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      Arteta reveals Arsenal used 43 FORMATIONS against Man City in Community Shield leaving Man Utd guessing over lineup

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      ARSENAL manager Mikel Arteta claims the Gunners used a staggering 43 formations against Man City in the Community Shield.The Gunners claimed their first silverware of the season with a 4-1 win over Pep Guardiola’s side on penalties following a 1-1 draw.
      Arteta has revealed Arsenal used 43 formations in the Community ShieldCredit: Getty
      The Gunners beat Man City on penaltiesCredit: AFP
      A series of tactical tweaks from Arteta pushed them to the victory after super-sub Leandro Trossard scored a late goal to level the score.
      He attempted some similar changes during last week’s Premier League clash with Fulham, but the match ended 2-2 following two individual errors.
      The Spaniard’s tactical ‘experiments’ have been a cause for concern for many Arsenal supporters.
      However, when asked if he will revert back to last season’s successful set-up, Arteta did not let anything slip.
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      He said: “In our last match against Fulham, we used 36 different formations. Against Manchester City in the Community Shield it was 43.
      “There are so many patterns of play in every game and every sequence demands a different solution.
      “Every morning I drive from my house to London Colney and sometimes I need to leave at six in the morning because the windscreen is icy.
      “Normally I take the Finchley Road and then the A21, but sometimes the Finchley Road is going at 20mph so I take a back road and use the M25.
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      Arteta has urged Arsenal fans to support HavertzCredit: Getty
      “Then if it’s a school day and I have to drop my kids off, I take a different route or maybe I have a flat tyre and have to find a garage.
      “Everyday it’s a different story and that’s the same with football. Every game requires different decisions and that’s the beauty of the thing that I love the most.”
      Arteta has also urged impatient Arsenal fans to give Kai Havertz time to make his mark at the Emirates.
      And he promises sceptical Gunners: “Show him the love and he will explode.”
      The 24-year-old German international has struggled to impress since his £65million summer move from Chelsea and some supporters are already questioning his place in their team’s midfield.
      But Arteta insists he has seen it all before with current fan favourites who were initially written off before they had a chance to show what they were all about.
      Ahead of tomorrow’ Emirates showdown with Manchester United, he said: “We have some beautiful examples in the last few years of players that we have given a lot of support to and they have felt that love and just exploded.
      “It took more than a few months for people to be convinced about Martin Odegaard. It was the same with Gabriel Magalheas and people said Ben White could not play as a full-back.
      “Aaron Ramsdale wasn’t good enough for Arsenal and now we have signed another keeper and suddenly it’s a catastrophe.
      “Bukayo Saka was a left-back when I came here and now he’s a right-wing and many supporters were not sure about Granit Xhaka.
      “The players have to love what they do and that only happens when they feel supported.
      “So I tell you now that I love Kai Havertz and I see his qualities every day in training.
      “His work-rate is excellent, he has a football brain and understands when to move, when to stay, when to run. It’s phenomenal.
      “And don’t forget that he has played with three different players behind him in our three games so far and they are the ones who will make him good.
      “I was a midfield player and I know that you depend on the guys at the back to make you successful.
      “It takes time to develop the chemistry. Granit would have been a different player last season if he didn’t have Oleksandr Zinchenko behind him.
      “If you put Fabio Vieira and Gabriel Martinelli together, something good is going to happen because they are like brothers.
      “It’s not about the tactics or formation, it’s just that they understand each other and love playing together.
      “That’s something we have to sense all the time and it will be the same with Kai.
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      “It’s never a specific science but we are talking about an international player who has already won the Champions League and achieved a lot at his age.
      “He played just three Premier League games for us, so calm.” More

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      Fans joke VAR at Luton is ‘just a bloke with an iPhone in row Z’ after it is used for first time against West Ham

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      FOOTBALL fans hilariously poked fun at a VAR camera angle at Kenilworth Road as Luton hosted a top flight game for the first time in 31 years.The Hatters brought Premier League action to the 10,000-seater ground on Friday night as they took on West Ham.

      This was the camera angle football fans found hilariousCredit: SKYSPORTS
      It came after a prolonged wait for their opening home match – with the stadium not deemed to be ready to host Burnley last month.
      But there were certain quirks that showed why the stadium delay had occurred.
      One of those was seeing people working on the turnstiles just hours before kick-off.
      And another was the location of one VAR camera.
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      It appeared to be from the back of one of the stands behind a couple of pillars near the pitch.
      It came on Sky Sports’ coverage when the officials were judging whether Michail Antonio was offside before Emerson Palmieiri scored – and he was.
      But fans on social media were far more interested in the unusual location of the camera.
      One said: “Luton VAR is just a bloke with an iPhone in row z…”
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      Another added: “Luton’s VAR set-up is just some Nokia 3310s cellotaped to the beams.”
      A third replied: “Proper fan cam in the stands at Luton for VAR 😂 Love it.”
      While a fourth responded: “That VAR angle at Luton was a camera attached to the first floor window of the small chippy five doors down from the corner flag.”
      Luton fans would have been cursing VAR at the end as they were deinied what looked like a clear penalty and a chance to equalise before losing 2-1. More

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      Forgotten Newcastle outcasts set to seal shock deadline day transfers to Standard Liege and Sheffield Wednesday

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      NEWCASTLE stars Jeff Hendrick and Isaac Hayden are on the verge of leaving the club, according to reports.Both players spent the 2022/23 season on loan in the Championship after falling out of favour at St James’ Park.
      Hendrick is set to join Sheffield Wednesday on loanCredit: EPA
      Belgian side Standard Liege have made a bid for HaydenCredit: Getty
      And they are now set to leave once again in a bid to get more game time.
      According to The Daily Mail, Hendrick is set to join Sheffield Wednesday on a season-long loan while Hayden is closing in on a shock move to Standard Liege.
      Hendrick, who made 46 appearances for Reading last season, reportedly completed a medical this afternoon ahead of tonight’s transfer deadline.
      Hayden was also lined up to join the Owls, but Newcastle received a late bid from Belgian side Standard Liege this afternoon.
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      The two parties are now understood to be in talks over a potential transfer.
      Hayden came close to joining Luton earlier this week, but the proposed move fell through after he completed a medical.
      The midfielder – who hasn’t played for Newcastle since the 2021-22 campaign – has been training with the club’s Under-21’s since he returned from his loan at Norwich.
      Eddie Howe has introduced four new additions to his squad this summer.
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      Sandro Tonali joined the club in a £60million transfer from AC Milan in July before Harvey Barnes followed in a £38m move from Leicester.
      Tino Livramento then completed a £30m transfer from Southampton.
      And Chelsea’s Lewis Hall joined the Magpies on loan at the end of August.
      The 18-year-old’s loan includes a £28million option to buy next summer, which could rise to £35m if certain add-ons are met. More

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      Neville and Carragher enter ‘most humble Premier League ground’ and even see neighbours’ washing on way through away end

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      GARY NEVILLE labelled Kenilworth Road the “most humble Premier League ground” as he and Jamie Carragher walked down from the top of the away end ahead of Luton’s clash with West Ham.Luton played their first top-flight home game in 31 years on Friday night as they hosted the high-flying Hammers.
      Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville began their walk at the bottom of the away standCredit: Sky Sports
      Carragher and Neville walked next to gardens as they made their way into Kenilworth RoadCredit: Sky Sports
      Neville pointed out he could see the neighbours’ washing next to the groundCredit: Sky Sports
      They then headed down the away stand through the West Ham supportersCredit: Sky Sports
      They eventually made their way down on to the pitchCredit: Sky Sports
      And Sky Sports kicked off their coverage from the 10,000-capacity stadium with Neville and Carragher walking the route the away fans will take to their seats.
      As they walked up the steps, Neville labelled it “old school”, before Carragher said: “Takes you back. You don’t see many like this.
      “We know it’s an older stadium, but to be in there now with the terraced houses, all the gardens we’re gonna see as we get up here, big part of the community.”
      After reaching a point where they could see the houses next to the ground, Neville added: “I don’t think many away fans in the Premier League will have seen this view on the way up.
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      “We’ve got the washing out and everything over there. But it’s absolutely brilliant, isn’t it?”
      They then entered the ground at the top of the away stand and made their way through the West Ham supporters.
      And Neville said: “This is definitely the most humble Premier League ground that I’ve been at in my time covering football with Sky.
      “But what a night this is tonight for Luton Town Football Club.”
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      Workers were putting the finishing touches to Kenilworth Road just hours before the West Ham clashCredit: AFP
      Carragher responded: “It’s a brilliant night for them [the Luton fans] but I think everybody’s excited to come here for the first time.
      “Friday night football under the lights. I think we’re expecting a huge atmosphere as well.
      “This club have been away for so long but they’re a huge part of our childhood as kids – you remember them in big semi-finals, winning a cup final against Arsenal.
      “So tonight, a lot of work has gone in, but a huge night for this football club and hopefully from their point of view it goes well.”
      Luton have suffered back-to-back defeats on their return to the Premier League.
      They were beaten 4-1 by Brighton on the opening weekend, before they lost 3-0 to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
      Burnley were due to be the first Premier League team to visit Kenilworth Road this season.
      However, the game was postponed due to the ground not being ready.
      And there were even shots of club staff putting the final touches to Kenilworth Road just hours before kick-off against West Ham. More

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      Liverpool cult hero Divock Origi on verge of Premier League transfer return after undergoing ‘secret medical’

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      FORMER Liverpool striker Divock Origi is on the verge of a shock transfer to Nottingham Forest, according to reports.The 28-year-old left Anfield to join AC Milan in a free transfer last summer but struggled to make an impact at the San Siro.
      Origi is set to join Nottingham ForestCredit: Getty
      He scored just two goals in 36 appearances across all competitions and has since fallen out of favour with manager Stefano Pioli.
      However, the striker is now set for a move back to England.
      According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Origi is on the verge of joining Nottingham Forest on a season-long loan.
      The deal includes an option to buy at the end of the 2023-24 campaign.
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      Origi flew to the UK today in order to complete a secret medical ahead of the proposed move.
      Five other Premier League clubs – including Aston Villa, West Ham, Leeds, Crystal Palace and Burnley – recently expressed an interest in him.
      However, Forest won the transfer race after striking an agreement with AC Milan.
      Origi will be the 11th new addition to Steve Cooper’s side this summer and will help fill the gap left by Tottenha-bound Brennan Johnson.
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      Chris Wood became the club’s first signing of the window when he completed a £15million transfer from Newcastle.
      The Reds have also introduced the likes of Anthony Elanga, Matt Turner, Nuno Tavares and Callum Hudson-Odoi to the squad. More

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      Fuming Wolves fire parting shot at Matheus Nunes and slam his decision to go on strike after he joins Man City

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      WOLVES fired a parting blast at Manchester City bound midfielder Matheus Nunes and told their record £53million departure: We’re better off without you.The Brazilian could have left with the best wishes of the Molineux club after Wolves raked in a club record fee for the 25-year-old – including 10 per cent of any future sell-on profit City might make on him.  
      Nunes completed a move to Man City this weekCredit: https://www.instagram.com/mancity/
      The midfielder forced a move away from WolvesCredit: PA
      However Nunes’ controversial decision to down tools and take strike action to try and force Wolves’ hand in the final week of the transfer window has left a sour taste at his former club.
      And Pep Guardiola’s new arrival can expect a frosty reception when he returns to Molineux later this month with City.
      Wolves’ Sporting director Matt Hobbs admitted:  “I was disappointed with how it ended, it wasn’t necessary the stance Matheus took.
      “We ended with a good resolution for everyone. 
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      “Matheus is a hugely talented player but would admit that last season he didn’t hit the heights he expected, but it was a tough season for the team, so maybe he wasn’t allowed to do that.”
      Privately Wolves are seething that Nunes felt the need to put a gun to their head by refusing to train, after they backed him and invested a club record fee to land him.
      They paid Sporting an initial £38million plus £4.2million in add-ons to give the Brazilian his big break in the Premier League and a chance to impress.
      However, despite scoring Wolves’ Goal of the Season in April with a scorching volley against Chelsea last season, it was the only time Nunes found the net in 41 appearances.
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      Now, Wolves have banked a rapid £10million-plus-profit and leveraged a cut-price deal to land City midfielder Tommy Doyle on loan with an option to buy for a bargain £5million – around £10million less than might have been expected.
      Hobbs claims that bit of business has left Wolves stronger without Nunes.
      He said: “We’ve lost a player with a lot of potential, a lot of ability, but the situation has led to us bringing a greater number of players in to improve the squad and provide competition in the group. 
      “The players here want competition in training, so while we’ve lost a good player, it’s made us a more competitive and better squad overall.” More

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      Alexis Mac Allister’s brother Kevin says ‘see you soon bro’ after pair are drawn against each other in Europa League

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      LIVERPOOL midfielder Alexis Mac Allister will come face to face with his brother when the Reds take on Union Saint-Gilloise in the Europa League group stages this season.Jurgen Klopp’s side were named in Group E alongside Union SG, Toulouse and LASK Linz today.
      Alexis Mac Allister will face his brother in the Europa LeagueCredit: The Mega Agency
      Kevin Mac Allister was thrilled with the drawCredit: TWITTER @UnionStGilloise

      Although they are undoubtedly the favourites to come out on top, their opponents – specifically Union SG – appear far from threatened.
      In fact, the Belgian Pro League side CELEBRATED the draw.
      In a video posted on the club’s official social media pages, the squad can be seen celebrating after hearing the announcement.
      The camera then pans to Kevin Mac Allister, brother of World Cup winner Alexis, who says: “See you soon bro!”
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      Both brothers kicked off their playing careers at Argentinos Juniors, a club based in their hometown of Buenos Aires.
      Alexis left in 2019 to join Brighton, while Kevin sealed his first permanent transfer to Union SG earlier this summer.
      Liverpool will look to go all the way in the Europa League this season following their disappointing 2022-23 campaign.
      However, they may be without star man Mohamed Salah.
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      The 31-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to Al-Ittihad this week.
      Liverpool rejected a stunning £150million bid for Salah today.
      However, the Saudi Pro League side are said to have made a new £170m offer and could go up to a world-record £200m. More

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      Brentford agree transfer for striker from Premier League rivals as Ivan Toney is linked with stunning transfer exit

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      BRENTFORD are on the verge of signing Neal Maupay on loan from Everton, according to reports.The Bees have been on the hunt for attacking reinforcements since May, with star man Ivan Toney suspended until January.
      Maupay is on the verge of re-joining Brentford on loanCredit: Getty
      Toney is currently suspended until JanuaryCredit: AP
      They considered a swoop for both Viktor Gyokeres and Habib Diallo earlier this summer, but neither player completed a switch to the Gtech Community Stadium.
      And with the transfer deadline fast approaching, Thomas Frank and his team are now closing in on a new target.
      According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Brentford have reached a verbal agreement to sign Everton striker Maupay on loan.
      The proposed deal also includes an option to buy.
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      Maupay is set to complete a medical in London before the transfer window slams shut tonight.
      The striker spent two years with Brentford before joining Brighton in 2019.
      He scored 41 goals and provided 14 assists in 95 appearances during his first spell in West London.
      Maupay is expected to be the club’s short-term replacement for Toney, who is currently serving an eight-month ban for betting offences.
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      Although he could eventually become Frank’s first choice striker, with Toney currently being linked with a move away.
      Chelsea are understood to be considering the possibility of a move for the striker.
      Brentford reportedly want £80million for the 27-year-old.
      However, he recently revealed that he would be open to joining three other Premier League clubs.
      Speaking to Steven Bartlett on the Diary of a CEO podcast, he said: “My time at Brentford has been probably the best of my career.
      “The next club I go to will be the right club. I am a Liverpool fan my whole life.
      “I have liked Arsenal from young, how they play and how passionate their fans are.
      “But I’m a Liverpool boy, Liverpool fan at heart.
      “I liked [Dimitar] Berbatov. I liked watching United a lot when Berbatov was there, too.” More