Hamish Rutherford punches down the ground•Getty Images
The lower-order trio of Parthiv Patel, Vijay Shankar and K Gowtham propelled India A to 467 for 8 on the second day of their first unofficial Test against New Zealand A, after which the hosts put on a solid batting show to finish on 176 for 1. Opener Hamish Rutherford crunched his 13th first-class hundred following India A’s declaration post lunch. In the afternoon, the India A bowlers toiled for 55 overs to prise out a solitary wicket. With two more days of play remaining, New Zealand A trail by 291.Parthiv, batting on 79 overnight, fell six short of a 27th first-class ton after edging Blair Tickner’s medium pace to the keeper. But Shankar and Gowtham added 89 in a ninth-wicket stand that took them past 450 before India A captain Ajinkya Rahane declared in the 123rd over. Tickner’s dismissal of Gowtham on 47 was his fourth wicket; he finished with figures of 4 for 80.It took India A almost 38 overs to earn their first wicket as New Zealand A’s opening pair of Rutherford and Will Young added 121. Fast bowlers Deepak Chahar, Navdeep Saini and Mohammed Siraj went wicketless, as did Shankar off his medium pace. The only India A wicket-taker was Gowtham, whose offspin dismissed the captain Young one short of a 28th first-class half-century. But Rutherford pushed on, reaching his ton in 155 deliveries, and by stumps, New Zealand A ensured they lost no further wicket. Rutherford’s innings featured 16 fours and a six.
Cuca não se deu por vencido no “caso Lucas Veríssimo”. Envolvido em uma negociação cheio de entraves com o Benfica (POR) e desejando atuar no futebol europeu, o zagueiro foi preservado da derrota por 1 a 0 contra o Vasco da Gama, neste domingo (20), pela 27ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro, pois pediu pra não jogar enquanto a situação não for resolvida. Contudo, o treinador do Santos ainda tentará convencer o defensor a entrar em campo nas próximas partidas.
– Ele está num imbróglio com o clube. Na minha função, tento fazer o melhor para o Santos, que é ter o jogador em condição. Não me rendo, não me entreguei. Ainda tento buscar uma solução – disse Cuca em entrevista coletiva após a derrota para o Vasco.
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Os Encarados fez uma proposta inicial de 6,5 milhões de euros (R$ XX mi), com pagamento em cinco parcelas, iniciando em 2022 e terminando em 2026. O Peixe, no entanto, conseguiria a antecipação do dinheiro através de uma instituição financeira belga. Porém, o Conselho Fiscal santista vetou a operação, que havia sido aprovada pela diretoria. A partir de janeiro, quando inicia a nova administração do Alvinegro, o presidente eleito, Andrés Rueda, passará a ter a autonomia na condução do negócio. Ele já tem conversado com o clube português.
Não foi a primeira vez que Veríssimo pede para não entrar em campo, por conta da indefinição referente a proposta. Antes do jogo de ida pelas quartas de final da Libertadores, no dia 02 de dezembro, onde o Peixe empatou em 1 a 1 contra o Grêmio, em Porto Alegre, ele já havia pedido para não atuar, pois não se via preparado psicologicamente, porém teve a decisão mudada pelo técnico Cuca, que o convenceu a entrar em campo. Dessa vez, a posição do defensor foi irredutível e ele nem viajou para o Rio de Janeiro.
De acordo com o técnico santista, um dos motivos pelo qual a cabeça do zagueiro não estar bem nas últimas semanas é uma somatória de fatores, que envolve promessas de venda não cumpridas em anos anteriores, no qual a administração do Alvinegro estava nas mãos do ex-presidente José Carlos Peres, destituído do cargo por irregulares administrativos.
– Não vejo que essa saída do Lucas seja melhor para ele nem para o Santos. Acho que ele tem que sair de uma maneira melhor, por tudo que ele já fez pelo Santos. Cabe a mim continuar tentando. O jogador perdeu a confiança. A falta de credibilidade que se teve, devido a tantas promessas de que ele sairia, faz com que ele não tenha confiança. O Benfica pressionando como está, dizendo pra ele ir ou eles irão atrás de outro jogador. A cabeça do guri fica um trevo – afirmou Cuca.
Na ausência de Lucas, o Peixe iniciou a partida contra o Vasco com Luiz Felipe e Alex Nascimento na zaga. No intervalo, Luiz, que não fez boa partida, foi substituído, promovendo a entrada do atacante Soteldo, o que recuou o volante Alison para o sistema defensivo.
O Peixe tem semana livre e volta a campo apenas no próximo domingo (27), quando recebe o Ceará, na Vila Belmiro, às 18h15, pela 27ª rodada do Brasileirão, no último jogo de 2020. Ainda não se sabe se Lucas Veríssimo será convencido a atuar ou manterá a sua decisão de ficar de fora até a sua situação com o Benfica seja resolvida.
كشفت تقارير صحفية إيطالية، أن صفقة انتقال جيان كلير توديبو، مدافع فريق نيس الفرنسي إلى يوفنتوس، مهددة بالفشل، بسبب عدم تلبية النادي الإيطالي طلبات نظيره الفرنسي.
توديبو هدفًا أساسيًا لـ يوفنتوس في الصيف الجاري، وكان قد توصل لاتفاق مع البيانكونيري، ولكن ينتظر حسم الصفقة مع نيس.
شبكة “سكاي” الإيطالية، أكدت بأن نيس يرفض أي عروض تتضمن إعارة مبدئية، حتى لو كانت بها إلزامًا بالشراء، ويريد النادي الفرنسي رحيله بصفقة انتقال دائم.
وحدد نيس السعر المطلوب لرحيل توديبو، ووضع 35 مليون يورو، ولكن النادي سئم من محاولات يوفنتوس للمفاوضات بشأن التعاقد مع الفرنسي معارًا.
فشل صفقة انتقال توديبو إلى يوفنتوس، من شأنها أن تبعد أعين النادي الفرنسي عن الدولي المصري محمد عبد المنعم، الذي ارتبط بشدة بالانضمام إلى نيس، لتعويض رحيل توديبو ومرافقة دانتي في الدفاع.
من جانبه نادي نيس يحاول مع الأهلي خلال الأسبوع الماضي لضم محمد عبد المنعم، وحتى الآن لم يتمكن النادي الفرنسي من التوصل لاتفاق بشأن الصفقة.
Manchester City are expected to wrap up a long-awaited deal to sign Lucas Paqueta from West Ham after agreeing personal terms with the midfielder.
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City attempted to sign Paqueta last yearProbe into betting activity ended pursuitMidfielder agrees to summer transferWHAT HAPPENED?
City have a personal agreement with the Brazilian in place over his wages as they prepare to sign him in the summer transfer window, reports. However, the reigning European and English champions are still to strike a deal with the Hammers over a transfer fee.
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City attempted to sign the midfielder from the east London team last summer, but they pulled out of the reported £85 million deal because an investigation into alleged betting breaches was opened up by the Football Association (FA).
DID YOU KNOW?
Paqueta, who has scored eight goals and registered seven assists in all competitions this season, recently opened up about the investigation into his alleged betting activity, saying: "It’s been seven months since it’s been happened and I’m co-operating, doing what’s in my power so that it can be resolved."
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Paqueta's current contract at West Ham runs until 2027, though there is an option to extend his stay for another year. West Ham, then, could hold out for a similar £85m ($108m) fee from City this year before they agree to let him go.
Glasgow Rangers return to domestic action this weekend as they look to continue their bright form under Philippe Clement.
Following six wins and a draw in seven matches, the Ibrox side appears to be rejuvenated, and the onus is now to continue their upwards trajectory.
They could even secure a trophy before Christmas, as they face Hearts in the League Cup final next month, while progress in the Europa League is certainly attainable and things are looking good for the Light Blues.
Despite having to work with a squad he inherited from Michael Beale, Clement has managed to get a tune from some of the summer signings who initially struggled under the former QPR boss.
Cyriel Dessers has scored three times under the former Club Brugge boss, while Danilo has emerged as one of the finest attacking options at the club.
Rangers loanee Abdallah Sima.
The Brazilian has also thrived under the 49-year-old, netting three times while grabbing four assists, and he has been given the freedom and confidence to play his own game, which appears to be paying dividends.
Another key aspect about Clement which has further endeared him to the Ibrox faithful is the fact he isn’t scared in placing his trust in young players.
Due to several injures, talented winger Ross McCausland was given a start against Livingston just prior to the international break, and he certainly took his chance by winning a penalty in the first half while looking lively throughout.
This will give him a massive confidence boost heading into the future and the good news for Clement is there are plenty of other young talents emerging from the academy.
Here are three players who look set to burst through under the Belgian to follow in McCausland's footsteps…
1 Zak Lovelace
Rangers forward Zak Lovelace.
In a way, Lovelace has already begun to make his mark in the senior side, as he was given his first start for the Gers in a tie against St Mirren last month, yet this was under interim manager Steven Davis.
He made his debut for Millwall aged just 15 and his limitless potential led Giovanni van Bronckhorst to snap him last summer from the London side.
It didn’t take long for the Dutchman to give him a senior bow in Glasgow, as the young forward came off the bench against Queen of the South in August 2022, and he even made his Old Firm debut towards the end of the season.
The 17-year-old scored 18 goals and grabbed ten assists for the B team last season and, despite being restricted to just six minutes under Beale, Davis unleashed him from the start against the Buddies.
He looked bright before suffering an injury, and he hasn’t been seen since. Clement will be keeping his eye on his recovery, however, as there is no doubt he could play a key role in the side once he is fit.
2 Bailey Rice
Glasgow Rangers managerPhilippe Clement.
The former Motherwell player became Rangers’ youngest-ever league debutant in February this year as he emerged from the bench against Livingston aged just 16 years, four months and 14 days.
Lauded as a “prospect” by journalist Mark Hendry in January last year when the Gers and Manchester City were sniffing about him, it's clear he has everything required to make the grade at the club in the coming years.
The 17-year-old has made another two domestic appearances for the Ibrox side this season, yet none have come under Clement.
The club are stacked in the central midfield area, but as time goes on, he could well get another chance in the senior squad.
The Belgian will be keeping a keen eye on his development for the B team, especially with the quality he has shown so far, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see Rice make another appearance or two in the coming months, especially if the fixtures pile up.
McCausland’s recent rise over the previous few months will give him confidence that in time, he could be starting games for the Gers and this is what he should be targeting.
3 Alex Lowry
Rangers midfielder Alex Lowry.
The Scot is perhaps the most highly-rated talent among the youth sides at Ibrox, especially with the way he broke through and shone upon his debut for the club back in January 2022.
He replaced Ianis Hagi in a Scottish Cup tie against Stirling Albion, and it didn’t take him long to make an impact, scoring a few moments later.
Another six appearances followed throughout the remainder of that campaign, and he even made the bench for the Europa League final in May 2022, but the Gers lost on penalties, and he didn’t make it onto the pitch.
A knee injury restricted his impact to just seven senior matches last term and this set his development back slightly and Beale sent him on a season-long loan to Hearts for the current season.
The 20-year-old has already made 15 appearances for the Jambos, and he has impressed in spells in the capital.
Not only has the attacking midfielder registered seven goal contributions, but he currently ranks third in the squad for shots on target per game (0.6), fourth for big chances created (one) and first for successful dribbles per game (1.4), demonstrating his ability in a club who are challenging for the European spots and this experience at the highest level will stand him in good stead.
Clement is clearly determined to secure success at Rangers and early indications suggest he will leave no stone unturned in the process.
While he aims to bolster his senior squad in the transfer market, there are players closer to home who could give him some different options going forward, while bolstering the home-based quota for European ties.
The three players mentioned all have the opportunity during Clement’s spell in charge to make inroads into the first team and showcase their abilities on a regular basis.
McCausland has proven that the chances are there for talented youngsters if they are good enough and Lovelace, Rice and Lowry have all demonstrated how good they can be with their fleeting appearances in the Ibrox first team.
Rohit Sharma scored his fourth T20 international century – the most by anybody – to seal the series win for India
The Report by Sidharth Monga06-Nov-2018 Rohit Sharma scored his fourth T20 international century – the most by anybody – to seal the series win for India. A festive crowd on the eve of Diwali sold out the debuting Ekana Stadium in Lucknow, and were treated to fabulous T20 batting. Rohit had to suss out an unknown pitch, overcome its slowness, and compensate for a scratchy effort from Shikhar Dhawan at the other end. He cleared the massive boundaries – all over 75m – seven times, and contributed 57% of India’s runs even though he faced only 50% of the balls.Missing their best players once again, West Indies made it worse for themselves, dropping two catches, bowling two no-balls, eight wides and conceding overthrows. They made big tactical errors too, bowling two overs of spin inside the Powerplay, thus giving up the advantage of the massive boundaries. Here without any openers in the squad, they were always going to struggle to chase 196.Slow startA sold-out stadium had waited patiently for the 7pm start. What’s one more over to them? For the first time in his T20 career, Rohit played out a maiden at the top of an innings. The crowd got impatient, chanting his name, but he knew what he was doing. Rohit was assessing the conditions, and refusing to play a low percentage shot against West Indies’ form bowler, the quick Oshane Thomas. Despite a no-ball from Keemo Paul in the second over, India didn’t hit a single boundary in the first three overs and had scored only 11.Spin breaks shacklesUsually the second half of Powerplay are pressure overs for bowlers because that’s when batsmen look to cash in after a steady start. On a pitch with no turn, Carlos Brathwaite was putting left-arm spinner Khary Pierre in the line of fire. Rohit lofted him first ball over mid-off. When mid-off went back, he hit Pierre for a six over mid-on. Thomas at the other end bowled a no-ball, and India were up and running. What was shaping up to be a lean Powerplay gave them 49 runs. Then Paul dropped Dhawan, Brathwaite dropped short once too often, and India reached 78 in nine overs.3:50
50,000 turn up as cricket returns to Lucknow
Brief quiet but then explosionFabien Allen and Paul managed to bowl the next four overs for 29 runs, which featured Dhawan struggling to force the pace. The harder he tried to hit, the worse he timed the ball. In the 14th over, though, Rohit took matters in his own hands. He was 59 off 42 when he began to slog-sweep Allen. Until now he had played mostly down the ground, but he had also realised there was no turn that he would be hitting against. Successive sixes put West Indies under pressure, and even with the fall of Dhawan and Rishabh Pant there was no stopping Rohit.Brathwaite and Pierre were treated the worst by Rohit and KL Rahul, who dominated strike early on in their 28-ball partnership. A single off the last ball of the 19th over – with Rohit on 92 – left Rahul frustrated, but Rohit put him at ease and asked him to keep going for it and not worry about the hundred. However, the strike came back to Rohit with five balls to go in the innings. A wide full toss went straight of short third man, and then a straight one was ramped over short fine to bring up the hundred. When Brathwaite managed to get a dot in, he undid it with four overthrows. Rohit then smacked Brathwaite over long-off to take the West Indies captain’s tally past 50.Khaleel causes early damageWith Bhuvneshwar Kumar back, Rohit held back Jasprit Bumrah for the second half of the Powerplay and then the second half of the innings. Khaleel Ahmed got the new ball, and quickly accounted for West Indies’ two best batsmen from the ODI series. Playing out of position, both Shai Hope and Shimron Hetmyer fell trying to force the pace against accurate bowling. West Indies 39 for 2 in the sixth over.Kuldeep, Bumrah seal the winWest Indies’ familiar nemesis then came back to quell any fight that might have been left. Kuldeep Yadav removed Darren Bravo and Nicholas Pooran in the same over; Bravo off the outside edge and another sensational slip catch by Rohit, and Pooran bowled through the gate with a wrong’un. Bumrah was then brought back to get rid of Kieron Pollard, a short ball accounting for the batsman. From 68 for 5 in the 11th over, the rest of the innings was all about finding out what ends first: West Indies’ wickets or overs. It went close, with No. 11 Thomas nearly run out off the last ball of the innings.
Harry Kane's wife Kate Goodland secretly filmed the Bayern star's successful penalty against Arsenal at the Emirates in their Champions League clash.
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Arsenal draw 2-2 with Bayern Munich
Ex-Spurs star Kane scores from the spot
Wife Kate films penalty alongside Arsenal fans
WHAT HAPPENED?
Kane once again came back to haunt Arsenal as the former Tottenham man scored from the spot in their quarter-final Champions League clash with Thomas Tuchel's men on Tuesday. Unbeknownst to many, the 30-year-old's wife, Kate Goodland, was in the home end with Gunners fans at the Emirates Stadium and captured the moment he converted his penalty cautiously as the stand fell silent. She also sent a short and sweet message on Instagram to the England captain.
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WHAT KATE GOODLAND SAID
In an Instagram story, she posted footage of the ex-Spurs ace wrongfooting Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya from 12 yards, much to the dismay of the deflated home supporters, and captioned it, 'Tor!!!!!' – the German word for 'goal'. She then posted a love heart above a picture of the Three Lions star.
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The result keeps alive Bayern's chances of winning some major silverware this year after crashing out of the DFB-Pokal Cup earlier on this season and being cut adrift by Bundesliga's runaway leaders Bayer Leverkusen. Kate and Kane will hope the striker can fire the German giants into the last four of the Champions League and ensure he picks up the first trophy of his career.
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WHAT NEXT?
Kane's Bayern side, who are 16 points behind Leverkusen, are next in action on Saturday at home to Koln in the Bundesliga, before hosting Arsenal in the second leg of their quarter-final Champions League tie next Wednesday night.
Sheffield Wednesday will hope that they can put together a positive sequence of results and fast to get out of the mess they're currently swamped in, the Owls rooted to the bottom of the Championship on six points with Huddersfield Town on 15 points a place above the relegation spots in 21st.
Danny Rohl was meant to be the breath of fresh air that kickstarted a meaningful run of wins to get Wednesday up and running in the league, but the new German manager at Hillsborough has only managed to steer his side to one win from his opening five games to further pile on the misery in south Yorkshire.
You'd hope that certain players within the downbeat Owls group would want to turn around their fortunes to instil some pride back into proceedings, on top of the fact the majority of them are currently fighting it out for their long-term futures at the club.
Here are five players fighting for their respective careers currently at Hillsborough under their new 34-year-old boss…
1 Mallik Wilks
The penny has to have dropped for Wilks by now looking at how his time with Wednesday has gone over the past few seasons, consistent injury issues leaving him out of many first-team squads over his disappointing two years at Hillsborough but his lack of quality when fit has also seen managers before Rohl decide not to pick him anyway.
Wilks has mustered up a pitiful two goals from 28 appearances for the Owls in a move that now feels ill-fated from Hull City, the Leeds-born attacker playing at the peak of his powers with the Tigers with 30 goals from 91 appearances.
Rohl has given Wilks opportunities since coming into the building, but the 24-year-old continues to underperform for Wednesday.
He has averaged a dire 6.23 Sofascore rating from his fleeting appearances in an Owls shirt this season, his display as a substitute away at Watford recently in league action saw him attempt zero shots on goal from a 25-minute spell on the pitch alongside losing six of his seven ground duels at Vicarage Road as per Sofascore.
Wilks could be moved on soon from Yorkshire, with Rohl's patience presumably already growing thin when it comes to his misfiring number seven.
2 Marvin Johnson
Frozen out of the team much like Wilks under ex-boss Xisco Munoz, Marvin Johnson has been reintroduced into the first-team set-up under Rohl's management and will want to fight for his spot and make it his own again after being ostracised.
Wednesday's number 18 was key last season to the Owls winning promotion to the Championship, always a creative outlet for his team to rely on from down the left wing – finishing the normal campaign with ten assists to his name, and then adding a further assist to his impressive tally in the famed playoff semi-final clash against Peterborough United at Hillsborough.
Lacking confidence at this point in time – and sharpness by being out of the first-team picture for so long – Rohl will hope Johnson's effectiveness in swarming forward down the channels in League One can reappear in the now for Wednesday.
He has to plenty to work on however if his Millwall performance recently is anything to go off of, inaccurate with all eight of his crosses versus the Lions as per Sofascore.
3 Ashley Fletcher
Joining on loan from Watford this summer, Ashley Fletcher is yet to really get going in an Owls strip this season since relocating to Sheffield.
Not helped by his side's clear lack of creativity and incisiveness in other positions, Fletcher is still without a Wednesday goal from 13 appearances.
The 28-year-old has only averaged 29 minutes of action per 90 minutes this season according to Sofascore, but if he was showing glimpses of brilliance in these cameos, he would play himself into the first eleven as a result.
Instead, he finds himself on the periphery with the Owls away from Watford in a loan deal that isn't really benefitting anyone.
Substituted off at half-time in the 4-0 Millwall loss last time out, the 6 foot 1 attacker couldn't even muster up a single shot to test the opposing goalkeeper before being hauled off by Rohl.
Fletcher will continue to fight for a spot in his current manager's first-team plans, but it could be a case of Wednesday cancelling this loan deal come January if he remains as toothless as he has been over the weeks to come.
4 Lee Gregory
Now 35 years of age, Gregory was seeing out his career at Sheffield Wednesday in fine form when you cast an eye over last season's statistics for the veteran forward.
Gregory managed 11 goals up top for the Owls under Darren Moore, the ageing attacker combining with strike partner Michael Smith to devastating effect in the third tier.
Now, however, the former Stoke City man is enduring a barren goalscoring spell in the division above.
Scoring on the opening day versus Southampton to open Wednesday's account in the league, the Sheffield-born striker hasn't found the back of the net since to the dismay of the Owls masses who once viewed Gregory as a reliable source of important strikes.
The weeks leading up to January could be make or break for Gregory, with the very real possibility of the 35-year-old being phased out of the first team completely creeping up on the experienced figure if he isn't careful.
5 Liam Palmer
A part of the furniture at Hillsborough in a similar way to Gregory – the 32-year-old a dedicated servant to Wednesday with 407 appearances notched up since joining in 2010 – Palmer has also struggled with the ferocity of the Championship when playing this season for the beleaguered Owls.
Only starting five times for Wednesday this campaign, the right-back hasn't come onto the pitch at all for the Owls in their last five Championship encounters under Rohl.
His displays prior to being dropped didn't exactly inspire confidence that Palmer was the right man to continue starting at right-back, an 11-minute spell against Sunderland in mid-October saw the Scotsman lose possession a remarkable six times as per Sofascore.
Palmer will hope that he can come good again, loved by the Wednesday masses when on song for his passion and ability on the ball.
Arsenal are back in action this afternoon following the international break, as Mikel Arteta’s side travel to west London to face Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium.
The Gunners will hope to get their away form back on track after picking up just one point from their previous two trips away from home in the Premier League, with the Bees expected to be far from easy to overcome.
Following the two week pause in play for the international festivities, Arteta’s side is anticipated to look far different from the team that beat Burnley 3-1 at the Emirates last time out, with a number of faces set to re-enter the fold.
Arsenal team news vs Brentford
Away from injury, first choice shot-stopper David Raya will be unavailable for the fixture due to being ineligible to play against his parent club, as his deal at Arsenal is still a loan from Brentford.
Reports have surfaced to unsurprisingly relay that the Gunners wish to activate a permanent contract for the Spaniard, meaning more bad news for Aaron Ramsdale, who will get a rare chance between the posts this afternoon.
Against the Clarets, Martin Odegaard, Ben White and Gabriel Jesus were unavailable due to injury and illness.
Cristian Romero and Gabriel Jesus battle for the ball as Brazil face Argentina in the World Cup Qualifiers.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Arteta admitted that White and Odegaard will “hopefully” return to the fold against Brentford, but couldn't confirm the status of the two players for certain.
The talk of the international break was the emergence of Jesus, who had missed Arsenal’s previous five fixtures due to injury, however was called up to represent Brazil and played 90 minutes for his country whilst on duty.
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Mikel Arteta could be close to unearthing another starlet at the Emirates…
ByRosie Tudball Nov 23, 2023
Despite returning after recording some impressive performances prior to his injury, there is some debate as to whether the four-time Premier League winner should automatically reclaim his number nine spot, as his replacement has been in terrific form in his absence.
The stats that suggest Leandro Trossard should keep his place in the XI
Predominantly fielded as a left-winger, Leandro Trossard has been Arteta’s guiding light when leading the line this season, recording a higher conversion rate than both Jesus and Eddie Nketiah when playing centrally, as per Sofascore.
Lauded for his “lively” presence in the final third by Arteta, Jesus’ energy and positivity has been missed, although the Belgian has provided a more clinical streak than the Brazilian, who admitted that scoring goals is not his “strong point” while on international duty.
Arsenal's LeandroTrossardcelebrates after the match
Once dubbed “absolutely clinical” by journalist Phil Costa, the Belgium international has contributed to three goals in his previous two appearances for Arsenal, scoring two and assisting once, playing central on both occasions.
Trossard’s emergence as the Gunners’ most prolific striker must be celebrated, with the chance for Arteta to raise the level of performance of both Jesus and Nketiah to reach the form of the former Brighton whiz, who has made a stellar impact since arriving in January.
In Brentford, Arsenal face a task of keeping near to the top of the table while trying to overcome the Bees, who have won three of their previous five in the league.
Fielding Trossard over Jesus would benefit the north Londoners with reference to the challenge ahead, with the need to take their chances pivotal in a game that will be highly contested.
Soccer and NFL royalty crossed paths prior to Inter Miami’s MLS clash with Sporting KC, as Patrick Mahomes had an exchange with Lionel Messi.
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Argentine superstar attracts A-list guestsSuper Bowl winner at Arrowhead StadiumAll-time great put on show for record crowdWHAT HAPPENED?
The record books were rewritten at Arrowhead Stadium when the Herons rolled into Kansas City, with a crowd of over 70,000 making the most of an opportunity to catch eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi in competitive action.
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Inter Miami’s travelling circus remains the biggest draw in MLS, with A-list guests flocking to their fixtures across the United States. Mahomes is among the latest to catch the Messi show, with the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback boasting strong ties to soccer alongside his wife Brittany – as co-owners of the Kansas City Current NWSL side.
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GettyWHAT MAHOMES SAID TO MESSI
Three-time Super Bowl winner Mahomes briefly met with Messi ahead of the Argentine’s latest outing, while also catching up with Benjamin Cremaschi, and told the all-time great to “have fun” before a ball was kicked in anger.