Winter breaks will pay biggest dividends the following summer

It was a bittersweet Christmas for me. Having not been selected in the squad for Brighton's game at Chelsea, I was afforded, for the first time in 16 years, the benefit of a Christmas Day off to spend with my wife and children at home without the worry of preparing for a game the next day or being away in a hotel in the evening stuck to my phone with them on FaceTime.

While it was amazing to be the recipient of a privilege that not only footballers but also nurses, paramedics, police officers and people with far more important jobs than me yearn for at this time, I couldn't help but miss the adrenaline high I've been conditioned to getting from the age of 16 in the build-up to a big Boxing Day match.

With a World Cup summer coming up, the discussion is already taking place about the fact England's top flight is the only major competition without a winter break and whether by the time the tournament begins its players will be too exhausted to perform at optimum level for their respective nations. Other countries have a rest period when players can recuperate from niggling injuries and mentally wind down in preparation for the crucial second half of a season.

I believe the Christmas period is something special – there is nothing better for fans over the festive season than taking children to games and soaking up the atmosphere, which helps make for fantastic matches up and down the leagues throughout the country. I couldn't imagine a Christmas in England without football.

At the same time, having spoken with numerous players who have worked abroad and were shocked about the amount of games over this period in Britain, every one of them said a winter break was key to performing at an optimum level in the second half of a season. They said that having two weeks off at the coldest time of year, when fatigue and danger of muscle injury is increased, allowed them to heal, refresh mentally and prepare for the remainder of a campaign and perhaps a summer tournament.

And while I support our traditional holiday fixtures, I'm also a fan of our national team and seeing the joy that a country can experience when its team achieves on the world stage is something I would love to witness next July. With the talent we possess in a free-scoring Harry Kane, an unplayable Raheem Sterling and a creative Dele Alli, we have to ensure we are giving them the best chance to make our nation proud at the World Cup in Russia.

To achieve that we have to introduce a winter break but not at the expense of the traditions that make our league unique. I see no problem in having a break in the first two weeks of the new year, enabling players to prepare for the long, arduous period to come.

Trust me, I've heard the arguments of former players who make the point they "played 60 games a season" and never complained. But the truth is, even from when I started playing Premier League football 12 years ago, the athleticism, intensity and physical attributes needed to compete at the top level is increasing and will only get more demanding.

The standards expected from players – despite the benefit of increased understanding and use of sports science, nutrition and technology – are becoming harder and harder to maintain. For the benefit of the national team, now is the time to make a decision to help them as much as possible.

I am the first person to accept how blessed I am to be a professional footballer, and making the sacrifices to play over the Christmas period and be away from family is a small price to play for the privilege of doing a job I love. But, in order to give top players the best chance of success, a winter break is something we should all be in favour of though not at the expense of a unique Christmas tradition.

Mike James Scores Career-High Against Timberwolves

 

For the second straight game, the Suns hit the court with a new starting lineup. Josh Jackson replaced Devin Booker (injured) at shooting guard as Head Coach Jay Triano said he wanted a defensive lineup against the Timberwolves on Sunday.

"He's one of our best playmakers for other people," Triano said about missing Booker. "He's one of our best scorers so it's a big chunk offensively."

The Suns went into the game without their leader in scoring and assists as the team needed an offensive outburst from someone else. Mike James rose to the occasion as he stepped off the bench and had himself one of the best games of his career.

"The coaches told me to be more aggressive tonight, look to score a little bit more," James said. "I just tried to do that."

The rookie scored a career-high 26 points to go along with his seven assists and five rebounds. Triano had one word to describe the way James played on Sunday.

"Attack," Triano said. "It helps when we have shooters on the floor so there's space for him to attack. He was aggressive going to the basket."

Although the Suns fell to the Timberwolves 119-108, there were still positives in the way the Suns played without their star player.

"We shot 50 percent," Triano said. "I thought our movement was pretty good. We shared the basketball. I'm not disappointed with how we played on the offensive end."

The Suns will continue the road trip as they travel to Chicago to face the Bulls on Tuesday. Catch the action on Fox Sports Arizona.

Pep Guardiola blames Carabao Cup ball for City's struggle against Wolves

Pep Guardiola branded the ball used in Manchester City's 4-1 penalty shootout win over Wolverhampton Wanderers as “unacceptable for a high-level competition” after his side survived a scare to progress to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals after extra time.
Claudio Bravo's two penalty saves help Manchester City past Wolves
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Claudio Bravo saved two Wolves penalties before Sergio Agüero scored the decisive spot-kick and while Guardiola was pleased with the victory, he expressed displeasure at the Mitre ball which is usually used in Football League matches. “It is not acceptable, the ball was unacceptable for a high-level competition,” Guardiola said. “It is too light, it moves all over the place, it is not a good ball. It is impossible to score with a ball like that and I can say that because we won, I'm not making excuses. All of my players said: ‘What is that?' I'm sorry Carabao Cup is not a serious ball for a serious competition. It's [for] marketing, money, OK but it's not acceptable – [it has] no weight, nothing.”

Asked if his players had had time to practise with the ball that was introduced at the start of the season for all EFL competitions but not the Premier League, the 46-year-old was dismissive. “One day or two days, but the ball is bad for one year or two years, it's not acceptable. All the players complain,” he added.

Of Bravo, who also made four crucial saves during the match, Guardiola said: “Claudio gave us the chance to go through, I'm so happy for him, the way he's trained, a good performance and good penalties. I'm happy to win in this way.”

Bravo was signed in the summer of 2016 as Joe Hart's replacement but lost his starting berth due to a series of high-profile mistakes. Guardiola accepted it has not been easy for the player. “Yes, of course,” he said. “It was not easy last season for him but he's a keeper at a high level – you can't be [the] Barcelona and Chile [goalkeeper] without being a high level. He deserved the performance. Without him we would not be in the next round.”

The manager added: “It's not easy for him, like with Yaya [Touré, who also had a rare start], he wanted to touch the ball but it's difficult because the space was tight. For Claudio he's here to play but he's a good professional and he has to be ready – you never know what happens in football. But it's not easy to come in for games like this.”

Of the win, Guardiola said: “Maybe now people will understand why things are difficult in football – it's so complicated in this competition. From tomorrow we have to focus again for the Premier League. In the first half we deserved to score one or two goals – we had chances in the first half but in the second half there were some counterattacks, they were so fast.”

Modern Bridalwear – Introducing White One Collection By Missy Dress

Missy Dress has been designing and making gorgeous wedding dresses since 1964 and, with more than five decades of dressing brides, they most certainly understand what it takes to create beautiful gowns. The company is actually named after the famous Gothic cathedral on New York's famed Fifth Avenue, so style and matrimony definitely go hand in hand at Missy Dress.

The White One Collection has been designed by Herve Moreau, the genius creative director of the Pronovias Fashion Group. It's perfect if you're looking for a fresh, modern, versatile gown to wear on your big day and each dress is brilliantly individual. Created mainly from dreamy georgette and tulle, this collection features ethereal gowns and full skirts for a truly bridal feel.

Missy Dress is well known for the design details that bring such beauty to each dress and the White One Collection continues this tradition. I love the tattoo effect that's achieved on some of the sleeves and bodices. This stunning look is achieved thanks to fine crystal tulle embroideries and it's certainly a signature look in this collection.

Missy Dress has also included so many more fantastic details in the collection, it's actually tough to know what to mention first. Famosa is one of my favourites because I LOVE a backless gown! It's an exquisite design in tulle and lace and it's one for the modern romantics amongst you, combining such a delightful design with a super feminine, figure-hugging mermaid shape.

Felicidad is all about the tulle and yet it's still so modern. The voluminous skirt is teamed with an illusion bodice that's embellished with Chantilly appliques, embroidery and beading. If you love this spectacular ballgown style then you also much take a look at Florida. Again, the combination of bodice and skirt is just incredible. The traditional sweetheart neckline and beaded waistband give way to an eye-catching skirt where asymmetrical layers of luscious tulle form the most gorgeous flounces you ever did see. There's also an open back in draped tulle on this gown so it really is full of surprises.

For clean, sophisticated style, look no further than Fiana. The elegant bateau neckline, the flattering cap sleeves and the spectacular silhouette of this dress just make me smile. From the reverse, you'll see another open back design, this one featuring cutout embroidery. I love the contradictions and unexpected details in all of the White One Collection dresses.

Finally, I just have to mention, Flavia because my love for wedding dresses with pockets simply knows no bounds! However, when you combine pockets with a full skirt in heavy Mikado, a tulle and lace bodice and a lace back, I'm pretty much in heaven.

And that's what makes this collection so very special. It's just heavenly. The combinations of fabrics work fabulously, the designs that mix traditional details with on trend flourishes are perfect and there's a real sense of elegance with modern appeal. White One 2018 is just exceptional.

Focusing on football a challenge for displaced Texans

FRISCO, Texans -- On Monday morning at the Dallas Cowboys' training facility, the Houston Texans had their first practice since they were unable to fly back home after the team's preseason game in New Orleans.

And while coach Bill O'Brien said the Texans had a good practice, several players noted the challenge of focusing on the field while so much is going on back in Houston.

“We have a job to do and I think that's got to be the way you go about your business and handle it,” veteran cornerback Johnathan Joseph said. “But it's hard at the same time to kind of sit there and play football and then think about your family that's back home when there's updates going on around the clock about things that are going on back in your hometown.”

The Texans and Cowboys were scheduled to play on Thursday in Houston, but the game is expected to be shifted to AT&T Stadium due to the flooding. Joseph said even when it's tough, playing in the NFL is still a job, and the players have responsibility to do that job.

“We're professionals, and if that's what it calls for, we've got to get up and still do our job and go out there and play to the best of our abilities," Joseph said. "At the end of the day, we're in the National Football League and they pay us to do a job. And if they call for a game to be on, everyone has to put forth their best effort, and once the game is over, have to go back and take care of our business with the things that are going on off the field."

Long-snapper Jon Weeks, who has his wife, Amanda, and eight-week-old daughter, Parker, at home, said the ability to take his mind off anything happening off the field when he has to is something he learned as a young athlete.

“It's definitely tough. But I think that's something that as little kids we're taught," Weeks said. "When you come to this game, you always leave the personal stuff -- and back then it's grades and school and that kind of stuff -- you leave that off the field when you come to the football field and you concentrate on what your job is. And I think we've all been able to do that.

"Again, granted, they're not far from our thoughts. We're thinking of Houston, we're praying for Houston. We're praying for everybody. We're praying and hoping everybody's safe. But when it's time to come here and work, we're all professionals. We come in here and work, and as soon as it's done, we go back and we start doing whatever we can to help the city."

And while "nothing is more important than family," O'Brien said, "at the end of the day, football goes on."

"Thirty-one other teams are working to get to the same goal we're working to get to," O'Brien said. "We're trying to concentrate on football. We're preparing for the Dallas game. We're preparing for football. But we're making sure that our players have time to be in contact with their families."

Football transfer rumours: Is Gareth Bale to Manchester United back on?

If Kylian Mbappé flaps his wings, will he create an extraordinary front of hot air around Old Trafford? That was the main imponderable on the Mill's lips this morning upon the news that Gareth Bale could be Manchester United-bound if the Monaco speedster gets his possibly-unwise world record switch to the Bernabéu this summer. Zinedine Zidane has not quite ruled out one of the famed “BBC” leaving if he gets his man – and United have been sniffing around Bale since time immemorial.

It's not a stretch to say dealings between United and Real have not always progressed smoothly, so you'd expect that to be one for 31 August. Tuck it away in your back pocket and gorge, instead, on Chelsea's masterplan to snare all three of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ross Barkley and Alex Sandro. They'll have to fight Liverpool for the wacky old Ox, while Tottenham might yet move for Barkley. Those two are part of a plan to up the quota of Englishness at Stamford Bridge, apparently, but if part of it doesn't work out they can always have a dig at transfer window stalwart Renato Sanches.

None of them are likely to be playing alongside Diego Costa, who is the latest star name to be targeted by Milan's they-can't-really-afford-this-can-they revolution. He's still willing to sit it out and play for Atlético Madrid when their transfer ban expires, but Milan have asked the question to his agent Jorge Mendes, who presumably is more focused on securing Costa's move to Wolves. That's all OK, anyway, because Chelsea still want Fernando Llorente onboard as their backup striker.

Another favourite from this summer is Naby Keïta, who has presumably completed all the attractions of up-and-coming hipster paradise Leipzig because he remains hellbent on a move to Liverpool, who are ready to have one final go at getting him out of his personal hell. This will only end one way, rendering miles of print and days of diligent journalistic labour mere stardust.

In other interminable sagas, Ronald Koeman remains desperate for Everton to get their cut-price £45m bid for Gylfi Sigurdsson over the line while Arsenal, by happy coincidence, are back in for Monaco's Thomas Lemar with a bid of exactly the same sum.

Premier League new boys Brighton could be about to make a big move for Leicester winger Tom Lawrence, who impressed on loan with Ipswich last season and appears to have no future under Craig Shakespeare even if Riyad Mahrez gets a move to Roma.

Finally, remember that big-name Billericay Town signing revealed in yesterday's Mill? It's Jermaine Pennant. He's said to have picked them ahead of Hibs.

Martin Ling: Leyton Orient appoint ex-manager as director of football

Leyton Orient have named former O's manager Martin Ling as director of football, less than 24 hours after the National League club was taken over.

The 50-year-old managed Orient between 2003 and 2009 but had been out of football since stepping down as Swindon Town boss in 2015 for health reasons.

On Thursday, a consortium led by Nigel Travis completed its takeover.

"His immediate goals are to develop the squad for next season and appoint a first-team coach," said Travis.

"His deep ties to the club will help him build on Leyton Orient's heritage of developing strong young talent through its academy."

After retiring from playing, Ling returned to the O's as a youth coach before moving up to the first team and winning promotion to League One in 2006.

Ling left Orient in January 2009 before spells at Cambridge United and Torquay United.

He moves to East London after Baskin Robbins and Dunkin' Donuts chief executive Travis purchased the club from Francesco Becchetti.

Orient were relegated to the National League at the end of last season, their second relegation in the three years under Becchetti, ending their 112-year stay in the Football League.

Football transfer rumours: Antoine Griezmann leads Manchester United spree?

Antoine Griezmann has struck fear into the hearts of idle rumourmongers everywhere by hinting that he might stay at Atlético Madrid after all, because he wants to "win trophies with this team". Encouragingly, the news hasn't held anyone back, with news of his imminent departure, as part of what the Times' big headline describes as "United's £200m spree", on most of Friday's back pages.

It turns out the details of the "£200m spree" in Friday's paper are very much identical to the details of United's less fully-costed spree that have been all over the same newspapers for months now. The Star features Griezmann prominently in its list of the players United have identified to correct "a lack of swagger and stardust" in their current side and insist his £86m buyout clause "will not stop United from writing a cheque".
Football transfer rumours: Manchester United chasing Bayern Munich duo?
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Also on their shoping list: Real Madrid's Raphaël Varane, Monaco's Tiemoué Bakayoko, Chelsea's Willian, Romelu Lukaku of Everton, Eric Dier of Tottenham and Burnley's Michael Keane. The Independent agrees, saying a move to sign Griezmann is "well under way", with United honchos "confident" of success and "determined to avoid a long public saga". Given that this one has already been going for at least eight months, they've already made a right hash of that. The BBC says that "United are likely to limit their summer spending to three or four key signings", so just a third of an entirely new team, while the Times says "up to four" new arrivals – signed at a cost of some £200m – will include "a defender, a central midfielder, a forward and possibly a No9".

Milan aren't hanging around: having already convinced Álvaro Morata to agree a £7.5m-a-year (after tax) contract, leaving the Rossoneri to simply rummage around the back of the sofa in search of £35m or so they need in order to convince Real Madrid to play ball, they are now working on target No2. And that target is a certain Marko Arnautovic, who both Milan and Paris Saint-Germain consider worth the £15m Stoke are asking and believe – to use the Sun's phrase – he is "a special talent capable of changing games with his off-the-cuff skills". Mark Hughes has meanwhile taken a fancy to the £3.5m Nancy centre-back Modou Diagne, who "would relish the chance to move to the Premier League", according to the aforementioned tabloid.
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Wayne Rooney has decided to swap Britain for Beijing – or somewhere else in China that doesn't alliterate quite so nicely – with the Mirror announcing that the deal could be done in a matter of days; the transfer window is due to open on 19 June. "Rooney's advisers expect to negotiate a £600,000-a-week deal for him," it announces. That's six hundred thousand pounds a week. The Mail knows of "at least two £50m offers" for the pug-faced poacher, though it thinks that works out at a relatively meagre £480,000 a week. Or he can join Everton on a little under a third of that, a possibility that "could persuade him to stay" in this green and pleasant land. Diego Costa's £60m move to the same country could be scuppered by a new 100% tax on enormous international transfer fees being imposed by the Chinese FA, which would turn it into a £120m move that represents particularly poor value for money, even for China's soccer spendthrifts.

Alexis Sánchez is mulling over yet another contract offer, with Arsenal's latest proposition being that they pay him only £270,000 a week. "However," the Mail notes, and happily for the charming Chilean, "the offer is loaded with incentives." Alternatively he could just go to Bayern Munich, Juventus or Paris St-Germain.

West Bromwich, Leicester and Everton are all interested in Troy Deeney, or at least they will be until they hear that Watford want £35m for him. The Mail has uncovered an escape clause in the striker's contract that allows him to leave if the Hornets can bank a clean £25m as a result, but given the amount of money they will have to pass on to his former club, Walsall, any offer will need to comfortably exceed that amount if his departure is to be green-lit.

Watch out Glasgow! News is a-breakin' that Rangers want to sign the midfielder Carlos Peña, who is known in his native Mexico as "Gullit" – after examining several photographs the Mill can only assume this is because Mexicans have forgotten what Ruud Gullit looked like – and has something of a reputation for his hard-partying ways. "They tell so many lies about me," Peña says of the media. "I have just started to ignore all the things coming out. It's gossip. They say I'm a drunk and chase women. I don't care. It doesn't hurt me because I know they are lies." The media is full of gossip, you say? Never!

Mauricio Pochettino springs a surprise with news of Harry Kane’s return

Mauricio Pochettino could see the surprise on the features of his audience. Nobody had expected this. Harry Kane was supposed to return from his ankle ligament injury for the north London derby against Arsenal at the end of April – not the faux-derby with Watford, the club to the north of London, on Saturday. But, to a borrow a phrase from Wayne Rooney before the World Cup in 2006, the Big Man is back.

Pochettino made it plain that his only decision concerned whether to name Kane in the starting XI for Watford’s visit or introduce him as a substitute. One thing that the manager said suggested he was leaning towards the former.

In Kane’s absence, which began in the opening minutes of the FA Cup tie against Millwall on 12 March when he rolled the ankle in grisly fashion, Tottenham have done well. They went on to batter Millwall 5-0 and they have won all three of their Premier League fixtures.

Son Heung-min has deputised more than ably in the No9 role and his stoppage-time goal was decisive in last Wednesday’s 3-1 win at Swansea City. Son has scored 16 goals in all competitions this season, a fact that seems to have drifted under the radar. Could Kane even face a battle to reclaim his starting place immediately, Pochettino was asked.

“Maybe I am crazy but you cannot put a doubt on Harry Kane,” he replied. “There is no doubting that Harry is our best player. It’s like with Barcelona – Messi is injured for one month but Barcelona are still winning. Then, Messi is available again and you say: ‘Hmm, I don’t know?’”

Pochettino’s mention of Kane in the same breathe as Lionel Messi said it all. The 23-year-old’s early return is a tonic on many levels and it will allow him to get up to speed for the FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea on 22 April and the Arsenal game on 30 April. Tottenham’s Premier League pursuit of Chelsea has received a fillip.

Kane has pushed himself during his rehabilitation and, having returned to training earlier in the week, he was pushing Pochettino on Friday. He tends to do this. When Pochettino orders him inside after the extra shooting practice that he insists upon after sessions, there can be cross words. Pochettino’s mood was lighthearted here. There was a sense of happiness but, also, reassurance.

“Today was good because after training, he was shooting, he was playing and you can see that he is ready,” Pochettino said. “I said: ‘Hey, Harry. I don’t know if you are ready or not.’ He says: ‘No, no. I want to be involved tomorrow.’ So, I said: ‘No. You will not be involved.’ He asked why. I said: ‘Your answer is wrong. You should say: ‘Gaffer, it’s up to you because you are the manager and you decide. If you say this, then you will be involved tomorrow!’”

Kane was out from mid-September for seven weeks with an ankle ligament problem and, across the season, Tottenham have played eight league games without him. They have won five and drawn three, which shines a positive light on the depth of the squad that Pochettino has assembled.

Hugo Lloris missed the Swansea match because of a stomach bug but he trained well on Friday, meaning he should return against Watford. If not, Pochettino will give a debut to Pau López because his second-choice goalkeeper, Michel Vorm, is out with the knee problem that he suffered against Swansea.

Pau, who joined on loan from Espanyol last summer, is Spain’s Under-21 goalkeeper and Pochettino rates him highly. Tottenham have the option to make the transfer permanent at the end of the season for €7.5m (£6.4m). Pau caused controversy last season when he appeared to stamp on Messi during Espanyol’s Copa del Rey defeat at Barcelona.

“It was a derby,” Pochettino said. “He is very competitive and has a strong character. He is still very young but he played 36 games in La Liga last season. He needs to learn and improve but he is ready – physically and mentally.”

‘Woman on!’ Arsenal’s girls benefiting from mixing it with the boys

If men are from Mars and women are from Venus, nobody told a bunch of girls and boys who spent their Sunday afternoon engaged in a highly skilled and hotly competed game of football. It is important to stress that this was not mixed football, but a contest that pitted boys against girls at under-10 level. It is part of a new initiative that has been introduced by the Football Association this season which permits girls teams to enrol in boys’grassroots leagues.

Strange? Awkward? Complicated? Not remotely once the match kicked off. The beauty of this enterprise is that if there were any extra butterflies or surges of determination based on gender stereotyping, it all melted away with the referee’s whistle. With the kick-off, the entire focus for two seven-a-side teams was the game itself. Perhaps the only unusual moment was when one of the boys spontaneously yelled “woman on” to warn one of his team-mates that an opponent was rushing in. Not his usual vernacular but it did the trick.

Apart from the obvious, there was very little between girls of Arsenal and the boys of AC Finchley who took each other on in the Watford Friendly League. An equal level of football obsession and a desire to do well, to try to fulfil those dreams of making it, underpinned every touch of the ball.

Arsenal are one of the clubs that have embraced this opportunity in an attempt to offer a more competitive environment for their elite girls’ teams to develop. Frankly, that had been an ongoing problem across the game because of the smaller pool of players compared with their male counterparts. It is relatively straightforward for a boy to find a team somewhere, whatever their standard. Up until this season, for the most talented girls selected to play for the top-tier clubs in English football, the environment was not geared up to best help them to push on because finding challenging matches on their doorstep was not easy. The case to play regularly against boys gathered traction.

Tessa Payne, the technical director for Arsenal’s Regional Talent Club who oversees the pathway for female players from five years old through to the Ladies first team, is a believer that pitting the best against the boys brings an invaluable experience. “The FA made a brave decision to be able to put a whole girls team into a boys league, which is quite different from just having one or two girls within your team,” she says.

It is not helping you to improve if you win 20-0 or 30-0. It is better to lose 1-0 against the boys
“We started to recognise that playing against boys – maybe not even at the exact same age group but by matching ability levels – was a really good test, a real challenge for the most exceptionally talented girls.

“We began to do that in friendlies. England use that in preparation for their youth games. It adds to their physicality, their speed of play; they are able to move, react, respond that bit quicker when they are challenged by the boys’ game. That is where they started to think if we are really going to try to push women’s football and compete on another level with those on the international stage, we need to do something at the bottom, to try to support the younger players to give them the best opportunities.” Mixed gender matches are now allowed up to the age of 18.

The girls evidently love it. Rimini Lowe used to play in a boys’ team and the opportunity to represent a professional club and be in an environment geared towards improving all the time is something she relishes. “I prefer to play against boys,” she says. “I think we can play against the boys all the way. There is never a limit.”

Her team-mate Laila Harbert is convinced it is the best football experience they can get. “It is not helping you to improve if you win 20-0 or 30-0. It is better to lose 1-0 against the boys because we learn loads and that is what helps you to become a better player. I’d like to go as far as the Arsenal Ladies first team and play for England.” Olivia Bartlett captures the spirit within the entire camp when she says that playing against boys “feels normal”.

Payne acknowledges it has not been plain sailing all the way. There were a few dissenting voices in the committee meetings across the leagues. Then there was the small matter of convincing everyone it was the right thing – some parents needed educating about the benefits for their daughters, and some opponents had to overcome their reluctance.

“There have been some interesting faces when the girls have turned up,” Payne explains. “Parents and coaches look like they are not quite sure how to respond. A little bit cautious at times. ‘They are girls?’ We had a coach who said: ‘I am a dad. I have daughters. I am a bit worried about these boys going in and tackling the girls. I wouldn’t want a boy to go in with a heavy tackle on a girl.’

“I said: ‘Don’t worry about it. They are footballers. Just look at it like that.’ At the end of the game the coach said we had a fantastic group of great players with a great attitude that want to learn. He is now one of our biggest supporters.”

The AC Finchley boys seemed unfazed. As one of the goalscorers, Mel Telemachou, explains: “It is a normal game. I am not really going to pull out of a tackle because then we are going to lose the game. Girls can be good footballers. Anyone can.” Mindsets are changing.

The game with AC Finchley was closely matched from a technical, physical and competitive point of view. The boys won because they were more ruthless in attacking areas, which is something the Arsenal squad – who in familiar style are educated in a passing style – are working on.

Stevie Kotey, the AC Finchley coach, was impressed. “The first time we played we were really apprehensive, we didn’t know what to expect. But as it turns out within two minutes of playing them the boys feel it is just another game. The boys see it as genderless. I have got so much respect for the way they play. No matter what the result, they play out from the back, they pass and move, they compete.”

Arsenal’s under-10s have at their disposal a far more professional set-up than their male equivalents in the league. The under-10s and under-12s get four hours of training per week plus a match on Sunday. “They are getting A- and B-licence coaching, goalkeeper coaching, strength and conditioning work, sports psychologists, physiotherapists, nutrition,” Payne says. “The idea is it is not just about developing them technically, it’s what we do to develop the whole player. We also have parent workshops to support the parents. There is a lot going on.”

They also had the benefit recently of an overseas trip. Olivier Giroud secured an invitation to a mixed Futsal tournament near his home town close to the French Alps.

It is all part of a steep learning curve for the girls, in an attempt to encourage them to troubleshoot and deal with new tactical situations at a more intense pace. The under-10s probably have it easier than the under-12s, who have found it harder to adjust to playing against the boys. It is a little less innocent, and physically the challenge is trickier to bridge especially as the girls teams play in two-year age bands, so if you have a boy pushing 13 against a girl who has just turned 11 the difference is marked.

As Payne points out, finding the right level – the appropriate league and division – is paramount in the search for a relatively even match. “It has been a challenge but if you are going to be an elite female player ultimately you need to be regularly challenged,” she notes. For those with top potential the opportunities to learn are there to be seized. One of Arsenal’s best under-16s girls goes once a week to train with the club’s academy boys.

All in all, the girls feel certain they are fast-tracking development. Rupen Shah, on the coaching staff of the under-10s, has been at the club for eight years and is sold on the potential of girls v boys matches. “It is the best experience they have had in all my time at the club. You really see the benefits. I asked the girls recently what they thought and they unanimously said they would prefer to play in a boys’ league.”

After the post-match handshakes, it took a bit of persuading to get the two teams to shuffle up close for a joint team photo, but in the end the gap was closed to leave one big group of ambitious, happy footballers.

Jurgen Klopp all too aware that he could go the same way as Claudio Ranieri if Liverpool do not win trophies

Jurgen Klopp has admitted that Claudio Ranieri’s sacking has him wondering about his own long-term future, conceding that his own job will surely come under threat if Liverpool “cannot win anything or even come close to the big things” over the next few campaigns.

Premier League managers were left reeling by the news that Leicester had dispensed with the services of Ranieri just nine months after winning them the title.

Leicester will now host Liverpool on Monday night with Craig Shakespeare in temporary charge and Klopp admitted that all Premier League managers are aware that their positions are utterly dependent on short-term success.

“Nobody needs to remind any of the managers in world football about the business. And if we cannot win anything or even come close to big things over the next few years then it will be difficult to go for it,” Klopp said.

“Until now I didn't understand it as I've always been on a long contract, as long as I wanted, and I have no idea why exactly it happened to me. Liverpool as a club wants to have a strong relationship with its manager but as always it depends on success.”

Like Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, Klopp had managed only two clubs prior to arriving in the Premier League with a reputation as one of the finest coaches in the sport. But Klopp stressed that neither him nor Guardiola could take their new positions for granted.

“Pep has not been sacked until this point and I have not been sacked until this point, but that is only a few times. But it has been a business of managers getting sacked for a pretty long time already.

“If you want a similar situation you only have to look at Chelsea the year before – champions and then the manager gets sacked. It is part of our job and we had to accept it long ago. We have to work in the hope it will never happen.”

Klopp added that he did not pity Ranieri after being sacked late on Thursday night – “I am sure he doesn’t need it,” he said – and he backed the Italian to learn from his experiences in the Premier League and emerge successful with another club.

“I am sure he will be somewhere else in not too much time and someone else will benefit from his experience,” Klopp said.

“When you play against him he always accepts the rules, does whatever he can to win the game in the 90 minutes and after the game you can be best friends again if you are best friends. And his is one of the nicest stories in world football, of all-time.”

Liverpool endured something of a mid-season slump in January, during which they failed to win a single Premier League match are were knocked out of the EFL and FA Cups. But a fine 2-0 victory at home to Tottenham Hotspur means the club now sit just three-points off second, a result that has buoyed confidence at Anfield.

Liverpool have since enjoyed a 16-day break and Klopp took his players to La Manga for some warm weather training, to refresh his players and prepare them for the business end of the season.

“At this moment everyone is convinced about going with this manager, this team and these coaches,” Klopp added.

“We can reach the highest and that is what we are all working for. We have to fill this period between now and then with as many wonderful performances as possible. That will make it easier.”

Cohen Bramall reveals what he did to impress Arsene Wenger and become first January signing

Cohen Bramall has revealed what he had to do to impress Arsene Wenger and become Arsenal’s first signing of the January transfer window.

The 20-year-old left-back has joined the north London club from non-league Hednesford Town having caught the eye while on trial at the club’s Colney training base.

“I drove in there and then I saw Arsenal Football Club, I was absolutely gobsmacked,” he told Sky Sports News. “It was like a dream. It was so weird.

“I was with the first team on the Thursday and the Friday. My eyes just lit up straight away. I had to do my job. I just played to the best of my ability.

“I used my speed a lot overlapping from left-back and tried to get my body out there in front of Wenger,” Bramall added.

“[Wenger] came up to me after the session and it was literally a 'hi, nice to meet you'. And he said 'I like how you play'. Just them words, you don't get that a lot do you. It's amazing.”

Bramall is confident that following his remarkable move up from the seventh tier of English football he can break into Wenger’s first-team plans within the near year.

“It's going to be a big task but I think I can do it. Over the next six months I'm going to work physically and mentally and be ready for pre-season and hopefully break into the first team.”

Dan Chapman, Bramall’s agent, praised Wenger for giving his client the chance to impress and also hailed Brian McDermott, the former Reading manager, who recommended the youngster to Arsenal.

"Brian [McDermott] said to me 'can we get him after Christmas'? Thinking like an agent I said how about we get him down this afternoon.

“And Brian said 'give me two minutes and I'll come back to you' and he said 'if you can get him down this afternoon, I've spoken to Arsene Wenger and he'll look at him over the next two days'.

“All respect to Arsene Wenger. He was magnificent. He showed how humble he is. He didn't stick him on another pitch with the under-23s. He brought him straight in with the first team.

“That's the sort of respect he must have for Brian's judgement,” Chapman added.