The defending champions are off to a flying start with their stand-in captain leading from the front
AAP11-Nov-2025Melbourne Renegades 151 for 6 (Wareham 58*) beat Sydney Thunder 148 for 7Melbourne Renegades captain Georgia Wareham has claimed back-to-back player-of-the-match awards in a four-wicket win over Sydney Thunder.Filling in for the injured Sophie Molineux, Wareham smashed 58 off 32 deliveries in the run chase at Junction Oval after claiming 2 for 25 with her legspin.Wareham had starred just two days previously against Brisbane Heat with bat and ball and she backed that up.The heavens opened on several occasions during the match but the players pressed on through it. After the Thunder made 148 for 7 in their 20 overs the Renegades were in trouble at 73 for 5.Wareham and Nicole Faltum (37 off 26 deliveries) then combined in a match winning partnership that enabled the hosts to coast to victory with 11 balls to spare.Wareham’s placement was superb as she compiled her runs with minimal risk and plenty of nous in her fifth WBBL half-century .Earlier, Thunder had a solid start provided by Georgia Voll (26) and Tahlia Wilson (30). But from 60 without loss they slipped to 79 for four and that was largely due to the influence of Wareham.In her four accurate overs she dismissed the dangerous Thunder captain Phoebe Litchfield for just 12. Power hitting by Heather Knight and Anika Learoyd at the death gave the visitors a decent total but not enough to stop Wareham and Faltum.
Glasgow Rangers failed to win in the Scottish Premiership for the first time since they appointed Danny Rohl in their 0-0 draw with Falkirk at Ibrox on Sunday.
The Light Blues failed to score a goal in a home game against Falkirk for the first time this century, and it was a disappointing all-round display from the hosts.
Rangers were unable to find the back of the net from three ‘big chances’ and 1.07 xG, per Sofascore, and had to settle for one point and no goals in front of their supporters.
Despite the underwhelming performance and result, there was a positive for Rohl to take away from the match, as Nedim Bajrami showed that he has something to offer.
Why Danny Rohl must unleash Nedim Bajrami
The Albania international came in for his first start of the league season, having made six substitute appearances before Sunday, and his performance on the left flank suggests that he has been underused.
Bajrami ended his 75 minutes on the pitch with four dribbles completed, two chances created, and ten duels won, per Sofascore, which shows that he put himself about physically, moved forward with the ball with intent, and looked to make things happen in the final third.
Last season, the former Sassuolo man scored two goals and created four ‘big chances’ in 15 starts in the Premiership, to go along with one goal and six ‘big chances’ created in eight starts in the Europa League, per Sofascore.
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Meanwhile, one of the summer signings, Thelo Aasgaard, has failed to prove himself to be an upgrade on Bajrami and now looks to be the biggest waste of time since Sam Lammers.
Why Thelo Aasgaard may be the new Sam Lammers
Rangers signed Lammers from Atalanta for £3m in the summer of 2022, to bolster Michael Beale’s attack, and the attacking midfielder produced two goals and two assists in 31 games for the club, per Transfermarkt.
The left-footed flop spent the second half of that season on loan at Utrecht before being sold to FC Twente for an initial fee of £2.5m that could rise to £4m one year after joining the Gers.
This shows that Lammers was more or less a waste of time for the Light Blues because he rarely contributed on the pitch and he left Ibrox for a similar fee to the one that he was brought in for.
Rangers paid £3.5m to sign Aasgaard from Luton Town in the summer, only £500k more than Lammers cost, and he is, unfortunately, treading the same path that the Dutchman walked.
The Norway international, whom Heart & Hand content creator David Edgar dubbed “rotten” last month, has scored one goal and provided one assist in 21 appearances in all competitions, per Transfermarkt, which is an even worse return than the Twente star ended his Ibrox career with.
Aasgaard, who was handed a 2/10 player rating vs Falkirk by IbroxNews, has as many red cards as goals, after he was sent off against Celtic in the semi-final of the League Cup, and, as aforementioned, he has not proven that he is an upgrade on the player that he was brought in to replace, Bajrami.
Premiership stats
Bajrami – 24/25
Aasgaard 25/26
Starts
15
8
Goals
2
1
Key passes
28
9
Big chances created
4
0
Assists
1
1
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, the Liverpool-born midfielder has not scored goals or created chances at a more impressive rate than the Albanian did in the Premiership last term.
The same is true for their respective form in the Europa League. Last season, Bajrami scored one goal and created six ‘big chances’ in eight starts, per Sofascore, whilst Aasgaard has no goals and no ‘big chances’ created in five outings in the competition in the 2025/26 campaign.
If the 2/10 Norwegian flop’s dismal form at the top end of the pitch continues and Bajrami gets more chances after his bright showing against Falkirk, then his future may already be in doubt when the January transfer window opens.
Like Lammers, Aasgaard may have to look at his options in January and see if there is a loan or a permanent option for him to go elsewhere, unless he can turn his form around in the coming weeks.
Rohl must bin Rangers flop who was even worse than Aarons vs Falkirk
Danny Rohl must replace this Glasgow Rangers flop in January to solve a glaring issue in the squad.
ByDan Emery Dec 1, 2025
For now, though, the former Luton and Wigan star looks to be the biggest waste of time since Lammers because of the fee he was signed for and the lack of consistent performances on the pitch.
Manchester United have joined the race to sign Borussia Dortmund centre-back Nico Schlotterbeck, and the Bundesliga club’s stance on cashing-in has now been revealed.
Man United have taken major strides over the past month or so, having taken 11 points from their last five matches, but it would be fair to say their defensive record still needs major improvement.
Ruben Amorim’s side have shipped 18 goals in their opening 11 games, the joint-highest number of any side above 16th in the Premier League table, failing to keep a clean sheet since the 2-0 victory against Sunderland at the beginning of October.
Both Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt have impressed in an attacking sense, with the former scoring the winner at Anfield, while the Dutchman recently received high praise from Rio Ferdinand, who said: “De Ligt’s been our best defender this season”
“I think he’s been outstanding for us. He’s even adding goals like the last-minute equaliser the other day.”
That said, Amorim clearly needs to tighten things up at the back, given the sheer number of goals his side have conceded, and the Red Devils have now set their sights on a new target.
Man Utd join race to sign Nico Schlotterbeck
According to a report from TEAMtalk, Man United have now joined the race to sign Borussia Dortmund’s Schlotterbeck, who is about to enter the last 18 months of his contract with the German club, meaning a bidding war could be on the cards.
Liverpool have also emerged as potential suitors for the centre-back, who has earned comparisons to Virgil van Dijk, in light of his composure under pressure, which has been on display in the Champions League.
Dortmund may need to cash-in due to their financial situation, as they are currently at risk of losing the 25-year-old on a free transfer, and there is no shortage of interest, with Barcelona currently believed to be leading the race for his signature.
The defender’s ball-playing ability, coupled with the fact he is left-footed, is said to make him perfect for Amorim, and the Dortmund star has earned high praise from former Premier League chief scout Mick Brown.
Brown said: “He’s a dominant centre-back, a regular for Germany, and a very defensive option who likes to win tackles, win headers and take charge of the back line.”
Impressively, the German is also very comfortable in possession of the ball, as displayed by his performance across some key passing and dribbling metrics over the past year.
Nico Schlotterbeck’s passing and dribbling statistics
Average per 90
Passes attempted
84.06 (97th percentile)
Progressive passes
7.43 (99th percentile)
Progressive carries
1.29 (89th percentile)
Successful take-ons
0.48 (92nd percentile)
Schlotterbeck is experienced at the top level, having amassed 22 caps for Germany and 35 Champions League appearances, and he could be the ideal option for Amorim at left centre-back.
What Man Utd plan to do to hijack Real Madrid's move for Marc Guehi What Man Utd are ready to do to hijack Real Madrid's move for Marc Guehi
Los Angeles Dodgers icon Clayton Kershaw was named to the National League All-Star Game on Sunday, courtesy of a nod from MLB commissioner Rob Manfred, who added him to the team as a "Legend Pick."
Kershaw is in what will likely be his final MLB season, and after the left-hander notched his 3,000th strikeout last week, he'll be given the honor of being named to the All-Star team by Manfred, a gesture made in recognition of his legendary career.
This will be the 11th time Kershaw has made the All-Star Game in his 18-year career.
Kershaw has made nine starts this season and boasts a 4–0 record and a 3.43 ERA. He's pitched 44 2/3 innings with 32 strikeouts and 14 walks. While those aren't numbers that would typically land a player in the midsummer classic, Manfred elected to use his power as the league's commissioner to make a special exception for the 37-year-old, future Hall of Famer in the twilight of his career.
With the inclusion of Kershaw, there are a total of 65 players who were named MLB All-Stars in 2025.
Teams to play one Test and three T20Is, instead of a second Test and ODIs as well
ESPNcricinfo staff01-Oct-2025Zimbabwe will host Afghanistan for one Test and three T20Is in October, a reduced itinerary from the two Tests, three ODIs and three T20Is that were on the FTP.All four matches will take place at Harare Sports Club, which will host a Test for the first time in four years. Zimbabwe’s last nine home Tests have been played in Bulawayo, and they have lost them all. Zimbabwe have played Afghanistan in four Tests between 2021 and 2025, with one win, two defeats and a draw. Their most recent fixtures were in December-January 2024-25, when Afghanistan won the two-Test series 1-0. They also beat Zimbabwe 2-1 in the T20I series and 2-0 in the ODIs.The Test from October 20 to 24 against Afghanistan completes a busy year for Zimbabwe, who are not part of the World Test Championship but are playing 10 matches in 2025. They were initially scheduled to play 11 but ESPNcricinfo understands the second Test against Afghanistan, and the ODIs, will be moved to 2026. The three T20Is will be played on October 29, 31 and November 2.Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) has chosen to prioritise T20Is, as the team may need the fixtures to prepare for the 2026 T20 World Cup. Zimbabwe are in the semi-finals of the Africa Regional Qualifier, currently underway, and if they beat Kenya on Thursday, will qualify for the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka in February and March. Zimbabwe missed the 2024 T20 World Cup after losing to Uganda in the qualifiers. They have played in only one of the last three T20 World Cups – in 2022 – where they reached the Super 12.Should Zimbabwe secure their spot at the 2026 T20 World Cup, ZC will also seek additional fixtures, with nothing on Zimbabwe’s calendar between November this year and April next year. With all Full Members, except Ireland, occupied over that period, Zimbabwe may look to engage a team like Namibia (also in the semi-finals of the T20 qualifier) and are understood to be considering teams like Netherlands and Nepal for fixtures. After a torrid run earlier in the year, when Zimbabwe lost five T20Is on the bounce, they have now won six of their last nine games.
A broken bat, a crazy run out, and a multiple Grand Slam winner. What else makes the list?
Andrew McGlashan24-Oct-2024
Meg Lanning (and Ash Barty) on opening day
It all began at Junction Oval on December 5, 2015. Melbourne Stars faced Brisbane Heat in back-to-back games on the same day in front of a crowd of 1500. Some players watched on sat in camping chairs. A number of names that remain stars of Australian cricket were on show: Beth Mooney opened alongside Grace Harris for Heat, who had Jess Jonassen at No. 3, while Meg Lanning made 165 off 114 balls across the two matches as Stars came out winners in both. However, in the middle-order for Heat, there is another name which stood out: Ash Barty. Now a retired multiple Grand Slam winner, at the time Barty was also out of tennis, having stepped away in 2014 aged 18 to play cricket. On the opening day of WBBL, she impressed with 39 off 27 balls in the first match before falling to Nat Sciver-Brunt. “It truly was an amazing period of my life,” she said in 2019. “I met an amazing group of people who couldn’t care less whether I could hit a tennis ball or not. They accepted me, and they got to know Ash Barty.” That opening innings would prove to be the high point for Barty who made 68 runs in nine matches – her major sporting success was yet to come.
The first century
This won’t be the only time Grace Harris is mentioned in this piece. In the eighth match of the inaugural season, a few months after her international debut, she struck the competition’s first century with 103 off 55 balls against Sydney Sixers at Aquinas College in Perth. She went from her fifty to her hundred in just 22 deliveries. “I was just after ice cream,” Harris joked after the innings. “When I hit the century, Mooney came down the wicket and it didn’t really click to begin with, and then she said that I had made it because everyone was standing up, and I just said, ‘Ice cream! Ice cream!'” To cap off her day, Harris claimed 4 for 15 from two overs. She remains the only player to have scored a century and taken four wickets in a WBBL match.
Harmanpreet’s landmark signing
It is well-known that India’s premier male cricketers do not appear in T20 leagues outside of the IPL, but that’s not the case in the women’s game – the upcoming season will see a record number of India names in the WBBL. In mid-2016, Harmanpreet Kaur became the first India player to join the league when she signed for Sydney Thunder. “Being the first player from my country to sign a contract for a BBL club is one of my best moments,” she said at the time. During her first season, she made 310 runs in 13 innings which included a 26-ball 56 against Heat. In the 2021 season, she was Player of the Tournament.Harmanpreet Kaur was the first Indian player to join an overseas league•Getty Images
Pushing the boundaries
Here comes Grace again. By 2018, Sophie Devine (48) and Ash Gardner (47) had both gone under the 50-ball mark with centuries. Against Stars at the Gabba, Harris raised the bar further with a blistering 42-ball display which included 13 fours and six sixes. Remarkably, this came in a chase of just 133 as she made 73% of the total herself with Mooney watching on from the other end. With one run needed, Harris was on 95 and set off for the winning run but was sent back by Mooney. Three balls later, she launched Alana King down the ground for six to become the first player with multiple WBBL tons. “I’d told her that we weren’t running again and she finally got there in the end,” Mooney said.
Devine’s double
As mentioned above, Devine had already left a mark on the WBBL but against Stars at Adelaide Oval, she produced what remains a one-off all-round starrer in the competition’s history: the only time a player has scored a half-century and taken a five-wicket haul. She had been within touching distance of matching Harris with two WBBL hundreds when she fell for 95 with an over to go, but that was only half the job done. With ball in hand, she removed four of Stars’ top six and completed her haul by claiming Nicola Hancock.
semi-final run out
It is one of the iconic moments in WBBL history. It had already been a dramatic day with the first semi-final decided by a stunning boundary catch from Haidee Birkett. But the extraordinary three-player run out to force a Super Over in the second match was at another level. With three needed off the last ball, Sophie Molineux, who had batted throughout Melbourne Renegades’ chase, sliced over point and the ball appeared destined for the rope. “She’s got a four,” screamed commentator Jason Richardson. Then came a desperate dive from Erin Burns that flicked the ball back to Sarah Aley, who in turn hurled the return to Alyssa Healy. But the run-out chance was at the bowler’s end. Healy collected and in one motion spun around with a gloveless right hand and threw down the stumps. “In terms of a team play, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more special one in the context of the match and what effect it had on the game,” Ellyse Perry said. Burns added: “It was one of those moments where everything just seemed to fit perfectly. To tap it back but then Sarah to come around and the perfect throw into Midge and then to spin around no look at the stumps and throw down the other end is pretty awesome.”Ellyse Perry celebrates Sophie Molineux’s extraordinary run-out•Getty Images
Mooney, the back-to-back finals hero
Mooney is the WBBL’s leading run-scorer heading into the tenth season. Before her move to Perth Scorchers, she was central in Heat’s consecutive titles in the 2018-19 and 2019-2020 seasons. In the first of those, a week after the epic semi-final mentioned above, in a season where runs had not flowed to her usual standards, she defied a sweltering Sydney day while overcome effects of the flu with 65 off 46 balls to put Heat on course against Sixers. “I plonked myself in the ice bath and was a bit nervous towards the end, I couldn’t really watch,” Mooney said. The following season she was at it again, anchoring a bigger chase against Adelaide Strikers with 56 off 45 balls.
Thunder win in the bubble
Somehow, the 2020 WBBL season was completed despite Covid. Played entirely in Sydney, it was not an edition remembered too fondly by a number of players with all the squads housed in a hotel bubble at the Olympic Park amid tight restrictions. But, as with much in that Australian season, it was a remarkable show of adaptability and resilience. It also concluded with a memorable result in the final where Thunder, who had produced a stunning turnaround in the semi-final against Heat, toppled Stars – one of the standout teams of the competition – by seven wickets having restricted them to just 86. Shabnim Ismail, who claimed the key wicket of Lanning, and Sammy-Jo Johnson combined to take 4 for 23 from eight overs.Broken bat? No worries for Grace Harris•Getty Images
Garth’s powerplay masterclass
Against Thunder in 2021, pace bowler Kim Garth produced one of the more remarkable performances seen in T20s. In the powerplay, she produced figures of 3-3-0-3 to put Stars on course to defend a low total. Garth removed Tahlia Wilson and Phoebe Litchfield in her first over, and then produced another maiden over to Smriti Mandhana. At the start of her third, she had Corinne Hall taken at slip before closing the spell with five more dots. By the time she returned for the 20th over, Stars had breathing space with 25 to defend.
Harris’ broken bat
“Stuff it, I’ll still hit it.” It has gone down as an immortal phrase from Grace Harris. Preparing to face up to Piepa Clearly, Harris noticed her bat handle was broken. But instead of waiting for a new one, she just got on with it. Harris launched the ball over long-on for a 72-metre six, the handle snapping away from the blade in the process to produce an iconic image that went viral. It was part of another astonishing WBBL display from Harris, who piled up a tournament-high 136 off 59 deliveries with a record 11 sixes. “When you get in the zone, you just get in the zone,” she said modestly.
The harsh winter months have proven to be Manchester United’s recent undoing in the Premier League.
Since the 1st of November hit, the Red Devils have reverted back to their inconsistent selves under Ruben Amorim, with three wins on the trot in October then followed up by two unwanted draws on the spin, before a ten-man Everton got the better of Amorim and Co on their own patch 1-0.
They did respond to that home humiliation at the hands of the Toffees with a much-needed 2-1 win over Crystal Palace, but an unsatisfactory 1-1 draw last time out against West Ham United only saw the misery pile up once more.
How will the up-and-down outfit fare across their remaining five fixtures to come across a jam-packed December? Only time will tell.
Whatever does take place, United will be able to take some solace in the January transfer window reopening, as several bumper deals are alleged to be in the works…
Man United's list of transfer targets
Indeed, it does appear as if the red half of Manchester will be very busy during January, as Amorim’s men hunt down some improvements all across the pitch.
A clear priority, when looking at the rampant rumours coming to the surface, is United’s desire for a new central midfield talent, with both Adam Wharton and Elliot Anderson incessantly linked to the Theatre of Dreams.
Away from bolstering their personnel in the middle of the park, United also look to be on the prowl for some fresh winger additions, with a spectacular swap deal perhaps in the offing.
As per Football Insider, Paris Saint-Germain are keen on picking up Marcus Rashford in the summer as his Old Trafford future hangs in the balance. To smooth out a potential deal, the French giants could offer Bradley Barcola to the Red Devils who has shone in spurts at the Parc des Princes as a promising attacking talent.
The faltering Premier League side could have to wait it out until the summer for this swap deal to come into play, but it might well be a deal still worth persisting with, as Amorim potentially wins himself his next Amad Diallo in the blistering Frenchman.
How Barcola can be Amorim's next Amad
Amad hasn’t always found his stay at Old Trafford to be smooth sailing.
Under Erik ten Hag, the tricky Ivorian only managed to muster up a paltry three goals and two assists from a limited 24 appearances.
Amorim
41
9
11
Ten Hag
24
3
2
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
8
1
1
Ruud Van Nistelrooy
4
2
1
Ralf Rangnick
1
0
0
Transition to the here and now, however, and the 23-year-old is very much a consistent first-team presence under his hot-and-cold Portuguese manager, with an impressive haul of nine goals and 11 assists next to his name under Amorim’s reign, seeing him be described as an “explosive” threat by analyst Statman Dave.
Barcola would aim to reach these same heights under Amorim’s guidance if he were to swap Paris for Manchester shortly, having also been noted as being an eye-catching winger at the peak of his powers, with “devastating pace” to burn, as per U23 scout Antonio Mango.
Thankfully, the 18-time France international also has some lethal end product to back up all his entertaining tricks and flicks, much like Amad, with Barcola up to 31 goals and 33 assists in total now for his current employers.
Last season saw the 23-year-old put away a stunning 40-goal contributions in all competitions, with United praying that Barcola’s possible entry on the scene can take them to that next level, away from folding at the hands of Everton, as the left winger’s stunning exploits have even seen Luis Enrique’s men lift the Champions League trophy.
Off the back of helping his team clinch this unbelievable honour in Europe’s elite competition, Barcola had certainly lived up to his hype as “one of the best left wingers in Europe” which was handed to him by Como scout Ben Mattinson. The Premier League would be the next big test, though, for the slick number 29.
Looking at what Amad has managed to achieve under Amorim on the flanks, Barcola should be able to enter into a new daunting division and succeed.
It certainly won’t be a cheap deal to pull off, with a whopping £87m price tag previously touted, when Barcola was on Arsenal’s reported shopping list.
But if United want to make their attack even more of a mouth-watering prospect – away from already possessing Amad and the likes of Bryan Mbeumo – sealing a statement move for Barcola could be a phenomenal next step.
He’s "better than PL players": Man Utd have bigger academy star than Mainoo
This academy ace is a player Man Utd fans will see in the first team before long
Cricket Australia XI 341 (Blackford 86, Wyllie 71, Harvey 52, Potts 3-49) and 235 for 2 (Inglis 125*, Harvey 58) beat England Lions 299 (Gay 78, Maladay 3-47, Sinfield 3-87) and 273 (Kellaway 59, Anderson 3-42) by eight wicketsAmid intrigue over what Australia may do with their batting order for the rest of the Ashes, Josh Inglis hammered a rapid century for a Cricket Australia XI against England Lions to signal that he would be option should the selectors opt for significant change.Travis Head’s remarkable century in Perth after being elevated to open due to Usman Khawaja’s back spasms has prompted talk about whether that should be a permanent move which would likely spell the end of Khawaja’s career and create a vacancy in the middle order.Related
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That would appear an unlikely prospect, at least for the Gabba, with the indications being that Khawaja will be selected if he recovers.However, should a spot become vacant anywhere in the order Inglis’ versatility would make him a candidate. He was part of the squad for the first Test but was released to play for the CA XI at Lilac Hill after having a disjointed lead-up to the Ashes.A calf injury prevented him from playing the ODIs against India and he struggled in the T20Is before making 4 and 28 in his one Sheffield Shield outing for Western Australia.On Monday, he flayed an unbeaten 125 from 107 balls with 15 fours and two sixes as the CA XI charged down a target of 232 in 45 overs, not dissimilar to the Head-inspired performance a couple of days ago.Inglis made a century on Test debut, against Sri Lanka in Galle, when his prowess against spin saw him play as a specialist batter in the middle order. He then filled in at No. 4 when Steven Smith missed the first Test against West Indies with a finger injury.Should Khawaja not be fit for Brisbane, or the selectors do make the call to drop him, Beau Webster would also be in the frame having missed out on the first Test when Cameron Green returned to No. 6. Mitchell Marsh is another who may be considered. He is expected make his Sheffield Shield return for Western Australia in a game against Victoria at the MCG which also starts on December 4.The CA XI was largely a development side due to the ongoing round of Sheffield Shield matches but did also feature Jhye Richardson who sent down 20 wicketless overs in the game as he returns from shoulder surgery. Australia’s selectors are hoping he could be an option later in the Test series and he is expected to feature for Australia A when they face the Lions concurrently to the Gabba Test.The Lions side featured Matthew Potts, Will Jacks and Jacob Bethell from the England Test squad.
Arsenal look set to go through an extended period without key centre-back and squad leader Gabriel. The Brazilian defender has become a crucial part of the success Mikel Arteta's team has enjoyed in recent seasons, both as a defensive force and a threat at attacking set-pieces. But in the same way that a William Saliba injury derailed their 2022-23 Premier League title challenge, losing Gabriel is a huge blow.
Gabriel set for more tests
Gabriel had to come off an hour into Brazil's 2-0 win over Senegal at the Emirates Stadium over the weekend and was released from the squad, leading to automatic concern for Arsenal fans. After a nervous wait, has reported that more tests on his right thigh will be done, but the fear is he will could miss two months of action while he recovers. That would mean the 27-year-old sitting out the remainder of the calendar year and perhaps not returning until the latter half of January. The best case scenario is that Gabriel is only sidelined for one month, which at least means returning before Christmas.
Advertisement(C)Getty imagesGrowing Arsenal injury list
Gabriel has been added to an Arsenal injury list that was already six-strong before the international break: Martin Odegaard, Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli, Noni Madueke and Gabriel Jesus. There are no guarantees, but Arteta spoke prior to club football pausing that a handful of those could return the other side of the international break. That applies to Gyokeres, Havertz, Martinelli and Madueke. Odegaard is thought to be out until early December, with Jesus coming towards the end of long-term ACL rehab and on course to return in January.
It is testament to Arsenal's strength in depth, and determination perhaps aided by three seasons of second-place Premier League finishes, that they have managed to climb to the top of the table and open up a four-point lead on a resurgent Manchester City without a consistently clean bill of health.
Arsenal games Gabriel could miss
Working on the notion that Gabriel is sidelined for two months he could 14 or 15 games across four different competitions, depending on when his exact return would be.
Arsenal start that run by hosting Tottenham Hotspur in the first north London derby of the season on Sunday, three days before the visit of Bayern Munich in the Champions League. Then, it’s a trip to west London face to Chelsea, before further Premier League clashes with Brentford and Aston Villa.
From December 10 up to Christmas, the Gunners face Club Brugge, Wolves, Everton and a Carabao Cup quarter-final against Crystal Palace. Then, it’s Brightonand Aston Villa (again) before the end of 2025. Arsenal start the New Year with league encounters with Bournemouth and Liverpool, followed by an FA Cup third round tie against an as yet unconfirmed opponent. Fans will be hoping that by the time of the trip to Nottingham Forest on January 17, Gabriel will either be back on the verge of.
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Getty Images SportWho could replace Gabriel?
For at least a month, Arsenal will have to rely on someone else to partner William Saliba in the centre of defence. But there are at least a few different options.
Gabriel is the left-sided centre-back of the pairing, so the obvious automatic replacement would be Riccardo Calafiori, who has been so good at left-back this season that Myles Lewis-Skelly is struggling to get game time. The Italian is equally adept in the middle, although it would mean re-filling two positions rather just one in Arteta's strongest back four, as he would vacate the left-back role. That would at least benefit Lewis-Skelly, who is unlikely to get into England's World Cup squad if he doesn't start playing more consistent games at club level.
The other left-sided alternative to come in is summer signing Piero Hincapie. The Ecuador international has endured a slow start to his Arsenal career but is proven to be a high-calibre defender from his days at Bayer Leverkusen.
Cristhian Mosquera, Jurrien Timber and Ben White could all be considered, but the right-sided options could potentially be a square peg in a round hole on the left, or require Saliba to move out of his preferred position to compensate.
McSweeney made a crucial 39 in Adelaide after a difficult debut in Perth, but is glad he’s getting to face tough opponents so early in his international career
Andrew McGlashan11-Dec-20241:16
Katich on Steven Smith: History says he won’t be back to best
As Australia closed in on bowling India out during the opening day of the Adelaide Test, and with the floodlights taking effect, Usman Khawaja walked towards his opening partner Nathan McSweeney. “This could be good fun,” he said.Like in Perth, the bowlers had done their job by limiting India to 180 but a pivotal session loomed against Jasprit Bumrah armed with a new ball at night. Faced with a similar period to bat in on the opening day at Optus Stadium, in the daylight, Australia sank to 67 for 7.This time was different. Khawaja didn’t make it through, edging Bumrah to slip late in his first spell, although after weathering a vital 48 minutes. However, a couple of hours later, McSweeney, in just his second Test, walked off unbeaten alongside Marnus Labuschagne. McSweeney would fall to Bumrah early the next morning, but a scorebook that reads ’39’ does not tell the full story: he had helped lay the foundation for victory.Related
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Mitchell Marsh 'ready to bowl as much' as Australia need him to in Brisbane
Who has inflicted the most golden ducks in Test cricket?
For someone who hadn’t opened before this season, McSweeney’s first two Tests have been a baptism of fire. He was lbw to Bumrah twice in Perth and overall has been dismissed by him three times in 46 deliveries for 11 runs, which suggests a one-sided battle. But it’s a contest McSweeney knows will stand him in good stead.”To get a bowler like Jasprit early in my career, it’s not going to get much tougher than that and I take some confidence from getting through a spell in Adelaide,” he said. “The more I face, the more comfortable I’ll get against him.”Facing him for the first time – he’s quite a unique bowler. He’s obviously world-class and a bit different to most bowlers I’ve faced. [It’s about] adapting to his angle and where he delivers on the crease. I got two pretty good balls from him [in Perth], so to try and wear that on the chin and trust what I’ve been doing is going to be good enough.”He got me again in Adelaide – he’s a great bowler, and really enjoying the experience of trying to work out a game plan on the run against a world-class player. Hopefully I’ll get better the more I face him and can throw a few more punches here at the Gabba.”After the challenges of his debut, McSweeney spoke to the close circle of people he trusts, including Labuschagne, his South Australia batting coach Steve Stubbings, and his father. “He’s watched me playing since I was a kid and keeps it quite simple,” he said of his dad’s input. He also praised the role of Pat Cummins for soaking up the pressure that was coming the team’s way.
“He’s a super generous guy. No doubt he had some things to work on for himself but [he was able] to give me the time to really help me out. It gives me some confidence as well”Nathan McSweeney on Marnus Labuschagne
Forming a crucial stand with close friend Labuschagne was especially satisfying, and McSweeney acknowledged the help he had given him despite his own game being under significant scrutiny heading into the Adelaide Test.”He’s a super generous guy,” McSweeney said. “No doubt he had some things to work on for himself but [he was able] to give me the time to really help me out. It gives me some confidence as well. [I’m in my] first game trying to work out, he’s 50 games in and still trying to tinker and work things out. Guess that’s the game of cricket; as a batter you miss out more than you make runs unfortunately at times.”McSweeney added that he was starting to get used to some of the smaller changes that opening the batting has required, such as adjusting his eyes to the light when the opposition are nine down and ensuring his kit is ready to go for the ten-minute turnaround. “I’ll continue to hopefully get better and learn the tricks of the trade.”The third Test in Brisbane brings McSweeney back home. It was Queensland where his professional career began before the move to South Australia from where the rapid rise to the Test side has followed over the last couple of seasons.”The ticket allocation for me has been exhausted already,” he joked. “It’s going to be a great experience and an awesome one for my family. I had one in Adelaide last week now I get to have another home Test in Brisbane.”Nathan McSweeney played a big role for Australia in the second Test•Getty ImagesWith that local knowledge in hand, McSweeney was not getting carried away by talk of a green pitch at the Gabba three days out from the game. There has been rain over the last couple of days, but a couple of fine days are forecast ahead of the Test before potential showers over the weekend.Last year’s Brisbane Test, where West Indies famously won by seven runs, was played in mid-January, as was the 2020-21 clash between these two sides, which dramatically went India’s way as they sealed the series. Australia’s players are pleased the Test is back in a pre-Christmas slot.”Different times of year definitely makes it different, it can be a slightly different pitch,” head groundsman David Sandurski said. “Pitches later in the season might have a bit more wear and tear while ones early in the season usually are a bit fresher and might have a bit more in them.”Generally speaking, we still prepare the pitch the exact same way every time to try and get the same good carry, pace and bounce that the Gabba is known for. We are just trying to make a traditional Gabba wicket like we do each year.”There remains a reasonable chance that Josh Hazlewood could feature as he continues to make encouraging progress in his recovery from the side strain that kept him out of Adelaide. He will have another full bowl on Thursday. Australia’s optional practice on Wednesday, where McSweeney was one of a handful to train alongside Labuschagne and Steven Smith, was forced indoors at the National Cricket Centre due to the rain earlier in the day.