With the January transfer window only a few weeks away, Glasgow Rangers head coach Danny Rohl will already be thinking about the positions that he wants to strengthen in.

There are several areas of the squad that could do with improvement ahead of the second half of the season, given that the Gers are nine points adrift of first place, and attacking midfielder is one of those positions.

Thelo Aasgaard was brought in from Luton in the summer transfer window, as one of 12 arrivals, and the number ten has failed to deliver regular quality on the pitch, with as many red cards (one) as goals (one).

The Norway international has produced one goal and one assist in 22 appearances, per Transfermarkt for Rangers, and his assist was a simple pass to Djeidi Gassama, who raced forward and scored from distance against Dundee.

Rangers told to sign Championship star in January

Now, the Light Blues have been predicted to make a move to re-sign one of their former players, who would arrive at Ibrox as an upgrade on Aasgaard.

Transfer Focus

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

Speaking on Clyde Superscoreboard, as relayed by The Scottish Sun, Livingston first-team coach Marvin Bartley has tipped Rangers to bring Joe Aribo back to the club in the January transfer window.

When asked about a possible deal, Bartley said: “I think that is one that could happen.”

“When a player enjoys somewhere, and obviously he had to leave because it was a really good offer that he got down the road, and he has not played as much football as he wanted to play. He is still a really, really good footballer and did well for Rangers. I wouldn’t be massively shocked if he came back in January.”

The Scottish Sun explains that Aribo is reportedly set to leave Southampton, whom he joined from Rangers for £10m in 2022, and could be available for a fee of £1.5m, amid interest from teams in Turkey.

Why Rangers should bring Joe Aribo back to Ibrox

For a fee of £1.5m, a deal to bring the Nigeria international back to Ibrox seems like a no-brainer on paper, because he still has plenty left to give at the age of 29 and has already proven himself in a Rangers shirt.

Plenty of players, most recently Steven Davis, Leon Balogun, and Allan McGregor, have returned for second spells in Glasgow, so it is not out of the ordinary for the club to re-sign one of their former stars.

Aribo’s current availability, as he has not started a league game for Southampton this season, provides the Light Blues with the perfect chance to bring him back for a fraction of the fee they raked in for him in 2022.

The left-footed star is a proven performer in Scottish football. During his time at Ibrox, the 29-year-old midfielder scored 26 goals and provided 25 assists in 149 appearances in all competitions, per Transfermarkt.

This shows that the £70k-per-week ace offered a regular threat at the top end of the pitch as both a scorer and a creator of goals for the Ibrox giants, whilst playing as a central midfielder, as an attacking midfielder, or on the right wing.

21/22

8

6

20/21

7

4

19/20

3

8

Total

18

18

As you can see in the table above, Aribo was as impressive at scoring goals as he was at creating them in the Premiership during his three season stint in Glasgow, which shows that he knows how to deliver quality in the top-flight.

Aasgaard, however, has failed to show that he has what it takes to be a consistent and reliable performer for Rangers in any competition, let alone the Premiership, which is why Rohl should be looking for an upgrade on him in January.

Aribo, who Ezri Konsa said has a “languid” style, has scored nine goals in 111 matches for Southampton to date, per Transfermarkt. He has not been as prolific as he was for the Gers, but 53 of those games came in the Premier League against high-quality opposition.

However, returning to the Premiership could reignite his career because it is a level that he is comfortable at and knows how to perform in, as evidenced by his time with the Gers before he moved to England.

Rohl must replace Rangers star who's having an "amazing time" at Ibrox

Danny Rohl must replace this Glasgow Rangers star when the January transfer window opens for business.

ByDan Emery 6 days ago

Therefore, Aribo could return to Ibrox as a big upgrade on Aasgaard in the number ten position as a player who can deliver goals and assists, to win crucial points for the team, on a regular basis, whilst the Norwegian has struggled on both fronts.

Sheffield Wednesday have now reportedly expressed interest in signing a young Premier League gem on loan in the January transfer window.

Sheffield Wednesday narrow down takeover candidates

Despite the fact that they’ve now passed their initial soft deadline of December 5, Sheffield Wednesday are yet to name their new owners. In a long, detailed process, the Owls are seemingly keen to ensure that they find the right candidate for the job rather than simply the highest bidder.

Joint-administrator Kris Wigfield released a statement when the club passed their first deadline at the beginning of December, claiming that takeover talks have gained “momentum”.

According to The Star’s Alex Miller, Wednesday have now shortened their list of candidates in a move that should at least push takeover talks forward.

Wigfield has kept the names of candidates close to his chest, but reports have claimed that Mike Ashley has been among those attempting to buy the club.

The former Newcastle United owner reportedly saw his first bid turned away, but it remains to be seen whether he’ll return with an improved offer.

When it comes to the football, meanwhile, the Owls have set their sights on some much-needed January additions now that they can sign free agents or players on loan and that could see Everton’s Reece Welch arrive.

Sheffield Wednesday express interest in signing Reece Welch

According to Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke, Sheffield Wednesday have now expressed interest in signing Welch on loan from Everton in the January transfer window. The Toffees reportedly believe that a loan move for the 22-year-old would be an ideal next step for his development next month.

Those at Hillsborough are no strangers to welcoming Premier League talent on loan, either. Harry Amass has thrived on loan from Manchester United this season, even as off-pitch chaos has engulfed the club, and the Owls could now repeat their transfer genius by signing Welch next month.

The young central defender also has just over six months remaining on his current Everton contract, which means that Sheffield Wednesday could look to land a free deal if he arrives on loan and impresses.

Sheffield Wednesday candidates now considering shock move to complete takeover

The Owls are approaching their initial deadline.

By
Tom Cunningham

Dec 3, 2025

On paper, joining Sheffield Wednesday won’t be the most attractive option for young players, but the Owls can at least guarantee the game time that the likes of Welch so desperately need.

Billionaire takeover candidate makes Sheffield Wednesday decision as deadline nears

Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Tuesday, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta issued a rallying cry to supporters. “Be in your seats by 7.30pm,” he commanded.

Fans inside the Emirates Stadium did not disappoint. North London Forever blared out from the sound system and after an intense week in which they’d gone unbeaten against Spurs, Bayern Munich and Chelsea, the fans were very needed.

The Gunners failed to defeat ten-man Chelsea at the weekend and it was a performance that looked tired. Arsenal have enormous squad depth but injuries are already testing this crop of players. As a result, Arteta rang the changes for the visit of Brentford on Wednesday night.

Arsenal may well have secured a 2-0 victory but it was not a vintage performance. It was a display befitting of just how different the starting XI looked.

There were no Bukayo Saka or Eberechi Eze. Martin Odegaard and Noni Madueke started instead. With Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba still injured, the responsibilities at the heart of the defence fell to Cristian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie again.

Did they deliver? Well, Arsenal scored twice and kept a clean sheet, so it’s hard to argue against that.

Did Arsenal's midweek starters stake their claim?

Mosquera and Hincapie were rather patched together at the last minute when Saliba sustained a training injury late last week.

The Frenchman has now missed the last two games but for the two summer signings, this was a more composed and easier night than their showing at Stamford Bridge.

Chalkboard

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

Hincapie has been brave and aggressive in both fixtures but Mosquera struggled against Chelsea, notably when it came to progressing the ball. Of course, a Brentford side missing the Premier League’s second top goalscorer in Igor Thiago for over an hour helped their cause, but if Arteta is going to be missing two of the world’s finest defenders, the stand-ins have proven they can more than do a job.

It was in attack where Arsenal perhaps struggled a bit more. While Set Piece FC seem to have become more about scoring from open play, Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli didn’t do a huge amount to suggest they should be starting.

Madueke was energetic and effervescent on the right flank, performing four dribbles, two of which were successful, but he ultimately lacked end product, amassing two shots and failing to provide a key pass. Martinelli’s night was even worse. He had only one shot and completed just one dribble.

Odegaard, who stood in for Eze, was also lacking sharpness. The skipper created four key passes but lost six of his seven duels.

For Arteta, he will have been pleased with Mikel Merino, however. The Spaniard scored yet again, taking his goal tally as a centre-forward for the club to ten in 22 outings.

Arsenal have been fortunate that they can rely on their squad depth. They’ve missed Kai Havertz, Viktor Gyokeres and Gabriel Jesus in recent weeks but Merino has more than stepped up.

It was the substitutes who changed the game on Wednesday too. Saka, who replaced Madueke, scored the second strike to seal all three points for the Londoners.

Yet, the goalscorers were pipped to the man of the match award by someone who’s been on the fringes of things this season.

Arsenal's man of the match against Brentford

The contributions that Saka and Merino came up with were vital but if it wasn’t for the performance of Ben White, this night would have been far more challenging.

For White, this has been a troubling last year or so of his career. Signed for a mega £50m back in 2021, he had established himself as a core member of the Arsenal side.

2021/22

37

0

2022/23

46

7

2023/24

51

9

2024/25

26

2

2025/26

8

1

He was notably described by journalist Tom Barclay as “one of the best prospects in English football” in the summer he moved from Brighton and in the early stages of his Arsenal career he lived up to that, amassing nearly 100 appearances between 2022/23 and 2023/24.

Last season, however, things began to unravel. Fellow right-back Jurrien Timber was back from an ACL injury and his form since has been impeccable. In the words of the Standard’s Simon Collings, he is “the best right-back in the Premier League right now.”

What didn’t help White last season were persistent injuries that meant he was never really able to build momentum.

In 2025/26, though, he’s been available all season but has been met with stubborn resistance from Arteta to play him. He’s not the first person to find himself in this position during the Spaniard’s tenure.

Think of the likes of Aaron Ramsdale, Kieran Tierney, Emile Smith Rowe or Oleksandr Zinchenko. While they all didn’t do a lot wrong in Arsenal colours, Arteta sought to upgrade them at the earliest opportunity available.

Zinchenko, in particular, has suffered the same fate as White has this season. When the Ukrainian signed for Arsenal from Manchester City he revolutionised the way Arsenal were able to play.

Previously, Arteta’s system saw Tierney flying forward from left-back but Zinchenko was fielded as an inverted full-back, something we now see from both Myles Lewis-Skelly and Riccardo Calafiori.

During that 2022/23 campaign, Zinchenko and White were vital from their respective roles in defence. They contributed in all phases of play. The former Man City man was finally moved on in the summer, albeit only on loan to Nottingham Forest and if White wasn’t careful, he may have been heading elsewhere too.

But, he revived his career on Wednesday, given just his second start in the top-flight all campaign. The defender’s only previous start came against Manchester United on the opening weekend and since then, Timber has made the spot his own.

When Brentford came to town, White rolled back the years. The 28-year-old was phenomenal, notably providing the assist for Merino’s opener.

He took home the player of the match award and deservedly so for a display in which the England international won more duels (10) and made more tackles (6) than any other player against Brentford. He also made more clearances than any of his Arsenal colleagues (6).

Many have tried and failed to get back in Arteta’s good books. Zinchenko and Ramsdale can testify to that. However, White has showcased that he’s still very much an elite full-back and he should not be dismissed just yet.

With Mosquera having had to limp off the field in the first half with an injury, replaced at centre-half by Timber, it would not be a surprise to see White back in the starting lineup this weekend against Aston Villa. On the evidence of this performance, he is undroppable right now.

Playing better than Saka: Arsenal ready to pay club-record fee for £132m star

The Arsenal target has been having a better campaign than Bukayo Saka this year.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Dec 3, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

Ontem, segunda-feira (3), ocorreu a quarta edição do Leilão Beneficente do Instituto Neymar, no Clube Monte Líbano, em São Paulo. O craque, que está no sétimo mês de recuperação de uma da ruptura no ligamento cruzado anterior do joelho esquerdo, respondeu algumas perguntas logo na sua chegada e esfriou qualquer possibilidade de voltar para o Brasil em 2025.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasOnde AssistirSantos e Botafogo-SP: onde assistir, escalações e horário do jogo pela Série BOnde Assistir03/06/2024BotafogoJúnior Santos, do Botafogo, diz que espera renovar contrato e brinca com TextorBotafogo02/06/2024SantosSantos define estratégia para contratação de novo goleiro; saiba nomesSantos01/06/2024

Sonho do presidente Marcelo Teixeira e da torcida santista, Neymar garante que fica no Al Hilal, da Arábia Saudita, por mais uma temporada.

➡️ Tudo sobre o Peixe agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! Santos

– Não (existe a possibilidade de voltar ao Santos ano que vem). O que falaram é totalmente mentira. Não tem nada planejado. Tenho mais um ano de contrato com o Al Hilal. Espero poder fazer uma grande temporada. Fiquei fora essa última. Vamos viver pouco a pouco. Tem muito tempo pela frente. Óbvio que o Santos é o time do meu coração, um dia quero voltar, sim, mas não tem nada planejado na cabeça.

O camisa 10 da Seleção Brasileira afirma que conversou com Vinicius Junior antes e depois da final da Liga dos Campeões da Europa, e acredita que o atacante do Real Madrid será eleito o Melhor Jogador do Mundo.

continua após a publicidade

– Quanto ao Vini, obviamente a Bola de Ouro é dele. Estou na torcida. Mandei mensagem antes do jogo, pós-jogo. É um menino que eu amo de paixão. Grande amigo que o futebol me deu. Com certeza, será coroado com a Bola de Ouro. Ele está incrível, carregando a bandeira do nosso país ao redor do mundo. A gente fica muito feliz e torce por ele – disse Neymar.

Confira as outras respostas de Neymar:

Recuperação da lesão

– Tá indo (a recuperação). É dolorido. Muito sofrimento. Mas estou me recuperando. São sete meses já da lesão. Faltam alguns ainda. Mas estamos indo.

continua após a publicidadeAusência na Copa América

– Vai ser triste (acompanhar a seleção de longe). É muito ruim ficar fora, obviamente, mas estamos na torcida, como vocês. Espero que o Brasil possa ganhar. Tem time para isso, jogadores de muita qualidade. Estamos na torcida. Espero que o Dorival faça um grande trabalho com todo mundo. Estarei na torcida.

Tudo sobre

Futebol NacionalNeymarSantos

India’s Test captain has been advised more rest to avoid recurrence of neck spasms

Karthik Krishnaswamy20-Nov-20256:22

‘Gambhir took the blame because he felt curators should not be blamed’

Shubman Gill is set to miss India’s second Test against South Africa starting on Saturday after failing to recover sufficiently from the neck injury he suffered last week. Vice captain Rishabh Pant will stand in as captain in Guwahati.It is understood that, according to medical advice, Gill is at risk of further neck spasms if he plays so soon. He has been advised more rest. The development could also impact his selection in the ODI squad for the three matches against South Africa starting on November 30. The squad for that series is expected to be picked on November 23.With Gill set to miss out, India may have to choose one of B Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal and Nitish Kumar Reddy as his replacement.Related

Gill discharged from hospital but remains doubtful for Guwahati Test

Left-hand or left-field – who fills in for Gill in Guwahati Test?

Gambhir's India – close fights, costly calls, and a growing Test crisis

Gill was admitted to hospital after the second day of the Kolkata Test, following the decision to retire hurt after facing only three balls in India’s first innings. On the morning of the third day, the BCCI said he would take no further part in the Test. India went on to lose the match by 30 runs, after getting dismissed for 93 in a chase of 124 on a pitch with uneven bounce. Gill had missed a Test against New Zealand in October 2024 due to a neck spasm too.On Thursday, before ESPNcricinfo learned that Gill is set to miss the match, India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak had said in a press conference that the team would not risk playing him if there was any chance of the spasm recurring.”He is definitely recovering really well,” Kotak said. “Now, the decision [whether to play him or not] will be taken tomorrow evening. The physios, doctors, they will have to take a call that, [even] if he is fully recovered, [during the] game, he should not get that spasm again.”[…] If we have a, guarantee that, very likely, he won’t have this issue again, then he will play. If there is a doubt, then I am sure, he will take rest [for] one more game, because it won’t be helpful to the team [if he plays].”Nitish Kumar Reddy put in the hard yards at the nets in Guwahati•AFP/Getty Images

One of the concerns for India as they figure out Gill’s replacement is the surfeit of left-hand batters in their squad. They had six in their XI in Kolkata – five in their top eight – and Sai Sudharsan and Padikkal, the two specialist batters vying to come into the line-up, also bat left-handed. The left-hander-heavy nature of India’s line-up had advantaged offspinner Simon Harmer, the Player of the Match in Kolkata, significantly.Kotak suggested there had been undue focus on the offspinner-vs-left-hander match-up, and pointed out that South Africa also played Keshav Maharaj, a left-arm spinner, at Eden Gardens, which should have advantaged India’s line-up.”You tell me one thing, they had a left-arm spinner also. If we had seven right-handed batsmen, then? They had a left-arm spinner also, and an offspinner also. I believe that you have to play well. Offspinner bowling to left-hander does not mean left-hander has to get out. We had two left-arm spinners [in the first Test], they had nine right-handers; did they get out? So maybe that thing is a little overrated.”Overrated or not, India will still likely mull over the match-ups even as they prepare for a Guwahati track that is set to be more forgiving to the batters than Kolkata was.India’s mandatory practice session two days out from the match gave some indication of who might come in for Gill. The first four batters who came out to bat in the nets were Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Washington Sundar and Dhruv Jurel. The first three had been India’s top three in Kolkata, and Jurel had batted at No. 4 in the second innings, in Gill’s absence. Sai Sudharsan was next into the nets.Padikkal, meanwhile, did not bat in the early part of the practice session, but was seen bowling part-time offspin in the spinners’ net.Seam-bowling allrounder Reddy, who was released from the squad in Kolkata so he could play in India A’s limited-overs series against South Africa A, was back in training, and bowled alongside Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep in the fast bowlers’ net.Axar did not bowl initially, and only joined his team-mates some 45 minutes or so into the session.None of this necessarily points to India’s possible selection. Players have their own individual preferences for what kind of training they do, and how much, leading into games.But with a more balanced pitch than Kolkata expected on Saturday, India may not feel the need for a fourth spin bowler and a second left-arm orthodox spinner. If Sai Sudharsan replaces Gill, Reddy coming in for Axar would help India maintain the same balance of left- and right-hand batters they had in Kolkata. With a decent amount of grass on the pitch two days out from the Test, there is a chance Reddy could be a useful option with the ball too.

Tim Ward also scored a fluent hundred as the visitors piled up their second highest Sheffield Shield total

AAP24-Nov-2025Nikhil Chaudhary became the first Indian to hit a Sheffield Shield hundred this century, helping put Tasmania in a position of utter dominance against New South Wales.Chaudhary blazed his way to 163 for Tasmania before they declared at 623 for 8 late on day three and with a lead of 232 at Sydney’s Cricket Central.Sam Konstas and Ryan Hicks then survived a tricky five overs as the Blues went to stumps at nine without loss and needing to fight to hang on for a draw.After Caleb Jewell hit 102 for Tasmania on Sunday, Tim Ward and Chaudhary both reached triple figures on Monday in the team’s second-highest Shield score.Ward was dominant through the offside against his native state for his first red-ball century of the Shield summer, but it was Chaudhary who made history.Born in Delhi and having represented Punjab in one-day cricket, Chaudhary moved to Australia in 2020. He became stuck in the country through the Covid-19 pandemic, and has since become a permanent resident while still being an Indian citizen.The spin-bowling allrounder was spotted in Queensland club cricket by Tasmania’s assistant coach James Hopes, who recommended him to Hobart for the BBL two summers ago.Chaudhary then moved to Tasmania at the start of last summer, and got his chance in the one-day cup this season. He took a five-wicket haul on Shield debut against Queensland last month, before having his way with the bat on Monday.The 29-year-old hit five sixes in his 184-ball knock, going after Tanveer Sangha late in the day.Four times Chaudhary slog-swept Sangha over the rope in the final hour of play, bringing up his 150 when he put the legspinner on the grandstand roof.A handful of Indian players have previously featured in the Shield, with former Test allrounder Rusi Surti hitting a century and taking a hat-trick for Queensland in the 1970s.Aside from Chaudhary, Ward was the other Tasmanian to impress on Monday with 119.He was dominant through the offside, regularly cover driving, and brought up his ton when he hit Sangha to the boundary.Bradley Hope also threw away the chance to join Chaudhary, Ward and Jewell as centurions, when he cut a Sangha lop hop to point.Tasmania entered the round last on the ladder, one of four teams with one win, two losses and a draw to start the season.

Mitchell Marsh’s Test audition has failed, dismissed cheaply for the second time in Western Australia’s Sheffield Shield clash with Victoria at the MCG.In his first red-ball game since being dropped by Australia following last year’s Boxing Day Test, Marsh made just 4 in WA’s second innings on Saturday after managing 9 on day one.Related

• Gannon takes five but Macdonald, Short and Perry put Victoria on top

• Stobo's stunning spell helps NSW seize control at SCG

He lasted just six balls as he fell to Victorian seamer Sam Elliott, who is enjoying one of the best games of his first-class career.Marsh, who last played a Shield match in October 2024, had been touted as a potential shock factor at the top of Australia’s order in this summer’s Ashes.But another Test call-up seems unlikely with Travis Head and Jake Weatherald making a promising start to their opening combination for Australia.Marsh had to wait more than half a day on Saturday to get an opportunity to bat, with no play possible until midway through the second session due to rain in Melbourne.With WA starting day three on 5 for 1, Marsh was quickly in the game after nightwatchman Corey Rocchiccioli was trapped lbw by Elliott.The visitors crumbled to 17 for 3 when Marsh exited, before captain Sam Whitemanand fellow veteran Hilton Cartwright rallied.The pair got WA to 75 for 4, a lead of 14, when bad light stopped play midway through the final session. But play was able to resume again, with WA getting to 98 for 4 at stumps and Whiteman unbeaten on 56.With the weather likely to be fine on Sunday, Victoria will still fancy their chances of running through WA and securing an outright win.

Arsenal wonderkid Max Dowman is reportedly facing a lengthy spell out after suffering an ankle ligament injury. The 15-year-old was in action in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Manchester United at the weekend and was left hurt after a heavy challenge.

Dowman joins the treatment room

Dowman made history at just 15 years and 308 days when he featured for 18 minutes in Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Slavia Prague in the Champions League. However, the teenager is facing a brief pause in his development and could be out for around two months, as reported by

Although he does not require surgery, the injury is serious enough to rule him out for a significant time, long enough for UEFA’s updated regulations to permit a squad replacement in European competition. Arsenal confirmed the news on Tuesday, removing the England youth international from their Champions League squad and adding Gabriel Jesus in his place. 

A club statement read: "Gabriel Jesus has replaced Max Dowman on our UEFA A list with immediate effect. Therefore, Gabby is eligible to play in our match against Club Brugge in Belgium on Wednesday night. Max, who picked up an ankle injury playing for our under-21s on Saturday, will be added to our UEFA B list in January, but will not be permitted to play in any UEFA competitions for 60 days from today (February 6)."

AdvertisementGetty ImagesArteta's injury problems worsen

Speaking ahead of Wednesday night’s Champions League fixture against Club Brugge, Mikel Arteta could not hide his frustration at yet another fitness blow within his already depleted squad.

"Yeah, a big one. I mean, losing Max again, it's obviously not ideal with Leo [Trossard], who is just coming back, that we have to manage the minutes," he said. 

"Max [Dowman] picked up an injury last weekend and had to come off. So he did some scans and he is going to be out for weeks and then we have the situation of Gabi [Jesus], who we were expecting to be training with us by the end of December. Gabi has been pushing every single day and he kept telling everybody 'I am going to be earlier, earlier, earlier' and he has done it. So thanks to his work and all the work that the medical staff have done in all these months, and we had the possibility to make a swap there and we have done it. Yes, on one side, you see Max and the situation and on the other, you see the joy and how happy Gabi is to be back in the Champions League."

Speaking to the club’s matchday programme, Jesus expressed both relief and caution.

"I'm feeling great, my knee is responding very well. I'm looking forward to being around the team again soon, to come back to do what I love to do," the Brazilian said. "It's been too long, this one is the biggest injury I've had in my life. An injury like this, one that is so long, you split up the recovery periods into smaller timings. So now I'm at the stage where I need to hold myself back a little bit because I'm doing great work off the pitches, but it's tricky because I need to not rush myself too hard over the line. When you can see the end it's important you don't push too hard, keep my feet on the floor, and then as soon as the time comes, I will be ready."

Breakthrough season paused but not derailed

Dowman’s rise this season has been swift. After starring in pre-season for Arsenal, he made his senior debut in August as a substitute in the 5-0 win over Leeds United, becoming the second-youngest player ever to appear for the club. Since then, he has collected five senior appearances and assisted once. Off the pitch, Arsenal confirmed in October that Dowman had agreed scholarship terms, paving the way for a professional contract when he turns 17.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

AFPArsenal aim to rebound against beleaguered Brugge

Arsenal travel to Belgium seeking a timely response after their last-minute Premier League defeat at Aston Villa on Saturday. While injuries continue to present challenges, the Gunners enter the fixture with a flawless record in the Champions League with five wins from five games. Their opponents, meanwhile, are in turmoil as Club Brugge dismissed head coach Nicky Hayen on Monday after a poor run of two wins in seven.

Cristiano Ronaldo versus Lionel Messi in the 2026 World Cup final would likely become a “retirement match” for two all-time greats, admits Pedro Mendes. A couple of GOATs are preparing for another shot at global glory, with Messi having already added that prize to his collection with Argentina. The end is approaching for both, and it could be that they enjoy the “perfect finish” next summer.

• GOATs at 2026 World Cup: Will Ronaldo face Messi?

  Messi is yet to confirm that he will be gracing next summer’s finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico, but the expectation is that the Inter Miami superstar will captain his country in their title defence.

  Ronaldo has suggested that the 2026 finals will be his last, but the evergreen 40-year-old is being tipped to play on for some time yet. Fans in every corner of the planet would love to see CR7 lock horns with eternal rival Messi on the grandest of stages.

Advertisement

• Getty/GOAL
  

  Last dance: Could Ronaldo meet Messi in World Cup final?

  Ex-Portugal international Mendes – speaking to BOYLE Sports, who offer the latest football betting – has said of that potentially happening: “It's always a big occasion. Every time there's a Ronaldo vs Messi match, it's always a big occasion. We were fortunate enough to see those amazing players, but I think they were unlucky to be in the same generation. If they played at different times, they would both be considered the best of all time in their respective generations without question. But again, there's always that debate, who was the best? Messi or Ronaldo?

  “So every time there's a game between them, it's a big occasion. And it'll be great every time you see it. I hope Messi plays, because Messi on the pitch is always a joy to watch as a football fan, not just as a Portuguese fan, but as a football fan. I hope he goes. Portugal and Argentina in the final would be good. It could be the retirement match for one of them.”

• Evergreen Ronaldo: How long with CR7 play for?

  Mendes is among those that believe Ronaldo can play for as long as he wants, with the five-time Ballon d’Or winner still a talismanic presence for club and country. Mendes added: “As long as Cristiano is fit and ready to play, he should play. It just brings something, even if he's not involved a lot of the time, he's always a worry for the other team. He has that killer instinct, that killer touch inside the box. When the ball bounces to him, he can score at any time, at any minute. So I think if he's fit, he should start. Every single day.

  “I think in Portugal, maybe 90% of the Portuguese people want Cristiano Ronaldo to start. But there's always that 10%, you know, there's always that 10%. But I think, again, as I said, if he drops him for some reason, it must be a physical reason. If he's fit, I think he should play. And I think Roberto Martinez will play him all the time.”

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

• Getty
  

  Ronaldo targets: Individual targets being chased down

  Ronaldo, who is now plying his club trade in the Saudi Pro League with Al-Nassr, appears to still have individual targets to chase down. Mendes sees those keeping a personal fire burning, but a World Cup triumph could convince the evergreen frontman to bow out.

  Mendes said: “I don't know what's happening in his head and if he wants to play on. But if in his head the word retirement is there, I think winning the World Cup will be the perfect finish for him.

  “The 1,000 goals? That's the thing. He may go on for one or two more years. In Saudi, he may score them. But again, if we don't win it, maybe he'll stay a couple more years to chase that record, that 1,000 goal. But if we win it, I think it'll be a massive doubt in his head if it's enough or if he'll go for the 1,000 goal. So let's see.”

  It has been suggested that Ronaldo, who is now tied to terms in the Middle East through to 2027, will prolong his record-shattering career long enough that he gets to line up alongside eldest son Cristiano Jr – who is part of Al-Nassr’s academy system and has already made his international bow with Portugal at youth level.

Arizona Diamondbacks fans at Chase Field on Friday night gave Ketel Marte quite the warm welcome in the team's first game at home since a fan in Chicago heckled Marte regarding his deceased mother on Tuesday.

A fan on Tuesday shouted classless remarks at Marte about his mother who died in 2017 in a car accident. Marte was seen in tears on the field, and his Diamondbacks teammates and manager Torey Lovullo consoled him. The fan has since been banned indefinitely at all MLB ballparks.

Diamondbacks fans found special ways to show their support to Marte. Ahead of his first at-bat on Friday night, the crowd gave him a huge standing ovation. Marte tipped his hat to the crowd as a thank you. Many fans wore shirts that said "Ketel is my MVP," and the broadcast captured some fans who created homemade signs to show love to the second baseman.

Watch the heartwarming scene here.

Marte said in an interview this week that the fan "crossed the line" by yelling vicious taunts about his deceased mother, but he still sent prayers to the fan.

It's clear Marte is grateful for all the love and support he's received this week. Baseball can be a really special sport.