Premier League

MANCHESTER UNITED legend Paul Scholes has voiced his disappointment with the Gunners’ performance so far.Despite an unbeaten run in their first five games, Arsenal finds themselves fourth in the Premier League trailing behind Liverpool, Manchester City and Aston Villa.Paul Scholes has revealed his thoughts regarding Arsenal’s start to the seasonCredit: GettyThe Man Utd legend says Mikel Arteta’s side are strugglingCredit: PAThe Gunners remain unbeaten this term but sit third in the Premier League tableCredit: GettyMikel Arteta’s squad has secured 11 out of a possible 15 points after facing challenging clashes that included away matches at Aston Villa, Tottenham, and Manchester City.They secured victories against Villa and their north London rivals, then managed a 2-2 draw in a heated match against City on Sunday.Now, they are just two points away from the top spot as they aim to finally outdo Pep Guardiola’s team.But Red Devils icon Scholes has been far from impressed with how the Gunners have played in the opening weeks of the campaign.READ MORE ARSENALScholes was speaking on The Overlap Fan Debate, brought to you by Sky Bet.He said: “Arsenal, at some point, have got to beat them [Manchester City at the Etihad]. They nearly did it, and it was a great effort. “I sat here at the start of the season and thought Arsenal might win the league, but I’ve been a little bit disappointed with their start to the season.”Arsenal’s defence has been solid this season conceding just three goals so far continuing their strong form from last year.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSDespite netting 91 goals in the 2023-24 season they chose not to sign a new striker over the summer.Their scoring has significantly dropped this season with only eight goals to their name—fewer than 10th-placed Tottenham.Mikel Arteta says ‘I would be very thick’ if he repeated previous mistake as Arsenal boss defends tactics vs Man City And Scholes has expressed his doubts about Arteta’s attacking strategy.He added: “Arsenal have been poor going forward this season. “You look at all the goals they scored last year, and everyone was talking about getting a centre forward in the summer and you thought they probably didn’t need it. “But five or six games in, it feels like Arsenal are struggling – it’s not quite clicking.”Against Tottenham, Arsenal were content to concede possession for long stretches eventually clinching victory from a corner. Similarly, they aimed to counter-attack against Manchester City which paid off in the first half at the Etihad as they came from behind to lead 2-1. But after Leandro Trossard’s red card just before halftime the Gunners focused solely on defence in the second half posing no offensive threat.In that half Arsenal had just 12.5% possession with Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber failing to complete a single pass. READ MORE SUN STORIESTheir strategy nearly succeeded but John Stones scored a last-minute equaliser in the 98th minute.The Gunners now have an easier run of games on paper, as they prepare to face Leicester, Southampton and Bournemouth in their next three outings. More

ARSENAL fans are convinced Manchester City’s equaliser in Sunday’s 2-2 thriller should not have been allowed to stand.John Stones fired in after Mateo Kovacic’s shot was blocked with seconds left on the clock.Fans claimed Josko Gvardiol pushed Myles Lewis-Skelly out of the wayThe tussle opened up space for Mateo Kovacic’s shot on goalHe also appeared to tussle with another Arsenal star moments before the goalThe goal broke Arsenal hearts after they had put up a valiant effort defending their 2-1 lead with ten men for the entirety of the second half.But now fans claim Stones’ goal should have been chalked off because of a foul.They argue Josko Gvardiol pushed Arsenal star Myles Lewis-Skelly out of the way as the ball was played back to Kovacic, creating space for his shot on goal.One fan said: “Man City’s equalising goal should have been disallowed.READ MORE ON ARSENAL”Look at Gvardiol continuously pushing Lewis-Skelly until he is ‘out of the way’ of the incoming shot by Kovacic. VAR must have missed this on the check.”Another supporter added: “If he had fell under that challenge before the shot, I believe that would’ve been given but he was naive there.”However several fans hit back, suggesting if that was given then many goals from corners would have to be disallowed.One fan said: “Absolutely nothing wrong with that, if that’s a foul 100 per cent of the time a corner comes it will be a penalty or foul, physicality is part of the game.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSWhile another added: “Absolute nonsense, grow up.”However, Arsenal fans had plenty of other complaints about the officiating with some suggesting Leandro Trossard should not have received a second yellow for kicking the ball away.Man City vs Arsenal WagsSome Gunners stars also protested when Jeremy Doku kicked the ball away after the whistle went, but referee Michael Oliver did not warrant it an offence as the ball went in the direction of where the free-kick was to be taken from.There was also controversy after the goal when Erling Haaland threw the ball at Gabriel’s head. More

MANCHESTER UNITED legend Paul Scholes has opened up about a blazing row he once had with Sir Alex Ferguson.Scholes established himself as one of the best midfielders in Premier League history during his 19-year spell with the Red Devils.Paul Scholes has recalled a blazing row he had with Sir Alex FergusonCredit: YouTube/Football’s GreatestScholes admitted Sir Alex went ballistic at himCredit: GettyDuring that time he made over 700 first team appearances and won over 20 major trophies – including the Champions League twice.The 49-year-old’s former team-mates, Gary Neville and Roy Keane, recently claimed he was the “teacher’s pet” during his time at Old Trafford.Neville suggested he “could never put a foot wrong” in the eyes of legendary manager Ferguson.However, Scholes insists that was not the case,Read More in FootballSpeaking on his new show, Football’s Greatest, the ex-United star told co-host Nicky Butt: “Everyone says I was like a teacher’s pet and I never got [the hairdryer], but I did.”I remember one in particular at Newcastle away. I was actually sub in the game.”I think we’re getting beat 3-0 at half time, he brings me on with 20 minutes to go, maybe. And we get back to 3-2. I’m not saying that it’s nothing to do with me. “We get back to 3-2 and I tried a flick in the middle of the pitch in the centre circle, they broke and scored.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”Alan Shearer scored to make it 4-2. So we couldn’t get back into the game. And he went ballistic at me. He went absolutely…”Do you know when I got a b****cking, or the hairdryer, as it was called, I always took it. I never answered back in my life.Inside Sir Alex Ferguson’s Biggest Bust-Ups”There were some people, you’ll know, there were some people that answered back all the time. I think you’d be the one to answer back.”But for some reason that day, I kept answering back. I didn’t agree with what he was saying. So, he kept saying stuff, ‘You’ll never play for this club again,’ and all that usual kind of stuff.”I got back on the bus that night. I remember thinking, ‘I’m gone. This is me, Monday morning. I’m signing for somebody else.'”After re-watching the match, Ferguson apologised to Scholes in a private meeting the following week.The former England star concluded: “He ended up watching the game back on Sunday and he came to me on Monday morning, and I thought, ‘I’m in big trouble here.'”He actually apologised to me. He said ‘I was wrong, you had an influence on the game.'”Fellow United hero Butt quickly responded: “I told you you were his teacher’s pet.” More

JAMIE CARRAGHER reckons Arsenal are taking advantage of a football loophole.But Paul Scholes labelled the tactic “cheating”.Jamie Carragher called out David Raya and Arsenal for exploiting a loophole in the rulesCredit: GettyCarragher compared the tactics to Jose MourinhoCredit: YouTube @TheOverlapThe Gunners tried every trick in the book in an attempt to cling on to all three points at Manchester City on Sunday.Those infamous “dark arts” included David Raya going down and allegedly needing treatment during the second half.Unlike outfield players, when a goalkeeper is tended to by the team’s physio, they do not need to go off the field before returning to play.Therefore, Arsenal know they can help run the clock down and delay play by helping Raya.READ MORE ON ARSENALThis has been a tactic used throughout Raya’s time with the Gunners, often going down when Arsenal are under pressure and the opposition are gaining momentum as a way of taking the sting out and calming things down.Speaking on Sky Bet’s The Overlap Fan Debate, Carragher likened the tactic to a Jose Mourinho masterclass.He said: “Being a defender, I sometimes watch the game, and everyone wants to play the same way, so I was intrigued watching this attack against defence. “It reminded me of Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan going to Barcelona all those years ago when they had a man sent off early in the game. Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”Mourinho was always ahead of the game in trying to gain an advantage and there is one thing I do notice at Arsenal more than anywhere else, and I don’t know whether the stats back me up. “David Raya goes down a lot more than other goalkeepers in tense situations because the rule is that a goalkeeper can’t go off.Mikel Arteta says ‘I would be very thick’ if he repeated previous mistake as Arsenal boss defends tactics vs Man City “So that’s definitely one the coaching staff at Arsenal are switched on more than anyone else. I see Raya go down in high-pressure situations.”However, Scholes chipped in and was far less diplomatic.The ex-Manchester United midfielder replied: “Cheating, that’s called Jamie. “I’ve seen it loads of times watching at Salford. “The keeper goes down and the other ten players are with the manager getting tactics. Referees will see it and pick up on it.”In Raya’s defence, he was spotted limping after full-time at the Etihad with his knee bandaged – suggesting the injury claims had some legitimacy this time.So much so that Raya is a doubt for the League Cup trip to Bolton tonight, where 16-year-old Jack Porter could be drafted in for a shock debut. READ MORE SUN STORIESRaya’s antics on Sunday came back to bite him, though.Because plenty of time-wasting in injury time saw more minutes added on – and John Stones scored the dramatic equaliser in the 98th minute to snatch a point. Mikel Arteta tried as many dark arts as possible at the EtihadCredit: EPAPaul Scholes was less impressed and labelled it ‘cheating’Credit: YouTube @TheOverlap More

FORMER Manchester United star Phil Jones has lifted the lid on the time he let rip at Ralf Rangnick with an X-rated blast.The Old Trafford favourite lined up for United in their 4-0 drubbing by Liverpool in 2022.Phil Jones admits letting rip at Ralf Rangnick with an X-rated blastCredit: YouTube/High PerformanceRangnick ‘humiliated’ Jones by subbing him at half-time in a defeat to LiverpoolCredit: EPAThe Red Devils had failed to click under interim boss Rangnick following Ole Gunner Solskjaer’s sacking.And despite putting in an admirable performance at Anfield, Jones was hauled off by Rangnick at half-time with Liverpool 2-0 up.The former England centre-back admits the decision left him feeling “humiliated”.And Jones gave Rangnick an X-rated blast for his cruel substitution.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe 32-year-old told the High Performance podcast: “I’ve never lost my head in a dressing room and I’ve never been emotional enough to lose myself in the dressing room.”And I think that’s the only time in my career that I completely lost it. I was absolutely raging. Raging. That he humiliated me.”Humiliated me in front of an Anfield crowd first and foremost, fearsome rivals, and the fans and my family and the players.”We were 2-0 down at half-time, weren’t great, I don’t think we had a shot on target first half. Nothing was coming off. And I’d actually done alright in the game.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”Considering where I’d been, what I’d been going through, knee and injury-wise.”I’ll look back at the game and I’ll highlight anything, I didn’t give the ball away, I was calm under pressure. Ex-Man Utd star Phil Jones opens up on mental health trauma caused by vile trollsJones retired from football this summer and is now a youth coach at Man UtdCredit: GettyHe was once hailed as a future captain by Sir Alex FergusonCredit: Getty“I’m not saying I was exceptional, but I definitely didn’t deserve to come off at half-time.”There were far worse players on the pitch that day, I was the easy one to come off. You’re an easy scapegoat.”Jones’ admission came after he was hailed by fans for an impressive appearance on Sky Sports.The ace, who retired in August and is now a youth coach at United, also recently opened up over his mental health battle.And he is now looking to make his own way as a manager in the beautiful game.Nine managers Man Utd considered before keeping Erik ten HagERIK TEN HAG appears to be safe as Man Utd manager, but the Dutchman edged dangerously close to the sack.Here are nine managers Red Devils chiefs are reported to have considered for the job and what allegedly happened with each.Gareth SouthgateEnjoys plenty of support among Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos chiefs but made clear he wouldn’t talk to any clubs until after Euro 2024. There is yet to be any suggestion that contact was made with the England boss.Kieran McKennaTalks were opened with McKenna’s representatives before the FA Cup final, but the former Man Utd coach opted to sign a new deal with Ipswich after Ten Hag’s Wembley win.Roberto De ZerbiAllegedly sounded out before the FA Cup final with salary expectations discussed. But Ineos chiefs concluded ex-Brighton boss was not the right fit for the project.Thomas FrankBrentford boss met Man Utd representatives the day before the FA Cup final. The Dane also dined with Ratcliffe, Roy Hodgson and Frank Lampard at the launch of a new Ineos car in February.Marco SilvaFulham boss reportedly met Man Utd representatives face-to-face two days before the FA Cup final, around the same time as Ten Hag was conducting his press conference.Mauricio PochettinoFell out of Man Utd’s thinking in the first week of June, despite being a favourite of Sir Alex Ferguson.Thomas TuchelMade a very strong impression and came across well during a Monaco meeting. Personal terms were discussed before the ex-Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss decided to step back from the process.Ruben AmorimSporting boss was discussed by the Man Utd hierarchy but did not make the final reckoning.Roberto MartinezPortugal manager was considered in the early stages.But he still can’t get over Rangnick’s decision to haul him off two-and-a-half years ago,Jones continued: “At half-time I remember Ralf came in and said, ‘I’m going to make a change, Phil’s going to come off.'”I remember the whole dressing room went like [eyes open] as if to say, ‘Is he bringing Phil off here?'”I took my boots off and I slammed them on the floor and I said, ‘You’re taking the p*** out of me’. “Everyone said, ‘Calm down, calm down.’ I get irate now (thinking about it), it really got to me. I just couldn’t get my head around it. “I apologised afterwards, I said, ‘It was out of character for me, I shouldn’t have done that, at that moment that was not what was needed in the dressing room,’ but you can understand I was pretty peeved off.”Jones spent 12 years playing for United, winning a title, FA Cup and Europa League in the process.A £16.5million signing from Blackburn in 2011, he was once hailed by Sir Alex Ferguson as a future United captain.READ MORE SUN STORIESBut Jones’ career was blighted by injury and he only ever made a relatively few 229 appearances before being released in 2023.The defender failed to find a new club between then and the summer, forcing his decision to retire and take up a full-time coaching role. More