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أعرب رامي ربيعة مدافع منتخب مصر لكرة القدم، عن سعادته بعد الفوز على إثيوبيا بهدفين دون مقابل، وذلك خلال المباراة التي أقيمت مساء أمس الجمعة في تصفيات كأس العالم 2026.

منتخب مصر واجه إثيوبيا، على ملعب “العربي الزوالي” في الدار البيضاء بالمغرب، ضمن منافسات الجولة الخامسة من التصفيات الإفريقية المؤهلة إلى نهائيات كأس العالم.

وقال رامي ربيعة في تصريحات عبر قناة “أون سبورت”: “كنا مركزين في المباراة، لأن سيراليون فازت أمس، ونحن كنا نريد أن نريح أنفسنا، والحمد لله المباراة كانت في المغرب والأجواء جيدة”.

طالع أيضاً.. منتخب مصر يواصل انتصاراته في تصفيات كأس العالم 2026 بثنائية أمام إثيوبيا (فيديو)

وتابع: “هدفنا كان التأهل لأمم إفريقيا وهذا حدث، والآن نركز على كأس العالم، وهذا الجيل يستحق ذلك”.

واختتم: “أعمارنا متقاربة، وكلنا إخوة داخل وخارج الملعب منذ أن كنا صغار، وهذا أمر جيد بيننا كلاعبين، أن نكون كلنا متقاربين”.

On the win: ‘We had the belief that we could get them out in those 60 overs’
“Super proud of the whole team, the way we stuck to our plans in this Test match after being put in. Our performance with the bat was outstanding. The pitch didn’t offer much [to the bowlers] in the first three days to be honest. I think the first day was most challenging [for the batters], after that it was quite difficult for the bowlers to gain anything from the track but I think the way we played in the second innings, after being put under pressure this morning, Jasprit and Shami, was absolutely outstanding.”We thought 60 overs to go, we could have a crack at the result, and we had the belief that we could get them out in those 60 overs. I think the bowlers were just outstanding and what happened in our second innings, right at the end with the bowlers, a bit of tension on the field [and needle between the teams] really helped us and really motivated us to finish this game.”On lower order’s contribution with bat: ‘They have that desire in them to do the job’
Just to applaud what Jasprit and Shami did… It takes a lot of character and heart to play under those circumstances as bowlers who don’t get much to bat, and just putting their hand up for the team when we needed it most, it was something that we were really proud of and we want to let them know. They were charged up and both took the new ball and got us two breakthroughs as well, which were very crucial for us.”When we were our most successful in Test cricket for a year and a half, our lower order was contributing big time and that’s something that we went away from a little bit when we play away from home. So that was one of our focuses, the batting coach has really worked hard with the boys and they are putting in the hard work. Most importantly when they walk out to bat, they believe that they can stay there and give some runs for the team. I think that belief was missing [before]; we were practising but now they have that desire in them to do the job for the team and we know how priceless those runs are and that proved to be the case even today as well.”Comparing this victory to the 2014 Lord’s win: ‘What happened on the field really charged us up’
“I was part of the winning Test match last time when I was a player under MS [Dhoni]. That was pretty special as well, Ishant bowled an outstanding spell. In that game, we put them under pressure on day four itself.”But this one, to get a result in 60 overs, when we all thought let’s just have a crack at what we have in front of us… It’s quite special and especially when someone like Siraj is playing for the first time at Lord’s and bowling the way he did, [it] was outstanding. As I said, what happened on the field [the verbals] really charged us up and gave us that extra motivation to finish the game off.”On the timing of the declaration: ‘I thought anything under 55 doesn’t sound right’
“It was more a case of ‘what’s the number of overs we are comfortable with’. I thought anything under 55 doesn’t sound right, I don’t want to walk off the field later thinking ‘what if we had four or five more overs left with us’. We decided, okay, 60 is our mark, and we are going to have a crack at them in 60 overs but, as I said, the crucial breakthroughs with the ball were the right start for us and we carried on from there.”We have three more games to go, our aim is five Test matches. We are not going to sit on our laurels after this match and just take it easy. If at all, we going to get more intense and more precise in what we do in the next three games.”

BBC pundit and former Scotland international Alan Hutton has reacted to the news that Celtic have tabled a bid to seal a "smart signing" in the summer transfer window.

Celtic transfer news

The Hoops have been linked with various players ahead of what could be a busy summer in the transfer market, and Fenerbahce goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic has been mentioned as a possible option to come in.

Joe Hart has retired from football, bowing out on a high after winning both the Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup, and Livakovic is seen as the potential man to fill the void between the sticks. Celtic have reportedly tabled a bid of £7.6m for his services, with "extensive talks" held over a deal.

Elsewhere, Brendan Rodgers is thought to be keen on Bournemouth 'keeper Mark Travers as an alternative to Livakovic, with the 25-year-old possibly eyeing more regular football moving forward, having been loaned out to Championship side Stoke City last season.

Fotis Ioannidis is another player who has been linked with a summer move to Celtic, being seen as a dream attacking teammate for Hoops star man Matt O'Riley. The Panathinaikos forward scored five times in as many starts in the Europa League last season, highlighting his pedigree as a footballer.

Pundit talks up Celtic completing Livakovic signing

Speaking to Football Insider, BBC pundit Hutton talked up the idea of Celtic completing what he feels would be a "smart signing" of Livakovic in the summer, calling the offered fee a "big number".

"If he kicks on and does what everybody expects him to do, it would be a smart signing. They could make a lot of money out of it. The Euros has normally got an impact on that, if he goes there and plays really well, his valuation could go through the roof as we’ve seen previously.

"It’ll be an interesting one to watch what happens. These are big numbers, but I think Celtic are a club that can pay that sort of money and fees, especially if they get money in. We’ll see how it develops, but Celtic have definitely got the scope to spend that kind of money."

Livakovic makes plenty of sense for Celtic, with the 29-year-old a hugely experienced player but also someone who still has plenty of years left in him at the top level.

The Fenerbahce man is currently representing Croatia at Euro 2024, starting both of his country's opening two matches at the tournament, and he has a total of 56 caps at international level, also playing an important role in his nation reaching the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup.

Celtic could sign "crazy" Idah alternative in biggest deal since Jota

The Hoops are reportedly interested in signing the talented young centre-forward.

1

By
Dan Emery

Jun 23, 2024

Livakovic jumps out as a brilliant choice to come in and do a strong job after Hart, although he will clearly have big shoes to fill, considering what an influential performer the Englishman was for Celtic for a sustained period. There is no reason why he couldn't be a superb successor, though, and possibly even an upgrade, given his age.

Leicestershire win by innings and five runs as visitors’ callow batting collapses in final overs

ECB Reporters' Network15-Sep-2021Leicestershire pulled off an extraordinary victory over Sussex in an LV=Insurance County Championship match that had looked set to bring the curtain down on the season at Grace Road with a tame draw.After Hassan Azad (152) and Lewis Hill (145) had turned their hundreds into career-best scores and there was a maiden half-century for Louis Kimber, a declaration at 492 for 4 gave Leicestershire a lead of 133, but with their leading wicket-taker Chris Wright absent through injury, bowling Sussex out in the 48 overs that remained looked a long shot, even with Fynn Hudson-Prentice unable to bat after breaking a hand in the first innings.Yet after reaching 117 for 3 – just 16 runs away from wiping out their arrears – an inexperienced Sussex side containing five teenagers lost their last six wickets for 11 runs, losing by an innings and five runs with 16 balls left.Callum Parkinson took 4 for 18 with his left-arm spin and seamer Ben Mike 4 for 34 as Leicestershire won by five runs.Wright, who was awarded his county cap along with Hill during the lunch interval, was not risked after feeling a hamstring after the first innings, when his 6 for 94 took his wickets tally for the season to 46.Sussex remain without a win since beating Glamorgan in the second match of the season and are bottom of Division Three, with only a final fixture against next-to-bottom Derbyshire at Hove next week to come as they seek to avoid a first Championship wooden spoon since 2000.Resuming at 291 for 2 following Tuesday’s washout after another hour of the game was lost because of a wet outfield, Leicestershire achieved their objective of securing maximum batting points.Related

• Tom Haines, Ben Brown lead with bat in hand as Sussex enjoy fruitful day

• Hassan Azad, Lewis Hill drive Leicestershire with brace of centuries

• James Sales seals thrilling draw for Northants with maiden first-class fifty

Two more came as Hill overtook his previous career best of 121, scored against Gloucestershire in April of this year, and Azad passed his of 144 not out against Surrey, also in April, as the pair extended their partnership to 248, a new mark for Leicestershire’s third wicket against Sussex. Hill’s runs took his tally for the season to 902.Both fell in consecutive Henry Crocombe overs, both caught on the boundary by substitute fielder, 17-year-old Bertie Foreman, whose grandfather was Denis Foreman, who played cricket for Sussex and football for Brighton and Hove Albion in the 1950s and 60s.Kimber (69 not out) and Harry Swindells (59 not out) claimed the fifth, adding 130 in just less than 19 overs before skipper Parkinson called them in.Leicestershire’s bowlers chipped away. Ali Orr was caught behind off Parkinson’s left-arm spin, first-innings centurion Ben Brown hit Mike straight to point, Tom Haines played across one from Ed Barnes and having closed to within 16 of clearing the arrears, Sussex unravelled.Rawlins edged behind, Parkinson bowled Tom Hinley, Oli Carter, who had faced 77 balls for his nine, pulled to leg gulley and Crocombe was leg before as Mike took two in two. Parkinson then trapped Jack Carson in front.Last wicket pair Sean Hunt and Joseph Sarro – both 19-year-olds – survived 30 balls to prolong the agony, but then Parkinson had the latter caught behind to spark wild celebrations.

England have “full FTP schedule” from June onwards, says Ashley Giles

George Dobell10-May-2021England’s centrally contracted players are unlikely to be available for the completion of the IPL wherever and whenever it is rescheduled.While the England management were happy to allow up to a dozen English players to miss the Test series against New Zealand at the start of June due to their involvement in the IPL, any rescheduling of the event is likely to clash with series in the Future Tours Programme (FTP). And that, according to England men’s director of cricket, Ashley Giles, means they will be viewed differently.The IPL was postponed last week due to the rising number of Covid-19 cases in India. With BCCI president Sourav Ganguly having accepted the competition cannot be completed in India this year, various dates and venues have been mooted. Those include the second half of September, before the T20 World Cup, and from mid-November, after it.Related

BCCI mulls September-October window for remainder of IPL 2021

England counties offer to host remainder of IPL in September

Could Sri Lanka potentially host the remainder of IPL 2021?

India to play three ODIs and five T20Is in Sri Lanka

England considering 'new faces' for New Zealand Tests – Giles

But England’s top players will be in action at both times. And with very little space in the schedule until their Caribbean tour ends at the end of March 2022 – just ahead of the next season of the IPL – it is increasingly probable they will play no part in any rearranged tournament.Giles dismissed the suggestion that this signals any change of approach from the ECB. While the series against New Zealand was a late addition to the schedule – it was only finalised in the early part of this year and does not feature as part of the World Test Championship – most of England’s remaining obligations have been in the FTP for a long time.”We’re planning on the involvement of England players in England matches,” Giles said. “We’ve got a full FTP schedule. So if those tours to Pakistan and Bangladesh [in September and October] are going ahead, I’d expect the players to be there.”The New Zealand scenario was very different. Those Test matches were formalised at the end of January, by which time all those contracts and NOCs [no objection certificates] were signed for full involvement in the IPL.”None of us knows what a rearranged IPL looks like at the moment; where it’s going to be or when. But from when we start this summer against New Zealand, our programme is incredibly busy. We’ve got a lot of important, high-profile cricket including the T20 World Cup and the Ashes. And we’re going to have to look after our players.”England are currently scheduled to depart for a six-match limited-overs tour of Bangladesh on September 16. They are then due in Pakistan in mid-October and, while that tour is not strictly speaking part of the FTP, it’s an important one for various reasons and will mark England’s first to the country in 16 years.Even before the T20 World Cup finishes, some of England’s touring party for the Ashes are likely to have arrived in Australia ahead of a series that is likely to start on December 8. England then have a limited-overs tour to the Caribbean at the end of January 2022 – days after the completion of the Ashes – before a Test series to the same destination in March.Meanwhile Giles expressed a hope that players would be allowed “a bit more freedom” from bio-bubbles as the England summer progresses. The Test squad are likely to enter their latest bubble from around May 28. For those who play all formats of the game, it could seem the start of a daunting period.All of England’s home fixtures in 2020 were played in biosecure environments•Pool/Getty Images for ECB”We think it’s probably unreasonable to expect that our players could be in bubbles all summer,” Giles said. “We want to keep them in safe environments, obviously. But we are really aware of the importance for these guys, their time with loved ones, families in particular. That’s the balance we are trying to strike.”We are hopeful this year that as we see society move a certain way, that we can move with it. It could be the case that we may start tighter, as society is right now, and look to release, as everything else does.”Despite the hectic schedule, Giles remains keen to see the England players appearing in the Hundred. The event starts on July 21 – the day after England’s men play a day-night T20I in Manchester – and runs until August 21. England’s Test series against India is scheduled to start in Nottingham on August 4.”We’d love them to be involved in the Hundred at some point and the launch of that competition,” he said. “It would be great to have our best players playing in it.”But we’ll have to look at workloads very carefully. We’ve got a lot of cricket coming up so it’s a difficult juggling act but I know the players are also looking forward to that tournament and would love to be involved at some stage if they can.”

Rookie batter rallies Sussex’s tail to turn a rout in an agonising three-run loss

ECB Reporters Network01-Aug-2021Gloucestershire 218 for 8 (Taylor 52) beat Sussex 214 (Brown 63, Carter 59, Smith 3-28) by three runsGloucestershire kept alive their Royal London Cup chances with their second win in four matches when they beat Sussex by three runs in a thrilling match at the 1st Central County Ground. Sussex, though, without a win in five games, saw their chances fade away.But an heroic half-century from 19-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman Ollie Carter almost snatched an astonishing victory for Sussex after they looked out of the contest at 141 for 8. The one-top order Sussex batsman to play an innings of substance was Ben Brown, who scored a fine 63 from 78 deliveries, with six fours. But the other big guns Travis Head and David Wiese failed and it looked all over when Brown played on to Jared Warned as he tried to run the ball down to third man to make it 124 for six.Dan Ibrahim and Will Beer soon perished. But then a partnership of 62 between Carter, going in No 7, and No 10 Archie Lenham almost took Sussex to a famous victory. Carter faced just 48 balls for his 59 and hit five fours and three sixes as 20 came off one Matt Taylor over.When Carter was out, yorked by Warner, 15 runs were still needed but 17-year-old Lenham and last man Henry Crocombe kept Sussex alive with six needed off two overs. Then Lenham was run out by Tom Lace’s fine throw going for a second run off the fifth ball of the penultimate over. If they had settled for one Lenham would have needed to score just four off the last over.The best Gloucestershire batting came at the end, with a stand of 71 for the sixth wicket in nine overs between Jack Taylor and George Scott but they only really got after the Sussex bowling in the dying overs.Taylor left it late to show his clean-hitting skills as he reached his first 50 of the summer off 60 deliveries, with three fours and a six. Scott made 38 off 28 balls, with two fours and a six.The most fluent Gloucestershire batting came from their opener Ben Charlesworth, who hit seven fours in an innings full of fluent drives that looked destined to produce a major score.At 71 for 3 from 17 overs there was a 70-minute rain break which resulted in the match being turned into a 42-over affair. The Gloucestershire batsmen were expected to increase the tempo when play resumed but they were strangled by the trio of Sussex spinners, Beer, Lenham and James Coles. The very consistent Beer was exceptional with figures of 2-30 from nine overs.

One Arsenal star has expressed his desire to leave behind-the-scenes, as the Saudi Arabian PIF plan to negotiate personal terms with him.

Players who could leave Arsenal this summer

There are many players in Mikel Arteta's squad currently deemed surplus-to-requirements, and while we may not see all of them sold, there are a few interesting names who've been linked with the exit door recently.

Arsenal now seen as most likely destination for £38m forward at Euro 2024

The Gunners are expected to make attacking additions.

ByEmilio Galantini Jun 27, 2024

Indeed, it is believed Arsenal have told Oleksandr Zincheko and Kieran Tierney they're free to leave, as sporting director Edu Gaspar looks to bolster the club's transfer kitty. Ridding Arsenal of their combined £270,000-per-week wages would also save money in the long run, especially if they're not part of Arteta's long-term plans.

Jakub Kiwior is preferred to both Tierney and Zinchenko as the Gunners' makeshift left-back alternative, so it is believed the two left-backs could be sacrificed. Alongside the defensive duo, other players who could be sold by Arsenal this summer include Aaron Ramsdale, Reiss Nelson, Gabriel Jesus, Fabio Vieira, Emile Smith Rowe, Eddie Nketiah, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Nuno Tavares.

Bukayo Saka

7.67

Declan Rice

7.38

Martin Odegaard

7.37

Kai Havertz

7.16

Gabriel Magalhaes

6.99

Another big name who is expected to depart north London, given his contract expires just next year, is midfielder Thomas Partey. The 31-year-old, due to fitness issues, only made 14 Premier League appearances last term and even missed the Africa Cup of Nations with Ghana.

He also earns around £200,000-per-week as one of the Gunners' best-paid players. Now could be the time to part company with Partey, who is thought to be attracting interest from clubs in the Middle East and Turkey.

Partey expresses desire to leave Arsenal as PIF plan talks

According to CaughtOffside, Partey has been clear in his desire to leave Arsenal behind-the-scenes and begin a new chapter away from the Emirates – coming after four faithful years at Hale End since he joined in a £45 million deal from Atletico Madrid.

The Public Investment Fund (PIF), who work on behalf of Saudi Pro League sides, are eager to negotiate personal terms with the African, and ascertain which Saudi side he'd like to join this summer.

Partey is expected to quit Arsenal and appears to have his pick of clubs in the Gulf to choose from, with Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli making lucrative offers to him last year. When fit and available, the former La Liga star is a more-than-capable player, so will be a sore miss for Arteta in parts when he does eventually go.

Declan Rice even named his teammate among the likes of Rodri and Aurelien Tchouameni when talking about the world's best midfielders.

“The main one in the Premier League is Rodri, he’s incredible. The way he works, the way he keeps that Man City team ticking, he’s a top player,” Rice told Channel 4.

“Partey, when I came to Arsenal, he was incredible and has been until his injury. Tchouameni at Real Madrid, he’s aggressive, gets on the ball, goes forward.”

West Ham United’s return to Premier League football didn’t entirely go to plan on Saturday afternoon.

Nuno Espírito Santo’s side looked on course to win their third game on the bounce when Callum Wilson made it 2-0 against Bournemouth in the 35th minute. However, the Cherries fought back, and thanks to a penalty and a goal from Enes Unal, came away with a point.

With that said, in the context of the season at large, it’s still a good point for the Hammers, especially as they had to make do without dynamic Crysencio Summerville and Lucas Paqueta.

Unfortunately, the Dutchman won’t be fit for the Liverpool game, but Nuno might have the perfect solution, one that involves dropping Luis Guilherme.

Guilherme's game vs Bournemouth

Now, the first thing to say is that Guilherme is still a promising talent and someone who could develop into a real star for West Ham.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

However, what is equally true is that he failed to make a case for why he should be in the starting lineup in place of the injured Summerville next time out.

The young Brazilian wasn’t terrible on Saturday, but he was almost entirely ineffective, looking unable to create chances for his teammates or get himself into positions where chances could be supplied to him.

Moreover, the 19-year-old still looks as slight as ever and lacks any real power or pace, which are two traits becoming increasingly important for attackers in the Premier League.

Unsurprisingly, the manager decided to take him off at the break, which only made his dire statistics even more pitiful.

Guilherme’s game
Minutes	45′
Expected Goals	0.00
Expected Assists	0.01
Shots	0
Passes	10
Touches	21
Lost Possession	9
Dribbles (Successful)	3 (1)
Ground Duels (Won)	8 (1)
Dribbled Past	1
All Stats via Sofascore

In his 45 minutes of inaction, the Brazilian registered an expected assists figure of 0.01, failed to take a single shot, took just 21 touches, failed in 66% of his dribbles, lost the ball nine times, completed ten passes, was dribbled past and lost seven of eight duels.

In short, Guilherme proved he cannot come in for Summerville again, so Nuno has to bring in one of the club’s most exciting prospects instead.

West Ham's Summerville solution

The player Nuno should bring into the squad to replace Guilherme and help solve the blow of Summerville’s injury is George Earthy.

Now, that might sound bold, and perhaps it is, but the academy gem has long been talked about as one of the club’s next stars, and his time at youth level and out on loan suggests as much.

For example, in 60 appearances for the u18s, totalling 4804 minutes, he scored 25 goals and provided 18 assists, which is an average of a goal involvement every 1.39 games, or every 111.72 minutes.

Then, during his time with the u21s, he scored 18 goals and provided 14 assists in 55 appearances, totalling 3618 minutes, which is an average of a goal involvement every 1.71 games, or every 113.06 minutes.

In other words, the Havering-born gem is a dual threat: a goalscorer and a creator.

Earthy’s Junior Record
Team	U18s	U21s
Appearances	60	55
Minutes	4804′	3618′
Goals	25	18
Assists	18	14
Goal Involvements per Match	0.71	0.58
Minutes per Goal Involvement	111.72′	113.06′
All Stats via Transfermarkt

Moreover, with 40 appearances for Bristol City last season, during which he was named young player of the year, he has plenty of genuine first-team experience under his belt already.

With all of that said, the “priceless” youngster, as dubbed by coach Steve Potts, is primarily an attacking midfielder, and so it would make sense to play him there against Liverpool, which means the man who’d actually outright replace Guilherme is actually Paqueta.

Yes, the Brazilian is also primarily a central player, but has made 36 club appearances on the left-hand side in his career, as well as six for the Brazilian national team.

Anyway, having the former Lyon gem further forward could help make the team more dangerous in attack, while also allowing the 21-year-old to get up to speed in a more familiar position.

Ultimately, it is not ideal, but Guilherme made it clear against Bournemouth that he cannot start games at the moment. Therefore, bringing the incredibly talented Earthy into the middle and allowing Paqueta to play on the left could be the answer to Summerville’s absence – at least for now.

West Ham dealt Jarrod Bowen blow as Nuno faces fresh concern about star winger

The England international is their most crucial man by some distance.

By
Emilio Galantini

Nov 21, 2025

Tottenham Hotspur’s 0-0 draw with Ligue 1 outfit Monaco last night will likely have highlighted the issues currently within Thomas Frank’s first-team squad.

The Dane may have spent upwards of £100m on new attacking talent, but his side’s tally of just two shots on target showcases their lack of quality in the final third.

During their first three Champions League outings of the 2025/26 campaign, centre-back Micky van de Ven is the only player in the current ranks to find the back of the net, with the other two strikes being own goals.

The likes of Mohammed Kudus and Richarlison were both named in the starting eleven for the meeting with Sebastien Pocognoli’s side, but neither managed to get themselves on the scoresheet.

The latter in particular produced yet another performance to forget, which could see his starting role in the first team come under huge questioning in the coming weeks.

Richarlison’s dismal display against Monaco

The Brazilian has mainly been utilised as Spurs’ number one centre-forward option in the opening weeks of 2025/26, with Dominic Solanke out injured after having surgery on an ankle issue.

It appeared as though the Dane’s arrival handed him a new lease of life after scoring twice on the Premier League’s opening day in the 3-0 triumph over Burnley.

However, he’s massively struggled to match such a performance in recent months, subsequently scoring just once in his last 12 outings across all competitions.

The 28-year-old did start the clash in France last night, but was unable to make a huge impact – as seen by his measly tally of just six passes completed in his 70-minute showing.

Other figures, such as no shots on target, no dribbles completed, and a 0.10 xG produced further indicate how little of a bearing he had on proceedings for Frank’s men.

As a result of his poor form of late, it has led to calls from the fanbase for him to be dropped to the bench, with other players like Randal Kolo Muani and Dane Scarlett deserving of a chance to showcase their talents.

However, Richarlison certainly hasn’t been alone in that category in recent weeks, with one other player being criticised for his inability to impress when handed the chance.

The Spurs star who was like Richarlison but now looks undroppable

There’s no denying that the arrival of a new manager brings about a period of change and bedding in – with Frank needing time to work with his Spurs players to understand his best eleven.

Since taking the reins back during the off-season, the Dane has utilised countless players, whilst even testing various four and five-back formations in North London.

As the winter months approach, it’s safe to say the 51-year-old has started to find out who he can rely on to provide the goods in his quest for success with the Lilywhites.

Wilson Odobert came under fire at the weekend for his lack of impact against Aston Villa, but the manager decided to stick with him for the clash against Monaco last night.

Many questioned the decision to keep the forward within the starting eleven, with the youngster yet to register a goal or assist this campaign and struggling just like Richarlison.

However, the Frenchman took full advantage of the chance handed his way by Frank, with such a performance one of the positives during the disappointing Champions League showing.

The 20-year-old featured for 70 minutes against the French side, subsequently completing 95% of the passes he attempted – the most of any player who featured for 45 minutes or more.

Wilson Odobert – stats against Monaco
Statistics	Tally
Minutes played	70
Touches	35
Passes completed	95%
Chances created	3
Dribbles completed	2
Crosses completed	2
Touches in opposition box	4
Shots taken	1
Stats via FotMob

He also created three chances for his teammates whilst completing two of his three attempted dribbles – highlighting his tremendous ability with the ball at his feet.

Odobert’s incredible showing was further reflected in his tally of two crosses completed and four touches in the opposition area – undoubtedly being the Lilywhites’ most threatening option throughout the stalemate.

As a result of his showing, he was handed an 8/10 match rating by The Standard’s Matt Verri, with the journalist praising his direct nature and end product.

After such a display, there’s no way Frank can drop him from his starting eleven, with Odobert arguably being a player who’s now undroppable and deserving of a consistent run in the first-team.

It’s clear he’s a player who possesses a lot of quality, and he’s only going to get better as he gains more experience in Frank’s system and in the Premier League.

However, the same can’t be said for Richarlison, with the Brazilian now certainly on borrowed time after his inability to produce the goods in front of goal for the sixth game in a row.

Fewer touches than Vicario: Frank must instantly drop Spurs' 4/10 UCL flop

Tottenham Hotspur were only able to secure a 0-0 draw against Monaco in the Champions League last night.

2

By
Ethan Lamb

Oct 23, 2025

In years past, Arsenal fans would have to watch an England team full of players from Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool.

It was a damming indictment of where the club was at that time, but over the last four or five years, things have changed.

It’s not unusual to see three or four of Mikel Arteta’s players in the Three Lions squad these days, and few from the white side of North London, which might explain the team’s uptick in quality and performances.

Thursday was another example of how important Arsenal have become for the national team, with Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze scoring the goals and Declan Rice marshalling the midfield.

There is no sign of this relationship between club and country slowing down either, especially as Hale End could be brewing England’s next superstar, who could follow in the footsteps of Rice and Saka.

Rice and Saka's England careers

So, while Arsenal fans would love to take the credit for moulding Rice into one of England’s most important players, West Ham United should get more of the credit.

Chalkboard

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After all, he made his debut for the Three Lions in 2019, while playing for the East Londoners, and was still a Hammer for the Euros in 2021 and the World Cup the following year.

However, he has arguably become more instrumental to the national side since his move to the Emirates, and wore the captain’s armband for the first time in March 2024.

So far, the all-action midfielder has won 71 senior caps for England, in which he’s scored six goals and provided six assists and nine of those goal involvements have come since his £105m in the summer of 2023.

Now, an England star Arsenal can take full credit for is, of course, Saka, who is Hale End’s greatest product in a generation.

The 24-year-old made his debut for the national team against Wales in October 2020 and has since gone on to amass an impressive tally of 47 caps, in which he has scored 14 goals, provided nine assists and been named England’s Player of the Year twice in succession.

Moreover, he has played a significant role for the country in every major tournament since, despite receiving horrific abuse after the 2021 Euros final.

In all, so long as they remain fit, Rice and Saka should, and will, be two of the first names on Thomas Tuchel’s teamsheet at the World Cup, and in a few years, they could be joined by another Arsenal star, someone who could even surpass them in importance.

Arsenal's next England star

While the likes of Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly are surely going to become regular starters for England, the Hale End gem who could well become a superstar for Tuchel and Co is Max Dowman.

Despite still being just 15 years old, the teenager has been one of the most talked-about players at Arsenal this season, although for those in the know, he has been a subject of interest for longer than that.

For example, in September of last year, respected talent scout Jacek Kulig boldly proclaimed him as the “most exciting prospect” he had seen “since Lamine Yamal.”

As if that wasn’t praise enough, just a couple of months later, Hale End expert Will Balsam called him “the biggest talent in England” and described him as “one of the greatest footballing brains that’s ever come through Hale End.”

Now, while that all sounds somewhat hyperbolic, and perhaps to an extent it is, it’s not hard to see where they were coming from, considering he was just 14 at the time and destroying defenders in the U18S and even the U21S that season.

Appearances

23

Minutes

1945′

Goals

19

Assists

5

Goal Involvements per Match

1.04

Minutes per Goal Involvement

81.04′

For example, he ended last season with a tally of 19 goals and five assists in 23 appearances, totalling 1945 minutes, which comes out to an average of 1.04 goal involvements per match, or one every 81.04 minutes.

Unsurprisingly, this saw him included in the club’s pre-season tour, where he made his first appearance in front of the fans against a physical Newcastle United side, but instead of shying away, he, in the words of analyst Ben Mattinson, started “humiliating Premier League players.”

Since then, he has made his Premier League debut, become the youngest ever starter for Arsenal, and broke the record as the youngest player in Champions League history.

In other words, the Hale Ender is looking like a generational talent, and he’s already making his impact felt on the international scene as well.

Even though he’s not turning 16 until New Year’s Eve, the Chelmsford-born gem is already a regular feature for England’s U19S, making six appearances for them, in which he’s scored one goal and provided two assists.

With his incredible performances, it feels like a matter of when, not if, he is handed his first senior England cap.

Ultimately, Saka and Rice are currently two of England’s most important players, but in a few years from now, Dowman could be up there with them, if not more important.

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