In last Thursday’s Premier League Latest News update, we mentioned Gareth Southgate was being linked to the Everton job. A week later and after a win and a draw in their last two games, Sean Dyche seems to have survived at Goodison Park!
However, that doesn’t mean all managers are not under scrutiny, with a number of managers already feeling the pressure in the Premier League, especially after the results in Gameday 6 of the new season.
Remember, bet365 Sport offers extensive coverage of the Premier League action with a massive choice of outright, pre-match and In Play betting markets available.
With delayed midweek action for Newcastle in the Carabao Cup, plus plenty of teams in action in the Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League, it has been a busy week ahead of Gameweek 7!
So let’s take a look at some of the big news stories this week!
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Dominic Solanke Dreams of England Call-Up
Dominic Solanke, the talented Tottenham forward, is hopeful for an England call-up. His recent performances have caught the attention of many, and he believes he has what it takes to make a significant impact on the national team.
The ex-Bournemouth striker joined Tottenham in the summer for £65m and after a quiet start, he has now netted in three successive games for the club; notching goals against Brentford, Qarabag and Manchester United.
He faces a tough task to break into the England setup however. Harry Kane is the main striker and captain, not to mention record goalscorer for the Three Lions. Ollie Watkins is his likely number two while England can also call on Callum Wilson (when fit), Ivan Toney, Eddie Nketiah, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Marcus Rashford and Tammy Abraham to play a central striking role.
Kai Havertz: Arsenal’s Most Important Player
Kai Havertz has emerged as a crucial player for Arsenal. Many consider him the team’s most important player at the moment. His ability to influence the game and create opportunities for his teammates has been invaluable.
The German joined Arsenal from Bayer Leverkusen in a deal worth around £62m initially. In Germany, Havertz shone as an attacking midfielder, scoring 46 goals in 150 games for the German side.
In three-years at Chelsea Havertz struggled to meet the expectations. He played 139 times for Chelsea, scoring 32 goals, but never really convinced at Stamford Bridge. However, it was a surprise when he was sold to Arsenal in the summer of 2023 for a fee of £65m.
He had a good first season with the Gunners, often playing in a central-strikers role, scoring 14 goals in 51 games. However, this season he has scored five goals in nine games in all competitions making him Arsenal’s leading goalscorer this season.
Erik ten Hag’s Confidence Amid Pressure
Erik ten Hag, the manager of Manchester United, is under pressure but remains confident in his ability to turn things around. That comes despite a barrage of criticism of the team and the manager for Manchester United’s dismal performance in a 3-0 home defeat against Tottenham Hotspur.
Despite that defeat Ten Hag remains confident he has the backing of the board but there is no doubt he faces a crucial couple of weeks. United face FC Porto in the Europa League tonight and then a trip to Aston Villa at the weekend.
Two defeats and poor performances in those games, and Ten Hag’s situation could become untenable. Especially with Gareth Southgate looking for a route back into football. The ex-England man has already been strongly linked with Manchester United in the past.
However, speculation is also rife that Inter Milan boss Simone Inzaghi could be another manager that the Old Trafford hierarchy have their eyes on.
Tottenham’s Micky van de Ven Sets Speed Record
Micky van de Ven, a defender for Tottenham, has recorded the fastest speed in the Premier League this season at 37.12 km/h. His remarkable speed and agility make him a valuable asset to the team. Van de Ven’s ability to cover ground quickly and effectively contributes significantly to Tottenham’s defensive strategies.
However, as he has shown twice recently against Everton and Manchester United, when he breaks forward at speed, few can match him. This has led to him creating goals against both these opponents in what were Spurs two best wins of the season; 4-0 v Everton and 3-0 v Man Utd.
Spurs fans will be hoping the Dutchman can stay fit and become a mainstay at the heart of their defence alongside Cristian Romero.
Richarlison’s Positive Fitness Update
Richarlison of Tottenham has shared a positive fitness update following a calf injury. His recovery is progressing well, and he is eager to return to the field. Richarlison’s presence in the team is vital, and his return will boost Tottenham’s attacking options. His determination to regain full fitness and contribute to the team’s success is commendable. Fans and teammates alike are looking forward to his return and the impact he will have on the team’s performance.
Alexander Isak’s Absence from Sweden’s Squad
Alexander Isak from Newcastle will miss Sweden’s squad due to a broken toe. His absence is a significant blow to the team, as Isak is known for his goal-scoring abilities and dynamic play. The injury is unfortunate, but Isak is focused on his recovery and aims to return stronger. His dedication to his rehabilitation process is crucial for a successful comeback. Newcastle and Sweden will miss his contributions, but they are hopeful for his swift recovery.
Russell Martin Faces Scrutiny at Southampton
Russell Martin, the manager of Southampton, is under scrutiny due to the team’s poor start to the season. The pressure is mounting as fans and analysts question the team’s performance and strategies.
Martin is determined to address the issues and improve the team’s results. His focus is on identifying areas for improvement and implementing effective solutions. The support of the club and fans is essential as Martin works to turn the season around.
Ray Parlour’s Trophy Prediction for Arsenal
Ex-Gunner and football pundit Ray Parlour believes that Arsenal will win a trophy this season if they maintain consistency. Parlour’s prediction is based on the team’s current form and potential. Arsenal’s performances have shown promise, and their ability to sustain this level of play is crucial for achieving success.
Arsenal’s last trophy success was when the won the FA Cup in 2020.
Bruno Fernandes’ Red Card Rescinded
Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United has had his red card rescinded following an appeal. This decision is a relief for the team, as Fernandes is a key player in their lineup. The incident that led to the red card was controversial, and the appeal process has cleared Fernandes to continue playing.
While the Portuguese star clearly caught James Maddison near the knee with a tackle, he did slip as he made the challenge and it seems that has played a key role in the decision to uphold his appeal and rescind the red card.
The Portuguese star will now not serve a suspension in the league and is available for United’s next league game away to Aston Villa.
Match of the Day pundit Danny Murphy criticised VAR officials for incompetence following the Bruno Fernandes red card incident. The former Liverpool midfielder felt that Fernandes should never have been dismissed due to the fact he slipped when making the tackle.
Federico Chiesa’s Fitness Challenges
Federico Chiesa faces fitness challenges ahead of Liverpool’s match against Crystal Palace. His fitness concerns came after a training session earlier this week and meant that Chiesa, who is known for his skill and impact on the field, was not available for the midweek Champions League win over Bologna.
The team is monitoring his condition closely and hopes for a positive outcome with manager Arne Slot stating he does not expect to be without the Italian winger for a long period of time.
Transfer Rumours In Short…
- Manchester City are believed to be interested in Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, who rejected the chance to join Liverpool in the summer. The Citizens have also been linked with Inter Milan midfielder Nicolo Barella. Both are thought to be a potential placement for the long-term injured Rodri. City have also been linked with Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton and Atalanta’s Ederson in similar rumours.
- Lille striker Jonathan David, who scored the winning penalty against Real Madrid in the Champions League this week, is on the wanted list for Newcastle United, Juventus and Inter Milan.
- Reports from abroad suggest that Liverpool winger Mo Salah has already verbally agreed to join a club in Saudi Arabia when his contract expires in June 2025. The Reds have been linked with a move for Sevilla winger Juanlu Sanchez as well as Dortmund winger Karim Adeyemi.
- Former Arsenal and Juventus goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has come out of retirement to join Barcelona as a replacement for injured keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
- Manchester United are being linked with a move for Sunderland’s Anthony Patterson. The 24-year-old goalkeeper is wanted as a back-up for Andre Onana at Old Trafford.
- Everton manager Sean Dyche is believed to have been promised funds in January to strengthen the team, once the takeover by the Friedkin Group is completed. The Toffees are thought to be interested in Newcastle’s Paraguayan midfielder Miguel Almiron.
- Bayer Leverkusen have slapped a £125m price tag on midfielder Florian Wirtz, but it seems that has not put off Arsenal, Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid who are all very keen on the German midfielder.
- Barcelona are thought to be considering opening talks with Al-Hilal star Neymar in January. The Brazilian’s contract expires in June 2025, so would be able to move on a free back to the Nou Camp, though wages could prove to be an issue.
Champions League – Matchday 2 Results
It was Matchday 2 in the Champions League this week and all 36 teams were in action across Tuesday and Wednesday. Here’s how the matches went:
Tuesday, 1st October 2024:
- Red Bull Salzburg 0-4 Stade Brestois 29
- VfB Stuttgart 1-1 AC Sparta Praha
- Arsenal 2-0 Paris Saint-Germain
- Bayer Leverkusen 1-0 AC Milan
- Borussia Dortmund 7-1 Celtic
- FC Barcelona 5-0 Young Boys
- Inter Milan 4-0 Red Star Belgrade
- PSV Eindhoven 1-1 Sporting CP
- Slovan Bratislava 0-4 Manchester City
Wednesday, 2nd October 2024:
- Shakhtar Donetsk 0-3 Atalanta
- Girona 2-3 Feyenoord
- Aston Villa 1-0 Bayern Munich
- Dinamo Zagreb 2-2 AS Monaco
- Liverpool 2-0 Bologna
- LOSC Lille 1-0 Real Madrid
- RB Leipzig 2-3 Juventus
- Sturm Graz 0-1 Club Brugge
- Benfica 4-0 Atletico Madrid
Follow the link for the latest Champions League Table.
Big winners this week included Dortmund who thrashed Celtic 7-1, Barcelona who cruised to a 5-0 win over Young Boys while Brest, Manchester City, Inter Milan and Benfica all cruised to 4-0 victories over Red Bull Salzburg, Slovan Bratislava, Red Star Belgrade and Atletico Madrid respectively.
All four Premier League teams won their games without conceding a goal, with Arsenal’s win over PSG and Aston Villa’s victory over Bayern Munich particularly eye-catching.
Villa’s win along with Lille’s stunning victory over Real Madrid were amongst the big surprises of Matchday 2, while Feyenoord’s 3-2 away win in Girona was another impressive result.
Karim Adeyemi was one of the top individual performers with the Dortmund star scoring a hat-trick against Celtic. However, it was a bittersweet moment for the striker as he also picked up a hamstring injury in the game and could miss a few weeks.
Several players scored a brace in matches this week including Serhou Guirassy (Dortmund), Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona), Abdallah Sima (Brest), Benjamin Sesko (RB Leipzig) and Dusan Vlahovic (Juventus).
Girona had a night to forget against Feyenoord. The Spanish debutants in this competition missed two penalties and scored two own-goals in their 3-2 loss at home to Feyenoord.
