Russell Martin’s days as Glasgow Rangers manager are surely numbered.

To date, the shortest-serving permanent head coach in the Ibrox club’s 153-year history is Pedro Caixinha, who took charge of just 26 games in 2017.

For Martin to reach that mark, he would still need to be in charge by the time the Light Blues face Braga in the Europa League on 27 November which, right now, feels frankly fanciful.

On Saturday, the Gers were beaten 2-0 by Heart of Midlothian at Ibrox, meaning they’ve failed to win their opening five league fixtures for only the second time in their entire history, also doing so in 1978, currently sat tenth in the Premiership table.

Thus, supporters are already wondering who will replace Martin as manager, hoping the 49ers make this decision sooner rather than later, but should they go for a more left-field candidate, one praised for the “outstanding” job he did at his previous club, rather than the obvious options?

Leading candidates to become Rangers manager

According to reports, the two front-runners to become the new Rangers manager are Steven Gerrard and Sean Dyche.

Gerrard has been out of work since being sacked by Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq in January, having won only 19 of 55 matches in charge.

His time as Aston Villa boss didn’t go particularly well either, but the Liverpool legend did enjoy a very successful time at Ibrox.

In 192 matches as Rangers boss, Gerrard collected 124 wins, leading them to memorable European victories over Porto, Feyenoord, Braga, Galatasaray and others, historically guiding the club to their sole top-flight title since 2011, crucially denying Celtic ten-in-a-row.

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Other candidate, Dyche, meantime was sacked by Everton in January, but is best known for his work at Burnley, leading them to two promotions, six successive seasons in the top division and a maiden European campaign since 1967.

The Englishman is vastly experienced, having managed 332 Premier League games; for comparison, Martin has overseen just 16, winning only one.

Dyche would represent the archetypal safe pair of hands appointment, while re-hiring Gerrard would suggest the new owners are simply looking to the past to rediscover former glories, so they should instead target an up-and-coming young coach.

Rangers' dream Russell Martin replacement

When searching through the current out-of-work managers, one name leaps off the page and that is Danny Röhl.

Reports emerged over the summer that he was on the Gers’ shortlist, but it’s unknown if any contact was made.

After an unremarkable playing career, appearing for lower league German clubs FSV Zwickau, Sachsen Leipzig and Eilenburg, he retired at the age of 21 to focus on becoming a coach.

Well, this has certainly paid off because, after joining RB Leipzig in 2010, he worked as a youth coach and a video analyst before being appointed assistant manager in 2016, following die Roten’s promotion to the Bundesliga, working alongside Ralph Hasenhüttl.

After that, he went with Hasenhüttl to Southampton, before moving on to Bayern Munich, learning under Niko Kovač and then Hansi Flick at the Rekordmeister, subsequently working under Flick again with the German national team for two years.

However, after Flick was sacked as die Mannschaft boss in 2023, he took his first head coach role, appointed Sheffield Wednesday manager, thereby becoming the youngest permanent boss in EFL history at the age of just 34.

Well, Röhl would oversee 89 games in charge at Hillsborough, very much beloved by supporters, with Philip Buckingham of the Athletic describing the job he did in charge of the Owls as “outstanding”, suggesting that numerous big clubs should “covet” his signature.

The table below documents his statistics from his time in Yorkshire.

While finishing 20th and then 12th may not appear spectacular, worth noting that, in his first season, when the German arrived in October, Sheffield Wednesday had failed to win any of their first 13 EFL Championship fixtures, losing ten of them, collecting 14 points from their final six matches to pull off a great escape.

Meantime, last season’s mid-table finish looks even more impressive given that owner Dejphon Chansiri is essentially running the club into the ground, with players and other staff repeatedly not being paid on time, if at all, hence why Röhl walked out over the summer.

Rangers themselves have already benefited from the crisis at Hillsborough, signing star winger Djeidi Gassama for around £3m, when it is clear to everyone he is worth more than that.

Thus, Röhl has already proven that he is capable of managing a crisis club, as well as coming in and having an instant impact mid-season, all things Rangers need right now, so the 49ers should be bold and appoint the 36-year-old as soon as possible.

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Daizen Maeda saved the day for Celtic in stoppage time against Motherwell with a last-gasp goal to send the team to within two points of the top of the Scottish Premiership table.

The Japan international reacted quickly to run across the front post to bundle in a cross from substitute Michel-Ange Balikwisha to complete a comeback for the hosts.

Motherwell had been leading 2-1 until Benjamin Nygren equalised with a composed finish inside the box, before Maeda claimed all three points in the final moments.

The Japanese star saved several of his teammates with his late goal, as there were a number of poor performers on the pitch for the Hoops, including Arne Engels.

Why Arne Engels' form is concerning for Celtic

The Belgian midfielder did play a part in the goal with his pass through to Balikwisha in stoppage time, but his general play off the bench was a cause for concern.

Engels lost all six of his ground duels, per Sofascore, and was dribbled past three times in just 30 minutes on the pitch, which shows that he was too weak for the physicality of the game.

The central midfielder, who joined from Augsburg for a club-record £11m fee, made a solid start to life at Parkhead with ten goals and 13 assists in all competitions last season, per Transfermarkt.

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Unfortunately, he was unable to sustain that form and has only started three of his six league outings this season, losing a whopping 73% of his duels, per Sofascore, which is a concern because it shows that he is struggling badly.

Brendan Rodgers will now be hoping that Sebastian Tounekti is not already destined to be the next Engels at Parkhead after a disappointing showing against Motherwell.

Why Sebastian Tounekti could be the next Arne Engels

The Tunisia international has been a bright spark in Glasgow since his deadline day move from Hammarby, exciting supporters with his electric play down the left flank.

He scored his first goal in the League Cup against Partick Thistle in the League Cup last month, and completed six dribbles and created three chances in the games against Hibernian and Braga before this clash with Motherwell.

Unfortunately, Tounekti was unable to build on his promise shown in those matches with a strong performance on Sunday, as he struggled on the left flank at Parkhead.

Vs Motherwell

Sebastian Tounekti

Minutes

60

Shots

0

Dribbles completed

1/6

Key passes

0

Big chances created

0

Possession lost

9x

Ground duels won

2/10

Aerial duels won

0/1

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the Tunisian forward lost 82% of his duels throughout the match, failing with five of his six attempted dribbles, and did not create a single chance for the side.

Engels, as aforementioned, has fallen down the pecking order for Celtic because his goal contributions have faded and he has struggled with the physicality of the league, after a promising first season at Parkhead.

Tounekti has had a promising first month or so at Parkhead, showing the potential to be an electric winger for Rodgers, but he has yet to deliver a goal or an assist in three outings in the Premiership to date.

As exciting as he can be at his best, the former Hammarby star, who lost nine of his 11 duels on Sunday, can be a bit of a lightweight when things are not going his way, as has been the case with Engels.

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Therefore, Rodgers must push Tounekti to add more end product to his performances to ensure that he does not follow the same path as the Belgian central midfielder in the weeks and months to come.

Manchester United have bounced back from their 3-1 defeat away to Brentford last Saturday by beating newly promoted Sunderland 2-0 at Old Trafford. Ruben Amorim needed those three points to alleviate the pressure that has been continuing to build over the last week.

The Red Devils took a lead early on, thanks to a sublime effort by Mason Mount. United’s number seven took his chance well, with a great first touch before firing into the back of the net to put his side ahead.

Just after the 30-minute mark, United doubled their advantage. This time, it was Benjamin Sesko who found the back of the net, getting onto the end of a flick on from a long throw. It means he’s now scored two goals in as many games for his new side.

United’s win also saw goalkeeper Senne Lammens, starting his first game since a deadline-day move, pull off several excellent saves. He kept Granit Xhaka out in the first half and made a late save with his feet to keep United’s clean sheet intact.

It was certainly a better day at the office for the Red Devils, with two of the standouts being Mount and Sesko.

Mount and Sesko’s stats vs. Sunderland

Since truly getting over his injury issues, Mount has been a key player under Amoirm. This term, he’s started the majority of games in the Premier League, with his performance against Sunderland showing exactly why United’s manager likes him so much.

His goal was very well-taken, with his perfect first touch controlling Bryan Mbeumo’s pass at knee height, before swivelling and firing past Robin Roefs.

It was an excellent team move for United, which consisted of 18 passes before Mount put the ball in the back of the net.

Sesko’s performance also stood out. His goal was simple, but encouraging for United fans. He occupied the six-yard box well and reacted quickly enough to turn the ball in. The two goals in as many games that he’s now scored will surely do wonders for his confidence.

Well, David McDonnell, chief Manchester United writer for The Manchester Evening News, seemed to think highly of Sesko’s efforts. He gave the Slovenian star a 7/10 for his afternoon’s work, describing his finish as a ‘classic poacher’s goal’.

As well as Mount and Sesko performed against Sunderland, there was someone who was arguably even better.

The standout United player vs. Sunderland

Aside from the two United goalscorers, there was a player who really stood out. Of course, Lammens made some decisive saves on debut, but even he was overshadowed by his Red Devils teammate.

It was a big day for former Sunderland loanee Amad, and he certainly delivered against the club where he truly made a name for himself a couple of seasons ago. Operating at right wing-back, the Ivorian star was a huge threat going forward.

The stats from the game certainly show how dangerous he was. Amad created three chances, more than both Mount and Sesko.

He also completed 100% of his passes and won eight ground duels with a 57% win rate. In contrast, United’s number seven won one out of five and their new striker just five out of 12.

Pass accuracy

100%

Passes completed

38/38

Touches

62

Touches in the opposition box

5

Ground duels won

8/14

Ball recoveries

6

Chances created

3

Indeed, McDonnell was hugely impressed with Amad’s contribution against the Black Cats. He gave the attacker a 7/10 rating, the same as Sesko, and said he was a ‘constant threat down the right side’ for United against his former club.

It was a fantastic performance from the 23-year-old. He shone at right wing-back last season, and whilst it has been a slow start to this campaign, that performance against his former club will surely do him the world of good.

Now, Amorim will be hoping Amad can build on that performance after the international break, when United face arch-rivals Liverpool.

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Former India cricketers Saurabh Tiwary and Shahbaz Nadeem have been elected as the secretary and joint secretary respectively of the Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA).Tiwary and Nadeem had retired from international cricket in 2024. Tiwary, the 35-year-old left-hand batter, played three ODIs for India after making his debut against Australia at Visakhapatnam in 2010, while left-arm spinner Nadeem, also 35, played two Tests for India following his debut against South Africa in 2019.Tiwary announced his retirement from professional cricket in February last year. He represented Jharkhard for 17 years, captaining the team 88 times across formats, and also played for four IPL franchises. Nadeem, too, retired from all cricket in March 2024, having made his first-class debut as a 15-year-old back in 2004-05.In the elections held for the new committee, Tiwary beat his opponent SB Singh comprehensively 438-194. For the joint secretary’s post, Nadeem also recorded a big win as he won 409-199 against Raj Kumar Sharma.

تحدث الإسباني بيب جوارديولا، المدير الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي مانشستر سيتي عن مواجهة سوانزي سيتي في كأس كاراباو.

ومن المقرر أن يخوض مانشستر سيتي مباراته أمام سوانزي سيتي، ضمن منافسات كأس كاراباو غدًا الأربعاء المقبل.

ويستضيف ملعب “سوانزي دوت كوم” مباراة مانشستر سيتي وسوانزي في تمام الساعة الحادية عشر إلا ربع بتوقيت القاهرة ومكة المكرمة.

ويدخل رجال مانشستر سيتي المباراة بعد الهزيمة من أستون فيلا في الجولة الماضية من بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وقال جوارديولا، في تصريحات نقلها الموقع الرسمي لناديه: “عبدالقادر خوسانوف جاهز للعب لبضع دقائق غدًا ورودري ليس جاهزًا بعد”.

وأكمل: “تتحسن حالته، ويتدرب معنا بشكل جزئي لكن بالطبع بعد ما حدث مرتين من إصابات عضلية، سنرى حالته هذا الأسبوع”.

وأضاف: “لم أرَ إيرلينج هالاند اليوم لكنها كانت كدمة بسيطة ويتحسن يومًا بعد يوم، الآن نتدرب بعد ظهر اليوم، وسنعرف حالته بدقة أكبر”.

وفيما يتعلق بـ عمر مرموش، قال: “لقد عانى من إصابة طويلة ولعب تدريجيًا لبضع دقائق في المباراة الأخيرة، وكان له تأثيره في التحركات خلف الدفاع وبالقرب من منطقة الجزاء، عمر استثنائي”.

اقرأ أيضًا | محمد صلاح يقترب من رقمين قياسيين أمام كريستال بالاس في كأس كاراباو

وعن التدوير بين اللاعبين في تلك البطولة: “نعم، بالتأكيد، لقد كانت بطولة كأس كاراباو دائمًا على هذا النحو”.

واستطرد: “اللاعبون الذين يأخذون الكثير من الدقائق يجب أن يكونوا مستعدين لإظهار أنفسهم والفريق أنهم تعافوا تمامًا ومستعدون على المستوى الذهني ولديهم المهارات وكل شيء ليكونوا جاهزين للعب”.

واسترسل: “وبعض الراحة خاصة للاعبين الذين يلعبون دقائق طويلة، ليس فقط إيرلينج وروبن وجوسكو والآخرين”.

وأوضح: “في الموسم الماضي، كنا في تلك المرحلة مع إصابات كثيرة، الآن قلّت الإصابات، وأصبح لدينا لاعبون يحتاجون لدقائق لعب إضافية وكأس كاراباو فرصة مثالية من أجل تحقيق ذلك”.

وأتم عن ترافورد: “سيتعين عليه أن يكون جاهزًا في حال احتجنا إليه في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز أو دوري أبطال أوروبا، أنا سعيد بتواجده هنا، ترافورد سيصبح حارس إنجلترا الأول في يوم من الأيام”.

Leroy Sane has experienced a mixed start to life at Galatasaray after joining in a free transfer from Bayern Munich in the summer. Former player Alparslan Erdem, who spent two years at the Turkish heavyweights, has cited former Chelsea and Ajax attacker Hakim Ziyech's example as a cautionary tale, urging the German winger to "get his head straight first."

• Sane struggling at Galatasaray

  Sane left Bayern Munich over the summer and arrived in Turkey by signing for defending champions Galatasaray. However, he has been underwhelming in his first two months for his new team. His inconsistency has held him back from nailing down a permanent place in head coach Okan Buruk's starting line-up. The 29-year-old had not been in the starting XI for the last two games and even spent the entire 90 minutes on the bench during the 1-0 victory against Liverpool in the Champions League.

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  Alparsan Erdem warns Sane of repeating Ziyech mistake

  According to former Galatasaray player Erdem, Sane's slow start in Istanbul can be attributed to his physical condition.

  "I think he wasn't fit enough and needs to get his head straight first," he said in a podcast "Gala have now won in the Champions League against Liverpool without Sane. He didn't even play for a minute, which says something." 

  He then drew a comparison with Ziyech, adding that the Moroccan was "perhaps not quite as big a name as Sane, but he wasn't fit enough either. [Buruk] let him play five, six, seven, eight games and very quickly they let him go. It just didn't work out."

• Sane 'underestimated' Galatasaray

  Ziyech initially moved to Galatasaray on loan from Chelsea in 2023 before joining them on a free transfer. Six months later, however, the contract was terminated by mutual agreement, after which the ex-Ajax man moved to Al-Duhail in Qatar. Since the summer, the once highly sought-after attacking player has even been without a club.

  Erdem can well imagine that Sane could face a similarly tough time. "I think Sane has underestimated that a little," Erdem added. "He may think he can get by at Gala without giving 100 per cent, but football isn't like that. No matter where you play, if you're not 100 per cent fit, it can happen very quickly and you're suddenly in the second division. He has to be careful there."

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• Oktoberbest fiasco made Sane more popular among Galatasaray fans

  Meanwhile, Sane also made negative headlines off the pitch with a scuffle at the Oktoberfest. However, this did not cause him any further trouble. Quite the contrary. In fact, it seems to have earned him brownie points with the fans.

  On social media, Sane, who had recently been viewed critically, was even celebrated by Gala supporters for confronting the young men at the event in Munich after they insulted the Turkish club while mocking him. On his return to his long-time adopted home, Sane had a drink with some former Bayern Munich teammates before getting into a brief scuffle. "Of course, I should have reacted more calmly in that moment and ignored it – I'll take that on board," he admitted afterwards.

  Nevertheless, Sane completed a special training session of his own volition, reports. According to the report, the winger returned to the training ground in Istanbul immediately after his trip to Munich, even though the Gala team had actually been given time off. After consulting with the club, he completed three full sessions in order to recommend himself for the tasks ahead after the international break with Gala coach Buruk. Sane himself seems to know that he still has some catching up to do in terms of fitness.

Hammond and Bancroft make half-centuries but Gloucestershire the happier with washout

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay26-May-2025Northamptonshire 469 (Zaib 159, Sales 81, Harrison 63) and 259 for 6 (Sales 70, Zaib 56, Bailey 3-55) drew with Gloucestershire 379 for 8 dec (Green 118*, Bancroft 60, Hammond 51, Harrison 4-94) and 214 for 6 (Hammond 80, Bancroft 60) Rain put paid to the prospect of an exciting finish at Wantage Road as Northamptonshire and Gloucestershire were eventually forced to settle for a draw in the Rothesay County Championship.The contest had been nicely poised when the weather intervened, edging in favour of the home side with Gloucestershire on 214 for six, needing another 136 from a minimum of 24.2 overs.Northamptonshire had set their opponents a target of exactly 350 after rattling up another 101 from the first 12 overs of the day to declare on 259 for six, built around bristling knocks of 70 and 58 respectively from James Sales and Saif Zaib.Miles Hammond threatened to spearhead a successful Gloucestershire charge with his innings of 80, while Cameron Bancroft also posted his second half-century of the game before the home side fought back.Having already shared a century partnership in the first innings, Sales and Zaib were soon speeding towards another in the morning as they extended Northamptonshire’s overnight advantage of 248.Sales soon added the single needed for his second 50 of the match, while it was Zaib who really set the tone, banging two boundaries off the back foot and lifting Tom Price over the top for six.The left-hander followed his partner to a half-century from 58 balls, but perished hooking Archie Bailey (three for 55) down the throat of deep midwicket – and Sales departed later in the same over, attempting to ramp and losing his middle stump.However, Lewis McManus and George Bartlett continued to throw the bat as they added another 44, both belting Graeme van Buuren for leg-side sixes to lift their side’s lead to 349 and trigger the declaration.Gloucestershire began their chase solidly, scoring at around three and a half an over but lost two wickets prior to lunch, with Liam Guthrie moving one away from Ben Charlesworth to take the edge.Calvin Harrison did well to scoop up a chance at second slip to dismiss Ollie Price and the home side might also have removed Hammond before he had scored, with a top-edged sweep off the spinner looping up but falling to safety.Hammond was swiftly into his stride after the interval, dancing down the track to slam Harrison into the car park and belting Luke Procter for successive cover boundaries as he overtook Bancroft en route to his fourth half-century of the season.A swept four off Harrison took Hammond to that landmark from 56 balls, with Bancroft following suit in the next over and, aside from an appeal against Hammond for obstructing the field – rejected by the umpires – the Gloucestershire pair looked comfortable.Having matched his first-innings score exactly, the captain attempted to hook Guthrie and swiped through to McManus – but Hammond continued to pile on runs, cutting and pulling with assurance.Yet Northamptonshire’s decision to introduce Bartlett’s occasional off-breaks paid dividends as he claimed his maiden first-class wicket on the stroke of tea, trapping Hammond lbw with the visitors just under halfway to their target.Bartlett made way for Harrison, who played a key role in securing two further wickets as he tempted Cameron Green to drive to short cover and then sprang to take a thick edge at slip off James Bracey.But just as Bracey’s replacement Tom Price made his way out to the middle, the rain arrived and the covers were laid in place, stifling any chance of a positive result.

Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has confirmed winger Daniel James’ ankle injury will rule him out for up to six weeks.

James, who has recently struggled with a core muscle injury which kept him out of last week’s home draw against Bournemouth, has turned an ankle in training and will be sidelined until November.

The Wales winger will miss Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off against Tottenham at Elland Road and both his country’s upcoming matches against England at Wembley and the World Cup qualifier against Belgium.

Farke said: “Daniel James will be out for a few weeks, he’s rolled his ankle sadly in training.

“The doctors say he’s likely out four to six weeks so realistically we expect him back just after the November international break.

“If he would be back before it would be a bonus and a surprise. It’s not great news.”

Gnonto and Gray could also miss Spurs

Farke, whose side currently sit 12th in the Premier League, also revealed Willy Gnonto has not yet recovered from a calf injury which has kept him out of the last two matches.

Teenager Harry Gray will also miss out against older brother Archie’s Tottenham after sustaining a hip flexor injury.

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On the plus side, goalkeeper Lucas Perri has returned to training following a thigh problem, although the Brazilian summer signing will not be included in Farke’s squad this weekend.

Tottenham made the long trip to the Arctic circle in the Champions League on Tuesday night, fighting back to draw 2-2 against Bodo/Glimt, but Farke does not think this will have a bearing on Saturday’s encounter at Elland Road.

The German added: “I don’t think so because nowadays you don’t travel with a bicycle or on a ship or a coach. They have their private jets, so it shouldn’t be too uncomfortable.

“It’s not like in my generation when the travel was horrendous. They have chefs around.

“But it could be tricky sometimes, say if it was a Wednesday night (match) and then early Saturday kick-off.

“From Tuesday, I wouldn’t expect anything (adverse) and I also expect he will bring some fresh legs on the pitch.”

Tottenham are fourth in the table having lost one of their eight league matches this season and head to Leeds after drawing their previous two, against Brighton and Wolves.

Captain Sam Northeast led stubborn late resistance with an unbeaten 72 as Glamorgan battled to stop Leicestershire registering a fifth successive victory on the third day of the Rothesay County Championship division two match at the UptonSteel County Ground, Grace Road.Northeast, who hit a record 410 not out on this ground three years ago, put together an unbroken fourth-wicket partnership of 95 with Colin Ingram after the visitors had been reduced to 36 for 3 in their second innings.Had a sharp chance given to second slip when Northeast was on only 20 been taken, Leicestershire might well have hoped to enforce a win with a day to spare.An impressive unbroken partnership between allrounders Logan van Beek and Ben Green had helped Leicestershire register their highest score of the season, enabling Northeast’s opposite number Peter Handscomb to declare in mid-afternoon with an imposing first-innings lead of 223.As had happened the previous day, when Green picked up two wickets in the first over of the day, the morning session saw wickets fall early. Nightwatcher Chris Wright had added only three singles to his overnight 16 when he edged a James Harris delivery to first slip, and Lewis Hill only four to his overnight 66 when he too edged to slip, Timm van der Gugten finding a little extra bounce, with Ingam the catcher in both cases.Handscomb and all-rounder Liam Trevaskis played patiently in building a partnership of 42 for the sixth wicket, but Glamorgan enjoyed a moment of good fortune when Hanscomb flicked at a legside delivery from young fast bowler Ned Leonard, got a faint but audible edge, and was comfortably held by Chris Cooke behind the stumps. When Trevaskis, having played solidly, edged a rising delivery from Leonard on to his middle stump, Glamorgan had taken four wickets for 57 runs and must have had hopes of restricting Leicestershire’s lead to not much more than a hundred.If so, Green and van Beek steadily extinguished them. The latter was particularly severe on the leg-spin of Mason Crane, stretching forward and delicately paddle-sweeping a series of deliveries to the fine leg boundary, and with the Glamorgan bowlers tiring as the ball got softer, hitting several fine lofted straight drives, one of which, off Zain ul Hassan, took him to his 50 from 70 deliveries. Green was not far behind, and the partnership was well past 100 when Handscomb called his batters in.Whether, as some Leicestershire supporters in the ground speculated, it was because Handscomb did not want two of the pillars of his bowling attack to get too tired was perhaps debatable, but van Beek’s opening burst certainly showed no signs of weariness, accounting for ul Hassan, bowled middle stump by a fast in-swinging delivery from around the wicket, and stand-in opener Crane, throwing his bat at a wider delivery and inside edging the ball on to his stumps.Kiran Carlson, yet to score, drove wildly at a Tom Scriven delivery and edged to Handscomb behind the stumps, and the odds on a three-day victory would have shortened dramatically had Trevaskis, diving to his right at second slip, been able to hold a Northeast edge off Wright in only the second over after tea.Having had that escape, however, Northeast batted with characteristic calmness, hitting eight fours in reaching his 50 off 86 deliveries. Ingram was similarly unflustered, closing on 37 not out off 92 balls, and giving the visitors real hope of saving the game.

It doesn’t take much for the mood to change in football, and Arsenal are the perfect example of that.

Just a few days ago, there was a real sense of optimism around the club following big wins over Nottingham Forest and Athletic Bilbao in the Champions League.

However, their performance against Manchester City left a lot to be desired, and were it not for a late equaliser from Gabriel Martinelli, the Gunners would have lost their second Premier League game of the season.

It was a game to forget for much of the Arsenal team, and while Mikel Merino has received plenty of criticism, there is another star that Mikel Arteta should consider dropping for the game this week.

The Arsenal players who underwhelmed vs City

Now it is important to clarify that few, if any, Arsenal players were genuinely terrible yesterday.

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After all, while the result was hugely disappointing, the Gunners would not have earned a point against a team like City if they played terribly.

With that said, there were more than a handful of starters who underwhelmed in a big way, like Leandro Trossard.

The Belgian did little to dispel the idea of him being a better impact player than starter, as in 84 minutes of action, he amassed a combined expected goal and assists figure of just 0.15, failed to complete a single cross, didn’t register a shot on target and was accurate with just 78% of his passes.

Someone who had some pretty impressive numbers for the game, but made one consequential mistake, was Gabriel Magalhães.

The Brazilian stalwart found himself far too high up the pitch and mistimed a tackle in the lead-up to Erling Haaland’s opener, which meant he had no chance of catching the Norwegian.

Finally, it was another outing that showed a midfield of Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi, and Merino does not work.

Minutes

45′

Expected Goals

0.00

Goals

0

Expected Assists

0.03

Assists

0

Passes

18/20

Crosses

0

Long Balls (Accurate)

1 (0)

Shots on Target

0

Aerial Duels (Won)

2 (0)

Lost Possession

6

The latter was particularly ineffective, completing 18 passes, failing to complete a long ball or cross, losing 100% of his aerial duels, losing the ball six times and generally being more of a hindrance to build up than any sort of help in defence.

It was a game to forget for all of these starters, but there is another who was at the very least just as bad and should therefore be dropped from the team this week.

The Arsenal star Arteta should drop

When it comes to arguably the most ineffective player on the pitch for Arsenal yesterday, it probably won’t surprise many of you that we’re talking about Viktor Gyokeres.

Now, before the pitchforks come out, the Swedish international has had a couple of good games for the club, such as Leeds United and Forest, but yesterday was not one of those.

The former Sporting CP superstar was anonymous for pretty much the entire encounter, as while he held the ball up relatively well at points, he offered little to no threat.

Now, there is an argument to be made that the rest of the team didn’t create enough chances for him; it could also be said that the best strikers help create their own chances.

It might sound like a harsh appraisal, but we aren’t the only ones who were disappointed by his performance.

For example, The Standard’s Simon Collings awarded him a 5/10 match rating at full-time, writing that he ‘could not make an impact.’

Unsurprisingly, his statistics more than back this up, as in his 97 minutes of inaction, the Stockholm-born poacher didn’t take a single shot on target, took just 22 touches, completed six passes, lost 100% of his ground duels, lost the ball 13 times and failed in 100% of his dribbles.

In short, it was a poor showing from the man who is supposed to spearhead this Arsenal side to Premier League glory.

Therefore, Arteta should take him out of the firing line for the game against Port Vale tomorrow night, give him time to rest, and hopefully, he can come back into the side next week rejuvenated and ready to show the fans what he can do.

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ByDominic Lund Sep 22, 2025