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Saturday was a real hammer blow for Arsenal’s season.

Mikel Arteta’s side fell to a 1-0 defeat to West Ham United at the Emirates, and while there are still a few months of the campaign to go, it sure feels like their Premier League ambitions are all but over.

It was a dismal showing from the men in red and white, and it has understandably shaken the belief some sections of the fanbase have in their manager and captain, Martin Odegaard.

For the last couple of years, the Norwegian maestro has led the side brilliantly, but so far this season, it’s starting to feel like he could follow in the footsteps of those who buckled under the pressure of the armband, like Granit Xhaka and Pierre Emerick Aubameyang.

If that really is the case, then it might be time for Arteta to consider dropping the 26-year-old, especially as he already has another tremendously exciting ace who could realistically take his place.

Odegaard's worrying regression

Across 45 appearances for Arsenal in the 22/23 campaign, Odegaard was a force of nature, scoring 15 goals, providing seven assists and eventually being named the club’s Player of the Year.

The following campaign saw the former Real Madrid wonderkid continue his fine form, as while he only scored 11 goals, he also provided 11 assists in 48 games and was once again named the club’s Player of the Year.

So, there was an entirely understandable and reasonable expectation from fans and pundits alike that he’d be just as effective this year. After all, he told the fans at the end of last season that the squad had “changed the club.”

Appearances

45

48

27

Minutes

3404′

4053′

2123′

Goals

15

11

3

Assists

7

11

6

Goal Involvements per Match

0.48

0.45

0.33

Minutes per Goal Involvement

154.72′

184.22

235.88′

Unfortunately, that has not been the case, as in 27 appearances so far, the midfield maestro has only been able to score three goals and provide six assists, which means he’s gone from averaging a goal involvement every 2.04 games two years ago and 2.18 games last season to every three games this year.

On top of that, his inability to impact must-win games like the 0-0 draw with Everton before Christmas and Saturday’s defeat to West Ham leads to only more frustration from fans.

In all, the Drammen-born international has just not been good enough this year, and following the weekend’s dismal display, the manager wouldn’t be out of line to take him out of the starting lineup, especially when there is someone in the squad who might be able to make more of an impact from that position.

The Arsenal ace who could replace Odegaard

The unfortunate reality is that, as things stand, there are not many players in the squad who could come in and replace Odegaard as the chief creator in midfield, aside from Ethan Nwaneri.

The 17-year-old phenomenon has been playing off the right for the last few games and has looked reasonably impressive, but across his time with the youth teams, his most played position was attacking midfield.

The Enfield-born gem has made 42 appearances in that position across the junior sides and the first team in the last few years and has a record of 19 goals and seven assists in those appearances, which comes to an average of a goal involvement every 1.61 games.

Attacking Midfield

42

19

7

Right-Wing

14

3

1

Centre-Forward

9

11

2

Central Midfield

2

1

0

Left-Wing

1

0

1

On top of having the experience of playing in the middle of the park and pulling the strings, the “incredible” prospect, as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has also already demonstrated that he is not scared of taking on senior players or trying to assert himself in tough games, which is what the team need at the moment.

Moreover, he’s already racked up a tally of seven goals and one assist in 25 first-team appearances this season, totalling 871 minutes, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 3.12 games, or more impressively, every 108.87 minutes.

Ultimately, while Odegaard’s influence over the team and games has shrunk this season, Nwaneri’s is only growing.

So, with there not being much more to play for, at least domestically, it might be a good idea to take the captain out of the limelight and give the Hale End gem the chance to start more games in the middle of the park. Who knows, he might be just what Arsenal need at the moment.

Arsenal must rue selling amazing striker who's now similar to a £172m star

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1 ByJack Salveson Holmes Feb 25, 2025

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O Corinthians venceu o Juventude, no último sábado (11), por 2 a 0, pela 11ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro.

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A vitória na Neo Química Arena foi importante para o Timão, que havia sido derrotado pelo Cuiabá, na partida anterior, e teve uma semana conturbada, principalmente pela polêmica rescisão contratual do atacante Jô.

Diante de 34 mil corintianos, duas pratas da casa garantiram o placar para o Time do Povo: Adson e Mantuan.

Confira acima o vídeo com o que esteve ‘por trás das cortinas’, antes, durante e depois do triunfo corintiano.

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Another riveting bout of deadline-day action for those of a Liverpool persuasion. Ah well, can’t have it all. If anything, it stands as a measure of Liverpool’s prudence, so careful and assured in the market.

And it’s bore fruit for sure. Arne Slot’s side are six points clear of Arsenal (with a game in hand) at the Premier League’s peak and qualified in first place in the revamped Champions League group phase.

Federico Chiesa signed for £12.5m in the summer and remains the only first-team arrival to alight at Anfield since August 2023, when Jurgen Klopp took a chance on Ryan Gravenberch.

Don’t hold your breath until this evening. However, FSG are genuinely gearing up to make things happen come summer, with an exciting name emerging in defence.

Liverpool lining up new defender

According to Caught Offside, Liverpool are gearing up for a marquee signing, albeit one that will arrive after the end of the season, in the form of Nottingham Forest’s Murillo.

One of the key pillars of Nuno Espirito Santo’s high-flying side, Murillo has been valued at £80m and is also attracting interest from Arsenal, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain. Liverpool’s intrigue is concrete, however.

With Reds skipper Virgil van Dijk out of contract at the end of the season and Joe Gomez nearly leaving for Newcastle United last summer, it’s imperative that Liverpool make their first central defensive permanent signing since 2022.

Why Liverpool want Murillo

Van Dijk is the impenetrable bastion in front of Alisson’s goal. He’s a machine, supreme leader, inimitable performer. The Netherlands star changed everything when joining Klopp’s project for £75m in January 2018, going on to win it all.

But he’s set to leave in a matter of months along with talisman Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold, the homegrown wonder, unless Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards complete a breakthrough in a protracted and ever-more-worrying stalemate.

Enter Murillo. Even if Van Dijk, who wants to stay, does indeed retain his captaincy on Merseyside, he turns 34 this summer and a success plan will be needed.

Let’s have a look at why Murillo’s the talk of the town over in Nottinghamshire. The Brazil defender, aged 22, has been hailed “one of the best signings in Nottingham Forest’s history” by journalist Leonardo Bertozzi, instrumental in preserving top-flight status last year and pushing on to defy odds and fight to leap over the Champion League fencing this year, third in the Premier League and six points clear of Manchester City.

It rather helps that he’s left-footed, for Van Dijk has dominated that side of the defensive line for club and country over so many illustrious years.

Matches (starts)

23 (23)

23 (23)

Goals

1

1

Assists

0

1

Clean sheets

8

10

Pass completion

79%

92%

Key passes*

0.5

0.3

Dribble (success)*

0.9 (83%)

0.1 (75%)

Ball recoveries*

3.7

3.5

Tackles + interceptions*

2.7

2.8

Clearances*

6.3

4.3

Total duels (won)*

3.7 (59%)

4.6 (71%)

He’s good, this Murillo, but he’s no Van Dijk. He could be, though. With time and patience and a place in the Anfield hothouse, the South American titan might just realise his potential and become a superstar under Slot’s wing, starring alongside Ibrahima Konate for many years to come.

Liverpool will not want to lose their linchpin and flatter to deceive over the coming years, and while, indeed, Van Dijk’s immediate future will be in Slot’s squad, signing Murillo could be the most important signing at the club in many years, perhaps even since the Dutchman wandered through the doors all those years ago.

Transfer Focus

BBC reporter Emily Anderson hailed Murillo as a “defensive warrior” last season, and he was, but his transcendental performances for the Tricky Trees this season have confirmed that he’s worthy of stepping into Van Dijk’s shoes.

Dream transfer today: Liverpool could sign their own Palmer for £20m

Liverpool would romp home to the Premier League title in even more style with this late purchase.

1 ByKelan Sarson Feb 3, 2025

Ex-Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood is closing in on a piece of goal history during his debut campaign at Marseille.

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• Permanent transfer completed in summer of 2024
• Goals have flowed in France amid attitude questions
• Chasing down two former Premier League strikers

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The 23-year-old has not enjoyed the easiest of seasons at Stade Velodrome. He burst out of the blocks after completing a transfer from Old Trafford in the summer of 2024. Greenwood quickly fired himself into Golden Boot contention with his efforts in Ligue 1.

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  Consistency has, however, proved to be an issue at times. Demanding head coach Roberto Di Zerbi has also asked the odd question of Greenwood’s attitude and commitment, leading to spells on the bench being taken in.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Greenwood is, however, very much back in favour at present. He bagged a brace during his latest appearance in the French top-flight, as Marseille swept their way to a crushing 5-1 victory over Montpellier.

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  Greenwood now has 18 Ligue 1 goals to his name. Only two players have bettered that return during their first season with Marseille. Chelsea legend Didier Drogba found the target on 19 occasions in 2003-04, while ex-Swansea striker Bafetimbi Gomis hit 20 during a productive loan spell in 2016-17.

Newcastle United are now in active negotiations over letting an “incredible” player leave this month, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

Newcastle could be set for multiple departures

The Magpies are looking to re-shape their squad this winter, which means some long-serving players could move on before the transfer window slams shut.

Eddie Howe has now admitted that Miguel Almiron’s departure has been forced upon them because of their need to comply with the Premier League’s financial rules, saying: “He’s been top class. He lives his life through the football club. It’s not ideal but that’s the reality of PSR.

“We don’t want to lose players but we know that there’s a reality with PSR and the ongoing managing of that situation.

“So we’ve said many times over the last few weeks we’ll make more decisions not based on football, but based on decisions that we potentially have to make for the future.”

Earlier this month, it was reported that defender Lloyd Kelly could also exit St. James’ Park this month, with Fenerbahce keen over a deal, and a new club has entered the race for the defender.

According to Fabrizio Romano, who posted an update on X, Juventus have now held a meeting yesterday to discuss a deal for Kelly, having identified him as a target this winter.

Football Insider’s Mick Brown has provided a further update on the situation, suggesting the Magpies could be willing to accept an offer for the centre-back, given that complying with profit and sustainability rules must be taken into account.

Newcastle United’s upcoming Premier League fixtures

Date

Southampton (a)

January 25th

Fulham (h)

February 1st

Manchester City (a)

February 15th

Nottingham Forest (h)

February 23rd

Liverpool (a)

February 26th

Brown also goes on to offer a more general update on Newcastle’s transfer policy, saying: “From what I hear, they’d consider selling most of the fringe players at the club for the right price.”

Newcastle should cash in on Kelly

The former AFC Bournemouth man has failed to force his way into contention since arriving in the summer, appearing for just one minute in the Premier League since the end of November, so it may be wise to cash in on him this winter.

It seems unlikely that a huge offer will come Newcastle’s way, considering the Englishman is no more than a fringe player, but any sale would be pure profit, as he arrived on a free transfer, meaning it could be very tempting to let him leave.

That said, if Juventus’ talks don’t come to fruition, the 26-year-old may be useful to have as a rotation option in the second half of the season, and there are signs he could have a lot to offer at St. James’ Park if he is able to find his feet.

Former Bournemouth boss Gary O’Neil lauded the defender as “incredible” for his performance in a 1-0 victory over Liverpool just under two years ago, and Howe will be hoping he is able to get back to those levels as soon as possible.

Runs shared around at Sophia Gardens as first vs third ends honours even on first day

ECB Reporters Network11-Jul-2022Nottinghamshire 19 for 0 trail Glamorgan 318 (Carlson 46, Hutton 4-76) by 299 runsIt was third v first at Sophia Gardens, where Nottinghamshire were the visitors, and it was honours even at the end of day one of the LV= Division 2 County Championship clash.League leaders Notts did enough to justify the decision of skipper Stephen Mullaney to bat first by bowling out Glamorgan for 318 (84.2 overs) on a hard-baked wicket that offered very little to the bowlers.They lead Glamorgan by 23 points in the table and both sides picked up three points in the day. Haseeb Hameed and Ben Slater ensured Notts kept all 10 wickets intact by reaching 19 for 0 before stumps at the end of the day.When the two teams first met this season at Trent Bridge it was Glamorgan that got the upper hand, winning by seven wickets. New signing Sam Northeast chipped in with a score of 85 in the first innings in April and he was the man who made most headway in the opening sessions at a sun-drenched Sophia Gardens.There was little movement for their seam attack, but the accuracy of Luke Fletcher, Brett Hutton and Dane Paterson, backed up by Mullaney later on, earned them their just rewards.Home skipper David Lloyd never looked comfortable and he fell in the third over when Fletcher squared him up and got the lbw verdict to remove him for 6 (12 balls).That brought Colin Ingram to the crease and the 37-year-old hit a boundary off his first ball. That showed his intentions and he didn’t hang around as he scored 34 (29) in 44 lively minutes that included seven fours.He and opener Eddie Byrom put on 52 before Ingram was caught at the wicket by stand-in keeper Joe Clarke off Hutton. Hutton’s persistence meant he ended up with 4 for 76 from his 17 overs.Byrom got to 24 (55) before he was trapped LBW by Paterson and then left Northeast and Kiran Carlson helped to steer the ship safely through to lunch (103-3).If honours were even after the first session, it looked as though Northeast and Carlson were going to push Glamorgan into a commanding position as they put on 50 in 18 overs. Northeast reached his half-century in before departing four overs later when he became the third LBW victim, this time to Hutton, for 56 (85).Carlson was caught superbly at second slip by the debutant Max Montgomery to provide Hutton with his third wicket. He went for 46 (95) just as he looked set for a big score.A ball change in the 55th over caused new problems for the home batsmen and in the second row with it Paterson got a ball to move away from Billy Root, who edged the ball to Hutton at second slip. He left for 12 and Glamorgan were 193 for 6.There was a definite wag in the tail from the home side as Michael Nesser plundered 42 (51), Andrew Slater 35 (44) and James Harris 28 (44) to ensure their side passed the 300-mark to pick up three battling points.

It’s been a frustrating campaign for Arsenal so far this year.

Mikel Arteta’s side has looked brilliant at times, but injuries, suspensions, and sporadic drop-offs in form have seen them fall six points behind Liverpool atop the Premier League table.

However, while some of the Gunners’ stars haven’t been consistent enough this season, the same cannot be said of Bukayo Saka, who has taken another step forward this year, as evidenced by his sensational tally of seven goals and 11 assists in 20 appearances.

So, recent reports linking the club to another brilliant attacker who’s been compared to the young Englishman should leave fans excited.

Arsenal transfer news

According to a recent report from GIVEMESPORT, Arsenal are one of four Premier League clubs interested in Atalanta star Ademola Lookman.

Alongside the Gunners, the report claims that Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool have all recently sent scouts to watch the Nigerian dynamo in action, who the report claims is ‘open to a return to England.’

However, along with having to beat the competition, the North Londoners will have to pay a pretty penny to secure the forward’s services, with reports from earlier this year claiming Atalanta value him at around €70m, which is about £58m.

In all, it would be a costly and complicated transfer to get over the line, but given Lookman’s ability, it is one worth pursuing, especially with his comparisons to Saka.

Lookman's comparisons to Saka

So, before we examine Lookman’s sensational level of output over the last few seasons, let’s look at this comparison to Saka.

It primarily stems from FBref, which compares players in similar positions across Europe’s top five leagues, the Champions League and Europa League, over the last 365 days, then creates a list of the ten most comparable players for everyone, and from there, they have concluded that the Englishman is the most similar attacking midfielder or winger to the Nigerian.

Now, there are some apparent similarities between the pair, namely the fact they are goalscoring and game-changing forwards for their respective teams, even if the Atalanta ace is right-footed, but to get a better understanding of how FBref reached this conclusion, we can examine the underlying metrics in which the pair rank closely.

These metrics include but are not limited to, non-penalty expected goals plus assists, progressive passes, passing accuracy, key passes, crosses into the penalty area, and aerial duels won, all per 90.

However, while his similarities to the Hale End icon are certainly encouraging, the 27-year-old’s form over the last few seasons should be reason enough for Arteta and Co to sign him up.

For example, since joining Atalanta, the incredible forward with “blistering” pace, per U23 scout Antonio Mango, has scored 42 goals and provided 23 assists in just 95 appearances, which equates to an incredible average of a goal involvement every 1.46 games.

Moreover, with experience playing off the left, off the right, in midfield and up top, the Wandsworth-born phenom could replace any of the Gunners’ attacking players should their form drop off.

Ultimately, while it could be an expensive transfer to get over the line, Arsenal must do what they can to secure Lookman’s signature in 2025, as he looks like the perfect addition to their attacking options.

Arsenal must regret selling £35m ace who's outscoring Trossard & Martinelli

The experienced attacker left Arsenal before Arteta took charge.

1

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Dec 10, 2024

Barcelona passed on the chance to sign Atletico Madrid star Julian Alvarez for €22 million (£19m/$24m) in 2021, opting to sign Ferran Torres instead.

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Barca offered player by River Plate's technical director in 2021Alvarez joined City a year later La Blaugrana spent €60m on Ferran Torres insteadFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

According to a report by Barca Universal, the Catalan giants were offered the chance to secure Alvarez' services at a cut rate deal, while the player was still at River Plate. River's technical secretary Enzo Francescoli urged La Blaugrana to pursue Alvarez. Barcelona instead parted with €60m (£50m/$65m) to purchase Manchester City's Ferran Torres, allowing the Citizens to line up a move of their own for the Argentine a year later.

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Barcelona will likely rue that mistake, as Alvarez has established himself as a bona fide superstar, both during his time in England, and now at Atletico Madrid. The 25-year-old joined Diego Simeone's side last summer, scoring 11 goals in 28 league appearances.

DID YOU KNOW?

Since leaving Manchester, Alvarez has scored 31 league goals in 95 appearances. Ferran Torres has scored 18 goals in the same period of time.

Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR JULIAN ALVAREZ?

Alvarez is currently away on national duty, and will likely start in Argentina's World Cup Qualifier against Brazil on Tuesday night. La Albiceleste currently sit top of the CONMEBOL qualification table.

Ryan Higgins missed a caught-and-bowled chance in the final over as a thrilling LV=Insurance County Championship clash between Gloucestershire and Northamptonshire ended in a draw.Higgins, who had earlier made 139 as Gloucestershire set the hosts 299 to win, struck in successive balls to remove first Lewis McManus and then Gareth Berg as a nail-biting chase came down to the final over.Prior to his double strike Gloucestershire had six fielders on the boundary in the wake of an onslaught led by Rob Keogh’s 74 and Josh Cobb’s 36, but they finished with five slips in a late quest for victory.However, Higgins spilt a drive by Tom Taylor with four balls left and Northamptonshire hung on to deny the visitors on their return to Division One for the first time since 2005.Northamptonshire must also wait for their first win at this level since 2004, despite Saif Zaib’s 65 and Keogh’s heroics for the second time in the match having left them 66 off as many balls ahead of the breathless finish.Earlier, Ben Sanderson took three wickets including that of Higgins, returning 5 for 66 to set up the thrilling run chase.Gloucestershire began on 326 for 6 with centurion Higgins still at the crease, but perhaps conscious they would be a bowler light due to Naseem Shah’s shoulder injury, they showed precious little sign of wanting to press on towards a declaration.Higgins struck one early boundary but was otherwise becalmed by Sanderson who trapped the allrounder lbw for 139, before having Taylor caught behind.Zafar Gohar struck a glorious on-drive to go to 50, but Nathan Buck pinned him in front and Sanderson had Naseem caught in the deep to complete his fifer.Northamptonshire skipper Ricardo Vasconcelos got the chase off to a flyer with a couple of glorious drives and it wasn’t long before Gloucestershire turned to Gohar in search of inspiration. Bowling into the rough outside left-hander Emilio Gay’s off stump, Gohar unsettled the academy graduate.Taylor then struck on the stroke of lunch finding the edge of Vasconcelos’s bat to give James Bracey his sixth catch of the game. On the resumption, Gohar and Taylor cranked up the pressure with 36 dot balls, Gay top-edging an attempted sweep off the spinner just beyond the clutches of a fielder in a bid to break the shackles.Pressure told when Gay nicked one through to give Bracey, while Curran took 22 balls to get of the mark, making a skittish 18 before Gohar trapped him lbw.Gloucestershire couldn’t seize the moment, Keogh’s presence bringing a new calmness to Zaib as the pair regrouped before unfurling a string of boundaries immediately after tea which brought 40 runs in six overs as they began to sense an unlikely win.An eighth four took Zaib to a seventh first-class 50, but Miles Hammond interrupted the carnage somehow clinging onto a skier to end the allrounder’s innings on 65.Keogh kept up the charge hoisting Gohar over square leg for six to reach a second 50 of the match before the spinner gave him a life on 57 failing to hold on to a sharp caught and bowled opportunity.The reprieve appeared decisive as he and Cobb rattled up a 50-stand, but with victory in sight Gohar got Keogh to play too soon and chip a catch to mid-off.Cobb assumed the mantle, clubbing Gohar over long-on, only to perish trying to repeat the shot before the dramatic finale unfolded.

Speculation has ramped up surrounding a potential move to Real Madrid for Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton.

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Wharton linked to Madrid Described as the 'Bellingham template'Palace midfielder highly ratedFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Sky Sports pundit David Prutton labelled Wharton's potential EFL to Real Madrid pathway as following the "template of Jude Bellingham", citing how well the Palace man has adapted to the Premier League after being plucked from the Championship in early 2024 with little senior experience. These comments come after news emerged earlier this week that the La Liga champions were plotting a surprise move for the 21-year-old.

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A few eyebrows were raised when the Eagles decided to splash £22 million on the inexperienced midfielder last year, but within six months that fee was fully justified with Wharton called up to the England squad after a hugely impressive start to Premier League life. Now, Palace look set to make a huge profit on their highly-rated young talent with a fee of £70m being hinted at in some quarters.

WHAT DAVID PRUTTON SAID

Prutton said: "I still think it was a punt on potential and unknown talent at that level, but my word has he settled into that really well. To be brutally honest, you wouldn't expect to see that trajectory from Blackburn Rovers to Real Madrid in such a short space of time. But the way he moves and gets about the pitch and the understated manner in which he approaches his profession, his ability to handle the pressure – whether it's England squads or Premier League football – means you have a lot of the make-up that would help him to perform at a top club… There's the template of Jude Bellingham who managed to bounce up into the first-team and then move abroad and seal a huge move to Real Madrid."

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR WHARTON?

Wharton recently returned from hernia surgery, and probably would have attracted more attention in January had he been fully fit. Manchester City reportedly decided not to chase him at that point, but as well as Los Blancos' interest, Liverpool and Manchester United are both said to be keen on signing the 21-year-old. With Palace currently firmly anchored in mid-table, they may struggle to keep hold of their star man for too much longer.