An all-round bowling show from Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) saw them restrict Punjab Kings (PBKS) to only 157 for 6 in Mullanpur. Less than 48 hours after these two teams played a game in Bengaluru, they were back at it up north.RCB won the toss and had no hesitation in bowling first on what Rajat Patidar thought was a decent surface. PBKS were off to a flying start in the powerplay with Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh going big. After a two-run opening over from Bhuvneshwar Kumar, the duo smashed seven fours and a six in the next three overs.However, the change of pace brought RCB back. Krunal Pandya first induced a top-edge off Arya’s blade with Tim David taking a simple catch at mid-on. Prabhsimran went six and four against Josh Hazlewood in the sixth over to end the powerplay on a high. But it was all RCB thereon.Prabhsimran failed to clear long-on first ball after the powerplay and was caught by David at long-on. Shreyas Iyer, who had three fifty-plus and four sub-ten scores in seven innings in IPL 2025, suffered another failure. He was dismissed by Romario Shepherd, with Krunal taking a stunning catch haring to his left from long-on.Nehal Wadhera was needlessly run out, while Suyash Sharma then picked two wickets in an over as PBKS slipped to 114 for 6 in the 14th over. PBKS only managed 67 runs in the middle overs and lost five wickets.Shashank Singh and Marco Jansen tried their best to go big in the death, but Bhuvneshwar and Hazlewood did not give them an inch. According to ESPNcricinfo’s ball-by-ball data, RCB landed eight yorkers in the last four overs. Jansen and Shashank were not dismissed but could only manage 28 runs in the last four overs. Jansen smashed a six to end the innings, but RCB will be the happier side going into the break.

Gennaro Gattuso addressed his decision of not selecting young midfielder Samuele Ricci in Italy's squad for this month's World Cup qualifiers, citing his lack of regular playing time at AC Milan as the reason. The Italy head coach, however, urged the 24-year-old to "watch" and learn from the iconic ex-Real Madrid midfielder, who has made an immediate impact since arriving at the San Siro.

• Ricci begins new chapter after signing for Milan

  Ricci made his debut for Italy in 2022, at the age of 20-year-old, while he was still a Torino player. After spending three and a half seasons at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino, he was snapped up by Serie A giants Milan for a fee of around €25m (£22m/$29m). While he has started both matches in the Coppa Italia, he has made three substitute appearances in the Italian top-flight – totalling 61 minutes – and remained an unused substitute in the other three games. His lack of playing time led to his exclusion from the Italy squad for the October international break.

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  Gattuso wants Ricci to learn from Modric

  Speaking to reporters this week, Gattuso said: "It's a shame, but nothing is lost. Quite the contrary. Playing time is important; getting minutes under your belt is important. I feel sorry for him because he has a giant like Modric ahead of him, but training with him can do him good. Watching him. He's paying the price for his talent right now; he's not getting much playing time, but nothing is lost for him either. I hope he manages to find his place."

• Modric magic makes Milan tick

  Modric has hit the ground running in the 2025-26 season, with the 40-year-old midfield maestro playing a pivotal role in ensuring Massimiliano Allegri's side made an impressive start to the campaign. He has started all six Serie A games and saw out the full 90 minutes on four of those occasions. 

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  Can Milan continue their purple patch?

  The Rossoneri have a tough run of fixtures over the next few weeks, which will put their credentials as title contenders to the test. After facing Fiorentina on October 19, they will take on Pisa, Atalanta, and Roma in the next three weeks.

It is a testament to Everton’s growth under David Moyes that their recent 1-1 draw with West Ham United in the Premier League was met with frustration.

This is because Everton were expected to win at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, and that belief was strengthened when Michael Keane powered home a first-half header to open the scoring.

But the Toffees ended up labouring to a draw against Nuno Espirito Santo’s Hammers, with the point gained lifting them into ninth place in the standings.

Expectations have indeed been raised, with newbie Jack Grealish leading the charge.

Jack Grealish at Everton

Grealish will be disappointed with his performance against West Ham. Everton’s positive play flowed through the 30-year-old playmaker, who wasn’t at his best but still looked a constant threat, with Sofascore recording that he created four chances and won seven duels.

With four assists to his name in August, Grealish was awarded the Premier League Player of the Month award, and though he and Everton have not since claimed three points, drawing twice and losing a close game at Anfield, his level of performance remains impressive.

Grealish, perhaps excitingly, hasn’t reached his optimum level yet. There is more to come. However, as Everton grow and improve under Moyes’ wing, so too does the spotlight increase on certain stars.

And there are a few who might be holding Grealish back.

Moyes must drop £55m duo

Grealish has yet to score in an Everton shirt, but that’s not the end of the world. The Three Lions star has never been the most prolific of attacking midfielders, and he adds much to the build-up patterns and creative flow. That is his bread and butter.

The problem, though, is that Grealish is supported by a full-back in Vitalii Mykolenko, who leaves much to be desired from an attacking standpoint, and is surmounted by Beto at number nine, who has endured a tough, luckless start to the season.

Mykolenko was chased by Napoli this summer, who were willing to pay around £26m for his services. Everton turned it down, but may come to regret that decision if his fitness and form do not improve.

Undoubtedly, Beto has improved since Moyes replaced Sean Dyche, but the Bissau Guinean striker enjoyed a bright purple patch shortly after the Scotsman’s arrival, bagging five in four, and has since plateaued, with only one strike to his name this term and a litany of missed opportunities.

Games

42

23

Starts

10

20

Goals

4

8

Assists

0

0

Everton writer Ell Bretland even remarked that “Beto’s lack of hold-up play and Mylolenko not getting forward” has been stifling the esteemed loanee, who is not being supported effectively from behind and who is struggling to get a tune out of Everton’s misfiring centre-forward, who was signed from Udinese for up to £30m in 2023.

This may require a left-field solution. Iliman Ndiaye, for example, has played up front during his career before, and no Everton player has scored more than his 13 goals since joining the club from Marseille in 2024.

It would change the dynamic of Everton’s team, but with Tyler Dibling looking to nail down a starting berth of his own, this may be an outlook that would bear dividends for Moyes down the line.

James Garner provided a sumptuous assist for Keane at the weekend, too, and has played three times as a stand-in left-back in the Premier League this season, averaging 1.2 chances per game.

There is much for Moyes to ponder, but if Mykolenko and Beto fail to find form, they must be dropped to raise the level of the collective, and that not only includes Grealish but is shaped and charged by him.

Bowen 2.0: Everton must regret selling "one of the best players in the PL"

Everton must now rue selling this gifted star before he hit his full potential.

ByKelan Sarson Oct 2, 2025

Jose Mourinho has admitted that "killer" Newcastle were too strong for Benfica, who could not "compete with their horsepower" during their Champions League mauling on Tuesday evening at St. James' Park. The ‘Special One’ believes Eddie Howe’s men belong to a different league after a 3-0 defeat that left the visitors reeling and without a single point after three matches in Europe.

• Gordon, Barnes, and Murphy led the charge

  Benfica showed flashes of promise in the first half, notably when winger Dodi Lukebakio struck the post, but Mourinho conceded that Newcastle’s pace and physicality simply outgunned his team. The Magpies’ front line was ferocious. Anthony Gordon grabbed the opener, Harvey Barnes came off the bench to score twice, and Jacob Murphy ran riot down the flank, setting up Gordon’s first-half strike with a teasing delivery that split open Benfica’s defence. It was a showcase of pressing, power, and precision.

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  Mourinho lauds Newcastle's wingers

  In his post-match debrief, Mourinho was composed yet candid. He praised his players’ first-half effort but lamented their loss of structure after conceding.

  "This tells me about the level of Newcastle," Mourinho began. "While the score was open, and I think it was even unfairly open, because in the first half the team played well on the pitch, the players felt comfortable in a stadium with a palpable atmosphere.

  "The danger they posed for us was obviously from set pieces and everything indirect in the box, because it's difficult to compete with a team with this physicality, but we had great chances to score, three or four. Before they scored, we had a beautiful shot from Lukebakio that hit the post, so I reiterate that the first-half result doesn't reflect the game at all."

  The 62-year-old drew attention to the physical contrast between the teams and added: "In the second half, we conceded a goal we couldn't afford, a set piece in our favour, where our initial positioning for the transition was correct, but then we made mistakes in our defensive movement. And when we concede that goal, the differences in characteristics between the teams come to the fore.

  "There's a team with a higher horsepower engine than the other, a team with much more intensity, a team with much more speed. As I said yesterday [the day before yesterday], I think in the press conference—if not in the press conference, it was on TV—they have four lightning-fast wingers. They don't have one or two, they have four. And when you change two who come on in the 50th or 60th minute, when you change one and then later change another, we, losing the compact play we had in the first half, were exposed."

  However, Mourinho feels things could have panned out differently if they had taken the lead when Benfica were on top in the first half. 

  "We score a goal before them, we reach half-time leading, we reach half-time tied, we can continue with the same type of organisation," he said. "Then, the second goal, psychologically, kills us. The players felt the second goal deeply, and then the game took a different turn, which was tough for us."

• Gordon’s record-breaking night

  Gordon continues to grow into one of the Premier League’s most complete wingers. His goal against Benfica made him the first Newcastle player in history to score in three consecutive Champions League games. 

  "It means everything, but we need more, my ambition doesn't stop there," he said. "Because we had so many chances, we had to put one away to calm the nerves. I was glad to see it go in. Playing with [Jacob] Murphy, I knew he was going to play that ball every time. That goal is all about him. We all love [Nick] Pope. He is one of the most popular people in the dressing room he is a top guy and a top keeper. He has kept us in so many game already this season and some of the saves he made were incredible."

  Eddie Howe, visibly delighted on the touchline, hailed the performance of his forwards, and especially Gordon's. 

  "Anthony [Gordon] was outstanding. He looked a real threat all game," the Newcastle boss said. "He was dynamic, aggressive and positive. Jacob [Murphy’s] always been an assist threat and he was absolutely that. Some of the deliveries he put in were very good. I’m pleased for Harvey[Barnes] to come on and get the two that he did on the right side which shows his versatility. It’ll do those three players a world of good."

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  A tale of two tables: Champions League joy, domestic frustration

  While Newcastle’s European adventure gathers pace, now seventh in the Champions League league phase, their Premier League campaign tells a more sobering story. The Magpies sit 14th domestically, the lowest position they’ve held under Howe after eight rounds of fixtures. Their next test comes at home against Fulham on Saturday, and Howe's troops will be desperate to get the three points. Meanwhile, Mourinho's Benfica will look to bounce back in a Liga Portugal clash with Arouca on the same day.

أعلنت رابطة البريميرليج عن الفائز بجائزة رجل مباراة ليفربول وأستون فيلا في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، والتي أقيمت مساء السبت.

واستقبل ليفربول خصمه أستون فيلا على ملعب “آنفيلد” ضمن مباريات الجولة العاشرة للدوري الإنجليزي “البريميرليج”.

وتمكن ليفربول من تحقيق الفوز أمام أستون فيلا بهدفين دون رد، ليعود إلى سكة الانتصارات بعد سلسلة من النتائج السلبية.

وحصل المصري محمد صلاح جناح ليفربول على جائزة رجل المباراة أمام أستون فيلا، بتصويت الجماهير عبر موقع البريميرليج الرسمي.

اقرأ أيضًا | محمد صلاح يُعادل رقم روني ويحقق إنجازًا مع ليفربول بهدفه أمام أستون فيلا

وكان محمد صلاح قد سجل هدف تقدم ليفربول أمام أستون فيلا، في الدقيقة الأولى من الوقت المحتسب بدلاً من الضائع للشوط الأول.

وحصل محمد صلاح على نسبة تصويت بلغت 53%، يليه زميله ريان جرافيرنبرخ بنسبة 33%.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Botafogo inicia a semana lidando com um desafio de olho na caminhada da Copa Sul-Americana. A equipe alvinegra tenta ser incisivo para que seu poderio ofensivo se sobressaia e garanta a vitória no primeiro jogo das quartas de final, contra o Defensa y Justicia, da Argentina.

Para isso, a equipe tenta garantir poder de decisão para o o confronto que acontecerá na quarta-feira (23), às 19h (de Brasília), no Nilton Santos. O técnico Bruno Lage tem alternativas para escalar o Glorioso.

+ Confira a tabela do Campeonato Brasileiro

Lage testou Júnior Santos no empate em 0 a 0 com o Guaraní, do Paraguai, na competição. Depois, deu oportunidades aos jovens Janderson e Carlos Alberto. Recentemente, o clube contratou Diego Costa para ampliar seu leque ofensivo.

Prestes a encarar um jogo decisivo pela Sul-Americana, o técnico Bruno Lage tenta encontrar o melhor atalho para dar força ofensiva ao Botafogo. Após o empate em 0 a 0 com o São Paulo, o português traçou um panorama sobre o que tem à sua disposição.

– O Janderson é o exemplo perfeito daquilo que é um jovem valor e que nós não podemos colocar uma pressão tremenda em cima dele. Ele tinha feito no Santos uma boa entrada, depois não me recordo agora o jogo, mas foi a opção. Quis ver outros jogadores naquela posição, optei por ver primeiro o Júnior (Santos), porque o Júnior já tinha jogado naquela posição e o Carlos Alberto também vinha a desempenhar muito bem naquela posição e depois tinha uma entrada muito boa no último jogo internacional. E senti que hoje a equipe poderia iniciar da mesma forma que iniciou a segunda parte, e o Janderson fez um jogo seguro – afirmou, ao fim do empate em 0 a 0 com o São Paulo.

Outra opção testada na reta final, Diego Costa também foi vista com entusiasmo pelo treinador.

– Destes 20 minutos que ele jogou, vamos começar a aumentar para que ele tenha um rendimento mais sustentado e um volume de jogo maior – afirmou.

O Botafogo direciona sua rota para a Copa Sul-Americana.

Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has made it clear he is a huge admirer of a former Manchester United star, having named him among his favourite players.

Gerrard names Man United legend among favourite players

There is no love lost between Gerrard and Man United, with the Liverpool legend once making it clear just how much dislike he holds for the club, saying: “For more than 26 years, I’d always felt compelled to show fire towards them. They were the enemy. Their shirt is the only one I won’t allow in my house. I have a big collection of shirts I’ve swapped with other players — but not one from United.”

Given that the ex-Liverpool captain predominantly came up against the Red Devils during the Sir Alex Ferguson era, he won just 10 of the 30 matches he contested against Liverpool’s bitter rivals, facing off against some top players during that time.

The likes of Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney all helped United to achieve an at-the-time record-breaking 20 league titles, but the former England international has previously named a different player as among his favourites.

Gerrard picks two most underrated Liverpool teammates, one annoyed Klopp

Do you agree with his choices?

By
Henry Jackson

Sep 13, 2025

Speaking on BT Sport (via The Daily Mail), Gerrard said: “I’ve always been a massive fan of Roy Keane, not Man United. I think for all our generation watching Roy Keane’s consistency levels, how he went about it, I like to get into the box and having someone who would have been able to protect me in there and do some of my dirty work.”

Back in 2015, the Liverpool legend also said: “Roy Keane is one of my favourite players. I really loved playing against him, I have nothing but respect for the guy and as a player but being a Liverpool fan from the day I was born, there is no need for me to have a Manchester United shirt in my house.”

Keane undoubtedly among the best midfielders in Premier League history

The Irishman is well-known for his fiery temper, which often overshadows the fact he was a top player, as underlined by the fact he won the Football Writers’ Footballer of the Year Award in 2000, alongside being voted the PFA Players’ Player of the Year.

Although the former Ireland international’s relationship with Ferguson went downhill following his controversial Old Trafford exit, the legendary manager has also singled him out for praise in the past, perhaps most notably after the 1999 Champions League semi-final triumph against Juventus.

The Scot said: “Pounding every blade of grass, competing as if would rather die of exhaustion than lose, he inspired all around him. I felt as if it were an honour to be associated with this player.”

As such, it should be no surprise that Gerrard holds the fellow central midfielder in very high regard, and Keane’s legendary status has since been recognised, having been inducted into the Premier League hall of fame back in 2021.

Birmingham Bears swept aside despite posting 226 on run-filled night at Trent Bridge

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay30-May-2025Sam Hain extended an extraordinary run-scoring record for the Bears at Trent Bridge with an unbeaten 92 off 49 balls – but his efforts were eclipsed as the Outlaws pulled off a record-breaking Vitality Blast victory.Jack Haynes was the match-winner with an unbeaten 89 off 41 balls with three sixes as the home side countered the Bears’ 226 for 5 with 229 for 3 – the biggest score they have achieved to win a match batting second in their T20 history, after skipper Joe Clarke’s 23-ball 58 had provided a launch pad.Hain has batted seven times against Outlaws on the ground since his first visit in 2016 and has been not out six times, including his career-best unbeaten 112 in 2022, giving him an average of 505 in those fixtures.He hit six sixes in a team tally of 14, Ed Barnard hammering four in his 28-ball 55. Australian allrounder Daniel Sams took 2 for 39 on his Outlaws debut but Conor McKerr’s analysis of 4-0-67-0 was the worst by a Notts player in T20 history – yet in the end it was a footnote.Outlaws had needed 22 from the last two overs but Haynes took 18 and two leg byes off Barnard, before Tom Moores found the boundary to clinch a seven-wicket win with five balls to spare.The Bears stumbled to 12 for 2 from 15 deliveries after being put in, with New Zealand batter Tom Latham – a first wicket for Sams – and Rob Yates back in the hut. Yet Hain and Alex Davies plundered 46 runs from the next 21 balls, Hain lapping McKerr for the night’s first six before Davies cleared the rope off Dillon Pennington and Sams for 58 for 2 from six overs.Davies collected his third maximum as Calvin Harrison joined the attack and though he top-edged the legspinner to be caught at deep backward square for 40 from 22 balls, the momentum remained with the Bears, who were 103 for 3 after 10, Hain having hauled a free hit deep into the Fox Road stand after Moises Henriques delivered a full toss over waist height.Barnard was quickly up to speed, one of his sixes disappearing into the sheets and scaffolding currently encasing the pavilion. He fell in search of another, superbly caught by Harrison on the run at deep midwicket to give Henriques his maiden Outlaws wicket.Sams bowled George Garton, but Hain raised his sixes tally to six with two more off the unfortunate McKerr. Warwickshire have made three of the five highest scores against Notts in this format, all made in the last five seasons, all at Trent Bridge.Clarke helped Outlaws to a superb start, the skipper hitting four sixes of his own to be 58 from 22 in a powerplay score of 88 without loss. His luck ran out when he found the fielder at deep backward square off Danny Briggs as skipper Davies brought his spinners into the game, Jake Lintoff then having Lyndon James caught at long-off.Yet Haynes and Henriques – the other Aussie allrounder making his Outlaws – put their side right back in it with an exhilarating stand of 101 in just 57 balls before the latter holed out to wide long-on for 34 (27 balls), leaving 31 needed from three overs.

Ex-Newcastle midfielder Jonjo Shelvey has rejected the notion his former club can’t attract superstar players to the north east after a number of big-name summer signings elected to join rival teams in Manchester and London this summer. Shelvey believes it's a mistake to look down on the region and has spoken of the love players feel from supporters at St James’ Park.

Frustrating transfer window for Toon

Newcastle United endured a challenging 2025 summer window, missing out on several key targets despite Champions League qualification. One of the most notable players Newcastle failed to sign was Hugo Ekitike who joined Liverpool and they also missed out on Liam Delap, who opted to join Chelsea instead, as did Joao Pedro. Bryan Mbeumo chose Manchester United over Newcastle, further hindering efforts to strengthen their right-wing position. Another big target was Benjamin Sesko, but he penned a deal to join Ruben Amorim at Man Utd instead. In defence, Newcastle pursued Dean Huijsen, but he moved to Real Madrid and they also targeted goalkeeper James Trafford, but he rejoined Manchester City.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportFun on the Tyne for Shelvey

Shelvey, who played for Newcastle between 2016 and 2023, told BBC Sport: "There's this debate about whether Newcastle are able to attract the big players compared to the Manchester clubs and the London clubs but, until you go there, you don't understand what it does to you. There are loads of things to do. I don't care what anyone says. If players are going to listen to this, it's a no-brainer to go there and play football. You will not find love at a football club like I found at Newcastle, with how they take to their players and how much they back you. But I've only got good things to say about my time at Newcastle. I loved it. Even when I first got the call about going there, I drove 12 hours from Swansea because of the traffic. I just wanted to get up there, get my medical done and get signed. I had experienced playing against Newcastle at St James' Park and you get a real buzz, but you never understand how big the club is until you are there."

It wasn’t all bad news for Newcastle

Newcastle actually had a busy summer transfer window, bringing in several players to strengthen the squad, particularly after the departure of star striker Isak. Woltemade, arrived as the club's record signing while Anthony Elanga and Yoanne Wissa were brought in to boost the attacking options, with Wissa in particular replacing Isak as striker. Malick Thiaw's arrival from AC Milan bolstered the defence, while Ramsey provided a creative presence in midfield. Ramsdale joined on loan to offer competition in goal. The signings of youngsters Cordero and Park represent a focus on long-term squad building. 

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AFPPositive outlook heading into Brighton clash

Newcastle, currently 11th in the league, are looking for their first away league win of the season after drawing all three of their previous away fixtures 0-0. They can capitalise on the momentum of their most recent 2-0 victory against Nottingham Forest, but will be without Lewis Hall (hamstring) and Tino Livramento (knee injury). Brighton are 12th and are in strong form at home, having lost only one of their last 11 Premier League home games. Meanwhile, Wissa is progressing towards fitness after suffering a devastating injury setback while on international duty with DR Congo, and hasn’t kicked a ball for his new club yet. But Howe has delivered a positive update, saying: "We have seen him back on the grass for the first time which is great to see, it is now a case of stepping him up gradually. In terms of timelines, it is similar to what I've said – nothing has changed."

When the fixture list was drawn ahead of the upcoming season, things were not kind to Arsenal.

The Gunners faced trips to Old Trafford, Anfield and St James’ Park. They also faced Manchester City at home.

Thus, after seven weeks of action, for Arsenal to be top of the league, and top having conceded just once from open play, is seriously impressive.

While Mikel Arteta’s men now begin to motor, their closest rivals, Liverpool, falter. Last weekend, had the north Londoners lost and Arne Slot’s side secured victory, the gap between the two would have been eight points.

Instead, Arsenal lead by one after consecutive defeats for the Merseysiders. It’s funny how quickly football can change. Who knows just how important this weekend’s action will be come next May, though.

How Arsenal defeated West Ham

While on paper this clash looked like a straightforward victory for Arsenal, it has been a bogey fixture of late.

Indeed, as Thierry Henry reminded Bukayo Saka prior to Saturday afternoon’s fixture, the Hammers have won on their last two visits to the Emirates Stadium.

Well, with Graham Potter recently sacked and Nuno Santo now at the helm, a new manager bounce threatened a third straight victory for the Irons.

Fortunately for those of a red and white persuasion, that did not happen. In fact, Arsenal didn’t really have to work too hard for victory at all.

Indeed, Nuno’s men only had four shots throughout the entire game. To put that into context, the Gunners managed 21.

Much of their win is owed to that man Saka who, despite an injury-hit start to the campaign, is growing into the season nicely now.

Saka scored in the Champions League in midweek and followed that up by netting from the penalty spot to make it 2-0 after Jurrien Timber had been fouled.

That spot kick capped off an electric display from the winger who walked away at the end of the game with an expected assists (xA) tally of 1.11. To sum up how good that is, until Saturday, no player in the Premier League this season had accumulated more than 0.75 Expected assists (xA) in a single match.

The other hero of the day was Declan Rice, who once again found the net against his former employers.

The midfielder started the game in a deeper role, behind Martin Odegaard and Eberechi Eze, but following Odegaard’s injury was pushed further forward again and his goal came as a result of a late dart into the penalty area.

It wasn’t the most free-flowing of displays from Arsenal but they got the job done and kept yet another clean sheet. Weaknesses are certainly few and far between; however, their 2-0 win wasn’t without one big negative.

The biggest negative from Arsenal's 2-0 win over West Ham

While another game went by without Viktor Gyokeres finding the back of the net, there was a bigger worry come full-time for Arteta.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Indeed, after just half an hour, Odegaard walked from the field with yet another injury. For the Norwegian, he has really been through the wringer over the last year and more specifically, this season.

To sum up the captain’s woes, on Saturday, he became the first player in Premier League history to be substituted before half-time in three consecutive league starts. It’s a flabbergasting statistic.

It’s a rather dismal fact and one that is clearly a source of huge frustration for the midfielder. Last season, it was an ankle problem that disrupted his campaign and led to some below-par performances.

In the first few weeks of this season, it was his shoulder that was causing discomfort. He returned to the starting XI in midweek against Olympiacos and had a stunning hat-trick, winning the Man of the Match award.

Match rating

8.5

Assists

1

Key passes

4

Shots

4

Dribbles success

100%

Duels won

5/9

Odegaard was instrumental in the victory, providing the assist for Saka’s strike and supplying the pre-assist for Gabriel Martinelli’s opener. Both passes were exceptional, but the first was a timely reminder of just how good the skipper is when fit and firing.

So, to get him back in a Premier League starting lineup on Saturday meant a lot. Sadly, it was robbed of him after just half an hour in heartbreaking scenes.

This time it was a knee problem, and it looks rather more significant on this occasion. Speaking to the press after the game, Arteta confirmed that his star playmaker had left the Emirates with his knee in a brace.

While this isn’t just frustrating for the player, it’s equally frustrating for the club. Once one of the finest wonderkids in the land, Odegaard has worked hard to get to where he is now.

Ignored and shunned by Real Madrid, the Norway international has found a home for himself in London, and he’s been one of the star players for a while now.

Cast your minds back to 2022/23 and you may well recall how he ended the term with 15 Premier League goals. No midfielder scored more in England’s top-flight that season.

Yet, he just cannot stay fit now and ended last campaign with just three league goals to show for his efforts.

Odegaard is yet to find the net this term and is plagued by injuries again. Might we have another Jack Wilshere on our hands here? The club will hope not, but parallels are almost uncanny.

Two of the most exciting wonderkids to have graced the game in the last two decades, they’re both left-footed, they both possess the same level of vision and sadly, Odegaard is quickly becoming as injury-prone as Wilshere.

He’s not there yet but if the 26-year-old is to live up to his enormous potential, he will need to find a way of stringing a run of games together.

As The Standard’s Simon Collings noted on Saturday, Odegaard has been “ridiculously unlucky” of late but to put things more bluntly, as one prominent fan noted, he looks like “he’s made of paper”. That was a phrase that sadly became synonymous with Wilshere.

While the Norwegian’s fitness up until the last year has not been too troubling, he is now in dangerous territory. The positive for Arteta is that he has a phenomenal replacement in Eze, but the negative is that he looks set to be without his captain again.