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Danny Rohl has at last been confirmed as the new manager of Scottish Premiership side Rangers. The former Sheffield Wednesday boss, who had previously ruled himself out of the running, has succeeded Russell Martin in the hotseat in Glasgow. Rohl will take charge of Rangers for the first time on Thursday night when they take on SK Brann in the Europa League.

• Rangers finally get their man

  Rangers' hunt for a new manager has been anything but simple following Martin's departure after a dismal start to the new campaign in Scotland. Rohl initially rejected the chance to join the club, while Steven Gerrard also turned down the opportunity to head back to Glasgow for another stint as boss, having delivered the club's first Permiership title in a full decade back in 2020-21. Former Rangers defender Kevin Muscat was also mentioned as a possible option for the Gers, but talks over a move broke down, and it's now been made official that Rohl is the club's new first-team coach.

  A club statement read: "Rangers Football Club today confirms the appointment of Danny Rohl as men’s first-team head coach. Rohl was most recently in charge of Sheffield Wednesday, and now joins Rangers on an initial two-and-a-half-year deal."

  In theory, the 36-year-old German has until the end of the 2027-28 season.

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  Rohl says 'no time to waste' at Rangers

  Even after previously turning the role down, Rohl has spoken already of his pride at taking over at Rangers and is eager to get down to work.

  He told the club's website "It is a huge privilege to be taking on the role of head coach at such an incredible club, recognised around the world. I know it has been a difficult start to the season, but there is still so much to play for in four competitions, and my staff and I will give it everything to reward the supporters and the club. We have no time to waste, we start straight away.

  "I respect that trust is earned and understand we have to give the supporters confidence in what we are doing by showing it on the pitch from the start. The expectations are huge and I love this challenge because I set high standards for myself and the team too. I'm looking forward to meeting the squad and getting down to work ahead of Thursday’s game away to Brann."

• Rangers in need of big boost

  Rohl takes over a Rangers side that has somehow managed just one win from eight Scottish Premiership games so far this season. The Glasgow giants have taken just nine points from a dreadful start to the new campaign and are just three points above bottom side Livingston. 

  Rohl arrives after departing Sheffield Wednesday in the summer by mutual consent. He successfully avoided relegation twice with the struggling club and also finished 12th in the Championship. He will now be charged with turning around the team's fortunes and can also call on previous coaching experience with RB Leipzig, Southampton, Bayern Munich and Germany.

  Rangers chairman Andrew Cavenagh is confident he's got the right man for the job. He told the club media: "Danny's experience at elite level, in high-pressure environments, makes him a strong fit for what we expect here. We know the past few months have been challenging, but our focus has always been on getting the right person, who is ready to immediately embrace this football club and the demands that come with it. Danny impressed us with his vision, his character, and his understanding of what Rangers stands for. We believe he can help restore pride, momentum, and ultimately success."

  Sporting director Kevin Thelwell added: "Danny has the qualities required to succeed here, allied with being an exceptional coach. He has worked in some of the most demanding football environments in the world, where winning is the only expectation, and we believe that background has prepared him for Rangers."

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  Europa League awaits Rohl first up

  Rohl kicks off his tenure at Rangers in the Europa League against Brann and will be hoping to guide his team to their first points in the competition after starting off with disappointing defeats to Sturm Graz and Genk. Rangers then go on to face Kilmarnock and Hibernian in the league before a crunch clash against bitter rivals Celtic in the semi-finals of the Scottish League Cup.

What a turbulent week it has been for Nottingham Forest. The East Midlands side have seen their manager, Nuno Espirito Santo, sacked after around 18 months in the hot seat at the City Ground. His replacement has already been named as former Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou.

However, Sky Sports reporter Rob Dorsett said “the writing was on the wall” when Edu was appointed the club’s sporting director. Forest spent plenty of money over the summer, too, increasing the size of their squad and spending freely as they have under owner Evangelos Marinakis.

It was certainly a surprise when one of those signings, Omari Hutchinson, was omitted from the Europa League squad.

Hutchinson’s time at Forest so far

England under-21 international Hutchinson made the move to the City Ground from Ipswich Town, who were relegated at the end of last season. He cost the East Midlands side a club-record fee of £37.5m and signed a five-year contract.

In two games under Nuno so far, the 21-year-old has only made two fleeting appearances. His debut was an eight-minute cameo against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, and he played one minute in the 3-0 loss at home to West Ham United.

On the face of things, it is strange that Hutchinson has played so little football for Forest. Even if he is not match fit and ready to start, you might have thought he’d play more than nine minutes in two games. He was a key player for England under-21s in their successful European Championship campaign and scored in the final.

Even stranger, then, is the fact the forward was omitted from the Europa League squad. Charlie Austin said on Sky Sports that “Nottingham Forest convincing Omari Hutchinson to come play for that football club, European football would have been a part of it”, so to leave him out is a strange decision.

It will be fascinating to see if Postecoglou unleashes Hutchinson early on in his reign. There is another player who the Australian manager might well choose to play, who Nuno did not.

The Forest outcast Postecoglou could now unleash

It was certainly a big summer for Forest. Signing several new players to wear Garibaldi Red this season does mean there are going to be some unhappy people in that squad, but one player’s lack of involvement has been a surprise.

27-year-old midfielder Douglas Luiz was a summer addition from Juventus. He signed for the Nottingham-based outfit on a season-long loan from the Old Lady, with an obligation to buy him at the end of the season if certain conditions are met.

Yet, Luiz has played even less than Hutchinson. The former Aston Villa midfielder was an unused substitute for the two games he’s been available for. That surprised talkSPORT journalist Alex Crook, who said it was a decision that “spelt the end for Nuno” at Forest.

It is curious that the Brazilian has played so little at Forest. His time at Villa Park showed just how good of a Premier League player he is. In 204 games for the Villans, he scored 22 times and assisted 24, operating as a number six, controlling the game, and a number eight.

The tenacity shown in the video above from 2023/24 is exactly what he can bring to the Forest midfield.

His underlying numbers from that campaign are impressive, with the Brazilian having a 60% take-on success rate and winning 4.5 duels per 90 minutes.

It is certainly hard to understand why Nuno didn’t field Luiz at all this season. However, with the quality he can bring on the ball and his engine out of possession, he is a midfielder that Postecoglou can depend on.

Forest are next in action away to Arsenal, so it will be fascinating to see if their new manager gives Luiz minutes. He will certainly be hoping to avoid some of the mistakes Nuno made towards the end of his tenure.

Zinchenko in, Ndoye axed for £30m "menace": Ange's dream Nottingham Forest XI

A look at Ange Postecoglou’s dream starting lineup at Nottingham Forest

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By
Joe Nuttall

Sep 11, 2025

Harry Kane’s Bayern Munich contract reportedly includes a €65 million release clause that can only be activated within a specific window — keeping Premier League clubs on alert. The England captain’s prolific form in Germany has strengthened Bayern’s stance, though speculation over a potential return to England refuses to go away.

• Kane’s contract clause puts timeline on potential exit

  Kane’s stunning form in Germany has not just cemented his place among Europe’s elite but also reignited curiosity about his long-term future. The 32-year-old forward, who joined Bayern from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2023, has a €65m (£57m/$76m) release clause written into his contract, but it comes with strict conditions.

  According to , Kane can only trigger the clause if he notifies Bayern by the end of January 2026, opening the door for a summer move that same year. Beyond that deadline, the option becomes void, effectively tying him to Munich until his current deal expires in 2027 unless both parties agree otherwise.

  The clause’s structure reflects the Bavarians' evolving approach to transfers. Once known for their resistance to release clauses, the club have gradually softened their stance to attract top-tier players like Kane, whose arrival immediately transformed their attack. The England captain has responded with 12 goals in just eight Bundesliga matches and 20 across all competitions so far this season.

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  Bayern calm despite clause amid Kane’s red-hot form

  Despite the potential exit clause, Bayern remain relaxed about the situation. Club sources have indicated confidence that Kane is happy in Munich, both professionally and personally. His arrival in 2023 not only revived Bayern’s domestic dominance but also helped re-establish their status among Europe’s top attacking forces.

  The striker has led Kompany’s side to an unbeaten start in both the Bundesliga and Champions League, scoring at a record-breaking pace while integrating seamlessly into Bayern’s system. His consistency in front of goal has silenced critics who questioned his decision to leave the Premier League, while internally, Bayern view him as the cornerstone of their long-term project.

  “We can certainly talk about that,” Kane said when asked about a new deal after scoring a brace against Werder Bremen on September 26. “I have almost two years left. It’s not like I’m in the final year of my contract and anyone is panicking. I’m fine. The club is fine. I think they’re happy with me, and I’m happy with them. Those discussions can take place.”

• English striker's family life flourishing in Munich

  Off the pitch, the striker's contentment in Munich has been a key factor in Bayern’s calmness over his contract. His wife, Kate, and their four children have reportedly settled well in Germany, enjoying a quieter lifestyle than in England. The couple, who married in 2019, appreciate the privacy Munich offers compared to life in London.

  Reflecting on his family’s adjustment earlier this year, Kane said: “The way the people welcomed us was extraordinary. It touched us deeply as a family – not just me, but all of us. The children go to school and love it. My wife feels very comfortable too. We truly enjoy every second.”

  That level of comfort, combined with the club’s success, has made the idea of an early return to England less likely, at least in the short term.

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• Premier League return still a long-term dream

  Still, speculation about a Premier League return continues to hover around Kane, primarily due to his long-stated ambition to surpass Alan Shearer’s all-time record of 260 goals. The England captain is just 48 goals short after netting 213 times for Tottenham before his move to Bayern.

  Several top English clubs including former employers Spurs are expected to monitor his situation closely should the release clause become active. A Premier League comeback would offer Kane the chance to cement his legacy as the division’s greatest scorer, though his current form in Germany suggests he remains fully focused on Bayern’s objectives for now.

Manchester United’s heavy spending over the past couple of years has been massively underwhelming, with their funds often being splashed on players not up to the demands of the Premier League.

The Red Devils have spent over £700m on new additions on new additions in the last three years, but it’s safe to say those signings have failed to live up to expectations.

Ruben Amorim is the latest man to try and get the best out of the current crop of players, but like those before him, he’s struggled to be a hit at Old Trafford.

The 40-year-old has only achieved a 40% win rate since taking the reins back in November last year, losing 20 times in his 48 outings across all competitions.

However, he rapidly made up his mind about one player, quickly offloading him after his appointment and allowing him to move on to pastures new.

Antony’s failure to impress at Man Utd

Back in the summer of 2022, United supporters were hugely excited by the arrival of winger Antony from Ajax, with the Brazilian joining the club for a fee in the region of £86m.

However, their excitement looked to be worthwhile, subsequently scoring on his debut against Arsenal at Old Trafford – but that was as good as it got during his spell in England.

He racked up a total of 96 appearances for the Red Devils, but only managed to find the net on 12 separate occasions – eight of which came in his first season.

The 25-year-old only made nine appearances under Amorim, only two of which came from a starting position, before joining Real Betis on a season-long loan in the second half of 2024/25.

In his 26 appearances for the LaLiga outfit, Antony registered 14 combined goals and assists, helping them reach the Europa Conference League final – before suffering a hammering at the hands of Chelsea.

He would rejoin the side on a permanent basis this summer, subsequently ending his three years in Manchester, but also seeing the hierarchy losing a huge chunk of their investment.

The board agreed to offload him for just £21.5m including add-ons, but it has allowed one other player to follow his role and potentially lead the club to success in the near future.

The Man Utd player who looks like Antony was supposed to be

There’s no denying that the deal for Antony will go down as one of the worst in United’s history, with huge money being wasted on a player who was ultimately not up to the level required of the Premier League.

The Brazilian is only part of the reason why the club have been in such a dire situation, but he was once seen as the player to drag them out of the hole – something which he evidently failed to do.

It’s crucial that the hierarchy use such a deal as a stark reminder of the risks they face when spending big on new additions within the transfer market.

However, the board did spend big in the transfer market during the recent window, splashing a fee in the region of £71m on the signature of Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford.

The Cameroonian international netted 20 goals for the Bees during the 2024/25 campaign, subsequently leading to his move – but the similarities to Antony are there for all to see.

Both are left-footed talents who like to cut inside off the right-hand side, but there’s real hope that the new addition can impress and take the side to new levels – something which Antony failed to do.

Mbeumo, who earns £150k-per-week, has already hit the ground running in Manchester, scoring twice in his opening six appearances for the club – including in the Premier League victory against Burnley.

His underlying stats further highlight the talent he’s already demonstrated, with the 26-year-old desperately needing to continue on his current trajectory in the North West.

Mbeumo, who’s been labelled a “superstar” by one analyst, has registered 1.3 shots on target per 90, along with 1.9 chances created per 90 – able to go alone or find a teammate within the final third.

He’s also completed 60% of the dribbles he’s attempted, whilst also notching 6.3 touches in the opposition box per 90, constantly offering a nuisance to the opposition defenders.

It may only be early days for Mbeumo at Old Trafford, but the signs are all positive for the attacker, hopefully continuing on his current path and leading the side to future success in various competitions.

Should he continue thriving, he would be a phenomenal addition at £71m, subsequently allowing the fanbase to forget about the disastrous deal to land Antony a couple of years ago.

Huge Amorim upgrade: Man Utd keen on appointing "incredible" PL manager

Manchester United have set their sights on appointing one manager who has exceeded all expectations.

By
Ethan Lamb

Sep 25, 2025

The Atlanta Braves are 39-31 this season, but that record is still well below their expectations heading into 2024. They've been bit by the injury bug and are now 8.0 games back from the Philadelphia Phillies in the NL East.

Thankfully, they managed to squeeze by the Detroit Tigers via a 2-1 decision in the first game of their three-game set on Monday night and will try to string together a second straight win tonight.

We're going to dive into everything you need to know to bet on today's interleague showdown.

Tigers vs. Braves Odds, Spread, and Total

Run Line:

• Tigers +1.5 (-139)
• Braves -1.5 (+115)

Moneyline:

• Tigers +140
• Braves -167

Total:

• 9.0 (Over -105/Under -115)

Tigers vs. Braves Probable Pitchers

• Detroit: Casey Mize (1-4, 4.43 ERA)
• Atlanta: Spencer Schwellenbach (0-2, 6.32 ERA)

Tigers vs. Braves How to Watch

• Date: Tuesday, June 18
• Time: 7:20 p.m. EST
• Venue: Truist Park
• How to watch (TV): Bally Sports South, Bally Sports Detroit
• Tigers record: 34-38
• Braves record: 39-31

Tigers vs. Braves Key Players to Watch

Detroit Tigers

Riley Greene: The Tigers' outfielder has been by their best offensive player this season. His 14 home runs is five more than any other player on the roster and his WAR of 3.0 is the best on the team by 2.0. When he gets going offensively, the Tigers are at their best.

Atlanta Braves

Spencer Schwellenbach: The Braves' rookie arm hasn't had a great start to his MLB career. He has a 6.32 ERA through his first three starts, but the good news is he was able to go 6.0 innings against the Baltimore Orioles his last time out. His development will be interesting to watch the next few weeks.

Tigers vs. Braves Prediction and Pick

Instead of betting on a side in this game, I'm going to opt for the total instead and take the UNDER.

Both offenses have been cold of late. Over the last 30 days, the Braves rank 18th in OPS at .687 and the Tigers come in at 24th at .669. Both teams also rank in the bottom half of the Majors in total runs scored in that time frame.

When it comes to pitching, I have faith we're going to see some positive regression from the young Schwellenbach. His 6.32 ERA is ugly, but a 4.43 FIP shows that some of his overall numbers may look reserve than they deserve to.

At surface level, you may think this game is going to produce a ton of runs, but when you dive into some underlying numbers along with recent form, it's clear to me we could see another low-scoring affair like we did on Monday.

Wolves are in the market for firepower and have now turned their attention to a Vitor Pereira favourite that he personally wants to bring to Molineux.

Wolves aim to bounce back after the international break

Admittedly, Wolves have suffered a poor start to the campaign, albeit draws against Tottenham and Brighton in the Premier League have provided more cause for optimism in the West Midlands.

Despite being rooted to the bottom of the table, the Old Gold have shown more resolve in recent times, though they are still to find that all-important victory to kickstart their campaign in earnest.

Speaking about his side’s recent form, Hugo Bueno believes his side will eventually find three points and has encouraged his teammates to look past the disappointment of conceding a late equaliser to the Seagulls last weekend.

He stated: “It was really painful, but I try to keep with the positives of this game and I think the team showed a really good character. I think we controlled the game, we played really well, so we have to keep going like this. I’m really proud of the team but we have to look forward to the next games and to the next points and hopefully we can win that one.”

With Matt Doherty set to spend a month on the sidelines, Wolves find themselves with a lack of depth at right-back. Either way, back-to-back fixtures against Sunderland and Burnley simply have to be a launchpad for climbing the Premier League table.

Avoiding relegation will be the first port of call for the Old Gold this term before other objectives are discussed, and they could now be set to target a prolific striker to help their bid for survival.

Vitor Pereira tells Wolves to sign Yuri Alberto

According to reports in South America via Sport Witness, Wolves boss Pereira personally wants to bring Corinthians forward Yuri Alberto to Molineux as he believes the Brazil international could add another layer to his offensive options.

The tactician is also said to have asked Wolves to sign Alberto, so it is clear Pereira is very keen on bringing the attacker to the Black Country.

The 24-year-old has registered 15 goals and two assists in 45 appearances over the current Brazilian campaign and was previously the subject of a failed loan bid with an option to buy from the Old Gold back in 2024.

Wolves' most expensive signings of all time

Football FanCast takes a detailed look at Wolves’ 10 most expensive signings of all time.

By
Charlie Smith

Sep 5, 2025

By the same token, Alberto has also created 11 chances on league duty, per Fotmob, illustrating his capacity to lead the line efficiently as Wolves look for someone to compete with Jorgen Strand Larsen and Tolu Arokodare for a starting place.

No official proposal has been made yet. Still, the Corinthians striker is now firmly in Pereira’s thinking, and his arrival could add some much-needed goals to a side who have been the Premier League’s lowest goalscorers thus far alongside Nottingham Forest.

Arsenal equalled a 105-year-old record after extending their remarkable defensive run with another shut-out win over Slavia Prague in the Champions League on Tuesday. Bukayo Saka opened the scoring from the penalty spot before Mikel Merino, who was covering for the injured Viktor Gyokeres upfront, added a brace to give Arsenal a comfortable 3-0 win in the Czech Republic.

• Arsenal equal century-old record

  This was Arsenal's eighth consecutive victory across all competitions without conceding a goal this season, a joint record for an English top-division side along with Preston in 1889 and Liverpool in 1920. The record-equalling dream run of victories started with a 2-0 win over Olympiacos in the Champions League on October 1, after which they beat teams like West Ham, Fulham, Crystal Palace, Atletico Madrid and Burnley. 

  The last time Mikel Arteta's side conceded a goal was against Newcastle United in the Premier League on September 28, although the Gunners still clinched the clash 2-1. Overall, they are on a 10-match winning streak across all competitions. 

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  Dowman creates history

  Arsenal wonderkid Max Downman became the youngest player ever to appear in a Champions League match, at just 15 years and 308 days, when he came on as a 72nd-minute substitute in place of Jurrien Timber. In the process, the teenager shattered the record previously held by Borussia Dortmund’s Youssoufa Moukoko, who was 16 years and 18 days when he made his debut in 2020.

  It was indeed a dream come true moment for the youngster, who was playing, only weeks ago, in the UEFA Youth League, where he dazzled for Gunners' Under-19s against Atletico Madrid, providing two assists in a narrow defeat. Dowman has been training with the senior side under Arteta since the start of the season and made his debut for the club in their 5-0 win over Leeds United in the Premier League. 

• Arsenal hailed for squad depth

  The Premier League leaders have been hailed for their squad depth in the current campaign, as CBS Sports Golazo analyst Geoff Shreeves told GOAL: "Remember when Liverpool flew out the traps and they signed Wirtz? And there was the talk of getting Isak? And the amount of people who said 'Let's not bother. Just give them the trophy.' Arsenal started to falter a little bit, so it's all over. So no, I wouldn't say Arsenal win it. They've got a great chance. Would I say it's definitely going to happen? Not in a million years, because that's the beauty of the Premier League. 

  "Look at the Premier League table right now. Look at Bournemouth, look at Sunderland. It's fantastic. I think we're in for a vintage Premier League this season. Last season, you have to admire what Arne Slot did at Liverpool. But they won it pretty much at a canter, and the bottom three were gone quite early. I said at the start of the season, I think we're seeing much greater competition at the top spot, and I think we'll we'll have far more teams involved in the relegation scrap. At the moment, that's looking fairly prescient. It's a rare example of me actually being right."

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  When will Gyokeres return?

  Amid the stunning run of form, Arteta remains concerned over star forward Gyokeres' condition as he missed the Champions League tie on Tuesday. The Sweden international sustained a hamstring injury during the Premier League win over Burnley last weekend, leaving the Arsenal boss fearful that he may be out for an extended period of time. The Spanish coach told reporters ahead of the European clash: "I am concerned because he hasn't had many muscular issues and he needed to leave the pitch and he was feeling something. That's obviously never a good sign, especially for a player that is very, very explosive. So we are digging in a little bit more to understand where we are in terms of the injury and we'll announce the moment we know."

  A fresh report from BBC has claimed that Gyokeres will undergo further tests this week and Arsenal fear he could be out for up to two weeks. This means that the striker will miss the club's upcoming league clash against Sunderland and will also rest during the international break, but is expected to return ahead of the north London derby against Tottenham on November 23.

England international and Aston Villa star Tyrone Mings suffered an injury against Liverpool that will keep him out of action until 2026. The news comes as a huge blow for the centre-back ahead of the World Cup next summer, as his chances of returning to the England squad have been further diminished. Mings last played for the Three Lions in 2023.

• Mings injures hamstring in Liverpool defeat

  Mings had only just returned from an ankle injury, which he suffered during Aston Villa's 3-1 win over Fulham in the Premier League in September. The injury kept him out of action for the club's matches in October but he returned off the bench against Liverpool last weekend. He was introduced in the match in the 74th minute in place of Pau Torres but pulled up in stoppage time as he sprinted back to defend against Mohamed Salah. Mings clutched the back of his right leg due to a hamstring problem and left Anfield in discomfort.

  After the game, Emery confirmed Mings' injury setback and predicted that the defender could be out for four weeks. The Spanish coach said: "It’s his hamstring. Yes, normally some weeks he will be out with an injury like that. But tomorrow we will test him and know exactly how much he will stay out of the team."

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  Mings out until 2026

  According to , Mings underwent scans on Monday and the reports have now shown that it is indeed a hamstring injury and quite a serious one, which keeps him sidelined for up to seven weeks. This means that the defender will no longer be available for selection for the rest of the 2025 calendar year. 

  The England international has been plagued with several injuries since the start of the 2023-24 campaign, appearing in only 31 matches across competitions in this timeframe. In August 2023, Mings was sidelined after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament. In the current campaign, the central defender has started in six out of the eight Premier League matches he has played.

• Major setback ahead of World Cup

  Mings last played for England in 2023 against Malta in a European Championship qualifying game. Since then, his continuous injuries have kept him out of the Three Lions squad. Mings, who has never played under England boss Thomas Tuchel, was hoping to impress the German coach this season to get a chance in England's World Cup squad, however, this latest injury comes as a major blow. With the defender out till 2026, it is unlikely that he will get enough time to attain full match fitness and play regularly in the second half of the season in a bid to catch Tuchel's eye. 

  The 32-year-old is also a leader on the pitch and has played an influential role in the Villa dressing room. His absence from the team will surely impact their performance. 

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  Who will replace Mings at Aston Villa?

  Emery has fielded the centre-back pairing of Ezri Konsa and Pau Torres quite often this season and the duo will likely continue to feature in the starting lineup in the absence of Mings. Villa also have ex-Manchester United star Victor Lindelof and Lamare Bogarde in their ranks, both of whom could fill in when either of Konsa or Torres are suspended or injured.

  The Villans next face Maccabi Tel Aviv in a Europa League fixture on November 5, before taking on Bournemouth in the Premier League on Sunday.

What defines a legend? A modern-great? In Arsenal terms, it’s Thierry Henry, the club’s record goalscorer.

It’s also Dennis Bergkamp. It’s Tony Adams. All three icons are cast in bronze outside the Emirates Stadium.

It’s also Arsene Wenger. While his stint in north London ended without many trophies, he is the most successful Gunners manager in the modern era. He was the one who drove the move from Highbury to the Emirates. He was the one who achieved a double, the one who reached a Champions League final.

He is also the only manager to have a golden Premier League trophy. No club in history since the old English First Division was rebranded have achieved an unbeaten season. Few have brought as much to the game as Mr Wenger.

Current boss Mikel Arteta has a great deal to achieve before he can be recognised in the same light but a major trophy come the end of 2025/26 would undoubtedly help.

It’s safe to say Bukayo Saka is certainly also heading down the legendary route.

Where Bukayo Saka ranks among Arsenal players in the Emirates era

The date was 29th November 2018. The setting: a freezing cold stadium in Ukraine. The opposition were Vorskla Poltava. What was the significance? Well, Saka made his first-team debut for the Gunners.

Brought into the fray by Unai Emery, he appeared from the bench in a 3-0 win aged 17 years, two months and 24 hours.

Since then, it’s safe to say the winger hasn’t looked back. Initially making his first forays at senior level as a left-back, even appearing there during Arteta’s first match in charge, he is now one of the best wingers in the world.

Only a few weeks ago, he cemented himself as one of the finest players of the Emirates era by registering his 100th goal involvement in his 200th Premier League clash, finding the net from the penalty spot against West Ham last time out.

The poster boy for this Arsenal team and indeed the Arteta project, journalist Charles Watts claimed he was “the best right winger in the world” back in 2023 and while Mo Salah may have overtaken him in that regard, certainly in the Premier League, he’s still right up there.

As far as Emirates Stadium icons go, he sits very close to the top of the tree. Other candidates include current teammates William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes. Declan Rice is up there too.

Yet, does he come close to eclipsing the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie? Considering the way in which the pair left, you’d have to say yes at this current moment in time.

Does he eclipse Mesut Ozil? The German is one of the finest playmakers we’ve ever seen over the last two decades but even his time in the English capital ended in tears.

Alexis Sanchez left in strange circumstances as well but Saka still has some way to go before he eclipses the Chilean’s numbers. He found the net on 80 occasions in 166 matches, most notably scoring 30 times in the 2016/17 campaign. Saka’s best season in front of goal stands at 18 so there is room for improvement there.

The club’s number 7 is no doubt already a club icon but who’s next on the conveyor belt of talent?

Arsenal star could become an all-timer like Saka

Saka is Hale End. He has served as the inspiration for a whole number of footballers trying to make the jump from academy to first-team life.

His influence has already proven to be a beacon for the likes of Max Dowman and Myles Lewis-Skelly.

Lewis-Skelly earned his England debut last term and Dowman is currently the talk of the town having become the second-youngest player in Premier League history when he made his top-flight debut at the age of 15 a couple of months ago.

Dowman is the shiny new toy and so it’s easy to forget about fellow Hale Ender Ethan Nwaneri.

Now 18, Nwaneri is the only player to make his Premier League bow at a younger age than Dowman and since then, he’s gone from strength to strength.

While he is yet to find the net in 2025/26, largely now playing as an attacking midfielder, he showcased that he was a true game-changer in 2024/25.

Last campaign, the teenager predominantly played on the right flank when Saka was out injured and he made a remarkable impact. In total, the youngster bagged nine goals in 37 matches and created two assists. One of those included a stunner in the rout over Manchester City.

He earned rave reviews in the process. After starring in the Champions League, TNT Sport pundit Joe Cole stated that Nwaneri was “the most exciting footballer in England and maybe Europe.” Fine praise indeed.

Cole is certainly a huge fan of the teenager, remarking at another point in the season that he was like the great Lionel Messi.

“These touches he produces in and around the box, I don’t want to say it, but it’s like Messi,” the former Chelsea star said. “I don’t want to put any more pressure on the kid’s shoulders, I’m sure he’ll deal with it. He plays with such confidence and he’s a beautiful player.”

After such an impressive season, it’s easy to forget just how young this kid is. Dowman is getting all of the hype now but let’s shine a light on Nwaneri again.

He may have only played 145 minutes in the Premier League this term but he is already streets ahead of his peers in the same age group. Some might argue he’s also ahead of Saka at the same age.

During the England international’s first full campaign a senior player he only beat the goalkeeper on four occasions. Nwaneri had five more.

So, there are still plenty of reasons to be excited about the teenager, particularly as in the words of Arsenal content creator Leo Da Silva, he has the potential to be “an all-time like Saka.”

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4

By
Angus Sinclair

Oct 11, 2025

Newcastle United won two games of football last week, thumping Benfica in the Champions League before rallying late on at home against Fulham at the weekend to claim three points in the Premier League.

Three much-needed points. Newcastle had only won two of their opening eight top-flight fixtures beforehand, and Eddie Howe’s side were clearly suffering as a by-product of the drawn-out summer Alexander Isak saga.

Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa have arrived at St. James’ Park to replace the Sweden star, and the former is firing on all cylinders, with five goals from his first ten Magpies outings in all competitions. His general play has impressed everyone at the club, and the entire fanbase besides.

But the 29-year-old Wissa has yet to make his debut as he recovers from a knee injury. The former Brentford star is slated to return in the coming weeks.

Despite this, there are a curious number of reports suggesting the Toon are considering adding to their forward ranks next year.

Newcastle eyeing another striker

Newcastle are showing signs of progress after a stodgy start to the season from an attacking standpoint. Woltemade hit the ground running after his £69m club-record move from Stuttgart, but the overall fluency had fallen from its former level.

With Bruno Guimaraes leading the creative resurgence and the likes of Anthony Gordon starting to find their form, there’s a sense that Newcastle’s strikers could hit lofty levels in the coming years.

While it may seem like Newcastle are well stocked at number nine, William Osula is expected to depart if he cannot establish regular minutes, and how Wissa will fare is as yet uncertain.

Because of this, Caught Offside believe technical director Ross Wilson is preparing a bumper bid for Brentford centre-forward Igor Thiago, who has been in fine fettle so far this season.

The Magpies are getting ready to lodge a €40m (£35m) offer for the Brazilian, though it’s felt more would be needed to convince the Bees to pay up. Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur are also interested.

Brentford are under no financial pressure to cash in, and thus Thiago may only leave if the Bees lose their sting and sink into the second tier at the end of the season.

What Igor Thiago would bring to Newcastle

Admittedly, Newcastle don’t need three top-class strikers in the long run. Not with Osula still making his presence known and with the likes of youngster Sean Neave just waiting to announce himself.

But if Wissa fails to make the grade after an injury-hit start to life on Tyneside, Thiago would be a compelling replacement, having rebounded from an injury-hit debut year at Brentford to make a prolific start to the new campaign under Keith Andrews’ management.

Six goals from nine Premier League matches is what he has, and despite his prolific returns, his manager has praised him as a “selfless” forward who “always puts the team first”.

The 24-year-old has also completed 60% of his dribbles this season while winning 5.4 duels per game, as per Sofascore, demonstrating his robustness and the desire to get stuck in and contribute.

Key virtues for a striker in a Howe set-up, right?

Hailed by Sky Sports’ Dougie Critchley for being “relentless in his work rate”, there’s little question that Thiago boasts the energy and tenacity to make waves under Howe’s wing.

FBref highlight this perfectly, showcasing the striker’s defensive qualities across the early Premier League campaign. What’s most curious is his likeness to Woltemade, with both physical and rangy forward blessed with more technical skill than might be apparent at a glance.

With both stars eager to progress the ball and get stuck in defensively, you can see why Howe has been sold after the early weeks of the campaign.

Woltemade’s link-up play is one of his defining assets on the field. In this, he is similar to the ‘selfless’ Thiago, and it’s curious to note that both stars have enjoyed clinical starts to the season regardless.

Level on six goals with Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo, Thiago has only been outscored in the top flight this term by the unstoppable Erling Haaland, who is on 11 strikes.

They are not carbon copies, though, these two strikers. This could work to the advantage of Howe’s project, to be sure, providing equally dynamic forwards to bounce off the likes of Gordon and Anthony Elanga, who has still not got going this season, willing to serve as physical focal points and use crisp passing to play the fleet-footed wingers through.

One of the staples of Howe’s Newcastle project is the collective ability to weather adversity and bounce back stronger. Thiago looks tailor-made in this regard, having featured so little last year under Thomas Frank as he recovered from that knee injury, and yet having played with such confidence and quality across the opening months of the season.

While it doesn’t seem likely that Newcastle would spend a pretty penny on a striker like Thiago without first cutting some costs, he’s been earmarked and has the talent and playing style to become a major player under Howe’s wing down the line.

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By
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