Over the space of 24 hours, Arsenal’s chances of winning the Premier League have taken a huge boost. It’s funny how quickly football changes, isn’t it?

The Gunners have been dealt two bitter blows in their bid to win silverware across their previous two matches, losing in the Carabao Cup to Newcastle and then in the FA Cup to Manchester United.

However, after Liverpool drew 1-1 with Nottingham Forest on Tuesday, Mikel Arteta’s men managed to close the gap to four points at the summit by defeating their arch-rivals, Tottenham, 2-1 on Wednesday.

It wasn’t a vintage performance but it was enough and, positively, Arsenal are beginning to find solutions in the final third.

Over the last three games, the Gunners have created an xG tally of 7.78. Whereas in the few games before that they struggled to create at all, they are at least now coming up with chances. They’re just finding it difficult to find the back of the net.

Any chance of a new forward this month, Arteta? For a moment, however, let’s focus on the positives.

Arsenal's best players against Tottenham

Since Bukayo Saka’s fateful hamstring injury, the club have needed players to step up.

It’s been a challenge finding someone to replace him and they have now tried five different players; Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Jesus, Ethan Nwaneri and Raheem Sterling on the right since Saka was ruled out.

All of them bar Sterling have scored – so you could say they have stepped up – but you’d still want more from your forward line.

One player who really needs to do more is Martin Odegaard. Thankfully, the Norwegian might be slowly creeping towards his best form again.

Performance in Numbers

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The club captain registered a whopping ten key passes in the FA Cup defeat to Man United a few days ago and dictated play beautifully again on Wednesday in the derby, registering four key passes and supplying the assist for Trossard’s winner.

Speaking of Trossard, it was about time the Belgian did something. He has struggled for form, notably not scoring in seven straight league outings before the visit of Ange Postecoglou’s side.

His goal was brilliantly taken, though, fashioning an opportunity onto his left foot before firing past new Spurs goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky.

Another to shine was 18-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly, the first 18-year-old to start for Arsenal in a north London derby since a certain Cesc Fabregas.

The teenager was calmness personified at left-back, completing 94% of his passes and winning four of his five duels. He only lost possession five times from 46 touches too. He really is making that position his own and looks every bit a senior player already.

Sadly, not everyone caught the eye.

Arsenal's poorest performers against Tottenham

One man who appears to be struggling for confidence right now is Kai Havertz who just can’t seem to find the back of the net.

Against Newcastle a week ago, the German missed a gilt-edged headed chance from just yards out before he spurned a succession of opportunities last Sunday, most alarmingly firing over the bar with the goal at his mercy.

Havertz struggled again this time, missing two big chances including a free header inside the area.

The goals will no doubt flow again for the former Chelsea man but his last three performances have summed up why Arsenal have reportedly considered signing a player like Benjamin Sesko.

Another underperformer was midfielder Thomas Partey, a player who showed why the Gunners are allegedly closing in on the signing of Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi.

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Considering his average performance it was perhaps a surprise to see the Ghanaian last the full 90 minutes at the Emirates Stadium.

While the midfielder completed 91% of his passes and won five of his eight duels, had the player tracked back in the build-up to Spurs’ goal, they may have kept a clean sheet.

Indeed, Partey let Pape Matar Sarr run down the right-hand side of the pitch under no pressure, with Tottenham eventually forcing a corner that wasn’t cleared properly and then Heung-min Son finding the net.

It was a moment in the game that drew mass criticism with The Athletic’s Aaron Catterson-Reid commenting that “Partey is a ghost in transition” while Sky Sports’ Dougie Critchley noted that “his lack of effort is shocking”.

So, while Partey cost £45m when he first penned terms with Arsenal, he shouldn’t be fetching a single penny over the summer with his contract due to expire.

It’s time for Arteta to replace him. Zubimendi, we’re waiting for you.

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New Zealand have included Kyle Jamieson and Will Young in the NZ XI squad to face England in a two-day pink-ball warm-up match at Seddon Park later this week.Jamieson has not played international cricket since suffering a back injury on the tour of England last year, and the fixture will provide an opportunity to build match fitness ahead of an expected Test return. Young’s last Test appearance also came in England, with Devon Conway preferred at opener in Pakistan over Christmas.The squad includes Tom Bruce, who has played 17 T20Is for New Zealand and will captain the side, as well as New Zealand A players Robbie O’Donnell and Sean Solia. Jacob Cumming, the 19-year-old son of former Test batter Craig Cumming, could also play a part.Related

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“This is a great opportunity for the NZ XI players, from younger emerging players through to established domestic players, to experience playing against quality international opposition,” Gavin Larsen, New Zealand selector, said. “And it’s another important step for Kyle as he looks to get more quality overs under his belt before the England Test series begins.”England are due to arrive in Hamilton on Tuesday ahead of the two-day warm-up fixture as they step up their preparations for the two-Test series, which begins with a day-night Test in Mount Maunganui starting on February 16.New Zealand XI squad: Tom Bruce (capt), Adi Ashok, Jacob Cumming, Sean Davey, Curtis Heaphy (wk), Kyle Jamieson, Jarrod McKay, Robbie O’Donnell, Will O’Donnell, Quinn Sunde, Sean Solia, Theo van Woerkom, Will Young

Their 98 and 74 respectively lead hosts to record-breaking total of 218 for 3 against Storm

ECB Reporters Network19-May-2023Brutal innings of 98 and 74 from Lauren Winfield-Hill and Hollie Armitage led the Northern Diamonds to a record-breaking total of 218 for 3 in a landslide Charlotte Edwards Cup victory by 32 runs over Western Storm at Headingley.Never before in two years of regional cricket had a team posted more than the 186 for 1 Thunder scored against Sunrisers at Emirates Old Trafford in 2021, and the Diamonds sailed beyond that mark inside only 17 overs under the floodlights.They took advantage of a short boundary towards the Western Terrace side of the ground and a fast outfield, though captain Armitage hoisted five of her six sixes to the longer leg-side boundary in a 36-ball assault. Winfield-Hill batted with more poise, hitting 21 boundaries in 56 balls.The Storm, minus England captain Heather Knight – she was absent despite being named in the match-day squad, were spirited in response as they totalled 186 for 8. But no one could support opener Danielle Gibson’s 52 off 30 balls as debutant seamer Grace Hall, Lizzie Scott, Katie Levick and Abi Glen all struck twice.After inviting the Diamonds to bat in excellent batting conditions, the writing was on the wall for the Storm pretty quickly as Winfield-Hill took Lauren Filer’s seam for four fours in as many balls in the second over, moving the score to 21 without loss.That was the first of 13 double-figure overs, including eight in a row from the start of the 10th over and two of them over 20.Ireland all-rounder Orla Prendergast was the pick of the visiting bowlers as her seam returned 1 for 32 from four overs, with Armitage caught at deep midwicket late on.But the Storm, despite only conceding six extras, were unable to gain any control, and their ground fielding became increasingly ragged as the pressure increased.Winfield-Hill dominated a 58-run opening stand with Leah Dobson (25) before sharing 139 inside 12 overs for the second wicket with Armitage.Both Winfield-Hill, the beneficiary of a missed stumping chance on 49 as wicketkeeper Nat Wraith fumbled the ball, and Armitage posted their career-best scores in all T20 cricket.There is an argument to suggest that Armitage’s innings was the better of the two given Winfield-Hill was able to ride the wave after a good start in the powerplay. Armitage had to do all her work with the field set back.Unfortunately for the former, she fell agonisingly short of a maiden T20 century when holing out to deep midwicket off Chloe Skelton’s off-spin.In the opening six overs of the chase, Storm kept themselves up with the rate with 66 on the board, though new ball seamer Scott had struck twice to get rid of Wraith – well caught at deep midwicket by a diving Dobson – and Prendergast caught behind.That was always going to be the problem for Storm, keeping wickets in hand, and they weren’t able to do it despite the Diamonds not being at their best with the ball.Former England batter Fran Wilson was trapped lbw for 16 reverse sweeping at leg-spinner Levick’s fifth ball. Captain Sophie Luff skewed Levick to backward point shortly afterwards before the game-breaker came when Hall had Gibson brilliantly caught on the run by Chloe Tryon at long-on. At 121 for 5 after 13 overs, it was all but game over.Gibson had been strong through cover and midwicket to give her side a glimmer of hope. But it was extinguished with almost 100 runs still required.Alex Griffiths and Filer shared a consolatory 43 for the sixth wicket in entertaining fashion, with the former hitting two sixes in 31. But both fell to Glen and Hall in the closing overs.

Bayern Munich are keen on signing a £50 million+ Chelsea star this month, but the Blues don’t want to lose him, according to a new report.

Chelsea transfer news

This month could be a busy period for the Blues and Enzo Maresca, as injuries to the heart of their defence have left the manager short on options. Speaking after the game against Palace, Maresca spoke about possibly signing a new defender. He said: “Probably with Wes and Benoit injuries, we will see if something is going to happen [in the transfer market].”

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As well as a possible arrival, there is also the likelihood that a few players leave Stamford Bridge this month, as they have fallen out of favour under Maresca. Left-back Ben Chilwell is now ‘certain’ to leave Chelsea in this transfer window. The defender has failed to make any matchday squad in the league this season, and therefore, he is likely to leave either on loan or permanently.

Carney Chukwuemeka could also leave the club this month, as West Ham are interested in signing Chukwuemeka. The Blues are willing to let the midfielder leave this month and are looking to get around £40 million. Aston Villa are also interested in re-signing the player, but Chelsea may have to reconsider their price tag if they are to sell the midfielder this month.

Bayern Munich keen to sign £50m+ Chelsea star this month

Chilwell and Chukwuemeka are not the only Chelsea players being linked with an exit, as according to TBR Football, Bayern Munich are keen on signing Christopher Nkunku this month.

Nkunku joined the Blues in the summer of 2023, and it has been a frustrating transfer for the forward so far, as last season he missed a large chunk of the campaign through injury, and then in this 2024/25 season, he has been in and out of the side under Maresca.

The 27-year-old has started three of the 18 Premier League games he’s played this season, and given his situation, Bayern Munich are now ready to make a move for him in this transfer window. TBR Football states that Nkunku is a player that Chelsea don’t want to lose this month, however, the club know they can’t keep a player who is unhappy so may be forced to accept a ‘good money’ bid.

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Nkunku, who cost Chelsea £52 million in 2023, is not desperate to leave Stamford Bridge this month, but he is frustrated by his situation under Maresca. Bayern Munich are not alone in their pursuit of the forward, as Atletico Madrid and PSG are also keen on signing the France international. Nkunku is under contract until 2029, so Chelsea are in no rush to sell the player, but if a departure was to happen, they are expected to want their £50m+ back if not more.

Plays of the day from the third ODI between England and Australia

George Dobell at Old Trafford08-Sep-2015Delivery of the day
This game was billed, in part at least, as a peek into the future for Australian cricket. The three young fast bowlers, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and James Pattinson, had never played an international game together and should have provided some encouragement. All three bowled in excess of 90mph at times and suggested that, if they do feature in the next Ashes series, England’s batsmen could face a torrid time. Perhaps the highlight came when Cummins, bowling as quickly as 96mph, tested Eoin Morgan with a series of short balls that had the England captain looking extremely uncomfortable. Perhaps the best of them, a 91mph delivery reaching Morgan at about chin height, resulted in an involuntary flinch from the batsman who, having taken his eyes off the ball, was fortune that it hit his gloves and went safely to ground.Shot of the day
Aaron Finch is not, supposedly, in the best of form. After an injury-aborted IPL, he has struggled for form and fitness in an injury-interrupted spell with Yorkshire. But here, with little lateral movement to concern him, he looked a high-class player. The highlight of his half-century was a back-foot force off a good-length delivery from Liam Plunkett that sped back past the bowler to the boundary.Miss of the day
Matthew Wade enjoyed a good return to the side in the first game of the series in Southampton. But there were never too many doubts about his batting; it was more his keeping that caused concerns. Here they resurfaced when, presented with a regulation stumping – by the high standards of international cricket – he was unable to cling on to the ball and Morgan, on 15 at the time, survived. Not only was it a reminder that Wade’s keeping remains a work in progress but it was scant reward for a fine piece of bowling by Ashton Agar. Morgan went on to make 62.Reprieve of the day
James Taylor was on 41 when he missed an attempt to turn a delivery from Glenn Maxwell into the leg side. The bowler appealed but his captain, Steven Smith, did not call for a review and Taylor survived. Replays subsequently suggested that, had Smith done so, Taylor would have been given out leg before. Taylor went on to top score and record his maiden international century.Catch of the day
Long gone is the time when fast bowlers would be sent to graze in the outfield, with the likes of Trent Boult, Chris Jordan and Mitchell Johnson making a habit of taking great catches. Here it was Steven Finn, fielding at a fairly short midwicket, who dived at full stretch to his right to cling on to a ball clipped off the toes by Smith off Adil Rashid’s bowling. It was a brilliant catch and an important moment in a game England had to win to keep the series alive.Obstruction of the day
With memories of Stokesgate – as nobody is calling it – at Lord’s fresh in the mind, it didn’t take the crowd long to remind the Australia side of their feelings on the matter. After Taylor called Morgan for a quick single, Maxwell’s throw from backward point quite accidently hit Morgan as he scurried home the other side of the stumps. It saw sections of the crowd howling ironic appeals for obstructing the field but, with Maxwell quickly apologising, there were smiles all round on the pitch.

Jose Mourinho is reportedly 'close' to replacing Roberto Martinez as Portugal manager in a shock move that could reunite him with Cristiano Ronaldo.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Mourinho 'close' to Portugal jobSet to replace MartinezCurrently under contract at FenerbahceFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The Fenerbahce boss has been lined up by the Portuguese federation, report CNN, who claim he will likely land the job this summer. It would see Mourinho reunite with Cristiano Ronaldo, who he managed for three seasons at Real Madrid between 2010-13.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Coaching Ronaldo is said not to be an issue for Mourinho, despite the tension between the two from their time together at Real. Taking over now would allow Mourinho a year with the national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup in North America.

DID YOU KNOW?

Portugal's progression to the Nations League semi-finals in June is said not to have disrupted the talks with Mourinho. Martinez is set to take charge of that match – plus either the third-place play-off or final that follows – but the decision has supposedly been made to make the change afterwards.

Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR MOURINHO?

For now, Mourinho is focusing on Fenerbahce's bid to win the Turkish Super Lig. They sit three points behind Galatasaray with seven matches remaining.

MatériaMais Notícias

da jogodeouro： Na derrota sofrida pelo Athletico-PR diante do Corinthians, novamente a bola aérea defensiva foi notada como ponto a ser trabalhado pelo lado do Furacão, algo que é traduzido em números gerais da campanha no Campeonato Brasileiro.

RelacionadasBrasileirãoVÍDEO: os melhores momentos da vitória do Corinthians sobre o Athletico pelo BrasileirãoBrasileirão08/10/2022FlamengoFlamengo x Athletico: Conmebol avalia vender camarotes para final da Libertadores, em GuayaquilFlamengo06/10/2022Futebol NacionalUmbro lança camisas especiais para Athletico, Avaí, Chape, Fluminense, Grêmio, Santos e Sport; veja fotosFutebol Nacional03/10/2022

da dobrowin： >Neymar x Mbappé: jornal revela mais bastidores do vestiário do PSG

Dos 36 tentos que a defesa do Athletico sofreu no torneio, 23 deles surgiram através de jogadas aéreas dos seus adversários, significando 68% dos tentos tomados.

Além de dar o devido mérito ao adversário, o técnico Luiz Felipe Scolari falou abertamente sobre sua avaliação dos dois gols marcados pelo time paulista na primeira etapa onde, no primeiro deles, reconhece que houve um erro de posicionamento que precisa ser consertado:

-Tomamos o (primeiro) gol em um posicionamento errado, que precisamos que corrigir. Nós erramos nos dois lances. Permitimos ao Corinthians, a qualidade que tiveram no primeiro tempo. No segundo tempo, acredito que fomos melhores. Tivemos o nosso gol, outras situações, mas eles (Corinthians) se portaram muito bem.

Fato é que, com a ausência de compromissos no meio de semana, o rubro-negro terá bastante tempo de reabilitação e realização das devidas correções que serão postas à prova, logo na sequência em um teste considerável. Isso porque, no domingo (16), a equipe fará o clássico com o Coritiba, às 19h (de Brasília), na Arena da Baixada.

It is learnt that USA Cricket has approved MLC as well as Minor League Cricket, meaning both events can go ahead as planned

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Apr-2023

The MLC Draft took place last month•Peter Della Penna

The ICC has given official sanction to Major League Cricket (MLC), the USA’s big leap into the world of T20 leagues, removing a significant obstacle to the league launching in July this year. A long-simmering dispute between the league’s organisers and USA Cricket, the country’s official cricket administrative body, had threatened to disrupt the league starting this year.However, USA Cricket announced on Thursday night in a brief statement that it has approved MLC as well as Minor League Cricket (MiLC), meaning that both events can go ahead as planned. Crucially, it means that ICC members are now free to issue NOCs (No Objection Certificates) to any of their players picked by MLC sides to participate in the league.”Over the past few months, we have worked diligently with Ace [American Cricket Enterprises, the parent body of MLC and MILC] to ensure that the MLC and MiLC are positioned well to support the growth of cricket in the United States,” said USA Cricket in a press release.USA Cricket had previously given sanction to MiLC, for both the 2021 and 2022 seasons, but soon after the MLC’s player draft, the ICC’s operations department sent a communication to members flagging the issue for overseas players wishing to play in both competitions. “Members may be aware of the following two events that are proposed to be played in the USA,” the ICC had said of the events, both administered by ACE, which signed a 50-year commercial rights agreement with USA Cricket in 2019.Related

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“Applications for sanction have been submitted to USA Cricket, but these events have not yet been sanctioned by USA Cricket. Consequently, without a sanction from the host member, both events are currently deemed to be Disapproved Cricket and as such, Members should not issue NOCs to their players to participate in either event.”The draft, held on March 19 at the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, saw stars such as Aaron Finch, Marcus Stoinis and Quinton de Kock sign for teams in the league. In total six teams will play in the 18-day event in Texas that starts from July 13 – as with several other leagues, some of the franchises are owned by owners of IPL franchises.”Last month’s historic MLC Domestic Player Draft in Houston generated incredible momentum for the inaugural Major League Cricket season this summer,” MLC tournament director Justin Geale told ESPNcricinfo following the confirmation that USA Cricket had given sanctioning approval to MLC. “Our six MLC teams will each be announcing a number of marquee international player signings in the coming weeks that will generate more excitement, and we will be sharing news on the schedule, ticket sales and broadcast details soon.”We’re now just three months away from many of the world’s best players taking the field in Texas at an outstanding new cricket venue in Grand Prairie. We can’t wait to bring the American cricket community together there and launch this ground breaking competition.”The dispute between USA Cricket and ACE which caused the delay in sanctioning MLC and MiLC stems from the original short-form agreement the two signed in 2019. In that agreement, ACE keeps 95% of all gross revenues generated by MLC while USA Cricket receives the remaining 5%, but USA Cricket has wanted to revise that for more favourable terms, before a long-form agreement is signed. USA Cricket reiterated that sentiment in Thursday’s press release.”We look forward to working with Ace to provide governance of the tournaments,” stated USA Cricket in the press release. “Finally, we will review our commercial relationship with Ace over the next few months.”

تحدث خالد عبد الفتاح، المنضم حديثًا إلى نادي سيراميكا كليوباترا، عن سبب اختياره الانتقال إلى الفريق بعد الرحيل عن صفوف الأهلي.

وأعلن نادي سيراميكا كليوباتر، التعاقد مع لاعب الأهلي خالد عبد الفتاح، في فترة الانتقالات الصيفية الحالية، اليوم الأحد.

وقال عبد الفتاح خلال تصريحات عبر المركز الإعلامي لنادي سيراميكا: “لم أتردد في قبول عرض سيراميكا كليوباترا بمجرد التفاوض معي”.

طالع | “كان لدي هدف واحد”.. خالد عبد الفتاح يودع جماهير الأهلي برسالة خاصة بعد الرحيل لـ سيراميكا

وأضاف: “نادي سيراميكا كليوباترا يملك كل المقومات التي تجعله بطلًا، وهو بالفعل فريق بطل ومُعتاد على منصات التتويج، وسبق أن حصد كأس عاصمة مصر 3 مواسم متتالية”.

وتابع: “لمست حرص المسؤولين في نادي سيراميكا كليوباترا على التعاقد معي، وهو ما جعلني أشعر بالارتياح للتواجد داخل المنظومة الخاصة بالنادي”.

وأتم: “هناك حالة من التركيز الكبير في التدريبات من جانب اللاعبين والجهاز الفني بقيادة الكابتن علي ماهر، متحمس للغاية لتجربته مع سيراميكا كليوباترا، متمنيًا أن أساهم في تحقيق الأهداف المرجوة”.

وتعاقد نادي سيراميكا كليوباترا، مع 3 صفقات جديدة في انتقالات الصيف الحالي، كريم الدبيس وخالد عبد الفتاح من الأهلي ومحمد مغربي مدافع الاتحاد السكندري.

da pinup bet： Leeds United took a closer look at a “pacey” wide player over the weekend as they eye new arrivals in January, according to a new report.

Leeds transfer news

da realsbet： It has been a quiet January transfer window for the Whites so far, which may not be a surprise given they are top of the Championship and into the fourth round of the FA Cup. But that doesn’t mean in the remaining two weeks of the window that Leeds won’t conduct any transfer business.

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It’s been reported that the Yorkshire side are looking to sign a new goalkeeper following mistakes that Illan Meslier has made this season, despite Daniel Farke’s public backing of the Frenchman.

As well as looking to sign a new keeper, the Championship side are in the market for a new striker and have renewed their interest in Mergim Berisha. Leeds have also been linked with a move to sign Emmanuel Latte Lath from Middlesbrough, but that deal looks to be more difficult now, as MLS side Atlanta have made an offer worth £20 million to sign the striker.

Farke may be pushing the club’s hierarchy for a new striker even more now too, as Joe Gelhardt closes in on a move to Hull City. The Whites have sanctioned his temporary departure, but that could mean Leeds now enter the market for his replacement, despite the fact that Gelhardt has hardly featured in this campaign.

Leeds send scouts to watch "pacey" wing back as Farke eyes reunion

But it isn’t just a new goalkeeper and striker that the Whites are looking at, as according to LeedsUnitedNews, Leeds are taking a look at Bali Mumba of Plymouth Argyle and had scouts in attendance to watch him against Brentford on Saturday.

The 23-year-old full back, who can also play further up as a winger, first joined the Pilgrims on loan in the 2022/23 season from Norwich City. After scoring six goals and registering seven assists as Plymouth won promotion to the Championship, they secured the permanent transfer of Mumba.

Mumba has been an important player for Plymouth in the Championship, scoring three goals last season as they beat the drop. He has continued to impress this season, so much so that Leeds had scouts watching his performance in Plymouth’s shock 1-0 win over Brentford in the FA Cup, as they look at options to improve their defence.

Bali Mumba’s Championship record

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The Whites are keeping a close eye on Mumba and are considering making a move for him in what remains of this transfer window, but it is unclear how much he could cost, as he is under contract until 2027. Farke is fully aware of what Mumba can bring, as he had the player at Norwich City, and he was the one who gave him his Premier League and Carabao Cup debut, labelling the defender “pacey” back in 2021.

Farke said: “Actually, I was quite pleased because we wanted to use a bit more of a pacy full-back on our side, and that is why we gave Bali (Mumba) his debut.”