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For the first portion of Tuesday night's Blue Jays-Yankees showdown, it felt like Toronto was gonna run away with it and handily eliminate New York from the postseason in just three Division Series games, a prediction strongly supported by the Blue Jays' 6–1 lead after the top of the third.

But the pinstripes eventually battled back and not a moment too soon, fueled entirely by a well-timed and momentum-shifting three-run homer from Aaron Judge that tied the game. Shortly after, New York took the lead and didn't lose it again, ultimately forcing a Game 4 and keeping their postseason hopes alive for at least another day.

Adding some more grandeur to the victory, the night's five-run recovery is tied for the second-largest comeback in Yankees' postseason history, on par with the 2010 ALCS Game 1 and the 1997 ALDS Game 1 (both of which are series that New York would go on to lose), per MLB researcher Sarah Langs.

The team's largest postseason rally, however, came in Game 4 of the 1996 World Series, which the Yanks won 8–6 vs. the Braves. They would then go on to win the championship that year in six games.

Outside of the Bronx, the largest comeback win to avoid postseason elimination specifically happened in Game 5 of the 2008 ALCS, when the Red Sox came back from a seven-run deficit to defeat the Rays and force a Game 6 (Tampa Bay would later eliminate Boston in Game 7).

After that, you have a six-run Cardinals rebound in Game 5 of the 2012 NLDS, then various five-point rallies from the 2002 Angels (WS Game 6), the 1995 Mariners (ALDS Game 4), and—you guessed it—the 2025 Yankees in ALDS Game 3.

We'll see what the Yanks can pull off next come Game 4, slated for Wednesday, Oct. 8, with first pitch at 7:08 p.m. ET.

يرى ستان كوليمور، لاعب نادي ليفربول السابق، أن إدارة الريدز يجب أن توافق على بيع محمد صلاح خلال الفترة المقبلة، حال طلب الدولي المصري ذلك، موضحًا أن النادي أهم من اللاعبين.

محمد صلاح بقى كبديل لثلاث مباريات متتالية وكان آخرها أمام ليدز يونايتد في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز أمس السبت، حيث تعادل الريدز 3-3 ولم يشارك الدولي المصري في ال90 دقيقة.

وانفجر محمد صلاح عقب نهاية المباراة، حيث صرح بأنه ليس سعيدًا بوضعه في الريدز وبأن علاقته مع المدير الفني آرني سلوت قد انهارت تمامًا، كما صرح ابن الـ33 عامًا أن إدارة النادي الإنجليزي لم تنفذ الوعود التي قالتها له.

وتحدث كوليمور عن وضع محمد صلاح مع ليفربول، وذلك عبر منصة “إكس”، حيث قال: “أعتقد أنني أعرف القليل عن ليفربول وجماهيره ونظرتهم إلى ناديهم، تأثرت هذه الفترة بالطبع بشانكلي، ثم بايزلي، وكيني، ويورجن كلوب، والآن سلوت”.

وأضاف: “يبقى شيء واحد ثابت ربما أكثر من أي نادي إنجليزي آخر، وهو أن النادي دائمًا هو الأهم والأخير فاللاعبين والمدربين يضيفون بصماتهم إلى النادي لكن النادي يتفوق على الأشخاص”.

وأوضح: ” الآن، ترك محمد صلاح في أنفيلد إرثًا من الانتصارات، واحتل مكانه بين عظماء النادي”.

وأردف: “لذا، من المثير للاهتمام أن أرى مقابلته تلقي قنبلةً على النادي، لأنني لو كنت أعرف ليفربول وجماهيره أصلًا (أعتقد أنه قد يكون هناك اختلاف في ردود الفعل بين الأجيال فالأصغر سنًا يدعم القنبلة، والأكبر سنًا يهزون رؤوسهم)، فسيكون رد فعلهم الأول”.

وتابع: “النادي، أولًا وقبل كل شيء لا يهمه من يكون، إنه شعار حي ينبض بالحياة، وحتى محمد صلاح سيجد صعوبةً في مواجهته”.

واستكمل: “والآن، هل يمكن أن يكون آرني سلوت أقل ودًا مع اللاعبين من يورجن؟ بالتأكيد، إنه رجل هادئ، مسترخي، ومنعزل بعض الشيء، إن كنت تتذكر لم يعجبه أداء ترينت في بداية الموسم الماضي، وأظهر موقفًا غير مبالي في الموسم الأول تجاه أحد أفراده الذي فاز بكل شيء، أعتقد أن هذا مثير للإعجاب، ولكنه ليس بقدر إبهار الفوز بلقب الدوري في موسمك الأول”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. ديلي ميل: رسالة حسام حسن لـ محمد صلاح تدل على شيء هام

وواصل: ”لقد اكتسب سلوت احترامه أيضًا، الفريق يلعب بشكل جيد في الهجمات السريعة وفي الدفاع، وفي اتخاذ القرارات في أوقات أخرى، هذا يشمل الجميع، وإذا سألت 99.9% من اللاعبين عما إذا كانوا يقبلون مباراتين أو ثلاث مباريات بالجلوس على مقاعد البدلاء لعدم تحقيقهم للأهداف، فسيجيبون جميعًا بنعم”.

وقال: ”فقط في جنون كرة القدم الحديثة عام 2025، لن يكتفي أتباع الشخصية المتعالية بالتشكيك في استنتاج منطقي مفاده أنت لا تلعب جيدًا، ها هي فترة على مقاعد البدلاء، بل ربما كاد محمد صلاح أن يخدع نفسه ليرفع نفسه إلى مصاف ميسي أو رونالدو، لاعبين كان بإمكانهم لو شاءوا أن يفعلوا ويقولوا ما يشاؤون حرفيًا في العقد الماضي، محمد صلاح ليس مثلهم، وليفربول، كما ذكرت، ليس هو النادي نفسه”.

وأضاف: “أنا متأكد من أن بعض اللاعبين الشباب سيقولون إنه محق، وسلوت هو المسؤول، ولكن دون أي دليل على أن سلوت قد تعمد ذلك، يحتاج المدربون إلى أداء نجومهم، لا أن يسألوا عنهم في كل مؤتمر صحفي خلال الأشهر الخمسة المقبلة”.

وعن حلول وضع محمد صلاح وليفربول: ”يتحدث اللاعب والمدرب على انفراد، ثم يخبر المدرب اللاعب بما يريده منه ويلتزم اللاعب أو يخبر المدرب برغبته في الرحيل”.

وتابع: ”إذا أراد اللاعب الرحيل فلينفذ ذلك بسرعة، وإلا فاختر اللاعب ودعه يحكم عليه بناءً على أدائه المستمر، إذا كان أداؤه ضعيفًا فلا يمكن للمدرب أن يخسر، إذا كان رائعًا فلا يمكن للمدرب أن يخسر، لذا فإن إشراك سلوت لمحمد صلاح يعد بداية جيدة جدًا، خاصةً مع وجود صفقتين مهمتين لم تجعلا منه لاعبًا أساسيًا”.

واستكمل: “يمكن لآرني سلوت أن يخفف من وطأة صراحته، ويقول ربما لست يورجن لكنني أحب لاعبي، وما كانوا ليفوزوا بلقبٍ رائعٍ الموسم الماضي لولا ردة فعلهم تجاهي وأساليبي، لكنني أسمع تعليقات محمد، ويمكنني أن أخبركم جميعًا الآن أنني أحبه كثيرًا، وهذا التصريح الأنسب تجاه التعامل مع النجوم”.

واستطرد: “لكن من المؤكد أنني لا أعتقد أن هناك لاعبًا من ليفربول سواء كان في الماضي أو الحاضر أو ​​المستقبل، لديه شكاوى مشروعة من شأنها أن تهدد مبدأ أن النادي أولاً وأخيراً، وأنا متأكد من أن أولئك الذين كانت لديهم مخاوف مشروعة قد طرحوها في الوقت المناسب، وليس في مقابلة سريعة عندما تكون المشاعر مشتعلة”.

واختتم: “لقد حقق ليفربول  إنجازات مماثلة لكل لاعب لعب معه، لذا استحقت المؤسسة هذا النقد الخاص لا العام، أيًا كان مصدره”.

Mo Salah. A very long read.

I think I know a little about LFC, its supporters and how they view their club. Shaped of course by Shankly then Paisley, Kenny, Jurgen and now now Slot.

One thing remains constant, perhaps more than any other English club, its always the club first… — Stan Collymore (@StanCollymore) December 7, 2025

Manchester United aren’t quite at the level of competing with Arsenal yet in the Premier League, but Ruben Amorim’s men are definitely in a healthy spot right now after so much turbulence at Old Trafford.

Indeed, the Red Devils are now deep in a five-match unbeaten run in the top-flight, with fantastic attacking displays against Sunderland and Brighton and Hove Albion, matched by a real desire to fight until the end, as seen in Matthijs De Ligt’s dramatic equaliser, clinching a 2-2 draw at Tottenham Hotspur last time out.

Away from the Dutchman finally coming good, United are also cooking on gas with the majority of their recruits from the hectic summer transfer window just gone.

INEOS really did splash the cash this summer, as they attempted to move on from the Red Devils’ depressing 15th-place finish come the end of the 2024/25 season, as quickly as possible.

Thankfully, Amorim and Co. prioritised signings that were desperately needed, who also had Premier League experience, with Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha both joining the building from Brentford and Wolverhampton Wanderers, respectively, for a whopping £133.5m, to boost United’s weak attacking areas.

That was a significant chunk of the £216m that was overall spent, but it’s paid off, with six goals shared between the attacking pair in Premier League action so far this season.

Thankfully, Bryan Mbeumo has not fallen victim to the Antony curse, but one of their big-money signings has done.

How Antony is playing after leaving Man Utd

Having gone his first seven Premier League games in United red with just one goal next to his name, the £71m recruit of Mbeumo has now come into his own to be seen as one of the standout bits of business INEOS signed off on in the summer, scoring a fine header against Spurs, taking his tally to six since moving.

A big-money addition, Amorim and Co will be thankful that he’s made a more vibrant impact than a certain Anton.

It feels like a lifetime ago since the Brazilian forward left Ajax behind to move to England for an eye-watering £81.3m in 2022, with only Paul Pogba burning a bigger hole in United’s pocket at the £89m mark.

At the time, it would have been viewed as a considerable amount to fork out, but it would have also been deemed an expensive gamble worth pursuing, with a mightily impressive 24 goals and 22 assists coming his way for the Amsterdam giants.

Ex-United legend Edwin Van De Sar – who also shone for Ajax during his playing days – would even hail him as being a “potential world star” on his arrival at the Theatre of Dreams, with his trickery clear for all to see in flashes in Manchester.

While it ultimately didn’t happen for him in red, he’s certainly made a much brighter impact in the green and white of Real Betis. Having left England behind in the summer, the wide forward has now scored six goals and registered two assists in his ten outings this term.

All these tricks and flicks from Antony were rarely followed up with consistent output, with the Brazilian only managing to find the back of the net a weak 12 times from 96 games in Manchester, leading to another Red Devils icon in Paul Scholes criticising him as a “one-trick pony”.

Man United's new Antony

Unfortunately, there is one fresh recruit who is heading in the dire direction of becoming United’s new version of Antony, as a high price tag potentially becomes the undoing of another underwhelming attacker.

Benjamin Sesko is the man and like Antony, he has also felt the wrath of United legends during his early stint at Old Trafford to date. Notably, Gary Neville suggested that the former RB Leipzig striker was “miles off it” up top.

Like Antony, Sesko joined the English game with a revered reputation for being a nuisance for opposition defences to handle, with the Slovenian commanding a steep £74m price tag out of the Premier League giants off the back of bagging a mighty 27 Bundesliga strikes from 64 contests.

Games played

11

Goals scored

2

Assists

1

Big chances missed

3

Goal conversion

11%

However, much like Antony found out the hard way when making the bumpy transition from the Eredivisie to the Premier League, Sesko hasn’t looked confident at all since leaving the comforts of Germany behind, with only two top-flight goals heading his way from 11 games.

United would even manage to collect that 2-2 draw away at Spurs after Sesko had limped off late on, leaving them down to ten men.

Before that, the low-on-confidence number 30 – who was said to be “struggling” post-game by Amorim – had been played through twice in glorious positions, only to fluff his lines.

Sesko won’t be written off just yet, but the alarm bells are there considering his shoddy displays in the opening few months of his stint in English football.

But, Sesko will know he needs to show why he cost such a high amount soon; otherwise, he is in danger of just being disregarded as a frustrating flop down the line, who had moments here and there of magic.

It's not Mbeumo: "Unbelievable" Man Utd star looks like Amorim's new Bruno

Bryan Mbeumo stole the show again for Manchester United – but he wasn’t alone…

ByJoe Nuttall Nov 9, 2025

Jeremy Doku ripped Liverpool to shreds in one of the great individual displays this fixture has seen as Manchester City outclassed their rivals in a dominant 3-0 win. The Belgian winger gave Conor Bradley a living nightmare throughout the time he was on the pitch but no Liverpool player was safe from him and after monstering the Reds he topped his performance off with a fittingly brilliant goal.

Doku's trickery earned City a penalty when he was fouled by Giorgi Mamardashvili although the goalkeeper got his own back by denying Erling Haaland from the spot. Haaland would not be denied though and powered City into the lead with a header. Liverpool thought they had levelled against the run of play when Virgil van Dijk scored a header from a corner but Andy Robertson was interfering with play from an offside position.

It was a warning to City and they responded by doubling their advantage right before half-time with a deflected effort from Nico Gonzalez. Liverpool improved in the second half and gave the hosts a few scares but Doku had the final say, scoring with an incredible curling strike which ended the contest there and then.

GOAL rates Man City's players from the Etihad Stadium…

• Goalkeeper & Defence

  Gianluigi Donnarumma (6/10):

  Some good, some bad. Risked a red card with a headless charge from his area to face down Mohamed Salah and was saved by Dias. He did make a good save from Dominik Szoboszlai's long-range hit and was quick to push a loose ball away from the feet of Van Dijk.

  Matheus Nunes (7/10):

  One of his best displays in a City shirt and against a top opponent. Provided the perfect cross for Haaland to open the scoring and was comfortable in defence, a key challenge on Andy Robertson among his many contributions.

  Ruben Dias (8/10):

  A masterful performance from the back. Made countless interventions, from cutting out an inviting pass from Salah, beating Szoboszlai to the ball and above all saving Donnarumma's blushes by tackling Salah.

  Josko Gvardiol (5/10):

  Made a worrying amount of mistakes in the second half which gave Liverpool encouragement.

  Nico O'Reilly (7/10):

  Worked his socks off throughout, which was particularly impressive after going down with an apparent injury in the first half. Caused Bradley plenty of bother, making for a fearsome double act down the left flank with Doku.

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• Midfield

  Bernardo Silva (8/10):

  Produced a big-game performance, controlling proceedings with his precise passing and vision.

  Nico Gonzalez (8/10):

  He has been learning the trade of a Man City midfielder in the last year and today he delivered his first-class thesis. Showed brilliant awareness throughout, making numerous key blocks and interceptions while also bolting forward to support the attack. His goal may have been a little lucky but he showed the belief to shoot from range and was rewarded.

  Phil Foden (6/10):

  Was perhaps a little worn out after his Champions League heroics as he took a beat seat role in creativity although he did chip in with some important defensive work.

• Attack

  Rayan Cherki (5/10):

  A comedown from his excellent display against Bournemouth. Spooned a shot over the bar, had another blocked and overall failed to sparkle, leading to him being withdrawn for Savinho early in the second half.

  Erling Haaland (7/10):

  Responded perfectly to the setback of having his penalty saved by finding the breakthrough goal, beating Konate in the air with an athletic leap and getting a whole load of power on the cross. Linked the play well by giving his team-mates wall passes from which to launch quick breaks. 

  Jeremy Doku (10/10):

  A truly phenomenal display from start to finish. Began playing all over the attack but was most dangerous down the left. Tore Conor Bradley apart from start to finish, earned the penalty, fuelled countless attacks with his dribbles and then adorned his performance with a magnificent strike.

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• Subs & Manager

  Savinho (5/10):

  Should have done more after replacing Cherki in the 52nd minute and his introduction initially led to Liverpool getting a grip on the play.

  Omar Marmoush (6/10):

  Looked keen to add to the goal rout but still looks a little rusty after his injury lay-off.

  Pep Guardiola (9/10):

  A near-perfect display from his team on his 1000th game. Got his selection spot on and knew exactly how to cause Liverpool harm. Only made two substitutions as there was very little he needed to change.

Beth Mead's early strike secured a vital Champions League victory for Arsenal on Tuesday, as the reigning European champions saw off Twente in a narrow but comfortable 1-0 win. It's a scoreline that doesn't reflect the dominance the Gunners enjoyed as they crept up the league-phase standings, moving to within one point of automatic qualification for the knockout rounds with one game left to play, while securing at least a play-off berth.

When Mead found the back of the net after 10 minutes, it felt like Arsenal could score quite a few. Two minutes before that, only some heroic Twente defending had prevented Mariona Caldentey, who fired not far off target even earlier on, and then Mead from scoring, with the Gunners' high and aggressive press working a treat and forcing the visitors into turning the ball over plenty in dangerous areas.

As it transpired, though, that would be the only goal of the game. It wasn't for a lack of trying; Alessia Russo would go close with three headers, including one which hit the bar late on, and the outstretched leg of Diede Lemey prevented her from scoring when she did get one on target. The goalkeeper's best save, however, might have been to prevent her own team-mate from netting an own goal, when she reacted brilliantly at her near post after Victoria Pelova's flick was inadvertently directed towards goal by Lieske Carleer.

Chances at the other end were few and far between, with Sophie Proost's header well over the bar, meaning the biggest scare Anneke Borbe, Arsenal's third-choice goalkeeper, had in the home goal was when she was caught by the onrushing Eva Oude Elberink, almost forcing the Gunners to hand a senior debut to 17-year-old Amy Liddiard. Fortunately, with Daphne van Domselaar and Manuela Zinsberger already sidelined, Borbe was able to continue and preserve the clean sheet that ensured her team's victory, their second in a row after three games without one.

GOAL rates Arsenal's players from Meadow Park…

• AFP
  

  Goalkeeper & Defence

  Anneke Borbe (6/10):

  Essentially a spectator for this one. Made just 13 touches all game and her only call to action saw her bravely dive at the feet of Oude Elberink when she was put through one-on-one.

  Taylor Hinds (6/10):

  Another solid, if unspectacular, performance from one of England's most recent debutantes.

  Lotte Wubben-Moy (7/10):

  Calm and composed in possession and assured in her defending, helping the Gunners to restrict Twente to little in attack.

  Steph Catley (7/10):

  A little looser in possession than her centre-back partner, but only just. Always switched on and helped organise the defence well.

  Katie McCabe (7/10):

  Provided some quality service with that left foot of hers and nearly got on the scoresheet, too, through a clever free-kick.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Midfield

  Kyra Cooney-Cross (7/10):

  Started a little sloppily but got better as the game went on, showing plenty on both sides of the ball and delivering some good set pieces.

  Mariona Caldentey (6/10):

  Moved the ball well enough in deeper areas and looked a real goal threat early on, but her accuracy on the ball dropped off in the final third. 

  Victoria Pelova (7/10):

  Set up essentially as a second striker out of possession and was crucial to Arsenal's high press working so well.

• AFP
  

  Attack

  Beth Mead (8/10):

  Made the decisive contribution just 10 minutes in and could've added to her tally were it not for some heroic Twente defending. A classy display.

  Alessia Russo (6/10):

  Had several chances but couldn't find the back of the net, hitting the bar and forcing a good save out of the goalkeeper with her best efforts. She was able to get involved still with some nice moments in Arsenal's build-up play, though.

  Olivia Smith (7/10):

  Caused Twente all sorts of problems with her quick feet and direct approach, getting kicked plenty for her troubles. Unlucky to be booked for a good tackle.

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• AFP
  

  Subs & Manager

  Caitlin Foord (6/10):

  Full of running down the left, delivering a couple of great balls in her 30 minutes or so on the pitch.

  Frida Maanum (7/10):

  Provided a real goal threat after coming on before the hour and created for others, too, in an impactful performance.

  Kim Little (6/10):

  Added plenty of energy to the middle of the park, aiding defence and attack.

  Emily Fox (N/A):

  Helped Arsenal see the win out as a late sub.

  Stina Blackstenius (N/A):

  Only came on in stoppage time.

  Renee Slegers (7/10):

  Set up her team to press Twente aggressively and it worked a treat, leading to the only goal of the game. Subs were proactive to ensure the levels didn't drop and her team could see the win out.

Arsenal are poised to hold talks with a marquee forward about joining Mikel Arteta’s side as the Gunners plan to be active in the January window, according to a new report.

Arsenal squad depth attracts praise after busy summer

Arsenal’s current campaign is increasingly defined by their excellent squad depth, arguably the best in the Premier League.

Despite consistent injuries in key areas, Arteta’s side have shown an ability not just to cope, but to thrive.

The summer’s heavy investment in new faces is already paying dividends, with Arsenal five points clear at the top of the table and on an unprecedented 18-game unbeaten run in all competitions.

Arsenal 3-0 Nottingham Forest

Athletic Bilbao 0-2 Arsenal

Arsenal 1-1 Man City

Port Vale 0-2 Arsenal

Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal

Arsenal 2-0 Olympiacos

Arsenal 2-0 West Ham

Fulham 0-1 Arsenal

Arsenal 4-0 Atlético Madrid

Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace

Arsenal 2-0 Brighton

Burnley 0-2 Arsenal

Slavia Prague 0-3 Arsenal

Sunderland 2-2 Arsenal

Arsenal 4-1 Tottenham

Arsenal 3-1 Bayern Munich

Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal

Arsenal 2-0 Brentford

Arsenal sealed a 2–0 win over Brentford on Wednesday, tightening their grip on the title race.

The routine win came courtesy of an early header from makeshift number nine Mikel Merino, who scored his 21st goal this calendar year, and a late strike from Bukayo Saka — despite Arteta enforcing an array of personnel changes.

What stands out is how Arsenal have seamlessly filled the gaps when injuries arise.

Arteta noted this week that this is one of the club’s “worst” injury spells in recent memory — and yet, the squad’s backup options have all stepped up to do their jobs.

Key defenders and attackers are still sidelined, and further absences could stretch the squad.

Gabriel Magalhaes is still weeks away from returning, and Arteta is waiting to discover the true extent of Cristhian Mosquera’s injury after he was hauled off against Brentford.

Kai Havertz also won’t be back for weeks after suffering a setback in his recovery from a knee problem.

£282k-a-week star expressing wish to join Arsenal as agents open talks

His exit is a real possibility.

ByEmilio Galantini Dec 4, 2025

That being said, Arsenal look better equipped than ever before to handle a long, demanding season — and, crucially, to maintain their push towards a first league title in 22 years.

Arsenal to 'directly contact' Juventus star Kenan Yildiz about joining

Despite their plethora of options right now, a report from Turkish Football now claims that Berta and Arteta are planning for the January window, and one man attracting their serious attention is Juventus sensation Kenan Yildiz.

The Serie A rising star is currently Juve’s top performer, bagging four goals and three assists in the Italian top flight already this season after finishing last campaign as their standout attacker as well (WhoScored).

The 20-year-old is a wanted man in the Premier League, with Fabrizio Romano stating that Chelsea are big fans of Yildiz.

However, a lot of reports centre around Arsenal’s interest.

Corriere dello Sport stated earlier this week that Arsenal have held ‘new’ talks with Yildiz’s entourage, and this is backed up by Turkish Football.

The Gunners have already made their interest known to the player’s agents, but it is now believed that Arsenal will also ‘directly contact’ Yildiz about joining them after speaking to his representatives.

Yildiz’s ability to perform on the wing or almost anywhere across the front line — combined with his recent performances for club and country — make him an attractive target, with Juve still unwilling to meet his contract demands.

The impetus for the approach appears twofold.

On one hand, Yildiz’s contract renewal talks at Juventus have stalled, opening the door for Berta. On the other, Arsenal’s management seems determined to boost attacking depth — even after a major summer recruitment drive — perhaps aiming to add more youthful creativity and unpredictability to their forward line.

Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard are also out of contract in under two years, and Yildiz would be a stellar option to replace them.

The Old Lady are poised to demand an eye-watering fee, though, reportedly around £88 million for their prized asset who ex-Juve boss Massimiliano Allegri called a ‘special talent’.

Juve may not find a club willing to shell out that much on Yildiz, but what’s crystal clear is that English sides are taking note of his exploits.

Arsenal and Mikel Arteta have been handed a fairly concerning injury update on the condition of Kai Havertz, who was rumoured to be in contention for this weekend’s looming North London derby against Tottenham at the Emirates Stadium.

After losing star defender Gabriel Magalhaes to a thigh injury earlier this week, which cut short his international tour of duty with Brazil, the last thing Arteta needs is another injury setback.

Arsenal, who top the Premier League table after a sensational run of form and haven’t lost a single game since their 1-0 defeat to Liverpool in August, have done extraordinarily well to cope without a plethora of key attackers lately — including Martin Odegaard, Noni Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli, Viktor Gyokeres, Gabriel Jesus and Havertz.

Arsenal’s unbeaten run in all competitions since defeat to Liverpool

Arsenal 3-0 Nottingham Forest

Athletic Bilbao 0-2 Arsenal

Arsenal 1-1 Man City

Port Vale 0-2 Arsenal

Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal

Arsenal 2-0 Olympiacos

Arsenal 2-0 West Ham

Fulham 0-1 Arsenal

Arsenal 4-0 Atlético Madrid

Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace

Arsenal 2-0 Brighton

Burnley 0-2 Arsenal

Slavia Prague 0-3 Arsenal

Sunderland 2-2 Arsenal

Odegaard, Madueke, Havertz and Jesus have been on the treatment table for extended periods, with the latter last in line to return to action after he ruptured his ACL against Man United at the start of 2025.

Madueke is racing to be fit for this weekend’s clash with Tottenham after impressing Arsenal rehab staff in his recovery from a knee problem, with Odegaard in the same boat according to reliable media sources like Standard Sport.

Havertz was believed to be in contention as well, but an update from Nagelsmann threatens to cast some doubt over his involvement against Spurs on Sunday.

The 26-year-old was sidelined in the opening week of the Premier League campaign and required surgery on a knee issue, having only just returned from a hamstring injury which kept him out for months.

It’s been a frustrating time for Havertz, and while reports suggest he’s been excelling in his Arsenal rehab similar to Madueke, Nagelsmann has actually made a suggestion to the contrary.

Julian Nagelsmann makes Kai Havertz injury claim in worry for Arsenal

Speaking to reporters this week, the Germany boss made an interesting prediction, stating that he expects Havertz to return “towards the end of the year”.

This comes after the £280,000-per-week star also suffered a “minor relapse” of his knee injury, though Nagelsmann has moved to say that Havertz is “doing well” all things considered.

While this doesn’t mean that Havertz is definitively out for this weekend’s all-important derby clash, it doesn’t exactly paint a certain picture of his involvement either, so Arsenal could have another injury worry on their hands here after a few scares over the international break.

Luckily for Arteta, while Gabriel is a major doubt to face Tottenham, Riccardo Calafiori has been given the all-clear to play this weekend, according to Fabrizio Romano.

If Havertz does turn out to be ready for Sunday, with uncertainty surrounding him right now, it would come as an almighty boost.

Gyokeres is another Arsenal player who could miss the derby, so a return for Havertz would undoubtedly do wonders to alleviate the Swede’s absence, otherwise Mikel Merino is in line to start his third successive game as Arteta’s makeshift striker.

The Premier League has confirmed that the 2026/27 campaign will begin a week later than usual, marking the latest season start in the competition’s history. The decision, announced after a shareholders’ meeting on Friday morning, is designed to counter the growing strain on players created by an "increasingly congested global football calendar".

A historic schedule shift to ease calendar chaos

Next season will kick off on Saturday, August 22, 2026, rather than the traditional mid-August weekend. The final round of fixtures will take place on Sunday, May 30, 2027, six days later than this season’s planned finale. The move, officials say, ensures adequate rest following the expanded 48-team World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States. The global tournament, set to conclude in mid-July 2026, pushes many players to the brink of burnout. The Premier League’s solution is an 89-day gap from the end of this season and a 33-day buffer after the World Cup final.  

AdvertisementGetty Images SportWhat did the Premier League say

In a detailed announcement, the league outlined the reasoning behind its decision: "The Premier League Season 2026-27 dates have been confirmed, with the opening match round starting on Saturday 22 August 2026. The final match round will be played on Sunday, 30 May 2027, when all fixtures will kick off simultaneously as usual. With an increasingly congested global football calendar, player welfare remains a priority for the Premier League. As a result, the Premier League will start one week later next season. This will allow for 89 clear days from the end of the current season and 33 days from the FIFA World Cup 26 Final. The season will conclude one week prior to the UEFA Champions League Final, which will be played on Saturday, 5 June 2027.   

"The 2026-27 Season will consist of 33 weekends and five midweek match rounds. The Premier League schedule will be designed to avoid domestic competition clashes with UEFA club competition dates, wherever possible. Over the Christmas and New Year period, no two match rounds will take place within 60 hours. This is in keeping with commitments made to clubs to address the congested Christmas and New Year schedule within the expanded international calendar."

From next season, the September international break will stretch to three weeks, with four matches squeezed into that window. Meanwhile, the October international break will be scrapped entirely. European leagues have been vocal in recent years about FIFA and UEFA expanding competitions without providing adequate breathing room. The newly enlarged Club World Cup, expanded European Championship, extended Nations League matches, and a record-breaking World Cup all contribute to an unprecedented workload for top players. Privately, several clubs are understood to be pushing for further reforms in future seasons, including fewer midweek rounds and stronger coordination with FIFA.

Guardiola sounds the alarm over PL title race

Pep Guardiola admitted that Arsenal’s form could make them untouchable in this season’s title race, but the fight is far from over. City sit second in the table, four points behind Mikel Arteta’s side after 11 games. While the gap is manageable, Arsenal boast the division’s best defensive record, conceding just five goals so far. 

Although Guardiola is well aware of the challenge, he warned that the season has just begun. He said: "We are in November, and in November in this league nothing is final. What happens in February or March, be careful. But the season starts now. The first start is when the transfer window is over in the summer. And now again, when the international breaks are over. Now until March, we see each other every three days. Now the real season starts. It is important to be there and to arrive at the end of the season with a chance to fight. Winning (in Newcastle) would be an important step for us."

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GettyArsenal’s new reality: Playing with the target on their back

Arsenal’s rise from title challengers to early-season pacesetters has transformed expectations. They have won four of their last five Premier League matches, but their challenge now is sustaining a title pace with several of their key players injured. Their defensive stalwart, Gabriel, is set to miss almost two months of action with a thigh injury, while skipper Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke and Gabriel Jesus are long-term absentees. Their next challenge is against fierce rivals Tottenham on Sunday, and they will be desperate to win the bragging rights of north London.     

Sussex struggle for penetration as big first-innings deficit looms

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay30-Jul-2025Yorkshire 292 for 4 (Lyth 115, Wharton 85) lead Sussex 222 (Lamb 48, Coles 47, White 3-25) by 70 runsAdam Lyth’s fifth Rothesay County Championship career century on his home ground at Scarborough helped take him beyond 1,000 runs for the summer and put Yorkshire in charge of their clash with Sussex at its halfway stage.Lyth, aged 37, learnt his trade on this ground as a junior and still lives in neighbouring Whitby. He just loves this place, and it showed with 115 off 233 balls, including 16 fours.Day two was almost the perfect day for the ex-England Test opener, who ensured the White Rose county replied strongly to Sussex’s first-innings 222 all out with 292 for four from 90 overs.Lyth and third-wicket partner James Wharton, who contributed 85 off 130 balls, shared 168 either side of tea after Sussex had started the day advancing from 210 for nine. Danny Lamb top-scored with 48, Jack White finished with three wickets.While Sussex, placed fifth before this 11th round Division One fixture, will still be looking over their shoulders, this is a far more important game for ninth-placed Yorkshire, inside the bottom two in the top-flight table.Matt Milnes wrapped up the Sussex innings in the day’s fourth over when he had Lamb caught behind tentatively playing forwards two runs short of his first fifty of the season.Both sides then had success through until lunch, at the start of Yorkshire’s reply.Fin Bean, who made 21 whipped a six over midwicket which was caught by a youngster in the crowd.Lyth, meanwhile, continued his excellent form against the red ball this season and Pakistani debutant Imam-Ul-Haq started brightly. His first three scoring shots in 19 were all boundaries.But Sussex chipped away late in the morning.Lamb’s seam accounted for Bean, caught behind off a top-edged pull, before Jack Carson’s off-spin had Imam caught at slip pushing forwards in the last over of the session, leaving Yorkshire 80 for two.Lyth went to 50 for the eighth time this season in the heart of the afternoon session, off 117 balls.An impressively watchful effort on a pitch with some juice in it, which has not been easy to score runs on, Lyth and third-wicket partner quietly put their county into a very strong position.Wharton claimed a stunning outfield catch at deep square-leg to help White claim the first wicket of the match early on day one. But, as good a fielder as he is, run-scoring is his main suit.And he did it well on day two.He was more aggressive than Lyth, highlighted by successive sixes off Carson to move into the forties and take his side to 161 for two. The first was pulled, the second lofted handsomely over long-on.Wharton reached his seventh fifty of the season shortly afterwards, off 79 balls, and by this stage him and Lyth were upping the ante.Lyth reached the 1,000 mark just before tea where Yorkshire got to in rude health at 199 for two from 58 overs.This is the third successive season he has achieved the feat.Lyth’s third Championship century came up in 200 balls just after tea, with Yorkshire taking the lead moments later.Sussex’s attack, missing the likes of Jofra Archer because of England and Ollie Robinson through injury, came under increasing pressure.But credit to them, they hit back midway through the evening to get rid of Lyth and Wharton inside three overs, leaving Yorkshire 250 for four in the 74th.Lyth was stumped by John Simpson off Carson – two for 70 from 28 overs – and Wharton bowled by the left-arm spin of James Coles.Matthew Revis and Harry Duke then saw the day out for Yorkshire with 22 and 20 respectively.

Kylian Mbappe's European Golden shoe defence is being challenged by the likes of Harry Kane and Erling Haaland.

The European Golden Shoe remains one of football’s most prestigious individual trophies, rewarding the most prolific marksman across Europe’s top domestic leagues.

Each season brings a fresh battle among elite forwards who consistently deliver extraordinary goal tallies. While form, fitness and team dynamics inevitably fluctuate, certain names have become perennial contenders – strikers whose finishing ability, movement and consistency ensure they remain in the conversation year after year.    

Over the decades, it has been dominated by legendary strikers, from Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo’s record-breaking eras to more recent winners who have defined the modern game. The 2024-25 edition was claimed by Kylian Mbappé, whose blistering scoring campaign underlined his status as one of the sport’s most reliable goal machines, beating Salah to the honour. As the 2025-26 season unfolds, the race once again features a mix of established superstars and rising elite forwards. 

The European Golden Shoe uses a weighted scoring system based on the difficulty of each domestic league. A player’s points are calculated by multiplying their league goals by a factor assigned to that league — 2.0 for the top-ranked leagues such as the Premier League, La Liga and Bundesliga, 1.5 for mid-level competitions, and 1.0 for lower-ranked leagues. This ensures that goals scored in more competitive leagues carry greater value in the final standings.

Below is a look at the leading candidates who routinely shape the race for Europe’s top goalscorer.

Getty Images1Erling Haaland | Manchester City | 14 goals

Erling Haaland is widely considered the benchmark for pure centre-forward play in Europe. His blend of explosive pace, physical dominance and clinical finishing makes him a constant threat in any scoring race.

Supported by a chance-creating machine at Manchester City, Haaland regularly posts remarkable numbers in both league and continental competitions. His positioning, relentless mentality and ability to convert even low-quality opportunities ensure he remains a perennial favourite for the Golden Shoe.   

AdvertisementGetty Images Sport2Harry Kane | Bayern Munich | 14 goals

Harry Kane’s all-round excellence as a goalscorer and creator ensures he is always near the summit of league scoring races. His precision finishing, ability to strike from anywhere around the box and instinctive movement make him ideally suited to Bayern Munich’s dominant style of play.

With his experience and consistency, Kane remains one of the most reliable attackers in Europe, capable of delivering 25–30 league goals in any given campaign.       

AFP3Kylian Mbappe | Real Madrid | 13 goals

Kylian Mbappé brings a unique mix of speed, intelligence and elite finishing that keeps him among the top scorers every season. Whether deployed centrally or drifting in from the left, he consistently finds ways to exploit defensive gaps. 

Playing in an attack-minded Real Madrid side amplifies his output, and his reputation for stepping up in big moments makes him one of the strongest long-term contenders in Europe’s scoring charts.     

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Getty Images Sport4 Igor Thiago | Brentford | 11 goals

Igor Thiago is a physically imposing and relentlessly energetic forward whose aggressive style fits seamlessly into Brentford’s high-tempo approach. He excels at pressing, holding up play and attacking crosses, giving him multiple avenues to find the back of the net.

His strength, aerial ability and improving composure in front of goal allow him to compete effectively in the Premier League’s demanding environment. As he continues to polish his finishing, Thiago has the tools to deliver consistently strong scoring seasons.