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Mikel Arteta explained why he kept Bukayo Saka out of the Arsenal matchday squad against Luton Town.

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Saka did not make it to Arsenal squad for Luton clash Arteta explained the player's absence Was subbed off against Man City WHAT HAPPENED?

The England international had to be subbed off against Manchester City in the 78th minute last week as Gabriel Martinelli replaced him. Now, Arteta has kept Saka out of the Gunners' matchday squad that will take on Luton Town on Wednesday.

AdvertisementWHAT MIKEL ARTETA SAID

Speaking to ahead of the game, the Arsenal boss said, "He had to come off against Manchester City three days ago feeling something and he hasn't been able to do everything that we needed to give him the chance to start the game. So we have decided not to play him."

Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Other than the 22-year-old, first-team regulars like Declan Rice, Jorginho and Gabriel Jesus have also been kept out of the starting lineup, although, all three players have made it to the bench. Reiss Nelson has been handed his first start of the season as he replaced Saka on the right flank.

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL?

After facing the Hatters at home on Wednesday, Arteta's men will be next seen in action against Brighton on Saturday in the Premier League.

Brett Baty was drafted by the New York Mets in 2019. He made his MLB debut with the Mets in 2022 and has started 148 games at third base for New York over his first three seasons in the majors. This year he's due to make $800,000.

Juan Soto signed the richest deal in sports history with the Mets this offseason. When you factor in his signing bonus, the outfielder will make well over $100 million this year.

What do these two players have in common? A love for the number 22.

Soto has worn the number in Washington, San Diego and last season with the Yankees. Baty has worn the number during his first three seasons with the Mets. He also wore it in the Mets farm system and was No. 22 in high school where he wore it playing baseball and basketball at Lake Travis High School in Texas.

Despite the fact that Baty already had the number in New York, Soto was first introduced with a jersey adorned with the familiar 22 back in December.

From the sweet melody of cleanly struck boundaries to the crowd’s spine-tingling renditions of ‘Flower of Scotland’, The Grange pulsed with noise and emotion on a historic day for Scotland

Peter Della Penna in Edinburgh11-Jun-2018Five minutes before the start of play on Sunday morning at The Grange, a bagpiper led the players onto the field. Moments later, the Scotland players cleared their throats to sing “Flower of Scotland”. The consensus amongst local journalists in the media box who had stood on the boundary edge to take it in was that none of Scotland’s 13-man squad was ever going to stand a chance against Paul Potts in a sing-off, let alone any other contestant past or present on Britain’s Got Talent.But a funny thing happened. As the players’ off-key voices grew louder, so did those of the Stockbridge faithful who had poured into The Grange through the gates off Arboretum Avenue to the east and Portgower Place to the west. The fans didn’t care how they sounded, and the players had sung their last false note of the day. From here on, their willows would produce a melody for the ages.Kyle Coetzer and Matthew Cross were the first to pick up their instruments and take the field. As the opener-wicketkeeper, Cross was the drummer in the band. He established the rhythm and beat in the second over, cracking David Willey for the first boundary of the day. When necessary, he could kick it up a notch with a crunching drive or ease back slightly with a back-foot punch.Coetzer used the saxophone to mesmerize the home fans. Every one of his jazzy drives through the V is a tribute to John Coltrane and a reminder that there’s room for a classical instrument or two in any decent band. When he wants to hit a higher note, he just gets under the drive a bit more, as he did to Liam Plunkett to bring up his half-century and break the record for Scotland’s highest ODI stand against England.When Coetzer finished his tune, Calum MacLeod played to the heavy-metal fanatics with his electric guitar strokeplay. Cuts and drives early to the medium-pacers, sweeps and slog-sweeps to the spinners, pulls and flat-bat cracks over cow corner to the medium-pacers. His unbeaten 140 off 46 balls was up-tempo from start to finish. It was an innings worthy of a hat-tip from the Rolling Stones, who had played to a sold-out Murrayfield Stadium the night before and took in part of the day at The Grange.Vice-captain Richie Berrington was the bass guitar to MacLeod’s electric. Berrington didn’t have to do anything fancy. While MacLeod dominated their 93-run partnership, Berrington was content to just keep the bass notes consistent, turn over the strike to keep MacLeod in rhythm, and chip in the odd boundary when the opportunity presented itself.George Munsey arrived later to join MacLeod. Like the harpsichord solo from The Beatles’ “In My Life”, he pulled out his trademark reverse-sweep in his first over on strike to show there’s room for a bit of unorthodoxy in Scotland’s lineup too. By the end of his fine little ditty, he’d marked up his maiden ODI fifty and helped MacLeod take Scotland past 300 in another century stand.But England had some high-profile talent in their ranks too. Jonny Bairstow demonstrated the simultaneous grace and power of a cellist while at the crease. Just like Sheku Kanneh-Mason at last month’s Royal Wedding, Bairstow stole the show for his effortless brilliance. His virtuoso run of centuries continued at The Grange and the 40 pounds it cost to get into the ground was a bargain to witness him flay spinners Mark Watt and Michael Leask around the ground late in the Powerplay on his way to a 54-ball ton.England were in perfect sync halfway through the chase and then out of nowhere came the first door knock in Beethoven’s Symphony Number 5, the needless run-out of Joe Root called through by Alex Hales for a non-existent single to short fine leg. The second ominous knock at the door came a few overs later when Eoin Morgan and Hales fell off consecutive deliveries to make it 245 for 5 and suddenly England’s line-up was playing with broken strings.From then on, a sellout crowd but one that had relied on the players out in the middle to provide the soundtrack of the day began to find their voice. The raucous cacophony of Scottish cheers grew louder with each diving stop, each run saved with a slap back at the boundary. Moeen Ali did his best to quiet them with a violin score, driving elegantly to 46 off 33 balls, but with victory in sight the bow slipped off his strings.By the end of the 47th over, the match was still in the balance and with no music playing over the loudspeakers, the sound of silence triggered tension in the air. England needed 16 off 18 with two wickets in hand, and Scotland needed the crowd to get behind them once more.As if on cue, the Grange members on either side of the sightscreen at the Pavilion End began singing “Flower of Scotland” once again. It was hard not to get goosebumps listening to the collection of voices grow in unison, sensing that a famous victory was a matter of fate.Peter Della PennaWhen Adil Rashid was run out to start the 49th over leaving England’s last pair with ten runs to get, Cricket Scotland CEO Malcolm Cannon could no longer hold back his emotions. From his position near the front of the VIP area on the southeast boundary, Cannon started to wave his arms furiously like an orchestra conductor and exhorted everyone around him to get as loud as they possibly could.Four balls later, the top blew off The Grange. Safyaan Sharif let out a tenor’s scream after nailing Mark Wood on the toe with a yorker. When Marais Erasmus reflexively raised his right index finger, a chorus of euphoric screams rang out around The Grange. Grant Bradburn’s Ode to Kaizen had reached its climax.”Flower of Scotland” took over the loudspeakers stationed around the ground as the players and fans continued to bask in the glory of the moment. Those who didn’t spontaneously invade the pitch in jubilation were shedding tears of joy from the boundary. After an hour’s worth of unprecedented demand for interviews, Bradburn’s troops gathered back in the change rooms for one more full-throated rendition of “Flower of Scotland”: the pre-match anthem was now the post-match victory song.Coetzer then led his travelling band back onto the field for a group photo to look back on for posterity’s sake. By this point, the only sounds echoing around the ground were bottle caps being snapped off of celebratory brews as Coetzer drenched Macleod in a fizzy-ale shower to honor his epic century.But of all the enchanting sounds that carried around The Grange over the course of the most famous cricket result in Scottish lore, one stood out. It rang out while the Scotland squad circled the ground for a victory lap in the early part of the celebratory festivities once the match had ended.It was sung by a group of young fans in their teens and early 20s pressed up against the boundary near the Portgower Place entrance. Their song consisted of a basic four-word chorus, repeated over and over. It was a hymn not just for Scotland but for all Associate teams around the globe who yearn for an opportunity to take the field against England or any other Full Member.”Are you watching, ICC? Are you waaaaaaaaaaatching, I-C-C?”

Following a relatively quiet January transfer window, Fulham could be forced to bid farewell to one star player amid growing contract doubts and a queue of clubs reportedly waiting to land his signature.

Fulham transfer news

There’s leaving it late and then there’s Fulham signing their first arrival of 2025 after the January transfer window, welcoming free agent Willian back to the club for his second stint at Craven Cottage, where the Brazilian will look to repeat his previous impact in West London.

Speaking to the club website for the first time since putting pen to paper, Willian expressed his delight at returning to Craven Cottage, saying: “I’m really happy to be back here. I think it’s a great opportunity again to play for this Club, and I’m fully motivated to get on the pitch and do things well for this Club.

“I’m completely happy, my family’s happy. We are happy to be back, and I think we can do good things until the end of the season, so I can’t wait to start with my teammates and do good things inside the pitch.”

Fulham tried to sign "brilliant" ace who was in West London on deadline day

It was too little too late…

ByTom Cunningham Feb 6, 2025

As one winger arrives, however, another is on course for the exit door. According to reports in Spain, three La Liga clubs have now made contact to sign Adama Traore, who is yet to sign a new Fulham contract despite his current deal coming to an end this summer.

The Cottagers have the option to extend the Spaniard’s deal for another year but that option is yet to be triggered, casting doubts over his future as Villarreal, Sevilla and Valencia form a queue to land his signature.

Of course, a lot can change in a matter of months and Traore could yet stay put but that doubt will only increase as time goes on and there’s no denying that he has become quite the asset under Marco Silva.

"Fantastic" Traore is a unique threat

The Premier League has seen a number of unique assets over the years, from absurdly tall forwards to even more absurd long throw-in takers. Now, Fulham have a unique asset of their own in Traore.

There isn’t a single player in English football – perhaps even in Europe – who shares the same driving power as the winger who has the perfect combination of incredible strength and unstoppable pace. It’s something which can change a game in an instant and something that the Cottagers should look to keep hold of.

Dubbed “fantastic” by Silva earlier this season, Traore should have no reason to depart either. Those in West London are better placed than ever under their manager and could yet cause an upset by challenging for a European place before the end of the campaign, using Traore’s freak athleticism.

So, whilst La Liga may well be forming a queue, they may be forced to wait even longer if Fulham manage to extend their winger’s contract and put to rest any increasing doubt over his immediate future.

Plays of the day from the Group 1 clash between Afghanistan and Sri Lanka

Karthik Krishnaswamy17-Mar-2016The falling reverse-slap
Samiullah Shenwari had just drilled the previous ball back down the ground for four, and he probably expected Thisara Perera to shorten his length a bit. He knew third man was inside the circle, and read the situation perfectly well. Down came the back-of-a-length delivery outside off, and Shenwari was quickly in position to play a reverse-swat into the gap to the left of the fielder. It was cleverly done, but by no means elegantly, and Shenwari lost balance and fell onto his backside. It’s debatable whether the stroke made any impression on old-timers sighing wistfully about Rohan Kanhai’s falling sweep.The one-legged hoick
Asghar Stanikzai was not to be outdone in the off-balance hitting stakes. He was using the depth of the crease to good effect, and had hit an attempted wide yorker from Nuwan Kulasekara over the covers in the 17th over. Now, in the 19th over, Perera looked for a another wide yorker. Stanikzai moved his right foot way back into his crease, leaned his upper body back, and created enough swinging room to launch the ball high over long-on. The force of the shot left him with both feet off the ground at impact, and he completed it with a hop on one leg.The flashing-bail, fielding-team advantage
In the past, while making tight run-out decisions, third umpires had to rely exclusively on their own vision to rule whether a bail was completely out of its groove. Often, they would give the batsman the benefit of the doubt unless they had the clearest possible visual evidence. At the World T20, lights go off in the bails when they are completely out of their groove.When Perera called Tillakaratne Dilshan through for a leg-bye from the non-striker’s end, Mohammad Shahzad looked slow when he scampered back to field the ball. He turned around momentarily as he did so, to see where the batsmen were. He took another split second to take off his right glove before rifling in a direct hit at the striker’s end. In the pre-zing-bail era, all of these split seconds might have cost Afghanistan a run out. But now, the bails lit up with Perera’s bat on the line, even though it was impossible to tell otherwise if they were out of their groove or not.The deflection
When a non-striker is run out by a deflected straight drive, the bowler usually has a sheepish grin on his face, for having got an inadvertent fingertip to the ball. When Dilshan drilled the ball back down the ground off Mohammad Nabi’s bowling, however, the bowler seemed to know exactly where the ball was heading – between the stumps and the non-striker, down towards long-on. Showing spectacular spatial awareness, Nabi reached out, angled his palm expertly, and quite deliberately flicked the ball onto the stumps to find Chamara Kapugedera out of his crease.

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s contractual situation has become incredibly tedious in recent weeks, with the decibels rising among the Spanish press this week as Real Madrid look to swipe Liverpool’s homegrown superstar.

However, the 26-year-old hasn’t let such noise detract from his performances under Arne Slot’s wing, showcasing a tough defensive side unseen during his career under Jurgen Klopp while oozing class and style on the ball.

The pull of Santiago Bernabeu is strong, Europe’s palatial club ground being the hothouse for trophies and an illustrious career, but Trent is hardly scrounging for success within his boyhood outfit, for Slot’s tactics have put Liverpool in the driving seat for the Premier League title and a promising position in the Champions League too.

Regardless of whether the £180k-per-week talent stays or leaves, Liverpool appear keen to invest in a new full-back this year – though it might not be on the right-hand side.

Liverpool's search for a full-back

At the backend of December, GIVEMESPORT reported that Liverpool are set to rival Manchester United for Antonee Robinson this year. The arch-rivals are both keen on a new left-back, and the Fulham ace has been among the finest players in the Premier League this season.

Robinson, 27, has started every top-flight fixture this term, captaining his squad regularly since December. Fulham value him as high as £50m and you’d have to admit that they are well within their right. He’s been brilliant and contracted until 2028 besides.

Liverpool know that they can present a more appealing career path than their beleaguered neighbours but United are invariably dangerous in the transfer market. With that in mind, FSG may hope that they opt for Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez instead, given that he has his sights set on Old Trafford.

Robinson would bring instantaneous results to a Reds side seeking the highest honours both domestically and on the continent. Andy Robertson has been a stalwart over so many years, but he’s simply not performing at his incredible one-time level.

At no disrespect to the Scotsman, Robinson is outstripping him on the pitch this year, but in fact, Fulham’s Duracell Bunny may even be operating at a floor above Alexander-Arnold too.

How Robinson compares to Alexander-Arnold

Years of dining at the elite table have established Liverpool’s wide defensive duo as the pre-eminent pairing. They have redefined the full-back role, in some ways, with tireless running and outstanding creativity serving as the life-juice of the Klopp era.

Both Robertson and Alexander-Arnold remain core parts of Liverpool’s first team – the latter still arguably the best full-back in the world – but that doesn’t mean he’s outperforming every single player across this current campaign.

Indeed, Robinson suffers from the affliction of not being part of a ‘big-six’ club. That sentence is facetious, of course, but there is a ring of truth there.

He’s so complete, so dynamic, so effective across different phases and – crucially for Slot’s system – wonderful on the ball, retaining with ease and picking out perfect passes. Sky Sports’ Dougie Critchley has even gone as far as to describe him as “one of the best left-backs in the world.”

With seven assists from 19 Premier League matches this term, Robinson is behind only Mohamed Salah and Bukayo Saka in that chart. Moreover, he ranks highly across defensive metrics while providing a relentless ball-carrying output. What a skill set, balanced so finely across every required area.

Trent, while impressive this season, has failed to outrank Robinson across any of the above-listed statistics, as per FBref. Alexander-Arnold is the most talented and accomplished player by far, but Robinson is at his apex right now, performing at a higher level.

A closer look at the defensive numbers further illustrates this point. Liverpool’s number 66 has been much improved in the lower department this term, averaging 2.6 tackles per Premier League match while winning 51% of his ground duels, as per Sofascore.

Robinson, however, provides even more eye-catching statistics, for the USMNT international has chomped down on opponent with 2.8 tackles per game (Sofascore), also winning 58% of his total duels.

It’s admittedly harder to distinguish them given that the respective full-backs play different types of games, but for Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher at least, they are on the same platform all the same. Chalking down his mid-season predictions and ratings alongside Gary Neville, the Anfield icon paired the wide defenders in his updated Team of the Season.

Robinson might turn 28 at the start of the 2025/26 campaign but he’s hardly doomed to deteriorate any time soon. His stock has been sky-high this season and it owes testament to the incremental progress that he has forged across so many years. Not all of them bore fruits.

Athletic, adept on the ball and fierce without it, he’s arguably been the best full-back in the Premier League this season. As far as the stats go, he’s outperformed Liverpool’s imperious right-back.

FSG must cash in on Liverpool flop who's earning more than Gakpo & Diaz

This Liverpool star’s days could well be numbered…

By
Angus Sinclair

Jan 3, 2025

Altay Bayindir sent out a message to Manchester United fans after a nightmare Premier League debut against Newcastle United.

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• Bayindir sends message to Man Utd fans
• Had a nightmare Premier League debut against Newcastle
• Magpies thrashed the Red Devils 4-1

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Turkish goalkeeper replaced Andre Onana in United's goal after the Cameroonian made some costly mistakes in their 2-2 draw against Lyon in the Europa League on Thursday. Bayindir, who joined the Red Devils in the summer of 2023, finally got a chance to make his Premier League debut, however, it turned into a nightmare as he conceded four goals against Newcastle United. He also made a costly error when the team were 3-1 down as his poor clearance was intercepted by Joelinton, and seconds later, Bruno Guimaraes made it 4-1 at St James' Park.

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• Getty
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  United fans slammed the 26-year-old on social media for his terrible performance against the Magpies, however, the custodian later sent out a message to the angry supporters as he urged them to keep their faith on the team.

• WHAT ALTAY BAYINDIR SAID

  Taking to Instagram, Bayindir shared some photographs from the game and wrote in the caption: "Honored to make my PL debut for this club. Not the result we wanted, but I’ll keep pushing, keep fighting. We’ll be back stronger — keep believing."

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER UNITED?

  Ruben Amorim's side will now aim to beat Lyon in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final fixture at home on Thursday and book their berth in the last-four stage.

Khawaja registered his highest Test score while Smith went past Bradman with his 30th ton.

Tristan Lavalette05-Jan-2023Stumps
Usman Khawaja made his highest Test score, while Steven Smith overtook Sir Donald Bradman in the record books with his 30th Test hundred, as Australia gained a stranglehold on the third Test against a hapless South Africa.Khawaja was ruthless on a slow SCG surface to finish unbeaten on 195 and anchor Australia’s massive 475 for 4. But their push for a declaration before stumps on day two was thwarted by rain ending play an hour early.With a declaration looming, Khawaja and Travis Head accelerated after tea with Australia keen on moving the match forward due to more rain forecast in Sydney on days three and four.In what has become a trademark, Head played a swashbuckling innings to smash a flagging South Africa attack with a 59-ball 70 before holing out. In his first Test match since 2018, and having tested positive for Covid-19 on a rapid antigen test before play on day one, Matt Renshaw was on 5 not out.Khawaja bettered his highest Test score of 174 in streaky fashion with a gloved boundary that just beat high-flying wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne. His 13th Test century took him level with Wally Hammond, Doug Walters and VVS Laxman as the only batters to have struck three consecutive tons at the SCG.Having revived his Test career a year ago with twin centuries against England on this ground, Khawaja has now hit four centuries from seven Tests at the SCG with an average over 100.It ended a frustrating Test summer for Khawaja, who had missed out on Australia’s run glut and only averaged 27.43 from seven previous innings.Khawaja combined in a 209-run partnership with Smith to torment South Africa for most of the first two sessions on day two. It was their 10th century partnership from just 33 innings and their highest stand, overtaking their 188 against England at the SCG in 2018.Having moved past Bradman on the career Test century list with his 30th ton, Smith fell for 104 after tamely spooning a return catch to spinner Keshav Maharaj.After a slow start, Smith produced a masterclass and reached his ton with a pull shot to the boundary off Anrich Nortje. His back-foot trigger movement was more pronounced in this innings, having been refined earlier in the season, but it didn’t affect his game with Smith toying with the bowlers.Steven Smith celebrates his 30th Test century•Cricket Australia via Getty ImagesIt would have particularly satisfied Smith, who in 20 previous innings against South Africa averaged 41.67 – nearly 20 below his career mark. His only Test ton was in his first innings against them when he struck 100 in Centurion in 2014.In the process, Smith overtook Matthew Hayden and Michael Clarke to sit fourth overall in Test career runs for Australia. He also passed 1000 Test runs at the SCG as he struck his fourth ton on his home ground.Related

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Another strong Australian batting effort put them on track for a clean sweep of the series with victory to secure a position in the World Test Championship final in June. They also completely sucked the life out of a beleaguered South Africa, who have been out of answers.With just four wickets in 131 overs, the spotlight might further shine on under-pressure skipper Dean Elgar who has seemingly been reactionary and conservative with his tactics.He juggled his bowlers sometimes bafflingly like when Nortje and spearhead Kagiso Rabada were not used after lunch with offspinner Simon Harmer taking an almost brand new ball.Harmer had been under-bowled on day one and in the first session, but struggled to make an impact and was hit for a huge six by a fleet-footed Smith.Nortje couldn’t quite summon the same fire he conjured during his heroic day one effort, where he claimed the only two wickets, while Rabada was wayward to continue a disappointing series.There was relief for left-arm spinner Maharaj after removing Smith out of nowhere. He was finally rewarded having leaked 247 runs off 75.5 overs in the series before his long overdue first scalp.Their chances of a victory to revive their slim chances of making the World Test Championship final appear forlorn. To avoid a series whitewash, South Africa might need Sydney’s temperamental weather to further intervene.

While there is still every chance that Arsenal can turn around their current form and finally win the Premier League this season, that is starting to feel more and more of a distant possibility with every passing game.

Mikel Arteta’s side have been almost faultless for the last two seasons, but so far this year, injuries, suspensions, and a blunt attack have seen them fall off the pace in the league and face the prospect of elimination from the League Cup at the hands of Newcastle United.

However, despite how gloomy things might look at this current moment, the Gunners remain a sensational football team, and with players such as Martin Odegaard, William Saliba, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka, there is every chance they will come back stronger next season and finally haul themselves over the finishing line.

In fact, if recent reports are to be believed, the club’s number one transfer target for the summer could be just the player to help them do that, a player so sublime that he’d help the irrepressible Saka reach another level as well.

Arsenal chase dream teammate for Saka

According to a recent report from former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown via Football Insider, Arsenal have maintained their significant interest in Newcastle United star Alexander Isak.

Brown goes a step further, revealing that the Gunners have identified the Swedish goal machine as their “first choice” striker target for the summer window.

Moreover, while Brown explains the Toon’s desire to keep the former Real Sociedad star beyond the summer, he claims that the North Londoners are “determined” to bring him to the Emirates.

If Arteta and Co get their man, it’ll cost a pretty penny, with reports from earlier this month claiming his price tag could be as high as £150m.

Now, while that is undoubtedly an extraordinary amount of money for a single player, it could prove worth it given his sensational ability, especially as he could help Saka reach another level entirely.

How Isak would make Saka better

Okay, so while there are likely a myriad of reasons why Isak could help Saka reach another level, from how he trains to his attitude on the pitch and in the dressing room, there is one primary reason: his output.

Simply put, the “world-class” marksman, as dubbed by manager Eddie Howe, is such an incredibly dangerous player in front of, or practically anywhere near, the goal that he’d undoubtedly send the Englishman’s numbers to the moon.

For example, just this season alone, the Swedish “nightmare,” as dubbed by Alan Shearer, has racked up an outrageous tally of 15 goals and four assists in 22 appearances, which equates to an absurd average of a goal involvement every 1.15 games.

Appearances

22

26

26

Goals

15

12

7

Assists

4

3

2

Goal Involvements Per Match

0.86

0.57

0.34

In contrast, Kai Havertz has done reasonably well in racking up a haul of 12 goals and three assists in 26 appearances, while Gabriel Jesus has been less effective, racking up seven goals and two assists in as many appearances.

Now, while neither of these returns are abysmal, they aren’t spectacular either, and at an average of a goal involvement every 1.73 games for Havertz and every 2.88 games for Jesus, neither one is remotely close to what the Solna-born superstar is capable of.

Moreover, the Gunners’ strikers were able to achieve their level of output with a significant helping hand from Saka, who, prior to his hamstring injury, was on fire, racking up a world-class haul of nine goals and 13 assists in 24 appearances, equating to an average of a goal involvement every 1.09 games.

Just imagine what the Newcastle star would be capable of playing alongside a winger as productive and creative as the Hale Ender, and then you may understand why we think it would be a partnership that would see both players reach stratospheric heights.

Ultimately, signing Isak in the summer will cost Arsenal an arm and a leg, but given just how deadly he has been this season and the potential of how much better he could be with the likes of Saka and Odegaard around him, it may just be worth breaking the bank for him.

Arsenal chase £42m "box-crashing" titan who could already replace Merino

The Premier League veteran would be an excellent signing for Arsenal.

1 ByJack Salveson Holmes Jan 10, 2025

كشفت تقارير صحفية ألمانية، تفاصيل جديدة تخص الإصابة المروعة التي تعرض لها لاعب فريق بايرن ميونخ، جمال موسيالا، في مباراة الأمس ضد باريس سان جيرمان في بطولة كأس العالم للأندية.

وتلاقى الفريقان في خضم منافسات ربع نهائي كأس العالم للأندية، نسخة 2025، حيث حقق باريس سان جيرمان فوزًا بهدفين دون رد.

وشهدت اللحظات الأخيرة من الشوط الأول تعرض جمال موسيالا لإصابة مروعة، بعد تدخل من حارس باريس سان جيرمان، دوناروما، حيث سقط عليه.

اقرأ أيضًا.. أول تعليق من دوناروما بعد تسببه في إصابة موسيالا المروعة

وبدا موسيالا في حالة انهيار بعد إصابته العنيفة، في حين ظهرت علامات الفزع على لاعبي بايرن ميونخ، وكذلك دوناروما كونه مشاركًا في اللعبة التي نتج عنها الإصابة.

وحسبما ذكرت صحيفة “بيلد” الألمانية، فإن إصابة موسيالا عبارة عن كسر في الشظية اليسرى، إلى جانب وجود تضرر في عدة أربطة.

تلك الإصابة تعني غياب جمال موسيالا عن الملاعب مدة تتراوح ما بين 4 إلى 5 أشهر.

ويُعد ذلك الأمر بمثابة ضربة قوية لـ موسيالا الذي عاد للتو إلى الملاعب بعدما تعرض لتمزق عضلي، في شهر أبريل الماضي.