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While they have yet to win anything, Arsenal now have arguably the best squad in the Premier League.

Whether it’s the outrageously stacked defence, the midfield or up top, Mikel Arteta has an abundance of talent to pick from every week, and his second-string side would probably give some teams a good game.

Yet, even with the embarrassment of riches at his disposal, most fans and pundits alike would agree that his best and most important player remains Bukayo Saka.

Yet, even so, the manager should be looking to take the Englishman out of the lineup for the Champions League game against Olympiacos.

Why Saka should be dropped

Now, there is, of course, a compelling argument that Arsenal should field their best players in a European game like this.

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However, even though that’s a totally valid point of view, and one that most might hold, there are a few reasons why Saka should be dropped.

First and foremost, Arteta needs to protect the Hale End superstar from being overplayed and picking up any more injuries.

After all, he missed almost four months of action due to hamstring surgery last season, and then missed a few weeks earlier this year due to an injury to his other hamstring.

Moreover, since returning from his recent setback, the 24-year-old “legend in the making,” as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has already made three appearances, including two starts in the last two games.

In other words, he’s already had the chance to regain a significant amount of match sharpness and therefore doesn’t need to start a third game in seven days.

Second, if the North Londoners were playing a title rival or one of the real big boys in Europe, then there would be an argument to risk another start given his importance to the team.

However, without being disrespectful, Olympiacos are one of the easier opponents the Gunners will face this season, with UEFA ranking them 37th in their coefficients, behind the likes of Bodo/Glimt, PSV Eindhoven and Club Brugge.

Finally, there is also no need to play Saka, as Arteta already has the perfect option to start in his stead, and no, it’s not Max Dowman.

The Arsenal star who should start ahead of Saka

There will be plenty of fans who want to see Dowman come in from the start against Olympiacos, and while there is undoubtedly an argument to throw him in the deep end, it might be a little too much too soon.

Especially when Arteta already has the perfect option to start in Saka and the 15-year-old’s place: Ethan Nwaneri.

Speaking about him during the early stages of Nwaneri’s development, Mikel Arteta noted that the teenager is “a little bit like Jack Wilshere,” and that may suggest why he’s been getting more game time in the middle of the park recently.

That looks likely to be his long-term position, but it would make perfect sense to start the Hale Ender off the right against the Greek outfit.

The most significant argument for doing so is that the 18-year-old dynamo already has a decent amount of experience playing out there and put up some good numbers when doing so last season.

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For example, in 37 appearances, totalling just 1378 minutes, the dynamic gem scored nine goals and provided two assists, which comes out to an impressive average of a goal involvement every 3.36 games, or every 125.27 minutes.

Nwaneri in 24/25

Appearances

37

Minutes

1378′

Goals

9

Assists

2

Goal Involvements per Match

0.29

Minutes per Goal Involvement

125.27′

All Stats via Transfermarkt

In other words, the manager can rest assured that starting the “phenomenal” talent, as dubbed by former professional Stephen Warnock, would not be detrimental to the side’s attacking output.

Another reason the Spaniard should be playing academy product is that, now that he has been tied down to a long-term contract, he needs to be given ample opportunities to play first-team football and continue his impressive development.

So, while a start against Newcastle United, for example, might be too risky, the same cannot really be said about a European fixture in which the Gunners are big favourites.

Ultimately, Saka needs to be rested and protected to ensure he does not suffer another injury, and though Dowman should feature against Olympiacos, it should be Nwaneri who starts the game off the right.

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Looking to ensure that their wait for silverware is far less than the years before winning this season’s FA Cup, Crystal Palace are now reportedly intensifying talks to sign an 18-year-old prospect who is already making waves.

Crystal Palace set to celebrate FA Cup in style

After upsetting the odds to defeat Manchester City in the FA Cup final, Crystal Palace have confirmed that they will be enjoying an open-top bus parade through south London this Monday.

The Eagles released a message to the fans to reveal the celebrations that are planned, saying on the official club website: “It’s the day you’ve long been waiting for: Palace’s open-top bus parade will transport your FA Cup winning heroes, and the historic trophy itself, down the SE25 streets starting at the top of Whitehorse Lane from 12:45.

“The parade route will see the bus start at the top of Whitehorse Lane, turning into Park Road and then down Holmesdale Road; this is expected to last approximately 45 minutes. Be there to bring the noise, and celebrate with Oliver Glasner’s outstanding Eagles as they show off our legendary prize.”

For many, they will deem Palace’s victory a once-in-a-lifetime moment, but Steve Parish and the rest of those at Selhurst Park will be desperate to make sure that such celebrations become more than just a rarity. And Glasner will be a big part of that.

The job that the Austrian has completed in south London deserves immense praise, but he may just be getting started. Crystal Palace are now a Europa League club and have the chance to create more moments of history with Glasner at the helm.

With European football to offer too, Palace could beat Premier League rivals Fulham to the arrival of an impressive 18-year-old midfielder this summer.

Crystal Palace intensify talks to sign Bongeli

According to Africa Foot, as relayed by Sport Witness, Crystal Palace are now set to intensify talks to sign Faveurdi Bongeli from TP Mazembe this summer. The 18-year-old midfielder is reportedly already making waves and has attracted the interest of the Eagles alongside Fulham and German Bundesliga side Borussia Mönchengladbach.

With plenty of competition for his signature, it’s no surprise that Palace have seemingly stepped up their efforts to win the race for Bongeli’s signature. Though still a teenager, the Palace target has already been making his mark on senior football, starting three of Mazembe’s five CAF Champions League games and winning once.

Related Crystal Palace jostling to sign "complete" midfielder in deal worth £30m

The Eagles could swoop in ahead of rival clubs.

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Despite that, it must be said that he still has a long way to go before he is capable of breaking into Glasner’s Palace midfield. Whether those in south London will be willing to take a chance on an unproven young player remains to be seen, in what could be a frustrating blow for Bongeli.

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A player with plenty of potential, even despite his lack of experience, it will certainly be interesting to see whether Palace decide to give rivals a free run at a young star. Bongeli, meanwhile, could have the most important decision of his career to make in the coming months.

A Sky Sports pundit has been left excited about a strong Leeds United transfer rumour, saying it would be a “great signing” for Daniel Farke’s side.

Leeds transfer rumours

The Whites are flying high at the top of the Championship, however, the 49ers Enterprises are yet to add to Farke’s squad during the January transfer window. The Leeds boss seems pretty content with his current options, and the club are five points better off than at this stage last season.

Joe Gelhardt’s loan move to Hull City has been the only piece of business conducted at Elland Road, so there could be room for an attacking addition before the February 3 deadline.

Aston Villa’s Emiliano Buendia is the name that keeps coming up regarding a late arrival in Yorkshire, with those at Villa Park happy for the Argentine to go out on loan.

Journalist Graeme Bailey recently stated that Villa would like Leeds to agree to an obligation to buy, should the Whites win promotion to the Premier League.

Buendia’s stats under Farke

Games

121

Goals

24

Assists

41

Titles

2

When quizzed on if he thinks a deal will go through, Bailey said: “One to keep an eye on. I can see it happening. If it doesn’t happen, then it tells us Leeds don’t see him as part of the [long-term] plans. But I would foresee him join with an obligation.

“If you bring him in and it gets [promotion] over the line, from what I’m hearing there is a good chance they will do it. They are playing the long game and believe they will get a better deal the longer they leave it. There’s a real interest there. They really want him.”

Now, former Leeds goalkeeper Paul Robinson has been giving his thoughts on a deal for Buendia.

Robinson reacts to Leeds rumours on Buendia

Talking to MOT Leeds News, Sky Sports man Robinson is buzzing at the possibility of Leeds signing Buendia, who he called a “top player”.

“They’re the type of signings that excite fans. With the names being linked, you’re not going to get excited over a centre-half, but with Buendia, we know he can do it at this level.

“He scores goals, whether plays wide, off the main striker, or just in the No.10 role. Aaronson has done okay in recent weeks but Buendia is a step up from Aaronson. If he comes in, he plays in the No.10 role.

“Buendia would absolutely play – he’s a top player. He’s not the No.9 that’s going to score 15 to 20 goals and guarantee promotion, but where they are now, 17 points ahead of sixth place, the very worst case is play-offs.

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“Automatic promotion is almost a must, and with a small investment in the squad this month, they can ensure that. Signing Buendia would add a lot of quality. That would be a great signing.”

Buendia, who cost £33m and is on £75,000-a-week with Villa, recently started their Champions League defeat to AS Monaco, but his days in the Midlands could be numbered, should he reunite with Farke at Leeds.

Celtic return to action in the Scottish Premiership this afternoon as they prepare to take on Hearts at Parkhead in their fifth match of the season.

The Hoops have enjoyed a perfect start to the 2024/25 campaign in the top-flight, winning all four of their games without conceding a single goal.

Brendan Rodgers’ side secured a convincing 3-0 win over local rivals Rangers in the first Old Firm clash of the season last time out, before the international break.

Despite the impressive and comfortable victory at Paradise, Reo Hatate is one player who could be ruthlessly ditched from the starting XI for this clash with Steven Naismith’s side.

Reo Hatate's performance against Rangers

The Japan international was selected to start in the middle of the park alongside Callum McGregor and Paulo Bernardo and did not enjoy his best afternoon.

Out of possession, Hatate left a lot to be desired from his defensive work. The central midfielder lost three of his five duels on the ground and his only aerial contest, which shows that the opposition got the better of him more often than not.

Despite having 60 touches of the ball in a dominant win for Celtic, the 26-year-old whiz only created one chance for his teammates in 77 minutes on the pitch.

The Japanese ace also had a glorious chance to get himself on the scoresheet when the ball came to him, unmarked, at the back post in the first half but he blazed his shot well wide of the target, which represented a ‘big chance’ missed.

Luke McCowan, who joined from Dundee on deadline day, came on for Hatate for the final 13 minutes to make his debut against Rangers and should now be brought into the starting XI.

Why Luke McCowan should start

The Scottish maestro should be unleashed from the start after the Japan international struggled in the 3-0 win over Rangers, as he is a proven Premiership performer who should be ready to play straight away.

He does not need time to settle in and adapt to the league or country, due to his time with Dundee, and his performances over the last 13 months or so suggest that the midfielder could make an instant impact.

McCowan started this season with a return of two goals and one assist in three league matches before Celtic swooped in to sign him on a permanent deal.

23/24 Premiership

Luke McCowan

Appearances

37

Goals

10

Assists

5

Big chances created

9

Key passes per game

1.6

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the left-footed attacking midfielder also enjoyed a superb 2023/24 campaign for Dundee, with 15 direct goal contributions from a midfield position.

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The 26-year-old wizard, who was described as a “game winner” by Marvin Bartley last month, has proven that he can make a big impact at the top end of the pitch as both a scorer and a creator of goals in the Premiership.

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This means that Rodgers should be able to rely upon him to come in and slot straight into the side as an excellent option to call upon, which is why he should get the nod after Hatate’s struggles last time out.

Newcastle United are expected to make a big contract offer for a "special" Premier League player in the summer transfer window, according to a new update.

Newcastle eyeing defensive signings

Eddie Howe's side have managed to turn their season around after a particularly poor period earlier in the campaign, but that's not to say that a lack of depth within the squad hasn't been exposed, highlighting the need for summer additions.

Centre-back arguably looks like the most pressing area of the pitch to improve on, not least because Newcastle will be without Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles well into next season, with the defensive duo both suffering ACL injuries.

Fulham ace Tosin Adarabioyo has emerged as a rumoured target for Howe, having put together a strong season that has seen him average four clearances and 2.9 aerial duel wins per game in the Premier League in 2023/24.

Similarly, Salernitana centre-back Lorenzo Pirola has also been linked with sealing a summer switch to St James' Park, with the 22-year-old standing out as an exciting long-term option. He has won 18 caps for Italy's Under-21s, and will surely expect to make the step up to the senior team at some point.

Then there's Sporting CP star Ousmane Diomande, who is still basking in the glory of winning the Primeira Liga title last weekend. The youngster is also wanted by Newcastle, who view him as an exciting target who could mature into one of Europe's leading central defenders over time.

Newcastle planning offer for "special" player

According to MilanLive [via Sport Witness], Newcastle are planning to make a significant contract offer for Adarabioyo this summer, and they hold an advantage over AC Milan in the battle to sign him.

While the Serie A giants are thought to be "examining" a move for the £47,000-a-week Fulham centre-back, the Magpies can give him a "very superior contract" and are "very interested" in acquiring his services.

This is a real boost for Newcastle, suggesting that they are in pole position to sign Adarabioyo, completing the signing of an imposing footballer in the process. Now 26, he has been something of a late developer in some ways, gradually seeing his reputation rise since joining Fulham back in 2020, but he appears to be coming right into his prime years.

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He has been a rock at the heart of the Cottagers' defence this season, helping them become even more of an established Premier League team, and manager Marco Silva is under no illusions as to how important he is to his side: "We missed him a lot in the first three months of the season. Issa [Diop] did really well, but Tosin is a special player for us – I can’t hide that situation. The way he can defend the box, and on the ball, he’s a special player. He can build the way I want to play."The fact that Adarabioyo knows the Premier League well could make him less of a risk than other targets from abroad, and his contract expires in the summer, meaning he would be available on a free transfer, allowing Newcastle to offer him a good contract while leaving funds for other big signings.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have been on a solid run of form recently, winning three out of their last five matches in the Premier League and are currently level on points with Chelsea in the table.

Furthermore, Wolves are merely five points behind Europa Conference League champions West Ham United in the race for the final European spot so qualification to the continent's third-ranked contest certainly isn't outside the realms of possibility.

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However, if the Midlands club are to make a push for Europe for the first time since Nuno Espirito's spell in charge a few seasons back, investment will need to be made in January to bolster the squad.

Wolves transfer news – Che Adams

It was initially reported by TEAMTalk during the summer that Wolves had agreed a deal with Championship outfit Southampton to take Scotland international Che Adams on a season-long loan with the option to buy him permanently at the end of the current campaign. The Athletic added on transfer deadline day that the option-to-buy deal was worth £15m, but the move was eventually blocked by the Saints.

However, on Boxing Day, The Athletic provided another update to this ongoing transfer saga, revealing that Wolves are set to reignite their interest in the Scottish striker once the January transfer window opens. It has been confirmed by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano that Fabio Silva will be sent out on loan to Rangers for the remainder of the season, leaving Wolves' attacking department a little bare.

Furthermore, journalist Dean Jones has admitted that Adams "might leave" the St. Mary's Stadium over the coming weeks, with there being interest from other Premier League clubs, including Everton, but Wolves seem to be leading the race thus far.

Che Adams' stats this season

Having once been described as "dynamite" by sports reporter Jamie Borthwick, Adams is not enjoying his most prolific campaign as a player but has still chipped in with five goals in 21 appearances for Southampton. In fact, he is the joint-second-highest goalscorer at the club with only Adam Armstrong finding the net more for the Saints this season.

Nevertheless, the 27-year-old has been more potent in previous campaigns for Southampton but the striker has already matched his tally of five from last season, although the quality level of the Premier League compared to the Championship has played a helping hand with this. Regardless, in half a season, Adams has scored five times whereas, in his 72 appearances with Wolves, Silva has scored just five goals.

Since joining from Porto back in 2020 for a whopping £36m, the Portuguese centre-forward has really struggled to make any impact at all. This season alone, the frontman has one goal from 12 appearances in all competitions which came in a 5-0 win against League One outfit Blackpool in the EFL Cup.

Fabio Silva's Stats At Wolves

Season

Appearances

Minutes Played

Goals

Assists

2020/21

36

1,675

4

3

2021/22

26

852

0

3

2022/23

0

0

0

0

2023/24

10

373

1

0

Stats via Transfermarkt

While Adams may not be as prolific as Armstrong this term on the south coast, the duo have built up a really nice partnership when leading the line and have combined to score 39.5% of Southampton's goals this season in the Championship as Russell Martin's side are currently the third-highest scorers in England's second tier. Wolves boss Gary O'Neil will be hoping Adams can build up this type of partnership with his side's star centre-forward Hwang Hee-chan.

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Hwang has found the net 11 times in 20 appearances while registering two assists in the meantime. Together, the pairing could be a force to be reckoned with in O'Neil's 3-5-2.

Per 90 Metrics

Che Adams

Hwang Hee-chan

Goals

0.43

0.7

Expected Goals

0.37

0.38

Assists

0.17

0.13

Expected Assists

0.19

0.13

Shots

2.17

2.02

Shots On Target

0.96

0.7

Goals Per Shot

0.2

0.31

Key Passes

1.02

0.86

Progressive Passes

2.69

1.66

Stats via FBref

Wolves are quite reliant on Hwang to find the net lately as Wolves' second-most prolific player has just five in total. The addition of Adams could help alleviate the pressure off of the South Korean forward to put the ball away and may make Wolves an all-around better attack.

For all the hope there has been over the summer at Chelsea thanks to the arrival of new manager Mauricio Pochettino, reality hit hard this weekend as his side lost badly away from home.

What happened in Chelsea vs West Ham?

Indeed, playing in their first London derby of the season, the Blues were beaten 3-1 in a chaotic Premier League match against West Ham United at the London Stadium.

Nayef Aguerd opened the scoring as he headed in from debutant James Ward-Prowse's corner after just seven minutes. Before halftime, though, Chelsea were deservedly level thanks to a fine goal from Carney Chukwuemeka – who just this week had been talking about how good the "vibes" now were at Stamford Bridge.

Well, the mood would have dropped somewhat when Enzo Fernandez missed a penalty before Michail Antonio then scored completely against the run of play to make it 2-1.

Aguerd, however, had a moment of madness and was rightfully booked for a rash lunge. Having already picked up a yellow card earlier in the match, he received his marching orders.

This left Chelsea with over 20 minutes to pick up a result against the 10-man Hammers and Moises Caicedo was brought on for his debut to help the cause but only succeeded in giving away a late penalty, allowing Lucas Paqueta to seal the 3-1 win.

Before then, with the game still in the balance, Mykhailo Mudryk came on at halftime for an injured Chukwuemeka and the winger's inability to change the game for the good is perhaps where things went wrong for Pochettino and co.

How many goals does Mykhaylo Mudryk have?

The 22-year-old has yet to score a competitive goal for the Blues, having now featured 19 times for them in all competitions after arriving last January for a reported £88.5m fee (and in his whole club career he only has 12 senior goals).

Read the latest Chelsea transfer news HERE…

Last week he wasted a glorious opportunity to grab his first against Liverpool but couldn't hold his nerve late on as he raced through on goal, and so that match ended 1-1.

Well, in this next match for Chelsea against West Ham, he had another big opportunity to get on the scoresheet but completely fluffed his lines in the 85th minute when Raheem Sterling picked him out unmarked at the back post.

As you can see in the footage shared on Reddit below, Mudryk arrives with perfect timing but his technique on the volley is so poor his shot flies into the air, goes backwards remaining in play as Sterling is then flagged offside for retrieving the unintentional one-two.

This screenshot on Twitter also perfectly captures just how much time and space he had.

The poor volley was also referenced in his 3/10 player rating score given by Nizaar Kinsella of the Evening Standard, who slammed Mudryk as he wrote: "His first time volley going out for a throw in on the 85th minute mark summed up a dismal half."

It wasn't the only poor moment for the Ukrainian winger either, as noted in the player ratings for 90min (in which he got a lowly 4/10), journalist Jude Summerfield noted: "One chance to shoot after a great touch was followed by a comical slip."

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You can see that slip here:

As per SofaScore, his stats don't make for pretty reading either. After all, he lost the ball 10 times in his half, which is twice as many as Chukwuemeka managed in the first 45 minutes.

Mudryk also had the same amount of toches as goalkeeper Robert Sanchez (29). And he didn't do much good when he had the ball, as he had a lowly 76% pass accuracy, completed just 3/7 attempted crosses and the aforementioned awful volley was his only shot.

All in all, unfortunately, it was another bad day at the office for the 22-year-old.

Tottenham Hotspur are set to appoint Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou ahead of ex-Barcelona boss Luis Enrique in N17 as the former will make a bigger 'impression' on the Lilywhites squad, according to journalist Dean Jones.

What's the latest news involving Ange Postecoglou and Tottenham Hotspur?

As per BBC Sport, Postecoglou is set to leave Celtic to become Tottenham manager on a two-year deal, with the 'final elements' of the deal set to be ratified before official confirmation.

Sky Sports News cite that the 57-year-old boss emerged as the standout candidate from the hiring process and was granted permission by Celtic to speak to the Premier League outfit on Monday.

The report states that the Hoops are already looking for Postecoglou's replacement and former boss Brendan Rodgers, ex-Leeds United man Jesse Marsch and Manchester City coach Enzo Maresca have all entered the frame for the Scottish giants.

According to The Sun, Spurs will pay around £5 million in compensation to complete the managerial switch and it is believed that Postecoglou wants to bring his trusted Parkhead coaches John Kennedy, Gavin Strachan and Greg Wallace to north London with him.

Appointing Postecoglou would bring the curtain down on an exhausting search for a new boss in N17, where the likes of Julian Nagelsmann, Arne Slot and Enrique were also seriously pursued for the role; nevertheless, the Australian manager looks like he will become the new Tottenham manager.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Jones thinks that despite Enrique having been in dialogue with Spurs over their manager position, Daniel Levy may have elected to court Postecoglou as 'they have more belief' in his credentials to make the Lilywhites a success in 2023/24.

Jones said: "One of the reasons Spurs see Postecoglou as a better fit right now than Luis Enrique is the makeup of the squad. This is not about who they think is necessarily the best of the two, it is about who can make the biggest impression on this particular squad and change the club’s profile in the shortest time.

"The current players do not work in a Luis Enrique style as easily as they could for Postecoglou, I have been told about this a few times from different contacts. If you are going to bring in Luis Enrique then you have to pour a lot of money in and accept it may take time to overhaul the playing staff, but I get the impression they have more belief in what Ange could do next season.

"I personally think he’s a risky appointment but we shall see what this week holds, because he will have his own concerns and questions.”

Will Ange Postecoglou be a good appointment for Tottenham Hotspur?

Postecoglou is a coach with a trophy-laden history and has a reputation for taking no prisoners in any job he's been present in, making him the ideal appointment for a Tottenham side in need of surgery heading into 2023/24.

In his time at Celtic, the former Australia manager won five out of six trophies available to him north of the border, including back-to-back Scottish Premiership titles and implemented an offensive style of play that brought plenty of excitement to the Glasgow giants, as per Transfermarkt.

Recruitment is also an area that Postecoglou has shown he can excel in, as he brought the likes of key players Kyogo Furuhashi, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Jota and Liel Abada to Parkhead, all of whom have enjoyed tremendous success in Scotland.

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According to The Mirror, Brentford goalkeeper David Raya, Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Max Kilman and Leicester City midfielder James Maddison head up a three-man shortlist of potential targets for Postecoglou to pursue this summer as he looks to get to work in north London.

Looking forward, Postecoglou will have plenty to get his teeth into in the off-season before taking his first steps into Premier League management next term.

The UK has millions of gamblers with gambling problems who are at risk of losing their assets as a result. The financial and social impact has a ripple effect as the effects are long-term and scary for those close to problematic gamblers.

In their efforts to minimise the spread of gambling harms, the UKGC has made it mandatory for UK bookmakers to register with GamStop as well. A platform that assists by way of self-exclusion from gambling activities as well as resources on where to seek financial, therapeutic and support. Licensed operators with UKGC have to support initiatives through the non-profit organisation to regulate and curb gambling addiction.

Football teams have come out in full support of GamStop initiatives. Through their massive number of fans, they can provide a platform from which GamStop can educate and inform of its services to a larger audience. While promoting healthy sport betting habits.

Gamstop Weaknesses Regarding Sports Betting

One of GamStop’s disadvantages is that it can only assist with UKGC-licensed operations.  A condition which has found its influence and impact is limited within the UK. Gamblers continuously try to find ways to bypass their operators by signing at platforms that offer sports betting not on GamStop which gives an opportunity to play even though they are on self-exclusion.

Also, players can use cryptocurrency and other e-wallet facilities with which to play. This makes it difficult to adequately assess the financial stability of players on site unless there is comprehensive KYC due diligence performed by operators.

The Power Of Collective Impact

The conditions of collective impact are that there is continuous communication on a common agenda, led by mutually reinforced activities which are the backbone support of a shared measure when addressing complex social issues.

The industry, as well as the collaborators, can implement designed initiatives that prioritise the player and empower them with both information and resource. GamStop can gain valuable insight from the events and programs of the collaborations, therefore allowing them to improve based on the data gained.

As a whole, they can normalise the importance of responsible gambling where they can use specific programs that can target specific problematic gamblers persons.

Social Media Impact

The advertising by gambling operators on social media platforms not only targets gamblers of legal age but is visible to minors as well. The attraction of future fortune gained by gambling is a distortion GamStop hopes to reduce within this vulnerable group.

Nowadays, football teams have a massive impact through their fan base and it can change the narrative created by sportsbook operators. Football clubs’ social media are providing informative messaging on the realistic nature of gambling and the problems that can be experienced through reckless gambling habits. Bringing both awareness and behaviour moderation.

Minors often hero-worship football players, which makes acceptance of the messaging easier and more effective as well.

A Success Story

The collaborations have seen football teams like Crystal Palace, Queens Park Rangers and Luton work directly with communities on gambling addiction.

Being able to provide information on gambling support closer to home has had fans react positively to the message given and the individual football club brands as well. These teams have let known their commitment to fair play and stance against corrupt gambling practices.

Football clubs provide community-based information from their fans thereby providing quick reactive interventions which can be incorporated into awareness events. This could be the negative impact of advertising to minors or the support to families affected by gambling.

Informing The Masses

Football clubs incorporate awareness events as part of their overall marketing campaigns. This will mean the involvement of media and other supportive organisations involvement which enables better reach and efficacy.

The advertising of GamStop billboards within stadiums has also helped heightened awareness of the activities performed by the NPO. Services either than the self-exclusion of gamblers have also found support. The information resources are also accessible on football club websites and social media platforms.

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Being aware of where they can find various forms of assistance like support groups, treatment centres, and financial advice has been helpful for those thinking about taking a step towards recovery.

Conclusion

Advertising, including sports betting advertising, is a means for football clubs to increase their revenue through sponsorships. Football clubs have hesitated to be in full support of GamStop collaborations as this affects these revenue streams. The same revenue aids them in making gambling awareness campaigns possible.

The benefits and reception of the GamStop on football clubs have had positive impacts for all involved. While GamStop was able to reach larger audiences, football clubs improved their brand, with the gambler being the recipient of the most benefits. This is one of the main reasons for football clubs supported GamStop and other similar programs. When we say information is power, the information that has been shared through this collaboration has been invaluable.

Even with the shortcoming, GamStop has been able to make a positive impact on the sport of football. Gamblers and their families alike are informed and can take informed measures to alleviate the impact of problematic gambling. It is now up to the gamblers to take the initiative to make healthy gambling changes.

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Glasgow Rangers manager Michael Beale will be given his first opportunity to shape the squad when the January transfer window opens up next month.

The Ibrox boss has a big job on his hands between now and the end of the campaign as the Light Blues are currently nine points behind their rivals at the top of the Premiership.

Rangers will need a huge turnaround in points to reclaim the title and the upcoming window could be used to improve the squad in order of giving them the best chance of doing so.

One player who could be on the chopping block heading into January is disappointing winger Scott Wright, who has struggled for form this season.

The Scottish attacker has averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.72 across ten appearances in the Premiership this term, which ranks him 19th in the squad. This shows that is far from being one of the club’s top performers in the Scottish top flight, as the dud has been unable to consistently deliver impressive displays.

Wright, who has one assist and zero goals in the division, also averaged a score of 6.33 as he failed to register a single goal contribution in four Champions League appearances.

The 25-year-old has struggled badly in front of goal and Beale could ditch him in January by unleashing a gem from the youth academy – Arron Lyall.

Instead of asking Ross Wilson to splash out millions on a new signing in the next window, Beale could unearth the young winger to take Wright’s place in the first-team squad.

Lyall has been in terrific form for the B team this season and has shown that he has the potential to make the step up to the senior squad if he is given an opportunity to impress.

Inverness boss Neil McCann previously hailed the forward as an “exciting” player and The Athletic’s Jordan Campbell claimed that the winger has a “terrific burst of pace”. 

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He was unable to produce a single goal or assist in four appearances on loan at Inverness in the 2020/21 campaign but has taken that experience and used it to fuel an impressive season for the B team so far.

The 19-year-old wizard has scored nine goals and provided two assists in 20 appearances in all competitions at youth level for the Light Blues this term, which shows that he has the potential to make a big impact in the final third.

Therefore, Beale must move him up to the senior squad to see if he can be an upgrade on Wright, whose form has left plenty to be desired this term.