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Former Chelsea playmaker Oscar has bid an emotional farewell to Shanghai Port after spending eight years at the Chinese Super League club.

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• Shocked world by moving to China
• Outstayed league's fellow stars
• Eight-year spell comes to end

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Brazilian's 2017 transfer to China came as a huge surprise to fans across Europe and South America, with many people deriding Oscar for moving to a far lower-standard league at the peak of his career. The 33-year-old has committed firmly to life in the Chinese top flight and only recently announced he would be leaving Shanghai Port, having raked in a staggering £175m in wages over the last eight years. Now a club legend, he broke down in tears after local fans chanted for him to stay at the club following his last game.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Oscar's career has been truly unique. The attacking midfielder shone for Chelsea in the mid-2010s, winning two league titles, the Europa League and the League Cup and proving a key creative force for Brazil at the 2014 World Cup. But his £60m transfer to Shanghai Port – completed in 2017 at the height of the Chinese Super League's spending power – effectively ended his international career, and while he has won several trophies and earned staggering sums of money for his family whilst playing in China, he sacrificed the respect of many fans and pundits around the world.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  During his eight-year spell in China, Oscar made 248 appearances for Shanghai Port and scored an impressive 77 goals in that time, registering 141 assists on top of that figure. He moved to China in the same year as John Obi Mikel, Odion Ighalo, Carlos Tevez, and Alexandre Pato, but ended up staying in the Super League far longer than any of his peers.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR OSCAR?

  Oscar may be leaving China, but it's not yet clear whether this is the end of his playing career. According to China Daily, the 33-year-old loves Shanghai, "but it's just too far away from home for us. We can't stay here forever." He added: "My mom is getting older, my sisters are having babies. We want to be closer to home." The indication is that a move to Brazil, or at least South America, is on the cards, and his former club Internacional are reportedly keen, with manager Eduardo Coudet saying: "I want to bring in Oscar."

Consistency is still proving to be elusive for the Red Devils, with a number of players guilty of not meeting the new manager's standards

“A lot of it is mental. You can feel not just the players, also the fans, everybody’s so anxious. Everybody’s tired of this moment." Ruben Amorim certainly looked a tired man at his press conference, which was briefly interrupted by a leak in the media room ceiling at Old Trafford, after Manchester United's dismal 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth on Sunday.

That result left United in the bottom half of the Premier League table at Christmas for the first time ever, with Amorim's revolution still yet to properly get off the ground. United are controlling games now – they bossed possession against Bournemouth and had 23 shots to the visitors' 10 – but the Red Devils cannot build any momentum because of a lack of cutting-edge up front and constant mistakes at the back.

Amorim has recorded four losses, one draw and just four wins from his first nine games at the helm, which is obviously not good enough. United are out of the Carabao Cup and it will take a miracle for them to finish in the top four come May. But most of the blame must be laid at the players' door, not Amorim's.

There is a select group, in particular, that keeps letting the Portuguese tactician down. Some are simply not good enough for United, while others have become far too complacent, and they are all responsible for fuelling the anxiety Amorim can sense around Old Trafford. GOAL takes a look at United's sluggish six:

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  Diogo Dalot

  Amorim has been forced to ask a lot of Diogo Dalot. With the injury-ravaged Luke Shaw still unavailable, Dalot has switched between left and right wing-back from game to game, tasked with getting up and down the pitch non-stop in Amorim's physically demanding 3-4-3 system.

  Dalot's work-rate cannot be questioned, and he's putting in the hard yards with no complaints. But his quality can. The Portugal international's final ball is erratic at best, which explains why he's only notched one Premier League assist this season, and he's an easy target for opponents in defence.

  In one-on-one situations, Dalot gives wingers way too much space to manoeuvre and he's often caught out of position when the ball is knocked in behind. No amount of coaching from Amorim can fix these weaknesses; Dalot has been a liability for United because of his low footballing IQ ever since his arrival from Porto in 2018, and should be among those to be ushered toward the exits next summer.

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  Joshua Zirkzee

  United paid £36 million ($45m) to bring Joshua Zirkzee to Old Trafford from Bologna, where he was compared to Ronaldinho by former manager Thiago Motta. Erik ten Hag thought he was getting an accomplished link-man who could complete United's attack, but Zirkzee's first few months in the Premier League have been a disaster, with Amorim also yet to bring the best out of him.

  The Netherlands international just hasn't been able to get to grips with the intensity of English football. He's not aggressive enough on or off the ball, and misses too many easy chances. Some games completely pass Zirkzee by, including the Bournemouth loss, which saw him record only 19 touches before being hooked in the 54th minute. Even when he does find himself in space, his execution often lets him down, and he lacks the personality to take games by the scruff of the neck.

  Zirkzee hasn't done enough to justify United's sizeable investment in his talent, and it has been reported that they could loan the 23-year-old out in January, which would confirm his place on the club's ever-growing list of major flop signings. One things for sure: no one will be mentioning Zirkzee in the same breath as Ronaldinho again any time soon.

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  Antony

  Antony's inclusion on this list might seem harsh to some. After all, the Brazil international has only started two games game under Amorim so far, with the former Sporting CP boss preferring Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui on the right flank.

  But that doesn't excuse how bad Antony continues to look in a United shirt. He completely blew his latest chance to show his worth after being deployed in United's front three against Tottenham in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, losing the ball 11 times and coming off second-best in nine of his 13 ground duels. Amorim substituted the Brazil international before the hour mark, but the damage had already been done as Spurs raced into a 3-0 lead.

  Antony doesn't offer anything going forward or in defence, resembling a headless chicken when trying to dribble past his marker or win the ball back. Most 24-year-olds playing at top clubs have at least a few useful attributes, but Antony is completely inept, and United must look to cut their losses on the £85m ($107m) winger as soon as the January transfer window opens.

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  Andre Onana

  Andre Onana was staking a strong claim to be United's most-improved player in the first four months of the season. The former Inter goalkeeper seemed to have cut out the errors that overshadowed his debut year at Old Trafford and he was pulling off some superhuman saves, most notably in Amorim's first game against Ipswich, as his heroics ensured that United left Portman Road with an undeserved draw.

  But the resurgence hasn't lasted. Onana was truly awful in the Red Devils' home defeat to Nottingham Forest on December 7, letting a tame Morgan Gibbs-White shot slip past him before watching a Chris Wood header slowly bounce into his far corner. Five days later, his hospital pass out from the back gifted Viktoria Plzen the lead in a Europa League clash that ended up being far more dramatic than it needed to be.

  United have also conceded seven goals from set-pieces in their past six games, and Onana's reluctance to venture more than two yards off his line is a big reason for that; the Cameroonian doesn't command his box like the best United 'keepers used to, which creates nervousness in the defence.

  David de Gea's final years at the club were miserable, but Onana has still yet to prove himself as an upgrade on the Spaniard.

Whilst it looked as though Arsenal were going to settle for Riccardo Calafiori and Mikel Merino, they're now reportedly ready to table a last-gasp offer to sign an attacking reinforcement in a repeat of their 2023 deal for Leandro Trossard.

Arsenal transfer news

Arsenal have once again operated with plenty of intelligence in the summer transfer window in what would have been a pleasant surprise for many fans not so long ago. The Gunners kicked off their window by signing Calafiori off the back of an excellent season with Bologna, helping the Italian club earn shock Champions League qualification, and now look set to add Merino to their ranks.

Strengthening both Mikel Arteta's midfield and backline, those in North London still have time to welcome an attacking addition to complete the perfect summer at The Emirates, with one Premier League star potentially arriving.

According to Football Transfers, Arsenal are now ready to make a last-gasp offer to sign Evan Ferguson from Brighton & Hove Albion alongside interest from title rivals Manchester City. However, the Gunners would reportedly prefer a loan deal, before a permanent switch next summer amid the forward's £70m price tag.

Havertz 2.0: Arsenal could sign the Premier League's fifth-highest earner

Could a surprise be on the cards at Arsenal before the deadline?

1

By
Matt Dawson

Aug 26, 2024

Just 19 years old, Ferguson is one who would take time to reach his best under Arteta, likely replacing the outgoing Eddie Nketiah rather than Gabriel Jesus, but the potential is there for all to see.

Of course, Arsenal have already benefitted from signing Brighton stars in the past, welcoming Trossard in January 2023 and watching the winger thrive under Arteta at The Emirates ever since, including when he bagged the opening goal in the 2-0 win at Aston Villa on Saturday.

"Incredible" Ferguson can finally solve Arteta's remaining problem

If you look around this current Arsenal side, it's easy to admire just how ready they are to go head-to-head with Pep Guardiola's winning machine for a third-consecutive campaign, but one problem remains.

Whilst Jesus is an excellent player, what he is not is an out-and-out goalscorer, as proved last season and as will likely become apparent in the current campaign. It's the one remaining criticism of Arteta's side and the one issue that Ferguson could arrive to solve for years to come.

A player who's already got a Premier League hat-trick to his name at 19 years old, the Irishman earned the praise of former Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi in May 2023. The manager said via The Irish Mirror: "Ferguson’s improvement has been incredible. He’s playing like an old player but he is only 18. There is a good dressing room with the mentality to help all our younger players.”

It's the type of improvement that would only keep coming at Arsenal too, as we've seen with players like Trossard, William Saliba and Kai Havertz. That said, with just a matter of days left until the summer transfer window slams shut, it remains to be seen whether the Gunners can strike a deal with Brighton.

Newcastle United have rapidly transformed into one of the teams to fear in the Premier League, largely down to the investment from the Saudi PIF.

They took over the Magpies from Mike Ashley back in 2021, splashing nearly £500m on new signings to try and push the club back towards the top end of the table.

Eddie Howe has been the man tasked with the challenge, leading the club to a top-four finish in 2022/23, before missing out on European football last season in what was an injury-hit campaign.

Signings such as Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon have been crucial in their recent success, with the duo forming an excellent partnership in attacking areas – registering 32 league goals between them last season alone.

However, one other new addition has found life on Tyneside more of a struggle, unable to make a huge impact after his big-money move to St James’ Park last summer.

Sandro Tonali’s time at Newcastle United

Midfielder Sandro Tonali has endured a difficult start to life as a Newcastle player over the past 12 months, only making 14 appearances for the club in all competitions.

The 24-year-old moved to England in a £55m deal from Serie A side AC Milan, but after scoring just six minutes into his debut against Aston Villa, he would fail to find the back of the net again after a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

The Italian was hit with a 10-month ban for breaking gambling rules during his time at Milan, with the midfielder only just making his return in the Carabao Cup victory over Nottingham Forest at the end of last month.

He still has a huge part to play under Howe on Tyneside, making his first league appearance since October last year during the 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur last weekend.

However, as a result of his absence, he’s seen his market value plummet, with Tonali now valued lower than one player who left Newcastle on the cheap numerous years ago.

Sandro Tonali’s market value in 2024

Striker Ivan Toney has gone on to achieve wonderful things in English football, but he could’ve been having those moments in a Newcastle shirt had the club not parted ways with the now 28-year-old back in 2018.

The Magpies sold the striker to League One side Peterborough United in a £500k deal – a price tag that looks to be a bargain given his recent goalscoring exploits.

Toney, who like Tonali, missed a large period of fixtures for breaking betting rules, scored 72 goals in 141 games for Brentford during his four-year stint in London.

His unbelievable record includes a campaign where he scored 31 Championship goals during the 2020/21 campaign, before hitting 20 Premier League goals a couple of years later – leading to boss Thomas Frank dubbing the Englishman as a "monster".

He subsequently left the Bees this summer in a £40m deal to join Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli – with his transfer fee higher than the market value of current Magpies star Tonali, who’s only valued at £32m as per Transfermarkt.

Given his recent form in front of goal along with his huge transfer fee, there must be some regret at Newcastle that they offloaded the striker too soon – with his talents in attacking areas undoubtedly aiding Howe’s side in 2024.

Whilst they received a sell-on fee after his move to Brentford, it wouldn’t compare to the fee the Bees received this summer, with the club having a howler by allowing a top-quality striker to depart at such a minimal fee.

Trippier 2.0: Newcastle have a 17 y/o who can follow in Miley's footsteps

Eddie Howe could replace his veteran right-back without spending a penny…

By
Angus Sinclair

Sep 6, 2024

Pep Guardiola's side have sunk to unknown depths, but next month they can solve a problem or two in the transfer market

Jordan Belfort in 'The Wolf of Wall Street' urged his employees to deal with their problems by becoming rich. Manchester City, however, are already rich – now they must solve their many problems by spending their money in the January transfer window.

City have been reluctant to make big moves in the winter in the past, with Aymeric Laporte in 2018 being the only major signing they have made in the mid-season window during Pep Guardiola's nine years in charge. Just two weeks ago, the coach was ambivalent about new arrivals and said what he wanted most of all was for his many injured players to return, but he has since changed his tune amid a relentless run of injuries and has declared that City will be active when the transfer market opens on January 1.

Who can blame them? City's season was derailed when Rodri tore his knee ligaments in September, and since then the injuries have kept coming and results have spiralled out of control. Only Brentford currently have more players unavailable than City, who were missing eight first-team regulars for their 1-1 draw with Everton on Boxing Day.

The injuries go some way to explaining why Guardiola is in the worst run of results in his 17-year career as a manager, but the coach is also paying a price for insisting on having a small squad and a quiet summer in which the club brought in just two players despite only narrowly winning the Premier League title.

Even forgetting the injuries, City's squad is in desperate need of a refresh as they are edging towards failing to finish in the Premier League's top four for the first time since 2010, as well as staring at a potentially humiliating exit from the Champions League league phase.

GOAL, then, sets out the key areas City must address when the transfer window opens…

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  Put Walker out of his misery

  Kyle Walker has become the face of City's hapless season. He has looked well past his physical peak and is making rash decisions in almost every game. Walker staged a remarkable renaissance in the last two seasons after being written off by Guardiola, but his decline now seems irreversible.

  A departure in the summer seems inevitable, but an exit in January would be favourable to all parties. There is reported interest in Walker from Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli, where he could link up with former City team-mate Riyad Mahrez, as well as old Premier League adversaries Roberto Firmino and Ivan Toney.

  Walker has expressed interest in returning to boyhood club Sheffield United, although that still seems like the last step he will take in his career rather than the next. Either way, City cannot afford to keep carrying him.

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  Make a buck on Ederson

  Ederson looked to be on his way out of City last summer before Guardiola pleaded with the goalkeeper to stay. He and the club's hierarchy might be regretting that decision, though, as the Brazilian has had another difficult campaign.

  Concerns about Ederson's shot-stopping abilities are nothing new, but now they are no longer being masked by City's brilliant attacking play and his mistakes are costing them dear. He was dropped by Guardiola following a hat-trick of gaffes against Feyenoord and was not much better when he was recalled to the starting line-up against Juventus and for the Manchester Derby.

  He has been injured since, his third absence within the last year, and at 31 his best days seem beyond him. City have a reliable back-up in Stefan Ortega, and although results have not drastically improved when the German has played, there has been no noticeable difference in the way City perform.

  Last summer's interest in Ederson came from Saudi Arabia, and if there is another offer from the Pro League in January then City should take it.

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  Find a Rodri back-up

  City's biggest problem this season has been the void in midfield left by Rodri's season-ending injury, and if they want to make anything of this campaign they need to find a proper deputy for the Ballon d'Or-winning Spaniard. That is easier said than done because few players will want to join City knowing they will be first-choice holding midfielder for just five months, although the new arrival could slot in alongside Rodri next season as Mateo Kovacic has done.

  Club sources have already ruled out moving for Martin Zubimendi or Bruno Guimaraes, but City continue to be linked with Atalanta midfielder Ederson. Guardiola's former charge Joshua Kimmich is another option as his contract runs out in June, as is his Bayern Munich team-mate Leon Goretzka, whose deal is up in 2026. Bayer Leverkusen's Ezequiel Palacios, key to last season's double win while remaining unbeaten, would also fit the bill.

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  Replace Alvarez

  City did an incredible bit of business last summer when they sold Julian Alvarez to Atletico Madrid for a fee rising to £82 million ($102m), an astonishing profit after signing the Argentine for just £14m two years previously. But their mistake was thinking they didn't need to spend that cash and could rely on Erling Haaland and Phil Foden for goals as they did last season while looking to Jeremy Doku and new signing Savinho for extra firepower.

  While Alvarez has scored 12 goals this season and is helping lead Atletico Madrid's charge towards the Spanish title, City have had to rely on Haaland to a dangerously unhealthy extent. Their second-top scorer behind Haaland is Josko Gvardiol, who has four goals to the Norwegian's 13. Doku and Kevin De Bruyne have two league goals each, Foden has one, while Savinho is still yet to score for the club.

  Claudio Echeverri, who is on a similar career path to Alvarez, is arriving in January from River Plate, but the 18-year-old cannot be expected to start very often at this stage and will likely spend next season on loan. So the club need a proven, mobile attacker who can back Haaland up and step in for him to give him the occasional rest.

  Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz is the dream option, but he will cost in the region of £100m ($125m) and would be very hard to prise from Xabi Alonso's side in the middle of the season. Eintracht Frankfurt's Omar Marmoush, who has contributed to 20 Bundesliga goals this term, also cannot be ignored.

The west Londoners have dropped four points in back-to-back winnable games and will now be looking anxiously over their shoulder

It's remarkable how quickly a so-called title challenge can be brought to an end. After weeks of fielding questions over Chelsea's ability to push Liverpool all the way in the race to be crowned Premier League champions, Enzo Maresca has probably seen his side's hopes extinguished in the space of two games.

The Blues followed a frustrating goalless draw with a stubborn Everton team in wet and wild conditions on Sunday, December 22, with an agonising sucker-punch defeat to Fulham on Boxing Day, as Rodrigo Muniz slotted home a 95th-minute winner for their west London rivals.

Chelsea's festive mini-slump has seen them slip to third in the table and – in all likelihood – out of a title race they were only on the fringes of in the first place, proving Maresca's insistence that they 'aren't ready'.

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  Missed opportunities

  Come the end of the season, Chelsea may well look back on the last two games as the point where any semblance of a title challenge slipped away from them, even if the head coach and his players have publicly denied they are in the race.

  Had they been three or four points better off after the clashes with Everton and Fulham they would still be applying pressure to table-topping Liverpool in second place and their top-four status would be more or less secure.

  However, off the back of a draw and a defeat they will be looking nervously over their shoulder having slipped to third courtesy of Arsenal's victory over Ipswich on Friday.

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  No control

  In many ways, the defeat in the west London derby – their first at home to Fulham in the Premier League era – saw Chelsea's chickens come home to roost, as a number of recurrent issues ultimately cost them in a big way.

  Having dominated the first half, the Blues completely lost control of proceedings in the second period as they allowed Fulham to play to their strengths, failing to add to or protect a slender lead.

  Loss of control has often been a problem for Chelsea this season, and although they have weathered past storms against the likes of Leicester and Brentford, they were unable to navigate this one.

  This is not a trait you associate with a team harbouring hopes of being crowned Premier League champions.

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  'We gave them too much energy'

  To his credit, Maresca pointed to that shortcoming at full-time, rather than attempting to shift blame. "I think the first 15 or 20 minutes of the second half was the part I didn’t like, because we conceded too many transitions and we knew they are a team building from transitions, with [Alex] Iwobi, Adama [Traore], [Antonee] Robinson and [Raul] Jimenez," he said.

  "In the first half I felt we controlled that very good, we scored and created chances, then in the second half I think we gave them too much energy in the first 15 or 20 minutes."

  He continued: "For sure we can manage the game better because, as I said, we knew that they are very good in transition. It is difficult to find a team like them with so many players that can run a lot. I think in the first half we controlled that well. In the first 15 or 20 minutes of the second half, we didn’t control that."

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  Unaddressed weaknesses

  The nature of the Cottagers' two goals will have been intensely frustrating too, as two more of Chelsea's most significant flaws were exposed.

  First, a ball-watching backline was caught narrow to allow Harry Wilson to ghost in and nod home from mere yards out after a deep cross was headed back across goal – an example of the kind of defensive lapses the Blues have been prone to in 2024-25.

  Then, after countless heart-in-mouth moments this season, goalkeeper Robert Sanchez once again paid the price for some poor kicking, as an aimless long ball was seized upon by a Fulham player, which led directly to Muniz's winner in the fifth of six added minutes.

  "Yes, there is some frustration, especially for the way we conceded the goal at the end," Maresca admitted after the game.

Sunderland are set to complete another signing ahead of the transfer window slamming shut as the Black Cats have booked a medical ahead of a new arrival for Regis Le Bris' squad.

Sunderland set for busy day

Having seen Jack Clarke join Ipswich Town last week, Sunderland are set for a busy end to their summer, having welcomed just five new faces so far despite sitting top of the Championship with maximum points as it stands.

Wilson Isidore has headed that arrivals list, joining from Zenit St Petersburg on loan, while the Black Cats have also landed four other new faces on free transfers, with much of their transfer budget having been kept dry.

Le Bris has already hinted that deadline day will be busy for the northeast side, with as many as four new players potentially arriving at the Stadium of Light.

“We are working hard and I hope that at the end we have a more balanced team, more talented players and so on,” he said.

“We don't know exactly yet what the situation will be but I'm confident because I think we have a good team with a strong core – and if we can add some specific elements to this core I think that the balance will be better. We know that this league is very long with many three-game weeks, so in these situations to have maybe two or three elements more will be interesting for us."

Now, he seems set to get his wish as his side close in on a deal.

Sunderland agree loan move to sign defender

That comes amid a report from Sky Sports reporter Mark McAdam, which reveals that the Black Cats have agreed a loan move to sign Welsh international and Bournemouth centre-back Chris Mepham.

The 26-year-old defender has fallen down the pecking order on the south coast, making just 10 appearances in the Premier League last season, and he is yet to be named in a matchday squad for the Cherries so far this season, underlining that he is surplus to requirements for Andoni Iraola.

Now, he is set to swap the Vitality for the Stadium of Light, with a deal having been agreed for him to spend the 2024/25 campaign with Sunderland. Sky Sports add that there is no option or obligation to buy the player at the end of his spell, but he will be hoping to reignite his career.

He has been the subject of strong praise in the past, with former Cherries boss Scott Parker singling him out for plenty of praise after he helped them to a win over Coventry in 2022.

"He was fantastic. I constantly say you need to be ready for when your opportunity comes. Chris Mepham last week, if you’d had said he’ll be coming on for 20-odd, 30-odd minutes against Coventry, he probably would’ve laughed at you and thought 'absolutely no chance, I’m at the training ground on Saturday, not even being in the squad."

Breakthrough: Sunderland agree deal for £13k-p/w international midfielder

Sunderland are on the verge of completing a signing before Friday’s deadline.

By
Brett Worthington

Aug 29, 2024

Still just 26, he has just one year left to run on his £35,000 a week deal at Bournemouth, which makes a return there unlikely in 12 months time, suggesting that he could become a free agent unless he is willing to pen a new contract before departing for the north east.

For Sunderland, it could be the first signing of what promises to be a busy deadline day for Le Bris and co, as they look to build a squad capable of sustaining a promotion charge.

Lionesses star Chloe Kelly is struggling for minutes at Manchester City but head coach Gareth Taylor says there is no news on a possible January exit.

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• Kelly has just three Man City starts this season
• Lionesses boss Wiegman is concerned about minutes
• January move seems unlikely for England winger

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Kelly has long been a regular starter at City but that has changed in the last 12 months, with her losing her place in the starting line-up at the end of the 2023-24 season and so far finding it tough to regain it through the current campaign, with summer signing Aoba Fujino and academy prospect Lily Murphy among those seemingly ahead of her in the pecking order.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Three starts in all competitions for the winger has led to England boss Sarina Wiegman admitting she is concerned about Kelly's game time, which will surely make the player nervous about making the Lionesses' squad for this summer's European Championship. A January move could be best for her, then.

• WHAT TAYLOR SAID

  Speaking in his press conference on Friday, though, City boss Taylor said there was "nothing really to report" when asked about January interest in Kelly or progress in contract negotiations with the 26-year-old, who will be a free agent this summer if nothing changes.

  "Chloe was with us last week," he said, referring to the team's winter training camp in Abu Dhabi. "She looked really sharp. She looked fresh, [with] renewed energy and optimism for this period. But at this moment in time, there's no news on any kind of deals at all, so while that happens, she's our player, she's a part of the team, a part of the squad."

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  A report in earlier this season suggested that there had been a breakdown in the relationship between Taylor and Kelly, leading to a stall in contract talks. The coach dismissed the claim, calling the story "a non-event".

Mikel Arteta has shared some “great news” for Arsenal before their all-important North London Derby trip to Tottenham on Sunday, with an injury update coming out of London Colney.

Arteta dealt absences for key Arsenal players ahead of Tottenham

After signing a brand-new three-year contract which keeps him at the Emirates Stadium until 2027, Arteta’s next item on the Arsenal agenda is to come away from Spurs with all three points, not to mention all the bragging rights on derby day.

Mikel Arteta really wants Arsenal to sign £203,000-a-week Real Madrid star

He’s a key player for Carlo Ancelotti.

By
Emilio Galantini

Sep 13, 2024

Arteta’s new contract at Arsenal will see him pocket around £288,000-per-week, putting him in line with the Premier League’s highest-earning managers like Man City boss Pep Guardiola, but the Spaniard has little time to celebrate his fresh terms.

Ange Postecoglou’s Lilywhites await Arteta’s men tomorrow, as the north Londoners prepare to face-off in a mouth-watering clash right after the international break. Arsenal have been dealt a few selection headaches before the game, with summer signing Mikel Merino sidelined after his shoulder injury.

The Euro 2024-winning midfielder could be absent until after the October international break, as reports last week claimed Merino is facing nearly two months out. Meanwhile, another star man in Declan Rice is set to miss Arsenal through suspension, after the England star controversially picked up two bookable offences in their 1-1 draw with Brighton two weeks ago.

Versatile defensive ace Takehiro Tomiyasu is also expected to be unavailable for Spurs, as the Japan international still hasn’t fully recovered from a knee injury sustained in pre-season.

However, Arteta did suggest in his pre-match press conference that Riccardo Calafiori could be fit to play Tottenham following an injury scare. The centre-back collided with Ousmane Dembele during Italy’s 3-1 win over France last week, and was subsequently forced off with a calf injury, which resulted in him leaving Luciano Spalletti’s camp early and returning to Arsenal for medical assessment.

In what is another real boost for Arteta, following a week of reports suggesting Martin Odegaard could be out for beyond four weeks after he twisted his ankle on international duty, the Norway midfielder could actually play a part at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday.

Arteta confirmed on Friday afternoon that Odegaard is contending to be fit for Spurs, and the 42-year-old has shared even more “great news” ahead of the game, which involves striker Gabriel Jesus.

Arteta confirms Gabriel Jesus could play against Tottenham

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Arteta shared news that Jesus will potentially be selected to play Tottenham, as the £265,000-per-week star is seemingly nearly fully recovered from a groin problem.

“Gabi was out there,” said Arteta on Jesus’ availability for tomorrow. “He’s got another session tomorrow and if everything goes well he’ll be ready to be selected in the squad which is great news for us.”

While Raheem Sterling is contending to play as a false-nine, having Jesus as a centre-forward alternative comes as an undoubted boost for Arsenal. The Brazilian is capable of producing match-winning moments, and has done so for Arteta before, with pundit Alan Shearer once calling Jesus a “game-changer”.

“It’s not just his goals and creativity that make him so important to them, it’s his relentless energy and willingness to run in behind defences too,” Shearer said in a column for BBC Sport in 2022.

“He’s the game-changer for Arsenal. He’s the one who sets the tone from the front. Defenders hate players who are prepared to run in behind, he does that. He’s the one who starts the press. You see his movement and his ability too.”

Reyna helped Dortmund maintain early lead but things went south when the American was subbed off in a loss to Bologna

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• Reyna gets third start of the season
• Dortmund collapses once he is subbed off
• Sahin under pressure in a winless January

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  U.S. international Gio Reyna helped Dortmund build a 1-0 lead, but saw his team unravel while on the bench in the final 26 minutes of the club's 2-1 loss in the Champions League group stage to Bologna Tuesday.

  Reyna had a solid but not specular showing in his 64 minutes, connecting on 93.8 percent of his passes as well as a long ball and through ball pass.

  Dortmund took an early lead off of Serhou Guirassy's 15th-minute penalty. Things came apart for BVB just six minutes after Reyna came off. Thijs Dallinga came off the bench to rally the home side and equalize while highly-touted English winger Samuel Iling-Junior scored the game-winner for the Serie A club.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The loss might spell the end for embattled Dortmund manager Nuri Sahin. The club is winless in January and languishing in 10th place in the Bundesliga and is slightly more respectable in the Champions League at 13th.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Reyna is being linked with a move to Serie A side AC Milan, which features American stars in Christian Pulisic and Yunus Musah.

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• WHAT NEXT FOR DORTMUND?

  Dortmund will look to get their first win in January as they host Werder Bremen on Jan. 25.