Paul Pogba handed four-year ban for a doping offence
Premier League news conferences: Arsenal, Everton, Sheffield United, Man Utd
FA Cup fifth round reaction and analysis
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Timothy Abraham and Michael Beardmore
Following the news of his four-year ban for a doping offence, Paul Pogba has released a statement.
“I have today been informed of the Tribunale Nazionale Antidoping's decision and believe that the verdict is incorrect.
"I am sad, shocked and heartbroken that everything I have built in my professional playing career has been taken away from me.
"When I am free of legal restrictions the full story will become clear, but I have never knowingly or deliberately taken any supplements that violate anti-doping regulations.
"As a professional athlete I would never do anything to enhance my performance by using banned substances and have never disrespected or cheated fellow athletes and supporters of any of the teams I have played for, or against.
"As a consequence of the decision announced today I will appeal this before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.”
Sheffield United v Arsenal (Mon, 20:00 GMT)
Arsenal
More from Mikel Arteta on striker Gabriel Jesus' persistent injury setbacks and whether his fitness programme has gone to plan : "No it didn't happen and the result was he got a knock in the another area that caused a different type of injury. It wasn't related to the first one. Then he had a niggle which was a muscle issue which kept him for 10 days out."
"On whether Jesus will need surgery again in the summer: "No. it is question more specific for the doctors but as far as I am concerned I think it's been resolved."
Sheffield United v Arsenal (Mon, 20:00 GMT)
Sheffield United
Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder on how confident he is that striker Rhian Brewster is over his nagging injury problems:
"You can never say never but we are all delighted that he got through the shift that he put in for 75 minutes [at Wolves] on Sunday.
"We wanted to keep him on the pitch because he was a threat going deep into the game.
"There's been no reaction, the players have had a couple of days off and back into work. He trained yesterday and today and hasn't felt anything.
"He deserves a break and a bit of luck going forward – even the most negative of Sheffield United supporters will wish him all the best because he certainly deserves that for the amount of effort he's put in to get himself back fit."
Sheffield United v Arsenal (Mon, 20:00 GMT)Arsenal
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta on the lack of games due to Chelsea's progress in the FA Cup: "It is what it is. We knew that. I will plan to use that time in the best possible way because we will have a more congested period in April. Players have different demands. Some will have internatoinal matches as well. I don't think it will be a case of needing more minutes [in a friendly].
"The difference for the gap before playing Manchester City is three or four more days. We going to have two-and-a-half or three weeks that's it. I don't think that's going to change things."
Everton v West Ham (Sat, 15:00 GMT)
Everton
Everton boss Sean Dyche on the club's revised points deduction: "I think we're pleased we got something back obviously. You're always greedy aren't you, want more. The points the club made forward have obviously been listened to and we got the four points back, so we'll take that and now of course it brings clarity to the situation which I think is good for us, good for the players, but i think it's good for all actually.
"There's nothing we can do [about the second case] at this time. The main focus was on this appeal and what came from it. We've certainly parked that now because it's become a fact now. The line's drawn under that now, the players are clear of that, we'll take on the rest of the season at this time and with an open mind.
"Everything that helps to give us a lift of any kind is good news, I think performances have stayed solid, we haven't had the wins that we'd want obviously but I think the performance level has been solid. Adding the detail is important but I think getting four back gives some form of….I don't think a boost is the right word but I think it's an adjustment to the table that is now apparent and was needed because I think everyone felt 10 in the first place was harsh. I'm always greedy but some would argue maybe we were expecting more back but I would say it's done now and that's all we were looking for. The main thing was to bring clarity."
Sheffield United v Arsenal (Mon, 20:00 GMT)Sheffield United
Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder on the fitness of Ben Brereton Diaz and George Baldock, the latter of whom has been out for two months, for Monday's game with Arsenal:
"They've trained yesterday and today, fully – so I'm delighted we've got both of those experienced boys back with us and involved in the group.
"When you talk about Premier League experience, we've been lacking – John Egan, Chris Basham, Tom Davies not being involved, Oli McBurnie not as much as we would have liked – so George, knowing his characteristics, his personality, we're delighted he is back in the group and gives us a big boost."
On whether there is a timescale on striker Cameron Archer's injury:
"No, not really. He's improving with treatment but there's no timescale. I'm sure he won't be available before the international break although I'll be delighted if he is. But with the Manchester United game being moved (due to FA Cup involvement) it does give us another week to get Cameron and Anis Ben Slimane right to help boost the squad going into the last 10 games of the season."
Sheffield United v Arsenal (Mon, 20:00 GMT)Arsenal
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, who is in contention for Premier League manager of the month along with Pep Guardiola and Erik ten Hag, on the importance of his side's recent goalscoring form: "For sure it's an important element. You have to earn the right to win the games and then we want to be ruthless and efficient in front of goal. I think lately we have been that."
On playing after their title rivals: "We’ve done two or three different scenarios. It’s irrelevant. What we want to do is go to Sheffield, perform the way we are performing, win the match and the rest we cannot control. The only thing you can do is the next game and focus on that. The rest will come."
On whether overconfidence could be a factor: "I hope not. We were clear after Newcastle what we have to do on Monday in Sheffield. We are going to continue to prepare."
Sheffield United v Arsenal (Mon, 20:00 GMT)Arsenal
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta on the challenge of facing Sheffield United: "They are a really difficult team to beat. I watched four or five games now. They are extremely well coached. I know Chris [Wilder] really well and I admire his teams and what they do. It will be Monday night football and it will be a tough match.
"I imagine it's tough for them and their ambitions are different. I imagine when you are there [the relegation zone] you really want to get out of it as quick as possible. We have a lot to play for as well and this is a big game for us.
"With every team we look at the weaknesses and the strengths and change the game where can. I know that team really well. I analyzed them closely a few years ago, what Chris did, and I learned from his teams. It is going to be a really tough match."
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Pogba had the world at his feet, he could have been one of the best players in the world, up there with Ronaldo and Messi. Instead he threw away his talent with a really poor attitude. There's a reason why Sir Alex sold him, United should never have wasted all that money on bringing him back to the club. Pogba is the epitome of what my club has become, a bunch of overrated individuals. No sympathy for Pogba whatsoever.
Joe
Everton v West Ham (Sat, 15:00 GMT)Everton
The hot topic on the lips of many Evertonians is points deductions and Sean Dyche is just about set to give his views on that very subject at a news conference scheduled to start at 13:30 GMT today.
Earlier this week, Everton's penalty for breaching Premier League financial rules was reduced from 10 points to six after an appeal.
The club were immediately docked 10 points in November for breaking profit and sustainability rules (PSR) in the three-year period to 2021-22.
The punishment – the biggest in Premier League history – dropped Everton from 14th to 19th in the table.
The reduction lifts them from 17th to 15th, although the club is facing another, separate, possible points deduction.
Sheffield United v Arsenal (Mon, 20:00 GMT)Arsenal
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta on Jurrien Timber's fitness after he took some part in training: "Jurrien is still not close enough. He has been a joy. The medical staff and physios are happy with his attitude and the way things have gone. The way he applies himself. He is determined and willing to put every effort in.
"He's in a really good place and now we have to manage the last bit of a difficult and complicated injury. We have missed his leadership, his versatility to play in different positions, the spaces he can occupy. You could tell he was fitting and he's been a big miss."
On whether Gabriel Jesus will feature after his recent injury problems: "Gabriel is fit enough. How long he will last that’s very different. We didn’t want to take any risks. We need him fit and now we want to make sure we load him in the right way."
Sheffield United v Arsenal (Mon, 20:00 GMT)Arsenal
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta on Thomas Partey's return to fitness after four months out with a thigh injury: "Thomas has a session before the last game and now he's done two consecutive sessions and he should be part of the squad on Monday."
On whether Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu will be fit enough to play: "Those ones it’s possible but we’ll have to wait and see, especially the last two sessions on Saturday and Sunday. If that’s the case they might be available on Monday."
Sheffield United v Arsenal (Mon, 20:00 GMT)Sheffield United
With 12 games of the season left Sheffield United are bottom of the Premier League with 13 points, 11 points adrift of Nottingham Forest in 17th.
Blades boss Chris Wilder is not the kind of manager to mince his words on their predicament, though.
He will give his thoughts on facing Arsenal next Monday, offer some team news updates and plenty more besides at a news conference at 13:30 GMT.
We will bring you the best of what he says.
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Pogba had all the makings of a ‘GOAT’. Despite a still very successful career, alongside a bit of charisma (how dare he), the grief he receives is for not quite fulfilling the hopes/expectations many had for him.
Nick, Kent, via WhatsApp
Chelsea 3-2 Leeds
Chelsea
Mario Melchiot also commented on Gary Neville's 'billion-pound bottlejobs' jibe at Chelsea, saying he understood where the pundit was coming from:
"I think that the reason why Gary said that, was because of the investment and everybody knows that, right?
"But you also have to understand [Jurgen] Klopp has been there [at Liverpool] for a long period, so he has built the red line all the way through.
"For example, when I was playing in the youth system at Ajax, I knew exactly when I came in the first team, I knew what to do. That doesn't mean I was going to play as good as the first team players, but I knew what was expected from me because the system was built like that.
"Liverpool has it identical. All those young boys when they break through, they know what to do. At Chelsea, they don't have that. Why don't they have that? Because if you keep on changing your manager every time, he's got to build his system the way he wants to build play into the youth system.
"They’ve got great talent at Chelsea. When they play well, we can see the talent, but when things don't go well, you need experience.
"And that is the thing they are lacking, and that's why he's [Gary’s] saying that because sometimes, the talent is not going to get you where you want. Sometimes, the character is what the team needs."
Chelsea 3-2 LeedsChelsea
Former Chelsea defender Mario Melchiot has been talking to Radio 5 Live about the Blues' FA Cup win over Leeds last night:
"Look, when you lose one final, then you're hoping to go for the second one.
"Of course, the big boys are still in it, right? Because you could see what they are trying to achieve as well because everybody tried to win this cup – this is a special cup.
"Even I, when I came to England, had to get used to it too because I thought I played so many cup games, but when I came to England it was another level.
"I think every game has to be like a final and that's why I felt like Poch, the way he started the game, he had to bring on the big boys, for his team."
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Paul Pogba, never should have made that return to Old Trafford. Had Real Madrid been able to afford him at the time how different his career may have gone. Should have held out for the dream move he always wanted.
John, Oban
Sheffield United v Arsenal (Mon, 20:00 GMT)Arsenal
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will be taking questions from journalists today as he looks ahead to their Premier League fixture with Sheffield United next Monday.
The Gunners were knocked out of the FA Cup by Liverpool in January so had the luxury of a midweek break while their title rivals were in cup action.
Arteta is set to give an update on the fitness of Thomas Partey and Oleksandr Zinchenko, who are both edging closer to returns from injury, as well as the latest on the progress being made by Gabriel Jesus and Takehiro Tomiyasu.
We'll hear from Arteta at approximately 13:00 GMT.
BBC Sport has been told Paul Pogba will appeal against Italy's national anti-doping tribunal's (Nado) decision.
The failed drugs test was confirmed by Nado in a second sample in October, and the anti-doping prosecutor's office had requested a four-year suspension.
The ruling means Pogba will be unable to play until 2027, when he will be 33, with the ban backdated to the date of the failed test.
It is understood Pogba believes that if he did take a banned substance, he did so inadvertently.
Speaking at the time of the initial suspension, Pogba's agent, Rafaela Pimenta, said: "What is certain is that Paul Pogba never wanted to break a rule."
Testosterone is a hormone that increases the endurance of athletes.
Nado said Pogba had violated rules when prohibited non-endogenous testosterone metabolites were found in the test, and the results were "consistent with the exogenous origin of the target compounds".
You can follow this breaking story here.
Paul Pogba's return to Juventus has gone spectacularly wrong on pretty much all counts.
Juventus re-signed Pogba on a four-year deal in July 2022 after the player ran down his contract at Manchester United and left as a free agent.
However, Pogba's return to Turin has been beset by persistent injury problems which also saw him miss last year's World Cup in Qatar.
Pogba has played a total of 51 minutes as a substitute this season.
Last season he managed just 108 minutes over six Serie A games, three brief appearances and one assist in the Europa League, and 11 minutes in the Coppa Italia – a total of 162 minutes and no goals.
Off the field, Pogba also said he had considered retiring from football over alleged extortion and threats from an organised gang, including his brother Mathias.
Read more here on Pogba's troubles in Turin.
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