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      ‘Mark of respect and love’ – Arsenal hand captain’s armband to surprise star for touching reason vs Leicester

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      OLEKSANDR ZINCHENKO captained Arsenal during today’s match against Leicester.The full-back, 26, was handed the armband as a mark of respect following the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
      Zinchenko wore a captain’s armband with the colours of the Ukraine flagCredit: Reuters
      Zinchenko, who was born in Ukraine, has continued to reflect on the devastating war since it began last February.
      And he still regularly takes to social media to campaign for peace in his homeland.
      Mikel Arteta has been keen to support the defender since he arrived at the Emirates Stadium from Manchester City last summer.
      And as a mark of love and respect he, along with club captain Martin Odegaard, insisted that the Ukrainian wears the captain’s armband for the first time against Leicester.
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      Aside from the switch in captaincy, Arteta made one change to the team that defeated Aston Villa 4-2 last weekend.
      Eddie Nketiah, who has started every game for the Gunners since the World Cup concluded, was replaced by Leandro Trossard with Gabriel Martinelli moving out onto the left.
      Jorginho kept his spot in the starting line-up, with Thomas Partey returning to the bench.
      Arsenal will move five points clear at the top of the Premier League table if they claim a win against Leicester.
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      The Foxes earned a 4-1 win over the Gunners’ bitter rivals Tottenham two weeks ago.
      But this time they will be without star man James Maddison, who remains absent with an injury. More

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      ‘Disgusting’ – Chelsea fans group puts out furious comment slamming ‘appalling’ death threats against Graham Potter

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      THE Chelsea Supporters’ Trust have condemned the “disgusting” and “appalling” death threats sent to manager Graham Potter.The Blues boss, 47, revealed during his press conference on Friday that he has been the victim of the sickening messages.
      Chelsea boss Graham Potter has been sent horrific messagesCredit: Getty
      The Chelsea Supporters’ Trust put out a statement on Saturday afternoonCredit: @ChelseaSTrust
      And on Saturday afternoon the Chelsea fan group came out in support of their head coach.
      The statement read: “The Chelsea Supporters’ Trust is appalled that Graham Potter and his family have been subjected to death threats.
      “The actions of these individuals are disgusting, and they do not represent Chelsea FC supporters. No manager and their family should be subjected to any threats of this nature – we are deeply disappointed.
      “While debate and criticism regarding personnel and performances are part of the game, this must never escalate into abusive behaviour directed at individuals and family members.
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      “These threats are beyond unacceptable and we support any subsequent investigation.”
      The abuse Potter has received comes after a poor run of results on the pitch.
      Chelsea have won just two of their 11 games since the World Cup break.
      And the dismal form has seen them slip to 10th in the Premier League table.
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      But Potter is having to contend with a hugely difficult environment – as he explained ahead of the Blues’ clash with Tottenham this Sunday.
      He said: “I’ve had some not particularly nice emails come through that want me to die and want my kids to die. That’s obviously not pleasant to receive.
      “If you go to work and somebody is swearing abuse at you it’s not going to be pleasant, if you’re referred to as the worst person in the history of the club.
      “You can say, ‘Oh, I don’t care’ but you know I’m lying because everyone does care what people think because we are hardwired to be socially connected.
      “And I want to succeed here so it’s nonsense this notion that I don’t care.
      “And I would ask you to ask my family how life has been for me and for them. It has not been pleasant at all.
      “I understand that supporters go home and they are really annoyed because their team is not winning.
      “But I assure you my life for the past three or four months has been fairly average apart from the fact that I am really grateful for this experience and can say what a great challenge this is.” More

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      Leicester 0 Arsenal 1 LIVE: Martinelli fires table-toppers ahead but suffers injury in process

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      ARSENAL are leading Leicester in their crunch Premier League clash thanks to Gabriel Martinelli’s strike.The Gunners thought they were ahead in the first half but Leandro Trossard’s goal was chalked out after Ben White appeared to hold goalkeeper Danny Ward’s arm.
      And the Gunners made a touching gesture to give Oleksandr Zinchenko captaincy a year on from the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

      Kick-off time: 3pm GMT
      TV channel: Not televised in the UK
      Leicester XI: Ward; Castagne, Souttar, Faes, Kristiansen; Dewsbury-Hall, Ndidil; Tete, Praet, Barnes; Iheanacho
      Arsenal XI: Ramsdale, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Jorginho, Xhaka; Saka, Trossard, Martinelli

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      Leicester 0-1 Arsenal
      48. The replay shows there was no intent by the Leicester man.
      The Arsenal winger is back on his feet after some treatment.
      Players nowadays make it look a career-ending injury with their reactions.
      The boy who cried wolf springs to mind.
      Credit: Reuters
      Leicester 0-1 Arsenal
      46. Martinelli makes a great run down the left, beats his man and gets into the box.
      As Ward comes to meet him, he slots its passed the keeper into the far corner.
      He has stayed down and seems in some pain as Ndidi seems to stand on his knee after the goal.
      Goal – Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal)
      Kick-off: Leicester 0-0 Arsenal
      We are back underway at the King Power.
      Neither side have made any changes at half-time.
      It is Leicester who get the second half started.
      HT: Leicester 0-0 Arsenal
      Martin Odegaard is struggling to effect the game as he would like so far.
      It is that killer pass that is just lacking.
      Mikel Arteta needs his players to offer the Norwegian more options when he is on the ball.

      HT: Leicester 0-0 Arsenal
      Brendan Rodgers will want to see more from his team.
      Despite Iheanacho finding the back of the net, the striker was well offside.
      Arsenal have dominated, but have rarely troubled Danny Ward in the Leicester goal.

      HT: Leicester 0-0 Arsenal
      The referee brings the half to a close.
      We are all level at the King Power Stadium.
      Much to the annoyance of Leandro Trossard.
      Leicester 0-0 Arsenal
      45+2. Odegaard’s free kick runs straight through harmlessly.
      That pretty much sums up the first half for the visitors.
      They need to try and get Saka into the game more.
      Credit: Reuters
      Leicester 0-0 Arsenal
      45. You do wonder at times whether Arsenal would be better off playing Zinchenko in the left side of the front three.
      He looks very accomplished coming forward.
      The Gunners have a free kick with a chance to get the ball into the Leicester box.
      We are going to have two minutes added.
      Leicester 0-0 Arsenal
      43. Mikel Arteta will not be pleased with his side’s output.
      While they have dominated possession the end product has been distinctly lacking.
      Martinelli is having a shocking first half.
      Leicester 0-0 Arsenal
      41. Odegaard almost gets onto the ball in the box.
      Faes notices the danger and heads the ball behind for a corner.
      Trossard’s corner finds Martinelli but he gets it all wrong.
      Leicester 0-0 Arsenal – Martinelli yellow card
      39. We have yet to have our first shot on target of the game.
      Trossard may disagree with that stat but sadly for him White’s antics cost him.
      Martinelli is shown a yellow card for a clumsy challenge on Tete.
      Credit: PA
      Leicester 0-0 Arsenal
      37. Martinelli goes one way before faking a cross and turning the other way.
      It gets ridiculous as he does this five times with no end product.
      He needs to get the ball into the box quicker.
      Leicester 0-0 Arsenal
      35. Saka is spending more time on the deck in Arsenal games of late.
      The winger is being targeted with some rough challenges due to his form this season.
      Arteta needs to look to toughen up his winger as referees are noting that he sometimes go to ground all too easily.
      Leicester 0-0 Arsenal
      33. Arsenal are trying to turn the screw here.
      Saka goes down under the challenge of Souttar demanding a penalty.
      It would have been a soft-penalty to award that one.
      Leicester 0-0 Arsenal
      31. That was a good decision on reflection.
      It seemed there was nothing wrong to the naked eye at real-time but as the replay shows, White was impeding Ward.
      Iheanacho runs through and slots it passed Ramsdale but the offside flag immediately goes up.
      Leicester 0-0 Arsenal
      29. The referee is asked to go to the monitor by VAR.
      It is a good spot on this occasion.
      The replay shows that White is holding the arm of Ward in the build up and the goal is disallowed.
      Credit: Getty
      Goal disallowed
      VAR checking the build up play
      Leicester 0-1 Arsenal
      27. Ward struggles to deal with the in-swinging corner.
      The ball comes out to Trossard who takes one touch to get the ball out of his feet in front of him.
      He bends it into the top corner from the edge of the box.
      Goal – Leandro Trossard (Arsenal)
      Leicester 0-0 Arsenal
      25. Zinchenko is offering good support for Martinelli.
      The full back often seems more of a midfielder than defender.
      Arsenal are just missing that final pass at the moment.
      Leicester 0-0 Arsenal
      23. The visitors are struggling to unlock the Leicester defence.
      Trying to thread balls through constantly.
      So far, Brendan Rodgers’ side are reading the passes well.
      Leicester 0-0 Arsenal
      21. Martinelli is penalised for a foul in the box.
      Leicester got themselves into a pickle in defence and were struggling to clear the bouncing ball.
      Arteta will want to see his side work Danny Ward more.
      Credit: Getty
      Leicester 0-0 Arsenal
      19. Arsenal have definitely started the better of the two sides.
      Martinelli crosses looking for Saka but Kristiansen heads it behind.
      The Gunners need to make these set pieces count.
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      Rio Ferdinand gives prediction for Man Utd v Newcastle Carabao Cup final after NAILING Barca result

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      RIO FERDINAND has revealed his prediction for the Carabao Cup final after correctly guessing Manchester United’s result against Barcelona. The Man Utd legend was in a jubilant mood following the 2-1 victory at Old Trafford, with Antony coming off the bench to net a stunning winner.
      Rio Ferdinand has given his prediction for the Carabao Cup finalCredit: Getty
      The United legend was correct with his prediction of United vs BarcelonaCredit: @rioferdy5
      The Red Devils will take the trip down to Wembley tomorrow in the hopes of landing the club’s first trophy in over half a decade.
      And Ferdinand has provided fans with his prediction for the Newcastle clash after getting the Barca result spot on.
      Taking to Instagram, he said: “(Yelling) Antony, Antony, hahaha.
      “That’s what you want to see, people coming off the bench making an impact, not sulking, adding to the cause, getting us through to the next round.
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      “Man Utd beaten Barcelona, into the next round, top of La Liga, lets go. I’m not getting carried away. I can feel something, calm, cool, collected into the next round, let’s go man.
      “Weekend, (yelling) Carabao Cup final we’re going to be in there, Newcastle are going to be put down.
      “I said 2-1 today [and] I’m going 2-0 at the weekend. [Nick] Pope’s out, Newcastle out of form, Man Utd in form. We’re on the crest of a wave right now.”
      Arsenal legend Paul Merson provided a similar answer when asked for his prediction for the final.
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      He said he would be “shocked” if Newcastle won the game due to the absence of Nick Pope.
      The England international’s suspension and No2 Martin Dubraka being cup-tied means Loris Karius is set to don the gloves for his Newcastle debut.
      However, Man Utd could go be forced to play the tie without Marcus Rashford, who is doubtful after picking up an injury in the win against Barcelona. More

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      TV legend John Motson watched football in the pub on night before he passed away aged 77

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      LEGENDARY football commentator John Motson spent his final night watching a football match and enjoying a pint at his local pub, the landlords have revealed.Motson – who passed away at the age of 77 on Thursday – was at The George in Little Brickhill, Milton Keynes, watching Manchester City’s Champions League clash with RB Leipzig on Wednesday night.
      Broadcasting legend Motson passed away on ThursdayCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      He spent his final night at his local pubCredit: The George – At Little Brickhill
      He had become a regular at the village pub when he moved to Buckinghamshire and established a close friendship with landlords Simon and Louise Babikian.
      And Mrs Babikian has revealed that he spent his final evening enjoying the football with his friends.
      She told the BBC: “Wednesday evening, the night before he passed, he came into the pub to watch his football match and sat with his mates having a beer and talking us through the game, as he would most evenings.
      “He seemed to really enjoy himself.”
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      Mr Babikian, who watched the match with Motson, added: “He was a true gentleman, a true friend to many people in the village.
      “He always had something very diplomatic to say about the game. He was very unbiased and just a true fan of the game and most sports.
      “My memory will be him saying goodnight, how he’d see us at the weekend and he might come in the day after for the United game. He just loved every team and everybody.”
      Mr and Mrs Babikian also told of how many of the local villagers came to the pub after Motson’s death was announced, adding: “I think this was his special place.
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      “But what is quite funny, is many different people from different generations might not recognise him until he spoke.
      “Once he spoke, he had such an iconic voice and was so pleased to meet people that recognised what he’s done for the world of broadcasting.”
      Motson, who was also known as Motty, commentated on more than 2000 matches on TV and radio throughout his incredible career, including 29 FA Cup finals, 10 World Cups and 10 European Championships.
      And the news of his death sent shockwaves across the football community.
      Some of the sport’s biggest names were quick to pay tribute to ‘the voice of football’.
      Gary Lineker tweeted: “Deeply saddened to hear that John Motson has died.
      “A quite brilliant commentator and the voice of football in this country for generations. He’ll be very much missed. RIP Motty.”
      Sky Sports commentator Martin Tyler said: “John was the standard-setter for us all.
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      “We basically all looked up to him – his diligence, his dedication, his knowledge. He was a very serious broadcaster but he was a real fun guy to be around.”
      And Clive Tyldesley wrote: “As a teenager I just wanted to be John Motson. Nobody else.” More

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      ‘Fans gave me a chant straight away, but I never got one at Atletico’ Joao Felix reveals why he wants to STAY at Chelsea

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      JOAO FELIX has hinted he may stay at Chelsea when his loan transfer ends. The Portuguese ace is on loan from Atletico Madrid until the end of the season.
      Joao Felix has hinted at staying at Chelsea beyond the end of his loan transferCredit: Getty
      Felix has scored once in his three Premier League appearances so far and will be hoping to add to his tally when Chelsea take on Tottenham on Sunday.
      What is bound to help him is how he feels playing in his position, with Felix declaring he enjoys the role handed to him by boss Graham Potter.
      Speaking to Eleven Portugal, Felix said: “The position I play, and the way we play at Chelsea is different to Atletico.
      “Clearly I have more freedom to put my football into practice, to be at my best to help the team.
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      “I feel good playing here. It’s just a matter of getting results and it will be perfect.”
      Felix has also revealed how Blues fans chanting giving him a chant has endeared him to the club compared to his time in Spain.
      He added: “I spent three and a half years at Atletico and I never had a chant.
      “Here in the first game I had one, but here it’s normal, they’ve got one for almost every player. It was funny.”
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      Chelsea have won just two of their last 14 Premier League fixtures, and are winless from their last five games in all competitions.
      This poor run has left the club down in 10th in the league and on the brink of Champions League elimination.
      A lack of firepower is the club’s main Achilles heel, despite an outlay of £600million in the last two windows.
      Indeed, Chelsea have outperformed their opponents on Expected Goals in five of their last six Prem fixtures, but scored just three times.
      However, Potter has revealed a conversation he has had with senior players to help with their attacking play.
      He said: “[We need] a strong performance. We need three points. It’s a game we’re looking forward too. Training and response been really good.
      “We’ve spoken about it with individuals and as a group as to how to attack against Tottenham.
      “They are a team that don’t give much away, defend deep, we’ll have to think about that.” More

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      Mikel Arteta says one Arsenal star gives him ‘big headaches’ because he ‘brings qualities we don’t have in the squad’

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      MIKEL ARTETA has revealed that one Arsenal star is “very close” to starting more games amid the club’s Premier League title charge.The Gunners currently sit two points clear at the top of the Premier League table despite a recent dip in form.
      Arteta has revealed that one player is giving him ‘headaches’Credit: Getty
      Following a 3-1 defeat to fellow title challengers Manchester City, Arteta’s side bounced back with a stunning 4-2 win over Aston Villa last weekend.
      The Arsenal boss made two changes to his regular starting line-up ahead of the crunch clash at Villa Park, with Leandro Trossard replacing Gabriel Martinelli and Jorginho stepping in for Thomas Partey.
      But he could be forced into making another shift very soon, with one midfielder giving him “headaches” because of his “tremendous” qualities.
      Ahead of Saturday’s trip to Leicester, Arteta revealed that summer signing Fabio Vieira is close to earning more game time.
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      Vieira is close to starting more games for ArsenalCredit: Getty
      When asked about how close the 22-year-old was to making another league start, the Spaniard said: “Very close.
      “He is starting to give me big headaches because I see every single day what he is capable of doing. A tremendous player.
      “He now understands exactly what we want and physically he is a condition to compete at the right level in this league.
      “He brings qualities that we don’t have in the squad. Very eager to give him more.”
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      Arteta added: “If he needs to compete for 30 balls in the air against certain players in this league, I think he is going to lose 28.
      “But if we give him the ball in the right spaces, and if we ask him to do some defensive work he can do.
      “If we put him in front of goal the amount of times that we want to do, I think he will do really well in this league. But if we do the opposite I don’t think he is going to do well.”
      Vieira has started just one Premier League game so far this season, with Granit Xhaka and Martin Odegaard both the preferred starters in midfield.
      But he played a pivotal role in helping Arsenal to the top of Group A in the Europa League.
      Vieira made his first – and only – Premier League start against Brentford in SeptemberCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun More

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      I scored on Marcus Rashford’s Man Utd debut… then l went on a diet of only fruit and saw pure darkness

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      FEBRUARY 25 will always be remembered as the date Marcus Rashford announced himself to the world.The Man Utd ace netted a brace for the Red Devils as a fresh-faced 18-year-old making his debut, and has barely looked back since.
      Marcus Rashford scored a brace on his Man Utd debutCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      Another young talent netted at Old Trafford that night, with hopes high for his career at the timeCredit: EPA
      But on that evening at Old Trafford, another young talent also showed he had the ability to reach the very highest level.
      Winger Pione Sisto had netted a week earlier as FC Midtjylland took a 2-1 lead into the second leg.
      And he brought the Danish side to the brink of qualification when he scored a stunning solo goal by beating Daley Blind and makeshift centre-back Michael Carrick all ends up.
      Rashford’s brace then turned the game on its head as Man Utd ran out 5-1 winners on the night.
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      But La Liga side Celta Vigo had seen enough of Sisto to complete a £4.4m deal to sign him.
      With Celta having a proven track record of bringing through Scandinavian players, the future looked made for Sisto.
      And in his first season he helped the Galicians reach the Europa League semi-final, where they were narrowly beaten on aggregate by Jose Mourinho’s Man Utd.
      International call-ups would follow with Denmark, but that was where things would start to go wrong.
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      Pione Sisto (right) scoring for FC Midtjylland at Old TraffordCredit: AFP or licensors

      Sisto claimed he was “the most hated person in Denmark” following his performances at the 2018 World Cup, drawing further criticism from the media.
      But things would take a stranger turn a year later when Sisto decided to go on a fruit-only diet to explore “his subconscious mind”.
      In a video he posted on a special Instagram account, he said that the 21-day diet had made him “a little crazy”.
      He said: “I did break the fast, because it got really intense.
      “The cleansing part of it, the detox part, really started to show up. What happened was I was diving deeper into my subconscious mind.
      “Everything that you see, touch, smell, taste, all gets stored in the subconscious mind.
      “In order to see what happens in the subconscious mind, it can be done by fasting.
      “And what happened to me was I started to see what was really going on and I lost control.
      “I really did. I lost control of all the thoughts and all the emotion that started to show up and I started going a little bit crazy, honestly.”
      Sisto then explained his theory to hopeful footballers that while their conscious mind may have the desire to become professionals, it is only the subconscious mind that can make the ambition a reality.
      He added: “The subconscious mind is darkness. It’s pure darkness.”
      The fruit-only diet would leave Sisto too weak to train with Celta in the middle of a relegation battle.
      Matters were then compounded when he drove over 1800 miles back to Denmark during lockdown in 2020, leading to a club record £53,000 fine from Celta and his sale back the following summer.
      Sisto, who was born in Uganda to South Sudanese parents, would also reveal in May that year that he was subjected to racist abuse following the 2018 World Cup.
      Midtjylland would beat FC Copenhagen in a dramatic £2.65m battle as they lured the winger back to the club where it all began.
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      Upon rejoining them, Sisto said: “It was my heart. My heart suddenly chose to go to FC Midtjylland. I found that it has always been my wish, but sometimes one gets tested.”
      He added that he was “a fan of intelligence” and “there will always be pressure when you are Pione”.
      Sisto (right) went on a fruit-only diet at Celta Vigo, leaving him too weak to trainCredit: EPA
      The Danish international says he was subjected to vile racist abuse following the country’s elimination from the 2018 World CupCredit: Reuters More