Real Madrid have been dealt another injury setback ahead of El Clasico, with defender David Alaba ruled out after suffering a severe calf strain. The Austrian’s absence deepens Xabi Alonso’s defensive crisis, leaving Los Blancos with limited options at centre-back before a pivotal week that includes matches against Juventus and Barcelona.

• Alaba ruled out of El Clasico with calf injury

  Madrid’s defensive concerns have worsened after Alaba sustained a right calf strain that will sideline him for over a week, according to . The 33-year-old was withdrawn at halftime during Madrid’s 2-0 win over Getafe, his first La Liga start of the campaign, after feeling discomfort in the muscle. Follow-up scans confirmed the strain, ruling him out of the Champions League clash against Juventus and the weekend’s El Clasico against Barcelona.

  Reports indicate that while Alaba avoided a muscle tear, the strain is “severe" enough to require a recovery period of seven to 10 days. His absence leaves Xabi Alonso with a selection headache as Madrid prepare for two of their most crucial fixtures in October.

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• AFP
  

  Alonso confirms setback, reveals precautionary substitution

  Head coach Alonso explained after the Getafe match that Alaba was taken off as a precaution, though later tests confirmed the severity of the injury. “Alaba has noticed, not an injury, but his calf was getting stiff,” Alonso said at full time. Those results, however, have now confirmed a setback for the Austrian defender, who has endured a string of fitness issues over the past two seasons.

  Alonso further addressed the situation in his pre-match press conference on Tuesday, stating: “We’re going to take it day by day. Trent [Alexander-Arnold] and [Dani] Carvajal have done some work. Looking ahead to tomorrow, I don’t think they’ll be ready.” His words underlined Madrid’s mounting defensive dilemma ahead of key European and domestic games.

• Madrid’s injury crisis deepens ahead of key fixtures

  Alaba’s injury adds to an already depleted backline for Los Blancos as Antonio Rudiger remains sidelined with a left leg muscle problem, Dean Huijsen is recovering from a calf issue, and captain Dani Carvajal continues to nurse his own calf complaint. Trent Alexander-Arnold has not featured since picking up a hamstring injury in September.

  Raul Asencio partnered Eder Militao at centre-back in the second half against Getafe, and that pairing could continue in the short term. The situation is far from ideal for Alonso, who faces two must-win games in the space of five days. The lack of defensive stability will likely force tactical adjustments, especially against Juve’s counterattacks and Barcelona’s high pressing.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Alaba’s injury history raises long-term concerns

  This latest setback is the continuation of a difficult injury run for Alaba, the Austrian international has already missed large portions of the past two seasons, including the Club World Cup earlier this year due to a left calf problem. He also sat out the final stretch of the 2024-25 campaign with a meniscus injury, following his long recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament tear suffered in December 2023.

  The repeated nature of his injuries has sparked internal discussions over his long-term fitness and future at the club. Reports in Spain suggest Alaba could be among the players considered for departure in the January transfer window, especially with Madrid exploring defensive reinforcements.

  Madrid return to Champions League action against Juve before hosting Barcelona in the first El Clasico of the season at the Santiago Bernabeu. With Alaba unavailable, Alonso will rely on Militao and Asencio as his central pairing, while hoping to recover Rudiger or Huijsen in time for the weekend showdown.

  For Barca, Alaba’s absence offers a potential boost, with the Catalans looking to exploit Madrid’s weakened defence. Beyond the immediate fixtures, Madrid’s medical team will closely monitor Alaba’s recovery to avoid aggravating the injury, a scenario that could sideline him for much longer during a packed schedule.

Luis Reece claims 3 for 21 to help wrap up comprehensive innings victory for home side

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay26-May-2025

Luis Reece is congratulated on a wicket•Getty Images

Luis Reece led Derbyshire’s victory charge as they rolled over Kent before lunch on the final day of the Rothesay County Championship Division Two match at Derby. The allrounder picked up two wickets to claim outstanding figures of 3 for 21 from 10 overs with Derbyshire beating the visitors by an innings and 14 runsAfter Zak Chappell struck with the first ball of the day, Kent folded in feeble fashion, losing four wickets in eight overs, to slump to 247 for 9, the injured Jake Ball unable to bat.It was Derbyshire’s second win of the season which takes them above Glamorgan to second in the table while Kent have now lost four matches in a row.Kent’s slide to another defeat started when Tawanda Muyeye was caught behind taking on a short ball from Chappell. Muyeye clearly thought it had come off his shoulder but given his side were still 104 runs behind with three wickets already down, it was not a great shot for the situation.That was a straightforward catch for Brooke Guest but the wicketkeeper took a much sharper one five overs later standing up to Luis Reece when Chris Benjamin pushed forward and edged into his gloves.Kent’s hopes of at least frustrating Derbyshire now rested with Jack Leaning and Harry Finch but the pair were quickly parted with Reece celebrating a second success of the morning. Leaning failed to get over a drive and substitute fielder Nick Potts took a good tumbling catch diving forward at deep mid-off.Derbyshire were now all over the visitors and in the next over, Finch went to turn Anuj Dal off his legs but the ball came off his thigh pad and onto the stumps.Matt Parkinson had resisted well as nightwatcher in the first innings but this time he lasted only seven balls before he went half forward to Jack Morley and was lbw. Grant Stewart struck some muscular blows , pulling Pat Brown for six, but the end came 15 minutes before the interval when he sliced the fast bowler to third man where Potts pulled off a superb diving catch.

It was very much smooth sailing for Liverpool when Arne Slot replaced Jurgen Klopp in the dugout. Overlooked by critics, the Reds dominantly won the Premier League despite minimal transfer investment.

Now, the defending champions have spent liberally across the summer but have lost their finely-woven fluency, lacking control and coherence across the opening weeks of the season.

The winning, never-quit mentality is still intact, but that alone will not carry the Anfield side through the campaign and to glory. Back-to-back defeats within the past week make a firm comment on that.

Tactically imbalanced and struggling through a bedding-in period, Liverpool have it all to do, with Slot dealing with a number of underperforming stars right now.

Liverpool's biggest strugglers this season

Where to start if not with Florian Wirtz? The German playmaker joined Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen for £116m this summer, billed as a world-class talent with unrivalled game-changing quality.

But, since playing a neat assist for Hugo Ekitike (who is certainly not an underperformer), Wirtz has blanked across nine fixtures in all competitions, with his performances leaving so much to be desired.

There is hope and expectation that the 22-year-old will hit his stride soon, but there may be more consternation over the form and future of Ibrahima Konate, who is out of contract at the end of the year, and with Real Madrid lurking, that’s not a good sign.

So far, the French centre-back’s campaign has been littered with mistakes. With Giovanni Leoni sidelined for the long term, this is ominous, with the durability of Liverpool’s starting defensive partnership essential to the success of the team.

Mohamed Salah has also endured a quiet start to the season, and he has received criticism for his toils. However, there’s another Redman who has struggled to get going so far, and he is quietly one of the most important cogs in the Slot machine.

Liverpool's quiet underperformer

Alexis Mac Allister has been a revelation since joining Liverpool from Brighton & Hove Albion for £35m in 2023. The Argentine World Cup winner has played influential and contrasting midfield roles across his two years on Merseyside, and has been hailed as a “superstar” by pundit Joe Cole for his efforts.

Matches (starts)

35 (30)

5 (5)

Goals

5

0

Assists

5

0

Touches*

55.8

48.4

Pass completion

87%

87%

Key passes*

1.3

0.8

Dribbles*

0.5

0.0

Ball recoveries*

4.2

3.6

Tackles + interceptions*

3.3

1.8

Ground duels (won)*

4.3 (50%)

1.8 (43%)

But there’s no denying that he hasn’t been right since the off-season. The 26-year-old star has lacked his energy and incisiveness, his hunger to win the ball back and progress play into the final third.

Given the importance of his form in the middle of the park, making everything tick for the Reds, it’s not outrageous to suggest that Mac Allister has been one of Liverpool’s worst performers this season, rarely offering any significant positivity.

Even Wirtz and Konate have enjoyed flashes of promise this term, but Mac Allister has yet to get going at all; he’s not protecting the defence, and neither is he carving out chances with slick passing.

Wirtz, after all, has created 21 chances across all competitions for Liverpool, and no Premier League player has created more since the summer. Clearly, there is a world-class player in there, and he will bloom before long.

It might even be that Slot needs to take his trusted lieutenant out of the firing line, with Curtis Jones producing an impressive, industrious performance in Istanbul.

In any case, there is plenty for Slot to sort out at Liverpool right now, and the changes need to happen sooner rather than later.

Trent 2.0: FSG have already sold a Bradley & Frimpong upgrade at Liverpool

Arne Slot has problems to fix at Liverpool after an up-and-down start to the season.

ByAngus Sinclair Sep 30, 2025

Hampshire collapse to three-day defeat amid their centuries and Lyndon James’ five-for

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay11-May-2025Hampshire collapsed to a three-day defeat after centuries from Jack Haynes and Liam Patterson-White had batted them out of the game as Division One leaders Nottinghamshire romped to a third victory in their opening five matches of the Rothesay County Championship season, winning by a massive 366-run margin.All-rounder Patterson-White struck a magnificent career-best 135 containing 21 fours and two sixes, with Haynes making 120, the pair sharing a seventh-wicket stand of 238 as the Trent Bridge side made 345 in their second innings.Chasing down 483 to win looked wholly unrealistic on a pitch that has made the new ball a potent weapon but Hampshire supporters would have hoped at least to see the match taken to a fourth day.Instead they witnessed their team bowled out for a miserable 116 by half past five with former favourite Mohammad Abbas not even among the wickets as the bowling honours were shared between Lyndon James with 5 for 22 and Brett Hutton with 4 for 56.The winning margin is Nottinghamshire’s second largest by runs in their Championship history.The mayhem of the final session was in complete contrast with the first, when it felt like a different match as Nottinghamshire’s seventh-wicket pair, whose partnership was worth 87 at Saturday’s close, added another 144 runs before lunch.Haynes, 60 overnight, had given his team-mate a 21-run start but in the event, as Hampshire’s bowlers toiled in vain to conjure life from an aging ball on a pitch that looked benign for the first time in the match, Patterson-White was first to three figures.He reached the milestone from 139 balls with a mighty pull for six off Sonny Baker. It was his second six of the innings, having hit 76 runs of his hundred runs in boundaries.Given that he had not made even a half-century in 32 innings over three seasons before this one and had struggled to keep his place in the side, it was little wonder he allowed himself a lengthy celebration.Moments later, he overtook his previous career-best – 101 against Somerset at Taunton in 2021 – before a single off Baker completed Haynes’s hundred, from 137 balls, also with 16 fours, his second in five innings.Haynes, dropped at deep square leg on 80, departed three overs after lunch. Kyle Abbott now had the new ball in hand but it was coming back for a second run to deep mid-wicket that cost Haynes, Baker’s throw to the wicketkeeper beating him comfortably.Nonetheless, the completed first run was enough to take the partnership to 238, Nottinghamshire’s second biggest for the seventh wicket against any opponent.Abbott followed up with a more conventional new-ball wicket in his next over – taking his tally for the season to 23 as the country’s leading wicket-taker so far – as Hutton was caught behind without scoring, after which Farhan Ahmed was yorked by James Fuller and Patterson-White bowled off a bottom edge.It gave Hampshire a theoretical target of 483 to win the match or else bat long enough to salvage some pride. Yet the chances of achieving even that quickly diminished as they slipped to 33 for 3 at tea.Abbas bowled six wicketless overs but from the other end Hutton had a leaden-footed Fletcha Middleton leg before and Mark Stoneman caught behind off a thin outside edge. First change James then dismissed Prest, who top-edged a cut as Kyle Verreynne held a second catch.And there was little sign of Hampshire trying to bed in for a fight after tea as wickets tumbled with unseemly frequency.Ben Brown’s loose pull off Hutton came down in the hands of square leg, Nick Gubbins fell tamely to a catch at extra cover off, Liam Dawson was caught on the boundary hooking, Fuller flicked straight to midwicket, Toby Albert, dropped at first slip, edged to third – albeit superbly caught by Haynes – and Brad Wheal was caught at mid-off, leaving the visitors 82 for nine.Abbott and Baker kept the home side’s celebrations on hold for 10 overs before the latter sliced to backward point for 27 as Hampshire’s top scorer, Patterson-White aptly taking the final wicket.

MatériaMais Notícias

A vitória do Grêmio sobre o Cruzeiro por 3 a 0 neste domingo (27), na Arena, pelo Campeonato Brasileiro, teve nome e sobrenome: Luis Suárez. O uruguaio deu um show à parte com um gol e uma assistência espetacular para ajudar o Tricolor a subir para o 3º lugar da competição, com 36 pontos. Pepê e Carballo marcaram os outros gols. Com a derrota, a Raposa estaciona em 12º, com 25 pontos. Veja os melhores momentos no player acima!

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+ Veja a tabela de classificação do Brasileirão e os próximos jogos

After a summer of perhaps foolish optimism, any such positives have been hard to find for Manchester United in the early weeks of 2025/26, amid what has been the club’s worst start to a Premier League season since the inaugural campaign in 1992.

One notable ray of light has been the displays of summer signing, Bryan Mbeumo, however, with the Cameroonian – signed from Brentford on an initial £65m deal – having scored twice in five games, while denied a third by the sprawling Gianluigi Donnarumma last time out.

There is evidence to suggest that the Red Devils shouldn’t get too carried away by such a promising start. Indeed, £86m flop Antony scored in his first three league outings for the club. Dan James, meanwhile, netted three times in just his first four top-flight games under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

That said, the silk and speed of Mbeumo is difficult not to be heartened by, with both he and fellow new arrival Matheus Cunha seemingly relishing their new status in Manchester, rather than being burdened by it.

The question remains as to whether Mbeumo and co now have the right manager to get the best out of them, with talk rife over the future of Ruben Amorim.

When previous post-Fergie managers were sacked

There are mixed reports over whether Amorim is actually under real pressure or not, with recent claims suggesting that he retains the backing of the board. Other reports, however, have claimed that he could have just three games left to save himself, with Chelsea, Sunderland and Brentford to come before the next international break.

Should a change occur by the time that October hiatus comes around, it would make the Portuguese coach the manager to have been sacked the quickest into a new season in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, even ahead of his predecessor Erik ten Hag.

In the case of the Dutchman, a 2-1 defeat to West Ham United – which included a glaring Diogo Dalot miss and a controversial late penalty for the Hammers – spelt the end for his turbulent Old Trafford reign, with the ex-Ajax boss relieved of his duties on 28 October.

The permanent manager that Ten Hag had replaced – Solskjaer – was given his marching orders on 21 November 2021, with a 4-1 defeat away to Watford sparking what appeared an inevitable exit, in the wake of prior defeats to Manchester City and Liverpool.

The Norwegian had himself been parachuted in mid-season three years earlier, with Jose Mourinho dismissed in December 2018, a 3-1 defeat away to Liverpool proving the final nail in the coffin.

As for Louis van Gaal, the enigmatic veteran did at least see out the season before his 2016 dismissal, albeit with news of his departure unfortunately filtering through as he celebrated his FA Cup triumph on the Wembley turf.

David Moyes – the man to endure the briefest permanent tenure to date – lasted just ten months into his six-year deal, prior to being given the boot in April 2014.

Erik ten Hag

28 Oct 2024

West Ham 3-1 Man Utd

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

21 Nov 2021

Watford 4-1 Man Utd

Jose Mourinho

18 Dec 2018

Liverpool 3-1 Man Utd

Louis van Gaal

23 May 2016

Man Utd 2-1 Palace

David Moyes

22 April 2014

Everton 2-0 Man Utd

Amorim could well be the next victim of such ruthlessness, with a potential replacement already being lined up…

Why Andoni Iraola could be a perfect Amorim replacement

According to reports relayed by Caught Offside, among the leading candidates to replace the former Sporting CP man in Manchester is Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola, with tension in the Old Trafford boardroom said to have reached “boiling point”.

The report claims that there is a potential plan in place to carry out an “international reset” in the next break, should results not drastically improve, with Iraola among the top targets being lined up amid his fine work on the south coast. This comes amid reports that Sir Gareth Southgate may also be in the mix.

In an era of managerial excuses and complaints, the Spaniard has set himself apart by simply cracking on with things at the Vitality Stadium, be it despite a raft of injuries last term, or numerous key exits this summer.

Indeed, the Basque-born tactician has thus far guided the Cherries to fourth in the table in 2025/26, despite having lost four members of last season’s back five, including Dean Huijsen, Milos Kerkez and Illia Zabarnyi.

The only defeat thus far came on the opening night away at Anfield, although with the expensively assembled hosts needing two late goals to see off their spirited visitors and the lively Antoine Semenyo in that 4-2 thriller.

Iraola – who has overseen respectable 12th and ninth-place finishes in the Premier League – has been particularly key in taking that man Semenyo to a whole new level, registering 36 goals and assists in 83 games under Gary O’Neil’s successor, as per Transfermarkt.

That includes three goals and two assists already this season, with the Ghanaian thriving as part of a relentless and dynamic front line. Such an approach appears tailor-made to get the best out of Mbeumo, with the pair deemed to be statistically and stylistically similar players among those in their position in Europe, as per FBref.

Like Semenyo, the United man is an adept goalscorer and creator, while mirroring his Bournemouth counterpart in being able to operate off the right flank or centrally.

That ability was evident last term, with Mbeumo racking up 27 goals and assists in the league, while creating 17 ‘big chances’ and averaging 1.8 key passes per game, as per Sofascore.

Semenyo, for context, registered 17 goals and assists of his own, while creating 11 ‘big chances’ and averaging 1.2 key passes under Iraola’s watch.

For the ex-Bristol City man to have flourished with the in-demand coach at the helm, just imagine the heights that Mbeumo could reach in such a front-foot, aggressive attacking set-up.

He is an “incredible” manager, as lauded by Pep Guardiola, with it likely to be intriguing to see if the 43-year-old could translate such success at United.

He’s young, Premier League proven and with a knack for getting results despite the circumstances and chaos surrounding him – sounds perfect, right?

Time running out: 5 ways that Ruben Amorim can save his job at Man Utd

INEOS are running out of patience.

ByTom Cunningham Sep 17, 2025

أصبح النجم المصري محمد صلاح على وشك تحطيم رقم قياسي جديد في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، عندما يلتقي ليفربول مع أستون فيلا على ملعب “أنفيلد” يوم السبت المقبل.

ونشرت “TRIBUNA” أن محمد صلاح على وشك تحطيم الرقم القياسي الذي يحمله واين روني منذ فترة طويلة لإجمالي الأهداف والتمريرات الحاسمة لنادي واحد في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وكان صلاح قد انضم إلى ليفربول في عام 2017 وساهم في 275 هدفًا في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، حيث سجل 187 هدفًا وصنع 88 هدفًا.

اقرأ أيضاً.. صحفي إنجليزي يكشف وجهة محمد صلاح المتوقعة بعد رحيله عن ليفربول

ويأتي النجم المصري بفارق هدف أقل عن واين روني الذي ساهم بـ276 هدفًا مع مانشستر يونايتد حيث سجل 183 هدفًا وصنع 93 تمريرة حاسمة.

وكان مهاجم مانشستر يونايتد واين روني قد حقق رقمه القياسي على مدار مسيرة امتدت 13 عامًا في “أولد ترافورد”.

وحقق المهاجم الإنجليزي السابق خمسة ألقاب في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز وكأس الاتحاد الإنجليزي ودوري أبطال أوروبا، بينما انضم صلاح وهو يبلغ 25 عاماً إلى ليفربول ويحرص عللى ترك بصمته في كرة القدم الإنجليزية.

وكان صلاح قد ساهم بـ275 هدفًا، بالهدف الذي سجله ضد برينتفورد يوم السبت الماضي، وحقق المصري هذا الإنجاز في 96 مباراة أقل ويمتلك 4 أهداف أكثر من روني.

Mexico’s poor results during the recent FIFA window sparked criticism of several players, including Toluca forward Alexis Vega, who has been questioned for his lack of impact. His club coach, Antonio Mohamed, defended him and expressed confidence that Vega will prove his worth when the 2026 World Cup arrives. The former Chivas player was booed by fans.

Getty Images Sport'Vega isn’t being as decisive'

Mohamed expressed full confidence that Vega will shine with the Mexico at the 2026 World Cup, despite the criticism the Toluca forward has faced in recent appearances for El Tri.

The Toluca manager admitted that Vega hasn’t been as decisive for Mexico as he is with the Diablos Rojos, but insisted that the 26-year-old has the talent and mentality to turn things around.

“If you analyze things objectively, out of the 20 players currently called up, very few are performing at their best level,” Mohamed told TUDN. “There’s a lot of pressure around the national team right now. Vega isn’t being as decisive as he is at Toluca – that’s the reality – but I’m sure that once he clears his mind and feels fresh heading into the World Cup, he’ll have an incredible tournament. I’m certain of it, no doubt at all.”

AdvertisementGetty Images Sport'Convinced they’ll dominate'

The Argentine coach also shared his belief that Mexico will perform well at the 2026 World Cup, especially given that several of their matches will be played at home.

“Mexico will have a great World Cup, you’ll see,” Mohamed added. “Because of the context, the atmosphere, and the fact that they’ll play at home – at the Estadio Azteca in front of their people – I’m convinced they’ll dominate and win those games.”

Getty Images SportIn contrast to Liga MX play

During the current Liga MX season, Vega has contributed three goals and eight assists in just 10 matches for Toluca – numbers that highlight his influence at club level. However, he hasn’t been able to replicate that form with the national team, scoring only once in 14 appearances for El Tri in 2025.

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Getty Images SportWhat comes next?

The Mexican National Team will return on Nov. 15 against Uruguay in Torreón, before facing Paraguay on Nov. 18 at the Alamodome.

West Ham manager Nuno Espírito Santo was backed with the faith of a three-year contract by chairman David Sullivan, and it looks like he’ll be backed in the transfer market too.

West Ham make transfer plans after Nuno appointment

After the Portuguese took charge of his first game on Monday, overseeing a 1-1 draw away to Everton, reports have suggested that West Ham will support Nuno with potential new recruits in January.

The former Wolves and Tottenham boss was brought in to steady the ship following the departure of his predecessor, Graham Potter, who was abruptly sacked last Saturday.

The writing appeared to be on the wall for Potter, despite senior members of the West Ham squad telling friends and family members that he was still the right man for the job (The Telegraph), following a disastrous start to 2025/2026.

The 50-year-old also recorded West Ham’s second-lowest Premier League win percentage during his time in charge, behind only Avram Grant, who relegated the Hammers in 2011.

9. Sam Allardyce

30.7%

10. Julen Lopetegui

30%

11. Gianfranco Zola

27.8%

12 Graham Potter

26.1%

13. Avram Grant

18.9%

via StatMuse

Unlike Julen Lopetegui, who saved himself from the axe time and time again with the odd win before Sullivan pulled the plug, that wasn’t to be the case for Potter. The tactician was handed his P45 just six games into the new season, with Nuno taking West Ham training the very same day he left.

Tasked with revitalizing a squad that has underperformed, Nuno’s appointment has been met with cautious optimism from the Hammers faithful.

The 51-year-old guided Nottingham Forest back to European football for the first time since 1995 after a fairytale 2024/2025, having joined the club when they were nearer the relegation zone, and Nuno replicated similar feats at Wolves before his very brief time at Spurs.

West Ham’s defensive frailty from set-pieces this season, combined with conceding the most goals of any Premier League side so far (14), is a key issue that Nuno will be looking to address immediately.

That being said, the Irons are also arguably in need of more attacking flair in the final third to ease their reliance on star winger Jarrod Bowen.

Taking this into account, it is believed that West Ham are prepared to move for AC Milan’s versatile attacking star Christian Pulisic in the winter, following the USA international’s sensational exploits last term and brilliant start to 25/26.

However, with Pulisic’s side in the midst of a Serie A title race, it is unclear whether the former Chelsea forward would be prepared to up sticks for a Premier League return at this stage.

West Ham planning £35 million offer for Galatasaray star Baris Yilmaz

A more attainable attacking alternative could be Galatasaray star Baris Yilmaz.

The Turkey international was linked with a move to West Ham last January, and they reportedly made an offer for him, so the club’s recruitment team are more than aware of his quality.

Yilmaz finished last season with 14 goals and six assists in all competitions, starting this campaign in equally excellent form with seven goal contributions in his first seven games.

He also won Galatasaray’s penalty against Liverpool on Tuesday night for Victor Osimhen to fire home, causing Arne Slot’s side real problems throughout, with the 25-year-old now back on West Ham’s radar.

According to reports from Spain, West Ham are planning a £35 million bid for Yilmaz, and that sum would test Galatasaray’s resolve.

Interestingly, Football Transfers have likened Yilmaz to Bowen as a “similar” player, but the forward can also play as a striker to ease the burden on injury-prone duo Niclas Füllkrug and Callum Wilson.

Fear not, Arsenal fans, the international break is finally coming to an end this weekend.

However, while the return of the Premier League can’t come soon enough, the Emirates faithful have been able to watch a number of their stars excel for their nations over the last week and a half.

One of those who has been particularly impressive has been Bukayo Saka, who scored a wonder goal against Wales and then picked up an assist against Latvia.

So long as he remains fit, the Hale Ender will surely be one of the first names on the team sheet at the World Cup, as his importance to the Three Lions is only eclipsed by his importance to the Gunners.

With that said, while Saka will likely remain the North Londoners’ talismanic number seven for as long as he’s playing, Mikel Arteta and Co may already have the perfect long-term heir in one of the most exciting talents in the country.

Arsenal's recent number sevens

Despite the amount of change the squad has been through, Arsenal have only had three first-team players wear the number seven shirt since 2016.

The first of those was Alexis Sanchez, who took the number ahead of the 16/17 season following the departure of Czech international Tomas Rosický.

The former Barcelona ace was already an undeniable superstar for the Gunners at this point, having produced 37 goal involvements in 41 games the season prior.

However, with his new number on his back, the Chilean international reached another level, scoring 30 goals and providing 18 assists in 51 appearances, totalling 4230 minutes, in the 16/17 season.

That comes out to a staggering average of a goal involvement every 1.06 games, or every 88.12 minutes. If that wasn’t enough, he also scored the opening goal in the club’s 2-1 FA Cup Final triumph over Chelsea that summer.

Alexis Sanchez’s Arsenal record

Season

14/15

Appearances

52

Goals

25

Assists

12

Goal Involvements per Match

0.71

Season

15/16

Appearances

41

Goals

17

Assists

11

Goal Involvements per Match

0.68

Season

16/17

Appearances

51

Goals

30

Assists

18

Goal Involvements per Match

0.94

Season

17/18

Appearances

22

Goals

8

Assists

4

Goal Involvements per Match

0.54

All Stats via Transfermarkt

However, all good things must come to an end, and midway through the following season, he moved to Manchester United in a swap deal that saw Henrikh Mkhitaryan come the other way.

The Armenian international took the seven shirt off the departing winger, but, interestingly, had to wear 77 in Europa League matches because two players are not allowed to wear the same number in the same campaign.

Unfortunately, while the Yerevan-born player is undeniably talented and has been brilliant in Italy, he failed to deliver in North London and, within a year and a half, was sent on loan to AS Roma, with just nine goals and 13 assists in 59 games for the club.

The loan was made in the summer of 2020, and in July, the seven was handed to one of the club’s own: Saka.

While he hasn’t had a season as explosive as Sanchez’s 16/17, the Hale Ender has become a reliable source of goal involvements as well as someone who can step up in the big moments.

Moreover, and arguably just as crucial, he has also become the face of Arteta’s project and rejuvenation of the club, with him netting his 100th Premier League goal involvement in just his 200th league appearance before the international break.

In all, the Gunners’ “legend in the making,” as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has scored 73 goals and provided 72 assists in 270 games for the club, totalling 20448 minutes.

In other words, since his first-team debut, the dazzling winger has averaged a goal involvement every 1.86 games, or every 141.02 minutes, which is made all the more impressive by the fact he spent much of his early career at left-back, or being played all over the place.

So, it’s clear that, so long as he can remain fit, Saka will almost certainly remain Arsenal’s number seven for potentially the next decade or so, and in even more good news, the academy looks like it’s producing someone who could be his long-term heir.

Arsenal's future number seven

There is certainly an argument to be made that Ethan Nwaneri could end up being Arsenal’s future number seven, as most of his games last season came off the right, in place of Saka.

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However, it has become increasingly clear this season that the club view him as a central player, and anyway, there is now another, younger Hale End gem who looks like he could thrive out wide and eventually make the number his own: Max Dowman.

It is hard to think of another academy gem who has received as much media attention as the 15-year-old, but it’s not just fans and pundits waxing lyrical about him.

For example, at the start of last season, Kulig claimed the teenager was the “most exciting prospect” he had seen “since Lamine Yamal”, and then last November, Hale End expert Will Balsam called him “the biggest talent in England.”

It might all sound somewhat hyperbolic, but his numbers from last season suggest it might not be.

Dowman in 24/25

Appearances

23

Minutes

1945′

Goals

19

Assists

5

Goal Involvements per Match

1.04

Minutes per Goal Involvement

81.04′

All Stats via Transfermarkt

In just 23 appearances, totalling 1945 minutes, he scored 19 times and provided five assists, which comes out to an average of 1.04 goal involvements per match, or one every 81.04 minutes.

Moreover, he played brilliantly in pre-season, winning a penalty against Newcastle United, and then did the same at home to Leeds United in the league, with respected analyst Ben Mattinson pointing out that he “hasn’t even done his GCSE’s but he’s humiliating Premier League players.”

Finally, while there is a case for his future being in the middle of the park, his best attributes seem to be his agility, ability to beat opposition defenders, and his ability to burst into the penalty area, all of which feel like key skills for a top-class winger.

On top of that, his first team experience has come off the right, and he is currently playing out wide and thriving for England’s U19 side.

Finally, if the Gunners want to have him and Nwaneri in the team in the future, leading the way for Hale End, then it makes sense to play the latter in the middle and keep the former on the wing, where he can make the most of his incredible gifts.

Ultimately, Dowman is not going to take the number seven shirt from Saka in the foreseeable future, but given how young he is, there is every chance he becomes the 24-year-old’s long-term heir at the Emirates.

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