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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is reportedly "crazy" about signing a Real Madrid star, and one who is absolutely pivotal at the Bernabeu.

Mikel Arteta signs new three-year deal at Arsenal

The Gunners boss, in some fantastic news for the club and its supporters, committed his long-term future in north London by putting pen to paper on fresh terms this week.

Arsenal could be without £30m mainstay for over four weeks after injury

He’d miss crucial games.

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By
Emilio Galantini

Sep 13, 2024

Arteta signed a new three-year deal at Arsenal – which was announced on Thursday – and his fresh terms have put the Spaniard in line with the Premier League's highest-earning managers like Man City boss Pep Guardiola.

Arteta is now rumoured to be earning £288,000-per-week at the Emirates Stadium, coming as just reward for a tactician who's played such an instrumental role in transforming Arsenal back into an elite English side.

“We are really happy that Mikel has signed a new long-term contract," said sporting director Edu Gaspar to Arsenal's official website.

"It’s a very positive and proud moment for everyone at the club and an important part of what we’re all working towards.

“Mikel has shown his qualities since the very first day he joined us, not only as a football manager, but as a person with wonderful values. We have a strong belief in what we are doing and what we want to achieve together. Mikel’s new contract gives us stability and clear direction as we aim for new heights.”

Arteta's original deal was set to expire next year, so there will be a real sense of relief that Arsenal are keeping hold of their head coach until 2027. After that news, Edu and Arteta can also continue their work on transfer planning for the future without any distractions.

Whilst their looming North London Derby on Sunday takes precedent right now, alongside their trips to Atalanta and Man City next week, Arsenal are already making a head start on potential incomings for 2025.

Indeed, it is believed Arsenal have already been in contact over Benjamin Sesko, as they look to move ahead of contenders for his signature next summer. Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies is also a target for Arsenal, as the Canadian left-back can agree pre-contract terms in January ahead of a zero-cost switch later in 2025.

Arteta really wants Arsenal to sign Aurelien Tchouameni from Real Madrid

According to Spanish news outlet Defensa Central, Real Madrid's Aurelien Tchouameni is on their radar as well.

It is believed that Arteta is "crazy" about signing Tchouameni for Arsenal, and Defensa boldly claims that they wouldn't refuse letting William Saliba go to Madrid if it meant striking a deal for the France international.

The £203,000-per-week midfielder has started all four of their opening La Liga games this season, averaging an impressive match rating of around 7.27 according to WhoScored. Tchouameni has starred under Carlo Ancelotti since joining Real from Monaco for an initial £68 million in 2022, amassing 36 international caps for Les Bleus in that time.

Taking this into account, it would be a very difficult move for Edu and Arteta to pull off, despite the Premier League's big pull.

“Listen, Tchouameni is a young kid, he’s going to make mistakes but he’s a superb talent, he produces moments out of nowhere, incredible player," said pundit Rio Ferdinand during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

“Replacing Pogba in a France XI is not an easy task, but so far, Tchouaméni has been superb.

“Tchouameni showed why he plays for Real Madrid. He has the patience, talent, control, he has everything you need.”

The Philadelphia Union star launched a rocket from far to give the U.S. their opener against Venezuela

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• McGlynn scored an incredible goal to give U.S. lead
• McGlynn makes second appearance for the Americans
• He stars for the Union in MLS

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The U.S. men's national team's January camp is a showcase, largely, for MLS players to prove themselves against international competition. USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino will be certainly taking note of Jack McGlynn after the midfielder scored on a world-class strike to put the U.S. up 1-0 against visiting Venezuela in Miami Saturday.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  McGlynn was one of the early favorites to make a name for himself at this camp, and the midfielder is certainly doing so in just his second cap for the Americans.

  He also is a part of the Union's young core that features other exciting young Americans including Quinn and Cavan Sullivan. Last season, McGlynn had four goals and seven assists in 30 league appearances for Philadelphia.

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• WHAT NEXT FOR USMNT?

  After playing Venezuela Saturday, the USMNT will have another friendly against Costa Rica in Orlando, Florida next Wednesday.

An “incredible” Leeds United player who hasn’t even started for them could become a key man for Daniel Farke, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.

Leeds manager & transfer news

The Whites have made a solid start to the Championship season, rather than a spectacular one, and while they are still sixth in the table, Farke doesn’t find himself too safe in his job.

West Brom manager Carlos Corberan has been touted as a potential replacement for the German in the recent days, should the 49ers Enterprises feel the need to make a change. It is a decision that would arguably feel harsh, however, considering he guided Leeds into the playoff final last season, and is still sitting in the top six currently.

Away from manager news, it was an up-and-down summer transfer window at Elland Road, with Farke losing three hugely important players in Archie Gray, Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter.

On the plus side, some key signings were made by Leeds, with Joe Rodon completing a permanent move to the club from Tottenham, Largie Ramazani joining from Almeria and Ao Tanaka completing a switch from 2. Bundesliga side Fortuna Dusseldorf.

Journalist backs "incredible" Leeds man to be key

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Jacobs claimed that Tanaka could now become a key man for Leeds, backing him to play a prominent role under Farke, despite not starting a game for them yet:

“Ao Tanaka could be a really important figure in turning Leeds’ form around. They needed another central midfielder, and one with an engine and defensive qualities.

“Brenden Aaronson will be important, too, and is already scoring a few goals, but Tanaka is the kind of disciplined presence Leeds perhaps need. I think he’ll become a regular starter sooner rather than later.”

Tanaka has certainly eased his way in at Leeds to date, making three appearances in the Championship this season, but only actually being on the pitch for nine minutes in total.

This could now be an ideal time to unleash him properly, however, adding a freshness to the Whites’ team and allowing him to show supporters why Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna has said of him:

“Midfielder Ao Tanaka. Anyone who is serious about football will know a little about him. He has incredible technique. But there are other good players at Fortuna, too.”

The £3m signing has scored eight goals in 28 caps for Japan, showing that he is a key man at international level, and one of those strikes was a memorable winner against Spain at the 2022 World Cup.

Farke must soon axe Leeds dud who earns more than Ramazani & Piroe

Daniel Farke will have to think about this Leeds United reserve player’s future soon.

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By
Kelan Sarson

Sep 23, 2024

A tally of 18 goal contributions (10 goals and eight assists) in 95 appearances for Dusseldorf was also a steady return for a central midfielder, and he could add that class and guile for Leeds in the middle of the park, as well as giving them defensive discipline, having averaged 1.8 and 1.3 tackles per game in the 2. Bundesliga in 2022/23 and 2023/24 respectively.

The striker has broken multiple records since moving to the Allianz Arena in 2023, but he's now not scored from open play for 541 minutes

Bayern Munich's 3-0 loss to Feyenoord on Wednesday was as puzzling as it was surprising. The Bavarians had enjoyed an 80 percent share of possession and taken 30 shots on goal – and yet coach Vincent Kompany felt their shock defeat was fully deserved.

Why? What did they do wrong? For the always straight-talking Joshua Kimmich, though, it was all very simple. "It's never a good idea," he said matter-of-factly, "to both make a lot of defensive mistakes, and not score."

While several players were singled out for special criticism for gifting Feyenoord goals, including Raphael Guerreiro, who conceded a penalty two minutes after coming on, Harry Kane, as the focal point of the attack, rather predictably copped most of the blame for Bayern's failings up front.

Not for the first time this season, the England international was accused by the German press of going missing when his team needed him most…

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  'Too old and too expensive'?!

  Kane has always had his critics. Even before he signed for Bayern in the summer of 2023 for €100 million, club legend Lothar Matthaus argued that the then-30-year-old was "too old and too expensive". Every second since has been spent trying to prove his worth to the club – and he's done a decent job of it so far.

  Certainly, Kane's first season couldn't have gone much better from a purely individual perspective. The former Tottenham ace smashed Uwe Seeler's record for most goals during a debut Bundesliga campaign by netting 36 times in just 32 appearances – while he also finished as the Champions League's top scorer.

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  Bayern back on top

  Unfortunately, while Kane delivered in 2023-24, the majority of those around him did not, and Bayern failed to win a single trophy for the first time in 12 years, prompting many football fans to wonder if the one of the most complete centre-forwards of his generation really is cursed.

  Encouragingly for Kane, Bayern are well-placed to reclaim their Bundesliga title this term, with Kompany's side presently four points clear of defending champions Bayer Leverkusen at the top of the table. However, the midweek defeat at De Kuip has cast doubt on not only the team's true strength, but also their star striker's diminishing returns – particularly in big games.

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  'Least of my worries'

  After the damaging Feyenoord defeat, which effectively ended Bayern's hopes of progressing directly to the last 16 of the Champions League, sporting director Max Eberl insisted that Kane was "the least of my worries right now" – and one can understand why.

  On the face of it, the No.9 is on track for another prolific season. Kane has scored 22 goals in 24 appearances in all competitions, and is averaging a strike every 86.64 minutes – across Europe's 'Big Five' leagues, only Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski boasts a better ratio.

  The issue is, though, that 10 of Kane's goals this season have come from the penalty spot, and he's not scored once from open play since November.

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  No 'mental problem'

  Eberl rightly pointed out that Kane did miss four games in all competitions in December due to injury and thus played down the significance of this two-month 'drought'.

  "If it were a young player, you might worry more, but Harry Kane has had so many highs and also some lows, so if anyone can cope and deal with it, it's Harry Kane," the sporting director told reporters. "Of course, we need his goals. He knows that and is probably the one who is most critical of himself. But I don't think it's causing a mental problem for Harry."

  It is, however, starting to become a cause for concern.

Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez has been dropped from the starting XI for their Premier League clash against West Ham on Monday.

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• Sanchez dropped from starting XI
• Has been criticised for mistakes
• Jorgensen makes third league start

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  For just the third time in the league this season, the goalkeeper has been dropped to the bench as coach Enzo Maresca, allowing Filip Jorgensen to make just his third appearance in the top-flight since he joined from Villarreal last summer.

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  Maresca's decision comes in the wake of Sanchez's costly error in their recent 3-1 defeat against Manchester City at the end of January, which occurred just days after another blunder against Wolves.

• WHAT MARESCA SAID

  Maresca has explained the decision to drop Sanchez, telling : "It's always a hard decision to leave out players, especially in this case the keeper, it is not an easy one but I assessed it during the week. The good thing is that we have two good keepers so we make the decision to change and we are happy with that."

  Asked about Sanchez's reaction, Maresca said: "I spoke with him a few days ago, he's now also tried to help Filip so everything is fine."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?

  The Blues have won just one of their last seven matches in the Premier League to fall down to sixth in the table and will hope Jorgensen's presence helps ensure they will be back to winning ways by the end of the West Ham clash.

Arsenal have scouts watching a winger who could be the next Gabriel Martinelli, reports suggest, with the Gunners in a fight for his signature as Mikel Arteta looks to bolster his squad.

Gabriel Martinelli rediscovers Arsenal form

Prior to the clash with Manchester City, Gabriel Martinelli had not scored or assisted a goal in the Premier League since March for Arsenal. His last goal involvement had come in a 6-0 thrashing of Sheffield United, but the introduction of Riccardo Calafiori appears to have helped him rediscover some form.

Romano shares Calafiori injury update direct from Arsenal boss Arteta

Rumours sparked in the immediate aftermath of the win over the Foxes.

By
Ben Browning

Sep 30, 2024

First, he was given the assist for the five yard pass that allowed Calafiori to equalise against Manchester City, then in far more meaningful fashion he sprung into life against Leicester City.

Moments after missing a glorious chance, the Brazilian forward grabbed the opening goal before teeing up Leandro Trossard on the stroke of half time to put Arsenal two goals to the good, though they needed a stoppage time rescue act to ensure all three points stayed in north London.

Signed for just £6m in 2019 from then-Brazilian third tier side Ituano, he has turned into one of the leading wingers in the Premier League during his time in north London, making over 175 appearances for the Gunners and only turning 23-years-old in June. A clear success story for Arsenal’s scouting department, they may now have found another.

Arsenal chase teenage winger

That comes as reports suggest Arsenal have joined the race to sign Ivory Coast wonderkid Bazoumana Touré, who is currently impressing in the Swedish top flight for Hammarby. Still just 18-years-old, the left-winger has grabbed six goals and three assists so far in 2024,

Scouting account Rising Talents on X dubbed him “very fast”, as well as being a “very strong winger in 1vs1 situations”, both of which are also part of Martinelli’s skillset in north London.

As per the Mirror, “Arsenal are amongst a long list of clubs keeping tabs” on the teenager, who is valued at around £5m, and the Gunners had scouts at his most recent outing against Hacken, where he grabbed an assist.

Hammarby are resigned to losing him in the near future, with sporting director Mikael Hjelmberg explaining: “There are a lot of clubs coming to the match against Hacken. We need to plan for a future without him. Then if it happens this winter, next summer or even further than that – I don’t think so, we’ll see. But the longer we get to keep him the better.”

Though a more established name than Martinelli was when Arsenal swooped to sign him, Touré could offer the Gunners the chance to pick up another future superstar for peanuts.

We all know Chelsea have been active in the transfer market the past few years, making 12 signings last summer for around £388m, and making 11 new signings this summer for roughly £199.5m.

But with Enzo Maresca’s side getting off to a good start this season, sitting fourth in the Premier League after seven games played, winning four, drawing two and only losing once, there may be less need for upheaval in January or even next summer.

This could see Chelsea make fewer dealings in the market, but some more precise ones, bringing in a couple of players in positions of need, to improve their chances of competing on all fronts.

One of those areas could be midfield, despite large spending on the likes of Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernández and Roméo Lavia.

Chelsea monitoring England international

According to reports from Caught Offside, Chelsea are monitoring England international, and Lille midfielder, Angel Gomes.

Manchester United also seem to be interested in the 24-year-old, having let him go back in 2020, whilst Tottenham and Newcastle are among the other clubs showing interest.

Chelsea allegedly had the chance to sign Gomes when he first left Old Trafford, although at the time there were some reservations from those at Stamford Bridge.

Their new N'Golo Kante

Gomes was labelled a “special” player early on in his Lille career, with Jocelyn Gourvennec providing a summary of the player after just four or five days of seeing him.

Despite being just 5 foot 6, the English midfielder oozes technical quality, allowing him to play among the best in the world, so much so that England specifically looked for a player with his attributes.

The 24-year-old has made 123 appearances for Lille in all competitions since joining the club, scoring nine goals, providing 19 assists, and totalling 8,259 minutes played.

But it isn’t his goals and assists he is judged on, instead his ability to recycle play, progress through the lines, and dictate the tempo of a game. As such, he could be their new N’Golo Kante.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Since Kante left the club in 2023, Chelsea have been rebuilding their midfield to replace him with the signings of Caicedo, Fernandez and Lavia.

However, the Chelsea legend is no easy feat to replace, having made 269 appearances for the Blues, scoring 13 goals and providing 16 assists.

Much like Gomes, Kante wasn’t judged on his goals or assists, but his overall impact in midfield, winning duels, carrying the ball forwards, offering passing options in central areas, and being a consistent presence in the game for Chelsea.

Positionally, Kante and Gomes occupy similar areas, sitting in front of the defensive unit, looking to shuttle play and break things up when it comes back their way. Paul McGinness, one of the United academy star’s former coaches, sums things up nicely, comparing the Chelsea target to a player of Kante’s high-standards; Rodri.

That said, Kante and Gomes do thrive in different aspects of the game. While the newly capped England international is far more centred around his on-ball qualities, the Frenchman had an excellent blend, often praised more for his defensive output which is also backed up by the metrics.

The former Chelsea ace massively outperforms Gomes in defensive actions per 90, whilst also having better passing metrics apart from key passes.

This shows Gomes is still looking to play those killer balls, get himself assists, and create chances with riskier passing in an attempt to show his extensive passing range and creativity.

If Gomes was signed by Chelsea, he would likely have someone like Caicedo next to him, to help with that defensive output, allowing him to flex his on-ball qualities, dictate play, and create chances in that deep-lying playmaker role.

126 touches, 108 passes: 8/10 Chelsea star was amazing for his country

One Chelsea player was in phenomenal form for his nation as they won 6-0 in the early hours of Wednesday.

By
Matt Dawson

Oct 16, 2024

Bayern Munich survived a late fightback from Celtic to secure a 2-1 win in the first leg of their Champions League play-off tie on Wednesday.

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• Olise and Kane had Bayern in the lead
• Maeda pulled one back late in the game
• Celtic fought hard to find an equaliser

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  TELL ME MORE

  Within 30 seconds of the first whistle, Celtic had the ball in the net. Niclas Kuhn went on an Arjen Robben-esque run down the right, cut in and fired past Manuel Neuer from outside the box, but it was disallowed as Adam Idah was in an offside position and adjudged to have obstructed the goalkeeper's view.

  Bayern took control of the game after the early scare but were kept out by Kasper Schmeichel until Michael Olise controlled a long pass on the wing, beat Greg Taylor and blasted into the roof of the net just before half-time.

  Vincent Kompany's men needed just three minutes to get going in the second half, with Harry Kane criminally unmarked at the back post to meet Joshua Kimmich's corner and knock it in.

  Celtic thought they were going to get a penalty out of the blue when a VAR review showed Dayot Upamecano stood on Arne Engels' foot but the referee refused to give it. The home team had their best chance when Daizen Maeda nipped ahead of Neuer to steal the ball and lift it towards goal, but it missed the target.

  Buoyed after that threat, Maeda popped up to give the Scottish champions a chance to get back into the game after Bayern failed to clear a corner and the Japanese winger found the net. Celtic dominated the next few minutes in a desperate search for an equaliser and saw a dangerous shot from Alistair Johnson saved by Neuer as Bayern held out for the win.

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  Kane's goal was the 19th the striker has scored against Schmeichel in his career – that's five more than he has scored against any other goalkeeper, according to .

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  THE MVP

  Olise carved the game open with his goal but was a big threat down the wing with his dangerous dribbles, deliveries and shots. He was vital to Bayern's pressing, too, battling to win the ball up field.

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  THE BIG LOSER

  Celtic left-back Taylor had the unenviable task of dealing with Olise and found it impossible to keep him quiet. The Frenchman left him scrambling as he skipped past before whacking in the first goal.

Pep Guardiola took a passive-aggressive shot at the officiating in Manchester City's clash with Leyton Orient after Nico Gonzalez's injury.

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• Gonzalez substituted in FA Cup tie
• Made his debut after January signing
• Guardiola believes he has been "welcomed"

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  City survived a scare to beat Leyton Orient 2-1, despite conceding a remarkable goal from the halfway line, but Guardiola was disappointed with the level of officiating. Gonzalez, a new £50 million ($62m) signing from Porto, was on the end of a heavy challenge in the first half and limped out of the game.

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  Guardiola believes, however, that Gonzalez will now understand just how physical English football can be. The 23-year-old will hope to make a swift recovery as he bids to get up to speed at the Etihad Stadium.

• WHAT GUARDIOLA SAID

  Guardiola told : "Welcome to the Premier League and the referees. Maybe he knew about the referees because I understand it's not easy. It's not easy to do something when you play against teams like in League One."

  He added: “I know without VAR it’s more difficult because they are not used to it and I know it’s a League One side, but there were one or two [missed] actions. There’s a penalty [that wasn’t given]. I think Nico now understands perfectly what [English football] is. I don’t know how hard [the knock] is, but he could not continue."

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  WHAT NEXT?

  City play Real Madrid on Tuesday in a huge Champions League play-off encounter.

Journalist Charles Watts has shared that an esteemed member of the Arsenal squad, who manager Mikel Arteta is “going to need”, could be sold by the Emirates Stadium hierarchy.

Players who could leave Arsenal in January or next summer

There are a few potential departees who face uncertain futures at N5 right now, perhaps most notably left-back Kieran Tierney, who hasn’t made a single appearance in all competitions since suffering a hamstring injury at Euro 2024.

Arsenal officials dispatched to Europe on Monday as Edu eyes £86m player

The Brazilian is making plans for the upcoming windows.

By
Emilio Galantini

Oct 15, 2024

Tierney is out of Arteta’s plans at Arsenal, and sporting director Edu Gaspar could even green-light a January exit deal for the Scotsman. The writing appears on the wall for him, and this is something Tierney has come to terms with behind the scenes.

“Had that injury not happened, I’m sure Tierney would have been playing for another club right now,” said Watts via his Dailybriefing recently.

“That was certainly the plan anyway, following his loan spell with Real Sociedad last season. But the injury put an end to any chances of a move and the focus now is on the left-back getting himself back fully fit ahead of the January window. He’s not in Mikel Arteta’s plans anymore. That’s been clear for a long time and Tierney accepts that. There is no animosity there.”

The arrival of Riccardo Calafiori in the summer has cast doubt on the future of another left-back option in Arteta’s squad – Poland international Jakub Kiwior. The former Spezia starlet can play at both left centre-back and further wide, but so can Calafiori, and the latter has started this new Premier League campaign in impressive fashion.

Kiwior is expected to leave Arsenal in January after falling down the pecking order, with uncertainty also surrounding midfield duo Jorginho and Thomas Partey as their contracts expire next summer.

There has been talk of a potential contract extension for Partey, though, following his stellar form this season. The Ghanaian, who was forced to sit out the latest round of international matches through illness, has started all seven of their opening league matches and impressed as an anchor in Arteta’s midfield.

Arsenal could decide to sell Gabriel Jesus next summer

Kai Havertz’s excellent performances have resulted in £265,000-per-week striker Gabriel Jesus falling down Arteta’s priority choice list as well.

The Brazilian, despite possessing “world-class” ability, has been criticised for some of his performances this season, and is yet to get off the mark for Arsenal in all competitions, leading to reports claiming Jesus could be on the way out of Arsenal as Palmeiras eye up a move for the ex-Man City star.

Now, Watts has shared his own update, stating this could be Jesus’ final season at Arsenal and Edu could decide to sell next summer.

“Gabriel Jesus is clearly struggling for confidence right now,” said the reporter.

“You can see that by the way he’s playing. He’s thinking about things too much and taking too many touches when he’s in possession. When Jesus is at his best he does things off the cuff. He creates chaos with his movement and his work rate. But right now he’s bringing more confusion than chaos with his play. I think there’s certainly a chance this could be his final season at the club, but obviously that is a decision that will be taken in the summer should any suitable offers arrive.

“I do expect Arsenal to bring in a forward and that would limit Jesus’ chances further. He’s way behind Kai Havertz now in the pecking order and it’s tough to see him turning that round at present given the form of both players.

“But whatever happens he still has a big part to play this season.

“Arsenal are going to need Jesus, so it’s crucial they help him improve and find his confidence again because if they can do that then they have a player who has the quality to still have a major say on this campaign.”