Premier League

YET again, Arsenal fans have been left cursing what might have been this season and dreaming of what may be next season.Another second-placed Prem finish. Another agonising European exit.Mikel Arteta could not mastermind a trophy once again this seasonCredit: GettyArsenal’s season ended in heartacheCredit: GettyBoss Mikel Arteta must pick up the pieces from another nearly campaign, ruing costly injuries, failed transfer windows and controversial red cards.Work is already underway in North London to ensure next term is the one that ends their 21-year Prem title drought. Will it finally be their time? Painful lessons have to be learned.In October, Bukayo Saka reportedly told friends at his birthday party in Mayfair: “I really believe we are going to win the league.”READ MORE ON ARSENALBut the reality was the Gunners were constantly on the back foot last campaign, and it began in the summer with a botched attempt to sign an elite No9.Despite having Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus as central attacking options, there had been progressive talks with RB Leipzig over Benjamin Sesko — a striker who 12 months on is now merely a back-up option to first-choice target Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon.Arsenal were confident they had laid the groundwork to get Sesko over the line, only for the player to sign a new contract on June 12. SunSport understands this left the club slightly shaken.It is why it made sense to prioritise other areas towards the end of the window, bringing in midfielder Mikel Merino, defender Riccardo Calafiori and keeper David Raya.Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from The EmiratesOthers had their doubts, but SunSport understands that the push for Merino was one led by Arteta, and his instinct was proven right, scoring seven goals in 18 games as a heroic makeshift striker in the new year.Arsenal were determined not to panic-buy to solve their issues – something that had been done in the past at the club with little success.Mikel Arteta gives passionate speech to fans in Emirates after win over NewcastleThere was also a growing confidence that Jesus had shaken off his fitness issues, with Arteta claiming that the Brazilian looked a “different person” in pre-season.Yet that faith proved to be costly. By August 20, Jesus had been ruled out with a groin injury, not able to start successive games until mid-December.By mid-January, he was out until the end of 2025 with an ACL rupture, lumping Arteta with an unsellable, unusable, expensive asset.Arteta then rushed back England stars Declan Rice and Saka from the Euros, despite only having 24 days of rest.In hindsight, this was a mistake, and perhaps a factor in Saka’s three-month absence from December with a torn hamstring.On August 24, following Arsenal’s 2-0 win at Aston Villa, Arteta admitted they were “short” up top. It was at this point Arsenal began to scramble, with some at the club accepting there would be no Deadline Day miracle.On August 29, sporting director Edu was due to be in Monaco for the Champions League draw, but made a late u-turn to stay in North London. There was reason for optimism when Raheem Sterling joined on loanCredit: GettyBukayo Saka’s hamstring tear was a brutal blowCredit: GettyThe Gunners had to give Liverpool a painful guard of honour at AnfieldCredit: ReutersThe next day, there were murmurings, and SunSport understands that barely anyone knew Raheem Sterling was close to joining on loan from Chelsea until hours before the deadline.At this stage, as far as the Arsenal board were concerned, Edu remained committed, despite whispers in Brazil over the summer of interested suitors.But after his resignation on November 4, Arsenal were forced to come to terms with losing an integral part of their successful machine.SunSport understands that senior figures were genuinely shocked by the news, with some even emotional, having grown incredibly close over the past few years.There was never going to be a rush to hire a replacement, such was the trust in Edu’s assistant Jason Ayto, and SunSport understands seven candidates were considered before finally appointing Andrea Berta on March 30.In his first few days, Berta asked for patience in public, but behind the scenes was impatient to get going, and is hoping to have two or three major signings signed and delivered early this window, including Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi [£51m] and Gyokeres [£60m].Despite fluffing their lines in January without a permanent sporting director in place, Arsenal are indignant that it was the right decision to be patient in finding Edu’s successor, even if it meant missing out on mid-season incomings, and that the short-term pain of conceding the title to Liverpool will be worth it with the club currently in a strong financial position this summer.Arteta insisted that Edu’s exit would not derail their plans on and off the pitch, but in truth, it was another setback in an already demoralising and frustrating season.Martin Odegaard missed a big chunk of the season through injury – then massively struggled for formCredit: Shutterstock EditorialEdu shocked the club by walking out in NovemberCredit: GettyOllie Watkins scored at the Emirates in January… but did not sign for ArsenalCredit: GettyLess than 24 hours after signing, Sterling was at the Emirates to watch Arsenal’s 2-2 at Brighton, and went down into the dressing room to meet his new teammates for the first time.But SunSport understands the mood was rather despondent following Rice’s controversial red card, and a genuine feeling that those dropped points would prove pivotal.Arteta cut an immensely frustrated figure behind the scenes as results continued to tumble, and described dealing with injuries to the likes of Martin Odegaard as a “nightmare” – an apt description of the January window.Up until January 12 – before Jesus’ ACL rupture – Arteta was not actively in the market, especially thanks to the surprise form of academy grads Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly.But when that changed, the execution was lacking. Too much time was spent on trying to convince Sesko to reconsider, and when that failed, a £40m Ollie Watkins bid was made without anticipating Aston Villa’s scuppering sale of Jhan Duran to Saudi days later.It turned into a real mess, and then an embarrassing catastrophe as Arsenal were left without a recognised striker with Havertz out for months following a hamstring operation.SunSport understands that Berta gave the Arsenal board special red ties to wear for the quarter-final against Real Madrid, and they were subsequently worn again for the semi-final against PSG, only for the luck to have worn off by then.Read More on The SunArsenal cannot rely on lucky charms next season. As Arteta told the owners on the final day: “They know what they have to do.”For once, they need to start on the front foot on the pitch and in the boardroom and keep it that way. Only then will trophies follow.Arteta’s ‘dark arts’ comments did not go down well with Manchester CityCredit: ReutersKai Havertz underwent surgery as the striker crisis deepenedCredit: https://x.com/kaihavertz29Arsenal’s directors wore matching ties away at PSG – but their luck ran outCredit: Getty More

THREE high-profile names were banned from Nottingham Forest’s stadium this season – including Bonnie Blue.The City Ground witnessed a superb season as the East Midlanders launched a surprise Champions League challenge.Bonnie Blue got handed a lifetime ban from Nottingham Forest’s stadiumCredit: Instagram / bonnie_blue_xoxShe managed to get her way into the City Ground away end for the Chelsea matchUltimately, Nuno Espirito Santo’s side fell just short of securing a spot at Europe’s top table. Forest lost 1-0 at home to Chelsea on the final day of the season.But neither Bonnie Blue nor Gary Neville were able to see the conclusion of the campaign – due to their City Ground bans.Bonnie was slapped with a permanent stadium suspension by Forest in April after trying to enter the ground and pull off a viral stunt.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLBut the adult content creator – who shot to fame by allegedly bedding 1,057 men in 24 hours – then sneaked into the Chelsea away end in disguise with a cap, wig and glasses.She said: “I am playing hide and seek with Nottingham Forest’s security. The first security officer that finds me, gets to boink me.”Bonnie was eventually found and escorted out – with footage circulating online capturing the moment.She then made a lewd gesture behind one of the security guards.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSBonnie – real name Tia Billinger – previously said of her initial City Ground ban: “I recently went to a Nottingham Forest game. Well, I attempted to.”I put on my socials, ‘Hey boys, I’m going to be at the game, I’d like to film with you afterwards.’Bonnie Blue defies Premier League stadium ban despite being escorted out after offer to give fans ‘good time'”I turn up at the football game and the gate security was like, ‘You are permanently banned from the ground.'”I thought when they asked me to go to the side, maybe they’re upgrading my tickets, maybe they want to escort me to my seat, this is quite nice, it’s a good service.”They asked to see my tickets, I showed them and they took them off me, saying, ‘We’re escorting you off the premises.'”Apparently they don’t discriminate against sex workers but I was banned because I was a sex worker.”I was going to encourage them (the players), give them a good time. I also think if I’m entertaining the supporters it’s less people drinking so I’m actually doing something good for their health.”However, Bonnie was not the only person to miss the Chelsea game. That is because Forest rejected Sky Sports’ media accreditation application for Neville.Who is Bonnie Blue? Born in May 1999, Bonnie – whose real name is Tia Billinger – grew up in a small Derbyshire village, and attended the Friesland School in the village of Sandiacre.She has two half-siblings – a sister and a brother – who have always remained out of the public eye.She never knew her biological father, and considers stepfather Nicholas Elliott her dad.Bonnie also became something of a dance star in her local area, and competed in the British Street Dance Championships alongside her sister back in 2015.She also had a part-time job at Poundstretcher as a teenager.After school, she began working in recruitment.In October 2022, Bonnie married Oliver Davidson, who she had started dating when she was just 15.Once they were married, they moved to Australia, where Bonnie continued working in recruitment.However, it was in Australia that she decided to pursue a different line of work, and tried her luck as a ‘cam girl’ – crediting Oliver for giving her the confidence to enter the adult entertainment world.She quickly made a name for herself in the industry, and was soon making £5,000 a week.But while her work life was going from strength to strength, her relationship was crumbling, and she and Oliver split after almost a decade together.She moved over to OnlyFans following her cam girl success, and once again found fame on there.She quickly became a favourite on the site, especially thanks to her “niche” of sleeping with young male students – such as when she bedded 158 students during Nottingham Trent University’s freshers week in September 2024. Bonnie is now estimated to be worth £3 million, and makes around £600,000 a month on OnlyFans.Her family are also supportive of her work, with mum Sarah Billinger even claiming she’s her daughter’s PA, and helps clean up after Bonnie’s events – as well as handing out condoms to young clients. In January 2025, Bonnie claimed to have broken the world record for the most amount of sex in 12 hours, after apparently sleeping with 1,057 men from 1pm to 1am at a secret London event.The ex-Manchester United man was due to be on co-commentary at the City Ground for the crunch clash.However, Forest blocked Sky’s plans – forcing them into a late reshuffle – because Neville had been critical of Evangelos Marinakis’ on-pitch row with Santo following the 2-2 draw with Leicester.Neville labelled the public spat as “scandalous” and urged Santo to quit over the incident – and Forest retaliated with the shock suspension. That prompted a series of X-rated chants and even masks mocking Neville from Forest fans at the Chelsea game. But as well as Bonnie and Neville, Marinakis himself was banned from his own club’s home stadium this season, too.Read More on The SunThe Greek businessman launched a furious outburst at the referees after a 1-0 defeat to Fulham in September as he had a meltdown in the tunnel and spat on the floor in a “disgusting display of contempt”.And The FA’s punishment was a five-match stadium ban – which included being barred from entering the City Ground for the home fixtures against Crystal Palace, West Ham and Newcastle. Gary Neville was denied media accreditation for the Chelsea matchCredit: GettyForest fans mocked the banned Sky Sports punditCredit: AlamyEvangelos Marinakis had to serve a five-match FA stadium banCredit: AlamyBonnie Blue rose to fame by allegedly bedding more than 1,000 men in 24 hoursCredit: Instagram More