It’s not all been smooth sailing, but since taking the job six years ago, Mikel Arteta has got a lot right at Arsenal.

One area he has helped improve, alongside the Sporting Directors, has been the club’s transfer business, at least when it comes to signing players.

For example, the likes of David Raya, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Magalhães, Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori have all joined under his tenure.

However, when it comes to the Spaniard’s best signing, it’s hard to look past Declan Rice, so fans should be excited about reports linking Arsenal with someone who could be their next version of the Englishman.

Arsenal target their next Rice

Arsenal spent far more than they usually do in the summer transfer window, and so some might argue that they don’t need to go big again in January or at the end of the season.

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However, while that might be true in some areas of the pitch, the midfield is a different story.

As things stand, only Martin Zubimendi and Rice are really at the level required to regularly contribute in the middle of the park, with the boss clearly not fancying Christian Norgaard and Mikel Merino thriving up top.

Therefore, the Gunners really do need to sign another top-quality midfielder to provide the two regular starters with competition and chances to rest, and it looks like they’ve found one.

At least that is according to a recent report from Caught Offside, which claims Arsenal are interested in Ayyoub Bouaddi.

In fact, the report has revealed that the Frenchman is now at the top of their list of midfield targets.

However, they are not the only ones interested, as the report has also revealed that Chelsea are keen on the youngster.

Therefore, it could be a complicated transfer to get over the line, but given Bouaddi’s immense potential, it’s one Arsenal should be fighting for, especially as he could be their next Rice.

Why Bouaddi could be Arsenal's next Rice

The first thing to say is that while Ayyoub Bouaddi is very highly rated and looks to have a huge future ahead of him, Arsenal should expect him to come in and be on Rice’s level right away.

The Frenchman is still just 18 years old, and therefore, that would be an unfair expectation.

However, there is no reason he couldn’t eventually reach that level, especially as there are already quite a few similarities between the pair.

First and foremost, like the Gunners’ monster 41, the LOSC Lille gem is primarily a central midfielder, but has shown an impressive level of flexibility.

For example, he has also played in defensive midfield, attacking midfield, and even centre-back – sound familiar?

The second similarity is that, thanks to this ability to play in so many areas, the “world class talent,” as scout Jacek Kulig dubbed him, is someone who can help in build up as well as in defensive areas.

Subscribe for Arsenal transfer scouting and midfield insight Get the newsletter for in-depth transfer coverage, scouting breakdowns, and analytics-driven profiles of Arsenal midfield targets and rising prospects, so you can follow transfer moves with expert context. Subscribe Subscribe for Arsenal transfer scouting and midfield insight Get the newsletter for in-depth transfer coverage, scouting breakdowns, and analytics-driven profiles of Arsenal midfield targets and rising prospects, so you can follow transfer moves with expert context.

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For example, FBref ranks him in the top 1% of midfielders in Ligue 1 for blocks, the top 2% for long pass completion, the top 8% for successful take-ons, the top 16% for touches in the opposition’s penalty area, and more, all per 90.

Bouaddi’s Scout Report

Statistics

Per 90

Percentile

Blocks

1.99

Top 1%

Pass Completion % (Long)

88.0%

Top 2%

Passes Blocked

1.56

Top 2%

Successful Take-Ons

1.39

Top 8%

Tackles (Att 3rd)

0.61

Top 10%

Successful Take-On %

69.6%

Top 10%

Touches (Att Pen)

2.60

Top 16%

Shots Blocked

0.43

Top 19%

All Stats via FBref

Moreover, respected analyst-turned-scout Ben Mattinson has described his press resistance as “elite level” and his tackling as “exceptional.”

Ultimately, he is still young and has a lot of developing to do, but Bouaddi already looks like a top-level talent and someone who could easily develop into a future Rice.

Notably heralded as one of “the best young talents in world football” by the Guardian’s Ed Aarons, Arsenal should do all they can to sign him next year, before another team get there first.

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The international game-changer could be just the player Arsenal needs to get Gyokeres firing.

Posts ByJack Salveson Holmes

It was difficult not to be heartened by the courage and resilience shown by Ruben Amorim’s makeshift Manchester United side on Friday evening, with the hosts clinging on to secure a vital 1-0 win over Newcastle United.

Wave after wave of Magpies attacks were repelled even amid a carousel of changes in the Red Devils’ backline, with 19-year-old Ayden Heaven scooping the man of the match gong following his standout display as the only ever-present in that defensive unit.

The teenager’s task was no doubt made all the more difficult considering the woes of those ahead of him, with United’s string of attack-minded absences leaving them with little in the way of an out ball in that battling second-half.

How Amorim’s side could have done with the pace and power of a figure like Antoine Semenyo to drag them back up the pitch, with the Ghanaian’s blistering ball-carrying speed having been so evident in the 4-4 thriller with Bournemouth not too long ago.

Unfortunately, it looks increasingly likely that the 25-year-old will be heading elsewhere next month, with INEOS and United perhaps turning their attention to a suitable alternative instead.

Man Utd hold talks over Semenyo alternative

A summer that saw both Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo snapped up from Premier League rivals might also have seen Semenyo follow suit, albeit with United believed to have been put off by the ex-Bristol City man’s £70m plus price tag.

Heading into the looming January window, those at Old Trafford seemingly revived that interest following suggestions that calls were being made last week, with the in-form forward available for a fee of £65m, owing to his upcoming release clause.

Frustratingly for United and other top-flight rivals, it looks to be Manchester City who will ultimately win the race for his signature, with Semenyo reportedly choosing the Etihad as his preferred destination for 2026, as per David Ornstein.

With that in mind, Amorim and co might well be shifting their focus, with TEAMtalk reporting that the club have ‘joined the chase’ for RB Leipzig sensation, Yan Diomande.

As per the report, United are the final member of the traditional ‘big six’ to have registered their interest in the 19-year-old, with INEOS having already held talks with the teenager’s camp in recent weeks.

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The piece does note that any potential move would likely have to be a summer one, however, with prior speculation suggesting he could be available for a fee of around £87m.

Why Diomande is so "similar" to Semenyo

It was evident again on Friday evening that a handful of absentees can leave United looking so desperately short at the top end of the pitch, with the hosts ending the game with Patrick Dorgu on one flank and Diogo Dalot on the other as the two most advanced wide options.

With no Amad and Mbeumo to call upon, and having allowed the likes of Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho to depart, Amorim appears in real need of an extra spark – something to ignite his side in the final third.

Semenyo, with nine goals to his name already this season in the Premier League, would surely have done just that, although young Diomande might just be the next best thing, even if the Red Devils have to wait until next summer.

Indeed, in the view of The Athletic’s Seb Stafford-Bloor, the pair are “physically similar”, with Diomande possessing “all the same skill and touch” as his senior counterpart.

That likeness can no doubt be seen in their recent goalscoring hot streaks in 2025/26 to date, with the Leipzig starlet – who is currently on AFCON duty – scoring six goals in the Bundesliga thus far, alongside providing two assists.

Like Semenyo too, there is a real two-footed quality to the £87m youngster, with Diomande having scored four of those with his right and two with his left, as per Sofascore.

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The most notable attribute that the Ivorian possesses is his fleet-footed dribbling prowess, ranking in the top 1% of wingers in Europe’s top five leagues for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref, as well as in the top 3% for progressive carries per 90.

Diomande – 25/26 Bundesliga stats

Stat (per 90)

Diomande

Non-penalty goals

0.61

Assists

0.20

Shot-creating actions

4.66

Pass completion

81.3%

Progressive passes

4.05

Progressive carries

6.28

Successful take-ons

4.26

Prog passes received

7.91

Tackles

1.32

Interceptions

0.71

Stats via FBref

Not only an outlet in attack, Diomande also chips in defensively from his wide berth, ranking in the top 3% for interceptions and the top 11% for tackles per 90, with it no surprise that journalist Bence Bocsak hailed him as a “generational talent”.

Semenyo, for comparison, has his own strengths in a defensive sense too, ranking in the top 3% for both blocks and aerial duels won per 90, across the last 365 days.

Of course, it is the latter man who is hot property in the Premier League right now, yet if United are keen to seek out a more long-term, high-potential alternative, then Diomande could well be the man.

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Manchester United fans were treated with a bit of an unexpected starting XI ahead of their side’s Champions League clash with PSV tonight.

Louis van Gaal has been criticised for not making the most of his attacking assets recently, and many fans were calling for mega-money deadline day signing Anthony Martial to get more game time in Holland this evening.

PSV v MAN UNITED – LIVE BLOG

And they’ve got their wish, and some, with van Gaal handing the 19-year-old his first start for the Red Devils alongside Memphis Depay and Ashley Young, with Juan Mata slotting in to his favourite No.10 role. It’s a very pacy, attacking and fearsome attacking line up for United, and fans are now expecting their team to turn on the style to mark their return to Europe’s elite competition with three points.

Just moments after the teams were announced tonight United fans took to Twitter to express their delight and excitement for the evening ahead, and tipping their hat to what really is an impressive starting XI – and they almost broke the internet!

Here’s some of the best tweets…

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Peter Martin – 5-42 in 1st innings Photo © John Dawson

Chris Schofield returned to form in a superb Lancashire win over Kent at OldTrafford today which kept them firmly in the hunt for their first outrighttitle since 1934.John Crawley’s side completed a 154 runs victory after claiming the extrahalf hour of the third day, bowling out relegation haunted Kent for 125.It earned Lancashire 16 points, putting behind them their recent troublesin one-day cricket, and Schofield celebrated his best all-round performancefor the club.The 21 years-old Schofield first took his overnight 22 to an unbeaten 70as Lancashire battled their way from 110-7 to 198 all out. He put on preciousruns with Gary Keedy and Mike Smethurst but broke Kent’s hearts in a lastwicket stand of 51 with Peter Martin.There is no doubt that Schofield has batting talent. This season he hadalready notched up two half-centuries for Lancashire and one for Englandagainst Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge.But he also made a big contribution with the ball after Martin and Keedyhad made early inroads into Kent’s forlorn bid to reach a victory target of280.Lancashire captain John Crawley held him back until the score reached 70-4but his introduction into the attack paid immediate dividends with threewickets in four balls – the last delivery of one over and the second andthird of the next.Min Patel foiled him of a hat-trick and resisted Lancashire for a further70 balls. But Schofield had the final say when Patel miscued him to mid offto be last man out for 35, giving the leg-spinner 4-25.

The BCCI is contemplating appointing separate head coaches for Test and limited-overs formats for the India team. Its official position, as revealed by board secretary Anurag Thakur, was that it would appoint a coach before the South Africa series in October and the cricket advisory committee has been given the freedom to decide on the structure of the coaching staff, but ESPNcricinfo understands the position may be split.According to board insiders, the BCCI over the last month has approached at least half a dozen overseas candidates. None of them have been forthcoming to accept the full-time role, primarily for two reasons: most of them are associated with a Twenty20 franchise or league and wouldn’t like to part ways with a lucrative short-term assignment.The other factor that has worked against attracting an overseas candidate is the BCCI’s emphasis on not letting a foreign coach get assistants of his choice. Instead, the BCCI has stressed that the head coach will have to work with Indian assistant coaches.It has resulted in eligible overseas coaches being apprehensive of taking charge. The BCCI is understood to have been in touch with three recently-retired cricketers – all of whom have assumed coaching responsibilities with T20 franchises. The high-profile cricket advisory committee comprising Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman is likely to interact with them over the coming fortnight.Thakur hinted that team director Ravi Shastri would remain in contention, but stressed it would be up to the advisory committee to formalise the structure and the number of coaching staff required.”I think it is very important to have a full-time coach for any team. We have taken some time to decide and most probably in the month of September, we will finalise the coach,” Thakur said in a chat with Sanjay Manjrekar and Sunil Gavaskar during the lunch break of India’s second Test against Sri Lanka on Thursday on .”[Ravi] Shastri is holding the position of the director for the last few months and he has done well with the Indian cricket team, the boys have given us a good feedback about him, so the only issue is if we want a full-time coach then what would be the set-up. We can’t be having 10 people with the Indian cricket team.”So we have left it to the cricket advisory committee to decide how many people will be required, how many coaches will be required, whether a bowling coach, a batting coach, a full-time coach or a director. Let them take a call, come back to BCCI in September and before the South Africa series, I can assure you that we will take a call on that.”Shastri continues to be a contender for one of the positions. Thakur and Shastri, team director for almost a year, are believed to have discussed the roadmap in a meeting in Colombo on Thursday. With Shastri having developed a good rapport with India Test captain Virat Kohli, he could well continue to look after the Test team while the new coach may be in charge of ODIs and T20s.

Quite how England respond to their Lord’s thrashing remains to be seen, but for Michael Clarke there was no screaming and shouting after Australia’s opening defeat in Cardiff as he instead trusted his players to answer their own questions: he could not have hoped for a more emphatic outcome.When Josh Hazlewood bowled James Anderson well before the Lord’s clock had struck 5pm on Sunday afternoon, Australia completed an overwhelming 405-run victory to level the Investec Ashes at 1-1. Given the way Australia themselves were out-performed in Cardiff it was a remarkable turnaround – not just a victory but an evisceration.”We didn’t talk too much about Cardiff, once we left that changing room our focus was turning up here and making sure we played some of our best cricket,” Clarke told . “We knew we didn’t play our best, but today the boys up there can look themselves in the mirror and know they played some pretty good cricket”Couldn’t have asked for a better performance from every single player, the way the boys batted – Smith, Rogers, Davey Warner – and the intent through the second innings was outstanding then the execution from the bowlers.”Australia made two changes for this Test. They were forced to hand Peter Nevill a debut after Brad Haddin withdrew for personal reasons and the gloveman responded with seven catches and a jaunty maiden innings. The selectors also decided to ditch Shane Watson for Mitchell Marsh and the allrounder claimed three top-order wickets to help the frontline bowlers dismantle England.”Marshy played really well, his intent shows how much of a team player he is,” Clarke said. “He got two crucial wickets in the first innings, didn’t get a long bowl in the second dig but did a great job as well. Credit to the selectors for going with their gut, it was hard on Watto who has been a fantastic player for us but that’s the advantage we’ve got with the squad.”The eye-catching bowling on the fourth day came from Mitchell Johnson who rattled England with his pace – reviving memories of what happened in Australia – but Clarke devolved questions about any reopening of scars.”That’s probably a question for Mitchell Johnson or the England batsmen. He’s such a great athlete that he can bowl long spells or I can ask him to bowl short spells – it’s about assessing the wicket and the game. Credit to the rest of the attack, too, because the way they operated allowed Mitch to do that.”

Bangladesh Under-19 cricketer Nihaduzzaman, who was injured in a bus accident earlier this month, has been passed fit to play for Rajshahi Division in the side’s first match of the National Cricket League 2015-16 against Barisal Division on Friday. Nihaduzzaman had suffered head injuries and needed 12 stitches to his skull and forehead after a bus he was traveling in, from Bogra to Rajshahi, suffered an accident on September 9.According to the BCB’s chief physician, Dr Debashish Chowdhury, Nihaduzzaman’s CT scan did not show any reason for concern. “He stayed back in Rajshahi because he got the medical support there. The CT scan didn’t show anything of concern so he can resume playing,” Chowdhury said.Nihad’s stitches were taken off earlier this week and he resumed practice soon. Rajshahi manager Akbar Amin confirmed the left-arm spinner will be considered for selection.”He has made an excellent recovery after the horrific accident, and feels a lot better. He will be ready for selection tomorrow,” Amin said.

Lou Vincent, the former New Zealand batsman, has claimed he was acting under “direct orders” from Chris Cairns, his captain at Chandigarh Lions, when he agreed to fix matches during the now-defunct Indian Cricket League (ICL) in 2008.Vincent, who was last year banned for life from all cricket after admitting his involvement in match-fixing, claimed he was lured into the practice with offers including a cash bribe masquerading as an advance payment on a bat sponsorship, and subsequently earned US$50,000 (£32,000) for each of the games that he helped to manipulate.”I was under direct orders from Chris Cairns to be involved in match-fixing,” Vincent alleged under examination from Sasha Wass QC at Southwark Crown Court, where Cairns is on trial for perjury and perverting the course of justice, charges that relate to his successful libel action against Lalit Modi in 2012.”I looked up to Chris, he was a role model,” Vincent said. “All of a sudden I had been invited into this little world. There was talk of the tournament and how every game is going to be fixed.”

Dinesh Mongia’s reaction

“I was not involved in any match-fixing,” Dinesh Mongia told when contacted in Chandigarh. “I played for the Chandigarh Lions but I don’t know what the New Zealanders (Cairns, Tuffey and Vincent) were doing.”

Vincent told the court that his introduction to match-fixing had come via a bookmaker called Varun Gandhi, who offered him a bundle of cash during a meeting in a hotel room and told him that a woman who was also present was there to keep him company.”I was aware that she was available for sex … that was when the penny started to drop,” he said.Vincent initially reported the approach to his agent, Leanne McGoldrick, but claimed that Cairns’ subsequent response was to recruit him to his own match-fixing operation.”‘You have done the right thing’,” Vincent claimed Cairns had told him. “Right, you are working for me now, that will act as good cover’. That was how the whole introduction of being asked to match-fix for Chris Cairns happened.”Vincent, who had been suffering from depression since being dropped from the New Zealand team the previous year, described how he received instructions “either on the bus or at breakfast” in three or four of the matches that he played in the 2008 ICL tournament. However, he claimed to have struggled to “master the art of getting out”.”I was under instructions to fix,” he said. “When you are underperforming you just play dead-bat shots, play more defensive, you can control your scoring tempo but the actual art of getting out is actually quite hard.”One of the easiest ways is to get run out, hit the ball to a fielder and keep running. Try to get stumped. Miss a straight ball.”I didn’t master the art of getting out very well. Cairns suggested if I was playing club cricket in England I practise the art of getting out.”Vincent also alleged that, in addition to Cairns, the Indian batsman Dinesh Mongia and New Zealand fast bowler Daryl Tuffey were involved in match-fixing during their time at Chandigarh Lions.Cairns denies charges of perjury and perverting the course of justice. His former barrister, Andrew Fitch Holland, denies a charge of conspiring to pervert the course of justice.The trial continues.

Joe Burns and Usman Khawaja got the nod, Cameron Bancroft and Shaun Marsh just missed out, but there was also plenty of discussion about the veteran Michael Klinger in Australia’s selection meeting ahead of the first Test against New Zealand. At 35, Klinger seemed unlikely to be seriously considered for the start of a rebuilding process after a number of post-Ashes retirements.However, his double-century for Western Australia in the first round of Sheffield Shield matches was timely as the younger contenders around the country failed to have an impact in the last innings before the squad was chosen. It was Klinger’s 14th century across all formats in the past year, and head coach and selector Darren Lehmann said his name had been part of the discussion.”We spoke about him quite a lot, to be perfectly honest,” Lehmann said on SEN radio in Melbourne on Friday. “He was very, very close. It’s a tough one isn’t it. His experience is there. He’s 35, we’ve already got Adam Voges who is 36. Do we want to go down that path?”Age is not too much of an issue, but when we’re looking at players over a period of time – he averages 38 in first-class cricket, Khawaja averages 40 for example and he’s seven or eight years younger. Sometimes you just have to go with a gut feel. It’s a tough call sometimes. But we certainly looked at him.”National selector Rod Marsh was blunt when asked about Klinger, declaring that although he had been discussed, his long-term performance had not been such that he warranted jumping ahead of the younger men.”Of course we’ve looked at Michael Klinger,” Marsh said. “He’s got to keep making runs. “Have you looked at Michael Klinger’s batting average in first-class cricket? It’s not as good as the other boys. Part of our selection policy is if you’ve got two blokes that are absolutely equal you go for the younger bloke, and I think that’s very fair.”If one bloke is noticeably better and is more likely to influence the outcome of a game, then you pick the old bloke. But if they’re not noticeably better and they’re not likely to influence the outcome of a game, then you must always go with your youth. That’s our policy, and whether you agree with it or not, it’s irrelevant.”Although Klinger’s long-term figures might appear slightly underwhelming, he has enjoyed a productive period in his thirties. In the past two years he has averaged 45.95 in first-class cricket, with 11 centuries, but even if Burns and Khawaja fail to grasp their chances against New Zealand it would appear more likely that younger men such as Bancroft would be the next contenders.Michael Klinger’s recent double-century for Western Australia was his 14th century across formats in the past year•Getty Images

Bancroft had been part of the squad named for the abandoned tour of Bangladesh, and would likely have opened with Burns had that trip gone ahead, with David Warner out of action due to a fractured thumb. Burns debuted in Test cricket at No. 6 but now has the opportunity to become Warner’s new opening partner, having thrived as an opener for Queensland – he averages 46.58 as a first-class opener for the Bulls.”I guess my last two years for Queensland has been as an opening batter and I feel really comfortable and confident in that role,” Burns said. “I’ve had some consistent success there, so it is very easy to just slide in and I guess the fact that the first game is at the Gabba, my home ground, makes it a little bit easier as well. So, it is a challenge that I’m really looking forward to; I’m excited about the prospect of opening the batting for Australia”Burns averages 40.86 at the Gabba, which is also the adopted home ground of the now Queensland captain Khawaja. It has been an especially productive venue for Khawaja, who averages 67.46 from nine first-class matches there, and now has a chance to play his first home Test in nearly four years.Khawaja’s return to the side is all the more impressive given that last December he suffered a serious knee injury that put him out of action until the middle of this year. He said there were times during his lay-off that he wondered if his career might have been over, but now he has the chance to build the solid Test career that he has promised since his debut in 2011.”It’s massive, I’m just happy to be playing cricket again,” Khawaja said. “I was thinking about it this morning and at one point I thought – with the knee injury my career might have been over. And then obviously I did a ton of work to get back. I’m just happy to be playing cricket again, it’s a lot of fun. So yes it’s a big bonus I think.”

The Indian selectors and BCCI officials always say that performance isthe best criteria for selection and not age. Probably they do not keepin mind the name of Utpal Chatterjee. The left-arm spinnersingle-handedly guaranteed the first innings lead for Bengal againstKarnataka in their Ranji Trophy Super League group A match at the EdenGardens on Monday.Bowling unchanged for 30.1 overs, save for a break of two overs,Chatterjee ended the Karnataka innings at 268 giving Bengal a slimhope of making it to the next stage. He had figures of 61.1-19-102-6for the innings and his day’s spell read 30.1-8-58 4. This wasChatterjee’s fifth five-wicket haul in the season. He also brokeChetan Sharma’s record of 45 wickets in a season for Bengal, achievedin 1993-94. Chatterjee ended the day with 48 wickets.At the end of the day’s play, Saba Karim felt that Karnataka playedtoo defensively. Indeed, except for Dodda Ganesh and Venkatesh Prasadwho added 54 runs for the ninth wicket in 70 minutes all the othersallowed the bowlers to dominate.Chatterjee started the slide in the eighth over of the morning when hehad Barrington Rowland caught of the glove at slip. The batsman hadscored 53. Then Devang Gandhi, whom Chatterjee used as a part timebowler had A.Vijay caught at mid wicket. The batsman mistimed his pullshot.The new ball taken at 100 overs also provided a wicket as Abdul Masoodbowled B. Akhil with a ball that kept low. Then Chatterjee hadcounterpart Sunil Joshi leg before with a ball that straightened afterpitching for 34. Ganesh and Prasad however fought back gallantly. Bothhit left arm spinner Vishal Yadav for a six apiece. Ganesh however wasdistinctly lucky with three lives. Chatterjee and Shukla failed tohold caught and bowled chances. The former however, sustained ahairline fracture on his right thumb in attempting the catch. Ganeshwas finally caught by Haldipur at slip of Yadav. The innings finallyended when Chatterjee castled Prasad after the batsman had made 37with three boundaries and a six.Bengal lost Alokendu Lahiri early in the second innings. However,Devang Gandhi (39) and Haldipur (25) took the score to 75 without anyfurthur loss.