Sport shorts: Mikel Arteta plans Arsenal revolution and Rory McIlroy is back as golf’s world No.1

1. Arteta’s big plans at the Emirates

It promises to be a busy few months ahead for Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta.

According to the Daily Mail the Spaniard is planning to “revolutionise” Arsenal’s squad this summer in a bid to restore the Gunners to their former glories.

The Mail says that Arteta wants to have his transfer deals completed before the start of Euro 2020. He’s “prioritising” a box-to-box midfielder, a central defender and a creative central midfielder.

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James Maddison, Odsonne Edouard and Dayot Upamecano are reportedly on the target list while players such as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Mesut Ozil and Alexandre Lacazette could leave the club.

2. Ronaldo breaks Juve Serie A record

Cristiano Ronaldo scored in his tenth successive Serie A match for Juventus, a club record, but the superstar striker could not stop the Italian champions from losing 2-1 at Hellas Verona on Saturday.

Ronaldo’s 65th-minute effort means he has beaten the previous nine-match Serie A scoring record for Juventus set by David Trezeguet in 2005. The Portugal captain, 35 last week, has taken his season tally to 23 goals in 28 games.

Lionel Messi, Ronaldo’s great rival, was in sublime form for Barcelona in their 3-2 win at Real Betis last night. Messi provided a hat-trick of assists for goals from Frenkie de Jong, Sergio Busquets and Clement Lenglet.

Lionel Messi vs. Cristiano Ronaldo: all-time career goals, assists, trophies

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3. RFU deny Rasmus could replace Jones

The English Rugby Football Union (RFU) were forced to issue a statement yesterday denying media reports that they have sounded out South Africa chief Rassie Erasmus about replacing current head coach Eddie Jones.

Erasmus guided the Springboks to Rugby World Cup glory last year, including a 32-12 hammering of England in the final, and has since changed roles to become the country’s director of rugby.

Six Nations: is England head coach Eddie Jones on his way out?

4. Jones: mistake to expand Six Nations

Eddie Jones believes it would be a “mistake” adding more teams to the Six Nations. Reports have suggested that South Africa, Fiji or Japan could join the northern hemisphere’s rugby union championship.

England head coach Jones, speaking after Saturday’s 13-6 win over Scotland, said: “It’s called the greatest rugby tournament in the world and I think it is. So why would you want to add other teams that are going to decrease the level of competition?”

Six Nations 2020 guide: round three fixtures and standings

5. Rory returns to world No.1

Northern Irish golfer Rory McIlroy has returned to the top of the world rankings ahead of American star Brooks Koepka.

McIlroy is a four-time major champion and should he win the Masters Tournament in April it would complete a career grand slam for the 30-year-old.

6. Mercedes unveil W11 livery

Formula 1 world champions Mercedes today unveiled the livery for their new 2020 car, the W11, at an event in London.

The Silver Arrows, who have won the constructors’ championship for six successive seasons, also announced a new official principal partnership with INEOS at the Royal Automobile Club in England’s capital city.

Mercedes will now fully launch their 2020 challenger with a Valentine’s Day shakedown at Silverstone on Friday.

Mercedes W11 livery: video, pictures and fan reactions on Twitter

7. Ferrari ‘SF1000’ launch tomorrow

Ferrari will kick off F1 launch week tomorrow by unveiling their 2020 challenger at an event at the Romolo Valli Municipal Theatre in Reggio Emilia, Italy.

According to reports the Ferrari 2020 F1 car could be called the “SF1000” - to mark the team’s 1,000th grand prix which will happen this season.

F1: 2020 car launch week schedule

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8. England draw ODI series

England suffered a customary batting collapse against South Africa yesterday in Johannesburg but the tourists just managed to sneak home in the third one-day international. The result means the three-match series ended in a 1-1 draw after Friday’s match was washed out.

Moeen Ali - back in England colours after being dropped last year from the Test squad - was economical with the ball, and then saw England home as they chased South Africa’s target of 256.

9. Blades up to fifth

Sheffield United’s 2-1 victory against Bournemouth yesterday has moved them to fifth in the Premier League table. On a weekend when most of their rivals were enjoying a winter break, United were in action and they came back from a goal down to win thanks to strikes from Billy Sharp and John Lundstram.

10. Back pages: City’s fixture chaos

“Wet & Wild” is the headline in the Daily Mirror beneath a photo of a sodden Etihad Stadium. The Mirror - along with The Times, The Sun and i Sport - says the postponement of Manchester City’s Premier League clash with West Ham yesterday because of Storm Ciara has left the Sky Blues facing a “fixture chaos”.

Pep Guardiola’s City aren’t in action again until 22 February, which means they will have had 20 days without kicking a ball in anger, a good rest for their players but a headache going forward.

Today’s back pages

Man City face fixture chaos and the Blades mean business

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