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Mikel Arteta spotted checking his ‘dark arts’ notepad with THREE main principles during Arsenal’s win over Southampton

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Mikel Arteta spotted checking his ‘dark arts’ notepad with THREE main principles during Arsenal’s win over Southampton

MIKEL ARTETA was spotted checking his “dark arts” notepad which included THREE key principles to beating Southampton.

Arsenal secured a 3-1 home win against the Premier League’s basement boys on Saturday to keep his side hot on the tails of Man City and Liverpool.

Mikel Arteta was spotted checking his 'dark arts' notepad on Saturday

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Mikel Arteta was spotted checking his ‘dark arts’ notepad on SaturdayCredit: Rex
The tactical instructions paid off as Arsenal beat Southampton 3-1

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The tactical instructions paid off as Arsenal beat Southampton 3-1Credit: Rex

The Gunners came from behind to secure all three points thanks to strikes from Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka.

And Arsenal have now won their last four in all competitions while remaining unbeaten.

However, Arteta may have to rethink his tactics for the next match at Bournemouth.

The Spaniard loves to make scribbles on tactical plans before and during matches.

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And unfortunately for Arteta, his latest notes were caught in broad daylight at the Emirates.

One piece of paper, with a red header and footer, appeared to show positions on the field with various instructions.

However, it was difficult to make out what exactly it said, with the black ink written on the other side.

Yet another note was clearer to see.

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And it appeared to outline Arteta’s three “principles” to beating Southampton.

The first note read: “Force AR 6 yard.”

Arsenal player ratings vs Southampton
One piece of paper was hard to decipher

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One piece of paper was hard to decipher
The other showed several instructions, including one that may have targeted Aaron Ramsdale

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The other showed several instructions, including one that may have targeted Aaron RamsdaleCredit: Dave Shopland/REX/Shutterstock

It is unclear what exactly this meant.

But it could be interpreted as instructions to make Saints goalie and former Arsenal star Aaron Ramsdale play on the edge of his six-yard box.

Arteta’s next two “principles” were harder to gauge due to his fingers blocking the final words.

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One read: “Force our…”

And the second added: “Avoid switch…”

Below, there was another section to Arteta’s masterplan.

One note said: “Throw ins. Who takes it?”

While the second said “right” before being cut off by Arteta’s fingers.

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After the game, the Spaniard praised his Arsenal players for their resilient performance.

Arsenal ratings vs Southampton: Saka saves nervy Gunners with Jesus low on confidence

ARSENAL came from behind to beat Southampton 3-1 in front of a temporarily anxious Emirates crowd.

Here’s how SunSport’s Ivan Speck rated every Arsenal player…

David Raya – 6

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A spectator for most of the game. Could do anything to keep out Cameron Archer’s curling opener.

Thomas Partey – 6

Swapped his usual defensive midfield role for right-back, though given the one-way traffic, he barely had any defensive duties.

But he supported Saka at every opportunity.

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William Saliba – 6

Dependable as always when he was needed, which was mostly in the second half.

Could have closed down Archer more quickly for the Southampton goal, but not alone in that.

Gabriel – 6

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Spent more time in the Southampton box trying to get his head on corners than in his own area, especially in the first half.

Handled the giant Paul Onuachu well when Southampton threw him on.

Riccardo Calafiori – 5

Given a couple of uncomfortable moments by Tyler Dibling.

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Did not seem to know which way the St Mary’s youngster was going half the time.

Jorginho – 6

Inches wide with a searing low shot late in the first half.

Probed but rarely found an incisive pass through the yellow shirts. Taken off after an hour.

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Declan Rice – 6

His usual solid self and tried to take on a more creative role with Southampton camped out in front of their own area, but prefers an open game to showcase his box-to-box talents.

Raheem Sterling  – 7

A freedom about his play. Happy to take on defenders at pace with his dancing feet.

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Unlucky not to finish off one dazzling run and even more unfortunate to be taken off after an hour.

But was robbed of the ball for the Saints opener.

Bukayo Saka – 9

A game of two halves. Had to cope with being double-teamed every time he picked up the ball in the first half and there was disbelief around the Emirates when he launched one shot high into the stands.

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The second period was a different story. Tore Southampton to shreds time and again.

A brilliant floated cross for Gabriel Martinelli to put Arsenal ahead, then a typically clinical finish for his side’s third.

Kai Havertz – 8

Proved his worth again as a scorer of important goals with the crucial equaliser just as nerves were beginning to jangle around the Emirates.

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Gabriel Jesus – 4

Too long in the shadows has drained him of the belief he had when he first arrived at Arsenal as the main man up front.

Two tame shots summed up his current ineffectiveness.

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Gabriel Martinelli (Sterling 60) – 8

Three weeks ago, his role in the Arsenal side was in question.

His form has returned in spades with a second Premier League goal in successive weeks.

Leandro Trossard (Jesus 61) – 7

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Like Martinelli, welcomed as a hero when he came on. Has become an important player in this Arsenal team. His run led to the third Arsenal goal.

Mikel Merino (Jorginho 61) – 6

A first Premier League appearance in Arsenal colours. Introduced just as the games was opening up and will benefit from the taster.

Takehiro Tomiyasu (Partey 84) – 6

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Back from injury. Given a run out towards the end to ease him back into first team duties.

Jakub Kiwior (Calafiori 90) – 6

Introduced late on when the game was won. Not much to do.

He said: “Saka has the capacity to change and decide games.

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“If we want to be at the top, sometimes players have to create those moments and he’s done that again.

“What he is doing at his age is unbelievable — and when the team needs him. That’s what defines a top player.”

On Havertz, Arteta added: “He wants more. He’s not satisfied. There is still another level from him.

“He’s surrounded by incredible players but something has changed in him. You really sense that confidence in him.

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“Now he’s putting it in games and he’s winning matches, which is great. He’s an attacking midfielder, he’s a nine, you don’t know where he is.

“That’s his football brain. His focus is, ‘I’m going to win the game, I’m going do it’.”

Meet the Arsenal Wags from Strictly star to a flight attendant

Tolami Benson – partner of Bukayo Saka

Benson and Saka have kept information on their relationship largely quiet.

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They do not appear on each others Instagram pages but she was seen speaking to Saka at the 2022 World Cup.

Helene Spilling – partner of Martin Odegaard

A professional dancer from Norway who rose to fame in the country’s version of Strictly Come Dancing, the pair were first spotted together at the Football Awards in March 2023.

Sophie Weber – partner of Kai Havertz

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Weber works as a model and social media influencer and is the most high profile member of the group on online with almost 400,000 followers on Instagram.

They are childhood sweethearts having grown up in the same neighbourhood.

Milly White – partner of Ben White

The couple got engaged in 2022 before tying the knot officially in May last year. They have matching “I love you tattoos” on their wrists. Milly White works as a model.

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Laura Trossard Hilven – partner of Leandro Trossard

The pair met in 2014 before getting married in 2019.

They have two sons together, Thiago and Amadeo.

Lauren Fryer – partner of Declan Rice

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Lauren Fryer and Declan Rice have been together since 2015. She tends to keep a lower profile compared to some of Arsenal’s other Wags but is no less stunning.

She sadly deleted all pictures on her Instagram after suffering horrific abuse by vile trolls.

Georgina Ramsdale – partner of Aaron Ramsdale

Georgina Ramsdale works as a flight attendant.

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The couple got married last June after the Arsenal star proposed in 2022. They originally met in 2019.

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Ronnie O’Sullivan pulls out of third successive tournament as he withdraws from Northern Ireland Open at last minute

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Ronnie O'Sullivan pulls out of third successive tournament as he withdraws from Northern Ireland Open at last minute

RONNIE O’SULLIVAN has pulled out of the Northern Ireland Open.

The seven-time world champion made the move due to medical reasons.

Ronnie O'Sullivan has pulled out of the Northern Ireland Open, marking the third event in a row he has withdrawn from

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Ronnie O’Sullivan has pulled out of the Northern Ireland Open, marking the third event in a row he has withdrawn fromCredit: Getty

The Belfast event started yesterday.

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But O’Sullivan‘s withdrawal marks the third straight tournament he has missed out on.

It comes after he sat out the British Open and the Wuhan Open.

The World Snooker Tour confirmed the news on Sunday.

As a result of the withdrawal, his first-round opponent, Long Zehuang, was handed a bye into the round of 32.

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The Rocket had lost three previous Northern Ireland Open finals to Judd Trump between 2018 and 2020.

O’Sullivan had also withdrawn from last year’s event due to medical reasons.

The world No5 has not played competitively since being knocked out of the first round of the English Open on 17 September – which saw him harshly brand himself “useless” and “embarrassing”.

O’Sullivan has hinted at retirement several times this year.

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He recently announced a new side hustle by opening a snooker academy in Saudi Arabia.

Ronnie O’Sullivan shows off his driving skills in Top Gear

O’Sullivan also revealed how he would have pursued a career in motorsport if he never pursued a career in snooker.

You can find all the latest updates on the Northern Ireland Open by reading SunSport’s snooker blog HERE.

Inside Ronnie’s colourful career

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FROM his lightning breaks to blasts at officials, Ronnie O’Sullivan has fired snooker into the spotlight.

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Skate America: Great Britain’s Lewis Gibson and Lilah Fear win gold in Grand Prix event

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Skate America: Great Britain's Lewis Gibson and Lilah Fear win gold in Grand Prix event

Great Britain’s Lewis Gibson and Lilah Fear won gold in the ice dance at Skate America in the first ISU Grand Prix of the season.

The pair beat defending ISU world champions Madison Chock and Evan Bates from the United States by a fraction of a point in Allen, Texas, while Spain’s Olivia Smart and Tim Dieck finished third.

In January, Gibson and Fear won silver for a second consecutive year in the ice dance at the European Figure Skating Championships.

“We were so proud to be up there on the podium. It was definitely a heartwarming moment, especially to be surrounded by our amazing team-mates,” said Fear of the other two pairs she trains alongside.

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Gibson and Fear led after the rhythm dance and finished second in the free dance for an overall score of 206.38 points, with Chock and Bates second on 205.63.

The six-leg Grand Prix series continues on Friday with Skate Canada in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

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2024 World Series: Yankees vs. Dodgers Preview | MLB on FOX

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2024 World Series: Yankees vs. Dodgers Preview




The “MLB on FOX” crew preview the New York Yankees vs. Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2024 World Series.



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Gruesome moment ice hockey star snaps bent finger back into place after punching rival numerous times in head

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Gruesome moment ice hockey star snaps bent finger back into place after punching rival numerous times in head

FANS were left squirming after an ice hockey star appeared to snap his bent finger back into place during a game.

The incident occurred during the American Hockey League clash between the Laval Rocket and Syracuse Crunch on Friday.

An American Hockey League player had his finger bent out of place during a brawl

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An American Hockey League player had his finger bent out of place during a brawlCredit: X
Vincent Arseneau appeared to snap his ginger back into place on the ice

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Vincent Arseneau appeared to snap his ginger back into place on the iceCredit: X

Rocket left wing Vincent Arseneau was left with a gruesome injury after a brawl with Crunch star Kale Kessy.

Officials had to separate the pair before either of them fell to the ice, with one of Arseneau’s fingers appearing to be bent the other way afterwards.

The 32-year-old could then be seen snapping it back into place as he made his way to the penalty box.

Despite attempting to correct his injury, the Canadian did not return to the action as his side went on to win 5-2.

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He also missed the rematch between the two teams on Saturday, which the Rocket also won 1-0.

Fans were left stunned by the incident on social media after Friday’s clash.

Reacting on X, one supporter wrote: “That’s a hockey player right there.”

Another added: “Tell me you’re a hockey player without telling me you’re a hockey player.”

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Meanwhile, a third fan also commented: “I did not need this visual.”

The Rocket, an affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens, are in action once again this weekend.

Top 10 highest paid sports stars in 2024

They take on the Utica Comets at home on Friday before facing them away the following day.

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It is not yet known whether Arseneau will make his return to the ice in either of those games.

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Ulster Rugby: In-form Jacob Stockdale a ‘very different’ player to 2018

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Ulster Rugby: In-form Jacob Stockdale a 'very different' player to 2018

With Andy Farrell set to name his Ireland squad for next month’s four Test matches on Wednesday, Stockdale is expected to be included in the panel for games against New Zealand, Argentina, Fiji and Australia.

Whether he can displace Leinster’s James Lowe on the left wing for what would be a first cap since before the last World Cup will be another matter.

Either way, Stockdale feels he has done all he can to put himself in the frame

“Whether I play or not, obviously I want to, don’t get me wrong, but it doesn’t really matter to a certain degree as I’m doing what I can out on the pitch at the moment.

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“I feel like I’m doing everything I can to warrant getting an opportunity.

“If it doesn’t come, it doesn’t come but I’m feeling good.”

Indeed, perhaps the only way he could be preparing for Ireland camp in a better frame of mind would be if he was coming in off a career hat-trick.

Between his first and second scores against Ospreys on Friday night, he had dotted down once more only to have the try chalked off by the TMO for a forward pass after both the conversion and restart.

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“I was a bit unhappy, to say the least,” he said.

“It seems a bit crazy to me to hit the conversion and hit the restart and then get brought back for the TMO.

“Where does it end? Is it going to be at a point where we’re 15 minutes later and someone says, ‘oh, that try you scored earlier doesn’t count anymore’.

“I don’t know, fair enough if it’s forward, but it needs to be called earlier.”

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Kyle Larson after recovering to 11th: ‘Nothing has gone very clean for us’

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