea

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      REECE JAMES could reportedly be out until March after suffering a hamstring injury against Everton.It is the latest setback for the England star who has been limited to just eight Premier League appearances this season.
      Reece James suffered a hamstring injury against EvertonCredit: Getty
      James, 24, tore his hamstring in Chelsea’s opening game of the seaosn against Liverpool in August.
      He missed seven Prem games before returning in late October, and returned to the starting line-up a few weeks later.
      But scans suggest the right-back is set for an even lengthier spell on the sidelines this time around.
      It is a big blow for Chelsea who will be without their captain for up to four months, according to Fabrizio Romano.
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      Chelsea released an update on James’ condition which reads: “Captain Reece James has undergone medical assessment following Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at Everton.
      “The defender was withdrawn during the first half at Goodison Park, and scan results have confirmed a hamstring injury.
      “Reece will now begin his rehabilitation programme at Cobham.”
      Injuries limited James to just 16 Premier League apperances last season and he has now missed 35 games since the start of the 2021/21 campaig because of hamstring issues.
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      James has also missed a further 28 matches through muscle issues, illness and two knee injuries, with the latter ruling him out for 18 matches last term.
      Mauricio Pochettino will likely call upon summer arrival Malo Gusto to deputise again but some Blues fans want an experienced right-back to be signed in January.
      One supporter reacted to the news saying: “I love James but we need to sign an experienced right-back, we simply can’t afford this to happen every three months.”
      Another added: “Chelsea it might be time to get a right-back.”
      A third wrote: “Just sell him off or he should have a surgery on that damn hamstring. This used to be (Christian) Pulisic’s fate till he had that surgery. Get another proper right back and move on.”
      And another commented: “We need a new captain, the team lacks leadership.” More

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      Donny van de Beek ‘in advanced transfer talks to leave Man Utd on loan’ as he looks to end Old Trafford nightmare

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      DONNY VAN DE BEEK is set to leave Manchester United with Eintracht Frankfurt leading the race to sign him. The Dutchman has failed to break into the United squad since being signed by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2020.
      Donny van de Beek is set to leave Manchester UnitedCredit: Reuters
      And even under new boss Erik ten Hag, who coached him at Ajax, the midfielder has still been isolated from the starting XI.
      It has left his Old Trafford future in doubt as Van de Beek desperately looks to end his United nightmare.
      And now according to Fabrizio Romano, talks are progressing between United and Frankfurt.
      It could see the former Ajax star leave on loan in January
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      LaLiga leaders Girona, who have the same owners as Man City, are also said to be interested.
      Van de Beek managed just ten appearances last season having been sidelined through injury and illness.
      And this campaign, the 26-year-old has played just twice after missing out on a summer exit.
      A deal to join Real Sociedad collapsed at late notice, according to the man himself.
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      He told Diario AS: “I was close to going to Real Sociedad, but at the last minute, the clubs could not reach an agreement.”
      Van de Beek joins Casemiro and Jadon Sancho as United outcasts who face leaving the club.
      The unwanted playermaker has recently been linked with a move to Barcelona after Gavi tore his ACL.
      But the LaLiga champions also face competition from Juventus as they look to replace the 19-year-old. More

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      Man Utd’s ‘Sunday League’ rondo goes viral as furious fans say ‘end the season already’

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      MANCHESTER UNITED’S training ground rondo went viral and left fans pleading to “end the season already.” United welcome Bayern Munich to Old Trafford tonight needing a win and results elsewhere to go their way in order to qualify for the Champions League knockout stages.
      Man Utd’s training ground rondo went viral for all the wrong reasons
      Erik ten Hag’s struggling side can barely string a couple of passes together

      But supporters have not been filled with confidence after a video of their rondo taken by journalist Andy Mitten went viral.
      Erik ten Hag’s struggling side can barely string a couple of passes together before losing possession.
      One fan fumed: “United fans have been arguing about Rondo’s all day, end the season already…”
      Another said: “They can’t even complete 3 passes??
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      “That’s a shockingly poor clip. 13-year-olds can do a better rondo than this and I’m not even overreacting.”
      One added: “Hand on heart I’ve seen Sunday league teams hit rondo’s with more intensity and accuracy. Goodness gracious.”
      Another raged: “There’s probably £5m per week salaries in that clip – and they’re worse than my old Sunday league team.”
      Ten Hag was renowned for playing possession-based football at Ajax, where he won three league titles.
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      But in October, the Dutchman confessed that his current United squad are not capable of playing with the same style.
      Ten Hag said: “We will never play the football we played at Ajax here. I now have other players, that’s not why I came here.
      “The player material you have determines how you will play. That’s why we play here in a different way than I did at Ajax. 
      “That will have to be the case, because I can’t play the same way here. That is not in the DNA of Manchester United at all.
      “The football at Ajax is very typical, here we will play much more directly. We also have the players for that, especially at the forefront.”
      United twice threw away a lead to draw 3-3 with Galatasaray in Turkey to leave them on the brink of being dumped out of Europe.
      They now must beat Bayern – who have already qualified – while Copenhagen and Galatasaray would need to draw.
      Erik ten Hag addresses his squad in trainingCredit: AFP More