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Fabrizio Romano has shared an update on Tottenham Hotspur and their managerial search, following another blow for Ange Postecoglou in the form of Spurs’ seventeenth Premier League defeat of the campaign against Wolves.

Ange Postecoglou comments after 4-2 Tottenham loss to Wolves

A series of calamitous goals, thanks to errors from key players, cemented yet another Spurs loss in the top flight on Sunday, with Wolves running out 4-2 winners against the Lilywhites on another lacklustre afternoon for Postecoglou.

52-year-old spotted at Spurs after Levy talks as pundit tips appointment

The Lilywhites chairman has sat down with him recently.

1

By
Emilio Galantini

Apr 12, 2025

You couldn’t have asked for worse preparation ahead of Tottenham’s vital Europa League quarter-final second leg against Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday, a must-win game for Postecoglou after their 1-1 draw with the Bundesliga side last week.

Rayan Ait-Nouri, Djed Spence’s own goal, Jorgen Strand Larsen’s strike and a Matheus Cunha finish compounded a miserable day at Molineux for the north Londoners. Mathys Tel and Richarlison made the scoreline less embarrassing with consolation goals in their 4-2 defeat, but Postecoglou did his best to back the players following a series of high-profile errors.

“Obviously a disappointing result,” said Postecoglou after Tottenham’s defeat at Wolves.

“Funny game, because for the most part, I thought our football was decent considering all the changes we’ve made. For the most part we controlled large parts of it, were a threat going forward and didn’t give them too much. But then obviously we conceded some pretty poor goals and that made it awfully difficult to get an outcome today.

“It’s not like the players are doing it on purpose, so you have an understanding that that’s the unfortunate things that sometimes happen in a game of football. Probably be more frustrated if it was something that we did from a tactical perspective or organisational perspective, but they’re individual errors, you know, the players don’t mean to do it and, especially Lucas and Romero, I mean they’re two fantastic footballers and what’s important now for both of them is that they recover and we focus on the next game.”

In the background, chairman Daniel Levy is reportedly contemplating the sacking of Postecoglou, with Spurs on course for their worst-ever Premier League season.

Tottenham stance on appointing Thiago Motta to replace Ange Postecoglou

According to recent reports, Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola is Tottenham’s top managerial target after his very impressive campaign in the Cherries dugout, while both Thomas Frank (Brentford) and Marco Silva (Fulham) are also on their radar (The Athletic).

There’s also been recent murmurs of a potential Spurs move for Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner, as well as former Juventus head coach Thiago Motta, who was recently sacked by the Serie A heavyweights.

The Italian failed to mount a successful title challenge, or show any signs of promise in terms of winning major silverware, prompting Juve to ruthlessly hand Motta his P45.

The 42-year-old is now without a club, and is currently linked with a move to N17, but Romano has since told GiveMeSport that Tottenham have no plans to appoint Motta as things stand.

“I’m still hearing about Iraola and Silva as two concrete options,” said Romano.

“For Motta, no contacts at this stage.”

Despite his failed stint at Juve, Motta did attract praise as a tactician during his time in Turin.

“Thiago is unique and unrepeatable: he is not at Juve, Juve is at him,” said journalist Ivan Zazzaroni.

“Inside the notebook that he always carries with him and shows during press conferences, also to note down the questions and their authors, there must be a world of ideas that he scrupulously hides from the eyes of the laymen. Motta is undoubtedly the most stimulating and original coach in the championship.”

Vote for the best individual Border-Gavaskar Trophy performance by an Indian in Australia since 2000

ESPNcricinfo staff25-Oct-2024Update: This poll has ended. Rishabh Pant’s performance goes into the quarter-finals. Check the other polls here.ESPNcricinfo LtdRishabh Pant helped India achieve the unimaginable at the Gabba•Patrick Hamilton/AFP/Getty Images

Rishabh Pant – 89* in Brisbane, 2021

India won by three wickets, and the series 2-1All the things that didn’t make sense on this tour – India all out for 36, their three jillion injuries, the hassle of cricket in quarantine – found meaning when Rishabh Pant began to play the innings of a lifetime. He was 23 and he helped obliterate a record that had stood for way longer than he’d been alive. Australia’s undefeated streak in Brisbane was 32 years old when it was finally laid to rest. “This is one of the biggest things in my life right now,” Pant said after a performance that proved just how dangerous a batter he could be when he adopts even the smallest bit of restraint.Chasing 328 at the Gabba – 324 on the final day – India still needed 161 runs with about 43 overs to go when Pant walked in at No. 5. He got going, and kept going, even as wickets fell and the overs ticked by. Eventually, with only minutes left on the clock, he lashed Josh Hazlewood down the ground to accomplish one of the greatest series wins in Test history.By Alagappan MuthuWatch the highlights of these performances on the Star Sports network at 10am, 1pm, 4pm and 7pm IST, from October 25 onwards.Ajit Agarkar razed Australia in Adelaide•Tony Lewis/Getty Images

Ajit Agarkar – 6-41 in Adelaide, 2003

India win by 4 wickets, lead the series 1-0On the previous tour of Australia in 1999-2000, Ajit Agarkar was given the infamous moniker of ‘Bombay duck’ after he was dismissed for five consecutive ducks – four of them first ball – in the Test series. On his second trip down under Agarkar, only 17 Tests old, had the responsibility of leading a young pace attack comprising injury-prone Ashish Nehra and debutant Irfan Pathan, after Zaheer Khan was injured.After conceding 556 to Australia in Adelaide, India narrowed the first-innings deficit to just 33, with less than two days remaining in the Test. In a stunning spell of swing bowling, Agarkar got Justin Langer and Ricky Ponting with the new ball, and then reversed the old one to dismiss Simon Katich and three lower-order batters in a jiffy. In just 16.2 overs, Agarkar picked up 6 for 41, and Australia were shot out for 196 in less than two sessions, giving India enough time to chase down the target.It was fitting he was at the crease when Rahul Dravid hit the winning runs that gave India their first Test win in Australia since 1981 and a 1-0 lead in the series.By Shashank Kishore

A century in a session and an epic Cape Town double also feature in the list

Alex Malcolm24-Dec-2022 • Updated on 30-Dec-2023123* vs New Zealand, Hobart 2011
Any scepticism around Warner as a Test player disappeared during his second outing when he almost singlehandedly prevented Australia from suffering a shock loss to New Zealand in Hobart. He couldn’t prevent it, but New Zealand would have done it so far more easily without Warner’s stunning, unbeaten 123 on a green top in a fourth-innings chase.Across the first three innings of the match, Dean Brownlie and Ross Taylor were the only batters to pass 50. Australia were chasing 241 for victory and Warner had them on track at 159 for 2 before Doug Bracewell tore through the Australia’s line up to leave them 199 for 9 as he watched from the other end, having already reached his first Test century. He and Nathan Lyon were left to try and find the final 42 runs. The pair added 34 before Lyon was bowled through the gate by Bracewell, leaving Warner unbeaten on 123 just eight runs shy of victory.180 vs India, Perth 2012
Virender Sehwag had famously told Warner he would be a better Test player than a T20 player, and this was the innings where Sehwag was proved right, much to his and India’s chagrin.India were bowled out for 161 in 60.2 overs on a sporting day one WACA pitch before Warner proceeded to smash a hundred in a session, off just 69 balls. He clubbed 13 fours and three towering sixes, including one over long-on to bring up his century. It was the equal-fourth-fastest Test century at the time, and there have been only two quicker since. Like Sehwag, he also gave a glimpse of his ability to go on after posting a three-figure score. Warner finished with 180 from 159 balls with 20 fours and five sixes. The next highest score in the match was 75 and only two other players passed 50 as Australia won by an innings and 37 runs.135 and 145 vs South Africa, Cape Town 2014
Warner was in sparkling form having made a hundred in a victory in Centurion and then twin fifties in the second Test loss in Gqeberha, which opening partner Chris Rogers described as “some of the best batting I had ever seen”.In the decider in Cape Town, Warner ripped the game away from South Africa on the opening morning, racing to 75 in the first session on his way to posting a stunning 135 from 152 balls against an attack of Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander, Morne Morkel and Kyle Abbott. Australia’s bowlers ripped through South Africa to hand them a 207-run lead before Warner wreaked havoc again, smashing 145 in the second innings to score twin centuries in a Test for the first time. Australia bowled South Africa out in the final innings to claim a 2-1 series win and climb to No. 1 in the Test rankings.Before 2018, there were happier memories for David Warner in Cape Town•AFP133 vs Pakistan, Dubai 2014
While Warner had flayed bowlers on the fast and bouncy pitches in Australia and South Africa, his first foray to India in 2013 had been a struggle. His next Test in subcontinental-type conditions came in the UAE in 2014 and he produced one of his finest away centuries in Dubai.One of the most under-rated difficulties of opening the batting in Test cricket is batting second after the opposition has piled up a massive first-innings score. Six of Warner’s 24 Test centuries have come in the second innings of a match, but this was the only time he made a century when the opposition had batted more than five sessions. Pakistan piled up 454 in 145 overs. Warner, unperturbed by the long stint in the field, raced to a run-a-ball 50 and was 75 at stumps on the second day. He went on to make 133 when the next highest score in Australia’s innings was 38 from Rogers in an opening stand of 128. Australia were bowled out for 303 and would go on to lose by 221 runs.145 and 102 vs India, Adelaide 2014
This might have been one of his finest performances in terms of mental fortitude given what had unfolded only weeks earlier. Warner was on the field when his close friend and sometimes Test opening partner Phillip Hughes suffered his fatal blow. Warner rode with Hughes on the medical cart as he was driven from the middle of the SCG to a waiting ambulance.Just weeks later, Australia lined up for their first Test since the tragedy. Every batter felt different facing up after what had taken place, and every Australian player played with a heavy emotional burden. Warner shook all that off to make a pulsating 145 on the opening day. He paused poignantly on 63 not out, just as Hughes had, before racing to his century in 106 balls. Warner then added a century in the second innings to post twin Test hundreds for the second time in the calendar year and set up an extraordinary win.David Warner’s quickfire century on the Sydney scoreboard in 2017•Getty Images253 vs New Zealand Perth 2015
Though made on a lifeless WACA pitch, there was still a notable magnitude to this innings. Warner was barely troubled as he posted his then highest Test score and his first Test double-century. He shared a century stand with Joe Burns, and a triple-century stand with Usman Khawaja, who also made 121.Warner looked almost certain to make 300, having cruised to 244 at stumps on the opening day, and there were even whispers of Brian Lara’s world record being within sight. But, to everyone’s surprise, and his own frustration, Warner fell early on day two poking Trent Boult to second slip. Warner’s 253 was not even the highest score in the match, with Ross Taylor piling up 290 in reply.113 vs Pakistan, Sydney 2017
In 140 years of Test cricket prior to 2017, only Victor Trumper, Charles Macartney, Donald Bradman and Majid Khan had scored a century in the opening session of a Test match. Warner added his name to the list with one of his fastest against Pakistan in the New Year’s Test of 2017.On his home ground at the SCG, he plundered a century off just 78 balls to give Australia a rollicking start. He fell in just the 33rd over for 113 with the score at 151 for 1. Warner then made a 27-ball 55 in the second innings to set up a third-innings declaration and buy Australia enough time to bowl Pakistan out, which they did.David Warner’s centuries in Bangladesh were his most recent overseas•Associated Press112 vs Bangladesh, Mirpur 2017
Warner’s overseas record is often fodder for his critics. Two of his best innings came in a series that was largely ignored by the Australian public. One came in an ignominious Test loss in Dhaka.Much like his first Test century in Hobart, Warner almost singlehandedly dragged Australia over the line as they were set 265 to win in the fourth innings. Except, unlike Hobart, Warner was not the last left standing. He made 112 from 135 balls as Australia reached 158 for 2 after being 28 for 2. Warner had done all of the scoring with Steven Smith simply surviving at the other end. But when Warner fell to Shakib Al Hasan, the wheels fell off. Smith fell shortly after for 37, the next highest score in the innings, and Australia collapsed for 244, suffering their first Test loss to Bangladesh.123 vs Bangladesh, Chattogram 2017
Warner avenged that defeat in the next Test, continuing his sparkling form in Chattogram. Australia were again on the wrong end of the toss, but after Lyon’s seven-wicket haul, Warner made one of his most patient centuries. He struck just seven boundaries in 123 off 234 balls over six hours as Australia ground their way to a 72-run first-innings lead.It proved decisive, as Lyon bagged another six wickets to bowl Bangladesh out for just 157 the second time around to leave Australia to knock off 86 for a series-levelling win. As it stands, Warner’s 123 is his most recent Test century overseas as he has failed to post one in 13 Tests since then.335* vs Pakistan, Adelaide 2019
Only one man in Australia’s long Test history has made a higher score in a Test match than Warner’s 335 not out at Adelaide Oval in 2019 against Pakistan. Such was Warner’s dominance and rate of scoring in the innings, he was afforded the opportunity to pass Bradman and Mark Taylor’s 334 to move to second behind Matthew Hayden’s 380, while Australia were still able to win by an innings inside four days.Pakistan’s attack was not as weak as some would believe with Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Abbas and Yasir Shah doing the bulk of the work. But Warner marmalised them in the midst of a staggering run of form. It was his second consecutive score of over 150 and it came on the back of the worst series of his career, when he averaged 9.50 in the five-match Ashes series just months earlier.200 vs South Africa, MCG 2022Talk around Warner’s place in the side had reached fever pitch again as he played his 100th Test. There had been the messy end to his attempts at having his leadership ban overturned a few weeks earlier and in the first Test against South Africa he had been bounced out. But he dug as deep as he ever has to compile a double century – the second hundred taking 110 balls – while battling severe cramps as the milestone approached although he was still able to summon the trademark leap before retiring hurt. He was just the second player to score a double hundred in his 100th Test.

Also, Pant and Pujara break a 72-year-old record

Gaurav Sundararaman11-Jan-20211979 – The previous time India batted for longer in the fourth innings than the 132 overs they batted in this Test. On that occasion, India batted 150 overs against England at The Oval to save the Test. The Oval and SCG Tests included, India have batted longer than 100 overs in the fourth innings of a Test on only five occasions since 1979.ESPNcricinfo Ltd6 – Number of instances of any team batting more than 130 overs (or the equivalent of 130 six-ball overs) to save a Test in Australia. It has happened only twice since 1971. The previous instance was when South Africa batted 148 overs in 2012.256 – Balls played by Hanuma Vihari and R Ashwin in their sixth-wicket partnership. There have only been three instances of more balls played for the sixth wicket in the fourth innings, in a win or a draw. The highest is 353, by Adam Gilchrist and Justin Langer against Pakistan in Hobart in 1999.Cheteshwar Pujara and Rishabh Pant broke a 72-year-old record•Getty Images2 – Number of longer sixth-wicket stands for India in the fourth innings. The 256 balls played by Vihari and Ashwin helped India to draw, but the top two instances came in losses: KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant added 204 in 267 balls in 2018 against England, while Sachin Tendulkar and Nayan Mongia batted 266 balls in 1999 against Pakistan.148 – Runs added by Cheteshwar Pujara and Pant for the fourth wicket. This is the highest fourth-innings fourth-wicket stand for India, eclipsing a 72-year-old record held by Vijay Hazare and Rusi Modi, who added 139 against West Indies in Mumbai.Related

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97 – Pant’s knock was the second-highest score by a visiting wicketkeeper in the fourth innings in Australia. Only England’s Alan Knott scored more than this, in 1975 in Adelaide. Pant has scored 512 runs at an average of 56.88 in 10 innings in Australia, and has scored 25 or more in each of his ten innings there.3 – Wickets lost on the final day by India. Only once since 2001 has three or fewer wickets fallen on the final day in Australia. This was when South Africa played 126 overs to save a Test in Perth in 2005.128 – Balls faced by R Ashwin in the fourth innings – it ranks fifth on the list of most balls faced by an India No. 7 in the fourth innings.134 – Innings played by Pujara to reach the 6000-run mark in Tests, making him the 11th from India to get to that milestone. Only five of them have taken fewer innings to get there: Sunil Gavaskar (117), Virat Kohli (119), Sachin Tendulkar (120), Virender Sehwag (123) and Rahul Dravid (125).

Manchester City have opened talks to sign a “sensational” Bayern Munich player, with the German club now “really worried” about his future.

Man City's unbeaten run comes to an end at Aston Villa

Man City’s nine-game undefeated streak in all competitions was brought to a halt on Sunday afternoon, suffering a 1-0 defeat against Aston Villa at Villa Park, with Matty Cash’s first-half strike proving to be the difference between the two sides.

Despite the loss, Pep Guardiola suggested he was happy with his side’s performance, while also insisting it is too early to be overly concerned about the Premier League title race, saying: “I don’t know how many teams can come here and play the way we played, with the courage, possession and chances.

“We have to be stable with that. And after that, to deal with games better.

“But I don’t live in October and November thinking, ‘Oh what is going to happen if we don’t win the Premier League’, so it’s game by game now.”

However, having suffered three defeats already this season, which leaves the Blues six points behind Arsenal in the table, there are clear indications Guardiola may need to strengthen his squad in order to turn them back into title contenders.

According to a report from The Boot Room, Man City have this month held discussions about signing Bayern Munich defender Dayot Upamecano, amid the uncertainty surrounding his future at the Bundesliga club.

Upamecano is yet to extend his contract at the Allianz Arena, which means he is currently set to be available on a free transfer next summer, and that is a concern for Bayern.

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Transfer expert Graeme Bailey adds: “Speaking to sources at a couple of Premier League clubs, they actually believe Upamecano is more likely to stay than leave, but I can tell you Bayern are really worried that Upamecano will have offers presented to him in early 2026 if an agreement with Bayern is not reached.”

"Sensational" Upamecano could be solid addition to Pep's backline

Pep has stuck with the experienced duo of John Stones and Ruben Dias at centre-back in recent weeks, with the former managing to put his injury problems behind him, while the manager also has Nathan Ake, Josko Gvardiol and Abdukodir Khusanov to call upon.

As such, it is debatable whether it is necessary to bring in another centre-back, but the Bayern star certainly has the ability required to succeed at the Etihad Stadium, having received very high praise from journalist Muhammad Butt in the past.

Every player in a Guardiola system must be comfortable in possession of the ball, and the 27-year-old fits the bill in that regard, averaging a pass-completion rate of 93.5% per 90 over the past year, placing him in the 96th percentile, compared to other centre-backs.

Upamecano could be the ideal addition to Man City’s defence, and the £168k-a-week star potentially being available on a free transfer makes signing him an even more attractive proposition.

تفاعلت جماهير فريق ليفربول مع قرار المدرب آرني سلوت باستبعاد النجم المصري محمد صلاح من مباراة يوم الثلاثاء ضد نظيره فريق إنتر ميلان في بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.

ويحل ليفربول ضيفًا على إنتر ميلان في مباراتهما مساء يوم الثلاثاء، في الجولة السادسة من دوري أبطال أوروبا، مرحلة الدوري لموسم 2025/26.

وأعلن ليفربول قائمة اللاعبين المستدعاة لخوض مباراة إنتر ميلان، والتي شهدت غياب محمد صلاح كرد فعل فوري من جانب المدرب آرني سلوت على تصريحاته النارية يوم السبت (لمطالعة التفاصيل من هنا).

من جانبها، تفاعلت جماهير ليفربول على قرار سلوت باستبعاد محمد صلاح من قائمة مباراة إنتر ميلان، عبر موقع إكس على النحو التالي:

“لا صلاح، لا كييزا، سنسير بمفردنا يوم الثلاثاء”.

No Sallah
No Chielsa

We are walking alone on Tuesday — Mahngee🥷Ø (@man_like_gaffy) December 8, 2025

“استبعاد صلاح من التشكيلة دون تفسير مناسب هو تصرف غير محترم، بعد كل ما قدمه للنادي، هل هكذا يعاملونه؟ ليفربول بحاجة إلى إصلاح”.

Leaving Salah out of the squad with no proper explanation is mad disrespectful. After everything he’s done for the club, this is how they treat him? Liverpool needs to fix up — a (@Abdxl_Aziz) December 8, 2025

“تشكيلة من 19 لاعبًا واستراتيجية جريئة بدون صلاح، دعونا نرى ما إذا كانت عملية عدم تسجيل أي أهداف ستنجح ضد إنتر ميلان”.

19 man squad and zero salah bold strategy slot let’s see if operation no goals works against Inter — Sanket Khadse (@Joyboy__09) December 8, 2025

“محمد صلاح لن يسافر مع الفريق، أتمنى أن تكونوا فريق فائزين يا شباب أو يخرج سلوت”.

Mo Salah is not traveling with the team let’s hope you’re winning guys or Arne Slot out 😭 — Bonke (@Buntu_Bokweni) December 8, 2025

“أين محمد صلاح؟ ماذا حدث؟ هل يعاني من إصابة؟”.

Where’s Salah?
What happened
Is he injured?👀 — AyushOnX (@a_yushsinha13) December 8, 2025

“محمد صلاح ليس المشكلة هنا، بل الأصلع على خط التماس، أشعر بالأسف لهذا النادي”.

Salah ain’t mainly the problem here but the BALD DUDE ON THE SIDELINES.

Like I literally feel sorry for this club 😫 — Pacho Colombo (@Pachocolombo07) December 8, 2025

“أعتقد أن ذلك هو الفصل الأخير بين محمد صلاح وليفربول”.

I guess that this is the final chapter between Salah & Liverpool — Mohammad Hassan Ahmad (@MoHassan_Ahmad) December 8, 2025

“تخيلوا استبعاد أعظم لاعب في هذا الجيل من التشكيلة لأن أصلع عاجز عن ابتكار تكتيكات جيدة، النادي في حالة انهيار بعد أن أصبح هذا الأصلع المحتال جاهلاً بكل تكتيكاته”.

Imagine leaving greatest player of this generation out of the squad.

Because a Bald cunt is unable to come up with a good tactics.. 🤣🤣

Club is in the ruins after bald fraud has been rendered clueless with all his tactics.. 🤣🤣 — Saurav (@Sarcastic_SR) December 8, 2025

“ربما يكون مجرد عقاب بسيط، وسيعود صلاح أقوى من أي وقت مضى، مهما حدث لاحقًا، سيبقى محمد صلاح أسطورة حقيقية لـ ليفربول”.

Maybe it’s only a small punishment, and Salah will return stronger than ever.
Whatever happens next, Mohamed Salah will always remain a true Liverpool legend. — TopuzSportMedia (@TopuzLouis) December 8, 2025

The last seven days could not have gone better for Arsenal fans.

Sunday saw them utterly dominate Tottenham Hotspur in the North London Derby, extending their lead at the top of the Premier League table.

Then, if that wasn’t enough, the Gunners took on and, in the second half anyway, quite comfortably beat Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

Things do not get any easier this weekend, though, as Arsenal travel to second-placed Chelsea, and if Mikel Arteta wants to ensure his side collects all three points, he should make one ruthless change to the lineup.

Arsenal's record against Chelsea

Sunday’s game will be the 212th competitive meeting between Arsenal and Chelsea, with the first being a Division One game in November 1907, which the Blues hosted and won 2-1.

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However, since then, it’s the Gunners who have generally had the better luck in this fixture, winning 85 games, drawing 60 and losing 66.

Moreover, since taking the job in December 2019, Arteta has had a sensational record against the West Londoners.

Of the 13 competitive games he’s managed against them, the Spaniard has masterminded a victory eight times – including in the 2020 FA Cup Final – settled for a draw three times and lost just twice, the last time being in August 2021.

The last game between the sides was in March of this year at the Emirates, and it would be fair to say it’s not one that has lived long in the memory, as the hosts ran out 1-0 winners thanks to a Mikel Merino header.

In all then, while this Sunday will be a tough test for Arsenal, Arteta and Co shouldn’t be too worried as they have an exceptional record against Chelsea.

With that said, on top of the enforced changes in attack, the manager should ruthlessly drop another of his starters from Wednesday to ensure it’s another win in the books.

The Arsenal star Arteta should drop

While the performance against Bayern on Wednesday was one of Arsenal’s best in a long time, there was one player who struggled somewhat: Myles Lewis-Skelly.

The Hale Ender, who is valued at £39m by Transfermarkt, started just his fifth game of the season, and it was really quite clear that he wasn’t as sharp as some of his teammates.

For example, while he wasn’t the only one at fault, he could have dealt with the pass that led to the visitors’ goal, and as the match went on, Michael Olise gave him more and more trouble.

Equally, as per Sofacore, his woes were evident as he lost the ball nine times from just 25 touches, or once every 2.7 touches.

However, even though he struggled, there can be no doubting his immense ability, potential and attitude, and so, while it’s a long way away, club insider Hand of Arsenal’s claim that he’s a “future captain” does not sound all that far-fetched.

With all that said, for the good of the team and to ensure they have an easier time collecting all three points at the Bridge, Arteta should replace the youngster with Ricardo Calafiori.

The Italian international has been nothing short of sublime this season.

Whether it’s in defence or going forward, the 23-year-old seems able to do it all with ease, and not only that, but he does it with a certain style as well.

Described as a “wild horse” of a full-back by the Telegraph’s Sam Dean and “the most electrifying man in sports entertainment” by journalist James Benge, the former Bologna man pops up all over the pitch and causes nightmares for opposition defenders.

Moreover, on top of the four goal involvements he’s produced this term, the Rome-born monster has some unreal underlying numbers to his name.

Calafiori’s Scout Report

Statistics

Per 90

Percentile

npxG: Non-Penalty xG

0.16

Top 2%

Shots Total

1.58

Top 2%

Goals + Assists

0.41

Top 4%

Goal-Creating Actions

0.46

Top 4%

Aerials Won

1.89

Top 5%

Goals

0.15

Top 7%

Shots on Target

0.41

Top 8%

All Stats via FBref

According to FBref, he ranks in the top 2% of full-backs in Europe’s top five leagues for non-penalty expected goals and total shots, the top 4% for goal-creating actions, the top 5% for assists and aerial duels one, and more, all per 90.

Ultimately, with Sunday’s game being hugely crucial for Arsenal, it would make sense for Arteta to bring Calafiori back into the team in place of Lewis-Skelly.

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Miller Gardner—the late 14-year-old son of former New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner—died of carbon monoxide poisoning, Costa Rican authorities said Wednesday.

The announcement comes 13 days after Miller's death during a family vacation, which the Gardner family announced through the Yankees.

Per Russell Zuniga of Costa Rica's Judicial Investigation Agency via the AP, Miller was tested for carboxyhemoglobin—an indicator of carbon monoxide's presence. He measured 64% saturation—well above the amount considered fatal.

Per the Gardner family, Miller was among several family members to fall ill while on vacation. The Gardners wrote that their son "loved football, baseball, golf, hunting, fishing, his family and his friends" in its announcement of his death through New York.

The Yankees held a moment of silence in Miller's honor before their opener against the Milwaukee Brewers on March 27. Brett, his father, played for the team from 2008 to '21—winning the World Series in 2009.

Celtic have been meticulously assessing options to succeed Martin O’Neill in the dugout and may now have identified a new figure that could become a serious contender to take the Scottish Premiership champions forward.

At 73 years of age, O’Neill deserves plenty of plaudits for taking a step out of his comfortable stable of punditry work for another spell in charge of his old side, even if he may only be around for a brief period of time.

The victories over Falkirk and Rangers brought back some much-needed morale to the Celtic dressing room. However, the Bhoys’ defeat to FC Midtjylland in midweek prompted the former Republic of Ireland boss to make his stance clear on a longer stay in Glasgow.

He told TNT Sports: “I will be here as long as the football board wants me, it’s as simple as that. That could be at the end of the week, it could be after the Kilmarnock game. I just don’t know.”

Later, he added after being asked if he was in constant discussions with the hierarchy, fuelling speculation that he may not be in charge beyond the international break: “No I’m not and I don’t really want to be. I just want to be told when my time is up.”

Kjetil Knutsen continues to be in the Celtic running as his Bodo/Glimt contract comes to an end. Meanwhile, Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna is a Parkhead candidate due to his sterling work at Portman Road.

With speculation bound to continue over the coming days, a new name has entered the picture as a potential successor to interim coach O’Neill.

Celtic place Brian Barry-Murphy on manager shortlist

According to Alan Nixon on his Patreon, Celtic have shortlisted Cardiff City manager Brian Barry-Murphy as a managerial candidate to take over permanently at Parkhead.

Middlesbrough are also on the hunt for a new head coach as Rob Edwards completes a controversial move to Wolverhampton Wanderers, though the Scottish champions appear ready to throw a spanner in the works amid their links to the City Football Group.

Brian Barry-Murphy at Cardiff City – 2025/26

Wins

13

Draws

2

Losses

6

62% win ratio from 21 matches this season.

Previously, he was head coach at Rochdale before a spell in charge of Manchester City’s elite development squad, and he has also further coaching experience in a technical role at Leicester City.

Celtic could land an alternative manager with a secret release clause

Cardiff City find themselves fourth on 26 points and could go top of the table should they win their game in hand. Predominantly adopting a 4-2-3-1, the Bluebirds have been an attacking force this campaign, scoring the joint-third most goals in League One.

Nevertheless, managing Celtic is a whole different kettle of fish due to the pressures associated with the role. It remains to be seen who will be trusted to lead their bid to retain the Scottish Premiership title.

تحدث داني أولمو لاعب خط وسط برشلونة بعد مساهمته في فوز فريقه أمام سيلتا فيجو برباعية لهدفين، على ملعب بالايدوس في الدوري الإسباني لكرة القدم.

وقال أولمو في تصريحات نشرتها صحيفة “آس” الإسبانية عن الأداء المتكامل الذي قدمه برشلونة: “حققنا هدفنا اليوم، لعبنا بشكل جيد واستحوذنا على الكرة أكثر”.

وأضاف: “في الشوط الثاني استحوذوا على الكرة أكثر وتراجعنا للخلف أكثر”.

اقرأ أيضاً.. ليفاندوفسكي بعد فوز برشلونة على سيلتا فيجو: قلصنا الفارق مع ريال مدريد.. وحان وقت تغيير الأمور

وأشاد أولمو بزميله روبرت ليفاندوفسكي الذي سجل هاتريك في شباك سيلتا فيجو: “إنه لاعب مهم للفريق وإذا استمر على هذا المنوال طوال الموسم، فإنه سيقدم لنا الكثير”.

وأكمل عن اللعب بشكل أساسي بدلاً من مارك كاسادو في تشكيل برشلونة قبل انطلاق اللقاء: “شعر كاسادو ببعض المشاكل العضلية، وأخبروني بذلك أثناء ركضي لذلك كان لدي وقت للإحماء”.

وختم حول ريال مدريد :”نعم تعادلوا، أليس كذلك؟ هدفنا النهائي هو الفوز والأمر متروك لنا”.