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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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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.

كشفت تقارير صحفية أن مصطفى شوبير حارس الأهلي أصبح محل اهتمام أحد الأندية المرموقة في أوروبا تمهيداً للحصول على خدماته.

ونقلاً عن صحيفة “الماركا” فقد أشار الصحفي “ماتيو موريتو” إلى أن حارس مرمى جيرونا، ليفاكوفيتش قد يرحل عن صفوف الفريق خلال سوق الانتقالات الشتوية القادمة.

لذلك أصبح جيرونا مهتمًا بالتعاقد مع أحد الحارسين، مصطفى شوبير من الأهلي أو حارس مرمى فياريال دييجو كوندي.

ويعد الحارس المصري صاحب الـ25 عاماً ودييجو كوندي حارس مرمى فياريال هما الخياران اللذين يدرسهما جيرونا حالياً لتعزيز مركز حراسة المرمى في يناير.

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وسيخلق رحيل ليفاكوفيتش عن جيرونا مكاناً شاغراً لذلك يبحث النادي عن تدعيم صفوفه في مركز حراسة المرمى، وقد تكون فرصة رائعة للحارس المصري مصطفى شوبير للانتقال إلى ملاعب الليجا الاسبانية.

ويمتد عقد مصطفى شوبير مع الأهلي حتى 30 يونيو 2026، وقد ترددت تكهنات خلال الفترة الماضية أن الأهلي يعمل على تجديده للحفاظ عليه خلال السنوات القادمة.

ويحتل جيرونا المركز الـ18 في جدول ترتيب الدوري الاسباني برصيد 12 نقطة من انتصارين و6 تعادلات و7 هزائم.

Price century followed by four wickets for departing seamer Zaman Akhter as Derbyshire fall short

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay05-Aug-2025Ollie Price illuminated the final day of the Towergate Cheltenham Festival, scoring a superb hundred as Gloucestershire beat Derbyshire Falcons by 59 runs to make a winning start to their Metro Bank One-Day Cup campaign.The Oxford-born batter posted 103 from 115 balls and staged stands of 141 with James Bracey and 97 with Ben Charlesworth for the second and third wickets respectively as the home side ran up an imposing 341-8 at the famous College Ground. Promoted to open the innings, Bracey contributed an enterprising 83, while Charlesworth and skipper Jack Taylor weighed in with half-centuries.Brooke Guest raised a brilliant 86 from 88 balls and shared stands of 64 with Matt Montgomery and 76 with Amrit Basra, who scored 42 and 40 respectively, as the Falcons made a decent fist of chasing. But paceman Zaman Akhter returned figures of 4 for 47, including a decisive spell of three wickets in six balls, to swing the contest back in Gloucestershire’s favour and ensure Derbyshire were dismissed for 282 in 45.5 overs.Derbyshire won the toss, elected to field and saw debutant Rory Haydon remove Australian Test batsman Cameron Bancroft lbw in a tidy new-ball spell of 1-16 from six overs with one maiden. Driving and cutting fluently, Bracey and Price found runs easier to come by against Ben Aitchison from the Chapel End. these two matching one another blow for blow as boundaries began to flow. When Nick Potts replaced Aitchison, Bracey hoisted him high over mid-wicket for six to bring up the half century stand, twice repeating the feat with further effortless pick-ups a few overs later to afford the innings added impetus.Bracey went to 50 via 40 balls with 4 fours and 3 sixes and then smashed Potts for another six over mid-wicket as the innings assumed three figures. Potts was withdrawn after conceding 42 from three overs, but there was no reduction in the rate of scoring from the Chapel End, Price reverse sweeping Montgomery’s off spin for four to raise the hundred partnership in just 15 overs. He brought up his 50 via 59 balls soon afterwards.Derbyshire desperately required a breakthrough and Montgomery obliged, bowling Bracey via an inside edge with the score 148-2 in the 23rd. Bracey had dominated a stand of 141, his aggressive knock spanning 66 balls, including 8 fours and 4 sixes and affording his side an excellent platform. Price and Charlesworth consolidated thereafter, adding 50 for the third wicket in 63 balls in the face of accurate bowling from Joe Hawkins and Basra.A bumper Festival audience rose to acknowledge Price’s fourth List-A hundred, the 24-year-old reaching the landmark in 111 balls with a swept single behind square off Montgomery. Having hit 10 fours and a six, he was then bowled by Andersson. But there was no respite for the visitors, Charlesworth moving seamlessly to a run-a-ball half century with 4 fours and a six.Aitchison had Charlesworth held at long-on for a 59-ball 60 and Graeme van Buuren caught at the wicket for eight as Derbyshire briefly applied the brakes, only for the experienced Jack Taylor to combine power and deft placement in raising a quickfire 67 from 37 balls with 10 fours and a six to carry Gloucestershire out of sight.Forced to score briskly from the outset, Derbyshire lost Harry Came to scoreboard pressure in the seventh, the opener driving a length ball from Matt Taylor straight to mid-on with 24 on the board. But Caleb Jewell and Montgomery made amends, finding the boundary with sufficient regularity to advance the score to 53 at the end of 10 overs.Returning to Gloucestershire on loan seven years after leaving to join Warwickshire, Craig Miles struck an important blow when persuading Australian Jewell to cut to Charlesworth at backward point for 35 with the score 61 for 2. But the visitors continued to make a fight of it, Montgomery and Guest bringing up 100 inside 18 overs to keep the required rate at around 7.5 an over. The 50 partnership occupied 55 balls, the third wicket pair establishing themselves in a manner which suggested Gloucestershire might not have things all their own way.Having accrued a six and 5 fours in raising a 39-ball 42, Montgomery blotted his copybook, playing back to van Buuren’s slow left arm and chopping on to terminate a partnership of 64 in 11.3 overs as Falcons slipped to 125 for 3. Akhter and van Buuren applied the squeeze during the middle overs and Jack Taylor benefited, having Martin Andersson held at extra cover with the score 152 for 4.Derbyshire were still in with a chance while Guest remained at large, the captain going to 50 from 61 balls, while debutant Basra demonstrated clever improvisation to hit the ground running, plundering sixes at the expense of Jack Taylor, Josh Shaw and Miles to keep the reply on track.Gloucestershire needed a wicket and Akhter responded by taking three in the space of six balls. He bowled the combative Basra for a 31-ball 40, had Guest held at long-on in his next over and then removed Ross Whitely cheaply to reduce the Falcons to 234 for 7 and relieve pressure on his team. Requiring a further 107 from 11.1 overs, Derbyshire were never really in the hunt thereafter, Aitchison succumbing to Matt Taylor for 19 as the chase ran out of steam.

First and foremost, Newcastle United have no pressing concerns relating to finances and the ever-ominous profit and sustainability rules in the Premier League.

Furthermore, technical director Ross Wilson is now settled into his chair in the St. James’ Park offices, and have formed a good early relationship with Eddie Howe as they look to tackle key areas of the squad.

Now is the time for action. It’s been a wobbly start to the season after a summer of upheaval, but United are beginning to show green shoots in their bid to cement themselves as Champions League contenders and a multi-trophy-winning outfit.

Defensive positions are being examined, but with Joelinton’s form lacking in stages this season, Howe wants a new midfielder.

The question on everyone’s lips: Will it be Elliot Anderson?

Newcastle chasing elite midfielder

Howe spoke at the start of October about his desire to bring Anderson back home. The 23-year-old was sold to Nottingham Forest in 2024 and he has since become a top-class midfielder. It was not a happy sale for the Magpies, whose hand was forced by PSR.

Now, United want him back. The problem? Manchester City and Manchester United are also keen, and the Tricky Trees have priced their gem in excess of £100m.

This is a superstar in the making. Already, he is ranking favourably against the likes of Sandro Tonali in the Newcastle midfield; the Italian is widely regarded as one of the best in the Premier League.

If Newcastle are fruitless in their bid to sign Anderson, they could do worse than fall back on Scott McTominay, who was named the Serie A MVP last season after leading Napoli to the Scudetto.

As per Chronicle Live, McTominay is reportedly unsettled in Naples and is considering a return to the Premier League. Newcastle would be right there, offering the Scotland star a chance to take his career to the next level.

Valued at £70m, McTominay, 28, will not be short of suitors in 2026, but sources close to the player suggest that he would be open to moving to Tyneside and working under Howe’s stewardship.

What McTominay would offer Newcastle

It’s a testament to McTominay’s meteoric rise in Italy that had Newcastle signed him from Manchester United, it would have been a move met with indifference.

But now, he is revered as a hero for both club and country, 18th in the 2025 Ballon d’Or rankings and regarded as a “true superstar of European and world football”, as said by content creator Adam Joseph.

Ole Gunnar Solskjær, his former boss at Old Trafford, also hailed him as a “physical monster” once, and this is why McTominay could be such an interesting Anderson alternative.

He is capable of show-stopping moments, but the Tartan Army hero also has the athleticism and defensive attributes to dovetail right into Howe’s engine room.

His high duel success bespeaks his tenacity, and his eye for goal makes him an intriguing option to place just ahead of Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes, both elegant and combative players with excellent passing ranges, sure to pick out the Napoli star’s surges into the danger area.

Matches (starts)

37 (33)

34 (33)

Goals

2

12

Assists

6

4

Touches*

54.2

43.1

Accurate passes*

28.7 (82%)

22.7 (85%)

Chances created*

1.0

0.8

Dribbles*

1.0

1.1

Ball recoveries*

5.6

4.2

Tackles + interceptions*

2.5

2.0

Duels (won)*

6.5

6.1

Anderson has since raised his level, but McTominay has hardly regressed himself, instrumental in a title-defending Napoli team that trail first-placed AC Milan this season by only a single point.

There is a winning mentality about McTominay that Newcastle need to take their project to the next level, and while the 23-year-old Anderson would be a fantastic addition, this would provide Howe with the instant effect he and his team need.

Newcastle need a new midfielder, and that won’t change. Either of these stars would mark stunning acquisitions.

He wants to leave: PIF must sell Newcastle's "poor man's Haaland"

Newcastle United must cash in on this player who reportedly wants to move on from the club in January.

1 ByDan Emery Dec 1, 2025

Crystal Palace may have a big decision to make in the January transfer window, with it being revealed Real Madrid are preparing a bid for one of their key players.

Palace fighting for European qualification

Palace have taken major strides under the helm of Oliver Glasner, winning the FA Cup for the first time in their history last season, which granted qualification for the Europa Conference League, and they are now knocking on the door to make it to Europe once again.

The Eagles are flying high in the Premier League, currently sitting in fourth, moving into the Champions League places as a result of a 2-1 victory away at Fulham last time out.

Adam Wharton once again put in a top-quality performance, assisting Eddie Nketiah’s opening goal, with the Englishman attracting interest from the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool ahead of the January transfer window.

Real Madrid have also been named as potential suitors for Wharton in the past, but he is not the only Crystal Palace star of interest to the Champions League club, according to a report from Spain, which states they are now preparing a €40m (£35m) offer for Marc Guehi.

Guehi has been identified as the ideal target for the Spanish side, who are looking to bring in a new centre-back in the January transfer window, given that Éder Militão is set to spend up to four months on the treatment table.

The Eagles will have a big decision to make in the January transfer window, given that Glasner has already made it clear Guehi wants to leave in 2026, and they are currently at risk of losing him on a free transfer in the summer.

Palace sanctioning Guehi's departure would be major risk

Palace currently have a real opportunity to make more history this season, given that they are currently in the Champions League places, and letting their captain leave next month would jeopardise their chances of finishing in the top four.

The England international has been Glasner’s most consistent performer in the Premier League this season, averaging a 7.40 SofaScore match rating, the highest of any player in the squad.

Crystal Palace eyeing January move for goal-scoring star with 13 G/A in 2025

The Eagles have identified a new target, ahead of a potential winter move.

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The 25-year-old has averaged 2.03 tackles per 90 over the past year, placing him in the 87th percentile compared to other centre-backs, while he has also displayed his attacking qualities, picking up two goals and three assists in the Premier League this season.

Although it may be difficult to resist a big January bid for Guehi, given that he is set to leave in the summer, Crystal Palace should resist any approaches and keep the centre-back until the end of the season.

For a second season in a row, the same contest at the same ground produced the same, pulsating finish

ESPNcricinfo staff03-May-2025It’s Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Chennai Super Kings at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Yash Dayal has the ball. MS Dhoni is on strike. Ravindra Jadeja is at the other end. A 200-plus chase at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium has come down to the final over. Sounds familiar? For a second season in a row, the same contest at the same ground produced the same, pulsating finish. And yet again, when all the nerves and dust settled, it was the left-arm quick Dayal who held his own.Here’s how Shashwat Kumar called it on ESPNcricinfo’s ball-by-ball commentary:Related

Dayal trumps CSK in last over again to take RCB to the top

19.1 Yash Dayal to Dhoni, 1 run
low full toss on middle and leg. Dhoni cannot get under this and scuffs it down the ground to long on. Throws his head back in disappointment soon after19.2 Yash Dayal to Jadeja, 1 run
full toss on middle and leg and Jadeja cannot put it away. Drags it towards deep mid wicket and this over has begun with two singles off two balls19.3 Yash Dayal to Dhoni, OUT
massive lbw shout, and the finger goes up! No MS Dhoni magic at the Chinnaswamy tonight! Low full toss slanting into leg stump. Dhoni has a massive swipe at it but does not get any bat on it. Gets rapped on the pads and the finger goes up. Dhoni has reviewed this but it could be more in hope than anything else. The impact is in line and Ball Tracking has the ball crashing into leg stump. A monumental moment in this game, and Dayal has outwitted Dhoni two years in a row at the Chinnaswamy!19.4 Yash Dayal to Dube, (no ball) SIX runs
that is a high full toss and Dube smashes it out of sight! Borderline waist-high full toss outside off and Dube cannot believe what has been dished out. After scratching his eyes, he thumps it over deep mid wicket. No ball not given, and Dube has reviewed this. This could be touch-and-go! Dube’s waist is measured at 1.11m, and Ball Tracking shows the ball to be passing him at 1.14m. That will be a No ball – oh dearie me!19.4 Yash Dayal to Dube, 1 run
full toss just outside off. Dube swings at it with all his might and scuffs it down the ground to long off. Just a single, and the onus shifts back onto Jadeja19.5 Yash Dayal to Jadeja, 1 run
zipped in very full on off. Jadeja looks to go downtown but can only find the inside edge and then the front pad. Rolls away harmlessly into the off side19.6 Yash Dayal to Dube, 1 run
Dayal wins it for RCB again! Up against the five-time champions, Dayal shows that he is a champion to be reckoned with too. Under extreme pressure, and under extreme duress, RCB pull a win out of the fire, and they are going absolutely bonkers. It was proper carnage at the Chinnaswamy and after 40 overs of high-octane cricket, RCB stand atop the team that has caused them so much pain in the past! Full toss just outside off. Dube clears his front leg and swings for the hills. Cannot get under it and cannot find the gap either. Drilled straight to long on and that will be just a single. Spare a thought for CSK. They came so close, but in the end, fell short. A truly remarkable game of cricket, and one that those at the ground will reminisce and rejoice in years to come!