Arsenal have complained to the PGMOL about rough treatment towards Bukayo Saka from the opposition.
The Gunners feel Premier League players are not being punished enough for kicking the England international – often escaping yellow cards from referees.
Credit: Getty
The matter was brought up with the Prem’s refereeing body during a conversation last year as part of regular dialogue that all top clubs are involved in throughout a campaign.
Arsenal referred back to an accumulation of incidents to make their point heard.
Saka, 22, was the league’s third-most fouled player in 2023 with 87, behind Crystal Palace forward Jordan Ayew (117) and Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes (92).
The concern has been heightened with Saka carrying an Achilles injury for most of the season, and also hobbled off in a Champions League tie with Lens on October 3.
As a result, Saka’s form has dropped, with one goal in his last six Prem outings.
Manchester United are reportedly eyeing up a summer move for Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise – also linked to Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool.
British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s 25 per cent takeover of the Red Devils was confirmed last month as he assumes control of football operations at Old Trafford.
After buying Mason Mount, Rasmus Hojlund and Andre Onana last summer, the Red Devils might have to docus on loan arrivals in January.
But they are already planning ahead as Ratcliffe prepares for his first end-of-season transfer window at the helm – with plans to “overhaul” the squad.
This is being led by the businessman’s right-hand man, Sir Dave Brailsford, as he begins to identify targets.
According to The Standard, Man Utd are interested in making Olise, 22, one of the first signings of the Ratcliffe era.
Arsenal could land Dusan Vlahovic - if they offer a player-plus-cash deal.
That's the claim of Sky Sports Gary Cotterill as the Gunners seek a new frontman.
Juventus' Serb striker Vlahovic, 23, has previously been linked with Manchester United.
The Italian giants would reportedly want £50million for the ex-Fiorentia hero.
And Football365 quote Cotterill as saying: “They would listen to a cash-plus-player offer and there are also these tax rules in Italy which is something for them to consider.”
PFA bosses will send all professional players a warning email this week - after painkiller Tramadol officially joined the banned drugs list.
The powerful opioid has been widely used in the English game as it allows players to ignore acute and chronic pain.
But new doping rules introduced on January 1 means it is now deemed a performance-enhancing drug - with players testing positive facing bans of two to four YEARS.
Withdrawal effects include hallucinations, paranoia, extreme anxiety, panic attacks and confusion, meaning PFA chiefs fearing that some players will be unable to wean themselves off use.
The email, going out this week, will remind all players of the drug’s changed status and urge them to consult club doctors and the Union for advice about potential addiction issues.
Gunners complain to refs about rivals fouling Saka
Arsenal have complained to the PGMOL about rough treatment towards Bukayo Saka from the opposition.
The Gunners feel Premier League players are not being punished enough for kicking the England international – often escaping yellow cards from referees.
Fulham's Tom Cairney got to grips with Saka on New Year's EveCredit: Getty
The matter was brought up with the Prem’s refereeing body during a conversation last year as part of regular dialogue that all top clubs are involved in throughout a campaign.
Arsenal referred back to an accumulation of incidents to make their point heard.
Saka, 22, was the league’s third-most fouled player in 2023 with 87, behind Crystal Palace forward Jordan Ayew (117) and Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes (92).
The concern has been heightened with Saka carrying an Achilles injury for most of the season, and also hobbled off in a Champions League tie with Lens on October 3.
As a result, Saka’s form has dropped, with one goal in his last six Prem outings.
Sevillaâs Fernando Reges and Kike Salas show the close attentions on Saka this season extend to the Champions LeagueCredit: AFP
Liverpool and Manchester City would be a better bet for reported Arsenal target Michael Olise than the "disharmony" of Manchester United.
That's the verdict of Anfield legend John Barnes as transfer speculation mounts over the Crystal Palace winger.
The former England winger told Mybettingsites.co.uk: "Olise is a confident player who can play for any of the big clubs.”
“Him going to United would be him going to a club full of disharmony and a lack of unity so he’s not going to go there and turn Manchester United around.”
“United have a much bigger problem so players need to stop going there thinking they will solve the issues at the club.”
“There’s a lack of togetherness, belief within the club from the players to the manager to the fans.”
“Olise is a fantastic player and Liverpool and City could be interested in him too and those two clubs are a more likely destination.
"It’s a more attractive proposition because both clubs are stable unlike United. But Olise would be a great signing for Manchester United, City and Liverpool.”
Manchester United are reportedly eyeing up a summer move for Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise - also linked to Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool.
British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s 25 per cent takeover of the Red Devils was confirmed last month as he assumes control of football operations at Old Trafford.
After buying Mason Mount, Rasmus Hojlund and Andre Onana last summer, the Red Devils might have to docus on loan arrivals in January.
But they are already planning ahead as Ratcliffe prepares for his first end-of-season transfer window at the helm – with plans to “overhaul” the squad.
This is being led by the businessman’s right-hand man, Sir Dave Brailsford, as he begins to identify targets.
According to The Standard, Man Utd are interested in making Olise, 22, one of the first signings of the Ratcliffe era.
Arsenal have been urged to consider swapping Eddie Nketiah and Emile Smith Rowe for Aston Villa's Douglas Luiz.
Ex-Gunners' left-back Kieran Gibbs believes the Brazilian midfielder would help Mikel Arteta's men regain defensive solidity after dropping from first to fourth in the Prem.
Gibbs told ESPN: "For me, if you’re not going to get a striker and go all out offensively and just try blow teams away then you need to shore up the midfield and just try to shut up shop.
"They have kept one clean sheet in the last seven. That’s not the Arsenal we have seen over the last 18 months.
“It’s probably best to go and get someone like a Douglas Luiz.
And when it was suggested Arsenal might lack funds, the former England and West Brom star added: “Yeah, you can swap players. There are deals to be done there for sure.
"There is Emile Smith Rowe. Eddie (Nketiah). There are other players. There are definitely deals to be done for something.”
Ex-Arsenal star Gilles Grimandi has lifted the lid on his time at the club.
After hanging up his boots, Grimandi worked as an Arsenal scout for 13 years until he quit soon after Arsene Wenger stepped down.
He exclusively told Ladbrokes' Fanzone: "I had direct access to the manager and it certainly wasn't an easy job for me.
"I would speak a lot with Arsene, especially after games. That, in itself, was difficult at times because when we had a bad result on a Saturday or Sunday, I knew that he'd be calling me on the Monday morning to talk about it.
"That was a nightmare because I knew everything was going to be negative.
"Bad results used to affect Arsene a lot - I don't think people can even imagine how hard it was for him to deal with it sometimes.
"He wouldn't sleep if the team performed badly and so my job was to try and find the right thing to say to him to make him feel better."
Arsenal fans are facing travel chaos for their FA Cup clash against Liverpool on Sunday - with tube strikes set to take place.
Transport for London stated there will be "little to no service" on the underground, leaving supporters with a travel headache for the 16:30 kick-off.
TfL today urged passengers to "only travel if their journey is essential" from this Sunday evening until next Friday.
Transport bosses declared that lines serving the Emirates Stadium in North London for the Arsenal v Liverpool FA Cup third round match, will end around 6.30pm.
They added that lines will "try to remain open longer" but that fans should make their way straight to the trains following the match.
