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    ‘Congrats to Liverpool on the title’ moan Arsenal fans as Havertz suffers injury to leave Arteta without any strikers

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    ARSENAL face being without any strikers after an injury scare to top scorer Kai Havertz.Boss Mikel Arteta had already confessed his disappointment at failing to land any new frontmen in the winter transfer window.Kai Havertz, pictured in Dubai with Arsenal team-mate Leandro Trossard, has reportedly picked up a hamstring niggleCredit: GettyGunners manager Mikel Arteta has had frontline problems all seasonCredit: GettyAnd that headache could now become much worse.First-choice attackers Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli are crocked.And now Havertz has reportedly been troubled by a hamstring injury during a training trip to Dubai.Some fans on social media reacted by claiming Arsenal should now say “Congrats to Liverpool on the title”.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLArne Slot’s Reds are six points clear of the second-placed Gunners in the Premier League and also have a game in handBut other supporters reckon it’s ridiculous to rule out a title surge just because of a fitness scare over Havertz.The 15-goal German has yet to win over all the Arsenal faithful despite his best season so far.And fans are desperate for winger Saka to return.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSBut after a handful of gloomy Gunners’ messages, one X user responded: “It’s not over yet bro and I’m a Liverpool fan.”If we beat Everton tomorrow (Wednesday) I think it’s done. If not still a big chance for you imo. You can’t get any more meaningful injuries though.”How Liverpool’s genius offside-buster gives them HUGE edge over EvertonAnother wrote: “Buddy said congrats here as if Kai Havertz was supposed to be the difference.”But a third supporter insisted Liverpool are already sure to lift the crown – but for a different reason.He said: “They won long before – when Manchester City lost a few games in a row.”  More

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      Second winter World Cup all but certain with Saudi Arabia set to be named 2034 hosts after Fifa change vote protocol

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      PREM chiefs are facing an uphill battle to stop a SECOND winter World Cup.Saudi Arabia will be named the 2034 hosts at a ‘virtual’ meeting of Fifa’s 211 associations today.Saudi Arabia are set to be named the 2034 World Cup hostsCredit: GettyFifa president Gianni Infantino will oversee a vote that will see the 2030 and 2034 tournaments awarded as a joint package, with no possibility for associations to object to either tournament individually.In a further sign of Infantino’s power, the FA will line up with most of the other European associations to nod through the two hosting decisions “by acclamation”.The Norwegian FA are likely to be the lone voice speaking out after Oslo officials criticised the “flawed” process.But the FA, keen on hosting the 2029 Women’s World Cup, is understood to be reluctant to rock the apple cart and follow suit.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe 2030 event will mainly be staged in Spain, Portugal and Morocco, although the opening three matches will be split between Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay.Confirmation that Saudi Arabia will host another desert event, 12 years after the first winter tournament in Qatar in 2022, will lead to a backlash from Europe’s top leagues.Prem chief executive Richard Masters is certain to be among those fighting a winter tournament.The Saudi tournament is likely to be played over 38 days from the start of January 2034 to avoid a clash with the Islamic Holy month of Ramadan in November and December.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSEurope’s biggest leagues, fearful of SEVEN WEEKS of no club football to accommodate the event, are certain to try to block it from being played in the middle of the season.The World Cup in 2022 was won by Argentina in Qatar after a thrilling final against France.Saudi Arabia release new pictures of 92,000-capacity ‘germinating seed’ King Salman Stadium ahead of 2034 World CupFull list of Saudi Arabia’s amazing stadiumsRiyadhKing Salman International Stadium – 92,760King Fahad Sports City Stadium – 70,200Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium – 46,979New Murabba Stadium – 46,010Roshn Stadium – 46,000Prince Faisal bin Fahad Sports City Stadium – 46,865South Riyadh Stadium – 47,060King Saud University Stadium – 46,319JeddahKing Abdullah Sports City Stadium – 58,432Qiddiya Coast Stadium – 46,096Jeddah Central Development Stadium – 45,794King Abdullah Economic City Stadium – 45,700Al KhobarAramco Stadium – 46,096AbhaKing Khalid University Stadium – 45,428NeomNeom Stadium – 46,010Lionel Messi achieved his dream of leading his country to the heralded trophy after a penalty shootout.England reached the quarter-finals in the tournament but were knocked out by finalists France.The Three Lions will be led by German manager Thomas Tuchel at the 2028 edition as they bid to win the trophy for the first time since 1966.NOBODY wants another winter World Cup.But Prem chiefs are burying their heads in the desert sands to try to block Fifa from staging 2034 in Saudi Arabia during January and February.Moving the showpiece to mid-season once again will be a huge disruption — that’s obvious.It would mean a minimum seven weeks without top-flight action.And will also see concertinaed domestic and European schedules in the seasons either side of the World Cup, with even less rest for already over-played stars.Yet what is the alternative when you could fry an egg on the pavements in Riyadh, Jeddah and the still-to-be-built city of Neom in June and JulyWith 45C-plus temperatures, everyone just has to bite the bullet and get on with it. More

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      I felt sorry for England team-mates who toiled while I spent Christmas sipping cocktails on a beach, says Harry Kane

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      HARRY KANE has urged Premier League chiefs to bring back a ­winter break to boost England’s dreams of winning trophies.The Three Lions captain insists players need time off during the ­season to avoid burnout and be at their best for summer World Cup  and Euros tournaments.Harry Kane says he benefited hugely from having last Christmas offCredit: MegaKane’s England colleagues like Cole Palmer face another busy XmasCredit: SplashBayern Munich striker Kane admits he “felt sorry” for Prem stars who had to play over Christmas last year — while he sipped cocktails on a beach.Ahead of Sunday’s Wembley Nations League clash against the Republic of Ireland, Kane declared: “If we can get some sort of winter break for the Premier League boys it would have a big impact.“We had it for about two years in the Prem and it went down well with players.“It’s a shame they don’t get that break now. For a lot of the players it was important, even for a week to get away and recharge so they could finish their season and go into major tournaments. READ MORE ENGLAND NEWS”It’s going to be a hard one to change. But it’s a conversation that needs to be had.”Kane enjoyed  a ten-day family holiday during Bayern’s three-week winter break last season but would have played five games in that period at former club Tottenham.He will get similar time off next month, while Prem stars play four times.Kane’s plea comes after Manchester City’s Ballon d’Or winner Rodri threatened strike action over football’s “crazy” calendar — before an ACL injury ended his season.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSPlayers’ unions have also launched legal action against Fifa over next summer’s £600million 32-team Club World Cup in America which will involve City, Chelsea and Bayern.The Prem’s top stars face playing up to 85 GAMES for club and country this season but the PFA want a 60-match limit.England fans tear gassed by ‘heavy-handed’ riot cops as FA launch probeKane, 31, benefited from Germany’s winter break last season, ending up with 44 goals in 45 appearances in his debut campaign for Bayern.He  added: “In Germany, I get that winter break so I get a good block off in a tough period.“I did feel sorry for some of the guys when I was on the beach last year watching them play on Boxing Day and the 29th — and I am there with my cocktail.“It really helped me last year to recover.“Being in Germany gives you that luxury. I’ll have that next year as well.”England’s 68-goal record scorer wins his 103rd cap today after interim boss Lee Carsley dropped him to the bench in favour of Ollie Watkins for Thursday’s 3-0 Nations League win in Greece.Asked if that was a shock, Kane admitted: “A little bit. It was like, ‘OK’, getting my head around it.READ MORE SUN STORIES“But I wasn’t down about it, I wasn’t worried.“Lee wanted to give Ollie the experience in a tough away game we had to win and I understood his decision.”Ollie Watkins shone and scored when coming in for KaneCredit: Getty More