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      ‘Not again’ – Arteta reveals Havertz tore hamstring during set-piece routine and admits Arsenal could sign free agent

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      MIKEL ARTETA admits he could sign a free agent to alleviate Arsenal’s attacking woes.The Spaniard failed to bring in a new frontman in the January transfer window, despite injuries to Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka.Mikel Arteta didn’t bring in a new striker in the January transfer windowCredit: GETTYThe injury to Kai Havertz has left Arteta with just three fit attackers at his disposalCredit: PAThe Spaniard has refused to rule out the possibility of signing a free agentCredit: GETTYArteta has just THREE fit forwards at his disposal after Kai Havertz tore his hamstring during the Gunners’ warm winter training camp in Dubai.And he’s not ruled out the possibility of bringing in a free agent to bolster his attacking options.The 42-year-old said: “I’ll explore every possible situation and make a decision from there.”Germany international Havertz will miss the remainder of the season and undergo surgery on his torn hamstring, which he suffered in “unexpected circumstances”.READ MORE SPORTS NEWSArteta revealed: “He was going to stop a shot after a set piece and stretch the leg and he felt his hamstring.”When asked what his immediate reaction to the injury was, Arteta said: “Big pain in the tummy, that’s the first feeling. “First of all when you see a player in pain, obviously it’s a really bad feeling. “Then you feel like, ‘Not again.’ And then you realise you have no time to do that.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSDespite his side’s current woes, Arteta is relishing the seemingly impossible challenge of overturning Liverpool’s seven-point lead at the top of the table.He said: “Fortunately, we have been through a lot this season.Where Arsenal’s transfer window went wrong with Mikel Arteta more reliant on Havertz than ever and no back-up striker”We have played without Gabriel Magalhaes, Saliba, [Ben] White all season, [Takehiro] Tomiyasu all season.”[Riccardo] Calafiori missed two months, [MIkel] Merino two months, Saka three months, Gabriel Jesus.”All of them! That’s the challenge I have. I love it and I’m looking forward. Let’s see what the team is made of.”The Gunners return to action on Saturday afternoon, travelling to the King Power Stadium to take on Leicester City. More

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      Vinicius Jr offered deal ‘Real Madrid will never reach’ worth €1BILLION to join Saudi football revolution

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      REAL MADRID are facing a major threat from Saudi Arabia in their bid to hold on to star man Vinicius Jr.Vinicius, 24, has a contract with Real until 2027 and is currently the club’s joint-highest earner along with star team-mate Kylian Mbappe, both of whom make about £12million per season.Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr has received a €1billion contract offer from Saudi ArabiaCredit: GettyReal would never be able to match the Saudis’ bid for ViniciusCredit: RexBut Los Blancos want to tie the forward down to a new long-term deal and have commenced negotiations with his representatives these past few months.According to AS, however, Saudi chiefs are determined to bring the Brazil international over to the Middle East “no matter what”.So much so that they are offering Vini a lucrative five-year deal worth a staggering total of €1billion (£832,000,000).That is a bid the reigning European champions could never match for last year’s Ballon d’Or runner-up.Read More on FootballThe same source claims Vinicius wants to stay in Madrid but will claim his new status as a global star means he can make higher financial demands.Real president Florentino Perez has refused to meet with Saudi delegates interested in signing the Brazilian and instead referred them to the player’s whopping €1bn release clause.Nevertheless, interest from the Saudi Pro League is not expected to disappear any time soon and that is why the reigning Spanish champions want to speed up talks with Vinicius.Perez wasn’t expected to hold contract talks with the Brazil star until this coming summer but the ongoing competition has forced his hand.Most read in FootballThat is why Real chiefs have contacted the ex-Flamengo star’s camp to find out his financial demands.The winger issued a response and he is now awaiting the club’s next move.Jude Bellingham’s furious reaction to Valencia goalkeeper after Vinicius Jr sent off in heated Real Madrid clashNevertheless, the popular player strongly hinted he wants to stay at the Santiago Bernabeu for a long time.Vinicius told TNT after Tuesday’s Champions League victory at Manchester City: “It’s very exciting to be able to open talks with Madrid about my renewal.“I have a contract until 2027, but I have always said that I want to play here for a long time, to be able to make history and to receive the affection of the fans along with the president, all the players and the coaching staff. “And God willing, hopefully in the next few days all the negotiations can be resolved and I can stay here for much longer.” More

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      Former Nottingham Forest flop gets suspended jail sentence for illegally filming ex-girlfriend during sex

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      NOTTINGHAM FOREST flop Hwang Ui-jo has landed a prison sentence – after a court found him guilty of illegally filming his ex-girlfriend during sex.The South Korea striker spent two years on Forest’s books after a 2022 move from Bordeaux.Nottingham Forest flop Hwang Ui-jo has been found guilty of illegally filming his ex during sexCredit: AFPHe has been handed a suspended prison sentence of one yearCredit: GettyBut he never played for the Premier League side, instead going out on a series of loans.Hwang, 32, appeared 18 times for Norwich last season – scoring three goals for the Championship club.But he was charged with filming two women during sex without their consent on four occasions in 2022.And Seoul’s Central District Court handed him a one-year suspended jail term on Friday after convicting him of charges relating to one of the women.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe court said: “Considering that he filmed them with a cellphone during sexual intercourse against their will, the number of times the crime was committed, and the specific details of the filmed material, the nature of the crime is not good.”Given the seriousness of the socially harmful effects of illegal filming, it is necessary to punish strictly.”The court said Hwang’s punishment had been reduced as he had previously expressed his remorse, and the videos had been shared on social media by a third party.The striker has been with Turkish club Alanyaspor since joining them on an initial loan from Forest last year.Most read in FootballHe previously spent three seasons with Bordeaux, scoring 29 goals in 98 games for the French Ligue 1 club.Hwang has so far played 11 times for Alanyaspor this season, scoring five goals.Last season he featured eight times for the Turks, scoring just once.His contract with the Super Lig side expires this summer. More

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      Man Utd, Everton and Alan Shearer lead tributes as much-loved Scottish football writer Patrick Barclay dies at 77

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      MAN UTD, Everton and a host of English Premier League clubs led the tributes after the death of respected Scottish football journalist Patrick Barclay at the age of 77.Massive football names such as Alan Shearer and Robbie Fowler also paid tribute to Barclay, who grew up in Dundee and started his career in journalism at the Dundee Evening Telegraph.Patrick Barclay presents Wayne Rooney with his Football Writers’ awardCredit: PAChairman of the FWA Patrick Barclay presents the trophy to Gordon BanksCredit: PAHe stayed a Dundee fan all his days but was best known for his work south of the border where he worked for the Independent, the Guardian/Observer, the Times and the Telegraph.He also wrote biographies on Jose Mourinho and Alex Ferguson and for many he will be best known for his contributions to the Sunday Supplement newspaper review show on Sky Sports.The Football Writers’ Association south of the border wrote: “It is with the greatest sadness that we must announce the death of our dear Patrick Barclay. “A celebration of Patrick’s life will be held at a later date. Meanwhile, we hope that the family’s wish for privacy is respected.”Shearer wrote: “Ah no. Such sad news. RIP Paddy.”Fowler shared his condolences with a broken heart emoji: “A great man…RIP Patrick.”Man Utd wrote on social media: “Paddy will always be held in great esteem by everyone at Manchester United and we send our sympathies to his loved ones at this time.”Fulham Football Club added: “We’re so sorry to hear this sad news about Paddy. Most read in Football”Our thoughts and best wishes go out to his family and all who knew him.”And Barclay’s beloved Dundee wrote: “Everyone at Dundee Football Club was saddened to learn of the passing of journalist and Dundee supporter Patrick Barclay. Iconic Scottish boss Jim Duffy opens up on nearly signing Paul Gascoigne for DUNDEE, friendship with GIanluca Vialli and arriving at Hibs via helicopter”The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Patrick’s family and friends at this sad time.”Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page More

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      ‘He tried to be the best, but unfortunately…’ – Cristiano Ronaldo’s ex-team-mate doesn’t hold back in Messi GOAT row

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      ANGEL DI MARIA shared his strong view on the heated GOAT row between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.Di Maria, 37, has played with both Ronaldo, 40, and Messi, 37, throughout his celebrated career.Angel Di Maria addressed the GOAT debate between Lionel Messi and Cristiano RonaldoCredit: GettyBenfica star Di Maria played with Ronaldo at Real MadridCredit: AFPDi Maria has also competed with Messi at ArgentinaCredit: AFPThe Benfica star spent four years with CR7 at Real Madrid and 16 years with the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner at Argentina – one of which also saw them linking up at Paris Saint-Germain.And after spending almost two decades with both football legends, the Manchester United flop is adamant fellow Argentine great Messi is the all-time best.The winger addressed Ronaldo’s recent interview on LaSexta where he once more stated his assertion that he is the greatest.However, the ex-Argentina international insists the numbers beg to differ as Messi has won everything and has more Ballon d’Or honours compared to the Portugal captain’s five.Read More on FootballThe ex-Juventus star admits Ronaldo is also one of the greatest players, but was born “at a bad time” when his biggest rival was “touched by the magic wand”.Di Maria told Infobae: “I already know him [Ronaldo], I was with him for four years. “I’m not surprised by Cristiano’s statements, he always made those statements, he wanted to impose what he wants to be , what he always tried to be, to be the best.”He was born in a generation… at a bad time when another one was born who was touched by the magic wand.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”It shows in numbers, it shows in everything. One having eight Ballon d’Ors, the other five, there is a very big difference. “Having been world champion is another very big difference, one having two Copa Americas and the other only one Euro Cup is also a big difference.How Sir Alex Ferguson ‘refused to let Cristiano Ronaldo leave stadium until he signed for Man Utd’ “There are many differences, many. And then, you see it in the games, do you understand me? “You see it in every minute of the game that one makes an effort in everything and the other plays as if he were in the backyard.”Everyone knows what Leo is going to do and he hits the same goal as always and keeps doing it. “He’s been doing the same thing for 18 or 20 years and everyone says, ‘You know what he’s going to do’. “Well, go mark him if you know what he’s going to do. And he does the same. “And he’ll still be 40 years old and he’ll still be doing tiki taka, tiki taka. That’s how it is, but Cris is like that too, he always declared himself that way, he was always the same. “For me Leo is the best in the world and the best in history without a doubt and then we’re at Benfica and he [Cristiano] is from the rival [Sporting Lisbon].”Ronaldo recently stated his assertion that he’s the best of all timeCredit: APDi Maria is adamant Messi is the greatest of all timeCredit: Alamy More

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      FA Cup TV games CONFIRMED with Plymouth fans facing nightmare journey home from Man City clash

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      PLYMOUTH ARGYLE fans face a nightmare journey home from Manchester after the next round of FA Cup TV games were confirmed.The remaining eight fixtures are set to take place on the first weekend of March.TV games for the next round of the FA Cup have been revealedCredit: ReutersAnd the FA Cup fifth round games have now been divvied up between national broadcasters ITV and the BBC.But Argyle fans will be feeling hard done by after their trip to Manchester City, a reward for KO’ing Liverpool, was given a 5.45pm kick-off time by ITV4 on Saturday March 1.The journey up from the south west alone will take nearly six hours.And supporters face being stranded in Manchester overnight, with the final train back to Plymouth leaving at 6.25pm — 40 minutes after kick-off.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe train doesn’t even get back to Devon until nearly midnight.And it means any fan who wants to catch it will likely be unlikely to see more than a few minutes of the game, given the 1.4 mile distance between the Etihad and Manchester Piccadilly station.Man City vs Plymouth is just one of FOUR matches taking place on Saturday March 1.Crystal Palace vs Millwall kicks off at 12.15pm on BBC One.Most read in FA CupJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSWhile Preston vs Burnley starts at the same time on BBC iPlayer.Bournemouth vs Wolves is also taking place at 3pm.Alex Scott given a fright by BBC presenter’s comment after picking last ball of FA Cup draw But it is the one game of the weekend that will NOT be on TV, and has instead been selected as the featured broadcast for BBC Radio 5 Live.The day before, Friday February 28, sees Aston Villa host Cardiff at 8pm on ITV1.Sunday March 2 then boasts Newcastle vs Brighton, which kicks off at 1.45pm on ITV1.That game is later followed by Man United vs Fulham at 4.30pm on BBC One.And the last match of the round features Nottingham Forest vs Ipswich on Monday March 3, which kicks off at 7.30pm on ITV4.FA Cup fifth round fixtures in fullFRIDAY 28 FEBRUARYAston Villa v. Cardiff City at 20:00 GMT on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV PlayerSATURDAY 1 MARCHCrystal Palace v. Millwall at 12:15 GMT on BBC One and BBC iPlayerPreston North End v. Burnley at 12:15 GMT on BBC iPlayerAFC Bournemouth v. Wolverhampton Wanderers at 15:00 GMT on BBC Radio 5 LiveManchester City v. Plymouth Argyle at 17:45 GMT on ITV4 and ITVXSUNDAY 2 MARCHNewcastle United v. Brighton & Hove Albion at 13:45 GMT on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV PlayerManchester United v. Fulham at 16:30 GMT on BBC One and BBC iPlayerMONDAY 3 MARCHNottingham Forest v. Ipswich Town at 19:30 GMT on ITV4 and ITVX More

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      in Boxing

      ‘Greedy Belly has been my best opponent’ – Oleksandr Usyk reveals how he really feels about Tyson Fury

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      OLEKSANDR USYK forgives Tyson Fury’s bad behaviour and lack of respect because all his other Brit opponents have shown good grace.The Gypsy King was all kisses and cuddles after losing their first Undisputed heavyweight decider last May.Tyson Fury was pally pally with Oleksandr Usyk after losing their first showdownCredit: GETTYHe was less so after being bested in their rematch last DecemberCredit: GettyThe Wythenshawe warrior was a bad sport after his second straight loss to the UkrainianCredit: PAUsyk bears no ill will to the Gypsy King after sharing the ring with him for 24 roundsBut when he lost another points decision in December, he was a bad sport afterwards.After 24 thrilling rounds, the aftermath would have been the perfect time for Fury to credit the man he dismissed as a “blown up middleweight” as the finest big man of his generation.Unlike previously bested Englishmen Tony Bellew, Derek Chisora and Anthony Joshua, Fury failed to credit Usyk’s incredible skill, courage and boxing CV in the post-fight press conference, instead blaming a robbery on poor scoring.But Ukraine’s 38-year-old ice man has forgiven the sulking hot head who he beat into a hasty retirement.READ MORE BOXING NEWS“I respect Tyson,” he told SunSport on a whizz around the London Eye.“I think me and Tyson respect each other. ‘Greedy Belly’ has been my best opponent and my best friend.“It doesn’t matter, it’s just bad behaviour.“My other opponents have shown good behaviour and respect, we have a fight and then we have no problem. It’s just sport.Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS“But Tyson didn’t show respect and that’s OK, no problem.“It’s just a problem for Tyson, not for me.Tyson Fury breaks silence on Oleksandr Usyk defeat in angry backstage rant after storming out of ring“I respect my opponents and for me that’s very important.”On Thursday of fight week, the pair endured a record-breaking 12-minute face-off where Fury towered over his rival, ranted about butchering Usyk and barked that he was a “bug-eyed b******” and a “f***ing rat”.Fury fans thought their bushy-bearded hero was perfectly poised on the warpath.But a look across the Riyadh stage at grinning little Usyk told us that the cheeky southpaw had already won the mind games and would complete the double in the ring.Usyk remembers the one-way trash-talk marathon with a smile and reckons Fury dressed up his diatribe with a pair of high heels.“When we had our last face-to-face I got a sore neck from being so close and having to look up at him,” he told us.“I thought, ‘What is going on? It should not be like this.’“But I think that Tyson had big shoes on.“After we did about 10 minutes of staring and everyone was shouting around us.”My team were holding onto the back of my jacket and pulling me back and away. But I told them I was relaxed.“After 12 minutes, my mind was just whirring about my life, my fights, my friends, my mind works at speed.“When Tyson was calling me names, I just thought, ‘Good, we go to work.’Oleksandr Usyk has landed Tyson Fury as his best opponentCredit: GETTY“The stuff that happens before the fight is just for show.”SunSport endured a scorching hot Ukrainian sauna with Chisora last month where he pointed out that Usyk has left his UK opponents with PTSD.Bellew and Fury retired after Usyk defeats, Joshua had an emotional breakdown and Daniel Dubois surrendered in the ring after a stiff jab.Usyk nods when reminded of his fighting feats and Del Boy’s praise but refuses to celebrate them.When asked how he has left so many bigger and stronger men shellshocked, he says: “I don’t know, I really don’t know, I have no idea.“Maybe because I win? But Derek is a great man.Oleksandr Usyk twice beat Anthony Joshua on his way to undisputed gloryCredit: GETTYUsyk is a big fan of former foe Derek Chisora and was at his UK swansong earlier this monthCredit: MATCHROOM BOXING“I am proud of my family and of my team. What I do in boxing is just sport.”Last year, proud Cossack Usyk told us his favourite ancestral warrior was Ivan ‘The Wolf’ Sirko, whose moustache and haircut he has regularly recreated.The military leader was so feared and idolised that after his death, his army impaled his hands on spikes and carried them into battles high above their heads.SunSport hopes Usyk now has a dream to be revered in a similar style by his legions of fans in the future now his name is etched into history as a London 2012 gold winner, undisputed cruiserweight king and undisputed heavyweight boss.READ MORE SUN STORIESTypically he floors us with a trademark dash of modesty.“It doesn’t matter how I am remembered in 100 years,” he says. “Because I will not be there to see it.” More

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      Michael Noonan’s mam shares hilarious ‘back to school’ snap hours after Shamrock Rovers teen makes football history

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      MICHAEL Noonan is back hitting the books this morning after hitting the back of the net on Thursday evening.The teen prodded home the winner for Shamrock Rovers in Norway yet was back in Dublin by last night.To top it all off, it was his debut for the Tallaght outfit after recently joining from St Patrick’s AthleticWe imagine all of that adrenaline made sleeping on the flight back rather trickyCredit: @sandie_noonanHis proud mother Sandie shared the evidence on social media, captioning the above snap: “And back to school he goes…”In the immediate aftermath of his winner in the first leg of Rovers’ Europa Conference League tie with Molde, she’d exclaimed: “I think it’s safe to say I’m the proudest Mam in the whole world tonight!”In bagging the game’s only goal, Michael made European club footballing history.He became the youngest scorer in modern UEFA club competitions – since group stages began in 1991 and not including preliminary rounds – at 16 years and 197 days.Even playing in Europe in February is uncharted territory for a League of Ireland club as the Hoops became the first side to progress beyond the group stage.And now they face Molde next Thursday in Tallaght with a one-goal advantage and a great chance to continue going where no Irish club has gone before.That the match winner was Noonan was a fairytale story.Stattos had to dig deep to find a younger scorer in Europe with Nii Lampty being 16 years and 78 days when scored for Anderlecht in 1991 before group stages existed.Most read in FootballHis inclusion just a few weeks after his move from St Patrick’s Athletic was a big call by Stephen Bradley but he declared in advance that the teenager was ready.And he never looked out of place as he ran the line well, and got one Molde player booked and another sent off when cynically brought down during the first half. ‘You’re in cuckoo land’ – Roy Keane lays into Ian Wright claiming James Maddison is Tottenham’s missing linkValdemar Lund could have no complaints when he dived in to bring down the striker when the last man.But the goal scored was all about Shamrock Rovers the team rather than just the boy wonder.With the man advantage, the Hoops were hunting the ball in all areas of the pitch as Molde looked to slow the game down to get some control.And it paid off for the Hoops on 27 minutes as they pressed high on the right as Dylan Watts chased midfielder Mats Moller Daehli all the way back into his own penalty area.As his goalkeeper moved out to make an angle for a pass, Watts pounced to win possession and fire into the six-yard box.And there was Noonan to do what he has done all the way through academy football and tap the ball home.He celebrated in front of the 200 Shamrock Rovers that had travelled over with them.READ MORE SUN STORIESWatts also got plenty of plaudits on what turned out to be a night to remember for the Hoops.Back home, the likes of Des Cahill have led the mind-blown online reaction to Noonan now holding such an incredible slice of the footballing record books. More