Bharat Arun will run the programme “aimed at further enhancing the standards of Sri Lankan fast bowlers across junior and senior squads”
ESPNcricinfo staff31-May-2025Bharat Arun will become the latest in a string of high-profile Indian coaches conducting specialised coaching programmes for Sri Lanka’s top cricketers.He will run a 14-day programmed “aimed at further enhancing the standards of Sri Lankan fast bowlers across junior and senior squads at the high performance centre,” a Sri Lanka Cricket press statement on Friday said. Arun, who was the bowling coach of the senior India men’s team from 2014 to 2021, will run a programme starting on June 2.Earlier in May, India’s former fielding coach R Sridhar had run a ten-day programme of his own. Last year, Zubin Bharucha, the Rajasthan Royals (RR) director of high performance, ran a brief batting coaching programme in Sri Lanka as well. These initiatives have all come during the tenure of Sanath Jayasuriya as head coach.”[Arun] will work with the Sri Lanka national men’s and women’s teams, the women’s ‘A’ team, the U19 men’s team, coaches of the high performance centre, club and provincial coaches, and coach-educators during his stay here in the country,” the SLC statement said. “He will conduct separate strategy sessions with the men’s red-ball and white-ball teams, hold technical and skill-based training with fast bowlers, hold video and performance analysis sessions with players and coaches, and also match scenarios to develop ‘game’ understanding.”The Sri Lanka men’s team, in particular, is having a quiet period, with only two Tests to play till next May and a light international schedule, having not qualified for this year’s Champions Trophy.
Manchester City are already looking ahead to the January window and appear primed to commence talks with a prime target to strengthen their forward line.
Manchester City prepare to face Manchester United in derby clash
Despite their dominance in the fixture since 2010, Manchester City take on Manchester United this Sunday in a match that Pep Guardiola will be hoping to see a vast improvement from his side in following a poor Premier League start.
The Citizens’ opening day victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers delivered some early promise for supporters to work with, but back-to-back defeats against Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton & Hove Albion have left the club in an unusual position of 13th.
Manchester City's Erling Haaland shakes hands with managerPepGuardiolaafter being substituted
In what could be a potential baptism of fire for Gianluigi Donnarumma, the Italy international has signalled his excitement to work under Guardiola and outlined his hopes to be a major part of future success at the Etihad Stadium.
“I think his history speaks for itself. The fact that he wanted me here is a reason to be proud of. It’s an indescribable emotion. Being coached by him I think is the best for a football player.
“I can’t wait to follow him and take to the pitch with him. I’m sure he will help me a lot and we will do great things together, this season as well as in the following years. As we said, it’s been an era of unbelievable success here.”
Looking ahead, January could be a big month at the club and Manchester City are reportedly plotting a mid-season move for Real Madrid attacker Rodrygo, though he isn’t the only high-profile star they are considering to add some inspiration to their forward line.
Manchester City preparing bid to sign Bradley Barcola
According to reports in Spain, Manchester City are set to commence talks as they prepare to bid for Bradley Barcola in January, who has been identified as a target due to uncertainty over Savinho’s future at the Sky Blues.
Establishing himself as a key figure at Paris Saint-Germain, the France international is said to be valued at around £87 million and has registered 27 goals and 31 assists in 107 appearances across all competitions.
The report states Guardiola thinks Barcola could be key in the second half of the season alongside Erling Haaland, Phil Foden, and Jeremy Doku.
Liverpool battling Man Utd and Man City to sign towering Dutch defender
He could have a big future in the game.
By
Henry Jackson
Sep 9, 2025
Dubbed “one of the best dribblers in Europe” by Luis Enrique, he has already put that to the test this campaign, evading his marker four times and creating six chances in Ligue 1, per Fotmob.
Guardiola sees the arrival of Barcola as a priority to strengthen his frontline, which already includes the likes of Erling Haaland, Phil Foden and Oscar Bobb and his versatility on both flanks is something that he feels would offer balance in the long-term.
Manchester City have enacted a notable squad refresh this summer and being able to secure another talented star with a high level of pedrigree would be a statement to their competitors across Europe.
They say a week is a long time in politics, but it’s even longer in football, and Chelsea are a great example.
Just seven days ago, it would be fair to say that there were some questions over Enzo Maresca’s squad, as, although they had just beaten Benfica 1-0, the victory was hardly convincing.
Moreover, the Blues had lost 3-1 to Brighton & Hove Albion and 2-1 to Manchester United in their previous two Premier League games.
However, any genuine concerns over the direction of the club were quickly dispelled with a sensational 2-1 win over Liverpool thanks to a late Estevao goal.
It was the ideal way for the Brazilian to introduce himself to the wider league, although while he does seem destined for greatness, Chelsea once had a homegrown superstar in the making, whom they let go for nothing.
Why Estevao could be an international superstar for Chelsea
Despite still being just 18 years old, the expectations surrounding Estevao are sky-high, to the point where respected analyst Ben Mattinson has claimed that he is a “future Ballon d’Or winner.”
That might sound like an absurd thing to say about someone so young, but the incredibly exciting wonderkid already has an impressive amount of first-team football under his belt.
For example, before making his way to Stamford Bridge this summer, the Franca-born gem racked up a brilliant tally of 27 goals and 15 assists in 83 appearances for Palmeiras.
Estevao’s Palmeiras record
Appearances
83
Minutes
5610′
Goals
27
Assists
15
Goal Involvements per Match
0.50
Minutes per Goal Involvement
133.57′
All Stats via Transfermarkt
Additionally, he has already won seven senior caps for the Brazilian national team, scoring his first goal in a 3-0 win over Chile in September.
Back in England, the left-footed prospect has continued to make progress. While he scored his first competitive goal for the Blues and grabbed the headlines in the process against Liverpool, he has also made quite an impression in his other games.
For example, on his first start, against West Ham United, it was his unreal close control and technique that allowed him to get past the Hammers’ backline and provide an assist for Joao Pedro.
In all, Estevao looks like he will be a world-class star for Chelsea, but so long as he stays out on the right, he’ll be in, compared to another former Blues gem, someone the club lost for free.
Chelsea's former Estevao
As with every other big club in the game, Chelsea have lost several outrageously talented youngsters over the years, from Jamal Musiala to Declan Rice and potentially even Rio Ngumoha.
Where Are They Now
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However, in this instance, the player in question is someone who could be rivalling Estevao for the title of best winger in the world a few years from now: Michael Olise.
The incredible Bayern Munich joined the West Londoners’ academy set-up in 2009 but ended up leaving in 2016, which, according to former Blues youth coach Sean Conlon, was a “mutual decision.”
The dynamic attacker would then travel to Manchester City before joining Reading’s academy, where he’d go on to make his senior debut and, after an impressive 20/21, in which he produced 19 goal involvements in 46 games, catch the eye of Crystal Palace, who paid £8m to sign him.
Over the next three years, the tremendously exciting Frenchman would make 90 appearances for the South Londoners, scoring 16 goals and providing 25 assists, and was lauded as “one of the best talents in the world” by former manager Oliver Glasner.
The former Cobham gem made his big-money move to Bayern last summer, and since moving to Germany, he has been on another level entirely.
For example, in his first campaign with FC Hollywood, the 23-year-old phenom scored 20 goals and provided 23 assists in just 53 appearances.
So far this season, instead of taking a slight step backwards following an outrageous first campaign in Germany, he appears to have become even more effective.
In just ten appearances across all competitions, the ten-capped superstar has scored five goals and provided six assists.
Ultimately, Chelsea have a future world-beater in Estevao, but they’d be an even better team had they kept hold of Olise all those years ago.
Moises Caicedo tells Chelsea fans where he ranks himself compared to Kante
The Blues midfielder scored a stunning goal as his side went on to defeat Liverpool.
A “promising” Glasgow Rangers player may not make a decision regarding his Ibrox future until Russell Martin has been sacked, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.
Martin still under huge pressure at Rangers
The pressure on Martin isn’t easing at all currently, with the 39-year-old struggling badly since arriving at Ibrox before the 2025/26 season.
There is almost an inevitability about the Englishman being sacked at some point in the near future, unless there are drastic improvements on the pitch, with potential replacements already being mentioned.
Former Everton and Burnley manager Sean Dyche is reportedly considered a “serious option” to come in and replace Martin at Rangers, and he is thought to be keen on taking the job, having most recently been in charge of the Blues.
The current Gers boss has alienated certain players, with Nicolas Raskin only recently returning to the fold, and now a new update has emerged regarding the future of an individual in a similar position.
"Promising" Rangers player waiting for Martin to be sacked
Speaking to Football Insider, O’Rourke claimed that Clinton Nsiala is waiting for Martin to be sacked, and that could open the door for his future to still be at Ibrox under a potential new manager.
“Obviously he’s not figured under Russell Martin since the former Southampton manager’s arrival at Ibrox. It doesn’t appear that he does have a long-term future under Martin, but we know things could change at Ibrox, especially if a new manager is appointed to replace the under-fire Martin.
“That would mean a clean slate for everybody. So Nsiala will be waiting to see what happens there because that might give him the opportunity to win back his place in the plans of a new manager as well.
“While Martin remains in charge, I don’t think he is going to change his mind on Nsiala and he will continue to find himself on the sidelines. As we said, with so much pressure on Martin, things could quickly change and then Nsiala could be back in favour under a potential new manager.”
Nsiala is a talented footballer, with The Rangers Review calling him a “promising” player, so it has been frustrating to see him not feature much for Rangers of late.
In fact, the 21-year-old defender hasn’t featured at all this season, highlighting what Martin thinks of him, so if he remains in charge of the Gers moving forward, he will surely feel the need to move on.
For Nsiala’s sake, though, he will hope that a change in manager happens sooner rather than later, which, in truth, is likely to be the mindset of many supporters who have already lost faith in the current boss.
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It would be disappointing to see the £10,500-a-week centre-back leave Rangers so soon after arriving, having only joined from AC Milan last year, but hopefully, that isn’t the case.
Ahead of Benfica's presidential election, candidate Joao Diogo Manteigas claims Jose Mourinho, the club’s current manager, “is not a coach with a future” at the Lisbon side and already has his eyes set on managing the Portuguese national team. While acknowledging Mourinho’s winning mentality, Manteigas believes the veteran tactician’s ambitions go beyond Benfica.
Mourinho’s short-term stint at Benfica raises questions
The return of Mourinho to Benfica, 25 years after his brief debut stint, was seen as a monumental reunion between the club and one of Portugal’s greatest football minds. Appointed to replace Bruno Lage just over a month ago, Mourinho signed a two-year deal and immediately brought structure and belief back to the dressing room. But according to presidential candidate Manteigas, the 62-year-old coach’s heart might already be set elsewhere.
Manteigas described Mourinho as a “winner capable of making Benfica champions this year,” but one who lacks long-term commitment to the club. “He’s not a coach with a future here,” Manteigas told Portuguese media, suggesting the veteran tactician is eyeing the Portugal national team job, a role he has long been linked with. “Everyone in football knows Mourinho wants to be the national team coach,” he added.
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Manteigas on Mourinho’s motives
As the presidential race intensifies at Benfica, Manteigas offered a candid take on Mourinho’s appointment. While acknowledging the manager’s pedigree and winning mentality, Manteigas made it clear that he believes the Portuguese's stay at the club will be short-lived.
"Mourinho is a winning coach. If there's anyone capable of making Benfica champions this year, it's José Mourinho. He's such an experienced and successful coach that he'll be able to overcome obstacles faster than any other coach we'd want to bring into a project that isn't his," said Manteigas.
"Mourinho isn't going to stay at Benfica for two, three, or four years. Who doesn't know that Mourinho wants to be the national team coach? Who doesn't know in the industry? The other candidates may not know, but those who work in the industry, who doesn't know that Mourinho spoke with Pedro Proença to discuss a possible appointment to the national team?"
Why Mourinho’s future could lie with Portugal
The speculation around Mourinho’s ambitions isn’t new. Even during his unveiling at Benfica, the manager admitted he always believed his return to Portugal would come through the national team rather than a club job. “I always thought I’d come back to the national team. I was thinking one day it will happen. I think it’s a natural consequence of my career,” Mourinho said after Benfica’s 3–0 victory over AVS in his first game back.
Manteigas’s claim aligns with these comments, noting Mourinho’s contractual clause allowing either party to terminate the deal after this season with compensation. With Roberto Martínez’s future dependent on Portugal’s World Cup performance, Mourinho could be positioning himself for the next chapter.
"If Mourinho had been interested in staying, he wouldn't have signed for one season, with this one-year clause, depending on whether one of the parties wants it or not. All contracts have timings. Therefore, I'm going to sit down with him and find out his terms, but I'll give him everything he needs to win this year," Manteigas said.
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Election heat intensifies at Benfica
Mourinho’s uncertain future adds another layer of intrigue to Benfica’s already charged presidential race, scheduled for October 25. The contest pits incumbent Rui Costa, the current president and the man who brought Mourinho back, against former challenger Joao Noronha Lopes, ex-president Luis Filipe Vieira, and candidates like Manteigas, Martim Mayer, and Cristovao Carvalho.
Costa is running on a platform of stability and continuity, using Mourinho’s appointment as proof of progress, while Lopes promotes modernisation and fan engagement. Manteigas, however, is positioning himself as the candidate of honesty, arguing that Benfica must plan beyond Mourinho’s short-term stay and prepare for sustainable growth.
O São Paulo venceu a LDU (EQU) por 1 a 0 no Morumbi, pelo jogo de volta das quartas de final da Copa Sul-Americana, mas acabou sendo eliminado nos pênaltis por 5 a 4. Desde o primeiro minuto de partida, os equatorianos fizeram a famosa ‘cera’, desperdiçando tempo para esfriar o jogo. Tal situação incomodou o técnico Dorival Júnior, que deu sua opinião sobre esse comportamento em entrevista coletiva. O treinador afirmou que este é um comportamento especialmente do sul-americano e sugeriu que o tempo fosse cronometrado, como acontece no basquete.
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+ Veja a tabela da Copa Sul-Americana e relembre a campanha do Tricolor
– Eu gostaria que minha opinião não fosse levada em consideração pelo jogo de hoje. No meu modesto entendimento, o futebol tinha que ter o que tem no basquete: x tempo de bola rolando. Deveria ser cronometrado o tempo. Evitaríamos toda e qualquer situação que existe. Primeiro: excessiva perda de tempo com jogadores simulando. Isso não especificamente sobre a partida de hoje. É um absurdo o que acontece num campeonato como é o Brasileirão. Nós deveríamos dar um exemplo claro e real pedindo mudanças em tudo isso pois é uma questão de comportamento – disse Dorival.
+ Assista aos jogos do seu clube do coração com aquela gelada! Copo Stanley a partir de R$120,00
O treinador acredita que esse tipo de comportamento apenas estraga o espetáculo e mancha a imagem do futebol. Ainda, Dorival apresentou uma solução: ele entende que uma ação local, vinda por parte da CBF por exemplo, é necessária para que haja uma mudança nesse cenário “inadmissível”. Na mesma coletiva, Dorival destacou o papel negativo da arbitragem, que “contribui para que isso aconteça”.
– Quem são os culpados? Ninguém. Nós temos que estabelecer que pararíamos com isso a partir de hoje porque é inadmissível a gente ter um espetáculo e boa parte dele ser consumido com momentos desnecessários em que os jogadores param e a arbitragem contemporiza e todos nós participamos disso, denegrindo a imagem do futebol. Isso já não acontece na Europa há muito tempo. É uma situação que deixa o futebol sul-americano muito feio, sem dúvidas.
– Nós precisaríamos de uma ação muito rápida e poderíamos começar com uma ação local, nossas – dentro das Federações e da CBF. Estivemos na segunda-feira na CBF e tive a oportunidade de falar com Rodrigo (assessor) sobre essa situação. Falei que se não pusermos o dedo e não melhorarmos tudo isso nós vamos continuar vendo isso. Infelizmente, a arbitragem contribui para que tudo isso aconteça – concluiu o treinador.
+ ATUAÇÕES: Arboleda marca, mas James isola pênalti e é ‘vilão’ em eliminação do São Paulo na Sul-Americana
Após a eliminação na Copa Sul-Americana, o São Paulo volta a dedicar as suas atenções ao Brasileirão, competição em que não vence há cinco jogos. Jogando mais uma vez no Morumbi, o Tricolor enfrente o Coritiba, no domingo (3) às 20h30 (hora de Brasília), pela 22ª rodada da competição.
* JALILE ELIAS colaborou sob a supervisão de João Marcos
In a fresh concern for Liverpool, Real Madrid are now reportedly eyeing a move to sign another one of Arne Slot’s stars alongside Ibrahima Konate in 2026.
Update on Konate's Liverpool future
It’s an all too familiar story for Liverpool. In fact, it’s one that they just experienced with Trent Alexander-Arnold. The fullback opted out of signing a new deal and instead joined Real Madrid. Now, Konate could be about to follow in his footsteps. The Frenchman has less than 12 months remaining on his current deal and is yet to put pen to paper amid interest from the Spanish giants.
Reports have even suggested that Real Madrid could come knocking as soon as January, just like they did for Alexander-Arnold. Last time out, the Reds rejected their early, cheap offer. Whether they are willing to lose another player for free instead of cashing in for the second year running remains to be seen, however.
For all of Liverpool’s excellent business, securing Konate’s future would be one of their best deals of the season. With Virgil van Dijk now 34 years old and in the first year of his two-year contract extension, the torch is very much ready to be passed to the Frenchman. It’s just up to him whether he accepts it or joins Alexander-Arnold in Madrid.
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It’s no real surprise that those in Spain are so keen to secure his signature, either. Konate is at the peak of his powers and would instantly replace the ageing Antonio Rudiger. But it’s not just the defender that Madrid want to steal from Anfield. Reports are now suggesting that they’ve got another player in mind.
Real Madrid now eyeing Gravenberch move
According to reports in Spain, Xabi Alonso and Real Madrid are now eyeing a move to sign Ryan Gravenberch alongside Konate in 2026. The midfielder has picked up where he left off last season in the current campaign and has looked better than ever at the heart of Liverpool’s midfield. That was always going to grab Madrid’s attention.
Unlike Konate, however, it won’t be a cheap deal for Gravenberch. The Dutchman is reportedly valued at €75m (£65m) in a price that is only likely to increase as he continues to make the Reds tick.
Full of praise for Liverpool’s surprise package last season, former defender Jamie Carragher said: “Probably the biggest surprise this season is not just him as a player, because a lot of players have an average first season and they grow in the second.
“But he’s playing a completely different role, a holding midfield position that Liverpool have been trying to sign someone in for about two or three seasons. I don’t see anyone taking his role, I think he’s nailed that position as Liverpool’s No 6.”
وجه محمود الخطيب، رئيس مجلس إدارة النادي الاهلي، الشكر إلى اللجنة القضائية المشرفة على انتخابات النادي، برئاسة المستشار زكي شلقامي، مدير التفتيش القضائي، نائب رئيس هيئة النيابة الإدارية، وعضوية كل من المستشار إبراهيم فكار نائب رئيس هيئة النيابة الإدارية، والمستشار محمد حافظ نائب رئيس هيئة النيابة الإدارية، والمستشار محمد عبد المعطي نائب رئيس هيئة النيابة الإدارية، وذلك على جهودهم الكبيرة.
وكانت قد أعلنت اللجنة القضائية المشرفة على انتخابات الأهلي، عن اكتمال النصاب القانوني للجمعية العمومية التي جرت أعمالها اليوم الجمعة في اجتماعها الثاني.
طالع.. اكتمال النصاب القانوني للجمعية العمومية لـ الأهلي
وكان قد انطلق ماراثون انتخابات النادي الأهلي، في تمام الساعة التاسعة من صباح اليوم الجمعة، واستمر حتى تمام الساعة السابعة مساء، لانتخاب مجلس إدارة لدورة جديدة.
يذكر أن نتيجة فرز الأصوات من أجل الإعلان عن المجلس الجديد للنادي الأهلي، سيتم خلال الساعات القليلة المقبلة، فور الانتهاء من عمليات الفرز.
كما وجه محمود الخطيب الشكر للجهة الإدارية المركزية ممثلة في الدكتور أشرف صبحي، وزير الشباب والرياضة، ومحمود فوزي، وكيل الوزارة، مدير مديرية الشباب والرياضة بالقاهرة، والمشرف على الجمعية العمومية للنادي.
‘Outrage’ in the Atletico Madrid camp is said to have seen the Liga giants lodge a formal complaint to UEFA about Emirates Stadium. The Spanish outfit are in north London for a Champions League clash with Arsenal. They trained at the Gunners’ famous home on Monday, but were left without hot water on site – leading to contact being made with European football’s governing body.
Why shower issue at Emirates Stadium did not breach UEFA rules
UEFA lists showers with hot water as something that every dressing room in continental competition must be equipped with – with rules clearly being laid out in infrastructure regulations. Those rules do, however, apply to the hosting of matches, not informal training sessions.
Atletico were of the opinion, though, that facilities at such an impressive venue should have been in full working order for their visit. They are said to have suffered a hot water shortage in the away changing room that they occupied.
AdvertisementGetty/GOALAnger in Atletico Madrid camp after rain-soaked session
Diego Simeone put his side through their paces at the Emirates, but they were unable to freshen up afterwards – despite taking in a rain-soaked session on English soil. Sources have told that the plumbing problem “went unfixed for over an hour”.
It is claimed that the Rojiblancos were left “surprised” and “angered” by the lack of hot running water, leading to them flagging the “anomalous situation” to UEFA. Spanish media outlet says “outrage erupted” in the Atleti camp.
The Madrid-based heavyweights are said to have reported the issue to Arsenal officials prior to their training session getting underway. They were already “baffled” at that point as to “why the Emirates Stadium, one of the best grounds in England, would be lacking hot water”.
Plumbing issue fixed after Atletico returned to their hotel
Both dressing rooms were impacted by the issue, with reporting on how it was resolved “within 40 minutes of Arsenal being alerted to it”. A fix is said to have been found before Atletico were due to finish training, but their session was cut short. That led to the Liga side heading back to their hotel in order to shower and unwind.
Staff at the Emirates “acknowledged the error” and restored the hot water supply “shortly after the Atletico squad had left”. The Premier League outfit are said to have “apologised to their Liga counterparts for the inconvenience”.
Atletico have still taken the matter further, with it now being left in the hands of UEFA. Attention is about to turn to the pursuit of precious points in Champions League action – with the Rojiblancos taking in their second game of the season in England, having previously suffered a dramatic 3-2 defeat at Liverpool.
Atleti sit 10th in the Champions League table at present, having responded to their loss at Anfield with a win over Eintracht Frankfurt. Arsenal, meanwhile, are fifth after winning both of their games against Olympiacos and Athletic Club.
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GettySimeone impressed by Premier League leaders Arsenal
Simeone has said of facing a Gunners team that continues to improve under the guidance of their Spanish coach: “They've been with [Mikel] Arteta for five or six years, with a clear identity that they won't compromise on. On the contrary, they're improving it, bringing in great players for the positions where they believe they can continue to grow with that same idea. They compete in every Premier League until the end, with merits that weren't always theirs, but they clearly reflect their identity. We'll have to take the game to where we believe we can do damage. It's a wonderful stadium, with a driving crowd and a surely high pace.”
Simeone added on the threat that Arsenal pose from set-pieces, with Atleti having prided themselves on similar qualities down the years: “I see great ball strikers, tall players, and very good headers. The number of goals they score like this is unusual; they work very carefully. It's a huge strength. We won many games that way in 2014, and it's an option they have too.”
Arsenal head into the game perched top of the Premier League table, with a three-point lead being opened up at the summit of that division. Atletico are fourth in La Liga, eight points adrift of city neighbours Real Madrid in the battle for domestic supremacy in Spain.
The mood around Arsenal at the moment is a brilliant one.
Mikel Arteta’s side closed the gap on Liverpool atop the Premier League to just two points with their win over Newcastle United last weekend.
Then during the week, they picked up another three points in the Champions League thanks to a steady 2-0 win against Olympiacos.
This weekend brings a fresh challenge as Nuno Espírito Santo’s West Ham United make their way to the Emirates for a game that Arteta can win by boldly dropping Gabriel Martinelli.
Arteta's record against Nuno
This afternoon’s game against West Ham will be the eighth time Arteta has faced off against Nuno since becoming a head coach, and as things stand, the Spaniard has a good record against him.
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Of the seven games they’ve already managed, the Gunners’ boss has won four, lost two and drawn one.
Interestingly, all seven games have been in the league, with three against Wolverhampton Wanderers, one against Tottenham Hotspur, and three against Nottingham Forest.
24/25
Forest
0-0
24/25
Forest
3-0 (Arsenal)
23/24
Forest
2-1 (Arsenal)
21/22
Spurs
3-1 (Arsenal)
20/21
Wolves
2-1 (Wolves)
20/21
Wolves
2-1 (Wolves)
19/20
Wolves
2-0 (Arsenal)
The most recent match between the two managers was a 0-0 draw at the City Ground back in February – a result emblematic of the North Londoners’ title challenge fizzling out.
Unsurprisingly, given the record, the Spaniard’s side has a healthy goal difference against the former Sao Tome-born boss, scoring 12 goals across the seven games and only conceding six.
However, while Arteta has generally gotten the better of Nuno, it would be fair to say that their most notable meeting was a 2-1 Wolves win in February 2021, as both Bernd Leno and David Luiz managed to get themselves sent off.
The Brazilian was handed his marching orders for a foul in the penalty area, and the German for handling the ball outside of it.
Arteta will be hoping for an altogether more straightforward win this afternoon, and one way he can do that is by dropping Martinelli for another attacking star.
The Arsenal star Arteta should start in place of Martinelli
Now, it might seem harsh to drop Martinelli after he scored against Olympiacos during the week, but there are a few reasons why Arteta should do it anyway and start Eberechi Eze in his place.
The first is that, under Nuno, there is a very good chance that West Ham will come to the Emirates and sit back for most of the game, looking to hit the Gunners on the counterattack.
So, to deal with what will likely be a low block, Arteta needs to get as many technicians on the pitch as possible, meaning Eze’s intricate dribbling and ability to play a pinpoint pass will be far more useful than Martinelli’s speed.
This then leads to the second argument, which is that, should the North Londoners find themselves a goal or two up by some point in the second half, the East Londoners will be forced to come out of their shape and stretch the game.
At this point, the speed and directness of the Brazilian will be far more helpful to the manager, and therefore, he could come on for the Englishman.
Now the club have a proper squad and a strong bench, it makes sense for the Spaniard to pick his starting line-ups based on how games are likely to play out, to maximise the team’s effectiveness and ensure players have the chance to play in situations most favourable to their skill set.
Finally, the reason the former Crystal Palace “magician,” as dubbed by Micah Richards, couldn’t just start in the middle of the park is that, over the last two games, Martin Odegaard has shown a level fans haven’t seen for well over a year.
He helped change the game at St James’ Park and was the Man of the Match on Wednesday, so dropping him now would be illogical and potentially damaging.
Ultimately, Martinelli deserves to play more, but given the sort of game it’s likely to be this afternoon and the need to keep Odegaard in midfield, Arteta should start Eze on the left.
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