The Sun Newspaper

Subterms

    More stories

    • 238 Shares119 Views

      in Soccer

      Mikel Arteta begs Arsenal owners the Kroenkes to spend NOW… before it becomes ‘almost impossible’ to catch title chasers

      by

      UNDER-FIRE Mikel Arteta says Arsenal must spend big — before the gap to the top sides becomes “almost impossible” to bridge.And the Gunners boss believes owner Stan Kroenke WILL provide a significant war chest this summer to try to stop the rot.
      Mikel Arteta has begged for transfer funds before Arsenal fall too far behind leading clubsCredit: Getty
      Arteta admits it could become ‘almost impossible’ to bridge the gap without significant spendingCredit: Getty
      Mid-table Arsenal are way off the pace again and Arteta said: “Time is catching up right now.
      “It’s a trend, it’s years now that this has been happening.
      “If the distance and the margins with the rest becomes too big, then it’s almost impossible to do it.
      “I think we are still on time and we have put some very strong pillars and foundations in the last few months to do what we have to do.
      “We are in the right place to do it — and we have to do it.
      “The squad needs changing. There were already a lot of changes in December, something that has not been done in years, but it tells us where we were.
      “Things have to change and the owners are going to back it up.”
      When asked if that meant Arsenal would have a sizeable budget this summer, Arteta nodded.
      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE
      It remains to be seen if Stan Kroenke is ready to dig deep into his pocketsCredit: Getty
      There will also be questions about whether Arteta can be trusted to spend the funds correctlyCredit: Getty

      But it remains to be seen whether American Kroenke will stump up a big bundle of cash and whether Arteta will be trusted to spend it.
      The Spaniard is now the bookies’ favourite to be the next Premier League boss to leave his job after the Gunners crashed out of the Europa League with a whimper — beaten by ex-manager Unai Emery’s Villarreal.
      That has left Arsenal facing up to the prospect of failing to qualify for Europe for the first time in 26 years.
      And Arteta says his devastated players must show they care — and not just in the dressing room.
      Arsenal are nearing the end of a dismal seasonCredit: Getty
      The Gunners were knocked out of Europe by Villarreal on ThursdayCredit: Getty
      He said: “I saw how much they care. But how much they care in the dressing room is not what we have to see.
      “It’s how much they care when we go on that pitch and how we put it right.
      “We need to win the four games and see where that takes us in the table.
      “We need to see a strong reaction again on Sunday.
      Arsenal sit mid-table with just four games remainingCredit: Getty
      The Gunners are on the verge of missing out on European football for the first time since 1995Credit: Getty
      “Results on some occasions, or a lot of occasions, this season haven’t been what we wanted. But I will defend them because they deserve to be defended by me.”
      Many Arsenal fans would question the commitment of the players after limp performances in the first half of both legs of their Europa League semi-final.
      Gooners protested outside the Emirates before Thursday’s tie —  then shouted their displeasure at the team coach as it left.
      Arteta and his players are probably fortunate there will be no crowd at today’s home game with West Brom.
      But that luck will  run out when some fans are allowed in for the final-day visit of Brighton.
      Arsenal will be hoping to end their poor season on a highCredit: Getty
      Arteta will be feeling the pressure even though Arsenal plan to stick with him this summerCredit: Getty
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      He said: “We don’t know how they are going to react.
      “They are free to raise their voices. We do our job the best we possibly can and then try to engage them.
      “Because they are the soul of this football club, the soul of this sport, and we need them next to the team.”
      As for his own future, Arteta said: “I’m honoured and I feel I could not be anywhere else better than here.”
      ARSENAL (likely): Leno; Chambers, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney; Partey, Elneny; Odegaard, Saka, Martinelli; Aubameyang.

      Mikel Arteta admits his job is under threat after Arsenal are eliminated from the Europa League More

    • 213 Shares189 Views

      in Soccer

      Man Utd to offer Edinson Cavani £250k a week to stay at Old Trafford for another season

      by

      MANCHESTER UNITED will offer Edinson Cavani a £2.5million rise to try and tempt him into staying for another year.Cavani, 34, earns £200,000 a week but has yet to reveal if will leave this summer and return to South America.
      Man Utd are desperate for Edinson Cavani to stay for another season and will offer him a £2.5m pay-riseCredit: Reuters
      Cavani, 34, has had an amazing impact this season and was on fire against Roma in midweekCredit: Reuters
      United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has held a couple of conversations with the Uruguay striker, yet the feeling was he would be off.
      But the Red Devils have not given up and plan to offer him an extra £50,000 a week for another year’s service.
      The club do have an option of a further 12 months on the one-season deal he signed last summer, but it can only be triggered if Cavani also gives his approval.
      The veteran hitman took a 35 per cent pay cut when he arrived at Old Trafford on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain — but landed a signing-on fee of around £6m.
      Solskjaer remains hopeful an agreement can be reached over Cavani.
      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE

      However, there is an acceptance the decision will be heavily influenced by Cavani’s family — especially as he has been away from them during the pandemic.
      The South American has become a cult figure in his one season at United, impressing coaches with his fitness and attitude.
      And on Thursday his two goals against Roma — on top of a first-leg double — sealed United’s spot in the Europa League final.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Watch Edinson Cavani race in to defend Man Utd team-mate Mason Greenwood after clash with Roma’s Rick Karsdorp More

    • 250 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      Man Utd to DOUBLE Bruno Fernandes’ wages after Europa League final with club chiefs desperate to tie down top scorer

      by

      BRUNO FERNANDES will be offered a double-your-money contract to extend his stay at Manchester United after the Europa League final. It is believed United chiefs will meet Fernandes’ representatives before the start of the European Championships in June.
      Man Utd will offer to double Bruno Fernandes’ wagesCredit: Rex
      United are ready to offer an improved £200,000-a-week package for their star player.
      But there will be only five days or so between United’s showdown with Villarreal in Gdansk on May 26 and the Portugal star joining up with his national team.
      Fernandes, 26, has been a revelation since signing from Sporting Lisbon on a five-and-a-half year deal in January 2020 for £50.8million.
      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE

      But the midfielder wants to know what the club’s future plans are both in terms of new signings and with regard to retaining players like Paul Pogba, whose contract will expire next year.
      Fernandes is United’s top scorer, with 26 goals and 17 assists in 53 appearances, but the club’s own stats show he also regularly runs further than any other player in the team.
      The feeling is that Fernandes would be able to devote more of his time and energy to the business end of the pitch if United were to sign a world-class, ball-playing centre-back to partner Harry Maguire and upgraded their defensive midfield options.

      Aston Villa vs Man Utd – Watch LIVE, channel info and kick-off time More

    • 250 Shares199 Views

      in Soccer

      Harry Kane ready to ask Tottenham to listen to transfer offers this summer as Man Utd line up £90MILLION bid

      by

      HARRY KANE is ready to ask Daniel Levy to consider offers for him this summer.Tottenham’s defeat at Leeds leaves them needing a miracle to qualify for the Champions League next season – and Kane could make things even worse for Levy.
      Harry Kane is ready to ask Spurs chief Daniel Levy to consider offers for him this summerCredit: AP
      Kane is wondering if Tottenham are capable of winning major trophiesCredit: EPA
      The striker was already considering his Spurs future as he ponders the prospect of never winning major trophies.
      Champions League football was seen as a minimum requirement to keep him happy and Tottenham’s hopes of securing a place now hang by a thread.
      They need to win their last three games and pray three other clubs slip up.
      Kane is aware chairman Levy has no intention of letting his star player go unless he formally asks for a transfer.
      SunSport understands the 27-year-old will stop short of requesting a move but the hope is by appealing to Levy to be open to bids, it may see a big-money move set up.
      It is the clearest indication yet Kane could decide he has run his course in North London after joining the club academy in 2004.
      Spurs have remained resolute in the position they do not want to sell, with the added confidence Kane still has three years on his existing contract.
      There has been a belief they could keep the striker for another season to see if the team can challenge next year and if things do not work out they would be happy to let him leave in 12 months.
      But the manner of Tottenham’s dismal fall from even a top-four spot this season, plus the uncertainty over who will be the next manager, has led Kane to consider his options.
      Daniel Levy has no intention of letting his star man leave – and values him at £175mCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

      It would take a huge bid to tempt Levy, who prices Kane around £175million, but football’s post-Covid finances may make such a figure unachievable.
      Manchester United are considering  a bid close to £90m despite Levy’s insistence he would never sell to a Premier League rival.
      And Spurs also feel the transfer market may be stronger in a year, as clubs recover from the pandemic, meaning they could get more next summer even though Kane would be nearing 30.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Man Utd plot £90MILLION Harry Kane transfer bid as Glazers aim to apease angry fans after protests More

    • 250 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Uefa ready to switch Champions League final from Istanbul to Wembley with 22,500 Chelsea and Man City fans in attendance

      by

      UEFA chiefs are ready to shift the Champions League final to WEMBLEY.But only if the UK Government can give them a set of guarantees.
      Uefa chiefs are ready to move the Champions League final between Chelsea and Man City to WembleyCredit: Reuters
      SunSport revealed the personal plea from Boris Johnson to Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin after Turkey was placed on the Government’s red list.
      That would mean travellers would be required to quarantine for ten days on their return to the UK.
      Uefa are understood to be sympathetic and agree that, in the circumstances of a Covid wave in Turkey, not asking Chelsea and Manchester City fans to travel makes sense.
      But Uefa has ruled out grounds including Tottenham, Newcastle, Arsenal and Aston Villa.
      The governing body is also not considering Hampden Park or the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
      Euro bosses signalled that Wembley – with a capacity of 22,500 until the middle of June – is the only suitable venue.
      While there is growing momentum, a series of issues must be overcome.
      The first would be for the EFL and FA to agree to shift or reschedule the Championship play-off final, also due to be played on May 29.
      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE
      Chelsea and Man City could now go head-to-head at Wembley rather than in IstanbulCredit: EPA

      That could either be moved or brought forward by 48 hours, allowing both Chelsea and City to train at Wembley on the day before the Champions League final.
      But Uefa is also seeking absolute guarantees from the Government that all media, broadcasters, sponsors and VIPs will be allowed to attend without quarantine issues.
      In addition, Uefa will ask the clubs who were involved in this season’s competition to give up part of their prize money to meet the estimated £20million-plus costs already incurred by the Turkish authorities ahead of the planned game at the Ataturk in Istanbul.
      A final decision is expected to come early this week.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Champions League final chaos for Chelsea and Man City fans as Turkey added to UK travel red list More

    • 225 Shares199 Views

      in Soccer

      Man Utd fear summer of chaos if militant fans arrange anti-Glazer protests at pre-season games on foreign soil

      by

      MANCHESTER UNITED bosses fear militant fans could be planning a summer of discontent which will see them plotting to disrupt the club for months.Officials have already stepped up security at the club’s Carrington training ground in the wake of around 100 fans breaking into Old Trafford and storming the pitch ahead of the clash against Liverpool.
      Man Utd chiefs are worried fans are planning to disrupt the club all through the summerCredit: Guardian News & Media / Free to use by all titles in perpetuity under NMC agreement
      The protest, along with hundreds more supporters preventing the team bus from leaving The Lowry Hotel prior to last Sunday’s game, led to the fixture being postponed.
      Club officials are now concerned fans left furious by the Glazer family’s attempts to join a controversial European Super League could cause chaos over the coming months.
      A previous protest saw around 20 supporters walk into Carrington and speak to manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
      A source said: “United’s success is often attributed to the fact they have fans all over the world who come out in droves to support them.
      “But what if some of those decide instead of going along to a friendly in America or the Far East, they are going to launch a similar protest.
      “It’s very hard to predict and it’s difficult to stop — and it is causing them a huge headache.
      “The green and gold protests against the Glazer ownership have been going on a long time.
      “The ESL plans have breathed new life into them and show no signs of slowing down.”
      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE

      Prior to Thursday’s Europa League semi-final at Roma, security teams feared fans may try and stop the players arriving at Manchester airport.
      Rumours also circulated that two HQs belonging to kit sponsor adidas would also be targeted.
      The source said: “It’s a very difficult time for the people planning the security around the team and how they travel.”
      On Friday, United co-chairman Joel Glazer committed to better dialogue with fan groups after barely speaking to them throughout the 16 years his family have owned the club.
      And boss Solskjaer has called for calm — warning any further disruptions could turn a daunting run-in into an impossible one.
      United face three games in five days this week as a result of the Liverpool clash being postponed.
      Solskjaer said: “You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to see the challenges and the friction ahead — and it makes it more difficult for me and more difficult for the players.
      “We have to focus on getting results. I want us all to unite.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Aston Villa vs Man Utd – Watch LIVE, channel info and kick-off time More

    • 125 Shares179 Views

      in Boxing

      Anthony Joshua says Covid lockdowns stopped him having a breakdown

      by

      ANTHONY Joshua says Covid lockdowns stopped him having a breakdown.The world heavyweight champ was grateful to take time off from training.
      🔵 Read our coronavirus and green list announcement live blog for the latest updates
      Boxing champ Anthony Joshua says Covid lockdowns stopped him having a breakdownCredit: Rex
      Joshua, who is closing in on a mega-fight with rival Tyson Fury, said: “I never want to say Covid has been a blessing as for 99 per cent of people it has been so life-changing and tough for people.
      “But if there is a positive we got out of this negative it’s I feel like I was going to crash.
      “There were times going into training camp I was thinking, ‘I don’t know if I am going to come out the other side of this. I am that ill, run-down’.
      “We’re spending a lot of time promoting boxing and it’s hard.
      “During the pandemic I was like, ‘Breathe. Take a second’ and I just looked around.”
      AJ, 31, looks after fighters with his 258 management firm as well as co-parenting son Joseph, four.
      The world heavyweight champ was grateful to take time off from training during lockdownCredit: PA

      The champ told footballer Troy Deeney’s podcast: “I try and make my son use his creativity. Whatever he wants to do I will always be there to catch him if he falls.
      “I will never force him into anything. He is not a trophy kid.
      “He will figure it out and if he doesn’t he has great people around him to ask advice from.”

      Eddie Hearn confirms Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury fight is done with announcement coming very soon More

    • 250 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Rob Atkinson desperate to help seal promotion for Oxford United as he dreams of facing former club Fulham next season

      by

      ROB ATKINSON can go Ful circle if he wins promotion with Oxford.The defender today hopes to help the U’s secure a League One play-off spot and is dreaming of playing against former club Fulham in the Championship next season.
      Oxford defender Rob Atkinson (left) is eyeing Championship football and facing ex-club Fulham
      Atkinson, 22, got signed up by Fulham’s academy four years ago after making a name for himself in non-league with Basingstoke.
      But the 6ft 4in ace did not enjoy his two-year spell in West London.
      He said: “I was playing in the Under-23s – I didn’t like it that much.
      “Even though I thought the players were better, the coaching was better and facilities were immense, I missed men’s football.
      “That was my first taste of academy football.
      “My whole childhood people were saying, ‘You can be scouted for this and that’ and it would be the be all and end all.
      “But I was so late to the party. I was 19 when I joined Fulham.
      “It would’ve been different had I gone to an academy if I was younger but I was already engrained in the men’s game and playing youth football was a step back and I started to hate football.
      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE
      Rob Atkinson heads home for Oxford against Shrewsbury in League One

      “I hated playing games but enjoyed the training at Fulham. I’ve benefitted and grown as a player thanks to the training.
      “The games? I didn’t want any part of it. You don’t play well when you don’t enjoy it. I was also on the bench a lot. It was a bad time.
      “So if we do get promoted, it would be nice and mentally good to see myself at the same level as Fulham.”
      Atkinson ended up going to Braintree on loan for the last six months of his Fulham contract to play in the National League.
      And eventually ended up at Eastleigh, which is where Oxford signed him from halfway through last season.
      He said: “I started to enjoy football again at Braintree even though we were bottom of the table.
      “There was no pressure and then we started to win some games against teams that had a lot of money like Fylde. It got my career kicking on again.”
      Oxford must today better whatever Portsmouth do against Accrington AND at least equal whatever Charlton do against champions Hull.
      But Atkinson is pinching himself at how far he has come over the past year.
      Last season he could not get into the Oxford team after his move from Eastleigh.
      But not only he has started in the U’s team 40 times this season, he was named in the EFL’s League One Team of the Season after a string of impressive performances.
      Oxford defender Rob Atkinson (12) celebrates scoring against Shrewsbury Town
      Although he did get off to a bumpy start – getting sent off on his League One debut against Lincoln
      He said: “Karl Robinson’s history – as well as Oxford’s – of developing young players was a big factor in me coming here.
      “After getting sent off on my debut, it would’ve been easy for any manager to bin me off, thinking I’m not ready or good enough for League One.
      “But credit to the gaffer, he stuck by me and I’d like to think I’ve repaid his faith with good performances.
      “I’m happy with it and for being recognised for my work and must keep going.”
      Atkinson has a slightly different football path than most English footballers – as the first club he played for was Cannes in France.
      He explained: “When I was about five, I moved out to the south of France with my mum and lived out there until I was nine or ten.
      “Cannes were the local team in the area and that is how I played for them.
      “I can speak French – which is useful because there are a lot of footballers over here from France.”
      Cannes is of course famous for the Cannes Film Festival.
      And Atkinson would dearly love to star in a successful promotion bid.
      He said: “I sat on the bench when we lost the League One play-off final against Wycombe last season and everyone was devastated.
      “Some were still upset a few months after, which might explain our slow start to the season.
      “But we have some good momentum now. We’ve won five out of six and in good form at the right time.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Champions League final chaos for Chelsea and Man City fans as Turkey added to UK travel red list More