The atmosphere among the fans and the team might not be ideal at the moment, but in the grand scheme of things, Arsenal are a club transformed and one on the right path.

When Mikel Arteta took over in December 2019, the team were a midtable side with few genuine stars at the club, but flash forward to today, and the team is full of them.

From David Raya and William Saliba at the back to Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard in midfield right up to Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka in attack, the North Londoners are a team brimming with exceptional talent.

Moreover, Saka has become more than just a star player; he has become the face of the team, so when another of Arteta’s signings was compared to him a couple of years ago, fans got excited, although based on how things have gone since, the comparison couldn’t have been more wrong.

Saka's Arsenal career

Former manager Unai Emery gave Saka his Arsenal debut in a Europa League clash with Vorskla Poltava in November 2018 before handing him his full debut against Qarabag FK a month later.

GK – Emiliano Martínez

RB – Carl Jenkinson

CB – Sokratis Papastathopoulos

CB – Laurent Koscielny

LB – Ainsley Maitland-Niles

CM – Joe Willock

CM – Mohamed Elneny

CAM – Mesut Ozil

LM – Bukayo Saka

RM – Eddie Nketiah

ST – Alexandre Lacazette

However, it was under Arteta the following season that the Hale Ender was given a proper run of games in the first team.

He ended the 19/20 campaign with 38 appearances to his name, in which he scored four goals and provided 12 assists, and had proven to the new manager that he would be an integral part of his rebuild.

The following years only saw the Ealing-born icon’s importance to the team grow, and by the time the club launched an unexpected title charge in the 22/23 season, he was a fully-fledged star of the Premier League.

Unsurprisingly, following his sensational form that season, which saw the 43-capped international score 15 goals and provide 11 assists in 48 games, the club decided to tie him down with a new four-year deal worth a reported £200k-per-week with an additional £100k-per-week available in bonuses.

Such a massive contract at just 21 years old could be enough to send a lot of young footballers off the rails, but not the Gunners’ number seven, who once again focused on the job at hand and put in another barnstorming effort last season, ending the year with a seriously impressive haul of 20 goals and 14 assists in 47 games.

It’s been much of the same this year, as while his teammates have struggled here and there, the 23-year-old has already amassed a tally of four goals and seven assists in 15 appearances, which equates to an average of a goal involvement once every 1.36 games.

Appearances

241

Minutes

18578′

Goals

62

Assists

60

Goal Involvements per Match

0.50

Minutes per Goal Involvement

152.27′

Overall, Saka has become, without a doubt, Arsenal’s most important and impactful player in the last few years, and so, when another young winger signed by Arteta was compared to him in 2022, there were more than a few eyebrows raised.

The Arteta signing compared to Saka

The signing in question is Brazilian winger Marquinhos, who Arteta signed from São Paulo in June 2022 for just £3m.

Due to the “explosive” young talent, as dubbed by content creator Alexander Moneypenny, being just 19 at the time of the transfer, there was an expectation that he was a signing for the future, but just a few months into his life in North London, he was given a chance to start in a Europa League game away to Swiss outfit FC Zurich.

It was a decision that more than paid off on the night, as thanks to a great ball across the box from Eddie Nketiah, he opened the scoring in the 14th minute and then repaid the favour in the 62nd minute, putting an exquisite cross into the box for the Englishman to head home.

It was a dream debut for the Brazilian and led to more than a little hyperbole in the media, with former Arsenal and Everton striker Kevin Campbell describing the youngster as “a little bit different to Saka but he is still as devastating.”

Meanwhile, another former great, Martin Keown, went a step further, saying “it was like Saka in that position, it’s almost a copycat performance.”

First Impressions

What did pundits and fans alike think about their new star signing when they arrived? Football FanCast's 'First Impressions' series has everything you need.

Unfortunately, both men would be proven very wrong over the following years, as the former São Paulo ace struggled to make it back into the team following that performance and was sent on loan to Norwich City in January 2023, where he struggled to make an impact, coming back to N5 that summer with a single goal and assist to his name in 11 games.

A couple of months late, the then-20-year-old was sent to Ligue 1 side Nantes for the following season, but after once again struggling to assert himself in the team, he was recalled six months later, with just a single assist from seven appearances to his name.

Fortunately, his next loan move would prove slightly more beneficial, although the keyword there is slightly.

São Paulo

42

4

3

Fluminense

28

2

2

Norwich City

11

1

1

FC Nantes

7

0

1

Arsenal

6

1

1

In February of this year, the Gunners sent the young winger on a year-long loan back to Brazil to join Fluminense, and according to The Athletic, the deal included an option to buy.

During his time with the Brazilian giants, he made 28 appearances, in which he scored twice and provided two assists, but it was revealed this week that Fluminense do not have the funds to activate the £10m option in his contract, meaning it’s another move that has led to nothing.

Ultimately, it’s now crystal clear that the comparisons to Saka in 2022 were way off the mark, and it’s just as clear that Marquinhos does not have a future in this Arsenal team.

Therefore, Arteta and the board must cut their losses, sell the 21-year-old in January, and admit that his signing was a mistake.

Arsenal thought they had a new Henry, but he was a "mistake" & left for £0

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Spin-bowling coach has worked extensively with Sunil Narine and in franchise cricket

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Dec-2021Lancashire have appointed Carl Crowe, the spin-bowling coach best known for his work with Sunil Narine, as their new assistant coach.Crowe, who played 83 professional games between 1995 and 2009, has worked as a consultant coach with Lancashire’s spinners for the last two years and fills the position as Glen Chapple’s assistant made vacant by Mark Chilton’s promotion to performance director.”I’ve loved my time working in franchise tournaments and there is still some potential to do some of that outside Lancashire,” Crowe told Lancashire’s YouTube channel, “but the opportunity to work with players on a long-term basis and share some of their journey and their development and to be with a team for a long period of time is something that I’m really looking forward to now.”It was so close yet so far in the Championship, quarter-finals in the T20 as well. There’s so much potential in this team to win games and win tournaments and I think success drives success. Going so close last year has driven the boys to work even harder this year and go one step beyond and win a trophy.”Related

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Crowe confident of clearance for Hafeez's remodeled action

Lancashire appoint Chilton as director of cricket performance

Chilton said: “We are really pleased that Carl has agreed to join us on a full-time basis. He is an outstanding coach with a wealth of experience working around the world and he has been superb during his 18 months with us so far.”Carl has already built-up great relationships with the players and backroom staff and from the start he was our outstanding candidate to become Glen’s assistant head coach.”Elsewhere, Graeme Welch has left Warwickshire after spending the last four years as the club’s bowling coach. He will fill the same role at Hampshire, after spending the summer working with Southern Brave in the Hundred. Alfonso Thomas, meanwhile, has left his job as Hampshire’s assistant coach after three seasons in the job.

MatériaMais Notícias

Na próxima rodada do Campeonato Paulista, contra o Santo André, no sábado (19), às 16h, o Palmeiras pode completar seu sexto jogo de invencibilidade e conquistar sua quinta vitória neste começo do estadual.

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Em 2018, com o treinador Roger Machado no comando, o Alviverde tinha 100% de aproveitamento a essa altura da competição. Foram seis jogos e seis vitórias conquistadas.

Já nas seis primeiras partidas da edição de 2019, o Palmeiras de Felipão conseguiu somar quatro vitórias, um empate e perdeu um clássico para o rival Corinthians. Vale lembrar que essa foi a única vez, nos últimos quatro anos, que o Alviverde não chegou até a grande final do estadual.

Em 2020, os números iniciais da edição anterior foram repetidos, mas o Verdão acabou se sagrando campeão justamente sobre o Corinthians, nos pênaltis. Na época, Vanderlei Luxemburgo estava à frente do time.

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TABELA:
> Clique aqui e simule os resultados do Paulistão 2022!

No ano seguinte, apesar do início não ter sido animador, tendo chegado aos seis jogos com apenas dois resultados favoráveis, três empates e uma derrota, a equipe já comandada por Abel Ferreira voltou a estar presente na decisão. Na ocasião, acabou ficando com o vice-campeonato diante do São Paulo.

Invicto na atual edição do torneio, o Verdão conta até o momento com cinco jogos disputados, sendo quatro triunfos e um empate. Caso não perca para o Santo André, será a única edição, desde 2018, em que a equipe passa por esse sexto jogo sem sofrer o revés.

Confira os números do Palmeiras no início do Paulista desde 2018:

2018: 6 jogos, 6 vitórias
2019: 6 jogos, 4 vitórias, 1 empate e uma derrota
2020: 6 jogos, 4 vitórias, 1 empate e uma derrota
2021: 6 jogos, 2 vitórias, 3 empates e uma derrota
2022: 5 jogos, 4 vitórias e 1 empate

Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espírito Santo has done a magnificent job during the opening ten games of the Premier League campaign, leading his side to third place before this weekend’s action.

Chris Wood has played a huge part in the recent success, registering eight goals in his ten appearances, with Manchester City’s Erling Haaland the only player to score more than him at this stage.

The defence has also massively improved since last season, conceding just seven times, with new signing Nikola Milenkovic undoubtedly playing a huge role in the decrease of goals conceded.

Such recruitment over the summer has taken the Reds massively clear of the drop zone already, with survival still the first priority despite the incredible first few months of the campaign.

Owner Evangelos Marinakis appears to have strengthened the off-the-field staff at the City Ground, with the appointment of Arsenal sporting director Edu Gaspar – joining as the CEO of the Greek’s football empire, which also includes Olympiacos and Rio Ave.

It could leave the 46-year-old with some big decisions to make when he finally gets his foot under the table, with three calls needing to be made upon his arrival under Marinakis.

1 Ola Aina's contract extension

After arriving on a free transfer from Italian side Torino last summer, not many people knew what to expect from Ola Aina after his previous stint in England’s top flight with Fulham back in 2020.

He only agreed a one-year deal with many expecting him to be a backup to the likes of Neco Williams and World Cup-winning loanee Gonzalo Montiel.

However, the Nigerian quickly cemented himself as a key player under both Steve Cooper and Nuno, registering a total of 22 league appearances, but did struggle with injuries during certain parts of the season.

Aina scored his first goal for Forest during the 2-0 win over Aston Villa at City Ground back in November 2023, with his fine strike flying past Emiliano Martínez and into the bottom corner.

As a result of his displays in 2023/24, the 28-year-old was handed a 12-month extension, a deal that takes him until the summer of June 2025.

The former Chelsea youngster has gone from strength to strength this campaign, being part of the second-best backline in the division – even scoring a screamer off his weaker foot in the victory over West Ham United.

His recent form hasn’t gone unnoticed, with the likes of AC Milan and Roma reportedly eyeing a move for the full-back in January – potentially able to agree a pre-contract should he fail to agree a new deal with the Reds.

The hierarchy can fend off any interest by handing Aina a new contract, something which he thoroughly deserves after his recent performances at the City Ground.

2 Anthony Elanga’s potential departure

Deadline day during the summer transfer window saw Forest frantically try for a new striker, with Omar Marmoush and Santiago Gimenez just two games who were both strongly linked with a move to the East Midlands.

However, it also saw a flurry of bids placed for key first-team members, including Anthony Elanga, who was the subject of huge interest from fellow Premier League side Newcastle United.

Eddie Howe’s side tried to secure a move for the Swedish international in the deal that saw Elliot Anderson move to the Reds, but instead, Odysseas Vlachodimos made the move to Tyneside.

Despite this, the Magpies made a £50m bid for Elanga on deadline day, an offer which the Reds’ hierarchy turned down – a surprise decision given the nature of the bid.

The 22-year-old only cost the club £15m from Manchester United 12 months prior, with the rejected bid seeing the club make £35m profit on the winger – a phenomenal piece of business given the recent PSR drama.

It appears that the offer may have turned the youngster’s head, with Elanga failing to score in the current campaign and only registering one assist in his first ten league outings.

Combined goals & assists of Forest attackers (2024/25)

Player

Goals & assists

Minutes played

Min per G+A

Chris Wood

8

806

101

Anderson

3

602

200

Hudson-Odoi

2

731

365

Sosa

1

77

77

Jota Silva

1

181

181

Elanga

1

562

562

Gibbs-White

1

572

572

Stats via FotMob

The “frightening” winger, as dubbed by journalist Laurie Whitwell, has also been left out of the Sweden national side for the upcoming Nations League matches against Slovakia and Azerbaijan- an indication as to how poor he’s been in recent weeks.

Given his lack of form under Nuno, should the club receive a bid of a similar nature from Newcastle, they simply cannot afford to turn it down, handing Edu the funds to work his magic in the transfer market upon his arrival.

In recent days, Bayern Munich winger Mathys Tel has been touted with a potential move to join Nuno’s side, with Elanga’s potential fee potentially covering any move for the Frenchman.

3 Andrew Omobamidele loan move

Centre-back Andrew Omobamidele joined Forest on deadline day back in January 2024, arriving in an £11m deal from Championship side Norwich City.

The Irishman arrived providing key depth to the defensive department as Nuno aimed to avoid relegation just a couple of months after taking over from fan-favourite Cooper.

Omobamidele would go on to make 14 appearances in all competitions during the second half of last season, scoring on his full debut in the FA Cup victory over Blackpool at Bloomfield Road.

However, after the arrival of the aforementioned Milenkovic, the 22-year-old has found first-team minutes extremely hard to come by, featuring for a total of 90 minutes – failing to appear for a single minute in the Premier League.

As a result of his lack of minutes, the centre-back has been left out of the Republic of Ireland squad for the upcoming international break, replaced by current Norwich defender Shane Duffy.

Omobamidele has never put a foot wrong when featuring for Nuno, but ultimately, he’s become the victim of the club’s rapid success, falling down the pecking order as a result of the investment and form of other players.

Nottingham Forest’s current centre-back options

Player

Games played

Minutes played

Murillo

10

900

Milenkovic

10

840

Morato

5

65

Willy Boly

3

181

Omobamidele

1

90

Zach Abbott

1

60

Stats via FotMob

He desperately needs a loan to either a bottom-half Premier League side or a promotion-chasing Championship side to give him the valuable minutes he needs if he is to progress and reach the potential he arrived with.

Edu has the opportunity to facilitate such a move, potentially enabling the Reds to reach the next level with their recruitment – helping Nuno and the coaching staff sustain their impressive start in 2024/25.

However, if the Brazilian is to make a great first impression in the East Midlands, he must look to implement all three aforementioned dilemmas allowing for all the players to continue their varying stages of development.

Related Edu simply must offload Nottingham Forest dud who earns more than Murillo

Nottingham Forest’s big-money signing has been a huge flop during his time at the City Ground.

Posts ByEthan Lamb Nov 7, 2024

Ipswich Town are reportedly considering allowing a “really good” player to leave the club in the January transfer window, following a tough start to the season.

Ipswich eyeing first Premier League win

Kieran McKenna’s side have predictably found life back in the Premier League tough, failing to win any of their opening eight games in the competition this season.

The Tractor Boys have at least managed to pick up four draws in that time, ensuring that they don’t currently sit in the relegation zone, but there is no question that improvements are needed, especially after last weekend’s disappointing 2-0 defeat at home to struggling Everton.

Next up for Ipswich is Saturday’s trip to Brentford in the league, which while clearly far from an easy task, should be viewed as a game where McKenna’s men could pick up their maiden victory of the campaign.

For that to happen, though, a strong team performance will be required away to the 13th-place Bees, with players turning up and performing to the best of their abilities. A key update has now emerged regarding the future of one individual – one that may not bode well for him.

Ipswich could axe "really good" player in January

According to Football Insider, Ipswich could sanction the exit of Kalvin Phillips in the January transfer window, with the Englishman struggling to enjoy a positive impact at Portman Road. The report claims that the club are “amazed” at the 28-year-old’s “lack of mobility and running power”, with senior figures also feeling that his “head is still at Leeds”, and could now terminate his loan contract with Manchester City.

Seeing Phillips departing so soon after arriving on loan at Ipswich would be a real shame, both for the player and the club, but there is no doubt that he isn’t enjoying the impact he would have hoped for back in the summer. The £150,000-a-week Englishman has started five Premier League games, but his displays haven’t been the dominant ones he used to produce so often in a Leeds shirt, with 0.6 aerial duel wins and 0.2 blocks per game coming his way in the league.

The frustrating aspect of Phillips is that he is clearly an extremely effective player when he wants to be, with Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola lauding him back in July during pre-season, saying: “Kalvin was really good.

“When he can get the ball and see all of the pitch in front of him he is a really good player. When I have him in smaller spaces we have more problems. With the ball he was really good and helped us a lot. I am very, very pleased with his performance.”

Sadly, Phillips’ career has nosedived fairly spectacularly ever since he departed for City, however, losing not only his place in England’s starting lineup, but also the squad.

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Brett Worthington

Oct 24, 2024

At 28, he still has time to turn things around, but with his performances for Ipswich flattering to deceive, seeing him moved on in January would feel like a damning indictment, having arrived as a key signing.

Mominul Haque and Liton Das made New Zealand bowlers toil on the day as the visitors went 73 runs ahead

Mohammad Isam03-Jan-2022

Trent Boult removed both Mominul Haque and Liton Das•Getty Images

Stumps Bangladesh batted with firmness and purpose to dominate New Zealand on the third day of the Mount Maunganui Test. The visitors went to stumps on 401 for 6, leading by 73 runs, the first time they have done so batting second outside Asia.Captain Mominul Haque was the top scorer with 88, having struck 12 fours in his 244-ball knock as stayed at the crease for over six hours. Mominul added 158 runs for the fifth wicket with Liton Das, who made 86 off 177 deliveries.Their fifties came after Mahmudul Hasan Joy, playing just his second Test, made a diligent 78, adding 104 for the second wicket with Najmul Hossain Shanto, who made 64. Also, Monday was the first time each of Bangladesh top six batters faced more than 50 balls in an away Test innings.Bangladesh’s 156 overs batted is their most in a Test innings outside Asia, as the home side’s bowling attack felt the full toll of the visitors’ heightened discipline. Neil Wagner and Trent Boult took three wickets each but Kyle Jamieson, Tim Southee and Rachin Ravindra went wicketless in their 88 overs combined.The foundation for Bangladesh’s fine day of batting was laid in the first two sessions. After adding only 45 runs till the lunch break, they scored more freely in the second session. They added a further 87 runs in 26 overs, going wicketless. Both Mominul and Litton reached their fifties post lunch.Liton Das and Mominul Haque put up a century stand•Getty Images

They went chanceless too, but there were uncomfortable moments when Mominul was struck on the elbow and when he edged in front of Ross Taylor at third slip. It was harder for the left-hander during the first session when he was dropped on 8 by Jamieson off his bowling, and then caught behind on 9 off a no-ball by Wagner.Mominul and Mushfiqur Rahim batted 18.2 overs to add just 19 runs, the slowest partnership when the two Bangladesh batters have combined to face 100-plus balls. Earlier, Joy fell for 78 when Wagner had him caught at gully, while Boult clean bowled Mushfiqur shortly before the lunch break.Liton freed up the situation when he struck two fours shortly after coming to the crease, and then attacked the New Zealand bowlers whenever necessary for most of the next two sessions. He used the pace well, guiding the ball with late cuts and square-cuts as well as driven fours.Mominul too drove the ball well, hitting four cover drives for boundaries, as well as a few flicks and clips through midwicket. He also used the pace well to hit fours behind the stumps.Boult removed both Mominul and Litton in the space of three overs. He finally broke the fifth-wicket stand when he trapped Mominul lbw for 88. A few overs later, Litton followed him to the dressing room after he chased a wide one from Boult.There was still no respite following that for New Zealand as Yasir Ali and Mehidy Hasan Miraz batted out the remaining 11.1 overs without much fuss.

They'll be dancing in the streets of Liverpool as the north Londoners paid the price for a woeful attacking display

Arsenal's title hopes suffered a significant blow as Jarrod Bowen's first-half header secured an unlikely 1-0 win for West Ham, with substitute Myles Lewis-Skelly seeing red on a miserable afternoon for the Gunners.

A tepid first-half saw the hosts severely lacking in creativity and end product, and Graham Potter's side duly punished them by taking a surprise lead just before half-time. Aaron Wan-Bissaka was allowed to gallop down the right-hand-side before he delivered a cross right onto Bowen's head and he made no mistake from close range.

The Hammers' low block was working effectively to nullify Arsenal and they were looking dangerous themselves on the counter – Bowen coming close to a second as he almost got on the end of a deflected cross after an intelligent dart into the six-yard box.

Then came the major talking point of the game as Lewis-Skelly, on as a sub for the disappointing Riccardo Calafiori, swiped Mohammed Kudus' legs on the halfway line as he looked to race away on the break. Referee Craig Pawson initially awarded a yellow card although that was correctly upgraded to red following a VAR review.

From there, the 10 men never looked like finding an equaliser and it's a result that will be celebrated wildly in Liverpool – Arne Slot's side now having the chance 11 points clear at the top, should they beat Manchester City on Sunday.

GOAL rates Arsenal's players from Emirates Stadium…

• AFP
  

  Goalkeeper & Defence

  David Raya (6/10):

  Beaten by West Ham's only shot on target but there was nothing he could do to keep out Bowen's close-range header. Produced Arsenal's highlight of the match by beating James Ward-Prowse in a foot race.

  Jurrien Timber (5/10):

  Tried to support Nwaneri with his runs up the right flank but there was zero end product.

  William Saliba (6/10):

  Was dealing well with the significant threat of Kudus, with the Ghanaian soon realising he might have more luck attacking Calafiori and Gabriel.

  Gabriel Magalhaes (5/10):

  More unsettled than usual as Bowen and Kudus consistently pressed and harassed. Might've dealt better with Bowen's run for the goal.

  Riccardo Calafiori (4/10):

  Well below his usually high standards. Loose with his passing and gave far too much room to Wan-Bissaka for Bowen's goal. Paid the price as he was substituted 10 minutes after half-time.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Midfield

  Declan Rice (4/10):

  Shook off the abuse from the West Ham fans in the corner with a smile but they would've loved it as he completely lost Bowen's run for the goal. Hooked after an ineffective 55 minutes.

  Thomas Partey (6/10):

  Mopped up well with West Ham looking dangerous on the counter but did little to help the cause going forward.

  Martin Odegaard (5/10):

  Tried to rally the crowd but they needed much more from their skipper as he struggled to unlock the stubborn West Ham defence.

• AFP
  

  Attack

  Ethan Nwaneri (5/10):

  Tried to make things happen as he frequently cut inside onto his dangerous left foot but West Ham did well to get tight and limit his influence on the game.

  Mikel Merino (5/10):

  Made some intelligent passes and forward runs but he had little to no impact in front of goal, unlike last week at Leicester.

  Leandro Trossard (5/10):

  Wasteful with his finishing and wouldn't have lasted the full 90 had Arteta had better options to choose from on the bench.

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• AFP
  

  Subs & Manager

  Myles Lewis-Skelly (2/10):

  A nightmare cameo off the bench. Would've hoped his red card dramas were over for the season after the Wolves debacle but was correctly sent off here for mindlessly chopping down Kudus on halfway.

  Oleksandr Zinchenko (5/10):

  Replaced Rice in the heart of the midfield but had minimal impact.

  Raheem Sterling (5/10):

  Didn't do anything meaningful as Arteta eventually threw him on with nine minutes left.

  Ben White (N/A):

  Finally made his return in the final few minutes having not played since November and almost bagged the equaliser with a fizzing shot in stoppage time.

  Mikel Arteta (5/10):

  The end of Arsenal's title hopes? Quite possibly. Arteta made the right call to start Merino in attack after his impact at Leicester but with limited options on the bench, he wasn't able to swing the game in his favour and there was no coming back after the Lewis-Skelly red.

يواجه نادي ليفربول صيفًا مزدحمًا، حيث يعمل المدير الرياضي، ريتشارد هيوز، على تعزيز الفريق الأول لكرة القدم تحت قيادة المدرب، آرني سلوت.

وتشمل الأولويات تجديد عقود محمد صلاح، ترينت ألكسندر أرنولد وفيرجيل فان دايك، إلى جانب تدعيم بعض المراكز الأساسية في ليفربول بحسب موقع “Liverpool.com”.

ومع احتمالية رحيل أرنولد وإصابات كونور برادلي، قد يصبح جاريل كوانساه خيارًا مهمًا لتعزيز مركز الظهير الأيمن، رغم أنه لم يشارك كثيرًا حتى الآن، وليفربول بحاجة إلى الحفاظ عليه، لأنه يملك إمكانيات تجعله عنصرًا مؤثرًا في المستقبل.

اقرأ أيضًا | ليس محمد صلاح.. هامان يوضح أولوية ليفربول للحفاظ على نجومه

ويحتاج ليفربول إلى تدعيم مركز الظهير الأيسر والتعاقد مع مهاجم جديد، إلى جانب توفير بديل مناسب للاعب الوسط، ريان جرافينبيرش بدلًا من واتارو إندو.

هذه الصفقات ضرورية لتقوية ليفربول في الموسم المقبل، مما يجعل مهمة المسؤولين في سوق الانتقالات الصيفية أكثر تعقيدًا.

إضافة إلى ذلك، هناك قرارات يجب اتخاذها بشأن اللاعبين الذين لم يحصلوا على دقائق لعب كافية، مثل هارفي إليوت وفيديريكو كييزا، فضلًا عن احتمالات ظهور عروض غير متوقعة قد تؤثر على قائمة ليفربول.

وفي ظل هذه الظروف، لا ينبغي أن يفكر ليفربول في بيع المدافع الشاب جاريل كوانساه، خصوصًا مع استمرار اهتمام نيوكاسل يونايتد بضمه رغم رفض بيعه في الصيف الماضي، وتؤكد التقارير أن نيوكاسل لا يزال يسعى للتعاقد معه.

ومع عدم وضوح مستقبل فان دايك، واقتراب عقد إبراهيما كوناتي من نهايته في 2026، فإن خسارة مدافع بقدرات كوانساه ستكون خطوة غير محسوبة، إضافة إلى ذلك، يعاني جو جوميز من إصابات طويلة، مما يجعل بقاء كوانساه ضروريًا في ليفربول.

BBC pundit Chris Sutton has shared what he believes is a significant transfer mistake made by Edu Gaspar, before the club chief announced his Arsenal exit on Monday.

Edu brings end to five-year stay at Arsenal

The sporting director dropped news that supporters really didn’t want to hear on Monday, with Edu leaving his post and bringing the curtain down on a memorable five-year stay in north London.

Sky Sports: Arsenal set sights on signing "exciting" player after Edu exit

He’s got a growing reputation.

ByEmilio Galantini Nov 6, 2024

His pivotal decision-making, working together with manager Mikel Arteta, helped transform Arsenal into genuine Premier League title contenders and build the side we see today – who are performing at a very high level on a regular basis and competing for major silverware.

The 46-year-old’s departure from N5 is an extremely bitter pill to swallow, and it is believed Arsenal made a marquee last-ditch contract offer to keep Edu out of the clutches of Greek magnate Evangelos Marinakis.

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However, it was to no avail, with Edu agreeing a deal in principle to work under Marinakis – where he will potentially head up development as a chief executive overseeing projects at clubs like Nottingham Forest, Rio Ave and Olympiacos.

Edu was responsible for key signings like Martin Odegaard, William Saliba and a club-record deal for England midfielder Declan Rice – even if he did have a few slumps along the way – like Arsenal’s £72 million move for flop winger Nicolas Pepe.

Edu led Arsenal’s pursuit of RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko last summer as well, but the Slovenian chose to remain at his current club and sign a contract extension. Interestingly, Arsenal also held talks to sign Raphinha in one of Edu’s final acts as director, with the Barcelona superstar electing to remain in Spain and now enjoying the form of his life.

Chris Sutton bemoans Edu mistake in Arsenal's failure to sign striker

Speaking on The BBC’s Monday Night Club, via GiveMeSport, Sutton shared what he thinks was Edu’s significant mistake before leaving Arsenal – the club’s failure to bring in a new number nine before August 30.

Gabriel Jesus is under-performing right now, and a lot of the pressure lies on Kai Havertz to lead Arsenal’s line, with Sutton believing that their faltered attempt for Sesko, among others, could cost them dearly this season.

“It’s the centre forward, isn’t it? We’ve spoken about this many times,” said Sutton.

“Gabriel Jesus, watching Arsenal when I covered them in the Champions League against Shakhtar, played off the right. He’s not a natural finisher. He does a lot of good things, but you look at their centre-forwards, Arsenal play more often, they do a 4-4-2, they’re playing Havertz and Trossard, who are not natural centre-forwards. They’re good footballers, but they’re sort of in between.

“So the debate is, should Arsenal have signed a striker last season, but they spread the goals last season, and that was a positive thing. And I get that, but I suppose this season, when they look like they’ve dried up a bit, that’s when the argument that you need a goalscorer, a natural finisher there. I think that stands, and that’s an area where Arsenal fans would be thinking, well, blimey, maybe we should have gone big in the summer on a recognised centre-forward.”

A report has shared some surprise news from Tottenham Hotspur today, explaining why summer signing Archie Gray could already leave in January.

Archie Gray's Spurs career after £40 million move from Leeds

The English sensation is widely regarded as one of the country’s most exciting up-and-coming talents, especially after he starred for Leeds last season, over a campaign where he was a mainstay for Daniel Farke.

Who Ange Postecoglou could axe after Tottenham win over West Ham

He’s a big-name player.

ByEmilio Galantini Oct 22, 2024

The 18-year-old made 52 appearances in all competitions for Leeds, impressing at both right-back and in centre midfield. Gray played a crucial role in Leeds’ run to the Championship play-off final, where they narrowly lost 1-0 to Southampton at Wembley, and his performances attracted attention from north London.

Tottenham were heavily linked with a summer move for Gray thereafter, and chairman Daniel Levy opted to back manager Ange Postecoglou with a £40 million deal for the versatile starlet.

It seemed like a fantastic deal at the time, with Spurs offloading Joe Rodon for £10 million, meaning Levy only paid a net-£30 million for Gray. Leeds were gutted to lose their Thorp Arch academy graduate, releasing a heartfelt statement after accepting the Lilywhites’ bid for him.

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“Understanding the attraction of Premier League and European football, the club, with a heavy heart, agreed the transfer, but the move has strengthened the board’s resolve to ultimately return Leeds to a position where it can meet the footballing ambitions of even its brightest stars,” said Leeds in a statement (via Ben Jacobs).

“Whilst we understand that supporters will be hugely disappointed to lose such a home-grown talent, and a family name so synonymous with Leeds United, the move improves the club’s chance to compete for automatic promotion next season by increasing our ability to build a competitive squad within the league’s financial control regulations. Everyone at Leeds United is heartbroken to see one of our own depart and would like to thank Archie for all his efforts and professionalism.”

However, Gray has struggled for consistent opportunities so far under Postecoglou and has been reduced to more of a squad player. His only starts have come in cup competitions, and the midfielder is yet to get a nod right from the off in the Premier League, with all appearances coming from the bench.

Why Archie Gray could now leave Tottenham in January

According to a report from Spanish news outlet Mucho Deporte, Sevilla and ex-Leeds transfer chief Victor Orta are showing a serious interest in signing the player this winter, and have already begun work on a possible loan deal.

Indeed, it is believed Gray could leave Tottenham on a temporary deal in January, as it is entirely possible Levy and technical director Johan Lange could green-light this move, even if it will be difficult.

Postecoglou is apparently unwilling to invest in his playing time too much, making this move to Sevilla a transfer which could happen, akin to how striker Alejo Veliz spent a portion of the season on loan there last term.

Few would’ve envisaged this for Gray so soon after signing for Tottenham, given his potential, but perhaps it could even be considered when factoring in his overall development.