Eight matches into his Rangers tenure, is Danny Röhl any closer to figuring out which players he can trust and who he cannot?

On Thursday night, the Gers were held to a 1-1 draw by ten-man Braga at Ibrox, despite taking the lead through James Tavernier’s spot-kick in first half stoppage time; the fact that only 38,014 spectators were in attendance encapsulates the mood.

So, with just one point on the board after five games, a frankly pitiful effort, unless they somehow manage to beat Ferencváros, Ludogorets Razgrad and then Porto, which seems unlikely if we’re being honest, the Gers’ Europa League adventure will be coming to a premature end in January, having got all the way to last season’s quarter-finals.

This will allow them to concentrate on domestic matters, which may be a good thing, given that they’ve slipped down to fifth in the Premiership table, despite having won all four league matches since Röhl’s arrival in Glasgow.

So, ahead of a visit from Falkirk, who would actually leapfrog their hosts with a shock victory at Ibrox on Sunday, what changes should the German head coach make?

Youssef Chermiti's uninspiring form

Back on Monday, it was announced that both chief executive Patrick Stewart and sporting director Kevin Thelwell had been sacked, after overseeing a chaotic summer of recruitment, with the £8m, potentially rising to £10m, paid to sign Youssef Chermiti among the more egregious and baffling of their decisions.

So far, he has scored just one goal for the club, on target against Kilmarnock last month, already surpassing his tally of zero goals during two seasons at Everton, also brought to Merseyside by Thelwell for £14m when he was working at Goodison.

Aside from his lack of goals, the striker simply isn’t offering enough, often allowing matches to pass him by and putting in anonymous performances.

Following this week’s draw with Braga, Mark Atkinson of the Scotsman asserted that he is driving supporters ‘demented’, adding that he ‘spurned a couple of presentable’ opportunities and is so far proving to be a mere baffling expensive purchase.

So, ahead of a sequence of three Premiership matches in seven days, facing Falkirk, Dundee United and then Kilmarnock, Chermiti should be stood down and Röhl must instead deploy the “best player in the league” up front.

Rangers' superior Chermiti alternative

Of the 13 players Rangers signed in the summer, many are young and inexperienced, hoping to grow and improve in the coming years, but Bojan Miovski was supposed to be a ready-made starter, brought in to produce right away.

The 26-year-old, returning to Scottish football after a season at Girona, is a proven goalscorer at both club and international level, bagging his ninth goal for North Macedonia against Wales at the Cardiff City Stadium earlier this month.

Meantime, at club level, prior to his season in Catalonia, he had been outstanding during two years at Aberdeen, as the table below documents.

Bojan Miovski’s stats for Aberdeen

Stats

Miovski

Appearances

98

Goals

44

European goals

4

Goals vs Rangers

4

Goals vs Celtic

3

Shots on target per 90

1.1

Big chances missed

31

Average rating

6.9

Stats via Transfermarkt & SofaScore

As the table makes clear, Miovski was an elite-level finisher during his time at Pittodrie, scoring 32 Premiership goals, while his strike rate in Europe as well as against the two Glasgow giants underlines his quality.

Then-teammate Nicky Devlin asserted that Miovski was “the best player in the league in his position”, firing the Dons to a third place finish in 2022/23, before being sold for £6.8m, the Dons’ record outgoing transfer.

However, we are yet to see very much of that from Miovski in a Rangers jersey, scoring his first goal for the club against Hibs in the League Cup, while his only Premiership goal came at Falkirk Stadium in October, the day Russell Martin was sacked.

Since the appointment of Röhl, the North Macedonian has featured in all eight matches but has started just once, this coming at Dens Park before the international break, substituted at half time with the Light Blues leading Dundee 2-0.

So, for whatever reason, the German head coach appears to favour Chermiti and Danilo, despite the fact that Miovski is a proven goalscorer at both Premiership and European level, something this team desperately needs given that, 26 matches into this campaign, Tavernier and Djeidi Gassama are the only squad members who have four or more goals to their name.

Thus, when Falkirk visit Ibrox this weekend, surely Röhl has to bring Miovski back into his XI, ditching the ineffective Chermiti, with the former looking to net as he did against the Bairns once again, just as he did in Stirlingshire just last month.

Related Not just Djiga: Thelwell flop who lost ball 17x looks finished at Rangers

Rangers’ wait for a first Europa League victory goes on, held to a 1-1 draw by Braga at Ibrox, and a summer signing was just as bad as Nasser Djiga.

Posts ByBen Gray Nov 28, 2025

Liverpool haven’t been at their best this season, though there is an expectation and anticipation across the red Merseyside streets that Arne Slot has what it takes to turn things around.

The Dutch coach won the Premier League in his first year at the helm, after all, and he achieved this having spent very little last summer, welcoming Federico Chiesa from Juventus for a cut-price £12.5m fee and then using the Italian sparingly across the campaign.

It didn’t matter, though. Liverpool were spearheaded by Mohamed Salah’s jaw-dropping season, the Egyptian breaking any number of records as he claimed his second Premier League title. He won a gamut of individual accolades too.

But Salah is 33 years old, and it was clear to Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes that the Reds needed sweeping changes across the final third, with no guarantees that Salah would replicate such a one-of-a-kind campaign.

It was clear, indeed, that Darwin Nunez needed to be sold after three seasons on Merseyside that left plenty to be desired.

Why Liverpool sold Darwin Nunez

Liverpool signed Nunez from Benfica for an initial £64m fee in 2022. That figure would have risen to a club-record £85m mark, but for the Uruguayan’s struggles across his three years in England, that meant targets were left unhit.

Across three seasons, he only scored 25 times in the Premier League. This statistic is aggravated by Sofascore data revealing that the 25-year-old missed 53 big chances during that timeframe.

Nunez’s plight at number nine, first across two years in Jurgen Klopp’s system and then under Slot’s wing, was played out against the backdrop of a trophy-rich period at Anfield, and he did depart this summer as a Premier League champion.

Premier League

95

25 (16)

Champions League

17

5 (1)

Carabao Cup

13

2 (6)

Europa League

10

5 (1)

FA Cup

7

2 (2)

Community Shield

1

1 (0)

But Nunez, now plying his trade with Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia, never failed to shake off the wasteful tag that chased him through his English career.

It was crucial that he was replaced, and replaced he was this summer.

Liverpool first wrapped up a £69m move for Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike, and the French forward already looks levels above Nunez at the Liverpool spearhead.

However, another Redman has been criticised for offering less than Nunez did last season, with the South American posting seven goals and seven assists across 47 matches in Slot’s system.

Liverpool forward is 'offering less than Nunez'

Liverpool ‘won’ the transfer window. So many exciting signings were welcomed down Anfield Road, but the club have found it tough across the opening months of the season, and club-record signing Alexander Isak is the perfect example of that.

Isak, 26, is one of the finest goalscorers in world football, and Liverpool ended a highly-charged transfer saga this summer by completing the British-record £125m addition of Newcastle United’s talisman.

However, Isak went on strike in the build-up to his big move, and this has left him scrambling for form across his opening matches, lacking match fitness and fluency.

More is expected at this stage, and Liverpool correspondent David Lynch has even gone as far as to suggest that the 6 foot 3 striker is “offering Liverpool less than Darwin Nunez did” at the moment, with just one goal and one assist across eight appearances this term.

Isak gave his new club a flavour of his skill when netting against Southampton in the Carabao Cup at the start of October, but it’s been a transitional period for him, to be sure.

And Lynch is right. Nunez had offered Liverpool more at this stage last season, but that does not mean that Isak will continue to struggle.

This is all to be taken with a pinch of salt, of course. Only in January did pundit Jamie Carragher hail Isak as “the best striker in the Premier League”.

Last season, the Sweden star ranked among the top 3% of Premier League forwards for goal involvements, the top 12% for goal-creating actions and the top 14% for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref. He scored 27 goals across all competitions, including the decisive strike against Liverpool to lift the Carabao Cup at Wembley.

His all-encompassing attacking style has even seen comparisons drawn with former Liverpool superstar Luis Suarez, who was as prolific as they come in England and played his football was such gusto and personality.

Suarez was a one-of-a-kind centre-forward, but then so is Isak. Liverpool just haven’t been treated to his finest skills yet. However, it is on Isak to get himself up to speed and prove he is anything but Nunez-esque.

Whereas Nunez fell by the wayside after completing his big-money move from overseas, Isak has proven himself and then some on English shores since joining Newcastle from Real Sociedad for £63m in 2022. His time on Tyneside was no joke, and Liverpool would bear testament to their record-signing’s might after his string of brilliant performances against the Anfield side in the past.

Now that autumn is deepening, Liverpool must ensure that Isak is nursed toward full health, though Slot will be cautious after the £280k-per-week superstar was kept on the fringe across the recent international break by Sweden boss Graham Potter.

Ekitike has proved he is every bit the elite rival to thrive at number nine when Isak is injured or merely rested, but Liverpool will expect their British-record addition to start proving they have received bang for their buck soon, especially given the need to ease the weight of the club’s current crisis.

For a respected reporter to be observing that Isak is currently pulling less weight than Nunez was, a highly polarising former Red, that is evidence that it hasn’t been good enough, and needs to be quickly changed.

Better signing than Semenyo: Liverpool enter race for £100m "superstar"

Liverpool are weighing up a 2026 bid for one of the Premier League’s best midfielders.

ByAngus Sinclair Nov 21, 2025

This season is shaping up very nicely for Chelsea indeed.

On the domestic front, Enzo Maresca’s side managed to keep Arsenal within touching distance by holding them to a 1-1 draw on Sunday despite Moises Caicedo being sent off in the first half.

Then, in the Champions League, their thumping 3-0 win against Barcelona last week has stood them in good stead to qualify for the next round.

Moreover, and especially in that game, Estevao has started to really show what he is capable of, so fans should be excited about reports linking Chelsea to another star winger who has been compared to the Brazilian.

Chelsea target an Estevao-type winger

Even though there were pretty high expectations for Estevao coming into this season, few would have predicted him to have started as well as he has.

Transfer Focus

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

For example, in the Premier League, he provided an assist on his first start against West Ham United and then scored the winner against Liverpool.

In the Champions League, he has been even better, racking up three goals in five appearances, of which only three have been starts.

So, with how well he has been performing, it’s less surprising to hear that the club are now interested in a player who has been compared to him: Harvey Barnes.

Yes, according to a recent report from Spain, Chelsea are said to be incredibly keen on the Englishman.

In fact, the report goes further, revealing that the Blues have already submitted an offer of around €60m for the player, which is about £53m.

However, there are two problems: Manchester United have made the same offer, and the Toon do not want to sell.

It could therefore be a costly and complicated transfer to get over the line, but given Barnes’ ability and output, one Chelsea should fight for, especially as he has been compared to Estevao.

How Barnes compares to Estevao

Now, while they are both wingers plying their trade for huge clubs in the toughest league in the world, fans might find it hard to see why Barnes would be comparable to Estevao.

After all, last season he didn’t do all that much for Newcastle, and so far this season the Brazilian has been a breath of fresh air for the Blues.

However, while he is not getting as much attention as he perhaps should, the English “menace,” as dubbed by journalist Mikey Stafford, has been on fire for the Toon this year.

For example, in 20 appearances across all competitions, totalling 996 minutes, he has scored seven goals and provided two assists, which comes out to a brilliant average of a goal involvement every 2.22 games, or every 110.66 minutes.

Moreover, his close control and technical ability are far better than most think, as his sensational goal against Brentford demonstrates.

Finally, FBref also lists the Blues’ Brazilian gem as the eighth-most similar attacking midfielder or winger to the former Leicester City star in the Champions League this season.

The best way to understand how that conclusion was reached is to look at some of the underlying metrics where the pair ranks closely.

Non-Penalty Expected G+As

0.73

0.70

Progressive Carries

5.17

5.59

Crosses into the Penalty Area

0.34

0.29

Shot-Creating Actions

3.44

3.79

Goals per Shot on Target

These include things like non-penalty expected goals plus assists, shot-creating actions, crosses into the penalty area, progressive carries and more, all per 90.

Ultimately, while they certainly have their differences, Barnes is showing shades of Estevao in his game this season and on top of that, has rediscovered his goalscoring ability.

Therefore, so long as the price does not get ridiculous, Chelsea should do what they can to sign him once the window opens.

Chelsea star who saved Caicedo is their "most underappreciated player"

The underrated Chelsea ace made sure Caicedo’s red card didn’t cost Enzo Maresca’s men against Arsenal.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 30, 2025

خاض فريق إنتر ميامي، بقيادة النجم ليونيل ميسي، مباراته في إطار منافسات بطولة الدوري الأمريكي نسخة 2025، في الساعات الأولى من صباح يوم الأحد، وذلك ضد نظيره فريق نيويورك سيتي.

واستضاف ملعب “لوكهارت” مباراة فريقي إنتر ميامي ونيويورك سيتي، في نهائي مرحلة البلاي أوف للقسم الشرقي، حيث حققت كتيبة خافيير ماسكيرانو فوزًا بخمسة أهداف مقابل هدف.

وتمكن إنتر ميامي من تسجيل الهدف الأول، في الدقيقة 14 من عمر الشوط الأول من المباراة، عن طريق اللاعب تاديو أليندي، الذي عاد لتسجيل الهدف الثاني في الدقيقة 23 بعد تمريرة من جوردي ألبا.

وقلّص نيويورك سيتي الفارق بعدما سجل هدفًا في الدقيقة 37 عن طريق جاستن هاك، ولكن إنتر ميامي سجل الثالث في الدقيقة 67 عن طريق ماتيو سيلفيتي بعد أسيست من ليونيل ميسي.

وفي الدقيقة 83 سجل تيلاسكو هدف إنتر ميامي الرابع، في حين سجل أليندي الهدف الثالث له، هاتريك، والخامس لفريقه في الدقيقة 89.

بتلك النتيجة، تأهل إنتر ميامي إلى نهائي بطولة الدوري الأمريكي نسخة 2025 حيث سيلتقي مع الفائز من نهائي مرحلة البلاي أوف للقسم الغربي، الذي سيجمع بين فريقي سان دييجو وفانكوفر وايت كابس، التي ستُقام بعد قليل.

وستُقام مباراة نهائي بطولة الدوري الأمريكي لذلك الموسم مساء يوم السبت المقبل، 6 ديسمبر.

MatériaMais Notícias

Nacional-PAR e Corinthians se enfrentam nesta terça-feira (7), pela quarta rodada da fase de grupos da Copa Sul-Americana. A bola vai rolar a partir das 19h (de Brasília), no Estádio Defensores del Chaco, em Assunção, no Paraguai, com transmissão da ESPN e do Star+.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasCorinthiansCarlos Miguel tem sequência inédita como titular no gol do Corinthians; veja númerosCorinthians06/05/2024CorinthiansCorinthians tem novo desfalque no ataque em momento de ascensão na temporadaCorinthians05/05/2024CorinthiansAntónio Oliveira elege responsável pelo empate do CorinthiansCorinthians05/05/2024

➡️A boa do Lance! Betting: vamos dobrar seu primeiro depósito, até R$200! Basta abrir sua conta!

As odds disponiveis no Lance! Betting apontam 4.24 para um triunfo do Nacional-PAR, 4.24 no empate e 1.86 para uma vitória do Corinthians na Sul-Americana.

➡️Assine o Star+ e acompanhe o melhor da Libertadores quando e onde quiser!

✅ FICHA TÉCNICA
NACIONAL-PAR X CORINTHIANS
COPA SUL-AMERICANA – FASE DE GRUPOS – QUARTA RODADA

🗓️ Data e horário: terça-feira, 7 de maio de 2024, às 19h (de Brasília)
📍 Local: Estádio Defensores del Chaco, em Assunção, no Paraguai
📺 Onde assistir: ESPN e Star+
🟨 Árbitro: Angel Arteaga (VEN)
🚩 Assistentes: Alberto Ponte (VEN) e Freker Colmemares (VEN)
🖥️ VAR: Carlos Orbe (EQU)

continua após a publicidade

➡️ Veja tabela com datas e horários de todos os jogos da Libertadores

⚽PROVÁVEIS ESCALAÇÕES
NACIONAL-PAR (Técnico: Victor Bernay)
Antony Silva; Juan Luis Alfaro, Brian Blasi, Alexis Cañete, Leonardo Conge; Leandro Meza, Juan Fernando Alfaro, Gustavo Caballero, Benítez; Diego Duarte e Ignacio Bailone

CORINTHIANS (Técnico: António Oliveira)
Carlos Miguel; Fágner, Cacá, Felix Torres e Hugo; Raniele, Breno Bidon e Rodrigo Garro; Wesley, Gustavo Mosquito e Romero (Yuri Alberto)

continua após a publicidade

Tudo sobre

CorinthiansSul-Americana

The visitors were still behind when they lost their sixth wicket but hauled themselves out of trouble

AAP and ESPNcricinfo staff07-Oct-2025Tasmania 379 (Silk 104, Hope 76, Weatherald 67, Doran 66, Neser 4-75) and 317 for 7 (Chaudhary 76*, Jewell 67, Weatherald 57) drew with Queensland 612 (Labuschagne 160, Renshaw 128, Khawaja 69, Clayton 59, Chaudhary 5-108)Test aspirant Jake Weatherald posted his second fifty for the match as Tasmania’s Sheffield Shield run-fest against Queensland ended in a draw.Trailing Queensland by 233 runs after the first innings, Tasmania batted their way to safety at Allan Border Field on Tuesday. They finished on 317 for 7 in their second innings when the captains shook hands about 45 minutes before the scheduled stumps time.Related

'Stripped back' Labuschagne takes leap towards Ashes recall with 160

Labuschagne dropped from Australia ODI squad, Renshaw earns call-up

Hatcher and Hadley inspire New South Wales to victory

In-form opener Weatherald, one of many in contention to partner Usman Khawaja at the top for the start of this summer’s Ashes, followed up a 67 in the first innings with 57.Tasmania No. 4 Caleb Jewell faced 147 balls for his 67 before falling to tireless quick Michael Neser. Queensland thought they were still an outside chance of securing a win when Jewell departed which followed a brilliant catch at slip by Usman Khawaja to remove Bradley Hope.But Tasmania’s Indian-born Shield debutant Nikhil Chaudhary took them clear of being in any danger.Chaudhary, who claimed 5 for 108 as Queensland piled on 612 in their first innings, struck an unbeaten 76 from 80 balls at No. 8.The match will be remembered for centuries from Queensland Test hopefuls Matt Renshaw and Marnus Labuschagne.Renshaw, opening the batting with Khawaja, compiled 128 to enhance his chances of adding to his 14 Tests for Australia. During the day he had been confirmed for an ODI recall.Labuschagne, dropped for Australia’s most recent Tests against the West Indies in the Caribbean, compiled 160 in an important return to form.National selector George Bailey was present in Brisbane to watch Labuschagne grow in confidence after he took 12 balls to get off the mark.

Xabi Alonso has insisted that he's unfazed by reports of friction between him and Vinicius Junior as pressure ramps up on the Real Madrid manager amid the team's three-match winless run. The streak started with a loss at Liverpool in the Champions League, followed by back-to-back draws in La Liga against Rayo Vallecano and Elche, which allowed Barcelona to cut the gap at the top of La Liga to just one point.

• Vini Jr's fallout with Alonso

  Vinicius Junior has had problems with new manager Alonso over his game time since the start of the season. It all escalated during El Clásico, when the 25-year-old was seen ranting after being taken off by the boss in the second half of the match. He subsequently issued a public apology for his behaviour but raised more eyebrows by neglecting to mention his manager in his statement.

  The Selecao star's current contract runs out in 2027 and he has yet to reach an agreement with Madrid to extend his stay. According to , Vinicius Jr. has informed Los Blancos he will not renew his current deal "while his relationship with head coach Alonso remains so strained".

Advertisement

• Getty/GOAL
  

  Alonso unperturbed by mutiny

  Addressing Vinicius Jr's supposed mutiny and managing big egos in the Madrid dressing room, Alonso said: "It’s just as important as the footballing philosophy, the tactical and physical work, managing personalities… and it’s a process with different phases that you have to know how to navigate. At Real Madrid, it’s fundamental. I didn’t realise it had been six months, but it’s turning out to be exactly what I expected. A very demanding job with good moments and moments where you need that concentration and connection. We’re in one where we have to show a reaction. I’m enjoying the whole package, everything it entails. I said it on the first day and I’ll say it again."

  When asked to comment on the topic of players getting managers sacked, Alonso added: "It’s demanding, but I’m certainly not the first manager to have to deal with these situations. I think a lot about what Carlo [Ancelotti], [Jose] Mourinho, or [Manuel] Pellegrini, the managers I’ve had, would have done in their time. These aren’t new situations; we have to know how to deal with them, we have the necessary standards and self-criticism. We know where we want to go… and putting all of this together, I’m enjoying it. 

  "We have to have a lot of respect for the players and the teams and how they prepare. I don’t want to and I’m not going to talk about that. I know what a dressing room is, I know the moments you have to go through, and you have to deal with the external noise. It shouldn’t make us lose focus on what’s important for us. We have to know how to get through these moments; we know the consequences of bad results, but they shouldn’t derail us from the path we want to take."

• Does Alonso have Madrid's backing?

  Asked if he has got the club's backing in this situation, Alonso said: "I’m guessing it is not the first time you’ve asked that question. We know the moment we’re in, in La Liga and the Champions League. I’m not focused on that, I’m focused on the players, on what we can control, and what happens at Valdebebas.

  "Not of support, because it’s not necessary, but we have the usual day-to-day communication with the president, I spoke this morning with him, and I also speak with Jose Angel [Sanchez, general manager] every day or two, the usual."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images
  

  Nadal's advice for Vinicius Jr

  Die-hard Real Madrid fan and tennis legend Rafael Nadal has sided with Alonso in the tussle, telling: "I think it can be resolved through dialogue, with everyone on the same page. I believe Vini needs to understand who is in charge and respect that authority, and also the club, given what it means to be a Real Madrid player. But I think he's doing his best, and those things that come out of him, which sometimes aren't well-received, can be corrected through dialogue and an awareness that things can be improved. The first person who needs to want to explore that path of improvement has to be him. When I hear him speak in interviews, saying that he wants to improve in every aspect, I think he needs to find strong allies, and I'm convinced that Real Madrid will have the right people, and he will be there to advise him. 

  "The basic principle is wanting to do it. And Real Madrid has in Vinicius an asset that they can't devalue and that they have to protect, regardless of any performances that might not be to everyone's liking. As a player, he's a club asset; it's a situation that Real Madrid, being the immense club it is, knows how to manage, and I think they've done it well. The proof is that Vinicius' performance is now better than it was before. Football has a problem that is also a great strength; ultimately, many stories are written every week, and that magnifies things, but footballers are people, and that's how things are resolved, as human beings, by talking, understanding each other, and trying to project an image – one that is truly genuine – of unity, respect, and everyone pulling in the same direction."

Arsenal might just have landed two of South America's most exciting young talents in Independiente del Valle's Quintero twins, Edwin and Holger. The duo, who are currently 16 years old, are set to complete their paperwork in London this week and will officially complete their switch from the Ecuadorian side in August 2027, when they will have turned 18.

Arsenal secure double Ecuadorian coup

According to , Arsenal have agreed a deal in principle to secure the signings of Edwin and Holger Quintero, Ecuadorian twins who are currently plying their trade in the youth academy for Ecuador's Serie A giants Independiente del Valle. The former, in particular, has drawn comparisons to Neymar from the Ecuadorian media, making waves for his trickery as a right winger. Holger, on the other hand, is an attacking midfielder. Having already represented the Independiente under-20 team at the age of 15, the 16-year-old duo are believed to soon break into the senior side. 

also claim that the Gunners had been monitoring the Quintero brothers' progress for well over a year. Arsenal’s academy recruitment team view their latest signings as a significant step toward securing the club’s long-term future. The success of the pathway to the first team – highlighted by the rapid progress of Miles Lewis-Skelly, Ethan Nwaneri, and Max Dowman – has played a key role in persuading the Quintero twins to join the project. The pair are in London this week to finalise contractual formalities, with a formal announcement to follow at a later date. They are set to complete their move to the Emirates in August 2027, when they turn 18, for an undisclosed fee at this time.

AdvertisementAFPEcuador's brightest stars are shining in the Premier League

Ecuador have slowly but surely emerged as one of the more intriguing talent exporters in the world, especially for clubs battling for the ultimate crown in the Premier League. Moises Caicedo, the former holder of the record for the most expensive British transfer when Chelsea sensationally splashed £115 million (€130m/$152m) in 2023, arrived at Brighton for just £4m. Now, he is considered to be one of the best defensive midfielders in the world. Piero Hincapie, who arrived at the Emirates from Bayer Leverkusen on a loan with an option to buy for £45m (€52m) next summer, earned the reputation of having the potential to be one of the best players in his position.

Kendry Paez, one of South America's biggest talents to have emerged in recent memory, is also playing for Chelsea's sister club Strasbourg on loan from the Blues. The common denominator? All these aforementioned names have emerged from the Independiente youth academy. 

Arsenal investing heavily in youth

One of the regularities at Arsenal under the reign of head coach Mikel Arteta has been the trust him and his coaching staff have placed on the prodigies emerging at the Hale End Academy. Lewis-Skelly was integrated into the first team dynamics in 2024, with his debut coming in September last year. Since then, he has emerged as one of the most exciting young full-backs in Europe, aggregating 53 appearances in total and becoming a full-time England international. 

Arsenal now boast the two youngest players ever to debut in Premier League history. Nwaneri set the record in 2022, making his debut at just 15 years and 181 days old, while Dowman followed closely behind, debuting earlier this season at 15 years and 235 days.

The trio are expected to become the cornerstones of the Gunners' project in the future. Given everything we've seen from these young talents, it's safe to say that Arsenal's future is in good hands.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty Images SportGunners look primed to lift major silverware this season

Arteta's troops have begun the 2025-26 season exceptionally. They currently top the Premier League charts, bagging 30 points after 13 games to hold a healthy five-point lead over Pep Guardiola's Manchester City. They have firmly established themselves as the team to beat in Europe at the moment, as evidenced by their 3-1 hammering of Bayern Munich in the Champions League last week. 

However, Arteta and his players will be well aware of not paying heed to any labels or shouts terming them as the 'favourites' to win major silverware this season, even though there will undoubtedly be a lot of belief within the team that they can achieve magical things this season. 

The 1-1 draw against Chelsea on Sunday may not have proved that they can be easily beaten, but it definitely served a reminder that the seemingly unshakeable Arsenal team can be rattled. A lot of work is left to be done, but the early signs have been promising.

He will perform the role that Zaheer Khan did with LSG in IPL 2025

Nagraj Gollapudi03-Nov-2025

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have appointed former Australia allrounder Tom Moody as their global director of cricket, which will put him in charge of LSG in the IPL, Durban’s Super Giants in SA20, and their Manchester-based franchise in the Hundred. He will join hands with former Western Australia and Australia team-mate Justin Langer, who remains head coach, and Kane Williamson, who was recently appointed the strategic advisor.Moody, who turned 60 in October, is among the most acclaimed coaches in the game, having been in charge of international and franchise teams for over two decades. Earlier this summer in England, as head coach, Moody oversaw Oval Invincibles’ run to the Hundred title for the third successive year. He had also held a similar position at Desert Vipers in the ILT20 and had a successful stint with the franchise finishing runners-up in 2023 and 2025.It is understood that both Surrey and Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), the owners of Mumbai Indians who bought a 49% stake in the Invincibles earlier this year, were keen to retain Moody. However, it is understood Moody opted to take the LSG offer as it gave him a larger role.LSG, owned by RP Sanjiv Goenka Group (RPSG), made Moody’s appointment official via social media on Tuesday. They haven’t yet confirmed the length of his contract.