Santos president Marcelo Teixeira claimed that he is hopeful that Neymar will extend his stay at the club beyond this summer.
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Santos chief hopeful Neymar will sign new dealNeymar in talks with Champions League clubsCurrent Santos contract expires after June 30 Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Neymar's future is once again a subject of speculation after his father confirmed talks with Champions League clubs. It was earlier revealed that the Brazil icon wants to return to Europe once his short-term deal with Santos expires.
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Amid speculations over the 33-year-old's future, Santos president Teixeira told : "We are talking to Neymar’s team. It is a step forward, we are making a lot of progress in the new negotiations and we are very close to a new agreement to allow Neymar to stay for a new period.
"We hope it happens as quickly as possible. It can't be rushed. It's not a case of, if Neymar doesn't renew, he won't play tomorrow or Sunday. That's not the case. We have no need for Neymar to play now or for the team to return to action. That's my impression. I'm very hopeful for a favourable outcome."
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The club chief added: "It’s different from the recent period, but today, given the progress and the way we talked, I think it’s a good possibility. We’re not behind or too far ahead. I’m very honest: there was no displeasure or displeasure. We sat down at the table and made our position clear, as did NR. Look, this is the possibility, the chance. Our financial, legal and marketing teams, along with their team, are putting this in a direct and practical position. Is it possible that there will be a favourable outcome? Yes."
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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR NEYMAR?
Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce are also keen on signing the ex-Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star. The player's current deal expires after June 30 and it now remains to be seen if he will stay back at his boyhood club for a longer period.
Hosts picked up 65 for 5 to dismiss Australia for 416 after Smith 110 and are only 138 behind
Vithushan Ehantharajah29-Jun-2023You cannot win a Test match in an hour’s play on day two. Nor can you lose it. But as observers at Lord’s on Thursday can now attest to, you can certainly loosen your grip on proceedings much to the relief of your opponents, as England did.A collapse of 34 for 3 in 7.3 overs saw the hosts cede control of the first innings of this second Test. Having dismissed Australia outright for 416, taking the final five wickets for the addition of just 65 runs, England conspired amongst themselves to turn 188 for one into 222 for 4.This was far from terminal. Stumps arrived with no further losses, Harry Brook unbeaten on a flighty 45 and Ben Stokes playing the part of the adult in the room with a measured 17 not out off 57. Australia’s lead is now just 138.The unnecessary cascade was layered. Steven Smith had “only” made it to 110 for his 32nd Test hundred, four years after a bumper double on this very ground. Midway through the 37th over of England’s response, Nathan Lyon pulled up with a calf injury that will be assessed overnight but almost certainly rules him out of bowling in the rest of this match. And to have lost a dynamic trio of Ollie Pope, Ben Duckett and Joe Root – all to the hook shot – felt deeply unnecessary from England, especially with a tail elongated by the presence of Josh Tongue as the extra seamer.Related
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Tongue, though, has been far from an inconvenience. He justified selection as the best on show on Wednesday with the wickets of openers Usman Khawaja and David Warner, and then prised out Smith on Thursday morning. An attempt to drive the seamer on the up was caught superbly by Duckett at gully. It was the second time this summer the Worcestershire quick has seen off the 34-year-old following an lbw decision in his favour when Smith was moonlighting as Sussex’s overseas player in May.Stuart Broad was the first to strike, trapping Alex Carey leg before, only confirmed with a DRS review at his insistence. James Anderson then picked up his first wicket of the match as Mitchell Starc swiped to first slip, with Jonny Bairstow diving across to claim the catch.Tongue’s dismissal of Smith made it 393 for 8 – the same score on which England declared at the end of the first day at Edgbaston. And while Australia were never going to reciprocate a decision that felt like generosity as time wore on, Ollie Robinson’s double strike of No. 10 and 11 – Lyon caught in the deep; Josh Hazlewood scuffing to first slip – meant only 19 came from the final two stands.There was enough time for a four-over spell before lunch, but not one that proved particularly taxing for Zak Crawley and Duckett. And while Crawley did not join his partner in traipsing into the tea interval unbeaten, he could claim plenty of credit for the 132 added in the 26 overs of the middle session.A typically classy 48 in an opening stand of 91 took England into the 18th over before the Kent opener ran inside the line of a Lyon delivery that turned up the slope. Carey, unsighted, did superbly to take cleanly and affect the off-spinner’s fourth stumping already this series.With all the build-up centred around the robustness of the 35-year-old playing his 100th consecutive Test match, here was a cruel irony when he pulled up during the 37th over. He was haring in from the leg side fence attempting to intercept an uppish pull from Duckett played off a short ball from Cameron Green. Lyon grimaced at the end of his chase, and eventually limped off the field before being helped back to the away dressing room by Australia’s team physiotherapist.Given such a high-profile injury, both of a man just four away from 500 career dismissals and the only bowler travelling under three runs an over, the nature of the delivery was in danger of getting lost. The short ball was starting to provide a whiff of opportunity. Duckett looked a tad scratchy after shedding early nerves to reach an eighth fifty-plus score from 84 deliveries.At the time of Lyon’s injury, Duckett had moved to 87, and Pope was on 39. And as their stand eventually swelled to 97 a couple of overs later, the “smart” move was to milk the pace attack, particularly the expensive Starc who was going at close to eights. Evidently, this England team regarded it as too “old-fashioned”.Pope tried to hit Green over Old Father Time but found Smith a fair few feet under him. Duckett, having made it to 98, played his fourth and final uncontrolled hook off Hazlewood to David Warner around the corner. Root, having survived on 1 when a swipe off the same bowler caught behind was ruled out for a front-foot no ball, then completed a dismal three-peat by scuffing Starc to Smith around the corner at square leg. That catch was put under the microscope but was fine. The only thing unclean about it was the connection.England’s vice-captain, their banker of an opener on the cusp of his first Ashes century and their standout batting great, throwing away their wickets through commitment to the bit. And as Lord’s scoffed, they were thankful it was not so much worse. Brook, on 25, swiped Pat Cummins straight to square leg, only for Marnus Labuschagne to tip the ball over the bar.As much as England shot themselves in the foot, Australia deserve credit. They provided the shotgun, reloaded the bullets and played to the vanity of a punchy middle order by constantly telling them how cool they looked pulling the trigger. Short bowling is hard enough at the best of times, but it was a credit to an attack who stepped up and rallied through to the 6:30pm close. Tomorrow will ask a great deal more of them.How Brook and Stokes approach matters on Friday morning remains a mystery. They could take a page out of Smith’s book, who may have needed 169 deliveries to reach three figures, but still offered enough attacking threat, notably with a glorious drive to reach the milestone, followed by a flick through midwicket to celebrate.England, though, will no doubt approach day three with the same vim. Perhaps even more, knowing their main suppressor Lyon will not be there to stop them.
Liverpool are believed to be willing to pay £67m to acquire the signature of an “exceptional” Mohamed Salah replacement this summer, should the Reds legend depart.
Doubts over Liverpool legends' futures
While Liverpool fans will be dreaming about seeing plenty of new signings arrive at Anfield in the summer transfer window, retaining the services of their most important players is equally important, if not more so.
As has been the case for most of this season, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Salah still haven’t committed their futures to the Reds, with their contracts now perilously close to expiring later this year.
Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold
Recent reports have suggested that Alexander-Arnold’s move to Real Madrid at the end of the campaign is “99% done”, while Van Dijk has been tabled an offer by Paris Saint-Germain.
Meanwhile, Salah has talked openly about the situation for months now, almost challenging the club to give him what he wants, but as things stand, he appears to be no closer to extending his stay at Liverpool. Now, a potential successor to the Egyptian has been mentioned in a new transfer claim.
Liverpool preparing £67m offer to sign Salah replacement
According to a report from Spain, Liverpool and FSG are willing to spend £67m on RB Leipzig star Xavi Simons in the summer window, with the Reds considering him an “ideal” replacement option for Salah, should he depart.
They believe that the Dutchman can bring “dynamism and creativity” to their attack, and while he only joined Leipzig permanently from PSG in January, the Bundesliga club appear to be happy to cash in on their record signing.
Xavi Simons for RB Leipzig
It goes without saying that Salah signing a new contract remains the preferable option for Liverpool this summer, but if he does move on, Simons could be an excellent option to come in.
Still only 21, he is already such a consistent attacking player for Leipzig, scoring seven goals and chipping in with five assists in the Bundesliga this season, while Christoph Freund has hailed his ability, saying:
“He is a very good player. He had a very good European Championship and a great season with Leipzig. He’s developed really well. I think he’s going to have a really good career at the highest level. He has everything, mentality, character and is just an exceptional player.”
Simons enjoyed a memorable personal moment last summer, scoring a superb goal for the Netherlands in the semi-final of Euro 2024 against England. While his country went on to lose the game, it outlined the ability that the young attacker possesses.
The Leipzig ace is also versatile, which Arne Slot could like, being capable of shining out wide on both flanks, and in a central attacking midfield role.
"World-class" £150k-a-week Liverpool player could exit Anfield this summer
The club have made their decision about his future.
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As mentioned, Simons hopefully won’t be needed because it means Salah is staying, but he could be a great long-term option to fill the eventual void left by Liverpool’s legendary No.11.
Former India allrounder Salim Durani has died aged 88. He was living with his brother Jahangir Durani in Jamnagar, Gujarat, according to PTI.Durani had undergone a proximal femoral nail surgery after he broke his thigh bone in a fall in January this year.An aggressive left-handed batter and a left-arm spinner, Durani played 29 Tests, scoring 1202 runs and taking 75 wickets.He was best remembered for that magical spell that helped India to their first Test win in the West Indies in 1971, which is also remembered for Sunil Gavaskar’s Test debut. In the space of a few balls, Durani had dismissed Clive Lloyd and Garry Sobers – the latter for a duck – at a crucial time in the second innings in Port of Spain for India’s seven-wicket win. Durani conceded just 21 runs in the 17 overs he bowled.In an interview with ESPNcricinfo, Durani gave details of how he set up Sobers and Lloyd for those wicket. “They’re one of the finest cricket-playing countries in the world… but not on the ground. On the ground they’ll break your head. But after the game they used to take us to [their] home[s], and this and that,” he spoke about sporting West Indies.
Ten years before this Test, he bowled India to victory against England in 1961-62, successively taking eight and ten wickets in Kolkata and Chennai respectively. He was the highest wicket-taker in the series with 23 scalps from nine innings, in what was only his second Test series.Born in Kabul in 1934, Durani had created a special rapport with the spectators with his aggressive style of batting and acquired the reputation of hitting sixes on demand. He scored one Test century, against West Indies in Port of Spain in 1962. He played his last Test in February 1973 against England at the Brabourne Stadium, where he had also made his debut in 1960, and finished with a batting average of 25.04.
Liverpool feel like they are moving, almost inexorably, toward the Premier League title.
Despite a few recent hitches, the title-chasing pack simply don’t have the resources to close down the big gap that Arne Slot’s side has established over the duration of the season.
But what about the future? So much hinges on the outcome of several off-the-field issues that have plagued Anfield throughout the campaign yet somehow failed to knock the title charge out of kilter.
Liverpool managerArneSlotbefore the match
The Times’ Paul Joyce has revealed in the wake of Liverpool’s crushing victory over Manchester City that talks are ongoing with non-committal superstars Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold, though it remains a great concern with all three out of contract in little over four months.
Liverpool appear to be heading to the top-flight title this season and may even hit further goals – into the Carabao Cup final and one of the favourites to lift the Champions League for a seventh time – early days in that one, though.
However, Slot will want to consolidate his reign with sustained success over a number of areas, and that means sorting out the futures of more than just the ‘big three’.
The other players who may leave Liverpool
In Joyce’s article, he touches on the abiding rumours around the futures of Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez.
Luis Diaz in action for Liverpool vs Wolves
Diaz is an important member of the first-team squad but, aged 28 and with two years left on his deal, could find himself sold if a fresh contract cannot be agreed upon.
Nunez, conversely, is a popular figure at Anfield but appears to have regressed this season and will likely be sold to make room for a new and more clinical striker.
Nunez – Premier League Record
Season
Apps
Goals
Shots (on target)
Big chances missed
24/25
16
4
1.6 (0.6)
3
23/24
36
11
3.0 (1.3)
27
22/23
29
9
2 9 (1.3)
20
Stats via Sofascore
With Giorgi Mamardashvili arriving from LaLiga side Valencia in a deal worth £29m, it seems likely that second-choice between the sticks, Caoimhin Kelleher, will be sold, especially since the Irishman has been candid about his desire for regular first-team football.
The unerring correspondent also commented on Harvey Elliott’s situation. The 21-year-old playmaker is immensely talented but will need to have some internal conversations given Slot has scarcely used him this season. Indeed, Elliott hasn’t started in the Premier League this term.
Liverpool player Harvey Elliott
However, that’s not to say Slot isn’t willing to promote Liverpool’s youngsters. With Real Madrid coveting Trent, it looks like Conor Bradley may be playing as Liverpool’s first-choice right-back next year. There’s also Jarell Quansah, who isn’t likely to usurp Van Dijk but could take his baton in a few years.
Let’s have a closer look at the powerful centre-back.
Jarell Quansah is Liverpool's future star
Liverpool’s academy has gone from strength to strength over the past several years. Alexander-Arnold, Curtis Jones and indeed Elliott had graduated throughout Jurgen Klopp’s reign but the depth and potential seems greater today.
Conor Bradley and Jarell Quansah.
There’s a whole host of up-and-coming talent pushing against Slot’s first team now, but it’s indeed Quansah and Bradley who lead the charge.
The significance of Quansah’s breakout campaign last year was accelerated when Joel Matip ruptured his ACL against Fulham in December 2023 in what ultimately proved a career-ending injury.
Former Liverpool defender Joel Matip
The English defender was described as “an absolute monster” by talent scout Jacek Kulig as he staked his claim for a prominent role in Liverpool’s side, even pipping the out-of-sorts Ibrahima Konate to a regular starting berth in the closing months of the Premier League season. Quansah started this beside Van Dijk term too, albeit was withdrawn in the campaign’s opener at half-time against Ipswich.
He’s suffered something of a slow season under Slot’s wing since but remains one of Merseyside’s biggest jewels, starting 11 of the final 15 fixtures.
And after a momentous cameo as off-colour Liverpool held Wolverhampton Wanderers at bay to claim three invaluable points last weekend, Slot was full of praise for his much-improved young star, saying “he is back to being the same Jarell” after “a bit of a difficult time” at the beginning of 2024/25.
With a strong athletic base and exciting technical qualities, Quansah has all the parts to become a leading centre-back in the years to come.
In fact, such skills have already seen him compared to Tottenham Hotspur titan Cristian Romero and Real Madrid’s Eder Militao via FBRef’s similar players feature. Romero’s availability leaves something to be desired but his footballing ability is a thing to behold.
Quansah vs Romero (past 365 days)
Stats (per 90)
Quansah
Romero
Goals
0.13
0.12
Assists
0.00
0.00
Touches
92.71
92.18
Pass completion
90.6%
90.9%
Progressive passes
4.43
4.92
Shot-creating actions
0.99
1.21
Progressive carries
0.93
0.81
Ball recoveries
4.89
5.40
Tackles + interceptions
3.44
3.42
Clearances
3.37
2.98
Aerial duels won
2.12
3.26
All stats via FBref
See the defenders’ statistics collected over the past year. It’s uncanny how similar Quansah and Romero are across a number of areas: both crisp with their passing yet creative too; both mobile players, covering immense stretches of ground and both active and crunching with their challenges.
Quansah hasn’t played all that much Premier League football this season, but last year, he incredibly won 64% of his total duels, as per Sofascore.
Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah
To put that into context: the awe-inspiring Van Dijk has won 69% in 2024/25 and Romero, 26, has emerged on top in 61% this season and 68% the year before.
While Tottenham have struggled in Ange Postecoglou’s second term, largely due to ceaseless injury problems, Romero has been part of that fitness problem, last starting against Ipswich Town in November.
He’s a brilliant and dynamic defender, aggressive and tenacious too. Real Madrid have been linked with him over the past year as they prepare to sign a new long-term member for their central rearguard, but Daniel Levy is down to play hardball.
Well, the tight chairman has retorted with £150m demands for the 2022 World Cup winner. That’s quite the exorbitant figure.
We’re not saying that Quansah – or indeed Romero – is worth such an obscene amount of money, but the rising Liverpool sensation is clearly doing something right, and now that he’s found his feet – he must push on, and maybe raise his stock and standing on the continental scene.
Bye-bye: £140k-p/w dud's Liverpool career looks totally finished under Slot
Liverpool might look to part ways with this talented member at the end of the season.
“To play over there and hopefully play really well is kind of the goal,” Agar, whose last Test had come in 2017, said
Tristan Lavalette10-Nov-2022Eyeing Australia’s tour of India early next year, Ashton Agar has started his preparation towards a potential long-awaited Test recall, confident he can shift between formats “quickly”.Agar was a notable inclusion in the Prime Minister’s XI squad to play West Indies in Canberra in a four-day day-night first-class fixture starting on November 23. Back in Perth after Australia’s T20 World Cup exit, Agar hit the WACA nets in a bid to get reacquainted with the red ball.”I just had a nice long bowl at the WACA, and faced the red ball again,” Agar told reporters on Thursday as part of Youth Focus, a leading provider of youth mental-health services in Western Australia, being announced as charity partner for the Perth Test. “I still have a desire to play red-ball cricket. I would love to be part of the India Test tour.”Related
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The Prime Minister’s XI affair is effectively a warm-up for the visiting West Indies side ahead of the two-Test series which begins in Perth on November 30, but also presents opportunities for Australia’s fringe players.Agar has been a regular member of Australia’s limited-overs squads over the years, and played in their victory over Sri Lanka in Perth at the T20 World Cup, where he was a late replacement for frontline spinner Adam Zampa, who had tested positive for Covid-19.But his busy commitments in the limited-overs formats have caused Agar to be unavailable for Western Australia (WA) in the Sheffield Shield, with his last appearance being in April 2021. He has a middling first-class record overall averaging 41.28 and striking at 80.7 with the ball.Despite his suspect red ball record, Agar remains an intriguing prospect for Australia’s hierarchy who are keen for the left-arm spinner to bowl more in first-class cricket with the tour of India looming.Ashton Agar said he was not perturbed by being pigeonholed as a white-ball specialist•AFP via Getty Images”I think all the skills are there. I have enough experience to shift formats quickly,” he said while revealing he might play in WA’s Shield match against Queensland starting December 1. “But getting your body right and building your bowling loads up to bowl for a long period of time… it’s just a different battle.”I’ve had a couple of decent side strains recently, which I have to be a little wary of. So just taking that extra care on your body and trying to be as professional as you can is probably the key going forward.”Agar, who famously scored 98 from No.11 on Test debut during the 2013 Ashes, played the last of his four Tests in 2017, although was considered a strong chance to play in the mid-year series in Sri Lanka until he suffered a significant side strain.
“They (matches in India) were my favourite games to watch growing up. Games happen quickly. The ball spins miles… if you bat well over there, you’ve batted really well”Ashton Agar doesn’t want to miss out on playing in India
He won’t be playing in WA’s Shield match against South Australia at the WACA starting on Friday, but has been named in Australia’s ODI squad for the upcoming three-match series against England. And Agar said he was not perturbed by being somewhat pigeonholed as a white-ball specialist.”The important thing is communication with the selectors,” he said. “They’ve been really good with me. The communication has been really open and really clear. If they wanted me to play more red-ball cricket, they would have given me the opportunity. That’s exactly what they are doing now with the Prime Minister XI game, and maybe another Shield game after that.”If he does end up playing in India, it would be a dream come true for Agar, whose only previous Test experience in the subcontinent was in Bangladesh, also the last time he played a Test.”They (matches in India) were my favourite games to watch growing up,” Agar said. “Games happen quickly. The ball spins miles… if you bat well over there, you’ve batted really well. To play over there and hopefully play really well is kind of the goal.”
علق بيب جوارديولا، المدير الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي مانشستر سيتي، على عودة رودري مرة أخرى واحتمالية مشاركته في مباراة فولهام بالدوري الإنجليزي.
وشارك رودري بديلًا في المباراة الماضية أمام كريستال بالاس والتي انتهت بفوز كتيبة الإسباني بـ 3 أهداف مقابل هدف بعد غياب عدة شهور بسبب الإصابة.
ومن المقرر أن يواجه مانشستر سيتي نظيره فولهام يوم الأحد المقبل، في إطار منافسات الجولة الأخيرة من بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.
ويحتاج مانشستر سيتي لنقطة واحدة فقط حتى يضمن المشاركة في بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا الموسم المقبل رفقة ليفربول وآرسنال وتوتنهام الذي توج مؤخرًا بالدوري الأوروبي.
اقرأ أيضًا | جوارديولا عن أسيست مرموش: دي بروين فرط في حبة الكرز.. ومشاعري مختلطة
وقال جوارديولا في المؤتمر الصحفي عن عودة رودري: “نحن سعداء حقًا بعودته، سعداء حقًا بردة فعل شعبنا تجاهه، أنا متأكد تمامًا من أنه سعيد جدًا بذلك، لا يزال الطريق طويلًا حتى نصل إلى رودري الذي كان عليه”.
وأكمل: “أعتقد أنه في الموسم المقبل سنتبع سياسة مختلفة مع رودري لأنه قبل الإصابة كان يلعب عددا كبيلاا من المباريات، سيستغرق الأمر وقتًا أطول لأن الخبرة في هذه الجراحة تتطلب الحذر وإلا فستكون هناك مشاكل عضلية وهذا النوع من الأشياء”.
وبسؤاله عن مشاركة رودري أساسيًا قال: “لا، لن يبدأ، ليس مستعدًا للبدء”.
وعما يحتاجه مانشستر سيتي للتأهل إلى دوري أبطال أوروبا الموسم المقبل، أوضح: “علينا أن نراجع أنفسنا.، نحتاج نقطة واحدة لنتأهل لدوري أبطال أوروبا الموسم المقبل، وعلينا أن نفوز على فريق قوي”.
وأضاف: “الوضع واضح، للعب في دوري أبطال أوروبا علينا أن نحصل على نتيجة هناك وهذا ما سنفعل، انظر اليوم، وغدًا في التدريبات من هو لائق، وكيف سنلعب، وأشكال مختلفة وطرق مختلفة وانظر كيف يكون اللاعبون أكثر لياقة وتركيزًا ونذهب إلى لندن لتحقيق النتيجة التي نحتاجها”.
واستطرد: “المبارايات التي لعبناها ضد فولهام في السنوات الأخيرة، كانت 2-1، 3-2، متقاربة للغاية، دائمًا ما كانت هناك مباريات صعبة عندما كنا هناك للفوز بالدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز لأنه كان في نهاية الموسم في كل مرة”.
وعن تراجع مستوى فودين قال: “أنا أعلم تمامًا مدى صعوبة الأمر، نحن عائلة له، طفلٌ صغيرٌ في الأكاديمية ليصبح نجمًا معنا، نريد مساعدته”.
وأتم جوارديولا تصريحاته قائلًا: “يحتاج إلى الراحة، وسيعود الآن بعد مباراة الأحد، سيعود تدريجيًا، نريد مساعدته، هذا ما نريده،. لا يهمني الأداء على أرض الملعب، أريد أن يشعر بالارتياح وبعد ذلك سيأتي الباقي”.
Stina Blackstenius, Beth Mead and Victoria Pelova were also among the goals as Renee Slegers' side closed the gap to Chelsea to just three points
Arsenal will go into Saturday's Champions League semi-final first leg against Lyon with plenty of confidence after comfortably dispatching Leicester City on Tuesday, despite missing all of Chloe Kelly, Alessia Russo and Daphne van Domselaar. The Gunners will hope they can welcome the two England stars back into the fold before that big European outing but, if not, this 5-1 victory over the Foxes was a good tune-up for those that will play in their places, with Stina Blackstenius in particular impressing in the No.9 role as Renee Slegers' side closed the gap to Women's Super League leaders Chelsea to just three points.
It wasn't a game that served as particularly pertinent preparation for Arsenal, with them dominating in a fashion that won't be possible against eight-time European champions Lyon, but it was a game that allowed them to dust off the cobwebs after an international break that hit them hard with injuries.
There were just nine minutes on the clock when a truly world-class cross from Frida Maanum allowed Caitlin Foord to break the deadlock and, from there, the result was hardly in doubt. Those inside the Emirates Stadium didn't have to wait long to celebrate again either, with Blackstenius on the scoresheet this time as she latched onto a square pass from Beth Mead. The Swede turned provider when Arsenal made it three just past the half-hour mark, the impressive Foord finding the top corner with the aid of a deflection, and that allowed Slegers to make some changes at the break, with an eye on the weekend.
There was still plenty left in the tank, though. Kim Little danced through the Leicester box just past the hour and stood a cross up for Mead to head a fourth and then, after Yuka Momiki had arrowed an effort into the bottom corner to give the Foxes a consolation, the cherry on the cake was provided by Victoria Pelova, who marked just a third game back from injury with a goal that prompted wholesome celebrations from the entire team.
The Gunners still need Chelsea to slip up if they're to properly be in contention for that WSL title, and with the Blues just four games away from an invincible season, that is unlikely. However, if it does happen, Arsenal will be right there, ready to pounce. That's all they can do at this stage.
GOAL rates Arsenal's players from the Emirates Stadium…
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Goalkeeper & Defence
Manuela Zinsberger (6/10):
An important return to action in between the sticks given she is now likely to see the season out for the Gunners, with Van Domselaar potentially missing for six weeks. Didn't have much to do, but did little wrong.
Emily Fox (7/10):
Offered a great outlet going forward, regularly creating a dangerous overload down the right but also in some central areas.
Leah Williamson (7/10):
Stepped up to kickstart attacks on a regular basis, while also effectively keeping tabs on any potential Leicester threats.
Steph Catley (7/10):
Moved the ball accurately and was successful in most of her duels.
Katie McCabe (6/10):
Final ball wasn't always as pinpoint as one comes to expect from her, but she was a constant option in the final third without being too exposed defensively.
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Midfield
Kim Little (8/10):
Quietly kept things ticking over in midfield, while letting Caldentey really run the show. Covered well defensively to mop up a few potential issues and provided a sublime assist for Arsenal's fourth.
Mariona Caldentey (8/10):
Dictated play throughout and was involved in everything good that Arsenal did. Yet another wonderful display.
Frida Maanum (7/10):
Added plenty to the attack and had some really nice moments, most notably the outstanding cross for Foord's opener. Taken off at the break, with one eye on Saturday.
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Attack
Beth Mead (7/10):
Ran at her marker, put good balls into the box and was generally a thorn in Leicester's side all night, getting a well-deserved goal in the second half.
Stina Blackstenius (7/10):
Worked hard off the ball, showed great movement when Arsenal were in possession and will have had her confidence boosted massively by a first goal in over two months.
Caitlin Foord (8/10):
Absolutely superb before being taken off at the break to save her for the weekend. Involved in all three first-half goals, able to finish devastatingly while also creating for others.
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Subs & Manager
Victoria Pelova (7/10):
Marked just her third appearance of the season, following an ACL injury, with a goal, provoking real heart-warming celebrations. Looked sharp despite a lack of action.
Lia Walti (7/10):
Another half-time sub and just helped Arsenal continue to dictate and control the game with some smart moving of the ball.
Katie Reid (6/10):
The talented teenager got a good 25-minute run-out here and reminded everyone why she's so highly-rated in a composed cameo.
Kyra Cooney-Cross (6/10):
Introduced at the same time as Reid, she injected new life into the midfield and brought a lot of energy to the table despite the result being well beyond doubt already.
Amanda Ilestedt (N/A):
A late sub as she continues to build up her fitness after giving birth to her first child at the start of the season.
Renee Slegers (8/10):
A really well managed game in terms of minutes. Took full advantage of the opportunity to rest players ahead of that Lyon clash and handed out some valuable game time to the likes of Reid and Pelova, as well as players such as Blackstenius and Mead who could be crucial this weekend if Russo and Kelly are indeed still out.
It would be fair to say that this season has not exactly gone according to plan for Arsenal.
The Gunners came into the campaign hopeful of finally displacing Manchester City atop the Premier League, and while they’re five points clear of the defending champions, they’re also down in third and nine points off Liverpool.
Mikel Arteta’s side have still been relatively solid at the back this year but underwhelming in attack, especially off the left-hand side.
So, recent reports linking the club to an unreal left-winger who’d be an upgrade on Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli should come as no surprise.
Arsenal transfer news
According to a recent report from TEAMtalk, Arsenal have maintained their interest in Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams.
The Gunners’ desire to bring the young Spaniard to the Emirates over the summer was widely reported, and according to this story, the club consider him to be a target for next summer as well.
The article does not mention a potential price tag, but reports from earlier this month reaffirmed that the European Champion has a release clause in his current contract worth around £46m.
There will undoubtedly be other teams chasing Williams in the summer, but should Arsenal want to take another step forward and improve their left-hand side ahead of next season, then signing the Spaniard would be an excellent idea.
How Williams compares to Martinelli and Trossard
So, should Arsenal be able to beat the chasing pack and bring Williams to North London in the summer, he’d almost certainly come in as the new first-choice left-winger ahead of Martinelli and Trossard, but how does he compare to the Gunners’ current options?
Well, from a simple output perspective, from the start of last season, he has them beat, and it’s not particularly close.
For example, the Spanish “level-raiser,” as analyst Ben Mattinson dubbed him, has scored ten goals and provided 24 assists in just 60 appearances, which equates to a brilliant average of a goal involvement every 1.76 games.
Williams vs Trossard vs Martinelli
2023/24
Williams
Trossard
Martinelli
Appearances
37
46
44
Goals
8
17
8
Assists
19
2
5
Goal + Assists per Match
0.72
0.41
0.29
2024/25
Williams
Trossard
Martinelli
Appearances
23
25
24
Goals
2
4
5
Assists
5
3
2
Goal + Assists per Match
0.30
0.28
0.29
All Stats via Transfermarkt
In contrast, the Belgian international has racked up a haul of 26 goal involvements in 71 appearances, and the Gunners’ Brazilian winger has a haul of just 20 in 68 appearances across the same period, meaning the pair are averaging a goal involvement every 2.73 and 3.4 games, respectively.
However, it’s not just his output that makes the 22-year-old such an exciting prospect, as his underlying numbers are just as impressive.
According to FBref, which compares players in similar positions across Europe’s top five leagues, the Champions League and Europa League, the Pamplona-born dynamo sits in the top 7% of wingers for progressive carries and successful take-ons, the top 10% for progressive passes received and the top 21% for assists, all per 90.
In particular, the fact that he’s so adept at progressing the ball up the pitch and taking on opposing defenders should excite Arsenal fans, as that is the sort of left-winger they have been crying out for.
Ultimately, while Trossard and Martinelli are talented footballers who have been vital to Arsenal’s resurgence over the last couple of years, they aren’t on the same level as Williams, nor do they have the same potential.
Therefore, while it could be incredibly challenging, the club must do what they can to bring him to the Emirates in the summer.
Jesus upgrade: Arsenal lead race for "outstanding" £60m goal-machine
The prolific forward would be a game-changer for Arsenal.
Aston Villa managed a superb victory against struggling Manchester City, with a 2-1 win at Villa Park. Goals from Jhon Duran and Morgan Rogers gave the Villans a 2-0 lead, before Phil Foden scored a consolation goal in the 93rd minute, making it 2-1.
Unai Emery’s side held 44% possession, took 11 shots in the game, but still generated 1.67 xG and created four big chances. Despite Manchester City holding more of the ball, and taking more shots (12), they only produced two big chances and generated 1.03 xG.
Stealing the headlines after his excellent goal in the 65th minute was Rogers, who not only scored, but also set up the first Villa goal, and provided some true moments of quality against his former club.
Morgan Rogers' performance vs Man City
Everything Villa did in forward areas came through Rogers, creating both of the goals, completing two key passes, succeeding with five of his seven dribble attempts and winning eight of his 12 duels.
The 22-year-old’s ability to carry the ball in central areas, escape man-to-man pressure, and deliver the final touch, whether that is a pass or a shot, has been improving week after week.
Since joining the club last season for a fee of around just £8m (which could rise to £16m if all add-ons are met), Rogers has made 39 appearances for the club, scoring eight goals, providing five assists and totalling 2,902 minutes played.
But despite being so involved, there is another Villa man who orchestrated proceedings and continues to impress following a brilliant performance against Man City, with Jamie Carragher even stating he’s been “excellent” this season back in October.
Performance in Numbers
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That being said, he and Duran were not the only standout performers for Emery’s side.
Youri Tielemans' performance vs Man City
Youri Tielemans has already made 69 appearances for the club since joining in the 2023/24 season, scoring four goals, providing 13 assists and totalling 4,703 minutes played.
But the main source of his praise has been from his pass appreciation in midfield, and his ability to control the game in central zones.
The 27-year-old Belgian has received high praise in the last 12 months, with Filip Joos stating “Tielemans can be mentioned in the same breath as Lukaku, De Bruyne and Vertonghen” and he showed exactly why against De Bruyne’s side this weekend, handed an 8/10 rating by Birmingham Live.
Minutes
90
Touches
46
Accurate Passes
27/35
Key Passes
2
Crosses
1/2
Long Balls
2/2
Ground Duels Won
4/6
Tackles
3
Interceptions
1
Tielemans started things off for Villa’s first goal, sliding a lovely pass between the Manchester City midfield lines to Rogers, who then managed to find Duran for the opener. The Belgian did this throughout, probing when he got on the ball, making passes between the lines and forcing City to retreat.
But his defensive impact was also important, winning four of his six ground duels, making three tackles and one interception. He was playing a hybrid role out of possession, looking to apply pressure alongside Duran at times, but also dropping off to cover City’s midfield pivot and their central progression route.
Despite the signing of Belgian teammate Amadou Onana, the return of Boubacar Kamara and the signing of Ross Barkley, Tielemans’ performances continue to make him an undroppable asset to Emery’s side, with his midfield qualities being so important to the team’s functionality.
There was, of course, irony about Rogers performing well against his former employers but lest we forget that Guardiola rates Tielemans pretty highly too, having looked to sign him as a teenager at Anderlecht.
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