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Manchester City may have to brace for a departure this January, as former scout Mick Brown believes an “outstanding” player wants to leave.

Changes needed at Man City

Man City are at serious risk of missing out on Champions League football next season, amid their terrible run of form in the Premier League, meaning major changes could be needed at the Etihad Stadium.

Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher believes City’s failures in the transfer market are the main reason for their incredible dip in form, alongside the loss of Rodri, saying:

“Rodri is a huge miss, but the player profile of who they have brought in – people say they have brought older players in like Kovacic and Gundogan, but the younger players they brought in didn’t work.”

One younger option at Pep Guardiola’s disposal is academy graduate James McAtee, however the 22-year-old has failed to force his way into the starting line-up, despite their struggles.

McAtee has made just two appearances in the Premier League this season, both of which came as very short cameo appearances from the bench, and there are now signs he is thinking of leaving in search of more game time.

In an interview with Football Insider, Brown has stated he believes the midfielder could push to leave this winter, amid widespread interest in his signature:

“There are a lot of interested clubs after his loan spell at Sheffield United. He benefited a lot from that move, and then training with the top players at City will have helped develop his game even without playing.

“But now he’s going to look to leave City in January, because he needs to play regular football. That’s the next stage for his growth as a player, to make that move away and test himself.

Sky Sports: Man City in contact with reps of Spain star who Guardiola loves

He could be available for a bargain fee in January.

ByBen Browning Dec 25, 2024

“From City’s point of view, they might be worried because of what the likes of Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers have done since they left.

“So I understand they’ve been reluctant to let him go, but if he’s not going to play, he could push for the move because he has got to play football.“

Understandable decision for McAtee to leave Man City

It is always sad to see an academy graduate leave the club, but it would be understandable if the Salford-born ace tries to engineer a move this January, given his lack of game time.

Although the Englishman is still young, he is now at an age where he needs to be given regular minutes to aid his development, and it is clear he may not get that under Guardiola, given that he can’t get into what is a poor City side at the moment.

The maestro’s talent was on show for all to see during his time with Sheffield United, being lauded after scoring a remarkable solo goal against Blackpool:

As such, it will be no surprise if McAtee pushes to leave this January, but Guardiola may be wary of letting him leave and reducing the depth in the squad.

Things haven’t exactly been plain sailing for Arsenal in the Premier League this season.

Mikel Arteta’s side have suffered from poorly timed injuries to key players, questionable suspensions in big games, and an overall downturn in form just when Liverpool seem to have found theirs.

However, the last week or so has seen the Gunners get back to somewhere near their best with three impressive wins on the bounce and brilliant performances from defence to attack, particularly out wide.

Bukayo Saka has been utterly sensational, and Gabriel Martinelli has found himself on the scoresheet a couple of times to boot, so fans should be particularly excited about reports linking them to a player who’s been compared to the pair of them.

Arsenal transfer news

According to a recent report from Steve Kay of Football Transfers, Arsenal are interested in Paris Saint-Germain’s incredibly exciting Bradley Barcola.

The report claims that the Gunners are keen to add another dynamic winger to their ranks in 2025, and the young Frenchman is one of the players they have identified.

Interestingly, while the report claims that a transfer for the 22-year-old looks unlikely at the moment, rumours of a growing split between him and manager Luis Enrique could provide the North Londoners with an opportunity to strike in the future.

In all, signing Barcola could prove complicated, but given his ability, potential, and comparisons with Saka and Martinelli, Arsenal should still try to get it done.

Transfer Focus

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

Barcola's comparisons to Saka and Martielli

So, before looking at Barcola’s performances for PSG over the last few seasons, let’s examine these comparisons to Saka and Martinelli and where they come from, for that matter.

While there are apparent similarities in the fact that all three are young and exciting wingers, the comparison in question actually stems from FBref.

The statistical hub compares players in similar positions in Europe’s top five leagues, the Champions League and Europa League, then creates a list of the ten most comparable players for each one, and in this instance, has concluded that the Englishman is the third most similar attacking midfielder or winger to the Frenchman this season, while the Brazilian comes in fifth.

We can see this similarity best by looking at the underlying metrics in which the players rank closely. For example, the PSG ace and Hale End dynamo rank closely for statistics such as non-penalty goals plus assists, progressive passes, expected assists shots, live passes and successful take-ons, all per 90.

Likewise, the former Lyon ace ranks closely with the former Ituano gem in metrics such as goals per shot and per shot on target, key passes and passes into the penalty area, tackles and aerial duels won, all per 90.

So, with it clear that the 11-capped international shares clear statistical similarities to both Arsenal stars, does he have the raw output to suggest he’d be able to keep up with them on the pitch? Absolutely.

In just 18 appearances this season, the Lyon-born dynamo has scored ten goals and provided two assists, equating to an average of a goal involvement every 1.5 games and lending credence to analyst Ben Mattinson’s claim that he’s “one of the best LWs in Europe.”

Moreover, in 42 appearances last season, only 29 of which were starts, the 6 foot phenom scored five goals and provided nine assists, which is made all the more impressive by the fact that he was just 20 years old at the start of the campaign.

Ultimately, while it could prove complicated, Arsenal should be doing all they can to sign Barcola next year, as he already looks like a superstar at just 22, and with players like Saka and Martin Odegaard around him, the sky would b the limit for his potential.

Saka loves him: Arsenal must unleash amazing star who Man Utd nearly signed

The incredible star is undroppable for Arsenal ahead of their match with Manchester United.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Dec 4, 2024

Everton have suffered their due in recent years, more so, but with The Friedkin Group moving toward ending Farhad Moshiri’s dysfunctional reign as majority shareholder, perhaps greener pastures are on the horizon.

The Merseyside derby was called off last weekend after Storm Darragh wreaked chaos on Liverpool and precluded the Premier League fixture from feasibly taking place.

That was frustrating, for Sean Dyche’s Blues had been fuelled by the 4-0 midweek victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Goodison Park would have relished the chance to stifle Liverpool’s progress.

Everton have failed to score in seven of their 13 Premier League matches this term, but blew the Old Gold away and offered a glimpse into the dormant riches that this outfit can muster.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin, however, failed to break his duck.

More misery for Dominic Calvert-Lewin

In isolation, Calvert-Lewin’s performance against Wolves wasn’t that bad a thing. The 27-year-old striker was given a 7/10 match rating by The Liverpool Echo’s Chris Beesley after forcing two own goals from Craig Dawson and missing a host of further opportunities.

On another day, with adjusted margins, the 11-cap England international could have had an emphatic brace, but the barren run has instead stretched to nine matches, with two goals scored and nine big chances missed in total this season.

He was fantastic against Wolves, played his role crucially, but with his contract up for expiry at the end of the season and many negatives outweighing the positives, it’s surely a fitting time for change.

What Everton need is some fresh life at number nine. Armando Broja has been cleared after an injury-ruined start to his Everton career, but it’s academy sensation Braiden Graham who could actually be the club’s saviour.

Why Dyche must unleash Braiden Graham

Graham is a 17-year-old forward who has been riding the crest of a wave in Everton’s academy, demonstrating all the properties required of a Premier League-level player in the making.

The Northern Ireland youth international scored twice across 14 senior appearances for Linfield in his homeland before formally completing a transfer to Merseyside last summer.

He’s a versatile forward and invariably clinical, regardless of the position he is placed in, and when considering this alongside his academy status, the teenager might just prove to be the Toffees’ next version of Wayne Rooney.

Centre-forward

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Right winger

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Attacking midfield

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Left winger

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With seven goals from his first eight appearances in the U18 Premier League, not only is Graham outscoring every member of Dyche’s senior squad this term, but he’s Everton U18’s top scorer by a distance – Justin Clarke and Kean Wren both sit on four-goal hauls.

That knowledge is relevant since it is important to register how far Graham is above his teammates, something that is reminiscent of a fledgling Rooney, whose ability saw him promoted to the first team at the age of just 16, thus announcing himself as one of football’s most prodigious talents.

Linfield boss David Healy once hailed Graham as a “deadly finisher,” and so he could be the answer to the outfit’s problems, the long-term solution and the replacement to the supposedly outgoing Calvert-Lewin.

Is he a talent on the same level as Rooney? Maybe not. But the young buck has got everything going for him and could be the galvanising success story that Everton need.

Forget Lookman: Everton sold "genius" who's now ranked alongside Bellingham

The former Everton star has been impressive in 2024

ByJoe Nuttall Dec 12, 2024

اعترف روبرت ليفاندوفسكي، نجم فريق برشلونة، بارتكابهم الكثير من الأخطاء في مباراة الثلاثاء ضد بوروسيا دورتموند، في بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.

واستضاف ملعب “سيجنال إيدونا بارك” مباراة الفريقين في إياب ربع نهائي دوري أبطال أوروبا، حيث خسر برشلونة بثلاثة أهداف لهدف.

وتأهل برشلونة إلى نصف نهائي دوري أبطال أوروبا، مستفيدًا من فوزه في الذهاب بأربعة أهداف دون رد.

اقرأ أيضًا | فليك يقلل من سوء أداء برشلونة أمام بوروسيا دورتموند.. ويصرّح: لا أفضل أحدًا في نصف النهائي

وقال ليفاندوفسكي، في تصريحات نشرتها صحيفة “موندو ديبورتيفو” الإسبانية: “افتقرنا للسيطرة في وسط الملعب وارتكبنا العديد من الأخطاء، لقد فقدنا الكرة وكانت لدينا تمريرات خاطئة، وسهلنا الأمور على الخصم”.

وأضاف: “يجب تحليل مباراة اليوم بدقة، علينا أن نتعلم منها، لا يمكننا اللعب بهذه الطريقة، لو كنا سنخسر ونرتكب أخطاءً، لكان من الأفضل لو ارتكبناها في هذه المرحلة، لا مجال لمثل هذه الأخطاء في المستقبل”.

وواصل: “لقد سهلنا على دورتموند مسألة خلق الفرص والتسجيل، ربما كان هذا هو جرس الإنذار الذي كنا بحاجة إليه، علينا أن نتعلم من هذا”.

وشدد: “كانت مباراة مجنونة حقًا، بالنظر إلى مباراتي الذهاب والإياب، فنحن في نصف النهائي لأننا نستحق ذلك، لكننا صنعنا حالة من التوتر والقلق”.

MatériaMais Notícias

O anúncio de que o Vascoencaminhouacordo não vinculante para a venda de 70% das ações de sua Sociedade Anônima do Futebol (SAF) à 777 Partnersaumentou as expectativas quanto aos rumos do clube. A investidora norte-americana terá de arcar com uma série de desafios para reerguer o Cruz-Maltino.

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Consultor de gestão e finanças do esporte, Cesar Grafietti avaliou que, acima da entrada de aporte financeiro, o primeiro passo é a busca por uma mudança de panorama na gestão cruz-maltina.

– Do que foi anunciado, parece um passo acertado. Mais do que o dinheiro, que é importante, trata-se da oportunidade de reformular e reconstituir um clube de alcance nacional que vem sofrendo há anos – disse ao LANCE!.

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Grafietti, porém, alertou para a necessidade de uma mudança de mentalidade caso conselheiros, beneméritos e sócios aprovem que a gestão do clube mude de mãos.

– Se o processo não incluir necessariamente uma mudança profunda de gestão, nos métodos, nas pessoas, de nada resolverá. Não existe mudança que traga apenas dinheiro, pois o histórico mostra que isto não funciona. Um exemplo foi o que ocorreu com o próprio Vasco e o Bank of America (o acordo durou cerca de três anos, rendeu títulos importantes mas, após ser rompido unilateralmente no início de 2001, deixou uma herança de dívidas para o Cruz-Maltino) – constatou.

Há outros investimentos nos quais o Vasco tem de se aprimorar pouco a pouco.

– Precisa de melhorias nas categorias de base, investimento em pessoal qualificado na gestão esportiva e no marketing e retomar capacidade competitiva para retornar à Série A – disse Grafietti.

Com uma previsão de receber aporte financeiro de R$ 700 milhões, o Cruz-Maltino tem seu planejamento voltado não só para quitar dívidas e fazer contratações a longo prazo. O objetivo é reestruturar por completo o clube.

-É o único caminho. Agora, o importante é encontrar o parceiro que seja capaz de mudar estruturalmente o clube e tenha liberdade para isso – disse Grafietti.

O acordo com a empresa norte-americana prevê um empréstimo-ponte no valor de R$ 70 milhões. O economista Cesar Grafietti frisa o que o clube precisa fazer assim que o acordo seja selado.

– Colocar salários em dia. Antes de contratar, é preciso pagar quem está lá e fazer uma reserva dependendo do fluxo de caixa estimado – ponderou.

A empresa 777 Partners deseja remodelar o Complexo de São Januário. Além disto, com mais investimentos, o Vasco poderá fazer mudanças estruturais nas sedes da Lagoa e do Calabouço. O desejo de finalizar o CT Moacyr Barbosa também está em pauta.

Outras diretrizes são o investimento na equipe feminina do Vasco e nos esportes olímpicos e paralímpicos (que são uma promessa do mandatário Jorge Salgado).

O clube definiu como “a maior transação da história do futebol brasileiro”. Para isto, o Vasco afirma que a proposta de R$ 700 milhões por 70% da SAF, o que deixa a avaliação de 100% do futebol do clube em R$ 1 bilhão. Depois disso, o clube soma as dívidas de R$ 700 milhões, que serão assumidas pela empresa.

Porém, oeconomista Cesar Grafietti traz outro ponto de vista.

-Esses valores não existem. 70% das ações do Vasco que “custou” a dívida, segundo informam, são R$ 700 milhões. Dá para dizer que o clube foi avaliado em R$ 1 bilhão. Só isso. Os R$ 700 milhões de investimentos representam o valor necessário para o clube se estruturar, e podem ou não gerar valorização – disse.

O prazo para que essa negociação seja finalizada é de 90 dias (três meses). Segundo a nota, o acordo pretende recuperar o Vasco e recolocá-lo no protagonismo do futebol brasileiro e internacional.

Bright lights and debuts hold no fears for Alex Carey. In February 2009, he played at Adelaide Oval for the first time as a 17-year-old representing Glenelg against Kensington in the final of South Australia’s 1st Grade 50-over competition.He took to the arena like a duck to water with a Player of the Match performance. Batting under lights for the first time in his life, he made 64 not out opening the innings, calmly guiding Glenelg home in a chase of 154 after they had been 2 for 22.The pressure of a maiden Test appearance as a 30-year-old in the opening match of an Ashes is clearly on another level. But again, Carey handled it with aplomb, keeping flawlessly to claim eight catches, the most by any wicketkeeper on Test debut.There was a discussion at Australia’s selection table in the lead-up to the Gabba Test about whether Carey or the uncapped Josh Inglis should be Tim Paine’s replacement behind the stumps. Carey showed why his 83 games of international experience for Australia, three of which he has captained, was invaluable.Related

• Lyon endorses Cummins and Smith as 'two best candidates' for captain and vice-captain

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• 'Huge asset' Cameron Green gives glimpse of his bowling impact

• Nathan Lyon savours the reward for his toil but is ready for more

“I’ve got lots of confidence in my game,” he said. “I guess playing a little bit of white-ball cricket for Australia helps that. Once the bowler is running in, I focus on the ball and that is the same with the bat. Obviously your first Test you’ve got a bit going through your mind.”It didn’t take me too long I guess to get into the rhythm. Probably a few overs and then we’re playing cricket again. It was great fun.”Confidence and calmness are traits Carey has in abundance. He rarely gets fazed or overawed. In his first 50-over World Cup in England in 2019 he was one of Australia’s most reliable performers, and nothing epitomised his ability to stay present in the moment than the semi-final against England.He was famously clocked on the chin by a vicious Jofra Archer bouncer that dislodged his helmet. Despite the delivery splitting his chin open, his first split-second reaction was to catch his helmet before it fell on the stumps. Needing stitches, he remained on the field with his head swathed in bandages as blood seeped through and made 46 from 70 balls to help Australia avoid complete embarrassment.There was no need for such heroics at the Gabba, but there was pressure to keep a clean sheet behind the stumps in the cauldron of an Ashes opener and he did just that.”I guess as a wicketkeeper you’re only going to get judged on catches taken or catches dropped,” Carey said.Alex Carey opened the batting in David Warner’s absence•Getty Images

Nathan Lyon was full of praise for Carey’s work, having previously been vocal about the importance of Paine behind the stumps.”I think it’s been an absolutely incredible debut,” Lyon said. “I’m not surprised by it. I’ve watched him train in the lead-up and his preparation has been world-class. He’s played obviously a lot of white-ball cricket for Australia and our relationship is only going to get bigger and better and stronger.”He’s coming down on the early bus with me to catch in the nets. To debut at the Gabba in an Ashes series, take eight catches, [we’re] pretty proud of him.”Carey’s captain, Pat Cummins, wasn’t surprised at his performance behind the stumps either.”Thought he was tremendous,” Cummins said. “Really clean against Lyno as well. Not surprised, he’s played a lot of international cricket and we knew he’d slot straight in and be high quality. Really happy for him. Also, putting his hand up when David Warner wasn’t going to open and saying, ‘I’ll open’ shows a lot of confidence to do whatever he can for the team.”Carey had opened just twice in first-class cricket previously but had no hesitation in taking on the job to protect Warner and the middle order.”Why disrupt number three, four and five?” Carey said. “I felt confident to go out there and do the job. Unfortunately, I nicked one but we won the Test match. I’m pretty happy. I’ll play any role for this team.”On Thursday, nearly 13 years after his first appearance at Adelaide Oval, Carey will get to live out a dream of playing a day-night Test match at home in front of family and friends.”I’m really excited to now head to Adelaide,” Carey said. “We all know what the pink-ball Test means. It’s a really good atmosphere in Adelaide. But growing up watching games there and to have my family there is going to be very exciting. And obviously, winning this Test puts us in a good place to hopefully start really well on Thursday.”

GOAL gets the measure of the latest from the football zeitgeist, including boot drops for a host of stars and the Liverpool boss losing it

Welcome to the Culture & Clobber Axis, where GOAL runs the rule over all the latest from the intersection of football and culture – from the sublime to the ridiculous, to what hits and what misses completely.

We're all about new boots this week, with new clobber for the likes of Lionel Messi, Harry Kane and Neymar, while a bad week for Liverpool has thrown up no shortage of delicious narrative.

But where do the week's biggest talking points from the football zeitgeist place in our comprehensive axis? Let's get into it…

adidasNew signature boots for Leo

Lionel Messi has become synonymous with adidas' iconic F50 speed boot, and he has been blessed with a new signature pair despite the fact he's closing in on his 40s – a reflection of his enduring influence on that game, which will last long beyond his retirement.

What's more, Leo has chosen 10 young ballers from the men's and women's game to wear the silver, blue and electric yellow Messi F50 Player Pack 1, including Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal, the USWNT's Jaedyn Shaw and future Man City starlet Cavan Sullivan.

GOAL's shout: Blatant worldie

AdvertisementPUMA/ Off WhiteAC Milan x Off-White kits

Streetwear label Off-White have revealed their first-ever football kit to be worn on-pitch in collaboration with Italian powerhouse AC Milan and their manufacturer PUMA.

The template is spot on, featuring an all-over Off-White logo pattern, collar and cuffs. A striking red and black colourways that fades into dark green might not be for everyone, but the 'Pan-African' palette has been used to mark Black History Month.

GOAL's shout: Maverick worldie

adidasWomen's stars dominate new ads

Super Bowl week brought with it a load of big-budget ads, with women's football taking centre stage. Nike's 'So Win' campaign went live during the NFL's showcase, featuring Barcelona superstar Alexia Putellas alongside a number of the American sportswear giant's other female athletes.

adidas' latest work emerged during the week, as Putellas' club-mate Aitana Bonmati and USWNT icon Trinity Rodman starring in a series of films under the title 'You Got This' as a response to 'negative pressure'. All of this just goes to show the exponential growth of the women's game across the globe.

GOAL's shout: Maverick worldie

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Getty Images SportMan City's misguided banner

Oh dear, Man City. The week after being on the receiving end of a barrage of sh*thousery from Arsenal fans, the Cityzens fans really shot themselves in the foot as they decided to mock Real Madrid, Vinicius Junior and Florentino Perez ahead of the two sides' Champions League clash.

Before kick-off, a banner was unfurled with the Oasis lyrics 'Stop crying your heart out' and an image of Rodri kissing the Ballon d'Or trophy, which he famously pipped Vini Jr to last year amid Los Blancos' incendiary decision to boycott the ceremony. However, Real Madrid would go on to snatch a last-minute winner, with Vinicius named man of the match. Ouch.

GOAL's shout: Blatant own goal

“I think we are capable of improving on this, but we shouldn’t be too worried by it.”

Mohammad Isam20-Oct-20216:54

Nafees: Whenever Bangladesh have needed Shakib, he has done it

Bangladesh felt comforted by their 26-run win over Oman on Tuesday but it was a lot of hard work, according to Shakib Al Hasan. He said that Bangladesh turned the corner through the spells of Mahedi Hasan and Mohammad Saifuddin while defending 153, but they are still looking to improve in their batting.”The win is a relief for the team,” Shakib said. “I believe the dressing room will feel a lot better. The defeat to Scotland was definitely disappointing, but they played well. Like Oman did today. We had to work hard to come back into the game. I think Saifuddin and Mahedi bowled really well. Their spells were the turning point of this win. I think they didn’t even concede 30 runs in their eight overs, which really helped us. Credit to both for their bowling.”Related

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Shakib said that they only need to make slight adjustments in the first six and last five overs for a better score in this competition. “I think we have room for improving by 20 to 25 runs. We can score 15 runs more in the powerplay, and an additional 10 runs in the last five overs, we can get this done.”I think we are capable of improving on this, but we shouldn’t be too worried by it. If we get these extra runs, we can defend a 170-plus score,” he said.The performance of Oman and Scotland against Bangladesh also caught Shakib’s eyes, who said that there should be far more respect for Associate Nations.”I have to give a lot of credit to Associate countries for the way they manage to play cricket despite adversities. They played good cricket.”There’s a lot more expectations from us as a Test-playing country. We try to win but its not always possible. When we beat bigger teams, they probably feel this way. That’s cricket for you.”

A big Leeds United earner could require surgery after a new Thorp Arch injury update was shared by Adam Pope.

Leeds results and fixtures

It has been an interesting start to the season for the Whites and Daniel Farke. Leeds currently sit inside the Championship playoff places after picking up 11 points from a possible 18.

Wins were recorded against Sheffield Wednesday, Hull City and most recently Cardiff City, draws against Portsmouth and West Brom, with their only defeat coming to Burnley. The games come thick and fast for Farke and his side, with Coventry City next up at Elland Road.

Leeds, who recently announced a plan to expand Elland Road, will be without a number of players for the game, and a concerning injury update has emerged on one specific player.

Leeds injury update – Max Wober

Taking to X, Pope, who was at Thorp Arch for Farke’s pre-match press conference on Thursday, stated that Wober is still out and that he may now even need surgery on his knee, with a decision to be made over the coming days.

Farke said how the defender had a setback last week before Cardiff and explained the next steps for the player: “Max will also miss this game, he had a set-back in training on Friday before Cardiff, that was why he wasn’t in the matchday squad.

“Some ongoing problems with his knee. Our medical department tries everything to find a conservative solution and we’ll find out in the next days. We tried to push him back into team training but we need to make a decision in the next days if this doesn’t work and he can’t return. Probably our choice would then be surgery and then he’d miss out a few weeks. But we’re hopeful we can bring him back into training in the early stage of next week.”

Wober, who returned from a loan spell with Borussia Monchengladbach in the summer, is yet to make an impact in Leeds’ 24/25 campaign, with his only appearance coming against Middlesbrough in a 3-0 Carabao Cup defeat.

The Austria international, on £35,000-a-week, has been third choice behind Pascal Struijk and Joe Rodon but could have been in line to feature if he was fit, with Struijk also a doubt this weekend.

However, that won’t be the case, with Wober still sidelined. Former RB Salzburg sporting director Christoph Freund has heaped praise on the 26-year-old in the past, saying: “Max is not only a really good defender just in the way we want of him. He is also a real leader in the team who is happy to take on responsibility, which is an important factor for our young team.”

A “world-class” player has held talks to join Arsenal via his representatives, and it is believed sporting director Edu Gaspar is prioritising a deal for him.

Arsenal make 2025 transfer plans as Arteta prepares for Tottenham

Head coach Mikel Arteta, after signing a new three-year contract and committing his future to the club, is now focusing all of his attention on Sunday’s looming North London Derby against Tottenham.

Arteta confirms "great news" for Arsenal ahead of Spurs with injury update

A key player looks ready to feature against Tottenham.

1

By
Emilio Galantini

Sep 14, 2024

Arteta has a few selection headaches to deal with ahead of tomorrow’s 14:00 kick off, with summer signing Mikel Merino sidelined after a shoulder injury. According to reports, Merino may not return until mid-October at the earliest, so he is certain to be unavailable, while another star midfielder in Declan Rice is also absent through suspension.

Odegaard was expected to miss Tottenham too, but in some good news for Arsenal, Arteta has refused to rule completely him his captain out of their trip to Spurs. Both Gabriel Jesus and Riccardo Calafiori are racing to be fit for Sunday as well, so the Gunners’ injury crisis isn’t as bad as first feared.

However, with both Merino and Rice out, there is a major shortage in Arsenal’s midfield. This has led to suggestions that Arteta could drop Kai Havertz into midfield with new arrival Raheem Sterling potentially playing a false-nine role, so it will be interesting to see how the team is indeed set up.

Meanwhile, Edu and the club’s recruitment team are already said to be working on new signings for next year off the field. Arsenal are believed to be eyeing Benjamin Sesko ahead of 2025, and have apparently already made contact to gain a head-start on their rivals.

Arsenal have also been linked with Jonathan David this week, as one of Ligue 1’s most prolific scorers of the last few seasons will soon be up for grabs at zero cost.

Arsenal open talks with Jonathan David ahead of January swoop

According to CaughtOffside, Arsenal have opened talks with David’s representatives ahead of a move in January – rather than a pre-contract arrangement which would see him join for free next summer.

The Canadian international is said to have rejected two new contract offers from his current club as he seeks a move away, and it is believed Edu is set to prioritise David’s signing in the winter window.

Other reports state that Arsenal could tempt David with an offer north of £96,000-per-week, which is surely a real incentive for them to move, considering that salary wouldn’t even put the forward in line with Arteta’s biggest earners.

Called “world class” by ex-Canada manager Iain Hume, the 24-year-old already boasts 153 senior career goals for both club and country combined.

“At his age, to have such a calmness, and a cool head like that? He is a world class player right now,” said Hume in 2022. “That’s a Canadian kid. That’s the realism now. Name more than five/six strikers in the world better than him — I think you’ll struggle.”