Category: Football

Arsenal today are an entirely different team from the one Mikel Arteta took control of over five years ago.

The manager has helped transform a meandering and seemingly lost club into one that looks destined to win something significant in the coming years.

However, it has not been a linear journey for the Spaniard, as just a year into his tenure, his position was starting to look seriously untenable.

Thankfully, the emergence of Emile Smith Rowe and his early partnership with Bukayo Saka steadied the ship and practically saved the Spaniard’s job, so it’s good news that Hale End has provided him with another version of the Englishman.

Emile Smith Rowe’s career

So, while Smith Rowe did make his senior debut for Arsenal back in a Europa League group game in the 18/19 season, it makes sense to start in the 20/21 campaign, as it was in the Premier League game at home to Chelsea on Boxing Day, that it became abundantly clear to everyone watching that the youngster was a serious talent.

He started that game and, alongside Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, injected the dynamism the club lacked in the prior 14 league games, of which Arteta had overseen just four wins.

The Croydon-born gem ended the season with a brilliant haul of four goals and seven assists in 33 games and carried his form over to the following campaign, in which he scored 11 goals and provided two assists in just 37 appearances.

By the start of the 22/23 season, it felt as if the Hale Ender was ready to truly explode, but in a stroke of terrible luck, he was blindsided with injury problems, which limited him to just 196 minutes of action across 14 appearances.

Unfortunately, while he was sitting on the sidelines, the club were mounting a surprise title charge, with Martin Odegaard having the season of his life as the team’s most attacking midfielder and racking up a stellar haul of 15 goals and seven assists in 45 games.

So, while the young Englishman did miss some games through injury the following year, the primary reason he was limited to just 475 minutes was the simple fact that there wasn’t a place for him in the starting lineup anymore, which likely made the club’s choice to accept up to £34m for his service from Fulham in the summer far easier.

Since moving to West London, the former fan favourite has still suffered from some minor injuries but has generally looked good when on the pitch, scoring five goals and providing two assists in 31 appearances.

In all, while Arsenal would likely have used Smith Rowe more this season in light of their attacking struggles and injuries, selling him to the Cottagers was probably the best thing for all parties involved, especially as Hale End might’ve already provided Arteta with the perfect replacement.

Arteta’s new Smith Rowe

For all that has gone wrong this season, one of the most significant positives has been the emergence of Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri, and it should come as no surprise that it is the latter who is Arteta’s new Smith Rowe.

Now, this comparison works for a few reasons, such as the fact that they are both attacking midfielders who can thrive on the wing, they’re both English and even the fact that their breakouts came under this manager.

However, we’d argue the most important similarity is how they impacted the first team in a time of need.

As mentioned above, the now Fulham star announced himself to the wider footballing world by forming a brilliant partnership with Saka and turning the ship around at a time when it looked like changes were going to be made in the dugout, and while it’s not been anywhere as dire this season, there are some unmistakable similarities.

For example, while the “unplayable” Nwaneri, as dubbed by Jack Wilshere, was making cameo appearances and getting the odd cup start earlier this season, his involvement in the first team dramatically increased once the attacking injury crisis was in full swing, with nine of his 12 starts coming since January 1st.

Moreover, when he has played, the “sensational” Hale Ender, as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, has often contributed, with his eight goals and one assist coming in 1087 minutes, which comes out to a goal involvement on average every 120.77 minutes, which for an 18-year-old is incredible.

Finally, while Smith Rowe broke through and formed a partnership with Saka, the Enfield-born dynamo is doing the same with Lewis-Skelly, who played a big part in his goals against Bolton Wanderers and PSV Eindhoven.

Ultimately, fans will be hoping his Arsenal career progresses in a different way, but as things stand, there are plenty of similarities between Smith Rowe and Nwaneri.

England’s road to the 2026 World Cup started with a pair of seamless victories as Thomas Tuchel enjoyed his first taste of international management.

The German was confirmed as Gareth Southgate’s successor last October with the sole intention of guiding the Three Lions to World Cup glory in North America. Tuchel’s tenure started on 1 January 2025, and there was plenty of buzz surrounding the new manager’s bow against Albania on Friday night.

Tuchel, a Champions League-winning coach regarded as one of the best in the business, spoke rather scathingly of the end of Southgate’s reign and ironed out what it will take for England to ascend into a realm which has eluded them since 1966.

Here’s what we learned from the new manager’s first two games in charge during the March international break.

In truth, these were two games at Wembley we’ve seen many a time. England were rarely threatened by the opponents, enjoying all the territory against a deep-lying defence, and were often accused by Lee Dixon of moving the ball too slowly.

Their victories over Albania and Latvia were as routine as they come, and while these performances were very familiar, there were a few things which hinted at Tuchel’s influence.

England’s willingness to run in behind was notable early on against Albania, with Jude Bellingham, in particular, surging from deep in a bid to penetrate the opponent’s compact block. Bellingham also rotated well with Myles Lewis-Skelly and Marcus Rashford, which helped the Three Lions play around Albania, and it was a combination between the Real Madrid superstar and debutant Lewis-Skelly which led to the first goal of the Tuchel era.

They played with a notable intensity with and without the ball on Friday night, and there was particular encouragement to be taken from the way the team counter-pressed after possession was lost.

Moreover, there was a notable difference in the way England set up in their two games. Against Albania, Lewis-Skelly performed a more conventional left-back role, which allowed him some freedom to drift inside but also get on the overlap. On Monday night, the 18-year-old’s inversion into midfield was much more distinct. England’s 4-3-3 became a 3-2-5 with the ball, with Lewis-Skelly partnering Declan Rice in the middle of the park when the Three Lions had the ball.

Tuchel will continue to tweak subtly throughout his tenure, and the German’s willingness to tinker manifested in March.

Harry Maguire and John Stones were two staples of the Gareth Southgate era, but it remains to be seen how big of a role the pair will play under Tuchel.

Maguire has been out of the England picture for some time but performed superbly at major tournaments under Southgate, while Stones has long been regarded as the best centre-back in the country’s ranks despite his persistent injury woes.

Maguire’s absence at Euro 2024 allowed alternatives to come to the fore, and Marc Guehi filled in ably alongside Stones. The Crystal Palace captain was arguably England’s best player of the tournament.

Ezri Konsa also impressed on his sole start, and he was the big winner of this break. The Aston Villa defender started both games, and although the opponents were modest, he didn’t put a foot wrong. While Dan Burn and Guehi produced a couple of mishaps, Konsa was a serene presence in England’s backline. He’s a brilliant high-line defender who plays with the controlled aggression of the greats.

Konsa’s stock is rising.

Manchester City supporters will tell you that the England team must be built around Phil Foden.

The dazzling playmaker has played a key role in multiple Premier League title wins, but his performances for the Three Lions have often left plenty to be desired.

Southgate didn’t necessarily build his side around Foden, but he did shoehorn the City star into a system which hindered the individual and collective. At Euro 2024, Foden started in an inside left role without a reliable overlapper, meaning he tucked inside to a congested centre. The result was an incohesive, unbalanced mess.

In 45 caps, Foden has few notable moments in an England shirt, and the early signs suggest Bellingham is going to be the main man under Tuchel. The Madrid star started centrally in both March qualifiers, starring against Albania, while Foden was shunted into an unsuited wide role.

Tuchel was critical of the wide players’ performances on Friday night, and it was no surprise Foden was dropped on Monday. He enjoyed a forgettable cameo against Latvia, and he had better start getting used to such brief appearances under this manager.

Tuchel has taken on the England job with a view of winning the 2026 World Cup. As it stands, that’s the German’s only task. No pressure, eh?

However, the Three Lions are bound to enter the tournament – assuming they qualify from a tame group – without much experience of facing a top-level opponent under the new manager.

They’ll face 29th-ranked in the world Wales in a friendly later this year, while Serbia, who are ranked 32nd, are their stiffest opponent in qualifying.

Qualifying groups for major tournaments are rarely laden with tricky fixtures, but England had to beat Italy and Ukraine to qualify for Euro 2024 and have previously benefitted from facing the likes of Spain, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands in the UEFA Nations League. However, their relegation from League A in 2022 meant England faced Greece, Ireland and Finland in the recent Nations League circuit – the Lee Carsley era.

There are two slots in March and June 2026 before the World Cup, and the FA must arrange friendlies against high-ranking opponents to offer Tuchel’s side a chance to face those they may meet in crunch time next summer.

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Manchester United are now looking to sell a £10 million-a-year player and have already identified his replacement, according to a new report.

Man Utd receive injury boosts during international break

The Red Devils have enjoyed a rather successful international break so far, as they didn’t have many players away on international duty and have seen striker Rasmus Hojlund among the goals once again, as he helped Denmark beat Portugal 1-0 last week.

United are not back in action until next Tuesday and the break has come at the right time to allow some of the injured players to return to training. Ruben Amorim had nine players out in the game against Leicester City, plus Patrick Dorgu suspended, but he could be set to receive a welcome boost.

Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo are targeting a return to the matchday squad for the game against Nottingham Forest. Meanwhile, Ayden Heaven is also in contention for that game at the City Ground after coming out of his protective boot. Manchester Evening News report that their chances of playing against Forest rest on how they come through training this week.

Meanwhile, winger Amad Diallo teased supporters on Monday evening that he could be available sooner than expected. The Ivory Coast international damaged his ankle ligaments in training last month, and it was suspected that he would be out until the end of the season, but Amad could be back before the campaign comes to a close.

Man Utd desperate to shift Harry Maguire’s wages

As Amorim prays that he has some of his key players back for the final run-in, INEOS are looking ahead to the summer transfer window and are keen to offload several players. According to TEAMtalk, Man United are now ready to sell Maguire and replace him with Jarrad Branthwaite.

The report states that the Red Devils have been trying to move the 32-year-old on over the past two transfer windows, but due to him earning £10 million a year at Old Trafford, clubs have backed out of any potential deal.

It goes on to add that United are now ‘desperate’ to sell Maguire, as they want to get his wages off their books and bring in money which can help them sign Branthwaite, who has been dubbed a “monster” by scout/writer Jacek Kulig.

Branthwaite is high on United’s list of targets, but Everton’s valuation may make it hard for United to sign the Englishman. So, the Red Devils will hope moving Maguire on can clear some money and space to bring Branthwaite to Old Trafford.

Maguire has been a United player since August 2019, and despite the negativity towards him, he has continued to be an important player at the back. He has played 28 times in all competitions this season and has started 12 games in the Premier League under Amorim so far.

Arda Guler insists he has no intention of giving up on his Real Madrid career, despite a limited role in his second season with the club.

Guler arrived in the Spanish capital in the summer of 2023, with Madrid making a statement of intent by overpaying the release clause in his Fenerbahce contract.

His maiden campaign was defined by injury setbacks delaying his debut by several months, but he finished the season fully fit and in blistering form, followed by a star turn at Euro 2024.

The 20-year-old has made 30 appearances across all competitions, but only ten of those have come as a starter, while he hasn’t been named in a La Liga XI since getting two assists in a 3-3 draw with Rayo Vallecano in mid-December. His limited minutes made the headlines during the international break after being the subject of a taunt by Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai.

It had led to rumours that Guler will ask to leave Madrid this coming summer if he does not receive assurances over more significant playing time next season.

But, publicly at least, the attacking midfielder has pledged his commitment to the club, revealing that he has laid down roots in the city.

“Real Madrid gave me a plan, and I still believe in it,” Guler told MARCA while on international duty.

“I’m sure I’ll succeed at Real Madrid. I’ve even bought a house in Madrid. I work very hard and I’m always ready to play, as you could see in this match against Hungary.

“I love Real Madrid fans, and their support means a lot to me. I’m very grateful. I came to Real Madrid to play and be an important part of this team. And I won’t stop fighting until I achieve that.”

Serie A leaders Inter have been linked with Guler, reported earlier this month to have gauged interest from the player in a potential move and encouraged by the response. But he was described as a ‘Plan B’ to primary target Nico Paz, who is starring for Como after leaving Madrid last summer.

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Celtic went into the final international break of the season off the back of a disappointing 3-2 defeat to their city rivals in the Scottish Premiership at Parkhead.

Brendan Rodgers will be disappointed that his side let the game slip away from them after they brought the score back to 2-2 from 2-0 down at half-time, as Hamza Igamane scored an 88th-minute winner for Rangers.

Goals from Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate got the Hoops back into the game and the home crowd appeared to be pushing them on for a winner, before that late sucker-punch.

Despite that loss, Celtic are a whopping 13 points clear at the top of the Premiership table and it seems to be a matter of when, not if, they clinch a fourth successive league title.

There were also other positives to take out of the clash with their Glasgow rivals, despite the disappointing scoreline, as central defender Maik Nawrocki stepped up with an impressive showing.

Why Maik Nawrocki deserves more minutes this season

The Polish central defender had not played a minute of Premiership action or started a single game in any competition for the club this season prior to the clash with Rangers at Parkhead last time out.

Injuries to Liam Scales and Auston Trusty resulted in Rodgers deciding to go with Cameron Carter-Vickers and Nawrocki as the central defensive pairing, and the latter certainly took his chance to impress.

Those did not watch the game may see that the former Legia Warsaw man made his first start and that Celtic conceded three goals and lost and try to connect the dots, but none of the goals conceded were down to any errors on his part.

If anything, Nawrocki’s contributions in the heart of the backline for the Scottish giants prevented the highly-motivated Rangers team, managed by Barry Ferguson, from scoring even more goals at Parkhead.

As you can see in the table above, the 24-year-old colossus won 70% of his physical duels with Rangers players and did not get dribbled past a single time, whilst he also read the game well to make four interceptions.

So far this season, Scales has averaged 4.3 clearances and 1.7 tackles and interceptions per game, whilst Trusty has averaged 3.3 clearances and 2.4 tackles and interceptions per game in the Premiership.

This suggests that Nawrocki has the potential to offer more than both of them as an out-and-out defender if he can maintain the level that he displayed in the clash with Rangers.

Therefore, the summer signing from 2023 deserves more minutes between now and the end of the campaign to prove to Rodgers that he has a future as a key player for Celtic before the next transfer window.

Nawrocki is currently one of the lowest valued players in the squad at Parkhead, and a strong end to the season as a first-team regular could help to boost his value.

Celtic’s lowest-valued players in the 24/25 season

At the time of writing (25/03/2025), the former Legia Warsaw man is valued at just £1.7m by Transfermarkt and there are only four outfield players in the squad who are worth less, albeit one of them is the rarely-seen James McCarthy.

Hyun-jun Yang, who has recently emerged as a key squad option for Celtic with five goals and six assists this season, has seen his value rise to £2m – £300k above Nawrocki.

The 24-year-old titan’s goal between now and the end of the season should be to nail down a place in the XI next to Carter-Vickers ahead of the summer, in a bid to improve his position in the squad and his market value.

There is, however, a former Celtic centre-back who is currently worth even more than both Yang and Nawrocki. The Hoops cashed in on Jack Hendry in the summer of 2021 for a reported fee of £1.5m, and he has thrived since then.

Celtic sold their own John Stones

The Scotland international was signed from Dundee in January 2016 and made just 27 first-team appearances, despite earning comparisons to John Stones in his younger days.

During his time at Wigan, before his move to Parkhead in 2016, Hendry spoke about being compared to the Manchester City and England star. He told The Guardian:

“The conversations were initially all about going to Everton, into the 23s and developing the way Stones had done. The Wigan chairman told me they had missed out on Stones when he went to Everton so now it was their turn to get one up.

“I’ve grown up with people speaking about our similarity. I’m now going to be on the same pitch as him. It’s funny how football works out. He has had criticism, come back and is a world-class footballer so he is a great role model.”

He was seemingly unable to live up to that comparison at Celtic, given his lack of game time, and was sent out on loan to Oostende in Belgium, giving the Pro League side an option to buy him – for the aforementioned fee of £1.5m, for the 2020/21 campaign.

Interestingly, though, the centre-back almost immediately completed another transfer, joining Belgian giants Club Brugge for a reported fee of £3.5m just one month later, due to a release clause that was put in his deal.

Hendry went on to play 41 times for Club Brugge in all competitions before Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq swooped in to secure his services for a reported fee of £6.5m in the summer of 2023 – a fee considerably higher than what Yang and Nawrocki are currently valued at.

This means that his value soared by 333% in the space of two years, from the £1.5m that Celtic sold him for to the £6.5m that the Saudi Arabian side signed him for, and the Hoops may regret that they did not get more value out of the Scottish titan.

Hendry, who has been an incredibly reliable figure in possession and a strong defender off the ball, has been Al-Ettifaq’s own version of Stones with his mixture of technical and physical qualities in a centre-back position.

Celtic, unfortunately, could not unearth their version of the Manchester City star during the Scottish titan’s time at Parkhead, but he did not get many opportunities to showcase his quality.

That is a lesson that can now be learned from to better handle Nawrocki, who has shown that he deserves to have more minutes on the pitch moving forward, having proven that he can put in exceptional performances at Premiership level.

Rodgers must, now, hand more starts to the Polish centre-back in the hope that he can kick on and flourish at Parkhead, in a way that Hendry never got the chance to do – causing Celtic to miss out on having their own John Stones at centre-back.

The agent of Arsenal midfielder Jorginho has left the door open to a possible contract extension with the Gunners, insisting a decision on his future at the club has not yet been made.

The 33-year-old’s current deal runs until the end of the season and he is widely expected to depart on a free transfer, with a move to Brazil regularly speculated. Jorginho even recently admitted he is interested in the idea of playing in the country of his birth.

However, the door is not yet closed to a future in Europe or even with Arsenal, as Jorginho’s agent confirmed talks over the Italian’s next move will be held next month.

“From April 15, I will begin talks with clubs in England, including Arsenal, as well as teams from Italy, Saudi Arabia and Brazil,” agent Joao Santos told Daily Arsenal.

Jorginho is free to agree a contract with any overseas club, but would have to wait until his deal expires before formalising a move to another English side if he does leave Arsenal this summer.

A £12m signing from Chelsea in 2023, Jorginho has managed 76 appearances for Arsenal but has struggled for minutes this season following the summer arrival of Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad. He has managed 24 appearances in all competitions, 14 of which have come as a starter.

Arteta has instead preferred a midfield trio of Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard and Thomas Partey, the latter of whom is also in the final few months of his contract. A new midfielder is also on the radar for this summer, with Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi and Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimaraes among those linked.

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Whether it’s Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez or Luis Diaz, Liverpool’s central striking position has lacked something crucial this season. Arne Slot, without a doubt, has been left wanting.

And so have the rest of Merseyside’s red half. Liverpool are heading toward the Premier League title, with only the most startling of collapses enough to foil the Reds – who need to win four of their remaining nine fixtures.

Curiously, Understat record Liverpool to have created the highest xG (expected goals) of any outfit in the English top flight this year (72.90), having also outstripped their divisional rivals considerably with actual goalscoring numbers (69 goals; Manchester City are second in the scoring charts with 55).

Expected Goals (xG) is a metric designed to measure the probability of a shot resulting in a goal.

So what’s the issue with the attacking Red arrows, then? Chiefly, Mohamed Salah‘s incredible campaign has seen him tally up a remarkable haul of 32 goals and 22 assists across all competitions, 27 and 17 in the Premier League alone.

The general wastefulness of Liverpool’s forwards will leave fissured memories, but this will no doubt be mitigated by the probable lifting of the league title.

Issues from the present term can be used as a springboard for future endeavours, but Liverpool do need a new number nine, someone who can emulate the club’s former greats – like Fernando Torres, for example.

Remembering Fernando Torres

Objectively speaking, Luis Suarez is the most talented striker Liverpool have ever yielded, certainly the most devastating in the modern era.

But there was just something about Torres. The Spaniard evokes the most dreamy memories: headband on, gliding run, fearsome striking ability. The movement. So silky and purposeful. He felt indestructible, unbeatable, at Anfield, and they loved him for it. Most still do.

Fans want that feeling again. Salah is one of the greatest forwards – if not the greatest – in Liverpool’s storied history, but he’s not a centre-forward. Even Roberto Firmino, so revered, so successful, was not really the free-scoring type.

Torres scored 81 goals and laid on 19 further assists across 142 matches in all competitions. His strike rate eclipsed all other clubs – and Spain – across his career. El Nino’s connection with the city was something different, and it would take a special striker to bring that back.

Nunez, cheerful and likeable and all the rest, can’t seem to shake his tactical maladies, can’t seem to find the rich vein needed to star as Liverpool’s star forward – and most expensive in history at that.

Liverpool need something new and better. In order to achieve that, landing someone to emulate the likes of Torres and Suarez, they may need to break the bank as never before.

Liverpool lining up the new Torres

Spanish sources have some interesting news regarding Alexander Isak. You may have heard of him. It’s claimed Newcastle United’s goalscoring general is interested in jumping ship this summer, with Liverpool leading the race.

Barcelona are interested. Financial mess notwithstanding, there are few reasons why any elite-level player worth their salt shouldn’t prioritise a move to Catalonia, but Liverpool are some institution themselves, and Isak is only willing to hear Camp Nou’s proposal should the Reds opt against a bid. As the report states, the in-demand talent is ‘dreaming’ of playing at Anfield.

A bid, however, would be constituted by a £150m payment. This is an audacious sum; it would make Isak, 25, both Liverpool and the Premier League’s most expensive player in history.

But Liverpool’s coffers are full. There is money to spend. There are few better ways in football to spend £150m than on this Swedish sensation, truth be told.

Why Liverpool should sign Alexander Isak

A comprehensive reshuffle of a title-winning frontline would be a reckless gambit, but Nunez is expected to depart and perhaps Diaz will too. It would make sense to keep Jota on the books, experienced and – for the lion’s share of his Liverpool career – deadly in front of goal.

But Liverpool fans have been treated to Isak’s prowess on several occasions this term and it has only magnified the need for something new – him, preferably.

The cost would be steep; some would call it extreme. However, Isak is the best of the best, proclaimed to be “the best striker in the Premier League” by Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher. Indeed, teammate Anthony Gordon admitted he could be the “best striker in Europe“.

Below, you can remind yourself of the Sweden star’s catalogue from 2023/24. You best believe there have been some new additions since last summer.

There’s little doubt he has what it takes to become a superstar on Merseyside, with the kind of completeness that Slot could make perfect use of.

Aged 24, Isak’s best days may well sit ahead of him too. He’s improved in seasonal increments since joining Newcastle from Real Sociedad in a club-record £63m deal almost three years ago.

Like Torres, the 6 foot 3 Isak made his name in Spain. The retired nine joined Liverpool from Atletico Madrid for about £20m in 2007. He was 23 and – like Isak at Sociedad – had demonstrated high-level qualities that had not yet been fully developed.

Isak hit 50 Premier League goals in just 76 appearances, taking marginally longer than Torres, who did it in 72. It’s not quite Erling Haaland (or Salah, for that matter), but it puts both at the highest table.

But there’s more. Isak’s stylistic approach offers shades of an in-prime Torres. The Magpies man ranks among the top 4% of strikers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for goals, the top 18% for assists, the top 9% for shot-creating actions and the top 8% for progressive carries per 90, as per FBref.

Both tall and agile players, both endowed with blistering speed and an innately easy manner in front of goal, there’s every reason FSG should throw the kitchen sink at St. James’ Park this summer.

You can see why Liverpool – and Barcelona and Arsenal and Manchester United and more – are all so keen on the maverick. Hardly just a goalscorer, Isak gets involved, works tirelessly and effectively. He’s the real deal, very much good enough to sit alongside the likes of Torres in Liverpool’s pantheon.

The Liverpool supporters are a firebrand lot, passionate for their team, its success. It’s a measure of Liverpool’s brilliance over the past decade that the anticipated triumph in the Premier League carries a slight air of ruefulness.

With Isak at the bow of the ship, there’s every chance Slot’s project can rise to the next level next season. With the spirit of Torres returned Liverpool may know no bounds.