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Troy Deeney: There is NO conspiracy against Arsenal – their red cards have been stupid and petulant… it’s worrying

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Troy Deeney: There is NO conspiracy against Arsenal – their red cards have been stupid and petulant… it's worrying

ARSENAL’S red-card run has me worried — but not for why you might think.

If the likes of Declan Rice, Leandro Trossard and William Saliba had been sent off for violent conduct, aggressive behaviour or arguing with refs, I could understand.

Mikel Arteta can't legislate for stupid things his players are doing

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Mikel Arteta can’t legislate for stupid things his players are doingCredit: Alamy
Declan Rice's red card was unlucky but showed Arsenal's recklessness

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Declan Rice’s red card was unlucky but showed Arsenal’s recklessnessCredit: Rex
Leandro Trossard's actions for his dismissal were so needless

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Leandro Trossard’s actions for his dismissal were so needlessCredit: Getty

These things happen, move on.

But in Arsenal’s case, none of them were for tackles. They were simply for petulant, lazy and stupid actions — things that manager Mikel Arteta cannot account for.

In all fairness, Rice’s red against Brighton for kicking the ball away was mental. The ref handled that badly.

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But Trossard’s against Manchester City was incredibly petulant.

And with Saliba’s at Bournemouth, he has got credit for reacting to a poor pass — ironically from Trossard — but I would have backed him to get back and for David Raya to save it.

It is something that keeps happening.

My other concern is the Arsenal players are starting to feel there is an agenda against them from the Prem refs — which there is NOT.

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I have seen it in dressing rooms — you can find an excuse if you are looking for it. As players, it is never our fault.

William Saliba saw red for a challenge that was clumsy in more ways than one as he felled Bournemouth striker Evanilson in mid-pitch

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William Saliba saw red for a challenge that was clumsy in more ways than one as he felled Bournemouth striker Evanilson in mid-pitchCredit: Rex

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And if you are hearing it on social media and begin talking about it then it will seep in.

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I am also worried that when these red cards have been given, I haven’t seen or heard of anyone screaming or shouting, pointing fingers.  That’s maybe a sign of the times.

Arsenal star Saka of three key men to miss training ahead of crunch Liverpool Premier League showdown

I was sent off five times in my professional career and every time in the dressing room after the games, I’ve got hammered for letting the team down.

I have experienced all of the emotions. Sometimes you feel hard-done-by and there is an element of smashing the dressing room up because you are angry, and sometimes I felt like a kid again getting told off by my parents — there is so much shame.

I don’t sense that has happened at Arsenal; more: “Unlucky, mate. Better luck next time.”

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Arsenal players are starting to feel there is an agenda against them from the Prem refs — which there is NOT.

Troy Deeney

You need accountability, you need players to show their frustration.
When Saliba was sent off and the team then lost 2-0, I would expect someone to at least ask: “Why did you do that?”

You are supposed to have conflict. You are allowed to hold people to a high standard.

Arsenal have obviously been doing that to get to the position they are at, challenging for the title.

But in these situations, if they are going into games without their best players — especially an avoidable one in Saliba — then that should rightly boil over behind the scenes.

And do not underestimate the toll it takes on you playing with ten men on several occasions in quick succession.

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It is almost impossible physically to pull it off just once, let alone three times, as well as the psychological damage of not having the ball.

When that is the case, it becomes a long, hard slog.

You can still see what that draw at Man City did to them — it is still in their legs, in their heads.

Bukayo Saka showed commendable confidence in saying it will be Arsenal's year but 'with great expectation comes great responsibility'

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Bukayo Saka showed commendable confidence in saying it will be Arsenal’s year but ‘with great expectation comes great responsibility’Credit: Reuters

Drawing 2-2 so late on. You’ve played for so long with ten men, defended so well, contained them, and then someone scores and the whole emotion leaves your body.

City now have an effect on Arsenal whereby if they are not six or seven points ahead going into the last ten games of a season, they know they will be caught.

At the start of this campaign, they put a lot of pressure on themselves — maybe too much.

Bukayo Saka came out and said: “This is our year, we can do it.” I liked it.

I don’t see Arsenal getting a result but, for their sakes, I hope they do.

Troy Deeney

But with great expectation comes great responsibility and I don’t remember a game this season where they have looked like the Arsenal of the previous two years.

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They have looked clunky and looked like they are forcing things.

And they are now in a position already this season where they have to go out and attack and win games, like against Liverpool on Sunday.

I don’t see Arsenal getting a result but, for their sakes, I hope they do. And as a neutral fan, I don’t want them to be done. Seven points adrift is huge.

So Arsenal have to deliver. And I am beginning to think of the question: When is Arteta under pressure?

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Maybe if they drift away from the title race by Christmas?

It is a harsh question given what he has done for the club but you have to deliver at some point.

Arsenal ratings vs Shakhtar: Jesus reminds fans of his quality but Trossard flops for poor Gunners

ARSENAL continued their unbeaten run in the Champions League with a 1-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk – but it was far from a convincing performance.

Gabriel Martinelli orchestrated the decisive goal when his low-driven strike hit the post and deflected in off the back of goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk.

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Here’s how SunSport’s Tony Robertson rated the Gunners…

DAVID RAYA – 7

Seldom asked to do much aside from recycle the ball to Gabriel or Saliba until the final stages

Pushed a potentially dangerous cross out of danger in the 84th minute. Pulled out a magnificent low save in injury time before claiming a dangerous cross to keep his clean sheet.

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BEN WHITE – 6

Back in at right-back today and played as if he had never been out of the team. 

Received a yellow card in the 34th minute. Subbed at half-time for Mikel Merino.

WILLIAM SALIBA – 7

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In the team after his red card against Bournemouth, played like his typically assured self marshalling the defence.

One or two sloppy passes late in the second half but otherwise can have no complaints with another solid performance.

GABRIEL MAGALHAES – 5

Sloppily gave the ball away to hand the visitors a dangerous chance out of nothing. Had another lapse just after the opener but in the end he was bailed out by Calafiori.

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Marked improvement in the second half.

RICCARDO CALAFIORI – 6

Skied a golden chance over the bar after six minutes. Tested the goalkeeper again after 24 minutes.

Dragged his foot and went down injured after skipping under a tackle in the 67th minute. Replaced by Myles Lewis-Skelly in 71st minute.

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THOMAS PARTEY – 6

Comfortable evening in midfield for him. Recycled the ball well when at his feet and kept play ticking over.

Moved to right back as White was hooked but didn’t have too many worries. When he was caught out of position Rice was able to cover.

DECLAN RICE – 6

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Like Partey, he had a quiet night in midfield with Shakhtar unable to retain meaningful possession.

Moved into the six as White was hooked and Partey moved to right-back. Cut out a dangerous low cross at the edge of the area. 

LEANDRO TROSSARD – 4

Nothing quite went right for him all night with some sloppy touches ending attacks and putting Arsenal in trouble.

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Summed up his night by missing a 77th minute penalty and was hooked in the 88th minute.

GABRIEL JESUS – 8

Wore the captain’s armband and looked bright down the right wing.

Denied a well-deserved goal by the feet of the keeper in the 43rd minute after Havertz played him in.

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Second half saw more good link play, but never had another chance to end his goal drought as he was replaced by Sterling in the 68th minute.

GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 7

Grew into the game following a quiet start and was rewarded with a goal, of sorts, after 30 minutes.

Brazilian cut inside from the left wing before firing a shot to the near post before the shot rebounded off the woodwork and hit the goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk to go in the net. 

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KAI HAVERTZ – 7

Centimeters away from getting Arsenal’s second in the 39th minute after Jesus squared a volley back across goal.

Returned the favour to set up his team-mate moments later only for the goalkeeper to prevent a goal.

Won a free-kick at the very end of the game to run the clock down.

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Mikel Merino (on for White HT) – 6

Some nice touches and stitched play together well. A solid yet unspectacular performance.

Raheem Sterling (on for Jesus 68 mins) – 6

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Tried to play on the shoulder of the last man but did not have the pace find the clear cut chance he would have liked.

Myles Lewis-Skelly (on for Calafiori 71 mins) – 6

Slotted in at left-back and was not afraid to show for the ball but often did not receive it while tucking infield.

Jorginho (on for Trossard 88 mins) – N/A

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Croatia 1-1 Northern Ireland: Tanya Oxtoby says NI didn’t get ‘professional courtesy’ at Euro qualifier

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Croatia 1-1 Northern Ireland: Tanya Oxtoby says NI didn't get 'professional courtesy' at Euro qualifier

Northern Ireland fell behind after just three minutes in Varazdin as goalkeeper Jackie Burns fouled Ivana Rudelic in the box.

Lojna blasted home the resulting spot-kick, but Oxtoby was pleased with her side’s response, with Simone Magill hitting the crossbar minutes after the opener.

“The advantage was that it was three minutes in so we had the whole half and we hadn’t even really got started,” Oxtoby said.

“We asked them to respond and in the first half we dominated the game and played really well, so I’m really pleased we grinded it out and got an equaliser in the end.”

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The Australian believes the resolve shown by her players will stand them in good stead for the second leg at Windsor Park.

“To come away from home and get the draw, there is a little bit of relief, but I was pleased with the players and their determination to keep pushing,” Oxtoby said.

“You can’t ask for much more and we go back home in a good position.”

Oxtoby also reserved praise for Cliftonville’s Danielle Maxwell, who was Northern Ireland’s biggest threat throughout.

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“She was exceptional, she was driving at players and causing all sorts of problems,” Oxtoby added.

“Her all-round game was really impressive tonight and hopefully she can take that into Tuesday.”

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UFC 308 Results: Topuria vs. Holloway

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UFC 308 Results: Topuria vs. Holloway

MMA Fighting has UFC 308 results of the Topuria vs. Holloway fight card, live blogs for the entire main card, and more from the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on Saturday afternoon.

In the main event, UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria will make his first title defense against former UFC champion Max Holloway. Topuria (15-0) has never tasted defeat in his pro career, while Holloway (26-7) has won four of his past five fights.

Khamzat Chimaev makes his long-awaited return against former UFC champion Robert Whittaker in the co-main event.

Check out the UFC 308 results below.

Main card (ESPN+ PPV at 2 p.m. ET)

Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway

Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev

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Lerone Murphy vs. Dan Ige

Magomed Ankalaev vs. Aleksandar Rakic

Shara Magomedov vs. Armen Petrosyan

Prelims (ESPN+ at 10 a.m. ET)

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Geoff Neal vs. Rafael dos Anjos

Mateusz Rebecki vs. Myktybek Orolbai

Abus Magomedov vs. Brunno Ferreira

Kennedy Nzechukwu vs. Chris Barnett

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Farid Basharat vs. Victor Hugo

Ismail Naurdiev vs. Bruno Silva

Rinat Fakhretdinov vs. Carlos Leal

Ibo Aslan vs. Raffael Cerqueira

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Charity Golf Day Raises Over £20k for Premature Babies

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Charity Golf Day Raises Over £20k for Premature Babies

New Life Special Care Babies, a charitable organisation dedicated to supporting neonatal units across the UK, proudly hosted its fifth charity golf day at the scenic Calcot Park Golf Course in Reading. The event saw a full turnout with 104 participants and concluded with a lively post-match BBQ and auction, hosted by comedian Aaron James. The day was a tremendous success, raising over £20,000.

Trevor Goodall, Founder of New Life Special Care Babies, expressed his gratitude and shared the charity’s remarkable journey: “In 2021, we reached the magical milestone of £1 million, surpassing all my expectations for the little charity I set up in 1995 in memory of my twin sons, Joshua and Samuel. Since then, we have organised more events and are now nearing the £2 million mark. We continue to purchase lifesaving equipment for neonatal units, including a ventilator for The Great Western Hospital in Swindon, a training manikin for Bristol, and a ventilator for The Royal Berks Hospital in Reading. I would also like to extend a very big thank you to our generous sponsors who have been incredibly supportive this year, and a special shout-out to Select Car Leasing as the main sponsor and contributor.”

The event drew several notable competitors, including Wimbledon FC FA Cup winners Lawrie Sanchez and Dave Beasant, as well as ex-Arsenal player Henri Lansbury. The winning team, the Rhyder Cup Team, comprised Duncan Dyson, Webby, Steve Leggett, and John Kay.

The charity, established in 1995 following the premature birth and subsequent tragic loss of Trevor Goodall’s twin boys, Joshua and Samuel, has since raised a total of £1.7 million. Through various events, including charity golf days, balls, sponsored cycle rides, and other challenges, New Life Special Care Babies has made significant contributions to neonatal units across the UK, aiding thousands of premature babies.

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Anthony Volpe drives in the go-ahead run, giving Yankees a 3-2 lead over Dodgers

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Anthony Volpe drives in the go-ahead run, giving Yankees a 3-2 lead over Dodgers




Anthony Volpe drove in the go-ahead run to give the New York Yankees a 3-2 lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers.



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‘Worst performance I’ve ever seen’ say stunned darts fans as defending champ WHITEWASHED in European Championship shock

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‘Worst performance I’ve ever seen’ say stunned darts fans as defending champ WHITEWASHED in European Championship shock

PETER WRIGHT was torn apart at the oche then on social media – after the reigning champ’s whitewash loss at the European Championship.

Snakebite wobbled to the tournament’s third-lowest average EVER as world no 40 Jermaine Wattimena KO’d the two-time world king 6-0.

Peter Wright looked shellshocked after Jermaine Wattimena walloped him

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Peter Wright looked shellshocked after Jermaine Wattimena walloped him
Dutchman Wattimena sailed to a 6-0 victory in Germany

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Dutchman Wattimena sailed to a 6-0 victory in Germany

It wasn’t quite as big a surprise as Luke Littler‘s 6-4 defeat to Andrew Gilding in the very next match in Dortmund.

But the manner of Wright’s departure possibly stunned viewers more.

The 54-year-old averaged just 74.81 and failed to achieve even one attempt at a checkout.

A scathing fan posted: “Up there with one of the worst performances I’ve seen by a so called top player.”

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Another wrote: “Not even gonna lie, as a massive Wright fan: That was just sad. Every time Wright looks like he might be turning a corner, he does something like this.”

A third pointed out: “74 average, no attempts at doubles.”

A gobsmacked fourth said: “Unreal, he couldn’t find a treble to save his life. Poor performance heading towards world champs.”

And a fifth fan claimed: “Genuinely the worst performance I’ve ever seen from Wright in a season of sh*** performances.”

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Snakebite now has two months to prepare himself for the World Championships

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Snakebite now has two months to prepare himself for the World Championships

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However, other viewers were baffled by Wright slumping so tamely – after mounting a revival in recent weeks following a rough few months, especially in the Premier League.

One said: “Thought Wright had found some sort of form.”

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Another added: “Wow what happened for Wright, been so good on euro tours last couple of weeks.”

Meanwhile, darts lovers who were more sympathetic urged the Scot to keep plugging away to help do himself justice at this year’s World Championships, starting in December.

The only two averages below Wright’s in this event both came in its inaugural year of 2008.

German no-hoper Andree Welge averaged 71 in losing 5-0 to Wayne Mardle in Frankfurt and Roland Scholten managed just 51 as he struggled with a shoulder injury.

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