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Arsenal will have spent near £300m once the summer transfer window ends at 7pm on Monday evening. Still, the Gunners’ luxurious new squad was not enough to fend off another of the market’s big spenders, Liverpool.

Truth be told, Arne Slot’s side were there for the taking. Mikel Arteta’s men enjoyed more of the ball in the first half and looked threatening, but could not make their advantage tell.

In the end, they were undone by a moment of magic. Arsenal played with the handbrake on and the Reds made them pay.

Last season you may well remember Declan Rice’s stunning free-kicks against Real Madrid. It’s hard to forget them. Well, Rice eat your heart out.

Dominic Szoboszlai stepped up and struck a beautiful free-kick over the ball and past David Raya with not long left on the clock.

What went wrong for Arsenal at Anfield

After winning on the Premier League’s opening weekend against Manchester United, much was made of Arsenal’s unbeaten run against the big teams.

Indeed, as the north Londoners headed to Merseyside on Sunday, they did so having not lost their last 22 games against the division’s traditional big six; Manchester City, Liverpool, Man United, Spurs and Chelsea.

Well, that record came to an end in disappointing fashion this weekend as Arsenal rather lost with a whimper.

The tone was set in the opening exchanges. William Saliba went down off the ball and went off, replaced by Cristhian Mosquera. To his credit, the summer signing did well, winning four of his five duels, according to Sofascore.

The performance stemmed from Arsenal’s attack. While Arteta may have a fantastic record against the biggest sides in English football, it’s becoming a regular occurrence now that they struggle to get out of second gear.

Barring the annihilation against Manchester City last season, very rarely have the Gunners managed to romp to victory.

Excusing that City game, it’s 11 matches since Arsenal scored more than twice in those ‘big-six’ fixtures. Fair enough against the best sides in the land, but it speaks volumes of a team who aren’t given much creative freedom or license.

Viktor Gyokeres, like he did against Manchester United, looked isolated up top and was devoid of much service. That’s hardly a surprise considering Arsenal started Ethan Nwaneri, Martin Odegaard and Eberechi Eze on the bench. Also without Bukayo Saka, this one was always going to be a bit of a struggle.

Mikel Merino was chosen in the Odegaard role but despite scoring twice against Liverpool in 2024/25, he didn’t really turn up on this occasion, completing just 77% of his passes.

To his credit, Noni Madueke was probably the best player for the visitors. Handed an opportunity in his favoured role on the right-hand side, he regularly looked to make things happen.

He had three shots, the most of any Arsenal player and completed his one and only dribble. It’s a pity his partner on the opposite side of the pitch failed to show the same vigour.

The root of Arsenal's problems in attack

For the vast majority of this summer window, Arsenal supporters have had two cravings. One was for the club to sign a new striker and they did so by welcoming Gyokeres to the Emirates Stadium.

The other desire was to see Andrea Berta sign a left winger. He’s semi-done that, welcoming Madueke and Eze into the fold.

It was Madueke who started on the left against Leeds United last week and it was Eze who finished Sunday’s clash in that role, substituted on with 20 minutes to go. The new signing was vibrant, certainly more so than the man he replaced, Gabriel Martinelli.

The Brazilian is a puzzling talent. In 2022/23, he finished as the club’s joint-top scorer, registering 15 goals.

Since then, it has been an arduous few years for the wide player who has struggled to replicate that form. His performance against Liverpool showcased why he’s become a bit of a scapegoat in recent times.

Full of pace, Martinelli will always guarantee energy, but his lack of incisiveness in the final third completely killed Arsenal in the first half.

David Raya

6/10

Jurrien Timber

6/10

William Saliba

N/A

Gabriel

7/10

Riccardo Calafiori

6/10

Martin Zubimendi

6/10

Declan Rice

6/10

Mikel Merino

5/10

Noni Madueke

8/10

Gabriel Martinelli

3/10

Viktor Gyokeres

5/10

There were two moments in particular. One came in the opening exchanges when he found the chance to break through the centre of the pitch. Gyokeres looked to make two runs in behind but Martinelli didn’t get his head up. He eventually ran down a blind alley into the penalty area and lost the ball having failed to make up his mind over what to do with it.

The same happened slightly later in the half when he decided to hold the ball up rather than get after Szoboszlai who was playing out of position at right-back.

It said it all that the Hungarian, even before his showstopping goal, was on course to win the man of the match award.

Martinelli only lasted 70 minutes but he really should have been hooked sooner, having failed to have a single shot, manage one dribble or create a key pass.

Minutes played

70

Touches

15

Accurate passes

6/7 (86%)

Key passes

0

Shots

0

Dribble attempts

0

Crosses

0

Duels won

2

It was a really poor afternoon for the Brazil international who left the pitch after amassing just 15 touches, 40 fewer than goalkeeper David Raya.

As Arsenal podcaster and writer Phil Costa noted during the 90 minutes, he’s “so clunky and indecisive.” Is it any wonder the Gunners have moved to secure the services of Eze and Madueke this summer?

On this evidence, Martinelli should find himself back on the bench after the international break. Eze simply has to start when they face Nottingham Forest in two weeks.

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Pochettino promised this roster would offer a clearer vision into his World Cup thoughts, with a 60-man roster winnowed to 26

During the September window, Mauricio Pochettino offered a glimpse into what this month's camp would look like. It would be less experimental, he said. It would also likely be more European-based. Having expanded the player pool by giving opportunities to as many contenders as possible, it was time to start tightening.

In truth, it was time to really start looking ahead.

On Thursday, Pochettino announced his latest squad, a 26-man list including most of the heavy-hitters. Only 11 are holdovers from last month's camp, showing just how much has changed. Several absences are due to injury. One is due to paternity leave. Much of the squad, though, is made up of players being welcomed back in for one reason or another.

From big names such as Weston McKennie to less familiar ones such as James Sands, this team is, by and large, made up of talented players with points to prove. More than anything, though, it's a team that makes sense.

Pochettino promised that this month would offer a clearer vision into his World Cup thoughts and, by and large, it does. What was once a 60-player pool has been winnowed down. This camp, then, will narrow it even further as those in the team, and those out of it, fight for those World Cup spots.

GOAL breaks down the winners and losers from the USMNT squad.

GettyWINNER: Antonee Robinson

He's finally back, and that's good news not just for Robinson, but for the USMNT as a whole.

This will be Robinson's first camp of 2025, believe it or not, as injuries have essentially derailed his calendar year with the USMNT. Throughout that span, the U.S. was repeatedly confronted with a fact that, in truth, everyone already knew: there is no replacement for the Fulham star. Other players have stepped in capably, and Max Arfsten has been turned into a decent backup, but Robinson is in a class of his own.

The only real negative is that, because of injury, Sergino Dest is out on the other side, so we won't get a proper look at what this three-back system could look like with the two primary wingbacks. Maybe next month. But in the meantime, the USMNT will be glad to welcome back Robinson, who remains an integral a piece to this team.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportLOSERS: The injured bunch

With time dwindling before a World Cup, every camp seems all the more important. So, for those not on the squad, this is quite obviously a missed opportunity, whether you're a player on the fringes or one in the starting XI.

It would have been very nice to see how Dest played in this system with Robinson on the other side. His PSV teammate, Ricardo Pepi, meanwhile, is also dealing with injury issues that are, for the moment, preventing him from pushing Folarin Balogun for that spot as the USMNT's starting striker.

In the midfield, Johnny Cardoso is dealing with an injury, and no player needs a good international performance more than the newly-signed Atletico Madrid man, who has had few opportunities with the World Cup coming. And then there's Gio Reyna. There's no guarantee he'd have been here even if he was fully fit, due to his lack of minutes but, again, the clock is ticking.

There aren't many chances remaining for players to prove that they belong next summer. For several players in the pool, this one will pass them by due to unfortunate timing.

Getty Images SportLOSER: Joe Scally

Speaking of fullbacks, there's one big absence in that spot: Joe Scally. His exclusion comes after a wild performance in the Bundesliga, one in which he provided two assists in a chaotic 6-4 loss to Eintracht Frankfurt. 

At least for the moment, it seems that Alex Freeman is in pole position for that backup spot on the right side. The reasons why are fairly clear. Freeman, at his core, is an attacking fullback, more of a like-for-like replacement for an injured Dest. Tim Weah, too, is an option in the right-wingback spot, having played there fairly regularly on the club level in recent years.

As a result, Scally is the odd man out at the moment. Despite his assists this weekend, he's more defensive by nature. He does provide versatility in that he can play on either side or as part of a back three. But with the squad expanded to 26 players, there's room to take more specialists than Swiss army knives. At the moment, it seems that fact is keeping Scally out of the team.

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Getty ImagesWINNER: Patrick Agyemang

He's seemingly settled in at Derby County, even if he's waiting for that first goal. Now, Patrick Agyemang is back with the USMNT, offering some indication of where he remains in the overall pool.

The now-former Charlotte FC striker has two assists already for his new Championship club and has offered glimpses into the skillset that convinced both Pochettino and Derby of his overall talent. After missing the September camp due to injury, Agyemang will be competing with Balogun and Haji Wright for minutes at the top of the USMNT attack.

Striker, of course, is a unique position, one that depends on form more than anywhere else on the field. You have to be in the mix, though, to make that form count, and Agyemang remains right there.

Nicole Faltum will go from the T20I tour of New Zealand to leading the Australia A 50-over side

ESPNcricinfo staff06-Mar-2025Heather Graham, Nicole Faltum and Charli Knott will captain Australia A in a multi-format series against England A from late March.The series includes three T20s, three one-day games and a four-day match with all the games being played in Sydney.Graham will lead the Australia A T20 side while Faltum, who has been called up for the T20I tour of New Zealand starting March 21, will captain the one-dayers and Queensland allrounder Knott will take charge of the four-day contest from April 12-15 at Cricket Central.Australia A vs England A fixtures

26 March: First T20, Hurstville Oval

28 March: Second T20, Hurstville Oval

30 March: Third T20, Hurstville Oval

2 April: First 50-over match, Cricket Central, Sydney

4 April: Second 50-over match, Cricket Central, Sydney

7 April: Third 50-over match, Cricket Central, Sydney

12-15 April: Four-day match, Cricket Central, Sydney

The England A matches will be preceded by the second running of the Green vs Gold fixture where two groups of Australian players face each other in a three-day game which will be held in Canberra from March 12-14. The concept was introduced last year and Georgia Voll scored a double century.Faltum will captain the Green side while Gold will be led by Knott.”These series make up a crucial part of the elite player pathway, providing some our best and most promising domestic players with additional development opportunities and the chance to show selectors what they can do against strong international opposition,” national selector Shawn Flegler said.”The National Selection Panel is always looking to the future as we’ve seen in recent years with Georgia Voll and Phoebe Litchfield transitioning into the Australian team with great success, so this is a great opportunity to get a look at a wide range of players.”We’ve included some fresh faces across the squads and are excited to see the likes of Grace Dignam, Elsa Hunter, Gabby Sutcliffe, Sianna Ginger and Rhys McKenna in action.”With a one-day World Cup in India this year and a T20 World Cup next year, the ‘A’ series in particular, will allow us to have a good look at players we think could push for selection.”The visit of England A comes after the senior side was whitewashed 16-0 in the Ashes earlier in the season.Australia A squads vs England AT20s
Lauren Cheatle, Hannah Darlington, Sophie Day, Amy Edgar, Tess Flintoff, Sianna Ginger, Heather Graham (capt), Charli Knott, Anika Learoyd, Rhys McKenna, Madeline Penna, Amy Smith, Courtney Webb, Tahlia Wilson50-overs
Lauren Cheatle, Hannah Darlington, Sophie Day, Nicole Faltum (capt), Tess Flintoff, Sianna Ginger, Nicola Hancock, Ella Hayward, Charli Knott, Anika Learoyd, Amy Smith, Georgia Voll, Courtney Webb, Tahlia WilsonFour-day
Maitlan Brown, Lauren Cheatle, Maddy Darke, Sophie Day, Nicole Faltum, Tess Flintoff, Sianna Ginger, Nicola Hancock, Ella Hayward, Charli Knott (capt), Anika Learoyd, Lilly Mills, Rachel Trenaman, Tahlia WilsonAustralia Green v Gold SquadsGreen
Lauren Cheatle, Maddy Darke, Grace Dignam, Nicole Faltum (capt), Sianna Ginger, Ella Hayward, Elsa Hunter, Katie Mack, Lilly Mills, Georgia Prestwidge, Gabby Sutcliffe, Rachel Trenaman, Amanda-Jade WellingtonGold
Maitlan Brown, Hannah Darlington, Sophie Day, Emma de Broughe, Amy Edgar, Tess Flintoff, Nicola Hancock, Charli Knott (capt), Anika Learoyd, Bridget Patterson, Amy Smith, Courtney Webb, Tahlia Wilson

Tom Moffat, the CEO of the World Cricketers’ Association (WCA), has blasted the BPL for being “a repeat offender” in failing to pay the players on time. The reaction comes a day after Durbar Rajshahi’s overseas players boycotted their BPL match on Sunday because of non-payment of dues.Even Rajshahi’s captain Taskin Ahmed had joked after the match that he hoped the cheques issued to the Bangladeshi players, hours before the match, wouldn’t bounce like the pitch. The BCB’s media chairman Iftekhar Rahman said that the board is planning to take legal action against the Rajshahi franchise.On Monday, Ryan Burl and Aftab Alam, two of Rajshahi’s overseas players, appeared for the team’s last league match against Sylhet Strikers. It is however not clear whether the franchise owner Shafique Rahman has paid them fully yet.Related

• Rajshahi's overseas players stuck in Dhaka hotel over BPL payment issues

• BCB forms independent inquiry body to help probe BPL corruption allegations

• Player union wants 'basic protections' to ensure franchise leagues pay players on time

• BCB to take legal action against Durbar Rajshahi for not paying overseas players

• Rajshahi's overseas players sit out Sunday's game over non-payment of dues

Moffat expressed his shock on the matter, and called the lack of payment unacceptable.”It’s disappointing to hear about more non-payment issues in the Bangladesh Premier League, which has been a repeat offender over a number of years, ” Moffat told ESPNcricinfo. “These issues are unacceptable, they aren’t getting better, and it’s the players who make the event that are impacted. In any league that is officially sanctioned, players should have confidence that their contracts have some basic protections and minimum standards in them, and that they can be enforced efficiently.”The game is not currently capable of solving transnational issues like this at the moment, and that needs to change if it wants to continue to claim to be a leading global sport in 2025.”The BPL’s first two editions – in 2012 and 2013 – were mired by non-payment issues, with many players remaining unpaid by the franchises. The BCB even stopped the tournament for a season after there were corruption scandals.The payment issue cropped up this year after Rajshahi’s local players boycotted a training session last week, after going totally unpaid for the first two weeks of the tournament. Rajshahi reportedly also initially failed to pay their team hotel in Chattogram, with their owner Rahman getting into trouble with hotel authorities. They also had booking issues in Dhaka where they had to change hotels suddenly.

Aston Villa have now made an enquiry to sign a £60 million star who scored in a win at Villa Park during the 2023/24 season, according to a recent report.

Rumours of Aston Villa exit for Ollie Watkins

Aston Villa made the hard decision to let Jhon Duran leave Villa Park in January, as they prioritised keeping Ollie Watkins over the Colombian international. Six months later and the Villans could now have a battle on their hands to keep hold of the England international.

That is because Watkins is attracting strong interest from teams in the Premier League. Earlier this week, Caught Offside reported that Manchester United are considering a move to sign Watkins, as the forward is being described as a “key target” for Ruben Amorim. Meanwhile, it’s also been reported that Arsenal are also in the race to sign Watkins and have opened talks over a possible transfer.

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Newcastle United are another team who have identified Watkins as a possible transfer target this summer, as well as Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike. The Villans would ideally like to keep hold of their striker this summer, but it’s also been reported that the Midlands side have placed a £60 million price tag on the 29-year-old’s head.

Villa have already been linked with a move for Semih Kilicsoy of Besiktas, but there is now a new forward on their list, and he is already well known to the Premier League.

Aston Villa make enquiry to sign £60m striker Jackson

According to journalist Nabil Djellit, Aston Villa and Monchi have submitted an enquiry to Chelsea over signing striker Nicolas Jackson.

Djellit reports that the door is open for Jackson to leave Stamford Bridge in this transfer window, with a decision being made on his future after the Club World Cup final on Sunday evening. He claims that Jackson could leave Chelsea for a fee of £60 million and has been the subject of an enquiry not only from Villa but also from Manchester United, who are searching for a new striker.

Napoli are also a team interested in the Premier League striker, as they look to provide competition and backup to Romelu Lukaku now they are back playing in the Champions League. Jackson is under contract at Chelsea until 2033, but given the arrivals of Liam Delap and Joao Pedro, his time at Stamford Bridge could now be coming to an end.

Apps

30

Starts

28

Goals

10

xG

12.34

Shots per game

2.5

Goal conversion

13%

Big chances missed

19

Assists

5

xAG

1.92

Big chances created

6

Key passes

0.9

The 24-year-old has taken to life in English football very well, as he’s scored 24 goals in 65 league games and 30 goals for Chelsea in 81 games in all competitions. In fact, he is a player Villa do know well, as the forward scored at Villa Park in an FA Cup fourth-round replay during the 2023/24 season.

Jackson started all but two games in the Premier League last season when available, but recent ill-discipline issues in the Premier League and Club World Cup could spell the end of his time working with Enzo Maresca.

تحدث خالد بوطيب، لاعب الزمالك السابق والكوكب المراكشي الحالي، عن فترته السابقة مع القلعة البيضاء، مُشددًا على أنه تعرض لأزمات وتشويه لصورته في مصر.

وقال خالد بوطيب، في تصريحات عبر برنامج “اللعيب”، على قناة “mbc masr”: “هذه هي الحياة قد تكون الأمور هكذا في جميع بلدان العالم وفي جميع أندية العالم، هناك من لعب لبرشلونة ثم لريال، هكذا هو الأمر إنها من تبعات اللعبة ولا ينبغي أن نلمهم على هذا فهذه هي الحياة”.

وتابع: “الأمور جيدة لأنني الآن أكتشف دوريًا جديدًا وناديًا جديدًا وكذلك أيضًا زملاء جدد، إنني سعيد بعودتي إلى بلادي وعلي الآن أن أتأقلم مع أسلوب اللعب مع الفريق وكما قلت فإنني أحاول أن أقدم إضافة جديدة”.

عن فترته القصيرة مع الزمالك، قال خالد بوطيب: “نعم حقًا إنها قصيرة ولكن كان ذلك بسبب المشاكل مع الإدارة وأيضًا بسبب إصابتي”.

طالع أيضًا | شوبير: يانيك فيريرا ارتكب كارثة قبل مواجهة الأهلي.. ويُهاجم إدارة الزمالك

وأضاف: “كنت أرغب في تقديم أداء جيد وتحقيق إنجازات مع الزمالك حتى وإن فزت ببطولتين، إلا أن التجربة بقيت ناقصة وتركت لدي طعمًا مرًا هنا في مصر”.

وبسؤاله، هل مشاكلك تم حلها مع نادي الزمالك؟ أجاب: “لقد قلتها من قبل إنه قيل عني في وسائل الإعلام أشياء كثيرة وسيئة، وصورتني على أنني شخص غير نزيه مع أنهم يعلمون جيدًا أنني فعلت كل ما بوسعي للعودة بسرعة ومساعدة النادي قدر المستطاع، بعد ذلك لن أبوح أبدًا بكل ما حدث لأنني لا أريد أن أنزل إلى ذلك المستوى”.

واختتم: “كما قلت هناك بعض الأشخاص في النادي وبعض اللاعبين لا ذنب لهم، والمشجعون أيضًا لا ذنب لهم وعلى الرغم من كل شيء فقد كانت تجربة مهمة، أنا لا أقلل أبدًا مما عشته هناك إنه نادي سيبقى في قلبي رغم كل شيء وأمل أن يحققوا الكثير من الانتصارات”.

Everton will approach the 2025/26 campaign with a sense of excitement that has been missing for several years. Goodison Park will no longer house the Toffees’ Men’s team, but this new chapter promises so much.

After a huge exodus last month, Everton face a steep rebuild as they shuffle over to the Hill Dickinson Stadium, although Moyes is the perfect man to lead this charge, tasked with piecing back together a team fit for purpose in the higher level of the Premier League.

But make no mistake, there’s a lot to sort out for the Scotsman.

The latest on Everton's transfer window

When Everton completed the £27m signing of Thierno Barry from Villarreal earlier in July, Moyes confirmed that he is looking to do more business before the start of the season.

He’s been true to his word. Bournemouth shot-stopper Mark Travers has completed his medical and officially signed for Everton, lined up to provide competition for Jordan Pickford. The Merseysiders also want wide defenders and physical and creative profiles in the middle of the park.

However, Jack Harrison and Jesper Lindstrom’s departures after unconvincing loan spells have left Everton devoid of options on the attacking right flank.

Transfer Focus

That’s why, as per Portuguese outlet A Bola, Everton are pushing to sign Francisco Conceicao from FC Porto after the 22-year-old’s loan stint in Italy with Juventus.

The Liga Portugal giants value their rising star at €30m (£26m), and while he is thought to be giving priority to Juventus, Everton are named as the only suitors willing to meet Porto’s demands.

Why Moyes wants Francisco Conceicao

Conceicao played a peripheral role for Juventus last season, but his high-speed performances down the right wing made a positive impression, scoring seven goals and providing six assists across 40 matches in all competitions, including a brace against Al Ain in the Club World Cup.

He’s got the makings of something special, and Everton’s vacancy on the right certainly suggests he could be a wonderful addition, with his physicality and athletic style even suggesting he could be the next version of Iliman Ndiaye.

Ndiaye, 25, signed from Marseille for £15m last summer and has established himself as the crème de la crème of Everton’s transfer business in recent years. It’s admittedly not a high bar, but he’d shine as a standout across even a rich and fruitful era for the club.

Everton’s top scorer in 2024/25 with 11 goals across 37 appearances, the Senegalese winger has a rare skill for excitement, and in Conceicao, Moyes could sign a stylistic match to compete down the right.

Matches (starts)

33 (29)

26 (12)

Goals

9

3

Assists

0

3

Shot (on target)*

1.1 (0.5)

1.5 (0.5)

Big chances missed

3

2

Pass completion

85%

85%

Big chances created

3

5

Key passes*

0.5

1.1

Dribbles*

2.1

1.3

Ball recoveries*

5.2

2.1

Tackles + interceptions*

2.2

1.1

Duels won*

5.4 (50%)

3.7

Ndiaye has been hailed for his ability to produce “magic” moments by Sky Sports commentator Seb Hutchinson, and there’s no question that he’s more complete and robust at this stage than Conceicao, albeit a few years the Portuguese’s senior.

He could serve as a tutor for this young wideman, who should consider a move to Merseyside after a fringe role on loan with Juventus last season. At Everton, he would have the chance to become a nailed-on starting member.

Conceicao has already been declared ‘statistically the second-best dribbler in the world’ following analytics drawn from the CIES Football Observatory, so he’s got the talent to mirror Ndiaye, for sure.

Ranked among the top 3% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for progressive carries, the top 7% for successful take-ons and the top 12% for tackles per 90, as per FBref. Clearly, he can fill the ball-carrying void that Ndiaye can’t fill on the right, for he plies his trade on the left wing.

Lauded for his “exceptional” dribbling skills and “electric pace” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, Conceicao would be a stunning acquisition for an Everton side on the up, establishing a degree of exciting equipoise on the wings as Moyes creates a frontline to be feared.

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Embattled Cricket Scotland board calls for unity as more grievances emerge

ESPNcricinfo staff25-Jun-2024Cricket Scotland is braced for another bout of legal action from an aggrieved former player after Hamza Tahir, the 28-year-old left-arm spinner, announced his retirement from international cricket with immediate effect. In his retirement statement, Tahir declared that a fellow South Asian player had told him that, to succeed in the Scotland set-up, “you have to perform twice as well”.Tahir, 28, claimed 63 wickets in 48 matches for Scotland, including a best of 5 for 38 against Oman in 2019. However, he was omitted from the squad for the recent T20 World Cup campaign in the Caribbean, having been cut from Cricket Scotland’s list of contracted players in March.In his statement, Tahir declared that “enough is enough”, as he listed the grievances that had brought him to his decision, including a solitary appearance at a major international event, against Pakistan at the T20 World Cup in 2021, and an allegation that a senior coach “used the P word several times” during a national tour in 2020.”This is only a snippet of the obstacles put in place of players of colour,” Hamza said. “In major tournaments such as World Cups I’ve always felt l’ve been held back and not allowed to go and showcase to the world what I can do, and make a name for myself on the world stage.”Tahir’s comments come amid a period of intense turmoil for Cricket Scotland, a body which was found to be institutionally racist two years ago, after complaints by two other former players, Majid Haq and Qasim Sheikh, prompted an independent review. The entire board resigned on the eve of the publication of the “Changing the Boundaries” report in July 2022, which listed 448 examples of racism and discrimination, of which just five have progressed to disciplinary procedures.In recent weeks, Cricket Scotland has been embroiled in a row with a further former player, John Blain, who claims he was “exonerated” of allegations of racist behaviour after receiving a letter from the former interim CEO, Peter Fitzboydon, in January, but subsequently accused the board of attempting to “rewrite history” in its reappraisal of that position.In a statement, Cricket Scotland reiterated its “utmost sympathy for anyone who has experienced discrimination whilst involved in our sport”, and thanked Tahir for being a “tremendous servant to the Scotland men’s national team”.Trudy Lindblade, Cricket Scotland CEO, added: “I sympathise with those who harbour a feeling of injustice, and we will continue to engage respectfully throughout the mediation process.”The only viable route to common ground is through independent mediation in order to achieve reconciliation. Only then can we speak openly and work together to provide an inclusive sport that we can all be proud of.”Ongoing instability and recrimination, played out in front of the media, will only cause further damage to relationships and reputations, and deepen the wounds that need to heal.”

Arsenal are looking to strengthen their squad in almost all areas ahead of another Premier League title challenge next season, but up until now we’ve heard precious little in regard to new defenders on their radar.

Arsenal missed out on Dean Huijsen to Real Madrid

While a new addition to their backline isn’t exactly reported as a key item on Andrea Berta’s agenda, the Gunners did attempt to sign Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth, before his high-profile move to Real Madrid.

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Arsenal were among the elite Premier League clubs attempting to lure the Spaniard, with Liverpool and Chelsea also showing a keen interest before Xabi Alonso’s side ultimately won the race for his signature.

19/20 – winter

£0

20/21 – summer

£81.5m

20/21 – winter

£900k

21/22 – summer

£156.8m

21/22 – winter

£1.8m

22/23 – summer

£121.5m

22/23 – winter

£59m

23/24 – summer

£208m

23/24 – winter

£0

24/25 – summer

£101.5m

24/25 – winter

£0

All three sides were ready to trigger his previous £50 million release clause at one stage, according to Fabrizio Romano, with Arsenal also presenting a formal contract offer to Huijsen’s representatives (Cadena SER).

After missing out on Huijsen, Arsenal’s pursuit of a centre-back appears to have been reduced to Berta’s backburner, with Mikel Arteta already boasting Jakub Kiwior, William Saliba, Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel all able to play at the heart of his defence.

A recent new deal for the latter also mitigates the immediate need for another centre-back, and even if AC Milan formalise their interest in Kiwior and sign the Poland international, any new defender would potentially need to accept their role as a back-up option behind Gabriel and Saliba.

There are reports of Arsenal holding discussions over 19-year-old Ajax sensation Jorrel Hato, who can play at both left-back and centre-back, and he’d be an ideal alternative to Arteta’s star centre-back duo.

A centre-half doesn’t appear completely off the table, with Lille defender Alexsandro now attracting interest from Berta too.

Arsenal hold initial talks over signing Alexsandro from Lille

The 25-year-old made his first senior appearances for Brazil recently after a fine season in Ligue 1, starting both of their World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Paraguay, and Arsenal have taken note of his exploits in 2025.

According to UOL, Arsenal scouts were present to watch him in action against Paraguay, and Alexsandro is considering an exit from Lille this summer, so he could be available for Berta.

What’s more, Arsenal have made initial contact over signing Alexsandro, and are said to be fans of the defender, but face competition from Serie A champions Napoli.

He has a market value of around £26 million as well, but after his excellent 2024/2025 at Lille, the French side could well demand more after losing both Angel Gomes and Jonathan David for free.

When will Rangers unveil their new manager at Ibrox?

On Saturday, the Gers concluded their generally miserable campaign at Easter Road, held to a 2-2 draw, with top-scorer Cyriel Dessers and Rangers Player of the Season Nicolas Raskin on target in Edinburgh.

As Scottish Premiership runners-up, the Light Blues will start next season early with a Champions League second qualifying round tie on 22 or 23 July, currently projected to face one of Brann from Norway, Swiss side Servette or Austria Vienna.

Thus, with that first leg a mere 62 days away already, 49ers Enterprises are under pressure to appoint a new Rangers manager very quickly, so who is on their shortlist?

Rangers' new manager search

According to a report by Sky Sports News, six men are ‘under consideration’ to become the new Rangers manager.

They are: Steven Gerrard, Davide Ancelotti, Russell Martin, Rob Edwards, Danny Röhl and Gary O’Neil.

Ever since it was confirmed that his father, Carlo, will leave Real Madrid at the end of the season, becoming the new Brazil manager, it has been widely reported, including by Madrid-based outlet AS, that Davide is one of the front-runners to land the Rangers job.

Meantime, Gerrard remains one of the leading candidates too, with Mike McGrath of the Telegraph documenting how the 49ers have held a longstanding interest in bringing the Englishman back to Ibrox.

Of the six names mentioned, only Röhl is currently employed by a club, and he is ‘considering’ leaving Sheffield Wednesday, as reported by David Ornstein of the Athletic, but Rangers should not go for him, nor Gerrard nor Ancelotti, with another member of the short list making the most sense.

Who Rangers should appoint as their new manager

Rob Edwards may be a name unfamiliar to a large majority of the Rangers support, but he could be an excellent appointment.

Let’s have a look at the 42-year-old’s senior managerial career so far.

AFC Telford United

2017-18

49

20

Forest Green Rovers

2021-22

53

26

League Two title

Watford

2022

11

3

Luton Town

2022-25

104

33

Championship promotion

Edwards’ biggest career achievement to date is, without question, leading Luton Town into the Premier League which was a miraculous achievement.

The Hatters were relegated after one season in the top-flight, before Edwards departed by mutual consent back in January of this year, with the club actually going on to suffer a second successive relegation, now finding themselves in EFL League One.

Nevertheless, this should take away from Edwards’ impact at Kenilworth Road, with journalist James Cunliffe noting that he did an “outstanding” job at Luton, while Mark Ogden of ESPN praises his “ultra-positive” ​​​​​​​style of play, something that would no doubt go down well with those at Ibrox.

Meantime, Exeter City midfielder Edward Francis, who played for Edwards at youth level, praised his exceptional “man-management​​​​​​​” and “communication skills”, adding “he always treats people well and is honest with them”.

So, Edwards is clearly a young manager on the up, which is in contrast to Gerrard.

The 44-year-old’s time at Aston Villa was disastrous, as documented by Gregg Evans of the Athletic, while he was then also sacked by Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq​​​​​​​ back in January following an underwhelming 18-month stint in the Middle East.

So, Gerrard’s last two managerial jobs do not suggest he is the right man for the Ibrox dugout, although he was successful during his first stint in Govan, delivering the club’s first Premiership title for a decade, historically ending Celtic’s quest for ten-in-a-row.

So, reappointing Gerrard would probably be the safe option, as he is a known quantity in Glasgow, but the 49ers should be braver and hire an up-and-coming coach with the potential to get even better, and Edwards certainly fits that bill.

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