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The January window is fast approaching for title-chasing Gunners boss Mikel Arteta, and a rumoured top transfer target has apparently already made a decision about joining Arsenal next month.

Arsenal beat Man United 2-0 as Arteta rediscovers best Premier League form

Following a very difficult period just before the latest international break, with Arsenal going from mid-October to mid-November without a single Premier League win, Arteta has now guided his side back to an imperious run of form.

Arsenal now prepared to bid for "standout" £17m Martin Odegaard alternative

Arteta is after a foil to the Norway star.

ByEmilio Galantini Dec 6, 2024

Convincing wins over Nottingham Forest, Sporting Lisbon, West Ham and Man United have resurrected a sense of real positivity and belief that Arsenal are still in with a real chance of winning their first title in over two decades, with the north Londoners travelling to Craven Cottage for a face-off against mid-table Fulham on Sunday.

Fulham (away)

December 8

Everton (home)

December 14

Crystal Palace (away)

December 21

Ipswich Town (home)

December 27

Brentford (away)

January 1

Arteta dealt Ruben Amorim his first loss as United boss earlier this week with a 2-0 win at the Emirates, courtesy of goals from Jurrien Timber and William Saliba, as Arsenal continue to be a real menace from set-pieces.

Speaking in a post-match press conference after Arsenal’s victory over the Red Devils, Arteta hailed his team’s mental resilience to come back so strongly after their winless run.

“The will to win is there, they try, we try all our best to do that,” said Arteta on Arsenal’s 2-0 win over United.

“It’s true we went through a lot in that period, the schedule and the opposition that we played, a lot of things and that’s the thing you have to react. It’s about trying to do it next, today we have won four in a row but it doesn’t matter we have to go to Fulham now and be better than them to try to win the game. It’s every three days, it’s a crazy schedule, we’re going to need everybody and mentally be very strong because you’re going to have to go through those moments.”

The club could even strengthen their resolve further with new January additions, with reports suggesting that Arsenal are prepared to move for Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton as they contemplate life without out-of-contract duo Jorginho and Thomas Partey.

Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi decides whether he'll join Arsenal in January

According to The Boot Room, Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi remains on Arsenal’s radar as another top midfield target, despite failing to tempt him away from La Liga in the summer.

Former sporting director Edu Gaspar sealed a deal for his former teammate Mikel Merino instead, but there is a belief that Arsenal are reigniting their interest in Zubimendi for 2025.

However, they’ve been dealt bad news about a move for him in the winter, as it is believed that Zubimendi is planning to stay at Sociedad in January amid Arsenal’s interest in signing him.

Liverpool are also contenders for his signature, but the Spain international would actually prefer a move to Real Madrid over anybody else at the end of the season.

Zubimendi’s contract includes a £50 million release clause, so it appears the biggest obstacle to any move for the 25-year-old is his personal preference.

R Ashwin is an “all-time great”. Ravindra Jadeja is one of the “top allrounders”. This is what captain Rohit Sharma had to say about India’s two most consistent match-winners at home, after they took 15 wickets between them in the innings-and-222-run victory over Sri Lanka in the first Test in Mohali.In the second innings, in which Ashwin took four wickets, he surpassed the tally of Kapil Dev, finishing with 436 Test wickets to Kapil’s 434. This makes Ashwin the second-highest wicket-taker for India, only behind Anil Kumble.”To me, he is already an all-time great,” Rohit said of Ashwin. “He has been playing cricket for the country for so many years, his performances have been so good over the years. He has given many match-winning performances.”Related

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Jadeja, meanwhile, was easily the most impressive cricketer in a one-sided match, hitting 175 not out in the first innings, before grabbing 5 for 41 and 4 for 46, as Sri Lanka batted twice in succession. It was Jadeja’s highest score in Test cricket by a distance. His batting average, which has been on a linear incline since 2017, has also never been higher than 36.46, where he currently sits after that knock.”To me, he is one of the top allrounders,” Rohit said while heaping praise on Jadeja. “Look at the performances: to score 175 not out and take nine wickets in the game, he’s just upping his game every time we see him. He’s very hungry, as you can see. That hunger is something that drives athletes to move forward. When I talk to him about certain things, he is very open-minded. He wants to take the responsibility, he wants to take the challenge.”The example was there in the T20 series against Sri Lanka. I just casually asked him if he would want to bat up the order, and he was open for it. This is why we asked him to go up in the first T20.”As a captain, I want to use Jadeja a lot more with the bat. We all know his bowling. Everyone knows about his fielding. He brings so much balance to the team as well.”India’s lower order also scored heavily in the Mohali Test. At one stage, they were 228 for 5, in seeming danger of being dismissed for less than 300. However, for the loss of only three further wickets, the hosts added a whopping 346, thanks largely to Jadeja. Ashwin also scored 61, and Mohammed Shami contributed an unbeaten 20.”It’s very, very crucial in Test matches – the lower order coming to the party,” Rohit said. “I clearly remember back in 2015 when Virat [Kohli] took over as captain, we wanted to create a strong lower-order contribution and a strong foundation for that.”This is why we kept emphasising how important it is for all the bowlers to go out and bat in the nets; try and improve one or the other skill. If possible, go put that contribution out.”

كشف مصدر داخل نادي الزمالك، النقاب عن حقيقة قرار مجلس إدارة القلعة البيضاء بشأن مصير المدرب البرتغالي جوزيه بيسيرو.

وكان الزمالك قد ودع بطولة الكونفدرالية الإفريقية بخسارة على يد ستيلينبوش الجنوب إفريقي في لقاء إياب الدور ربع النهائي، الذي أقيم على ملعب استاد القاهرة الدولي.

بيسيرو يبرر خروج الزمالك من الكونفدرالية ويعلق على استبعاد زيزو

وأوضح المصدر لـ”بطولات”، أن مجلس الإدارة لم يتخذ أي قرار رسمي، بشأن مصير المدرب البرتغالي جوزيه بيسيرو، المدير الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم، عقب خسارة الليلة.

وأوضح المصدر في تصريحات خاصة لـ”بطولات”، أن مجلس الإدارة يعتزم عقد جلسة خلال الساعات المقبلة مع بيسيرو، من أجل مناقشة أسباب الخسارة والخروج من البطولة، وتقييم المرحلة الماضية من مشواره مع الفريق. 

وقال المصدر: “حتى الآن، لم يتم اتخاذ أي قرار بشأن رحيل بيسيرو، وكل ما يقال في هذا الشأن لا يتعدى التكهنات”.

وأضاف: “المجلس سيجتمع مع المدرب لبحث التفاصيل، ولكن مسألة رحيله غير مطروحة بشكل جدي في الوقت الراهن”. 

ومن المنتظر أن تشهد الفترة المقبلة تحركات داخل نادي الزمالك لإعادة ترتيب الأوراق، خاصة في ظل ضغط الجماهير للمطالبة بإصلاحات جذرية على الصعيدين الفني والإداري.

Celtic are aiming to take advantage of a Japan international’s current situation and sign him during the January transfer window, according to a fresh transfer update.

Celtic transfer news

The Hoops continue to be linked with new signings, whether in January or next summer, with Burnley midfielder Josh Brownhill mentioned as an option. The 28-year-old has started all 15 of the Clarets’ Championship games this season, and his experience could be a great addition for Brendan Rodgers in the middle of the park.

Manchester City youngster James McAtee has also been mentioned as a potential option for Celtic, with the 22-year-old finding his opportunities limited at the Etihad currently. He has already enjoyed two separate loan spells at Sheffield United, but a move to Parkhead is now being mooted.

Planning for the future is always important for the Hoops and Motherwell midfielder Lennon Miller is a highly-rated player who has been backed to join both Celtic or Rangers. Still only 18 years of age, he has already made 55 appearances at senior level, scoring five goals and registering six assists in that time.

In terms of players who could leave Parkhead in the coming months, Alexandre Bernabei may have played his final game for the club, with the left-back on loan at Internacional. He isn’t alone in potentially moving on, though, with Stephen Welsh and Odin Thiago Holm in a similar boat.

Celtic could get January opportunity to sign Japan international

According to Bild [via Sport Witness], Celtic could get an opportunity to sign Japan international Kanji Okunuki in the January window after showing an interest earlier in 2024.

The 25-year-old winger currently plays for 2.Bundesliga side FC Nurnberg, but the Hoops could look to prise him away, as he is surplus to requirements with his current employers. Having looked like a summer exit was most likely in 2025, it now looks like January is a possibility instead and Celtic could take advantage.

Okunuki may not be a household name to Celtic supporters compared to the likes of Brownhill and McAtee, for example, but he could be another shrewd addition from Japan.

The likes of Kyogo Furuhashi, Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda have all been such strong signings from that part of the world, and there’s nothing to say that their compatriot couldn’t have a similar impact.

Granted, things aren’t going too well for him at Nurnberg at the moment, but he is one-cap Japan international and could flourish playing alongside not only the aforementioned trio of Asian stars but also other Celtic players who are arguably at a higher level than the 2.Bundesliga.

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Posts 1 ByRobbie Walls Nov 22, 2024

At 25 years of age, Okunuki is at a good point in his career to come in and hit the ground running, and 21 goal contributions (14 goals and seven assists) in 96 appearances during his time at Omiya Ardija shows that he can deliver a steady flow of end product from his wide attacking role.

حقق منتخب تونس فوزًا هامًا على ليبيريا بهدف نظيف، في المباراة التي جمعت بينهما مساء اليوم ضمن منافسات تصفيات كأس العالم 2026.

وحل منتخب تونس ضيفًا على منتخب ليبيريا، على ملعب “صامويل كانيون دو”، في خضم منافسات الجولة الرابعة من عمر تصفيات إفريقيا لنهائيات كأس العام 2026.

ويتواجد منتخب تونس في المجموعة الثامنة، التي تضم إلى جواره منتخبات غينيا الاستوائية وناميبيا وليبيريا ومالاوي وساوتومي.

طالع | في مؤتمر تقديمه.. سامي الطرابلسي: سأرحل عن تدريب تونس في حالة واحدة

وجاء هدف فوز تونس عن طريق حازم مستوري، في الدقيقة 5 من عمر المباراة، بعد تلقيه تمريرة عرضية حولها بتصويبة قوية في المرمى. هدف فوز تونس على ليبيريا في تصفيات كأس العالم 2026

د 4″ الهدف الأول للمنتخب التونسي ⚽️

ليبيريا 0 × 1 تونس#التصفيات_الأفريقية#ليبيريا_تونس⁩ | ⁦#SSC pic.twitter.com/vQSnbN8pqp — SSC (@ssc_sports) March 19, 2025

وبهذه النتيجة واصل منتخب تونس صدارة ترتيب المجموعة الثامنة من التصفيات المؤهلة إلى كأس العالم 2026، برصيد 13 نقطة من الفوز في 4 لقاءات وتعادل بمباراة واحدة.

بينما تجمد رصيد ليبيريا عند 7 نقاط في المركز الثالث بجدول ترتيب المجموعة من الفوز بمباراتين والتعادل مرة واحدة وتلقى هزيمتين.

Andre Nel has parted ways with Essex after three seasons as the club’s assistant head coach and bowling coach.Nel, 44, arrived at Chelmsford in March 2019, having previously worked with Easterns, the South African National Cricket Academy and Phantoms.In his first season with the club, Essex won both the County Championship and Vitality Blast double, then backed up that achievement in 2020 with victory in the inaugural Bob Willis Trophy, beating Somerset in the final at Lord’s after the season had been rearranged due to the Covid-19 outbreak.Essex missed out on a chance to defend their titles in 2021, when they failed to qualify for Division One of the Championship’s three-tier conference system, but they still picked up the Division Two title instead, beating Northants inside two days in their final match of the summer.I’ve absolutely loved my three years back at Chelmsford and I’m grateful for the support myself and the team have received during this time,” Nel said.”I’m leaving with some fantastic memories that will stay with me forever. The success we experienced in 2019 will always be special to me, whilst I’m also really proud of our accomplishments with the Bob Willis Trophy and Division Two title in 2020 and 2021, respectively.”I’d like to thank the club for the opportunity to come back, the other coaches and players for their relentless hard work and the members and fans for their unrivalled loyal support.”Essex Head Coach, Anthony McGrath, added: “Andre has been a great asset to the club over the last three years and has helped us achieve some great things.”His knowledge and skillset have been extremely beneficial to our bowlers, whilst I have no doubt he will go on to experience more success as a coach elsewhere.”He will be missed but his departure allows the club and me to re-examine our coaching structure and move forward with a strong appointment for next season.”

Moises Caicedo opened up on Chelsea's target for the 2024/25 season after the team came back from behind to beat West Ham on Monday.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Caicedo revealed Chelsea's target for the season
• Blues came back from behind to beat West Ham
• Chelsea back among the top four teams

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Chelsea approached the West Ham game on Monday after a series of disappointing results, having won just one of their previous seven league outings. The Hammers further rubbed salt into the wound when Jarrod Bowen handed the visitors a first-half lead at Stamford Bridge. The Blues, however, responded strongly after the break, as Pedro Neto's equaliser and Aaron Wan-Bissaka's own goal helped the English giants get back to winning ways and reclaim their position among the top four teams.

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• WHAT MOISES CAICEDO SAID

  After a brilliant performance against the Hammers that earned Caicedo the Player of the Match award, the Ecuadorian midfielder said: "The most important thing was the performance. The team is happy and we want to continue like this. We are really together and working hard every day. The last couple of games have been tough for us but we reacted so well last night and got the three points.

  "It was really important because we needed this victory to get our confidence higher. So I think it was really good, even if we were 1-0 down. The team was good and we showed good character. It was a great win for us. We were working for this and we got it yesterday."

  He added: "The team showed our character in the second half. We talked between us in the dressing room. We wanted to win this game and then showed our full worth in the second half. We reacted really well. The manager said, 'Just be relaxed, we are doing well, the goal is going to come, stick to the plan and we will get the win'.

  "It was frustrating to be behind because we were dominating the game, but the team stuck to the plan like the manager said. We showed our character in the second half and got the three points."

• Getty Images Sport
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Speaking on the club's target for the 2024-25 campaign, Caicedo added: "It was really important to get back into the top four. We are in the fourth position and we are happy. We want to keep working hard to keep ourselves up there, that’s it. We always get more confidence when we win a game, it’s very important for us to get the confidence higher. The team is so happy, now we’re going to keep working hard to stay there."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?

  Enzo Maresca's side will be back in action this Saturday as they take on Brighton in a fourth-round FA Cup clash.

Leeds United, despite dominating the possession at a weighty 71.3% and bettering Burnley in terms of shots, still fell to their first defeat of the Championship season last time out.

Scott Parker’s Clarets managed to get the better of Daniel Farke’s wasteful Whites courtesy of a counter-attack goal by Luca Koleosho, with the one-time Wolverhampton Wanderers target’s strike the difference on the day, as the likes of Mateo Joseph and Wilfried Gnonto fluffed their own opportunities for the hosts.

The manner of the defeat will sting for Farke and Co, but it’s unlikely that wholesale changes will be needed moving forward, with players such as Junior Firpo in particular having a standout start to the campaign regardless of this narrow 1-0 loss.

Firpo's resurgence at Leeds

The former Barcelona man continues to look like a resurgent figure in the Leeds first team, having once found his footing at Elland Road to be on shaky foundations, after a dismal time of things in the Premier League, having been relegated with the side in the 2022/23 campaign.

Since dropping down to the Championship, however, the Dominican Republic international has shone brightly, with his creativity from down the left a massive plus.

Last campaign, alongside the skills of Georginio Rutter and Crysencio Summerville to name a few, Firpo would pick up an impressive seven assists from 27 regular season contests, alongside also helping himself to six clean sheets.

His willingness to burst forward and create openings has helped the Whites out during the infancy of this fresh season too, with Firpo galloping forward to assist Joel Piroe’s late strike against Hull City, which helped his side close out August with a comfortable 2-0 victory before Burnley soured the mood in West Yorkshire.

The rejuvenated Leeds number three did try and unlock the Clarets in a similar manner but was met by a resilient Burnley defence, as the 28-year-old trudged off the pitch with only one key pass next to his name come full-time.

There will be concerns about Firpo’s future around Elland Road now, with his contract up next June, and he already has clubs circling for his services.

Firpo's future at Leeds

There will be some grave concerns in the air as Firpo might well exit West Yorkshire for £0 if everything isn’t resolved shortly, with TEAMTalk revealing that one of his former employers in Real Betis is keen to win his services for zilch.

With his deal at Leeds entering into its final six months in January, he could well agree a pre-contract agreement with another side and then leave on a free transfer in the summer, which would be a nightmare situation for Farke and Co.

Year

Value

2024

£1.9m

2023

£2.7m

2022

£3m

2021

£12.8m

Sourced by Football Transfers

Although his value has fallen year on year he’s been at Leeds, with his valuation now standing at a low £1.9m compared to his original £12.8m fee, it would still be a sad state of affairs for the Whites if Firpo was to just leave for nothing.

His value could also increase over the next couple of months if he can keep up his electric displays in attack, which might – in tow – lead to his side tasting promotion.

Labelled as “immense” in the past by Leeds content creator Conor McGilligan, it would be a devastating end to his time in West Yorkshire if another club did poach him for £0 and an almighty blunder, given his impressive performances in the Championsnhip.

Before any of that happens, however, Firpo will no doubt just be keen to kick on and help his side in their aim to win promotion, as bottom of the table Cardiff City await Farke’s men next as the perfect way to bounce back, after the demoralising defeat to Burnley.

One of the worst players in Leeds' history is now struggling in Japan

This major Leeds United flop has continued to struggle even after leaving Elland Road behind.

1 ByKelan Sarson Sep 15, 2024

He might have to stay on in the team’s bubble in Zimbabwe to be eligible for the full series

Mohammad Isam13-Jul-2021

Mushfiqur Rahim had requested a break from the bio-bubble•AFP/Getty Images

Mushfiqur Rahim could be one of two players asked to stay back with the Bangladesh contingent after their ODI series against Zimbabwe, to avoid a longer quarantine period ahead of their T20I series against Australia next month. Rahim had been granted a leave by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) after he had requested to skip the T20Is against Zimbabwe.The BCB and Cricket Australia (CA) had agreed on the condition that both sets of players must be in quarantine ten days before entering the tour’s bio-bubble in Dhaka. Being in the Harare bio-bubble counts as being in this quarantine, which means Rahim’s personal break – which was supposed to be from July 22 – wouldn’t allow him to enter the Bangladesh-Australia bio-bubble until the day of the first T20I between the two sides, proposed to be in the first week of August.Related

Mushfiqur Rahim out of Australia T20Is after missing quarantine deadline

Mushfiqur Rahim to miss remainder of Zimbabwe tour

BCB to enforce strict measures for Australia's visit

Rahim to opt out of playing T20Is on Zim tour

Chief selector Minhajul Abedin said that they have to keep the Australia series quarantine in mind, but said a final decision will be taken after discussions with the team management in Harare. Any player on the current Zimbabwe tour who wants to be available for the full Australia series has to remain in Zimbabwe till July 27.”Everyone has to be in quarantine for ten plays to play in the Australia series,” Abedin told ESPNcricinfo. “We have planned to keep two players from the ODI side that’s playing against Zimbabwe, with the T20I side, just in case. We are not taking any chances because there is always the chance of someone getting sick.”After discussion with the team management, we will finalise on July 15 about whether Mushfiq will remain in Zimbabwe. Mushfiq wanted a break from the bio-bubble which is completely understandable. It is very difficult to live inside a bio-bubble. Even we have got tired staying at home, and imagine how the players feel being in hotels for such long periods.”Bangladesh play the ODI series against Zimbabwe from July 16 to 20. The T20Is are from July 23 to 27, and the return flight will bring them home on July 29. Australia, currently in the West Indies, are likely to arrive in Dhaka on July 27 after their last match on that tour on July 25.Apart from the ten-day quarantine, the BCB have already agreed to other requests from, CA including the visitors avoiding the airport hallrooms, stricter control in the team hotel, and playing all five T20Is in Dhaka.

Manchester City are set to be offered the chance to sign an exciting young defender in a player plus cash deal, according to a recent report.

Man City now keen on "sensational" new international valued at £70m

Man City have their eye on an exciting talent who could cost them a lot of money.

ByBrett Worthington Sep 17, 2024 Man City transfer updates

The Blues are said to be looking to tie Kevin de Bruyne and Rodri down to new contracts over the coming months, as the Belgian has entered the final year of his deal at the Etihad and Rodri is the subject of interest from Real Madrid.

But as well as looking to tie players down to new contracts, Pep Guardiola and Co. are also looking at potential transfer targets for January or next summer. The latest player to be on the radar of Man City is midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White.

The Blues are said to be keeping an eye on Gibbs-White and have compiled a detailed dossier on the midfielder after his impressive performances, which recently saw him handed his first senior England cap. The scouting network at the Premier League club are said to be huge admirers of Gibbs-White but may face a battle on their hands, as Nottingham Forest are keen on tying the player down to a new and improved contract.

But while City potentially look into a deal for Gibbs-White, they now potentially face a difficult task in keeping one of their star players as a European side prepares an interesting offer.

Barcelona prepare Araujo-Haaland swap bid

According to a report from Spain relayed by Football365, Manchester City could be offered the chance to sign Ronald Araujo from FC Barcelona. This report states that the Spanish giants are keen on signing Erling Haaland, and they are prepared to offer Araujo in exchange plus around £40m to sign the Norwegian.

The Blues are said to have “huge interest” in Araujo, who has been described as an “athletic monster” by BBC analyst Raj Chohan in the past. Guardiola is also keen to add a new centre-back to his squad, but the report states Barca expect City to reject their advances due to the inclusion of Haaland.

The 25-year-old has been at Barça since August 2018 and has played 150 times for the Catalans, scoring eight goals. Were Araujo to join Man City, he could become the Blues’ very own Virgil van Dijk, as the pair are very similar when it comes to their style of play and what they offer on the football pitch, as shown by Fbref’s comparison tool.

Ronaldo Aruajo

Virgil van Dijk

Pass completion rate

88.8%

91.4%

Shots per 90

1.04

1.27

Shot creating actions per 90

0.99

1.67

Tackles won

22

23

Fouls

25

23

Aerial duel win rate

73.2%

81.4%

The club’s president, Joan Laporta, sees Haaland as his dream signing for Barcelona and they think offering Araujo is a “galactic exchange”, albeit one they expect City to reject in its current format.