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Manchester United’s poor start to the 2025/26 season has once again cranked up the pressure on manager Ruben Amorim, with uncertainty now emerging around his future.

The 40-year-old took the reins last November, but was unable to catapult the Red Devils up the Premier League table – subsequently ending the year in a record-low 15th place.

However, after £200m worth of new additions during the off-season, he’s been unable to transform the side, already losing 50% of their top-flight outings to date.

His side even got knocked out at the first hurdle in the Carabao Cup, losing to League Two side Grimsby Town on penalties, something which has no doubt pushed him closer to the exit door.

Despite constant reports that no change of manager is expected in the immediate future, numerous managers are being lined up to potentially take the reins at Old Trafford.

Man Utd’s manager hunt to replace Amorim

Over the last couple of days, Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has been hugely linked with the role at United – understandably so given his recent form at Selhurst Park.

The Austrian has led the Eagles to an 18-game unbeaten run, beating Liverpool at the weekend and subsequently adding to their recent FA Cup and Community Shield triumphs.

However, he’s not the only boss currently in their sights at present, with the Red Devils hierarchy considering a move for Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola, according to The Sun.

Their report claims that the United board are hugely impressed with his work at the Vitality and could be tempted to make a move should Amorim be given his marching orders.

It also states that he’s part of the club’s current shortlist to replace the 40-year-old, currently sitting alongside Glasner, but it remains to be seen if they are set to pursue either of the aforementioned candidates.

Why United’s latest target would be their answer to Arteta

Whilst Arsenal are a club very few United fans are content with, many of the supporters must be feeling an ounce of jealously in the direction of the Gunners under Mikel Arteta.

The Spaniard is nearing six years in charge at the Emirates, only winning one major trophy, but he’s transformed the side into consistent Premier League title contenders.

His side have finished as runners up in each of the last three years, but could go one further this time around, subsequently showing glimpses of a successful side – as seen by their late comeback against Newcastle United.

The 43-year-old has given the fanbase a reason to be proud of their club, something which Iraola has also done with the Cherries – but certainly on a different level to his compatriot.

He took charge of the South Coast outfit back in the summer of 2023, but has taken the club to new heights – achieving their best ever top-flight finish by ending the year in 9th last time around.

However, he’s certainly faced adversity in recent times, losing key players like Dean Huijsen, Milos Kerkez and Illia Zabarnyi to many of Europe’s giants during the recent summer.

Despite the departures, he’s led the Cherries to 6th place after the first six outings, with their only defeat coming against Liverpool on the opening day at Anfield.

In the words of journalist James Horncastle – via John Brewin of the Libero podcast – he is the “best coach in the Premier League”.

Iraola, who’s been labelled “phenomenal” by one journalist, has achieved a 40% win rate at the Vitality, winning 38 of his 94 matches in charge – subsequently doing so on a shoestring budget.

There’s no doubt he would have a huge amount of money to play with at United, which in turn could allow him to make the desired changes to try and battle with his compatriot, who’s in charge of the Gunners.

Games managed

82

Wins

31

Draws

22

Losses

29

Goals scored

120

Goals conceded

120

Points won

115

Points per game

1.40

Win percentage

37.8%

The similarities to Arteta are there for all to see, with both being the same age and making a huge impact in England’s top-flight after their respective appointments.

Both also came from the Basque Country, with United having the chance to appoint an incredible manager should they decide to pursue a move for Iraola in the months ahead.

His stint at Bournemouth has made him one of the most talented young managers in Europe, but it’s unclear how much the Cherries would demand for his signature in the months ahead.

It remains to be seen if Iraola would be open to the job at Old Trafford, but if he can replicate such talents with the Red Devils – there’s no reason as to why they can’t rise up the table under his guidance in the future.

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There is much for Ruben Amorim to fix at Manchester United.

ByAngus Sinclair Sep 29, 2025

Centuries from Alex Carey and Jake Lehmann and a devastating spell from Nathan McAndrew have destroyed Queensland’s Sheffield Shield final hopes

AAP16-Mar-2025Sheffield Shield leaders South Australia have shattered Queensland’s hopes of making the final, driving home their advantage at Karen Rolton Oval.After centuries to Test wicketkeeper Alex Carey and Jake Lehmann, the home side declared on Sunday at an imposing 614 for 7. Opening bowler Nathan McAndrew then tore through the Queensland top order to leave the visitors in tatters at 13 for 3.Henry Thornton claimed the key wicket of Test No.3 Marnus Labuschagne to compound the Bulls’ problems and at stumps on day two they were in deep trouble at 110 for 5.Queensland started the last round in second place, but New South Wales, Western Australia and Victoria have the same number of wins and less than five points separate the four teams on the ladder. Barring a miracle over the next two days, Queensland appear out of title contention.SA resumed on Sunday at a healthy 359 for 4, with Carey and Lehmann at the crease. Carey posted his third Shield ton of the summer and Lehmann scored his second in as many innings to pile the pain onto Queensland.When Carey was dismissed for 104 from 100 balls, with 11 fours and two sixes, he and Lehmann had put on 175 for the fifth wicket. Carey would have been frustrated to fall to Labuschagne’s medium pace, chipping a catch to mid-off.Lehmann finished on 130 not out off 182 deliveries, with 14 fours, after combining with Ben Manenti (49) and McAndrew (41) to further bolster SA’s imposing first innings total.Already in dire straits, Queensland had the worst possible start to their innings when McAndrew trapped openers Lachie Hearne and Matt Renshaw lbw in his first over. He also removed Jake Clayton the same way from around the wicket to end the day with 3 for 36.With Labuschagne at the crease, Queensland still had faint hope of a counterattack. But Thornton (2-32) had him caught by Manenti at second slip for 23, before removing Ben McDermott (35) through a skied pull shot that was pouched by Carey.Jimmy Peirson and Michael Neser are the not-out batters, with the visitors still more than 500 runs behind with two days to play.

France Football's editor-in-chief Vincent Garcia has confirmed that Ousmane Dembele beat Lamine Yamal to the 2025 Ballon d'Or by a "wide margin". Dembele and Yamal were the last men standing among the 30 nominees but it was the Paris Saint-Germain star who ultimately claimed the award after a historic 2024-25 season.

Dembele beat Yamal to Golden Ball

The 2024-25 campaign proved to be the best season in Dembele's career so far as he won the Ballon d'Or for the first time after leading PSG to a treble. The French giants won every major trophy on offer, except for the Club World Cup, while the Frenchman scored 35 goals across all competitions and provided 16 assists. Yamal also shone with Barcelona as Hansi Flick's side bagged three domestic trophies, but the teenager missed out on the Golden Ball in the end.

AdvertisementGetty'Ousmane won it by a wide margin'

Garcia, who is in charge of the France Football organisation that presents the Ballon d'Or every year, has clarified that the final vote was not close this time around, with Dembele the "clear" winner. He said after the ceremony: "There was no match. Ousmane won it by a wide margin. On all continents, Ousmane Dembele's Ballon d'Or is clear and straightforward. It's a Ballon d'Or that is authoritative for our judges."

Yamal' father triggers controversy

Following his son's defeat in Paris, Yamal's father Mounir Nasraoui stirred up controversy by branding Dembele’s Ballon d’Or win as the “greatest moral harm” in football. He further claimed that Yamal was "by far the best player in the world" last season. 

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Getty ImagesWhat's next for Dembele and Yamal?

Dembele missed PSG's rescheduled Ligue 1 fixture at Marseille on Monday as he is yet to recover from the injury that he sustained during the international break, but the winger is hoping to feature for Luis Enrique's side in their next outing against Auxerre on Saturday. Yamal, meanwhile, is also working his way back from injury and may not be ready to feature when Barca take on Oviedo on Thursday in La Liga.

Tottenham Hotspur’s business within the transfer market this summer has been impressive, to say the least – subsequently handing boss Thomas Frank the tools he needs for success in the role.

Former chairman, Daniel Levy, backed the new manager with the funds to make the desired changes, leading to over £100m being spent on new additions in North London.

Mohammed Kudus was the biggest addition, costing £55m from rivals West Ham United, with Xavi Simons also making the move in a £52m transfer from RB Leipzig.

Such moves have offered the Lilywhites further quality and depth in the final third – strengthening their chances of being competitive in the Premier League throughout 2025/26.

However, they’ve already made numerous departures, offloading players who are no longer in the manager’s plans and or below the levels needed for success in the near future.

Spurs’ departures throughout the summer window

Winger Heung-min Son ended his decade-long Spurs career this summer, leaving the club in a £20m deal to join MLS side Los Angeles FC earlier in the window.

The South Korean international racked up over 450 appearances for the Lilywhites, ending his tenure in North London as the club’s fourth-highest goalscorer in their history.

Yves Bissouma is another player who was constantly touted with a move away from the club – after Frank axed him from his squad for multiple disciplinary reasons.

The Malian international has also failed to appear in a single matchday squad since the Dane’s arrival, prompting huge rumours about an exit away from North London.

With the Saudi and Turkish transfer windows still open, the 29-year-old could yet leave the club, ending his three-year spell in the side – after joining from Brighton in a £35m deal back in 2022.

The former Spurs star who’s now worth less than Bissouma

Given his absence from the first-team squad, it would be a surprise to no one to see Bissouma depart Spurs in the coming days – putting a sour end to his time at the club.

However, his spell with the Lilywhites has been littered with various incidents, previously being suspended after being caught inhaling nitrous oxide during the Ange Postecoglou reign.

Despite scoring two goals and often having a positive impact, it’s his off-field antics that have negatively affected his time at the club – with the hierarchy needing to cut loose in the weeks ahead.

The hierarchy could still command a decent fee for the midfielder, similarly to the departure of former attacker Steven Bergwijn, who left the club back in the summer of 2022.

The Dutchman arrived in a £27m deal from PSV back in January 2020, with the attacker making an immediate impact after his big-money transfer to England.

He scored a superb effort in a 2-0 triumph against Manchester City in North London, but it’s safe to say his career at the club never took off after such a spectacular moment.

Bergwijn only managed to score eight goals in his 83 appearances for the Lilywhites, subsequently returning to the Netherlands after just 18 months at the club.

He subsequently rejoined Dutch outfit Ajax in a £28m deal in the summer of 2022, leading to one content creator labelling his spell at the club as “woeful”.

The winger, who now plies his trade for Al Ittihad in Saudi Arabia, is now valued at £9.3m by FootballTransfers – showcasing the decline he’s endured over the last couple of years.

The cost of Steven Bergwijn’s Spurs move

Statistics

Tally

Transfer Fee

£27m

Wages (Total)

£75k-per-week (£9.4m)

Appearances

83

Cost per Appearance

£439k

Goals

8

Cost per Goal

£4.5m

Assists

9

Cost per Assist

£4m

Goal Involvements

17

Cost per Goal Involvement

£2.1m

Stats via Transfermarkt & Capology

Such a figure is lower than that of Spurs outcast Bissouma, with the Malian still valued at £15.7m despite his recent antics and lack of first-team action in North London.

Given the value of Bergwijn, there’s no denying that the hierarchy made the right call in allowing the attacker to depart the club after his unsuccessful stint in the Premier League.

As for Bissouma, it’s crucial that the board replicate such a deal in allowing him to depart, subsequently avoiding losing him for nothing when his contract expires next summer.

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Posts 1 ByEthan Lamb Sep 4, 2025

The rest of the squad for the three-T20I series wears a familiar look, with Dinesh Chandimal getting another go

Madushka Balasuriya18-Dec-2024Sri Lanka have named a largely unchanged 16-man T20I squad to travel to New Zealand later this month. Only Dunith Wellalage misses out from the squad that faced the same opposition at home last month. The team is expected to leave for New Zealand on December 20.While no reason has been cited for Wellalage’s omission, it is likely that his spin-bowling attributes would have been less useful in New Zealand’s more seam-friendly conditions. Wellalage is currently taking part in the Lanka T10 tournament for Jaffna Titans.Apart from Wellalage, Sri Lanka’s team – led by Charith Asalanka – has a familiar feel. Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis and Asalanka comprise the primary batting options, while Chamindu Wickramasinghe is in line to play a more prominent role than on recent tours as the sole seam-bowling allrounder.NZ vs SL, T20I series

Dec 28 – 1st T20I in Mount Maunganui
Dec 30 – 2nd T20I in Mount Maunganui
Jan 2 – 3rd T20I in Nelson

Notably, Bhanuka Rajapaksa retained his position in the squad despite middling performances in the recent Abu Dhabi T10, as well in Sri Lanka’s last series against New Zealand. While another curious retention is Dinesh Chandimal, who, despite being named in recent squads, last played a T20I in February 2022.Wickramasinghe will supplement a varied seam attack consisting of Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, Asitha Fernando and Binura Fernando. Spinners Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana and Jeffrey Vandersay round out the squad.The first two T20Is will take place in Mount Maunganui on December 28 and 30, before the action moves to Nelson for the final match on January 2.Sri Lanka squad for T20I series in New ZealandCharith Asalanka (capt), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Avishka Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Bhanuka Rajapaksha, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, Asitha Fernando, Binura Fernando

Brisbane Heat legspinner Grace Parsons starred in just her second WBBL match in a history-making 28-run win over Melbourne Renegades.The 21-year-old snared 3 for 22 in four overs to turn the game after Renegades started fast in pursuit of the Heat’s 169 for 8 at Allan Border Field.The win marked the first time in WBBL history that Heat had started a season with consecutive wins.Related

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Renegades made a blistering start courtesy of West Indies gun Hayley Matthews (35 off 28) before Parsons captured two wickets in her opening over, her first victims in the WBBL.It got better for Parsons when allrounder Deandra Dottin was controversially given out lbw after the ball had deflected off her glove and onto the pad. Dottin called for a review but there was no DRS in this match, although 33 out of 43 WBBL games this season will feature the review system.Renegades fell apart with opener Courtney Webb run out and skipper Sophie Molineux both falling in the 10th over as the visitors slumped to 71 for 5 after being 51 for 0.Heat turned the screws with seamer Shikha Pandey continuing her excellent start to the season to restrict Renegades despite a quickfire 38 from Naomi Stalenberg.Parsons suffered a shoulder injury last year and missed the entire WBBL season after she was Queensland’s leading wicket taker in the WNCL.Such is her talent she recently won Australia A selection against India ahead of what looks set to be a fruitful career.She said learning off former Heat legspinner and New Zealand’s T20 World Cup star Amelia Kerr had helped with her craft.”Learning off Amelia the last three years has been really special because she is the best to do it,” Parsons told AAP. “Our spin bowling coach at the Heat is Cameron Boyce and he is amazing at what he does and it has been really cool to pick his brain.”It was a long countdown to Big Bash but I got here in the end and it was super special to play my debut game at Allan Border Field.”Earlier, experienced Heat duo Georgia Redmayne and Lauren Winfield-Hill added 66 from 46 to set the innings up. Redmayne was savage square of the wicket and pulled her first four boundaries stylishly.Winfield-Hill rotated the strike while punishing anything loose. One stylish reverse sweep rocketed to the fence of spinner Georgia Wareham before the Englishwoman was well caught at mid-wicket.Charli Knott, player of the match against Adelaide Strikers in the season opener, holed out for just one before Dottin drew an edge from Redmayne and the hosts slipped to 86 for 4.Swashbuckling Laura Harris (31 off 16) upped the ante as only she can with a quickfire innings during the power surge that included a cut over point for six.Heat skipper Jess Jonassen finished unbeaten on 25 to get the Heat to a competitive total.

And breathe. It’s finally happened. Manchester United have reached a breakthrough with Brentford for the transfer of Bryan Mbeumo, who will join Old Trafford in a deal worth up to £71m.

Of course, the Cameroon winger hasn’t signed yet, with his medical slated for this weekend. But this is a significant step forward, ending the interminable negotiating with Premier League rivals Brentford for their star man.

United have bagged Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers for £62.5m; Ruben Amorim is redefining his frontline, but more is needed to spark a much-needed resurgence after finishing 15th in the top flight and losing the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur.

In any case, the Red Devils have stepped in the right direction, but more is certainly needed.

The latest Man Utd transfer news

United have secured their offensive flanks, but they still need to sign a striker, with Rasmus Hojlund flattering to deceive last season, scoring just four times in the Premier League.

However, with Christian Eriksen having left at the end of his contract, United also need to improve their midfield, and while a wealth of names, such as Atalanta’s Ederson, have been bandied about, Amorim appears to have centred on a talent who could make a lasting impact.

As per Calcio Mercato Javier Guerra has reached a verbal agreement with Man United as he leans toward an exit from Valencia.

The clubs are still negotiating the details, but this is a promising update indeed.

Further outfits from Spain and England have made enquiries, while AC Milan failed with a move in June. The 22-year-old is valued at £26m, but could be a shrewd long-term investment.

What Javier Guerra would bring to Man Utd

Guerra is, thus far, a one-club man, having graduated from Valencia’s Mestalla reserve side to complete 89 senior appearances for the first team, scoring eight goals and providing four assists.

Regarded by talent scout Jacek Kulig to be a deep-lying playmaker with a tactical style akin to Xabi Alonso, Guerra would instil composure, ball-playing intelligence and clear vision to Amorim’s set-up, making it easier to put emphasis on transitional play and ferry the ball forward to the likes of Bruno Fernandes.

He would, in this way, prove a seamless replacement for Eriksen, all the while packaging the United system with his own brand, having actually been hailed as a “phenomenal young talent” by journalist Zach Lowy.

Indeed, Guerra ranked among the top 15% of midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues last term for shots taken, the top 17% for successful take-ons and the top 18% for ball recoveries per 90, as per FBref.

The Spaniard’s blooming roundedness even suggests that he could be the next version of his legendary countryman Rodri, only this time playing on Manchester’s red side.

To claim that Guerra would emulate his fellow Spaniard Rodri from the off in the Premier League would be a fool’s game, to be sure. Pep Guardiola’s Ballon d’Or winner joined Man City from Atletico Madrid in a club-record deal worth £63m back in July 2019, when he was 23 years old.

Rodri was further in his development than Guerra at that stage, but the similarities are there, even if the Valencia star is more of a pass-focused player than he is, with the City sensation encapsulating every facet of the midfield game to a preternatural level.

Rodri Pep Guardiola Manchester City

The 29-year-old has won the whole gamut with Pep Guardiola at Man City, and he won the 2024 European Championship with his nation too.

If United can forge their own version of the modern great in Guerra, Amorim’s vision truly could have lift-off in the coming months and years.

It would be redundant to contrast and compare Guerra with the current iteration of Rodri, who is both vastly superior and missed the majority of the 2024/25 campaign through injury.

So, instead, let’s have a look at Guerra’s La Liga statistics from the recent term against Rodri’s from his final year in his homeland. Though the latter maintained a higher level, there’s plenty of promise to be taken from the collation.

La Liga – Javi Guerra vs Rodri

Stats (* per game)

Guerra (24/25)

Rodri (18/19)

Matches (starts)

36 (31)

34 (32)

Goals

3

3

Assists

3

1

Touches*

49.8

69.8

Pass completion

80%

91%

Big chances created

6

2

Key passes*

0.6

0.5

Dribbles*

0.8

0.6

Ball recoveries*

5.9

9.2

Tackles + interceptions*

2.0

4.2

Duels won*

3.5

7.1

Data via Sofascore

As you can see, Rodri was by far the more combative and commanding midfield general, with his energy and tenacity seen through his rate of defensive contributions and ball recoveries.

But Guerra has put in a terrific campaign on his own merits.

It’s also worth noting that Guerra has been competing in an imperilled Valencia side, who looked doomed and headed for the second tier across the opening half of the season before a resurgence after a wintry 7-1 defeat to Barcelona in January sparked new fluency and focus.

The victory that followed that hammering, by the by, was crafted by Guerra, who scored and assisted in a 2-1 win over Celta Vigo.

Certainly, Guerra is showing himself at a younger age to have a bit more creative flair about him than Rodri, who marshalled so confidently an organised Atletico Madrid side.

To set the expectation that he would reach Rodri’s lofty level would be the instant undoing of this talented young midfielder. But can Amorim not fashion his own version, one not expected to reach his compatriots’ level, but instead offer his technical qualities to Man United and improve them?

Signing a rising star with a point to prove is exactly the kind of move Amorim needs to make, and it’s one which might establish foundations for a much-needed revival.

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Posts ByEthan Lamb Jul 18, 2025

تحدث مدرب آرسنال ميكيل أرتيتا، في مؤتمر صحفي قبل مباراة فريقه في بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا، أمام أتلتيك بلباو، المقرر لها غدًا الثلاثاء.

ويحل آرسنال ضيفًا على أتلتيك بلباو، ضمن مواجهات الجولة الأولى بمرحلة الدوري لبطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا 2025-2026.

وكشف أرتيتا عن الغيابات في صفوف آرسنال قائلاً: “جابريل جيسوس، كاي هافيرتز، بن وايت، ومارتن أوديجارد ما زالوا غائبين، للأسف”.

وحول ما إذا كان مارتن أوديجارد مع الفريق المسافر إلى بلباو، أجاب أرتيتا موضحًا: لا، لقد عاد”.

وبشأن تطور إصابة بوكايو ساكا، استطرد: أعتقد أن هناك الكثير من الأمور التي يجب القيام بها، من المبكر جدًا معرفة متى وفي أي أسبوع سيكون متاحًا، لكنه بالتأكيد سيبذل قصارى جهده ليكون متاحًا في أسرع وقت ممكن”.

وإذا كان سيحتاج إلى مداورة اللاعبين هذا الموسم، أفاد: “يعتمد الأمر على جاهزية الفريق ومستوى اللاعبين، للأسف، لدينا عدد قليل من اللاعبين خارج التشكيلة، مما يجعل خياراتنا محدودة في بعض المراكز”.

وأكمل: “لكن نأمل أن نكون قد وصلنا إلى مرحلة تكون فيها المنافسة ومستوى أداء اللاعبين مرتفعين بما يكفي لتحقيق ذلك بكفاءة عالية للفوز بمزيد من المباريات، هذا هو هدفنا”.

وحول إمكانية إراحة فيكتور جيوكيريس، أشار: “حسنًا، لنرَ، في المباراة الأخيرة ضد نوتينجهام، لعب ميكيل ميرينو كمهاجم رقم تسعة، لدينا تروسارد الذي يمكنه اللعب في نفس المركز، ولدينا خيارات أخرى وتشكيلات أخرى يمكننا تعديلها، حاليًا، فيكتور يُقدم أداءً رائعًا، وأنا سعيد جدًا بذلك”.

اقرأ أيضًا | ضربة قوية لـ أتلتيكو مدريد قبل مواجهة ليفربول في دوري أبطال أوروبا

وفيما يتعلق بإمكانية الفوز بدوري أبطال أوروبا، أكد أرتيتا: نعم، مثل بقية الفرق التي فعلت الشيء نفسه (عززت صفوفها) وواصلت ذلك وحققت اللقب في مناسبات عديدة، هذا هو الهدف في البداية، لكننا جميعًا نعلم أنها ستكون رحلة طويلة جدًا، الفروق في هذه البطولة ضئيلة للغاية، ويجب أن تكون في أفضل حالاتك منذ اليوم الأول لمنح نفسك أفضل فرصة ممكنة”.

وعن الدروس المستفادة من الموسم الماضي، قال: “أننا جيدون بما يكفي، وأننا قادرون على منافسة أي خصم في يوم المباراة، وفوق ذلك، يجب أن تسير الأمور في صالحنا، يجب أن يكون لدينا فريق كامل جاهز في اللحظات الحاسمة من الموسم، ثم يجب أن تسجل هدفًا في اللحظة المناسبة أو بالقرار الصحيح، وهذا ضروري لأن هامش الفوز ضئيل للغاية”.

وعما إذا كانت الخسارة في نصف النهائي بالموسم الماضي تدفع الفريق للأمام، رد: “حسنًا، هذا هو الواقع، وفي تلك اللحظة التي تشعر فيها بالإحباط، عليك أن تفهم ما عليك فعله لتستعيد توازنك وتبدأ باتخاذ إجراءات فعلية تُعطيك فرصة تحقيق ذلك، وهذا كل شيء”.

وشدد: “نتعلم الكثير من هذه التجربة، الأمر مؤلم، ليس فقط لأنه يتعلق بما نشعر به، بل يتعلق أيضًا بالتوقعات التي خلقناها والقناعة الراسخة التي كانت لدينا داخل النادي والفريق، بأننا قادرون على الوصول إلى النهائي لأننا أظهرنا مستوى عاليًا من الثبات والجودة طوال البطولة، ونتعلم منها ونسعى للأفضل”.

وحول ما إذا كان يشعر أن الفريق جاهز للفوز بدوري أبطال أوروبا، أوضح: “الأمر ليس بهذه البساطة، أنت مستعد تمامًا للقيام بذلك وتريد أن تكون أفضل، أشعر بنية واضحة جدًا بأنهم يريدون أن يكونوا أفضل كل يوم، وهذه هي البداية والنهاية، ولا يوجد شيء آخر يمكن التحكم فيه، يجب خلق الطاقة والإيمان بين اللاعبين، والفهم والشعور بأننا قادرون على منافسة أي خصم، وبالتأكيد لديهم ذلك”.

وإذا كان هناك ضغط للفوز بدوري أبطال أوروبا، أسترسل أرتيتا: “هذا يُظهر لكم، بتاريخنا الطويل، مدى صعوبة الأمر لأننا لم نفز به بعد، وهذه هي الفرصة، هكذا أرى الأمر، الضغط هو الفرصة التي تزدهر،  يجب أن يكون كل قرار متوافقًا مع هذه المعايير والتوقعات، ولنمنح أنفسنا أفضل فرصة لتحقيق ذلك”.

وبشأن ما إذا كان الخروج المتكرر من البطولة يساعد الفرق في النهاية على الوصول إلى اللقب، أتم: “الأندية الكبرى تحاول سبع أو ثمان أو تسع مرات وتفوز مرتين فقط، في هذه البطولة، ستنجح مرة واحدة وتفشل مرات أكثر بكثير، هذه هي طبيعتها، وهذا هو تاريخ نادينا، وهذا ما نريد تغييره”.

After a snail-pace start to the summer transfer window, things are starting to move apace for Arsenal, whose first-team squad is shaping up ahead of pre-season.

Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta are working hard to identify and sign a new centre-forward, but there are variables at play, and we must wait for concrete advancements over the coming weeks.

Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko, who has emerged as a top talent at RB Leipzig, appear to be the biggest priorities, having been earmarked and tracked for several months now.

The Gunners have a longer-standing interest in Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak, but Isak is the cream of the striker crop, and he’s been priced at an exorbitant £200m.

Berta may yet turn to a left-field option. Indeed, interest in Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins has been revisited.

The latest on Ollie Watkins to Arsenal

Watkins is a long-time target at the Emirates, with a £40m bid even being tabled for the Aston Villa striker back in January, but for Unai Emery’s side to emphatically reject it.

Arsenal fans might want a striker with a bit more panache and fanfare surrounding their name, but the England international, 29, is proven in the Premier League and dynamic in his performances, both prolific and creative.

How Arsenal's striker targets compare in 2024/25.

Furthermore, he’s been the focus of extensive profiling by the Gunners data analysts, also hailed by podcaster Rohan Jivan as “one of the best CFs in Europe”.

What, then, is Arteta to do? Watkins is valued at £60m, which puts him in a similar bracket to Gyokeres; Sesko would cost more, and Isak is indeed more expensive still.

Having scored 35 goals and supplied 23 assists across the past two Premier League seasons, it’s clear that Arsenal would bag themselves an upgrade in number nine with this man.

However, for all Watkins’ quality, and the shrewdness that his signing would be laced with, Arsenal are also targeting another forward who would represent a far more exciting deal, even though he’s not really a number nine.

Arsenal ready to pay for superstar

According to Spanish publication AS, Arsenal are ready to pay a significant figure to sign Real Madrid forward Rodrygo, who has started the Xabi Alonso era on the backbenches.

The Spanish giants would be open to cashing in on the 24-year-old this summer, and AS claim that Arsenal could secure his signature with a bid worth €90m (£77m).

With contacts between Arsenal and the player’s entourage having taken place since the end of the 2024/25 season, there’s a real feeling that developments could soon take place, should Rodrygo continue to drift on the periphery with Los Blancos.

Why Arsenal want Rodrygo

Hailed as a “world-class superstar” by Luka Modric, Rodrygo is one of the most talented players in the world but has been routinely ferried over to the right flank to accommodate the likes of Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe.

At Arsenal, he would have no such issues. Bukayo Saka holds down the fort quite well in that area, and with Gabriel Martinelli’s future up in the air, Rodrygo could prove a stunning upgrade.

Right winger

31

8

5

Left winger

12

6

6

Centre-forward

9

0

0

Remarkably, the Brazil international far outstrips his performances on the right when fielded as a left winger. The issue, of course, is that his opportunities in his favoured position have been few and far between.

His fascinating blend of creative quality, link-up play, and indeed a natural eye for goal, make the £207k-per-week winger the perfect player to slot in alongside Saka, with such remarkable talent sure to leave fans more excited than a deal for Watkins, as crucial as bringing such a striker in may be.

Indeed, while Rodrygo only scored six times in La Liga last season, he missed just one big chance, as per Sofascore. It was hardly a year which demonstrated the full scope of his skill set, but it did succeed in showing a deep-rooted aptitude in the final third.

Arsenal need this. They need goals across the park, not just from a centre-forward such as Watkins. Moreover, they need a player like Rodrygo who can balance his contribution. And as per FBref, the South American star ranked among the top 2% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues in 2024/25 for pass completion, the top 14% for progressive carries and the top 20% for successful take-ons per 90.

Thus, we have a forward who could dynamise Arteta’s frontline, promoting possession-focused control and driving play forward himself.

If Arsenal are to raise their level next season and bring home some silverware, they need not just the goalscoring quality that someone like Watkins would bring but also the big-game ability of a serial winner such as Rodrygo.

His Champions League record speaks for itself, more still his rise at perhaps football’s most gargantuan outfit in Real Madrid.

Watkins, as discussed earlier, is more than just a goalscorer. Mobile and rounded, he ranked among the top 3% of forwards across Europe’s top five leagues last term for assists per 90. Given Rodrygo’s prevailing clinical edge, you can only imagine the kind of partnership which could be struck.

But such a duo would be charged by Rodrygo’s skills, his passion and capacity to become one of the best wingers in the Premier League.

Sure, Watkins is talented, and has big-game experience of his own, but could anyone honestly say he matches Rodrygo, a true ‘superstar’ indeed who would lead Arsenal to heights previously unimaginable.

And that, naturally, is without even imagining how Saka’s world-class talents could elevate both players, and vice versa.

Arsenal are on the verge of making a flurry of brilliant signings which truly could bring Arteta’s project into a new sphere, one geared for an abundance of silverware that is befitting his elite-class unit.

Watkins would provide the Londoners with the focal presence they crave, but in Rodrygo, Arsenal would land a player capable of laying down the gauntlet against any of the finest players across the globe.

Arsenal's next Auba: Berta opens talks for "one of the best CFs in Europe"

Arsenal are interested in signing a new centre-forward this summer.

ByAngus Sinclair Jul 4, 2025

Officially kicking off a new era, Rangers are now reportedly set to secure their first signing of Russell Martin’s tenure, with one of Scotland’s hottest prospects undergoing a medical.

Rangers commence new era

It’s not just the start of a new era in the technical area at Ibrox this summer. It’s also a new chapter for Rangers away from the pitch following the news that the 49ers have officially completed their takeover of the club. A long time coming, the American owners will be well aware of the task at hand and must use this summer to bridge the gap on Old Firm rivals Celtic.

After completing the takeover, Andrew Cavenagh told the official Rangers website: “We are deeply grateful for the trust placed in us by the Rangers Board, shareholders, staff, and supporters. This club’s history and traditions speak for themselves, but history doesn’t win matches.

“We know that the true way to honour the club’s heritage will be to drive performance. Our focus is simple: elevate performance, deliver results, and bring Rangers back to where it belongs – at the top.”

Since then, the 49ers have completed their first priority by appointing a new manager in Martin. The former Southampton boss arrives in the face of plenty of pressure and will be desperate to prove any doubters wrong at long last.

All pulling in the same direction, it looks as though the 49ers are ready to back their man to take the Gers back to the top of the Scottish Premiership. Whilst recent links have emerged to the likes of Flynn Downes, however, a young Scottish gem looks set to become the first signing of the Martine era at Ibrox.

Rangers set to sign Josh Mulligan

According to Ibrox Noise, Rangers are set to sign Josh Mulligan from Dundee with the midfielder undergoing a medical at the club. The 22-year-old’s arrival seems imminent and he looks destined to take his place in his history as the 49ers’ first signing and the first arrival under Martin. One of Scotland’s hottest prospects, Rangers’ pursuit should come as no surprise.

Described as an “aggressive” wing-back and central midfielder by journalist and football consultant Kai Watson, Mulligan has looked destined for a big move for some time. Now, at 22 years old, he is set to get exactly that courtesy of Rangers.

Martin's own Kamara: Rangers exploring move to sign "ridiculous" £10m star

Rangers have explored a deal for a £10m-rated star who could be Russell Martin’s own Glen Kamara.

ByDan Emery Jun 12, 2025

Having started 24 games for Dundee in the Scottish Premiership last season, the right-midfielder is more than ready to step up at Ibrox and represents the direction that the 49ers could take Rangers towards this summer. Starting with Mulligan, the Gers could be in for a hectic transfer window.