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Arsenal’s sensational showing against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu last night secured their place in the semi-finals of the Champions League, setting up a clash with PSG.

Mikel Arteta’s men produced a perfect showing in Spain, restricting the hosts to minimal chances and shutting down any chances of another famous comeback.

Two second-half goals from Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli wrapped up a 5-1 aggregate triumph, dumping the current holders out of the competition.

Such a result has moved the Gunners within touching distance of a first Champions League final since 2006, with Arteta having the chance to write himself into the club’s history forever.

If they are to go all the way and lift the trophy, the side will have to replicate such a display in the following rounds, with numerous players catching the eye during the victory in Madrid.

Arsenal’s star performers against Real Madrid

After his huge rise to stardom in recent months, it’s easy to forget that left-back Myles Lewis-Skelly is just 18 years of age, with his showing last night way beyond his tender years.

He managed to win 80% of the ground duels he entered, making five clearances and two interceptions, playing a key role in preventing the hosts from getting back into the tie.

However, another academy graduate in the form of Saka also managed to produce an incredible display, with his latest goal taking him to four Champions League goals this campaign.

The 23-year-old registered a 100% shot accuracy, getting all three of his efforts on target, but also starring defensively, winning 100% of the tackles he entered against the Spanish giants.

The aforementioned pair certainly played a vital role in the quarter-final victory, but one other star has managed to repeat the feat of a fan favourite, given his showing in Madrid last night.

The player who has become Arteta’s new Henry

Back in the last campaign in which Arsenal reached the Champions League final, they also defeated Madrid en route, with forward Thierry Henry tearing the opposition apart.

His stupendous solo effort at the Bernabeu was the difference between the two sides over the two legs, with his moment of magic making the Gunners the first English side to win at the stadium.

Such a showing catapulted Arsène Wenger’s side to the latter stages of the competition, with his outing that night 19 years ago still living long in the memory of supporters.

However, the current generation has their own version of the Frenchman in the form of midfielder Declan Rice after his own showing against Carlo Ancelotti’s men last night.

The England international built on his two-goal haul in the first leg, securing the Man of the Match award for the second successive outing against the LaLiga outfit, highlighting how impressive he was in the triumph.

The 26-year-old completed 96% of the passes he attempted against the European giants, with three of which going into the final third, allowing the likes of Saka to kill off the tie.

However, despite his impressive showing with the ball, he was also just as effective without, winning 100% of the tackles he entered, offering a real commanding force at the base of Arteta’s midfield.

Minutes played

89

Passes completed

25/26 (96%)

Passes into final third

3

Tackles won

2/2 (100%)

Interceptions made

4

Clearances made

3

Blocks made

2

He also made four interceptions, three clearances and two blocks – leading to journalist Paul Hayward labelling him “superb” in what was one of his best performances for the club.

As a result of his display, Rice was handed a 10/10 match rating by The Express’ Fraser Watson, further indicating how sensational his showing was against the defending champions.

Whilst he operates in a completely different role to Henry, his outing at the Bernabeu was similar to that in stature of the forward, helping the side advance to the next stage of the Champions League.

If the Gunners are to finally get their hands on the trophy in the coming months, there’s no denying Rice will have a crucial part to play, with his big-money fee a bargain should he lead the side to European glory.

Better signing than Isak: Arsenal in talks for 'one of the world's best'

Arsenal could be about to pull off a deal that could see them forget about Alexander Isak.

ByEthan Lamb Apr 16, 2025

أشاد عمرو مصيلحي رئيس الاتحاد المصري لكرة السلة، بالجيل الحالي من اللاعبات تحت 16 سنة والمشارك حاليًا في بطولة الأفروباسكت في رواندا، كما أعرب عن سعادته بالمستوى المميز، متمنياً لهن التوفيق وتحقيق اللقب.

وكان منتخب مصر لكرة السلة تحت 16 عاماً، قد تأهل اليوم إلى الدور نصف النهائي ببطولة الأفروباسكت المقامة في العاصمة الرواندية “كيجالي”، وذلك بعد الفوز على أنجولا.

وقال عمرو مصيلحي في تصريحات عبر برنامج “7*1” على إذاعة “أون سبورت إف إم”: “الهدف الرئيسي في الفترة المقبلة يتمثل في زيادة الموارد المالية للاتحاد، بما يتيح تنفيذ البرامج المخططة والصرف بشكل جيد على المنتخبات الوطنية، إضافة إلى تنظيم دورات دولية تحتاج إلى مصروفات كبيرة”.

طالع أيضاً.. مجلس إدارة الأهلي يُصدر بيانًا عاجلًا بعد قرار الخطيب عدم الاستمرار في منصبه

وأشار: “الدكتور مصطفى فوزي، رئيس لجنة الموارد، له دور كبير في ذلك، كما أن الاتحاد حقق إنجازات في هذا الملف ويتطلع لمزيد من النجاحات الأخرى في المستقبل القريب”.

وأكد عمرو مصيلحي على دعم اتحاد السلة لمنتخب 3×3 قبل مشاركته في بطولة العالم تحت 23 عاماً، مشدداً على أن الاتحاد يساند الفريق بشكل قوي لضمان ظهوره في الأولمبياد مستقبلاً.

وعن السوبر المصري قال: “الاتحاد يسعى لإقامة المباراة خارج مصر بالتنسيق مع دولتين عربيتين، على أن يتم تحديد المكان رسمياً في وقت لاحق”.

وأتم: “تحدثت مع الدكتور أشرف صبحي، وزير الشباب والرياضة، عن ملف التجنيس ووعدني بالاهتمام بالأمر خلال الفترة المقبلة، هناك محاولات سابقة لم تكلل بالنجاح لكن الاتحاد سيواصل العمل على هذا الملف في المرحلة القادمة”.

da marjack bet： Manchester City could make a £51m bid for an “insane” midfielder this summer, with Pep Guardiola personally identifying him as a target, according to a report.

City stepping up midfielder pursuit

da pixbet： Given the drop-off in performance levels this season, Guardiola was already due to oversee a major rebuild this summer, and the need to bring in a new midfielder has now been exacerbated by the fact Kevin De Bruyne has announced his decision to leave at the end of the campaign.

Following the news, Man City have stepped up their pursuit of a replacement for the 33-year-old, with Lyon’s Rayan Cherki recently emerging as a potential target, alongside FC Barcelona’s Dani Olmo, who Guardiola is believed to be a big fan of.

Not only does Guardiola need to bring in an attacking midfielder, but the manager may also be tasked with bringing in a new option in a slightly deeper role, given that Ilkay Gundogan is arguably in the twilight years of his career at 34-years-old.

Related De Bruyne 2.0: Man City chasing £50m star who's "similar to Bellingham"

Man City will need to find a replacement for their outgoing legend

Posts ByJoe Nuttall Apr 8, 2025

According to a report from Calcio Mercato, the Manchester City boss has now set his sights on AC Milan’s Tijjani Reijnders, as he sets out to revamp his midfield this summer.

The Sky Blues could make a huge offer of around €50m – €60m (£43m – £51m) for Reijnders, despite the fact he has recently renewed his contract with the Italian side until the summer of 2030.

Real Madrid have also expressed an interest in the midfielder, having been impressed by his performances this season, but Guardiola’s side remain the most interested party, although they are yet to make a formal approach.

"Insane" Reijnders could be fantastic signing for City

The Dutchman has been one of AC Milan’s most consistent performers in the Serie A this season, averaging a 7.04 WhoScoered match rating, the second-highest figure in the squad, having particularly impressed from an attacking point of view.

The Milan star has nine goals and four assists to his name in 30 Serie A outings, and he places in the top 3% for non-penalty goals per 90 over the past year, while also ranking highly across some other key metrics, when compared to other midfielders in the major 5 leagues.

Statistic

Average per 90

Non-penalty goals

0.29 (97th percentile)

Shot-creating actions

3.52 (86th percentile)

Progressive carries

3.32 (98th percentile)

Successful take-ons

1.11 (88th percentile)

Football scout Ben Mattinson is also particularly fond of the Netherlands international, having lauded him for his “insane” performances earlier in the campaign, and at 26-years-old, the central midfielder could be entering his prime years.

Gundogan has been a fantastic servant to City, while Mateo Kovacic was an important player during last season’s Premier League title triumph, but Guardiola clearly feels he needs to refresh his options in midfield, and Reijnders could be a fantastic signing.

Newcastle United fans had been here before way back in 2023 when Manchester United ran out 2-0 victors over the Magpies in the EFL Cup final.

Thankfully, history didn’t manage to repeat itself two years on from this sobering defeat at Wembley, as Eddie Howe’s Toon shocked Arne Slot’s Liverpool late on Sunday evening to lift the honours as deserved 2-1 winners.

Alexander Isak showed off his class once more in the forward positions to hand his side a famous Cup win, with the Swedish sharpshooter no doubt topping even more shopping lists this summer off the back of his sensational showing in the final.

The latest on Isak's future after Wembley heroics

If Isak is to depart this approaching summer, popping up with a golden strike to hand his side a 2-1 win at Wembley is quite the parting gift.

There are rumours suggesting that the ex-Real Sociedad striker could attempt to negotiate a new St James’ Park deal too, so it remains up in the air as to whether he will stick it out on Tyneside, but his goalscoring prowess cannot be questioned.

The Toon would race into a two-goal lead on the day courtesy of this thumping finish from Isak, with this priceless strike taking his goal haul for the season all the way up to a bumper 23.

Arsenal might well be viewing his expertise in-front of goal as a major plus to fix their striker issues, but whatever comes will come on the end of Newcastle who will bask in the glory of having Isak around for the time being, as his crucial contribution ensured his side finally picked up some significant silverware.

Newcastle also wouldn’t allow the sharp shooter to leave for a small amount – considering he’s being touted to exit for around the £130m mark – which would obviously be the same for this modern day great on Tyneside who solidified his status as a legend even more when holding the EFL Cup aloft.

Newcastle's £100m sale in the making

So many reliable faces in Howe’s camp have now immortalised themselves in Newcastle folklore, with Joelinton a battler from minute one to help his team get over the line, alongside Dan Burn producing the goods with a bullet header.

But, Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes also stood out throughout as a livewire in the middle of the park, with the Toon number 39 winning himself nine duels among other standout numbers.

Minutes played

90

Goals scored

0

Assists

0

Touches

40

Accurate passes

14/22 (64%)

Key passes

2

Shots on goal

2

Successful dribbles

1/2

Tackles

5

Total duels won

9/14

It was an incredible very well-rounded display from the midfield stalwart at Wembley with a grit present in his game that saw him win five tackles alongside his nine duels, but also an awareness to push forward and help out the likes of Isak bursting through on goal with two key passes registered, on top of tallying up two efforts of his own.

Shields Gazette journalist Dominic Scurr would gift Guimaraes a high 9/10 rating post-match subsequently, with Scurr impressed by how composed the 27-year-old was across the full frantic contest, even when the pressure was ramped up for Newcastle to get over the line.

While Isak has been talked about as the Toon’s next big sale, Guimaraes too could end up banking Howe’s men some serious cash if he can keep up these top-drawer displays, with the Brazilian once rumoured to be valued around the £100m mark, just £30m shy of Isak’s wild price tag.

With an impressive 44 goal contributions next to his name from 144 games at Newcastle, this hefty valuation hasn’t just come out of thin air, with his confidence to dominate up against a star-studded Liverpool midfield further showing off his ability.

But, as can be seen in his emotional post-match celebrations, Guimaraes truly feels connected to the Toon, with many more happy years on the horizon if he manages to stay put.

The next Aguero: Newcastle now battling to sign "fantastic" £12m sensation

He’s one to watch…

ByTom Cunningham Mar 15, 2025

The Arsenal team today is undoubtedly better than the one from a few years ago.

Bukayo Saka has reached another level entirely, Declan Rice is a monster in midfield, David Raya is a reliable presence between the sticks and the defence looks set to be the best in the Premier League for the second year running.

However, one area that is probably weaker than it was at the start of the decade is striker; as for all their hard work, neither Kai Havertz nor Gabriel Jesus are prolific, at least not compared to former goalscorer extraordinaire Pierre Emerick Aubameyang.

The Gabon international was a force of nature for most of his time at the Emirates – he was the fastest Arsenal player to hit 50 Premier League goals and left with a tally of 112 goal involvements – but now it looks as if Andrea Berta and Co could be about to sign someone who’d be the club’s best striker since the former captain.

Arsenal's striker search

With Arsenal’s most acute area of need heading into the summer window being the striker positions, it’s not a shock that they’ve been linked with a mountain of potential signings over the last month or so.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

One of the most talked-about links has undoubtedly been to Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak, who has already racked up a sensational haul of 24 goals and five assists in 34 appearances this term – an average of a goal involvement every 1.17 games.

However, with the Toon reportedly after £150m for their star man, a move this summer feels increasingly unlikely, so reports have also touted the more affordable Benjamin Sesko for a transfer to the Emirates.

The Slovenian international could be available for around £67m, although at just 21 years old, there is a risk that Arteta and Co would be signing another project player when what they really need at this point is the finished article, someone like Viktor Gyokeres.

Fortunately, according to a recent report from Italy, the Sporting CP phenomenon is not only a target for the Gunners but also their primary striker target.

Moreover, the report has revealed that the North Londoners have now opened talks to try and sign the Swede and that the talks have been “positive” thus far.

A potential price for the marksman is not mentioned in the report, but stories from late last month claimed that he could be available for as little as £58m.

While that is still a sizable sum of money, it could prove to be incredible value for money in this case, and as Gyokeres could be the club’s best striker since Aubameyang, Arsenal should do all they can to get this deal over the line as soon as possible.

Why Gyokeres would be Arsenal's best striker since Aubameyang

Unsurprisingly, when it comes down to it, the reason Gyokeres would be Arsenal’s best centre-forward since Aubameyang was in his pomp is the simple fact that he is a lean, mean, goalscoring machine.

For example, in just 50 appearances last season, the Stockholm-born “powerhouse,” as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, scored 43 goals and provided 15 assists, which comes out to an average of 1.16 goal involvements every game.

This year, the Swedish monster has done even better, racking up a sensational tally of 42 goals and 11 assists in 42 appearances, which comes out to an average of 1.26 goal involvements every game.

Appearances

42

34

27

MIinutes

3340′

2776′

1204′

Goals

42

15

7

Assists

11

5

2

Goal Involvements per Match

1.26

0.58

0.33

Minutes per Goal Involvement

63.01′

138.8′

133.77′

In contrast, Havertz produced 20 goal involvements in 34 appearances prior to his injury this term and Jesus nine in 27 appearances, meaning the German was averaging a goal involvement every 1.7 games and the Brazilian every three games.

Finally, on top of maintaining a level of output that is simply out of this world at the club level, the 26-year-old Sporting star is also incredibly effective at the international level.

For example, in 26 senior caps for Sweden, totalling 1568 minutes, he has scored 15 goals and provided five assists, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.23 games, or every 74.66 minutes.

Ultimately, Arsenal are already an incredible team, but they lack a genuinely prolific number nine; if they sign Gyokeres, that won’t be a problem anymore.

Better than Nico Williams: Arsenal lead race to sign "Bergkamp-esque" star

The incredible international would make Arsenal a far scarier proposition.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Apr 3, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

da betcris： O Palmeiras manteve sua invencibilidade na temporada e garantiu mais uma vitória no Paulistão ao bater o Red Bull Bragantino, por 2 a 0, nesta quarta-feira, no Allianz Parque. Com gol de Rony e outra assistência de Raphael Veiga, além de um golaço de Breno Lopes, o Alviverde manteve a primeira posição no Grupo D e segue como a melhor campanha geral da competição estadual.

> Veja classificação e simulador do Paulistão-2023 clicando aqui

Massa Bruta começa pressionando o Verdão, que se incomoda, mas abre o placar

A equipe do Red Bull Bragantino começou a partida com uma estratégia ousada: a de marcar a saída de bola do Palmeiras bem afundada no campo de defesa adversário. O esquema deu certo e incomodou os palmeirenses, que não tinham muitas opções para sair. Quando o Verdão começou a “se achar” em campo, as chances vieram. Depois de uma boa sequência de ataques, Veiga cobrou escanteio no primeiro pau, na cabeça de Rony, que abriu o placar para colocar o time à frente. 1 a 0.

continua após a publicidade

da leao： Poucas oportunidades, muita reclamação, arbitragem ruim e pouco futebol

Com a vantagem, o Alviverde tinha tudo para estar no melhor dos mundos, partindo no contra-ataque. No entanto, foram poucas as oportunidades da equipe, que via o Massa Bruta achar espaços na intermediária para trocar passes. Acontece que os visitantes não levavam perigo e deixava a defesa palmeirense tranquila. O que tirou a paz de todos foi a arbitragem, que irritou ambos os lados e contribuiu fortemente para o jogo ficar muito ruim. Endrick, inclusive, levou amarelo por uma entrada dura em Juninho Capixaba e Weverton foi advertido por reclamação.

Palmeiras volta mais ligado e mais intenso, mas também leva sustos

Logo aos dois minutos de jogo, seguindo a intensidade com a qual voltou do vestiário, o Verdão teve uma chance com Dudu, que foi rebatida pelo goleiro Cleiton, mas Rony não conseguiu completar. Dali em diante, uma pane geral na defesa do Alviverde proporcionou chances ao Red Bull Bragantino. Houve uma sequência delas, mas a principal foi quando Sorriso infiltrou sozinho na área e Weverton salvou com os pés. O goleiro ainda fez algumas defesas difíceis durante esse “apagão”.

Mais confusão na parte final do jogo, mas com direito a golaço

Abel Ferreira começou a mexer no time depois da sequência de sustos e procurou estabilizar a atuação palmeirense. Com a ajuda da arbitragem, que mais uma vez contribuiu para não ter jogo no Allianz Parque, as ações de ambos os lados diminuíram muito. O lance de maior relevância havia sido uma reação de Rony, que levou entrada e, durante sua queda, deu um “coice” em Natan. O VAR chamou o árbitro para analisar a imagem, mas foi dado apenas um cartão amarelo o camisa 10.

No entanto, havia algo guardado para o final. Em uma arrancada ao ataque, Rony segurou a bola no tempo certo e esperou Breno Lopes chegar. Com um chute em ângulo “impossível”, ele balançou a rede de Cleiton para aumentar a vantagem e fechar o placar para o Palmeiras no Allianz Parque.

E agora?

Com a vitória, o Palmeiras vai a 24 pontos no Paulistão e, além de liderar o Grupo D, segue com a melhor campanha geral da fase de grupos da competição. No próximo domingo, o Verdão recebe a Ferroviária, no Allianz Parque, às 18h30. Já o Red Bull Bragantino fica na segunda posição do Grupo A com 14 pontos e enfrenta o Ituano, em Bragança Paulista, neste sábado, às 16h.

FICHA TÉCNICA
PALMEIRAS 2 x 0 RED BULL BRAGANTINO
Local: Allianz Parque, em São Paulo (SP)
Data-Hora: 22/2/2023 – 21h35 (de Brasília)
Árbitro: Douglas Marques das Flores
Assistentes: Neuza Inês Back e Amanda Pinto Matias
VAR: Vinicius Furlan
Público: 33.352 torcedores/R$ 1.549.693,46
Cartões amarelos: Rony, Endrick e Weverton (PAL) Gustavinho e Matheus Fernandes (RBB)
Cartões vermelhos: –
Gols: Rony (12’/1ºT) (1-0), Breno Lopes (47’/2ºT) (2-0)

PALMEIRAS: Weverton; Marcos Rocha (Mayke, aos 28’/2ºT), Gustavo Gómez, Murilo e Piquerez; Zé Rafael, Gabriel Menino (Jailson, aos 39’/2ºT) e Raphael Veiga (Bruno Tabata, aos 28’/2ºT); Rony, Dudu (Breno Lopes, aos 39’/2ºT) e Endrick (Giovani, aos 15’/2ºT). Técnico: Abel Ferreira.

RED BULL BRAGANTINO: Cleiton; Aderlan, Lucas Cunha, Natan e Juninho Capixaba (Guilherme Lopes, aos 22’/2ºT); Jadsom (Eric Ramires, aos 22’/2ºT), Matheus Fernandes e Bruninho (Werik Popó, aos 34’/2ºT); Artur, Sorriso (Gustavinho, aos 34’/2ºT) e Alerrandro (Thiago Borbas, aos 22’/2ºT). Técnico: Pedro Caixinha.

A trademark century from Cheteshwar Pujara guided Sussex Sharks to a four-wicket Metro Bank One Day Cup victory over Somerset at the Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton.The Indian run-machine hit an unbeaten 117 off 113 balls as his side chased down a target of 319 with 11 balls to spare. Tom Alsop contributed 60 and Oli Carter a rapid 44.Maiden Somerset hundreds from Andy Umeed (119) and Curtis Campher (101) had propelled their team to 318 for 6 after winning the toss, Fynn Hudson-Prentice claiming 3 for 50.But it looked no more than a par total in warm sunshine on a flat batting pitch and the Sharks ran it down comfortably to achieve their first win in the competition at the fourth attempt.Excellent opening spells by Sean Hunt and Hudson-Prentice restricted Somerset to 36 for 1 off 10 overs, George Thomas caught behind off the latter for five and Umeed playing and missing on numerous occasions.Hudson-Prentice had George Bartlett caught by wicketkeeper Carter, driving at a full-length ball and when James Rew, on 22, lofted a catch to long-off to give off-spinner Jack Carson his first wicket, Somerset were 80 for three in the 20th over.Umeed recovered from his uncertain start and set about bettering his career-best List A score of 77, made in the previous game against Northamptonshire. The opener reached a 68-ball fifty with a four through mid-wicket off Henry Crocombe.Campher greeted the introduction of leg-spinner Archie Lenham by dispatching his second ball for six over mid-wicket on his way to a 45-ball half-century and Umeed followed suit off the same bowler as the pair raised the tempo.Umeed produced a succession of sweetly-timed strokes in moving to his maiden List A hundred, off 115 balls, with 9 fours and 2 sixes.The stand with Campher was worth 163 from 23 overs when Umeed got an inside edge onto his stumps off Hudson-Prentice to make the score 243 for 4.Andrew Umeed celebrates his century with team-mate Curtis Campher•Getty Images

Campher reached his ton off 79 balls, with nine fours and three sixes, before being caught at long-on off Carson, and skipper Sean Dickson’s rapid 40 at the end of the innings ensured his side of a competitive total.Somerset gave the new ball to debutant James (JT) Langridge and the 17-year-old left-arm seamer did not disappoint, taking a wicket in his second over as Tom Haines sliced a catch to deep backward square.It was 47 for 2 when Tom Clark edged a pull shot off Jack Brooks to wicketkeeper Rew. But by then Alsop was well set and it seemed inevitable that Pujara would flourish in the afternoon sunshine.So it proved, as the pair added 92 in 15 overs with barely a false shot, Alsop reaching a 49-ball half-century before nicking a ball from medium-pacer George Thomas and seeing Rew take an excellent catch standing up to the stumps.Pujara followed Alsop to fifty, also off 49 balls, the Indian maestro calmly picking gaps in the field to keep the Sharks up with the required run rate. But the Sharks lost a fourth wicket when James Coles was bowled for 21, pushing forward to the left-arm spin of Josh Thomas, younger brother of George.Hudson-Prentice looked unlucky to be judged lbw aiming a reverse sweep at Josh Thomas and at 202 for five in the 34th over Sharks’ hopes rested with Pujara.Carter injected a late surge, smacking 4 fours and 2 sixes, including one amazing tennis shot that cleared the ropes over long-off, proving an ideal foil for Pujara, who coasted to his 16th List A century off 105 balls, barely seeming to take a risk.

da betsul： In partnership with NewBettingSites.uk, Football FanCast had a quick chat with former Liverpool, Leeds and Arsenal winger Jermaine Pennant this week to catch up on a few of his old stomping grounds. Catch the full video interview and transcript below.

Pennant heaps praise on Arsenal youngsters but raises doubts over title race

da roleta： Having come through Arsenal’s youth set-up to play his first senior minutes at Highbury, Pennant heaped praise on Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri, but did raise some possible red flags for the Gunners.

“Relying on youngsters going into a title dogfight, towards the end of the season, is not ideal. So it’s kind of a double edged sword – it’s great because they’re fearless and going out there with youth and athleticism and they’re hungry to play.

“But then you’ve got, when it comes down to the crunch time, inexperience, how can you handle that? It’s going to be new territory, so yeah it’s a double edged sword.”

Pennant on Arsenal's summer transfer plans amid links to Isak

Amid cries from fans in North London for a new number nine and constant links to Newcastle star Alexander Isak, Pennant believes the emergence of the aforementioned young stars clears the way for a serious signing up front this summer.

“I think so, you’ve seen now that Nwaneri can be a more than suitable replacement for Saka. You can put him in – like Liverpool throwing in a Gakpo or Diaz – and either/or you’re happy with. So with Nwaneri and Saka they’ve got that right hand side in a good place.

“Lewis-Skelly at left back, he’s proven that he’s more than capable in that position, so again they don’t really need to focus on that.

“So I think that’s helped them going into the market to really now finally focus on a good number nine.”

Related Arsenal told new Alexander Isak price tag in boost for Mikel Arteta

He’s a reported top target for the Gunners.

Posts ByEmilio Galantini Feb 18, 2025 Pennant on Liverpool's plans to replace Mohamed Salah

With still no sign of a new contract for Liverpool superstar Mo Salah, we asked Pennant if there are any wingers within the Premier League good enough to succeed Anfield’s Egyptian King.

“Semenyo for Bournemouth, he’s looked exciting but he likes to play off the left, but I think he could play off the right as well. Mbeumo is a good option, but when you’re talking about other players rather than Mo Salah, it’s hard to put anyone up near him. Whoever we get, it’s just not going to be the same.

“So will we see someone from the Premier League? Probably not, I think they’ll go abroad to find a replacement.

“Their recruitment is usually spot on. I’m sure as we speak Liverpool are looking for some sort of replacement.”

Pennant on where else Liverpool need to strengthen this summer away from the 'big 3'

While the majority of the focus at Anfield remains on the futures of Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold, Pennant, a boyhood Reds fan, believes left-back is also an area of concern.

“This is probably one of the most important spots that Liverpool need to fill in and that’s left back.

“No disrespect to Andy Robertson, absolutely fantastic player, fantastic servant to the club, a left-back legend, probably one of the best left-backs Liverpool have ever had.

“But I think now he’s coming to the end of the tether, still can be a great Liverpool player and part of the team, but to be a top left-back at the moment, he’s coming to the end of that cliff.

“Out there now to replace him, Kerkez from Bournemouth, Robinson from Fulham or even the likes of Ait-Nouri from Wolves, he had a good game (on Sunday) and I think he’d suit Liverpool well.”

Liverpool left-back targets

Current Club

Age

G/A in 2024/25

Antonee Robinson

Fulham

27

0 goals, 10 assists

Milos Kerkez

Bournemouth

21

2 goals, 3 assists

Rayan Ait-Nouri

Wolves

23

3 goals, 5 assists

Pennant on Leeds plans to sign Solomon and Rothwell to permanent deals

Having spent a season on loan at Elland Road as a youngster back in the 2003-04 campaign, the now 42 year-old Pennant believes the Whites should be penning loanees Solomon and Rothwell to long-term contracts this summer.

“100 per cent. Especially when you come into the Premier League, you need as much talent as you can. They’re two great players who have helped Leeds immensely.

“When you get players who have got you promoted, you want to keep that core and then invest around that for players who can adapt and play in the Premier League.

“So 100 per cent they need to sign players like that, it’s only gonna benefit them if they can.”

Pennant urges Farke to bring Jack Harrison back to Leeds

With the likes of Joe Gelhardt, Jack Harrison and Rasmus Kristensen – who has been linked with a permanent exit – currently out on loan, it was the Everton winger Pennant picked out as a sure-fire candidate to help Leeds once promoted.

“We’ve seen teams come into the Premier League and not invest in Premier League players who can do the job. The Championship and the Premier League is such a drastic difference.

“So a player like Harrison who’s been in the Premier League and is in and out but knows all about it, I think they need to keep players like that and bring him back in.”

Bangladesh have found the Afghanistan spinners the most troublesome in ODIs in the last ten years.Since July 2013, Afghanistan’s spinners have the most wickets (50) – and the best average (26.02) – of all teams against Bangladesh in the format. That includes 5 for 69 for the trio of Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Mohammad Nabi in the first ODI on Wednesday. They combined to bowl 24 overs, and conceded runs at an economy of less than three per over.Although they made the most of the variable bounce on offer at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Bangladesh’s batters also didn’t do themselves any favours. While Litton Das and Najmul Hossain Shanto were out to soft dismissals when they were starting to look comfortable, Mushfiqur Rahim let a Rashid half-tracker slip through his legs.Related

• Litton to lead Bangladesh in last two ODIs against Afghanistan

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• Rashid, Shahzad back in Afghanistan squad

“Our seamers didn’t bowl well with the new ball, but then our spinners were excellent,” Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott said. “We didn’t expect the wicket to have as much uneven bounce as it did. It is surprising. Normally here in Chattogram, it goes through a little bit more. I think we adjusted well. We read the conditions. We played some good cricket.”Today’s wicket helped them [Afghanistan spinners] a little bit, but they have some good skills to put pressure on the Bangladesh batters. A lot of these [Bangladesh] batters would have been confident from the Test match [last month, which Bangladesh won by 546 runs]. But the quality of our spinners shone through on a wicket that we thought would seam more than it spun for us.”Trott highlighted the experience of his spin attack, which helped them switch from T20Is to ODIs. He said they knew exactly when to bowl in an attacking manner, and when to be a little defensive.”I don’t think it is too dissimilar nowadays [bowling in T20Is and ODIs]. Batsmen have an attacking mindset in both formats,” Trott said. “Spinners have to be clever. They are allowed four fielders out till the 40th over. That’s when they usually bowl. They sometimes bowl in the powerplay [too]. So they have to figure out how they attack at the right times, but also how to defend on wickets where there’s not much assistance.”But the one-off Test between Bangladesh and Afghanistan featured none of these three spinners, and Bangladesh had feasted on an inexperienced attack to post 382 and 425 for 4 declared.Bangladesh now have to face Afghanistan in the two remaining ODIs of the ongoing series, but also at least once in the upcoming Asia Cup in August-September, and then, in their tournament opener at the ODI World Cup, where they face each other in Dharamsala.How do Bangladesh try and limit the damage before the big games come around? Towhid Hridoy, the batter who hit his third ODI half-century in the first game – which was only his seventh in the format – said that individual batters would have to figure out their respective ways to counter the spinners.”It [Bangladesh] is a mature team. They have been serving the national team for a long time,” Hridoy said. “Nobody has to be told anything new. We will get out of this by thinking about it individually. We back everyone in the dressing room. We can come back from this position.”Towhid Hridoy expects the Bangladesh batters to find their own ways to succeed•AFP/Getty Images

Although this was Hridoy’s first time facing Rashid, Mujeeb and Nabi at the highest level, he already had some idea about Nabi and Mujeeb because of the BPL.”This was the first time that I faced Rashid. I have played Mujeeb in Under-19 cricket. We were also in the same team in BPL,” Hridoy said. “I played Nabi in the BPL. I think they are the best spin combination in the world. You can play spin better against any team after you do well against them. I was talking to Shakib [Al Hasan] and Afif played well. We also had a feeling that someone would do the job [in the first ODI]. We didn’t get a good partnership from the lower order. I am hopeful that in the next game, we will do better in a similar situation.”

New Manchester United signing Benjamin Sesko has revealed which iconic Red Devils player is his role model.

Sesko signs for Man UtdReveals who is role model isHopes to take after iconFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Following his £74 million ($100m) switch from RB Leipzig to United, Sesko has revealed former Red Devils striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic was his childhood idol. The Swede scored 29 goals in 53 appearances for the club and helped them win the Carabao Cup and the Europa League in 2017. Now, the 22-year-old is eager to emulate the ex-AC Milan star at Old Trafford.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportWHAT SESKO SAID

He told United's website: "He’s been my role model since I’ve been small. I've been watching him, like every single YouTube video that I can find, because he's just amazing for me, you know. We don't have the same, let's say, character. But I like to see him, the way he plays, the way he enjoys football, because that's when all the joy comes, you know. If you enjoy football, then everything works. And I think this is the most important. It's probably also one of the parts that just makes me love him so much, you know what I mean? So maybe one day to meet him, that would be great. He's my idol."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Ibrahimovic went on to become one of the greatest strikers of the 21st century, so if Sesko has a career anything like the big Swede, he will have done very well. For the time being, the 6ft 5in player has been tasked with reigniting United's lukewarm attack as he tries to make them a force again.

Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?

Slovenia international Sesko, who signed a contract until 2030 with Ruben Amorim's team, could make his United debut when they host old adversary Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday in their first game of the Premier League season.