Mikel Arteta hailed the “empathy” of his Arsenal players after what he hopes was a game-changing goal from Kai Havertz in their win at Bournemouth. The £65million summer signing from Chelsea had not registered a goal or assist in his first nine games for the Gunners but finally hit the target as he converted a penalty in a 4-0 victory at the Vitality Stadium. Arsenal were already two goals to the good through Bukayo Saka’s header and a Martin Odegaard penalty when an on-field decision handed responsibility for a second spot-kick of the afternoon to under-fire Havertz. He tucked away his chance to break his duck, as his team-mates and the away end greeted the goal with jubilant celebrations. “I’m really happy for the win, but I’m even happier to be part of a team that shows the human qualities that they did today,” Arteta said. “Without me telling them nothing, to show that empathy to a player that has some question marks to resolve externally, they warmed me even more today. They’ve done it in a really natural way. “I’m delighted they made that decision. And so thankful as well to our supporters for the way they sung his name and made him feel today. If there’s a player who deserves that it’s Kai Havertz, so happy for him. “We have all tried to give him support and the right tools. He’s doing so many great things in the game. It was about that moment, that was the question that had to be resolved and today he has done it. “To show that level of empathy and understanding, worrying and caring for somebody is just great.” Without me telling them nothing, to show that empathy to a player that has some question marks to resolve externally, they warmed me even more today. They’ve done it in a really natural way Mikel Arteta Arteta referenced Olympic champion Usain Bolt when discussing how Havertz deserved his moment in the south coast sunshine following his hard work in recent weeks. “Probably it will change everything,” the Spaniard replied when asked what the goal could do for Havertz. “If he had any question marks about how we feel about him, about what he does, I think they are out. “I think in sport – Usain Bolt said it once – ‘I have to train four years to run nine seconds’. Sometimes you have to do a lot and you don’t see that. “In that moment you see it. I think after everything he’s been through in the last few weeks that moment is worth all of it, so really happy for him.” The one sour note for Arsenal came as Saka limped off injured for the second game in a row, raising the possibility he could miss next Sunday’s showdown with champions Manchester City. Bournemouth, meanwhile, remain winless in the Premier League under new head coach Andoni Iraola. The Cherries have come close on previous occasions but that was not the case here, with Iraola admitting the hosts did not deserve a result. “It was the first time we were not at the level the competition required and we did not finish the game well,” he said. “For sure this game leaves the worse sensation for me. You can lose against this type of team because they are really good but it is the first game this season where I have felt that we were not at the level. “You have to be at your best to compete against these teams and we weren’t after the first goal. We cannot concede two penalties and also the first goal is a bit strange, we should be there but we lost the positioning of Saka. “We started really well, were doing well but after 1-0 I think they were better than us.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Michael Beale uncertain of Rangers future after ‘terrible’ Aberdeen result Rob Edwards ‘very, very proud’ of Luton after landmark Premier League win Eddie Howe worried over growing injury list as Newcastle prepare for PSG clash

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Manchester United have received interest in Mason Greenwood after the decision was taken for the homegrown forward to leave Old Trafford, the PA news agency understands. The 21-year-old has been suspended by the club since January 30, 2022 over allegations relating to a young woman after images and videos were posted online. Greenwood was facing charges including attempted rape and assault until the Crown Prosecution Service announced six and a half months ago that the case had been discontinued. The forward remained suspended by United throughout that period and the club announced on Monday it had been mutually agreed he would leave following an internal investigation. United are working with Greenwood’s family to help find the right move and PA understands the club have received multiple expressions of interest in the young forward. Clubs in the free-spending Saudi Pro League have been strongly linked with the one-cap England international but Steven Gerrard has rubbished speculation that he could join his side Al-Ettifaq. The former Rangers and Aston Villa manager labelled a story saying his team were considering offering the 21-year-old a deal as “fake news”, while it has been reported a move for the player is seen as too risky by Saudi clubs. Teams in Turkey and Italy have been linked with Greenwood, who is under contract until 2025, with the option of a further year, and is understood to remain on full pay. United boss Erik ten Hag will be asked about the investigation at Friday’s press conference previewing the Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest. Saturday’s match is set to see more protests against the ownership, with the 1958 supporter group planning an hour-long sit-in after the match as fans look to keep pressure on the Glazers. It is now nine months since the owners announced they were conducting a strategic review, with the sale of United one option being considered. PA understands the Glazers have been warned about an intense backlash if they do not sell following bids from Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Sources close to prospective owner Sheikh Jassim were awaiting updates on their offer as of Wednesday, so too those close to fellow bidder Ratcliffe as the interminable process drags on. On the field, United have some squad shaping to do before the transfer window closes on September 1. Fenerbahce goalkeeper Altay Bayindir is understood to have undergone a medical and could possibly sign if back-up Dean Henderson departs. A return to Forest had been expected earlier in the summer, but a move to Crystal Palace is potentially on the cards. United are looking to ship out centre-back Eric Bailly and Ipswich, managed by former United coach Kieran McKenna, have made a move for left-back Brandon Williams. Scott McTominay looks set to stay having been of interest to West Ham, who defender Harry Maguire rejected a move to last week. Donny van de Beek’s future remains unclear. Facundo Pellistri and Alvaro Fernandez have attracted loan interest, while youngster Noam Emeran is closing in on a permanent move to Dutch side Groningen.

By Julien Pretot PARIS (Reuters) -The headquarters of the Paris 2024 Olympics organising committee and those of its infrastructure partner

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Toto Wolff insists any view of George Russell dramatically losing form in 2023 is a “myth” as the Mercedes boss defended his driver. Russell, in his first season with Mercedes, finished above team-mate Lewis Hamilton in 2022 by 35 points – and also won the first F1 race of his career in Brazil – but has seen the roles reverse this year. The 25-year-old is currently seventh in the world championship standings, 57 points behind Hamilton, and retired late on in Sunday’s Dutch Grand Prix due to a puncture caused by a tangle with Lando Norris. Yet Wolff believes talk of Russell’s under-performance in the first 13 races of this season have been exaggerated. “I’ve never bought into this thought,” Wolff said, after Sunday’s race. “When you and I are having a bad day, nobody knows, but if a driver has a bad day and he’s probably a tenth off, that makes all the difference in qualifying. “So all drivers have days that are not so good and we’ve seen these ups and downs with George but the quality of the driver I’ve never doubted a minute. “He was able to shine [in qualifying], put the car on P3, had a problem-free qualifying and no traffic so I haven’t seen any pattern change. “I’m trying to really bang it into his head that he hasn’t lost his form, that it is just the myth that he’s making up. “You don’t unlearn to driver and you don’t lose your form. You can have ups and downs like all of us have but every single weekend when things have gone against him, it was pretty clear why that was and it wasn’t the driving.” Russell has a chance to get back to points-scoring finishes this weekend at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza. Read More Lewis Hamilton says ‘totally wrong’ weather forecast cost Mercedes a podium spot Max Verstappen survives dramatic rain chaos to claim record-equalling victory at Dutch GP Christian Horner hails ‘untouchable’ Max Verstappen as best driver in the world Christian Horner hails ‘untouchable’ Max Verstappen as best driver in the world Lewis Hamilton says ‘totally wrong’ weather forecast cost Mercedes a podium spot Max Verstappen survives dramatic rain chaos to triumph at Dutch Grand Prix

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