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      Where are Unai Emery’s five-man Arsenal captaincy group now as Aston Villa boss looks to take on old side

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      UNAI EMERY spent just over a year in charge of Arsenal before being sacked in the summer of 2019.During his time at the Emirates, the Spanish coach installed a five-man captain’s group for the squad.
      Unai Emery’s Aston Villa host former club Arsenal on SaturdayCredit: Getty
      After taking charge of Arsenal in 2018, Emery needed a replacement for Per Mertesacker, who retired that summer.
      When announcing his new skipper, Emery said: “I want leaders in the team, every player at every time to have the capacity to show leadership.
      “But these are the five players who have a possibility to be the captain.”
      Three of the five players ended up leaving Arsenal within a year, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Hector Bellerin, Alexandre Lacazette replacing them in the captain’s group.
      Read More on Arsenal
      But here SunSport take a look at Emery’s original five-man list of skippers.
      Laurent Koscielny – Retired
      The French defender was trusted with the armband on the pitch before leaving the club in dramatic circumstances at the end of the campaign.
      Koscielny refused to go on pre-season tour in 2019, before Bordeaux announced his signing by having the defender remove an Arsenal shirt to reveal the kit of the French team.
      After moving to Bordeaux he was frozen out of the first-team in January 2022, before announcing his retirement three months later.
      Most read in Football
      Laurent Koscielny hung up his boots in 2022Credit: AFP or licensors
      Petr Cech – Retired
      Like Koscielny, Cech, now 40, would leave at the end of the 2018-19 season when he retired from the game.
      The former goalkeeper swapped the football pitch for the ice rink, spending three years with Guildford Phoenix, and he is now goaltender for semi-pro side Chelmsford Chieftains.
      He also spent time as technical and performance advisor at Chelsea, but left Stamford Bridge when Todd Boehly took over last year.
      Petr Cech took up a career in ice hockey after leaving ArsenalCredit: PA:Press Association
      Granit Xhaka – Arsenal
      The only one of the original captain’s group to still be playing for the club.
      Xhaka was named captain in 2019 after Koscielny’s departure, before being stripped of the role after an X-rated outburst at Arsenal fans who booed him.
      Having seemed certain to leave, a stunning redemption story means the Swiss midfielder is now one of the most important members of the dressing room.
      Granit Xhaka has enjoyed an incredible Arsenal redemptionCredit: Rex
      Mesut Ozil – Istanbul Basaksehir
      Ozil lasted the entirety of Emery’s tenure at the Emirates, not leaving the club until 2021.
      However, he was largely frozen out of the squad by Mikel Arteta, and eventually saw his contract terminated six months early.
      The silky playmaker is now playing for Istanbul Basaksehir in Turkey.
      Mesut Ozil spent seven-and-a-half years at ArsenalCredit: Getty
      Aaron Ramsey – Nice
      Another player to leave during Emery’s short tenure, the midfielder was part of the original captain’s group but left in the summer of 2019.
      It had been announced that February that he would be joining Juventus at the end of the campaign.
      However, Ramsey made just 70 appearances for the Italians before being shipped out on loan to Rangers in January 2022.
      Read More on The Sun
      Juve terminated Ramsey’s contract when he returned from Scotland, and the Welshman joined Nice on a free transfer.
      He has played 22 times for the French side this season, starting 11 games in Ligue 1.
      Aaron Ramsey left Arsenal in the summer of 2019Credit: PA More

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      Spurs fan banned from games for four years after booting Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale in the back

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      A SPURS fan has been banned from matches for four years after kicking Arsenal keeper Aaron Ramsdale.Joseph Watts, 35, was held after tensions flared at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last month in the North London derby.
      Ramsdale was kicked after the Gunners’ 2-0 winCredit: Sky Sports
      He then made a desperate scramble through the crowd
      Ramsdale celebrates Arsenal’s 2-0 win at Tottenham
      Ramsdale, 24, was booted in the back as he went to get his gloves and bottle from the side of the goal.
      Watts, who admitted he was drunk, had clambered onto an advertising board to aim the kick at the England star.
      Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court was told the thug was seen desperately scrambling through the throng of Spurs fans to escape.
      Players from both sides then ran over to try and diffuse the situation.
      Read more on Ramsdale
      Watts admitted assault by beating, going on to an area adjacent to the playing area and throwing a missile on to a football playing area.
      The yob, of Hackney, East London, threw four coins towards the pitch during the drama on January 15.
      He was handed a 12-month community order and made to pay £100 in compensation to the footballer.
      Watts was also slapped with a four-year football banning order meaning he cannot attend matches.
      Most read in Football
      In a victim impact statement, Ramsdale said he saw a masseuse because his back felt “heavy”, but there were no marks.
      He added: “I’ve never had someone enter the pitch and kick me.
      “I don’t think it’s acceptable that I should be assaulted at work.”
      The keeper had made seven saves during the Gunners’ 2-0 win against their London rivals.
      But the win was marred by the chaotic scenes, with the Arsenal no1 later revealing the incident left him with a “sour taste”.
      Tottenham vowed to slap the shameless fan with an immediate ban once they were identified.
      The club said at the time: “We are appalled by the behaviour of a supporter that attempted to attack Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale at the end of today’s match.
      “Violence in any form has no place in football.”
      Detective Constable Phil Dickinson, of the Met’s Football Investigations Team, said today: “Passions can run high during, and after, football matches, but there is simply no excuse for this type of behaviour.
      Read More on The Sun
      “Attacks on players will not be tolerated and I am glad, with the assistance of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, this man was swiftly identified, arrested and brought to justice.
      “I am glad he will now be banned from attending any football matches for at least four years.”
      Watts covered his face as he appeared at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court todayCredit: PA
      Watts balanced on the side-line rail before jumpingCredit: Sky Sports
      The fan then climbed back over the crowd to get away from securityCredit: Sky Sports
      Tempers had flared at the North London derby More

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      Nottingham Forest complete shock £15m transfer 17 days after January window closed after triggering Chris Wood clause

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      NOTTINGHAM FOREST have made Chris Wood’s loan transfer permanent, just three weeks after his January arrival.The Prem strugglers have forked out £15million to sign the striker from Newcastle beyond the end of the season.
      Chris Wood’s loan move has been made permanentCredit: Getty
      Wood, 31, has made three appearances for Forest, failing to get on the scoresheet.
      According to Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Forest’s obligation to buy clause has already been triggered.
      Toon boss Eddie Howe admitted that he was reluctant to let Wood leave.
      Howe said of the striker: “He’s been a huge player for us. He’s been outstanding in every way. When we signed him we were in as very difficult position.
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      “He’s played a huge part on the pitch to help transform the team, and been excellent on and off the pitch with his leadership and positivity.
      “It was a difficult decision, you have to take into account the player’s wishes but I think it’s a good deal financially for the club.”
      Wood scored five goals in 39 appearances for Newcastle following his £20m switch from Burnley in January 2022.
      He was limited to just four Prem starts for them this term.
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      The New Zealand international is Forest’s 28th permanent signing of the season.
      Steve Cooper’s side have also made five loan signings.
      Such has been Forest’s splurge, that some senior players couldn’t even be named in their 25-man Premier League squad.
      Summer signing Lewis O’Brien is looking for an MLS move after already losing his place in Forest’s squad, despite being recruited after their promotion.
      He had been due to join Blackburn on deadline day, but paperwork was not completed on time.
      Forest, meanwhile, have submitted an appeal to re-register Steve Cook, following injuries suffered by fellow centre-backs Scott McKenna and Willy Boly.
      Cook, 31, had made 12 Prem appearances this term before being left out, while O’Brien had made 13 times in the league.
      Forest are desperate to re-register Steve CookCredit: Getty More

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      Chelsea given huge Neymar transfer boost with PSG keen to sell after meeting with Todd Boehly

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      CHELSEA owner Todd Boehly has reportedly already met with Paris Saint-Germain and Neymar’s entourage to discuss the possibility of signing the Brazilian.We reported earlier how Manchester United and the Blues had allegedly “been alerted” to the potential availability of the forward.
      Chelsea appear to have taken the lead in the chase to sign NeymarCredit: Rex
      Now a fresh update has claimed that Chelsea appear to be in the driving seat with talks already underway.
      The 31-year-old’s club are five points clear at the top of the Ligue 1 table but are on their worst run for 12 years.
      PSG suffered a 1-0 home defeat to Bayern Munich in the first leg of their last-16 Champions League clash this week.
      That setback marked a third straight defeat in all competitions for PSG – the first time that has happened since 2011.
      READ MORE ON CHELSEA
      Neymar, who was slammed for enjoying a McDonald’s and hitting a casino after the midweek loss, was also involved in a dressing-room row with chief Luis Campos on Sunday after being beaten 3-1 at Monaco.
      And that result came after the 2-1 setback at Marseille in the last-16 of the French Cup.
      Now speculation is mounting that Neymar could be offloaded by PSG at the end of the campaign.
      Neymar, the world’s most-expensive footballer, is under contract at Parc des Princes until 2027 and pockets a mega £600,000-a-week.
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      But Foot Mercato are claiming that Todd Boehly met PSG chief Nasser Al-Khelaifi to discuss Neymar this week.
      And they also added that the billionaire also had a meeting with the player’s entourage in recent days regarding a move.
      The Blues are desperate for attacking reinforcements despite a huge January outlay as their struggle for goals continues.
      And despite hitting the headlines for his antics off the pitch, Neymar has still scored 17 goals and produced 16 assists in his 28 appearances this term. More

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      Al Nassr ‘approach Barcelona star Sergio Busquets as they target second marquee transfer to join Cristiano Ronaldo’

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      AL NASSR have reportedly approached Barcelona legend Sergio Busquets over the possibility of a summer free transfer, which would see the midfielder join Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia.Busquets, 34, is out of contract at the Camp Nou this summer and has been linked swith a move away from Spain.
      Sergio Busquets’ contract at Barca expires in the summer and Al Nassr have made an approachCredit: Getty
      A move would see the midfielder join Cristiano Ronaldo in the Middle EastCredit: Getty
      Inter Miami are one of the teams being touted as a potential destination.
      But according to Fabrizio Romano, Al Nassr have joined the race for the iconic holding midfielder and have made an approach.
      A summer move would see Busquets become the second high-profile European player to join Al Nassr in the space of a year.
      Five-time Champions League and Ballon d’Or winner, Ronaldo, completed a free transfer late last year after having his Manchester United contract ripped up.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      Busquets and Ronaldo played together for many years in Spain – but on opposite teams.
      The pair shared the pitch for many El Clasicos between Barca and Real Madrid.
      Romano goes on to state that World Cup 2010 winner Busquets must decide whether he wants to stay on and captain Barca or embark on a new adventure.
      Busquets would be paid handsomely in the Middle East.
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      Barca manager, and Busquets’ old midfield partner, Xavi, says the Spaniard is a key cog to the Catalan giants’ success.
      Xavi’s men are sat top of LaLiga, and are on course to take the Spanish crown off rivals Real.
      The Barca boss said on Busquets’ future last month: “For me, he is a transcendental footballer for the team, vital for the dressing room.
      “An example of sacrifice, of leadership. He is priceless.
      “From a football point of view, he is the equilibrium of the team, he commands his team-mates.
      “When he is there and he is not there, you notice it.
      “There is a before and after in terms of the defensive pivot with and without Busi.
      “We will always see him as an example, a mould. This one has similar things to Busi, this one doesn’t. Vital.”
      The pair played many heated El Clasicos togetherCredit: AFP More

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      Miguel Almiron & Luke Shaw feature in the best Dream Team XI of Game Week 22

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      A ROUND of applause for Lee Bishop, Game Week 22’s top gaffer.His team, the imaginatively named ‘Bishop FC’, posted an impressive score of 121 points.
      Let’s take a closer look at how he did it…
      Four teams represented
      Lee is a Manchester United fan but he didn’t go overboard on his own team in a week in which the Red Devils played twice.
      David de Gea (£3.8m) earned eight points against Leeds on Sunday and escaped from the Nou Camp with two more despite conceding twice.
      Makeshift centre-back Luke Shaw (£3.8m) wasn’t so lucky in Catalonia as he incurred minus one point but he still ended Game Week 22 as the best-performing defender because of his 15-point haul at Elland Road, achieved via a clean sheet, assist and Star Man gong.
      The England international now has 100 points to his name, something only six other defenders have achieved at this stage.
      Kieran Tierney (£3.3m) didn’t feature for Arsenal against Brentford or Man City so it has to be said that Lee got that one wrong – Oleksandr Zinchenko (£3.3m) is very much the Gunners’ first-choice left-back at the moment.
      A Shaw thingCredit: GETTY
      And it was a relatively quiet week by Kieran Trippier’s (£6.6m) immense standards too.
      Newcastle’s vice-captain had to settle for three points as Eddie Howe’s side were held to a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth.
      Most read in Dream Team
      That fixture proved to be a prosperous one for Lee overall though because his faith in Miguel Almiron (£3.7m) was rewarded with an eight-point haul.
      The Paraguayan winger scored his tenth league goal of the campaign, which is more than he managed in his first four seasons combined!
      Defensive midfielders are usually best avoided in the realm of Dream Team but Rodri (£4m) has to be considered an exception at this stage.
      Manchester City’s reliable Spaniard earned a massive match rating against Aston Villa to claim the Star Man award on top of his goal for a 13-point haul, which he boosted to 16 with another solid showing at the Emirates – no midfielder produced more points in Game Week 22.
      Like a new signing!
      Kevin De Bruyne (£7m) came pretty close though thanks to his masterclass on Wednesday night.
      The Belgium international exhibited incredible technique to open the scoring before reverting back to his familiar role as assist-provider for City’s third goal – he banked 15 points when all was said and done.
      A return of 13 points meant Game Week 22 was the second-most profitable of the season for Bukayo Saka (£4.5m).
      Arsenal’s No7 provided the assist for Leandro Trossard’s (£3.7m) goal versus Brentford before he converted a penalty against Pep Guardiola’s side in midweek.
      Saka is now the third-best asset in his position.
      Unstoppable formCredit: GETTY
      It’s a trio of familiar names up top.
      Erling Haaland’s (£9m) ownership of 74.5% means it’s rare to see an IX without him and a 13-point haul restored normal service after two consecutive blanks.
      These days, Marcus Rashford (£6.4m) is just as inevitable as Man City’s No9.
      Man United’s homegrown hero scored an important header at Elland Road before he squeezed one in from a tight angle at the Nou Camp.
      He’s become the second player to pass the 200-point mark in 2022/23 – Haaland being the first of course.
      Read More on The Sun
      Mohamed Salah (8m) had mustered just two points in his five previous games leading up to the Merseyside derby but he came good for Lee on Monday night with a thrilling counterattack goal and subsequent Star Man award for a 13-point return.
      Great work, Lee, good luck to you and every other gaffer ahead of Game Week 23! More

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      Chelsea ace Thiago Silva launches X-rated rant in defence of Enzo Fernandez as he slams media’s ‘f***ing disrespect’

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      THIAGO SILVA has come out in defence of teammate Enzo Fernandez after he was criticised by Brazilian media. The big money deadline day signing suffered his first awkward moment in a Chelsea shirt as the Blues lost to Dortmund in the Champions League earlier this week.
      Thiago Silva came out batting for his teammate in the wake of Chelsea’s Champions League defeatCredit: Getty
      Enzo Fernandez faced one of Europe’s quickest players as Dortmund broke from a cornerCredit: Getty
      With the game at 0-0, Fernandez found himself as the last man back at a Chelsea corner as Dortmund sprung on the counter attack.
      Before long the midfielder was one-on-one with speedster Karim Adeyemi who ruthlessly charged at the Chelsea goal.
      Fernandez was beaten for speed before the German forward went around Kepa Arrizabalaga and slotted home Dortmund’s goal.
      Brazilian media outlet TNT made fun of the Argentine and posted a caption of “Call the Uber” on their Instagram page alongside a picture of a sheepish-looking Fernandez.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      But 38-year-old Silva hit back at their reporting.
      He replied: “Lack of f**king respect huh!!! Be more serious with your work.”
      The defender added a thumbs-down emoji with his message.
      Chelsea now have their work cut out for the return leg at Stamford Bridge and will need to score twice against the Germans.
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      But the Blues will be rueing their luck after spurning several chances at Signal Iduna Park.
      The Adeyemi goal aside, Fernandez has enjoyed a brilliant start to life at Chelsea.
      He’s put in multiple high quality performances from the midfield and has impressed fans with his passing range and ability to dictate tempo. More

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      How Arsenal could line up at Aston Villa with Thomas Partey in race against time to be fit… but is Jesus ready?

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      ARSENAL travel to Aston Villa this weekend desperate to halt their recent slump.Wednesday night’s 3-1 home defeat to Manchester City saw the Gunners relinquish top spot.
      Mikel Arteta is hoping to halt Arsenal’s recent slumpCredit: Getty
      The Gunners relinquished top spot after losing 3-1 to Man CityCredit: Reuters
      After the loss, boss Mikel Arteta claimed it had made him even more certain his side can win the title.
      To do so, they will have to get back on track pronto – starting at Villa Park this weekend.
      Thomas Partey was a big miss in midfield against City after failing a late fitness test.
      Asked for an update on the Ghanaian’s fitness on Friday morning, Arteta said: “We have to assess him again today. He has some muscle discomfort and we have to see how he is.”
      Read More in Football
      Should the 29-year-old not be fit to start, Jorginho could deputise for him again alongside Granit Xhaka.
      Arsenal are yet to win since the Italian joined from Chelsea on deadline day.
      Further forward, Gabriel Jesus is nearing a return from injury, having been out since the World Cup.
      But Arteta confirmed he’s not yet ready to play, although he had better news regarding Jesus’ fellow recent absentee Emile Smith Rowe.
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      How Arsenal could line up against Aston Villa
      He said: “Emile is training today and if he’s fine, he’ll be in the squad. Gabi is still not there.”
      Aaron Ramsdale will continue between the sticks, despite having needed treatment during the City match.
      William Saliba and Gabriel will likely line up ahead of the stopper, although Arteta could make changes at full-back.
      Ben White could be restored at right-back after Takehiro Tomiyasu’s mid-week mistake, although the Japanese may be given a chance to redeem himself.
      Oleksandr Zinchenko will probably continue at left-back, although the introduction of Kieran Tierney could freshen things up.
      Should Partey not make it, Jorginho will partner Xhaka in the middle of the park.
      On the ex-Chelsea man, Arteta said: “He’s really good – he’s come into the team and earned the respect of everybody.
      “You see his leadership, his understanding of the game, how he’s coaching everybody. I think he had a really good game.”
      Jorginho could continue in placeCredit: Getty
      Gabriel Jesus and Emile Smith Rowe are nearing returnsCredit: Getty
      Leandro Trossard came on for Gabriel Martinelli during the City match, and Arteta was asked if the former Brighton ace is nearing a start.
      The Gunners boss responded: “He’s had an impact every time he’s been on the field, so he’s an option.”
      Read More on The Sun
      Skipper Martin Odegaard will continue to start over Fabio Vieira, even if Emile Smith Rowe is deemed fit.
      Bukayo Saka will line up on the right flank, with Eddie Nketiah continuing to deputise for Gabriel Jesus down the middle.
      An alternative XI Mikel Arteta could field More