South Africa Emerging Women's players return negative tests, to fly back from Dhaka on Tuesday

Five members of the touring party hadn’t left for home with the others after returning positive Covid-19 tests on Monday

Mohammad Isam13-Apr-2021The five members of the South Africa Emerging Women’s side, who had tested positive for Covid-19 on Monday while on tour in Bangladesh, returned negative tests on Tuesday afternoon, with CSA saying the initial results were “false positive”. They will now board a 6.30pm flight back home.The positive reports had come in from Sylhet, where the team had played four one-day matches against the Bangladesh Emerging Women’s side between April 4 and April 11. Following the positive tests, the entire touring party was brought to Dhaka with the five players in question being kept in isolation in a Dhaka hotel even as the other 17 members of the contingent left for home early on Tuesday.”It is a great relief for all of us, not least of all the players, their colleagues and their families, that all our players and officials are now clear to return home,” CSA acting chief executive Pholetsi Moseki said in a statement. “The health of our players and officials is always our primary concern and we are well aware of the sacrifices that everybody is making to continue playing cricket in these difficult times.”Related

Five South African players test positive for Covid-19

South African team to fly back early from Bangladesh

Ensuring that the five affected players were retested quickly – and their flight back arranged immediately – was vitally important, because Bangladesh is scheduled to go into a lockdown because of the virus tomorrow, with the country’s civil aviation authority having announced that international flights would be suspended for a week from April 14.The fifth and final match of the series, slotted for Tuesday (April 13), had been cancelled as a result, to ensure the squad was in Dhaka in time for the journey back.Graeme Smith, CSA’s director of cricket, thanked the BCB for their attention to detail, including sending a medical officer to the hotel where the players had been isolated after testing positive. “I would like to thank the Bangladesh Cricket Board for everything they have done to keep our players and officials safe,” Smith said in a statement. “When the possibility of positive test results emerged, they went out of their way to make sure everybody had the best assistance possible including having medical personnel resident at their hotel.”The series, which began on April 4 after the South Africans had reached on March 29, was held behind closed doors in a biosecure environment because of an upsurge in Covid-19 cases in Bangladesh. The home side won all the four 50-over games that were played.

'A normal player' – Man City told why Erling Haaland is NOT world-class as ex-Tottenham star rubbishes comparisons with Ruud van Nistelrooy

Manchester City have been told why striker Erling Haaland is not world class despite his phenomenal scoring record at the club.

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Haaland has prolific record at Manchester CityBut told he's not yet world classStriker just a "normal player" without his paceFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Haaland has broken all kind of records with his goalscoring exploits since joining Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund in 2022. The Norway international has 75 goals and 13 assists in 79 Premier League appearances for Pep Guardiola's side and currently tops the scoring charts in the English top flight for 2024-25 ahead of Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah.

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Despite his goalscoring heroics, Haaland has been criticised during his time in England for a lack of involvement in build-up play. Former Tottenham and Real Madrid star Rafael van der Vaart has now shared his thoughts on the striker and feels he lacks the qualities needed to be deemed the best in the world at his position.

WHAT HAS BEEN SAID

Van der Vaart said on The LineUp, a new show brought to you by and : "Take away his pace, I see Erling Haaland as a normal player. Technique-wise, he’s not good enough and he can get away with it when City are on form but not when they’re struggling. I just think he’s missing something that those top, top strikers have. I might get criticised for that opinion, but I don’t see him at the same level as the top strikers I played with, like Ruud van Nistelrooy. Manchester City need Erling Haaland at the moment, but where is he? That’s why he’s not among that select few world-class strikers."

The former Premier League ace added on City's recent struggles for consistency: "I think the intensity that Man City have shown under Pep Guardiola for so many seasons is over. They look very tired to me. You can see it in their faces, Kevin De Bruyne for example, they’re not fresh anymore. They need a rebuild. I’m not one who says they need to get rid of Pep, no chance. I believe in his coaching methods but they need to get their transfers right – Ilkay Gundogan was not what they needed in the summer.”

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR HAALAND

Haaland has failed to score in his last two Manchester City games in the Premier League, with Guardiola's side currently on a dismal run of seven matches without a win in all competitions. The Cityzens will hope to snap that sequence on Wednesday against Nottingham Forest.

Newcastle have been tracking "extraordinary" Guehi alternative for months

Newcastle United are reportedly eyeing a move for an "extraordinary" defender this summer, seeing him as a strong alternative to Marc Guehi.

Newcastle's Guehi pursuit goes on

The Magpies' pursuit of the England and Crystal Palace centre-back has been one of the main transfer sagas of the summer, with the Tyneside club trying so hard to strike a deal for him.

Guehi captained the Eagles in their 2-1 defeat away to Brentford in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon, and his current club are proving to be extremely stubborn when it comes to keeping hold of arguably their most important player.

England defender Marc Guehi

Newcastle have now seen four separate bids for Guehi rejected by Palace, including one worth £65m, with the South London side only willing to part ways if another club match their lofty asking price in full.

With the situation ongoing, and time running out in the summer transfer window, it is important that the Magpies also keep an eye on other options, should they eventually end their chase for the England international. Fenerbahce defender Jayden Oosterwolde has been linked with a move to St James' Park, for example, with an offer of £21.3m potentially enough to acquire the 23-year-old's signature this summer.

Newcastle eyeing "extraordinary" Guehi alternative

According to reports in Spain, Newcastle are monitoring Barcelona centre-back Andreas Christensen ahead of a potential move to the club this summer, as they eye up Guehi alternatives. In fact, the Magpies are believed to be showing "strong interest" in the Denmark international, and he has been "on their radar since last season".

Christensen represents a brilliant option for Newcastle in the coming weeks, considering he is a player with so much Premier League experience already, making 93 appearances in the competition during his time at Chelsea.

The 28-year-old also won the Champions League with the Blues, beating Manchester City in the final back in 2021, while former Barcelona manager Xavi has said of him: "Surely the signing of Christensen has been the less highlighted, but he has been extraordinary. I remember when people said that Real Madrid signed Chelsea's starting centre back and we signed the substitute."

At 28, Christensen is at such a sweet spot in his career, with so many years behind him allowing him to mature as a footballer, but his peak is still not likely to drift by for another four or five years.

The £147,000-a-week centre-back is now a 74-cap international for Denmark, proving to be an influential performer at the heart of their defence, and the fact that he is now into the final two years of his contract at Barca means that the La Liga side could be keen to offload him while they have a chance to get a decent fee.

Newcastle chasing Guehi alternative who's a bit like Van Dijk

The club could turn to other targets after no breakthrough on a deal for the Palace star.

ByEthan Lamb Aug 19, 2024

Guehi still arguably feels like the best option for Newcastle this summer, considering he is younger and could be at St James' for a decade, but Christensen stands out as a fantastic backup choice for Eddie Howe.

Ange Postecoglou addresses Timo Werner's Tottenham future after tearing attacker to shreds for 'unacceptable' performance against Rangers

Ange Postecoglou has dismissed suggestions Timo Werner's loan deal will be terminated early following the manager's tirade criticising the forward.

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Werner lambasted for display vs RangersPostecoglou doubled down on his criticismDenied early return to RB Leipzig Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Postecoglou publicly slammed the Germany international for his display in the Europa League draw against Rangers on Thursday, saying Werner did not play "anywhere near the level he should", and that his first-half display "wasn’t acceptable".

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Postecoglou defended his comments the following day as he denied criticising the 28-year-old, insisting it was merely an "assessment" of his display. Werner joined Tottenham in January on a loan deal that was later extended until the end of the current campaign. He has started just eight matches in all competitions, however, and his Australian coach's fury sparked suggestions he could be sent back to RB Leipzig earlier than expected.

WHAT POSTECOGLOU SAID

Asked if Werner could return to Leipzig next month, Postecoglou told reporters: "Right now that is the furthest thing from my mind. I’m just not interested in what happens next. I’m interested in what happens now. Now is the time we have an opportunity. In these next five games between now and New Year we can set up our season.

"[Against Rangers] was a great point for us because it sets us up for Europe, so we know we’re going to make the knockout stages. Now we have four league games to get ourselves back up the ladder and make an impact."

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR WERNER?

Tottenham, who have not won any of the five games they have played since they beat Manchester City 4-0 at the Etihad Stadium, take on Southampton on Sunday. Werner will hope he can restore some confidence by scoring against the Premier League's bottom team.

Kyle Abbott, Mohammad Abbas wreck Leicestershire response

Only 12.5 overs were possible on the third day, but Leicestershire still slipped to 28 for 5

ECB Reporters' Network21-May-2021Torrential rain once again accounted for most of day three at the Ageas Bowl – but not before eight wickets fell for just 38 runs in 12.5 overs of play.Hampshire started the day on 223 for 7 underneath leaden skies in Southampton, but added only 10 to their overnight total before running through Leicestershire’s top order as the visitors slumped to 28 for 5 before play was halted just before lunch.In-form Hampshire allrounder Keith Barker, fresh from back-to-back 50s, clubbed the first two balls of the day for four off Ed Barnes but departed to the first ball of the next over for 24 when he slashed Chris Wright straight to Rishi Patel at gully.Wright then trapped Kyle Abbott lbw five deliveries later for his fourth wicket before Brad Wheal edged Barnes to Hassan Azad in the slips, handing the young Yorkshireman his career-best figures of 4 for 61.With the wind howling around the ground, Abbott, who grabbed 11 wickets at Lord’s last week, and Mohammad Abbas tormented the Leicestershire top order with the new ball, in conditions tailor-made for two high-class Test quicks.Azad survived six deliveries before being rapped on the pads in front of his stumps by Abbott, with fellow opener Sam Evans suffering a similar fate at the hands of his former county team-mate Abbas for just 5.Australian Test opener Marcus Harris, a century-maker against Surrey two weeks ago, was the next batsman to perish when he played no shot to an Abbas delivery that nipped back and clipped the top of off stump to leave his side reeling at 8 for 3.Visiting skipper Colin Ackermann was unable to stem the bleeding as his stumps were cleaned up by Abbott before Lewis Hill joined him back in the pavilion when he edged the South African to Lewis McManus behind the stumps to become the fifth Leicestershire wicket to fall in 45 balls.Patel showed some fight with back-back boundaries off Abbot before the players left the field with Leicestershire needing another 56 runs to avoid the follow-on.

Rangers hit the jackpot with Ibrox gem who’s worth more than Kasanwirjo

Glasgow Rangers summer transfer business wasn’t enough to see the Ibrox side take all three points in the first Old Firm match of the campaign last weekend.

In fact, only four of the new arrivals started the clash at Parkhead, which saw Celtic run out 3–0 victors in what was a dismal performance by the Light Blues.

Philippe Clement may not have been back sufficiently in the summer transfer window, but he should take some responsibility for the result, especially considering he has failed to learn the lessons from last season.

This was his fifth match against Celtic, losing for the fourth time. Celtic looked fitter, slicker and more confident than the Gers, who, as a group, were dreadful throughout.

With the international break coming as the club currently sit five points behind their rivals, Clement must go back to the drawing board and find the answers sooner rather than later, otherwise, he will come under serious pressure.

His two deadline day signings, Nedim Bajrami and Neraysho Kasanwirjo, didn’t play any part during the 3-0 defeat, but Clement will be hoping for big things from the pair, especially the on-loan defender.

Why Rangers signed Neraysho Kasanwirjo

The right-back started his career at the famed Ajax youth academy, making a total of 78 appearances across all their age groups.

It wasn’t until he spent two seasons at FC Groningen that the defender made his senior bow, however, making 52 appearances for the club which led to a move to Feyenoord.

Five appearances in his debut season wasn’t exactly what he was expecting, but he did go on a season-long loan to Austrian side Rapid Vienna for the 2023/24 campaign, allowing him to gain more senior experience.

Kasanwirjo established himself as the main choice on the right side of the defence, starting 20 league matches while helping the club reach the final of the Austrian Cup, where they lost to Sturm Graz 2-1.

While the 22-year-old doesn’t quite have the same sort of attacking qualities as James Tavernier, defensively, he is particularly solid.

Accurate passes

31.9

Tackles

1

Clearances

2

Total duels won

4

Possession lost

12.6

Balls recovered

5.6

Indeed, the defender won four total duels per game last term – a success rate of 52% – along with recovering 5.6 balls, making one tackle and being dribbled past just 0.8 times per game for Rapid Vienna in the Austrian Bundesliga.

He did play two Eredivisie games for Feyenoord before sealing a switch to Rangers, further displaying his talents. Not only did he average 1.5 key passes per game during those games, but Kasanwirjo also won 100% of his total duels while failing to be dribbled past by an opposition player.

It seems as though the Light Blues have landed a talented individual who will continue to get better the more he is subjected to regular first-team matches.

Considering how poor Tavernier was against Celtic, is there an opportunity for the Dutchman to secure a place in the starting XI when domestic football returns in a fortnight?

It isn’t just Tavernier who is battling for a space on the right side of the defence, though, as the versatile Dujon Sterling can also operate in that position.

Dujon Sterling’s statistics at Rangers

Sterling was utilised across a range of positions by both Michael Beale and Clement throughout 2023/24.

The former Chelsea starlet showcased his positional flexibility to play across six areas, including both the right and left wings, as Clement used him to fill in gaps in the starting XI due to injuries.

Dujon Sterling

Hailed as a “fantastic talent” during his spell with the Stamford Bridge side by youth coach Adi Viveash, and he has developed into a reliable professional over the previous few seasons.

Indeed, last term, whenever Sterling played, he gave everything to the cause, regardless of what position he was playing.

In the Premiership, the Englishman registered two assists, created two big chances, and averaged 0.8 key passes per game while succeeding with 41% of his dribble attempts, not bad for a player who has started just 11 top-flight matches.

Glasgow Rangers defender Dujon Sterling.

Defensively, Sterling proved to be solid across a range of metrics, winning 50% of his ground duels, and making one tackle per game while being dribbled past just 0.3 times per match.

These statistics clearly show why he was used in several positions, becoming a useful member of the first team squad in the process.

So far this term, Sterling has started two league games, averaging a pass success rate of 90%, underlining how good he has been at distributing the ball.

He has been used in the centre of the midfield during his two appearances, with his passing ability clearly coming into effect. The more he plays, the better Sterling will get, and his value has already risen significantly since joining last summer…

Market Movers

Football FanCast's Market Movers series explores the changing landscape of the modern transfer market. How much is your club's star player or biggest flop worth today?

Dujon Sterling’s market value at Rangers

According to Transfermarkt, Sterling is now valued at £3.4m, with this value looking like it will only continue to rise the more often he delivers solid performances in the starting XI.

Considering Rangers signed him for free, the move has been an excellent piece of transfer business conducted by the club.

Rangers midfielder Dujon Sterling.

Not only that, but Sterling is already worth two times more than new signing Kasanwirjo. The Dutchman currently has a market value of €1.5m according to Transfermarkt.

The Feyenoord loanee is bursting with potential, but at this moment in time, Sterling is worth two times more than the 22-year-old, further evidence of the club striking gold on the former Stoke City defender.

He has enjoyed a bright start to the season, despite the Light Blues failing to impress in their seven matches so far. The Ibrox faithful will be looking forward to seeing Kasanwirjo making his debut for the club in the next few weeks, no doubt about that.

Rangers struck gold on Ibrox signing who is now worth more than Bajrami

Philippe Clement has a player in his squad worth more than Nedim Bajrami…

ByRoss Kilvington Sep 3, 2024

'We've got Erling Haaland!' – Everton had Man City striker 'in the building' for cut-price ÂŁ2m transfer fee – but sensational deal fell apart

A former Everton winger has revealed that Erling Haaland visited the club's training ground as a teenager but they chose not to sign him.

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Aaron Lennon reveals Everton could've signed HaalandStriker was at club's training groundEx-owner Moshiri did not sign off on dealFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Lennon claims Haaland visited the club's Finch Farm training ground as a youngster and was introduced as a player who could be signed by the club for 'ÂŁ2 million-ÂŁ3m'. The former Toffees winger says ex-owner Farhad Moshiriu, who this week completed his sale of the club to the Friedkin Group, decided not to sign off on the deal – only to watch Haaland take world football by storm for Molde, RB Salzburg, Borussia Dortmund and now Manchester City.

AdvertisementWHAT LENNON SAID

Lennon was discussing the reign of Moshiri as Everton owner when he revealed the eye-catching news that Haaland could have become an Everton player. Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, he said: "I remember Erling Haaland walking into the building with the physio, Steve Walsh, who introduced him to me and said, 'Look, Aaron, we've got Haaland. You know his dad, Alfie? The Leeds boy. Hopefully we're going to have him here'. I hadn't heard much of him, I think he was 15 or 16 years old and I never saw him again. I think they could have had him for ÂŁ2m-ÂŁ3m and Moshiri didn't sign off on that. Could you imagine? Erling Haaland would have signed for Everton."

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Moshiri became Everton's majority shareholder in 2016, overseeing a relatively unhappy period in the club's history. The Toffees have finished in the bottom six in each of their last three Premier League campaigns and fans were increasingly vocal about wanting the British-Iranian to sell his stake in the club, which he eventually did this week. Signing a young Haaland could have spectacularly changed the club's fortunes, however. The Norwegian has since developed into arguably the world's greatest goalscorer, breaking the record for the most goals in a single Premier League season in his first campaign with Manchester City and winning the Golden Boot again in 2023-24.

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DID YOU KNOW?

Haaland has certainly made Everton pay for not making their move while they could. The striker has featured three times against the Toffees since signing for City and scored on each occasion, including a match-winning brace when the sides last played each other at the Etihad Stadium in February. They will next do battle at the Etihad on Boxing Day.

Kane Williamson, Shaheen Afridi withdraw from Hundred, Lungi Ngidi signs for Welsh Fire

Competition hit by further withdrawals, with Nathan Coulter-Nile and Jhye Richardson also pulling out

Matt Roller and George Dobell01-Jul-2021Kane Williamson has become the latest overseas player to pull out of the Hundred, withdrawing from his ÂŁ80,000 (US$110,000) contract at Birmingham Phoenix while he manages his elbow injury.Williamson, New Zealand’s captain, has been managing the injury for the past six months, missing an ODI series against Bangladesh, the start of the IPL and the second Test against England with the same problem. He is still in the UK following the World Test Championship final and is expected to be involved with the Edgbaston-based team in a mentoring capacity.Finn Allen, his compatriot, has been lined up by Phoenix as a replacement and will stay in the UK following his stint in the Vitality Blast with Lancashire. Allen, who has the highest career strike rate of all time in T20 cricket, has scored 215 runs in his eight innings for Lancashire, averaging 30.71 with a strike rate of 138.70.Shaheen Shah Afridi has also withdrawn from his Phoenix contract due to his international commitments with Pakistan, who tour the Caribbean during the Hundred’s window from July 21-August 21. Adam Zampa, their third men’s overseas player, is also expected to pull out as he is part of the Australia squad for their limited-overs tours to the Caribbean and Bangladesh.Related

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Meanwhile, Lungi Ngidi is set to join Welsh Fire. Ngidi, the South African fast bowler, is likely to be available for five games following their limited-overs tour to Ireland as a replacement for Jhye Richardson. Jimmy Neesham, the New Zealand allrounder who has been playing for Essex in the Blast, is expected to fill in for the start of the tournament.With Kieron Pollard also expected to miss at least the start of the tournament due to his international commitments as West Indies’ captain in their T20I series against Australia and Pakistan, ESPNcricinfo understands Glenn Phillips, the New Zealand batter who has been playing for Gloucestershire in the Blast, has been lined up as a potential replacement.Elsewhere, Wahab Riaz, the Pakistan left-arm seamer, is understood to have been lined up by Trent Rockets as a replacement for Nathan Coulter-Nile, the Australian allrounder. Riaz has not played a T20I for Pakistan since December and is available after missing out on their squad to play West Indies in the Caribbean. He was the second-highest wicket-taker in the PSL this season.Coulter-Nile and Richardson are the latest Australians to pull out, with a mandatory 14-day quarantine period on return and the tours to the Caribbean and Bangladesh a major factor in the various withdrawals. Teams are braced for further withdrawals in the coming days with the pressures of a packed international schedule and the difficulties of travel in the time of Covid combining to squeeze the availability of the world’s top players.The Hundred’s wildcard draft will take place on Friday, with each of the men’s teams picking one unsigned domestic player on the back of their performances in the Blast so far this season. Jordan Thompson, Sam Hain and Sam Cook have all attracted interest.

Free agent has his advisors reach out to Aston Villa over free transfer

A free agent’s representatives have contacted Aston Villa over a possible transfer, according to a recent report. The Midlands side endured a very busy summer transfer window, as manager Unai Emery was keen to ensure his squad was good enough to compete in the Premier League and the Champions League, but have now been gifted the chance to add one more player to their ranks.

Aston Villa should've cashed in on star who earns 3x more than Duran

The Colombian has been in excellent form so far this season.

1 ByEthan Lamb Sep 4, 2024 Aston Villa miss out on deadline day signing

As the transfer window came to a close, Villa finished it having brought in eight new players, with their biggest arrival being midfielder Amadou Onana from fellow Premier League side Everton.

Amadou Onana

Everton

Ian Maatsen

Chelsea

Cameron Archer (now sold)

Sheffield United

Jaden Philogene

Hull City

Samuel Iling-Junior (now loaned)

Juventus

Lewis Dobbin (now loaned)

Everton

Enzo Barrenechea

Juventus

Ross Barkley

Luton Town

But if Emery and Villa had their way, there could have been nine additions over the summer, as they had their eye on another player. They decided to let midfielder Leander Dendoncker leave the club on loan and join Anderlecht, but they were hoping to get a replacement through the door.

It was reported that Villa made a late move to sign midfielder Giovani Lo Celso from Tottenham Hotspur. However, the attempt was a failure, as he rejected the chance to remain in England because he was keen on a move back to Spain.

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery

Lo Celso joined La Liga side Real Betis in a deal that also allows Spurs to have first refusal on Johnny Cardoso. Villa were unable to find a replacement for Dendoncker in what remained of the transfer window at the time, so it possibly means they are short in midfield, and they could turn to the free agent market, where a more attack-minded player than the Belgian is said to have already offered his services.

Free agent’s representatives make contact with Aston Villa

According to HITC, Yusuf Yazici has made contact with Aston Villa via his representatives over a possible transfer. The Turkish international has been without a club since leaving Ligue 1 side Lille at the start of the summer following the end of his contract.

The report states that Galatasaray are leading the race to sign the midfielder, who scored 12 goals last season in all competitions. But there are also a host of Premier League teams interested in the player, such as Manchester United, Newcastle United, Wolves, Southampton, Tottenham, Fulham, and West Ham United.

As mentioned, Yazici scored 12 goals last season, which was his best return in a Lille shirt. In fact, it was his best goal return in his career, as he was among the goals in the league, Conference League, and Coupe de France.

The 45-cap Turkey playmaker leaves Lille having scored 29 goals and chipping in with 15 assists in 135 games in all competitions. This is the player’s best return for games played and goals scored in his career, with him playing 120 times for Trabzonspor and scoring 27 goals in the process.

Yazici has also established himself on the international stage, scoring three goals for his country and featuring at this summer's EURO 2024 tournament, as his versatility allows him to get up and down the pitch from various positions in midfield.

Arteta adores Arsenal talent who could now make his debut against Tottenham

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is reportedly a big admirer of one Gunners talent who's yet to make his senior debut, and he could now feature in their looming north London derby clash at Tottenham when the Premier League resumes.

Tottenham vs Arsenal team news

Following their 1-1 draw with Brighton at the Emirates Stadium last weekend, Arteta will be desperate to come away from N17 with nothing but all three points, as they look to finally beat Man City to the title this campaign.

Arteta plotting new Arsenal role for Havertz which will impact Sterling

The Spaniard is gearing up for a mouth-watering clash against Tottenham.

1 ByEmilio Galantini Sep 5, 2024

Arsenal came close to ursurping City last season, accumulating 89 points, but that still wasn't enough to loosen Pep Guardiola's stranglehold on a division which City have won in the last four consecutive campaigns – a national record.

The Sky Blues have won all three of their opening league games in convincing displays, while Arsenal already dropped their first points of the new campaign against Brighton, with striker Joao Pedro cancelling out Kai Havertz's expertly taken lobbed finish.

Tottenham (away)

September 15

Man City (away)

September 22

Leicester City (home)

September 28

Southampton (home)

October 5

Bournemouth (away)

October 19

A much more pressing concern for Arsenal ahead of their mouth-watering battle with Tottenham is the absence of star midfielder Declan Rice, who was controversially sent off for two bookable offences against Brighton, and thus suspended for their next game.

Meanwhile, summer signing Mikel Merino is also set to miss Arsenal's clash against Spurs, with the Spaniard out for nearly two months after fracturing his shoulder in training at London Colney.

Merino and Rice join versatile defender Takehiro Tomiyasu on the sidelines, who is also a serious doubt for the Tottenham game, and no return date is confirmed yet for the Japan international after he injured his knee in pre-season.

Tottenham have concerns as well, with Richarlison, Micky van de Ven and marquee summer signing Dominic Solanke missing their 2-1 defeat at Newcastle United last weekend.

The absences of Merino and Rice leave Arsenal quite short of options in the middle, and it is believed Arteta is plotting to drop Havertz into midfield so Raheem Sterling can play a false-nine role against Spurs.

Salah-Eddine Oulad M'Hand could make Arsenal debut at Tottenham

According to GiveMeSport, this midfield shortage could provide a breakthrough opportunity for promising young midfielder Salah-Eddine Oulad M'hand.

Ouland M'hand has been tipped to become Arsenal's next Jorginho, and the 21-year-old was named in Arteta's matchday squad to face Brighton. It is believed that Arteta is a real admirer of Ouland-M'hand's personal belief in his own ability, with the midfielder desperate to become one of the Premier League's next rising stars.

The Dutchman has impressed in the Gunners academy, scoring six goals and bagging a further four assists in 26 appearances for Arsenal's Under-21s.

His exploits and confidence behind-the-scenes mean Ouland M'hand could be handed his senior Arsenal debut against Tottenham, as per GMS, with the former Feyenoord academy gem also impressing in pre-season.

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