The international break came at the perfect time for Arsenal, as, following four Premier League games without a win, it felt an awful lot like the wheels were beginning to come off.

Fortunately, the North Londoners’ first game back over the weekend brought a much-needed win, as Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka reminded the rest of the league just how devastatingly effective they can be.

However, there’s no time to celebrate for Mikel Arteta and Co, as they have the small task of Sporting CP away in the Champions League later tonight.

Arsenal’s last five PL results

Opposition

Result

Nottingham Forest

3-0 (W)

Chelsea

1-1 (D)

Newcastle (A)

1-0 (L)

Liverpool (H)

2-2 (D)

Bournemouth (A)

2-0 (L)

The Portuguese giants tore Manchester City asunder last time out, so the Gunners will have to be at their best to come away with three points, and to help with that, Arteta must start his answer to the ridiculously dangerous Viktor Gyokeres.

Viktor Gyokeres' sensational form

While Sporting are a brilliant team from front to back, the biggest threat to Arsenal tonight is undoubtedly Gyokeres.

The Swedish marksman has played like a man possessed since making his £20m move to Lisbon last year, scoring 43 goals and providing 15 assists in just 50 appearances.

Amazingly, the former Coventry City ace has somehow taken another step forward this season and, in just 19 appearances, has already racked up a frankly absurd tally of 24 goals and four assists, meaning he’s currently averaging 1.47 goal involvements every game.

Moreover, the Stockholm-born machine has shown this sensational ability at the very highest level as well, scoring five goals in the Champions League, including a hat trick against City.

Now, the sad truth for Arsenal is that they do not have a player capable of being this prolific in their squad.

However, they do have a talented centre-forward who can be their answer to Gyokeres, and Arteta must make a change to his starting lineup and play him from the first whistle tonight.

Arsenal's very own Gyokeres

Now, it’s certainly true that as a team, Arsenal looked back to somewhere close to their best on Saturday afternoon, but unfortunately, Gabriel Jesus did not.

The Brazilian wasn’t dreadful, but with a 6/10 match rating from the Standard’s Simon Collings and zero shots on target in 95 minutes, it would be fair to say that he showed just why he’s not been starting many games over the last nine months or so.

Moreover, the few times he did get into dangerous positions, he either fluffed his lines or passed the ball to someone else, and in a tough away fixture in Europe, that won’t do.

So, with that said, instead of handing the former City ace back-to-back starts, Arteta must turn to Kai Havertz.

The German is not the most prolific centre-forward in England, let alone Europe, but over the last year or so, he has proven he has what it takes to lead the line.

For example, in 17 appearances this season, the “magnificent” poacher, as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has scored seven goals and provided one assist, which is made all the more impressive when you consider the fact he’s already played against the defences of Manchester City, Liverpool, Aston Villa, Paris Saint-Germain, Atalanta, Inter Milan and several other top sides.

Moreover, in three of his 11 league appearances this season, he’s had to adopt a more cautious playstyle due to the sending-off of one of his teammates.

Lastly, while the former Bayer Leverkusen monster’s tally does not hold a candle to Gyokeres’, the reality of the situation is that he remains the club’s best option up top, and by a country mile at that, as Jesus has scored just one goal and provided one assist in 16 appearances this season.

Ultimately, the Gunners are in for a serious test away from home tonight, and while nothing can guarantee a victory, they’ll have a far better chance of collecting all three points with Havertz up top as the answer to the free-scoring Swede.

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Three La Liga sides have opened talks with a Tottenham player via his representatives, as it is now believed Spurs could green-light a January loan.

Players who Spurs could sell or loan in January

Lilywhites boss Ange Postecoglou will need every man at his disposal for the second half of this campaign, with the Australian’s side competing on all four fronts as things stand.

"£120 million" player in the making emerging as potential Tottenham signing

He’s been tipped for superstardom.

ByEmilio Galantini Nov 24, 2024

Spurs have a Carabao Cup quarter-final against Ruben Amorim’s Man United on the horizon, not to mention the all-important Premier League ties against Chelsea and Liverpool next month, and the significance of their fixtures will only heighten as we approach the business end of the season.

Nevertheless, there have been reports that Postecoglou and chairman Daniel Levy could allow a select few players to depart the club in January.

Tottenham vs Fulham

December 1

Bournemouth vs Tottenham

December 5

Tottenham vs Chelsea

December 8

Southampton vs Tottenham

December 15

Tottenham vs Liverpool

December 22

£40 million summer signing Archie Gray is yet to start a top-flight game for Spurs, playing just 42 minutes across five substitute appearances, and there is a belief that Levy could let him go out on loan in the winter as a result.

Tottenham are expecting loan offers for Gray in the January window, according to GiveMeSport. Other media sources have even stated Leeds could re-sign Gray on a temporary deal, which would be quite a coup for Daniel Farke, even if it would be a brief reunion.

Meanwhile, a player who is even more likely to quit the club mid-season is out-of-favour left-back Sergio Reguilon.

The defender hasn’t been included in a single Premier League matchday squad last season, with his only inclusion coming on the bench against Coventry in the Carabao at the start of the campaign.

There are rumours that Tottenham could terminate Reguilon’s £120,000-per-week contract as a result, amid interest from clubs in Turkey and Saudi Arabia, but clubs in his native Spain are also keeping a watchful eye on his situation.

La Liga trio open talks with Sergio Reguilon as Tottenham could green-light loan

According to Spanish media sources, Real Sociedad, Getafe and Osasuna have contacted Reguilon’s agents as they look to facilitate a potential return to La Liga for the 27-year-old.

The former Real Madrid and Sevilla full-back, despite claims his contract could be terminated, may be allowed to leave on a loan-with-option-to-buy move – which has piqued the interest of these three sides.

Sociedad are looking for strength in depth to cope with the increased fixture schedule, while Getafe need alternative defensive options after a few injuries.

Sixth-placed Osasuna are also an option for Reguilon, who is appearing more and more destined to leave N17 before the expiry of his contract next summer.

“I’ve been an admirer of Reguilon for some time,” said pundit Noel Whelan to Football Insider, after Reguilon scored his first ever goal for Spurs against Leeds in 2021.

“He really stamped his authority on the game and grabbed the winner to show what a quality player he is.”

تعرض أحد لاعبي فريق آرسنال للإصابة في المباراة الجارية حاليًا ضد نظيره فولهام، في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي لهذا الموسم.

ويستضيف آرسنال نظيره فولهام، على ملعب “الإمارات”، في الجولة الثلاثين من الدوري الإنجليزي.

اقرأ ايضاً.. قبل مواجهة ريال مدريد.. آرسنال يستعيد خدمات لاعبه المصاب

واضطر ميكيل أرتيتا مدرب آرسنال، إلى إجراء تغيير مبكر، في الدقيقة 16 من عمر الشوط الأول.

وتعرض لاعب آرسنال، جابرييل ماجالهايس، لإصابة حيث سقط على أرضية الملعب ولم يستطع إكمال المباراة.

ودفع ميكيل أرتيتا بخدمات جاكوب كيفيور في الدقيقة 16 بدلاً من جابرييل.

Crystal Palace’s Dougie Freedman is leading their transfer pursuit of a £20 million+ “special” talent, according to a new report.

The South Londoners made a very slow start to this Premier League season, but they will hope a win against Tottenham Hotspur followed by a 2-2 draw with Wolves can springboard their campaign under Oliver Glasner.

Crystal Palace identify 20 y/o rising star as long-term Mateta replacement

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ByBrett Worthington Nov 4, 2024 Crystal Palace injury news

As Palace have turned a corner in results, they have now suffered several injury blows that they will hope doesn’t affect them on the pitch. Glasner confirmed last week that they had lost Eberechi Eze, Adam Wharton, and Jefferson Lerma to injuries. He stated that all three are going to be out until after the November international break, but the injury crisis doesn’t stop there, as now striker Eddie Nketiah has suffered an injury blow.

It has been reported that Nketiah has picked up a hamstring injury and is a major doubt for their game against Fulham on Saturday. The report adds that it is unclear how long the forward is going to be out for, with him not training so far this week. This is another bitter blow to Glasner, as he is now missing two of his attacking players, Eze and Nketiah, and Palace haven’t been a free-scoring side at all this season.

The Palace boss will hope that at the very least these players are back and available after the international break. But as the injuries mount up, the Eagles now have their eye on reinforcing with a young talent who could be a welcome arrival come January.

Freedman leading transfer pursuit of Chris Rigg

According to The Sun, Crystal Palace are plotting a move for Sunderland midfielder Chris Rigg. The 17-year-old is a product of the Black Cats academy and has become a key part of the first team since breaking through in the 2023/24 Championship season.

Rigg, who has been dubbed a “special” talent by Sunderland fan and presenter Dougie Critchley, has scored three goals in 13 Championship games this season, as he’s been an important player under Regis Le Bris.

Palace have watched Rigg live in action a few times this season, and he has left the Palace hierarchy impressed, so much so that sporting director Freedman is “convinced” he will prove good enough in the Premier League. A move in January has not been ruled out, in a repeat of the move for Adam Wharton from Blackburn Rovers last winter.

Apps

39

Minutes played

1,981

Goals

6

Assists

0

Rigg signed a new contract at the Stadium of Light in the summer, with that deal running until 2027, so they will look to resist any offers in January. However, Palace could make an offer of £20 million plus, according to this report, and that could tempt the Black Cats into selling, despite his importance to the team.

The home side slipped to 12 for 2 after England’s captain had got their first innings close

Andrew McGlashan29-Jan-2022A stirring England fightback was halted by rain in Canberra after Heather Knight’s magnificent career-best 168 not out carried England to within 40 of Australia’s first-innings total on the third day before Katherine Brunt rattled the home side with two quick wickets.It left Australia with a precarious lead of 52 and a ball moving significantly for England’s quicks, but there was no more play after lunch as heavy rain swept through. There will be an early start on the final day with 109 overs to be bowled, but time is now running out to force a result. England are the side more desperate for the four points as they trail 4-2 overall. However, the fact they were even in such a position to consider it was down to the performance of their captain.The ninth-wicket stand between Knight and Sophie Ecclestone was extended to 100, an England record, then No. 11 Kate Cross chipped in with a useful hand until Ellyse Perry’s third wicket ended the innings.Brunt then made immediate inroads as the weather closed in. She found Alyssa Healy’s outside edge with one which bounced and moved away as the wicketkeeper bagged a pair and had Rachael Haynes taken at short leg with the penultimate delivery before rain arrived on the stroke of lunch. It took Brunt’s match haul to seven wickets and carried her to 50 overall in Test cricket.”Brunty’s having a brilliant Test and the way she bowled – the aggression, the skill – hunting Australian wickets, and to pick up those two wickets felt like we could really break the game open, try and get them out for a cheap score and set up a chase so obviously a little bit frustrating,” Knight said. “We are still holding out a little bit of hope…there’s a little bit of time left in the game so we are going to have bowl absolutely out of our skins to try and take early wickets and put the Aussies under the pump. We live in hope.”Knight, who resumed on 127, went past her previous best of 157 made in 2013 and become just the second batter to make two 150+ scores in Ashes Test after Karen Rolton. She had come out with positive intent from the start, unfurling a glorious cover drive, a hook against Perry and a slog-sweep off Jess Jonassen which took her to 150 off 274 balls.”Think it’s my best innings for England, definitely,” Knight said. “The situation we were in, in an Ashes game against probably the best team in the world, so super pleased. I felt quite rusty at the start, they bowled pretty well with the first new ball, but when you’ve played a lot of white-ball cricket and you have a red-ball moving it’s quite hard not to have a little flirt with it, and I did that a few times, but managed to get through that tricky period and when the spin came on I felt a lot more comfortable and found my rhythm.”The way Sophie batted was unbelievable, the team really need her to stand up. She’s got a really sound technique and really chuffed for her that she was able to put in that patient knock…to get us so close to the score. I was looking at a great situation being 70 or so behind, so to get to the deficit we did was a real effort.”It was a frustrating morning for Australia who had hoped to secure a far more substantial lead. When they finally bowled England out it felt a long time since there was talk of the follow-on.Ecclestone was given two lives, both by Meg Lanning at slip, the first coming in the opening over of the day and another when she had 33 but that was a tough one diving to the right. She was eventually trapped lbw by Tahlia McGrath who became the seventh bowler to take a wicket.

Keeping wicket and opening the batting in Test cricket has been, arguably, the toughest juggling act in the history of the game, but Alyssa Healy is adamant that she wants to do the job again in the women’s Ashes Test starting on Thursday in Canberra.Healy has opened in her last two Test matches, but her returns across the four innings have given a clear indication of how difficult the task of opening and keeping is in the longest format. She made 58 in her first Test innings as an opener in the 2019 Ashes but it was the first innings of the match, giving her the chance to start fresh. She then kept 107 overs before walking straight back out to bat, and made 13 in the second innings.Related

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In her last Test, against India earlier this summer, Australia fielded first and Healy kept for 145 overs before walking out to bat under lights against the pink ball. She made 29 from 66 deliveries and then made just 6 in the fourth innings after keeping for 37 more overs in the third innings of the match.”There’s obviously ongoing chats about it,” Healy said. “I think the approach we took in that last Test match we played was we’ll see how we go. I mean, if things don’t quite go to plan, we’re out in the field for an extended period of time and I am feeling fatigued then we make that call on the fly and maybe I don’t open the batting. But I’m always going to stick my hand up and say I’m ready to go and ready to contribute whether that be at the top of the order or with the gloves, so I’m sure it will be okay.”Hopefully, we get the full four days in and I’m out there for all four days. I look forward to that challenge and test my body, physically and mentally. The chats are being had but at this point in time, considering it’s such a one-off event for us, I want to be involved as much as I can.”Only five wicketkeepers in the history of women’s Test cricket have averaged more than 30 while opening the batting, with England’s Betty Snowball the only one to average more than 40. Snowball is the only women’s player to make 400 runs in the dual role, averaging 66.57 with one century and three half-centuries.Betty Snowball keeping during England’s tour of Australia and New Zealand in 1934-35•National Library of Australia

Only six wicketkeepers in the history of men’s Test cricket have made more than 400 runs opening the batting with India’s Budhi Kunderan the only one of those to average more than 40 (43.46).Healy has had remarkable success opening the batting in the shorter formats and suggested that it remained, to her mind, the best place to bat in in Test cricket too.”I still think opening the batting is the best time to bat in any format,” Healy said. “It’s going to be a little bit tricky, obviously with the new red ball, but I’m looking forward to the opportunity and the challenge that the England attack are going to throw at us.”Healy was keen for some time in the middle coming off one of her leanest WBBL campaigns. In her last nine matches, including in the WBBL, the WNCL and the first T20I against England, she has only reached double-figures four times and passed 20 once, scoring 51 for NSW against Victoria.But Healy does have a history of coming off lean spells and delivering on the big stage, having starred in the 2020 T20 World Cup after a horror spell in the lead-in.”I’m actually a little bit quietly excited about the opportunities of some slightly longer-format cricket, obviously the Test match and then the one-dayers leading into a World Cup,” Healy said. “I feel like everything’s back where it should be for me at the crease, and whilst it may or may not have looked like it in the first T20, I feel like I’m in a really good place with my batting again.”So I’m really excited for the opportunity to spend a bit of time out in the middle and, hopefully, get my team into a really good position to win whether it be a Test match or a one-dayer.”The identity of Healy’s opening partner remained a mystery, with Beth Mooney pushing to be fit to play despite fracturing her jaw last week. Rachael Haynes has also put her hand up to open, after having missed the Test against India because of a hamstring injury.”Absolutely no idea. We haven’t even had that discussion yet. We were just trying to get through these T20s. I don’t know the chat around Moons, I’m not really sure where they’re at with her, whether or not she’s playing, not going to play, likely to play, so I can’t really answer that question,” Healy said. “But I’ve got no doubt that we’ve got a lot of coverage here and obviously with the Aussie A squad around, someone would come in and do a really good job. Whoever it might be, I’ll just welcome them to the crease like I did Meg [Lanning] the other night.”

Renowned produced to oversee "Perfect Pitch" program and create World Cup-themed album with proceeds to benefit youth soccer programs.

Boi-1da appointed as Canada Soccer's inaugural music ambassadorProducer to lead "Perfect Pitch" program for World Cup-themed albumProceeds from the album to benefit youth soccer programsGetty Images EntertainmentWHAT HAPPENED?

Canada Soccer has announced the appointment of Grammy-winning producer Boi-1da as its first-ever "national teams music ambassador." The renowned hitmaker, known for his collaborations with global superstars, will oversee a new program called "Perfect Pitch" that aims to produce a World Cup-themed album. The initiative not only aims to create a unique soundtrack for Canada's World Cup journey but also to support grassroots soccer development through the proceeds generated from the album.

“Music and sports share an undeniable synergy — both have the power to ignite passion, bring people together, and create unforgettable moments,” said Jerry Deifer, Infinity Records Head of Label Operations. “Whether it’s the energy of a stadium anthem or the intensity of a locker room playlist, music amplifies the spirit of competition. This collaboration isn't just about soundtracking the game; it's about building culture, driving engagement, and inspiring the next generation of athletes and fans alike.”

AdvertisementWHAT BOI-1DA SAID

“Being able to combine two things that I have a deep passion for – music and Canadian soccer – has always been something that I wanted to do. It’s an amazing feeling to be able to spearhead an initiative that allows me to create a musical identity for a program that I admire. Needless to say, it makes things even better for me that proceeds will go towards such a fulfilling cause. Everything about this moment is special," Boi-1da said.

Getty Images EntertainmentTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Boi-1da, born Matthew Samuels, is a Grammy-winning Canadian producer and songwriter known for his work in Hip-Hop and R&B. He rose to prominence through his collaborations with Drake, producing hits like "Best I Ever Had," "Headlines," and "God's Plan." Boi-1da has worked with numerous high-profile artists, including Rihanna ("Work"), Eminem ("Not Afraid"), and Kendrick Lamar. He executive produced Drake's acclaimed album "If You're Reading This It's Too Late" and has contributed to projects by Justin Bieber, Nicki Minaj, and Travis Scott.

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Getty Images SportWHAT’S NEXT?

Canada's automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup as co-host means that Jesse Marsch’s side needs to be in the best possible shape going into the tournament. That being said, have a packed schedule as their next international break features friendlies against Romania in Bucharest and Wales in Swansea. Head coach Marsch also aims to intensify preparations prior to the World Cup as the team will compete in the CONCACAF Nations League semifinal against Mexico in March, followed by the Gold Cup in June.

Strauss’ cricket committee has recommended “full independent review” into county game

Andrew Miller04-Feb-2022

Andrew Strauss chats with Sourav Ganguly during the 2021 Lord’s Test•Getty Images

Andrew Strauss, the interim director of England men’s team, says that the ECB should not be afraid of being “ambitious, bold and radical” as it seeks to restore the country’s red-ball fortunes in the wake of this winter’s Ashes defeat.Strauss, who took up his position on Wednesday following the sacking of his predecessor Ashley Giles, has set in motion a “full independent review into the role and structure of the domestic game”, amid concerns voiced by Joe Root, among others, that the county game as it stands is not preparing young English players for the rigours of Test cricket.”Anyone that’s coming into this Test team at the minute is doing it in spite of county cricket, not because of county cricket,” Root, England’s captain, had said in the wake of the fifth-Test defeat in Hobart. “Some things need to change over a long period of time, but there are a lot of things that can change quite quickly that would hopefully make a significant impact.”And while Strauss stressed that the county structure is not the sole reason for England’s poor showing, not only in Australia but throughout a difficult 12 months, he acknowledged that it was a “contributing factor” that will come under scrutiny as the ECB embarks on the so-called “red-ball reset” that Tom Harrison, the chief executive, acknowledged would be required to reboot their Test fortunes.”I think it’s very fair to say that you cannot lump the Ashes defeat on the domestic game’s door, it’s a contributing factor,” Strauss said. “I would say that I have spoken to a lot of people in and around the game over the last 18 months. I don’t think there are very many at all who believe the domestic structure is best suited to international cricketers.”A lot of the analysis when you look at the international and domestic game backs that up as well. We need to be ambitious, we need to be bold and be prepared to be radical in the solution to those issues.”What we need to do is best replicate the challenges of international cricket in our domestic game. That is very clear and I don’t think anyone would disagree with that.”Strauss’s recommendations were compiled in his recent role as chairman of the ECB’s cricket committee, which considered the end-of-tour report from Giles and Chris Silverwood, the outgoing head coach, and presented its findings to the board in the wake of an Ashes campaign in which England struggled to compete on equal terms at any stage of the five-match series.Related

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“One of the recommendations that came out of the cricket committee review was for a full independent review into the role and structure of the domestic game, with particular focus on its suitability to produce international cricketers,” Strauss said.”That has gone to the board. We are reaching the next steps on that, which are, if it takes place, what are the terms of reference for that group, and the make-up of the group.”In his previous stint as England men’s director, from 2015 to 2018, Strauss played a key role in establishing the framework for Eoin Morgan’s white-ball team to rise from the ignominy of that year’s World Cup to win the trophy on home soil four years later.While the fruits of that project were plain to see, the longer-term impact on the Test side have become apparent in recent seasons. But Strauss is adamant that England has the wherewithal to thrive across all formats at once, much as Australia have done this winter with their victory at the T20 World Cup ahead of the Ashes.”The focus of that white-ball reset was to try and get the balance between the formats, because prior to that the majority of our focus was on the red-ball game,” he said. “The game is moving more towards white-ball opportunities, the best cricketers in this country are playing a lot of white-ball cricket both in the summer and the winter, so any red-ball reset has to take that into account.”It isn’t about just what happens in the England environment. It is much broader than that. And that’s what it’s going to take on the red-ball side. But, by the way, there is no reason why the men can’t be the best team in both white and red-ball cricket.”We’ve seen it from other teams in the past. India are very strong in both formats. Australia just won the T20 World Cup. We need to have a seat at that table and our ambition has got to be better than both those teams.”

West Ham United have had a turbulent start to this campaign under their new manager, after making the decision to take the club in a different direction this summer, hiring Julen Lopetegui.

Heavy investment into the squad, and a managerial change that saw a drastic alteration to their style of play, but some Hammers fans may be scratching their heads, wondering if they should’ve been careful what they wished for.

Since David Moyes left the club, things have gone downhill, and it could go from bad to worse, with Mohammed Kudus’ suspension being extended, during a key stretch for Lopetegui’s future.

Mohammed Kudus' suspension

The 24-year-old attacker has made ten appearances so far this season, scoring two goals and providing one assist, starting much slower than he did last campaign, where the winger made 45 appearances, scoring 14 goals and providing six assists.

It is now confirmed that Kudus will serve an extended ban, after being sent off for violent conduct in West Ham’s 4-1 loss to Tottenham. The Ghanaian will now miss the Hammers games against Newcastle and Arsenal, following the international break.

This setback also comes amid claims that replacing the former Ajax man could be something of a long-term issue for the club, with reports indicating that Arsenal are among those who are keen to sign the forward in the near future.

One option Lopetegui has to ease the loss of Kudus – both in the short-term and should he depart – is summer signing Crysencio Summerville, who joined from Leeds for around £25m, following his Championship Player of the Year season last campaign.

But the former Wolverhampton Wanderers boss could have one more option that, whilst being risky, could prove to be the best man for the job.

West Ham's perfect Kudus replacement

Luis Guilherme was signed by West Ham this summer, joining from Palmerias in Brazil, for a fee of around £25m. The 18-year-old wonderkid made 45 appearances for the Brazilian outfit, scoring one goal, providing one assist, and totalling 1,345 minutes played.

Yannick Bolasie, an ex-Premier League star, labelled him “electric”, as well as “exciting” and a “tricky customer” when speaking about the young Brazilian.

This is the type of player that gets fans off their seat, and with Lopetegui’s future in doubt, now may be the perfect time to fully unleash him.

Guilherme vs Kudus vs Summerville comparison
Stats (per 90 mins)	Guilherme	Kudus	Summerville
Goals	0.22	0.26	0.18
Assists	0.22	0.13	0.00
xG	0.22	0.38	0.24
xAG	0.24	0.11	0.16
Progressive Carries	4.89	5.00	2.89
Progressive Passes	3.33	2.70	1.84
Shots Total	2.22	3.64	1.40
Key Passes	2.44	0.68	1.84
Shot-Creating Actions	5.56	3.38	3.68
Successful Take-Ons	2.22	3.78	1.32
Stats taken from FBref

Analysing Guilherme’s numbers from Palmeiras so it gives a better understanding of his overall game (as he’s only played twice for the Hammers so far), shows why he could be a better option than Summerville, adding more creativity to the side, as well as progressive metrics that could help the side during build-up.

The 18-year-old Brazilian could replace Kudus’s output, as shown from his higher assists per 90, and slightly lower goals per 90, not quite offering the same shot volume as Kudus, and possibly not as direct, but apart from that, ranking above or very close to Kudus in all other metrics.

With data analyst Ben Mattinson also stating that the teenager’s “versatility reminds [him] of Kudus”, now would be the perfect time for Lopetegui to unleash his exciting weapon signed this summer, as pressure is mounting from the fans.

Bringing an exciting youngster into the side can always give a positive lift in morale to the supporters, giving them something to get behind, and it’s a mentality shift like this that could even save Lopetegui his job.

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After the bowlers restricted Bangladesh to 115, Hazratullah Zazai and Usman Ghani helped knock the target off easily

Mohammad Isam05-Mar-2022

Hazratullah Zazai was dropped when he hadn’t even opened his account, and ended unbeaten on 59•BCB

Afghanistan roared back with an eight-wicket win to leave Bangladesh with the T20I series leveled. After Fazalhaq Farooqi and Azmatullah Omarzai kept the home side down to 115, Hazratullah Zazai and Usman Ghani helped them home inside the 18th over of the chase.Zazai struck his third T20I fifty and ended unbeaten on 59, but both batters took advantage of Bangladesh’s poor catching. Nasum Ahmed, who took four wickets in the first game, dropped Zazai’s skier in the first over itself off his own bowling when the batter hadn’t even opened his account. Afif Hossain and Mohammad Naim then dropped Ghani twice at deep midwicket – on 39 and 41, respectively – off Mahedi Hasan, before Ghani eventually fell for 47.Earlier, Afghanistan didn’t allow Bangladesh off the hook with the ball. Farooqi and Omarzai, young fast bowlers who have impressed on this Bangladesh tour, took three wickets each. Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan also took one apiece, as Afghanistan never let the home side to get close to even the seven-run-an-over mark throughout the innings.Mushfiqur Rahim top-scored with 30 in his 100th T20I, as Bangladesh failed to replicate how they had batted in the first game.Farooqi, Omarzai all over Bangladesh
Omarzai removed the in-form Litton Das in the fifth over of the Bangladesh innings when the batter chipped one to deep square leg, where Sharafuddin Ashraf took a pretty good catch. And after Karim Janat’s direct hit caught an unsuspecting Mohammad Naim short in the ninth over, Omarzai also removed Shakib when he top-edged a pull.Captain Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur added 43 for the fifth wicket, but they couldn’t take the hosts out of trouble. Rashid sent in a straighter delivery with the arm, trapping Mahmudullah lbw for 21. Meanwhile, Mushfiqur was Farooqi’s first wicket, as his attempted loft over cover took the bat splice, resulting in Mohammad Nabi taking an easy catch.Fazalhaq Farooqi got two wickets with a yorker•AFP/Getty Images

Two balls later, Farooqi yorked Mahedi Hasan, reducing Bangladesh to 99 for 7 in the 17th over. Omarzai then had Afif caught at short fine leg, although there was a question about the height of the full toss. Soon after, Farooqi removed Shoriful to take his third with another yorker as Bangladesh finished on a meagre 115.Gurbaz’s angry few minutes
There was steam coming out of Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s ears when the umpire adjudged him lbw in the second over. As soon as the finger was raised, Gurbaz punched his bat while aggressively signaling for the review. And while he had a few words to say under the breath, the decision was then overturned by the third umpire.But a couple of balls later, when Mahedi had him caught at cover, Gurbaz threw his bat on the ground as it rolled over before settling in the covers. And after he picked it up, he still seemed to be fuming as he took off his helmet while walking back.Zazai in his elements
It took him a little while to get going, but Zazai smacked the ball well on Saturday. He struck Shakib for consecutive sixes down the ground, to go with his straight four off Shoriful Islam, apart from the fours he hit through point and fine leg. Zazai later struck Shakib for another two sixes in the 15th over – one hit flat towards his own dugout, and the other slightly to its left, and into the grand stand.Ghani struck the ball well too, playing Zazai’s perfect foil. He struck five fours and a six through midwicket, but also ran hard to keep the scorecard ticking over.