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      Arsenal are the people’s champs and the most of the country wants us to beat Man City to Prem title, claims Mikel Arteta

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      MIKEL ARTETA has declared Arsenal the People’s Champions and claims most of the country wants them to win the title.Wednesday’s 3-1 home defeat by Manchester City knocked the Gunners off the top of the Premier League for the first time in five months.
      Mikel Arteta believes most people want Arsenal to win the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty
      Yet Arteta is convinced that most people still want his team to win and is determined to tap into that public support.
      Ahead of the trip to Aston Villa, Arteta said: “People want us to win the title because they have a lot of sympathy for us, for our players and the way we have done things.
      “But I don’t think we have ever been the favourites and that hasn’t changed.
      “Manchester City have been the No 1 candidates from day one because they have been in that position for most of the last five years.
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      “Before this season, if you had to bet your house on one team, I don’t think a lot of people would have put their money on us.
      “But when you see the team performing and winning matches like we have been doing this season, there is more enthusiasm to try to achieve something bigger.
      “We have not had many situations to win the title recently, but we want to be in the mix.
      “It doesn’t happen overnight and we cannot control what other teams will do, so the only challenge is to win our next game because what happens in the table this weekend is going to change in three weeks’ time, that’s for sure.”
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      Yet Arteta is unhappy at today’s lunchtime kick-off at Villa Park coming just 63 hours after Wednesday’s final whistle against City.
      And he is calling for the Premier League to change its fixture scheduling to give teams more time to recover from their midweek exertions.
      He complained: “There are certain rules with the Champions League teams.
      “When you are playing on Wednesday night, you cannot play on Saturday lunchtime. That should apply to any competition.
      “It’s been discussed at the managers’ meetings and that is why the changes were made towards the Champions League teams.
      “If you follow the same principle physiologically, it is very difficult to turn around in that period to get the best outcome and reduce the injury risk for players.”
      Premier League chiefs changed their kick-off rule for the teams involved in the Champions League in May 2021 following a rant from Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp.
      But it doesn’t apply to domestic fixtures selected by BT Sport for their 12.30pm Saturday slot.
      And now Arteta fears his team could pay the price as they look to end a run of four games without a win.
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      He said: “They put the schedule the way they did and it’s a bit unusual, but it is what it is.
      “The players are highly motivated for the Villa game because we want to perform well and win.” More

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      Shocking abuse Ivan Toney got for goal vs Arsenal is further proof social media must tackle despicable drivel-scribblers

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      IVAN TONEY scores! And an hour or so later despicable drivel-scribblers of whom a fair number populate social media are busy sending the Brentford striker some very nasty messages indeed.This is par for the course for the 26-year-old who has clambered through eight clubs before landing at the Bees where he has scored 57 goals in 98 games.
      Ivan Toney scored a controversial against ArsenalCredit: Getty
      He received abuse following the goalCredit: EPA
      In a wholly respectful society his record would be nationally embraced and yet it isn’t. And why? Because he’s black — and racism is a disgusting social disease.
      But hold on. This may be substantially true, although not entirely in football.
      Harry Kane is not black and yet the Spurs striker headed a list of verbally abused players in England’s World Cup squad in Qatar. And that was before he missed the penalty against France.
      After that his phone and laptop must have squealed for mercy.
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      So these social abusers appear to enjoy three football targets most — a failing on the pitch, vengeance and black players.
      Toney was guilty of scoring the goal that led to Brentford’s away draw against Premier League leaders Arsenal, possibly a turning point in the race for the title.
      I can understand why Gunners fans were enraged at the eye-boggling VAR error in missing a clear offside that instantly led to Toney’s headed goal but, innocent chap Toney, was only doing his job.
      For what might be called a late-starter, the Cobbler wasn’t really successful until a spell at Peterborough that led to him being sold to Brentford for £5million — rising to £10m.
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      Now he’s an England international. A story of try, try and try again, which should be admired and yet abuse continues to roll in.
      A man from North Shields has already been charged with sending him a hate message in October.
      Now Brentford are determined to chase down another keyboard crackpot, as they should.
      It’s hard to believe that even at the group stage in Qatar, no fewer than 1,546 tweets of abuse were received by England’s team, 205 of them concerning race, gender or sexuality.
      The little bit of good news was the number is drastically down on the 2020 Euros, where there was 3,000 alone in the hours that followed the three missed penalties in the final against Italy.
      Twitter, Instagram and Facebook say they have introduced plans to delete the hate mail around football but their achievement rate is only one-star at best. It should be a five-star priority.
      A new government Bill, if passed by April, is designed to protect kids but not really adults.
      But every generation should be protected because some of the filth, curses and threats I am only too aware of have no place in any society.
      These offences should be regarded as criminal aggravation and top footballers, their families too, are major victims.
      Racial comments made among match-day crowds are not acceptable either although the two Erics, Dier and Cantona had a simple way of dealing with them.
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      So angered by remarks they jumped into the terraces to sort out offenders. Cantona actually aimed a kick at one of them — not wholly to be recommended.
      Nevertheless, Kick it Out is a great anti-discrimination campaign and clubs should be admired for sticking with it. More

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      Arsenal fans go wild as Barcelona star names them as one of two favourite teams boosting transfer hopes

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      RAPHINHA has stirred up Arsenal fans by naming the Gunners as one of the two rival teams he admires.Barcelona’s ex-Leeds winger was linked with Mikel Arteta’s men and Manchester United in the last two transfer windows.
      Brazil wideman Raphinha left Leeds for Barcelona last summer but has already been linked with a Premier League returnCredit: Rex
      And the Brazilian’s latest revelation has excited and annoyed Arsenal followers in equal measures.
      The Gunners finally landed an alternative to widemen Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli by capturing Brighton’s Leandro Trossard shortly before the January deadline.
      But asked which clubs he admires, Raphinha replied: “A team I like outside of Spain? Arsenal & PSG.”
      That split Arsenal followers – between those who’d love to see the former Premier League hit at the Emirates, and those who feel he would not be welcome as he “snubbed them” last month.
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      One enthusiast urged: “Make that bid.”
      But that drew strong retorts like: “Too late for that my guy” and “We’ve moved on”.
      Similar posts included: “Missed your chance brotha” and “Saka back-up”.
      And this message appeared to speak for many: “Lol. He wanted Barca in summer and now liking for Arsenal.    
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      Another fan suggested Raphinha’s erratic start to life at the Nou Cap meant he should now drop off the Gunners’ radar.
      He wrote: “Played 6 months bad and has a few good games and acts like a child when he got benched. Nah we good over here at Arsenal.”
      And in an animated debate only a few supporters were as neutral as this one: “We don’t like him and we don’t hate him.”   More

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      Has Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani put in a bid for Man Utd and what is his net worth?

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      MANCHESTER UNITED are edging closer to the completion of a huge takeover – and Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani has officially made his interest known.The Glazers put the club up for sale back in November after 17 years of ownership.
      Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani has confirmed his interest in buying Manchester UnitedCredit: Getty
      But the United owners set a deadline of 10pm GMT on Friday, February 17 for potential buyers to submit their bids.
      It was reported that the Glazer family wanted £5billion to sell the English giants despite its current value of £2.9bn.
      And it seems as if Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani could be the man to give them what they want.
      Has Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani put in a bid for Man Utd?
      Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani, a member of the Gulf state’s ruling Royal Family, is aiming for a full buy-out of the Old Trafford club.
      And his father Hamad is a former Prime Minister of Qatar, made his formal approach to United’s bid supervisors, the US-based Raine Group, ahead of the “soft” deadline.
      In a statement issued on his behalf by a senior London PR company, Sheikh Jassim said he planned to “return the Club to its former glories both on and off the pitch”.
      The statement added: “Above all, the bid will seek to place the fans at the heart of Manchester United Football Club once more.”
      What is Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani’s net worth?
      Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani is part of the ruling royal family who have a collective net worth estimated to be at around $335billion (£275bn).
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      The head of the royal family – Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, is estimated to be worth around $2bn (£1.6bn) alone. More

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      Mason Greenwood secretly meets up with Man Utd teammates in attempt to rekindle career after rape charges were dropped

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      MANCHESTER United striker Mason Greenwood has secretly met up with some of his teammates after attempted rape charges were dropped.The 21-year-old is keen to rekindle relationships with them in a bid to resurrect his Old Trafford career.
      Mason Greenwood has secretly met up with some of his teammatesCredit: AFP
      He remains unable to play for United or train with the squad while an internal investigation is under way.
      But a source said: “He’s reached out to some of the United players, some of them he’s known since his academy days.
      “They’ve met up with him in private to hear him out so they can make their own mind up.”
      Greenwood also reached out via social media to other term-mates, some older and married with kids.
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      It comes as the Red Devils are currently on a 16-match unbeaten run.
      Another source said: “There is a level of sympathy for someone who is innocent in the eyes of the law and a long-standing teammate.
      “But the players are absolutely focused on keeping this juggernaut on the road.”
      We revealed boss Erik Ten Hag phoned Greenwood in the wake of his case being dropped.
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      It was the first time they had spoken since the Dutchman arrived last summer.
      The player, who earns a reported £100,000 a week, was arrested in January 2022.
      This month prosecutors dropped charges of attempted rape, ABH and coercive or controlling behaviour.
      However some members of United’s women’s team are reported to have concerns about him returning to training at Carrington, where they share facilities.      More

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      Graeme Souness says he will be surprised if ‘nervy’ Arsenal win the title as he slams Arteta’s ‘angry’ touchline antics

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      GRAEME SOUNESS has backed Manchester City to win the title ahead of Arsenal, because of Mikel Arteta’s hothead personality. Writing in his Daily Mail column, Souness analysed how Arsenal’s 3-1 defeat to Man City was the climax of “nervy” performances across the previous month.
      Graeme Souness has backed Man City to win the league over ArsenalCredit: Getty
      He believes Mikel Arteta’s antics are doing “nervy” Arsenal no favoursCredit: Rex
      Liverpool legend Souness explained how serial winners such as City, or his former Liverpool side of the late 1970s, would brush off defeat knowing it would have little consequence for them in the grand scheme of things.
      However, he believes Arsenal have suffered as a result of Arteta’s “wild” antics on the touchline.
      Souness wrote: “Arsenal have looked a very nervy bunch for a whole month now – and in part that stems from Mikel Arteta and his antics on the touchline.
      “The wild celebrations. The falling out with rival managers. The conduct towards officials.
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      “All of this will have had an impact on his players, both live and when they’ve seen it played back.
      “Arteta has gone overboard because this is all new to him. As a player, he bordered on being son-in-law material – you wouldn’t be unhappy if you walked through the door with your daughter – and I can never remember him aggressively going after anyone.
      “Yet he’s now turning up on a match-day with an angry head on. I don’t believe this is helping the cause.”
      Arsenal are now winless in three league games, having been defeated at Everton and held to a draw by Brentford – though Lee Mason, who made an error on VAR in the game, has now left PGMOL – prior to the City defeat.
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      Souness added: “The reaction has to come from the players.
      “We’ve been hearing all season that Arsenal have a really strong dressing room, full of winners and big personalities.
      “Well, we’re about to find out if that’s true. It’s like coming off a horse and being kicked as you do so: you have to stand straight up and get right back on.
      “It’s time for the big men in that dressing room to stand up. I really do hope Arteta can find some who are capable of that.”
      The Gunners next test comes against Aston Villa, where former Arsenal boss Unai Emery may be hoping to get a dose of revenge against the man who replaced him in the Arsenal dugout.
      A win or draw will see the North Londoners return to the top of the table, while a defeat will open the door for City to move three clear – though Arsenal will still have a game in hand.
      Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has also demanded his side be within striking distance come April.
      The Red Devils sit five points behind Man City and Arsenal, but remain competitive on four fronts, with an upcoming Carabao Cup final just days after a Europa League second-leg against Barcelona. More

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      Arsenal will drop MORE points vs Aston Villa as Man City race towards the title, predicts Premier League legend

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      ARSENAL have been predicted to suffer another setback in the title race against Aston Villa.The Gunners are desperate to bounce back from their midweek defeat against Man City, which made it four games without a win.
      Joleon Lescott is expecting Arsenal to drop points against Aston VillaCredit: PA
      Mikel Arteta’s side were knocked off top spot by Man City in the weekCredit: Getty
      Wednesday’s blockbuster loss to City saw Pep Guardiola’s side leapfrog the Gunners to the top of the Premier League on goal difference, though Arsenal do have a game in hand.
      Arsenal can reclaim top spot when they face 11th-placed Villa, and former boss Unai Emery, at Villa Park on Saturday lunchtime.
      But former City defender Joleon Lescott believes that Mikel Arteta’s side will have to wait to return to winning ways.
      He wrote on Livescore: “I fully believe Manchester City’s midweek win at Arsenal will be looked back on as the pivotal moment in this season’s title race.
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      “Arsenal go to Aston Villa in Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off and that contest is going to be a huge test of the Gunners’ character.
      “I’m sure there’ll be a nervous energy in the away dressing room, while playing early also adds pressure — you know everybody is watching on hoping that you slip-up.
      “This is a tricky game for them to try and bounce back in.
      “Of course, they could go and win here given Aston Villa’s inconsistency but I reckon Villa will be motivated to derail Arsenal’s title tilt and show what they can do.
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      “No outcome would surprise me but I’ll go for a draw.”
      City travel to Nottingham Forest later the same day and Lescott can see nothing but an away win – and a charge to another title.
      He added: “It may sound cliche, but it’s true. So many of the players in that dressing room have been there and done it before and I think it showed at full-time on Wednesday.
      “When you’re used to winning titles, you keep your emotions in check. 
      “You are angry when you lose, but you don’t get flustered. On the other hand, you enjoy victories without getting carried away.
      “The likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Ederson, Kyle Walker and Bernardo Silva have seen this all before and know how quickly a season can turn around.” More

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      Qatari Sheikh confirms £5BILLION Man Utd takeover bid as Sir Jim Ratcliffe also beats deadline with HUGE promise to fans

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      THE head of Qatar’s biggest bank has unveiled himself as the latest bidder to take full control of Manchester United.Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani, a member of the Gulf state’s ruling royal family, last night confirmed he has lodged an offer — believed to be up to £5billion — for “100 per cent” of United.
      Man Utd could be set for a huge takeover, with a bid from Qatar now officialCredit: Rex
      Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani is behind the massive bid for United from Qatar
      The Glazers, including co-chairman Avram and Joel, revealed last November they were open to selling the clubCredit: AFP
      He also vowed to “return the club to its former glories” and make it “completely debt free”.
      One of Britain’s richest men, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, and his Ineos group also made a bid ahead of last night’s 10pm ‘soft’ deadline.
      Locally-born United supporter Ratcliffe, 70, has pitched that he will put “Manchester back into Manchester United” with a “British bid to make the club a beacon for a modern, progressive, fan-centred approach to ownership.”
      Saudi and US-led consortia are also believed to be in the contest.
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      Sheikh Jassim, whose father Hamad is a former Prime Minister of Qatar, made his formal approach to United’s bid supervisors, the US-based Raine Group.
      The 41-year-old, educated at the elite Sandhurst military academy in Berkshire and who claims to be a lifelong United fan, emerged as the man behind the previously secretive Qatari bid.
      And the decision by the Qatari, chairman of the QIB bank which has assets of £42bn, to put his head above the parapet could be the most significant of all in the battle for United.
      Any deal at the £5bn mark would smash the record price for a sports team – with NFL franchise Denver Broncos currently the most expensive after a £3.8bn takeover last year.
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      However the Qatari offer still falls below the Glazer family’s £6bn asking price.
      In a statement issued on his behalf by a senior London PR company, Sheikh Jassim said he planned to “return the Club to its former glories both on and off the pitch”.
      The statement added: “Above all, the bid will seek to place the fans at the heart of Manchester United Football Club once more.”
      While United fans have grown increasingly angry at the Glazer family piling debt on the club, the potential Qatari owner is promising a very different strategy.
      His PR group said: “The bid will be completely debt free via Sheikh Jassim’s Nine Two Foundation, which will look to invest in the football teams, the training centre, the stadium and wider infrastructure, the fan experience and the communities the Club supports.
      “The vision of the bid is for Manchester United Football Club to be renowned for footballing excellence, and regarded as the greatest football club in the world.
      “More details of the bid will be released, when appropriate, if and when the bid process develops.”
      It is now up to Raine to take the next step, which is expected to see a shortlist of bidders made, as when the bankers sold Chelsea to Todd Boehly’s group.
      The Qatari offer will raise questions over potential links with Paris Saint-Germain, owned by the £370bn Qatari Investment Authority.
      Uefa has rules to bar clubs from its competitions in any season if owners have “decisive influence” over two clubs which qualify – as they did for year’s Champions League.
      The QIA have a 17 per cent stake in Sheikh Jassim’s QIB bank, although his team say he is making the offer through his private wealth.
      The Rainbow Devils, a United LGBTQ+ supporters’ group, have raised concerns about interest from Qatar, where same-sex relationships are criminalised.
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      A statement read: “Rainbow Devils believe any bidder must commit to making football a sport for everyone, including LGBTQ+ supporters, players and staff.
      “We therefore have deep concern over some of the bids that are being made.”
      British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe is also in the runningCredit: AFP
      Several parties have expressed interest in buying the Red DevilsCredit: AFP
      The bidder’s father, ex-Qatar PM Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, was thought to also have shown interestCredit: Getty Images – Getty More