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Arsenal's rise over the past two seasons has been remarkable. Gone are the post-Arsene Wenger days of misery, where Champions League football was elusive, out of reach, and an outfit on the decline found shining lights in the forms of several talented youngsters.

Mikel Arteta changed everything, revolutionised the Emirates Stadium and rewrote the narrative, turned the culture on its head, for the better.

With great power comes great responsibility, or so the maxim goes. But it's true in Arsenal's case that they are no longer the exciting up-and-comers; despite falling short against Manchester City in successive Premier League title showdowns, the Gunners are one of Europe's elite.

173 points across two top-flight campaigns would say as much, as would the club-record £105m signing of Declan Rice, the rise of William Saliba, who is shaping into one of Europe's finest defenders, and the ever-evolving brilliance of Bukayo Saka, who has been hailed as "one of the best players" in England by Wayne Rooney and rightly so.

Depth across a series of positions is still required, and one of the pressing concerns of the 2023/24 term was the lack of prolificness up front. One report suggests that that could be about to change.

Arsenal transfer news

According to Caught Offside, Arsenal are preparing to tussle with Liverpool for the signing of Donyell Malen, who has enjoyed a clinical season with Borussia Dortmund in Germany.

A former Hale End member, Malen was sold to PSV Eindhoven when he was 18, turning down offers from Chelsea and Manchester United to complete the transfer.

Now 25, Malen has impressed for Dortmund over the past few years and is expected to extend his contract, but the Bundesliga team would still listen to offers of €40m (£34m), should they be put forth.

Sources believe that the Dutchman's preference, should he leave the Yellow Wall, is to return to his former stomping ground, hence why the north Londoners feel that they are leading the race.

Why Arsenal should re-sign Donyell Malen

Malen, who has 36 international caps (and nine goals) for the Netherlands, would add some invaluable depth to Arteta's thriving outfit, with his dynamic properties allowing him to flourish across the frontline, albeit more clinical when placed on the right wing, for he is two-footed.

Donyell Malen: Career Stats by Position
Position	Apps	Goals	Assists
Centre-forward	140	70	28
Left winger	83	18	14
Right winger	64	30	12
Attacking midfield	5	1	0
Stats via Transfermarkt

With rumours swirling around Reiss Nelson's future in north London, it does seem like signing Malen would be a wise move, especially since Saka started 45 matches for his club last season before featuring prominently for the Three Lions at Euro 2024 this summer.

Arsenal were fortuitous on the injury front last year but such imperious levels of fitness cannot be taken for granted each season, and Malen, who differs in style of play to that of Saka, would be a wonderful addition.

As per FBref, the 5 foot 10 talent ranks among the top 2% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for goals scored and the top 3% for shots taken per 90. Moreover, 2014 World Cup Germany hero Mario Gotze has proclaimed him to be "extremely fast and very dangerous".

After all, last season, the dynamo scored 15 goals and supplied five further assists across 38 matches – and that's despite ten of such appearances coming from the bench.

Injuries have tugged at the £97k-per-week ace throughout his career but he would join a rich frontline filled with talent at Arsenal and could grow into his skin in a manner not dissimilar to that of Leandro Trossard, with the Belgian marksman considered a comparable player to Malen by FBref's statistical model.

Furthermore, so is Joao Felix, and as Aston Villa fight to sign the Portuguese ace, Arsenal could stay ahead of the curve by signing a similar player of, perhaps, more fitting quality.

Arteta's own Joao Felix

Felix is one of the highest-profile forwards on the continent, rising to fame after an exciting start to his professional career with Benfica and joining Atletico Madrid in a £113m deal in 2019, aged 19.

La Liga Journalist Jose Delgado claimed after Atleti's signing: "Since Ronaldo, we [Spain] have not had a player so exciting and young like him until now." However, such claims would not stand the test of time anymore.

Like Malen, Felix performed deceptively well for Barcelona last season, ranking among the top 5% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe's top five leagues for goals scored and the top 4% for shots taken per 90, with his silky-smooth dribbling and playmaking acumen also making him a 'dangerous' outlet.

Malen, too, isn't just a sharpshooter, averaging 1.6 dribbles per game in the German Bundesliga last season and 2.3 per outing with Oranje at the European Championship. He also created nine big chances for his peers in the league.

Dubbed "the football artist" by talent scout Jacek Kulig, Felix would be a credit to Unai Emery's Villan project, and given that Arsenal have been reported – as relayed by Mundo Deportivo – to be among the outfits interested in striking a deal this summer, perhaps it's wise to move for a player of a similar profile in Malen.

Who knows, Dortmund's versatile attacking talent could prove to be the better pick; he's been more clinical across the duration of his career and his propensity for stirring up danger could give Arteta the edge in the pursuit of silverware and success of a higher level, with Kulig claiming that he is "simply unstoppable" when fit and firing.

Forget Merino: Arsenal enter talks for "incredible" £147k-p/w alternative

The “incredible” international would be an excellent signing.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Jul 27, 2024

Scott Borthwick will captain Durham in the County Championship this summer, having returned to the club on a long-term deal after four seasons at Surrey.Borthwick will be Durham’s third captain in as many seasons. Cameron Bancroft led the side in the first half of 2019 before he was included in Australia’s Ashes squad. Ned Eckersley then took over the role, and continued through the Bob Willis Trophy campaign in 2020.While his captaincy experience is limited to a couple of games for Surrey’s second XI, Borthwick will be a senior player in Durham’s squad, and Marcus North, the club’s director of cricket, said that he hoped he could demonstrate that within the role.”There is no doubt Scott brings a huge amount of playing experience to the table,” North said. “This is a great opportunity for Scott to draw upon these and transfer those experiences into a formal leadership role.”Borthwick said that captaining his boyhood club had been a long-term ambition of his.”Just coming back to play for Durham again has been an amazing experience for me, so to be asked to captain the team is a huge honour,” he said. “Leading out the Durham team has been something I’ve dreamt about since I was a kid in the academy so it’s a really special thing for me.”The coaches and management team have been really welcoming since I re-joined the club and I’m looking forward to working closely with them. We’ve got an exciting group of players with lots experience and I look forward to leading the team to success.”The club are yet to name a captain for either white-ball format. Nathan Rimmington led the T20 Blast side in 2020 but has since left the club, while Stuart Poynter and Paul Coughlin have both captained in recent T20 seasons.

We are just over three weeks away from the Premier League kicking off for another season of suspense-filled football, and while every club has a lot to fight for, few have quite as much as Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta's side will be hoping it's third time's the charm as they look to finally end their two-decade title drought and stop Manchester City from winning an unprecedented five in a row.

However, to give themselves the best chance of doing that, they must bring in some talented players this summer, such as Nico Williams.

The Gunners have been consistently linked with a move for the Spaniard, but whether they'll be able to get him is another thing entirely. So it's good news that Edu Gaspar ad Co have already lined up a brilliant alternative and someone who'd be the perfect Bukayo Saka rival at the same time.

Arsenal transfer news

According to a recent report from Turkish publication Sabah Spor, Arsenal are one of several teams interested in signing Galatasaray ace Baris Alper Ylimaz this summer.

Alongside the Gunners, the report claims that North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur are set to meet with the player's representatives to discuss a possible transfer. At the same time, Brighton & Hove Albion, Liverpool, Manchester United and Aston Villa are also 'closely following the player.'

The report reveals that Galatasaray would entertain offers in excess of €30m, which converts to around £25m, and while that's still a significant sum of money, it's somewhat reasonable in the modern game.

In all, if Arsenal can get ahead of the chasing pack for Yilmaz this summer, then based on his recent performances, they should bring him to N5, as he could be both the perfect rival for Saka and an alternative to Williams.

Why Yilmaz would be a great signing

Okay, so for those slightly unfamiliar with Yilmaz, you may be somewhat confused as to how a player could challenge Saka and be an alternative to Williams, but therein lies one of the Turkish international's biggest strengths: his versatility.

In his career to date, he has started games all over the pitch, from right-back to centre-forward, but his two most played positions have been left and right-wing, with him starting 66 games on the former and 64 on the latter.

It's this experience out on the left that could see the 24-year-old become the Gunners alternative to the Athletic Bilbao ace, and his time on the right, where he spent most of last season, that could see him come in as a challenge to Saka.

So, with that said, how does he stack up against the Hale End superstar when it comes to pure output?

Well, as you'd probably expect given the outlandish talent of the Englishman, the Gala ace comes out second best, but it's close enough to suggest that he could act as the perfect bench option for the Gunners or even as someone who could start some of the less important games to give the 22-year-old some time to rest.

Appearances

55

47

Goals

7

20

Assists

12

14

Goal Involvements per Match

0.34

0.72

For example, while the Ealing-born gem scored 20 goals and provided 14 assists in 47 appearances last season, meaning he averaged a goal involvement every 1.38 games, the Turkish dynamo scored seven goals and provided 12 assists in 55 appearances, equating to a slightly less impressive average of a goal involvement every 2.89 games.

Moreover, with arguably the best centre-back in the world, Virgil van Dijk, describing the Rize-born star as a player who is "difficult for every defender" to play against, he'd probably surprise many Premier League fans.

Forget Merino: Arsenal in talks to sign a "monster" with shades of Vieira

The “world-class” midfielder would be unreal for the Gunners.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Jul 22, 2024

Ultimately, Arsenal have needed a player who can step in and cover for Saka for years now, and with Yilmlaz supposedly available for just £25m this summer, signing him feels like a no-brainer.

It's all rather quiet on the transfer front at Liverpool. With Jurgen Klopp having departed and FSG building Anfield's infrastructure back up brick by newly-made brick, supporters would be forgiven for questioning the tumbleweed skittering across the red of Merseyside.

Michael Edwards, moreover, is back, though this time in a bigger, broader, more influential role as FSG's CEO of Football. The transfer-orchestrating mastermind returned with the aroma of thrilling market movements, but all is currently quiet.

Is this a problem? A concern? In short: no. Liverpool long conducted their business surreptitiously with Edwards involved and an exciting incoming will likely spring up unexpectedly, like Alisson in the box at the Hawthorns. Arne Slot, still integrating as head coach and lacking most of his presently international-performing squad, has already confirmed that he has been in regular contact with sporting director Richard Hughes too.

The Reds faithful will be kept waiting for now, but there has been one gem of discourse that speaks loudly of Liverpool's intentions and desire to land the most talented players to ensure illustrious success.

Liverpool lining up new defender

According to Football Insider, Liverpool have maintained direct contact with Lille defender Leny Yoro's representatives despite the 18-year-old's desire to sign for Real Madrid.

The Athletic's David Ornstein broke the news of Liverpool and Manchester United's interest earlier in June, stressing, however, that the touted talent has also been courted by Los Blancos and is likely to move to the Santiago Bernabeu.

Yoro has one year remaining on his deal at Lille and there is hope at Anfield given the Ligue 1 outfit's €60m (£51m) demands. Real Madrid are reluctant to extend a bid beyond the €40m (£34m) mark.

Leny Yoro's season in numbers

Having broken into Lille's first team during the 2022/23 campaign, Yoro cemented himself as a regular feature in Paulo Fonseca's side last term, starting 30 matches in the top flight.

Described as "world-class material" by talent scout Jacek Kulig, Yoro has proven himself to be both technically sound and instinctively steely in defence, ranking among the top 7% of centre-backs across Europe for pass completion last season (FBref) and winning 63% of his contested duels (Sofascore).

Also hailed as a "quick learner" by former coach Jean-Michel Vandamme, Yoro is on the fast track to elite-level success and this bespeaks his talent and the pressing need to snap him up at this fledgeling stage. Liverpool will long rue the missed chance to claim him down the line, should he join Real Madrid.

Yoro would be a revelation in Liverpool's backline, with his precocity perhaps even setting him up to be the biggest coup that Liverpool have secured in a long time.

The reason Liverpool want Leny Yoro

Slot was signed by Liverpool for a number of reasons, with one salient aspect stemming from certain similarities to one Klopp. Make no mistake, Slot is no pastiche, mimicking his illustrious German counterpart, but instead carries subtle elements that shape his own distinctive style.

After all, the Dutchman noted when discussing parallels between his game and Pep Guardiola's, Man City managerial extraordinaire, in 2023: "I certainly don't want to compare myself to Pep, but he is a control freak just like me."

Control. It's the ultimate byword for success in this modern-shaped footballing landscape. Gone are the golden days of hoofball, the seat-lifting seasons of Sir Alex Ferguson's direct and gritty success.

Slot, simply, is tailored for Premier League success at this contemporary stage, and Yoro would be the architect from the back. Ibrahima Konate is a strong and stylish defender but lacks fitness consistency and struggles with lapses in form. Virgil van Dijk is a galvanising leader and a world-class player but nearing his 33rd year and entering the final year of his Liverpool contract.

Quansah, aged 21 and on loan in League One only 14 months ago, would compete alongside Yoro for a regular starting berth, though the Frenchman's reputation as a "generational talent" – a claim relayed by The Athletic's Mario Cortegana – suggests that he could be the cream of Slot's crop.

Liverpool indeed view the whole saga as a unique market opportunity that would christen a new era with a player of prodigious potential. Moreover, his above-discussed playing style carries hints of Van Dijk, limiting his defensive involvement and instead relying on mobility and a sharp reading of the game to snuff out danger in its infancy, akin to the Netherlands skipper.

Out of contract in one year and available for an enticingly affordable fee, Yoro could well prove to be Liverpool's next version of Mohamed Salah, landed for a shrewd price and guided toward stardom.

A 25-year-old Salah signed for Liverpool from AS Roma in a £34m deal in 2017, having recorded 43 goals and 26 assists over three campaigns in Italy after failing to rise to the fore at Chelsea.

The rest, as they say, is history. Salah has blitzed through English and continental football like a bulldozer in a hayfield, bagging 211 goals and 89 assists across 349 fixtures for the Reds, winning the whole gamut under Klopp.

GK – Simon Mignolet

RB – Trent Alexander-Arnold

CB – Joel Matip

CB – Dejan Lovren

LB – Alberto Moreno

DM – Jordan Henderson

CM – Emre Can

CM – Gini Wijnaldum

RW – Mohamed Salah (G, 57')

LW – Sadio Mane (G, 29')

CF – Roberto Firmino (G, 55')

Shrewdly signed ahead of his golden days, moulded into a world-beater, Salah is arguably the kingpin of Klopp's reign, synonymous with the recent trophy-filled glory years on the red side of the River Mersey.

Yoro. Different man, different role, different circumstances, different leader. Possibly, though, the young centre-half could have the same impact, taking the Liverpool backline beyond the standard of which it has performed over these past several years and allowing Slot to foster a trophy-winning mentality that will collect Europe's biggest prizes over the coming years.

Liverpool have undergone a period of sweeping change but plans for success have been mapped out, no doubt. Slot has the charisma and the wherewithal to engineer a prosperous period but must now push to secure his new outfit's biggest coup since Salah.

Yoro will undoubtedly be considered among the world's best in only a few years, perhaps even sooner.

Liverpool in contention for "monster" signing who's better than Fabinho

An elite mix of clubs are all considering a move for this high-profile star.

ByAngus Sinclair Jun 24, 2024

MatériaMais Notícias

Com chuva, o Corinthians treinou na tarde desta quinta-feira, no CT Joaquim Grava em preparação para o duelo diante do Atlético-GO, que acontecerá neste domingo, às 18h15, no Estádio Antônio Accioly, em Goiânia-GO, pela 20ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro. A notícia do dia foi a ausência de Jô nos treinos.

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TABELA
> Veja classificação e simulador do Brasileirão-2021 clicando aqui

> Conheça o aplicativo de resultados do LANCE!

GALERIA
> Relembre a estreia de grandes jogadores do Corinthians na última década

No Campo 1, os atletas que atuaram por mais de 45 minutos diante do Juventude, na última terça, realizaram uma ativação com bola e, em seguida, retornaram para a parte interna do CT para novos trabalhos regenerativos com a equipe de fisioterapia, a exemplo do que aconteceu na quarta-feira.

Os demais atletas participaram do aquecimento e de um trabalho de perde-pressiona no Campo 3. Em seguida, o técnico Sylvinho separou o elenco: os zagueiros e laterais ficaram com ele para um trabalho específico de posicionamento e movimentação defensiva; enquanto os demais foram ao Campo 4 para um treinamento de ações ofensivas.

O meio-campista Adson segue na transição com a equipe de preparação física. Assim como na atividade da última quarta-feira, ele participou do aquecimento com o grupo e, depois, fez um treino com bola sob a supervisão do preparador Fabrício Pimenta. O jovem ainda é dúvida para a lista de relacionados.

Willian, por sua vez, novamente participou de toda a atividade do dia junto com os companheiros e deu mais um passo para sua estreia nesta segunda passagem pelo clube. Expectativa é de que ele seja relacionado para domingo.

Uma baixa nos treinamentos desta quinta foi o atacante Jô, que foi liberado da atividade do dia para resolver assuntos particulares. Se estivesse no CT, faria parte do grupo que se dividiu entre ativação em campo e um regenerativo.

A princípio, o camisa 77 retorna ao trabalho na manhã desta sexta-feira, juntamente com o elenco, que terá o penúltimo dia de preparação antes da viagem para Goiânia, onde enfrenta o Atlético-GO, neste domingo. Atualmente, o Corinthians é o sexto colocado no Brasileirão-2021 com 28 pontos.

continua após a publicidade

Leeds United fell short in their pursuit of an instant return to the Premier League at the first time of asking as they lost in the play-off final last weekend.

Adam Armstrong's first-half goal was enough to secure the win for Southampton at Wembley, which means that they will join Ipswich Town and Leicester City in the top-flight next term.

The Whites missed out on automatic promotion from the Championship and had to settle for the play-offs, which started well with a 4-0 aggregate win over Norwich City in the semi-finals.

Unfortunately, Daniel Farke's men did not step up to the big occasion in the capital and the club must now prepare for another season in the second tier.

Their failure to earn promotion could see players move on to raise funds this summer and one player who could depart is winger Wilfried Gnonto.

However, the Whites could land a dream replacement for the Italian youngster by immediately moving to sign a reported transfer target, should the Leeds star move on ahead of next season.

Leeds United's interest in Pro League star

Last month, GIVEMESPORT claimed that the Yorkshire-based outfit are one of a number of teams interested in signing Sint-Truidense VV winger Jarne Steuckers this summer.

The report stated that West Ham United are considering a swoop to land the young forward, whilst Southampton and Leeds have also sent scouts to watch him in action this season.

It revealed that the two Championship clubs, at the time, were keeping tabs on the talented gem's performances in Belgium, ahead of a possible deal to sign him in the next transfer window.

However, GIVEMESPORT did not state how much the Pro League side are looking for to allow their star attacker to depart ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.

Leeds could be in the market to land a right winger, which is where Steuckers operates, as Calcio Mercato claims that Gnonto is now eyeing up an exit from Elland Road this summer.

The Italian outlet reports that the 20-year-old attacker would like to return to Italy to play in the Serie A, after Milan and Fiorentina had shown interest in him last summer.

It also reveals that the winger's price tag was previously set at €20m (£17m) – warding off interest from teams in Italy – and that it remains to be seen whether or not his price has decreased due to Leeds' failure to earn promotion to the Premier League.

Wilfried Gnonto's Championship excellence for Leeds

It would be a blow for Farke and his team to lose Gnonto as the young whiz emerged as a key performer on the pitch during the second half of the Championship campaign.

The young dynamo only started 19 of his 36 appearances in the division but managed to showcase his quality as both a scorer and a creator of goals for the Whites.

No player overperformed against their xG (Expected Goals) tally by more than the Italian star, as he scored eight goals from an xG of 5.52 – an overperformance of +2.48.

Gnonto also ranked within the top 6% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the Championship for non-penalty goals per 90 (0.44), which shows that he was one of the most prolific players in his position at scoring from open play.

However, the Leeds ace ranked within the bottom 43% for assists per 90 (0.11) and only the top 43% for Expected Assisted Goals per 90 (0.15), which shows that the ex-Zurich whiz did not excel as much when it came to creating for his teammates.

23/24 Championship	Wilfried Gnonto
Appearances	36
Goals	8
Assists	2
Big chances created	5
Key passes per game	0.6
Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Gnonto made less than one key pass per game in the Championship for the Whites this season, with just two assists in 36 matches.

This shows that the Milan and Fiorentina target really got on the ball to split open the opposition's defence with passes and crosses, as his main focus was seemingly on scoring.

Overall, the right-footed gem provided excellent quality as a goalscorer and finisher for Farke but did not shine as a creator and Leeds could improve their squad by finding a player in that position who can excel as both a scorer and a creator of goals on the right flank.

Why Jarne Steuckers would be a dream replacement

The German head coach could land a dream replacement for the Italian whiz, should his wish of a move to the Serie A come true this summer, by winning the race to sign Steuckers.

Interest from West Ham and Southampton could make it a difficult deal to complete, given that they can offer Premier League football to the 22-year-old star, but Leeds could get ahead of their competitors by making a quick move for him, to show him that they are desperate to make him a key player at Elland Road.

His form over the last two seasons suggests that the potential is there for him to be a fantastic replacement and possible upgrade on Gnonto this summer, if he can adapt to Championship football.

Whilst on loan with MVV Maastricht in the Dutch second tier during the 2022/23 campaign, Steuckers racked up a staggering nine goals, nine assists, and 21 'big chances' created in 36 appearances.

That was a significantly better return than what Gnonto managed in the English second division, with one more goal, seven more assists, and a whopping 16 more 'big chances' created.

23/24 season	Jarne Steuckers (Pro League)	Wilfried Gnonto (Championship)
Appearances	35	36
Goals	6	8
Assists	7	2
xA	8.18	3.81
Big chances created	14	5
Key passes per game	2.7	0.6
Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the left-footed star continued to provide quality as a scorer and a creator of goals in the Belgian top-flight this season.

Steuckers, who U23 scout Antonio Mango lauded as "exceptional", has the potential to be a huge upgrade on Gnonto as a creator, as shown by his far superior chance creation and assist numbers over the last two years.

Leeds could sign "monster" Kamara replacement who was at Wembley on Sunday

Leeds United will attempt to still get this bold deal over the line despite not winning promotion.

By
Kelan Sarson

May 28, 2024

The 5 foot 10 magician could, therefore, be a dream replacement for the Italian this summer as he is another young winger who provides a goal threat, whilst also being able to improve Leeds' attack by creating far more high-quality chances than the 20-year-old.

أثنى آندي روبرتسون، لاعب فريق ليفربول، على زميله النجم المصري محمد صلاح بعدما قادهم إلى الفوز في مباراة اليوم ضد جيرونا، في بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.

وحل ليفربول ضيفًا على خصمه جيرونا، في الجولة السادسة من دوري أبطال أوروبا، مرحلة الدوري حيث فاز الضيوف بهدف دون رد.

ويعود الفضل في ذلك الفوز الصعب إلى محمد صلاح، الذي سجل هدف المباراة الوحيد من ضربة جزاء.

وقال روبرتسون، في تصريحات نشرها الموقع الرسمي للنادي: “نعم، لقد سجل أهدافًا، أعتقد أن محمد صلاح يلعب بشكل أفضل مما فعل الليلة – كما فعل معظمنا – ولكن عندما نحتاج إليه أكثر فإنه يتقدم”.

وأضاف: “إنه جيد جدًا في تنفيذ ركلات الجزاء، ولا نشك أبدًا في قدرته عندما نحصل على ركلات الجزاء، لحسن الحظ، نجح في تسجيل الهدف”.

اقرأ أيضًا | ليس محمد صلاح.. سلوت: تمنيت رؤية لاعب ليفربول يسجل هدفًا.. وأشعر بالأسف تجاه جيرونا

وواصل: “لقد كان الأمر يتعلق باللعب بأسلوبنا ولحسن الحظ نجحنا في الحد من فرصهم، إنه (محمد صلاح) من صنع فوزنا بالمباراة مرة أخرى”.

وأردف: “6 انتصارات من أصل 6، لا يمكنك أن تطلب أفضل من ذلك، ليس من السهل القيام بذلك، وإلا لكان هناك المزيد من الفرق التي تفعل هذا الأمر، كان أداؤنا جيدًا وفزنا في المباريات”.

واعترف: “ولكننا سبق وأن لعبنا بشكل أفضل كثيرًا مقارنة بالليلة، هذا أمر مؤكد، لم نكن في أعلى مستوياتنا الليلة، لكن في هذه المرحلة يتعلق الأمر بالفوز بالمباريات وضمان التأهل، وأعتقد أننا فعلنا ذلك”.

وأكد:”أعتقد أنه كان علينا أن نكون أكثر سيطرة، في بعض الأحيان في الشوط الأول خاصة كانت مباراة كرة سلة – ذهابًا وإيابًا – وهذا ما أرادوه، منحنا حارس مرمى فريقنا الكثير للقيام به، وهذا ليس من عاداتنا”.

وشدد: “يمكننا أن نلعب بشكل أفضل بكثير مما فعلنا لكن الحصول على ثلاث نقاط أمر بالغ الأهمية، خاصة خارج ملعبنا في دوري أبطال أوروبا”.

وفيما يخص فوزه بجائزة رجل مباراة اليوم، قال: “لقد حصلت على واحدة من قبل، أعتقد منذ عامين! أنا سعيد بالحصول عليها، من الواضح أن الأمر يتعلق بالفريق ولكن من الجيد دائمًا الحصول على هذا التقدير”.

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Embalado desde a chegada de Renato Gaúcho, que só conheceu vitórias até o momento, o Flamengo agora vira a chave para atuar pelas oitavas de final da Copa do Brasil. O primeiro desafio, o jogo da ida, será realizado contra o ABC, nesta quinta-feira, às 20h (de Brasília), no Maracanã.

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+ Veja todos os confrontos da Copa do Brasil

Renato Gaúcho, aliás, estreará pelo Flamengo na Copa do Brasil, já que o time ainda era comandado por Rogério Ceni quando eliminou o Coritiba na fase anterior. Em meio a uma dura sequência de jogos no Brasileiro e Libertadores, o treinador resolveu poupar três titulares da partida: Rodrigo Caio, Gustavo Henrique e Filipe Luís.

+Titular, misto ou reserva: como você escalaria o Flamengo para encarar o ABC? Vote!

Do outo lado, o ABC chega após perder para o Atlético-CE, pela Série D, e interromper uma série de três vitórias consecutivas. Em busca de surpreender os amplos favoritos no Rio, aequipe potiguar quer manter a pegada na Copa do Brasil, na qual eliminaram a Chapecoense, na última fase.

Confira mais informações da partida entre Flamengo e ABC:

Estádio: Maracanã, no Rio de Janeiro (RJ)
Data e hora: 29 de julho de 2021, às 20h
Árbitro:Marielson Alves Silva (BA)
​Assistentes:Alessandro Alvaro Rocha de Matos (Fifa-BA) eElicarlos Franco de Oliveira (BA)
Árbitro de vídeo:Gilberto Rodrigues Castro Junior (PE)

Onde assistir: Premiere, SporTV e Tempo Real do LANCE!

FLAMENGO (Técnico: Renato Gaúcho)
Diego Alves; Isla, Bruno Viana, Léo Pereira e Renê; Arão, Diego, Arrascaeta, Everton Ribeiro, Bruno Henrique e Gabigol.

Desfalques: César e Piris da Motta (em recuperação); Rodrigo Caio, Gustavo Henrique e Filipe Luís (poupados)
Suspenso: –
Pendurado: –

ABC (Técnico: Moacir Júnior)
Welligton, Netinho, Donato, Vinicius Leandro, Alisson Cassiano e Bruno Souza; Vinicius Paulista, Valderrama, Marcos Antônio e Wesley Pimbinha; Gustavo Henrique.

Desfalques:Ramon Baiano, Negueba, Wallyson e Soares (em recuperação)
Suspensos: –
Pendurados: –

PALPITES: Na redação do LANCE!, 90% acreditam em vitória do Flamengo; 10% apostam em empate.

Leeds United are preparing to take on Southampton at Wembley in the play-off final on Sunday, with a place in next season's Premier League up for grabs.

The Whites can seal an instant return to the top-flight by picking up a win against the Saints this weekend, which would then leave Daniel Farke and his team preparing for a huge summer transfer window.

They would need to bolster the squad to give themselves the best possible chance of avoiding an immediate drop back down to the Championship, which was the fate suffered by Burnley, Sheffield United, and Luton Town this year.

The Yorkshire-based outfit are already reportedly eyeing up a new right-back to add to the group should they win promotion to the Premier League on Sunday…

Leeds United's interest in Bundesliga ace

According to Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, Leeds have made contact over a possible deal to sign Borussia Dortmund defender Marius Wolf.

The reporter states that the Whites have "inquired" about a swoop for the German full-back, whose contract with the Bundesliga giants is set to expire this summer.

He states that the £55k-per-week ace is a "serious" option for Farke to bring to Elland Road ahead of the 2023/24 campaign, if they are in the Premier League.

However, Plettenberg adds that they face competition from clubs in Spain, Italy, and Saudi Arabia, which suggests that there could be a fight to land his services on a free transfer over the coming weeks and months.

If Leeds do win the race for his signature, though, then Farke could land an exciting partner for Italian forward Wilfried Gnonto down the right flank next time.

Why Marius Wolf could thrive with Wilfried Gnonto

The 28-year-old defender, who has played 22 matches in the Bundesliga for Dortmund this season, is a progressive and forward-thinking full-back who can bomb forward to link up with the former Zurich star in attack.

Wolf ranks within the top 15% of full-backs in the Men's Big 5 Leagues and European competitions over the last 365 days for progressive carries per 90 (2.95), as well as the top 26% for progressive passes per 90 (4.54).

This suggests that the attack-minded dynamo, who has still won 51% of his defensive ground duels in the league this season, is a very progressive player who consistently looks to drive his team up the pitch to find teammates in dangerous positions.

He also ranks within the top 19% of his positional peers in the aforementioned criteria for shot-creating actions per 90 (2.84), which illustrates how often Wolf can make things happen for his team in the final third.

This could allow him and Gnonto to thrive as an attacking pair down the right side as the Italian winger is a clinical attacker who could make the most of the Dortmund man's progressive play.

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The 20-year-old star scored eight goals from 5.47 xG in the regular Championship season – the highest overperformance on xG in the entire squad – and this speaks to his ruthless nature in front of goal.

He also ranks within the top 9% of his positional peers in the second tier for progressive passes received per 90 (11.32), which suggests that Gnonto is constantly in good positions to receive the ball from deep.

The former Inter youngster could, therefore, thrive with Wolf's impressive ability to make progressive passes and create shooting opportunities from right-back, which is why they could be an exciting pair for Leeds if the club snap him up on a free transfer.

Arsenal appear to be eyeing up a move for a free agent, with the Gunners already having him at London Colney.

Arsenal transfer rumours

Mikel Arteta’s side have been in fine form in the Premier League in 2024, with the Gunners looking to pip both Liverpool and Manchester City to the title.

Arsenal's recent Premier League results	Date
Brighton 0-3 Arsenal	April 6th
Arsenal 2-0 Luton Town	April 3rd
Manchester City 0-0 Arsenal	March 31st
Arsenal 2-1 Brentford	March 9th
Sheffield United 0-6 Arsenal	March 4th
Arsenal 4-1 Newcastle United	February 24th

However, away from the pitch, sporting director Edu Gaspar already appears to be planning for the summer.

Arsenal have been linked with a number of players in recent months, including some high-profile names such as Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, Bayer Leverkusen right-back Jeremie Frimpong and Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee.

However, the Gunners also appear to have their eyes on some young talent, looking to the future, with AC Milan starlet Franceso Camarda, Brazilian talent Douglas Mendes and Georgian teenager Vakhtang Salia all on the Emirates radar.

Another gem has now been linked with a move to north London, one who has already trained with Arsenal.

Free agent trains with Arsenal

According to reports from Denmark, relayed by Sport Witness, Arsenal have recently had highly-rated goalkeeper Lucas Martin Nygaard training with them.

The 17-year-old has been without a club since leaving FC Nordsjaelland earlier this year and has also trained with Paris Saint-Germain. The report claims that the two sides have brought him to their bases to take a good look and decide on any offer.

Fabrizio Romano says Arsenal boss Arteta absolutely loves £60m midfielder

The Spaniard is a really big admirer.

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Emilio Galantini

Apr 6, 2024

No concrete offer has been made as of yet, but it looks as if Arsenal have their eye on Martin, who Denmark U18 manager Lasse Stensgaard recently called a “real winner”.

“He’s a real winner and he will do everything he can to win. He trains insanely well and gives it his all on the pitch, and that also means that he takes the lead in that part when we play the games. He sets a standard that we are here because we have to win and not just play the game.

“In the last couple of years, he has improved his saves so that he’s also a decisive player and can take some balls, so he’s not just primarily good with his feet, but also good at what is actually in the job description.”

A move to north London could be one to keep an eye on over the coming weeks or months, especially with Martin already visiting London Colney.