All posts by h79snht.top

It wouldn’t be hyperbole to say the last few weeks have felt like something of a whirlwind for Arsenal.

After a slow start to the transfer window, the Premier League runners-up have now officially announced the signings of Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard and Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Andrea Berta and Co don’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon either, as both Viktor Gyokeres and Eberechi Eze continue to be heavily touted for moves to the Emirates.

However, the star that appears set to be announced by the club is Noni Madueke, and while he could be a hit, Mikel Arteta already has someone in his position worth millions more, and no, it’s not Bukayo Saka.

Why Arsenal want Madueke

It would be fair to say that the reaction to Arsenal’s interest and imminent signing of Madueke this week hasn’t exactly gone down well with large swathes of the fanbase.

Market Movers

Football FanCast’s Market Movers series explores the changing landscape of the modern transfer market. How much is your club’s star player or biggest flop worth today?

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The mood from some sections has been so sour that it led to journalist Sam Dean asking if any big money signing had caused such a commotion in the past.

With the final fee reported to be around £52m, it is easy to see where some fans are coming from, as in a summer in which the club needs to bring in some game-changing signings, it seems like a perplexing use of funds.

However, when we take a look at some of his data, some things jump out and point to why Arteta and Co might want to bring him in.

For example, FBref ranked him in the top 1% of attacking midfielders and wingers in Europe’s top five leagues for progressive carries and carries into the penalty area and the top 7% for total progressive carrying distance, all per 90.

Madueke’s FBref scout report

Statistics

Per 90

Percentile

Progressive Carries

6.82

Top 1%

Carries into Penalty Area

4.12

Top 1%

GCA (Defensive Action)

0.04

Top 4%

Touches (Att Pen)

8.15

Top 4%

Non-Penalty xG

0.43

Top 6%

Shots Total

3.54

Top 7%

Progressive Carrying Distance

154.28

Top 7%

Shots on Target

1.33

Top 8%

All Stats via FBref

In a team that was sometimes critiqued by fans and pundits alike last season for being too slow and predictable in build-up, these attributes could be beneficial in disrupting opposition defences.

Moreover, he would be able to provide cover for the talismanic Saka and, in turn, help prevent him from being overplayed and picking up more injuries.

However, Arteta already has a player fulfilling that role, and he’s worth millions more than Madueke.

The Arsenal star worth millions more than Madueke

Arsenal are blessed with an abundance of incredible talents in their squad, but in this instance, we are talking about none other than Ethan Nwaneri.

The tremendously exciting youngster has been someone fans have known about since his debut at just 15 years old in 2022, but it was last season that he really shot to prominence.

In fact, the teenage talent has made such a splash in the last year or so that Football Transfers now value him at around €74.3m, which comes out to about £64m, or £12m more than Madueke is set to cost.

It might seem like an absurd price tag for someone so young, but we really don’t think it is.

For example, despite starting last season as a 17-year-old, the “phenomenal” talent, as dubbed by former professional Stephen Warnock, scored nine goals and provided two assists in just 1378 senior minutes.

That means that in his first proper taste of first-team football, when playing in Europe and the toughest league in the world, he averaged a goal involvement every 125.27 minutes.

In contrast, the soon-to-be Arsenal player scored 11 goals and provided five assists in 2647 minutes, which is an average of a goal involvement every 165.43 minutes.

Nwaneri vs Madueke in 24/25

Players

Nwaneri

Madueke

Appearances

37

46

Minutes

1378′

2647′

Goals

9

11

Assists

2

5

Goal Involvements per Match

0.29

0.34

Minutes per Goal Involvement

125.27′

165.43′

All Stats via Transfermarkt

Moreover, the Enfield-born ace can play in several positions, making him even more useful than the average player.

Finally, the sheer fact that he’s looked at home in the first team at his age is a great indicator that Arsenal have a serious talent on their hands.

Ultimately, signing Madueke might work out in the long run for Arteta and Co., but he’s going to have to hit the ground running to convince the fans and see his valuation get anywhere near Nwaneri’s.

Related Eze's dream forward: Arsenal plot move for "world-class" £50m goal machine

He would be unreal for Arsenal.

Posts ByJack Salveson Holmes Jul 11, 2025

Hampshire bat out final day before declaring to deny visitors full bowling bonus points

ECB Reporters Network25-Aug-2024

Tom Prest made his second hundred of the season•Getty Images

Hampshire 424 for 8 dec (Prest 156, Albert 124, Brown 54, Critchley 5-96) drew with Essex 438 for 8 dec (Cox 141, Elgar 136, Westley 64) Centuries from Toby Albert and Tom Prest gave a glimpse of Hampshire’s batting future as their Vitality County Championship clash with Essex petered into a draw.Both homegrown batters in their early 20s, they each scored exceptional hundreds filling in – with Albert playing in place of the injured Ali Orr, and Prest elevated up the order with James Vince unable to bat in his usual position.The duo made sure Essex’s low chances of forcing 19 wickets needed for victory became non-existent, with career-best scores of 124 and 156 respectively. Matt Critchley claimed a late 5 for 96 as both teams took away 14 points – a haul that is unlikely to worry table-toppers Surrey in the fight for the title.Hampshire began the day on 40 for 1, and 398 runs in arrears, with the initial plan to avoid the follow-on, and then hunt for batting bonus points. It turned out the quest was a simple one.Albert, with Fletcha Middleton and Nick Gubbins, dead batted a way through the new ball the previous evening, on a pitch which offered zero help for the bowlers.The morning saw 106 runs for only the loss of Gubbins, for 30, after he tamely diverted to a catching midwicket following a 61-run stand with Albert.Albert, 21, has largely made the most of his chances at the top of the batting order, having replaced Orr – the former Sussex batter suffering a back injury and then a broken arm to curtail his season.He began with a maiden Championship century against Surrey in May, before impressing in the Vitality Blast – his batting styles vastly different between the formats.Albert, the son of two Olympic equestrians, reached his century in 199 balls, having cranked through the gears as the day progressed. He found a like-minded partner in Prest – who was initially due to bat at No. 7 before Vince suffered a niggle in the field, and due to his time off the pitch, wasn’t allowed to bat any higher.If Hampshire wanted a Vince doppelganger, they got it – both very watchable batters, who pace their innings seemingly for the enjoyment of the crowd.Prest had fully announced himself, after a couple of promising T20 campaigns, with a century against Essex at the Cloud County Ground, Chelmsford towards the end of last season. The 21-year-old missed the previous three Championship fixtures with a shoulder injury, but reached his third career ton in 141 deliveries – although only after he was dropped on 92 by Simon Harmer.Albert fell when reverse sweeping Critchley to deep point, which ended a 177-run partnership. But Ben Brown and Prest passed the follow-on target just before tea, before Prest began to eye up 450 – and full batting bonus points.At one point he had taken 52 runs, with Brown, in four overs – in which time he had hit Harmer for 14 and 19 in an over, brought up the century stand and reached a maiden 150.Prest fell for 156 when he advanced and holed out to long-off and Brown was bowled by Shane Snater for a 59-ball 54. Critchley then picked up Liam Dawson, Kyle Abbott and Vince in the space of four balls to claim a five-wicket haul.On his departure, Vince decided to declare the innings, reckoning 450 runs was now above them, while preventing Essex gaining from maximum bowling points.

أوضح مدرب ليفربول آرني سلوت، سبب قراره باستبدال لاعبه أليكسيس ماك أليستر خلال المباراة أمام بيرنلي بالدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وحل ليفربول ضيفًا على بيرنلي مساء اليوم الأحد في الجولة الرابعة للدوري الإنجليزي، وحقق فوزًا بهدف دون رد من ضربة جزاء سجلها محمد صلاح في الدقيقة الأخيرة للوقت المحتسب بدلاً من الضائع.

واستبدل سلوت، ماك أليستر مع بداية شوط المباراة الثاني، وكان اللاعب قد تعرض لتدخل قوي من ليزلي أوجوتشوكو في اللحظات الأخيرة من الشوط الأول، واحتاج إلى علاج طويل من الجهاز الطبي.

وقال سلوت في تصريحات نشرها موقع ليفربول الرسمي: “لقد غاب عن الكثير من فترة الإعداد لما قبل الموسم، لذا فهو مستعد لمباراة واحدة أسبوعيًا، ربما للعب لمدة 70 إلى 90 دقيقة، لعب لمدة 90 دقيقة مع الأرجنتين، وكان متعبًا للغاية بعد 70 دقيقة”.

وأضاف: “ليس لديه الاستعداد المناسب للعب ثلاث مباريات أسبوعيًا لمدة 90 دقيقة، لذلك كنت دائمًا متأكدًا اليوم من أنني سأستبدله بعد 60 دقيقة ليتمكن من اللعب يوم الأربعاء وليعود إلى المشاركة يوم السبت”.

اقرأ أيضًا | سلوت: وجود محمد صلاح مفيد طوال الوقت.. وافتقدنا السحر أمام بيرنلي

واستطرد: “كنتُ قد أجريتُ تبديلاً واحداً في الشوط الأول، لذا إذا استبدلته في الدقيقة 60، فسيكون هذا تبديلي الثاني، إذا أردتُ إجراء تبديل آخر في الدقيقة 75، فلن أستطيع فعل أي شيء في النهاية”.

وواصل: “لذلك، ومع حقيقة أن التدخل الذي تعرض له كان مؤلمًا، وأنا لست متفاجئًا من شعوره بتأثيره، كان القرار نتيجة مزيج من الأمرين”.

وأكمل سلوت: “قال إنه بخير وجيد بما يكفي للاستمرار، على الرغم من أنه كان يعرج كثيراً، لذا أعتقد أن هذا يعود إلى عقليته أكثر من قدرته على تقديم أفضل أداء لمدة 15 دقيقة إضافية”.

وأتم: “إذًا، اجتماع إصابته مع رغبتي في الحفاظ على التبديلات المتاحة بعد الدقيقة 60 كان السبب، بالإضافة إلى أننا لم نكن نلعب بشكل جيد، أردت إدخال سوبوسلاي إلى الوسط لزيادة اللاعبين القادرين على اقتحام منطقة الجزاء، إذن القرار كان له عدة أسباب وكان جزئيًا تكتيكيًا”.

Last summer was a poor one for Liverpool as far as transfer business was concerned.

The sole incoming was that of Italian Federico Chiesa, who moved to Anfield in a deal worth just £12.5m.

Well, a lack of business mattered not as far as Arne Slot was concerned. No Jurgen Klopp, no problem. No mass recruitment, no problem. The Reds still went on to win the Premier League.

Fast forward and the Merseysiders have made an almighty splash in the transfer market, bringing in the likes of Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, Florian Wirtz and before too long, Hugo Ekitike is set to be confirmed as a new Liverpool player.

Fabrizio Romano gave the deal his famous ‘here we go’ on Sunday, noting that the French forward is set to sign a six-year deal after a fee of £78m was agreed with Eintracht Frankfurt.

Liverpool may not be done there, however.

Liverpool's transfer plans after signing Hugo Ekitike

Next on the agenda for Richard Hughes and Co will surely be slimming the squad a little. Darwin Nunez has been widely expected to leave for much of the summer while Luis Diaz, subject of a bid from Bayern Munich last week, could still depart.

Should more funds be generated, then a move for Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi could still come to fruition. An agreement on personal terms was reached earlier in the summer, but a club-to-club agreement has not yet been reached between the Eagles and the Reds.

Liverpool appear to be keen on a number of domestic players with fellow Palace star Adam Wharton a target for next summer and Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers also on their radar.

TBR Football report that Chelsea are devising a plan to try and sign Rogers this summer but they will face competition from Arsenal and Liverpool who have ‘maintained a watching brief’ of the player.

Previous reports have suggested that Villa would be looking for a fee of £100m in order to sell.

What Morgan Rogers could offer to Liverpool

While this move feels extremely unlikely this summer given the funds Liverpool have already spent on new recruits, if they could maintain their interest in upcoming windows, he’d be a fabulous signing for Slot’s side.

Transfer Focus

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Once of Manchester City’s academy, Rogers quietly went about his business in the EFL with the likes of Lincoln City and Middlesbrough before Villa came calling.

In the Midlands, the attacking midfielder has become a genuine sensation. He’s now an England international and deservedly so when you consider the numbers he generated throughout the 2024/25 season.

It’s safe to say it was the best year of young Rogers’ career, scoring 14 goals and registering 15 assists in all competitions.

The 22-year-old didn’t just dazzle in the Premier League but he also took to Champions League football like a duck to water, scoring four goals in 12 games, three of which came in one game as he netted a sensational hat-trick against Celtic.

A goalscorer, a creator, and someone who can play through the middle as well as on the flanks, there are similarities with new Liverpool signing, Wirtz.

If you thought the art of the number 10 role was dying out, then you only need to look at Wirtz. However, he’s not just an attacking midfielder, but also someone who can play in a wider role, just as Rogers can.

Rogers vs Wirtz in 2024/25 (league only)

Stat (per 90 mins)

Rogers

Wirtz

Goals

0.23

0.38

Assists

0.29

0.46

Key passes

1.47

2.18

Progressive passes

3.55

6.74

Shot-creating actions

3.03

5.67

Successful take-ons

1.91

3.14

Progressive carries

3.29

5.02

Stats via FBRef.

Analysing the data above, it’s clear to see why Wirtz has been described as “the best midfielder in the world” by former Leverkusen striker Patrick Helmes. He’s a generational talent and the fact his data is so far ahead of Rogers, one of the Premier League’s most exciting young players, says a lot.

Still, Rogers does hold his own and if Liverpool are looking to sign England’s version of Wirtz, they’d find few better candidates than the Villa star. He’s notably progressive, ranking inside the top 20% of positionally similar players in the English top-flight for attempted take-ons.

In the words of The Athletic’s Jacob Tanswell, he’s been an “unstoppable” force over the last year and while he falls some way short of Wirtz in a lot of areas, this is a player who’s already been there and done it in the Premier League.

Principally, he scores goals like Wirtz and he creates them like Wirtz. What’s not to like?

Related Similar to Wirtz: Liverpool want to sign "special" £112m Diaz replacement

He could be an unbelievable addition for the Reds.

Posts ByHenry Jackson Jul 14, 2025

أوضح طه إسماعيل، لاعب الأهلي الأسبق، رأيه في أداء الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بالقلعة الحمراء، في الفترة الأخيرة، وذلك بعد الأزمة التي يمر بها النادي، وتراجع النتائج.

وقال طه إسماعيل في تصريحات عبر قناة “أون سبورت” عن رأيه في أداء الأهلي: “لا يوجد فريق يستمر في القمة دائمًا، أوقات تحدث عملية هبوط لأسباب كثيرة واضحة وغير واضحة”.

وأوضح: “مثال على ذلك مانشستر سيتي، معه أفضل لاعبين في العالم وأفضل مدرب في العالم ومع ذلك لم يتوج بأي بطولة في الموسم الماضي وهذا الموسم لا زال يُحاول، هو نفسه غير قادر على تشخيص حالته، وهو يؤكد دائمًا أنه لن يستغنى عن طريقة الاستحواذ”.

طالع أيضاً.. محمد بركات: أؤيد الأهلي في بيانه.. ولدينا حكام قليلي الخبرة

وتابع: “الفرق بدأت تركز على الشق الدفاعي، وأصبحت الأمور صعبة، لذلك المدرب ظل يبحث عن الخلل، وحاول أن يتطور في مزج النقل والاستحواذ من وسط الملعب واللعب الطويل واستغلال المساحات، علاوة على الأمور الفردية، لأنك عندما تفقد المهارات الفردية تجعلك تقدم أداء روتينيًا”.

وأفاد: “النادي الأهلي، أرى أنه مر هذا الموسم ببعض المشاكل سواء برحيل المدرب ريبيرو، وأمر آخر بخصوص الصفقات، أحيانًا عندما يكون لديك نجوم كثيرة مثلما هذا الأمر له ميزة أحيانًا يكون عيبًا، في كل مركز يوجد نجمان، أحدهما سيشارك، ولو حاولت أن توفق الأمور وتدفع بالثنائي سيحدث تغيير في المراكز وهذا أيضًا سيتسبب في مشكلة”.

وأتم: “عندما تصنع توازنًا في الفريق، لو أكثرت من النجوم في كل مركز هذا يتسبب في مشكلة”.

India A remain in contention to finish on top of the table heading into the final round

ESPNcricinfo staff15-Sep-2024

File photo: Tanush Kotian picked up five wickets in the match•PTI

India A bounced back from a first-round defeat to record a 186-run win over the Shreyas Iyer-led India D to remain in contention to finish on top of the table heading into the final round of the 2024-25 Duleep Trophy.Having set India D a target of 488, they were made to toil for 82 overs to earn an outright, with Shams Mulani and Tanush Kotian playing key roles with the ball, picking up seven wickets between them. Mulani was named Player of the Match for his four wickets in the match along with his crucial first-innings 89 that helped India A set up the game.Resuming on 62 for 1, Bhui drove the innings and brought up his 18th first-class hundred, but none of the other batters managed to play out time. Iyer and Sanju Samson, both of whom missed out in the first innings, made 41 and 40 respectively.Bhui and Yash Dubey put on 100 for the second wicket as India D’s pursuit to secure a draw received a massive leg up. But the run out of Dubey followed by Devdutt Padikkal’s dismissal on 1 off Shams Mulani set them back.Iyer and Samson were typically adventurous and batted with flair, at no point looking to rein their natural game. Iyer became Mulani’s second victim when he was bowled. That wicket opened the floodgates for his Mumbai team-mate Kotian to get into the thick of things. Kotian ended up with a four-for as he sliced through the lower order to seal victory in the final session.India A’s other notable performers included 32-year-old Railways batter Pratham Singh and Hyderabad batter Tilak Varma, both of whom slammed hundreds to set up a declaration late on the third day.

Having claimed full batting points, Essex now need to bowl out Surrey twice to finish third, ahead of Somerset

ECB Reporters Network28-Sep-2024

Dean Elgar recorded his fourth century of the campaign•Getty Images

Essex batters Dean Elgar, Tom Westley and Matt Critchley filled their boots with a century apiece as Vitality County champions Surrey suffered a post-title-winning hangover at Chelmsford.The former South African captain, batting ostensibly on one leg, led the way by posting 182, the highest of his four centuries for Essex this season during a stay at the crease that began on Thursday morning and ended 102 overs later on Saturday evening – five sessions having been wiped out by the weather on days one and two.Elgar and Westley put on a record 253 in 59 overs to eclipse the 95-year-old best of 206 for the second wicket against Surrey. Elgar then piled on further agony by adding 168 for the third wicket with Critchley, who played freely for his 112 from 171 balls before Essex declared on 508 for 8. Earlier, Westley had been in such explosive form that 106 of his 135 runs came in boundaries (25 fours, one six).Essex require 17 points from the game to finish ahead of Somerset in third place on games won. They have already pocketed the maximum five for batting and now need to bowl Surrey out twice on the final day of the season. Surrey finished the penultimate day on 30 for the loss of captain Rory Burns, caught at point off Simon Harmer.Under sunny skies, in contrast to the rain of the first two days, the third morning was only nine balls old when Elgar tweaked his left calf and required four minutes’ worth of treatment. He hobbled on manfully, picking the right moment to amble through for easy singles and the odd two but not contemplating anything too sharp.With Elgar largely incapacitated, Westley farmed the bowling in the lead-up to his century, hitting eight boundaries to every part of Chelmsford against James Taylor and Yousef Majid in a ferocious 21-ball blitz. He raced through the nineties and on to three-figures from 141 deliveries with three fours in five balls off Taylor, including one off the backfoot that rocketed past point.Westley twice waltzed down the wicket in three balls to deposit former Essex team-mate Dan Lawrence over his head for a one-bounce four followed by a maximum. Elgar watched the Westley show before finally driving Majid through the covers for a boundary of his own and then reaching his century from 169 balls, 28 slower than his partner.Westley was finally out just after the partnership went past 250 when he picked out Tom Lawes on the long-leg boundary to give Yousef Majid a maiden first-class wicket. The 21-year-old spinner did not celebrate the milestone, however, echoing the subdued mood within the fielding ranks. That feeling of after the Lord Mayor’s Show continued into the afternoon with a series of misfields as Critchley was the latest batsmen to tuck into some ordinary fare served up by a below-par Surrey attack.Nowhere did the Elgar limp look more noticeable than the quick single to reach his 150 from 234 balls. He took Essex to 400 with his 19th four, an audacious uppercut off Lawes to the boundary backward of point, but fell when chipping Ryan Patel to short extra cover to spark a middle-order collapse.Patel claimed three wickets in seven balls – and finished with 3 for 41 from 12 overs – when Luc Benkenstein played all around a slower ball and Paul Walter scooped to mid-on as Essex slipped from 425 for 2 to 433 for 5. Majid claimed his second wicket on debut when he had Adam Rossington lbw, but not before Essex had claimed all five batting points.Critchley became the third centurion of the day when he pulled Ollie Sykes to square leg, but was the first of two late wickets for Taylor, holing out in the covers. Shane Snater was then bowled to bring about the declaration.

حسم التعادل الإيجابي مباراة المقاولون العرب ضد فاركو، بهدف لكل فريق ضمن منافسات مسابقة الدوري المصري الممتاز.

والتقى المقاولون العرب وفاركو ضمن منافسات الجولة السابعة من عمر مسابقة الدوري المصري الممتاز على ملعب عثمان أحمد عثمان.

وجاء الهدف الأول لصالح المقاولون العرب عن طريق محمد أبو جودة في الدقيقة الثالثة من الوقت بدل الضائع من الشوط الأول، 

وتمكن فاركو من التعادل عن طريق رامز مدحت في الدقيقة 79 من عمر اللقاء.

طالع.. وكيله: على الأهلي معاملة إمام عاشور باحترام.. لديه عروض وجلبت 650 مليونًا للنادي

بهذا التعادل، رفع المقاولون العرب رصيده إلى 4 نقاط في المركز الثامن عشر من جدول ترتيب الدوري المصري الممتاز بينما فاركو رفع رصيده إلى 3 نقاط في المركز الـ20. أهداف مباراة المقاولون العرب وفاركو

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been given a couple of major transfer boosts this week, interestingly coming right after his pre-AC Milan press conference, where the Spaniard pleaded for new signings.

Related Medical soon: Arsenal due to sign their new Ian Wright "within 24 hours"

The supremely dangerous attacker could break records at Arsenal.

Posts ByJack Salveson Holmes Jul 22, 2025

Arteta was clear in his desire to carry on reinforcing the Gunners squad ahead of their fourth-successive campaign challenging for the Premier League title.

The 43-year-old told members of the media that Arsenal require more strength in depth and quality across the board, despite the north Londoners having already confirmed deals for goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard and Noni Madueke.

Arsenal estimated transfer spending under Arteta (via Sky Sports)

Money on new signings

19/20 – winter

£0

20/21 – summer

£81.5m

20/21 – winter

£900k

21/22 – summer

£156.8m

21/22 – winter

£1.8m

22/23 – summer

£121.5m

22/23 – winter

£59m

23/24 – summer

£208m

23/24 – winter

£0

24/25 – summer

£101.5m

24/25 – winter

£0

25/26 – summer

£140m

“There’s still a long time in the window, and we are seeking still, in terms of numbers, we are short, and we have to improve the depth and quality of the squad,” said Arteta.

“We are constantly looking in the market. Until that happens, focus on the players we have and focus on them, and I’m very pleased with what I have seen in the last 10-15 days.”

After a flurry of exciting reports in the last 24 hours, Arteta has got his wish.

News emerged that Cristhian Mosquera has flown out to join Arsenal’s squad for their pre-season tour of Asia, after they agreed a deal with Valencia to sign the defender for £17 million, including add-ons (ESPN).

As well as this, following extensive talks surrounding add-ons, Arsenal have now finally sealed a full agreement for Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres, with Fabrizio Romano dropping his famous ‘here we go’ line as Arteta prepares to welcome his long-sought-after number nine.

Arsenal struggled against sides in the low block last season, bagging just 69 Premier League goals and drawing more matches than any other side in the top 10, so Gyokeres’ arrival could be crucial to their chances of glory next term.

Andrea Berta makes Viktor Gyokeres promise to Mikel Arteta

Arteta will want to get to work with his brand-new centre-forward, who scored 54 goals in all competitions across 2024/2025, as soon as possible.

According to journalist Graeme Bailey, in an interview with The Boot Room, Berta has promised Arteta that Gyokeres will be with Arsenal’s squad “by the weekend” – so it won’t be long until supporters, at long last, get to see the Swede don red and white.

Goalkeeper David Raya, before he faced-off against Gyokeres in the Champions League last campaign, was full of praise for the 27-year-old, and he’ll now have the chance to play alongside him.

“We know his strengths, how he runs a lot in behind and scores a lot in one-v-one and he is a top player in form,” Raya said in a press conference.

“We are going to try and keep him very, very quiet. Don’t give him any chances. We have to step up defensively. Hopefully we can do a great job and keep a clean sheet.”

Their partnership provided the base as Sri Lanka comfortably chased down a DLS-adjusted target of 232 in Pallekele

Madushka Balasuriya20-Oct-2024

Charith Asalanka and Nishan Madushka put up a solid stand•Getty Images

A 137-run stand between Charith Asalanka and debutant Nishan Madushka provided the base as Sri Lanka comfortably chased down a DLS-adjusted target of 232 in Pallekele, to take a 1-0 lead in the series.Asalanka top-scored with a 71-ball 77, while Madushka finished with 69 off 54. Both departed unable to see the chase through, but considering the precarious position at which they had come together – 45 for 3 in the seventh over – they had done more than enough to ensure the win.Kamindu Mendis was there at the end to see the win through, with an unbeaten 30 off 21, and alongside him was Janith Liyanage on a run-a-ball 18.Left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie was the pick of the bowlers for the visitors, with figures of 3 for 47, while Alzarri Joseph grabbed two. Despite having reinforced their spin reserves in preparation for a dry Pallekele surface, none were able to offer as much penetration as Motie.While Motie too went at over six an over he at least posed a wicket-taking threat. This was not something the pair of Roston Chase and Hayden Walsh Jr. could boast, as they gave up 80 runs in the 10 overs between them.While this was down to a combination of errant bowling and ruthless batting, the West Indian spinners were also impacted by a wet ball as a result of a wet outfield. The rain also meant that the pitch had become easier to bat on by the time Sri Lanka took lease of the wicket.Earlier, Sherfane Rutherford’s counterattack had been cut short by rain to bring to a premature close the West Indies innings on 185 for 4 after 38.3 overs.But even with that caveat, the way Sri Lanka approached their chase made them well worth their victory. Madushka, making his debut in place of the injured Pathum Nissanka, opened the innings alongside Avishka Fernando but by the time he faced his fifth delivery in ODI cricket, Sri Lanka had found themselves already two down.Alzarri Joseph struck twice early•Getty Images

Avishka drove a widish delivery straight to point, while Kusal Mendis – who had looked in good nick with a trio of enterprising boundaries – top-edged an attempted pull. This brought Sadeera Samarawickrama to the crease, and he wasted little time taking the initiative, striking Jayden Seales for three boundaries in the fifth over of the chase.With the threat of rain looming, Sri Lanka’s game plan was clear – get ahead of the DLS equation. But when Sadeera fell, courtesy an absolute peach from Motie that knocked back off stump, Sri Lanka were suddenly at the risk of letting the game slip into dangerous territory – even with the safety of being able to bat until No 9.But if those watching on were feeling nervous, Sri Lanka’s skipper hardly let it show. Off just the second delivery he faced he swept Motie for four, before driving him exquisitely through the covers an over later. Madushka, who up until this point was content to turn over the strike to his more aggressive partners, finally notched his first boundary in the 10th over.And this partnership scarcely took the foot off the gas as the West Indies struggled to maintain tight lines and lengths. Between the 10th and 20th over only two overs didn’t contain a boundary, as Sri Lanka racked up 72 runs in that period. And the scoring only accelerated from that point on, with a further 41 runs scored between overs 20-25.Madushka eventually edged to slip, with Asalanka following shortly after trapped leg before – both off Motie – but the required run rate had dropped to nearly four an over by that point, and any peril long since neutralised.Nishan Madushka celebrates his maiden ODI fifty, which came on debut•Associated Press

West Indies’ best period of the game had occurred much earlier. Prior to the rain intervention, they had been in the process of regaining some lost momentum with Rutherford and Chase in the middle of an 85-run fifth-wicket stand off 78 deliveries.Wanindu Hasaranga had taken two wickets, while Jeffrey Vandersay and Asalanka had one apiece. But on a dry Pallekele surface, West Indies knew a trial by spin was always on the cards after they had won the toss and elected to bat.Dunith Wellalage was into the attack as early as the fifth over – and even before that medium pacer Liyanage had resorted to offcutters on a hard length – while spin was in effect from both ends not long after.Despite a promising opening stand it wasn’t long before West Indies had stumbled to 54 for 3, with Rutherford joining Keacy Carty in the middle, and the scoring rate now hovering at around four an over. It was during this period that Sri Lanka’s spinners took total control, as West Indies were content to play it safe, racking up numerous dot deliveries, and picking up the odd ones and twos.A Rutherford cut for four in the 17th over was the first West Indies boundary in 47 deliveries; by the traditional halfway point of 25 overs, they had inched to 94 for 3. It was here that a frustrated Carty unleashed a powerful one-handed loft over long-on for six to break the shackles somewhat, but that relief was shortlived as he fell going for a repeat performance the very next delivery. That brought to an end a 46-run partnership – the West Indies’ best of the innings until that point.But with the dependable Chase alongside him, Rutherford continued as before, picking off singles and attempting to pounce on any rare loose deliveries. But as their confidence grew and a persistent drizzle greased the surface, the pair struck 43 in the last five overs they faced. With the death overs still to come, a total in the region of 275 was on the cards. But then the rains came.