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      Cheeky Newcastle fans taunt Mikel Arteta with five-word chant… and club join in with trolling social post

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      NEWCASTLE fans brutally mocked Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta during Wednesday’s Carabao Cup semi-final at St James’ Park.And the club joined in the trolling with a cheeky social post.Mikel Arteta was brutally mocked by Newcastle fansCredit: ReutersThe Magpies cruised to a 2-0 victory in the second-leg, taking the score up to 4-0 on aggregate.Arsenal had 34 shots across both games and failed to convert any of them.After the first leg, Arteta appeared to blame the Carabao Cup BALL for the amount of missed chances.He said: “We also kicked a lot of balls over the bar, and it’s tricky that these balls fly a lot so there’s details that we can do better.Read More on Arsenal”But at the end that’s gone, there’s no way back it’s about the next game and that’s our world, the reality is our world.”It’s just different. Very different to a Premier League ball, and you have to adapt to that because it flies different.”When you touch it the grip is very different as well so you adapt to that.”With the Gunners once again struggling to convert anything at St James’ Park, Newcastle fans took the opportunity to mock Arteta for his comments.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSARSENAL PLAYER RATINGS: Saliba will be having nightmares about Isak as Lewis-Skelly is only Gunners star to show upARSENAL were humbled by Newcastle at St James’ Park as the Magpies beat them 2-0 to secure a spot in the League Cup final.The North Londoners knew they needed to take an early advantage if they were to overturn the 2-0 defeat at the Emirates.But Jacob Murphy was on hand to put the Magpies a goal ahead after Alexander Isak’s shot rebounded off of the post and out to him.Shortly after the break, Anthony Gordon doubled the lead to all but confirm a second League Cup final in three years for Eddie Howe.Here’s how SunSport’s Gary Stonehouse rated the Gunners.David Raya – 5Stitched Declan Rice right up for the second goal.And that absolutely killed this as a contest for his side.Jurrien Timber – 6Tried to get forward and support the attack early but soon found himself dropping deeper to avoid being caught on the counter.Tough night for the Dutchman up against Gordon in front of the red-hot home crowd.William Saliba – 4Let frustration get the better of him when he got himself booked for grabbing Anthony Gordon’s shirt.And the winger almost embarrassed him again at the start of the second period when he caught the defender sleeping, nicked the ball from him, but could only shoot wide.The usually assured star will be having nightmares of Gordon and Isak.Gabriel Magalhaes – 6Another who struggled to contain Toon’s two pacey attacking threats but did fair slightly better than his usually formidable partner.Myles Lewis-Skelly – 7Another assured performance from the full-back in a raucous atmosphere.Could not be faulted for any of the goals and showed flashes off his potential despite the humbling.Martin Odegaard – 6Everything Arsenal did try came through the skipper.Although he loses a mark as things could have been a very different story if he had finished his first half effort had hit the inside rather than outside of the post.Thomas Partey – 6Plenty of running about but very little to show or product for his efforts.Declan Rice – 6Looked to take a knock late in the first half and continued to struggle on after the restart.Was hung out to dry by his goalie for the second goal and he did keep pushing until the very end.But it was a disappointing night for the England star and his partner Partey as they came up short against Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes.Gabriel Martinelli – 5Struggled to get past big Dan Burn during his brief time on the pitch.And his night was brought to an abrupt end when he limped off before the break.Kai Havertz – 4Outmuscled, outbattled and outthought but Svan Botman and Fabian Schar.Produced zilch on an evening when he and his team-mates lacked creativity and ideas.Leandro Trossard – 5Many will have been fancying him to cause some problems for the 34-year-old Kieran Trippier but the veteran had him in his pocket all night.Arteta had seen enough by the hour mark and opted to let Raheem Sterling have a go instead.Subs usedEthan Nwaneri (37 mins for Martinelli) – 6Desperately tried to inject some pace and threat into the faltering Arsenal attack but the task proved too much for the young Gunn.He should have plenty more big occasions to look forward to though in his career.Mikel Merino (70 mins for Odegaard) – 5The game was already done and dusted when he entered the fray for battle.Some nice touches, but like those before him, he couldn’t produce anything for the visitors.Raheem Sterling (61 mins for Trossard) – 4Got half an hour to try and get at Trippier but, just like Trossard before him, he was not given an ounce of joy.Riccardo Calafiori (78 mins for Timber) – 4Was brought on simply to get some minutes in his legs.Jorginho (78 mins for Partey) – 4See above. Little chance to make an impact with the game well and truly over.During the second half, they started to chant: “It must be the ball, it must be the ball, Mikel Arteta, it must be the ball.”Newcastle’s X account also jumped on the bandwagon with a post of the Carabao Cup matchball and a caption that read: “The culprit…”Arsenal vs NewcastleJacob Murphy and Anthony Gordon both scored to secure the win for the Magpies.They will now face either Tottenham or Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final next month.Newcastle also got involved in the mockingCredit: x / @nufcUnlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club. More

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      Arsenal suffer huge injury blow as Martinelli limps off on 35 minutes vs Newcastle days after transfer window failure

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      ARSENAL have suffered another significant injury blow, with Gabriel Martinelli the latest casualty.The 23-year-old was forced off in the 37th minute of Arsenal’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg defeat to Newcastle at St James’ Park.Gabriel Martinelli was forced off against NewcastleCredit: GettyMartinelli has joined Arsenal’s injury listCredit: GettyHe went to ground holding his hamstring before limping down the tunnel.Ethan Nwaneri – one of two attacking players on the bench – was on hand to replace him.But the latest blow adds to Mikel Arteta’s growing list of injury concerns.Star man Bukayo Saka suffered a hamstring injury in December and was forced to undergo surgery.Read More in FootballThe England international is not expected to return until the spring.Striker Gabriel Jesus has also been ruled out for the season with an ACL injury.The Brazilian fell awkwardly and was stretchered off during Arsenal’s FA Cup clash with Manchester United last month.Should Martinelli also be assigned to the physio room with a significant issue, the Gunners will be limited to just four senior attacking players.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe latest setback comes just two days after the conclusion of the transfer window.Arsenal failed to sign any players in January – much to the dismay of fans.Where Arsenal’s transfer window went wrong with Mikel Arteta more reliant on Havertz than ever and no back-up strikerArteta himself was also “disappointed” that his superiors failed to seal a deal.He said: “We haven’t achieved it so we are disappointed in that sense but as well we are very aware that we only want to bring ­certain kinds of players and we have to be very disciplined with that and I think we will.”The Gunners made one attempt to sign Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins last week but their offer was immediately rejected.As well as the loss of Martinelli, Arsenal had to deal with a 2-0 defeat and exit from the Carabao Cup. More

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      Luke Shaw seen walking on high street in his slippers amid fears injured Man Utd star suffered fresh setback

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      MANCHESTER UNITED ace Luke Shaw was spotted taking a walk in SLIPPERS amid fears of another injury setback.Shaw, 29, hasn’t started a game for United for almost a year due to a series of muscle injuries and counts a mere three substitute appearances since manager Ruben Amorim took over in November.Manchester United ace Luke Shaw was spotted taking a walkCredit: mancpicss66/aaronparfittThere were fears Shaw suffered another injury setbackCredit: mancpicss66/aaronparfittShaw was spotted in public wearing black slippersCredit: mancpicss66/aaronparfittThe left-back hasn’t played since December’s 4-0 victory over Everton at Old Trafford but revealed he suffered another setback with a heartbreaking announcement just two days later.There have been fears the England international’s injury hell just got worse despite participating in training before Thursday’s Europa League victory at FCSB.However, SunSport understand the fresh issue is minor and the defender is expected back in training on Monday despite initial worries he faces another spell on the sidelines.Following the news, Shaw was spotted out and about in Wilmslow as Man Utd prepare for Friday’s FA Cup clash with Leicester at Old Trafford.Read More on Man UtdAnd the ex-Southampton star was seen donning black Ugg slippers in public.His all-black outfit saw him wear sweat pants, a bulky puffer jacket and a hoodie. United manager Amorim could use Shaw as a left wing-back in his signature 3-4-2-1 formation.The full-back may face stiff competition from January signing Patrick Dorgu.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSDorgu arrived from Lecce during the winter market following a £25million deal.It seems like the Denmark international and Shaw will be the ones competing for a place in the starting line-up.Ruben Amorim bizarrely SLAPS Man Utd stars in training as fans joke ‘I hope Luke Shaw doesn’t get injured’That is after another injury-stricken star Tyrell Malacia was loaned out to PSV Eindhoven.Shaw counts a total of four goals and 25 assists in 278 appearances across all competitions since his arrival from Southampton in 2014.Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club. More

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      ‘We really wanted him’ – Napoli chief reveals Alejandro Garnacho request that saw Man Utd star’s transfer fall apart

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      ALEJANDRO GARNACHO’s transfer to Napoli fell apart after the star made an “unfair” request to join them.Garnacho, 20, at one stage looked destined to leave Manchester United during the winter transfer window.Alejandro Garnacho’s move to Napoli failed due to one ‘unfair’ reasonCredit: GettyNapoli sporting director Giovanni Manna said they ‘really wanted him’Credit: GettyThis was due to him partly not fitting Ruben Amorim’s system, partly owing to a lack of minutes and partly due to PSR pressure on Man Utd.Napoli and Chelsea were among the main clubs linked with the winger, but ultimately a deal was not reached with Garnacho finding a new lease of life at Old Trafford.The Italian side had been looking to sign a replacement for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who departed for Paris Saint-Germain earlier in the month in a deal worth £59m.But Giovanni Manna, sporting director of the Naples outfit, has now revealed why a deal to sign the Argentine fell apart.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLSpeaking at a press conference on Wednesday, he said: “We discussed and met Garnacho even before Kvara left, we made an important offer to United. We really wanted him.”The player wanted to leave the Premier League in January because in July it’s different; he wanted to be satisfied financially, something that we can’t do at the moment.”We don’t want to and I don’t even think it’s fair when there’s an average salary in the dressing room and you put a young player who earns a higher salary.”It’s not right towards the others who are doing important things.”Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS”We created a competitive team for a competition, and we are there thanks to the coach and the team, it wasn’t right.”Despite extensive discussions with the Red Devils, Napoli were also unable to agree a transfer fee despite the asking price being lowered to £55m.Manchester United player ratings against Crystal PalaceNapoli were also in the race for Patrick Dorgu, before he eventually moved to Man Utd in a deal worth £25m plus £4m in add-ons.Manna added: “Napoli must take strong players, whether they’re young or older. “For example, we negotiated Dorgu for the summer, then if United arrives and makes an offer outside the market it’s difficult to tell them to wait for us.”I’ll give you a practical example – if there’s an opportunity like [Scott] McTominay we’ll take it, but we’re not a club that takes a free agent for a five million salary and six million commission, that’s not our modus operandi, many others do it. “We take the good ones, the functional ones, if they have a prospect it’s better, but it’s not a necessary condition.”We took Buongiorno, Gilmour, but also Spinazzola, McTominay, Neres, Romelu, strong players in their market moment.”It seems that we had to do who knows what, we had to replace Kvara, we didn’t do it as we wanted but this summer we made few mistakes and the team is showing it.”Taking the step to please Garnacho means that I put someone in there with players who have been busting their asses since July… it’s not right, then we wanted to do it.”I’m not happy, we didn’t succeed, but the market didn’t end yesterday, it starts again and we will have to be good and show strength now. READ MORE SUN STORIES”Staying focused on the Champions League objective, which doesn’t mean not dreaming but staying focused, otherwise if you fly then you fall and hurt yourself. “This Napoli deserves only positive words, always and in any case, what is being done nobody expected.”Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club. More

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      I was baffled when Cristiano Ronaldo arrived at Man Utd – then he left me with cuts and grazes on my leg in training

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO’S former Manchester United team-mate has lifted the lid on playing against him in training.Phil Bardsley had many a battle against the Portuguese legend as both were youngsters breaking into the side in 2003.Cristiano Ronaldo signed for Man Utd after impressing Sir Alex Ferguson in a pre-season friendlyCredit: GettyRonaldo and Phil Bardsley (right) used to go toe-to-toe in trainingCredit: GettyRonaldo joined from Sporting for £12million earlier that year after catching the eye of Sir Alex Ferguson in a pre-season friendly against United.On his arrival at Carrington, Bardsley told talkSPORT: “He’d come in with his quirky little jumper on, with these little braids coming down, and everyone was like, ‘Who’s this kid?'”The first-team players were aware because he played against them in a pre-season game and he was magnificent in that game.”But when he came to the club, he was very slight, not much English at the time, but you could see glimpses of something.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLFull-back Bardsley often went head-to-head with Ronaldo in training to get him up to the speed of the Premier League.The 39-year-old, who played 18 times for United, revealed: “It’d be Cristiano taking me on and it’d be a case of me improving one-on-one defending, while he improves his finishing and his attacking play.”But we’d just come off and there’d be cuts and grazes down your shins and on your ankles when you try to stop shots and I’m blocking his shots. We both have cuts on our legs from it.”It was tough and you know what? People talk about him and probably in his early stage he went down too much, which is probably right.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS”For a Portuguese player coming to a new country, a physical league… but he was tough.“His battles over the years with Ashley Cole were, from a neutral point of view, you just couldn’t wait for it. Cristiano Ronaldo opens up on ‘f—ing clueless’ coaches he’s played for, Messi relationship and calls himself the GOAT”It was just tit for tat for 90 minutes and it was great competition, great to watch.“But I think over his career as well, those sort of periods helped him become tougher and stronger.”Ronaldo, who celebrates his 40th birthday today, went on to make 346 appearances for United over two spells, scoring 145 goals.And, overall, having hit the back of the net 923 times for club and country, Ronaldo is convinced he is the GOAT.He said: “I am the best player ever, I believe that.”I’m fast, I’m strong, [I score] with my head, with the left, no one has ever been more complete than me.“You may prefer Pele, Messi, Maradona, I understand and respect that.“If I finish on 920, 925 goals… it doesn’t matter to me at all. I am the best in history. Period.READ MORE SUN STORIES“If I reach 1,000 goals, great. If not, that’s fine too. Numbers don’t lie.”As for Bardsley, after leaving United he went on to play for Sunderland, Stoke and Burnley.Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club. More

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      How Sir Alex Ferguson ‘refused to let Cristiano Ronaldo leave stadium until he signed for Man Utd’

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO was not allowed to go home after a match until he had signed for Manchester United, according to Rio Ferdinand.The duo won three Premier League titles and the Champions League during their six years as team-mates.Sir Alex Ferguson did not let Cristiano Ronaldo go home until he agreed to join Man UtdCredit: GettyA teenage Ronaldo caught the eye of Sir Alex in a pre-season friendlyCredit: ReutersRio Ferdinand says he ’embarrassed’ players with his skillCredit: ReutersMan Utd paid Sporting Lisbon £12million for Ronaldo – just a year after Ferdinand went from Leeds to Old Trafford.Sir Alex Ferguson’s side had a pre-season friendly against the Portuguese club and CR7 dazzled Red Devils chiefs during the game – when he famously left John O’Shea “needing an oxygen tank”.So much so, that the legendary boss spoke to him after the game and made sure he chose Man Utd ahead of any other club.Ferdinand told the BBC: “We were invited to go to play Sporting to open their stadium.READ MORE ON RONALDO”We had just missed out on signing Ronaldinho. We were all excited thinking we were getting Ronaldinho, then he went and signed for Barcelona. We were all a bit deflated. “We were going to play Sporting and you start getting whispers, they’ve got this kid called Ronaldo, meant to be really good.”I didn’t think anything of it and the game starts. Then we are looking at each other and you’re like, ‘OK, this kid is the real deal’.”Look at him, he is like doing mad stuff, he is embarrassing a couple of our players.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS”The we were all standing there saying, ‘Oh my God, we’ve got to sign him.'”On the coach after, waiting everyone’s sitting there going, ‘Been here an hour, waiting, what’s going on? We’ve got to get to the airport.’Cristiano Ronaldo opens up on ‘f—ing clueless’ coaches he’s played for, Messi relationship and calls himself the GOAT”Noise starts travelling back through the coach that David Gill, who was CEO, and the manager are in there.”They have got Cristiano in a vice-like lock, waiting. He can’t leave the stadium until he signs and agrees to come to United.”Ronaldo, who celebrates his 40th birthday today, went on to make 346 appearances for the club over two spells, scoring 145 goals.Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club.Inside Cristiano Ronaldo’s incredible lifeAS arguably the greatest player of all time, Cristiano Ronaldo lives a life befitting such a superstar. More

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      Tottenham snap up England star’s son seven months after older brother signed contract in different sport

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      TOTTENHAM have signed Martin Offiah’s son Phoenix.The rugby league legend scored over 500 tries throughout his career and is the top try-scoring English player ever. Phoenix Offiah has signed for TottenhamCredit: InstagramHis dad Martin is a rugby league legendCredit: Graham Hughes – The TimesHis youngest son Phoenix, 15, has been snapped up by Spurs after previously being on the books of Crystal Palace, Brentford and Queens Park Rangers. Having put pen to paper on his contract, the young striker wrote on Instagram: “Thank you to everyone who helped me along my journey.”Happy to say that I have signed for Tottenham. Grind don’t stop now.”His proud dad, who has passed his lightening quick pace down to his kids, said: “Another proud day in the Offiah household. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”Phoenix signs for Spurs seven months after his older brother Tyler signed for Bath Rugby. The hard work starts now my boy.”On his journey, dad Martin previously said: “It’s been a long road for Phoenix to get this far. He played rugby union at Ealing Trailfinders, like his brother, up until the age of eight and scored a really good try at Twickenham.”After that, he said ‘Dad, I want to play football’, but he was just as good at rugby as Tyler. “It wasn’t for him, though, and I said, ‘It’s your life, I’ll support you on your journey’. Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS”So when he was about ten he got scouted by QPR and Fulham.”He chose QPR because it was closer to home and spent two years in their development system. Inside making of Spurs whiz Bergvall who outshone Kulusevski and Gyokeres as kid “When QPR told Phoenix that he wasn’t the finished article, he was very distraught and went away to work hard on his skills.”Phoenix’s brother Tyler, 18, is yet to make his senior rugby union debut but has featured for England’s Under-18s.Sport runs in the Offiah family as their cousin Odeluga is on the books of Brighton.The 22-year-old defender has featured ten times for the Seagulls and is currently out on loan at League One outfit Blackpool.Odeluga Offiah plays for BlackpoolCredit: Getty More

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      Stunning stat shows Chelsea star Cole Palmer is Europe’s most creative player – but hasn’t earned a SINGLE assist

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      COLE PALMER has not registered an assist for two months despite being the most creative player in Europe.The Chelsea star has scored 14 goals this season and is on course to match his tally of 22 from last term.Cole Palmer has not registered an assist in two monthsCredit: GettyPalmer registered 15 assists during his first year with the Blues, but he is well behind this campaign with just six to his name. And a shocking stat shows he is perhaps being let down by his team-mates’ poor finishing.The assists have dried up recently and his last one came when he set up Enzo Fernandez in a 3-0 win over Aston Villa on December 1.Palmer has still been Chelsea’s main man, making 32 chances in the 11 Premier League games since.READ MORE ON COLE PALMERNo other player in Europe’s top five divisions has been as creative across the last two months.That includes Nottingham Forest’s Anthony Elanga and Fulham’s Antonee Robinson, who have assisted six and seven goals respectively in this period.Despite Palmer’s baron assist run, he did set up Chelsea’s winner against West Ham on Monday night.But his cross deflected in off Aaron Wan-Bissaka and with it going down as an own goal – no assist could be given.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSPalmer’s lack of assists coincides with a drop in form for Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson.He has not scored in his last eight Premier League games.’I’m getting emotional’ – England manager Thomas Tuchel’s comments on Cole Palmer leave Chelsea fans close to tearsPalmer and Jackson have previously been a deadly duo, combining for 11 goals since the start of the 2023/24 season.Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club. More