An update has emerged on Arsenal and their plans to make further additions to their playing squad during the upcoming January transfer window…
Arsenal transfer news – Ruben Neves
According to a report from Spanish outlet Sport, Mikel Arteta is eyeing up a deal to sign Al Hilal central midfielder Ruben Neves ahead of the second half of the campaign.
The outlet has claimed that the Gunners boss is pushing for the signing to improve his midfield options in 2024, and is making his case to the board.
Former Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves.
It is stated that the Spanish tactician has identified Neves as a target due to the uncertainty over the future of Thomas Partey, with it being said that the Ghana international could be on his way out of The Emirates, although it remains to be seen whether or not he will be able to seal an exit.
Arteta could now secure a dream heir to the former Atletico Madrid ace by landing his target in January…
Partey's Arsenal statistics
The 30-year-old enforcer has only played four times in the Premier League so far this season but was an integral part of their top-flight campaign last time out.
Partey played in 33 of the club's 38 league matches as they finished runners-up behind Manchester City in the title-race and he displayed his qualities in and out of possession.
douglas-luiz-saka-partey-arsenal-opinion
Defensively, the veteran battler contributed with 2.9 tackles and interceptions per game and came out on top in 59% of his contests throughout the season.
In possession, Partey completed 88% of his attempted passes and made an impact at the top end of the pitch with three goals and two 'big chances' created in those 38 games.
The statistics that show why Neves could replace Partey
Neves, on the other hand, was lining up for Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League last season and caught the eye with his impressive displays.
The 5 foot 11 dynamo, who was lauded as an "incredible" player by former teammate Hugo Bueno, made an excellent 3.7 tackles and interceptions per match to go along with a duel success rate of 53% across 35 league outings.
Ruben Neves' statistics over the last 365 days.
These statistics suggest that the Portugal international has the ability to provide a defensive presence in front of the back four in a similar fashion to Partey, as they are both midfielders who can break up opposition attacks on a regular basis to win the ball back for their respective teams.
He also made his presence felt at the other end of the field with six goals and one assist for the Old Gold, alongside a pass success rate of 84%.
Neves also ranked within the top 20% of his positional peers within the Premier League last season for progressive passes (6.5) per 90, which suggests that he has the ability to play forward passes between the lines to progress his team up the pitch.
The 26-year-old magician has also made 3.1 tackles and interceptions per game across 12 Saudi Pro League appearances for Al Hilal this season, to go along with five 'big chances' created for his teammates.
Arteta and Arsenal could, therefore, secure a dream heir to Partey's position, should he leave in January, if they are able to snap the former Wolves star away from his current club.
Tottenham Hotspur had enjoyed a tremendous start to life under Ange Postecoglou and had established themselves as Premier League table-toppers after ten matches.
It was an unforeseen rise; while the craggy-faced Australian's appointment was viewed as rational – his tactical vision and approach aligned with the club's DNA, and won chairman Daniel Levy over despite interest in coaches such as Julian Nagelsmann – few expected him to blitz into early title contention.
Ange Postecoglou
Spurs had fallen by the wayside last season and finished eighth, but Postecoglou instilled belief and implemented his playing style swiftly, and the results were there for all to see.
But a triad of recent league defeats has exposed the frailty and thinness of Spurs' squad, and the January transfer window must be used to land some impactful additions.
Tottenham transfer news – Jota
According to The Times, Tottenham are 'stepping up' their interest in signing Al-Ittihad's Jota in a loan deal in January, with the Portuguese winger's playing time in Saudi Arabia severely hindered by a league limit on the number of foreign players eligible for inclusion in the matchday squad.
While Postecoglou's priority is the defence, injuries to Manor Solomon and Richarlison have made the proposition of signing the loan-listed 24-year-old enticing.
The surprise academy star who could replace Richarlison at Spurs
Postecoglou could find a devastating new attacking outlet in this rising Spurs starlet.
ByAngus Sinclair Nov 17, 2023
Jota starred under Postecoglou's wing at Celtic before completing a £25m transfer to the Saudi Pro League in July, though he was linked to Tottenham prior and could now make the move, replacing Bryan Gil on the flanks.
Bryan Gil's Tottenham statistics
Gil arrived with such promise. Leaving his Spanish homeland to join Tottenham in a £22m deal from Sevilla in 2021, this mercurial winger was touted for big things.
ESPN's David Cartlidge had dubbed him a "potential star in the making", and there was – is – so much to like; electric pace, deft dribbling and comparisons to Manchester City's Jack Grealish.
Tottenham winger Bryan Gil.
But he's failed to get going and yields just two assists and a grand total of zero goals from 34 Tottenham appearances, joining Valencia in a loan move in January 2022 and only returning to the pack this summer.
With Tottenham's mountainous pile of injuries calling for heavy rotation, Gil started during the recent loss against Aston Villa and did actually play well, completing 3/4 dribbles and making one key pass, as per Sofascore, but he boasts not the physicality nor the confidence to star for Postecoglou at present, and Jota should be brought in to take a starring role.
The statistics that show why Tottenham should sign Jota
Jota has not enjoyed the start to life in the Saudi Pro League that he would have hoped for, playing just five times, scoring one goal and not earning a single start – his last appearance came in September.
It's proved to be a waste of everyone's time, and given that Jota reportedly earns £200k-per-week it has not been a prudent business venture, especially after such a prolific 2022/23 campaign with Celtic, where he plundered 15 goals and 12 assists across all competitions, even scoring against Real Madrid in the Champions League.
The 5 foot 8 dynamo was absolutely incredible in the Scottish Premiership, clinching 11 goals and assists apiece, also creating 13 big chances and completing 80% of his passes, praised for his “perfect” technical skills by journalist Josh Bunting.
While the Premier League would be a step up, Postecoglou knows Jota's skill set well and could slot him right into the system, with his past exploits highlighting his cutting edge; he has even been described as a "genius" by pundit Ally McCoist.
If the Lilywhites can successfully manufacture a loan deal, a big upgrade on Gil could be secured while not precluding winter investment on the backline, which, all in all, makes for a fantastic window for Postecoglou as he looks to steer his side back on track after such a stellar start.
Aston Villa have seen an abundance of talent take to the pitch at Villa Park over the years, however not all names have been as memorable as others.
Unai Emery’s current crop of stars are reviving the good times in the Midlands, from the expertise of Emi Martinez between the posts, to the reliability of Ollie Watkins leading the line, the Villans seem to be destined for new highs.
Having a reliable goalscorer hasn’t always been the case for Villa in the Premier League era, from Rudy Gestede to Danny Ings, some players have simply failed to live up to expectation of fulfilling the number nine role.
While some transfers have been worse than others when it came to acquiring strikers in the past, one name sticks out as having a woeful time at the club, however his form since leaving tells a different story.
Borja Baston’s statistics for Aston Villa
In January 2020, Dean Smith made the decision to sign striker Borja Baston from Swansea City on a free transfer, in the bid to boost his options going forward.
Smith had captured the signature of Brazilian forward Wesley in the summer prior, however following the new signing’s anterior cruciate ligament blow early into his debut season at Villa, Baston was introduced as an additional reinforcement.
borja-baston
The Spaniard had been in South Wales for three-and-a-half years prior to his move to Villa, signing for the Swans from Atletico Madrid in 2016, where he then endeavoured on several loan spells back to Spain before bidding farewell.
Earlier in the 2019/20 campaign, Baston had netted six goals in 20 Championship appearances for Swansea, making enough of an impact for Smith to deem him as the appropriate signing to make.
At the point of his arrival, Smith lauded the striker as being “hungry” to achieve, however by the summer, his time at Villa had ended with just two appearances, 16 minutes played and certainly no goals.
Borja Baston's Aston Villa career
Touches per game
4.5
Shots per game
0
Key passes per game
0
Dribbles per game
0
Error that led to shot
1
Goals
0
Figures via Sofascore
As highlighted in the table above, Baston’s time at Villa was a disaster and the hunger that he had displayed to Smith was nowhere to be seen, however since leaving, his form tells a different story.
What Borja Baston is doing now
After leaving Villa, Baston returned to Spain to sign for CD Leganes on a free transfer, where he took the time to rediscover his form slowly, scoring five goals in 35 appearances in the second-tier of Spanish football.
The 2021/22 campaign finally saw the forward come to life, as he signed for fellow La Liga 2 club Real Oviedo, and the goals began to fire in.
In that season, Baston netted 22 goals in 40 league appearances for Oviedo, coming joint-first in the league scoring charts to showcase his proficiency in the final third, after years of struggling to find his footing again.
Ollie Watkins
Borja Baston
2020/21
16
5
2021/22
11
22
2022/23
16
10
2023/24
9
3
Total
40
52
Figures via Transfermarkt
As portrayed in the table above, Baston actually outscored Villa frontman, Watkins, that campaign, and has managed to keep within reach of the Englishman since his exit from Villa Park back in 2020.
No one would have predicted that Baston would go on to hit 22 goals in a season after his time at Villa, however football is unpredictable and one right move can change the trajectory of a striker's form.
With football's ever-growing popularity and commercial reach, football kits have increasingly become seen as fashion pieces as well as representations of the teams that wear them.
It's not just clubs, though; international teams will regularly release one or two new kits every year, especially when there is a tournament on the horizon, and with Euro 2024 fast approaching, expect to see a raft of shirts released in the coming months.
With that in mind, Football FanCast has created a list of the 12 best shirts ever worn at the European Championships.
12 Poland 2012
Kicking off the list is an inclusion that may surprise some: Poland's home shirt from their European Championships on home soil in 2012.
While the tournament was excellent, with Poland and Ukraine being fantastic hosts, the men in white and red didn't do much on the pitch.
They took two points from their first two games courtesy of two 1-1 draws. However, the draw against Russia on matchday two was almost seen as a win given that the visitors scored first and the fierce rivalry between the two teams. Unfortunately, a loss to the Czech Republic in their third game meant they finished rock bottom of their group, but they looked good doing it.
Poland tend to make great shirts most years, but this simple design with the rectangle across the chest, an eagle in the middle and a badge off to the side all come together to make an excellent, modern kit that wouldn't look out of place today, 11 years on.
11 West Germany 1988
Okay, we're going a little further back in time for this one.
Germany have a history of producing quality designs for international tournaments. Something about that white and black base just looks brilliant regardless of what else they do to it. That said, for our money, their 1988-1990 effort is their best to date.
The 1988 competition was staged in West Germany, and while the team made it out of their group – beating Spain and Denmark in the process – they were beaten in the semi-finals at the hands of eventual winners, the Netherlands.
The top itself is undeniably iconic. The plain white base with the German flag printed across the front in Adidas' best template is instantly recognisable, and Germany even modelled their 2018 kit on the design.
10 England 2021
The first England entry on the list, and like every other shirt here, it's a corker.
If we are being honest, England shirts can often be quite dull. You can't do much with an almost entirely white top, but for Euro 2020, Nike found a way to make it far more interesting.
The thick navy collar combined with the jagged stripes up the side gives some much-needed intricacy to the shirt, and we just love the badge's central placement – why can't all badges be central?
The tournament itself was a memorable one for the Three Lions as the cross-continent nature of the competition meant that they played most of their games at home, including a memorable round-of-16 win over Germany.
Alas, it was still England, and so it inevitably ended in penalty shootout heartbreak as Italy clinched the title in a tightly contested final at Wembley Stadium.
9 England 2022
england-fifa-womens-world-cup-2023
Back-to-back England, but the Lionesses' shirt for the 2022 European Championship deserves to be on this list.
Where the men came agonisingly close to lifting what would've been the country's first European title, the women went one better. The final was once again held at Wembley Stadium, only this time, the opposition was Germany. It was a fantastic spectacle, with England clinching it in extra time, much to the delight of a sold-out crowd.
The shirt itself was also a stunner. It didn't have the navy detailing of the men's, instead featuring a faint diamond pattern base with an iridescent Three Lions and Nike tick.
8 Sweden 1992
Much like in the domestic game, in international football, some teams are instantly recognisable from the colour of their shirts alone, and Sweden are a great example of that.
The rich yellow and royal blue colour combo is unmistakably Swedish, and it just so happens to be one of the most aesthetically pleasing combinations as well.
With so many iconic kits to choose from for the Swedes, we have opted for their 1992 home shirt. It has everything you'd want from a Sweden top: a rich yellow base, royal blue stripes that pop from a mile away, and a chunky retro collar with a perfectly placed Adidas logo at its base.
The competition itself took place in Sweden and was a relative success for the Swedes, as they made it out of their group and to the semi-finals, where they would be beaten by Germany.
7 Italy 2021
Few international football teams look as stylish as Italy, and their effort for the 2020 European Championship is no different.
When picking the best Italian shirts, you are spoilt for choice, but we reckon this is their best effort to date. The two-tone blue base looks brilliant on the pitch, and the Renaissance-inspired print just gives it that edge over some of their plainer designs, as do the collar and gold detailing.
It was also a tournament to remember for Gli Azzurri as they went in as dark horses and ended up winning it all after breaking English hearts in the final at Wembley Stadium.
6 England 1996
Okay, this is the last England shirt, we promise – but it is a beaut.
1996 is one of those years that has become mythologised in English football. It was a tournament that made people genuinely believe the team would finally lift some silverware again, and in front of a home crowd as well.
The game against Scotland and Paul Gascoigne's goal live on and are instantly recognisable for England fans – even for those who weren't around to see it – but as it always does, the tournament ended in penalty disappointment for the Three Lions, once again at the hands of the Germans.
That said, at least the team looked good, thanks to this brilliant shirt from Umbro. The incorporation of electric blue around the number and along the chunky collar really helped the shirt to pop, and a central badge always helps make a shirt look better.
5 Denmark 1992
Scandinavia's second representative on the list, Denmark, have produced some stunning kits over the years, but we reckon their home shirt for the 1992 European Championship takes the cake.
The 1986 top might get more attention, but the design and history attached to this one give it the edge. The plain red base paired with the striped red and white sleeves really makes this top stand out amongst other red and white shirts – and we just love a retro collar.
1992 is probably the greatest year in Danish football due to the fact that they – somewhat surprisingly – won the European Championship that year. It was surprising for a couple of reasons: one, for as good as they were, they were underdogs compared to teams like Germany and the Netherlands; and two, they didn't even qualify for the tournament.
The Danes only entered the competition after Yugoslavia were disqualified following the breakup of the country and the ensuing violence.
4 USSR 1988
The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, or the USSR, might not exist anymore. Still, when they did, they had an excellent track record in international tournaments – and an even greater record of beautiful kits.
The 1988 European Championship was the last Euros they appeared in, as they played as the Commonwealth of International States (CIS) for the 1992 edition of the tournament following the dissolution of the state.
1988 was a massively successful tournament for the team, though, as they beat England and the Netherlands in the group stage before beating Italy in the semi-final. Unfortunately, they couldn't do the double over the Dutch in the final, and they would have to settle for second at their last-ever Euros.
The shirt itself was a stunner. The base was red and white and used one of Adidas' best-ever templates, while the collar and detailing made it stand out from the others that used the same base design.
3 Croatia 1996
Now, this one might be a bit marmite in that some will love it – like us – and some will probably hate it, but you just cannot make a list like this and not include Croatia's iconic shirt, specifically the 1996 edition.
The checkerboard pattern is certainly garish; there's no getting away from that, but it's unique, eye-catching and instantly recognisable. The tricolour detailing around the collar and sleeves takes it up another level and comfortably makes it one of the three best kits ever worn at a European Championship.
The team themselves had a reasonably impressive tournament that year, with group-stage wins over Turkey and Denmark – who were then the reigning champions. However, they were ultimately knocked out in the quarter-finals by eventual champions Germany.
Samuel Luckhurst criticised a Manchester United star, who looked “haunted” in the first half of the 2-1 victory against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Man Utd complete second-half comeback to prevail at Palace
Man United’s performance in the first half of the win against the Eagles left a lot to be desired, with Mark Goldbridge taking to X to criticise Ruben Amorim, while also taking aim at the manager’s reluctance to change things at half-time.
However, Amorim’s approach ultimately paid off, with Joshua Zirkzee cancelling out Jean-Philippe Mateta’s opener early in the second half, before Mason Mount secured all three points after being laid off by Bruno Fernandes from a free-kick.
The Red Devils were able to close out a 2-1 win, bringing their four-game winless run against Palace to an end, but it was far from a vintage performance, with Luckhurst taking to X to criticise Casemiro’s performance during the first half.
The reporter said: “Not remotely got going and Casemiro looks haunted up against Adam Wharton again.”
Man Utd should go all out to sign Wharton
It is little wonder United are so keen on signing Wharton, who put in a fantastic first-half performance, once again catching the eye with his passing ability.
With Amorim in the market for a new midfielder, INEOS should go all out to sign the Crystal Palace star, who was unlucky to be on the losing side after bossing the midfield in the first half, although Casemiro did manage to turn things around.
Although he lost possession 11 times, the Brazilian made a number of key defensive contributions throughout the match, winning seven duels, the second-highest number of any United player, while also making two interceptions, three clearances and three tackles.
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Journalist Liam Canning was also left impressed with the 33-year-old’s display, in what could be his final season as a Man United player, although an encouraging new update from Fabrizio Romano suggests the central midfielder could extend his contract beyond next summer…
Glasgow Rangers return to Premiership action this afternoon as they play their final game before Christmas.
Dundee are the visitors to Ibrox and Philippe Clement will be looking for his side to claim another three points.
The Dens Park side occupies seventh place in the league table and the Light Blues will be looking for a repeat of the result which saw them secure a 3-0 over the club in the quarter-finals of the League Cup back in September.
Remarkably, this is the first league meeting between the two clubs.
Rangers' last game against Dundee
Despite a poor start to the campaign, the Gers made progress into the last eight of the League Cup, which saw them take on Dundee.
Cyriel Dessers gave the home side a deserved lead, before James Tavernier netted a penalty and the Nigerian netted his second of the evening to seal a straightforward passage into the last four.
The previous league match against Dundee at Ibrox was a 5-2 victory which came during the dying embers of the 2023/24 campaign. The Gers found themselves 2-0 down before recovering to take all three points.
Date
Result
Venue
14/05/2024
5-2 to Rangers
Ibrox
17/04/2024
0-0 draw
Dens Park
09/12/2023
3-1 to Rangers
Ibrox
01/11/2023
5-0 to Rangers
Dens Park
All three points are all that matters this weekend.
Rangers team news vs Dundee
Clement spoke to the media on Friday afternoon ahead of the Premiership clash against the Dens Park side.
He praised the side after a strong performance in the League Cup final, despite the defeat, before discussing his options for the Dundee clash, saying: “There is some flu going around the building, but don’t expect anyone missing. No fresh injuries from the last game.”
Good news for the supporters, who will expect to see a full-strength side taking the field this afternoon as the club seek another league victory.
Rangers predicted lineup vs Dundee
Of course, Jack Butland will remain in goal while a back four of James Tavernier, Robin Propper, Leon Balogun and Jefte will likely be used once again.
In midfield, Nico Raskin and Mohamed Diomande did an excellent job throughout the League Cup final, with the latter even scoring to make it 2-2 deep in the game, and they will continue their partnership.
Ianis Hagi started that game on the left wing, but he could well be dropped to the bench to be replaced by Hamza Igamane. Nedim Bajrami and Vaclav Cerny should retain their places from the League Cup final.
Danilo must also be given the nod to lead the line against Dundee. The £6m striker will be looking to continue his excellent partnership with Igamane which has seen the pair both score in their previous two league clashes against Kilmarnock and Ross County respectively.
On the surface, this is a starting XI which has plenty of talent to record a fairly comfortable win today, one that could see the Light Blues return to second place in the table.
While a solid performance would be wonderful, all three points is what the fans want for Christmas.
Rangers predicted lineup vs Dundee in full – Butland; Tavernier, Propper, Balogun, Jefte; Raskin, Diomande; Cerny, Bajrami, Igamane; Danilo
Clement can sell Dessers by unleashing Rangers teen who just won a trophy
The Glasgow Rangers teenage sensation scored a goal to win his side a trophy this week.
Over the years, Liverpool have been blessed with numerous elite-level talents, helping them cement themselves as one of the biggest clubs in Europe and the Premier League.
It was only a couple of years ago that the Reds possessed one of the most potent attacking trios in world football, helping them secure Champions League glory back in 2018/19.
Sadio Mané was the main man off the left-hand side, rapidly cementing his place in Jürgen Klopp’s starting eleven after his £34m transfer from Southampton in 2016.
Sadio Mane for Liverpool
He registered a total of 120 goals during his time at Anfield, forming an excellent partnership alongside Roberto Firmino, who often featured in a false nine role – playing a crucial part in the club’s success.
The Brazilian made a total of 362 appearances on Merseyside, before leaving on a free transfer in the summer of 2023 ending his eight-year stint at Anfield.
Mohamed Salah is the only survivor of the infamous trio, remaining a star man under new boss Arne Slot after the Dutchman’s summer appointment from Feyenoord.
He also has another huge talent on his hands, in his quest to secure another league title during his first season at the helm.
Luis Diaz’s stats for Liverpool
Colombian winger Luis Diaz arrived in a big-money deal rising up to £49m back in January 2022, looking to add further firepower to Klopp’s already impressive attack.
Liverpool star Luis Diaz
The 27-year-old made an immediate impact on Merseyside, registering ten goal contributions in his first 26 appearances with the Reds during his first six months in England.
Injuries massively hampered his first full season at Anfield, restricting him to just 26 appearances in all competitions as the club registered a fifth-placed finish – in an all-round disappointing campaign.
However, in the last couple of years, he’s nailed down the left-wing role once occupied by Mane, with the former Porto ace playing a significant part in the early season success with Slot in 2024/25.
He’s already scored nine times in 16 appearances, which includes a hat-trick in the latest Champions League victory over Bayer Leverkusen, which maintained their 100% record in their European campaign.
However, despite his recent excellent form, he may need to watch out for a talent potentially taking his starting place, with the Reds ace producing some phenomenal figures during his temporary stint in England’s second tier.
The player who could be Liverpool’s own Vini Jr
19-year-old attacker Ben Doak is one of the most promising talents within the Liverpool ranks at present, having a huge future ahead of him at the very top level.
Liverpool winger Ben Doak
Despite his tender age, he’s already made ten first-team appearances for the Reds, before linking up with Championship side Middlesbrough on loan for the 2024/25 campaign.
The Scottish international has wasted no time in catching the eye under former Manchester United ace Michael Carrick, playing an important role in their hunt for a return to the Premier League.
During his first ten outings at the Riverside, Doak has already registered one goal and three assists – capturing the hearts of the Boro supporters with his mazy runs and electric pace.
The “fearless” teenager, as dubbed by journalist James Pearce, has produced numerous underlying stats that are way beyond his years – outperforming numerous of Europe’s leading stars.
Games played
10
Goals & assists
4
Carries into the opposition area
39
Shots taken
15
Chances created
21
Successful dribbles
23
Pass accuracy
82%
He’s already managed a total of 39 carries into the opposition’s penalty area, with only Bradley Barcola and Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior managing more than – with Doak able to be Liverpool’s own version of the Brazilian superstar who narrowly missed on the Ballon d’Or this year.
The ongoing season will allow for needed senior minutes to aid his development, potentially allowing him to challenge for a first-team spot ahead of 2025/26.
It could leave Diaz fearing for his position off the left-hand side, with Doak having the potential to become as big of a superstar as Vini Jr given his similar tally from the last couple of months.
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Glasgow Rangers and new technical director Nils Koppen are now leading the race to sign a £3 million “ruthless” player in January, according to a new report.
The Scottish giants returned to action on Saturday afternoon, but it wasn’t a game to remember fondly for supporters as they were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Dundee United.
3 passes, 0 duels won: Clement must now ditch Rangers' 8-touch liability
Rangers dropped more Premiership points on Saturday afternoon
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The draw against Dundee United means it is just two wins from their last five games in all competitions for the Gers. That draw, plus Celtic’s 4-1 smashing of Hearts, now means that Philippe Clement’s side are 11 points adrift of the Hoops after 12 games and eight behind second-place Aberdeen.
That result is going to see Clement, who is already under pressure to deliver, under even more pressure, as Rangers look to end Celtic’s dominance in the league. Clement believes now is the time the club needs to raise their levels and states losing 13 points already “is not acceptable.”
Clement said: “We don’t need to speak about titles now; we need to speak about raising our level because we don’t have control over how many points other teams take. It’s totally not acceptable to lose that many points [13 so far this season]. We all know, I know, the players know, so there’s hard work to be done to make that better the next couple of months.
“Frustration about losing points in a game where you have much more chances than the opponent, much more possession also. But also frustration about our first half and the performance there. That was not good enough, with not enough quality in the final third, not enough initiative there, and not enough availability also for some players.
“I’m much more pleased about the second half because in the second half, we see the football that I want to see and that we produced in the past, that we can do, but we need to get that kind of performance 90 minutes long, and then you win all these kind of games – what we did in the past.”
Rangers and Koppen now leading race to sign £3m player in January
Ahead of the January transfer window opening, Rangers and Koppen are leading the race to sign Lawrence Shankland from Hearts, according to Football Insider. The 29-year-old has been with the Jambos since July 2022, and he has been a key player for the side, scoring 20 or more goals twice in two recent campaigns.
Lawrence Shankland on international duty with Scotland.
The Scotsman, who has been described as “ruthless” by Chris Sutton, hasn’t had quite the same luck in front of goal so far this season, as he’s just got one goal to his name in 14 league appearances and has so far yet to score a goal in the Europa Conference League.
This report states that Rangers are now in pole position to sign Shankland in January, as Hearts could look to cash in on the striker, as he will leave the club for nothing come the end of the season if a new contract isn’t agreed. Hearts have been keen to keep Shankland for the long-term, but a new deal doesn’t look to be any closer to being agreed.
Apps
113
Goals
60
Assists
16
Rangers are leading the race for his signature at the end of the season, but Hearts could see January as an opportunity to get some money for the forward, who Rangers wanted to sign for £3 million during the summer transfer window. A move in January is seen as a “win-win” for both, as Rangers bolster their attacking options and Hearts get money for a key individual. However, if a deal cannot be agreed upon, Rangers are expected to still be there come the summer, when he can be signed for a free transfer.
Arsenal are set to come up against several former players this weekend when they face Fulham. The Cottagers’ side has several players who used to ply their trade in North London rather than West London, and they are in contention to face their old club on Sunday afternoon.
One of those players is former goalkeeper Bernd Leno. He cost Fulham £8m in 2022, making the move directly from Arsenal. Two of the other players are former academy stars, Alex Iwobi and Reiss Nelson, with the latter departing the club over the summer.
Arsenal forward Reiss Nelson.
Arsenal will also come up against another academy graduate who recently left the Emirates Stadium, Emile Smith Rowe.
Smith Rowe’s career before and after leaving Arsenal
The versatile attacking player has had something of a frustrating career. He was meant to be tearing things up for the Gunners alongside Buakyo Saka, but things did not quite work out how he nor every Arsenal fan had hoped.
Arsenal midfielder Emile Smith Rowe.
The England international made 115 appearances for the club that helped bring him through, scoring 18 goals and grabbing 13 assists. He spent six seasons in the first team at the Emirates Stadium, intertwined with two loan spells at German outfit RB Leipzig and Huddersfield Town.
It was an impressive campaign for the attacking midfielder in 2021/22 when he scored ten goals and grabbed two assists in 33 Premier League games.
However, he did not have many opportunities in an Arsenal shirt after that. Injury was part of the reason why he played just 25 Premier League games in the two seasons that followed.
That said, the attacker’s career at Fulham so far has been fantastic. In 14 top-flight games under Marco Silva, Smith Rowe has three goals and two assists to his name. His former boss Mikel Arteta explained before the game he is “really happy” the Hale End star is playing so well because he is “a very special talent”.
Perhaps Arteta regrets letting his former number ten leave this summer and might wish he gave him one more season to get back to his elegant best. However, there is a new kid on the block for the Gunners, who could be their new Smith Rowe.
Arsenal’s new Smith Rowe
The youngster in question here is the impressive Ethan Nwaneri. It has been a real breakthrough season for the Premier League’s youngest-ever player. He made his debut in 2022/23 at the age of 15 years and 5 months old.
After fleeting performances last season, Nwaneri has become a more prominent fixture in Arteta’s squad this term. He has played 11 times in all competitions, scoring his first goals in that famous Red shirt against Bolton Wanderers in the Carabao Cup, and his first top-flight goal against Nottingham Forest in a 3-0 thrashing.
It was a fantastic performance from the talented young winger against Preston North End, a game in which he also scored. As per Sofascore, the youngster, who played as an advanced number eight, completed 98% of his passes and two out of three attempted dribbles.
Stat
Number
Touches
73
Pass accuracy
98%
Passes completed
55/56
Ground duels won
4/6
Dribbles completed
2/3
Tackles won
2/2
Number of times hit woodwork
1
Nwaneri is a player who is highly rated amongst Arsenal fans. Football analyst and Gunners supporter Ben Mattinson described him as a “special” player after his performance against the Lilywhites in the Carabao Cup.
Interestingly, “special” was a word Jamie Carragher used to describe Smith Rowe back in 2021 after a Premier League win over Crystal Palace. Although he was a few years older at the time than the 17-year-old Nwaneri, it is fascinating to see that he was rated just as much when he began to break into the first team.
There are certainly similarities that can be drawn between Smith Rowe and Nwaneri. Not only are they both well-loved and highly rated by Arsenal fans and pundits alike, but both are products of the esteemed Hale End academy.
Gunners fans may well look back on Smith Rowe’s time at the club and wonder what could have been if he could have recaptured his form. However, with Nwaneri, they can certainly get excited about the future.
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Perhaps now, with games coming thick and fast, it could be the perfect time for Nwaneri to be unleashed from the start…
Arteta has found Arsenal's new Ozil & Sanchez in unreal "future legend"
The incredible talent has a bright future at Arsenal.
Manchester United are in desperate need for reinforcements, and may return to an old hunting ground to land one this summer, it has emerged.
Red Devils ship sinks at Chelsea
Two goals from Cole Palmer in the 99th and 101st minute saw Manchester United throw away a 3-2 lead against Chelsea to lose 4-3 on Thursday night, in a game that often resembled a League One clash from a quality standpoint, rather than a Premier League game.
United boss Erik ten Hag then claimed that he felt his side were 'fantastic' and 'dominated the game', but they conceded 28 shots (10 on target) and threw away another three points just days after conceding in the 97th minute against Brentford.
Man Utd keen to trigger £35m release clause to sign star new wide player
They see it as a “bargain”.
ByCharlie Smith Apr 5, 2024
It means that now no side in Europe's top five league has faced more shots in 2024 than the Red Devils' 225 (an average of 22.5 per game) and though there are certainly mitigating circumstances with two more defenders going off injured last night, it feels very much like Ten Hag's regime is nearing its end.
Manchester United in Premier League 2024
Games
10
Wins
5
Losses
3
Goals conceded
17
Goal difference
+4
Shots conceded
225
League position in 2024
5th
They sit sixth in the Premier League as things stand, but understat claim that going by expected points they could in fact be as low as 13th, between Nottingham Forest and West Ham United, and that they have been riding their luck to even be in a European football spot for next season.
But despite all the woe on the pitch, the arrival of new owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has brought hope off it, and this summer is his first chance to make his mark on a sleeping giant.
United eye marquee deal for Real Madrid star
Now, 90min claim he is planning to do just that, with the INEOS chief weighing up a move for Real Madrid sensation Rodrygo.
Unlike Casemiro and Raphael Varane, Rodrygo would be making the move from the Santiago Bernabeu to Old Trafford in the prime of his career, with the Brazilian having scored 15 times already this season, with his latest two strikes earning high praise from Los Blancos boss Carlo Ancelotti.
Real Madrid forward Rodrygo.
The impending arrivals of both Endrick and Kylian Mbappe to bolster the Real Madrid frontline has left plenty feeling that Rodrygo will be the man to miss out, and the Brazilian could see himself needing to leave the club to gain regular football once more.
As per reports in Spain [Via 90min], the Red Devils are "ready" to throw their hat in the ring for his services, and could offer up to 120m euros (£103m) to get the deal done and make the 23-year-old the crown jewel of their future project.
With plenty of work to do on the rest of the squad and a lack of Champions League football, a mega-money move looks unlikely in truth, with Liverpool and Arsenal both also thought to be keen on the Brazilian should he become available.