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Arsenal fans have taken to Twitter to slam Michael Oliver, after the referee sent off Ainsley Maitland-Niles in harsh fashion as the Gunners crashed to a 3-0 defeat against Leicester – they have now conceded three times in their last three matches against Crystal Palace, Wolves and the Foxes.

The Arsenal academy graduate received his first booking for a shoulder-to-shoulder clash with Ben Chilwell, which seemed very soft.

Pl>ymaker FC’s Bhav runs down his Arsenal transfer wish list in the video below…

Maitland-Niles was then given his marching orders for a desperate lunge on James Maddison, which left the England Under-21 star rolling on the floor – replays show that the Arsenal full-back didn’t actually make much contact with the attacking midfielder.

His dismissal set the tempo for the rest of the game and saw Unai Emery’s men concede three second-half goals, leading to yet another loss which has put a huge dent in their top four hopes.

Let’s see what the Arsenal fans on Twitter are saying about Oliver’s refereeing…

يشعر لاعب آرسنال توماس بارتي بحالة من الثقة والتفاؤل تجاه قدرته على العودة سريعًا إلى الملاعب بعد تعرضه للإصابة.

واضطر اللاعب البالغ من العمر 27 عامًا إلى الخروج من الشوط الأول في مباراة هزيمة آرسنال 3-0 على أرضه أمام أستون فيلا يوم الأحد الماضي بسبب مشكلة في الفخذ.

وكان من المقرر أن يتواصل بارتي مع غانا خلال فترة التوقف الدولي الحالي، لكنه ظل في آرسنال لإجراء مزيد من الاختبارات والعلاج.

وذكرت شبكة “جول” العالمية أن مصدر مقرب من بارتي أكد أن لاعب خط الوسط يشعر بثقة كبيرة أن الإصابة التي يعاني منها طفيفة.

وأفاد المصدر، حسب ما أوضحت الشبكة، أن بارتي واثق من قدرته على العودة قريبًا جدًا.

ويواجه آرسنال نظيره ليدز يونايتد يوم الأحد المقبل، في الجولة التاسعة من الدوري الإنجليزي.

يُذكر أن بارتي انتقل إلى آرسنال قادمًا من أتلتيكو مدريد، في موسم الانتقالات الصيفي لهذا العام.

[ad_pod ]BBC Radio Solent journalist Adam Blackmore has revealed on Twitter that Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has hinted Fraser Forster could make a shock return to the starting XI for the trip to West Ham United on Saturday.

What’s the word, then?

Well, despite being the club’s first-choice option for a number of seasons previously, the 31-year-old hasn’t made a single appearance for Saints since the 5-2 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur on Boxing Day 2017.

Firstly he paid for a run of poor form to find himself behind Alex McCarthy in the pecking order, and the arrival of Angus Gunn last summer only served to push him down to being the third-choice stopper.

From last minute penalties to being taken apart by local rivals, fans pick the moments that defined their clubs’ seasons in the video below…

However, he has returned to the fold and been on the substitutes’ bench in recent weeks with McCarthy injured, and now Hasenhuttl has suggested he could be named on the team-sheet at the London Stadium.

Blackmore tweeted: #saintsfc manager Ralph Hasenhuttl set to ring the changes at West Ham on Saturday. Told me that Fraser Forster might come in – “if you want to give him a chance it’s a good moment for this.”

Good idea?

It certainly is.

Southampton are safe now so the final two matches of the season are pressure-free and give Hasenhuttl a chance to look at some of the players he may not have seen a lot of – Forster included.

The Austrian will be able to make a judgement on whether the stopper is good enough to be involved next season, as well as putting him in the shop window should he have already decided that he wants to move the former Newcastle United man on during the summer window.

[ad_pod ]West Brom’s managerial search seems to be a merry-go-round of speculation that doesn’t appear as though it’ll ever end.Express & Star claimed last weekend that Technical Director Luke Dowling had held talks with Chris Hughton and Slavisa Jokanovic. Also linked have been Patrick Vieira and Danny Cowley.However, the latest name to take their fancy is Bruno Labbadia who is now set to meet with Dowling this week. That’s according to both Express & Star and John Percy.Reacting to the news on Twitter there was a mixed response from Baggies supporters over his possible appointment.One supporter claimed it would be exciting but quickly reflected upon things in a negative light by suggesting the club wouldn’t give him the funds to rebuild the team. A further fan ridiculed West Brom, hinting they’d make a mess of the negotiations.Another individual tweeted that his money was on Jimmy Shan or Darren Moore returning. Given the way Albion have operated in the past, it wouldn’t be the most shocking of updates if one of them was to come back.Was Darren Moore’s sacking unfair? The Pl>ymaker FC squad name which Championship bosses should have gone instead in the video below…Labbadia has done a sterling job in Germany and is set to leave Wolfsburg, who he guided to sixth place in the Bundesliga, at the end of the season. Last term, the 53-year-old saved them from relegation.Here’s the best of the debate.

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Writing his Sky Sports column, David Prutton thinks Sheffield United’s campaign will get even better with his final day predictions.

Just a few weeks ago the Blades didn’t look to be on track for automatic promotion, but now the former Leeds midfielder expects the Yorkshire club to lift silverware at the end of the season.

What’s been said then?

Prutton has backed Sheffield United to win the league title on the final day, as they travel to the Bet365 stadium while Norwich have a tough matchup against Aston Villa.

The 37-year-old wrote that he expects there to be one final twist at the top end of the Championship.

“It looked like it was going to go to the wire for automatic promotion in the Sky Bet Championship, but Leeds’ collapse allowed Sheffield United to seal it before the final day, which I must admit I didn’t see coming! Boy have the Blades been celebrating since.

“Chris Wilder is a driven individual, though, and he will want his team to win at Stoke and give themselves a chance of silverware. They are three points behind Norwich, with a better goal difference, so the title can still be won.

“I fancy Sheffield United to turn up at Stoke and nick all three points, and Norwich have a difficult trip to Aston Villa. You don’t know how many changes Dean Smith will make in that one with the play-offs coming up, but I have a feeling they could sneak the win and give the Blades the opportunity to claim the title.”

One more celebration

One thing is for certain, this weekend Sheffield United will be in a party mood, and that could mean free-flowing attacking football.

As long United’s players aren’t still bearing heavy heads after last weekend’s festivities they should brush aside Stoke, whilst Norwich could struggle against an Aston Villa side who will want to go into the playoffs on a high.

The Canaries have seemingly taken their foot off the gas in recent weeks, as their spot in the Premier League was all but sealed last month. The East Anglian outfit have won just one of their previous five games, and they could easily relinquish their grip on the league title.

Celebrations shared on the club’s Twitter after promotion was confirmed showed the affinity between the players and the fans at Bramall Lane. The squad will undoubtedly want to deliver the dream league title so that they can do it all over again.

ضاعف منتخب مصر من حظوظه في التأهل إلى نهائيات كأس أمم إفريقيا بعد الفوز على توجو اليوم الثلاثاء في المباراة التي أقيمت على ملعب كيجي.

واستطاع منتخب مصر أن يهزم توجو اليوم بنتيجة 3-0، ضمن مواجهات الجولة الرابعة بالتصفيات.

وانتهت منافسات الجولة الرابعة للمجموعة السابعة التي تضم كل من مصر وتوجو وجزر القمر وكينيا.

وتتساءل الجماهير المصرية عما يحتاج إليه منتخب مصر من أجل التأهل إلى كأس أمم إفريقيا التي ستحتضنها الكاميرون في الجولتين المقبلتين. ترتيب مجموعة مصرمصر 8 نقاط.جزر القمر 8 نقاط.كينيا 3 نقاط.توجو نقطة.

منتخب مصر سيخرج لملاقاة كينيا خارج الديار في الجولة المقبلة، قبل أن يواجه جزر القمر في الجولة الأخيرة بالقاهرة.

ويكفي مصر من أجل التأهل إلى أمم إفريقيا نقطة واحدة يحصل عليها من التعادل في الجولة المقبلة أمام كينيا أو تحقيق الفوز، في المباراة التي ستقام في شهر مارس.

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Michail Antonio revealed an intriguing facet of Manuel Pellegrini’s managerial style shortly after the turn of the year, per WHUFC.com.

“I’ve been saying this in every interview that I’ve done this year and the mindset he’s given us is unbelievable.

“Every training session he comes in and says ‘think we are a big team. Perform like we are a big team and go out there and believe you are a big team’.”

These quotes provided the fans with a genuine insight into the manager’s vision for the club, and a recent report from the Daily Mail suggests he’s making a move into the transfer market which can help him to fulfil his grand plans in east London.

What’s the word?

The report claims the Hammers have tabled a £9.5 million bid to secure the services of Guillermo Maripan.

Pellegrini’s fellow Chilean has a £21 million release clause written into his contract but West Ham are hoping they can beat Roma to his signature with an offer well below that figure.

However, the report claims the Italians are in pole position to sign him after holding talks with the 24-year-old defender in recent weeks.

Perfect for Pellegrini’s vision

Stylistically speaking, Maripan has been compared to Gerard Pique due to his ball-playing capabilities.

In the modern game the importance of possession and feeling comfortable passing out from the back has practically become synonymous with success, so it’s no surprise Pellegrini is targeting the Alaves defender.

As Antonio revealed, Pellegrini is trying to install a big-team mentality into the club, but that will only be possible if he has the players to realise that vision.

Having ten outfield players who are all incredibly composed and effective in possession of the ball, and ideally a ball-playing goalkeeper, represents something of a prerequisite for any big team.

If West Ham’s opening offer of £9.5 million is accepted there’s no doubt it would represent a cunning acquisition in the current market.

Maripan has showcased his talent in Alaves’ surprising climb into the top half of the La Liga table this season, and his experience in overachieving at club level may well have provided him with the mindset Pellegrini is demanding from his players.

There is plenty of work left to be done for the Hammers boss to realise his possession-based, big team dream, but signing a natural ball-playing central defender would certainly represent a step in the right direction.

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According to talkSPORT, Sheffield United are interested in bringing Macauley Bonne to Bramall Lane next season.

The 23-year-old has enjoyed a fantastic season at Leyton Orient netting 23 goals in the National League, but you have to question any newly-promoted side that chooses to shop around non-league football.

Bonne’s season

The Zimbabwe international has proven over the last two years that he is one of the most potent strikers in the National League.

This season he found the back of the net more than 20 times for the second season running, so he knows how to score.

Whether or not that skill can translate in the Premier League remains to be seen, but it is a tough ask.

Strange signing

What on earth is Chris Wilder thinking when looking in the National League for strikers?

The Blades are headed to the Premier League. They should be able to cough up the funds to sign a top-class striker rather than scouring the bargain basement.

Indeed, there have been players who have come from outside the EFL who have made an impact in the top leagues, namely Jamie Vardy and Rickie Lambert, but those are few and far between.

Bonne’s record when he has played at a higher level doesn’t make for great reading either. Three goals in 33 games in League One with Colchester in the 2015/16 season is poor, and for the Yorkshire club to look at making him their first signing after promotion is baffling.

Perhaps this is a sign that Wilder is looking towards bringing in a backup striker rather than a new starter, meaning that the partnership of Billy Sharp and David McGoldrick will be given a chance in the top flight.

Who has been the Championship’s best player this season? The Pl>ymaker FC squad discuss in the video below…

The Blades have also recently been linked to Gary Madine and Lee Gregory which supports this idea that they want to add depth up front rather than displace their current partnership.

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Liverpool fans have been on social media begging for their club to sign Eintracht Frankfurt forward Luka Jovic in this summer’s transfer window.

Jovic scored his 27th goal of the campaign in Frankfurt’s Europa League semi-final second leg against Chelsea on Thursday night.

The 21-year-old also netted from the penalty spot in the shootout, but could not prevent his side from losing as the Blues set up an all-English final with Arsenal.

Nevertheless, it was still another hugely impressive performance from Jovic.

Frankfurt have only just exercised their option to sign the striker on a permanent deal as he had been on loan with the Bundesliga side from Benfica.

There is every chance that the Serbia international could move on this summer, though, with Real Madrid strongly credited with an interest.

Has Alisson been Liverpool’s most important signing of the season? Check out the video below to find out why Jurgen Klopp thinks so…

The four-cap ace is one of the hottest attackers in European football at the moment, and a whole host of Liverpool fans have called for their club to make a move.

A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:

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It has been a tough season for Queens Park Rangers, but they finished their 2018-19 Championship campaign with an impressive 2-1 victory at Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday afternoon.

The winner came very, very late. Matt Smith scored it, with the towering striker finding the back of the net in the third minute of additional time at the end of the 90.

The 29-year-old finished the 2018-19 campaign with six Championship goals, but it is worth considering that the clash with Wednesday proved to be just the third time that he had completed the full 90 minutes of a league fixture this term.

Smith – out of contract next summer – would have certainly wanted more of a chance to prove his worth from the start.

And that is also the view of a number of the QPR fans, who have reacted to Smith’s winner against Wednesday on Sunday afternoon.

It will be interesting to see what happens with Smith heading into the new campaign, but the R’s fans have made their feelings pretty clear on Twitter: