All posts by n8rngtd.top

One thing that the current Leeds United squad seems to be lacking is the next great academy product. Centre-back Pascal Struijk is a graduate of their academy, but at 26 years of age, he is firmly established in the first team.

18-year-old Scottish attacker Sam Chambers has played for the senior team, but has not even been on the bench this season,

Of course, over the last few years, some excellent players have come through the Leeds academy system and made it to the first team. Kalvin Phillips is one name who springs to mind, becoming a key player in the midfield at Elland Road before moving to Manchester City.

The other player who fits the bill was Archie Gray.

Archie Gray’s career at Leeds

The 19-year-old is arguably one of the most successful academy graduates at Elland Road in recent years. He has deep family ties to Leeds, and came through their academy before breaking into the first team.

In total, the versatile midfielder, who was born in Durham, played 52 games for the club. All those appearances came in the 2023/24 campaign, a season in which he chipped in with two assists.

After a successful debut season in professional football for Gray, the youngster, who can also play at right-back and did so 30 times for the Whites, secured a big transfer. He joined Tottenham Hotspur in 2024 for a fee of around £30m.

Since moving down to North London, the 19-year-old has played 48 games for the Lilywhites. He’s once again shown great versatility, playing full-back on both sides, at centre-back and in his natural midfield role. Of course, Gray was also a Europa League winner last term.

Since Gray, Leeds haven’t had a top academy prospect break into the first-team squad and establish themselves. Well, perhaps the next big thing is waiting in the wings.

Leeds’ best academy talent since Gray

Certainly, if Gray is able to break through under Daniel Farke and become an established first-team player, the same door could be open for future academy talents on the books at Elland Road.

Well, perhaps sooner or later, that player will be Scotland youth attacker Lewis Pirie. The versatile forward joined Leeds back in 2023 from Scottish outfit Aberdeen. After starting out in the under-18s side, he’s broken into the under-21s this season.

In his first two full seasons as a Leeds academy player, his record shows why he is considered such an “exciting” prospect. At least, that is a word that former Aberdeen manager Jim Goodwin used to describe him.

Indeed, Pirie has played 29 games for the club over the past couple of years. In that time, he’s found the back of the net on seven occasions, and assisted one goal, too.

Having played 1701 minutes, he has a minutes per goal and assist record of 213 minutes.

The 18-year-old is has already built up a strong reputation for himself. He can operate on both flanks and up front, and has even played deeper as a number 10 for the Leeds academy.

As we saw with Gray, Farke loves versatility, which could be a key difference to helping him reach the first-team.

With the versatility he offers and the clear goal threat he can bring to the table, Pirie could be the perfect option if Farke wishes to bring another academy star into the first team at Elland Road.

It will be fascinating to see if the Whites boss will look to bring through another young talent into the frame. If so, that player could very well be Pirie.

Their next Raphinha: Leeds star could soon steal the number 10 from Piroe

Leeds United may have their next Raphinha in the making at Elland Road.

1

By
Dan Emery

Sep 10, 2025

Lionel Messi’s hat-trick powered Inter Miami to a 5-2 road win over Nashville SC to close out the MLS regular season in style, securing third place in the Eastern Conference. The Argentine star now sits on 29 goals, strengthening his case for a second straight MVP. The two sides will meet again in the first round of the playoffs.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  'Leo has been exceptional'

  Inter Miami manager Javier Mascherano believes Messi's emphatic regular season finale encapsulates his impact on the season. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner led MLS in assists with 19. 

  "The reality is that Leo has been exceptional, as he usually is," Mascherano said. "I think if anyone had doubts about his regular season, he has cleared them all. He will surely be awarded the MVP."

  Despite the strong result, Cincinnati's win over Charlotte prevented Inter Miami from finishing second in the Eastern Conference. The Herons' third-place finish means they will face Nashville again in the opening round of the playoffs. 

  "I was hopeful that maybe Cincinnati wouldn’t get the win – it didn’t happen. Now we face [Nashville] again on Friday, and from that moment on, you’re playing for your entire season," Mascherano said. 

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Defense the focus

  Inter Miami conceded 55 goals this season, which ranks fifth-worst in the Eastern Conference. With the team aiming to lift its first MLS Cup, Mascherano stressed his team can't afford the lapses it showed during the season in the playoffs. 

  "We can’t fool ourselves; now we enter the decisive part, and every moment counts. We can’t make those mistakes again," he said.

• History ahead?

  Messi would make history if named MVP of the season, as he would become the first player in MLS history to win the award back-to-back.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Playoffs ahead

  The MLS playoffs are set, and Inter Miami will face Nashville SC once again in their quest to win the 2025 MLS Cup. The first game of the series against Nashville will be on Friday at Chase Stadium.

Harry Kane made another piece of history on Wednesday night as the Bayern Munich striker hit 20 goals for the season in just 12 games for Bayern Munich. In a quite remarkable stat, this is faster than either Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi managed to achieve the feat in their careers. Kane struck the second goal of the game as Bayern comfortably beat Club Brugge 4-0 in the Champions League.

• Kane eclipses Ronaldo & Messi with outstanding goal record

  According to Opta, Kane’s 14th-minute strike in the emphatic victory against Brugge meant that he had reached 20 goals in a domestic season quicker than either of the two men often regarded as the best of all time, and without doubt viewed as the best of this generation.

  But Ronaldo’s best record at the start of a season was 20 goals in 13 games in 2014-15, while Messi never reached 20 strikes in fewer than 17 games – achieving 17 three times.

  This only goes to further demonstrate the sheer levels of greatness at which Kane is operating so far in 2025-26, as he begins to stake an early claim to be in the running for the Ballon d’Or in 2026 – though he will most likely need to lead England to winning the World Cup in order to get his hands on the prestigious individual award.

Advertisement

• AFP
  

  Kompany makes Messi & Ronaldo comparison

  Manager Vincent Kompany lauded Kane’s start to the season after he bagged his 19th goal of the campaign in Der Klassiker against Borussia Dortmund last weekend, making the comparison with two of the greatest ever to play the game.

  “Harry Kane can of course still improve, even though he has been more than brilliant so far for us," said the Belgian. "I think [Lionel] Messi and [Cristiano] Ronaldo have set the bar so high that you feel like scoring in the manner Kane is scoring right now should be normal, but what he is doing is really outstanding. He worked so hard for the team tonight and was once again very important for us.

  "We like that all experts are asking themselves 'who was our striker tonight? Who was the attacking midfielder? Who was the playmaker?' – That is how we know we have a fluent attack and that we’re doing it right," he explained.

  He continued: "I can't teach Harry Kane how to head the ball the way he does it. Some things you can't teach – the feeling for the area, for example. He just does it so well.”

• Kane speaks as fantastic run of form continues

  Kane told after the result against Dortmund: "Of course, I'm still there to score goals and help the team. But I also dropped a little deeper with the ball, defended my own penalty area without the ball, and picked up second balls to find my team-mates behind the opposing line with long balls. There were a lot of good things there, and I feel good physically."

  He added: "I'm confident about my game overall. I always look forward to a match – knowing how we want to play and how we work together. There's a special bond within the team. Everyone always gives their all. And that's a valuable asset."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

• Gett
  

  2026 could be a defining year for Kane

  Kane’s form so far this season has been nothing short of exemplary. We thought we had already seen the very best the England captain has to offer, but then he reaches a whole new level that was not deemed possible.

  The 32-year-old struck 44 goals in 45 games in his first season for Bayern, a record which is already looking easily accessible as he closes in on half of that total before we have even reached November. There is every chance at this stage that the 2025-26 season becomes the crowning one of Kane’s career, if he continues to shine as much as he is currently. 

  Bayern look imperious in the Champions League, having won three out of three with a goal difference of +10, while the Bundesliga title already looks like a procession as the champions are five points clear, having already beaten second-placed RB Leipzig 6-0. Then, of course, comes the small matter of the World Cup in North America next summer.

  Kane recently reached the landmark of 400 club career goals. He said of the achievement on social media: "So proud to have reached 400 club goals! Too many people and team-mates to thank who have helped me get to that number but couldn’t have done it without everyone along the way. More to come!!"

An “unbelievable” manager would be eager to take over as Manchester United manager, with Ruben Amorim now on the brink, it has been revealed.

Amorim facing the sack after Brentford defeat

It has now been revealed that Amorim is on the brink of being sacked, following yet another disappointing performance in the Premier League, with Man United suffering a 3-1 defeat at Brentford and falling to 14th in the table.

The uncertainty over the 40-year-old’s future is now growing, with one insider saying: “He [Amorim] looks knackered, he knows it’s not working.”

Fabrizio Romano says legendary 4-3-3 manager wants Amorim's job at Man Utd

He’s previously won a top-flight title and enjoyed a distinguished playing career.

By
Sean Markus Clifford

Sep 29, 2025

Players are said to be unconvinced by the former Sporting CP manager’s in-game decisions and reluctance to alter his tactics, which clearly aren’t working, having lost the majority of his Premier League games since taking over last November.

In the aforementioned TEAMtalk report, it is revealed that Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner is one of the potential Amorim replacements under consideration by INEOS, and there has now been an encouraging further update.

According to journalist Ben Jacobs, Glasner would jump at the chance to manage Man United if the job became available, saying on talkSPORT: “My information is if Glasner was offered the Manchester United job, he would take it in a heartbeat.”

Jacobs makes it clear that the “pressure is building” on the United boss, with INEOS now “succession planning”, although the board are still backing him heading into the game against Sunderland at Old Trafford this Saturday.

"Unbelievable" Glasner could be major Amorim upgrade

A record of 34 points from 33 Premier League games is almost relegation form, so it is difficult to see Amorim surviving much longer, and Wayne Rooney has suggested the Palace manager could have what it takes to become the new United boss.

Unlike the former Sporting CP boss, the Austrian has been able to successfully implement a three-at-the-back system at his current club, with Rooney saying: “I don’t want to go back to Man United but I’m watching Crystal Palace play three at the back and this looks incredible, look’s brilliant.”

Lauded as “unbelievable” by Palace chairman Steve Parish, the 51-year-old led the Eagles to FA Cup glory last season, and his side are now on an 18-game unbeaten run, which is by far the longest undefeated streak of any team in Europe’s top five leagues.

Glasner could be the ideal replacement for Amorim, so it is encouraging news that the Palace manager would be willing to take over at Old Trafford, despite the mess Man United find themselves in.

There were a few positives to take away from the narrow win that Glasgow Rangers picked up on their travels in the Scottish Premiership last weekend.

The Light Blues won their first match of the league season, after four draws and one defeat in their first five matches, and Oliver Antman registered his first goal contribution in the league.

As shown in the clip above, the Finland international did well to hook the ball back into a dangerous area to set up James Tavernier for the opening goal against Livingston.

Unfortunately, goal contributions for Rangers forwards have been few and far between in the Premiership this season, as Russell Martin’s wide men have failed to deliver much in the way of quality.

How Rangers wingers have performed in the Premiership

Antman’s assist for Tavernier’s goal on Sunday was only the second goal contribution provided by a Rangers winger in six league games so far in the 2025/26 campaign, which is a damning indictment of how they have performed as a collective.

As you can see in the table above, Findlay Curtis, who scored against St Mirren, is the only other player who has delivered a goal or an assist from a wide position for the Gers this season.

Martin’s wide players have, to put it simply, not done enough in the final third in the Premiership, which will need to change if the Gers want to string more wins together to get their campaign back on track.

Whilst the wingers currently at the club are struggling in front of goal, a winger sent out on loan by Rangers is currently outperforming them all.

The Rangers loanee who is outperforming Oliver Antman

Ross McCausland was sent out on loan to Aris Limassol on a season-long loan during the summer transfer window, and the Northern Ireland international has impressed in Cyprus.

The Rangers academy graduate has delivered three goals and one assist in four league matches for Aris to date, which means that he has more goal contributions at league level (four) than every Gers winger combined (two) this season, per Sofascore.

McCausland, who scored seven goals and provided seven assists in 66 matches for Rangers (Transfermarkt), only started four times in the Premiership for the Ibrox giants in the 2024/25 campaign, including a game at right wing-back that saw him sent off against Aberdeen.

Looking back, the Gers may regret that he did not get more opportunities in his natural position, as a right winger, given what he has achieved in such a short time in Cyprus.

Journalist Scott McBurns has revealed that Aris are on course to trigger their obligation to sign him permanently in January, whilst adding that he is “attracting major European interest” because of his form for his loan club.

Rangers are set to receive a six-figure fee for the Northern Irish forward, which means that they will rake in less than a million for him. Whilst this is purely guesswork, the fact that there is “major European interest” in the attacker suggests that Aris could flip him for an instant profit in January or next summer.

This is why the Light Blues will regret ditching McCausland in the summer just gone, or at least for the less than £1m fee that they agreed with Aris, as he has gone on to outperform the current Rangers wingers and could move on to another European team next year.

Rangers star was "like the best of Zidane", now he's worse than Barron

This Rangers star who was once compared to Zinedine Zidane is now even worse than Connor Barron.

1

By
Dan Emery

Sep 30, 2025

The Northern Ireland international may not have set the world alight during his time in the first-team at Ibrox, but he is still currently looking like a better option than what Martin has at his disposal.

The home defeat by Aston Villa and a dire performance away at Monaco means the clash with Everton has taken on significant importance for Tottenham. And the Spurs boss Thomas Frank has identified the player who is most likely to pull the strings for the hosts as the visitors look for their first win at Everton since back in 2018.

• Mersey showdown awaits Spurs

  In-form Everton, unbeaten at their new Hill Dickinson Stadium, host Spurs who are looking to regain momentum this Sunday. The Toffees, bolstered by the return of loan star Jack Grealish, pose a significant threat, especially given Spurs' current injury concerns and inconsistent form. Frank is feeling the heat after a Champions League draw against Monaco and a home league defeat by Aston Villa, despite having the league's best away record. The north Londoners have injuries to key players like captain Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie along with long-term absentees James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Reborn midfielder tipped to shine

  Spurs' Danish boss is wary of Jack Grealish, who is excelling on a season-long loan at Everton after falling out of favour at Manchester City. He’s scored one goal and registered four assists in his first seven league matches, going some way to replicating the form he showed at Aston Villa. His impressive start earned him the Premier League Player of the Month award for August.

• High praise from Spurs boss Frank

  Frank said: "He (Grealish) is their main creator, no doubt about that. He’s so dangerous, he can create something out of nothing in every game. So, of course, we need to be aware of him. Beto has been good up front and (Illiman) Ndiaye has been very good. I think (Kiernan) Dewsbury-Hall has been good after maybe not being on top at Chelsea. And then a good colleague and friend of mine, David Moyes, is in charge and his team as a whole is very, very competitive. He’s a manager that I admire and a person I respect massively in the game."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Injury woes continue for Spurs

  On the mounting injury list, Frank said: "Cuti just walked out on the grass running, some of the performance guys, so positive, progressing, no time frame, but I don't expect it to be a longer one. Destiny is not on the grass yet, but still progressing, so again, not a longer one. With Dominic, it's positive, he's taking steps in the right direction every day, was on the grass again today on his own, but has now a sustainable amount of pitch sessions in him on his own, so it's progressing forward.

  "Every head coach, manager wants all the players fit, and we get that, then we complain about the squad being too big, and then you need to disappoint players, but anyway, I rather want that, of course. It is what it is, you're right, I very, very rarely say anything about injuries, because it is what it is, I need to deal with it, and it's my job to put the best possible available team on the pitch and get it hopefully clicking. Of course there's some of these, especially Kulusevski and Maddison, proven players that prove in this club for goals and assists and creating things, so they would have been lovely to be able to use, but I think we have some very talented players who are growing.

  "Wilson, Xavi, I think Mo has been very good for us as well and I think Richie had a good start to the season, he tried to get up to pace, but the reality is that we are working very hard on getting the flow with the front four, and hopefully it will be better bit by bit. I think it's fair to say, I can't remember the amount of games we played, but there have definitely been some good games and good spells where we have been looking very good, so we'll keep working on it."

Newcastle United’s season is up and running and now there is cause to put the stress of the summer transfer window to bed and look only ahead at what Eddie Howe and his squad can achieve this year.

The summer signings, after all, have bedded in nicely, and that’s without even considering Yoane Wissa, who joined from Brentford for £55m this summer and has yet to train or play for the Magpies as he recovers from a knee injury. November is the time slated for the striker’s return.

Newcastle’s squad is populated with varying talents, some more prominent than others. All are together, though, and they play their roles with a consummate ease that many Premier League rivals fail to establish.

But the rise of St. James’ Park over the past four years has seen some truly elite players take the leading positions in Howe’s set-up.

Newcastle's star players

Alexander Isak left Newcastle and signed for Liverpool for a British record fee of £125m on deadline day. A bitter transfer saga, but Newcastle have adapted and have shown signs in recent matches of a return to their full attacking capacity.

Wissa is joined by club-record £69m signing Nick Woltemade in leading the line, and between them, the Toon surely have enough firepower to concern their rivals in the fight for a Champions League finish and a battle for more silverware after getting a taste last year.

Now that Isak has left, it is time for the 24-year-old Anthony Gordon to step up and lead the frontline. The left-sided forward is physical and dynamic, but he has lacked fluency over the past year, having been awarded Newcastle’s Player of the Year for 2023/24 after scoring 12 goals and supplying 11 assists in all competitions.

Newcastle might want to keep onto that one. We all know his talent, with the likes of Liverpool actually sniffing around in the past for the £100m-valued Englishman.

And Gordon’s not the only one. Club captain Bruno Guimaraes would also fetch a pretty penny if sold in the near future, himself priced at £100m earlier in the year, when Manchester City registered their interest.

But there’s actually another Toon star who could be the outfit’s next £100m star. Indeed, Sandro Tonali’s meteoric rise has been a remarkable thing.

The rise of Sandro Tonali at Newcastle

One year into Tonali’s time at Newcastle, things weren’t exactly looking peachy. Eight Premier League appearances were all he made in 2023/24 before being charged in October 2023 for betting offences in Italy. He was suspended from professional football for ten months.

Having arrived from AC Milan for a £55m fee only months before, the 23-year-old was in purgatory, but he rebounded with vim and vigour last season and grew considerably in quality and squad stature when Howe placed him in the deep-sat midfield role, opening up possibilities for the multi-faceted Guimaraes and striking a new level of balance.

Five years ago, Italian journalist Carlo Garganese remarked that Tonali possessed the faculties to become a “world-class” player. Now this praise rings true across Premier League and European pitches. Now Tonali is proving he is as good as anyone in the middle of the park.

Tonali plays in a subtle way. There’s an old adage in football that the best midfielders can play through a game unobserved, but if scrutinised, you would see that everything flows through them.

This is true in the case of the Italian, now 25 years old. And he is earning attention. Pundit Paul Scholes remarked earlier this week that he’s “better than Declan Rice” – and that’s quite a claim.

Given that Rice joined Arsenal from West Ham United for £105m in 2023, there’s no reason why PIF couldn’t justify a similar ballpark for Tonali, if and when he is sold. With this in mind, he might even eclipse the valuations of peers like Gordon and Guimaraes.

Tyneside correspondent Mark Carruthers said only last month, “He’s the best midfielder I’ve seen in 38 years of watching Newcastle.”

Apologies, Bruno, but this might actually be true. If Guimaraes is a £100m player, then what does that make the Italian maestro?

PIF have overpaid for "mega-money" Newcastle signing & it's not Woltemade

One of Newcastle’s key signings over the summer may well have an “inflated valuation” & it’s not Nick Woltemade.

By
Joe Nuttall

Oct 9, 2025

Manuel Neuer is still going strong at Bayern Munich despite turning 39 earlier this year as the 2014 World Cup-winning goalkeeper has prevented Jonas Urbig from seizing his spot as the No.1. However, with Neuer's contract expiring at the end of the season, the veteran custodian has claimed that he needs to consider multiple factors before making any decision. Vincent Kompany also added that now is not the time to discuss Neuer's future.

• Neuer's future at Bayern Munich not clear yet

  There was intense speculation surrounding Neuer's future as a footballer after he announced his decision to retire from international football following Germany's quarter-final defeat to Spain at the 2024 European Championship. However, the rumours were dismissed after Neuer signed a new one-year extension with Bayern Munich earlier this year.

  The 39-year-old continues to be a regular fixture in the starting lineup, playing in goal in 12 of the 15 games the Bavarian giants have contested in in the ongoing 2025-26 season. With the second half of the season fast approaching, the talk regarding Neuer's potential stay beyond next summer has started to intensify. Numerous reports over the past couple of weeks have claimed that Bayern are leading towards handing Neuer a new contract, which will see him remain at the Allianz Arena beyond his 40th birthday. Talks will reportedly take place in December.

  "I have to take care of my bones," the iconic goalkeeper cheekily responded recently when asked about a possible contract extension. "It's getting late, and I'm already feeling it again," the 39-year-old said with a mischievous smile. "Let's see how it is when I get up."

Advertisement

• AFP
  

  Neuer and Kompany not taking any 'pressure' over new contract

  Speaking to reporters on Monday, Neuer said: "I’m totally relaxed about it. The most important thing is what we do with our team. I already hinted at this in the mixed zone, that my well-being will also be important. I'm taking my time and being totally relaxed, at least over the winter. Many factors come into play. It's a question of health, fitness, and motivation. But also, what happens with the club next season. I can't answer that myself because it's still far too early. Then, of course, we can always talk. Everything plays a role."

  Head coach Vincent Kompany also shared his two cents on the situation at the same press conference. "There's absolutely no need for time pressure," the Belgian said. "The important thing is that he enjoys himself and continues to perform as he is currently doing. And at some point, there will be a time when this is discussed. But it's not an issue right now in November."

• Bayern have faith in Urbig

  Any possible contract renewal would be a big blow to the development of Urbig, whom Bayern signed from Cologne in January earlier this year. He made 12 appearances in the injury-enforced absence of Neuer in the second half of the 2024-25 season, showing enough glimpses of his talent. 

  “When Jonas joined us, he immediately started in the Champions League against [Bayer] Leverkusen," Kompany told reporters last weekend. "Then came Inter Milan in the quarter-finals. He never disappointed; he helped the team when we needed it. During that time, we were very calm about his appearances. It was never about Jonas – I mean that in a positive way. He is part of our team, has shown that he can help us.

  “We don’t need to increase the pressure on him. But when you have a keeper like Manuel Neuer, you can only build Jonas up calmly and not expect him to achieve everything Neuer has achieved in his career in just one or two games. We will build him up calmly. And when his moments come again, we will have just as much confidence in Jonas as we have had up to now."

  Urbig does not seem too bothered about Neuer's potential renewal, claiming that he focuses on things he can control. However, he added that he is grateful to learn from the experienced duo of Neuer and Sven Ulreich. 

  “These are things I don't really concern myself with,” he told recently. “Because it's not my place to comment on the decisions Manu makes, or the club makes. I concentrate on the day-to-day work with Manu, the goalkeeping team, and the squad. Our relationship is good; we work well together. It’s important to me to emphasise that we have a good relationship within the entire goalkeeping team. Manuel and Sven simply have an incredible amount of experience, which I can learn a lot from.”

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Bayern await Paris Saint-Germain challenge

  Die Roten's record-breaking 15-game winning streak faces a serious threat in the form of PSG, with the two heavyweights set to clash at Parc des Princes on Tuesday evening in a high-octane Champions League encounter. Kompany and his troops will be aiming to avenge the Club World Cup quarter-final loss.

There's plenty of bad blood between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres heading into Game 3 of the NLDS as the series shifts to Petco Park.

In the aftermath of a contentious Game 2, Max Muncy detailed one aspect of the NL West rivalry that's been rather prevalent during the Division Series. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Muncy called out the Padres for their showboating antics and noted how they play off the emotion of the home crowd.

"Just something as simple as a single and you see a guy throw the bat 30 feet in the air," Muncy said. "That really gets the crowd going here. That is kind of part of their game, trying to get under your skin and trying to have the emotion come out. Trying to get you to do something that you're not normally doing.

"For example, if you're a pitcher and you see a guy doing that and all of a sudden you want to throw harder, and now you're missing balls right over the plate. And that's where their guys are doing the damage. … You can't let that happen."

San Diego's stars have never shied away from celebrating their successes, even if it comes at the expense of their opponents' feelings. Muncy suggested that's just part of their identity.

The first two games of the series were anything but cordial. During Game 2, fans at Dodger Stadium caused a brief delay after throwing a pair of baseballs in the direction of Jurickson Profar during the middle of the seventh inning. They then proceeded to litter the outfield grass with trash nearby Fernando Tatis Jr.

Jack Flaherty and Manny Machado could also be seen in a war of words throughout the game, another example of the distaste these franchises have for one another.

Muncy is hoping the extracurriculars don't distract the Dodgers from focusing on picking up a win in Game 3 in front of a pro-Padres crowd.

Arsenal took a huge stride towards ending their two-decade wait for a Premier League title, after securing a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace earlier this afternoon.

Eberechi Eze’s goal against his former employers was enough to secure Mikel Arteta’s men all three points in a hard-fought encounter against the Eagles.

Three points alone is a huge deal for the Gunners, but given the slip-ups from their title rivals, the victory has become an even more important one for the club.

Liverpool suffered a 3-2 defeat to Brentford last night, whilst Manchester City fell to a 1-0 loss against Aston Villa this afternoon – resulting in a four-point cushion for Arteta’s side.

However, despite the triumph in North London, numerous players fell way below the high standards they’ve previously set for themselves in England’s top-flight.

Arsenal’s poor performers against Crystal Palace

Despite spending around £65m on the signature of Viktor Gyokeres, the striker has often failed to live up to the expectations of the Arsenal faithful in the last few months.

The Swede may have scored five goals for the Gunners to date, but he’s now without a league goal in any of his last five appearances for Arteta’s men.

His showing against the Eagles was yet another to forget for the 27-year-old, as he only registered 27 touches of the ball in his 90-minute showing – whilst also notching a solitary effort on goal.

Bukayo Saka has been another player who has made himself a fan-favourite at the Emirates, but there’s no denying that his showing against Palace was one below the expectations he’s set for himself.

The England international matched Gyokeres in failing to register a single effort on target, whilst also being unable to register a single chance for any of his teammates.

The 24-year-old also lost possession on 11 separate occasions, producing a somewhat wasteful showing – something which is highly unusual for his usual standards.

The Arsenal star who needs to be dropped after Palace

The three points will undoubtedly be the most pleasing aspect for Arteta, but he will certainly have a few issues to iron out ahead of next weekend’s clash with Burnley.

His men dominated the play in large spells, subsequently having 60% possession, but they were only able to muster three efforts on Dean Henderson’s goal.

Arteta’s side’s total xG of just 1.08 also reflected the lack of threat that the Gunners carried throughout the all-London affair at the Emirates this afternoon.

However, despite the disappointing performances from the aforementioned duo, Leandro Trossard once again failed to repay the manager’s faith in starting the winger.

The Belgian was handed his fifth successive league start this afternoon, but was unable to have the desired impact off the left-hand side of the Gunners’ attack.

He featured for the entirety of the contest, but was unable to hugely threaten the opposition goal – even missing a big chance in front of goal during his performance.

The 30-year-old also only completed one dribble, whilst achieving a tally of just 44 touches – a figure lower than that of goalkeeper David Raya, who achieved a total of 46.

Trossard’s dismal afternoon was further reflected in his tally of 60% duels lost, often struggling to create any chances against Palace right-back Daniel Munoz.

To top off his afternoon, the wideman was given a measly 5/10 match rating by The Express journalist Tom Parsons – further highlighting how poor he was in North London.

After such a display, Arteta must be left with no choice but to drop the Belgian back down to the substitutes bench, with Gabriel Martinelli deserving of a run off the left-hand side.

It’s a shame to see Trossard struggling to deliver, but given what’s at stake for the club this campaign, the manager has to be brutal if his side are to end their extended wait for a league title.

He’d easily take the #14 from Gyokeres, but Arsenal let him leave for £0

This one-time Arsenal prospect has gone on to become a “world-class” striker.

By
Angus Sinclair

Oct 25, 2025