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      FA launch investigation into Arsenal celebrations following last-minute winner vs Bournemouth after referee’s report

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      THE FA are investigating Arsenal’s celebrations after Saturday’s dramatic win over Bournemouth.Reiss Nelson netted in the 97th minute to secure a thrilling 3-2 comeback win.
      Arsenal’s celebrations are reportedly under investigationCredit: EPA
      Reiss Nelson’s late goal sparked wild scenes at the EmiratesCredit: Getty
      Nelson was mobbed by players and staff after scoring the winnerCredit: PA
      And the celebrations that followed the goal are now under being looked at.
      The Gunners are facing a FOURTH FA charge this year following the wild scenes.
      Disciplinary chiefs are reviewing referee Chris Kavanagh’s match report regarding the celebrations which followed Nelson’s extraordinary winner.
      It is understood that Kavanagh has specifically referred to the fact the entire Arsenal subs’ bench, as well as a number of members of the coaching staff, entered the field of play to congratulate Nelson.
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      IFAB laws say those in the technical area “must behave in a responsible manner”.
      Laws also they “must remain within its confines except in special circumstances, e.g. a physiotherapist/doctor entering the field of play, with the referee’s permission, to assess an injured player.”
      A decision has not been made yet concerning Saturday’s game, but some of the Bournemouth coaching staff were left unhappy with the behaviour of their rivals at the final whistle.
      However, Cherries manager Gary O’Neil did not take offence to the celebrations.
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      He said after the game: “I’ve no comment to make on what Arsenal did. They scored the goal, so they can celebrate however they like.”
      The investigation could land Mikel Arteta’s serial offenders leaders in further hot water with FA chiefs who are aware of the Premier League leaders’ recent lack of discipline.
      Arsenal have already been fined three times in the past two months after being charged with failing to control their players in an orderly fashion.
      They were hit with a £40,000 penalty for surrounding the match officials following the goalless draw with Newcastle in January.
      Six days later they were handed a similar punishment for surrounding referee David Coote during their 3-0 FA Cup victory at Oxford, despite appealing against that charge.
      And when they were charged with surrounding referee Anthony Taylor during the 3-1 home defeat by Manchester City last month, they were fined £65,000 plus a further £20,000 which had been suspended after the Oxford match.
      The Cherries had initially taken the lead through Philip Billing just NINE SECONDS into Saturday’s game.
      Marcos Senesi added another, before Arsenal fought back through Thomas Partey and Ben White.
      Nelson’s winner deep into injury time then caused bedlam at the Emirates and sent the Gunners five points clear at the top of the Premier League. More

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      Kieran Tierney facing ‘impossible task’ at Premier League title-chasing Arsenal, according to former Gunners star

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      FORMER Arsenal defender Mikael Silvestre believes Kieran Tierney faces an “impossible” task as he tries to win back his spot in Mikel Arteta’s starting line-up.Tierney, 25, fell down the pecking order at the Emirates Stadium when Oleksandr Zinchenko joined the Gunners in a £32million transfer from Manchester City last summer.
      Tierney faces an impossible task, according to SilvestreCredit: Getty
      And Silvestre is convinced that he will struggle to earn his spot back.
      When asked why Tierney has been unable to break into Arsenal’s starting line-up this season, the 45-year-old told BettingExpert.com: “Zinchenko is quite a special player. That’s what it is.
      “You have to compete with someone else who’s won the Premier League already with City and he’s doing well.
      “That’s what it is, it’s just tough because of that. So, you have to be patient.
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      “It doesn’t mean you just let go and wait. You have to prove in training every time that you deserve to play.
      “But yes, it is difficult to get Zinchenko out of the team. It is pretty much impossible.”
      Tierney joined Arsenal in a £25million transfer from Celtic in 2019.
      At the end of his first season in north London he helped the Gunners to a record-breaking 14th FA Cup.
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      He then went on to win the Community Shield just a few months later.
      Tierney has made 26 Arsenal appearances so far this season.
      He stepped in to replace Zinchenko when the Ukrainian suffered a recurring injury at the start of the season.
      And he was one of the first names on the team sheet in each of the club’s Europa League group games. More

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      ‘Complete reality check’ – Man Utd legend Rio Ferdinand left baffled by old club’s ‘absolute massacre’ at Liverpool

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      RIO FERDINAND has admitted his former side were “pulverised” in a “complete massacre” at Liverpool. Manchester United are still recovering after the global humiliation of their 7-0 defeat to their old rivals.
      Ferdinand did not mince his words as he reflected on a wild afternoon on MerseysideCredit: PA
      Some players have come in for stinging criticism from club legends following the record-equalling loss.
      A baffled and dazed Ferdinand took to his Youtube channel as the former United centre-back tried to collect his thoughts.
      He said: “Boy… It’s that bad I got to laugh, man. I don’t even know where to start with this one, it’s been a madness.
      “My phone hasn’t been this hot since I got married.”
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      “You got to remember that when you go to Anfield [the fans can] suck the ball into the net. Not that they needed to today. The atmosphere is one of the best in the world, especially when it’s a team like Man United coming to town.
      “We’ve been pulverised. That was a massacre, an absolute massacre at Anfield. That’s all you can call it.”
      United were only 1-0 down at half-time before their staggering second-half collapse.
      Heavy defeats to rivals have become a theme of the last few years for the Red Devils but fans would have hoped that the club’s resurgence under Erik ten Hag in recent weeks had put that to an end.
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      Ferdinand believes that the “reality check” could prove to be a silver lining.
      He added: “I think if there’s any grounds in the world that can humble you then it’s Anfield. Complete reality check of where we’re at.

      “We’ve still got a lot of work to do and this could be a blessing in disguise. And that’s the only way you can look at this because otherwise it’s a depressing state you fall into. Which I’m nearing now…”
      The former defender, 44, also compared the loss to Man United’s infamous 6-1 defeat against Man City in 2011.
      That squad managed to get off the canvas and come within seconds of winning the league before Sergio Aguero’s iconic strike against QPR.
      Ten Hag will be hoping his team, who he slammed as “unprofessional” yesterday, have similar powers of recovery.
      As the glum-faced squad headed to training, goalkeeper David de Gea has taken to social media to address the situation but some fans did not take kindly to his words. More

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      I’m a former Man City midfielder but I gave it up to be a car salesman… now I’m a qualified counsellor to help others

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      FORMER Man City midfielder Jeff Whitley made a drastic career change following his own experiences with addiction.The ex-professional footballer, 44, gave up his sporting career to become a car salesman – and he is now a fully qualified counsellor and psychotherapist.
      Former Manchester City Footballer Jeff Whitley worked as a car salesman at the Stockport Car SupermarketCredit: Manchester Evening News
      After ending his playing career in 2010, Whitley worked at a car dealership in Stockport, the Manchester Evening News reported.
      Whitley was a salesman at Stockport Car Supermarket.
      He told The Sun: “It was something I fell into after playing.”
      After that, he decided to change his path again.
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      He said: “I went into counselling sound because it’s something I was interested in – helping others and helping players.”
      Now, he has more than 15 years of experience in addiction and relapse prevention and recovery.
      He is registered under the Counselling Directory where his profile explains his background and aims.
      As an ex-professional footballer, trying to compete at the highest level on a weekly basis and trying to please others came with its own challenges and problems which I later had to address.Former Man City Midfielder Jeff Whitley
      Whitley added: “I have a strong passion for addictions therapy such as alcohol, drugs, gambling, sex, gaming and gambling addictions, as I myself am a recovering addict and have been a member of AA, CA, GA etc for many years.”
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      He is well-equipped with the tools and personal experience to help, as he explains: “I’m able to offer first hand help, guidance and continued support to recovery with a goal to achieve sobriety and abstinence from all addictions as well as relapse prevention.”
      He also works in Professional Football providing counselling, support, therapy and mentoring.
      He covers a range of issues including anxiety, depression, anger and confidence, particularly among professional footballers.
      Discussing his troubled past, Whitley told SunSport in 2020: “I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and thought, ‘I don’t know who that guy is.’ I’d completely lost myself.”
      He added: “There’s this ripple effect of people who are getting hurt through your actions and they can’t do anything apart from look after themselves. That’s my biggest regret.”
      That’s not all, though. Whitley’s career has been full of fabulous twists and turns.
      He even worked as a football coach at a development centre linked with League Two club Morecambe.
      The centre started in 2015 at Loreto High School, across the road from Whitley’s old school Oakwood (now Chorlton High).
      In December 2018, the ex-Northern Ireland international was hired by the PFA’s Wellbeing team.
      They offer free support to footballers past and present on issues ranging from addiction to anxiety, depression and “just feeling a bit low”.
      In 2019, he backed The Sun’s End of The Line campaign to help raise awareness of the devastating dangers of cocaine and its impact on mental health.
      Whitley explained: “When you’re young and you’ve got a few quid in your pocket, it can be quite exciting and highly addictive.
      “But you go from being super confident and chatty to wanting to be on your own in complete isolation.”
      Jeff Whitley is part of the PFA’s Wellbeing department which provides support to more than 50,000 members.
      They offer a 24/7 helpline, a national network of counsellors, and a residential rehab at Sporting Chance Clinic.
      Fellowships, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Cocaine Anonymous (CA), are available as well with 12-step sponsored programme.
      The PFA Wellbeing team provide individual action plans for members on issues ranging from anxiety, depression, alcohol, drug use and gambling.
      They also go into all 92 clubs to assess players and educate Under-18s, U23s, first-team, women’s teams and staff on the dangers of alcohol and drug use.
      Any current and former PFA members can contact the Wellbeing team with emotional issues on its email address: wellbeing@thepfa.co.uk
      Whitley learnt from his own experiences with drug use.
      He shared: “I was in a dark place. I had no excuse not to take it. I didn’t have to go into training, so wouldn’t be drug tested, and I wanted to feel better.
      “When I took it, I could stay up longer, drink longer. But if you take enough the buzz eventually goes; the buzz ends up being paranoia.”
      He added: “The insane paranoia is mind-blowing. Call it curtain-twitching: any siren, any noise, you think they’re after you. It’s a proper frightening place to be.”
      Whitley has real, lived experience with addiction and drug use.
      In 2017, his brother Jack took his own life by taking a concoction of drugs including cocaine.
      “I know how difficult it is for family members to reach out and help,” Whitley explains.
      But Whitley turned his life around.
      While in rehab, he learnt the root of his issue lay with unspoken childhood trauma after having been orphaned at age 12.
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      “These things have a huge impact on you,” he said. “You’re looking for father figures and, unfortunately, some of them are really bad role models, flashing the cash and selling drugs.”
      Where to go for help
      FRANK
      Helpline open 24/7: 0300 123 6600
      ADDACTION
      For help finding a service or to Instant chat
      Change, Grow, Live
      Help for anyone with drug and alcohol issues.
      Dedicated help for people under 25.
      SANE
      Mental health support line: 0300 304 7000
      Help4Addiction
      Help, support and advice for those dealing with addiction and their families
      Action on Addiction
      Rehab and community addiction treatment
      0300 330 0659
      Adfam
      Helpline open 9am-9pm, 7 days a week
      0300 888 3853
      Help for families affected by drugs and alcohol

      23 Oct 1999: Joy for Manchester City scorer Jeff Whitley in the Nationwide Division One match against Blackburn Rovers at Maine Road in Manchester, EnglandCredit: Getty
      5 Aug 2000: Jeff Whitley of Manchester City in action during a pre-season friendly against Stockport CountyCredit: Getty
      Jeff Whitley prior to the Group Six World Cup Qualifier between Wales and Northern Ireland at the Millennium Stadium on September 8, 2004 in Cardiff, WalesCredit: Getty More

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      Fans in stitches as Sky Sports troll Gary Neville with old clip after Man Utd’s 7-0 drubbing at Liverpool

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      FANS have been left in stitches as Sky Sports trolled Gary Neville by posting an old clip after Manchester United’s 7-0 defeat to Liverpool. His former club capitulated in the second-half at Anfield and on commentary the pundit slammed the performance as “appalling”.
      [embedded content]
      Gary Neville has been brutally trolled by Sky SportsCredit: Reuters
      The clip reminds Gary Neville of his bad time at ValenciaCredit: YouTube: Sky Sports Retro
      This is not the first time Neville has been on the receiving end of a hammering by seven goals.
      When he was manager of Valenica, they lost by the same scoreline to a Barcelona side containing Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar.
      Sky Sports Retro YouTube channel gave him a timely reminder of the day, posting a video of him discussing the demolition on an old episode of Monday Night Football from years ago.
      In the clip, Neville is asked: “Gary, how does it feel to lose 7-0?”
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      He opens up on feeling helpless in the dugout while his team got ripped apart by Barca, calling the experience “terrible”.
      Fans found the timing of the upload hilarious, coming hours after Man Utd’s damaging loss to Liverpool on Sunday evening.
      One supporter said: “Kudos to the Sky Sports Retro team who went ‘don’t worry I have the perfect clip for today’.”
      Another joked: “Whoever runs this channel knew exactly what they were doing. You deserve a raise brother.”
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      A third reacted: “Whoever thought of this clip at Sky today is a legend.”
      More laughed: “There’s timing and then there’s this.”
      Soon after Neville’s 7-0 loss while in charge of Valenica, he was sacked, staying just 28 games and he was defeated 11 times.
      Neville called the experience “terrible” More

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      Phil Foden issues worrying injury update after making impressive Man City return following three-match lay-off

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      MANCHESTER CITY star Phil Foden has revealed he has hurt his foot again after just returning from injury.Foden has started only five of City’s last 12 Premier League matches following a foot injury he suffered in January during the derby against rivals Manchester United.
      Manchester City star Phil Foden has been dealing with a foot injuryCredit: Alamy
      Phil Foden revealed he hurt his foot again while playing for Manchester CityCredit: Rex
      But the winger made a dynamic return after a three-match lay-off two weeks ago with a goal and assist at Bournemouth, a brace at Bristol City and a goal against Newcastle.
      However, the England international has confirmed he is injured again although he hopes a bit of rest will help him extend his stunning momentum.
      Foden said: “It was the derby, I had it just before but it wasn’t too serious then. I damaged it a bit more against United.
      “Unfortunately today I’ve kind of hurt it again today but now I need to rest up.
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      “We’ve got two days off now so hopefully I’ll have the chance to rest it.
      “We are always playing and there is no time to rest, sometimes your feet just need to rest and that was it really.

      “It goes through moments, it’s one of those injuries where physios can’t really help, it goes when it goes, you have to learn how to manage it.”
      This comes shortly after Foden admitted he is suffering “one of the worst parts” of his career because of the injury.
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      The 22-year-old’s ongoing issues led to him dropping down the pecking order temporarily behind Jack Grealish and Riyad Mahrez.
      Foden said last week: “It’s been one of the worst parts of my career but everyone goes through them and it is how you react.
      “Discomfort in my feet and not playing as much. I love to play football and when I don’t I am a bit frustrated.” More

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      Arsenal ‘open new contract talks with Reiss Nelson’ after match-winning heroics kept Premier League title hopes alive

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      ARSENAL have opened contract talks with Reiss Nelson, according to reports.The 23-year-old’s current deal is set to expire at the end of the season.
      Nelson is expected to sign a new deal with ArsenalCredit: Alamy
      But Nelson has made it clear that he wants to stay in north London beyond the summer.
      According to The Daily Mail, new contract talks have now opened and Arsenal are confident that an agreement will be reached relatively quickly.
      The intention is for all parties to agree on a deal which will see the winger remain at the Emirates Stadium for the foreseeable future.
      Nelson stunned Arsenal fans when he scored an incredible last-minute winner against Bournemouth on Saturday.
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      The Gunners found themselves 1-0 down just 10 seconds into the clash after Philip Billing fired Bournemouth into the lead with the second-fastest Premier League goal of all time.
      Marcos Senesi then doubled the advantage shortly after half time.
      But, the Gunners kicked off the comeback when Thomas Partey scored with 30 minutes to go.
      Ben White then claimed his first Arsenal goal in dramatic style to draw the club level again.
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      And with a matter of seconds remaining in extra time, super-sub Nelson fired home an incredible strike into the top right corner to steal all three points.
      Arsenal retained their five-point lead at the top of the Premier League table as a result.
      Arteta was full of praise for Nelson after his extraordinary strike on Saturday.
      He said: “I have always seen Reiss’ potential, talent and desire to succeed, but now he is at a different level.
      “It was my decision not to include him in the squad in our previous games because we had other options, but he has been knocking on the door and this is a good lesson for me that we need him and that he can be really important for the team.” More

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      Tottenham want Steve Cooper as Antonio Conte replacement despite Forest boss in charge for just 25 Premier League games

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      STEVE COOPER “has admirers” within Tottenham Hotspur, according to reports – with Antonio Conte looking likely to leave in the summer.The Italian, 53, is set to be out of contract at the end of the season.
      Steve Cooper ‘has admirers’ at TottenhamCredit: Getty
      Antonio Conte’s contract expires on June 30Credit: Reuters
      Spurs possess an option to extend the deal by 12 months but, according to reports, aren’t currently expected to do so.
      Conte penned an 18 month deal at Tottenham in November 2021 and there was optimism that the two parties would come to an extension agreement earlier this season.
      But the “appetite” to do so has waned on both sides, with a belief growing that the former Chelsea manager will not be at Spurs next season.
      According to the Mail, Mauricio Pochettino is a key contender to replace Conte, returning to the club he was brutally sacked by in November 2019.
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      The affable Argentine still spends a large amount of time at his North London home – and remains close with chairman Daniel Levy.
      Some within Spurs, however, are not convinced that they should go back for Pochettino at this stage.

      And Cooper is believed to be “admired” in N17 – despite possessing just 25 matches of top-flight managerial experience.
      The 43-year-old transformed Nottingham Forest last season, inspiring their promotion to the Premier League.
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      He has since had to manage a bloated squad following a huge turnover of players – but has his side competitive in 14th place in the table.
      Cooper signed a new three-year contract at the City Ground in October.
      Eintracht Frankfurt boss Oliver Glasner, who inspired the German side to Europa League glory last season, could also be an option for Spurs.
      Oliver Glasner could emerge as an option for TottenhamCredit: Getty More