Premier League

WILLIAM SALIBA has offered to play as an emergency striker to solve Arsenal’s crippling injury crisis.Gunners boss Mikel Arteta admitted he felt sick to his stomach when Kai Havertz tore his hamstring on the club’s Dubai warm-weather camp.William Saliba has offered to play up frontCredit: GettyArsenal have an injury crisis to deal with after Kai Havertz picked up a hamstring issueCredit: PAMikel Arteta admits he needs to be ‘creative’ to find a solution to their injury woesCredit: GettyNow centre-half Saliba, who played up front for first club AS Bondy in France, is ready to answer any SOS.Arteta revealed: “Willy always says ‘I’ll play as striker’. Straight away it was one of his reactions. “Willy is so funny but it is true he played there. He used to score a lot.”But a lot of players played there when they were younger.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“Is that an option to put them up front? You never know what’s going to happen. We are going to have to be creative.”Arsenal are now without a recognised fit striker following Havertz’s injury, which requires surgery in the coming days.The German, 25, is out for the season, along with ACL victim Gabriel Jesus, while fellow forwards Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli both have hamstring problems.Title-chasing Arsenal now have just THREE fit senior attackers  in Leandro Trossard, 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri and Chelsea loanee Raheem Sterling, who are set to form the Gunners’ attack at Leicester.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSSaliba, 23, has scored just seven goals in 137 appearances for club and country since making his Arsenal debut in 2022.But the Frenchman — coached by World Cup winner Kylian Mbappe’s father, Wilfried, as a kid — previously revealed how he “scored a lot of goals” for Bondy.Arteta reveals Havertz tore hamstring during set-piece routine and admits Arsenal could sign free agentSaliba said: “I was happy to be the main striker. Most of the time I played, I scored.”On Havertz’s injury, Arteta said he felt: “A big pain in the tummy. When you see a player in pain it’s a really bad feeling.”Spanish midfielder Mikel Merino or Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori could also play as an emergency No 9.There are free agents available, too, like madcap ex-Chelsea star Diego Costa, 36, former Arsenal man Carlos Vela, 35, and Kemar Roofe, 32, who left Rangers last year.Arteta said: “I’ll explore every possible situation and then make a decision.”Riccardo Calafiori and Mikel Merino have also emerged as new No9 contendersCredit: Getty More

CHELSEA have handed Brighton staggering sums of money in recent years and ironically, it was them proving that Enzo Maresca’s squad is still not good enough.The Blues crashed out of the FA Cup at the Amex on Saturday night and less than a week later they were beaten 3-0 by the Seagulls in the Premier League.Chelsea goalkeeper woes showed no sign of stopping with Filip Jorgensen between the sticksCredit: AlamyLevi Colwill was given a torrid night by Brighton’s attackCredit: ReutersOn a poor night for Chelsea, here is how SunSport’s Isabelle Barker rated the performances.FILIP JORGENSEN 5 Jorgensen wasn’t all to blame for letting in the three goals, particularly Kaoru Mitoma’s wonder strike. But Chelsea fans will be thinking ‘be careful what you wish for’ with Rob Sanchez not looking so bad anymore. MALO GUSTO 6 READ MORE CHELSEA NEWSGusto stood his ground well at times with Mitoma one-on-one for some of Chelsea’s better defending in the match. LEVI COLWILL 5When Colwill lost the ball under minimal pressure and stayed on the ground, making no attempt to recover his position it summed up his game. Twice in two matches he’s given goals away for being weak.TREVOH CHALOBAH 5 Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSThe centre-back flapped about when marking Mitoma for the opener. MARC CUCURELLA 5 Struggled to keep Yankuba Minteh in check and was fully sat down by the Gambia winger for Brighton’s third goal – much to the pleasure of the booing home fans. Inside Chelsea’s new £1.6BILLION stadium plans with Stamford Bridge project set to rival Tottenham’sMOISES CAICEDO 7 Caicedo was jeered by chants of “what a waste of money”.He has been one of the Blues’ only bright sparks for the last six months and, even today, he was Maresca’s best player. It was surprising to see him come off, but maybe it was worth just resting him when the game went out of reach. ENZO FERNANDEZ 6 The Chelsea skipper was unlucky not to have nabbed an equaliser after rising above Joel Veltman on 36 minutes to head home – but he fouled the Dutchman in the build up. Looked sluggish in other areas of the game though. NONI MADUEKE 5 Had little influence as he was substituted off on 20 minutes due to a hamstring injury. The Blues are running out of forwards with him joining Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu on the injured list. Meanwhile, Joao Felix has been allowed to join AC Milan on loan and Mykhailo Mudryk has been suspended for allegedly testing positive for a banned substance.COLE PALMER 5Palmer was reeling throughout both halves, constantly throwing his hands up in frustration at the lack of service from his teammates. He blazed well over, when he did have a shot and the Blues didn’t have a single effort on target tonight. PEDRO NETO 5 It was not clear what Neto’s purpose was on the pitch, he only really looked good at sprinting and still couldn’t beat Tariq Lamptey in a 1v1. CHRISTOPHER NKUNKU 5 Nkunku did a very good job at jogging around and not doing a lot. Blues would probably rather see Jackson starting if he wasn’t also out injured. SUBS:JADON SANCHO 5 Sancho looks as though he is doing what he did at Manchester United, starting well but going off the boil. In his last 11 games across all competitions, he has nabbed just one assist. KIERNAN DEWSBURY-HALL – 6READ MORE SUN STORIESREECE JAMES – 6 TYRIQUE GEORGE – 6 More

MANCHESTER CITY have won their war with the Premier League over “unlawful” financial rules.An independent tribunal today ruled in favour of the four-in-a-row champions — insisting the regulations are “void and unenforceable”.Man City won their court battle with the Premier LeagueCredit: ReutersThe bombshell verdict could now trigger a series of multi-million-pound compensation claims from clubs and plunge the competition into crisis.And it means City have landed a blow in their ongoing legal battle with the Prem and their chief Richard Masters, despite the ruling being separate to the charges of 130 financial rule breaches levelled at the club.An 18-page tribunal verdict has ruled the Prem’s sponsorship regulations on Associated Party Transactions — which ran from December 2021 to November 2024 — were unlawful in their entirety.Today’s landmark ruling from a panel of three eminent former judges means the League now face coughing up £20million to pay their legal bills — and City’s.READ MORE MAN CITY NEWSThe APT rules were implemented following the Saudi-led takeover of Newcastle and covered sponsorship deals with companies related to a club’s owners.But the verdict opens the door to the Toon, Abu Dhabi-owned City and other clubs making massive compensation claims.City — whose legal team was led by Lord Pannick — took the Prem to court after proposed deals with Etihad Airways and First Abu Dhabi Bank were blocked in 2023.They also accused Prem chiefs of attempting to mislead clubs ahead of November’s vote on ATP rule amendments, which were passed following a  majority 16-4 vote.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSMasters wrote to all 20 clubs today, conceding the “previous rules as a while are void and unenforceable,” but insisting “new rules were voted into force” and that clubs must comply with them.Today’s panel, including former Master of the Rolls Lord Dyson, judged the ATP rules could not be amended by a series of “discrete” tweaks.Man City boss Pep Guardiola responds to late collapse to Real Madrid But a Prem statement read: “This decision does not impact the valid operation of the new rules.“The new APT rules are in full force and  clubs remain required to comply with all aspects of the system.”Richard Masters has written to all 20 Premier League clubsCredit: Getty More

FORMER Premier League star Matt Jarvis has lifted the lid on playing at Anfield and his love of coming up against Liverpool.The one-cap England winger was part of the Wolves side that beat the Reds 1-0 back in 2010.Matt Jarvis was Wolves’ main man in the season they beat Liverpool at Anfield 1-0Credit: Action ImagesJarvis was capped once by EnglandCredit: Getty Images – GettyThe shock three points helped the club narrowly avoid relegation that season, with Jarvis the star man.He recalled to SunSport: “I always had great games against Liverpool — they were just one of those opponents I really enjoyed playing.”I also couldn’t wait for matches at Anfield. It remains one of the most iconic football stadiums in the world.”When people talk about being intimidated playing at Liverpool because of the ‘This Is Anfield’ sign in the tunnel, or hearing the Never Walk Alone anthem before the start, I never quite get it.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”For me it was the greatest incentive and sent my competitive and energy levels through the roof.”We went into this game at the bottom of the table, four points adrift from safety, so this was a completely free hit for us. We had absolutely nothing to lose.”I was lucky enough to play with a squad of players that season who had great character and who never knew when they were beaten.”We also had a manager in Mick McCarthy who each and every player would run through brick walls for.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS”The greatest compliment I can pay Mick is that he was the best manager I played under.”He was honest, would tell it to you straight, was always on the training field with his coaches and would give you every tool ­possible to make you better and win games of football.New footage of Arne Slot’s interaction with Michael Oliver emerges as mystery surrounds Liverpool manager’s red card “It’s also great to know that I was part of Mick’s one win at Anfield.”The frustration leading up to this game was we had lost matches where we should have picked up points.”But we finally got our rewards by picking up three points here.”As soon as Stephen Ward had given us the lead just before the hour mark it was then a case of digging in and holding out.”The stats show we had two shots on target in the match. But it doesn’t matter how few you have as long as you make them count more than the opposition.”Ultimately this victory at Anfield was one of the key moments in us staying up.”We spent something like 33 days on the bottom of the table that season — and 206 days in the ­bottom three. But the most important fact is we survived that season and were 17th when it mattered most on the last day of the 2010-11 campaign.”I had spent most of that December out with an injury but came back on Boxing Day at home against Wigan, then played three days later at Liverpool followed by a match at West Ham 72 hours later.”I came off with about a minute to go at Anfield knowing I would be at Upton Park on New Year’s Day.”It’s wonderful in reflection to have won both the Supporters’ Player of the Year and the Players’ Player of the Year at Wolves in 2010-11.”There is no greater honour than the fans and your peers voting for you. But was this the best season in my career?”I never reflect on my best or worst seasons because I always gave as much as I could every time I played so I could never have regrets about whether I could have played better.”Wolves’ trip to Anfield”Looking ahead to Sunday’s game at Anfield you could almost mirror our build-up to the game 14 years ago to this Wolves side.”For them, it’s a free hit just like it was for us. No one is expecting anything other than a home win.”But I have been saying for the last few weeks  this Wolves side is more than capable and in Matheus Cunha they possess arguably the best player in the ­Premier League outside the ‘big six’ teams. When he is on the pitch his inspiration to the rest is a huge weapon.READ MORE SUN STORIES”On the back of two successive 2-0 wins against Villa and Blackburn, who knows?”If they can hold out at Liverpool and nick a goal like we did back then — and have the little bit of luck along the way that you always need — this is a Wolves team more than capable of surprising the league leaders.”Jarvis has hailed Matheus Cunha as the best player outside the top sixCredit: Rex More

NONI MADUEKE has been substituted after pulling up with an injury just 19 minutes into Chelsea’s clash with Brighton.The England international, 22, signalled that he wanted to go off with what looked like a hamstring issue.Noni Madueke had to be substituted early on at BrightonCredit: ReutersMadueke, 22, was substituted barely 20 minutes into the contestCredit: RexThe winger sat on the turf in clear discomfort before receiving medical attention.He was then replaced by substitute Jadon Sancho.Madueke has been a regular for Chelsea this season, starting 18 of their 25 Premier League games.Fans watching on at home fumed at the Blues’ lack of other available options – blaming their board.READ MORE CHELSEA NEWSOne wrote: “Madueke injured. That’s what you get for not signing anyone and letting players leave for peanuts. Amateur ownership.”While a second blasted: “Noni Madueke hamstring… Thanks Chelsea sporting directors!”Another moaned: “Just end the season.”After the match, Chelsea manager EnzoMaresca confirmed: “Unfortunately, Noni has a hamstring problem. He will be out for a while.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSChelsea were already without forwards Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu.While Mykhailo Mudryk is suspended.’They know the situation’ – Enzo Maresca confirms Robert Sanchez axed as Chelsea No1 after series of howlersAnd the Blues recently allowed Joao Felix to join AC Milan on loan.Maresca’s side have won just two of their last eight Premier League matches.While last time out they were dumped out of the FA Cup by the Seagulls.Shortly after losing Madueke to injury, they fell behind – with Kaoru Mitoma firing Brighton into the lead.Yankuba Minteh then made it 2-0 before half-time.Minteh then added a third in the second period as Brighton won 3-0.READ MORE SUN STORIESMadueke had been being watched by England boss Thomas Tuchel.The German is set to take charge of his first games as Three Lions manager next month. More