علق خالد الغندور، نجم الزمالك السابق، على انتقال أحمد سيد زيزو، لاعب الأبيض، إلى صفوف الأهلي بشكل رسمي اليوم الجمعة.
وقال الغندور في مقطع فيديو نشره عبر صفحته على فيس بوك:” ألف مبروك يا أهلاوية، تم الإعلان رسميًا عن صفقة انضمام أحمد سيد زيزو إلى النادي الأهلي، وزيزو بنفسه صرّح قائلًا: “أنا في أرض التاريخ… أنا في الأهلي” وكل الطرق تؤدي إلى الجزيرة”.
طالع..نهائي القرن وحديث حسين لبيب.. 4 رسائل استفزازية لـ الزمالك في إعلان انضمام زيزو لـ الأهلي
وتابع: “بسم الله ما شاء الله، زيزو لاعب مميز وموهوب. في السابق، عندما كان لاعبًا في الزمالك، كان بعض جمهور الأهلي يرى أن حسين الشحات أفضل منه، وأنه ليس لاعبًا دوليًا ، بل مجرد منفذ لركلات الجزاء. لكن الآن، بعد انتقاله إلى الأهلي، يعرف تمامًا أن جماهير القلعة الحمراء ستكون خلفه وتدعمه بكل قوة، وسيرونه كأفضل لاعب في العالم”.
وواصل: “هنا تكمن ميزة جمهور الأهلي؛ فهو دائمًا يقف خلف لاعبيه، حتى إن لم يكونوا مقنعين في البداية، أو كانوا خصومًا سابقين في أندية منافسة”.
وأكمل: “زيزو ينضم رسميًا إلى النادي الأهلي، ويخوض أولى مبارياته أمام فريق باتشوكا في لقاء ودي ومن المقرر أن يكون أول مران له الليلة، متأخرًا قليلًا بسبب فرق التوقيت”.
وأتم: “مبروك لزيزو، ومبروك للنادي الأهلي، ومبروك لكل أهلاوي”.
Scorchers have lost Marsh, Evans, Munro and Patterson from last year’s title-winning XI while new recruit Phil Salt has also been ruled out
Tristan Lavalette15-Dec-2022
An ecstatic Perth Scorchers squad celebrate their title victory•Getty Images
Captain Ashton Turner Coach Adam VogesSquadAshton Agar, Cameron Bancroft, Jason Behrendorff, Cooper Connolly, Faf du Plessis, Stephen Eskinazi, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Peter Hatzoglou, Nick Hobson, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kelly, Adam Lyth, Hamish McKenzie, Tymal Mills, Lance Morris, Jhye Richardson, Ashton Turner, Andrew TyeIn Faf du Plessis, Stephen Eskinazi, Cameron Green, Adam Lyth, Hamish McKenzie Out David Moody, Laurie Evans, Mitchell Marsh, Colin Munro, Kurtis PattersonWhat happened in the draft Scorchers skipped their platinum pick despite former player David Willey’s availability. They retained Laurie Evans, who was a hero in last season’s BBL final, after Sydney Sixers made a play for him, but the Englishman’s contract was later terminated following a positive result on an anti-doping test. Scorchers also selected big-hitting batter Phil Salt, but like Evans he will miss the BBL season after suffering a shoulder injury during England’s recent ODI series against Australia. Left-arm quick Tymal Mills was set to return to Scorchers after seamlessly fitting into their star-studded attack during a short stint last season but was a late withdrawal from the tournament due to a family emergency. Without Evans, Salt, Mills and injured star Mitchell Marsh, Scorchers had to make late changes with former South Africa skipper Faf du Plessis and English batters Adam Lyth and Stephen Eskinazi coming into the squad.Related
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Last season: winnersScorchers returned to the top of the BBL after a remarkable triumph against the odds. Scorchers’ fourth BBL title was arguably their best after only playing one home game due to strict Covid-19 border rules in Western Australia at the time. After beating Brisbane Heat at Optus Stadium in their season-opener, Scorchers had to endure more than 50 days on the road but it didn’t matter as they won 11 of 14 games to finish the regular season on top of the ladder. They then twice beat two-time defending champs Sydney Sixers in the finals, including a 79-run thrashing in the decider to cap one of the greatest title campaigns seen in T20 franchise cricket.International impactTest allrounder Cameron Green should be available after the South Africa series. He’s only played 13 matches previously in BBL08 and 09 with little success, but there is much intrigue over how he’ll fare ahead of what might well be his first IPL season. Du Plessis and Lyth will be available for the first half of the season before heading to new T20 leagues in UAE and South Africa. Eskinazi, who has a terrific T20 record in England, is available for the whole season.Key playerScorchers will boast a new-look batting order this season. Along with the aforementioned Munro, Evans and Marsh, they will also be without opener Kurtis Patterson who signed with Sixers after a big season as a belligerent batter against type. Local batters Cameron Bancroft and Nick Hobson will probably get more of a run than initially expected in a Scorchers batting line-up that suddenly looks a bit vulnerable. They’ll be hoping explosive wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis can fire and he should be available throughout the season. Inglis, who made his T20I and ODI debuts this year, was a late withdrawal from Australia’s T20 World Cup campaign after a freak hand injury sustained while playing golf. He has struggled with the bat in his return but a rapid 85 against South Australia in the Marsh Cup reinforced his match-winning abilities. Inglis is highly rated by national selectors and should figure in calculations for the next ODI and T20 World Cups. A strong BBL will only strengthen his standing.Young player to watchFollowing in the footsteps of Marsh and Green, there is growing hype over emerging allrounder Aaron Hardie who is likely to finally carve out a permanent spot in Scorchers’ line-up. The 23-year-old had a breakout domestic season last year capped by scoring a century in the Sheffield Shield final to help Western Australia end a 23-year title drought. With his batting and seam bowling compared to childhood friend Green, who is five months younger than Hardie, he has caught the eye of national selectors and was part of Australia A ‘s tour to Sri Lanka mid-year and last month represented a formidable Prime Minister’s XI team against West Indies. Hardie’s form has been modest so far this domestic season, but with more responsibility amid a settled role for Scorchers he looms as a new BBL star.
O Ceará está nas quartas de final da Copa Sul-Americana. Na noite da última quarta-feira, o Vozão bateu o The Strongest por 2 a 1 e avançou no torneio continental.
– VEJA A TABELA DA SUL-AMERICANA
Agora, o time de Marquinhos Santos e cia esperam o vencedor do confronto entre São Paulo e Universidad Católica para descobrir o próximo adversário.
Bolso Cheio
Enquanto não descobre o próximo rival, o Ceará comemora o faturamento com as classificações na Copa Sul-Americana.
Só por chegar a fase de mata-mata, o Vozão havia embolsado R$ 4,2 milhões. Agora, com a vaga entre os oito melhores, o Alvinegro recebeu mais R$ 3,2 milhões. No total, o faturamento é de R$ 7,4 milhões.
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Sunderland have now suffered another injury blow regarding a “brilliant” player alongside the recent issues for Enzo Le Fee and Dan Ballard.
Latest Sunderland news
The Black Cats are preparing for another important Championship assignment later this week, with Regis Le Bris’ side making the trip to Sheffield Wednesday on Friday evening.
Sunderland are arguably playing the Owls at a good time, however, following back-to-back defeats to Coventry City and Burnley, and the visitors will know that only a win will do, in terms of keeping their fading hopes of automatic promotion alive this season.
Sunderland manager RegisLeBrisbefore the match
Injuries are proving to be an issue for the Black Cats currently, with key figures such as Le Fee and Ballard among those who are unavailable, as well as long-term absentee Alan Browne, who suffered a broken leg last year.
When it comes to recent transfer news, Ahmet Gurleyen has been linked with a summer move to the Stadium of Light, with the centre-back plying his trade at Hansa Rostock. On the flip side, Leeds United are thought to be eyeing a move for Wilson Isidor at the end of the season, which would be a blow for Le Bris.
Big injury setback for Sunderland
According to the Roker Report, Sunderland loanee Jayden Danns may not play at all between now and the end of the season because of injury.
The update claims that “sources inside” the Black Cats’ academy believed the 19-year-old’s campaign could be over, due to the back problem that has seen him return to Liverpool to undergo rehabilitation.
Liverpool forward Jayden Danns
This would be an enormous blow for everyone concerned, not least Danns, who left Anfield during the January transfer window in order to pick up some invaluable experience.
Instead, the young striker is yet to make a single appearance for Sunderland, robbing the Black Cats of a talented player who Marc Albrighton hailed earlier this year, following a goal for the Reds against Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup third round: “Jayden Danns loves a goal and getting in those positions.
“That was brilliant from start to finish. He expected the rebound and he finished it well first time. You can see how much it means to him – a great moment for the young lad.”
For Sunderland, it is a major setback, considering Danns was brought in as a player who could add precious firepower to Le Bris’ squad between now and May, having scored 24 goals in 33 appearances for Liverpool’s Under-18s.
Instead, it now looks like the teenager may end up not playing a single minute for the Black Cats, instead staying put on Merseyside and potentially earning a loan move elsewhere in the summer when he is fully fit again.
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ByTom Cunningham Feb 21, 2025
While Sunderland could arguably again try to snap him up at that point, this current situation may act as a word of warning to them, meaning they look elsewhere at loan options.
David Moyes is a beloved figure at Everton, there’s no doubting that, with the Scotsman now back at the helm and guiding the Toffees away from any relegation concerns in the Premier League.
But, away from the here and now, he is also a much-loved presence in the blue half of Merseyside for the plethora of top talents he had at his disposal during his first 11 years at the club.
The likes of Tim Cahill, Steven Pienaar and Marouane Fellaini are just a few standout names synonymous with the 61-year-old’s celebrated reign at Goodison Park.
Leon Osman is another name who will also instantly fill the Goodison masses with some nostalgia for yesteryear, having made over 400 appearances for the Blues once upon a time.
As it happens, Moyes may already have their new version…
Leon Osman's legendary status at Everton
The now-retired midfield star gained his first minutes in the senior team towards the start of Moyes’ first tenure, with the Scotsman arriving on the scene in 2002, as Osman then tasted his first chance in the senior team in early 2003.
From that point on, Osman went on to solidify himself as a reliable option in the centre of the park, with a hefty total of 58 goals and 36 assists coming his way from 433 overall appearances.
Still, despite regularly firing home sumptuous strikes, it could be argued that Osman is an underrated hero of Goodison’s past, compared with the aforementioned names of Cahill, Pienaar and Fellaini.
Now, in the modern-era of Moyes’ second Goodison tenure, there is a new face who could go on to become the club’s next Osman over time.
David Moyes' next Leon Osman
Indeed, there are definitely other players at this moment in time who are enjoying the limelight, with Beto one that is adoring his sudden spotlight by amassing six Premier League strikes this season, five of which have come under Moyes’ wing.
But, the return of James Garner in the middle of the park from injury has gone slightly under the radar, yet it could be just what the reinvigorated Blues need centrally.
Everton midfielder James Garner.
With Orel Mangala also sidelined, the ex-Manchester United man has slotted nicely into his team’s last few starting XIs, with an assist even coming his way against Leicester City during his first start since October to get his injury-disrupted season up and running.
Whilst he hadn’t exactly set the world alight during his first two campaigns at the club – with two goals and four assists picked up – Garner could definitely morph into the Toffees’ next iteration of Osman slowly but surely, with the retired Toffees legend also taking his time to go down as a modern great on Merseyside.
Garner’s numbers for Everton by position
Position
Games played
Goals scored
Assists
CM
27
1
2
DM
18
1
1
RM
11
0
1
AM
3
0
0
RB
3
0
0
LM
1
0
0
Sourced by Transfermarkt
As can be seen looking at the table above, Garner – much like Osman managed during his time at the club – has proven himself to be a reliable utility figure all across the midfield positions at Goodison, with the versatile 23-year-old even capable of playing in defence.
But, Moyes will likely want to use him in the heart of his midfield, knowing he is capable too of mirroring his former great’s goal and assist numbers at the top of his game, having tallied up an impressive 18 goal contributions during a 69-game spell with Nottingham Forest.
Everton midfielder James Garner
Lauded as “phenomenal” off the back of his City Ground exploits by pundit Trevor Sinclair, the £30k-per-week star is perhaps rather underrated – much like Osman – and will now hope he is free of any lingering injury concerns.
Everton star is now ready and waiting to become Bramley-Moore's own Lukaku
David Moyes could now have Everton’s second coming of Romelu Lukaku.
Sri Lanka need their bowlers to step up in their quest to level the three-match series
Hemant Brar11-Jan-20234:13
Do India need a bowling allrounder? Who replaces Madushanka if he misses out?
Big picture: Can Sri Lanka stage a comeback?The last time India and Sri Lanka played an ODI at Eden Gardens, in 2014, Rohit Sharma smashed a world-record 264. He looked set for a big hundred in Tuesday’s ODI in Guwahati as well before getting out for a 67-ball 83. Still, it was a big positive for India as Rohit was playing his first game after his hand injury in Bangladesh.Related
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Rohit’s decisions regarding the playing XI too proved to be right. Before the opening ODI, he had announced that Shubman Gill was ahead of Ishan Kishan in the pecking order despite the latter scoring the fastest double-century in ODI cricket in his previous match. There was a reason behind that.Going into the first game, Gill had been the most prolific run-getter in the world in ODIs since his comeback in July last year, with 638 runs at an average of 70.88 and a strike rate of 102.57. He carried on in the same vein in Guwahati, scoring 70 off 60 balls.Watch on ESPN Player in the UK
WATCH the second India vs Sri Lanka ODI LIVE
The other important decision was the omission of Suryakumar Yadav, who has been making heads turn with his T20I performances. India stuck with Shreyas Iyer, and he chipped in with a handy cameo as the team looked for quick runs to guard against dew in the second innings.One concern for India is, with Axar Patel slotted at No. 7 and followed by four bowlers, the tail is too long. They have Washington Sundar on the bench, but the question is, whom do they drop to fit him in?Even though Sri Lanka were outplayed in the first ODI, there were some encouraging signs. Pathum Nissanka scored 72 at the top of the order, Dhananjaya de Silva contributed a 40-ball 47, and Dasun Shanaka continued his good form with an unbeaten hundred.Dilshan Madushanka hurt his shoulder while trying to make a stop•BCCI
Having said that, their bowlers need to put in a much-improved performance if they are to keep the series alive. However, it may not be easy given the lack of experience in the bowling unit. It’s also not clear if Dilshan Madushanka will be available for Thursday’s match. The left-arm seamer dislocated his right shoulder while fielding during the first ODI. He was sent for an X-ray and MRI, and the reports are awaited.Form guideIndia WWLLL (last five completed ODIs, most recent first) Sri Lanka LWLLWIn the spotlight: Umran Malik and Wanindu HasarangaIn the absence of Prasidh Krishna, Umran Malik has been tasked with being the enforcer in the middle overs. After impressing during the T20I series, he picked up 3 for 57 from eight overs in the first ODI. At one point, he had figures of 6-0-32-3 before Shanaka took him on at the death. Having already improved his control, perhaps it’s time to incorporate some variations.Wanindu Hasaranga hasn’t been at his best in ODIs•Associated Press
From Sri Lanka’s side, the focus will be on Wanindu Hasaranga. While he is among the best spinners in T20I cricket, his ODI record is a bit underwhelming. In 35 ODIs, he has 39 wickets at an average of 36.51. But he is the leading wicket-taker in the squad, and his team requires him to step up.Team news: Will India go unchanged? Before the series, Rohit said India were not looking to chop and change. So expect them to go with an unchanged XI, especially after a win in the first game.India (probable): 1 Rohit Sharma (capt), 2 Shubman Gill, 3 Virat Kohli, 4 Shreyas Iyer, 5 KL Rahul (wk), 6 Hardik Pandya, 7 Axar Patel, 8 Mohammed Shami, 9 Umran Malik, 10 Mohammed Siraj, 11 Yuzvendra ChahalSri Lanka could bring in Lahiru Kumara if Madushanka is unavailable. No other changes are expected.Sri Lanka (probable): 1 Pathum Nissanka, 2 Avishka Fernando, 3 Kusal Mendis (wk), 4 Charith Asalanka, 5 Dhananjaya de Silva, 6 Dasun Shanaka (capt), 7 Wanindu Hasaranga, 8 Dunith Wellalage, 9 Chamika Karunaratne, 10 Kasun Rajitha, 11 Dilshan Madushanka/Lahiru KumaraPitch and conditions: Haze at Eden Gardens?Eden Gardens last hosted an ODI more than five years ago when India, batting first, were all out for 252. In response, Australia folded for just 202. There is no forecast of rain, but it could be hazy at times. During the daytime, the temperature will be around 25°C but could drop by more than 10° at night.Stats and trivia Virat Kohli (12,584) needs 67 runs to go past Mahela Jayawardene’s ODI tally of 12650 and move to fifth position on the list of top run-getters in the format. Since the start of 2010, India have played 24 bilateral ODI series at home. Of those, they have lost only three – against Pakistan in 2012, South Africa in 2015 and Australia in 2019. Avishka Fernando is 31 short of 1000 runs in ODI cricket. If he reaches there on Thursday, in his 28th innings, he will be the joint second-fastest to the landmark from his country, along with Upul Tharanga and Kusal Mendis. Roy Dias holds the Sri Lankan record, getting there in 27 innings.
أعرب إمام عاشور، لاعب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بالنادي الأهلي، عن حزنه بعد تعرضه لإصابة قوية خلال مواجهة إنتر ميامي الأمريكي والتي انتهت بالتعادل سلبيًا في كأس العالم للأندية 2025.
وكان عاشور قد تعرّض لإصابة مبكرة خلال مواجهة الأهلي أمام إنتر ميامي الأمريكي، في افتتاح مشوار الفريق بالبطولة، حيث سقط على أرض الملعب بعد تدخل قوي، ليغادر اللقاء عند الدقيقة العاشرة ويحل أحمد سيد زيزو بدلًا منه.
طالع أيضًا | وسام أبو علي يكشف من الأحق بتسديد ركلة جزاء الأهلي أمام إنتر ميامي
وبعد خضوعه لفحوصات طبية دقيقة، أعلن الأهلي إصابة اللاعب بكسر في عظمة الترقوة، وهي الإصابة التي أكد الإعلامي أحمد شوبير عبر برنامجه الإذاعي صباح الأحد أنها ستُبعد إمام عاشور لمدة شهرين تقريبًا، مشيرًا إلى أنه سيخضع لعملية جراحية عاجلة في أحد مستشفيات ميامي.
وكتب عاشور، عبر حسابه على موقع التواصل الاجتماعي “إنستجرام”: “ما قدر الله لك فهو أت إليك، وما لم يقدره لك فلن يصيبك”.
وتابع: “الحمد لله على كل شيء الإصابة كانت صعبة وجت في أول لحظات ليا في البطولة، وده قدر ربنا ولازم نرضى بيه كان نفسي أكون موجود وأقاتل مع إخواتي في الملعب، بس دا نصيبي ودلوقتي داخل اعمل العملية، وإن شاء الله أرجع أقوى”.
وأضاف: “الإحساس اللي جوايا دلوقتي مش سهل، بس اللي مخليني ثابت هو إيماني بدعمكم ودعواتكم، المرحلة دي محتاجة منكم تبقوا ورا كل لاعب في الفريق، سواء قديم أو جديد، كلهم بيلعبوا بقلبهم وبيحبوا النادي وبيخافوا عليه”.
وأتم: “صدقوني دعمكم بيفرق جدا واللاعيبة مستنياكم زي ما دايما واقفين في ضهرنا”.
Fora de combate desde 19 de junho, quando foi titular na vitória por 1 a 0 do Corinthians sobre o Goiás, pela 17ª rodada do Brasileirão, Renato Augusto corre risco de desfalcar a equipe nas quartas de final da Copa do Brasil e Libertadores.
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+ GALERIA – Veja renda de todos os jogos do Timão na Arena em 2022
Antes do duelo contra o Flamengo, no domingo (10), pelo Campeonato Brasileiro, o boletim médico do clube alvinegro dava conta de que o meia estava em transição física,restabelecendo o condicionamento físico, assim como Fagner e Maycon.
Contudo, antes da partida de volta contra o Santos, pelas oitavas de final da Copa do Brasil, o Timão passou nova atualização sobre Renato, informando que ele regrediu fisicamente e agora está sob os cuidados do departamento médico.
Na coletiva após a classificação às quartas de final da Copa do Brasil, o técnico Vítor Pereira contou que, quando jogou futebol, passou pelo mesmo desconforto napanturrilha sentido por Renato. O português revelou ter conversado com o meia e expôs que quando o camisa 8 retornou aos treinos, voltou a sentir dores.
– Engraçado que eu tive uma lesão na minha carreira no músculo que fica dentro dos gêmeos. Eu disse ao Renato que já tive essa lesão e foi das mais difíceis, porque toda vez que coloca o pé no chão, dá a sensação que vai rasgar. Quando tentou voltar, voltou a sentir dor, voltou para trás, a dor continuou ali – disse Vítor na coletiva após a classificação às quartas de final da Copa do Brasil.
O treinador explicou que após a recuperação, Renato deverá passar por um recondicionamento físico, e espera que o atleta possa estar 100% para as partidas contra o Flamengo na Libertadores, que acontecem no dia 2 e 9 de agosto.
Na Copa do Brasil, o primeiro jogo das quartas de final está programado para acontecer entre os dias 27 e 28 de julho. A volta ocorrerá entre os dias 17 e 18 de agosto.
– Sinceramente, não podemos arriscar, depois vem a parte física. Quando deixar de sentir dor, que é uma dor muito chata, vai ter que se condicionar fisicamente. Eu espero que venha a tempo de nos ajudar (na Libertadores) – ponderou o treinador corintiano.
+ TABELA – Veja datas e horários dos jogos da Copa do Brasil
Se a situação do camisa 8 não é animadora, Vítor Pereira pode ganhar mais reforços nos próximos dias. Willian, que vinha lidando com uma subluxação no ombro esquerdo, já treina sem restrições com o grupo. Dessa forma, o camisa 10 tem chances de ser relacionado para o próximo compromisso do clube, sábado (16), às 21h, contra o Ceará no Castelão.
Fagner e Maycon, que iniciaram a transição física com Renato Augusto no final da última semana, progrediram em suas respectivas recuperações, e já participam parcialmente das atividades. O treinador corintiano mostrou otimismo com o camisa 5 e disse esperá-lo no treino desta quinta-feira (14).
-Maycon já está em um processo mais adiantado, espero poder contar com ele no treino amanhã (quinta), só que não está condicionado também. Vamos tentar chegar às eliminatórias com mais soluções e uma equipe mais forte, que não seja só uma equipe para defender, mas com um processo ofensivo que esteja à altura – afirmou Vítor Pereira, que condicionou o retorno dos jogadores lesionados a uma melhora ofensiva do Corinthians. O clube do Parque São Jorge não marca gols há seis jogos.
Fagner esteve fora dos últimos jogos por conta de uma lesão no músculo posterior da coxa direita sofrida no jogo de ida das oitavas de final da Libertadores, contra o Boca Juniors.
A ausência de Maycon foi devido a uma lesão de grau três no músculo adutor da coxa direita no mês passado.
New Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta has an almighty job on his hands to right the wrongs of prior transfer windows this summer.
Mikel Merino and Riccardo Calafiori were brought in last summer and while the Spaniard has been an able deputy up top amid the Gunners’ injury mayhem, Calafiori has been in and out of the treatment table with injury on a regular basis.
A shiny centre-forward continues to elude Mikel Arteta and Co with the hierarchy at the Emirates Stadium deciding not to sign anyone in the winter window.
That has proven incredibly detrimental to their title challenge, now sitting 12 points behind Liverpool while a Champions League quarter-final tie against Real Madrid awaits. Good luck with that if Merino is still up front.
Berta will need a new forward but he must also look at other positions. That includes the Granit Xhaka role which has been left vacated since he departed for Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2023.
How Arsenal have tried fixing their Xhaka-shaped hole
When Xhaka left after a career-best season, it left Arsenal supporters feeling a bit empty.
The Swiss was a marmite figure and nearly ended his stint at the club after he threw the captain’s armband to the floor during that infamous incident against Crystal Palace.
His revival was quite something, therefore, scoring nine goals and assisting seven strikes for his teammates throughout 2022/23.
Xhaka’s Premier League career at Arsenal
Season
Games
Goals
Assists
Yellow cards
2016/17
32
2
2
5
2017/18
38
1
7
10
2018/19
29
4
2
10
2019/20
31
1
2
10
2020/21
31
1
2
7
2021/22
27
1
2
10
2022/23
37
7
7
5
Figures via WhoScored
Since then, Arteta has tried and failed to replace the qualities Xhaka brought to that left sided 8 role in the middle of the park.
Kai Havertz was signed as the solution but has instead become a centre-forward, Merino didn’t quite live up to expectations in midfield and is now filling in for Havertz while he’s out injured.
Then there’s Declan Rice. The £105m-record signing was brought to the Emirates as a sitting midfielder but has been given more offensive license, particularly this season.
While Rice has netted five times in 2024/25 and also posted eight assists – the majority of which have come from set-plays – they’ve still struggled to find the right balance.
The former West Ham man is still learning the more advanced role and he’s not left-footed. As a result, Arsenal’s left side has suffered.
Winger Gabriel Martinelli bagged 15 goals during Xhaka’s final campaign in red and white and in nearly two years since Xhaka’s departure, he has scored the same number of goals over a much larger time frame.
Perhaps this man could be the solution in midfield…
Arsenal make bid for their new Granit Xhaka
While Arsenal’s priority this summer must be a striker, if the opportunity emerges for the Gunners to sign another midfielder they must do so.
According to reports, a deal to bring Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi to London is as good as done but there is another rather flashier midfielder in their crosshairs.
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Indeed, according to reports coming out of Spain, Arsenal have submitted a bid worth £58m to prise Brazilian star Bruno Guimaraes away from Newcastle United.
The report claims that the Toon – recent Carabao Cup winners – are unlikely to be willing to sell the 27-year-old who was rated as highly as £100m in 2024.
If the Gunners are to sign him then it’s likely it’ll take a bid close to that. Arsenal have been interested in Guimaraes stemming back to his days in Ligue 1 with Lyon.
How Bruno Guimaraes compares to Granit Xhaka and Declan Rice
Considering Guimaraes is right-footed then Arsenal may well encounter the same sort of problems they’ve had with Rice in the left 8 role. However, with experience of being a tempo setter and playing in a slightly more advanced role than the Gunners’ no.41, he could suitably fill the role.
Unlike Merino too, he would arrive with experience of English football and thus knows exactly what it takes to keep things ticking over in the engine room of a Premier League club.
Last season he scored seven goals and supplied ten assists, numbers that are certainly comparable to Xhaka’s final campaign in the capital, while in 2024/25, he has netted three times and posted eight assists, numbers similar to Rice in the final third.
Comparing him to the club’s record signing in a bit more detail, it’s evident the Brazil international has got through more defensive work but that’s not at the expense of his attacking involvements either.
Crucially, the “world-class” midfielder – as he was described by scout Jacek Kulig – also has that nasty side to his game that Xhaka so famously brought to several Arsenal sides.
In 2024/25, no player has been fouled more regularly than Guimaraes in the Premier League (92 times), while only nine players have committed more fouls than the Brazilian (42).
Premier League’s most fouled players: 2024/25
Player
# of times fouled
#1 Bruno Guimaraes
92
#2 Anthony Gordon
58
#3 Matheus Cunha
58
#4 John McGinn
55
#5 Cole Palmer
53
#6 James Maddison
53
#7 Mohammed Kudus
49
#8 Youri Tielemans
47
#9 Georginio Rutter
45
#10 Moises Caicedo
44
Stats via WhoScored.
Not many players pick up more yellow cards either. Guimaraes was handed 14 in all competitions last term.
To put those numbers into context, Xhaka holds the record for the most fouls committed by an Arsenal player across a single Premier League season with 57. If we analyse the most yellow-carded players in Arsenal history, the Switzerland international appears regularly too.
Looking at the list for the top ten Arsenal players with the most yellow cards across a single Premier League campaign, Xhaka appears four times, picking up 40 cautions across the 2017/18, 2018/19, 2019/20 and 2021/22 seasons.
So, even if Guimaraes is more adept on his right foot, it’s clear he’d bring a similar level of nastiness to Arteta’s midfield. Perhaps that isn’t a bad thing.
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Um Corinthians que conseguiu classificações importantes na Libertadores e Copa do Brasil entre o fim de junho e início de julho, pode ver tudo ruir em agosto.A derrota por 2 a 0 para o Flamengo, na última terça-feira (2), no jogo de ida das quartas de final da Libertadores, dificultou muito a vida corintiana em busca do título na competição continental.
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+ ATUAÇÕES: Dupla de zaga é o destaque negativo em noite pouco inspirada do Corinthians
Antes, na semana passada, o Timão havia sido derrotado para o Atlético-GO, em Goiânia, pelo primeiro confronto das quartas de final da Copa do Brasil.
Com isso, o Corinthians terá pela frente nas próximas duas semanas missões muito difíceis para ‘salvar’ a temporada. Além de reverter os resultados nos torneios mata-mata, a equipe alvinegra terá no próximo dia 13 de agosto um duelo contra o Palmeiras, pelo Campeonato Brasileiro.
+ Confira a tabela da Libertadores e simule os próximos jogos
No momento, o Timão é o vice-líder do Brasileirão, com quatro pontos de vantagem para o líder, que é o próprio Verdão. Um triunfo no Dérbi, que será disputado na Neo Química Arena daqui a duas semanas, pode reduzir a diferença para um ponto.
Antes, o Time do Povo tem um duelo contra o Avaí, em Santa Catarina, pela competição nacional. Caso o clube alvinegro vença na Ressacada, e o Palmeiras perca para o Goiás, em casa, também neste fim de semana, o clássico entre líder e vice será realizado com os clubes tendo um ponto de diferença entre eles.
Com isso, os próximos dias vão requerer ao Corinthians, além da preparação natural, um bom controle psicológico para não se deixar levar pela ansiedade e nervosismo.
Em caso de confirmação das eliminações da equipe alvinegra na Copa do Brasil e na Libertadores, o prejuízo vai além do esportivo e alcançará o campo financeiro. Isso porque, somadas, as premiações para as classificações às semifinais desses torneios renderiam ao cofre corintiano aproximadamente R$ 20 milhões.
Os prêmios por classificações são previstos pela diretoria corintiana na perspectiva orçamentária do segundo semestre que envolve a meta de superávit de R$ 10 milhões no balanço financeiro deste ano.
O Corinthians vive um momento difícil justamente em uma realidade onde desfalques estão retornando, além de atletas chegando, casos de Yuri Alberto e Fausto Vera. Há um mês, quando derrubou Santos e Boca Juniors-ARG, pela Copa do Brasil e Libertadores, respectivamente, o Timão chegou a ter 10 atletas entregues no departamento médico.
A sequência corintiana para os próximos jogos tem: Avaí, neste sábado (6), pelo Brasileirão; Flamengo, na próxima terça-feira (9), pela Libertadores; Palmeiras, no dia 13 de agosto, pelo Brasileiro; e Atlético-GO, no dia 17 de agosto, pela Copa do Brasil.