They might have dropped points for the first time since late September on Saturday, but Arsenal remain atop the Premier League table heading into the international break.

Mikel Arteta’s side are four points clear of Manchester City in second place and have looked utterly sensational for much of the season, even with most of their attackers out of action.

Moreover, those who have remained fit have stepped up massively so far and currently look like some of the best players in the country, if not in Europe.

One of those stars is, of course, Declan Rice, but even the Englishman is being outperformed by another of Arsenal’s most important players, someone who could be one of their best-ever signings in the Premier League era.

Rice's development at Arsenal

When Arsenal splashed a club record £105m on Rice in the summer of 2023, most fans expected him to come in and become the club’s first choice six for the foreseeable future.

After all, while he had played in other positions for West Ham United, he was first and foremost a defensive midfielder in East London.

Unsurprisingly, this was how Arteta used the Englishman for much of the 23/24 season, with him making 31 appearances at the base of midfield, 19 in central areas and one at centre-back.

However, towards the end of that season, the manager was playing his record signing higher up the pitch, and that trend continued into the following campaign, where the 26-year-old became far more of an all-action, box-crashing left-eight.

For example, by the end of the season, he had made 37 appearances in central midfield and just 15 as a six, and as a result, his output massively improved, with him scoring nine goals and providing ten assists.

It seemed that the former Hammers’ captain would continue to play further up the pitch this season, especially with Martin Zubimendi joining the club, but once again, and for the third consecutive campaign, his role has slightly changed.

The 70-capped Englishman is still starting games in central midfield, but on top of getting forward and crashing into the opposition’s penalty area, he is once again dropping deep at times, specifically to create a double pivot with his new Spanish teammate.

Rice’s Arsenal career

Appearances

120

Starts

109

Minutes

9613′

Goals

18

Assists

25

Goal Involvements per Match

0.35

Minutes per Goal Involvement

223.55

Points per Game

2.10

All Stats via Transfermarkt

This change is clearly visible during games and on his heatmaps, but he was also happy to tell the press during the last international break that the manager has “adjusted my position at Arsenal a bit this year to give me a bit more freedom to drop deeper but to also get in the box when I can.”

Add an outrageous ability with dead balls that has already seen him chalk up five assists to go with his two goals this season, and it’s easy to see why so many consider Rice to be one of the best players in the league.

However, even with how well he is playing this year, there is another Arsenal star doing even better who could be in for a shout as being one of the club’s best signings in the Premier League era.

The Arsenal star who could be one of their best-ever PL signings

The good news for Arsenal fans and Arteta is that several players in the current squad could potentially fit this description.

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However, when it comes to someone who has really taken yet another step up this season, it’s practically impossible to ignore Gabriel Magalhães.

The Brazilian was once seen as something of a liability at the back, so much so that he made just 32 appearances, totalling 2807 minutes, across all competitions during his first season with the club.

However, he began to steadily improve after that initial campaign, and while there were rumours of him being up for sale in the summer of 2023, he’s become utterly invaluable since.

In fact, while William Saliba is viewed as the more cultured of the two centre-backs, and was constantly touted for a move to Real Madrid before his contract renewal, it could be said that the Brazilian has been the better player across the last two years.

Gabriel’s Arsenal record

Season

Games

G+As

25/26

17

5

24/25

42

8

23/24

50

5

22/23

48

3

21/22

39

5

20/21

32

4

All Stats via Transfermarkt

For example, he has almost entirely rid his game of the silly mistakes that hurt his reputation early on and has become a titan at the back.

Moreover, while he is more than capable of the cute passes his French partner likes to play, he also has that old-school approach to the game.

He makes more than his fair share of perfectly timed but nonetheless thunderous all-action challenges that get the fans on their feet.

Add to that the fact he’s 6 foot 3, a vocal leader and clearly someone who loves the art of defending, and it’s easy to see why Arsenal writer Adam Keys has described him as the Gunners’ “colossus” at the back.

Now, the 27-year-old’s defensive contributions, which played a vital role in the club’s eight clean sheets in a row, would be reason enough for him to be classed as one of their best signings in the Premier League era, but he’s more than just a defender.

Since joining the league, no defender has been involved in more goals than the Brazilian, and across all competitions, he has racked up an outrageous tally of 22 goals and eight assists.

Seeing the São Paulo-born monster’s name on the scoresheet at the end of a game has become something of an inevitability this season, and yet opposition teams remain incapable of stopping it from happening.

Ultimately, Rice is a world-class player, but over the last couple of years, especially this season, Gabriel has been operating just above him, and therefore, could be one of Arsenal’s best-ever Premier League signings.

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Juan Soto signed the biggest contract in sports history this offseason and the process to get there was anything but straightforward.

In December, Soto inked a 15-year, $765 million with the New York Mets. That came after a long courting process that began with the crosstown Yankees as his preferred destination. Now we know how the 26-year-old superstar went about picking the Mets.

Sports Illustrated's Tom Verducci released an article about the Mets and Soto on Tuesday and it goes in-depth on how the franchise lured its new slugger to Queens and how he went about deciding to sign there. Soto wasn't making his decision alone, as his father and mother combined with him to create what agent Scott Boras called the Supreme Court of Soto.

From Verducci's piece:

The Pittsburgh Pirates submitted a wild entry to the 2025 MLB season blooper reel Wednesday during their 2–1 win over the St. Louis Cardinals in extra innings.

With two outs and two on in the top of the eighth inning in a scoreless ballgame, Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras hit a pop up for what should have been an easy third out. However, Pirates catcher Joey Bart struggled locate the ball in the air, and first baseman Endy Rodriguez came flying in to make the catch.

Rodriguez, however, didn't see Bart, and he tackled him like a linebacker demolishing a quarterback on a blitz.

As the ball dropped to the ground in fair territory, Cardinals infielder Tyler Saggese tried to tiptoe his way around Bart and Rodriguez in the baseline and touch home plate for a 1–0 lead. But Ke'Bryan Hayes scooped up the baseball and tagged Saggese out.

What just happened?

Recovering from the eighth-inning collision, Bart proved to be the hero Wednesday by hitting a walk-off single in the bottom of the 13th. The Pirates escaped with a 2–1 victory to improve to 5-8 on the season.

Arsenal are a little bit good, aren’t they? Heading towards the final weekend of November, Mikel Arteta’s charges sit at the top of the Premier League.

Not just in cracking form domestically, defeating rivals Spurs 4-1 last Sunday, they are also more than up to the task in Europe.

Following five match weeks in the Champions League this season, they are top of the table there as well and they are the only team with a 100% record left in the competition.

Their recent win was perhaps one of their most special of the Arteta era. Arsenal dispatched Bayern Munich, unbeaten Bayern this season, winning 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium.

But, how did they do it?

Arsenal's squad depth reigns supreme against Bayern

What was made all the more impressive about Arsenal’s win against Vincent Kompany’s men was the fact that the Gunners were not at full strength.

No Gabriel? No problem. Jurrien Timber will score from a corner instead. No recognised number 9? Fear not, Mikel Merino will knit things together.

No Martin Odegaard? Well, Eberechi Eze will keep things ticking over. After scoring a stunning hat-trick against Spurs, he registered an assist on Wednesday evening.

No Bukayo Saka? Well, that doesn’t appear to be a problem now either. Saka did start the game but was not at his best against the German giants and while he was still dangerous with his actions, it was the winger’s substitution just after the hour mark that tipped things in Arsenal’s favour.

The first half had been pretty even but the second period was all in favour of the hosts and they really came to the fore once Saka was subbed. In previous seasons, Arteta would rarely dare to take the club’s talisman off but Andrea Berta’s work in the summer transfer window has ensured that we no longer need to worry about that.

Saka went off and before you knew it, Noni Madueke was firing home at the back stick to make it 2-1. The goal had been created by another sub, Riccardo Calafiori, who galloped down the left-hand side like a prize race horse and swung in an inch-perfect delivery.

The third and final goal was tucked home by another substitute in the form of Gabriel Martinelli. Eze clipped a ball over the top and the Brazilian was left with an easy finish after he knocked the ball past an onrushing Manuel Neuer, who did not cover himself in glory at all.

So, it was a win for Arsenal and a win for Berta who fought tooth and nail to spend a shedload on improving the club’s depth. That work could well be decisive as they aim to win both the Premier League and Champions League.

That said, it wasn’t a positive night for everyone in red and white.

Arsenal's biggest concern after Bayern

Seeing Leandro Trossard, a man in the form of his career right now, limp off with an injury in the first half wasn’t ideal but ultimately the quality of Arsenal’s depth shone through. Madueke and Martinelli came on to get Arsenal over the line.

Equally, Calafiori came on and gave Arsenal far more than a certain Myles Lewis-Skelly had given during his 68 minutes on the field.

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Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

For supporters, there have been concerns about the form and minutes of the teenager this season. Last term, he burst onto the scene in incredible fashion.

With Calafiori out injured, Lewis-Skelly was the main man at left-back and as a consequence, he became a regular in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad. He even scored on his debut for the Three Lions.

There was that goal and that celebration against Manchester City too. He was nominated for PFA Young Player of the Season as well.

Yet, 2025/26 has been more difficult for Lewis-Skelly. The 18-year-old featured in the first couple of England camps but was told during the November break by Tuchel that he simply needed to be starting more games. Fair enough, right?

He was not dismissing the fact that Lewis-Skelly is a good player, but you simply aren’t going to make it in a World Cup squad if you aren’t playing football.

There have still been some positive performances from the Hale Ender this term. There was that stunning assist for Martinelli’s goal against Atletico Madrid in the earlier stages of the Champions League. It was a piece of play that showcased exactly what he’s all about.

Yet, against Bayern, we saw a player lacking in first-team minutes and ultimately a player lacking in confidence.

Minutes played

68

Touches

25

Accurate passes

7/12 (58%)

Key passes

0

Accurate crosses

0/1

Dribbles

0

Shots

0

Duels won

3/11

Recoveries

2

Tackles

1

Lewis-Skelly’s night wasn’t disastrous but he did endure a more challenging evening than his teammates. The England international was caught out by a brilliant ball in behind from Joshua Kimmich that led to Bayern’s equaliser.

Former Gunner, Serge Gnabry, got in behind the youngster and then laid the ball on a plate for 17-year-old Lennart Karl to score. In a battle of the teenagers, it was the German who triumphed on this occasion.

Lewis-Skelly spent most of the night rather uncomfortable with The Standard handing the full-back a 5/10 match rating, having endured a ‘tough evening against Michael Olise’.

In fairness, few will enjoy a comfortable night against a player of Olise’s calibre but Calafiori’s influence off the bench only served to show why Arteta has preferred the Italian this season.

Lewis-Skelly’s night was made all the worse by his lack of impact in possession. Usually an area that’s so impressive in his game, he had fewer touches of the ball (25) than David Raya (45) while he only completed seven passes. Only 33% of his passes in the opposition half were accurate.

So, this was a rare off night for a kid usually so captivating and so full of energy. He struggled. So what? Yet, he will have to improve if he wants to earn more regular minutes. For now, expect Calafiori to come back into the starting lineup for Chelsea at the weekend.

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One of Carrington’s most impressive players left media stunned as Manchester United’s U18s thrashed rivals Liverpool 7-0 in the U18 Premier League.

Man Utd's U18s thrash Liverpool

The present-day Man United side may not be firing on all cylinders, but their academy continues to produce some absolute gems. It’s been responsible for Marcus Rashford and, more recently, Kobbie Mainoo in recent years – not to mention Scott McTominay – and could have more young stars on the way.

The Red Devils’ U18s side even got some revenge for their first-team this weekend by thrashing Liverpool U18s 7-0 in ruthless fashion. Goals from Bendito Mantato, Louie Bradbury, Jim Thwaites, Samuel Lusale and a hat-trick from JJ Gabriel saw those at Carrington make a statement on Saturday afternoon.

Of course, the success of the academy has always been a priority for those at Old Trafford and Ruben Amorim recently ensured that he extended their record of having a homegrown gem in every matchday squad since 1937.

After handing Jack Fletcher a place on his bench against Tottenham Hotspur, Amorim told reporters: “It’s really important. I think again we are in the moment [where] if we are going to take some corners and succeed right away, it’s the wrong thing.

“There are some things especially in our club that we need to be bulletproof. It’s the way we behave, the way we feel the club and all these small things. We are not going to stop with the Academy players.”

It may not be too long before 15-year-old Gabriel gets the call to the first-team, either. The young forward left media stunned in an incredible display against Liverpool’s U18s.

JJ Gabriel "better than half" the Man Utd first-team, says reporter

Among those blown away by Gabriel was the Daily Mail’s Lewis Steele, who went as far as claiming that Gabriel “looks better than half their first team” at Man United.

After netting a hat-trick, the teenage sensation has taken his total for the season to seven goals and one assist in nine appearances in the U18 Premier League.

It won’t be long before Gabriel is progressing through the ranks in Man United’s academy and he looks destined to make his mark on the first-team in years to come. If some believe he looks better than some of the current stars now, he may be a world-beater by the time he turns 18.

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The future is still bright at Old Trafford even if Amorim’s first-team are struggling for consistency. Like it has done so often in the past, Man United’s academy could yet provide the spark that the Red Devils need to return to Europe’s top table.

South American gem now "on his way" to sign for Man Utd as INEOS seal £1m deal

Manchester United have now been told that a £50m offer for an “all action” midfielder will be accepted in the January transfer window.

Man Utd determined to sign central midfielder amid Casemiro update

Casemiro has emerged as one of Ruben Amorim’s key players this season, with the only Premier League game the Brazilian has missed being due to suspension, and Fabrizio Romano has now confirmed that talks over a new contract are now underway.

The transfer expert said: “So now the desire is from Man Utd obviously to continue with Casemiro, but on different conditions.

“So the salary he has right now is a salary Manchester United don’t want to pay in the future. Not because of unhappiness with the player, but because they want to change the salary structure.”

Given that the Brazilian rakes in a whopping £350k-a-week, it is no surprise United are keen to reduce his salary, and it would also be savvy to bring in a long-term replacement for the former Real Madrid man, considering he is set to turn 34 in February.

As such, Man United have recently identified Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Joao Gomes as a target, and there has now been a development in their pursuit of the midfielder, having been told that a £50m offer would be accepted in January.

That is according to a report from Football Insider, which reveals Man United are determined to bring in a new central midfielder, having missed out on their key summer targets, and they could launch a move for Gomes when the upcoming transfer window opens.

Wolves are hesitant to sanction a departure, which is why they are demanding £50m, although the 24-year-old would still be far more affordable than Brighton & Hove Albion’s Carlos Baleba and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton, who would both cost over £100m.

"All action" Gomes could be viable Casemiro heir

Much like his compatriot, the Wolves star excels at winning back possession, having averaged 3.34 tackles per 90 over the past year, which places him in the 96th percentile when compared to other midfielders.

Scout Ben Mattinson has also confirmed he rates the Brazilian highly, describing him as an “all action” midfielder, a “dog of a ball winner” and an “excellent box crasher”, while also praising the central midfielder’s physicality.

The 10-time Brazil international is also now very experienced in the Premier League, having made 104 appearances in the competition for Wolves, during which time he has amassed seven goals and four assists.

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Gomes has proven he deserves a chance to prove himself at a bigger club, and Man United should definitely capitalise on Wolves being bottom of the table by trying to lure him away in the January transfer window.

West Ham United have now made an enquiry over the signing of Union Saint-Gilloise striker Promise David, amid doubts over Niclas Fullkrug’s future at the London Stadium.

West Ham have been much-improved from an attacking point of view since the beginning of November, scoring eight goals in their last three Premier League games, with Callum Wilson finding the back of the net three times in his last two outings.

Most recently, a first-half brace from the former Newcastle United man put the Hammers in a very strong position to pick up three points at AFC Bournemouth, but the Cherries fought back and Nuno’s side squandered a two-goal lead, which will undoubtedly be frustrating for the manager.

That said, Wilson’s recent form in front of goal is definitely encouraging, especially considering Niclas Fullkrug’s future with the Irons is now in major doubt, as revealed by Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg earlier this month.

West Ham lodge enquiry to sign Promise David

With Wilson’s current deal to expire in the summer, and the Englishman potentially in the latter stages of his career at 33-years-old, West Ham have now made contact over a deal for a new striker, namely Union Saint-Gilloise star David.

That is according to a report from Claret & Hugh, which states enquiries have been made about a deal for the centre-forward, with chief analyst Max Hahn particularly keen on bringing in players from the Belgian Pro League.

The 24-year-old remains under contract at the Belgian club until 2030, which puts them in a strong negotiating position, but there are signs it could be worth the Hammers paying whatever they ask for.

The eight-time Canada international is off to a flying start to the campaign, having already scored eight goals in all competitions, including one on his Champions League debut in the 3-1 victory against PSV Eindhoven back in September.

The Ontario-born centre-forward also caught scout Jacek Kulig’s eye as a result of his form during the 2024-25 campaign, being lauded as “outstanding” in March, before going on to finish the season on 24 goals in all competitions.

With Fullkrug looking to move on, it would make sense to bring in a new striker this January, especially given that there are still likely to be concerns over Wilson’s injury record, having spent long periods on the treatment table during the previous two seasons.

Callum Wilson’s injury record

Games missed

2023-24

28

2024-25

29

It would be a gamble to sign David, with the Canadian yet to prove himself in a major European league, but his goalscoring record in Belgium is certainly encouraging.

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Posts ByTom Cunningham Nov 22, 2025

Australia achieved the highest successful chase in women’s ODIs

Shashank Kishore12-Oct-20253:54

Review: Healy was Australia’s bedrock

Alyssa Healy’s epic 142 powered Australia to the highest successful chase in women’s ODI history, leaving a packed Visakhapatnam stadium thinning very quickly towards the close as World Cup hosts India suffered a second successive heartbreak.Two nights after failing to defend 252 against South Africa, India’s decision to play just the five specialist bowlers will be debated long and hard after they were unable to work with a total of 330. Australia won with six balls to spare, and three wickets in hand; Ellyse Perry hoisting her WPL team-mate Sneh Rana down the ground to seal victory.Perry, who remained unbeaten on 47, had suffered a bout of cramps that forced her to retire hurt with Australia cruising at 154 for 1. Then she returned at the fall of Ash Gardner’s wicket with Australia needing 32 off 36. When Amanjot Kaur had Sophie Molineux lbw at the start of the 46th over, Australia were seven down.This is when Kim Garth joined forces with Perry to put on 28 crucial runs off 23 balls to see Australia home. Garth finished unbeaten on 14, including a superbly executed reverse-paddle off Rana in the penultimate over with Australia needing 13 off 11. The win, Australia’s third in four games, puts them on top of the table halfway through the World Cup.Ellyse Perry and Kim Garth walk off after Australia sealed the highest chase in women’s ODI history•Getty ImagesIndia were eventually left to rue the seven balls they didn’t play after a late and sensational collapse – they lost 9 for 138 in the last 30 overs to finish with 330 when they looked set to scale 350. Unlike Australia, who had Healy go on to convert her start into a maiden century as captain, and third in a World Cup, India were left waiting for their big innings, with both Smriti Mandhana (80) and Pratika Rawal (75) falling short of three-figures.Except left-arm spinner N Shree Charani, who displayed terrific control to put the brakes on Australia with figures of 3 for 41, the others wilted against Healy’s assault in trying conditions. Shree Charani bowled out in the 39th over, by which time Australia’s required rate was a-run-a-ball.It didn’t help that Kranti Gaud, full of bristling promise, had a second off day, conceding 73 in nine wicketless overs, while Sneh Rana, one of India’s form bowlers, went for 85 from her full quota. The make-up of India’s attack meant Harmanpreet Kaur had few alternatives on what was among the best batting surfaces of the tournament.Australia began cautiously, scoring just 25 off the first five overs before switching gears to ransack 57 in the next five. Healy’s fast hands were on display as she took 18 off Gaud’s fourth over, while Phoebe Lichfield cracked three consecutive boundaries off Amanjot Kaur before a missed stumping chance briefly spared her. India didn’t have to wait long, though, as Litchfield fell reverse-sweeping Shree Charani to Rana at point to end an 85-run opening stand off just 11.2 overs.Smriti Mandhana made 80 off 66•Getty ImagesFrom overs 6.6 to 10 alone, Australia hammered eight fours and two sixes, most from Healy, who dismantled India’s spinners with sweeps to every part of the leg side. Perry, scratchy early on, found rhythm alongside her, even resorting to reverse sweeps to unsettle Rana. Their fifty stand came in 55 balls, but India sensed an opening when Perry retired hurt and Beth Mooney and Annabel Sutherland, who celebrated her birthday earlier in the day with a five-for, fell in quick succession.Healy briefly reined herself in before surging to a brilliant century off 84 balls, managing the chase almost single-handedly despite struggling with cramps. Her dismissal, caught off a sliced drive to point was adjudged clean after a tight review where stand-in third umpire Kim Cotton looked in two minds. When she finally felt Rana’s hands were underneath the ball, it ended a stunning innings that comprised 21 fours and three sixes. It gave India a fleeting lift, but Perry’s return and Garth’s composure soon quashed any hopes of a late twist.India would look back on their batting performance with mixed emotions. They displayed the kind of sustained aggression they’ve long spoken about but rarely executed, yet the recurring collapses would be worrisome for the team management. From 192 for 1 at the 30-over mark, they looked set for 350-plus but fell woefully short, as they failed to capitalise on a superb 155-run opening stand between Mandhana and Rawal.India have lost two matches in a row now at the 2025 World Cup•Getty ImagesAfter three ordinary outings, Mandhana returned to her fluent self, reaching fifty off 46 balls. Her six off Molineux made her the first woman to score 1000 or more ODI runs in a calendar year, and she later became the fastest to 5000 runs in the format. While Mandhana took on Molineux, Rawal targeted Gardner, though their partnership was interspersed with spells of caution – like the passage that produced just 15 in five overs after they finished the powerplay at 58 for 0.This was largely down to Rawal’s cautiousness. That forced Mandhana to take more risks, producing audacious shots like a ramp over Healy’s head. Rawal’s 69-ball half-century helped post the second-highest World Cup partnership by any side against Australia before Mandhana fell for 80.Harleen Deol (38), Harmanpreet (22) and Jemimah Rodrigues (33) injected urgency unseen so far in this tournament but couldn’t convert their starts. The burden of providing the late surge yet again fell on Richa Ghosh, whose 94 against South Africa had bailed India out earlier. Here, though, a Sutherland slower ball undid her, triggering a collapse from 309 for 6 to 330 all out.Sutherland’s clever changes of pace and length earned her a maiden ODI five-for and throttled India’s momentum, leaving them disappointed at not making the most of the platform they had built so well.The loss now leaves India without a win against South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia at a World Cup (50 overs and T20 included) for five years now. And with England up next in a week in Indore, they’ll need to regroup quickly to keep pushing for the semi-finals.

Will Arsenal have any of their injured attackers back?

Ahead of Sunday’s North London derby, as well as star centre-back Gabriel, Gooners fear that as many as six forward players could remain on the sidelines.

Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Noni Madueke have all been out long-term, with Gabriel Martinelli, Viktor Gyökeres and Martin Ødegaard joining them in the treatment room more recently.

So, if none are back, Mikel Arteta remains very short of forward options, which isn’t ideal considering games against Tottenham, Bayern Munich and Chelsea are up next, meaning Mikel Merino could once again be thrust into the emergency centre-forward role.

With Ødegaard out, the Spaniard will have Eberechi Eze behind him, although the England international will need to improve upon his recent displays.

He did find the net for Thomas Tuchel’s side last week but hasn’t had much to cheer about in recent weeks beyond that.

Eberechi Eze's start to life at Arsenal

Eze’s move from Crystal Palace is the most excited the Arsenal fan base have been about a signing since Mesut Özil’s deadline day move from Real Madrid in 2013.

That’s not just because he is such an enthralling player, but the fact that he appeared destined to join Spurs, before a last-minute U-turn.

His presentation on the pitch prior to the first home game of the season against Leeds was genuinely a spine-tingling moment, but now the dust has settled, the discussion is around Eze’s performances.

Many suggested the England international had been signed to play on the left wing but, in the absence of Ødegaard, he has started the last eight Premier League and Champions League games in a more central role.

Well, so far, Eze has scored two goals and registered three assists, lashing in a spectacular scissor-kick against, who else, former club Crystal Palace in a 1-0 victory last month.

Nevertheless, supporters would like to see a little bit more end-product from their high-profile new addition, considering all the numerous absentees, aiming to add to his tally against Tottenham on Sunday; should he manage it, the roof might just come off.

Considering all their sidelined stars, determined not to allow another campaign to be derailed by injuries, could Andrea Berta and Arteta enter the transfer market in January, which opens in just 42 days, and attempt to bring “one of the best wingers in the world” to North London?

Arsenal targeting a world-class Eze upgrade

It was one of the sagas of the summer, but we’re back here again!

According to reports over recent days, Arsenal are willing to spend as much as £80m to sign Real Madrid winger Rodrygo, with further claims stipulating that Arsenal, Spurs and Manchester City have registered official offers for the player.

The 24-year-old has started just three times for los Blancos this season, included in Xabi Alonso’s lineup for just one of the last ten La Liga games, yet to score this season.

Despite this, Rodrygo did start both of Brazil’s friendlies during the international break, these against Senegal in North London and Tunisia in Lille, still very much trusted by Seleção boss Carlo Ancelotti, but could he push for a January move away from the Bernabéu to increase his chances of featuring prominently at the World Cup?

Thus, other reports in Spain claim that President Florentino Pérez would sanction a sale in January should a Premier League club bid £70m or more.

So would the winger be worth such heavy investment? Let’s compare his statistics last season to Eze to help answer that question.

Appearances

54

43

Minutes

3,453

3,303

Goals

14

14

Assists

11

11

Big chances missed

6

8

Shooting accuracy

53%

48%

Chances created per 90

2.3

2

Big chances created

9

11

Dribbles success %

58%

51.9%

Possession lost per 90

12.5

15.2

Touches per 90

67.1

54.9

As the table documents, the duo’s statistics were remarkably similar last season; the Brazilian played only 150 more minutes across all competitions, with Rodrygo and Eze both scoring 14 goals and registering exactly 11 assists apiece.

When looking at the underlying numbers though is where the difference is made apparent, with the Brazilian coming out on top when it comes to chances created, dribbling and touches per 90.

Spencer Mossman labels him “one of the best wingers in the world”, while Real Madrid teammate Jude Bellingham asserted that Rodrygo is “the most gifted player in the squad”, adding that he is “underrated” and “does a lot for the team”, something Arteta would certainly appreciate.

Thus, it is clear that Rodrygo and Eze are very different players, with the Englishman more of a chance creator, while the Brazilian is a direct winger who boasts blistering pace and the ability to take on and glide past defenders.

Right now, particularly with Martinelli, Madueke and Gyökeres in the treatment room, the Gunners would certainly benefit from adding someone with Rodrygo’s talent, skillset and quality, so could he be the final piece in the jigsaw as they chase that elusive first Premier League title for 22 years?

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MatériaMais Notícias

A nova comissão técnica do São Paulo, liderada pelo treinador argentino Luis Zubeldía, custará R$ 1 milhão por mês ao Tricolor. A quantia é o dobro em relação ao recebia Thiago Carpini e a sua equipe, mas ainda é inferior ao que Dorival Júnior e os seus auxiliares ganhavam: R$ 1,2 milhão mensais. O comandante do título da Copa do Brasil na temporada passada deixou o clube do Morumbi no início deste ano para assumir a Seleção Brasileira.

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Zubeldia é aguardado no Brasil neste sábado (20) e a tendência é que ele chegue acompanhado de um trio de auxiliares: Carlos Gruezo, Lucas Vivas e Maximiliano Cuebras. Os três profissionais estiveram com Luis no último trabalho do treinador, dirigindo a LDU. Na equipe equatoriana, a comissão foi campeã nacional e da Conmebol Sul-Americana em 2023, mas não chegou a um acordo pela permanência nesta temporada.

O intuito de Luis Zubeldía era se transferir para o mercado europeu em 2024, mas o estafe do técnico recebeu apenas contatos de clubes do Oriente Médio, que não agradaram o profissional, que voltou a priorizar ofertas de times sul-americanos. Assim, fechando com o São Paulo em contato feito nesta quinta-feira (18).

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O treinador argentino tem acordo firmado com a diretoria do Tricolor. O planejamento é que ele assine o contrato definitivo e seja anunciado assim que chegar em territóriobrasileiro.

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