Arsenal Can’t Avoid Collapse, or Paying Its Stars

MANCHESTER, England — It is late in coming, but it has at last arrived. According to Premier League lore, there is one month more than any other in which Arsenal is likely to collapse. Now, just when it seemed that this year might be the exception, the team is experiencing its traditional November implosion in mid-December. “We have had…

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Premier League’s Festive Slog: Adored by Fans, Endured by Players

As a player, Graeme Le Saux would flick straight to December when he received the Premier League schedule for the coming season. His teammates tended to be more concerned with which rival they would face on the campaign’s opening day, or working out when the season’s big derby matches were, or checking whether their last game fell at home…

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New Head of Nutrition Gives Liverpool a Taste of Premier League Success

LIVERPOOL, England — Jurgen Klopp did not introduce his Liverpool players to the woman who would subtly change their lives right away. When she joined the team, at the club’s preseason camp in Palo Alto, Calif., last summer, Klopp waited a couple of days, eager to see if her actions would win them over more easily than his words….

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Cristiano Ronaldo makes donation, tells Syrian children: ‘Don’t lose your hope’

Cristiano Ronaldo is using his voice and platform as an international soccer superstar to help the children of war-ravaged Syria. On Friday morning, the Real Madrid forward and Portugal national team captain released a video on his social-media accounts calling the children affected by the Syrian conflict “the true heroes” and telling them, “Don’t lose your hope.” Ronaldo has also made…

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Lionel Messi will end his career at Barcelona, says club president

Barcelona will have to do without Lionel Messi for their final game of 2016 but club president Josep Maria Bartomeu is confident the Argentine’s short-term absence will not end up becoming a permanent one. There has been speculation that Messi – who has been rested for Wednesday’s Copa del Rey second leg with Hercules – could be about to…

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Arsene Wenger adamant contract uncertainty will not destabilise Arsenal

Arsene Wenger says he will decide his Arsenal future at the end of the season, insisting his stance would not dent the club’s long-term plans. While Wenger delays talks on a new deal to remain as Arsenal manager, Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez are yet to commit their own futures to the Gunners. But the Frenchman, who celebrated 20…

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Jose Mourinho says Zlatan Ibrahimovic will not finish career in America or China

Jose Mourinho insists in-form Zlatan Ibrahimovic will see out his career with Manchester United rather than embark on a swansong in America or China. The 35-year-old Swede is United’s top scorer having netted 16 times in 25 games, including 10 in his past nine, and Mourinho has said he intends to exercise the second-year option on the contract Ibrahimovic…

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We are determined to collect our $25,000 – Samira Suleman

Black Queens midfielder Samira Suleman has said they are bent on collecting their $25,000 bonuses owed dated from the Olympic qualifier, All Africa Games and the recent 2016 Women’s African Cup of Nations tournament held in Cameroon. The playing body yesterday embarked on a demonstration which started at the premises of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) through to the…

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FRANKLY SPEAKING Liverpool transfer news: Anfield boss Jurgen Klopp chasing Anderlecht’s Frank Acheampong

The Ghana man has been in fine form for the Belgian club this season, and can operate as a winger or left-back FRANK ACHEAMPONG could be on his way to Liverpool. The Ghana winger has shone for his club Anderlecht this season. And Kop boss Jurgen Klopp has had him watched several times. Acheampong, 23, can also operate at…

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Jose Mourinho: Man Utd cannot catch negative Chelsea in title race

Jose Mourinho believes it will be hard for Manchester United to make up ground on Chelsea in the title race because his former club adopt an overtly defensive approach he refuses to employ at Old Trafford. Antonio Conte’s side are six points clear at the top of the Premier League table, after winning their past 11 matches, and lead…

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