Premier League

ARSENAL star Martin Odegaard has been spotted boarding a private jet on crutches in a worrying injury blow ahead of Sunday’s derby against Tottenham.The Gunners captain suffered a blow to his ankle while playing for Norway against Austria.Martin Odegaard has been spotted on crutches after getting injured while playing for NorwayCredit: VGThe ace is a major doubt for the derby against SpursCredit: GettyThe ace was in tears after going down against AustriaOdegaard had to be helped off the pitch by Erling HaalandCredit: RexOdegaard went down after a 50/50 challenge with Christoph Baumgartner and was left writing in agony.His pregnant girlfriend Helene Spilling was in the crowd and looked concerned as it became apparent Odegaard could not continue.He eventually went off the field in tears as team-mates including Erling Haaland consoled him.And Odegaard is now a huge doubt for Arsenal’s crunch clash against rivals Spurs this weekend, with Norway doctor Ola Sand saying: “He is on his way to London and will have an MRI there later today.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“(My assessment?) Nothing but a strong overstepping and that we await what Arsenal find.”The playmaker withdrew from Norway’s camp to return to London on Tuesday morning.Odegaard took a private jet back to the capital to undergo a full assessment by Arsenal’s medical staff.But the signs are not good as the ace needed crutches to get about.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSOdegaard appeared to grimace as he approached the plane’s steps while accompanied by a helper.And Mikel Arteta will be praying for good news as his skipper prepares to undergo scans to determine the extent of his injury.Martin Odegaard leaves pitch in tears in major Arsenal injury blow ahead of North London DerbyOdegaard went down after a 50/50 with Christoph BaumgartnerIt soon became clear he could not continuePregnant partner Helene Spilling looked concerned in the standsNorway boss Stale Solbakken made a bizarre joke about Odegaard’s injuryThe Spaniard is already without Declan Rice through suspension.Meanwhile, new signing Mikel Merino is sidelined for several months with a freak shoulder injury sustained during his first Arsenal training session following his summer transfer.Arteta is sure to be even more subdued about the situation after Norway boss Stale Solbakken made an ill-timed joke about Odegaard’s setback on Monday night.Solbakken said: “It looked very painful in the locker room. I saw that he was sitting with the physios around him and he had no chance to continue.”We know that it is an ankle sprain. Those of us who have played football know with luck it can turn out OK – if the ligaments are not torn.”But I am not really sure Arteta will call me tonight to praise me.”With Odegaard set to be out of the derby against Spurs, Arsenal will likely have to shuffle their pack once more.Thomas Partey and Jorginho already looked set to deputise in place of Rice and Merino.And Odegaard’s absence could see Kai Havertz dropped to a deeper role.READ MORE SUN STORIESThat may allow Raheem Sterling to make his debut after a deadline day loan move from Chelsea.But Arteta does have other options, with youngster Ethan Nwaneri and defender Oleksandr Zinchenko also capable of slotting in. More

THIS is the sensational moment Kevin De Bruyne says “I QUIT” – plunging his Belgium future into doubt.Etihad ace De Bruyne, 33, slammed the tactical approach under coach Domenico Tedesco in a TV interview.Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne hinted he may quit BelgiumCredit: X @RTLsportsbeDe Bruyne appeared to have told departing technical director Frank Vercauteren he is quittingCredit: X @RTLsportsbeDe Bruyne didn’t mince his words to his Belgium team-mates at full-timeCredit: X @RTLsportsbeDe Bruyne criticised the match tactics after Belgium’s loss to FranceCredit: UEFAThat came after he was spotted by the cameras in a heated post-match discussion with former Red Devils winger Frank Vercauteren, who is set to leave his role as the national team’s sporting director.De Bruyne ended that conversation by stepping away from Vercauteren and towards France striker Kylian Mbappe saying “I quit, I quit.”And when de Bruyne declined to expand on his frustrationsin the post-match mixed zone, it fuelled fears that he may be ready to turn his back on Tedesco’s side – just a week after insisting he wanted to keep going until the 2026 World Cup.Belgium, who beat Israel 3-1 in their Nations League opener, were second best throughout the 2-0 defeat in Lyon.Read More on FootballIn his TV snapshot verdict, the Manchester City superstar did not hold back.He said: “There is not much to say. I cannot say what went wrong. “I already said that to the team at half-time and I cannot repeat that in the media. I did that when I was 18 at RC Genk, but today I am 33. You will find out for yourself.”Quizzed further by former Belgium striker turned TV reporter Gilles de Bilde, who suggested the team’s initial high press had been effective, De Bruyne added: “Gilles, you have also played football, but you are not asking the right tactical questions. Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS“It is not about transition, but about people who do not perform their tasks.“We simply have too many at the back. If you stay with six at the back, there is no connection. Then that is how it is. It is what it is.De Bruyne and Ederson to leave Manchester City this summer?“I can’t say what, but some things are just unacceptable. “I was the first to see that we are not as good as in 2018. “But if our standard is the top and we are not good enough to reach that level, then you have to at least give everything. If some people don’t even do that, then it’s over.”De Bruyne’s brutal comments clearly touched a nerve with his team-mates also declining to speak post-match, although Aston Villa’s Amadou Onana said the skipper had shouted at half-time: “Level up”.Tedesco suggested De Bruyne had reacted “emotionally”.He said: “Kevin is our captain and has a huge winning mentality, so he can also react emotionally. READ MORE SUN STORIES“You can’t say after a match that he wants to stop playing for us. Kevin is a winner. He is very emotional. It is normal that we are disappointed now, but we have to let the emotions cool down.”De Bruyne was in a much happier mood the next day when he and his wife Michele Lacroix attended the Ronald McDonald House in Jette to mark the fifth anniversary of the children’s fund.De Bruyne was in a much happier mood the next dayDe Bruyne and his wife Michele Lacroix attended the Ronald McDonald House in JetteDe Bruyne marked the fifth anniversary of the children’s fund More

ARSENAL could be forced into a new-look midfield against Tottenham after Martin Odegaard became the latest star to suffer a blow.Mikel Arteta was already without Declan Rice and Mikel Merino for the upcoming derby in north London.Arsenal could have a new look against Spurs following Martin Odegaard’s injuryCredit: RexRice is suspended after being sent off in Arsenal’s draw with Brighton before the international break.While new signing Merino is out for several months after injuring his shoulder in a freak training ground fall.But Arsenal are now set to be without Odegaard as well after he picked up an injury on international duty.The Gunners captain was carried off the field in tears after hurting his ankle in Norway’s 2-1 win over Austria.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe 25-year-old went down after a 50/50 tussle as replays showed his ankle rolled out from beneath his body.Odegaard looked distraught as he was forced off the field.And it means Arteta is likely to be without him for Arsenal’s crunch clash at Spurs.Thomas Partey and Jorginho were already likely starters in the absence of both Rice and Merino.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSBut with Odegaard going too, Kai Havertz could be forced from his striker’s role into a deeper position.Arsenal do not have many other options in that creative 10 position, with Fabio Vieira loaned to Porto and Emile Smith Rowe sold to Fulham.’Arsenal’s Declan Rice should NEVER have been sent off vs Brighton’ | The Whistleblower, Mark HalseyArteta could take a gamble by moving Leandro Trossard as a false nine, presenting an opportunity for Raheem Sterling to make his debut on the left.While Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli will also be hoping to take advantage if Havertz is indeed dropped deeper.An even more rogue choice would be the inclusion of teen sensation Ethan Nwaneri, who only made one appearance last season following his debut in the 2022/23 campaign.Arteta could also decide to field one of his versatile defenders in midfield, with the likes of Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jurrien Timber capable of stepping in.However, he is already without Takehiro Tomiyasu for one of his full-back positions.And with Riccardo Calafiori taken off injured for Italy too, he may not want to leave himself light on defensive options by using a back-liner further forward. More

CHELSEA’S £4billion boardroom battle could drive a wedge through the club’s controversial policy on transfers.And former chairman Ken Bates reckons this power-sharing ‘committee’ is a recipe for disaster.Chelsea co-owners Behdad Eghbali and Todd Boehly are in a battle for control of the clubCredit: GettyFormer Blues chairman Ken Bates has warned of a power-sharing disaster at his old clubCredit: AFPBlues’ co-controlling owners Behdad Eghbali and Todd Boehly are at loggerheads and want to buy each other out.Their professional relationship has deteriorated to a point where they can no longer work together.Bates, 92, said: “Football is not the sport I once knew and loved. Clubs are now either an investment or among a group of investments. Chelsea is included in that.“I wouldn’t know how good a committee is or whether they can work because I only ever worked in committees of one.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“When you get large groups or committees of people trying to work together, you usually end up with two or three people sitting around doodling on a notepad.”Eghbali and his pals from Clearlake Capital on one side of the fence own a 61.5 per cent majority share of Chelsea. Rival Boehly and his allies own 38.5 per cent.Chairman Boehly still has to sign off on all major decisions and that is where the sticking point arises if the stand-off deepens.Chelsea signed 11 players in the summer and Boehly gave the nod to them all, despite being in the minority in terms of shareholding.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSHe also gave the green light to the appointment of new head coach Enzo Maresca in June.But the two Americans have differences of opinion on how to do business and disagreements over spending could cause huge problems to the world’s busiest club in the transfer market.Chelsea Player Ratings vs Crystal Palace SocialChelsea are a circus – it will be TERRIBLE for football if they win anything, says Troy DeeneyCHELSEA are a circus — aren’t they?, writes Troy Deeney.But the bigger concern should be if somehow, some way, Todd Boehly’s insane master-plan brings about success this season.Finish in the top four. Win a trophy like the FA Cup.He will then turn around and say: “See, it works” and all of a sudden, other clubs will begin considering copying this mad model to try and compete in the Premier League.Before you know it, there will be a bigger divide between the top clubs and the rest and this country’s top flight will become something we have been fighting against — a Super League.The smaller sides and promoted teams will be wiped out by the elite and will end up saying, ‘What’s the point?’Football as we know it will change, and there will be no going back.As a neutral, you don’t want to wish failure on a club or a regime, but it’s depressing to think about.We should almost be looking at it in amazement — the owners have come in with this model and they’ve treated it as if they are buying stocks and shares, not players or human beings.Boehly has wiped away any sense of sentiment or old-school values from that club and the worrying thing is that he doesn’t seem to care.Does he even like football?Read Troy Deeney’s hard-hitting opinion on Boehly’s Chelsea shambles in full.Or check out all of Troy’s columns on SunSport.Bates was the combative chairman at Stamford Bridge for more than 20 years until selling the club to Roman Abramovich in 2003.Boehly and Eghbali have spent more than £1.2bn on new players since buying out the Russian in May 2022.The club have shipped some big names out of the dressing room during that time, including £325,000-a-week £47.5million winger Raheem Sterling, who joined Arsenal on loan last month.The board has also pushed through the £76.6m sale of two hotels on the grounds of Stamford Bridge to parent company BlueCo, easing the recent pressure on overspending.Eghbali will not sell his stake to Boehly and is ready to dig his heels in as the tussle for overall control of the West London club ramps up.Boehly and Co have spent more than £1.2billion on players since buying Chelsea in 2022Credit: AlamyEghbali is refusing to sell his stake to Boehly as he looks to buy his co-owner outCredit: AFPBut the Iran-born businessman does not want a war with his partner turned rival.Chelsea were run for years by sole trader Abramovich who made unanimous decisions.But sanctions placed on the oligarch by the UK Government forced him into an emergency sale of the club.READ MORE SUN STORIESBoehly joined forces with Clearlake Capital investment firm to raise £2.5bn to buy Blues with a further £1.75bn promised for investment.Chelsea finished sixth in the Premier League last season and Maresca is the fourth full-time manager since they bought out Abramovich. More

MARTIN ODEGAARD is a major injury risk for the North London Derby after limping off on international duty in tears.Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will already be without key midfielder Declan Rice following his red card against Brighton.Martin Odegaard injured his ankle on international dutyCredit: YouTubeHe suffered the injury against AustriaCredit: YouTubeOdegaard hobbled off with a classy touch from his team-mate Erling HaalandCredit: RexHis girlfriend Helene Spilling watched on concernedCredit: YouTubeAnd now the Gunners boss is sweating on his skipper’s fitness in what could be another bitter blow. Odegaard, 25, captained Norway in their Nations League Group B3 clash against Austria. But he was in agony just after the hour mark after a seemingly innocuous 50-50 tussle for possession, rolling his left ankle.Odegaard immediately went down clutching the joint, writhing around in agony as replays showed the severity of the seemingly innocuous incident with Christoph Baumgartner.READ MORE ON ARSENALAnd concerned Norway boss Stale Solbakken admitted it looked “painful” when quizzed by the media after full-time.He said: “It looked painful, in the locker room, too.”He was sitting with the physios and had no chance to continue. We know it was an ankle sprain.”And, as those of us who have played football know, with luck it can turn out OK, if the ligaments aren’t torn.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”But I’m not sure Mikel Arteta will call me tonight to praise me.”TV cameras cut to the crowd and showed Odegaard’s girlfriend Helene Spilling looking on concerned. Arsenal wages 2024-25 revealedThe playmaker was treated by physios on the pitch with his head in his hands before hobbling off gingerly and in tears, assisted by the medics as he was barely able to put any weight on his left foot.Baumgartner apologised for the collision – although the RB Leipzig forward was not at fault for the injury in the genuine battle for the ball.Erling Haaland gave his team-mate a touch of consolation as the star headed off.But ironically, the injury could boost Haaland’s own title hopes.I’m not sure Mikel Arteta will call me tonight to praise me.Stale SolbakkenArsenal face a trip to Spurs on Sunday afternoon – before their opening Champions League clash next Thursday away at Atalanta then a visit to the Etihad to take on the champions on September 22.And the fear of being without their influential skipper is now very real.Rice’s suspension rules him out of the clash at Tottenham while new £32million midfielder Mikel Merino is sidelined with a fractured shoulder picked up in his very first Gunners training session.Arsenal have a tricky start to the seasonAnd should Odegaard also be unavailable for the derby, Arteta will need to experiment.Thomas Partey, Jorginho and dropping Kai Havertz in could be the most likely option – with the manager unlikely to turn to the inexperienced youngsters Myles Lewis-Skelly or Ethan Nwaneri for such a high-profile match. Elsewhere, it has already been a costly international break for Arteta with new defender Riccardo Calafiori picking up a bizarre injury and leaving the Italy camp following the freak incident. READ MORE SUN STORIESIn Oslo, Felix Horn Myhre’s opener was cancelled out by ex-Manchester United loanee Marcel Sabitzer.But Haaland grabbed the victory ten minutes from time after initially being flagged offside before a lengthy VAR check proved he was on. The incident was a genuine and fair tussle for the ballCredit: RexThe Norwegian was clearly in significant painCredit: YouTubeOdegaard’s Arsenal have a crunch week with three tough away games coming upCredit: RexHe could barely put any weight on his left foot as he headed offCredit: Rex More