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      Major Declan Rice transfer update with Arsenal and Chelsea target’s likely next club revealed

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      DECLAN RICE is “almost certain” to leave West Ham this summer and “likely” to join Arsenal, according to reports.The England midfielder, 24, has been heavily linked with a host of Premier League clubs including Chelsea and Manchester United.
      Declan Rice is expected to leave West Ham in the summerCredit: Rex
      But the Hammers had hoped to convince their captain to stick around for one more season – particularly given he is under contract until 2024.
      But with David Moyes’ side struggling down in 17th in the Premier League table, The Guardian are reporting West Ham have failed to convince Rice that the club are progressing.
      It comes just one season on from the Irons’ seventh place finish and run to the Europa League semi-finals.
      Title challengers Arsenal are understood to be the frontrunners to agree a deal for him at the end of the season.
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      Rice is expected to set clubs back around £80million as he enters the final 12 months of his deal
      And Mikel Arteta is keen to add more depth in central midfield.
      Arsenal brought Jorginho in from Chelsea during the January window as support for Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka.
      The move came after they failed to secure Brighton’s Moises Caicedo.
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      They are set to return for Ecuadorian Caicedo, 21, while also pursuing Rice.
      The England man has contributed 12 goals and 13 assists in 229 games for West Ham.
      And he could be enticed by a move to the Emirates, particularly if they clinch their first league title in 19 years.
      Arsenal sit five points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table with just 11 games remaining. More

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      Incredible reason why Arsenal were pictured with huge clock in Fulham dressing room revealed

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      THE incredible reason why the Arsenal squad were pictured with a clock in the Fulham dressing room has been revealed. The Gunners stormed to victory at Craven Cottage to strengthen their title hopes with Leandro Trossard assisting all three goals.
      Arsenal wrapped up a commanding win yesterday – and celebrated with a group dressing room photoCredit: Getty
      A giant clock can be seen at the centre of the away dressing room celebrationsCredit: Instagram
      Arsenal’s victorious squad and their staff took a morale-boosting photo in the away dressing room after full-time.
      But fans quickly noticed Trossard and two of the coaching team were holding a familiar-looking clock.
      The object is a smaller replica of the giant clock that towers over the Clock End of the Emirates Stadium.
      It was installed at Arsenal’s new ground in 2010 having previously been an iconic part of Highbury before the club moved home.
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      The Mail report that the clock is being brought on away trips as part of a wider psychological strategy.
      Arsenal are attempting to make away dressing rooms less alien and more homely for the players.
      Along with carrying their famous clock around, the club are also carrying around wall stickers of the Arsenal badge and the official squad photo to place on away dressing room walls.
      It is not clear how long the club have been pursuing this plan but it appears to be doing the trick so far.
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      The Gunners have won 11 of their 14 away games this season and have picked up seven more points on the road than title rivals Manchester City.
      But they have some daunting trips on the cards that could define whether they manage to land the title.
      Along with a mouth-watering clash with Man City at the end of April, Mikel Arteta’s side also have to go to Anfield in the same month.
      Sandwiched between those games is a London derby against West Ham at the London Stadium, while May presents away days at top four-chasing Newcastle and relegation-battling Nottingham Forest. More

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      Arsenal transfer target Alejandro Grimaldo in talks over Premier League move from Benfica

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      BENFICA star Alejandro Grimaldo is in talks over a move to the Premier League, according to reports.Arsenal have previously been heavily linked with the 27-year-old but other clubs are now leading the race.
      Alejandro Grimaldo has been linked with a move to EnglandCredit: Getty
      The Athletic claim that the player has held talks with Fulham and Nottingham Forest.
      Meanwhile, French side Nice have made an attractive offer to him.
      Spanish duo Real Sociedad and Valencia, as well as German pair Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen, are also in the battle to sign the ace.
      Grimaldo’s contract at Benfica expires at the end of this season and he supposedly does not want to stay.
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      The Spaniard came through the academy at Barcelona before moving to Lisbon in 2016.
      He has since gone on to win three league titles and feature 291 times for Benfica.
      The attacking left-back has played 42 games for the club this season, scoring five goals and registering a further 13 assists.
      Grimaldo has helped Roger Schmidt’s men reach the quarter-final of the Champions League and lead Porto at the top of the Portuguese division by eight points.
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      He has never been capped by Spain, but his good form has earned him a place amongst the side’s provisional squad for the Euro 2024 qualifiers against Norway and Scotland later this month.
      The player was reportedly offered to Arsenal in the summer but Mikel Arteta chose Oleksandr Zinchenko over him.
      Grimaldo has also been a transfer target for Manchester City in the past. More

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      Real Madrid star Eden Hazard reveals he ‘didn’t like’ playing for Belgium at World Cup 2022

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      EDEN HAZARD has revealed why he “didn’t like” playing for Belgium at the 2022 World Cup.The 32-year-old captained the Red Devils in Qatar despite having made just six appearances for Real Madrid prior to the tournament.
      Hazard ‘didn’t like’ playing at the 2022 World CupCredit: EPA
      But, he recently admitted that he didn’t actually enjoy playing because he believed that the “new generation” of Belgium players were more deserving.
      In an interview with Belgian outlet HLN, Hazard said: “New guys knocked on the door with the national team.
      “Not playing at Real, then joining the Red Devils and playing football. I didn’t like that, especially because the new generation deserves to play.”
      Following Belgium’s shock World Cup group stage exit, Hazard announced his retirement from international football.
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      But while many fans believed that this was down to his country’s failed Cup campaign, the former Chelsea star claimed that he made the decision after the European Championships in 2021.
      He added: “I knew for some time that I would stop after the World Cup. The performance in Qatar was not decisive for my decision.
      “Of course it is a pity how it turned out, but my decision was made in advance. It was just time to stop.
      “I first started thinking about it after the European Championships. I had done my best to be fit in time after my ankle injury.
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      “Unfortunately, I couldn’t play in the quarter-final loss to Italy and that really made a mental difference.
      “I also play football in Madrid with Toni Kroos. He quit the German national team two years ago and he told me that when others have international commitments, he could take advantage of that time to enjoy with his family.”
      Hazard joined Real Madrid from Chelsea in a huge £88.5million transfer almost four years ago.
      But he has failed to make an impact at the Santiago Bernabeu.
      The winger has scored just seven goals in 73 appearances for Los Blancos since making the switch from Stamford Bridge.
      But he remains the highest paid player at the club. More

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      Kalvin Phillips slapped with £60 parking ticket on £270,000 Lamborghini during day out with stunning girlfriend

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      ENGLAND star Kalvin Phillips was slapped with a £60 parking ticket while out with his girlfriend in his £270,000 Lamborghini.The Manchester City midfielder enjoyed a day out with partner Ashleigh Behan in the city centre.
      Kalvin Phillips was slapped with a parking ticketCredit: BackGrid
      The footballer, seen here with Ashleigh, drives a luxury LamorghiniCredit: BackGrid
      But when the couple returned to their vehicle, they found a ticket on their windscreen after parking in a loading bay.
      Phillips was pictured in a black jacket and cap as he smiled while jumping back into his car.
      He drives a luxury Lamborghini Urus, which is valued at £270,000 and can hit 62mph in just 3.6 seconds.
      Phillips has had a tough first season at Manchester City after making a £42million switch from boyhood club Leeds.
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      He has featured just 11 times in all competitions this term.
      The 27-year-old, who earns around £150,000 a week, has also spent two months in the treatment room with a shoulder injury.
      And he is yet to make a Premier League start under boss Pep Guardiola.
      The player returned from the World Cup overweight and was slammed by his manager.
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      Phillips and partner Ashleigh are childhood sweethearts, who reportedly began dating in 2011.
      When it was announced the midfielder made the England squad for the World Cup last year, Ashleigh revealed she could not contain her delight.
      She told The Mirror she was in a supermarket when she found out the news and the stunner burst into tears of joy.
      Kalvin Phillips and girlfriend Ashleigh Behan’s day out in Manchester was spoilt after they picked up a parking ticketCredit: Instagram / @kalvinphillips
      Phillips and Ashleigh have been together since 2011Credit: Instagram / @kalvinphillips
      Ashleigh ‘screamed and cried’ after Phillips’ England call-upCredit: Instagram / @ashhhbx
      Ashleigh and the Man City ace are not marriedCredit: Instagram @ashhhbx More

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      ‘Ball changed its mind and went another way’ – Arsenal fans say Xhaka’s mind-bending pass to Saka ‘can’t be real’

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      ARSENAL fans were left gobsmacked after Granit Xhaka completed a “stupendous” pass to Bukayo Saka during the club’s Premier League clash with Fulham on Sunday.The midfielder received the ball in the centre circle before playing a first-time pass out towards the right.
      Xhaka sent a first time pass towards the rightCredit: https://twitter.com/karthikadhaigal/status/1635160440882991104
      It looked to be heading in the direction of WhiteCredit: https://twitter.com/karthikadhaigal/status/1635160440882991104
      But the ball curled the other way towards SakaCredit: https://twitter.com/karthikadhaigal/status/1635160440882991104

      But just as it looked to be heading in the direction of right-back Ben White, the ball suddenly curled the other way and fell perfectly to the feet of Saka on the wing.
      It ultimately led to one of many Arsenal attacks at Craven Cottage.
      And fans were quick to praise Xhaka for his clever thinking.
      One person tweeted: “Like watching a game of snooker. Class act.”
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      Another added: “That was such a weirdly satisfying pass.”
      A third commented: “Saka thought he had to go meet the ball, only to realise the pass was so good all he had to do was wait.”
      A fourth said: “This can’t be real. That’s absolutely insane.”
      And another joked: “The ball changed its mind and went another direction!”
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      Arsenal won the match 3-0Credit: Alamy
      But while many fans applauded Xhaka for the “incredible” pass, some insisted that the ball was intended for White.
      One person argued: “I’ve watched this 5/6 times and I’m convinced he’s hit that to Benny Blanco and he’s got lucky lol. He looks at Ben and shapes for him. Not convinced.”
      Another said: “As much as this was satisfying to the eye, I don’t think he meant it.”
      And a third added: “Felt like he was hitting it to White then somehow it took a curve.”
      Arsenal won the match 3-0 thanks to goals from Gabriel Magalhaes, Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard.
      The Gunners were handed a huge injury boost before the game with Gabriel Jesus cleared to return following a long spell out of action with a knee injury.
      Jesus was introduced in the 77th minute of the match to replace Leandro Trossard, who made a shock return to the starting line-up following a groin injury.
      The win saw Arsenal retain their five-point lead at the top of the Premier League table. More

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      Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland brutally troll Man City team-mate by giving him ‘biggest fraud’ award

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      JACK GREALISH and Erling Haaland hilariously trolled one of their team-mates with an award for being the “biggest fraud”. Ahead of the Oscars, the Manchester City pair got involved with dishing out gongs themselves.
      Grealish gave his own digital Oscar to one of his teammates
      Fellow award judge Erling Haaland played along and laid into his ‘fraud’ teammate
      With a giant animated Oscar present in the frame, cheeky Grealish, 27, took to social media to poke fun at defender Ruben Dias.
      And it was not long before Haaland got involved as well.
      Sat in a car and speaking directly to the camera, Grealish said: “This award is for Ruben Dias for the biggest fraud.
      “He’s in the gym four times a day but we just never see anything.
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      “Remember when we played Dortmund a few years ago and he got bodied by this man…”
      At this point Grealish dramatically flicks the cameras to bring Haaland into view from the driver’s seat.
      The 22-year-old striker quickly got involved with the fun.
      He said: “Yeah, I mean, it’s all the time he’s in the gym. And the results … where is the result?
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      “There’s no way to see them.”
      Fans were loving the online banter between the trio.
      One said on Twitter: “Grealish and Haaland roasting Ruben Dias and giving him the Oscar for biggest fraud.
      “I love this team so much.”
      Another said: “Haaland and Grealish duo is just another level ****housery.”
      While another City fan added: “Us as City fans get so much content from our players it’s unreal! No other group of players come close.”
      Grealish, Haaland and Dias all started in Saturday’s win at Crystal Palace to heap pressure on title rivals Arsenal, who responded in determined fashion on Sunday. More

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      Arsenal starlet Gabriel Martinelli bounces back from blanks with 43 Dream Team points in his last six outings

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      ARSENAL took another step closer to the Premier League title on Sunday.A trip to Craven Cottage has proved to be a stern test for visiting teams this season with Fulham still in contention to qualify for Europe but the Gunners made light work of Marco Silva’s side.
      Leandro Trossard (£3.8m) was the star of the show with all three assists in the 3-0 victory, an effort that earned him a Star Man award, but Dream Team bosses would have noted Gabriel Martinelli’s (£3.7m) goal with considerable intrigue.
      Arsenal show no signs of faltering
      The Brazil international was phenomenal at the start of the campaign, racing to 52 points by Game Week 9, but he recently suffered a dip that resulted in five consecutive blanks.
      During this time, Martinelli was among the most transferred players in Dream Team as gaffers looked elsewhere for healthy returns.
      Mikel Arteta also recognised the need for change and dropped the 21-year-old to the bench, or withdrew him around the hour-mark for the aforementioned Trossard.
      However, that proved to be all the motivation Martinelli needed to rediscover his best form.
      His close-range header on Sunday was his fifth goal in his last five Premier League games, a run that has moved him back up to sixth in the rankings among Dream Team assets in his position.
      Arsenal’s No11 has registered 43 points in six outings across the last four Game Weeks with a second against Sporting CP to come before the current Game Week is complete.
      Martinelli has rediscovered his best form latelyCredit: GETTY
      At £3.7m Martinellii is once again one of the best value-for-money forwards Dream Team has to offer.
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      It will be interesting to see how Arteta will use his attacking players now that Gabriel Jesus (£5.3m) has returned from injury.
      The former Manchester City striker was a key component prior to the World Cup but the north Londoners have hardly been hindered by his absence, thanks to a fruitful spell from Eddie Nketiah (£3.4m) before Trossard came to the fore.
      Bukayo Saka (£5.4m) is a lock on the right flank and that leaves two spots in the front three remaining for the Belgian, Jesus and Martinelli to compete for in the coming weeks.
      Rotation is inevitable so it’s likely all of them will get their fair share of minutes – depending on Thursday night’s result there may also be more Europa League knockout fixtures to juggle.
      Arteta has plenty of in-form options in the attacking positionsCredit: GETTY
      Dream Team managers probably don’t need favourable fixtures to convince them of the viability of Arsenal players at this stage of the campaign but, for what it’s worth, their schedule looks relatively friendly.
      Arteta’s men host a Crystal Palace side without a win since December in Game Week 27 and after the international break they take on Leeds, Liverpool, West Ham and Southampton. More