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Juan Soto would like to see Pete Alonso back in a Mets uniform next season.

Speaking with reporters at the MLB Awards in Las Vegas, Soto addressed the fact that Alonso is hitting free agency this offseason after opting out of a one-year, $24 million contract option with the Mets.

“I hope nothing but the best and I’m excited to see where he’s going to end up,” Soto said [via the Mike Puma]. “He’s one of the best power hitters in this generation. I really enjoyed my moment with him in a Mets uniform and I hope we can have more times to come.

“We can have fun together.”

Soto and Alonso did indeed have fun in the lineup in their first season together in New York. Soto shook off a slow start to the 2025 campaign and finished the year batting .263/.396/.525 with 43 homers, 105 RBIs and a career-high 38 stolen bases.

Alonso played all 162 games for a second straight year and batted .272/.347/.524 with a career-high 41 doubles and 38 home runs. He ranked in the top five percent of all MLB hitters in average exit velocity, barrel percentage and hard-hit percentage.

Alonso was also a free agent last offseason. When he didn’t find the long-term contract he was looking for on the open market, he signed a two-year, $54 million contract to return to the Mets with the aim to perform well, opt out of ‘25 and hit free agency again. One year later, MLB Trade Rumors predicts he’ll sign a four-year contract worth $110 million this offseason.

RELATED: Pete Alonso Destinations: Best Landing Spots for Mets Star in Free Agency

The Mets and their $342 million payroll missed out on a playoff berth by one game this past season thanks in large part to an eight-game losing streak in September. Soto is looking to right that wrong in 2026, and he’s hoping Alonso will be back in the heart of the Mets’ order along with him.

Chelsea are in conversation with the representatives of a defender as midfielder Moises Caicedo offers his opinion on the potential transfer, according to a new report.

Chelsea play Bournemouth after Leeds United blow

Chelsea travel to Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon desperately seeking a response to their shock midweek defeat at Leeds, with Enzo Maresca’s title credentials under scrutiny after a damaging loss that left them nine points adrift of Arsenal.

The Blues suffered a humiliating 3-1 loss at Elland Road on Wednesday, falling two goals behind by halftime before Pedro Neto’s second-half strike proved insufficient.

The defeat represented their second loss to newly-promoted opposition this season, raising fresh doubts about their ability to maintain consistency and challenge Mikel Arteta for the Premier League.

Bournemouth present a challenge despite their own recent struggles.

The Cherries have endured a miserable November without a single victory, collecting just one point from four games while conceding 12 goals.

Tuesday’s narrow 1-0 home defeat to Everton extended their winless streak to five matches and marked their first loss at the Vitality Stadium all campaign.

Andoni Iraola’s side have plummeted from second to 14th during this barren spell, though they remain only five points behind fourth-placed Chelsea with significant room for optimism.

The hosts have collected 14 of their 19 Premier League points on home soil this season, establishing the Vitality as a fortress until Everton’s breakthrough.

Chelsea arrive as clear favourites based on superior stats and historical dominance, having won 15 of 23 meetings between the two clubs.

However, the visitors face selection headaches, with Caicedo still serving his suspension after picking up five yellow cards.

The Ecuadorian’s absence is a significant blow given his pivotal role protecting the defence, and Caicedo’s presence was sorely missed against Leeds.

Fabrizio Romano says 24-year-old has now played his last game for Chelsea

He doesn’t have a future in west London.

ByEmilio Galantini Dec 4, 2025

Chelsea boast the division’s best away attacking record with 15 goals in seven games, averaging over two goals per match. Yet, their vulnerability without Caicedo was exposed ruthlessly by Leeds, with the midfield lacking its usual protection.

While the £150,000-per-week star continues to sit out, he’s at least making himself useful in other ways.

Chelsea hold talks with Joel Ordonez as Moises Caicedo offers opinion

That is according to TEAMtalk and journalist Graeme Bailey, who report on Chelsea’s serious interest in Club Brugge defender Joel Ordonez.

Chelsea have renewed contact with Ordonez’s representatives in recent weeks as they intensify their pursuit of the 21-year-old, with Caicedo also offering behind-the-scenes ‘thoughts’ about his former Independiente del Valle teammate.

The west Londoners are said to have tracked him since before his 2023 move to Belgium, maintaining long-standing interest in the player.

Caicedo and Ordonez developed their friendship during their time together at Independiente’s famed South American academy, and have remained close through international duty.

The Chelsea midfielder now appears to be playing agent, giving his verdict on Ordonez to the club’s hierarchy.

Liverpool represent significant competition for Ordonez’s signature, though.

Arne Slot’s side have monitored him closely over the past year as they desperately seek solutions to their defensive crisis. The Reds initially prioritised Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi, but understand he will not depart Selhurst Park during January, forcing them to explore alternative options.

Crucially, both Club Brugge and Ordonez himself are open to a winter transfer, with England emerging as the most likely destination.

Fresh discussions between the player’s camp and Chelsea have taken place recently, building on months of established communication channels, but Man City and Tottenham are also keen.

City and Spurs have shown admiration for Ordonez, closely assessing him in recent weeks as they evaluate their own defensive requirements.

However, Chelsea and Liverpool currently lead the race after laying more groundwork, and perhaps Caicedo’s presence could prove key here in the race for Ordonez’s signature.

The American and National League's Rookie of the Year awards are—even by MLB award standards—difficult to handicap.

It's May 19—deep enough into the MLB season to see trends emerging—and it's not entirely certain that the potential winners are both in the majors. In 2013, Tampa Bay Rays right fielder Wil Myers won the AL award after debuting on June 18. In 2019, Houston Astros left fielder Yordan Alvarez won after a June 9 debut.

Nevertheless, now seems like a good time to start taking stock of the rookie crop. We’ll be doing this roughly every two weeks throughout the season, assessing the bodies of work of rookies currently at the game's top level. To come up with the top three first-year players in each league so far, we asked how are players faring in traditional metrics? What about OPS and FIP? WAR? Win probability added?

The result are the rankings you see before you, which don't necessarily reflect the hype afforded certain rookies. Boston Red Sox second baseman Kristian Campbell has shown flashes—but –0.1 bWAR sticks out like a sore thumb (his 0.2 fWAR isn’t much better). So it goes for Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki with an unsightly 4.72 ERA.

Let's dive in. All stats are updated entering Monday’s games.

American League

1. Jacob Wilson, shortstop, Athletics

What a start for the Athletics' 2023 first-round pick—suddenly the face of the team's much-maligned Sacramento sojourn. Last Tuesday, Wilson clubbed two home runs as his team romped 11–1 over the Los Angeles Dodgers. He's slashing an otherworldly .337/.369/.478 with five homers, marrying old-school and new-school sensibilities as he leads the AL in singles and ranks fifth in offensive WAR. If the Sacramento team stays over .500, he'll remain in the spotlight.

2. Carlos Narváez, catcher, Boston Red Sox

He was already one of the best defensive catchers in baseball. Now he's starting to hit—far more so than co-catcher Connor Wong, the owner of a .156 batting average. Per Chris Cotillo of MassLive, manager Alex Cora “continues to insist that catchers Carlos Narváez and Connor Wong are in a timeshare behind that plate." With Narváez slashing .382/.462/.529 in May, how much longer can that charade continue?

3. Jake Mangum, right fielder, Tampa Bay Rays

Mangum isn’t on most people’s radar for this award, and there’s good reason for that. He hasn't played since April 23 due to a groin strain, and in a quintessentially Raysian twist, he's 29 and has long been off prospect watchers' radars. However, his numbers are undeniably intriguing—0.8 bWAR in just 21 games, .338/.384/.397 slash line, eight steals, solid defense—and he’s set to begin a rehab assignment in the minors on Tuesday. Advanced metrics liked his start; let's see if healthier rookies pass him in the coming weeks.

Honorable Mention

Jasson Dominguez, LF, New York Yankees; Shane Smith, SP, Chicago White Sox; Grant Holman, RP, Athletics; Chandler Simpson, OF, Rays

National League

Jackson Merrill knows how to celebrate.

Hours after agreeing to a new nine-year, $135 million contract extension with the San Diego Padres, the 21-year-old center fielder blasted a home run to give the Padres a 4-0 lead over the Cleveland Guardians.

The at-bat came against Ben Lively, with two outs in the bottom of the third inning and the Padres already up 2-0. Lively hung a curveball on the first pitch and Merrill clobbered it. He launched it 388 feet into the right field bleachers as the ball came off his bat at 108.5 mph.

It was Merrill's second home run in as many days, as he tattooed one Tuesday night as well.

Merrill had a stellar rookie season in 2024, slashing .292/.326/.500 with 25 home runs and 90 RBIs. He was an All-Star, was named second-team All-MLB and won a Silver Slugger award. He won't turn 22 until April 19.

Merrill's new deal is incredibly team-friendly and helps secure the Padres' future moving forward.

MLS announced a landmark decision by switching to a fall-spring calendar, and the benefits are obvious, but there are some valid challenges the league needs to navigate through

Focus really hard, and you could almost see the relief in Don Garber as he announced the news. MLS has done the one thing it really should have done for years, and he knew it. There has been talk, stretching back to last January, that an official switch to a fall-spring calendar in North America's professional soccer setup was imminent. For a while, there were just whispers and suggestions. It was reportedly brought up at countless board meetings. It received cautious public backing from coaches. 

And, more broadly, anyone who consumed the league, followed its transfers, or even turned on Apple from time to time knew it was probably the sensible idea.

After some previous challenges, MLS, at long last, has a fall-spring calendar. The league has confirmed it. The basics are as expected. Starting in 2027, games will run from late July to early May. There will be a break in the winter. Transfer windows will align with the rest of the world. There will be no more playing through international breaks. On the face of it, this seems like the day when a still-growing, but at times conservative, league finally decided to take a bold swing. 

At the same time, there are clear caveats. Existing player contracts will need to be reworked, and the league will now find itself competing more directly with other major U.S. sports during the heart of its season. There’s also value in tradition – even if MLS’s calendar has always been unconventional. So while this move feels logical and long overdue, it won’t be without complications.

MLS 3.0 may be underway, but its success is far from guaranteed.

Getty Images Sport'Take our time and get it right'

MLS has been inching toward this for years, and there was a growing sense that the shift was inevitable. This is a league in a constant state of evolution, and the move brings it into the modern era in a more convincing way. In truth, MLS delayed the change longer than it wanted to, Commissioner Don Garber admitted at a news conference.

"We would rather take our time and get it right than be fast and get it wrong," Garber said. 

The general idea here is to capitalize on the momentum brought about by the 2026 World Cup. The tournament is considered – and rightly so – a landmark event in the scope of the game in North America. Now is the perfect opportunity, if not excuse, for MLS to make significant changes in earnest. And what better way to convince people that MLS is legitimate than to do so around a World Cup? If this is the expression of the American game in club form, it should surely be linked to the biggest global event that soccer offers. 

There have been extensive discussions, though, to make sure that the change is made in the right way. The league surveyed fans and other relevant parties, it said in a release, about their relative interest in a Fall-Spring calendar. Ninety-two percent of respondents supported a change to align with the European game. Discussions first started in earnest in October 2023. Just over two years later, rumor has become reality. 

AdvertisementGetty ImagesTransfers and international breaks

On the face of it, primarily, removing all of the noise, this is advantageous for MLS. Some would meet it with a shrug and a "duh." MLS, by working on a different schedule, is out of touch with the European world that it is so often compared to. On the face of things, this is a move toward legitimacy. Want to take us seriously? Well, here's a calendar to show you that we're for real. 

But the most obvious benefit is the way the league functions in the global soccer sphere. For so long, transfer windows have been so awkward to figure out. MLS's primary window runs from January to April. Its secondary one stretches from July to August. That has proven to be a roadblock on two fronts. Primarily, it has made player acquisition harder, with the league forced to go after those who have either already begun their seasons at their club or are looking for a move halfway through. It's a pain in terms of recruitment. Even more difficult, though, is the midseason window where MLS teams can so often lose their best players. That July to August window has been a deadly thing for some sides, who have to kiss top talents goodbye when a good offer comes in. 

"It allows us to be aligned with the international transfer windows, which we think is incredibly important. It gives us a wide variety of opportunities that will expand our ability to be on this path, to be one of the top and leading leagues in the world," Garber said.

The shift won't entirely change the fact that MLS teams will lose good footballers here and there. But they can also use those windows to sign new ones, or plan ahead properly. What can happen here, then, is the fleshing out of a proper global transfer infrastructure, where players come and go – and spending can be maximized (albeit with the caveat of complicated salary cap rules). There could be more transfers like LAFC's blockbuster move for Son Heung-Min as a result. 

There is further good news to be found in the fact that the calendar now aligns with FIFA international windows. There are a number of instances during the season where clubs lose significant chunks of their roster due to national team commitments – and still have to worry about regular season games with significant implications. That is no longer a problem.  

Getty Images SportA few concerns linger

Yet there are surely some losers. The main group, immediately, might just be the players. A switch to a fall-spring calendar would undoubtedly complicate contract negotiations. Under current MLS rules, deals expire in December. There will, surely, be some contracts to renegotiate. Garber was asked, in fact, how much of a say the players had in the decision, and his response was vague.

"I'm sure there will be a time soon that we'll be able to, collectively with the MLSPA, have a discussion, and we can talk about all those details," Garber said. 

There are also some questions to be asked about timing. To be sure, a break from mid-December to early February – similar to the setup currently offered by the Bundesliga – will save some fans in cold climates. But Minnesota, Chicago, and New England in early December, or even November, might not be all that pleasant. 

There are broader questions to be asked, too, about fan attendance in general. The league very proudly announced that it welcomed over 14 million fans in the regular season alone into stadiums on matchdays. Will the march to the stadium remain the same in the dark and the cold, rather than an agreeable summer evening? These are things that simply cannot be prepared for. 

And then there are the minutea: sponsorships, season tickets, day-to-day operations for teams. Those remain unknown. 

"The bottom line is this change has been approved because we think it will, overall, raise the awareness, therefore the engagement with our teams, and therefore make them more valuable to the corporate community and to their fans," Garber said.

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Getty Images SportThe North American sports calendar

But perhaps the biggest question, writ large, is how this all fits in to the rest of the North American sports calendar. Currently, the MLS season runs from February to early December. The playoffs and MLS Cup clash directly with the middle of the NFL season, the World Series, crucial college football games, and the start of the NBA season. This is not the best time of year to get eyes on your hallmark event.

A shift to a May MLS Cup, then, would seem to alleviate some of those fears. NFL and college football will be over. The start of the MLB season is hardly gripping stuff. And falling right before the NBA finals seems a good deal. MLS is happy where they will fit in the calendar under a new system, Nelson Rodriguez, EVP of MLS said Thursday.

"We think this sets us up to showcase ourselves in a much better form. The competition will always be there, whether it's gridiron, hoops, or sticks and balls," Rodriguez said.

Still, there are questions to be asked. The middle of the season will then clash directly with the biggest games in the NFL and College Football Playoff (which is now approximately 36 teams large). And whatever eyes MLS might have been able to capitalize on during the club soccer offseason are now fixated elsewhere. The theory that MLS is an alternative to boredom when Europe's top leagues aren't active will now fall apart. 

A fired-up Siraj led the way for the visitors while the hosts look to Stokes and Root for a rebuild

ESPNcricinfo staff13-Jul-2025

Harry Brook was bowled round his legs at an inopportune time•PA Photos/Getty Images

Lunch India seized control with four wickets on an enthralling fourth morning at Lord’s, nipping an England counterattack led by Harry Brook in the bud along the way.Mohammed Siraj took two wickets from a miserly seven-over spell, starting with Ben Duckett, who pulled to Jasprit Bumrah at mid-on and faced an impassioned send-off from the bowler that maintained the tension of the previous evening.Siraj struck again when he pinned Ollie Pope lbw, although it took an India review to confirm his dismissal.Bumrah bowled beautifully without reward, exploiting uneven bounce and keeping Zak Crawley on edge after a face-off the previous evening between Crawley and Shubman Gill, who was incensed by England’s time-wasting in what became the solitary over of the innings on day three.Mohammed Siraj got up close and personal with Ben Duckett after dismissing him•Associated PressBumrah returned towards the end of the fourth morning and remained wicketless but England were in all sorts of bother.Nitish Kumar Reddy had relieved him after his iniital spell midway through the session and removed Crawley for the second time in the match, a loose drive outside off stump gathered by Yashasvi Jaiswal at gully.Brook livened up England’s hopes ramping Akash Deep for back-to-back fours before launching him down the ground for six. But in an excellent response, Akash Deep bowled Brook round his legs attempting to sweep a full, straight one and flattened middle stump.It left England four wickets down at lunch before they could put 100 runs on the board and not-out batters Joe Root and Ben Stokes with some rebuilding to do after the break.

Lazio forward Pedro has announced that he will leave the club as a free agent at the end of the season. The former Barcelona and Chelsea star expressed his desire to help Lazio return to European competitions, aiming to finish his time at the club on a high. Pedro, however, hinted that he could consider continuing his playing career even after his contract concludes.

• Pedro nearing end of glittering career

  Pedro rose through the ranks of Barcelona’s youth system, representing the C and B teams before making his senior debut under Frank Rijkaard in January 2008, coming on as a substitute for Samuel Eto’o. Pedro became a regular at Barcelona under Pep Guardiola from the 2009-10 season and went on to enjoy a highly decorated spell at the club, playing alongside legends such as Lionel Messi, Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets.

  With the Catalan giants, Pedro won five La Liga titles, three Copa del Rey trophies and three Champions League titles before departing in 2015 to join Chelsea. At Stamford Bridge, he played a crucial role under Antonio Conte, helping the club win the 2016-17 Premier League title. He later added the 2018-19 Europa League trophy to his collection under Maurizio Sarri before moving to Roma in the summer of 2020.

  After just one season at Roma, Pedro reunited with Sarri by joining city rivals Lazio in 2021. On the international stage, Pedro was part of Spain’s golden generation, winning the 2010 World Cup and the Euro 2012.

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• Getty Images
  

  Ex-Barca star announces imminent Lazio exit

  Pedro has now confirmed that the current season will be his last with Lazio, saying: “This is definitely my last year at Lazio. I want to leave this team where it deserves to be, in Europe. We can still grow and aim for the top of the table.”

  Reflecting on his future, Pedro admitted that he is uncertain how much longer he will continue playing, acknowledging that retirement is drawing closer with each passing day. “How many more years will I play? It's hard for me to say, I'm always training, but every day that passes brings me closer to retirement,” he said.

• Lazio's frustrating draw at Pisa

  Lazio travelled to the Arena Garibaldi to face Pisa in a late Thursday fixture. The visitors came close to taking the lead around the half-hour mark when they launched a swift attack, with Mattia Zaccagni squaring the ball to Gustav Isaksen, whose low shot was kept out by Pisa goalkeeper Adrian Semper. Pisa nearly struck at the other end when Stefano Moreo’s powerful header from a corner seemed destined for goal, but Lazio keeper Ivan Provedel produced a fine reflex save to deny him.

  Neither side managed to create any decisive chances thereafter, and the match ended in a goalless draw, with both teams settling for a point. The result meant Lazio failed to build on the momentum from their 1-0 victory over Juventus at the Stadio Olimpico.

  Pedro lamented his team’s lack of finishing, admitting they paid the price for not converting their chances, though he was pleased with Lazio’s defensive solidity. “We're not taking advantage of the chances we create, and we pay for that. If we'd scored in the first half, we would have changed the game. We're doing well defensively, and that's also important,” he said.

  When asked about his role in Sarri’s system, the veteran forward explained that he now feels more comfortable playing behind the striker than as a false nine. “As a false 9? Right now, I'm better off playing behind the striker. It's a position I know well, having played there in the past, although obviously it's different playing there now than it was when I was 22,” he added.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Lazio aim to bounce back in Serie A

  Pedro will hope to help Lazio secure all three points when Cagliari visit the Stadio Olimpico on Monday. A win would provide a great platform for Lazio to climb back up the table and move closer to the European qualification places. Once the season concludes, Pedro will reassess his options and decide whether to continue playing or retire.

Hard-hitting batter is likely to make his international debut against South Africa, his country of birth, in Zimbabwe

Deivarayan Muthu27-Jun-2025A lot has happened in Bevon Jacobs’ life since he earned his maiden New Zealand call-up for the home T20I series against Sri Lanka in December last year. A maiden Plunket Shield century, debut in the UAE’s ILT20 league, working with Kieron Pollard and Jasprit Bumrah in the IPL, and most recently a CPL deal.During this period, especially at IPL 2025, where Jacobs didn’t get a game at Mumbai Indians (MI), he often had to make do as the outsider looking in. As he prepares to make his international debut for New Zealand in the upcoming tri-series in Zimbabwe next month, also involving South Africa, Jacobs hopes to harness his IPL experience and put his name up for the 2026 T20 World Cup.”The IPL was an amazing experience, and I got three months there to learn new facets of my game,” Jacobs said. “And I definitely think I’ve made those learnings and improvements. Obviously, implementing into my game is going to be a longer work in progress.Related

A tri-series of transitions for SA, NZ and Zimbabwe

Milne back, Jacobs included but no Williamson in NZ T20I squad

Rob Walter named NZ men's coach across all forms

Kane Williamson and the art of three-formatting

“But taking away from the technical stuff, there’s also a lot of mental learnings that I’ve got from it as well, which I know will change me just for the time being. So, hopefully, I can bring what I’ve learnt from there into the series.”I mean, that (playing the T20 World Cup) is a massive goal for me. It would be a dream come true to go to that. And I guess for me, it’s just about controlling what I can control. And if that opportunity comes again, that would be pretty special to me.”The first step towards that goal will be a potential debut against his country of birth, South Africa. Jacobs was born in Pretoria before his family emigrated to New Zealand when he was around three years old. He emerged through the Auckland pathway system before he shifted to Canterbury, where he made his senior T20 and List A debuts. Ahead of the 2024-25 domestic season, Jacobs, however, returned to Auckland.”I still like to see myself as a Kiwi,” Jacobs said. “I’ve been here for a very long time. But, yeah, I guess that part of it would be pretty cool if that was to be my debut against South Africa.”I’m sure a lot of family who are over in South Africa and just my family that are here would find that pretty cool.”At over six feet tall, Jacobs has the levers and power to clear any boundary, traits which earned him a surprise IPL call-up. Jacobs’ height and reach enable him to mess with the length of bowlers and provide his team with a potent point of difference. For instance, on ILT20 debut in January in Dubai, when Blessing Muzarabani dug in a hard-length delivery from his six-feet-eight-inch frame, Jacobs stood tall, got on top of the ball, and pumped it over extra-cover for four.Lasith Malinga has a chat with Bevon Jacobs at Mumbai Indians in the IPL•Mumbai IndiansWhile Jacobs had slotted in at No. 4 in his most recent innings for Auckland in the Plunket Shield, New Zealand perhaps see him as a finisher in T20 cricket, as do franchises around the world.”I guess my experience in my career is short, but I’ve had almost two different roles, obviously, starting off in that finisher role,” Jacobs said. “I guess that’s where Mumbai picked up a point of difference for me, which I find really cool. And then, obviously, when I came to Auckland, a little bit more moving up into the middle order.”Either way, I think for me, maybe that skill set, what’s seen at the moment, is trying to finish off in innings. And I guess I’m just going to try and get better at that step by step, and hopefully that’s what gets me into the side.”Jacobs believes that a strong international season could boost his stocks in leagues around the world. He has played just 20 T20s so far but teams see potential and a high ceiling.”Yeah, 100% [hoping to return to the IPL],” he said. “I mean, obviously, with Mumbai and just with the Sri Lankan experience, both were really cool for me. I think there’s a lot to learn.”There’s players with a crazy amount of knowledge there. For me to be able to pick their brains and to bring what they’ve learnt in their careers into my game is really cool for me. So, I think I took both opportunities when I could. Hopefully, if this means a game time this time around, that would be awesome.”Despite the absence of Kane Williamson (currently with Middlesex), Lockie Ferguson (load management), Ben Sears (side injury), Devon Conway (dropped), Kyle Jamieson (personal break), New Zealand have depth in their side and Jacobs’ rise is an example of it.”Yeah, the squad looks really strong. I’m just grateful to be part of it,” Jacobs said. “They’ve got some really experienced names in there. So, for me to just be there is going to be pretty special.”I’ve spent a little bit of time with him (Rob Walter, the new coach). And just from the conversations we’ve had, it all sounds pretty positive.”

Heading into the 2025 summer transfer window, Arsenal fans were expectant. They were promised an unprecedented summer and despite the slow pace with which a deal for Viktor Gyokeres was completed, the Gunners indeed had a crazy summer.

That striker deal was finally wrapped but Andrea Berta strengthened Mikel Arteta’s squad in every single position possible.

At the back, Kepa arrived from Chelsea in a £5m deal while Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie, two of the most exciting young defensive talents in Europe, both signed.

In midfield, Martin Zubimendi was the marquee addition but he was joined by former Brentford skipper, Christian Norgaard.

It was the forward line that was bolstered most, however. Gyokeres, of course, was the big addition but beside him came Noni Madueke – a signing that sparked controversy – and one that had the whole fanbase unified; Eberechi Eze.

What those signings have done is take this squad to the next level. It’s another phase and level of progression for Arteta’s side and even with a whole host of injuries – namely to William Saliba, Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka – they swept aside Nottingham Forest with ease on Saturday.

It’s not the first time that Arteta has chosen to take the team in a new direction; Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko are testament to that.

The Jesus and Zinchenko sagas at Arsenal

In the summer of 2022, Arteta knew he needed something to take his project to the next level.

In order to do that, he signed Jesus for £45m and Zinchenko for £30m from Manchester City within just a few weeks of each other.

Proven winners, players he knew from his days as assistant head coach to Pep Guardiola, this was a strong recipe tor success and indeed they changed the game when they first arrived.

Zinchenko allowed a huge level of tactical progression. The left-back is one of the finest inverted full-backs in European football which allowed Arsenal to gain more possession and control the tempo of a game more efficiently.

Chalkboard

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

How about Jesus? Well, he brought spice, he brought trickery and he brought goals. The Brazilian’s first few months at the Emirates Stadium were a sight to behold.

A proper Brazilian forward, Jesus was spellbinding. He beat players for fun and, importantly, he scored goals. In his first nine Premier League outings, he bagged five times and also registered four assists, proving to be a unique all-round threat.

Signed for

£30m

£45m

Games

91

96

Goals

3

26

Assists

5

20

Mins played

5,282

5,461

The trouble is, while Arsenal got better as a squad, the importance of Zinchenko and Jesus became less and less.

The Ukrainian, for all of the good he brought in possession, was a liability defensively and Jesus, well, he just can’t seem to stay off the treatment table.

We all got a reminder of just how good the 28-year-old is when he scored six goals in the space of five games over the 2024/25 festive period, including a hat-trick in the Carabao Cup against Crystal Palace.

Yet, his season was turned upside down when he ruptured his ACL in the FA Cup defeat to Manchester United.

Even before that, however, he was beginning to be phased out by Arteta. Kai Havertz was now the golden striker.

At left-back, meanwhile, Arteta upgraded on Zinchenko by adding Riccardo Calafiori to the fray. The emergence of Hale Ender, Myles Lewis-Skelly, also bumped him further down the pecking order.

Arsenal’s game-changers were no longer game-changers; they were merely spare parts in this squad.

The same is now happening for two of Arteta’s most trusted forward players at the Emirates. It would be a surprise if they started games regularly again.

£66m Arsenal duo are going to suffer this season

What a transfer window Arsenal had. Yet, unfortunately for two players in the forward line, they may well find themselves reduced to bit-part figures, just like Jesus and Zinchenko in the last few years.

The players here are Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard, key components of the Gunners’ forward line for a number of seasons now.

Unfortunately for Martinelli, he doesn’t look as though he’ll ever live up to his sky-high potential. Once described as a “talent of the century” by Jurgen Klopp, it feels like a long time now since the Brazilian netted 15 Premier League goals in a single campaign.

It also feels like a long time since Trossard’s 17-goal haul in 2023/24. That season, only Bukayo Saka scored more goals for Arsenal.

It’s safe to say that 2024/25 was not one full of too much success for either player. While Martinelli did score inside the Bernabeu, he and Trossard both ended the term with ten goals apiece from 51 and 56 games respectively.

It’s not an awful tally, but you need more, particularly when Arsenal were contending with injuries to the likes of Saka, Havertz and Jesus.

So, over the summer of 2025, Arsenal have undergone another level of progression, one that could spell the end for any thoughts both Martinelli and Trossard had of gaining regular starts.

Indeed, with Madueke and Eze having entered the fray, immediate upgrades have been sourced on the £270k-per-week duo. We saw that first-hand during Arsenal’s win over Forest at the weekend.

While Madueke didn’t leave the pitch with a goal or an assist, he was relentless down the right-hand side and showcased why he will be the most natural back-up and competition for Saka. He completed five key passes and also registered five successful dribbles.

As for Eze, he was a breath of fresh air on the left-hand side of the attack. Jinking past players for fun, he was the player who registered the assist for Gyokeres’ goal.

Running in behind, the Hale Ender was picked out by Calafiori. Eze did not need a touch to set himself, ultimately sliding the ball into the path of the big Swede who couldn’t miss from a matter of yards out.

It was a performance that evoked memories of the 2022/23 side, one that Jesus and Zinchenko were part of. The football was slick, it was sweeping and it got past the Forest defence with ease.

Unfortunately for the £66m-rated pair of Trossard and Martinelli, it’s not good news. Still, for fans of the club, it was incredibly refreshing to see a pair of wingers with the desire to beat their man.

Arsenal star looks like their best bargain since the days of Henry & Vieira

Very rarely does a player feel like a bargain but Andrea Berta has struck gold on this one.

ByMatt Dawson Sep 15, 2025

Ruben Amorim can put his feet up and enjoy the international break knowing his job is safe for now after Manchester United enjoyed a surprisingly comfortable 2-0 win over Sunderland. Mason Mount struck early to get the Red Devils off on the right foot then Benjamin Sesko pounced after waves of pressure from the hosts, who deservedly won a third home game in a row.

United looked comfortable from the off and scored their earliest goal since Amorim's first game in charge at Ipswich 11 months ago when Mount trapped a cross from Bryan Mbeumo with his left foot then used his right to slot low into the net in the eighth minute. They continued to look at ease and were pushing for a second. Mbeumo and Amad were denied by good stops from Robin Roefs, who produced a tremendous save to tip a fizzing Fernandes strike onto the crossbar.

The second goal duly arrived just after the half-hour mark as United joined the new-found Premier League craze of scoring via throw-ins. Dalot lobbed the ball into the danger zone, Sunderland couldn't clear it properly and Sesko volleyed home from close range, scoring for the second game in a row.

United nearly shot themselves in the foot when Sesko stuck out a high foot defending a corner and appeared to strike Trai Hume in the head. Referee Stuart Attwell gave a penalty but overturned it on review, deeming that no contact had been made.

United took their foot off the gas a bit in the second half and Sunderland had a couple of half chances but debutant goalkeeper Senne Lammens impressed, guaranteeing Amorim a peaceful end to a game for once.

GOAL rates Man United's players from Old Trafford…

Goalkeeper & Defence

Senne Lammens (7/10):

A solid debut. Got across goal to beat away Granit Xhaka's strike and saved with his legs to prevent Chemsdine Talbi scoring late. Looked comfortable on the ball and dealing with crosses and got a big reception from United fans, which says a lot about the low standard of goalkeeping witnessed recently.

Leny Yoro (7/10):

More than justified his return to the line-up. His pace helped snuff out the occasional visiting attack while his distribution helped United control the ball.

Matthijs de Ligt (7/10):

The type of assured display he needed after his difficult showing at Brentford. Cleared the danger with little fuss and dominated his opponents in the air.

Luke Shaw (6/10): 

Played it simple and safe, often going backwards when the crowd wanted him to go forward.

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Amad Diallo (7/10):

An encouraging return after missing Brentford on compassionate leave. Took a step up from his previous level this season, carving away at Sunderland's defence from the right flank. Tested Roefs with a stinging shot while his lay off to Casemiro deserved a better attempt. 

Casemiro (6/10):

The pace of the game suited him well as he was able to use his strength to his advantage. His distribution was way above what Manuel Ugarte usually offers. Booked for a cynical tackle on Brian Bobbey.

Bruno Fernandes (6/10):

Not his best performance. Didn't do as much damage as you might expect in a relatively straightforward win, aside from his strike off the bar, and was exposed a couple of times defensively.

Diogo Dalot (6/10)

Hit and miss. Looked good in the first half and his throw-in led to Sesko scoring. His passing was a bit off key and he was soon replaced by Dorgu.

Attack

Bryan Mbeumo (6/10):

Worked hard as usual but his passing and finishing was lacking today. His cross to Mount got the ball rolling and he fired a good effort at goal but he wasted a fine Sesko pass and botched a through ball attempt which would have set Cunha on his way to score.

Benjamin Sesko (7/10):

A pleasing afternoon for a player who has taken his time to settle. Scored for the second game in a row and battled well off the ball, creating an excellent chance for Mbeumo.

Mason Mount (8/10):

Showed why Amorim loves him so much. Produced a fine finish to score his first goal of the season while his build-up play was outstanding.

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Subs & Manager

Patrick Dorgu (6/10):

Didn't offer much of an attacking threat when he replaced Dalot save for one late burst of pace.

Matheus Cunha (6/10):

Didn't get the rub of the green and will be disappointed not to have contributed more. Had a snapshot which went straight at Roefs.

Kobbie Mainoo (6/10):

Got 13 minutes plus added time and must be getting frustrated with not starting a league game seven games into the season.

Harry Maguire (N/A):

Replaced Yoro in the 85th minute.

Manuel Ugarte (N/A):

Got 10 minutes when he came on for Casemiro.

Ruben Amorim (7/10):

Made the right selection calls, crucially finally giving Lammens his chance. It was mostly a pleasing performance from his point of view, even if the team dropped off a little in the second half.