Hesham

🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal make move for Eberechi Eze + 27yo wants them. Tottenham lined up deal with #CPFC today & player but after Havertz injury + #AFC now closing in on England in’l. If he proceeds with choice, #THFC will pursue other targets @TheAthleticFC nytimes.com/athletic/65653…

Burnley will come and play a pragmatic style of football tonight. Will apply little pressure on the ball, defend low, and won't try to play out from the back. So the game becomes about being technically secure and mature enough to sustain the pressure that Burnley effectively give you because they don't press high. And breaking down their low block within that context (or, if possible, quickly playing through the pitch as they transition into that low block). And, finally, earning the right to do all of those things by winning the physical battle when Burnley play direct from restarts (goal kicks, throw-ins, and set plays). That style CAN be difficult to play against if the opponent has top-end quality, but Burnley lack that outside of … in the #6. This is one of the most basic fixtures Arsenal will have all season. The intent shouldn't just be to win, it should be to win by scoring quite a few goals, particularly in the context of the title race. Arsenal currently sit 1 goal removed from City goal difference-wise, so winning by 4 or 5 tonight would mean a draw at Palace could potentially secure the title. Of course Arsenal will prepare to beat Palace, but giving themselves the best possible opportunity in every context makes sense. It will be interesting to see what team Arteta picks, especially because Burnley and Palace play a similar way and the 3-1-6 with Lewis-Skelly + Rice in midfield seemed to be Arsenal's best dynamic yet whilst also matching up well with Burnley/Palace's idea. Calafiori is the best option at fullback because of the offensive demands in the 3-1-6 in a Nico O'Reilly-esque role. Timber is also perfectly suited to that on the right, but there is no guarantee that either are fit (especially Timber), so Arteta may adjust the dynamics because he may feel that Mosquera and Hincapié don't match the offensive threat of White/Calafiori/Timber. He also has a selection difficulty at the top-end after Ødegaard's impact off the bench against West Ham. It would be a mistake to drop Eze, even if Trossard and Ødegaard have been decisive lately. The XI will reveal a lot.

EXC Angela Rayner allies say the price of her returning to Cabinet would be sacking Shabana Mahmood thetimes.com/uk/politics/ar…

🚨✈️ Raphinha, back in Barcelona today after spending a week in Brazil following his injury. His mission is to be back for El Clásico on May 10, reports @mundodeportivo — as Raphinha will be out for 4 more weeks.

🚨 Manchester United have already made contact with Bruno Guimarães’ representatives. He is United’s main target and would cost around €70m. [@UOL] #MUFC

🚨 BREAKING: Julian Nagelsmann has shown interest in taking the Manchester United job, with intermediaries putting his name forward for the role, while a Bundesliga-based boss is also now firmly in the frame. INEOS are not yet ready to hand Carrick the reins permanently and are continuing to do their due diligence on a range of other options. The prolonged thought-process is designed to ensure United get the decision absolutely right and reach their verdict on intelligence and for the long-term good of the club, rather than by simply following their heart and going with emotions. [@GraemeBailey]