تجاهل الفرنسي كيليان مبابي الحديث عن خلافة المدير الفني لمنتخب الديوك ديديه ديشامب، عندما سُئل عن زين الدين زيدان مثله الأعلى.

مبابي تحدث كثيرًا عن زيدان وأنه مثله الأعلى في كرة القدم، وكان أحد أسباب انضمامه إلى ريال مدريد، في ظل ارتباط زيزو بخلافة ديديه ديشامب.

وقال مبابي في تصريحات لصحيفة “لو باريزيان” الفرنسية: “لا أعرف من سيخلف ديشامب، وأعرف من تريدونني أن أتحدث عنه، لكنني لن أتحدث عنه لأن هذا ليس من اختصاصي”.

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وأضاف: “هناك رئيس للاتحاد الفرنسي، وهو من سيتخذ القرار، الجميع يتحدث عن زيدان، لذا لن نتظاهر بأننا نعيش في كهف ولا نعرف ما يحدث، لكنني لن أتحدث عن ذلك، لأنه كما قلت لكم ليس من شأني”.

وعن خلافاته مع ديشامب، قال: “أعتقد أنها أمور لا يعلم بها الناس، في أي عمل توجد خلافات بين الزملاء، وهذا لا يعني أنك لا تحبهم أو تحترمهم، الجميع يعرفني، إذا حدث انفصال بيني وبين شخص ما، لا أبقى على اتصال، ولا أستطيع التظاهر بذلك”.

وواصل: “هذا لا يعني أنه لا توجد خلافات، لقد حدثت بالفعل خلافات، لكنني أكن كل الاحترام والتقدير للمدرب، كان هو مدربي الوحيد مع منتخب فرنسا واستدعاني لأول مرة، حققنا نجاحًا معًا، ولا يمكن لعلاقتنا أن تنتهي بالانفصال بسبب خلافات، كما أن تلك الخلافات ليست جدية على الإطلاق”.

وعن بدايته السيئة في ريال مدريد، قال: “ليست المرة الأولى التي أمرّ فيها بموقف كهذا، ما يحدث هو أن وضعي الآن مختلف وكذلك التوقعات كانت أكبر، مررت بلحظات صعبة ولكن الحديث عنها ليس مهمًا الآن، لقد تغيّر كل شيء حولي”.

واختتم: “لم نفز بالبطولة الأوروبية، ولم أقدم أداء جيدا، ونهاية الموسم مع باريس سان جيرمان لعبت أقل، مع تراكمات الإصابة والأداء الضعيف، أمور لم أمر بها كثيرًا في مسيرتي، لذلك كان علي تجاوز الأمر والإيمان بنفسي”.

This season was supposed to be the year Arsenal finally got over the line in the Premier League and ended their two-decade title drought, but after their first 11 games, that is starting to look unlikely.

Mikel Arteta’s young side have not been as secure at the back as they were last season, already conceding 12 goals, and their attack has been noticeably blunt, with six teams scoring more than their 18 goals.

The North Londoners have had to deal with some unfortunate injuries and questionable refereeing here and there, but there is no getting away from the fact that a number of their star players just look a little off the pace at the moment.

1

Liverpool

11

15

28

2

Manchester City

11

9

23

3

Chelsea

11

8

19

4

Arsenal

11

6

19

5

Nottingham Forest

11

5

19

6

Brighton & Hove Albion

11

4

19

Unsurprisingly, recent reports have now linked the club with one of the most exciting attackers in the league, someone who could rival both Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka next season.

Arsenal transfer news

According to reports from Spain, Arsenal are incredibly interested in West Ham United star Mohammed Kudus.

In fact, the report claims that the Gunners are so keen on the Ghanaian international that they plan to make an offer for him next summer, which could potentially be worth up to €100m, which is about £83m.

While that’s an enormous sum of money, that doesn’t seem too outlandish, as other publications have claimed that the Hammers have inserted an £85m release clause into the former Ajax star’s contract, which is set to reactivate in the summer.

In all, signing Kudus would represent a hugely significant investment, but given his incredible ability, it is well worth making, especially as he could offer competition to several players, including Martinelli and Saka.

Why Kudus would be an ideal addition to Arsenal's attack

So, before we look at his sensational output over the last few years, let’s look at one of the other key reasons Kudus would be such an excellent addition to Arsenal’s attacking lineup: his versatility.

Yes, across his career to date, the 24-year-old dynamo has played all over the pitch, from right to left wing, attacking midfield to centre-forward and even one game in defensive midfield.

In short, the “sensational” international, as dubbed by Daily Mail reporter Kathryn Batte, can play pretty much wherever he’s asked, which means he’d be able to pick up plenty of game time across a campaign and offer competition to a number of starters.

Right-Winger

47

21

7

Central Midfield

46

11

3

Centre-Forward

43

15

3

Attacking Midfield

43

11

3

Left-Winger

15

4

3

Left Midfield

2

1

0

Defensive Midfield

1

0

0

For example, with his vast experience of playing off the right, he could finally allow Arteta to rest Saka when he’s being overplayed or even when he’s underperforming.

Likewise, Julen Lopetegui has played him off the left five times this season, so should Leandro Trossard continue to underdeliver next season, as he has this year, then the Hammers star could also be the perfect player to push or even replace Martinelli on that side of the pitch.

With all that said, it’s all well and good playing in lots of positions, but has the Accra-born maestro been able to deliver for his teams? You bet he has.

For example, in his final full season for Ajax, when he was genuinely a part of the senior side, the 34-capped international racked up a brilliant haul of 18 goals and seven assists in 42 appearances, equating to a goal involvement on average every 1.68 games.

Appearances

42

48

10

Goals

18

18

2

Assists

7

7

1

Goal Involvements per Match

0.59

0.52

0.30

Moreover, in his 55 appearances for the Hammers, against far stronger opposition, the 5 foot 9 wizard has scored 16 goals and provided seven assists, meaning he’s averaging a goal involvement every 2.29 games for the Eastenders.

Ultimately, signing Kudus next summer will require a massive financial effort from Arsenal, but given his sensational form in recent seasons and the need to provide the likes of Martinelli and Saka with more competition, it would be well worth the cost.

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The 2020 summer transfer window saw West Ham United make four permanent signings, along with two loan deals to bring six new players to the club. This also saw the Hammers let go of seven players on permanent deals, including the sale of Sebastian Haller for just £20m, despite signing him for £45m in 2019.

The biggest signing that summer was the addition of Said Benrahma from Brentford, who joined for a fee of around £20m plus add-ons. The Algerian made 155 appearances in his time at the club, scoring 24 goals, providing 20 assists, and totalling 8,720 minutes played.

Player

Fee (£)

Said Benrahma

£19.3m

Tomas Soucek

£13.5m

Vladamir Coufal

£5m

Jesse Lingard

£3.6m

Frederik Alves

£1.3m

Craig Dawson

£922k

The signings of Jesse Lingard and Craig Dawson were loan deals, with both players making big statements in their time at the club, Lingard making 16 Premier League appearances for the Hammers, scoring nine times and providing four assists, whilst Dawson made 22 Premier League appearances, scoring three times, and contributing to seven clean sheets, prior to signing permanently.

But it was actually one of the departures that same season that upset club legend Mark Noble, who expressed his anger at one sale in particular.

West Ham's own Cazorla

West Ham sold Grady Diangana to West Brom in 2020, for a fee of around £18m. And Noble was quick to let his thoughts on this be known, writing “as captain of this football club, I’m gutted, angry and sad that Grady has left, great kid with a great future”.

Just two years earlier (2018), Manuel Pellegrini stated Diangana reminded him of a young Santi Cazorla, saying he had the potential to emulate the Arsenal legend:

As it proved, the winger made just 21 appearances for the West Ham first team, scoring two goals and providing one assist.

Since joining West Brom, Diangana has gone on to make 176 appearances for the club, netting 22 times, providing 19 assists, and totalling 10,232 minutes played. The 26-year-old has only played 420 minutes this season, yet to provide a goal or assist, and his value according to Transfermarkt is down at £3.3m.

First Impressions

What did pundits and fans alike think about their new star signing when they arrived? Football FanCast's 'First Impressions' series has everything you need.

So West Ham currently look like they made the correct decision, selling the winger for a great fee (£18m), whilst his value was at its peak. But how has the sale of Diangana also impacted the wingers since for West Ham?

West Ham's current crop of wingers

The Hammers have gone on to acquire the likes of Jarrod Bowen, Mohammed Kudus, Crysencio Summerville, and even Luis Guilherme as their set of wingers, who all currently look to be outperforming Diangana.

Stats (per 90 mins)

Diangana

Bowen

Kudus

Summerville

Goals

0.00

0.37

0.26

0.24

Assists

0.00

0.19

0.13

0.00

xG

0.06

0.21

0.38

0.25

xAG

0.06

0.33

0.11

0.21

Progressive Carries

2.13

4.02

5.00

3.75

Progressive Passes

5.11

3.91

2.70

1.67

Shots Total

1.06

2.50

3.64

1.67

Key Passes

0.43

2.53

0.68

2.08

Shot-Creating Actions

1.91

4.02

3.38

5.00

Diangana ranks last in eight of the nine metrics analysed above, all of which are considered to be important metrics for wingers/attacking midfielders. The 26-year-old does rank highest for progressive passing, with 5.11 per 90, but he also ranks the lowest for key passes, with 0.43 per 90.

Bowen, who was signed just six months before Diangana’s departure, has the best output of all the wingers (both goals and assists), produces the highest xAG (expected assisted goals), and plays the most key passes per 90.

Whilst at the time, Noble and many others were angry and upset about the sale of Diangana, it seems to have worked for the best, with West Ham now having the likes of Bowen, Kudus and Summerville on their books, all of which are valued significantly higher than the 26-year-old Diangana.

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Renegades are building momentum to be right in the mix for a playoff berth

Tristan Lavalette06-Jan-2022

Shaun Marsh became the first player in the BBL to score fifties against all eight teams•Getty Images

Melbourne Renegades brushed aside a second-string Brisbane Heat with a five-wicket victory in Geelong to notch consecutive victories for the first time this BBL season.Renegades limited a decimated Heat, featuring eight debutants, to 6 for 128 on a sluggish pitch and then cruised to victory with Shaun Marsh smashing a 35-ball 57.After 12 of their players and head coach Wade Seccombe tested positive for Covid-19, Heat’s home clash against Sydney Sixers on Wednesday night was postponed but they were able to ensure this game went ahead following a late scramble for replacement players.Renegades (3-5) have revived their season with wins over shorthanded opponents Melbourne Stars and Heat, leapfrogging to fifth on the ladder.Renegades’ spinners trouble Heat After electing to bowl, Renegades aimed to put the inexperienced Heat under pressure on a slow pitch but their quicks were too wayward. Spinners Zahir Khan and Mohammad Nabi, who substituted paceman James Pattinson, turned things around after the four-over powerplay as Renegades almost predictably turned the tables.Zahir bowled three overs on the trot early to pin down Heat as he unleashed his trademark tricks to give Renegades a stranglehold. Zahir and Nabi did the bulk of the heavy lifting but canny seamer Kane Richardson, who has had a stellar season, enjoyed the sluggish pitch to stymie Heat in the death overs.It certainly wasn’t their toughest test, but Renegades did the job and recovered well after a sloppy start.Lehmann stars in BBL returnThere was, obviously, an unknown over this new-look Heat batting order. But BBL debutant Jack Clayton impressed with a trio of boundaries in his first seven deliveries faced as Heat powered to 0 for 33 after the four-over powerplay.The Queensland contracted player took a liking to pace but the beguiling spin of Zahir proved tougher and he succumbed second ball trapped in front attempting to sweep when on 15.A depleted Heat welcomed the addition of Pakistani batter Fakhar Zaman, who made his BBL debut having been a recent international signing. But his stay was brief, holing out to Zahir as Sam Heazlett – one of two incumbents from Heat’s previous game – and stand-in skipper Tom Cooper fell shortly after to leave the visitors in a hole.Mohammad Nabi made a strong impact against a depleted Brisbane Heat team•Getty Images

They were held together by Jake Lehmann, son of Heat assistant coach Darren Lehmann, and the former Adelaide Striker showcased great maturity as wickets fell around him. Having played 30 BBL games previously, Lehmann posted his maiden T20 half-century in his first BBL game in three years.In a bid to accelerate late, Lehmann shuffled around the crease to great effect and almost batted through the innings ensuring the understrength Heat posted a reasonable total given the circumstances.Vintage Marsh impresses Renegades look a far more formidable team with Shaun Marsh back in the line-up. In his second game back after a serious calf injury, the 38-year-old was in sublime touch marked by a gorgeous on-drive in the third over as he scored 19 of their first 20 runs.Australia T20 World Cup-winning captain Aaron Finch was merely a spectator as Marsh’s class came to the fore with classic square drives then he launched consecutive straight sixes in the eighth over to bring up a half-century off just 31 balls.Finch inevitably got in on the act with a couple of monster sixes off spinner Cooper in the 10th over as Renegades eventually romped to victory in the 15th over.While they’ve taken advantage of two weakened opponents, Renegades are building momentum to be right in the mix for a playoff berth.Grant impresses with ball Quick David Grant made a spectacular BBL debut when he clean bowled Sam Harper in the opening over with a yorker. But against veterans Marsh and Finch, it was tough going for Heat whose pace attack included Ronan McDonald, who played two Sheffield Shield matches for Queensland nine years ago, and 19-year-old Will Prestwidge.They had few answers in a baptism of fire for the newcomers. The pressure was on frontline spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who was thwarted by the experienced batters playing him cautiously. He eventually picked up Marsh but it was too late.Grant, who plays for South Australia in the Sheffield Shield, was a shining light showcasing clever slower balls.Heat (3-6) gave it a crack but just didn’t have the firepower as they slipped below Renegades and into sixth position on the ladder.

MatériaMais Notícias

Os encontros com o Vasco têm sido, até aqui, especiais para Diego Gonçalves no Botafogo. O camisa 11 marcou gols em todas as oportunidades contra o Cruz-Maltino vestindo a camisa alvinegra. Ele terá a chance de manter a escrita viva neste domingo: as equipes se enfrentam às 20h no Castelão, em São Luís-MA, pela 6ª rodada do Campeonato Carioca.

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O clube de São Januário, inclusive, é a maior vítima de Diego Gonçalves pelo Glorioso: é o único clube que ele marcou duas vezes desde que virou jogador do Botafogo, no começo da Série B do ano passado.

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A primeira oportunidade foi no Nilton Santos. Em contra-ataque, ele precisou de toques após receber passe de Luís Oyama para encontrar o fundo das redes. Em São Januário, no segundo turno, o gol veio de cabeça em jogada ensaiada de escanteio.

+ Posse de bola, contexto e importância do volante: como jogam as equipes de Luís Castro, na mira do Botafogo

Também teve uma assistência na goleada por 4 a 0 na Colina Histórica – o gol de Rafael Navarro, o segundo naquela tarde, teve o cruzamento do camisa 11. Ou seja, são três participações diretas em bolas na rede em dois jogos contra o Vasco.

A possibilidade de reencontrar a “maior vítima” vem a calhar. Se foi bem nos primeiros dois jogos do Carioca, Diego não repetiu a dose contra o Fluminense, na última quinta-feira. Apagado, o camisa 11 passou batido em campo na derrota por 2 a 1.

The PSL has signed a two-year broadcast deal worth USD 24 million with local sports channels A Sports and PTV Sports.The deal, according to the PCB, represents a 50% increase on the last cycle. That deal was worth USD 36 million over three years, but including international rights as well. This time round, the international broadcast rights for the league were sold separately; the 50% increase represents that difference as well as a weakening rupee against the dollar.In any case, the PCB will be understandably pleased with the result, not least because three local channels were among the leading bids, an upturn in what had for some time looked like a flagging local broadcast scene: the winners of the bid – a consortium of ARY which owns A Sports and the state-owned PTV – and the second-highest bidders, Geo Sports.Related

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The deal also comes only a couple of months after the PCB and PSL franchises finally agreed on a new financial model. That resolution had been a long time coming and indeed, at various moments, did not look like it would be reached at all, representing an existential threat to the league itself.Incidentally, the owners of A Sports – the ARY group – also own Karachi Kings, one of the six PSL franchises.The deal covers the 2022 and 2023 seasons, respectively the seventh and eighth editions of the league.”The extraordinary interest and increase in the TV broadcast rights of the HBL Pakistan Super League underscores how popular the tournament has become despite being launched just six years ago,” PCB’s acting CEO Salman Naseer said.”I want to thank the consortium of ARY and PTV for valuing the biggest product of Pakistan cricket, which has become a source of inspiration for thousands of young children to take up the sport.”Internationally, the PSL has a three-season deal with broadcasters in the UK, North America, New Zealand, South Africa and the Caribbean.

The case stems from an incident that is alleged to have taken place on August 14 this year

ESPNcricinfo staff20-Dec-2021Yasir Shah has been named in a case concerning the alleged rape of a girl.The FIR (First Information Report) was registered at Islamabad’s Shalimar police station on December 19 by the aunt of the girl at the centre of the complaint.The case was registered against Shah and, according to the complainant, his friend, Farhanuddin, under sections 292-B and 292-C (child pornography) as well as 376 (punishment for rape) of the Pakistan Penal Code.The case stems from an incident that is alleged to have taken place on August 14 this year. No arrests have been made in the case yet.In the complaint, the girl alleges that she was raped by Farhanuddin but that Shah allegedly threatened the aunt when she was going to the police to file the complaint.Shah has not made any comment on the situation but the PCB said: “We have noted that some allegations have been levelled against one of our Centrally Contracted players.”The PCB is presently gathering information at its end and will only offer a comment when in possession of complete facts.”

The future of a “fantastic” Sheffield Wednesday player now looks clearer, with the individual in question revealing talks have taken place over an extension.

Latest Sheffield Wednesday news

The Owls have enjoyed an impressive resurgence over the past month or so, having previously experienced a terrible run of form that threatened to leave them battling down in the Championship relegation zone.

Last Friday, Wednesday picked up a priceless 2-1 victory away to struggling Portsmouth, with goals from Josh Windass and Michael Smith getting them over the line at Fratton Park, and they now sit 13th in the table.

It is still too early to tell exactly how high the Owls’ ceiling is this season, but with the impressive Danny Rohl in charge, they should be dreaming big, thinking they can challenge for a place in the playoff positions, rather than look down towards the struggling clubs.

While new signings in the upcoming transfer windows will give Wednesday a better chance of future success, it is also important that they retain the services of important players, and a big update has now emerged regarding one such figure.

"Fantastic" player in talks with Sheffield Wednesday

Speaking to The Star, Michael Smith provided an update on his Sheffield Wednesday future, admitting he is happy at the club and has spoken with his manager about a contract extension.

“I’m a Sheffield Wednesday player and I give my all for the club, that’s it. I’ve had conversations with the manager and at this moment in time he still wants me here and he wants me to be a Sheffield Wednesday player. Hopefully that will continue.”

While Smith hasn’t always been a key starter for the Owls this season, starting only twice in the Championship and coming off the substitutes’ bench nine times, his goal against Portsmouth showed what a talented player he is.

His brilliance wasn’t lost on Rohl either: “It was a fantastic goal to win it. It was an assist and then the goal. He [Smith] worked hard. It is maybe the goal of the week, it was outstanding. I am happy for him and for the team – the second half was a team performance.”

While Smith’s goal summed up his class, sorting his future isn’t necessarily the easiest decision for Wednesday, considering he is now 33 years of age and therefore unlikely to get a new long-term deal.

The Englishman is out of contract at the end of this season, at which point he will be able to leave on a free transfer, but he still enough left in the tank to warrant a short-term extension for another year or two, should that appeal to him.

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Smith would have to accept that he wouldn’t be an important starter, considering Rohl has younger strikers to call upon, but retaining his services as a squad player would be more beneficial than letting him leave.

Dusan Vlahovic's underwhelming tenure at Juventus could soon come to an end, with Saudi and Premier League clubs circling for a potential summer move.

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• Vlahovic could leave Juve in summer
• Has lost his spot in XI to Randal Kolo Muani
• Saudi and Premier League clubs interested in Serbian

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  According to Calciomercato, Dusan Vlahovic's days as a Juventus player seem to be numbered as the Italian heavyweights are planning to let go of the Serbian striker following a fabulous start by the on-loan Randal Kolo Muani.

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• Getty Images
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Kolo Muani has made an immediate impact at Juventus since joining on loan from Paris Saint-Germain, scoring five goals and providing one assist in his first five matches. Juventus are reportedly exploring options to secure his permanent stay after his loan ends, impressed by his early performances.

  In contrast, Vlahovic's time at Juventus appears to be nearing its end. Once a key figure, Vlahovic has fallen out of favour under manager Thiago Motta, now a reserve player. Despite interest from Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr during the winter transfer window, Vlahovic has expressed a desire to stay in Europe to relaunch his career.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Vlahovic's contract with Juventus runs until 2026, but with talks over a renewal at a standstill, the club is open to selling him in the upcoming summer transfer window. Juventus are eager to offload his hefty salary, which is reportedly set to reach €12 million net in the 2025-26 season, and are expected to entertain offers around €40 million. Although there were rumors of an exchange deal with PSG involving Kolo Muani, it never came to fruition. As a result, Juventus will likely focus on finding a buyer for Vlahovic this summer.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR DUSAN VLAHOVIC?

  Vlahovic was heavily linked with a move to Arsenal in January, but negotiations never progressed. However, with Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta reported to be a big admirer of the 25-year-old, and with the Gunners in desperate need of a prolific centre forward, Vlahovic could yet be on their radar in the summer.

Arne Slot's Reds could end the week anywhere between four and 13 points clear at the top of the Premier League with some huge games on the horizon

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This season hasn't quite been one from hell for Arsenal – they only need to glance over at the atrocities of rivals Manchester United and Tottenham to understand what that really looks like – but, to paraphrase a bitter 'Come Dine With Me' contestant, they have stumbled through it with the grace and decorum of a reversing dump truck.

Whenever it seems as if the Gunners can join together spurts of momentum, they are unceremoniously tripped up and out of that stride. Injuries have mainly been their Achilles heel, though underwhelming summer and winter transfer windows have contributed, be that directly or indirectly, to the malaise as well. That for the second season running a new midfielder, first Kai Havertz and now Mikel Merino, will end the year as the starting striker is emblematic to such carelessness in recruitment.

Mikel Arteta's side are out of both domestic cups and are not in the driving seat for either the Premier League or the Champions League. If they are to be crowned kings of England for the first time in 21 years, they need to not only up their own game, but hope and pray for an inexplicable collapse from leaders Liverpool – only 1995-96 Newcastle have not finished first after leading by seven points or more at this stage of a Premier League season.

Up on Merseyside, Arne Slot's men have emerged from a gruelling double gameweek with four points. That number could have been six as easily as it could have been two. Sunday's 2-1 victory at home to Wolves was particularly jangling for the Anfield nerves.

Arsenal require some help from a few old enemies over the next fortnight to chase down Liverpool, who continue their charge with a trip to Aston Villa on Wednesday. Awaiting them at Villa Park is the new-age duo of Ollie Watkins and Marcus Rashford, desperate for goals, desperate to secure another season of Champions League football.

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Arsenal's recent tapestry has been trodden across by a series of pantomime villains; Watkins and Rashford are among the top tormentors.

For two seasons running, Villa have rocked up to the Emirates Stadium and rained on the hosts' parade. A few weeks ago, Watkins, a boyhood Gunner, provided the equaliser in a 2-2 draw, while he led the way in last year's 2-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts the title to Manchester City.

Rashford's Premier League career with Manchester United began with an unexpected brace in a 3-2 win at home to Arsenal, another occasion which trashed their title credentials. In more recent times, he came up with a double that ended their unbeaten start to the 2022-23 campaign.

It will be refreshing for Gunners fans to be on the other side of the fence on Wednesday, rooting for two of their nemeses as opposed to fearing them.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportDerisory bid

Yet the present and futures of Watkins, Rashford and Arsenal could have been oh so different. At the tail end of the January window, the north Londoners launched a bid for Villa's No.11, though one well below asking price at a relatively measly £45 million ($57m).

It was never going to be enough for Villa to accept, particularly so late in the month and with Jhon Duran already halfway out the door to Al-Nassr for an even more extravagant fee. All it showed was Arsenal were indeed in the market for a striker having kept their powder dry to that point in the window, but weren't serious enough about such an endeavour to succeed.

Since news of that offer broke, Watkins has contributed two goals and two assists in three games for Villa. His head may have been temporarily turned – and who would blame him? – but he has got back down to business. There hasn't been as much fanfare about his season, yet he's still chugging along and putting up numbers.

Getty Images SportRedemption project too far?

Arsenal were also touted as a potential landing spot for Rashford after he revealed his desire to leave United early in the winter. Alas, any lingering interest in the forward never advanced.

There was a pretty solid case for Arteta to take a troubled Rashford under his wing having already salvaged the careers of some of their rivals' other distressed assets, namely Havertz and Jorginho from Chelsea. The need for a versatile forward with pace and dynamism added further fuel to that fire of wonder and intrigue.

Nevertheless, Arsenal probably felt vindicated by a lack of other serious suitors for Rashford. AC Milan quickly came off the table when they prioritised Kyle Walker for the final non-EU spot in their squad, while Barcelona were never going to be able to afford a deal having struggled for weeks to even register their own players already on the books.

Villa took a punt because they have nothing much left to lose in a season threatening to run out of steam. It would have gone against Arsenal's keep calm and carry on memo to take such a risk.

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Watkins and Rashford have shared a Villa pitch for only 45 minutes, and already they appear to have an unspoken connection usually reserved for the best of attackers. The United loanee came off the bench for the second half of Saturday's 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town and was the game's protagonist, creating four chances, winning seven duels and rattling the post from a free-kick leading to Watkins' equaliser.

Rashford was criticised for an 18-month slump following his 30-goal exploits of 2022-23, though one Premier League appearance in claret and blue saw him roll back those years. There was, most notably, a spring and bounce about him that had disappeared entirely down the final stretch of his United career.

There have been fair question marks placed over Rashford and whether he can really hit the heights expected of him again, but you always know what you're getting with Watkins – a proven, top-level striker who leads by example with both ethic and output. He could click with any type of forward, and that quality could be Rashford's saving grace in his quest for rejuvenation and redemption.