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      Inside Mikel Arteta’s five years at Arsenal as boss celebrates anniversary – now pressure is on to win major silverware

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      TO understand the rise of Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, you must first remember the fall of Unai Emery.Hired as Arsene Wenger’s replacement in May 2018, Emery’s tenure showed early glimpses of hope, reaching the Europa League final and narrowly missing out on the top four.Mikel Arteta returned to Arsenal five years agoCredit: GettyThe Spaniard won the FA Cup shortly after arrivingCredit: APBut he was sacked on November 29, 2019 after a seven-game winless run – at the time the club’s worst since 1992 – leaving behind a mess that would take years to be fixed.The culture was toxic. The dressing room was divided. Big-money flops lacked motivation. The recruitment strategy was non-existent.Rumours some players were openly mocking Emery’s thick Basque accent and poor grasp of English never went away.On December 20, 2019, in came Arteta – a 39-year-old former Arsenal player raised by Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy and moulded by Pep Guardiola as an assistant at Manchester City.Read More in FootballArteta had witnessed first-hand the problems just five days earlier, in the away dug-out as City romped to a 3-0 Prem win at a half-empty and miserably flat Emirates against a woeful Arsenal under interim boss Freddie Ljungberg.He would later say about that game: “I saw what was going on and I felt sad. It wasn’t only the performance, it was the atmosphere and energy that worried me a little bit. So, let me help.”Five years on, and Arteta has done more than that. Arsenal are a club reborn, revitalised, reinvented – considered a Prem titan again and competing with the very best in Europe once more – even if they are still chasing their first top flight title for 20 years.But perhaps more impressively, Arteta rebuilt a crumbling culture from the ground up, brick by brick, with his non-negotiables and emphatic, obsessive desire for perfection on and off the pitch.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSArteta replaced Unai Emery, who was sacked by the GunnersCredit: APDuring that process, experienced pros were brutally axed in favour of young, hungry stars, both from the academy and in the transfer market, who continue to follow Arteta to the ends of the earth.Skipper Martin Odegaard joined permanently from Real Madrid in the summer of 2021 after a six-month loan spell. He said: “We were struggling a little bit with a lot of noise around the club.Arsenal player ratings: Gabriel Jesus resurrects Gunners career with three fine finishes but Sterling still yet to shine“We didn’t perform as well as a club like Arsenal should, but I believed so much in the project after speaking to him and speaking to the club and seeing everything that was going on around here.“He just gets everyone to work together and in the same direction, it’s unbelievable.”Mikel Merino – who signed this summer – revealed: “Mikel is a coach who speaks with players every single day, there’s not a single detail in training sessions that he doesn’t take a look at.”And Hale End product Myles Lewis-Skelly added: “It’s incredible the culture he’s built within the team, you can sense around the ground the energy’s always high and positive vibes.”The journey has not been smooth, but for a manager so young, Arteta had a knack of making the right calls at the right time – most of them caught on camera in their All Or Nothing Amazon documentary in the 2021/22 campaign.Bad eggs like Matteo Guendouzi, Sokratis, Mesut Ozil and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang were ousted and shamed – the latter a ballsy move considering the Gabon star was his captain.It did not solve everything. Bust-ups were snapped on the documentary, including Alexandre Lacazette and Cedric Soares having a tussle in training.Arteta has his fingerprints all over the training ground, from the length and colour of the grass to the slogans donning any available wall space.Yet Arteta himself is understood to enjoy confrontation. He recently admitted he wants to feel “uncomfortable” under the gaze of the owners Stan and Josh Kroenke, and did not always agree with former sporting director Edu on transfer targets.He has also surrounded himself with assistants who are NOT ‘yes men’, the likes of set-piece coach Nicolas Jover and 29-year-old youngster Carlos Cuesta.But Arteta also likes control at a football club, something he gained when his title was changed from head coach to manager in September 2020, and has made himself a strong voice in the recruitment team in charge of replacing Edu in the coming months.Unlike more experienced managers, Arteta is heavily involved in training sessions, often laughing in joking with players as he takes part in heated rondos, on one occasion even nut-megging Odegaard before running off to celebrate.Make no mistake, however, the intensity of these sessions have become infamous. Just weeks into joining the club, Merino commented: “I have never seen anything like it”.That is partly down to his obsessive nature. Arteta has his fingerprints all over the training ground, from the length and colour of the grass to the slogans donning any available wall space.In their inside training dome at London Colney – one that has just been ripped up and replaced to fit Arteta’s requirements – one of the walls reads: ‘Set-pieces win matches’.There is also a slick new paint job in the press conference room at Colney – now with all-black walls and a new air conditioning unit after suggesting it would get too hot on occasion.Arteta likes the colour black – it was his favoured kit in the 2022/23 campaign because he wanted his players to look and feel more intimidating during away games.The Emirates has felt the Arteta-effect for that very reason. The Spaniard was desperate for a club anthem to rev up the atmosphere, eventually picking out Louis Dunford’s ‘North London Forever’ hit.Mikel Arteta at ArsenalTotal matches – 256Wins – 155Draws – 41Losses – 60Trophies:1x FA Cup2x Community ShieldArteta has also been instrumental in pre-match inspirational videos to feature on the big screens before big matches.But there are different sides to a man often so focused and serious on camera – a man Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso called a “competitive monster” this summer after a pre-season clash.Arteta is devilish. He admitted to reporters he often toys with the truth when it comes to revealing team news before games in press conferences.He explained: “I am not going to lie to you, but if I don’t want to tell you, I will keep you guessing.”There have also been incidents where Arteta has deliberately had injured or unavailable players walk off the team bus in full kit with the squad for added mystery until the very last moment.The devil is in the detail, suggesting this month he wants Arsenal to be the “kings of everything”.Arteta will try anything to gain an extra edge, using props like lightbulbs and giant dominos, getting his players to squeeze lemons and hiring undercover waiters as football tricksters and pickpockets during team meetings.Arteta is devilish. He admitted to reporters he often toys with the truth when it comes to revealing team news before games in press conferences.In November 2021, before a trip to Anfield to face Liverpool, he played ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ on speakers by the training pitches to acclimatise his men.They went on to lose the game 4-0, one that Arteta learned a big lesson from. A dug-out clash with Jurgen Klopp inspired a response from the home fans, coinciding with Liverpool taking the lead and Arsenal crumbling in the second half.Despite his often frantic touchline appearance, Arteta has that game in his head at all times, notably at the Battle of the Etihad this term – refusing to react when Erling Haaland told him to “stay humble” at the end of the feisty 2-2 draw.So, what could the next five years bring?He has expressed a fanciful desire to one day field a starting XI with 11 academy players. So far, he has three in Bukayo Saka, Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly.But he remains an open book as a coach and person, currently in a WhatsApp group chat with figures from other sports like former England rugby boss Eddie Jones and New Zealand head coach Scott Robertson.Knowing Arteta, he will already have the future painstakingly mapped out, starting of course with winning major silverware sooner rather than later, as well as leaving the shadow of mentor Guardiola behind him on his quest for top flight domination.The Spaniard this week insisted that he has won three major trophies with Arsenal as opposed to just the FA Cup – if you include two Community Shields.But now is the time to go for more.Arsenal have narrowly missed out on the Premier League title for the last two yearsCredit: ReutersThe Gunners have spent the last two years edging closer and closer to the Prem title, with only Man City standing in their way.It was always expected that Arteta would be the cream that rises to the top when Guardiola leaves England.But despite signing on for at least another year, Guardiola finds himself in uncharted territory – with City spiralling in a run of poor form.Arsenal should, in theory, be right up there, leading the title race.But they are now behind both Liverpool and Chelsea.If the Gunners don’t win the Premier League this season – and if City fall short – it will be considered a huge missed opportunity for Arteta.Furthermore, a Champions League run is also crucial.Arsenal are on the verge of securing automatic qualification to the knockouts.But historically, they have rarely lasted too long in those when it comes to European football.READ MORE SUN STORIESNow is time for Arteta and Arsenal to push on and prove they can win trophies.Otherwise, he might not get another five years.How to stop Arsenal at cornersArsenal have turned into a prolific team when it comes to scoring from corners.The Gunners have now scored 22 goals from them since the start of last season – seven more than their nearest rival Manchester City and eight more than Premier League leaders Liverpool.Two of them came against Manchester United – Jurrien Timber and William Saliba netting in the second half to earn Mikel Arteta’s men a vital win as they chase down Arne Slot’s Reds.Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka were the architects with their deliveries, and each now have seven set-piece assists since the start of the 2023/24 campaign – more than any other player.United legend Dimitar Berbatov joked Arsenal are the new Stoke City of the top flight – a side under Tony Pulis who terrorised the so-called “bigger clubs” with set-piece mastery.Here are four ways to stop Arteta’s side at corners More

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      Ruben Amorim gives Mason Mount injury update after cursed Man Utd star left pitch fighting tears

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      RUBEN AMORIM plans to teach Mason Mount his tactics even while the England star recovers from his latest injury setback.Mount, 25, limped off in the 14th minute of Sunday’s Manchester derby.Mason Mount suffered his latest injury setback against Man CityCredit: RexMount, 25, has been plagued by injuries in recent yearsCredit: RexAmorim has now confirmed the midfielder will be out for “several weeks” with a muscle problem – but will still swot up on the Portuguese’s approach in the meantime.The United chief said: “(It will be) several weeks. I don’t know the exact date but he is going to be out for a long (time).”Mount signed from Chelsea in 2023 for £55million but has played in just 33 of 78 possible games in a United shirt.A calf injury kept him out for almost four months last term, while a hamstring problem restricted his progress earlier this season.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAmorim looked to have earmarked the Three Lions man as one of his starting No10s in his 3-4-3 formation.Asked if United would look to get to the bottom of Mount’s injury problems with this latest lay-off, Amorim replied: “That is not my department.”What I can do is to help Mase, to teach him how to play our game when he is recovering.“Try to use that time for him to think in different things and then I think the worst part is that we don’t have time to train like we should do when you are recovering for a lot of injuries.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS“We are always travelling, we have games, so training we don’t have all the team together and this is really hard to recreate the game before they come to the game. You see with Vic.“Vic was recovering, they train really well, we push him, we make all the sprints that he should do before he come to a game, but the game is a completely different world. So, they have to have more time to train so it is really hard.Ruben Amorim responds to Marcus Rashford’s Man Utd transfer bombshell about wanting ‘new challenge’ “We try to manage that with rotation but even with rotation it is really hard to have all the squad. With Mason Mount, we are going to help him.“It is really hard for the player to be out for so long and he’s trying really hard. The same as Antony. If they try really hard, we will help them until the end.”Brazilian Antony is the poster-boy of why it went wrong for Amorim’s predecessor Erik ten Hag, having flopped completely since joining for £85m in 2022.But in Mount’s absence, Amorim may have to rely on Antony more than previously expected.’HE NEEDS MORE CONFIDENCE’The 24-year-old started Thursday night’s 4-3 Carabao Cup defeat at Tottenham.Amorim added: “He needs more confidence.“If you remember the Antony that play in Ajax, he lacks a little bit of confidence to go one against one, but he will improve.“He is working really hard and trying and playing more inside than outside, especially in this game. He just has to do that. To work really hard and I will help him to be a better player.”LEAVING HIS MARCMarcus Rashford has been left out of United’s last two matches, with Amorim insisting it is due to selection not a disciplinary issue.That is despite the England forward revealing in an interview on Tuesday that he is looking for “a new challenge”.Asked if the 27-year-old will be available for Bournemouth at home on Sunday, Amorim replied: “Yes, of course.”The Portuguese boss then confirmed Rashford had been left behind for Spurs purely because of selection choices, not because of discipline.He added: “It is the same thing guys, the same thing. Totally the same thing.”Man Utd ratings vs Spurs as Bayindir has a shocker and fans left laughing at AntonyALTAY BAYINDIR had a game to forget as Manchester United were dumped out of the Carabao Cup.Not many of the Red Devils were able to impress as they were beaten by Tottenham Hotspur.SunSport’s Katherine Walsh has provided her ratings of the Man United squad…Altay Bayindir – 2Squandered his audition after Andre Onana’s recent blunders against Nottingham Forest and Plzen.Was responsible for Spurs’ opener when he spilled Pedro Porro’s shot into the path of Dominic Solanke.Was probably fouled but still flapped as Son made it 4-2 from a direct CORNER in the 88th minute. Perhaps Onana isn’t so bad?Victor Lindelof – 4Caught slacking and lacking and a mile off the pace as Spurs’ front line rang rings around United for most of the game.No surprise he came off injured just before half-time.Leny Yoro – 5Was physically targeted by Solanke in the first half, but the 19-year-old stood up to him and Son fairly well.Jeered by the home fans when he was nutmegged by Djed Spence and was lucky when referee John Brooks blew for a foul early on.Made a crunching tackle on Son in the 86th minute right in front of a rowdy home end – but the Korean scored from the resulting corner.Lisandro Martinez – 3All over the place at the back. Directly assisted Tottenham’s second when Maddison’s cross hit off his extended back leg and into the path of Kulusevski from five yards.Solanke eased past him for 3-0 too and was lucky not to gift Spurs a fourth soon after.Diogo Dalot – 6Only United defender who had a clue.Solid crosses and switches in play while pressing the makeshift Spurs backline, which was often overplaying.Christian Eriksen – 6Inches away from bagging the equaliser at 1-0 but was blocked by Yves Bissouma.Overhit several corners as he was tasked with taking from both sides but was clapped off from the home fans when he made way for Kobbie Mainoo.Manuel Ugarte – 4Has perhaps stolen Martinez’s “Butcher” title at Man Utd as the Spurs fans wanted him hit with a booking.Constantly gave away fouls and conceded dangerous free kicks which isn’t ideal with James Maddison on the pitch.He almost poked Kulusevski’s cross into his own net, but did well to make sure it went just wide.Noussair Mazraoui – 5Knew he was in for a difficult evening against Son, who was wonderful going forward with several intricate passes.Booked for catching Spence, Amorim’s head was down when Maddison took the free-kick.Couldn’t get his feet right for chance just before half-time.Antony – 4A nervy start saw him lose the ball in a dangerous position with a minute gone which set Son away to cross into Brennan Johnson.Too casual on the ball and put visitors under pressure in the early passages.Basically gave the home fans something to laugh about every time he lost the ball, which was several times to 18-year-old Archie Gray.Bruno Fernandes – 6He did his creative job when he could, putting Hojlund through inside 11 minutes, only for the Dane to fluff his lines.Curled just wide from outside the area and assisted Zirkzee’s goal to give the travelling end a glimmer of hope.Drew a booking for Sarr for a tackle from behind and was booed before his free-kick clipped the top of the net.Rasmus Hojlund – 5Rarely got a sniff with United working on the counter early on and weak on the ball when did receive it.He was thumped and bullied by the makeshift Spurs backline of Gray and Radu Drăgușin and replaced by Joshua Zirkzee in the 55th minute.SUBSJonny Evans (’44 Victor Lindelof) – 4Solanke drove the ball through his legs for 3-0.Bizarrely got on the scoresheet with a last-minute consolation with a header from a corner.Kobbie Mainoo – (’56 Eriksen) – 6He was waiting on the sidelines before Solanke tripled Spurs’ lead and brought some much-needed composure with his side 3-0 down.Joshua Zirkzee – (’56 Hojlund) – 6Had United’s first attempt on target in the 61st minute but his header was well kept out by Fraser Forster.But gave United hope when he made it 3-1 a minute later from Forster’s blunder.Did better than Hojlund in out-muscling Dragusin.Amad Diallo – (’55 Antony) – 8Just as Martin Odegaard did last night against Palace, Amad’s introduction turned things around for the Red Devils.The tricky winger made it 3-2 when his unbelievable pressing forced Forster into ANOTHER error from a routine free-kick.The star of the show also fed the ball to Fernandes, who assisted Zirkzee’s goal and brought some much-needed impetus to United’s forward play.Alejandro Garnacho (’72 Ugarte) – 5The sub everybody was waiting for after he was dropped for United’s 2-1 win against Man City on Sunday.Chased every ball down but loses points due to the crazy impact of the earlier substitutions.Amorim has had a mixed bag of results since taking over last month, winning four games, losing three and drawing once.The ex-Sporting Lisbon chief sees progress though, particularly when it comes to how the team are attacking.Amorim, 39, said: “We are improving near the opponent box. We have some games that we are near the box but without real threat. You could see different things (against Spurs).“You could see we can shoot, we are near the goal and you feel it, you really feel it. I think it is a good thing in our team.“I feel that our team is faster at pressing more, the physically is improving and the understanding of the game.READ MORE SUN STORIES“You can see it by the controlling of the game and you see it more especially in this game, but also the last game that we understand more the position and the movement we should do.“There is a lot of things, but it is hard to think of the good things because we are out and let’s focus on the next competition.”Ruben Amorim has had a mixed start to life at Man UtdCredit: Rex More

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      Southampton agree deal with taskmaster boss who was sacked two months into season and replaced by Premier League icon

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      SOUTHAMPTON are close to appointing Croatian Ivan Juric as their new manager.The Saints sacked Russell Martin on Sunday night and have been quickly interviewing candidates this week.Ivan Juric is set to be appointed Southampton bossCredit: AlamyRussell Martin was sacked after Sunday’s battering by TottenhamCredit: GettySheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl and West Brom’s Carlos Corberan were both considered, as well as ex-Denmark manager Kasper Hjulmand.However, owners Sport Republic have opted for hard taskmaster Juric, the former Torino and Roma boss.Juric, 49, was sacked by Roma after less than two months this season, being replaced by Claudio Ranieri.The prospect of another short term stint was discussed with Southampton.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLJuric has since agreed an 18-month contract, with a summer break clause, and a two-year option to extend that will be triggered should Saints stay up.Southampton are rock bottom of the Premier League on a paltry five points and want the flexibility to make a more long term decision on a manager in the summer.Juric, a former Croatia international, is known for driving a hard line on fitness with his players while his playing style is less reliant on the playing out from the back preferred by Martin.Saints Under-21 assistant Simon Rusk took charge of their narrow Carabao Cup defeat to Liverpool on Wednesday.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSBut Juric could potentially be in the dugout for Sunday’s trip to Fulham, depending on his visa.This is not the first time that Juric has been strongly considered for the post.Disgusted Southampton fans stream out of St Mary’s 27 minutes into Tottenham clash after going 4-0 downIn December 2022, while manager of Torino, he was nearly chosen to be Ralph Hasenhuttl’s successor.Instead, Saints chiefs opted for Nathan Jones.Juric managed Torino prior to his brief stint at RomaCredit: EPA More

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      Man Utd legend and former manager issues come-and-get-me plea to Ruben Amorim for job on his coaching staff

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      ONE of Manchester United’s greatest ever defenders Jaap Stam has issued a come-and-get-me plea to Ruben Amorim.Stam, 52, is currently in charge of amateur team DOS Kampen, in the Dutch sixth tier.Jaap Stam said he would ‘love to help’ out at Manchester UnitedThe Man Utd legend says he’d be more than happy to join Ruben Amorim’s staffBut the iconic stopper, who has previously managed Reading and Feyenoord, reckons he can do a job for United’s new boss.Especially having seen Amorim’s tough first month in charge at Old Trafford.Speaking to Sport Lens, Stam said: “I’d love to coach at Manchester United but they haven’t picked up the phone! “I think everyone who has been associated with the club would love to go back and help, having been in management myself I have coached and helping them in any role would be great.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS”I’m always open for talks because I’d love to see the club back winning trophies and maybe I could help coach the defence.”But with the manager lots of new staff has come in so they have plenty of options. But you never know.”United’s leaky defence has been lambasted over the last 12 months, as they conceded 81 goals in competitions last season – the highest total since 1976.It was the first time in Prem history that a United side finished the season with negative goal difference as they yielded 58 to 57 goals scored.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAnd the backline was embarrassed again on Thursday as Spurs went 3-0 up inside 55 minutes of United’s 4-3 Carabao Cup quarter-final loss.This isn’t the first time Stam has advertised himself to his former club’s owners as he made similar pleas when Erik ten Hag was announced.Man Utd player ratings vs Tottenham in the Carabao CupIn 2021, Stam said: “If they would ask me to take a coaching role, I would do it straight away without a doubt.””You know United is my life as well. I’ve had great seasons over there, won trophies and it’s been very important for me.”But Amorim will likely move along from Stam’s desire to return to M16, with the 39-year-old bringing his own staff along from Sporting Lisbon.The newcomers joined existing first-team coaches Darren Fletcher and Andreas Georgson, and assistant first-team goalkeeper coach Craig Mawson, who have all remained in their roles.Stam became a United legend after helping the club reach extraordinary heights during his career. Stam is widely regarded as one of the greatest defenders in Premier League historyThe former Netherlands international finished each of his three seasons at Old Trafford as a Premier League champion. The now 52-year-old also helped the Red Devils secure the historic treble in his debut campaign in 1999.In February 2024, Stam was appointed manager at seventh-tier DOS Kampen, his hometown amateur club where he had begun playing more than three decades earlier. READ MORE SUN STORIESStam had been out of work since being sacked by MLS side FC Cincinnati in 2021.He took Reading to the brink of the Premier League in 2017 and coached Dutch sides PEC Zwolle and Feyenoord.Why Rashford joining Arsenal is perfect fitBy Martin LiptonMARCUS RASHFORD is at a crossroads.But now the England star has to make the biggest choice he has ever faced – does he care about cash, or about his career?Rashford’s shock admission that he is “ready for a new challenge” after some two decades under the Manchester United umbrella has altered the dynamic around his future.That Rashford might not fit the blueprint of Ruben Amorim – who has now responded to Rashford’s comments – was not exactly a surprise.The Portuguese coach prefers a 3-4-3 formation but appears to have settled on Rasmus Hojlund as his starting central striker and wants two “narrow” inside forwards, with the width coming from the wing-backs.Rashford has always wanted to play through the middle but is often at his best exploiting spaces out wide – and that skillset does not necessarily suit the way Amorim wants to play.Even so, going public with his evident dissatisfaction at being bombed entirely from the squad for the Manchester derby was a major move, even if he vowed there would be “no hard feelings” if he does leave his boyhood club.In truth, Rashford has been leaving United almost from the moment he signed that new £325,000 per week contract in 2023.Something was broken in his connection to the club. His form dropped, his threat dissipated, his issues with the hierarchy deepened.When Erik ten Hag dropped him for hosting a birthday party after a derby defeat, and he later pulled a sickie to miss the FA Cup game with Newport, it felt even then that the writing was on the wall.The facts suggest the love affair has ended. After scoring 30 in all competitions to earn that new deal, he has scored just 15 in the 18 months since it was signed.Amorim’s arrival seems merely to have accelerated what was increasingly inevitable.Now, though, it is up to Rashford to determine what his future will bring.If it is only about the money, then his options might be somewhat limited.It is hard to see a Prem rival coughing up the same £16.9m annual salary – although Rashford’s comments have probably knocked £20m-plus off any transfer fee, even next month.But Real Madrid have their fill of big-money strikers and Barcelona’s budget remains restricted by La Liga financial controls.In Europe, then, that probably leaves PSG – but a move to a one-club league.Or, in the wider world, he could follow the likes of Ivan Toney, Cristiano Ronaldo, Roberto Firmino and Co and head to the Saudi desert.Lucrative, yep. Certainly a different environment – and that may be exactly what Rashford both wants and needs. But the football? Not in a million years.What Rashford needs, above all, is to be able to play for trophies and showcase his talents.There is no better stage than the Premier League – which has far more global eyeballs on it than any other domestic competition.And in that Premier League there is one club crying out for a goalscoring No 9, especially if he can also play down the left channel to balance out the side and widen its threat.Rashford has always been more Longsight than London.Yet Arsenal, and Mikel Arteta, might be the perfect fit.The Gunners’ lack of a proper scorer is one of the major factors many fans feel has hurt their title challenge this year.Gabriel Jesus has never been a natural finisher, while Kai Havertz is still a converted midfielder.And while the link-up between Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka makes their right flank deadly, faith in Gabriel Martinelli on the left is waning.There have not been too many who succeeded at Arsenal after leaving United – although Danny Welbeck was not a flop.Rashford has all the attributes to change that history, if he can reproduce what everybody knows is inside him.And by breaking free, giving himself the chance to start all over, Rashford can make a point to Amorim that will resonate for a very long time. More

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      Premier League should be in mourning for final farewell to last genuine hardman in Kyle Walker – I thought better of him

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      BLACK armbands all round at Villa Park tomorrow lunchtime.Now, there is a good chance Kyle Walker will pull off a miraculous recovery from the ‘headbutt’ that sent him plummeting to the floor last weekend. Rasmus Hojlund head-to-head with Kyle WalkerCredit: GettyAnd that is something to rejoice.Even so, the Premier League should be in mourning for a final farewell to the game’s last genuine hardman.For if big, bad Kyle Walker has resorted to that kind of thing, what hope is there of football remaining an honest contact sport?For years now, the Manchester City and England defender has enjoyed a formidable reputation as unbreakable and unshakeable.READ MORE IN football Built like a Sheffield tram, faster than any joyrider on the scary Lansdowne Estate where he grew up, uncompromising in the extreme on the pitch, Walker was the closest thing to ingrained English oak.He also came across as the last bastion of sheer bs in the cosmopolitan, coiffured, cosy modern game.A hardened working-class boy brought up in a council flat in a place where getting to the bus stop was a daily obstacle course, dodging burnt-out cars and dope dealers.Even when his tangled love life was splattered across the front pages of this newspaper, as he juggled the balls of his professional career and his ability to father kids like Southampton ship goals, he would not be blown off course.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHe bulldozed his way past bewildered opponents, chased everything down like a hungry cheetah and gave the impression he could handle himself in any given situation.Your money would most certainly have been on him in a tear-up with Manchester United pretty boy Rasmus Hojlund.So when Walker went sprawling under the faintest of brushes from the Dane’s blond fringe, the era of the tough-nut footballer went crashing to the ground with him — and can never be revived.In one of those rare, jaw-dropping England press conferences some time ago, Walker laid bare some of the horrifying episodes from the nasty streets where he lived.A neighbour hanging himself, a fatal arson attack on a nearby flat, a woman wandering around wielding an axe like she was carrying home the weekly shop.People who witness that sort of stuff don’t fold like a free sheet being stuffed through a letter box unless they do it on purpose — but City’s captain didn’t do it very well and should definitely give up any thoughts of acting as a second career.Walker was in the same class as the likes of John Terry.A supremely gifted player with a cast iron core. A perversely admirable ‘doesn’t-give-a-s**t’ type who always comes out on top through grit and sheer self-determination.Walker was slammed for his theatricsCredit: GettyBut not any more.Ironically, just a couple hours after his symbolic collapse at the Etihad, Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella produced an equally embarrassing act of self-capitulation during a home match against Brentford.But you kind of expect it from him — after all he has long, curly hair and a bit of history with the dark arts of the game.I always thought Walker was a bit different.The toughest kid in the playground. The one you wanted on your side in football every lunchtime because not only was he brilliant, he was dead hard.He appears to have been losing his pace for a few months now and at 34 that is to be expected.Six Premier League titles catch up on you after all.The disappointing surprise is seeing him lose his dignity and resorting to the kind of tactics that much lesser men turn to in this day and age.Please don’t do it again.WRONG ‘WAY TO MAKE A GOOD POINTTHE only surprise about Ian Holloway’s confrontation with fed-up Swindon fans is that it has taken so long.Ollie was appointed as Robins boss in October and has been up against it from day one with a team clearly lacking in confidence.The Bristolian is never one to step backwards and while having a pop at moaning supporters who have trekked hundreds of miles to see their team lose is perhaps not the smartest move, it does throw up an interesting debate.Do supporters automatically claim a right to say and do whatever they please because they have paid for a ticket or travelled a long way?Holloway thinks not and believes constant negativity from the terraces will drag the team even further down.He makes a good point — even if he’s done it in an unceremonious way.Ian Holloway had a row with Swindon fansCredit: YouTube/Swindon Town Football ClubOSCAR LOSS SO PAINFULOCCASIONALLY a story hits you right between the eyes as a reminder of just how irrelevant winning or losing football matches is.While West Ham’s high-profile but under-pressure boss Julen Lopetegui is mourning the death of his 94-year-old father, the whole club has been shattered by the loss of teen keeper Oscar Fairs.At 15, he had the world in his hands as an academy player dreaming of mud, sweat and a distant hope of stardom.His death from a brain tumour last week leaves a family devastated and a community reeling.There seems no escape from the wicked curse that is cancer but, when it snatches someone so young, the pain is intensified exponentially.West Ham teenage keeper Oscar Fairs sadly passed awayCredit: West HamARABIAN FLIGHTSBOXING, the World Cup, Formula One, golf, tennis.All are now being staged in Saudi Arabia.The Tyson Fury versus Oleksandr Usyk world heavyweight rematch is just the latest major event taking place in the bone-dry desert.Fingers crossed there will be one sport that will be tempted to stage its biggest event in a country where booze is banned.The PDC World Darts Championship is underway at a raucous Ally Pally and the alcohol is flowing.Imagine it in a place where you can’t get on it morning, noon and night.Where you can’t slip away from your seat and get a bellyful of beer, where it’s impossible to reach out for a bottle of grog whenever you want.And that’s just the players.That’s a joke, before anyone decides to sue.Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury rematch in Saudi ArabiaCredit: GettyTHE ‘Unify League’ could involve up to ten Premier League clubs, we are told.Assuming it is a merit-based system, as it stands that would include Bournemouth, Fulham and Brighton.READ MORE SUN STORIESNo disrespect, but as a rejigged and more competitive version of the so-called ‘Super League’ invitational boys’ club, that doesn’t look very ‘super’ at all, does it?AS if you haven’t wasted enough of your hard-earned cash on useless old tat this Christmas, tickets for next summer’s Club World Cup in the USA are now on sale.What’s the ‘Unify League’ and which Prem teams would play in new version of European Super League? More

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      Chelsea player ratings: Marc Guiu gives Shamrock Rovers goalkeeper nightmares but Cesare Casadei fails to impress

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      CHELSEA made it six Europa Conference League wins in a row with a 5-1 drubbing against Shamrock Rovers. Striker Marc Guiu got a hat-trick while Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Marc Cucurella also got in on the goals. Chelsea strolled past Shamrock RoversCredit: ReutersMarkus Poom did get an unlikely leveller but it only sparked a fierce and one-sided fightback by Enzo Maresca’s men. And here is how SunSport’s Lloyd Canfield rated Chelsea’s players from Stamford Bridge. FILIP JORGENSEN – 7Didn’t have much at all to do throughout. Commanded his box well, and couldn’t do much about the goal.READ MORE IN football JOSH ACHAEMPONG –  6All eyes were on the young defender who has just signed a new long-term deal at Stamford Bridge.He played as a more defensive-minded right-back in Maresca’s system, who looked good in that role.AXEL DISASI – 6A commanding performance from the French centre-half, he showed maturity in his game, was always an outlet for the Chelsea midfield.Marc Cucurella celebrates with Renato VeigaCredit: AlamyRENATO VEIGA – 6A very solid performance from Chelsea’s number 40. Most read in FootballUnpolished, but physically strong and composed on the ball – this tournament should prove brilliant for him in a blue shirt.MARC CUCURELLA – 8Acted as a leader inverting into midfield for Chelsea, mostly playing as the left-sided number 10. Scored a classy right-footed goal into the bottom left corner to cap off a great performance.Cesare Casadei failed to make his markCredit: GettyCESARE CASADEI – 4Turned his back on a volleyed effort which he then deflected into his own net with a flick. Andrey Santos on loan at Strasbourg will be an upgrade on him next season. KIERNAN DEWSBURY-HALL – 8His best game in a Chelsea shirt to date, a tenacious performance saw him battle to win the ball high up and press the Shamrock defense really well. Looked overjoyed to net his second Chelsea goal since joining from Leicester.NONI MADUEKE – 7His excellent first touch and dazzling feet were on full show, getting the Chelsea fans on their feet a few times.It looked like his good deliveries would get no reward until he provided a classy assist for Marc Guiu’s hat-trick goal.Noni Madueke and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall celebrate togetherCredit: RexCHRISTOPHER NKUNKU  – 7Was kicked around the pitch like a ragdoll by the visitors, but constantly drove the team forward and won foul upon foul in the first half for The Blues. Worked tirelessly and perhaps didn’t get the reward he deserved after being bought down before Dewsbury-Hall netted Chelsea’s third.Notched an assist as Marc Cucurella finished into the bottom left corner to add a fifth. TYRIQUE GEORGE – 7Looks a special player on the ball for the Blues, and it’s easy to see why fans are so excited about him for the future. A raw talent who is far from the finished product in terms of his final ball – his brilliant run created the defensive chaos that allowed Marc Guiu to finish with ease.Was unfortunate not to add a goal to his performance after he sent a Shamrock defender for a Guinness at the end of the game before seeing his shot well blocked.MARC GUIU – 10Scored his fourth, fifth and sixth Europa Conference League goals in six matches to make him the competition’s highest scorer as it stands.The Shamrock Rovers goalkeeper will be seeing Marc Guiu’s face when he closes his eyes for at least the next few weeks.Chelsea fans will be seeing shades of Olivier Giroud’s Europa League run in 2019. Marc Guiu was the man of the momentCredit: GettySUBS:HARVEY VALE (NONI MADUEKE, HT) – 5Having looked far too good to be playing for Chelsea’s u21’s this season he was rewarded with a half in this game. Failed to have the impact that Noni did in the first half, but it was far from a bad performance by the youngster.HARRISON MURRAY-CAMBPELL (AXEL DISASI, 59) – 6Didn’t look out of place at the heart of the Chelsea defence when making his debut for The Blues, and looked equally as competent at right-back. One to watch for the future.JOAO FELIX (MARC GUIU, 60) – 5Showed signs of promise after coming on from the bench, but was unable to find the back of the net.READ MORE SUN STORIESSAMUEL RAK-SAKYI (KIERNAN DEWSBURY-HALL, 83) – 5Another composed few minutes in midfield for The Blues.Chelsea clash with Shamrock Rovers temporarily stopped as Christopher Nkunku pelted with TOILET ROLL More

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      Chelsea 5 Shamrock Rovers 1: Marc Guiu bags first-half hat-trick as Blues make light work of Irish

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      CHELSEA were pelted with toilet paper but are on a roll with their best run for eight years.Play was halted for a few minutes in the first half when Christopher Nkunku came under attack from a hail of Kleenex three-ply launched from the away end as he tried to take a corner.Chelsea ace Marc Guiu scored a hat-trick against Shamrock RoversCredit: GettyKiernan Dewsbury-Hall added to Chelsea’s Conference League triumphCredit: GettyMarc Cucurella sealed another big victory and Chelsea’s perfect winning runCredit: GettyChelsea’s young side dominated Shamorck RoversCredit: AFPBut the diversion tactics backfired as boss Enzo Maresca rounded off the first phase of the Conference League with his 100 percent record intact and an eighth successive win in all competitions.That hasn’t been seen since 2016 and is a sign of the marked upturn under the Italian this season.Striker Marc Guiu clinched a hat-trick by half-time to add to two he scored against Kazakhstanis Astana last week.The Spaniard put his team in front on 22 minutes when Rovers full-back Darragh Burns and keeper Leon Pohls got in a muddle with a cushioned back header.Read More on ChelseaChelsea were pegged back briefly when Markus Poom – son of former Derby keeper Mart – scored with a heavily-deflected shot four minutes later to level.The wild scenes among the Irish contingent in the Shed End were quickly quelled though as Chelsea regained their lead from another cock-up in defence when Dan Clearly underhit a back-pass and Guiu nipped in to round the keeper and score.Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall made it 3-1 five minutes before the break and Guiu wrapped up a memorable first half for himself by heading home a cross from Noni Madueke.Maresca included teenage centre-back Josh Acheampong in the starting line-up just a few days after the 18-year-old signed a new five-year contract.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThere was also experience in the team with Spain Euro 2024 winner Marc Cucurella playing in only his second Conference League game of the campaign.Cucurella is banned from Sunday’s away trip to Everton for being sent off after the final whistle once the Blues had beaten Brentford 2-1.Enzo Maresca breaks silence on Mykhailo Mudryk’s failed drugs test and gives update on his Chelsea futureHe signed off with a goal in the 58th minute by knocking in a shot off the inside of a post.European football takes a back seat until March for Maresca now and that might not be the total blessing it looks on paper.He has a strong squad of young and hungry players who are desperate to be part of his plans.The FA Cup, which kicks off on January 11 against League Two outfit Morecambe, will not offer so many matches as a secondary competition to keep them happy the way the Conference League has up to now.Maresca took his foot off the gas after Cucurella’s goal and handed a debut to academy full-back Harrison Murray-Campbell. More

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      Chelsea clash with Shamrock Rovers temporarily stopped as Christopher Nkunku pelted with TOILET ROLL

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      CHRISTOPHER NKUNKU was pelted with TOILET ROLL in Chelsea’s clash against Shamrock Rovers. The Blues hosted the travelling Irish side in the Europa Conference League group stage. Christopher Nkunku was pelted with toilet roll in Chelsea’s clash against Shamrock RoversThe ref had to stop the gameNkunku looked fed upCredit: PAKiernan Dewsbury-Hall joined Nkunku in clearing it upCredit: ReutersBut the game was temporarily halted as Nkunku was unable to take a corner amid the onslaught of loo roll being chucked his way. The referee stopped the game as Nkunku and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall did their best to clean up the corner area. The game did resume shortly afterwards. Chelsea are unbeaten in their five Conference League matches and so too are Rovers – with Blues boss Enzo Maresca scouting them.READ MORE IN football Maresca said: “We try to approach every game in the same way: to do our best and win the game.”Today in football it is difficult to find a team that has no strengths. “All the teams have something good, and some things we can try to work on and win the game.”I watched four or five [Shamrock] games and they are a good team. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”They try to defend as a block all together, and play face to face with the other team. “I’m quite convinced all the games are difficult. It depends on us, the way we take that game, and it can become easier or more difficult, but for sure it will be another game we try to win.” Enzo Maresca breaks silence on Mykhailo Mudryk’s failed drugs test and gives update on his Chelsea future More