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James Harden's trade request leaves the Philadelphia 76ers in a tricky position. Here are five players the team could acquire to remain competitive in the East.James Harden has levied his third trade request in as many years, which leaves the Philadelphia 76ers in a tricky spot. The mandate...

When Mikel Arteta had that crucial meeting with Declan Rice that fully convinced the midfielder to join Arsenal, it went well beyond his place in this team. It was about his place in what the Spaniard hopes could one day become a dynasty. Arteta told Rice that Arsenal would continue to be a fine side without him. With him, however, they could be a side to define an era. Arteta is always studying different psychological approaches, and he would naturally have read Sir Alex Ferguson's with Roy Keane. The Manchester United great gave his captain a similar speech on signing him in 1993. “Roy, Manchester United are going to dominate the domestic game with or without you,” Ferguson told Keane over a game of snooker. “With you, we can win in Europe.” When meeting Virgil van Dijk, Jurgen Klopp was more tactical, asserting how he would pin the entire Liverpool team together. Arteta got at some of this, too. It gets to a key question with the signing of Rice, and why it could be one of the most important of the summer. In a world of collective systems, and where Pep Guardiola’s finely-tuned Manchester City are treble winners, can any single player still be as transformative? Can Rice bring this Arsenal together, like Van Dijk with Liverpool? Can he take them to a higher level, like Keane? All of that might sound a bit much, but that is the importance Arteta has placed on the signing. It was why it got so tense in the summer, as it looked like City might spirit away the specific player the Arsenal manager had identified as absolutely crucial to his team’s evolution. Many other clubs do feel that is how the champions seek to do business, not just looking to strengthen themselves, but also enjoying the double effect of preventing their closest rivals from doing the same. There is a feeling within the Premier League that was the initial rationale for going so strong on Jack Grealish when it looked like he could go to Manchester United. It also explained part of the pursuit of Harry Kane in 2021. It was just no one else fancied doing business with Daniel Levy, which lessened City's motivation. All of that speaks to Rice’s influence now given the extent of City's interest, but it’s just as well Arteta’s own words were so convincing. The Basque was of course correct in telling the 24-year-old that Arsenal were going to improve either way. They’re a team whose best players are only coming to their prime, getting better as footballers while the manager’s system also becomes even more ingrained. In that, they’re similar to Liverpool in 2017-18, which was just at the point when Klopp went big on Van Dijk. The team is largely as the manager wants it, having steadily constructed it with shrewd signings over two seasons. It then becomes about the final missing elements, which is why the managers know precisely who to target, and why they’re suddenly willing to pay so much. This is why it’s rare to have a single player potentially make this kind of difference. It is even rarer for managers to be able to get teams to this sort of position. The modern game doesn’t allow this so much, for all sorts of reasons. Arsenal have allowed for a proper project, though. Arteta believes Rice can bring that to completion for all sorts of reasons, but among the most immediate is his physicality. Arteta gradually felt this was something Arsenal lacked last season. It was actually made clear in one of the few matches they won towards the end. Arsenal managed to undercut Newcastle United at St James Park, but only as they were physically overpowered. It strengthened Arteta’s resolve for a player like Rice. He needed that muscularity. As important as Rice’s presence, however, is where he makes it felt. Rice is highly respected within the game for how he screens the backline and then strides forward, although there has been some debate over whether he is best used as a six or an eight. It is one of a few differences between Arteta and Guardiola that the Arsenal manager has a different interpretation of the role. The City manager initially had some reservations over how quick Rice is with the ball at his feet, although that is understood to have passed as he has matured as a player. Guardiola was convinced by the time the champions made a play this summer. Whether he would have used Rice in quite the same way is the big question, though, which was illustrated in how the champions never went as far on the England international as they did with Josko Gvardiol. It was also why the midfielder chose Arsenal well before then. Arteta made this integral role abundantly clear. Rice will mostly be a six with authority over the midfield, and the licence to surge. Arteta has also envisaged systems where he is an eight, though, and is stil seeking to buy a young midfielder to allow that. It does illustrate another element that Rice allows. Arteta now has much more tactical variety. That, after all, evolved into one of the other issues in an otherwise promising campaign last season. Arsenal quickly clicked into one system with one core of players, but that could only go so far. It also created a slight dilemma for Arteta. Did he persist with the same team at the cost of diminishing energy as the run-in went deeper, or did he take away from what got Arsenal there in the first place? Leandro Trossard was a signing made with this in mind, but more was required. Rice has been about that, too. Aside from the fact he can also play as a six or an eight, his range allows the team to do more. Kai Havertz then adds ingenuity, with Rice bringing influence. Arteta has been especially impressed by his drive, as well as his ability to fire up those around him. So, in theory, and certainly in the manager’s mind, Arsenal should improve in a few ways and maybe even be amplified as a team. The starting XI is better. They have more strengths. They have more variety. They may even have more resolve, with that complemented by the natural development of a young team, as well as the experience of last season. That is how the Gunners intend to bridge the gap. It is more than five points. It is the ability to push City all the way, no matter how far that goes. One other reason Arteta wanted Rice was because of how quickly he can help bridge that gap on the pitch. One of the most intimidating interactions Premier League players now have is the 24-year-old charging over to clatter into you. This is asking more. It will be a step up for the player, too. Rice has faced the greatest demands with England, but he hasn’t had them on a week-to-week basis, that suffocating need to win every game. That’s what Arsenal need now. Arteta and the players know it from last season. It’s why Arteta knew exactly what to say to Rice. Read More The Mikel Arteta transfer gambles that will shape Arsenal’s season Arsenal ‘obviously paid way too much’ for Declan Rice, says Roy Keane Can Mikel Arteta become Pep Guardiola’s greatest nemesis – or merely the latest? West Ham agree deals for England pair Harry Maguire and James Ward-Prowse The Mikel Arteta transfer gambles that will shape Arsenal’s season Arsenal ‘obviously paid way too much’ for Declan Rice, says Roy Keane

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Tottenham host Liverpool in an early meeting of two unbeaten sides in the Premier League. Ange Postecoglou’s side came from behind twice to claim a point at Arsenal in the north London derby last weekend and now face another big test in Jurgen Klopp’s resurgent Liverpool. FOLLOW LIVE: Team news and all the action as Spurs face Liverpool The Reds have won seven matches in a row in all competitions, including their last five in the Premier League. Liverpool won both games against Spurs last season but the hosts should be a different proposition under Postecoglou. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the Premier League fixture. Get all the latest football betting sites offers here and see the latest odds and tips for Tottenham vs Liverpool here. When is Tottenham vs Liverpool? The match will kick off at 5:30pm BST on Saturday 30 September at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. How can I watch Tottenham vs Liverpool? It will be shown live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, with build-up only being shown on the latter from 5pm. If you’re not a Sky customer you can grab a NOWTV Day Pass here to watch without a subscription. If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch major sporting events then you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN roundup is here to help: get great deals on the best VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are and also with the terms of their service provider. What is the team news? Tottenham forwards Son Heung-min and James Maddison both trained on Friday after they were taken off late on against Arsenal last weekend with injury concerns, so they are available for selection. Brennan Johnson has been ruled out, however, after he picked up an injury on his first Spurs start at the Emirates. Trent Alexander-Arnold is fit again for Liverpool and is set to return to the line-up. The Reds are still without Thiago while Stefan Bajcetic now has a minor calf injury. Predicted line-ups Tottenham: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Bissouma, Sarr; Kulusevski, Maddison, Solomon; Son Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Jones, Mac Alliser, Szoboszlai; Salah, Nunez, Diaz Read More Why new-look midfields will decide Liverpool’s clash with Tottenham Liverpool announce investment through new minority shareholder Premier League promised land turns into nightmare for new boys

Soccer Aid returns to Manchester this weekend, bringing celebrities from the sporting world and beyond together to again raise significant money for charity. The annual charity football match, created by Robbie Williams in 2006, sees a host of former footballers and famous faces from other industries come together in support of Unicef UK. Euro 2022 winner Jill Scott has been named as England’s captain this year, with the likes of Paddy McGuinness, Sir Mo Farah and Gary Neville among her teammates and Emma Hayes, Stormzy and Harry Redknapp coaching the side Meanwhile, the Soccer Aid World XI FC will be led by Olympic legend Usain Bolt, with the fastest man in history continuing in the role after leading his side to victory last year, as Lee Mack, Roberto Carlos and Tommy Fury are also in the Mauricio Pochettino-managed side. Here’s everything you need to know. When is Soccer Aid 2023? Soccer Aid is set to kick off at 7.30pm BST on Sunday 11 June at Old Trafford in Manchester. How can I watch it? Viewers in the United Kingdom will be able to watch the charity match on ITV 1, with coverage beginning at 6.30pm. Soccer Aid will also be available to view on STV, or via ITVX online. What are the line ups? England Jill Scott (c) Paddy McGuinness Jermain Defoe Karen Carney Gary Cahill Jack Wilshere Bugzy Malone Tom Grennan Sir Mo Farah Alex Brooker Gary Neville Paul Scholes Chunkz Joel Corry Eni Aluko David James Scarlette Douglas Nicky Butt Liam Payne Danny Dyer Asa Butterfield Tom Hiddleston Coaches Stormzy Emma Hayes Vicky McClure Harry Redknapp David Seaman Soccer Aid World XI FC Usain Bolt (c) Lee Mack Steven Bartlett Kem Cetinay Mo Gilligan Maisie Adam Tommy Fury Heather O’Reilly Kalyn Kyle Noah Beck Ben Foster Roberto Carlos Nani Francesco Totti Gabriel Batistuta Leon Edwards Sam Claflin Hernan Crespo Patrice Evra Niko Coach Mauricio Pochettino Robbie Keane Martin Compston Mel C How much does Soccer Aid raise for charity? Soccer Aid 2022, which was held at the London Stadium, raised £15,673,728 for Unicef, the highest tally in the event’s history. Read More Brazilian dictionary adds Pelé as adjective, synonym of best Why Wrexham? How Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney came to buy a club they’d never heard of When is the Women’s World Cup and what are the fixtures?

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Sounding the alarm about the current political climate, the Human Rights Campaign has declared a state of emergency for LGBTQ+ people in the U.S. The civil rights group warns of what it calls an “unprecedented and dangerous” spike in discriminatory legislation sweeping state houses