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Tottenham recruitment chiefs have reportedly set their sights on an “elite” talent who Man City boss Pep Guardiola called “unbelievable”, with the looming January transfer window set to be an intriguing one for Spurs and Thomas Frank.

The Lewis family, after parting company with ex-chairman Daniel Levy, have made their intentions to back the club pretty known.

After injecting £100 million worth of new capital into Spurs via ENIC, they sought to re-appoint transfer guru Fabio Paratici as a co-sporting director, where he’ll work alongside Johan Lange overseeing their drive for new signings.

Amid their striker conundrum, with Randal Kolo Muani now sidelined with a jaw problem, Dominic Solanke still recovering and Richarlison largely out of form, Tottenham are exploring the possibility of a new striker arriving mid-season.

Frank has even reportedly held direct talks with Ivan Toney about a potential loan move to N17 with the 2026 World Cup looming and his England place in doubt, while Juventus star Dušan Vlahović is believed to be another Spurs target as his contract ticks down towards expiry.

According to other reports, the Lilywhites also have plans to bring in another winger and centre-back at the turn of the year, even if Radu Dragusin and Dejan Kulusevski are poised to return from their long-term injuries fairly soon.

Tottenham absentee list

Problem

Estimated return date (subject to change)

Dejan Kulusevski

Knee

29/11/2025

James Maddison

ACL

01/06/2026

Radu Dragusin

Knee

22/11/2025

Ben Davies

Thigh

23/11/2025

Kota Takai

Ankle/Foot

23/11/2025

Mohammed Kudus

Knock

23/11/2025

Randal Kolo Muani

Jaw

23/11/2025

Yves Bissouma

Ankle/Foot

23/11/2025

Lucas Bergvall

Concussion

23/11/2025

Dominic Solanke

Ankle

23/11/2025

Archie Gray

Calf/Shin/Heel

23/11/2025

Cristian Romero

Other

23/11/2025

via Premier Injuries

However, according to a new report from TEAMtalk and journalist Dean Jones, Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott is also attracting their attention.

Tottenham chiefs really want Spurs to sign Bournemouth sensation Alex Scott

The 22-year-old has started nearly all of high-flying Bournemouth’s 11 Premier League games this season and was a surprise inclusion for Thomas Tuchel’s latest England squad to face Serbia and Albania. More interestingly, Tottenham hold an historic interest in Scott, which dates all the way back to 2022 during his Bristol City days.

Once likened to Jack Grealish, the Guernsey-native was dubbed an “elite” level talent on the rise back when he was 18 and making a name for himself at Bristol, with Guardiola confessed to be among his many admirers.

With Scott now making a name for himself in Europe’s most competitive division, Spurs’ admiration for the player hasn’t gone away.

As per Jones, some members of Tottenham’s transfer team are “very hot” on Scott right now, and a move for him in the near future could be on the cards.

According to Opta, no Bournemouth midfielder has made more dribbles than Scott or won more ground duels than the new England international — demonstrating his ability to excel both defensively and in the forward areas.

Scott also started in England’s victorious U21 European Championship final against Germany in June, with Spurs chiefs potentially taking interest in one of the country’s next rising stars who’s perhaps less talked about.

According to another report, though, he won’t be let go on the cheap.

Bournemouth could demand as much as £65 million for Scott, or more, with the Cherries aiming to make a near-triple profit on a player they signed for just £25 million.

تسود حالة من الحيرة داخل الجهاز الفني لنادي الزمالك قبل انطلاق مشوار الفريق في كأس الكونفدرالية، وسط انقسام حول هوية الحارس الأساسي في المواجهة المرتقبة أمام زيسكو الزامبي.

ويبحث المدرب أحمد عبد الرؤوف عن أفضل خيار فني لحماية عرين الزمالك، في ظل رغبة الثنائي محمد صبحي ومحمد عواد في المشاركة الأساسية مع الفريق.

اقرأ أيضًا.. خاص | صفقة حامد حمدان تشتعل.. ما الذي يمنع الزمالك من الحسم؟

وعلم بطولات أن عبد الرؤوف لم يحسم قراره النهائي بشأن الحارس الأساسي، رغم المفاوضات الداخلية داخل الجهاز الفني، وتقييم حالة كل لاعب الفنية والبدنية قبل اللقاء.

ويتمسك كل من صبحي وعواد بأحقيته في حماية العرين، خاصة بعد استدعاء الأول لمنتخب مصر الأول والثاني لمنتخب مصر الثاني خلال الفترة الدولية الأخيرة.

وتشير المؤشرات داخل الفريق إلى أن الاتجاه الأقرب يميل نحو عودة محمد صبحي لحراسة المرمى، بعد غيابه عن بطولة السوبر المصري الأخيرة بسبب الإصابة التي منعت مشاركته.

وتعزز فرص صبحي أيضًا إعلان حلمي طولان قائمة منتخب مصر الثاني المشاركة في كأس العرب، والتي ضمت محمد عواد، وبالتالي، فهو ضمن مكانه في البطولة.

وتقام مباراة الزمالك وزيسكو على استاد القاهرة الدولي يوم الأحد المقبل في تمام التاسعة مساءً بتوقيت مصر، وسط توقعات بقرار حاسم من عبد الرؤوف خلال الساعات المقبلة.

Three wickets in reply keep contest in balance after first-day wash-out

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay16-Sep-2025

Gloucestershire 65 for 3 (Bracey 18*, Price 16*) trail Northamptonshire 206 (Zaib 76, McManus 44, van Buuren 3-23, M Taylor 3-48) by 141 runsMatt Taylor and Graeme van Buuren produced standout performances with the ball as Gloucestershire made up for lost time on day two of their match Rothesay County Championship Second Division match against Northamptonshire at the Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol.Following a first-day washout, left arm seamer Taylor returned figures of 3 for 48 to take out the top-order, while slow left armer van Buuren claimed 3 for 23 to rip through the tail as Northants were dismissed for 206 in 63.5 overs in their first innings after losing the toss.Only Saif Zaib mustered meaningful resistance, the in-form left-hander top-scoring with 76 to take his first-class run tally for the season to 1,268 at an average of 63.4. Stubborn opener Lewis McManus contributed an obdurate 44, but too many Northants batters surrendered their wickets cheaply on a day when bowlers held sway.Gloucestershire fared no better in the final session, reduced to 40 for 3 by some incisive new-ball bowling from Northamptonshire’s seamers. Ollie Price and James Bracey then held firm to reach the close unbeaten on 16 and 18 respectively, bad light curtailing play with 11.4 overs unused. The fourth wicket pair will resume on 65 for 3 in the morning, still 141 runs behind.Stand-in Gloucestershire captain Bracey won the toss, elected to bowl and looked on from behind the stumps as Northants openers Luke Procter and McManus negotiated the first hour without any major scares on a green-tinged pitch. Only when Matt Taylor switched to the Bristol Pavilion end did Gloucestershire enjoy success, the left arm seamer hitting the top of Procter’s off stump with a ball that nipped back. Having chiseled 21 from 40 deliveries with three boundaries, Northamptonshire’s skipper departed with the score on 34. Taylor struck again three balls later, new batsman Calvin Harrison playing on as the visitors slipped to 39 for 2 in the 14th.That soon became 54 for 3, Josh Shaw locating James Sales’ outside edge and Ben Charlesworth taking a tumbling catch at first slip as the home side registered a first bonus point. Mindful of the need to shore things up, McManus continued to eschew risk as he moved to within seven runs of a half century, but Zaib adopted a more forthright approach, twice driving Ajeet Singh Dale for four and punching Zaman Akhter to the deep mid-wicket boundary as the fourth wicket partnership advanced to 46 by the time lunch was taken with the score on 100 for 3.The stand was worth 65 when Taylor made the breakthrough Gloucestershire so badly needed, McManus playing down the wrong line to a ball that hit off stump and terminated his patient innings on 44. He had faced 92 balls and accrued 3 fours and Northants were back under pressure at 119 for 4. Broad never looked comfortable against Singh Dale’s pace and was caught at the wicket for 12 with the score 147 for 5 as Gloucestershire’s seamers made further in-roads.Unfazed by events at the other end, Zaib continued to play positively, raising 50 from 78 balls with 9 fours and prompting Gloucestershire skipper Bracey to introduce spin in the form of van Buuren from the Ashley Down Road end. Zaib issued a statement of intent, hoisting the slow left armer over deep mid-wicket for six as he progressed towards three figures.Bidding to become only the fifth Northants player and the first since Rob Bailey in 1990 to score seven first class hundreds in a season, the 27-year-old left-hander fell short on this occasion, pushing defensively at a delivery from Akhter and edging a catch behind. His score of 76 from 112 balls included 10 fours and a six and served to keep his team afloat. Rob Keogh and Aadi Sharma mustered resistance thereafter, the seventh wicket pair making it through to tea with the score 194 for 6.Sharma fell soon after the restart, hitting van Buuren’s first delivery high to mid-on where Matt Taylor took a comfortable catch to reduce Northants to 199 for 7. Gloucestershire’s experienced all-rounder struck a further blow with his next delivery, pinning Ben Sanderson lbw without scoring as the visitors displayed signs of lower-order fragility. Ben Whitehouse survived the hat-trick ball, but the home side sensed an opportunity to dismiss their opponents cheaply.When Keogh was bowled for 13 in the act of playing across the line, van Buuren had claimed three wickets in a remarkable nine-ball burst and Northants were in freefall. Singh Dale wrapped up the innings in quick time, bowling Sanderson for six in the next over, at which point the visitors had lost their last five wickets for just 28 runs in 10 overs.If Gloucestershire’s intention was to see off the new-ball threat posed by Sanderson, it proved easier said than done, the veteran seamer summoning a superb in-swinger to bowl Charlesworth for 14 in an impressive spell of 1 for 10 in six overs with three maidens. Broad then accounted for Joe Phillips, who nicked off to Harrison at second slip, while Procter bowled Miles Hammond as the home side lurched to 40-3 inside 19 overs.Bracey and Price batted diligently thereafter, staging an unbroken fourth wicket stand of 25 to keep the visitors at bay.

MatériaMais Notícias

O atacante Marcos Leonardo é o maior ativo do Santos e a saída do clube faz parte dos planos do jogador, mas até o momento nenhuma proposta oficial pelo atleta chegou para o clube.

➡️ Tudo sobre o Peixe agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! Santos

O estafe do atleta faz o possível para atrair possíveis times interessados. De acordo com a imprensa inglesa, o Arsenal, da Inglaterra, entrou na lista de pretendentes. Entretanto, a equipe não sinalizou com nenhuma oferta pelo atacante.

➡️ Santos prepara pacote de reforços para 2024

A atual janela de transferências está longe de ser a preferida pelos times europeus para a realização de investimentos, pois a temporada já está na metade e os grandes clubes costumam já ter uma diretriz do que desejam nos seus próximos passos. Portanto, a situação de Marcos segue indefinida.

SANTOS QUER VALOR ALTO PELO ATLETA

Apesar de nenhuma proposta ter aparecido pelo centroavante, o atacante firmou um compromisso com Andres Rueda para ser negociado caso aparecesse algo na casa dos 18 milhões de euros (aproximadamente R$ 96,5 milhões)

Contudo, o presidente Marcelo Teixeira não compartilha desse desejo e deixou clara a vontade de negociar Marcos Leonardo por um valor mais alto que o pré-estabelecido.

– Existe, infelizmente, um valor contratual acertado pela diretoria atual. Isso engessa em parte essa situação. Deixamos claro que pretendemos um valor acima do que está estipulado no contrato. Os valores estão sendo diferentes daquilo que estava sendo conversado antes da nossa posse. Pretendemos intensificar essas negociações – concluiu o atual mandatário do Peixe.

After spending a reported £446m on new additions during the summer transfer window, the majority of pundits across the country expected Liverpool to retain their Premier League title.

Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak’s arrivals saw the hierarchy break the Reds’ transfer record on two separate occasions, subsequently sending out a huge message to the rest of the division.

However, Arne Slot has so far been unable to find the winning formula with his big-money additions, as seen by the club’s recent form within England’s top-flight.

His side have lost six of their last seven league outings, with their slump seeing the club slide down the table and all but ending their chances of regaining the trophy come the end of May.

It hasn’t derailed their recent ambitions in the transfer market though, which has led to numerous high-profile names being linked with a winter switch to Anfield.

Liverpool’s hunt for new additions in January

Over recent weeks, Liverpool have been just one side mentioned over a possible move to land AZ Alkmaar wonderkid Kees Smit in the upcoming window.

The Dutch attacking midfielder has massively impressed in 2025/26 to date, subsequently registering six combined goals and assists in his 19 appearances across all competitions.

A £25m price tag has been reported for the 19-year-old, but other sides such as Real Madrid and Manchester United also remain keen on landing his signature in the coming months.

However, Smit isn’t the only player in the Reds’ sights, with Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo another player who has been strongly touted with a potential move.

According to Fabrizio Romano, numerous members of the club’s hierarchy have already discussed terms with the Cherries over a deal in the January market, having made a move to understand the conditions of the player’s release clause.

He also stated that a deal is expected to cost around £65m- a fee that would activate Semenyo’s clause – but that other Premier League clubs, such as Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal, are also closely monitoring the situation.

Why Semenyo could get Isak firing at Liverpool

As previously mentioned, spirits were at an all-time high on Deadline Day for Liverpool supporters after a deal was finally announced for striker Isak from Newcastle United.

The saga dragged on for months before it reached its conclusion, with Slot’s men having to fork out an English record £125m for the services of the Swedish international.

His tally of 23 league goals last campaign made many think the Reds had finally found the number nine they have craved to complete the club’s impressive attacking department.

However, the 26-year-old’s move to Merseyside has been nothing short of a disaster, with the striker only netting one goal in his first nine appearances across all competitions.

Isak’s recent showing against Nottingham Forest further highlighted his struggles, with the talisman only notching a total of 14 touches before being replaced in the 68th minute.

He’s massively struggled to make the desired impact at Anfield to date, but that could change should the hierarchy complete a deal for Semenyo this winter.

The Ghanaian international, who’s primarily a left-winger, has massively impressed at the Vitality this campaign, as seen by his tally of six goals and three assists in his 11 outings.

However, his underlying stats further highlight the quality he possesses, with such numbers certainly aiding Isak in his own quest for success on Merseyside.

Semenyo, who’s been dubbed “the best winger in the country” by former footballer Chris Waddle, has completed 1.9 take-ons per 90 – often able to get into dangerous areas with the ball at his feet.

Antoine Semenyo – PL stats (25/26)

Statistics (per 90)

Tally

Games played

11

Goals & assists

9

Take-ons completed

1.9

Chances created

1.4

Progressive passes

3.6

Passes into opposition box

1.6

Shots on target

1.3

Recoveries made

5.3

Stats via FBref

He’s also been able to add the end product to his mazy runs in the Premier League, as seen by his tally of 1.4 chances created per 90 – not to mention his goal contribution tally.

The 25-year-old has registered 3.6 progressive passes and 1.6 passes into the opposition box per 90, with such numbers potentially falling perfectly into the hands of Isak to turn around his dismal start to life at the club.

£65m in the modern market is an excellent price for a player of Semenyo’s quality, but it remains to be seen how much the board are willing to spend in January after their recent spending spree.

However, if the club are to get Isak fully up to speed in the near future, he will desperately need added support, which could make the Bournemouth star the perfect man to ignite his stint in the North West.

Related Worse than Konate: Slot must drop 2/10 Liverpool flop who lost 100% duels

Ibrahima Konate was not the only culprit during Liverpool’s 3-0 defeat at the hands of Nottingham Forest.

Posts 2 ByMatt Dawson Nov 23, 2025

أعلن الحساب الرسمي لبطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا، عن التشكيل المثالي للجولة السادسة والتي أجريت منافساتها ومبارياتها أمس وأول من أمس.

وضم التشكيل المثالي العديد من اللاعبين الرائعين الذين برزوا وتألقوا هذا الأسبوع، وقادوا فرقهم لتحقيق نتائج إيجابية في إطار منافسات الجولة السادسة.

ويقود التشكيل المثالي النجم الفرنسي لنادي ريال مدريد كيليان مبابي الذي سجل سوبر هاتريك، خلال فوز فريقه برباعية لثلاث اهداف أمام أولمبياكوس اليوناني.

أقرأ أيضاً.. بوروسيا دورتموند يحدد موقفه من بيع شلوتربيك إلى برشلونة أو بايرن ميونخ تشكيل الجولة السادسة المثالي لدوري أبطال أوروبا:

حراسة المرمى: فليكن “باير ليفركوزن”

خط الدفاع: كوكوريلا “تشيلسي” – شوتين ” آيندهوفن” – خوسيه ماريا خيمنيز “أتلتيكو مدريد” – عنان خلايلي “سانت جيلواز”

خط الوسط: دي كيتيلاري ” أتالانتا” – روبرت “كوبنهاجن” – ديكلان رايس “آرسنال”- فيتينيا “باريس سان جيرمان”

خط الهجوم: كيليان مبابي “ريال مدريد”- بيير أوباميانج “مارسيليا”.

جدير بالذكر أن كيليان مبابي فاز بتصويت أفضل لاعب في الجولة، وتفوق على منافسة فيتينيا نجم باريس سان جيرمان وبيير أوباميانج مهاجم مارسيليا وسيرهو جراسي مهاجم بوروسيا دورتموند.

Wood has been contracted for one year and Ferdinands for two

Madushka Balasuriya04-Oct-2025

Sri Lanka have hired Julian Wood and Rene Ferdinands as batting coach and spin-bowling coach, respectively, of their men’s national team. They will replace Thilina Kandamby and Piyal Wijetunge in the roles.Kandamby had been Sri Lanka’s batting coach since December 2023, while Wijetunge has been a fixture at SLC having been in the role of spin-bowling coach since February 2006. It is understood that the decision to shake up the coaching staff was taken after Sri Lanka’s T20I series defeat to Bangladesh at home in July.Wood has been given a one-year contract. Earlier this year, he had conducted a week-long “power-hitting programme” with Sri Lanka’s national players and impressed SLC during his brief stint. In August, he was named Bangladesh’s batting coach on a short-term contract, but they had opted not to extend it upon its conclusion in September.He has previously worked with the ECB, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Middlesex, and Punjab Kings.Ferdinands will be in the role for two years, where he is expected to “lead spin bowling training, match preparation, performance analysis, and player development”.”Holding a PhD in biomechanics from the University of Waikato, Ferdinands brings extensive expertise in applying science to enhance cricket performance,” an SLC statement said. He has previously worked at the BCCI’s National Cricket Academy, “delivering biomechanics-based coaching programmes for elite players and coaches”. “A specialist in both wrist and finger spin, Rene has also served as a biomechanics consultant for New Zealand Cricket, carrying out performance evaluations and injury-risk assessments for leading bowlers.”Whether it’s scoring rates or six-hitting frequency, Sri Lanka have been closer to the bottom than the top of the table over the past decade, while their spinners have frequently struggled to produce results on flatter tracks. SLC will be hoping that the appointments of Wood and Ferdinands address these concerns.

MatériaMais Notícias

A queda precoce do Corinthians no Paulistão colocou muita coisa em risco neste início de temporada. Por não avançar à fase mata-mata do Estadual e, consequentemente não seguir na briga pela taça, o Timão deixou de faturar uma boa grana, já que o prêmio para o campeão é de R$ 5 milhões, e para o vice-campeão o valor é de R$ 1,65 milhões.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasFora de CampoCraque Neto detona eliminação do Corinthians no Campeonato Paulista: ‘Vergonhoso’Fora de Campo03/03/2024Humor EsportivoRivais não perdoam eliminação do Corinthians no Paulistão; veja os memesHumor Esportivo03/03/2024CorinthiansPresidente do Corinthians admite dívida milionária com Rojas e espera desfecho na segundaCorinthians03/03/2024

➡️ Siga o Lance! no WhatsApp e acompanhe em tempo real as principais notícias do esporte

Outro ponto importante na desclassificação do Corinthians na fase de grupos é que o time da capital paulista corre o risco de ficar fora da próxima edição da Copa do Brasil, em 2025. Isso porque o regulamento da competição nacional mudou e, com isso, os Estaduais têm uma importância fundamental para chegar à classificação do torneio.

Na edição de 2023, dez equipes conseguiram suas vagas via o ranking nacional de clubes. Após a mudança da regra, para 2024, a classificação para a Copa do Brasil começou a se basear em um ranking utilizado pela CBF. A partir daí, haverá a definição de quantas vagas cada um terá direito a distribuir nas suas competições estaduais.

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As federações mais bem colocadas, como São Paulo e Rio de Janeiro, terão direito a seis vagas via competições locais, ou seja, os seis primeiros colocados do Paulistão garantem vaga na próxima Copa do Brasil.

De acordo com a classificação das equipes na Libertadores ou com o título da Copa do Brasil, as vagas vão sendo repassadas para os próximos colocados do Estadual. Atualmente, o Alvinegro é o 12º colocado do Paulistão, com 13 pontos, e ainda resta uma rodada na fase de grupos.

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Tudo sobre

Campeonato PaulistaCopa do BrasilCorinthiansFutebol Nacional

تحدث تشابي ألونسو، المدير الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي ريال مدريد عن مباراة فريقه أمام جيرونا ضمن منافسات بطولة الدوري الإسباني.

ومن المقرر أن يخوض ريال مدريد مباراته أمام جيرونا مساء غدٍ الأحد، ضمن منافسات الجولة الـ 14 من بطولة الدوري الإسباني.

ويحل ريال مدريد ضيفًا على جيرونا في تمام الساعة العاشرة مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة، الحادية عشر بتوقيت مكة المكرمة.

وقال ألونسو، في المؤتمر الصحفي الخاص بالمباراة، والتي نقلته صحيفة “آس”: “نعلم أن هذه مباراة بعد آخر مباراة في دوري أبطال أوروبا في أثينا، في الدوري نحتاج إلى الفوز خارج أرضنا في ظل جدول مباريات مزدحم للغاية، نحتاج إلى مباراة جيدة وانتصار جيد”.

وعن الجدل التحكيمي حول أهداف مباراة إلتشي التي قالها لابورتا رئيس برشلونة أوضح: “هناك رسائل شعبوية خاصة لجماهيرهم، دعونا نركز على أنفسنا، والفوز بطريقة رياضية ومستحقة، كل مباراة هي اختبار لذلك”.

وأكمل: “لقد لعبنا فترات جيدة، نحتاج إلى تلك السيطرة والمزيد من السيطرة والاستمرارية والثبات وهو ما نقوم بتحسينه خاصةً دفاعيًا، لست راضيًا عن بعض الأمور وخاصةً الأهداف التي استقبلناها في المباريات الأخيرة، ما زلنا في مرحلة التطوير”.

وعن الإصابات، قال: “لقد تعافي بالفعل روديجر وميليتاو، ونأمل أن يتم ضم أسينسيو إلى التشكيل أما هويسن فلم يتم ضمه بعد كما تم ضم فرانكو (ماستانتونو) إلى التشكيل”.

اقرأ أيضًا | تدريبات ريال مدريد.. غياب جديد وموقف كورتوا من مباراة جيرونا في الدوري الإسباني

وأردف: “بيلينجهام؟ جود لديه الرغبة في التعلم وأن يكون أكثر كفاءة، هؤلاء اللاعبين الذين لديهم هذه المبادرة والذين يمكنهم اللعب في أكثر من مركز، عليك أن تعرف ما يحدث حوله”.

وأجاب عن سؤال آلام ماستانتونو في العانة قائلًا: “إنه في حالة أفضل ويتدرب دون أي إزعاج أو ألم ويتدرب بهذه الديناميكية”.

واستطرد: “حالة أرنولد الجيدة؟ نحن بحاجة إليه، هو في موسمه الأول والتكيف أمر طبيعي، وعلينا أن ندعمه في هذا التغيير الكبير بالنسبة له”.

وحول أداء ميندي أمام أولمبياكوس كشف: “لقد ترك انطباعًا جيدًا لديّ، إنها أول مباراة يلعبها معنا، لم نكن نعرف مستواه في البطولة، وقد قدم أداءً رائعًا، إنه مدافع رائع ويمنحنا أمانًا كبيرًا في الدفاع، أن يعود وأشعر بهذا الشعور هو خبر رائع”.

وحول استغلال مبابي وفينيسيوس المساحات في مباراة أولمبياكوس أوضح: “إنهما بارعان جدًا في ذلك، وقد فعلا ذلك في مباريات أخرى أيضًا، هذا الترابط والجودة وتناغمهما واضح في الملعب، كان من المؤسف أن فينيسيوس لم يتمكن من تسجيل هدف”.

وعن رسائل اللاعبين حول وحدة الفريق وشعوره بها أتم: “لطالما شعرتُ بوحدة الفريق وأننا جميعًا نعرف هدفنا وهو الوصول إلى النهائي مع فرصة الفوز بكل شيء، نحن معًا في السراء والضراء، تربطنا علاقة جيدة يوميًا ورغم كل الشائعات وما يريده البعض، نحن متماسكون جدًا من الداخل”.

It would be fair to say that, on paper anyway, last week was Arsenal’s toughest so far this season.

Therefore, Mikel Arteta’s side should be pretty happy with seven points from nine in games against Tottenham Hotspur, Bayern Munich and Chelsea.

However, while the North Londoners were exceptional in the first two encounters, they were uncharacteristically poor away to the Blues, and that has understandably taken the shine off somewhat.

Moreover, while there were underwhelming performances across the pitch for Arsenal, one player in particular was really disappointing and currently looks miles off what fans saw last season.

Arsenal's underwhelming starters vs Chelsea

Starting at the back, and while he has arguably been one of Arsenal’s players of the season so far this year, Ricarrdo Calafiori looked way off the pace on Sunday evening.

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Aside from a well-timed last-man tackle on Estevao in the first ten minutes, the Italian looked far shakier defensively than he has all year, losing two of the three tackles he made and getting a silly yellow card when he lost Reece James.

It wasn’t much better going forward either, as the former Bologna man failed to deliver a single cross for the attackers to get onto, and was understandably hooked at the interval.

Things didn’t go much better for Eberechi Eze, as following his hat-trick last weekend and assist against Bayern, the former Crystal Palace star was utterly ineffective at Stamford Bridge.

In fact, while it sounds harsh, it would be a fair assessment to describe him as anonymous on Sunday, as was Gabriel Martinelli, whose most significant contribution was a shot from outside the penalty area in the first half.

Finally, while they were not terrible, Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie were clear downgrades on the Gunners’ usual partnership.

Moreover, on top of being less defensively solid, it was clear that they were less confident starting together, which massively impacted the team’s build-up.

With all that said, there was another Arsenal star on Sunday who looked way off the pace, and unfortunately has done all season.

The Arsenal star who has taken a step back

Unfortunately for Arteta, the poor performances on Sunday evening were not limited to the starters, as Myles Lewis-Skelly’s cameo off the bench was one to forget.

The Hale Ender was sent on to replace Calafiori after the Italian picked up his silly yellow card, but just nine minutes into the second half, he got one himself.

That moment sort of summarised the teenager’s display, as while there were a few moments of quality, like a run through the middle of the pitch towards the end, he largely struggled.

He offered little going forward and looked less than secure defensively and in possession, so much so that there were more than a few occasions when you could see Rice getting frustrated with him, notably when under no pressure at all, the youngster played the ball straight to a Chelsea player on the left-hand side of the pitch.

Unsurprisingly, the watching press were not hugely impressed with the youngster, with Arsenal writer Charles Watts awarding him just a 5/10 match rating at full-time.

Lewis-Skelly’s game v Chelsea

Minutes

45′

Expected Assists

0.01

Interceptions

1

Ground Duels (Won)

4 (2)

Aerial Duels (Won)

3 (0)

Fouls

1

Key Passes

0

Dribbles

0

Shots

0

All Stats via Sofascore

That might sound harsh, but his statistics justify it; in his 45 minutes, the 19-year-old produced an expected assists figure of just 0.02, lost 50% of his ground duels and 100% of his aerial duels, didn’t play a single key pass or cross and committed one foul.

The worrying thing is that Sunday was not the full-back’s first poor performance of the season, as he also looked the weakest of the club’s starters against Bayern.

With that said, it would be unfair to blame this entirely on the youngster, club insider Hand of Arsenal, dubbed a “future captain,” as he’s just not been given enough game time.

One of the things that allowed him to play as well as he did last year was that Arteta picked him time and time again, in turn building his sharpness and understanding of the team’s rhythm.

Therefore, while it’s true that Lewis-Skelly has taken a step back this season, fans shouldn’t worry too much, as more games on the horizon should give him more opportunities to play and rebuild that sharpness.

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Posts ByMatt Dawson Dec 1, 2025