Rangers have been handed a financial boost after a significant update from the Scottish Premiership.
Rangers transfer news
The Gers have had a fairly tumultuous year on the pitch, with Michael Beale's spell as manager a disappointing one, leading to his sacking earlier in the season. Philippe Clement has come in in his place, and the early signs have been positive, with Rangers seemingly firing in all competitions since the Belgian's timely arrival.
For the team to continue heading in the right direction, however, new signings could be required during the January transfer window, adding more quality and freshness to the squad, with Clement reportedly set to make as many as three new additions.
A host of players have been linked with a move to Ibrox, with Rangers keen on signing Everton defender Ben Godfrey, seeing him as a top target to come in and improve the defence. Meanwhile, Aberdeen ace Bojan Miovski has also been tipped to join the Gers.
While there is plenty of focus on the team, a key claim has now emerged regarding the club as a whole – one that will no doubt please supporters.
Rangers handed financial boost
According to a fresh update from Football Insider, the SPFL enjoyed record-breaking revenue in 2022/23, with the eye-watering figures revealed:
"Rangers are set for a financial injection from the SPFL after they posted record-breaking revenue in 2022/23, Football Insider can reveal. The Scottish Professional Football League posted their updated accounts via Companies House for the fiscal year up to 31 May with a turnover of £42.6million.
"It was a record-breaking turnover figure for the Scottish Professional Football League and marked a £3million increase from the year prior."
The money will be distributed out to all clubs in the top four tiers of Scottish football, and while the exact amount heading to Ibrox remains undisclosed, the report claims it will be a record setting sum. It means that a few extra funds should be available for Clement to spend on new signings in January.
1. Tore Andre Flo
£15.7m
2. Michael Ball
£8.5m
3. Mikel Arteta
£6.9m
4. Arthur Numan
£6.7m
5. Giovanni van Bronckhorst
£6.5m
6. Barry Ferguson
£6.35m
7. Bert Konterman
£6.35m
8. Ryan Kent
£6.31m
9. Michael Mols
£5.6m
10. Gaby Amato
£5.6m
What this also does is help persuade potential signings to come to the club, showing that the league is moving in a positive direction and should continue to be able to compete in European competitions, something players are typically drawn to.
Someone like Godfrey for example could jump at the opportunity to earn more regular playing time at Ibrox, and while there's still no chance of the Gers paying him the £76,000 per week he earns at Everton, every little helps.
On the face of it, it has been a positive run for Manchester United either side of the international break, with Erik ten Hag's men having now won their last three games in all competitions to lift the mood at Old Trafford.
Despite the nature of the results, however, the performances have told an altogether different story in recent weeks, with the Red Devils scraping past Brentford a few weeks ago following a thrilling Scott McTominay double at the death, before requiring a moment of magic from Diogo Dalot to see off relegation strugglers, Sheffield United.
As for the midweek meeting with Copenhagen in the Champions League, it was a largely tepid and uninspiring affair for much of the proceedings prior to Harry Maguire's winner in the closing stages, with the hosts having also been reliant on a decisive penalty save from Andre Onana in the game's final act to clinch a pivotal three points.
While such late drama has helped to keep the fanbase captivated and on side of late, Ten Hag will be aware that a far more rounded display will be needed from his side ahead of tomorrow's eagerly-anticipated Manchester Derby, with anything other than a complete performance likely to make it a tough afternoon against the champions.
Man United's injury concerns ahead of the Manchester Derby
Not that there can be many excuses for such an expensively assembled squad, yet it is fair to say that the Premier League giants have been hampered by a spate of injuries this season, with the backline, in particular, having been rather decimated.
Recent months have seen Ten Hag unable to call upon the likes of Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, Lisandro Martinez and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, with the former Ajax boss noting on Tuesday night that the lack of a settled backline has been an issue of late.
Manchester United manager EriktenHag
There will also be concerns over the fitness of Sergio Reguilon after the Spaniard – who had been out with injury himself – was forced off against the Danish side earlier this week, with the lack of a recognised left-back set to be another potential headache on Sunday.
One possible bonus could be the return of experienced midfielder, Casemiro, with the Brazil international having missed the last two games due to injury and suspension, respectively, although is expected to be in line to feature this time around.
There will also be decisions to make in the forward line with United having yet again been reliant on a goal from a defender to bail them out of trouble in midweek, with the likes of Marcus Rashford, Antony and Rasmus Hojlund having scored just one league goal between them this season.
Marcus Rashford
In the case of Rashford, another goalless evening against Copenhagen may put his starting berth under threat, although the Englishman does boast a strong record against tomorrow's opponents – as does partner-in-crime, Anthony Martial – with vengeance needed following the FA Cup final defeat back in June.
The stats that show why Rashford should start against Man City
With Alejandro Garnacho chomping at the bit to start on the left flank, that man Rashford could find himself ousted from the side sooner rather than later, with last season's haul of 30 goals in all competitions now looking like a distant memory.
Position
Player
GK
David De Gea
RB
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
CB
Raphael Varane
CB
Victor Lindelof
LB
Luke Shaw
CDM
Casemiro
CM
Fred
CM
Christian Eriksen
RW
Bruno Fernandes
ST
Marcus Rashford
LW
Jadon Sancho
That being said, however, when in the right groove the 25-year-old remains arguably Ten Hag's biggest outlet – as his form in 2022/23 indicated – with the academy graduate also boasting the benefit of having regularly torn apart Manchester City over the last eight years or so.
Ever since scoring against the Etihad outfit on his derby debut in 2016 – breezing past a helpless Martin Demichelis before slotting under compatriot Joe Hart – the fleet-footed forward has regularly relished the match-up with United's local rivals, having now scored five goals in 18 appearances against the Champions League holders.
That historical impact in this fixture may be worth tapping into, with the same also true of Martial, despite the fact that the Frenchman has lost his place to the aforementioned Hojlund this season, with just a year left to run on his existing deal.
There may be those questioning the wisdom of unleashing the former Monaco man for a game of such huge magnitude, but with his fellow striker still waiting for a first Premier League goal in United colours, Ten Hag may be willing to take a gamble on the 27-year-old.
Manchester United forward Anthony Martial.
Having previously stated last term that the Red Devils play their "best football" with Martial leading the line, the Dutchman certainly has a high opinion of the mercurial talent, hence why he could be tasked with terrorising City yet again.
Anthony Martial's goalscoring record against Man City
Even if not given the nod from the start, the £250k-per-week enigma would certainly be able to impact proceedings off the bench if called upon, particularly when considering he has scored five goals against Pep Guardiola's men – all of which have come in the league.
While his first effort in the fixture came from the penalty spot in a dismal 3-1 defeat away at the Etihad in November 2018 under Jose Mourinho, Martial truly hit stride the following season during Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's first full campaign in charge, scoring both home and away against City.
In the first meeting that season at the Etihad, a blistering front three of Rashford, Daniel James and Martial brutally exposed the hosts on the counter, with the latter man extending United's lead in the first half with a clinical, left-footed finish from just inside the area.
In the return encounter in March 2020 – the final home game for the Red Devils in front of a packed Old Trafford, prior to the first Covid-19 lockdown – the long-serving marksman set the home side on their way to victory after rounding off a well-worked free-kick routine, prior to McTominay's late clincher at the death.
As for more recent encounters, Marrtial did score twice off the bench in the harrowing 6-3 defeat just over a year ago to help make the scoreline appear somewhat more respectable, with another perhaps more important cameo likely to be required tomorrow.
While his contract may be running down following an injury-hit last few years at the Theatre of Dreams, the polarising striker – once dubbed a "Ferrari" by Champions League winner, Owen Hargreaves – could still have some magic up his sleeve.
Scotland coach Grant Bradburn made clear his disappointment with the Future Tours Programme, and asked the ICC to consider rewarding Scotland’s recent performances
Peter Della Penna21-Jun-2018A week after Scotland scaled new heights by becoming the first Associate team to beat the No. 1 ODI side in the world, a cold dose of reality has brought them back to earth. It comes in the form of the FTP schedule release through 2023. Scotland are nowhere to be found in that.The paucity of fixtures and funding is nothing new for them. But it’s something that coach Grant Bradburn hopes will be one of many areas that will be reconsidered by the ICC administrators going forward, ahead of next week’s ICC annual conference in Dublin.”It’s incredibly sad to see that FTP come out,” Bradburn told ESPNcricinfo. “We’re fully aware that the FTP didn’t just get drafted after our victory against England. Clearly it’s been in the pipeline for some time. Our players hope that the statement that was made with the win against England, and the [wins over Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Afghanistan] over the past 12 months, force the ICC into reviewing their investment and continuing to see value in their investments so far in the top Associates.”According to Bradburn, his players have come to grips with their failure to qualify for the 10-team World Cup in 2019. He also said that calls for Scotland and other Associates to get more opportunities should not be viewed as a knee-jerk reaction to their win over England but instead as a recognition of their consistent performances since the start of 2017 that has seen them beat four Full Members and tie a fifth in a T20I, against Ireland, during the recent tri-series.As part of the T20I tri-series win, Scotland also notched two dominant wins over Netherlands. Netherlands are now guaranteed 24 ODIs against Full Members over the next three years in the FTP cycle and the ODI League while WCLC runners-up Scotland get none.”Number one, we hope they review that decision for the 2023 World Cup,” Bradburn said. “Number two, and most importantly for us, is that we do hope the ICC continue to invest in us.”The campaign against England, Pakistan, Netherlands and Ireland, we framed it strategically. It’s not a matter of chucking games in here or there. We would love the ICC to give us the ability to plan just like they do the Full Members by putting out the FTP schedule, which is great for them because they can now plan. Unfortunately, we don’t have that luxury.”Unlike the funding distributed to Full Members, Scotland and other Associates have to pinch pennies on shoestring budgets to maximise their efforts both domestically and internationally. Cricket Scotland’s core funding from the ICC as an ODI status Associate is US$1.5 million. However, Bradburn said they successfully appealed for a US$250,000 per year funding boost for 2017 and 2018, which enabled them to play more matches and improve their on-field performance, culminating in the win over England.Scotland celebrates after Mark Watt’s first wicket of the match•Peter Della Penna
“That extra $250,000 enabled us to do extra things like the Desert T20 Challenge, like the tri-series that we’ve just been to in Holland and the preparation in Pretoria before the World Cup Qualifier and also the second trip to Dubai that we had in January before the World Cup Qualifier, which was just fantastic,” Bradburn said. “It was excellent and appropriate preparation for us, and we feel we spent the money wisely. If we had the same or just a little bit more, we could do so much.”What’s on many of our minds is, ‘Wow! Look what we’ve done with $250,000. Imagine if that was $500,000’. And that’s not even a fraction of what the lowest Full Member receives on an annual basis, which is around $9 million per year. So for Cricket Scotland to receive more funding is an absolute must and we just hope that the ICC, when they gather around their table next week, have taken note of the performances and we hope that they are pleased with their investment and continue to see benefits in investing in the top Associates.”The last of Cricket Scotland’s US$250,000 supplemental funding boost for 2018 was spent on the recent tri-series, meaning they have no more money to arrange bilateral fixtures with other Associates. It also means they are short of funds to access facilities they have invested in for the national team’s training camps. Bradburn does not want to see all the momentum that Scotland have built up over the last year and a half go waste when qualification for the 2020 World T20 is just around the corner.”We’ve got a great facility in La Manga, Spain that Ireland and ourselves have invested in but right at this point in time we can’t afford to go there,” Bradburn said. “We’ve only been there once in the last two years and it was just brilliant. It’s such a great training base, a place where we develop our future Scotland internationals and also play games but we can’t afford to go.”As opposed to pleading for money every year, it would be nice for the ICC to turn around and say, ‘Okay, here’s a sum of money per year for the next four years. Go play in a programme that sees you guys continuing your rise toward Full Membership.’ That would be brilliant. But right now we need to apply to the ICC through our chairman Tony Brian who has done a brilliant job pleading our case. We have to apply every time and we’re hoping there might be an answer next week but that answer might not come until the next ICC meeting in October.”At the moment, the best case scenario is that in the last quarter of this year we get confirmation of some funding and can put some cricket in place for November and December which prepares us for the start of 2019. Clearly T20 is going to become more important over the next couple of years with World Cups confirmed in 2020 and 2021. So we would love to be able to position ourselves to continue to get better at that format of the game especially and have a little more funding to continue to improve.
Aston Villa are back in action this afternoon, as Unai Emery’s side look to put matters right after their defeat to Liverpool before the international break.
The Villans will welcome Crystal Palace to Villa Park in what is poised to be a thriller, with both teams showing a host of quality in their fixtures already this season.
The Midlands side have registered two wins and two losses, building some form after their embarrassing opening day thrashing at St James’ Park, as Newcastle United slayed Emery’s side 5-1.
After an encouraging summer in the transfer window, there has been an added influx of quality to the squad, with some new arrivals already showing their worth.
What is the latest Aston Villa team news?
Last time out at Anfield, Villa were shocked in the opening minutes, as Dominik Szoboszlai scored his first Liverpool goal after just three minutes.
Diego-carlos-villa-injury
Things went from bad to worse, and then worse again for Emery’s side, who lost Diego Carlos to injury in the 19th minute, to then concede their second moments later through a Matty Cash own goal.
There was worry over Carlos’ withdrawal following his lengthy time on the sidelines last season due to an achilles rupture, with the manager confirming that he will miss today’s game against Palace.
Placing the defence aside, after the attacking absence at Anfield, Emery could consider making changes to bring additional threat to the front line, with the Midlands side registering just 0.66 expected goals against Liverpool, via Sofascore.
Should Youri Tielemans start against Crystal Palace?
One player that could provide some added danger to the final third is Youri Tielemans, who was signed this summer on a free transfer from Leicester City.
The Belgian is a seasoned Premier League player with 155 appearances in the league already under his belt, however is yet to start for Villa this season.
During a press-conference while on duty with Belgium, the midfielder described the lack of game time as “not pleasant”, as relayed by Football 365, with him playing just 93 minutes over the four appearances he’s made so far.
Following the performance at Anfield, Emery may be inclined to shuffle his side to impose a better threat on Palace, with Tielemans being the ideal figure to generate chances.
Against the Reds, Villa failed to record a single big chance, which the Belgian could resolve with him creating ten big chances last season for Leicester, despite their relegation form.
Lauded as a “baller” by CBS journalist Aaron West for his pre-season form, the £150k-per-week gem could offer a lot to the squad at Villa Park, even more so with the motive of having a point to prove in order to receive more game time.
There’s a positive for Villa going forward, with Hodgson confirming that prized centre-back Marc Guehi will be out of contention due to injury, giving Emery more of an incentive to go full force on what will be a depleted back line for the visitors.
After going public about his disappointment in relation to his game time, the Belgian may be handed a chance to show his worth, which would be a strong point for Villa, with him recording an average of 1.15 key passes and 6.95 progressive passes last term for Leicester, via FBref.
The main priority for Villa will be to get back to winning ways, however giving their summer arrival a chance to flex his ability may be a positive route to claiming three points.
Plays of the Day from the third day of the third Test between India and New Zealand in Nagpur
ESPNcricinfo staff22-Nov-2010The giggle of the day
Suresh Raina was the runner for a limping MS Dhoni but nearly joined the wounded list himself. He had just completed a single when he realised, almost too late, that the throw was heading straight at his head. He swerved, looked at the approaching missile, swayed away and collapsed down to the ground. When he got up on his feet he was smiling.The power-packed shot of the day
Andy McKay hurled one full and Dhoni thrust his front foot out and bludgeoned it to the straight boundary in his inimitable style. He then strolled across the pitch and sported a gentle smile at his partner Rahul Dravid.The misery of the day
Every bowler is going after Raina’s head these days. Either bounce him out, or push him back and get him with a fuller delivery. Today, too, Raina got hit on the body by short deliveries and was tested with full ones. He must have sighed in relief when Daniel Vettori brought himself on. Mistake. The first ball turned in and bounced, and Raina edged his defensive prod to short leg.The anticlimax of the day The very first delivery from McKay was an off cutter from short of a length that Sachin Tendulkar partly steered, partly edged past gully. The third delivery kicked up and left Tendulkar, who, after being opened up, stabbed it to the keeper. The 50th hundred that the fans have been waiting for since the start of the series couldn’t come today.
Arsenal have established consistency like no other team in the Premier League over the past several years.
The Gunners have finished runners-up three years in a row, and while silverware continues to elude Mikel Arteta, he has fashioned his squad into a team of superstars, feared by all across Europe. Despite a recent blip, Arsenal remain top of the standings, their performances and stability creating the general opinion that they are the most complete side in the division, the favourites for the title.
However, while Manchester City and Aston Villa chase up to the Emirates side, Arteta will likely feel that injury troubles stand as his greatest adversary once again.
The latest Arsenal injury news
Once again, Arsenal find themselves on the top end, the wrong end, of the Premier League injury table, but Arteta and new sporting director Andrea Berta have made positive moves on the transfer front, and they have crafted a balanced squad capable of dealing with such setbacks.
Arsenal
9
5
Tottenham
8
7
Burnley
8
4
Crystal Palace
8
3
Bournemouth
7
2
Liverpool
6
6
As the table-toppers prepare to host Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League on Saturday evening, Arteta will be gritting his teeth amid a wave of setbacks, with key players like Declan Rice, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Leandro Trossard all ruled out or doubtful ahead of the top-meets-bottom clash.
However, the club have been boosted by the return of Gabriel Jesus, who made his first appearance of the season off the bench against Club Brugge in midweek, drawing plaudits for his silky and proactive display.
It had been nearly a year since the Brazilian had played for the Gunners in a professional capacity, having torn his ACL last year, and while there have been murmurings of late regarding Jesus’ potential departure from the Emirates Stadium, Arteta has poured cold water on such claims, instead urging the 28-year-old to kick on and become the main man.
Arsenal’s current injury crisis suggests he has a chance to do so, but Jesus may even work his way into the starting line-up over a star who is fresh and raring to go at number nine, having been likened to former Gunners goalscorer Olivier Giroud.
Arteta must drop the new Olivier Giroud
When Arsenal completed a £64m deal for Viktor Gyokeres this summer, it was felt that Arteta had finally solved an interminable problem at the spearhead, landing a 27-year-old striker who had scored 97 goals across just two seasons in Portugal with Sporting Lisbon.
But the powerhouse of a forward has found it difficult thus far. Too often he has drifted through games, struggling for service and fluency in the final third. He has scored six goals across 18 matches in all competitions, including four strikes in the Premier League.
The £200k-per-week striker has not hit the ground running since returning to England, but that’s not to say that he won’t rekindle the kind of form that has struck such fear into European defences over the past few years.
And with former stars such as Theo Walcott suggesting that Gyokeres has what it takes to emulate someone like Giroud, claiming the Sweden international is “similar” and “probably stronger” than the veteran Frenchman, who scored 105 goals and supplied 37 assists across 253 matches for the Gunners.
For now, though, Arteta might be wise to give Jesus a run in the side and withdraw Gyokeres from the starting line-up. He has left much to be desired so far this season and was branded with a 5/10 match rating by football.london in Brugge, missing a golden opportunity after Gabriel Martinelli’s whipped delivery and altogether flattering to deceive as the focal frontman.
As per Sofascore, he squandered two big chances, losing all three ground duels and taking only 12 touches, while losing possession on four occasions. That equates to having lost the ball every three touches.
Giroud, 39, only scored one goal from his first ten Premier League appearances in 2012/13, having joined Arsenal from Montpellier in Ligue 1.
With Merino capable as a moonlit centre-forward, demotion to the bench might not be a bad thing for Gyokeres as he looks to find his feet.
Giroud, after all, established a reputation as a high-scoring substitute in the Premier League, scoring 21 times. With Gyokeres, Arteta could repeat that trick.
Bigger problem than Gyokeres: Arteta must bin Arsenal's new Aubameyang
Arsenal could have another Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang situation developing this season…
Manchester United’s 2-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest at the weekend was their ninth loss in the Premier League.
This is the same number they suffered in the whole of last season, and Erik ten Hag’s side sits eighth, nine points off fourth.
All confirmed Premier League done deals: January transfer window 2024
With the January transfer window coming towards its conclusion, FFC has all the info for tracking your club’s winter transfer activity.
ByLuke Randall Feb 1, 2024
With that in mind, the former Ajax boss could look to enhance his squad this winter, with outgoings expected and incomings potentially on the cards.
Man Utd transfers latest – Andre
According to a report from Brazilian outlet Trivela earlier this week, Man United are interested in signing Andre, who has been labelled as “one of South America’s biggest jewels” by Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig.
morten-frendrup-andre-liverpool-opinion
Other Premier League clubs, such as Fulham and Liverpool, are also monitoring the Brazilian.
It is rumoured that a fee of around £17m could secure the services of the Fluminense star, which could represent something of a bargain, even for a cash-strapped side like United.
Andre’s style of play
Casemiro has been unavailable for United since October, missing 17 matches in the process due to a knock. In truth, his performances before the injury were subpar, with his lack of athleticism and Ten Hag’s lone defensive midfield tactic exposing the 31-year-old, having notably been "torn to shreds" in the defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers on the opening weekend, according to Gary Neville.
Therefore, it is reported that a move to Saudi Arabia could be on the cards for the former Real Madrid winner.
Although unlikely, United could cash in on their number 18 with the view of investing in Andre as his replacement. The 22-year-old has become a key player for Fluminense, featuring 60 times for the club in 2023 and playing 75% of his matches in a defensive midfield role. The table below gives a concise look at the number 7’s style of play by looking at his statistics from the last year.
Passes completed
76.27
Top 1%
Pass completion % (short, Medium, Long)
96.2%, 97.3%, 79.9%
Top 1%, Top 1%, Top 5%
Passes into the final third
6.63
Top 8%
Touches (Def third)
89.95 (30.39)
Top 2% (Top 1%)
Successful take-ons
1.38
Top 14%
Tackles won
1.50
Top 26%
As you can see, Andre has a completely different profile from Casemiro, with the former being described as a “roaming playmaker” by Jacek Kulig. That is obvious when addressing his stats, such as his ability to complete passes with accuracy regardless of the range. He rarely gives the ball away, but his passes into the final third stat show that he isn’t safe in possession, and he is willing to progress play if the opportunity presents itself, which would give much-needed control to the United side.
Furthermore, the Brazil star plays in Fernando Diniz’s demanding side, which is fluid and willing to play the ball out from the back. Ten Hag also wants to progress to using his goalkeeper Andre Onana in the build-up, and Andre would allow the boss to implement that philosophy, as he is used to playing one touch in his own box. His calmness in possession, ability to evade the press using his quick feet, and awareness are attributes that Casemiro cannot provide.
Andre Trindade with Fluminense teammates.
Andre’s defensive stats aren’t near Casemiro's – who averages 3.03 tackles per 90, for instance – but that is going to be the case when he plays for a side that dominates the ball in almost every game. However, his energy and ability to win duels in the middle of the park make up for that.
Overall, Andre would be an excellent signing for Man United, and he would improve their approach massively, focusing on ball retention and not always forcing the ball forward. The 22-year-old has plenty of room to develop, so the Red Devils would be buying a future gem, not just a player who could improve the team now.
If it’s not United, whoever signs up Andre will be getting themselves a bargain.
Unlike last season, Arsenal are not sitting top of the Premier League table by late November. However, Mikel Arteta's men are still just one point behind the golden spot this term, with two-thirds of the season left to play.
Arteta looked to strengthen his midfield department during the summer to avoid last season's collapse once more, bringing Declan Rice and Kai Havertz to the club for a combined total of £170m, but arguably the weakest component of the Gunners' side is the number 'nine' position.
Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah have led the line this season, but neither has been a prolific goalscorer throughout their respective careers. Nevertheless, there is still one more option that Arteta could try before the January transfer window opens to save some money.
Arsenal's centre-forward option
Having picked up a devastating knee injury at the World Cup last season, Jesus spent a number of months sidelined. It was suggested by journalist Dean Jones that Gabriel Martinelli should get the nod to play down the middle, having had a fantastic campaign off the left. The Brazilian has played up top 16 times before in his professional career and scored nine goals in all competitions.
Last season, Martinelli proved to Arteta that he is one of Arsenal's major goal threats, having scored 16 goals in 36 Premier League appearances, leading journalist Mark Mann-Bryans to label the winger as a "monster" for some of his displays in a red and white shirt. Martinelli was also handed a new deal for his excellent performances worth £180k-per-week.
Nevertheless, with Jesus still absent with an injury and Nketiah recovering from a slight knock, Arteta opted to deploy Leandro Trossard as Arsenal's striker against Burnley and Sevilla and the Belgian scored against the former. The Spanish coach also has Havertz as an option to play as a false 'nine' but the German featured at left-back on Saturday night for his national team in a 3-2 defeat at home to Turkey, scoring within five minutes, and may have found a new role for himself in the process.
Regardless, Trossard and Havertz don't possess the natural goalscoring instinct that Martinelli does, as the duo have bagged just eight goals in total since joining the club.
Gabriel Martinelli's stats this season
Jesus has scored four goals this season for Arsenal while Nketiah has registered one more than his Brazilian counterpart. The pair are being outscored by Trossard who has found the net six times and is the Gunners' joint-top scorer in the current campaign alongside Bukayo Saka. Despite being out-and-out centre-forwards, neither Jesus nor Nketiah have proven themselves to be consistent goalscorers under Arteta.
Meanwhile, Martinelli has turned into one of Europe's great wingers. Statistically, the 22-year-old stands out from the crowd when compared to all wide players from Europe's top-five leagues. Martinelli is in the top 9% for non-penalty goals per 90 and the top 11% for non-penalty expected goals per 90. Additionally, the Arsenal star ranks in the top 2% for touches in the opposition's penalty area per 90 as well as the top 5% for progressive passes received per 90.
According to FBref's player comparison model, Martinelli's data is most comparable to Vinicius Jr., Saka, Raheem Sterling, and even Mohamed Salah. Arsenal's number eleven may not reach Erling Haaland-numbers for goals but is currently outperforming Jesus and Nketiah on a host of key attacking metrics this season and should be given an opportunity by Arteta to showcase his talents up top.
Goals
0.13
0.25
0.59
Shots
2.13
2.5
2.94
Goals per shot
0.06
0.1
0.2
Shots on target
1
0.74
0.82
xG
0.14
0.44
0.36
Touches in opposition's box
7.88
6
6
Key passes
2.13
1
0.71
Progressive passes received
15.1
6.75
5.29
Assists
0.25
0
0
Stats via FBref
Martinelli is scoring at a lesser rate than Jesus and Nketiah because it's difficult to have quality chances when cutting in from the left due to the angle of the shot. However, the Brazilian is creating more opportunities and isn't lagging too far behind on goalscoring metrics.
With that in mind, Arteta should give Martinelli a shot up top to showcase what he can do in the absence of Jesus.
Stats preview of the second Test between South Africa and Australia to be played in Durban
Siddhartha Talya05-Mar-2009South Africa failed to repeat their Perth heroics in Johannesburg and were beaten comprehensively, but Australia will be aware that the home team has had the experience, quite recently, of bouncing back from being 1-0 down to win a three-Test series. India beat them for the first time in South Africa at the Wanderers in 2006-07 but lost the next two Tests in Durban and Capetown. West Indies caused a massive upset the following year in Port Elizabeth, but the hosts again recovered to take the rubber 2-1 with convincing wins in the subsequent games. South Africa will bank on their excellent record in Durban – since readmission, they’ve won eight Tests and lost two – but they’ll know that their only defeat at the venue in the last nine years came at the hands of Australia in March 2006.
Tests in Durban
PlayedWonLostDrawnW/L ratioSouth Africa (overall)35139131.44Australia (overall)94321.33South Africa (since readmission)168264Australia (since 1991)31111Jacques Kallis has been the most successful among South Africa’s batsmen in the current squad at Kingsmead – he’s 69 shy of reaching 1000 runs at the venue – with four centuries, all consecutive, in five Tests since 2002. In six Tests before that, he had only managed two fifties. The others, though, have mixed records. Graeme Smith averages a modest 31.81 in seven Tests but struck form at the ground with a half-century against India in 2006, and followed that up with an aggressive 147 against West Indies the next year, setting up an innings win. Mark Boucher is next in the list with 30.38 in 10 Tests, but AB de Villiers has impressive figures, averaging 64.20 with a century and two fifties in four Tests. Neil McKenzie and Hashim Amla have struggled in Durban, managing just one half-century between them in 11 innings.
SA batsmen in Durban (minimum of three Tests)
BatsmanTestsRunsAverage50/100AB de Villiers432164.202/1Jacques Kallis1193158.183/4Graeme Smith735031.811/1Mark Boucher1039530.384/1Neil McKenzie410717.830/0Hashim Amla37114.201/0Among the Australians in the squad, Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey are the only two to have played a Test at Kingsmead. Ponting has performed splendidly at the venue, averaging 85.50 in two Tests, including a century in each innings in his team’s 112-run win in 2006. In the same Test, and in his only innings in Durban, Hussey made 75.Makhaya Ntini has done well in Durban, averaging 24.62 – his career average is 28.17 – in eight Tests, and taking a wicket in each of his 16 innings. He took eight in the win over India in 2006 to turn the tide in favour of South Africa in the series after they had lost the first Test. On the other hand, Kallis has managed just 15 wickets in 11 Tests at an average of 37.80; he concedes 30.97 runs per wicket overall. Dale Steyn has played just two Tests at the venue, capturing ten wickets – including 6 for 72 against West Indies last year – at 23.80 apiece.Though pace bowlers have taken far more wickets at Kingsmead since 2000, spinners have a better average. South Africa, however, did not play a specialist spinner in their last two Tests in Durban and have relied primarily on pace throughout, but with Paul Harris bowling well, their approach this time might be different.Since 2000, spinners have done well in the first and the fourth innings, averaging 29.37 and 28.72 respectively. For South Africa, they have been relatively disappointing with 17 wickets in over eight years at 39.41 apiece as opposed to the fast bowlers’ 26.50. Overseas spinners have done considerably better, capturing 39 wickets at 26.48, including a matchwinning effort from Shane Warne in early 2006. For Australia, Michael Clarke could be given extended spells.
Pace and Spin in Durban
OversRunsWicketsAverageRuns-per-over5W/10WPace since 20001991.2658019433.913.306/0Spin since 2000565.117035630.413.013/1Pace for SA since 20001090333912626.503.064/0Spin for SA since 2000212.46701739.413.150/0Teams have preferred to field first – they’ve done so in five out of eight occasions – in Durban since 2000, and have won each time. The three times teams have opted to bat first, they’ve won twice and drawn once. Over the last nine years, the pitch has tended to favour the bowlers in the first innings and ease significantly in the second, third and fourth innings.