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      Ex-Premier League footballer becomes Georgia’s president in victory for Putin after weeks of protests against regime

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      A FORMER Premier League footballer has been appointed president of Georgia in a victory for mad Russian dictator Vladimir Putin.Mikheil Kavelashvili, 53, was a striker for Manchester City between 1996 and 1997 who went on to play for several clubs in the Swiss Super League.Mikheil Kavelashvili has become president of GeorgiaKavelashvili poses in front of the FIFA world cup trophy during its world tour, at a ceremony in Tbilisi in 2018Credit: AFPAnti-government demonstrators hold caricatures of the newly elected presidentCredit: AFPHe was elected to parliament back in 2016 and in 2022 co-founded the People’s Power political movement.This was allied with the ruling party dubbed Georgian Dream, which became renowned for its strong far-right and anti-West rhetoric.Kavelashvili easily won the vote as the Georgian Dream party controls the 300-seat electoral college.This replaced direct presidential elections 2017. read more newsIt’s made up of members of Parliament, municipal councils and regional legislatures.Georgian Dream has vowed to continue pushing toward EU accession but also wants to reset ties with Russia.In 2008 Russia fought a brief war with Georgia, which led to Moscow’s recognition of two breakaway regions as independent, and an increase in the Russian military presence in South Ossetia and Abkhazia.Critics have accused Georgian Dream, established by Bidzina Ivanishvili, a shadowy billionaire who made his fortune in Russia, of becoming increasingly authoritarian and tilted toward Moscow.Most read in FootballThese are accusations the ruling party has denied.The party recently pushed through laws similar to those used by the Kremlin to crack down on freedom of speech and LGBTQ+ rights.Anti-government demonstrators gather outside the parliament building as parliament members elect a new president in TbilisiCredit: AFPAnti-government demonstrators gather outside the parliament buildingCredit: AFPPeople hold a banner saying ‘Hands off my child’ in Georgian,protesting outside of the Georgian parliamentCredit: APThe opposition denounced Saturday’s election as “illegitimate” and said the sitting president, Salome Zurabishvili remains the country’s sole legitimate leader.Pro-Western Zurabishvili – who is in heated disagreements with Georgian Dream – has refused to step down.She is demanding new parliamentary elections, paving the way for a constitutional showdown.On Saturday morning, protesters began gathering outside the parliament building, which was cordoned off by police, ahead of a rally scheduled for the evening.Protests are scheduled to take place at around a dozen locations in Tbilisi.Thousands of pro-EU demonstrators filled the streets of the capital on Friday before gathering outside parliament for the 16th consecutive day.It comes after riot cops fired tear gas and beat up men as they battled raging protesters who gathered across Georgia for numerous nights of violence prior to the election.Brutal clashes erupted outside Georgia’s parliament as thousands of demonstrators protested the government’s decision to delay European Union membership.More than 100 people were arrested as crowds clashed with riot cops armed with tear gas bombs.Dramatic footage captured protesters hurling fireworks at masked officers in riot gear who were firing rubber bullets, tear gas and water cannons to disperse the masses.Flames were seen coming from a window of the parliament building as protestors erected barricades on Tbilisi’s main avenue.READ MORE SUN STORIESMany were chased and beaten by police as demonstrators rallied in front of the country’s parliament building.Georgia plunged into crisis when the country’s newly-elected government put a pause on its long-standing bid to join the EU until 2028.Mikhail Kavelashvili (L) fights for the ball at Ullevaal Stadium in Oslo 20 May 1999 during Euro 2000 group 2 qualifierCredit: AFPMikheil Kavelashvili reacts after he was elected the country’s new president in the parliament, in Tbilisi, GeorgiaCredit: ReutersAnti-government demonstrators gather outside the parliament building as parliament members elect a new president in TbilisiCredit: AFPCrowds gather during a protest near the parliament building over the results of last month’s parliamentary election on December 6Credit: GettyProtesters shot fireworks at violent police in fierce clashesCredit: AFPProtesters clash with Police over the results of last month’s parliamentary electionCredit: GettyA police officer uses a crowd control spray against protesters in early DecemberCredit: ReutersPolice officers escort a demonstrator with a bloody face during the brutal clashesCredit: Reuters More

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      Ryan Reynolds joined by Hollywood legend as he buys round for entire Wrexham pub and makes brilliant speech

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      RYAN REYNOLDS was joined by a fellow Hollywood A-lister as he bought a round for an entire Wrexham pub last night.Reynolds, 48, co-owns League One Wrexham alongside It’s Always Sunny star Rob McElhenney.Ryan Reynolds addressed a crowd of punters at a Wrexham pub last nightCredit: X @wrexhamReynolds, 48, got a round in for fansCredit: X @wrexhamReynolds owns Wrexham alongside Rob McElhenneyCredit: GettyIn town ahead of this afternoon’s clash with Cambridge at the Racecourse Ground, Reynolds pulled up to a local pub to surprise punters.The actor turned up at The Fat Boar in Wrexham and delivered a speech to fans.Speaking into a microphone, he said: “I’m buying a round for everyone in here, which might be bussing in another hundred people as we speak but that’s fine.”And then I’m going to go right now get the f*** out and go to bed.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”I have four kids and this is a night off where I just get to go to bed when I want to, which I’m very excited about.”And I’m also very excited about tomorrow – I hope you’ll all be watching and, you know, up the town, right.”Reynolds then joked: “If I don’t come and visit each and everyone of you tonight in your homes, I just want to say happy holidays and all my love to your families.”In pictures posted by the pub’s social media accounts, Reynolds could be seen posing with fans for snaps alongside pal Channing Tatum., who dressed casually in a hoodie and hat.Most read in EFLBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSReynolds was joined in the pub by fellow Hollywood A-lister Channing Tatum, third from left, and actor Brandon Sklenar, third from rightCredit: X @FatBoarWXMThe pair recently starred together in Deadpool & Wolverine alongside Hugh Jackman.Also in the film was Wrexham forward Paul Mullin, who made an appearance as “Welshpool”.Danny Devito celebrates Wrexham’s last-gasp win over Barnsley as he watches from virtual stadium in LAPhil Parkinson’s side have attracted plenty of celebrity interest this season.Their recent match against Barnsley was screened at Cosm in Los Angeles.In attendance was McElhenney’s It’s Always Sunny colleague Danny DeVito, who was seen celebrating Wrexham’s late winner.Co-stars Kaitlin Olson, Charlie Day and Glenn Howerton were also in attendance, as well as NFL stars Cameron Dicker and Josh Harris.Newly-promoted Wrexham have enjoyed a strong start to life in the third tier.Parkinson’s men go into this afternoon’s match second in the table, only behind leaders Wycombe on goal difference but having played a game more.Wrexham are a point above Birmingham, partially owned by Tom Brady, although Blues have played two matches fewer.Wrexham are second in the League One tableCredit: GettyDanny DeVito celebrates Wrexham’s winner vs BarnsleyCredit: X More

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      England forced to find new stadium for World Cup 2026 qualifying clash against Andorra as they are kicked out of Wembley

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      ENGLAND are set to have to find a new venue for their home World Cup qualifier against Andorra.The Three Lions learned their 2026 World Cup qualifying opponents during yesterday’s draw in Zurich.England are set to have to find a new home for their date with AndorraCredit: AFPThomas Tuchel attended yesterday’s draw in ZurichCredit: AFPThomas Tuchel will begin his England reign on March 21 with a Wembley assignment against Albania.England will then host Latvia three days later, before travelling to Andorra in June.They are then scheduled to host Andorra on September 6, although they will likely have to do so away from Wembley.That’s because the national stadium is currently booked to host a series of Coldplay concerts around that night.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe British band have 10 Wembley shows scheduled between August 22 and September 8.These include dates on September 4 and 7, creating a logistical nightmare if England were to play there in between.The Three Lions have played some home matches away from Wembley in recent years.In June they hosted a pre-Euro 2024 friendly against Bosnia & Herzegovina at Newcastle’s St James’ Park.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSColdplay are set to play 10 concerts at Wembley Stadium next summerCredit: GettyWhile in June 2023 they defeated North Macedonia 7-0 at Manchester United’s Old Trafford.Molineux and the Riverside have both also been used since 2021.The Sun’s Charlie Wyett reacts to World Cup 2026 qualifying draw as Thomas Tuchel’s England are placed in group full of controversyThree days after the home match vs Andorra, England will travel to Serbia.The following month they will take on Latvia away from home, before concluding their campaign by hosting Serbia and travelling to Albania in November 2025.Quizzed on yesterday’s draw, Tuchel said: “I have huge respect for Serbia and Albania.”They can always surprise they have a strong history of technical football, of emotional players and groups.’A NEW EXPERIENCE'”They have two very famous ex-players as coaches so we should be very aware of that.”Latvia… England never played them so this is a new experience for all of us.READ MORE SUN STORIES”We are huge favourites and we have to qualify, this is where all the focus goes.”There can’t be any other approach than take it seriously and with respect and make it happen before we can dream the dream.” More

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      Government plans for football will backfire… damaging the Premier League is in NOBODY’S interest

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      NO ONE watching this year’s Premier League could think English football isn’t in rude health.Liverpool are on top, with Chelsea in hot pursuit and Aston Villa flying high in the Champions League. Bournemouth, Brentford and Brighton are all pushing for Europe.The Football Governance Bill is currently being debated in ParliamentCredit: AlamyThe Premier League provides support further down the football pyramidCredit: GettyOur second league, the Championship, is thriving like never before.It’s now the sixth richest league in Europe, thanks to the EFL’s £1billion broadcasting deals and the Premier League’s financial support — the most generous of any major league in the world.Incredibly, our second tier is now far wealthier than even the Portuguese or Dutch first leagues.Meanwhile, club insolvencies across the pyramid are at a 30-year low.READ MORE ON FOTBALLBut a lot of our politicians seem to think English football is a fragile house of cards. Other countries would love to have our so-called “problems”.There’s a reason 1.5bn people around the world tune into English football.Because, from top to bottom, our leagues crackle with tension, high stakes and meaning.They are not boring hierarchies where one team dominates in half-full stadiums, but the best competitions on the planet — forged by those willing to take risks, invest millions and back their judgment.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSIn what was promised to be a “light touch” regulator concentrating on the issues that are very important to clubs and fans — heritage issues, better fan engagement, proper owners and so on — the Government has given the Independent Football Regulator a so-called “Backstop” power.It’s part of the Football Governance Bill, currently being debated in Parliament, although it is making slower than expected progress. Former Premier League star begins new career as rapper with debut album set to be released – Labour’s own backbenchers have suggested over 150 new clauses they believe should be added to their own Government’s Bill.That’s on everything from forcing clubs to socially engineer the make-up of their season ticket holders, to demanding that fans are defined as only those who have season tickets, regardless of if you can actually get a season ticket at your club or not.The Backstop power gives the Regulator the right to forcibly take money from Prem clubs, even if it harms or affects their own competitiveness.Less cash means less to spend on transfer fees or less cash to pay their players.Not all Prem clubs have endless wealth, that’s why there is over £2bn of debt in the Prem.The Prem is no miserly Scrooge. Every Championship club receives around £7million a season, each League One club gets around £1.5m and each League One club gets over £1m.These payments are a helping hand, agreed freely and with goodwill.And since their inception in 2007, they have increased more than tenfold.But the Government believes this generosity, more money shared than any other league on the planet, should make way for state intervention.The result of which could mean that Prem clubs have to take on more debt (which ironically makes them less sustainable) or invest less in their own team so that fellow owners in the other leagues no longer have to take similar risks themselves. This is trickle-down turned upside-down.The Championship is no soup kitchen queue. It hosts incredibly wealthy owners, nine of them billionaires, who plough millions into efforts to reach the promised land.Yet, a Prem side that has climbed the ladder the hard way,  through calculated risk-taking and sustained investment, may be forced to hand over more millions so that Championship owners don’t have to.That’s even if those owners have mismanaged their clubs, made bad decisions and ­deliberately put their clubs at financial risk.It won’t be their owners that have to face the consequences, it will be the Prem owners who have to pick up their tab!The Prem willingly supports the pyramid with £1.6bn over a three-year broadcast cycle.That’s how I believe it should stay: negotiated, reasonable and always voluntary.That’s why I think the Regulator could well consider £1.6bn is far too generous and decide to cut it back.Or wonder why League Two only get eight per cent of the total PL handout, as the Championship keeps 80 per cent.Or they may decide the Prem should not fund every part of the pyramid themselves and the EFL should support the National League, the league directly below them, rather than asking the Prem to do that for them.Or they may just simply decide to impose far more stringent self-help measures that the EFL will have to implement to ensure they manage their own money better.Any good Regulator will surely see that damaging the appeal of the PL, and creating a competition that’s less vibrant, less exciting and much less appealing is in no one’s interests.Because if that happens, the Premier League will go into reverse and there will be far less money for everyone in the football pyramid.Less money for grassroots football. Less money for the PFA. Less money for the Football Foundation. Less money for the women’s game.READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd less money for all the many community projects and charities the PL supports to the tune of over £50m a year.As they say, be careful what you wish for…Who are these famous footballers? More

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      Lopetegui reveals extent of Michail Antonio’s injuries as he gives update on West Ham star’s future after car crash

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      JULEN LOPETEGUI is confident Michail Antonio will recover to play for West Ham again.The Hammers striker, 34, suffered a broken leg and various other injuries after a horror crash in his Ferrari FF near Theydon Bois in Epping.Michail Antonio has made 14 Premier League appearances this seasonCredit: PAThe forward, 34, was involved in an awful car crashAntonio was airlifted to a London hospital last Saturday following the crash before being quickly operated on.West Ham team-mates, as well as his manager, have visited the forward in hospital this week.And Lopetegui is confident the club’s all-time top Premier League scorer will recover.He said: “The most important thing is that he’s alive, he’s good.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”He broke his femur, but he’s going to recover for sure.”He’s going to need time. It’s about time.”Now it’s about time but the good news is that he has time because when you see the car was terrible, the accident, that’s why we are happy.”Because in the end, despite the fact we are unhappy because we lost one very important player for us, we are happy because he’s going to be ready.Most read in Football”Now he’s strong, he’s recovered himself in the next month for sure and he’s going to be ready to be a player.”The first thing is to be a man and then to be a player.”West Ham stars pay tribute to Antonio with special shirts after pal’s horror crashAntonio is not expected to recover before the end of this season, meaning a contract extension will be needed if he is to play for the club again.The former Nottingham Forest man is out of contract this summer, though West Ham have previously given new deals to injured players in order to support their recovery.Talks are yet to begin over whether Antonio will get an extension.Lopetegui experimented with captain Jarrod Bowen playing through the middle on Monday night.But summer signing Niclas Fullkrug has finally returned from injury to help boost the attacking numbers, grabbing a goal on his return at Leicester last week.’STEP BY STEP’Lopetegui is unsure, however, if the German is ready to start.He said: “Fulla is improving step by step.”He has been out a long time for the injury that he had and now he’s recovered himself and is day by day putting his body better.READ MORE SUN STORIES”That is good news for us that he has come back and he’s going to be ready to help us.”But let’s see when he’s going to be ready or not. Step by step he’s better, he feels better, he feels stronger so we can use him at any moment.”Julen Lopetegui has updated fans on Antonio’s conditionCredit: Reuters More

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      ‘We’re better than the position we’re currently in’, says Goater as Aston Villa target improved form in WSL

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      SHAUN GOATER has vowed to bring calmness during his Aston Villa reign following the sacking of Robert de Pauw.The stand-in Villans Women chief, 54, insists players are hungry to turn things around after picking up one win from nine WSL games under their former boss. Aston Villa, who are currently ninth, hope to get back to winning ways in the WSL with their last victory occuring on November 17Credit: AlamyShaun Goater guided Villa to a 4-1 midweek victory in a Women’s League Cup group stage clash with Charlton before his side bowed out of the contestCredit: GettyOn Wednesday Goater became the interim chief of a top-flight women’s side for the first time in his coaching career, following De Pauw’s departure.  A run of five losses and three draws has left Villa, who host West Ham tomorrow, position one point above the drop zone and sitting ninth. And they hope to avoid being drawn into a relegation battle. Ahead of the match Goater reflected on some past experiences of overcoming the odds during his playing days at Manchester City.Read More Football Stories The former Cityzens and Bermuda striker, who hung up his boots in 2006, reflected on helping his old club battle from 2-0 down to win a Second Division play-off final against Gillingham in 1999.Goater, who scored more than 100 times for the Cityzens, said: “Many people know my story and my journey. “One of those stories was playing at Wembley and City being 2-0 down and the clock being in the 88th minute (before we fought back). “I have within me, from that experience, the will to fight to the end.” Most read in FootballGoater, who began his coaching career in Bermuda 18 years ago, added: “That’s what I will pour into the girls – that we will continue to fight until the end. “In all fairness, we have that in abundance. We have that ability to fight and play the Villa way.“As a club the aspiration for Villa is to be higher up (in the WSL). We’ve not had the start to the season that we would like. “The (game against West Ham) is a must-win because we’re better than the position we’re currently in (in the league).”Before joining Villa this August Goater previously worked as part of Man City’s academy coaching staff from October 2021 before becoming assistant to City Women’s boss Gareth Taylor last April. His appointment as stand-in boss follows De Pauw’s exit after almost six months in post. Of De Pauw’s departure, Goater, who guided Villa to a 4-1 win against Charlton in the Women’s League Cup on December 11, said: “We’re in the business of football. “Sometimes these things happen. It’s one of those things. “On the day and when things were unfolding – yes –  I was surprised (he had gone). “But when the girls got together it was all about preparing for the game (against Charlton). “When I look into the players’ eyes I can see their hunger (to win). “They’re excited about the game coming up. This fills me with confidence that we can take this challenge onVilla’s first game under Goater included forward Ebony Salmon and skipper Rachel Daly both scoring twice. Ahead of their trip to Villa Park West Ham won two of their last three WSL gamesCredit: AlamyAnd Goater will be turning to both forwards and Villa’s other senior players to help get over their “bumpy” run of losses in the WSL.  READ MORE SUN STORIESHe added:“We have our senior players and this is exactly what I’ll be asking of them. “That’s to continue to take senior leadership roles and make sure we see ourselves through this bumpy period.” More

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      Mikel Arteta backs Bukayo Saka to emulate idol Cristiano Ronaldo as boss opens up on ‘evolving’ star winger

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      MIKEL ARTETA backed Bukayo Saka to emulate idol Cristiano Ronaldo by becoming a world-class centre-forward.From Hale End product to global superstar, the 23-year-old Arsenal winger’s evolution has taken most people by surprise — even within the club itself.Mikel Arteta has backed Bukayo Saka to emulate Cristiano RonaldoCredit: AFPSaka previously revealed that Ronaldo was his idol growing upCredit: ReutersUsed as a left-back in the early stages of Arteta’s Emirates reign, he made his first senior Gunners start six years ago this week.That was as a 17-year-old under then-boss Unai Emery in a 1-0 Europa League victory at home against Qarabag.Saka is now a world-class winger and undroppable starter for Arsenal and England, who belongs in the same conversation as the very best.But boss Arteta believes it is only a matter of time before he follows in the footsteps of the legendary Ronaldo and moves from out wide to a more central No 9 role.Read More on ArsenalRonaldo — now aged 39 and at Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr — made his name at Manchester United as a winger.The Portuguese went on to become one of the game’s greatest goalscoring strikers at Real Madrid.Asked if he could envisage a similar path for his talisman, Arteta said:“We are thinking about these things.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSArteta regularly heaps praise on ‘starboy’ SakaCredit: AP“It will depend on the qualities of the players around him. For somebody to be inside rather than outside, somebody has to be outside.“That player, the full-back, the attacking midfielder and the No 9 has to allow the space to do that.Arsenal star Bukayo Saka’s glam girlfriend Tolami Benson steals the show in daring outfit at The Fashion Awards“But I’m certainly very open to keep evolving players.”With two goals and an assist in the Gunners’ 3-0 Champions League win over Monaco on Wednesday, Saka now has 21 goal involvements in 21 games in all competitions this term.Since the start of last season in the Champions League, only Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane (18) and Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr (16) have been involved in more goals than Saka’s 14.And with ten assists and five goals in the Prem this campaign, he tops Europe’s big five leagues for assists — more than Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal (9) and Liverpool’s Mo Salah (8).On what Saka’s goalscoring targets should be, Arteta continued: “We always set targets. The idea to score 30 or 40 goals is fine but how are we going to do it?“How are we going to create a plan to try to develop the player and give him the best possible chance to make sure he is able to do that.I’m certainly very open to keep evolving players.Mikel Arteta“Sometimes it is a role, sometimes it a position on the pitch and sometimes it is other things.“When the understanding of the game and the spaces and the timing of how they move in relation to each other is strong, the freedom has to increase.“The decision-making is going to improve as they understand it better. That will create uncertainty for the opposition and now they have much more freedom than in the past.”Speaking of his admiration for Ronaldo previously, Saka explained: “I love his mentality. He just always wants to be the best, always working hard on and off the pitch.“He’s one of the best players to ever play football. He is unique.“We are two different players but I always try to look at him and take the good things from his game.”Fellow academy graduate Myles Lewis-Skelly, 18, made his Champions League debut against Monaco.And the rookie left-back could make his first Prem start at home to Everton tomorrow, with fellow teen sensation Ethan Nwaneri, 17, on the bench.Full-backs Oleksandr Zinchenko and Riccardo Calafiori are absent with muscular issues but Brazilian centre-back Gabriel is in contention to return.I love his mentality. He just always wants to be the best, always working hard on and off the pitch.Saka on RonaldoArteta says he is in a better position to give young stars debuts because of his “unbelievable” Gunners dressing room.Unlike the toxic group that he inherited in December 2019 when he took over as boss.The Spaniard said: “They can be ready — but then the context in that team, dressing room, moment, is not right…“Now the work has been done and it is exceptional what everybody has done and now they have the right environment.READ MORE SUN STORIES“The way they look after them and make them feel.“The jump is so big but they are showing that they are capable of doing it.”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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      Arsenal vs Everton is Prem’s feistiest fixture… Mikel Arteta’s physical Gunners remind me of Toffees under David Moyes

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      ARSENAL and Everton are top of the Prem red card charts because they have always liked physical players who never ducked out of contact.Since the Premier League’s launch in 1992, the Toffees have 108 reds and the Gunners 107 — including three this term — 14 more than third-placed Newcastle.Mark Halsey was not on Sol Campbell’s Christmas card list after sending him off a few timesCredit: AFPArsenal and Everton have received the most red cards in Prem historyCredit: RexGoodison Park fans want blood-and-thunder tackles in end-to-end matches.They were so hostile towards opponents and referees — although I never had a problem at Everton — because they knew the importance of cranking up pressure.While matches between Arsenal and Everton have not historically been the dirtiest, I landed a feisty clash between them in 2003 where I had to issue TWO red cards — to Sol Campbell and Li Tie — at Highbury.It was the second time I sent off Sol in the space of five months.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe first was for elbowing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in April of the 2002-03 season during a crunch title game with Manchester United which ended 2-2.Sol brought his arm back, and right in front of my assistant Nigel Miller, who said the contact was deliberate.He appealed his dismissal but did not win.Arsene Wenger’s assistant Pat Rice and Sol came into the Highbury dressing room but I told them what I saw was a deliberate elbow. We agreed to disagree.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSIt meant Sol missed the FA Cup final in 2003 due to a four-game ban.His absence did not cost Wenger’s team as they beat Southampton 1-0 in Cardiff, although United won the league.Arsenal’s SET-PIECE COACH gets very own mural outside Emirates Stadium as fans say ‘this is just tragic… game’s gone’I refereed Arsenal v Everton at Highbury on the opening day of the following season — which the Gunners won as Invincibles — and sent off Sol again.He was being investigated by the FA at the time after kicking Manchester United’s Eric Djemba-Djemba in the Community Shield.I said during the game that we could not go through it without speaking to each other… he did not reply.After 25 minutes, Everton’s Thomas Gravesen was going through on goal and Sol brought him down and it was a clear denial of a goalscoring opportunity.He knew a red was coming and just walked off — so he did not say a word to me that day. Safe to say, I wasn’t on his Christmas card list that year.I also sent off Li Tie later for a second yellow. It is one of just three Prem fixtures between the clubs in which two players have been sent off.Mikel Arteta was a ‘moaner’ back in his playing daysCredit: AP:Associated PressDavid Moyes has always wanted his sides to be physicalCredit: ReutersPatrick Vieira and Duncan Ferguson are perhaps unsurprisingly in the top three players from the two clubs for red cards in the Premier League — with eight each.Patrick was tough to referee because no quarter was taken as an incredibly tough-tackling midfielder.Big Dunc was a traditional No 9 — he would take it and give it. I had to keep talking to him to keep him on side.Managers like David Moyes, who I got on well with, loved the physicality of players like Big Dunc.I remember sending off Toffees defender Joseph Yobo in a 2-1 defeat at Newcastle before Alan Shearer’s stunner.David rang me up — as you could when Keith Hackett was in charge — a few days later to admit I had to send off Yobo.He wanted that intensity to make Everton a fortress, which it was. It was always very tough to referee and you had to stay switched on.Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was one of his players at Everton. He was a moaner on the pitch but I got on well with him.READ MORE SUN STORIESYou can argue some of the red cards Arsenal have received under Mikel have been dubious but the passion from the manager goes into the players.The physicality of this Gunners team reminds me of both that Everton side under Moyes and 2003-era Arsenal team featuring Campbell.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