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Tottenham Hotspur need a striker. How many times have we heard that one over the past couple of years?

Replacing Harry Kane at number nine was always going to be an onerous task, a glaring spotlight against Ange Postecoglou at the start of his tenure.

After all, no man has ever scored more goals in a Tottenham shirt than the England captain, who is also far and away the Three Lions’ record scorer, with 76 strikes from 110 matches.

Harry Kane

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Jimmy Greaves

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Bobby Smith

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Heung-min Son

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Martin Chivers

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After a year, Dominic Solanke was signed for a £55m fee, but he has struggled with injuries, and is out now under Thomas Frank’s wing until December, at the earliest.

What the Lilywhites needed was for loanee Randal Kolo Muani to maintain fitness and find form as the club’s leading striker over the coming months.

However, he too has fallen victim to a cruel injury blow.

The latest on Kolo Muani's fitness

In August, Tottenham added Kolo Muani to their ranks for the duration of the 2025/26 campaign. The Paris Saint-Germain forward had fallen out of favour in the French capital and spent the second half of last season on loan with Juventus, where he scored 12 goals and impressed with dynamic and stylish forward play.

Spurs felt they had sealed a shrewd signing for the season, and perhaps they have, but the France international spent the early weeks of the term out injured, and though he’s started three of the club’s past four matches in the Premier League, he has yet to score or assist.

And he won’t anytime soon. Withdrawn at the interval against Manchester United last weekend, it has since come to light that the 26-year-old has fractured his jaw and will need to see a specialist. This will rule him out of action for six to eight weeks.

Mathys Tel scored in the draw to the Red Devils, but Frank actually has another Spurs prospect who could not only fill in at number nine but realise his potential as the club’s next Kane.

Spurs' new version of Harry Kane

Kane devastated Premier League defences for so many years before leaving Tottenham for Bayern Munich in 2023. His time in Germany has been laden with goals, and he has convinced the few detractors that he is one of the greatest forwards of his generation.

How Dane Scarlett would love to emulate his idol. The Tottenham forward has already mimicked his countryman in spending a series of terms out on loan with lower-level clubs, and he has now found a place in Frank’s first-team squad, coming off the bench as Spurs beat Copenhagen in the Champions League last week.

The 21-year-old graduated from Tottenham’s youth academy several years ago, making his senior bow under Jose Mourinho in 2021, the Portuguese coach even hailing the youngster as a “diamond” of a prospect.

He is fast and sharp-witted and a “fantastic finisher” besides, something that has been picked up by Frank this season, who then spoke of the player’s potential and his need to play games.

In a fully-fit Spurs squad, this might be somewhat difficult, but he has been handed a golden opportunity to impose himself with Kolo Muani and Solanke both out of action for the foreseeable future.

Did Scarlett not score his first senior goal for Tottenham under Postecoglou’s wing in the Europa League last term? This could be the mood-lifting gambit the club needs after a difficult, yet somewhat progressive, start to the campaign.

From an attacking standpoint, Tottenham have left plenty to be desired across the opening weeks of the season. However, by unleashing the new version of Kane in the homegrown Scarlett, they might just turn the tide and realise their potential under Frank’s wing.

Spurs flop who's been "swallowed in the PL" must be dropped for Odobert

Thomas Frank can unleash Wilson Odobert by ruthlessly dropping this Spurs flop.

2 ByDan Emery Nov 10, 2025

Tottenham Hotspur have some painful attacking teething problems under Thomas Frank. Everything is relative, and there are variables at play, but the struggle to impress on the playmaking front is becoming an unwelcome narrative for the club this season.

But that aside, there is also the sense that purses may need to be pulled out for a new centre-forward in 2026. It feels like Richarlison’s days are numbered at number nine, and Dominic Solanke hasn’t fared all that well since his £55m move from Bournemouth last year, too often injured and too often unconvincing.

Both strikers are 28 years old, and while service has proved thin in recent months, Tottenham will need to consider their options in January.

There is another solution, of course. Randal Kolo Muani appears to have replaced Richarlison as Frank’s first-choice frontman, having started two games in a row in the Premier League.

But, unless a formula is discovered to support him, the Frenchman’s season-long loan spell is going to be a forgettable one.

Randal Kolo Muani's opportunity to shine

Tottenham have more than their share of issues at the moment. It’s an interesting one. They are more stable with Frank at the helm, competitive at the upper end of the Premier League and unbeaten on their return to the Champions League, three games in.

But we cannot ignore the depletion of creativity that has left things feeling rather pedestrian, and even with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski sidelined since the start of the campaign and a distance away from returning, there is much to improve upon down N17.

Kolo Muani has not scored or assisted across his six outings in a Spurs shirt so far, and the 26-year-old may well feel somewhat aggrieved by the lack of service that came his way against Chelsea, taking only 16 touches across 76 minutes of action, creating a chance and getting stuck in but failing to unleash a single shot (as per Sofascore).

One content creator acknowledged the Les Bleus star for his exciting, progressive efforts when on the ball. However, such efforts were, as stated, few and far between, and he said it “must be absolutely horrible playing up front for this team”.

(1) Crystal Palace

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(2) Man City

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(3) Man United

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(4) Chelsea

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(5) Arsenal

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(=5) Liverpool

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16.9

(15) Tottenham

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Tottenham don’t create enough chances, and this is impeding Kolo Muani in his desire to get going in white. However, given that he’s only here for the season, it’s unlikely a permanent deal would be explored if things continue as they are.

Especially when the Lilywhites have an exciting up-and-comer making his way toward the surface.

The Spurs talent who could end Kolo Muani's stay

Tottenham have long boasted one of the most efficient production lines in Europe, and Mason Melia is set to make his way as the latest in this long line of hopefuls.

However, while the pathway from youth to professional football is long and treacherous, Melia is regarded as a rising star with the potential to nail down a place under Frank’s wing, with The Athletic’s Connor O’Neill saying he’s “easily the best young talent I have seen in the League of Ireland”.

The 18-year-old striker has already played 98 senior matches for St. Patrick’s Athletic, scoring 25 goals and registering eight assists. Across the 2024/25 campaign, he posted 14 goals and four assists. As a Republic of Ireland U21 international, he has bagged three goals from just four caps so far.

Both confident in front of goal and athletic enough to drive into the danger area himself, not reliant on his creative teammates, Melia could provide a tonic to Spurs’ current tactical pecadillos, lacking as they are in attack.

He is very young, of course, and could hardly be expected to waltz in and prove an instant upgrade on an established European star like Kolo Muani, but Harry Kane proved in the past that a young striker stands a chance of succeeding where senior peers fail.

Tottenham signed the teenager earlier in 2025 for a record-breaking £3m fee, making him the most expensive footballer to leave Ireland’s top flight. However, he has yet to wear the Spurs shirt in a professional capacity, having agreed to leave his homeland in January 2026.

St. Pat’s’ Young Player of the Year last season, he is widely regarded as one of the most exciting talents in Irish football, with his touch and speed and awareness in the final third all suggesting he has the bearing of a Premier League-level striker.

Given the paucity of reliable options in the final third at Tottenham right now, and with Richarlison among those slated to leave next year, Melia could find himself fast-tracked under Frank’s wing, earning regular opportunities in the first team and potentially even outperforming someone like Kolo Muani, who must continue adapting to the English game himself.

Tottenham might need to play the waiting game for now, but with Melia set to arrive in just a few months, he may find himself earning a string of opportunities before the end of the campaign.

And should he impress as if talent suggests is within his capacity, then it’s hardly out of the question to imagine that Melia could be leading the line in the not-too-distant future.

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ByEthan Lamb Nov 3, 2025

Arsenal are so good at set-pieces it’s boring. Their long throw-ins are ridiculous. They need to find other ways of scoring.

Those are not our words but the words of various pundits and neutrals in recent weeks.

Mikel Arteta’s men have won all three of their Champions League encounters and sit top of the Premier League.

It’s not been a captivating start to the new campaign for the Gunners but they’ve been super effective. Their core strengths, namely set-pieces and their defensive record, have formed the bedrock of Arteta’s success in recent years.

Arsenal are as solid as they’ve ever been, conceding just one open play goal all term in the top-flight. Yet, with a reliance on dead-balls again, some wonder just how sustainable this model will be.

The fact is, that as Arsenal showed this week, they are not over-reliant on those situations and have a great deal more than that in their locker.

Despite what pundits say, they are not boring. You don’t beat Atletico Madrid, one of the most defensively sound sides in Europe, 4-0 if you’re dull.

Indeed, their win over Diego Simeone on Tuesday evening was a statement to the rest of their continent, and while they did score from two set plays, their performance in the final third was perhaps their most impressive of the campaign.

Gabriel, Viktor Gyokeres and Gabriel Martinelli found themselves on the scoresheet but truth be told, it was Arsenal’s midfield that helped springboard them to this win.

The progression of Arsenal's midfield under Mikel Arteta

At this current moment in time, it feels like this squad of Arsenal players are the most complete set they have ever had under the Spaniard.

The backline has been bolstered beyond belief and they now arguably have the greatest depth in defence across Europe’s top five leagues, ensuring that no matter who plays, they will be solid.

GK – Bernd Leno

RB – Ainsley Maitland-Niles

CB – Sokratis

CB – David Luiz

LB – Bukayo Saka

CM – Lucas Torreira

CM – Granit Xhaka

CAM – Mesut Ozil

RW – Reiss Nelson

LW – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

CF – Alexandre Lacazette

The forward line has been less of a priority but when you spawn Bukayo Saka from the academy and sign Gabriel Martinelli for just £6m, there wasn’t a huge amount wrong with it until last season. No player hit double figures for goals for the first time since the 1923/24 campaign.

The midfield, however, has really taken Arsenal to the next level in recent years.

Gone are the likes of Thomas Partey, Jorginho and Granit Xhaka. They all play elsewhere now but in a bid to replace them, they have done so superbly well.

Declan Rice was never going to flop and indeed, despite setting the club back a whopping £105m, has been a game breaker.

His tally of nine goals and ten assists in 2024/25 was a career high, while that pair of free-kicks against Real Madrid will never be forgotten. In the words of Sky Sporters reporter Sam Blitz, he’s also now “the best set-piece taker in the world”. It’s hard to disagree with that statement considering all four of his assists this season have come from dead-ball scenarios.

He’s now surrounded by some of the best midfield talents around. Tempo-setter Martin Zubimendi, another Martin in Odegaard and Eberechi Eze all make the Englishman’s job easier by either sitting behind him in Zubimendi’s case or providing the creative spark as Odegaard and Eze do so well.

When Odegaard is fit, it really does feel as though the midfield has everything you could want: power, creativity, goals and reading of the play.

Arsenal's new Xhaka is playing his part

When Xhaka arrived at Arsenal in 2016 under the stewardship of Arsene Wenger, it was a deal that was met with scepticism.

The Gunners had spent £30m on a talent from the Bundesliga, a rather unknown one at that, and the opening few years of his time in north London were a rollercoaster.

Xhaka was a defensive midfielder by trade when he arrived but his defensive work simply wasn’t up to scratch, quickly becoming known as a walking red card, picking up two in his opening season.

While the Swiss midfielder’s discipline did improve, fans grew impatient with his displays over a number of years and it all came to a head under Unai Emery.

He was now the captain but was swiftly relieved of his duties after chucking the armband to the floor and gesticulating towards the Emirates crowd when he was booed off the field during a game with Crystal Palace.

Xhaka’s revival under Arteta, therefore, was quite the sight. The Spaniard gave him a freer role as a left-sided 8 and he repaid the manager’s faith by delivering the finest campaign of his career to date in 2022/23.

That season, the now 33-year-old scored nine times and registered seven assists. The redemption arc was complete, only for him to leave in the summer of 2023 for Bayer Leverkusen.

Now back in the Premier League with Sunderland, Xhaka has rolled back the years, providing three assists in his first eight matches for the Black Cats.

But, who embodies the spirit of Xhaka in the present Arsenal squad? You may well think the aforementioned Rice is a strong candidate but in Zubimendi, they have someone who delivers similar attributes.

Now, it must be stated, the former Real Sociedad star is certainly classier on the ball and more disciplined than Xhaka ever was in Arsenal colours.

Yet, there are certainly parallels. Xhaka arrived as a defensive midfielder, a deep-lying playmaker, before going on to become a threat in the final third.

The same can be said of Zubimendi. He was declared “the best #6 in the world” by some after his dominant display during Arsenal’s 4-0 win over Atletico Madrid.

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That he may well be, but the 26-year-old is also a threat in the final third, just as Xhaka became in the latter stages of his Gunners career.

Zubimendi has already scored twice in the Premier League, netting a brace in the 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest.

His vision and eye for a pass are simply awe-inspiring too. Xhaka was known for a defence-splitting pass but Arsenal’s new Spaniard is cut from a similar cloth in that regard.

He provided a delicious assist for Viktor Gyokeres’ first goal for the club in pre-season and has often been the man to provide the pre-assist.

It was Zubimendi’s lovely ball in behind the West Ham defence for Eze that eventually led to Rice’s goal in the game and to pinpoint another example, he very nearly provided a remarkable assist for Gyokeres again on Tuesday night, popping the ball up and playing it behind.

The Basque midfielder has been a sensational addition, billed as “one of the best Emirates era signings” by Arsenal podcaster and content creator, Jamie Kent.

He’s not had a bad game yet and perhaps saved his finest performance in the famous red and white for Simeone’s men earlier in the week.

The big-money summer arrival completed 89% of his passes, created that big chance for Gyokeres and left the field with three key passes. He also won three of his five duels.

An all-round package, there is a reason that former Ballon d’Or winner Rodri has said that he is “leaving him the keys to the [national] team.”

As aggressive and eccentric as Xhaka he may not be, but the passing range and ability to pop up with key attacking contributions are certainly alike. You may well argue that Zubimendi is the best of both Xhaka and Rice. What a mighty fine combination that is.

Legendary former Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain midfielder, Claude Makelele, has publicly called Marquinhos his “dream player” for the Spanish side, urging Los Blancos to sign the defender. The French icon praised the Brazilian’s rare defensive qualities and leadership, saying he represents the kind of character Madrid need in their post-Luka Modric era, even as he admitted PSG are unlikely to ever let him go.

Makelele’s ‘dream player’ for Real Madrid

Few midfielders in football history have influenced the game as profoundly as Makelele. The Frenchman’s name became synonymous with the defensive midfield role, so much so that his position came to be known simply as “the Makelele role.” Across a glittering career, he represented some of the world’s biggest clubs, including Madrid, Chelsea and PSG, and won almost every major honour available to a player of his generation.

At Madrid, Makelele was the quiet architect behind the club’s early Galactico era, anchoring a midfield that allowed stars like Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo, and Ronaldo to flourish. He helped Madrid win two La Liga titles, a Champions League, a UEFA Super Cup and an Intercontinental Cup. His departure in 2003 famously left a void so significant that Zidane once said, “Why put another layer of gold paint on the Bentley when you are losing the engine?”

Makelele went on to become a Premier League icon at Chelsea, helping the club lift back-to-back league titles under Jose Mourinho. Later, he joined PSG, where he transitioned into leadership and coaching, first as a player, then as an assistant, helping guide the club through the early years of the Qatari ownership era. It was here that he crossed paths with a young Marquinhos, freshly signed from Roma in 2013.

That early impression seems to have stayed with him. Speaking at a recent La Liga event, Makelele revealed that Marquinhos remains, to this day, “his dream player” for Madrid as he is the kind of intelligent, disciplined defender he believes could elevate any team.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportMakelele witnessed Marquinhos’ rise first-hand

Makelele's praise comes from experience. He was part of Carlo Ancelotti’s coaching staff at PSG when a teenage Marquinhos arrived from Roma in 2013 for over €30 million — one of the costliest defensive transfers of its time. Even during this brief overlap, Makelele saw a spark that set Marquinhos apart.

"I've always wanted to see Marquinhos at Real Madrid. I love this kid. I worked with him at PSG, under Ancelotti. His quality, his work, his passion, his patience… He's progressed a lot, a lot," Makelele said to at the event.

The former PSG midfielder's admiration isn’t merely nostalgic. Madrid are in a leadership vacuum following the departures of Modric and Lucas Vazquez, with only Dani Carvajal remaining from their golden generation. While younger defenders like Eder Militao and Dean Huijsen are performing well, Makelele believes Marquinhos’ maturity and aura could restore balance and leadership to Madrid’s backline.

"Of course, he now plays for the best team in the world, Paris Saint-Germain. But he's the kind of player I'd like to see at Madrid. He's very intelligent. And right now, I don't see many defenders playing one-on-one. He does one-on-one. He's my dream player when Real Madrid improves. But I don't think Paris will let him go," said Makelele.

At 31 years old, Marquinhos is PSG’s all-time appearance leader, with over 490 games, 10 Ligue 1 titles, 14 domestic cups and a Champions League crown. His influence extends beyond trophies as he embodies PSG’s identity as both a leader and symbol of stability through years of transition.

Marquinhos wants to focus on his present with PSG

While transfer speculation is inevitable, Marquinhos appears firmly grounded at PSG. After recovering from a recent injury, he marked his return in a 3–0 win over Brest, just four matches away from 500 appearances for the club, a milestone that no player in PSG history has achieved.

Despite whispers about a future move to Saudi Arabia after the 2026 World Cup, Marquinhos has been clear about his mindset. He said he wants to avoid “the season too many” and focus solely on performing at the highest level while he still can.

Under Luis Enrique, he remains a cornerstone of the defence, blending composure with leadership and setting the standard for younger players. With 48 appearances last season, leading PSG to both Ligue 1 and Champions League glory shows his continued value and consistency.

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AFPMadrid might not consider Makelele's request

Despite Makelele's endorsement, a Marquinhos-to-Madrid move remains improbable. Madrid manager Xabi Alonso already has a deep defensive pool with Militao, Huijsen, and Raul Asensio in rotation. Veterans Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba have seen reduced involvement, while the team’s rebuilding phase focuses more on youth and long-term planning.

Still, Real’s management hasn’t entirely ruled out defensive reinforcements for the upcoming window. Club insiders suggest Madrid are monitoring Marc Guehi, who will be free to discuss potential moves and leave Crystal Palace for free next year and Ibrahima Konate from Liverpool, who's contract also runs out next year making these options more younger and more financially accessible options than Marquinhos, who remains under contract with PSG until 2028.

La Liga will take the Spanish players' union (AFE) to court, claiming player protests against the recently-cancelled Miami match were an 'illegal strike'. Union president David Aganzo denies this, citing a "lack of transparency." The fallout continues as a furious Villarreal CEO blames Florentino Perez and Real Madrid for the project's collapse, calling their opposition hypocritical.

Major issue in La Liga

La Liga is set to launch a formal legal complaint against the AFE after a tense meeting between the two bodies, according to a report from . The dispute centres on the coordinated player protests that preceded the eventual cancellation of the controversial league match between Villarreal and Barcelona, which was scheduled to be played in Miami.

La Liga president Javier Tebas, who did not speak to the media, reportedly informed Aganzo that the league considers the players' on-pitch protests to be an illegal strike. The protests saw players in every top-flight match last weekend stand still for the first 15 seconds of play. Aganzo, however, has firmly rejected this classification, insisting the action was a "gesture" to highlight a "lack of transparency" from the league.

AdvertisementGetty Images EntertainmentAganzo confirms legal threat: 'A court will decide'

Speaking after the meeting, Aganzo confirmed the league's hard line stance and its intention to escalate the matter through the courts, despite the Miami match now being officially cancelled.

"We also discussed how he said we were on strike, and we simply made a gesture that had nothing to do with the strike," Aganzo explained. "According to him, it will be resolved in court. He made it very clear that a court will decide.”

The AFE president stressed that the union's primary issue was the league's failure to consult the players before finalising such a significant project, which would have been the first-ever La Liga match played overseas.

"This meeting should have been held much earlier and not when it was cancelled," Aganzo stated. "We pointed out the lack of transparency… I insist that these projects require conversation with everyone, with maximum transparency and information to make a significant project happen."

Aganzo defended his members, stating "common sense prevailed" and that the union's role was to protect players' rights. "I'm looking out for the players, for their labour rights… We've come to defend our rights."

Villarreal CEO blames Real Madrid for cancellation

The fallout from the cancelled fixture has also created a significant rift between clubs, with Villarreal CEO Fernando Roig Negueroles launching a stinging attack on Real Madrid, blaming them for the project's collapse. Villarreal, who were the designated home team for the Miami fixture and had supported the initiative, are furious at the outcome.

Speaking to , Roig Negueroles did not mince his words, pointing directly at the capital club as the main culprit behind the protests and eventual cancellation.

"LaLiga can make mistakes, but Real Madrid seems to be going against everyone," he said. "The other day I was in Rome at the ECA, and at the European level it's losing more and more influence because no one believes the rhetoric anymore, but at the Spanish level, especially the press, you pay a lot of attention to what Real Madrid says. And they're against everything."

Real Madrid had been vocal in their opposition from the start, filing formal complaints and arguing that playing a league match abroad would "distort the competition". Roig Negueroles expressed incredulity at their position, suggesting they protest indiscriminately.

"I agree with them on many of the things they protest about, but they lose legitimacy because they also protest absolutely everything that's proposed," he insisted. "Even the things that are good, like how they approved this very match four years ago in a delegated committee. Now they've changed their minds… If something was good for Real Madrid, they would also protest."

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'An absolute lack of respect' – Villarreal fury over timing

Villarreal's anger was compounded by the timing of La Liga's official cancellation announcement, which was released during the half-time break of their Champions League match against Manchester City. The club's manager, Marcelino Garcia Toral, openly expressed his disgust in his post-match press conference.

The club, which had invested in the project and was planning compensation packages for its season-ticket holders, released its own harsh statement condemning the league's management of the situation. Roig Negueroles was seen in the stands of La Ceramica on his phone at the moment the news broke, a moment described by as one "they will not soon forget at Villarreal."

Martin Odegaard and Arsenal have been given a concerning injury update after seeing the midfielder suffer medial collateral ligament damage. The Norway international picked up that knock during a Premier League clash with West Ham. In what has been a frustrating season on the fitness front for the Gunners captain, he is now facing another spell on the sidelines.

How long will Odegaard be out? Update from doctor

Arsenal have stopped short of putting a timescale on Odegaard’s recovery, with it yet to be determined when he will be ready for a return to action. Unfortunate history has been made early in the 2025-26 campaign by becoming the first Premier League player to be withdrawn before half-time in three consecutive appearances.

Odegaard is back on the treatment table following a clash of knees with Hammers winger Crysencio Summerville, with an MRI scan revealing the full extent of that problem. A former doctor with the Norwegian national team has suggested that the 26-year-old could be missing for a couple of months.

Lars Engebretsen told : “I don't have information about exactly what the MRI showed but based on the injury video, it could be a lateral ligament injury. If it is such an injury, Odegaard risks being out for six to eight weeks but it depends on the size. It could also be a more extensive injury, cruciate ligaments maybe. In that case, the period on the sidelines could be longer.”

AdvertisementGettyNorway boss & Haaland react to Odegaard injury

Odegaard has also been forced off against Leeds and Nottingham Forest this season. His failure to build match fitness and sharpness is a source of concern and frustration for all concerned.

Norway boss Stale Solbakken has said, heading into a crucial 2026 World Cup qualifying clash with Israel: “We have to tweak some plans, and we have done that before. The last time Martin was out, we played a little differently based on who the opponent was. It is clear that the plan we had made will be different.

“We lose our spokesman, and we have to live with that. Of course you get angry and upset and those kinds of feelings, but then you quickly get into a mode where you have to think constructively. Of course, he is very sorry, too. It is the third time in a short time, and it is hard for him and hard for Arsenal.”

Norway will still have prolific Manchester City striker Erling Haaland at their disposal, with his goal tally this season standing at 18 through 11 appearances for club and country, but he is another that is disappointed to see Odegaard ruled out.

Haaland said: “It's a shame and it's not good for us. We need him, so I hope it's not serious. I haven't spoken to him, but it didn't look good. We're going to miss our captain, it's tough. We just have to do the best we can without Martin. It won't be easy, as he is a big part of our game – but we have to do what we can without him – and I will do what I can to do that.”

Arteta addresses loss of Arsenal captain

Arteta has said of his seeing his skipper laid low at Emirates Stadium: “We haven't had him since the start of the season for one reason or the other. The shoulder twice and then this injury. We'll have to wait and see the extent of that injury, and we'll find solutions, but obviously he's our captain and is a player that gives us a completely different dimension with the things that he can do, especially in attacking.”

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GettyTop of the table amid Odegaard concerns: Next up for Arsenal

Arsenal have still been able to move to the top of the Premier League table, with 16 points being picked up across seven fixtures. They are now one clear of defending champions Liverpool and two above north London rivals Tottenham.

It remains to be seen when Odegaard will be ready again, but the Gunners will return to action after the latest international break when taking in a short trip to Fulham on October 18.

Sheffield United have made a terrible start to the Championship campaign and may now be about to enact a seismic managerial change at Bramall Lane.

Sheffield United on end of rout at Ipswich Town

Truthfully, the Blades were hammered against Ipswich Town on Friday night, and pressure on Ruben Selles has reached fever pitch after a 5-0 scoreline at Portman Road.

Prolonging their hapless start to the campaign, Sheffield United are now on a run of six straight defeats, scoring only one goal during that time and shipping 14 times, painting a bleak picture at both ends of the pitch.

Clearly, any thought of positive synergy between Selles and his players is far from reality at this moment in time, though he has maintained that he will continue to try and turn things around at Bramall Lane.

He stated in his post-match press conference: “It doesn’t matter what I believe (about my future), but I will keep working until the last moment. I have to take the pain and analyse what we want for the next game to try to beat the next opponent.”

Controversially, Danny Rohl was briefly linked with the Sheffield United job before reports were shot down, something that would’ve made for interesting reading amid his recent stint in charge at rivals Sheffield Wednesday.

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From the outside looking in, change is necessary before the campaign begins to provoke grave possibilities for the Blades, who find themselves a sizeable margin adrift of the playoff places even at an early stage.

With supporters holding out for a hero, they may now be set to find out the identity of their potential new manager, with Selles on the brink.

Sheffield United make stunning Chris Wilder approach

According to Sheffield Star journalist Danny Hall on X, Sheffield United have approached Chris Wilder over returning to the club for a third time as patience wears thin following their run of defeats under Selles.

Separately, the Blades are also looking to change things around upstairs by installing a football representative in a technical role, or perhaps even a director of football to help steady the ship.

Wilder, who has 384 wins across his managerial career, including 140 at Sheffield United, has been out of work since being dismissed at Bramall Lane during the summer following a near miss in last term’s playoff final defeat to Sunderland.

Incredibly, he could now be drafted back into the dugout for a third spell in charge, with his best achievements being earning promotion to the Championship in 2016/17, taking the Blades to the Premier League two years later and finishing in the top-half circa 2019/20.

Becoming an immensely popular figure among supporters, Sheffield United could be set to enact a change that nobody saw coming given the recent history between all parties mentioned.

A return of 6 for 52 should not be described in terms other than glowing, but even Marco Jansen will tell you that none of the four deliveries he got wickets with at SuperSport Park on day three of the first Test against Pakistan on Saturday were a true reflection of his abilities.”I’ve struggled the whole game, to be honest,” he said after the day’s play. “I feel like I’ve not been as consistent as I should be – if that makes sense – regarding line and length. Everything wasn’t clicking.”That assessment applies to parts of the bowling in all three completed innings so far. In Pakistan’s first, Kagiso Rabada was by far the most threatening of South Africa’s attack but went wicketless, while Corbin Bosch admitted some of his wickets came off balls the batters didn’t need to play at.Related

• Abbas, Shahzad give Pakistan hope of defending 147

In South Africa’s first innings, Pakistan were at times listless, and offered too many boundary balls to Aiden Markram initially, and Bosch later on. Then, in Pakistan’s second innings, Rabada and Dane Paterson struggled for rhythm initially, and Bosch was off the mark before Temba Bavuma turned to Jansen to make something happen.Jansen’s fifth ball was short and wide, and Babar Azam, who had just got to his fifty, could not resist. He slashed it to deep point, where Bavuma had positioned Bosch, and Jansen received his first post-Christmas gift. Two overs later, Mohammad Rizwan got a short ball angling down leg and followed it with a half-hearted pull to be caught behind. In the over after that, Salman Agha drove leaden-footed at a full, wide ball. There are questions to be asked about all three batters’ shot selections, but South Africa always expected them to choose those kinds of strokes.”We know most of their batters like to play a positive brand of Test cricket. So we know that if we stick to our lines and lengths, they might leave one or two [balls], but their tendencies are they’ll go at one,” Jansen said. “We always knew that we’re in the game, and we always knew that something’s going to happen.”The most comical was yet to come when Saud Shakeel, on 84, was the recipient of a full toss that struck him on the pad, as he missed an attempted flick. Shakeel was hit under the knee roll, which says something about where Jansen planned for the ball to pitch before he got it a little wrong.Toni de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs were dismissed late on Day 3•AFP/Getty Images

“I wanted to go for the yorker, but I probably missed it by a shin’s length,” Jansen said. “At the end of the day, people can say what they want. [But] he missed it, and it’s a wicket. So I’m happy for that.”There was laughter all around when Jansen said that, which is a reflection of how entertaining this Test has been, although the quality of cricket has sometimes been questionable. Because both sides have provided some underwhelming cricket, it created a contest, albeit perhaps not an elite one. That was saved for the last 40 minutes, when Pakistan’s seamers, while defending only 147, dished up spicy opening spells as the clouds gathered overhead to gawk on South Africa’s increasingly knotted nerves.Three of their top four were dismissed to the new ball being bowled on the right lengths, which was just short of a good length, even as the Pakistan quicks also took advantage of the extra bounce and nip on offer. Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs have all had their last say on this match, and South Africa could not be too unhappy with what happened to them.”The three wickets they got were three good balls, so it’s not like we threw our wickets away,” Jansen said. “That’s not to make it seem better. But as long as they get us out with good balls, there’s only so much you can do as a batter. You can only play what you see – you can’t pre-empt or pre-meditate what you want to do – because on this pitch, you’re going to get yourself in trouble.”If Jansen ends up batting in the chase, that might mean South Africa are in some trouble, although they bat deep and he has a plan.”My mental point of view is to be as disciplined as possible for as long as possible. We know that with the new ball, it moves quite sharply here – especially in the second innings of the game,” he said. “Once the ball gets older, it gets a lot easier to bat, and it’s a nice scoring ground. So with the new ball, [it is] definitely going to move sideways, and then the odd ball will shoot up and the odd ball will also keep low.”From my perspective, if the ball shoots up, just get your hands out of the way, and then if the ball keeps a bit low, just stay nice and tight in terms of your bat next to your pad. Those two are the difficult ones to keep out. The balls that move sideways, we’re used to that, so I think those are going to be the challenges for tomorrow.”Explained in those purely cricketing terms, it sounds as though South Africa have a good grasp of what is required of them. But there will be much more than just bat vs ball going on on Sunday. There is the expectation of securing this win to reach next year’s World Test Championship final, and the pressure of being South African in a chase. You may think there is also some cushioning because South Africa only need to win one out of this and the next Test. But putting themselves in a must-win situation at Newlands will come with its own set of mind games.South Africa will want to finish the job here, but for that, they will need the kind of steel that has not yet been on display at SuperSport Park. But with so much at stake, it may be time for something we’ve not seen so far.

After seeing their team lose 1-0 away at Leeds United on the opening weekend of the Premier League, the worry in the air among Everton supporters would have been whether their side would start their new era at the Hill Dickinson Stadium with another bleak defeat.

They didn’t need to be so anxious after all, as their determined Toffees side put the loss in West Yorkshire to one side and delivered a confident performance in front of their adoring home masses that culminated in a 2-0 victory over Brighton and Hove Albion.

Fabian Hurzeler’s Seagulls aren’t pushovers by any stretch of the imagination, but with the quality of Jack Grealish on full display throughout, Everton must have felt content that their first three points of the long campaign were going to be collected.

Grealish's standout display in numbers

The former Aston Villa attacking midfielder had been put through the wringer at Manchester City, but the enigmatic Englishman thankfully let his football do the talking, donning his new Everton blue on his spectacular home debut.

The vibrant Toffees number 18 put it on a plate for Iliman Ndiaye to score the opener after a well-orchestrated counter-attack deep into the first 45 minutes, while his second assist of the day would see the entertaining 29-year-old lay it off for James Garner to thump home the decisive match-clinching strike.

Away from those goal involvements, Grealish – who was deployed down the left wing by Moyes – would attempt five dribbles when bursting forward into space, with one effort also fired at Bart Verbruggen’s busy goal to try and make the win even more emphatic.

The former Villa hero will hope he only gets better with time, too, having previously notched up a sublime six goals and ten assists at the intimidating level during his final swansong campaign in the West Midlands.

He wasn’t the only new signing to leave a fantastic first impression on the hardened Merseyside faithful, however, with one of his midfield teammates also impressing enough to be seen as a potential new Ross Barkley for David Moyes’ men.

Moyes' next Barkley

The Toffees needed to replace Abdoulaye Doucoure effectively this summer, with a real lack of midfielders at the Scotsman’s disposal who can slot into a number 10 role.

Thankfully, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall seamlessly announced himself to the Everton masses as a worthwhile Doucoure replacement against the Seagulls – after also playing in the role behind the main striker against the Whites – with the creative playmaker possessing the potential to be Moyes’ new Barkley down the line.

While he did regularly line up as a traditional midfield option for Leicester City, it’s clear from his career numbers to date that the 26-year-old excels in a further forward position, having accumulated a healthy 35 goals and 41 assists across 306 games. To add context, Barkley has a heftier 66 goals and 52 assists, albeit from a larger stretch of games at 444 clashes.

Dewsbury-Hall would have been hoping he could add to his glittering numbers on Sunday, but despite his best efforts, getting off the mark at his new side would unfortunately evade him.

Dewsbury-Hall’s performance in numbers

Minutes played

90

Goals

0

Assists

0

Touches

59

Accurate passes

33/37 (89%)

Key passes

3

Big chances created

1

Successful dribbles

1/1

Total duels won

5/10

Stats by Sofascore

Indeed, looking at the table above, Dewsbury-Hall was especially unlucky not to join Grealish in picking up an assist, with only three passes being misplaced across his stylish 90-minute outing.

Moyes, watching on from the dug-out, will arguably want more from his new recruit moving forward; however, when trying to catch out the opposition goalkeeper with a shot or two, with Dewsbury-Hall still managing to pick up a reasonable five goals for Chelsea, despite his spell at Stamford Bridge being fraught with bumps.

That will come with time, however, as the Toffees’ number 22 grows more confident in his fresh surroundings.

But, his overall energy and application will have pleased the Scotsman nonetheless, with those qualities, and his ability to drive with the ball in central areas evoking memories of a fresh-faced Barkley at Goodison Park.

Dewsbury-Hall’s positive display wouldn’t go unnoticed by the Liverpool Echo, with journalist Chris Beesley gifting the 29-year-old a high 7/10 post-match rating, stating that he brings “fresh scope” to a role once frequently filled by Doucoure.

He did accidentally put Everton in a spot of bother during the game when gifting Brighton a penalty, but it was a largely promising display from a midfielder who has had his fair share of doubters in recent years, much like Grealish.

If Moyes can get the very best out of the midfield pairing across a full season, expect the Toffees to pick up more and more assured wins on their own turf.

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With Alexander Isak’s future still unresolved, Newcastle United are preparing for life without their Swedish talisman.

The drawn-out saga has left Eddie Howe’s side in urgent need of a solution, and Isak has made it clear he has no intention of reintegrating with the squad if a move fails to materialise before the transfer window closes.

That leaves Newcastle facing a race against time, especially with their opening Premier League fixture against Aston Villa fast approaching and a Champions League campaign on the horizon.

Their summer business so far has bolstered other areas – Anthony Elanga has arrived from Nottingham Forest, Malick Thiaw from AC Milan, and Aaron Ramsdale from Southampton on loan – while a £40m deal for Aston Villa midfielder Jacob Ramsey is close.

Yet Howe has admitted concern over numbers in midfield after Sean Longstaff’s sale to Leeds United and Joe Willock’s pre-season injury, and the need for a commanding presence up front is now just as pressing.

Boom Boom Shake the Room: Newcastle identify new leading target

Alternative options such as Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins and Porto’s Samu Aghehowa have been discussed, but Newcastle appear to have settled on one standout name.

A forward whose profile draws inevitable comparisons to one of the club’s most popular modern strikers.

Transfer Focus

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

According to reports on the continent, Newcastle have identified Jean-Philippe Mateta as their top target should Isak depart.

Owing to this interest and Mateta’s rising stock, Palace have set an asking price of around £40m to let the “goal-scoring machine” go.

Standing at 1.92m, the 28-year-old France international offers a physical profile ideally suited to the Premier League.

He arrives in the box with purpose, relishes aerial duels, and can occupy defenders in a way that opens space for those around him.

His record last season – 14 goals and two assists in 37 Premier League appearances – reflects his consistency across the campaign, with sharp finishing complemented by link-up play.

For Newcastle, his combination of goals, presence, and experience at the top level makes him the kind of striker who can instantly adapt – crucial for a side that cannot afford a bedding-in period so close to the start of the season.

Shades of Salomón Rondón

It’s impossible to discuss Mateta’s potential arrival without drawing parallels to Salomón Rondón, who arrived at St James’ Park on loan from West Brom in 2018 at the same age and in similar circumstances.

Like Mateta, Rondón was a big, strong centre-forward who led the line with a mixture of power, tenacity, and underrated technical ability.

Appearances

130

167

Goals

38

36

Assists

9

15

Rondón’s lone season under Rafa Benítez remains one of the most fondly remembered campaigns by Newcastle fans in recent years.

He scored 11 goals in 32 league appearances, won 146 of his 380 aerial duels, and made himself a constant outlet for long balls and crosses.

His hold-up play brought others into the game, and his partnership with Ayoze Pérez was a driving force behind Newcastle’s survival.

A threat from set pieces and a defensive presence when called upon, making 38 clearances from such situations.

His creative contribution was notable too, registering six assists and often providing the final ball after holding off multiple defenders.

That all-round impact saw him named Newcastle’s Player of the Year in 2019, the first forward to win the award since Alan Shearer in 2003.

Mateta offers a similar skill set.

According to FBref, he ranks in the 72nd percentile for progressive carries per 90 (1.53), 77th percentile for non-penalty expected goals per shot (0.18), and 68th percentile for passes into the final third (1.16).

Perhaps most impressively, he sits in the 94th percentile for successful take-ons that lead directly to a goal (0.10 per 90), showing that for all his physical strength, he also has the technical skill to beat his man and create decisive moments.

While Rondón thrived on Benítez’s structured approach, Mateta could benefit from Howe’s quicker, more transition-heavy style.

Using his frame to win duels high up the pitch and his mobility to get on the end of cutbacks from the likes of Gordon and Elanga.

The timing is another echo of 2018. Back then, Newcastle needed a ready-made forward to slot in and deliver instantly.

Now, with Isak seemingly determined to dig his heels in and the season about to begin, the requirement is just as urgent.

Mateta’s experience in the Premier League means he could hit the ground running, avoiding the adaptation period often needed for strikers arriving from abroad.

At £40m, he would be a significant investment, but one that could pay immediate dividends in goals and physical presence.

For a club aiming to compete on multiple fronts, having a striker who can shoulder the attacking burden could make all the difference.

If Howe does get his man, Newcastle supporters might once again find themselves cheering for a number nine whose blend of goals and graft embodies the club’s fighting spirit.

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