West Ham United recorded their first win since January 14th, having lost three and drawn one in between. Graham Potter’s side beat 2nd-placed Arsenal 1-0, despite only having 32% possession, taking five shots, creating just one “big chance” and generating 1.20 xG.
The Hammers managed to frustrate Arsenal, sitting in a compact mid-block defensively, only allowing the Gunners to create one “big chance” from their 20 shots in the game, as Mikel Arteta’s side only generated 1.23 xG in the match.
Whilst performances have been improving under Potter since his arrival, the results hadn’t quite followed until now, but this sort of victory against their London rivals could be exactly what his side needs to really kick on for the back end of the season.
And it was the goal from Jarrod Bowen that secured all three points for Potter’s side, earning them a huge London Derby victory at the Emirates.
Jarrod Bowen's performance vs Arsenal
Bowen has made 23 appearances for the Hammers so far this season, scoring eight goals and providing four assists in all competitions.
Performance in Numbers
Not only playing as a right-winger but also filling in as a centre-forward at times, Bowen is a crucial part of the team’s success.
The 28-year-old winger scored his goal, took two shots in the game (one on target), completed six out of seven accurate passes and won two of his six ground duels in the match. Despite not being overly involved, only having 17 touches, it was his important touch that secured all three points.
But it wasn’t just Bowen who helped West Ham to this huge victory, as the man of the match went to another individual was crucial in that first-half clincher…
West Ham's standout star vs Arsenal
A man of the match display from Aaron Wan-Bissaka included a lovely assist for Bowen’s goal, a 75% aerial duel win rate, a 75% successful dribbles rate and two key passes from his 48 touches, showing his creative essence for the side, alongside his usual defensive dominance.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka vs Arsenal performance
Stat
Wan-Bissaka
Minutes
90
Assists
1
Touches
48
Clearances
6
Blocked Shots
1
Tackles
1
Ground Duels Won
6/10
Aerial Duels Won
3/4
Key Passes
2
Successful Dribbles
3/4
Stats taken from Sofascore
Wan-Bissaka has made 27 appearances so far this season for the Hammers, scoring two goals and providing two assists, showing he can play as a nominal right-back under Julen Lopetegui, but also showing something slightly different under Potter.
The Mail’s James Sharpe described Wan-Bissaka as a “rampaging” wingback after his display against Arsenal, stating that he never knew he had it in him. The 27-year-old is largely seen as a “frequent source of genuine excitement” within the fanbase, despite the poor season they are having.
Potter will be hoping Wan-Bissaka can continue in this fine form, as he looks to climb the table with West Ham, dragging them as far away from the relegation zone as possible, and perhaps mounting a top-half charge in the final third of the season.
As for the former Manchester United man, it looks as if the Hammers have well and truly hit the jackpot with his bargain £15m capture.
West Ham player "in talks" to leave with February transfer expected
Joining a busy race ahead of the summer transfer window, Chelsea have now reportedly set their sights on signing a Champions League gem for Enzo Maresca after already sending their scouts his way.
Chelsea transfer news
The Blues rarely find themselves out of the transfer headlines and this summer is likely to be no different. Even after splashing the cash last season, those at Stamford Bridge are still on course to miss out on Champions League qualification and could turn towards further reinforcements as a result.
Among those already reportedly on their radar is Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens. The former Manchester City gem has been on the rise ever since leaving the Etihad and could now follow in Jadon Sancho’s footsteps by returning to the Premier League. Of course, the irony is that the Dortmund star would likely replace Sancho in Enzo Maresca’s strongest Chelsea side.
It’s not just attacking reinforcements who have seemingly caught the attention of the West London club, however. According to The Boot Room, Chelsea have now joined the race to sign Lamine Camara from AS Monaco this summer in what is set to be a hectic pursuit for his signature.
As the summer approaches, Chelsea are reportedly joined by Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa and Liverpool – among others – in the race to sign the young central midfielder.
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He’s one for the future…
1 ByTom Cunningham Mar 1, 2025
Having sent their scouts to watch the 21-year-old in action for themselves, Chelsea could flex their financial muscles once again when the summer transfer window swings open to welcome a rising star who already has 23 caps for Senegal.
"Excellent" Camara could complete Chelsea's midfield
With Enzo Fernandez dipping in and out of form and Romeo Lavia struggling for fitness once again this season, the one constant in Chelsea’s midfield has been Moises Caicedo, who has been better than ever. But he can’t be asked to perform the job of three players on a consistent basis and the arrival of Camara would put an end to that at Stamford Bridge.
Starts
17
27
Progressive Passes
101
136
Tackles Won
31
46
Ball Recoveries
97
159
Playing 10 games less, the £15,000-a-week star has managed to keep up with Caicedo in most departments and has particularly excelled in possession, completing over 100 progressive passes.
Praised for his “excellent” ability to switch play by analyst Ben Mattinson, it should come as little shock that Europe’s best clubs are forming a queue to secure the Monaco star’s signature this summer.
Lamine Camara for Aston Villa.
Just who emerges to lead that line remains to be seen, but if Champions League football does prove to be a factor then Chelsea could face an uphill battle. With just 11 Premier League games remaining, the Blues have got plenty of work to do in the race to finish inside the top four.
يستعد منتخب البحرين، لاستمكال مشواره في تصفيات آسيا المؤهلة لكأس العالم 2026، بمواجهة قوية اليوم الثلاثاء أمام منافسه الصين.
ويحل منتخب البحرين ضيفاً على الصين، في استاد تشونجكينج الأولمبي، في إطار مواجهات الجولة العاشرة من تصفيات كأس العالم.
ويتواجد منتخب البحرين في المجموعة الثالثة لـ تصفيات كأس العالم، بجانب منتخبات اليابان وأستراليا وإندونيسيا والسعودية والصين.
طالع أيضاً.. أشرف داري: مواجهة افتتاح كأس العالم للأندية ستكون قوية.. ويوضح الفارق بين مونديال الأندية والمنتخبات
ويحتل منتخب البحرين المركز الخامس في جدول ترتيب المجموعة برصيد 6 نقاط، بينما تتواجد الصين في المركز السادس والأخير بنفس عدد النقاط. موعد مباراة البحرين والصين في تصفيات آسيا لكأس العالم
تنطلق المباراة اليوم الثلاثاء في تمام الساعة الثانية ظُهراً بتوقيت مصر والسعودية. القنوات الناقلة لمباراة البحرين والصين في تصفيات كأس العالم
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– الكأس القطرية 7 مُعلق مباراة البحرين والصين اليوم
يتولى عبده التعليق على المباراة عبر قناة beIN Sports HD 1.
ويُمكنكم متابعة أحداث مباريات اليوم لحظة بلحظة من مركز المباريات من هنــــا
The India fast bowler reflects on his Test comeback in Bangladesh after a gap of nearly 12 years
ESPNcricinfo staff27-Dec-20222:34
Jaffer: In the end, choosing Unadkat over Kuldeep proved justified
Jaydev Unadkat and Cheteshwar Pujara have been iconic figures for Saurashtra in domestic cricket. However, between Unadkat’s two Tests, Pujara played 97 matches for India in the red-ball format, establishing himself as the No. 3 in a famed batting line-up. When Unadkat, called up as a replacement for Mohammed Shami, finally landed in Chattogram after a visa delay and wore India whites, Pujara was delighted.”I wasn’t playing in the first game but I wore the shirt for the first time he said ‘you are looking good’. That came straight from the heart and I could see how happy he was for me,” Unadkat told PTI after returning from Bangladesh.”It was special to play with him. He told me to keep pushing myself all these years to get that chance. He has been part of the team for more than 10 years now, I look up to him in a way that I also want to be part of the team the way he has been. With all ups and downs he faced in his career and still play 98 Tests has been immensely motivating for me.”Fresh from the India Under-19 side in 2010, Unadkat’s Test debut 12 years ago was a forgettable one. He had figures of 0 for 101 in the only innings India bowled in that Test versus South Africa. But the 31-year-old left-arm seamer made his vast domestic experience count in his second Test, against Bangladesh, last week.India were wicketless with the new ball for close to 15 overs after Bangladesh chose to bat. Najmul Hossain Shanto and Zakir Hasan were steady and watchful. Brought on as first change, Unadkat kept landing the ball in the zone around off stump and kept varying his length on a flat Mirpur track. He finally got a length ball to jump off a good length and had Hasan caught at gully – his first wicket in Test cricket.Jaydev Unadkat dismissed Zakir Hasan for his first Test wicket•AFP/Getty Images”I was trying to extract bounce off length and I felt I could do that,” Unadkat said. “The feeling [of bagging his first Test wicket] will remain one of the most special memories of my cricketing career. Getting a Test wicket is something I visualised 1000 times.”I got my chance as the management felt I was suited to the pitch. The conditions were similar [to Rajkot]. [There was] not a lot of pace off the wicket and you will have to extract whatever you can by hitting the length hard. I knew if I will stick to my strengths, there will be something coming my way and that is how I got that extra bounce.”Unadkat had replaced Kuldeep Yadav, who was the player of the match in the first Test, in India’s XI for the second match, a move that divided opinions. On a surface expected to turn as the match wore on, India had picked three seamers after playing three spinners in the first game. Unadkat said he did not feel the extra pressure of replacing Kuldeep.”I just wanted to contribute,” he said. “If not take a wicket then create pressure from the other end. That was the thought.”Domestic cricket has helped me immensely that way. You always have a role to play as a bowler even when you aren’t getting the wickets. You can create pressure and put batter in doubt and other bowlers can capitalise on that.”While a Test call-up eluded him for about 12 years, Unadkat toiled away on the domestic circuit and led Saurashtra to plenty of success. He picked up 67 wickets in 2019-20, when Saurashtra won the Ranji Trophy for the first time. Over the last three seasons in the competition, he has taken 115 wickets in 21 matches.
“I wasn’t playing in the first game but I wore the shirt for the first time he said ‘you are looking good’. He told me to keep pushing myself all these years to get that chance.”Unadkat on the backing he received from Cheteshwar Pujara
“I always believed that I would get another chance,” he said. “I didn’t know how, to be honest, as the Indian pacers were doing well over the past thee four years. I was getting inspired watching them to be honest.”Leading Saurashtra has helped me focus on my game and not be distracted by anything else. It has helped me see the future. Captaining Saurashtra, I am not just caring for my own performance but also of others and team goals. That kept me going.”[The comeback] was very emotional for my family, my wife, who was not around in 2010 when I made my debut,” he said. “She believed in me more than I did. And when I got to know that I was playing, I felt the same goosebumps I felt 12 years ago.”I was pretty young when I made my debut. All these years [at domestic level] I never felt like a veteran. I am still 31 and at my peak. These four to five years would be the peak of my career and I want to continue as much as I can.”India’s next Test series is at home against Australia in January-February, but Unadkat isn’t looking that far ahead. “I don’t want to expect things as that has been helping me honestly. I am looking forward to the next round of Ranji, and that is all I am thinking about. If it has to happen, it will happen.”
He has also called for more regular fixtures between the sides, who are meeting in a Test match for the first time since January 2016
Tristan Lavalette29-Nov-2022
‘We have to play ten days of hard cricket, that’s our main focus’ – Kraigg Brathwaite•Getty Images
Twelve millimetres of grass have been left on the Optus Stadium pitch for the first Test between Australia and West Indies starting on Wednesday, with head curator Isaac McDonald tipping “good pace and bounce” from the surface.Fireworks are expected as both teams are blessed with explosive pace attacks. There is also the notion of the visitors’ batting crumbling against Australia’s star-studded trio of quicks, who dominated the two previous Tests at this ground: against India in 2018, and New Zealand in 2019. But West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite believes they can still defy those expectations.”We want to bat [for] 100 overs, the main focus is to have discipline,” he told reporters on the eve of the Test. “We have batsmen that can get on with it, so it’s not to stop them. It’s for them to do the processes throughout the entire innings. It’s not to change anyone’s game.Related
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“I think [batting] time is always great to have in Test cricket… to believe they can do it. We know Australia is a superior team. We have to play ten days of hard cricket, that’s our main focus.”While planning to muster the effort, Brathwaite confirmed that Tagenarine Chanderpaul, the son of legendary batter Shivnarine, would make his Test debut after impressing last week with 119 and 56 in the practice match against Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra.”He will do extremely well at this higher level,” Brathwaite said, having played 18 Tests in the company of Shivnarine during the early part of his career. “He has a lot of patience, and a good defence. He was an example for us in the first game, and we take a leaf out of his book for the series. I think Tag will do a fantastic job, and let’s hope he can do even greater things than his father.”Brathwaite on Tagenarine Chanderpaul – ‘He was an example for us in the [tour] game, and we take a leaf out of his book for the series•Getty Images
Brathwaite also said middle-order batter Jermaine Blackwood would be available for the Perth Test after suffering a nasty blow to the head during training on Monday, and that fast bowler Jayden Seales had overcome a knee issue. But West Indies will be without allrounder Raymon Reifer due to a groin injury for at least the first Test, with their final line-up still undetermined.Having “started the process” towards a red-ball cricket renaissance with home series victories over England and Bangladesh earlier in the year, West Indies are eyeing a drought-breaking triumph in Australia, where they haven’t won a Test match since February 1997.And as classic battles between the teams from the 1990s enjoy reruns on Australian pay television ahead of the series, nostalgia is swelling for the Frank Worrell Trophy’s heyday when it was a marquee series, and was fiercely contested.”We know Test cricket is real cricket,” Brathwaite said. “As a team, we want to do well for the Caribbean, and want youngsters to play Test cricket for West Indies. Obviously we were great in the past, and we use it as motivation to get to that level. If we stick together as a group, we can improve and get to those great levels.”Brathwaite also hoped that a competitive series would lead to more regular fixtures between Australia and West Indies after just five Tests between them in the previous seven-plus years. The last of them came in Sydney, on West Indies’ tour to Australia in 2015-16; they have played England in as many as 12 Tests since.”We play England quite often… once we play more [against Australia] often, I think it would be much better,” Brathwaite said. “Playing Australia quite often would be good for us to challenge ourselves against one of the best teams in the world. We are aiming to get back to that standard, but this trophy still means a lot to us.”
Ruben Dias' ex-girlfriend has appeared to brand the Manchester City star a "monster" after he went public with TV personality Maya Jama.
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Dias begins dating TV personality Jama
Celebrity couple go public with romance
Man City star's ex appears to call him a "monster"
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WHAT HAPPENED?
Mariana Goncalves, aka April Ivy, posted a video of her new song where she sings about an old relationship and calls her former partner a "danger". The singer does not name Dias, while saying in it she had "created a monster", but the Daily Mail claims the timing of it and lyrics used are suspicious, just as Jama and Dias went public with their romance.
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THE GOSSIP
Dias, 28, was reportedly in a relationship with Portuguese pop star Ivy, 25, between 2018 and 2021 and lived together in Manchester after his £61 million ($81m) transfer from Benfica. They are said to have split over lifestyle differences and now Jama, 30, and Dias are dating.
WHAT IVY SAID
On her Instagram page, she sang: "I saw a picture. You guys look so good together. The both of you, you both look so happy. Just as everyone says, I created a monster. He learned everything with me, then became a danger and left. To give some context, what you see doesn't come from thin air. I know you're going to love what was tiring me. What he wears, I bought. His perfume, I gave. His favourite song, I showed. He is me. Keep him now, he's yours."
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WHAT NEXT?
Aside from subtle, or not so subtle, jibes, Dias will hope to lead City to FA Cup glory when they take on Crystal Palace at Wembley on Saturday.
Don Goodman has given Wrexham a warning after a third successive promotion secured a place in the Championship for the first time in 43 years.
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Goodman believes Wrexham's target should be to surviveAmerican owners have overseen remarkable riseHe believes Jamie Vardy would be 'Hollywood' signingFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Wrexham have been unstoppable since they were promoted from the National League in 2022, becoming the first club ever in England's top five tiers to win three successive promotions but former Wolves and Sunderland striker Goodman believes the Championship may be too big a step as Wrexham look to continue on the same trajectory. The primary ambition for owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney next season should be to survive, Goodman told BoyleSports, who offer the latest Football odds.
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Next season will be an intriguing one in the Championship, as big spenders Wrexham and Birmingham will both look to make an impact after commanding promotion campaigns from League One. Both sides are likely to face more obstacles in the second tier, with a big step up in terms of quality, playing style and wealth – with many former Premier League clubs to compete with, some of which will be receiving parachute payments.
WHAT GOODMAN SAID
Goodman said: "Everything about Wrexham reminds me of Derby County when it comes to style of play and how they've gone about promotion. They scored lots of set pieces and only averaged the 15th most amount of possession in League One last year. Nevertheless, Derby showed that 20 set-piece goals, an honest work ethic and a solid defence can keep you in the Championship, and I would suggest that a similar objective should be Wrexham's port-of-call.
"They should look to get off to a good start and reach a points tally where, halfway through the season, you know you will survive, and you can try and kick on in January. But, for the life of me, I cannot see Wrexham finishing anywhere near the top of the Championship next season with the greatest of respect.
"I was wrong about Wrexham (last season), I'll hold my hands up. Hats off to them, I thought a top-half finish would be a good target and the gap between League Two and League One would be too much. They got off to a good start and kept the momentum going before digging deep to get over the line.
"Wrexham and Phil Parkinson have a track record of signing big-name strikers who have previously performed and scored goals in the Premier League. None in the calibre of Jamie Vardy, but those players have bought into the project and have been attracted by the glitz and glamour.
"Jamie Vardy and Wrexham could be a match made in heaven. It would be a Hollywood signing. He scored eight goals and registered three assists in a truly awful Premier League team, which is not something to be sniffed at. He still knows where the back of the net is.
"The only question is whether Wrexham can attract and entice Jamie Vardy."
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The Red Dragons will kick off their Championship campaign in August aiming to make further history. Should they challenge for a fourth promotion, that would surely go beyond even their ambitious owners' wildest dreams when they bought the club for £2million in 2021. This weekend, they have been enjoying another promotion celebration in Las Vegas, where they managed to get themselves trapped in a lift for an hour.
Manchester United are now monitoring a potential new arrival this summer as they look to bolster their ranks under Ruben Amorim, with the Portuguese boss having struggled so far during his time at Old Trafford.
Manchester United's attacking struggles
Despite having bought a striker in each of the last two summer transfer windows, the Red Devils are expected to be busy in the market once more ahead of the new Premier League season, with this campaign largely written off.
Neither Rasmus Hojlund nor Joshua Zirkzee have impressed during their time at Old Trafford, and their combined five Premier League goals have demonstrated just how badly Amorim’s side are in need of a new forward.
Indeed, Amorim opted to start Kobbie Mainoo in the number nine role against Crystal Palace, a game that they eventually lost 2-0, with Zirkzee only entering the field on the hour mark.
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The most obvious solution to their issue is the freescoring Viktor Gyokeres, who Amorim worked with at Sporting and who has continued to score at a frightening rate in Portugal, with 22 goals in 19 Portuguese top flight outings.
However, any deal may well be difficult with Sporting believed to be holding out for just under £60m to let him depart, a fee that could prove prohibitive for the Red Devils given the amount of work that needs doing in the squad.
According to The Guardian, they will not be flush with cash this summer unless they part ways with one of Kobbie Mainoo or Alejandro Garnacho.
As a result, they may have to get creative with their signings, and now it appears that they are eyeing up a potential bargain buy this summer.
Man Utd monitoring striker who terrorised them at Old Trafford
That is according to a fresh report from TBR Football, which claims that Manchester United have now begun monitoring Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta ahead of a potential move for the Frenchman this summer.
The 27-year-old forward scored twice in the most recent meeting of the sides at Old Trafford, taking his tally to 13 goals for the season to go with two assists across all competitions. Though Crystal Palace extended his £50,000 a week deal until 2027 earlier in the season, Mateta has long been linked with a move away from Selhurst Park, with Napoli keen over the summer.
Joshua Zirkzee
Rasmus Hojlund
Jean-Philippe Mateta
Appearances
24
19
22
Goals
3
2
10
Assists
1
0
1
Shots on target per 90
0.49
0.81
0.82
Aerial duels % won
32.1%
24.2%
37.3%
Mateta was hailed as “amazing in the box” just last weekend by Palace boss Oliver Glasner after helping the Eagles beat Manchester United, and has also previously drawn praise for his performances for the French Olympic team, where he helped them reach the final.
Valued at £18m by transfermarkt, he would likely cost more than that following another excellent season, but given his age and contract situation it could be a move that proves a relative bargain for a star just a year older than Gyokeres, and could prove a very savvy signing for Amorim and co.
Liverpool are pushing to sign a “really talented” Premier League player in the summer transfer window, according to a new update regarding the Reds’ upcoming business.
Liverpool targeting new full-backs
Arne Slot’s side are preparing for another massive game on Wednesday evening as they host Newcastle United at Anfield in the league, looking to keep up their stranglehold on the title.
Last Sunday’s 2-0 win away to Manchester City felt like a significant moment in the season, especially because Arsenal lost 1-0 at home to West Ham the previous day, but there is still work to do for Liverpool, and the Magpies will be tough opponents to overcome.
In terms of Reds-related transfer news, Flamengo right-back Wesley has been linked with a summer move to Anfield, perhaps being seen as a replacement option for Trent Alexander-Arnold, should he join Real Madrid at the end of the season.
Another rumoured target in that area of the pitch is Jeremie Frimpong, who has excelled for Bayer Leverkusen in recent years, winning the Bundesliga title last season and catching the eye in a wing-back role under Xabi Alonso. The Dutchman has three goals and four assists to his name in the league in 2024/25 to date, as well as a trio of assists in the Champions League.
Liverpool eyeing "really talented" player
The Reds are one of several teams thought to be watching Wednesday’s opponent Alexander Isak, but according to Anfield Watch, Liverpool are also keen on signing Newcastle United left-back Lewis Hall this summer, seeing him as a long-term replacement for Andy Robertson. The Englishman is viewed by the Reds hiearchy as someone who could immediately come in and take a first-team place.
Lewis Hall for Newcastle
The £7,000-a-week Hall is enjoying an excellent season for Newcastle, putting himself in a strong position to be named in Thomas Tuchel’s first England season next month, potentially making the left-back spot his own after constant injuries to Luke Shaw.
The 20-year-old provided an assist in the Magpies’ 4-3 win at home to Nottingham Forest last weekend – one of four in the league this season – and Howe lauded him last year: “We have always believed in him and his quality and we have been working really hard with him on his game.
“He’s a really talented lad. He’s got a couple of things to continue working on as all the players have. I believe in him. My vision for him is he will be at Newcastle for many years.”
Still only 20, it is easy to see why Liverpool could consider him a target, with the Englishman bringing both defensive nous and attacking quality – he has averaged two tackles per game in the league this term – and he could be a strong alternative to the likes of Milos Kerkez and Jorrel Hato.
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Reds supporters will get the opportunity to judge him up close on Wednesday, as he comes up against Mohamed Salah at Anfield, which could be his toughest assignment of the campaign to date.
Prior to the start of the 2024/25 season, Arsenal fans will have been calling out for the club to sign a new striker.
Having narrowly missed out on Premier League glory in two consecutive seasons and not bought an established centre-forward since Gabriel Jesus’ arrival in 2022, a world-class striker could have been the missing piece to finally push them over the line and secure the title.
However, Mikel Arteta once again began the campaign with the same attacking options he had in the previous season – Jesus and Kai Havertz – leaving many questioning whether this would be enough to compete again.
Come January, when Jesus was ruled out for the remainder of the year with injury, it would seem this would prompt the Gunners into action in the transfer market.
But yet again, no move materialised, despite a few half-hearted efforts. And soon after Havertz was ruled out for the rest of the season in February, the club’s title challenge has unravelled before their eyes.
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The Gunners have missed out on some top players who could’ve made all the difference in their title run-ins…
ByDominic Lund Feb 11, 2025
Though it may now be too late, we have listed six strikers Arsenal could have signed in January to bolster their squad.
1 Ollie Watkins Aston Villa
Starting with the striker Arsenal came closest to landing in January, the Gunners made a last-ditch attempt to sign Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins. However, their advances were swiftly rebuffed by both the club and the player himself.
According to BBC Sport, Villa rejected Arsenal’s interest, as they had – and still have – no intention of parting ways with the 29-year-old striker.
Additionally, Watkins reportedly told Villa manager Unai Emery to turn down Arsenal’s offer, as he was determined to stay at Villa Park and continue his development with the Midlands club.
Since joining Aston Villa from Brentford for an initial £28m in 2020, Watkins has been a standout performer, registering 81 goals in 201 appearances for the club. His pace, work ethic, and clinical finishing make him a formidable striker, and he would have been a strong addition to Arsenal’s squad for the second half of the season and beyond.
Unfortunately for Arsenal, despite their interest, their approach was deemed insufficient to convince both Villa and Watkins to make a move. As a result, the Gunners missed out on one of the Premier League’s most reliable strikers, who remains a key figure for Villa moving forward.
2 Alexander Isak Newcastle United
It was highly unlikely that Arsenal could have secured Alexander Isak in January, as Newcastle United made it clear that they had no intention of selling the Swedish forward. Isak has been in sensational form this season, scoring 21 goals in all competitions, including the only goal in a 1-0 win over Arsenal back in November.
Despite the low chances of a move, if Arsenal had made the right offer, it wouldn’t have been entirely impossible to land the striker.
Isak doesn’t have a release clause in his contract, but according to The Sun, Newcastle reportedly may have been willing to let him go for a staggering £160m.
Of course, Arsenal were never going to pay that figure, nor is it likely that any club ever will, but if they did, they would have acquired one of the hottest and most talented strikers in world football.
At just 25 years old, Isak would not only have been a key addition to Arsenal’s attack for many years to come, but could have been the difference-maker in firing the Gunners to their first Premier League title in over two decades.
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ByBarney Lane Feb 6, 2025 3 Matheus Cunha Wolverhampton Wanderers
Another player heavily linked with a move to the Emirates in January, Matheus Cunha has been one of the Premier League’s standout performers this season, despite playing for a struggling Wolves side.
The Brazil international has scored 13 Premier League goals this campaign, many of which have been sensational, and his overall play has been a delight to watch. Cunha has impressed with his elegant dribbling, clever movement off the ball and ability to link up seamlessly with teammates.
He was also linked with moves to Manchester United and Tottenham, but with no bid incoming, Cunha stayed put at Molineux, signing a new four-and-a-half-year contract with the club. In an interview after the deal was completed, Cunha made it clear that he had no intentions of leaving Wolves anytime soon.
“I never think about leaving, honestly,” he said. “I am so happy to be here. I hope to continue doing good things.”
However, Cunha’s new contract does include a release clause of around £60m, which can be activated in the summer. If Wolves face relegation, it’s likely that the clause will be triggered, and Arsenal won’t be the only club vying for his signature once more.
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ByBen Browning Feb 14, 2025 4 Marcus Rashford Manchester United/Aston Villa
Aston Villa's MarcusRashfordreacts after the match
Marcus Rashford’s long-standing association with Manchester United came to an end in January as the English forward joined Aston Villa on loan, with the Villans holding the option to sign him permanently for £40m in the summer.
Since the move, Rashford appears to have rediscovered the kind of form that once saw him hailed as one of the best young talents in world football. Most recently, he recorded two assists in Villa’s 2-1 win over Chelsea, further highlighting his resurgence under Unai Emery.
However, it could have been Arsenal reaping the rewards of Rashford’s revival rather than Villa.
According to Sky Italia journalist Massimo Marianella, the Gunners did indeed hold discussions with Manchester United about signing Rashford before he joined Villa. Despite these talks, Mikel Arteta ultimately decided against pursuing a deal for the 27-year-old.
In hindsight, that decision now looks questionable, particularly given Rashford’s impressive start to life at Villa Park. As the forward regains his form and confidence, Arsenal fans must be wondering if they missed a golden opportunity to bring a player of his calibre to the Emirates.
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ByRoss Kilvington Jan 17, 2025 5 Jonathan David Lille
Jonathan David has long been a target for Arsenal, thanks to his impressive performances in Ligue 1 and Europe for Lille.
Since joining the French side in 2020, the Canadian striker has made an undeniable impact, scoring 104 goals and providing 27 assists in 219 appearances and winning Ligue 1 in 2020/21.
This season alone, he has notched up 20 goals and 9 assists in just 36 games, proving to be one of the most lethal forwards in Europe.
According to the Mail, Arsenal explored the possibility of signing David in January, but despite reports suggesting that the 25-year-old could be available for a cut-price fee, no deal materialised. Lille were reportedly open to selling him for less than his market value in order to avoid losing him for free when his contract expires at the end of the season.
Fortunately for Arsenal, David has expressed his desire to make a move to the Premier League in the near future.
“My future? Focused on getting this great club back to Europe where it belongs. The rest will come,” he said, as per Sky Sports in March 2023. “Premier League? One of the best leagues in the world, why not?”
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ByRoss Kilvington May 27, 2025 6 Victor Osimhen Napoli/Galatasaray
Victor Osimhen’s name is often linked with major transfers, and during the January window, reports suggested Arsenal made a push for the Nigerian striker.
Osimhen helped Napoli to their first Serie A title since 1990, but after being frozen out by manager Antonio Conte and failing to secure a permanent move away last summer, he joined Turkish side Galatasaray on loan.
Since then, he has impressed in Istanbul, scoring 20 goals in 25 games across all competitions, including six in seven games in the Europa League.
According to Football Insider, Arsenal made contact with Napoli for a potential late January move, but the transfer ultimately didn’t materialise and he remained at Galatasaray.
A player of Osimhen’s calibre would have been a major boost to Arsenal’s attack, and with Napoli reportedly keen to offload him, he could have been available for a relatively cut-price fee of around £55m – a bargain for someone of his quality.
However, Osimhen is not expected to stay in Turkey beyond this season, nor will he likely return to Napoli, which means his excellent form for Galatasaray will surely attract suitors, Arsenal included, again in the summer.
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