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Aston Villa couldn’t turn down an offer of around £71m for Jhon Duran in January. The striker may have scored 12 goals in just 29 games for the club, but only seven of those appearances came in the starting XI.

It was unlikely the Colombian was going to usurp Ollie Watkins as Unai Emery’s main man.

While it made financial sense to sell, Watkins remains the only senior centre-forward at the club heading into the summer transfer market.

The Spaniard must bring in another one or two options in this department, especially if he wishes to lead the club to the Champions League once again.

Could he be targeting a young sensation who has enjoyed a fabulous season?

Aston Villa target Spanish centre-forward

A host of attacking players have been targeted recently. Tyler Dibling, the Southampton winger, has been linked with a big-money move to Villa.

Jadon Sancho is another wide option that Emery is showing interest in. Both of these talents would bolster the club’s wide options, but it is a more central player that the manager is desperate for.

According to Caught Offside, Villa are now chasing a move for FC Porto striker Samu Aghehowa.

The Spaniard has spent a single season with the Portuguese giants, but his performances have certainly caught the eye of potential suitors.

They don’t appear in a rush to sell their prized asset, who has a release clause of €100m (£85m) inserted into his current deal.

Despite that, further reports from Spanish publication, Sport, suggest that they have already approached Porto to figure out whether a deal could be done.

Why Aston Villa must sign Samu Aghehowa this summer

Young, an eye for a goal and a desire to succeed in the Premier League. Aghehowa might just be the club’s next Duran.

While Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio came in for the final few months of the season, the club missed the goals and impact of Duran, particularly during the final 30 minutes of games.

Well, Aghehowa scored 25 goals across 42 games for Porto last term, a more than impressive return, especially given it was his debut season at the club.

The striker, who was described as “one of Europe’s most prolific players” by talent scout Jacek Kulig last season, also registered 2.7 shots per game in the league last term, while he also achieved a goal conversion percentage of 23% for Porto.

Put simply, once he gets the ball in the box, the youngster scores more often than not, just as Duran did. He would get more of a chance at Villa than the South American, however, despite Watkins’ stature as the main centre-forward.

Samu Aghehowa’s stats for Porto last season

Metric

League

Europa League

Goals

19

6

Assists

3

0

Goal conversion percentage

23%

33%

Scoring frequency

119 minutes

228 minutes

Shots per game

2.7

2

Via Sofascore

Much will depend on the fee Porto are demanding for their star player, but if it is affordable, then Emery must make this deal a priority.

If he manages to lure Aghehowa to the Premier League, he could sparkle for Villa next season and beyond.

Related Aston Villa join battle for "fantastic" midfielder in cut-price £8m deal

He’s a wanted man.

Posts ByTom Cunningham Jun 8, 2025

Celtic travel away from Parkhead to take on Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday, knowing that a point will be enough to seal the title.

The Hoops simply have to avoid defeat to clinch their fourth league title in succession, which means that this could be the weekend that they are crowned champions once again.

Brendan Rodgers’ side beat St. Johnstone 5-0 in the semi-finals of the SFA Cup last time out at Hampden Park, but the Northern Irish boss could make some changes to his side, starting with dropping James Forrest to the bench.

Why James Forrest should be dropped

The long-serving Celtic winger was selected to start on the right side of the attack against the Saints last weekend and, once again, failed to contribute much at the top end of the pitch.

Forrest has started the last two matches and has not been involved, with a goal or an assist, in any of the ten goals scored by the team, which has been the story of his season.

The Scottish forward has played 27 matches in all competitions this season without scoring a single goal for the Hoops, which illustrates his lack of impact in the final third.

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

With this in mind, Rodgers must take the ineffective winger out of the starting XI for this trip to Dundee United, who are not an easy team to play against. They have only conceded 40 goals in 33 matches, which suggests that Celtic need their best attackers on the pitch, including Nicolas Kuhn.

Why Nicolas Kuhn could win Celtic the title

Dundee United, as shown by their defensive record this season, will be tough to break down and that is why the German attacker must be unleashed to win the title for the Hoops.

Forrest has shown, with zero goals in 26 games, that he is unlikely to make much of an impact as a starter on Saturday. Whereas, Kuhn has been in excellent form this season at the top end of the pitch.

The left-footed forward has racked up 18 goals and 14 assists in all competitions for the Scottish giants this term, including two assists in his last four league starts.

Appearances

28

Goals

10

Big chances created

10

Key passes per game

1.7

Assists

8

As you can see in the table above, Kuhn has delivered 18 goals and assists combined in the Premiership so far this term, which shows that he can get on the end of passes to score, or he can be the player who makes the killer pass to split open a defence.

The former Rapid Vienna star, once hailed as “magical” by Rodgers, could provide the cutting edge in front of goal that is seemingly going to be required to break down the Dundee United backline, whilst Forrest’s form this season suggests that he is not the man for that job.

Therefore, Rodgers could increase his team’s chances of winning the title on Saturday by dropping the Scottish forward in favour of Kuhn on the right flank.

Cost £4.3m, now worth less than Scales: Rodgers messed up with Celtic star

Rodgers messed up with this Celtic star who cost £4.3m but is now worth less than Liam Scales.

ByDan Emery Apr 23, 2025

When discussing Manchester United’s long-running malaise, many will point to the end of the Sir Alex Ferguson dynasty as a defining, watershed moment in the club’s fortunes, with the Scotsman’s retirement marking the end of the Red Devils’ domestic dominance.

It could be argued, however, that the slide had begun even prior to Fergie’s exit, with even his own recruitment – while impacted by the Glazer takeover in 2005 – needing to be put under the microscope.

Indeed, cast your mind back to the summer of 2009. United had just romped to a third successive Premier League title, having also been defeated by Barcelona in what was a second Champions League final in a row.

Two league titles and another outing in a European showpiece did follow over the next four years, yet that moment marked the beginning of the end for the last of Ferguson’s great United sides, with Carlos Tevez moving on to upstart rivals Manchester City, while Cristiano Ronaldo sealed a long-awaited, world record switch to Real Madrid.

To make matters worse, the incomings could hardly have been more underwhelming. Ronaldo’s number seven shirt was taken over by an ageing Michael Owen, while options on the flanks were ‘bolstered’ by the signings of Antonio Valencia and, who can forget, Gabriel Obertan.

In many ways, that Ronaldo-shaped void on the flanks has hardly been filled in the years since, despite a plethora of attacking signings. Could that soon be set to change?

Latest on Man Utd's search for a forward

Ruben Amorim’s pursuit of Matheus Cunha has highlighted that the Portuguese is potentially seeking a different profile of player to operate in one of the two number ten berths, with the towering Wolverhampton Wanderers man more comfortable in a central role than on the flanks.

The need for a genuine winger in the 3-4-3 setup can be questioned – a fact highlighted by doubts over Alejandro Garnacho’s future at Old Trafford – although it is not unrealistic to assume that a potential attacking target could be moulded into what Amorim wants from his forwards.

Sometimes, there are options out there that are simply too good to ignore, with Paris Saint-Germain’s Desire Doue seemingly one of them. As reported in Spain, the Red Devils are believed to be ‘vying’ for the Frenchman’s signature.

Transfer Focus

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

The highly-rated teenager only made the move to Paris from Stade Rennais on a £43m deal last summer, although a dazzling debut campaign at the Parc des Princes has earned unsurprising glances from afar, with INEOS said to have placed the 19-year-old at the ‘centre of their transfer radar’.

The suggestion is that such interest ‘goes beyond’ simply monitoring his progress, although a deal certainly ‘won’t be easy’ – not least if Luis Enrique and co stick to their reported €300m (£275m) asking price.

Something would have to give in that regard if a deal was to be agreed, although a move for Doue could represent United’s best since the days of ‘CR7’.

Man Utd could land their best winger since Ronaldo

Once the home of Ryan Giggs and David Beckham, the Theatre of Dreams has become a real graveyard for wingers, in particular, in recent times, with a raft of high profile stars having come and gone across the last decade or so.

Antony

96

12

5

17

Anthony Elanga

55

4

4

8

Amad

57

12

10

22

Jadon Sancho

83

12

6

18

Alejandro Garnacho

138

25

21

45

Dan James

74

9

9

18

Angel Di Maria

34

4

12

16

Henrikh Mkhitaryan

63

13

11

24

Memphis Depay

53

7

6

13

As evidenced in the table above, marquee moves for the likes of Jadon Sancho and Antony – signed for £73m and £86m, respectively – have simply backfired, with United rarely getting bang for their buck.

Perhaps only Marcus Rashford – now out on loan at Aston Villa – has truly impressed for an extended period in the wake of Ronaldo, after chalking up 138 goals in 426 games, albeit with the Englishman’s best work having perhaps actually come in a central role, rather than out wide.

Has there really been anyone close to Ronaldo’s ilk post-2009?

Has anyone come close to the Portuguese’s Ballon d’Or-winning pomp in 2008, when he ravaged all before him?

It is still early days in his senior career, although the teenage Doue is showing signs of potentially emerging as a world-class sensation in his own right, having been hailed as a “superstar in the making” by journalist Julien Laurens.

Likened to his idol, Neymar, amid his switch to the French captial, the former Rennes starlet has already registered 25 goals and assists in 48 games in all competitions this season, including six goal involvements in just 14 Champions League outings.

It is that form on the continent which has notably caught the eye, with Doue memorably rifling home in exquisite fashion in PSG’s first-leg win over Villa, having left Emi Martinez looking utterly helpless in the visiting goal.

Described as the ‘talk of Europe’ by BBC Sport’s Phil McNulty, the in-demand winger also showed flashes of his quality against Arsenal on Tuesday night, having produced a delightful Neymar-esque touch at one stage to control the ball.

Fleet of foot and with a desire to beat his man, Doue perhaps emulates Ronaldo in that regard, with such dribbling prowess evidenced by the fact that he ranks in the top 4% among his European peers for successful take-ons, and in the top 7% for progressive carries per 90, as per FBref.

Also comfortable operating on either flank – much like Ronaldo was during his time under Fergie – the rising star looks destined to dazzle for years to come, with French football now boasting another ‘superstar’ to celebrate.

Yes, Amorim’s approach may not necessarily offer a home to a winger in the traditional sense, but Doue – who can also operate as a number ten – would a sensational upgrade in any of United’s attacking roles.

He could even end the long wait at Old Trafford for a Ronaldo-level superstar out wide…

Better than Osimhen: Man Utd close to agreement for "hottest CF in Europe"

Man Utd are ramping up their search for a new centre-forward this summer

ByRobbie Walls Apr 29, 2025

Ashwin now has 11 Player-of-the-Series awards, the joint-highest with Muthiah Muralidaran

Sampath Bandarupalli01-Oct-202415 – Test matches for India against Bangladesh without a defeat, out of which they have now won 13. Only two teams have played more Tests against an opposition without losing a single game: 20 by Sri Lanka against Zimbabwe and 17 by New Zealand against Zimbabwe.18 – Consecutive Test series wins for India at home, a streak that began with a whitewash of Australia in 2013. England, in 2012, were the last team to defeat India at home in a Test series.India haven’t lost a Test series at home or away since their defeat to South Africa in 2021-22. They have won six of the seven bilateral Test series played in this period.312 – Balls batted by India across the two innings in Kanpur – the fourth-fewest by any team to win a men’s Test. The lowest is 276 balls by England against West Indies in Barbados in 1935, while India batted only 281 balls for their win against South Africa earlier this year in Cape Town.ESPNcricinfo Ltd7.36 – India’s run rate across the two innings in Kanpur, the highest for any team in a Test match where they scored 300-plus runs. The previous highest was 6.80 by South Africa, who made 340 in 50 overs in the only innings they batted in against Zimbabwe in 2005.1040 – Number of balls bowled in Kanpur, making it the third-shortest completed Test match to have gone into the fifth day.The 2000 Centurion Test that ended on the fifth day saw only 883 balls bowled, but both South Africa and England forfeited one innings each on that occasion.England needed only 909 balls to complete a win against South Africa at The Oval in 2022, where no play was possible on the first two days.128.12 – Yashasvi Jaiswal’s strike rate in Kanpur is the third-highest among the batters with fifty-plus scores in both innings of a men’s Test (where data is available). The highest is 137.7 by David Warner against Pakistan in the 2017 Sydney Test, while Harry Brook had a strike rate of 132.59 in the 2022 Rawalpindi Test.1 – Jaiswal is now the first Indian batter to score fifties in both innings of a Test match in fewer than 50 balls. Nine others have had fifties in less than 50 balls in the same Test, with the last being Pathum Nissanka against England at The Oval in September.ESPNcricinfo Ltd8 – Fifty-plus scores for Jaiswal in 13 Test innings at home – all have come in 2024. These are the most fifty-plus scores by any batter in a calendar year on Indian soil in Tests.His 901 runs are also the third-highest in a calendar year in India, behind GR Viswanath’s 1047 in 1979 and Virat Kohli’s 964 in 2016.11 – Player-of-the-Series awards for R Ashwin in Test cricket, the joint-highest alongside Muthiah Muralidaran.7 – Instances of a team winning a men’s Test match despite no player scoring 75-plus runs in an innings and no bowler with a four-plus wicket haul.No Indian took a four-wicket haul in Kanpur despite four three-wicket hauls across two innings, while Jaiswal’s 72 in the first innings was their highest individual score in the match.

Bangladesh look set to be the story of the tournament, and the no-fuss response to the non-striker run-out was perfect

Raunak Kapoor18-Jan-2023

Throwback to the simple times

No DRS, not even a TV umpire in the group stage, a practice that has been in place for the men’s U-19 tournaments over the years, and players have happily accepted cricket in its imperfect form here in South Africa.Umpires have a quick word with boundary riders on whether they have pulled the ball back or not, and even a batter who feels her foot was grounded on a close stumping call, accepts the umpire’s ‘out’ decision and walks off without complaint. A new batter promptly takes guard even before the previous one has crossed over the boundary cushions.All of it put together means extraordinarily impressive over rates, at times even 18 per hour.Of course, it won’t happen at the highest levels, and it shouldn’t when the stakes are higher and when the right call is more important than how long it takes to get it, but for all of cricket’s troubles with wasted time, there was a sweet feeling in a World Cup being played with such simplicity.

Bangladesh could well become the story of the World Cup

It’s perhaps unfair to use terms like Group of Death here, but if you had to apply it here, it should be for Group A: Australia, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh (along with the USA). And Disha Biswas’ Bangladesh side is the story of Round 1.That they beat Australia and Sri Lanka convincingly in their opening two games is only part of it. They’re arguably the best fielding side on show. They started their campaign with a sharp chance taken at slip by Shorna Akter against Australia in the opening game of the tournament. They caught and stopped everything on a day when Australia dropped four, which seems to be the norm for a number of sides – the UAE dropped Richa Ghosh alone four times, while Ireland vs West Indies saw ten go down.They have powered their side at the top with Afia Prottasha, who took down Sri Lanka, and Shorna in the middle – she hit the biggest six of the tournament, into the stands in Benoni against Australia. The internationally capped Dilara Akter plays perfect foil at No. 3, while Marufa Akter and captain Biswas get it to swing and shape at pace at the beginning, and then land their yorkers at the death. It’s early days still, but if they keep this going, Bangladesh could well be the surprise of the tournament.

The heat after a historic hat-trick

I had the privilege of calling 18-year-old Madison Landsman’s hat-trick, the first at the tournament, on commentary, and it was pure emotion.South Africa were 43 for 6 at one stage in the game, against Scotland. They had already lost to India. They had to win here, else they would be staring at early elimination in a home tournament.They somehow scrapped to 112 and were diving and catching everything to successfully defend the lowest score of the competition so far. The hat-trick happened and the feat found its way to the unforgiving world of social media, subject to ridicule for Landsman’s slow legbreaks.Yes, she bowls slow legspin. Yes, Scotland’s lower order, in a bid to whack everything with the asking rate rising, helped her cause. But Landsman, a part-time bowler primarily in the side to score runs in the middle order like she did against India, was part of something as special as it was unexpected.That she screamed “Oh my god!” as she ran to her team-mates in celebration demonstrated her own disbelief. There will be more wonderful stories of innocence and celebration from these women in what is the first World Cup of its kind, so let’s be kind in response. Also, World Cup hat-tricks come in all shapes and forms. Just ask Steven Finn and Mohammed Shami.Legspinning allrounder Madison Landsman picked up four wickets including a hat-trick•ICC via Getty

Theertha’s Tamil

Chennai-born UAE captain Theertha Satish took to cricket after watching the 2018 Tamil film Kanaa, a story about a farmer’s daughter aspiring to play international cricket to bring a smile to her cricket-loving father’s face after his heartbreak at seeing India knocked out early at the 2007 ODI World Cup. As UAE came up against the might of Shafali Verma’s India in the second game for either side in Benoni on Monday, Theertha’s Tamil was on constant display from behind the stumps with her strike bowler Indhuja Nandakumar and legspinner Vaishnave Mahesh (both also Chennai-born), at the receiving end of India’s onslaught.The utterances included: [not bad, you’re bowling well] and [like this only, keep going] as well as [Vaishu, bring it from behind – bowl a googly] and [Indu, just change it up slightly, do something different] and [it’ll happen]. As it turns out, as many as 11 of the UAE’s 15-member squad were fluent in Tamil. India had none.Theertha’s cricketing heroes include MS Dhoni and, true to her idol, she remained calm through the day, played some high-quality attacking shots, albeit in a brief innings, and said all the right things in the post-match presentation. “It was super exciting to play India,” she said. “We want to play the strongest sides because this is the only platform we have to face such teams, it’s not on a regular basis that we play cricket at this standard, and I’m pretty sure if we play such Test-playing teams and get the right practice, we’ll get up there. Watching Shafali and Richa [Ghosh] just shows us how much experience matters.”A number of the UAE squad’s parents were in attendance. I had bumped into Theertha’s father earlier in the day and noticed he was paying close attention to his daughter’s interview at the presentation. He had the proudest smile on his face.Shafali Verma chats with Theertha Satish•ICC via Getty Images

Karabo Meso, another talkative keeper

Sticking with chatty keepers, the funniest moment for me in week one was courtesy Karabo Meso, South Africa’s 15-year-old wicketkeeper, who pretty much did most of the commentary during the seventh and eighth overs of Scotland’s innings via the stump mic. After seven overs, Scotland were 32 for 2 needing 81 from 78. Scotland batter Nayma Sheikh was finding it tough, not off the mark after facing eight deliveries. Then Meso took off. “Welcome to Minecraft – Block. Block. Block.” “Test match, Test match.” And, “Look at the board, it’s saying T20, man, no Test.”Sheikh offered a caught-and-bowled chance while on nought off ten balls, which was dropped by legspinner Seshnie Naidu, and the next ball saw an appeal for lbw turned down. “She’s tired of this, Sesh, she wants to give up, she wants to give up,” came the commentary. “Sesh, I told you she’s tired, I told you. Just give us your wicket, man, I’m ready.”Scotland were eventually bowled out for 68. Meso took the last catch, on a day where she had the last word, among many others, too.

And another thing…

Also, a shout out to everyone involved with dismissal No. 9, on the fourth ball of the last over, Pakistan vs Rwanda in Potchefstroom.To Pakistan seamer Zaib-un-Nisa for running out the non-striker backing up too far even though it seemed immaterial to the state of the game.To Rwanda’s Shakila Niyomuhoza for walking off without a fuss.And to umpire Virender Sharma for giving it out instantly.No checking with square leg, no review petition before the fielding captain on whether the appeal stands. And somehow everyone still seemed to enjoy themselves for the rest of the afternoon, as if the spirit of the game remained intact.

A host of players have produced impressive performances in the first stage of the Shield season

Andrew McGlashan07-Nov-2020Australia’s selectors will sit down next week as the first stage of the Sheffield Shield season concludes to pick the Test squad to face India.The enlarged group is expected to number around 17 – “give or take,” national selector Trevor Hohns said – so if it’s assumed that the 12 players used last season (James Pattinson for the injured Josh Hazlewood was the only change) are locked in. That potentially leaves five spots up for the grabs to provide cover for all positions and options for various conditions.It has been a fascinating Shield season so far – both in terms of the quality of the cricket and those making an impression – but who could be closest to joining the established players?Will PucovskiHe has been close before – in the 2018-19 summer against Sri Lanka – but could this be the season for his highly-anticipated Test debut? His start, delayed by Victoria’s quarantine-hit build-up, could not have gone any better with a career-best unbeaten 255 against South Australia as part of the record Sheffield Shield stand of 486. It was the first time he had opened in first-class cricket and while he will face more demanding conditions, his concentration and hunger for runs stood out (not to mention some of the strokeplay). He would also bring the advantage of providing cover for any position in the top six.Marcus HarrisThe other half of that record stand, Harris’ 239 was an early reward for the hard work he has put in during pre-season to make some small technical adjustments following his first stint as a Test opener – the latter part of which ended after a poor Ashes tour. As with Pucovski, it was an almost faultless display against the Redbacks and big hundreds tend to stand out for the selectors. However, if Pucovski and the player next on this list earn spots, then there may not be room for another batsman.Cameron GreenThe allrounder has been the centre of a lot of discussions already this season – he made a superb career-best 197 against New South Wales – and earned his maiden call-up to the limited-overs squad a couple of weeks ago. And his figures in those formats, albeit from a small number of matches, are paled by his first-class numbers with bat and ball. He returned to the bowling crease in the previous match for the first time in a year and sent down 12 overs across four spells. The feeling is, though, that such is his batting pedigree the selectors are keen to get him in regardless.Michael Neser, Sean Abbott, Mitchell Swepson and Cameron Green have all impressed•Getty ImagesMichael NeserNeser knows all about carrying the drinks for the Test side. It has been a case of so near yet so far in terms of that first Test cap for the Queensland allrounder. It remains hard to see him getting past the big four quicks unless for injury although four Tests in a month means that reserves will need to be ready. He made a tremendous start to the season with a five-wicket haul followed by a maiden first-class century against Western Australia while his run out in the closing moments of the thrilling match against New South Wales was another reminder of his all-round commitment.Sean AbbottHe has had two impressive matches for New South Wales to push himself into Test contention. His nippy seam bowling has earned ten wickets while he has a brace of half-centuries – he is better than a career batting average of 19.81 – included top-scoring in the first innings against Queensland then holding his nerve to seal victory. A similar cricketer to Neser in a lot of ways, but whether he gets in may depend on how many extra pace bowlers are needed.Mitchell SwepsonThe legspinner is the leading wicket-taker in the early stages of the Shield having played a central role in Queensland’s first two games. He helped secure victory against Tasmania – bowling 45.2 overs in the second innings – and a career-best match haul of 10 for 171 came close to snatching a win against New South Wales. He was in the squad for the SCG Test against New Zealand in January and that would probably be his chance in this series barring an injury to Nathan Lyon.Will Pucovski on his way to a century•Getty ImagesAshton Agar In terms of bowling, Agar does not match Swepson in the spin stakes – although did take a five-wicket haul against South Australia – but he provides a more multi-dimensional option as shown by his century at No. 6 in the opening game. While the allrounder talk is centred around Green, Agar would be potentially another way for Australia to balance their side if they wanted two spinners at any stage.And a few others…Shaun Marsh has been in fantastic form but, at 37, surely his time has gone. Team-mate Sam Whiteman has made two centuries to show his opening credentials while Cameron Bancroft appears to be recovering from an awful 2019-20 season. Moises Henriques has earned a limited-overs recall and made 167 in his first Shield innings of the season.In pace bowling, Scott Boland was magnificent against South Australia on a flat pitch taking 6 for 61 in the second innings and Trent Copeland reminded everyone he’s as good as ever.With Matthew Wade in the Test set-up, he may be sufficient wicketkeeping back-up for Tim Paine, but if another one is required Alex Carey, who has been at the IPL, would be favourite although Josh Inglis is averaging an eye-catching 114.50 this season.

Will Arsenal hit the ground running when they return following the international break?

Well, if they’re going to win the Premier League title, they’re going to have to.

Last time out, Mikel Arteta’s team swatted aside West Ham 2-0 at home, thanks to goals from Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka.

That made it four victories on the spin for the Gunners across all competitions, having conceded just three times in ten outings so far.

Next up in the Premier League, Arsenal’s next four fixtures are against Fulham, Crystal Palace, Burnley and Sunderland, while also facing Atlético Madrid in Slavia Prague in the Champions League, as well as Brighton in the EFL Cup between this international break and the next.

If Arteta’s team are to be considered the serious team that they appear to be, this has to be a sequence of wins, especially in the Premier League, so he will need his big players to come to the fore, notably that man Viktor Gyökeres.

Viktor Gyökeres' miserable international break

While many football fans up and down the country bemoan the international break, another person who is probably pleased to return to club duties is Gyökeres.

This window could hardly have gone any worse for Sweden, losing both World Cup qualifiers, beaten 2-0 by Switzerland in Stockholm on Friday night, before an ignominious 1-0 defeat when Kosovo, world-ranked 91, visited Göteborg on Monday.

The Blågult are therefore rock-bottom of Group B with just a solitary point to their name after four matches, in serious danger of missing out on a third successive major tournament.

Sweden are pretty much guaranteed a play-off spot, by virtue of having won promotion to Nations League B a year ago, Gyökeres the competition’s top scorer with nine goals, but the way they’re playing at the moment, Jon Dahl Tomasson’s team don’t appear likely to make much headway in March’s play-offs.

The Swedish media were ultra-critical of strike partner Alexander Isak, frustrated by his lack of sharpness, but Gyökeres did not get off lightly, with outlet Fotbollskanalen exclaiming that he was ‘a shadow of the striker’ he was before.

In the defeat to Switzerland, Arsenal’s new big-money signing registered just 33 touches, that’s four fewer than goalkeeper Viktor Johansson, before touching the ball only 35 times at the Ullevi on Monday, ranked 20th in the match.

Chalkboard

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

Across the two defeats, Gyökeres mustered four shots, only one of which found the target, and was largely ineffective, which obviously isn’t all his fault, but this won’t have helped boost his confidence, now without a goal in eight appearances for club and country.

As the centre-forward seeks to end that barren period at Craven Cottage on Saturday, should Arteta also unleash Arsenal’s “little magician” who enjoyed his international break rather more?

Arsenal's "little magician" who should start vs Fulham

While Gyökeres was not having a pleasant evening in Göteborg, just 155 miles west of North London, Leandro Trossard scored his 11th international goal for Belgium, rubber-stamping a vital 4-2 victory over Wales in Cardiff, leaving the Red Devils on the brink of World Cup qualification.

It was a classic Trossard goal, making sure he was in the right place at the right time in the penalty area before finishing crisply as if it was no effort at all.

Back at club level, already this season, the 30-year-old has scored on the road against Athletic Club and Port Vale, cementing 2-0 victories both times, as well as assisting Gabriel Martinelli’s opener at San Mamés and Martín Zubimendi’s header against Nottingham Forest.

Ever since he arrived from Brighton in January 2023, Arsenal very much thankful they ended up with the Belgian rather than Mykhailo Mudryk, he has consistently produced end product, as the table below documents.

Arsenal’s top scorers since Trossard’s debut
Players	Goals	Assists
Bukayo Saka	42	35
Leandro Trossard	30	25
Kai Havertz	29	13
Gabriel Martinelli	29	16
Martin Ødegaard	24	28
Gabriel Jesus	21	13
Declan Rice	17	23
Stats via Transfermarkt

Since Trossard’s debut in late January 2023, only Bukayo Saka has scored more goals for the club than the Belgian, with only Saka and Martin Ødegaard ahead of him in terms of assists too.

This is despite the fact that he has not always been a guaranteed starter, with 55 of his 132 appearances for the club coming off the bench, while 11 of his 30 goals have been scored as a substitute, including both this season.

Following a win at Wolves in April 2024, Arteta labelled Trossard a “little magician”, adding that he is “so composed, so cool… it’s just a joy to have him in the team”.

Meantime, Arsenal legend Ian Wright, who scored 185 goals for the club, asserted that the Belgian is Arsenal’s “best finisher and most clinical finisher of chances”, praising his movement and suggesting he deserves to start on a more regular basis.

Thus, at Fulham on Saturday, with Ødegaard sidelined, Eberechi Eze is likely to be deployed centrally in the number ten role.

This leaves the left-wing position up for grabs, and Trossard’s form probably warrants a start, even if Martinelli himself scored for Brazil against Japan in Tokyo on Tuesday; he isn’t a bad alternative.

Nevertheless, Trossard’s goal-scoring prowess will help alleviate the pressure on Gyökeres’ shoulders, aiming to bag the goals that the Gunners need if they’re to land the Premier League title.

Forget Odegaard: Arsenal can get Gyokeres firing by starting "explosive" star

With Martin Ødegaard sidelined, Mikel Arteta’s “sensational” Arsenal star is the player who can get the best out of summer signing Viktor Gyökeres.

By
Ben Gray

Oct 13, 2025