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He surpassed Rahul Dravid, Jacques Kallis and Ricky Ponting during his knock against India in the fourth Test

Sampath Bandarupalli25-Jul-202513,409 Runs scored by Joe Root in Test cricket. Only Sachin Tendulkar (15,921) has scored more in this format. Root moved up three places during his century against India in the fourth Test at Old Trafford. He surpassed Rahul Dravid (13,288), Jacques Kallis (13,289) and Ricky Ponting (13,378).ESPNcricinfo Ltd38 Hundreds for Root in Test cricket. Only three batters – Tendulkar (51), Kallis (45) and Ponting (41) – have more in Test cricket, while Kumar Sangakkara also has 38.Root now has 104 fifty-plus scores in Tests, surpassing Ponting and Kallis’ tally of 103. Again, only Tendulkar, with 119, have more.12 Test hundreds for Root against India, the most by any batter, going ahead of Steven Smith’s 11. Only Don Bradman (19 against England) and Sunil Gavaskar (13 against West Indies) have more Test hundreds against a particular opponent.Nine of Root’s 12 hundreds against India have come in England, the most by any batter against an opponent at home, going past Bradman’s eight against England.23 Test hundreds for Root in England, the joint-most for any batter in a country. Ponting in Australia, Kallis in South Africa and Mahela Jayawardene in Sri Lanka also have 23 each.Root has scored 7195 runs in Tests in England, the third-most by any batter in a country, behind only Ponting (7578 in Australia) and Tendulkar (7216 in India).ESPNcricinfo Ltd1128 Test runs scored by Root at Old Trafford. He is the first batter to aggregate 1000 Test runs at this venue. Old Trafford is the second venue where Root has scored 1000-plus Test runs; he has 2166 at Lord’s.588 Runs Root scored in Tests against Ravindra Jadeja so far, across 37 innings for nine dismissals. These are the most runs any batter scored in Test cricket against a bowler. He went past Steven Smith, who has 577 runs against Stuart Broad across 49 innings and was dismissed 11 times.

In IPL matches where a batter has faced ten or more balls from Narine, Rajapaksa’s 23 off 11 was the sixth-highest strike rate

Sidharth Monga01-Apr-20231:13

Rajapaksa: ‘Plan was that I attack and Shikhar plays the anchor role’

This is Sunil Narine’s 12th IPL. Only nine times in all these years has he gone for 40 or more runs in a match. That event, rarer than once a season, has already happened in his first match of this IPL. Bhanuka Rajapaksa is to blame for it.Narine, with Andre Russell, is the most loyal Kolkata Knight Riders player, and the team relies too heavily on him. Oppositions have started playing Narine out, and targeting weaker bowlers, which Knight Riders tend to provide enough of.Last year, Narine took just nine wickets through the season, but he went at under a run a ball. His strike rate in every IPL since 2015 has been upwards of 20. The economy, though, has never touched eight.Related

Arshdeep, Rajapaksa lead Kings to win in rain-hit game

Even though Varun Chakravarthy made a good start to his 2023 IPL season with figures of 1 for 26, the start of the tournament seems to have demanded more of Narine. He is no stranger to bowling inside the powerplay, but asked to stem a marauding start from the Punjab Kings batters, Narine was taken down inside the powerplay by Rajapaksa.Narine bowled two dots to Rajapaksa in the fifth over to start with, and possibly felt the batter was itching to sweep. So he tried to block that shot, and brought mid-off in to send a fielder back on the sweep. Immediately, Rajapaksa told his captain and batting partner Shikhar Dhawan that if Narine gave it air, he was going to go down the track. He did exactly that.Rajapaksa is an interesting hitter. He is known for his strike rate, but rarely does he use brute power. His favourite shots seem to be the flick and the chip. He made sure he didn’t lose his shape when he went down the track the next two balls, and got two fours. Once over mid-off and then over extra cover. He went in the air but never looked like trying to hit a six.Bhanuka Rajapaksa took 23 runs off 11 balls against Sunil Narine•PTI Narine stuck to his guns, kept the field up, and denied Rajapaksa the sweep. But on the last ball of the over, Rajapaksa also unfurled some power, hitting a six, down the pitch and back over the bowler. This was only Narine’s sixth over in the last three IPLs that had gone for 14 (or more).He came back superbly to concede just four runs in the 18th over, but this was still a momentous occasion in the IPL for Narine – he was taken apart, conceding 40 in four overs.And Rajapaksa didn’t do it blindly. He said later that he gave himself some time because he remembered from the two practice matches in the pre-season that this Mohali pitch was not a belter.In IPL matches where a batter has faced ten or more balls from Narine, Rajapaksa’s 23 off 11 was the sixth-highest strike rate. There was nothing flashy about what Rajapaksa did, but the rarity of Narine having an off day goes against the grain of T20s, where batters will take risks, and they will come off more than once an IPL.Rajapaksa might as well savour this because Narine won’t be taken down often. If indeed he is, Knight Riders might be in for a lot of trouble.

We pick 11 under-25s who we think are destined for great things

Sreshth Shah20-May-202145:27

A Test team for 2031

In ten years, when Kane Williamson has retired to become a surfer, Steve Smith a folk singer, and Virat Kohli the star of an eight-season documentary on his life, who are the players who might be bossing Test cricket?That was the brief given to our panelists – Raunak Kapoor, Alan Gardner, and Danyal Rasool – as they looked to select a Dream Test Team circa 2031. The only criterion? The players should all be under 25 as of May 20, 2021.10:39

Who partners Shubman Gill in a future side of world beaters?

The openers debate
The list of prospects is long but only two spots are available. India have Shubman Gill and Prithvi Shaw. New Zealand have Test-squad breakout Rachin Ravindra and future superstar Finn Allen. In county cricket, James Bracey has been making heads turn and Haseeb Hameed has found his hands after a few poor seasons. And down under there’s young Will Pucovski, who has already been heralded as the next great Aussie Test sensation. Which two make the cut?8:16

Crawley or Pope? Nissanka or Shanto?

A middle order to envy
In first-class cricket, England’s Ollie Pope averages over 52 and Sri Lanka’s Pathum Nissanka nearly 65. Zak Crawley has a Test best of 257. Sam Curran was Player of the Series in his debut Test outing against India. Washington Sundar has shown how to get on top of Australia’s fast bowlers. Rishabh Pant is a superstar already. Then there’s Australia’s Cameron Green and South African Raynard van Tonder to consider. Eight great options, a few of them allrounders – which five make the XI?8:34

Who joins Shaheen Afridi in the World Test XI of the future?

The fast-bowling superstars
While the names of Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan, Bangladesh’s Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Sri Lanka’s Lasith Embuldeniya were thrown in the ring for the spinner’s spot, our panelists perked up when it came time to discuss the fast-bowling stars of the future. With Green, Curran and Wiaan Mulder in the mix, who will the out-and-out quicks in this XI be? Pakistan’s Shaheen Shah Afridi was a unanimous choice, but can his countryman Naseem Shah maintain his pace as the years roll on? Then there’s South Africa’s Gerald Coetzee, one of the players expected to dominate the next decade and Zimbabwe’s line-and-length specialist Blessing Muzarabani. Eventually the panel went for a mix of speed and accuracy to close out what looks like a devastating XI for the future.

Manny Machado's legacy is already secured, and it looks far different than it did a few years ago.

On Monday night, Machado notched his 2,000th career hit with a fourth-inning single against Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Zac Gallen. In doing so, the seven-time All-Star became the 12th player in major league history to reach 2,000 hits and have 350 home runs through his age-32 season. Hank Aaron, Jimmy Foxx, Lou Gehrig, Ken Griffey Jr., Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Mel Ott and Frank Robinson accomplished the feat and are all in the Hall of Fame. The other three to do it are Miguel Cabrera, Albert Pujols and Alex Rodriguez.

The takeaway? Manny Machado will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

Once a controversial figure, Machado has transformed himself into one of baseball's most consistent stars. He averages 32 home runs per 162 games despite never crossing the 40-homer threshold in a season, and with 357 career home runs after launching one in the eighth inning Monday, he has a decent shot at joining the 500-homer club one day. Beyond his immense talent, he has earned the respect of those around him for one simple reason: he shows up every day.

Machado isn't what you picture when thinking of a "grinder." He has garnered criticism in the past for not giving it his all on every play, and even once said in 2018, “I'm not the type of player that's going to be 'Johnny Hustle.’” His graceful approach both at the plate and in the field can make everything look easy. But his effort level has not been questioned in recent years, and it’s worth considering that his willingness to conserve his energy when the time is right has contributed to his remarkable ability to stay on the field.

During his 14-year MLB career, Machado, who turned 33 on Sunday, has played 150 or more games nine times, and he played in all 60 during the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign. Since 2015, only Paul Goldschmidt has played more games (1,551) than Machado's 1,536. He has started all 90 of San Diego's games this season, playing third base in 82 of them.

Machado has been named All-MLB three times since the honor was established in 2019. He has four top-five MVP finishes—including being runner-up in 2022—two Gold Gloves, a Platinum Glove and two Silver Sluggers. Since breaking into the big leagues in 2012, he's fourth in hits (2,001), fifth in home runs (357), fourth in RBIs (1,102), and fifth in WAR (60.3). The No. 3 pick in the 2010 MLB draft has always oozed talent, but his ability to show up every day separates him from his peers.

Not only does Machado rarely take games off for rest—he has remained remarkably healthy. On May 19, 2023, he was placed on the injured list due to a fracture in his left hand when then-Kansas City Royals righty Brad Keller hit him with a pitch. That was Machado's first IL stint in eight years. He missed 17 days and hasn't been on the shelf since.

That consistency has rubbed off on his Padres teammates. Even the fellow superstar whose locker sits next to Machado has been inspired by the way he approaches the game.

"Man, you know it's really hard, but it's part of what we have to do and what we signed up for, and it's part of the grind," Fernando Tatis Jr. told recently. "And obviously doing it right next to a guy like Manny is really special because the guy shows up every single day trying to win a ballgame in different ways. You learn from that and you just want to do the same thing."

Padres manager Mike Shildt has been with the franchise since 2022, first as a consultant before taking over as skipper prior to the 2024 campaign. He has seen firsthand what Machado brings to the table, not only with his consistency, but his leadership.

"From a clubhouse standpoint, when you have a guy that shows up, plays every day, performs every day—especially in streaks where you’re going and playing a lot of games—being able to grind and get after it is a really good trait that shows your teammates how and models what this looks like to be a contributing professional player on a winning team," Shildt says. "So those are all the things that Manny brings to the table, and he’s really taking the next steps into being that appropriate vocal leader. But it’s really most of his actions are led by just that, as actions."

This has been a whirlwind four days for Liverpool Football Club.

The problems engulfing Arne Slot and his side are no secret; they’re well-documented, but things have only got worse in recent days.

The pressure on Slot has never been greater. That 3-3 draw with Leeds was rough, but Mo Salah’s post-game comments lit a fire that’s been burning away since Saturday.

Liverpool chose to drop him from the squad and who knows whether we’ll see the great Egyptian in the famous red shirt again.

Salah posted a picture of himself in the gym as the rest of his teammates prepared in Milan for their Champions League clash with Inter.

Slot’s side, however, were resilient, they showed an improved attitude and it got them over the line on Tuesday night. They kept things tight to seal a late 1-0 win inside the San Siro.

How Slot's tweaks improved Liverpool

With Salah absent from the squad, Federico Chiesa out with illness and Cody Gakpo missing through injury, it meant that Slot decided to operate with a diamond formation.

Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak operated as the two central strikers with Alexis Mac Allister behind and while the forward line was still largely non-existent, the defence was hugely improved.

As Slot said a few days ago, Ibou Konate has been a “little too much at the crime scene” this season, referring to his mistake-riddled performances.

Well, the Frenchman and indeed club captain, Virgil van Dijk, looked back to their best against Inter. They did so against two menacing centre-forwards in the shape of Marcus Thuram and Lisandro Martinez.

The Liverpool centre-backs reduced the two strikers to just one shot on target. Konate and Van Dijk also won seven of their 11 duels, competing on average 92.5% of their passes.

The midfield three in front of them got through plenty of work to aid the defensive cause. As a consequence, Curtis Jones, Ryan Gravenberch and match winner Dominik Szoboszlai look undroppable.

Add Florian Wirtz into the equation at the weekend too, and you would sense that the German is tailor-made for a diamond formation at the front of the midfield.

That being said, not everyone in red did their duties well. Some might say Liverpool’s big-money summer signing is as much a problem as Salah right now.

Liverpool's big problem after Inter

While Salah has been excluded from the squad, Slot needs to find a way to get more goals from his side.

Starting Isak and Ekitike together is a start but there is one huge problem; the Swede hasn’t been good enough.

His fellow striker has been one of Liverpool’s most impressive players this term, bagging eight goals in all competitions. In many senses, he looks like the £100m plus addition, not Isak.

We can no longer make any excuses for the £125m man. Of course, with no pre-season, he needed several weeks to get up to speed but we are now in December, he should be at full fitness, playing like a man who cost more money than any English club has ever spent on a single player.

Chalkboard

Two goals later and he looks like one of the biggest flops in football history. There is still time for the former Newcastle United attacker to come good but judging by his display in Italy this week, it won’t be anytime soon.

Once again, Isak lacked the energy and desire to press hard from the front. He also lacked the ability to link the play and most vital of all, he didn’t have any goal threat.

Liverpool World’s Will Rooney handed the record buy a 5/10 rating, noting that he ‘faded’ as the first 45 minutes wore on, bemoaning the fact that the club are still ‘failing to make the most of his attributes’.

That bit may be true, but he’s not doing enough himself either. He registered fewer touches than Alisson (45) and also only completed ten passes against Inter.

While you don’t always need your centre forward to have too many touches to impact a game – Erling Haaland is the prime example of that – they need a higher degree of influence from Isak now.

If Salah is going to leave Merseyside behind then they’ll need someone to step up as soon as possible. Sadly, Isak doesn’t look capable of doing that.

It’s likely Slot will keep the same formation he operated with on Tuesday when Liverpool face Brighton in the league at the weekend but that team shouldn’t include Isak. Perhaps it’s time to give Chiesa a run in the team.

FSG can keep Salah at Liverpool by hiring "the best young coach in Europe"

Arne Slot has only a tenuous grasp on his position in the Liverpool dugout.

By
Angus Sinclair

6 days ago

New York Yankees star Giancarlo Stanton continues to work out as he aims to return from elbow tendinitis that caused him to sit out during spring training and the entire regular season so far.

While the Yankees slugger is on the 60-day injured list and is doing everything he can to get back, manager Aaron Boone wouldn't commit to a timeline despite giving an update on Stanton's progression.

"Today was just a workout day. I think he was doing baseball activities [but not live at-bats] today. He's probably headed up here but I don't know the next step if it's a rehab assignment or what. Hopefully we'll have that in the next 24 hours."

When asked if Stanton could skip a rehab assignment entirely, Boone didn't commit either way.

"I don't want to speak too soon. We'll see."

The Yankees would certainly welcome Stanton's return to the lineup. He hit .233 last season, but hit 27 home runs to go along with 72 RBI in the middle of New York's batting order.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Paulistão de 2024 começou neste sábado (20) com quatro jogos, sendo três deles envolvendo equipes da primeira divisão no Campeonato Brasileiro: Red Bull Bragantino, Santos e São Paulo. Do trio, o Massa Bruta foi o único que não venceu . A equipe de Bragança perdeu em casa para o atual vice-campeão Água Santa. Já a dupla San-São venceu os seus compromissos. O empate entre Ponte Preta e Mirassol fechou os resultados do primeiro dia do Estadual

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasSão PauloDestaque na vitória do São Paulo pelo Paulistão, Lucas abre o jogo sobre meta para a temporada e revela se problema na coxa preocupaSão Paulo20/01/2024Futebol InternacionalPresidente da Fifa emite comunicado e cita derrota automática em casos de racismo; leiaFutebol Internacional20/01/2024Futebol NacionalGrêmio é derrotado para o Caxias e Juventude vence o Santa Cruz; veja os resultados de sábado do GauchãoFutebol Nacional20/01/2024

➡️Siga o Lance! no WhatsApp e acompanhe em tempo real as principais notícias do esporte

Confira abaixo o resumo do primeiro dia de Paulistão:

BRAGANTINO 0 X 1 ÁGUA SANTA

Reeditando uma das semifinais do Paulistão do ano passado, o Água Santa voltou a aprontar contra o Bragantino. Se em 2023 a equipe de Diadema havia eliminado o Massa Bruta nos pênaltis e chegado ao vice-campeonato, perdendo a decisão para o Palmeiras, esse ano, sob o comando de Bruno Pivetti, o Netuno venceu em pleno Nabizão, com gol do atacante Júnior Todinho, no início do segundo tempo. Após sofrer o gol, o Toro Loko pressionou bastante, mas não conseguiu furar a retranca dos representantes do Grande ABC.

BOTAFOGO-SP 0 X 1 SANTOS

Foi um bom primeiro capítulo para o ano mais difícil da história do Santos, que disputará a Série B do Brasileirão pela primeira vez. O time titular contra o Pantera contou com sete jogadores que são novos no elenco e a resposta foi positiva, já que a maioria deles foi bem, em especial o trio do meio-campo formado por João Schmidt, Diego Pituca, que está de volta, e Giuliano. O gol da vitória foi marcado por outro estreante, mas que saiu do banco de reservas: o venezuelano Rómulo Otero, que estufou as redes após um lindo giro com voleio na entrada da pequena área do estádio Santa Cruz.

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➡️ Confira aqui os detalhes da vitória santista

SÃO PAULO 3 X 1 SANTO ANDRÉ

O jogo foi definido em 45 minutos. Logo no primeiro lance da partida, Lucas sofreu um pênalti, marcado de forma duvidosa pelo árbitro Douglas Marques das Flores. O próprio camisa 7 converteu. Minutos depois, o Santo André empatou com Cléo Silva, de cabeça. Mas a virada e o terceiro gol são-paulino vieram ainda na etapa inicial, com Luciano, aproveitando ótimo passe de Lucas, e o zagueiro Diego Costa, de cabeça, aproveitando cruzamento de Wellington Rato. O duelo marcou a estreia de Thiago Carpini como técnico do Tricolor. E o Morumbi estava cheio, com 45 mil torcedores, mesmo após chover muito durante todo o dia em SP.

➡️ Confira aqui os detalhes da vitória do Tricolor

PONTE PRETA 1 X 1 MIRASSOL

Jogando em casa, a Ponte saiu na frente com um belo gol de Jeh, em um chute de fora da área. O Mirassol, no entanto, aproveitou que a Macaca recuou após abrir o placar e chegou ao empate ainda no primeiro tempo, com o meio-campista Gabriel.

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Confira quando serão os próximos jogos do Paulistão:

Domingo (21)

16h – Novorizontino x Palmeiras – Jorge Ismael de Biasi (Novo Horizonte)

16h – São Bernardo x Ituano – Primeiro de Maio (São Bernardo do Campo)

18h – Corinthians x Guarani – Neo Química Arena (São Paulo)

18h – Inter de Limeira x Portuguesa – Major Levy Sobrinho (Limeira)

Roberto Mancini has returned to management as Al Sadd’s new head coach, signing a two-and-a-half-year deal after missing out on the Nottingham Forest job. The former Manchester City and Italy boss now follows Xavi in taking charge of Qatar’s biggest club, with his debut set for November 24.

• Mancini returns to the dugout in Qatar

  Mancini is officially back on the touchline after being unveiled as the new head coach of Al Sadd, signing a two-and-a-half-year contract with the reigning Qatari champions. The 60-year-old returns to management for the first time since stepping down as Saudi Arabia coach in October 2024. Mancini had held talks with Nottingham Forest about replacing Ange Postecoglou this season, but the Premier League club ultimately chose Sean Dyche, opening the door for Al Sadd to make their move.

  The appointment marks a significant coup for the Doha-based club, who previously revived their project through Xavi Hernandez, before the Barca legend made his return to Spain. With Mancini now stepping into the same role once occupied by Xavi, Al Sadd are again banking on a high-profile leader to elevate standards and reassert dominance in Qatar.

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• AFP
  

  What Mancini’s arrival means for Al Sadd’s ambitions

  Mancini’s arrival signals a clear strategic shift. His resume – from winning City’s first Premier League title, to lifting the Euro 2020 trophy with Italy underlines Al Sadd’s ambition to modernise and compete internationally. This move also comes at a period of transition for the club, who currently sit sixth in the Qatar Stars League and recently dismissed Felix Sanchez. The board are aiming for a reset built on elite coaching experience and star names.

  That approach is further highlighted by the permanent signing of Roberto Firmino from Al-Ahli, giving the Italian an immediate marquee player to build his attack around. The Firmino-Mancini partnership is viewed internally as a new foundation for a long-term rebuild.

• From City glory to Doha: Mancini’s next chapter

  After leaving City in 2013, Mancini has managed across various clubs across Europe like Galatasaray, Inter, Zenit and Italy before taking charge of Saudi Arabia. His return to the Middle East now places him at Qatar’s most successful club, one that has historically attracted high-profile talent both on and off the pitch. The likes of Spain legends Raul and Xavi have played for the Qatari club, and the latter went on to coach them to the Stars League title, among other trophies.

  Mancini turns 61 later this month, adding an extra milestone to a comeback that he hopes will restore his managerial momentum. His versatility and experience across top leagues make him a strong fit for a squad seeking tactical clarity and discipline.

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• AFP
  

  What comes next for Al Sadd under Mancini?

  The ex-Inter boss will take charge of his first match on November 24, away to Al-Wahda in the AFC Champions League. Until then, interim manager Sergio Alegre continues to oversee training. With Al Sadd pushing to climb the table and recalibrate their identity, all eyes will be on whether Mancini can spark an immediate reaction and emulate the success Xavi once delivered in Doha.

In an attempt to get fans back onside, the 49ers recently shared a key data comparison in defence of one of their summer signings at Rangers – comparing him to Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Cavenagh backs Thelwell and Stewart

After missing out on Steven Gerrard and Kevin Muscat before eventually landing on Danny Rohl, Rangers chiefs Andrew Cavenagh, Kevin Thelwell and Patrick Stewart all met with fans to discuss the 49ers’ plans with the Gers going forward.

Rangers now battling to sign "fantastic" midfield talent in first signing for Rohl

The Gers have set their sights on the German’s first signing…

ByTom Cunningham Oct 21, 2025

The new owners have been met with plenty of criticism in recent weeks, with banners unveiled at Ibrox and the likes of Thelwell finding themselves at the centre of fan frustration following what looks like a disastrous summer transfer window. Now, however, the 49ers have had their chance to have their say and face up to a disgruntled crowd.

Hosting a fan session in an attempt to get supporters back onside, Cavenagh reiterated his backing for both Thelwell and Stewart even after recent mistakes.

The words are certainly positive, but those at Ibrox will now want to see action. They will be desperate to see new manager Rohl get off to the perfect start against Brann this Thursday and for one attacking talent to prove the 49ers right once and for all in Scotland.

Rangers compare Chermiti to Calvert-Lewin

Whilst they were quick to admit a number of mistakes, the 49ers also launched a defence for Youssef Chermiti. The summer arrival cost as much as £10m on deadline day, but is yet to score a goal for the club or show any signs of making his mark at Rangers.

The 49ers still back their striker, however, and even went as far as to compare him to former Everton star and current Leeds United forward Calvert-Lewin in their recent fan meeting, revealing the 6 foot 4 youngster is a physical specimen.

It’s a bold comparison but one that the 49ers have made based on physical data. Whether Chermiti proves them right is now the big question. At his very best, Calvert-Lewin scored 21 goals in all competitions for Everton in the 2020/21 season, but Rangers’ owners believe that their new striker could be better than that based on the data they’ve seen.

What defines a legend? A modern-great? In Arsenal terms, it’s Thierry Henry, the club’s record goalscorer.

It’s also Dennis Bergkamp. It’s Tony Adams. All three icons are cast in bronze outside the Emirates Stadium.

It’s also Arsene Wenger. While his stint in north London ended without many trophies, he is the most successful Gunners manager in the modern era. He was the one who drove the move from Highbury to the Emirates. He was the one who achieved a double, the one who reached a Champions League final.

He is also the only manager to have a golden Premier League trophy. No club in history since the old English First Division was rebranded have achieved an unbeaten season. Few have brought as much to the game as Mr Wenger.

Current boss Mikel Arteta has a great deal to achieve before he can be recognised in the same light but a major trophy come the end of 2025/26 would undoubtedly help.

It’s safe to say Bukayo Saka is certainly also heading down the legendary route.

Where Bukayo Saka ranks among Arsenal players in the Emirates era

The date was 29th November 2018. The setting: a freezing cold stadium in Ukraine. The opposition were Vorskla Poltava. What was the significance? Well, Saka made his first-team debut for the Gunners.

Brought into the fray by Unai Emery, he appeared from the bench in a 3-0 win aged 17 years, two months and 24 hours.

Since then, it’s safe to say the winger hasn’t looked back. Initially making his first forays at senior level as a left-back, even appearing there during Arteta’s first match in charge, he is now one of the best wingers in the world.

Only a few weeks ago, he cemented himself as one of the finest players of the Emirates era by registering his 100th goal involvement in his 200th Premier League clash, finding the net from the penalty spot against West Ham last time out.

The poster boy for this Arsenal team and indeed the Arteta project, journalist Charles Watts claimed he was “the best right winger in the world” back in 2023 and while Mo Salah may have overtaken him in that regard, certainly in the Premier League, he’s still right up there.

As far as Emirates Stadium icons go, he sits very close to the top of the tree. Other candidates include current teammates William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes. Declan Rice is up there too.

Yet, does he come close to eclipsing the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie? Considering the way in which the pair left, you’d have to say yes at this current moment in time.

Does he eclipse Mesut Ozil? The German is one of the finest playmakers we’ve ever seen over the last two decades but even his time in the English capital ended in tears.

Alexis Sanchez left in strange circumstances as well but Saka still has some way to go before he eclipses the Chilean’s numbers. He found the net on 80 occasions in 166 matches, most notably scoring 30 times in the 2016/17 campaign. Saka’s best season in front of goal stands at 18 so there is room for improvement there.

The club’s number 7 is no doubt already a club icon but who’s next on the conveyor belt of talent?

Arsenal star could become an all-timer like Saka

Saka is Hale End. He has served as the inspiration for a whole number of footballers trying to make the jump from academy to first-team life.

His influence has already proven to be a beacon for the likes of Max Dowman and Myles Lewis-Skelly.

Lewis-Skelly earned his England debut last term and Dowman is currently the talk of the town having become the second-youngest player in Premier League history when he made his top-flight debut at the age of 15 a couple of months ago.

1. Ethan Nwaneri

15 years, 5 months

2. Max Dowman

15 years, 7 months

3. Jeremy Monga

15 years, 8 months

4. Harvey Elliott

16 years, 1 month

5. Matthew Briggs

16 years, 2 months

Dowman is the shiny new toy and so it’s easy to forget about fellow Hale Ender Ethan Nwaneri.

Now 18, Nwaneri is the only player to make his Premier League bow at a younger age than Dowman and since then, he’s gone from strength to strength.

While he is yet to find the net in 2025/26, largely now playing as an attacking midfielder, he showcased that he was a true game-changer in 2024/25.

Last campaign, the teenager predominantly played on the right flank when Saka was out injured and he made a remarkable impact. In total, the youngster bagged nine goals in 37 matches and created two assists. One of those included a stunner in the rout over Manchester City.

He earned rave reviews in the process. After starring in the Champions League, TNT Sport pundit Joe Cole stated that Nwaneri was “the most exciting footballer in England and maybe Europe.” Fine praise indeed.

Cole is certainly a huge fan of the teenager, remarking at another point in the season that he was like the great Lionel Messi.

“These touches he produces in and around the box, I don’t want to say it, but it’s like Messi,” the former Chelsea star said. “I don’t want to put any more pressure on the kid’s shoulders, I’m sure he’ll deal with it. He plays with such confidence and he’s a beautiful player.”

After such an impressive season, it’s easy to forget just how young this kid is. Dowman is getting all of the hype now but let’s shine a light on Nwaneri again.

He may have only played 145 minutes in the Premier League this term but he is already streets ahead of his peers in the same age group. Some might argue he’s also ahead of Saka at the same age.

During the England international’s first full campaign a senior player he only beat the goalkeeper on four occasions. Nwaneri had five more.

So, there are still plenty of reasons to be excited about the teenager, particularly as in the words of Arsenal content creator Leo Da Silva, he has the potential to be “an all-time like Saka.”

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