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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been handed another injury boost, following a torrid few weeks, with the Gunners boss dealt major selection headaches in crucial encounters.

Arteta set to welcome Arsenal stars back from injury soon

While no update has come to light on versatile defender Takehiro Tomiyasu, who was recently sidelined with another injury after just returning from a knee problem, Arteta has at least been handed some good news this week.

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Riccardo Calafiori will be missing for a “few weeks”, according to Arteta, but the Italy international, Tomiyasu and Martin Odegaard appear to be Arsenal’s only major concerns right now.

Club captain Odegaard has been sidelined for over a month after sustaining ankle ligament damage on his last international tour of duty with Norway, but Arteta is optimistic that the 25-year-old could now be back before the next international break.

Arsenal’s next five Premier League games

Date

Newcastle United (away)

November 2

Chelsea (away)

November 10

Nottingham Forest (home)

November 23

West Ham United (away)

November 30

Man United (home)

December 4

“Hopefully yes but we’ll have to see how he goes,” said Arteta on Odegaard returning before internationals re-commence.

“He’s been on the grass for a few weeks. But there are still a few boxes to tick. How fast we can do that last stage of the rehab is a question we have to answer when we have players around and he starts competing with the team, something he hasn’t done yet.”

Arsenal were dealt a scare in their 2-2 draw with Liverpool when star defender Gabriel Magalhaes made way for Jakub Kiwior on 54 minutes, but the manager has since confirmed that his problem isn’t serious.

“We are still assessing him, it doesn’t look bad at all,” said Arteta on Gabriel’s current condition.

“He was much better than expected, so hopefully he’ll be fine.”

Arteta also confirmed that Jurrien Timber is match fit, and his removal against Liverpool for teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly was merely a precaution.

This trio of boosts for Arsenal has now been complemented with a rare update on Kieran Tierney, with the Scotland international closing in on a return after he suffered a serious hamstring injury at Euro 2024.

Tierney suddenly close to Arsenal return after months out

While Tierney is very likely to leave Arsenal in 2025, Arteta could still choose to call upon the former Celtic star after including him in the club’s Champions League and Premier League squad lists for this season.

Speaking ahead of their tie with PNE this evening, Arteta says that Tierney is suddenly “close” to returning from injury and is looking “sharp” behind the scenes at London Colney.

“I think he’s quite close,” said Arteta on Tierney.

“He’s looking really good. I think he’s over the period where he was still struggling, so he looks really sharp out there. He hasn’t trained with the team yet but hopefully he can do that in the next week or two.”

The “incredible” 27-year-old hasn’t featured for Arsenal since their Community Shield win last year, but it will still be useful for Arteta to have the experienced left-back to call upon if needed.

Sporting director Edu Gaspar will also be eager for Tierney to come back fit and firing, as the Brazilian attempts to find him a new club next year.

Arsenal could be without an “underrated” member of their squad for tonight’s Champions League clash against Shakhtar Donetsk at the Emirates Stadium, with manager Mikel Arteta looking to secure the Gunners’ second victory in Europe this season.

Arsenal vs Shakhtar Donetsk – match preview

Arteta’s side endured their first loss of the season last weekend, succumbing to a 2-0 loss away at Bournemouth, with star defender William Saliba given his marching orders on the half-hour mark.

Related Arsenal optimistic they could sign £358k-p/w striker in bargain transfer

The Gunners still need a out-and-out striker…

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It was an afternoon to forget for Arsenal, who also watched Premier League title rivals Man City and Liverpool both secure 2-1 victories against Wolves and Chelsea respectively.

Ryan Christie’s 70th-minute strike undid all of their hard work defensively before a Justin Kluivert penalty 10 minutes from added time sealed their fate on the south coast.

Arsenal’s next five Premier League games

Date

Liverpool (home)

October 27

Newcastle United (away)

November 2

Chelsea (away)

November 10

Nottingham Forest (home)

November 23

West Ham United (away)

November 30

Leandro Trossard was among Arsenal’s average performers at Bournemouth, but there were a few to choose from during a very difficult encounter. Arsenal will be desperate to get back to winning ways against Shakhtar this evening, but the Ukranian champions won’t be easy customers either.

Takehiro Tomiyasu has been sidelined by another long-term injury and is set to miss Shakhtar tonight, alongside the likes of Kieran Tierney, who has been named in their European squad list but remains absent with a hamstring problem.

Speaking ahead of tonight’s tie, Arteta drew attention to the number of absent players in Arsenal’s squad right now and their hectic fixture calendar as factors which helped cause their first loss of the season.

“Very clear, we put a bit of perspective into the situation,” said Arteta on Arsenal’s 2-0 loss to Bournemouth.

“Obviously we want to win in any context. The reality is we made that context very difficult for ourselves. It was very difficult already with the amount of players that we had out, the schedule and the games that we had to play, but that’s the reality. For that game we didn’t get away with it. We could’ve done and it would’ve been a very different narrative. The reality is we didn’t and now the context is that we have lost one game in six months. Ok, now we have to win again, with the context that we have lost for the first time in six months, so let’s show it.”

Arsenal could be without Bukayo Saka for Shakhtar Donetsk clash

A real miss for Arsenal has been club captain and chief creator Martin Odegaard. Arteta confirmed before Bournemouth that Odegaard is in the latter stages of rehab and could be back fairly soon, but this evening’s fixture comes far too early.

Another big miss has been star winger Bukayo Saka, who was forced to miss their trip to Bournemouth last weekend after picking up an injury on international duty with England.

Ahead of Shakhtar this evening, Arteta confirmed that Saka is an injury doubt for Arsenal, and it remains to be seen whether he’ll feature.

“They are closer and both progressing really well,” said Arteta on Odegaard and Saka.

“Martin is still not fit. With Bukayo, let’s see how he feels today and in the training session that we have later on.”

Saka’s importance to Arsenal is crystal clear, and Arteta will be desperate to have him back fit and firing as soon as possible. The 23-year-old looks set to be a crucial role yet again this campaign, despite still being “underrated” by a lot of people according to journalist Charles Watts.

“I think Saka’s season has been absolutely underrated by a lot of people,” said Watts on Inside Arsenal earlier this year.

“I think he still had a really, really good season. His numbers are fantastic. He’s exceeded any other season, and this is one where you’d say he hasn’t always been at his best. He just gets booted around constantly, gets up, keeps going.”

Arsenal are ready to pounce on a teenage star who has been dubbed Lamine Yamal 2.0, according to reports coming out of Spain, with Mikel Arteta personally keen on the signing.

Arsenal hoping to add attacking reinforcements

Heading into the summer transfer window, a new attacker was high on Arsenal’s wishlist as they looked to bolster their frontline in search of lifting the Premier League for the first time in two decades.

But after links with Benjamin Sesko, Nico Williams and more, they ultimately agreed a deal to sign Chelsea winger Raheem Sterling on loan late on deadline day, kicking the transfer can down the road for another 12 months while bringing in a wealth of experience in the England international, who Mikel Arteta worked closely with at Manchester City.

Arsenal’s forward options for 2024/25

Player

Age

Kai Havertz

25

Leandro Trossard

29

Gabriel Jesus

27

Gabriel Martinelli

23

Bukayo Saka

23

Raheem Sterling

29

But even a year on, signing a forward may not be that easy, with Sesko continuing to add to his long list of suitors with impressive performances for RB Leipzig, while Nico Williams remains a prime target for Barcelona despite his decision to stay at Athletic Club over the summer.

One forward that no-one but PSG even tried to sign over the summer was Lamine Yamal, with the Barcelona talent already among the World’s best forwards at just 17 years old and a mainstay in the starting XI at his boyhood club.

Instead, teams will be forced to try and discover the next best thing, and according to one report that is precisely what Arsenal have looked to do.

Arsenal target Yamal 2.0

That comes as one Spanish outlet has claimed that Arsenal are pushing hard to sign Barcelona wonderkid Arnau Pradas, who has been dubbed a “Lamine Yamal clone”. Pradas is actually older than Yamal, having turned 18-years-old in March, but has been overtaken by his former teammate who shot to senior stardom. By contrast, Pradas is still impressing at youth level, with the winger having scored twice in two UEFA Youth League games this season already.

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The Gunners are keen to reward him.

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The 18-year-old is most comfortable on the right flank, where like Yamal he cuts inside onto his stronger left foot, though he has spent his season thus far on the left-hand side of attack.

But he is out of contract with Barcelona this summer, and that has caught the eye of the Gunners. As per Mundo Deportivo, Arsenal have an interest in “securing his services”, with Mikel Arteta having given his OK for the deal to sign Yamal’s former teammate, who may feel his pathway is blocked by his fellow prospect.

His arrival would certainly be in keeping with Arsenal’s longer term plan to hoover up youth talent from across the world, with the club having already agreed to sign U15 star Joshua Sesay and reportedly closing in on a move to sign Paraguayan defender Diego Leon.

If he is even half of the player Yamal has blossomed into, it would surely be a no-brainer for Arsenal to try and convince him to follow the well-trodden path from La Masia to north London.

ينوي الاتحاد الإنجليزي لكرة القدم تطبيق قاعدة خاصة في المرحلة المرتقبة من منافسات بطولة كأس الاتحاد الإنجليزي، دور الـ16، والتي ستنطلق مساء يوم الجمعة.

وتنطلق منافسات دور الـ16 من كأس الاتحاد الإنجليزي، موسم 2024/25 مساء يوم الجمعة، حيث تُقام مباراة بين فريقي أستون فيلا وكارديف.

وتستمر منافسات تلك المرحلة من البطولة حتى يوم الإثنين المقبل، في حين أن قرعة دور ربع نهائي ستكون يوم الأحد (لمطالعة التفاصيل من هنا).

وحسبما ذكرت شبكة “بي بي سي” العالمية، فإن مباريات دور الـ16 من كأس الاتحاد الإنجليزي ستشهد لحظات توقف من أجل اللاعبين المسلمين.

وأوضحت أنه بناءً على قرار رسمي من جانب الاتحاد الإنجليزي، فإنه سيتم السماح للاعبين الذين يصومون شهر رمضان بفترة توقف قصيرة خلال المباريات من أجل الإفطار.

وأفاد الاتحاد الإنجليزي، حسب الشبكة نفسها، إنه سيتم الاتفاق على وقت تقريبي لموعد حدوث التوقف، ولن يتم استخدامه كاستراحة للفريق أو وقت مستقطع تكتيكي.

ويشهد دور الـ16 من كأس الاتحاد الإنجليزي تواجد العديد من اللاعبين المسلمين، أبرزهم نجم مانشستر سيتي، المحترف المصري عمر مرموش.

وكذلك لاعب مانشستر سيتي عبد القادر خوسانوف، ولاعب مانشستر يونايتد نصير مزراوي، وجناح فولهام أداما تراوري، في حين أن مدرب بليموث ميرون موسليتش مسلم كذلك.

ويلتقي مانشستر سيتي مع بليموث، غدًا في تمام الساعة 7:45 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة، في حين أن مانشستر يونايتد يواجه فولهام يوم الأحد في تمام الساعة 6:30 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة.

تجدر الإشارة إلى أن الفارق بين القاهرة وإنجلترا، فيما يخص التوقيت، ساعتين، وينطلق آذان المغرب في المملكة المتحدة في تمام الساعة 5:49 مساءً (يختلف التوقيت بضع دقائق من مدينة لأخرى)، أي 7:49 بتوقيت القاهرة.

Manchester United players have been criticised as they set an unwanted record before Christmas with a 3-0 loss to Bournemouth.

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Fans slammed United players after Bournemouth lossWent down 3-0 at homeSet an unwanted record before ChristmasFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

United suffered their third loss in their last four Premier League outings as they went down 3-0 against Bournemouth at home on Sunday. With the defeat, the Red Devils will remain at the bottom half of the table on Christmas Day for the first time in the Premier League's history, according to .

AdvertisementWHAT THE FANS ARE SAYING

The 3-0 rout against the Cherries left the fans fuming as they savaged the players on social media for yet another terrible outing in the league.

A fan handle on X named Sunday League Footy wrote: "This might be the worst Manchester United side of all time! Absolute garbage."

United Peoples TV wrote: "You just cannot rely on these Manchester United players as a collective week in week out. It's not possible."

A handle named Mufc_Bean posted: "Team is dire, tickets prices unaffordable, staff aren’t allowed a Christmas party, stewards bonuses slashed, every single aspect of the club couldn’t be less motivated."

A fan named Aidan Walsh savaged the players as he wrote: "A club full of garbage footballers."

Sam, on the other hand, wrote: "Since Brexit Jim is so keen on cut backs, rather than taking £50 off poorly paid stewards at Christmas, fine every player on the pitch today a week’s wages."

GettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The Premier League giants will look to make some new signings in the upcoming January transfer window to bolster their squad. The club have already decided to part ways with Marcus Rashford, who was once again left out of the matchday squad on Sunday. They need to offload more players in order to comply with the Profit and Sustainability Rules before going after their desired players in the transfer market.

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(C)Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER UNITED?

United will be back in action on Boxing Day as they take on Wolves in a Premier League away fixture.

GOAL US caught up with the No. 1 overall pick of the MLS SuperDraft to talk pressure, his goals, and what he will say when he meets his heroes.

Manu Duah knew this would all happen. San Diego FC had the first overall pick in the 2024 MLS draft by virtue of being an expansion franchise. They had made it clear to him, a couple of days before the draft, that he would be the first name called.

But until he heard those words, the UC Santa Barbara standout refused to believe it.

"I wasn't sure, I wasn't 100 percent sure. But then it was like, OK, everything is like, still pointing to you. Last night I couldn't sleep," Duah tells GOAL shortly after being selected first overall.

And he seems good value for the pick. A lanky, composed center midfielder who has drawn comparisons to Sergio Busquets, Duah would seem to have the body type, work rate, and crucial tactical game intelligence to play in this league – and perhaps even pace an expansion franchise as a rookie. But this is also a pick of potential. He won't turn 20 until June 2025, and a three-year contract should see the expansion franchise help a promising talent grow.

"Manu hits the key profile of the club. He's a highly talented young player with amazing character and values… he's also got a tremendous growth mindset and winner's mentality," head coach Mikey Varas said.

That might just be crucial. After signing Hirving 'Chucky' Lozano and piecing together a roster of MLS experience and European flair – with the backing of the Right to Dream Academy – San Diego will look to compete from Day 1. Duah, Busquets comparisons and all, will hope to be a part of that.

GOAL US caught up with the No.1 overall pick following his selection to talk the pressures of a new franchise, his goals, and what he will say when he meets his footballing heroes.

Get the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowON BEING THE FIRST PICK

GOAL: First of all, congratulations on being selected first overall. How does it feel, and how long have you known that you would be first overall for?

DUAH: I feel really, really excited. And I did know a couple days ago, okay, but then I wasn't sure, I wasn't 100 percent sure. But then it was like, OK, everything is like, still pointing to you. I couldn't sleep. But I know for sure tonight I'm gonna sleep!

GOAL: You knew, but until you hear your name called, you're still a little unsure?

DUAH: Yeah, exactly. But then you know when your name is called, and you're first overall, the dream has come true.

AdvertisementGettyON HIS FIT IN SAN DIEGO

GOAL: With San Diego specifically, how do you feel like your skill set is going to transfer into MLS?

DUAH: So with San Diego, hearing from the coaches and how they want to play is really, really exciting. And I feel like that's the perfect thing for me, to actually go and play with them. From what the coaches have said, we're going to be a really, really good team. I really like the style or play, how they're going to play, building through the No. 6s and that. So I feel like it's a perfect place for me to actually go.

GOAL: Is it a good thing for you to be staying in California? I mean Santa Barbara is quite far from San Diego. But is that big thing for you?

DUAH: It's a good thing. I have the whole family here, everyone, everything. And they are always there to support me. I know they're gonna show up to the games every single time to watch and show for me, you know, so it's a really good thing that I still stayed here.

Getty Images SportON IDOL SERGIO BUSQUETS

GOAL: I saw that you're a big Sergio Busquets fan. Obviously he's a legend of the game, but what do you think is so good about him?

DUAH: So what really stood out for me when I started watching soccer and I saw Busquets, is he's really composed. No matter where he is, you give him the ball, and there's like three people, four people around him, he doesn't feel that pressure.

I like his composure, his passes, his timing on the ball. He knows when to go fast, when to slow the game down so he can keep the ball. He knows how to break lines, and I like his long passes, too. I like his style of play… I was like, 'Yeah, I want to be like this guy.'

GOAL: You must be disappointed, then, that you don't have Miami on your schedule?

DUAH: I know! I'm really, really disappointed. I really, really wanted to meet him. But I know life goes on, and one day I'm going to meet him and tell him 'Hey, I'm just like you. I learned everything from you.' Just forget my name, I'll be second Busquets.

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ON EXPECTATIONS AND PRESSURE

GOAL: Is there any pressure for you? To come into this team, which is a new part of MLS?

DUAH: To be honest, there's no pressure. The only thing that is on me right now is to handle myself and learn from the people who have been at the pro level a long time… Just humble yourself and learn from the people who have already been in the game, because they know a lot. So there's no pressure.

GOAL: What are your expectations for your first season? What would be a successful first year in MLS for you?

DUAH: To have a lot of playing time. But that's that depends on me, how I work. I need to put in the work to get a lot of playing time. So that would be a successful thing for me. That's the only thing: Just work hard and get playing time.

GOAL: And more broadly, what would success in your career look like?

DUAH: What I will consider a big success for me is when I play in the Champions League. It doesn't matter the team that I play with, I'm in the Champions League! That's a big accomplishment. That's a dream come true for me.

اختتمت منافسات الجولة التاسعة عشر من منافسات الدوري السعودي للمحترفين، اليوم السبت، بمواجهة الهلال وضمك، على ملعب مدينة الأمير سلطان بن عبد العزيز الرياضية.

وسقط الهلال في فخ التعادل الإيجابي أمام ضمك، بهدفين لكل فريق، لينفرد الاتحاد بصدارة جدول ترتيب مسابقة الدوري السعودي.

وتمكن فريق النصر من خطف فوز هام من الفيحاء بنتيجة 3-0، أمس الجمعة وفي مباراة أخرى نجح الأهلي في تحقيق فوز مستحق على الفتح بهدفين دون رد، وذلك على ملعب مدينة الأميرعبد الله الفيصل الرياضية.

واستطاع الاتحاد أول أمس الخميس الفوز على التعاون بنتيجة (2-1)، على ملعب مدينة الملك عبدالله الرياضية، ليرفع رصيده إلى 49 نقطة.  

طالع.. الخليج السعودي يعلن موقفه من رحيل محمد شريف إلى الزمالك

وفي نفس الجولة حقق فريق الشباب فوزًا كبيرًا على الخليج بخماسية مقابل هدف، بينما فاز القادسية على الرائد بهدفين مقابل لا شيء. جدول ترتيب الدوري السعودي

1- الاتحاد – 49 نقطة.

2- الهلال – 46 نقطة.

3- النصر- 41 نقطة.

4- القادسية – 41 نقطة.

5- الأهلي – 38 نقطة.

6- الشباب -32 نقطة.

7- الرياض- 28 نقطة.

8- الخليج – 27 نقطة.

9- التعاون- 24 نقطة.

10- ضمك – 22 نقطة.

11- الاتفاق – 22 نقطة.

12- الخلود – 19 نقطة.

13- العروبة – 17 نقطة.

14- الفيحاء – 16 نقطة.

15- الأخدود – 15 نقطة.

16- الرائد – 14 نقطة.

17- الوحدة -13 نقطة.

18- الفتح – 10 نقاط.

يمكنكم متابعة ترتيب الدوري السعودي محدث باستمرار من هنا 

MatériaMais Notícias

Vestindo a camisa do CSA, o zagueiro Fabrício espera briga intensa do elenco alagoano na reta final da Série B para buscar o acesso esse ano. Segundo o jogador, o desejo de todos é crescer nestas partidas finais da competição para levar o Azulão a tão sonhada vaga no G4.

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Guerrero está livre no mercado: confira 30 jogadores interessantes sem clube

– Vamos ter uma reta final muito intensa pela frente e precisamos estar preparados. Vamos lutar muito para fazer um bom final de temporada para chegarmos ao objetivo, que é o acesso para a primeira divisão, que seria muito importante para o clube. Estamos focados nisso – disse.

CSA VAI CONSEGUIR O ACESSO? SIMULE OS JOGOS DO AZULÃO NA SÉRIE B

Ainda de acordo com o jogador, a meta é vencer o Vasco sexta-feira (29), fora de casa, às 21h30.

– Vamos enfrentar uma grande equipe e temos que estar preparados. O Vasco vem crescendo e está em uma briga direta com a gente, também, pelo G4. Temos que ter o máximo de atenção – afirmou.

Mikel Arteta's side struck five times in Lisbon while keeping Europe's hottest striker under wraps at the back

Arsenal bounced back from defeat last time out in the Champions League as they handed Sporting CP their first defeat of the campaign with a dominant 5-1 win on Tuesday.

Having lost to Inter on matchday four, the Gunners couldn't afford to drop anymore points as they look to secure a top-eight finish in the league phase, and they made a perfect start as Gabriel Martinelli latched onto Jurrien Timber's low cross to tap in after just seven minutes.

Mikel Arteta's side made all the running throughout the first half, and doubled their lead midway through the opening 45 minutes as Kai Havertz finished into an empty net after Bukayo Saka beat goalkeeper Franco Israel to Thomas Partey's pass over the top. Gabriel Magalhaes then made it three with the final touch before the break as he powered a close-range header home from a corner.

Sporting eventually sprang into life after half-time, and found the net within two minutes of the restart as Goncalo Inacio forced the ball home at the near post from a corner. However, their hopes of a comeback were extinguished just past the hour mark as Martin Odegaard was fouled by Ousmane Diomande inside the box and Saka converted the penalty.

Leandro Trossard added a late fifth after Mikel Merino's shot was parried into his path, as Arsenal put the rest of Europe on notice with a victory over one of the continent's most impressive teams so far this season.

GOAL rates Arsenal's players from Estadio Jose Alvalade…

• AFP
  

  Goalkeeper & Defence

  David Raya (7/10):

  Made strong saves to deny Quenda and Morita either side of half-time, and again to keep out Hjulmand later in the game. Commanded his box well, and had no chance with Inacio's deflected goal.

  Jurrien Timber (8/10):

  Excellent in the first half as he combined well with Saka and Odegaard. Superb low cross created Martinelli's opener. Also strong in defence.

  William Saliba (8/10):

  Dealt well with Gyokeres on the rare occasion the striker came over to his side. Never looked fazed even when Sporting threatened a second-half comeback.

  Gabriel Magalhaes (9/10):

  Far too physical for Gyokeres as he constantly forced him away from goal and stole the ball off the striker. Scored his now trademark header from a corner, too.

  Riccardo Calafiori (5/10):

  Troubled on occasion by Quenda's directness and lost Inacio for Sporting's goal. Looked a little rusty.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Midfield

  Declan Rice (7/10):

  Was in constant motion during the first half, which allowed him to constantly pick up the ball in space and get Arsenal moving forward. Fine set-piece delivery created Gabriel's goal.

  Thomas Partey (8/10):

  Ran the game in the first half as he bullied the Sporting midfield and used the ball intelligently. Superb chipped ball over the top got Saka in behind for the second goal.

  Martin Odegaard (9/10):

  Absolutely outstanding, particularly in the first half. Played some outrageous passes in the final third, and then made the run that led to the penalty that eased the Gunners' second-half nerves.

• AFP
  

  Attack

  Bukayo Saka (8/10):

  Caused Araujo plenty of problems as he constantly darted inside to threaten the Sporting goal. Pace got him in behind to create the second goal, and scored the fourth himself from the penalty spot.

  Kai Havertz (7/10):

  Couldn't miss for his goal, and showed some nice touches around the penalty area, especially when playing in Odegaard in the build-up to the penalty.

  Gabriel Martinelli (7/10):

  Tap-in got the ball rolling early on, and had a couple of nice moments thereafter, even if he was quieter than his fellow forwards.

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• AFP
  

  Subs & Manager

  Leandro Trossard (6/10):

  Couldn't miss after Merino's saved shot came to him inside the six-yard box.

  Mikel Merino (6/10):

  Had a couple of loose touches, but was involved for the fifth goal.

  Oleksandr Zinchenko (6/10):

  Replaced Calafiori for the final 15 minutes.

  Ethan Nwaneri (6/10):

  Had a couple of nice touches in his short cameo.

  Jakub Kiwior (N/A):

  On for Gabriel in the closing stages.

  Mikel Arteta (9/10):

  Played Sporting at their own game and his side never looked uncomfortable. His players were disciplined out of possession and devastating in attack. A real sign of progress after some underwhelming away days in Europe.

Bryan Zaragoza appeared to hit back at ex-Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel after scoring Spain's winner against Switzerland in the Nations League.

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Article continues below

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• Zaragoza aimed dig at Tuchel
• Was sent out on loan over language barrier
• Tuchel will take charge of England on January 1

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Zaragoza joined Harry Kane and Co at Bayern Munich from Granada in January 2024, but his stay at Bayern was short-lived as he was sent out on loan to Osasuna for the 2024-25 campaign. The winger reportedly struggled to adjust to life in Germany, with new England boss Tuchel telling reporters before his departure from Allianz Arena: "He doesn’t understand the language. Both German and English are difficult for him, and that is basic. We brought forward the signing [from the summer] to save time with this. I knew it would be a very big step for him."

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  After returning to Spain this summer on a loan deal, the 23-year-old has had a fruitful start with Osasuna, having recorded five assists and a goal in 13 appearances for the club. He also scored the all-important final goal from the penalty spot in Spain's 3-2 win over Switzerland in their last Nations League group-stage clash on Monday.

• WHAT BRYAN ZARAGOZA SAID

  After starring for the European Champions, the player issued a fiery statement which has been construed as a reply to newly appointed England head coach Tuchel. Zaragoza told "Football is played with your feet, not with the language. I never lack the desire to represent my country. I was on the bench, I wanted to eat up the pitch, and I have shown it. My game is based on dribbling and every time I have the ball I try to do so. Taking the penalty was a show of personality."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR THOMAS TUCHEL?

  After spending years in club football, Tuchel has now turned his attention towards international football as he was appointed as the Three Lions' new head coach last month. The 51-year-old will formally join the team on January 1.