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Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly agreed to sign a new contract extension at Al-Nassr, just days after turning 40.

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• Ronaldo agrees to extend Al-Nassr stay
• Will stay in the Saudi league until June 2026
• Portuguese star turned 40 last week

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Ronaldo, who joined the Saudi giants in January 2023 on a two-and-a-half-year deal, would have seen his contract run out at the end of the 2024/25 campaign. However, an Al-Nassr official has reportedly told the that the Portuguese star has agreed to extend his stay for another year and the new deal will run until June 2026.

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• WHAT HAS BEEN SAID

  Speaking , the official said: "The sides have agreed on the renewable extension of Ronaldo's contract, but it has not been signed yet. An announcement will be made over the coming days."

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The news of Ronaldo's extension comes less than a week after he turned 40. The ex-Manchester United and Real Madrid star marked his milestone birthday with a goal against Al Feiha in a crucial Saudi Pro League clash on February 6 as Al-Nassr won the clash 3-0.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR AL-NASSR?

  Al-Nassr will be back in action on Thursday as they take on Al-Ahli in a league clash away from home.

Leeds United had an extremely busy time in this summer’s transfer window. In total, the Whites acquired eight new players and either sold or let go of no less than 16.

A number of the club’s best performers from last season were among those to leave however, including forwards Georginio Rutter, who joined Brighton for a fee of £40 million, and Crysencio Summerville, who moved to West Ham. Star midfielders Archie Gray and Glen Kamara also left the club.

Thus far, despite losing so many key players, Daniel Farke’s side are still flying high in the Sky Bet Championship. They are currently fifth, but have lost just one of their nine games so far this term and are just three points behind league leaders Sunderland.

Former Arsenal star could join as free agent

Despite performing well, the departures, combined with a number of recent injuries, has left Leeds short in a few positions, most notably in central midfield. Captain Ethan Ampadu is out for the rest of the calendar year, while Ilia Gruev has also been ruled out for at least a few months with a serious knee injury he sustained during Leeds’ 1-1 draw with Norwich.

To fix the problem, the 49ers Group may now look to the free market. According to The Sun, Leeds are now weighing up a move for former Arsenal midfielder Francis Coquelin, who has been a free agent since being let go by Spanish side Villarreal, who he joined for £11m back in 2020.

The Sun report that Coquelin, who made 160 appearances for the Gunners between 2008 and 2018 after being picked up by Arsene Wenger’s renowned French scout Gilles Grimandi, is open to moving to Elland Road, but faces competition for a deal from a number of other midfield targets who are out of contract.

He has been invited to train at Thorp Arch this week, but there is also an unnamed German midfielder in Yorkshire following the failed move for Cheikhou Kouyaté.

A tough test next against the Blades

Up next for Leeds is Sheffield United, who they welcome to Elland Road on Friday night. The Blades are currently second in the Championship, trailing leaders Sunderland only by goal difference. Speaking ahead of the game in a press conference on Wednesday, Farke addressed how he plans to approach his midfielder dilemma.

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“We have to make some late decisions,” he explained. “We’ve trained today with 15 players but a few Under 21 players were involved. Several will just arrive this evening or during the day tomorrow and we have to assess them.”

He added: “So far no new injury news, that’s definitely good but we have to look at their condition due to the travel and game time. So far it looks like no one has picked up a new injury.”

Farke, however, confirmed that wingers Daniel Farke and Manor Solomon are both now fit and back in contention for the match.

“They are back in team training since late last week,” the German said. “They’ve trained more or less every day this week. Obviously James was out a bit longer so it’s a bit easier for Manor, just out for three weeks, but we desperately need them and it’s good to have them back.”

Manchester United fan Mark Goldbridge has raised his concerns Leny Yoro may face when he returns from injury. The young defender joined the Red Devils during the summer transfer window from Lille, and after appearing in the club’s first few pre-season games, he suffered an injury against Arsenal in the USA that has seen him on the sidelines since.

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Mark Goldbridge responds to Van Basten's comments

It has been a poor start to the campaign for United as a whole, but also for some of their key players. This will be an aspect that Erik ten Hag looks to address and improve should he remain in charge of the Red Devils. But the Dutchman is at fault for some of these performances and for deciding which players to sign, according to an ex-Netherlands international.

Marco Van Basten has questioned one of United’s summer signings already, as he wonders what Ten Hag has seen in bringing Manuel Ugarte to Old Trafford. Speaking to Dutch media, Van Basten said on Ugarte: “It’s crazy how much Erik ten Hag has decided to invest in players who aren’t even good. I saw a new player transferred to Manchester, Manuel Ugarte, for €50m. How can this guy be here? It’s bizarre.”

Now, Goldbridge has hit back, saying that signing Ugarte has nothing to do with Ten Hag, telling The United Stand: “Judging players after two or three games is incredibly thick.”

He continued: “Ugarte may be a flop, but he is not one yet, and please remember that it is actually Man United’s recruitment specialists, best in class, super-duper board that went for Ugarte. The reason they went after Ugarte is that everybody from Jason Wilcock’s to Dan Ashworth to Omar Berrada to Christopher Vivell to Ten Hag all agreed that Ugarte was the guy to sign.”

Goldbridge didn’t stop on Ugarte, as he also had something to say about Leny Yoro.

Goldbridge worried about Leny Yoro ahead of Man Utd return

Leny Yoro is stepping up his recovery from his foot surgery, which has so far seen him miss seven Premier League games. Ahead of his return, which is expected to come towards the end of November, Goldbridge has raised concerns that he hopes Yoro doesn’t face in the early days of his Manchester United career.

Goldbridge said on Yoro: “Every new signing that comes to Man United has got to play like prime Diego Maradona, or they are a flop.

“We have got to be very careful about what we do with our new signings because they are here for a long time, whether it is Noussair Mazraoui, Matthijs de Ligt, Joshua Zirkzee, Ugarte, or Yoro, who has not played yet. I mean, how is Yoro going to get treated? This is what worries me; he is 18. If he doesn’t come in and start playing like prime Virgil van Dijk, he is going to be called a flop.”

Yoro was ruled out for three months, meaning his return to football is likely not going to come until after the next international break, when he will hopefully provide a very welcome boost.

Wrexham co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have been warned they face a 'big problem' if they fail to gain promotion to the Championship.

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• Wrexham chasing another promotion
• Spent big again in January transfer window
• Warned of potential problems ahead

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Wrexham are bidding for promotion to the Championship this season after making it out of the National League and into League One since McElhenney and Reynolds arrived at the club in 2021. Phil Parkinson's side are currently in third place in the standings behind Wycombe Wanderers and leaders Birmingham City.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Wrexham's Hollywood owners have been happy to splash the cash since their takeover and invested in the squad again in January by bringing in Sam Smith for a club-record fee as well as former England international Jay Rodriguez. Football finance expert Dr Rob Wilson feels Wrexham have done some smart business but has explained the club must back it up with promotion to the Championship.

• WHAT HAS BEEN SAID

  Wilson told : "If Wrexham want to spend they can spend. You've of course got the regulatory processes that limit League One clubs and Birmingham, if they haven't exceeded it already, they'll be right up against the limits. I think Wrexham have behaved in a way that you would expect a team that's really trying to get that automatic promotion spot to have behaved. You end up with the opportunity cost of the acquisition. So if your nearest competitors aren't looking to sign players and you do, that two million transaction suddenly becomes a four, five, six million transaction because they haven't acquired. So you pull away from them. I think that's what we saw with Wrexham. It looks like smart business that should guarantee that promotion spot and it will be fascinating for us to get the accounts when they're due to see how close or how much they've exceeded the regulatory position and of course if they stay put then it causes them a much bigger problem later down the line."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR WREXHAM

  Wrexham are back in action later on Tuesday against Bolton Wanderers in the EFL Trophy, while leaders Birmingham face Cambridge United in a big night of League One action.

An “underrated” £90,000-per-week West Ham United player is growing frustrated and wants out of the London Stadium, according to a report this week, with manager Julen Lopetegui at risk of losing him soon.

West Ham players who could leave in 2025

A quartet of senior squad members in Michail Antonio, Danny Ings, Vladimir Coufal, Aaron Cresswell and Lukasz Fabianski are all out of contract next summer as things stand, so Tim Steidten will have to agree extension deals or let them depart for free.

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Antonio and Ings are part of an aging strike force, with Lopetegui pushing the West Ham hierarchy to sign a striker in January amid concerns over a lack of options. Long-serving shot-stopper Fabianski is now 39-years-old and in the twilight phase of his career, and the same can be said for Cresswell, who’s been at the club for over a decade.

Vladimir Coufal will go down as a fan favourite and key player during the 2020/2021 season under David Moyes, but Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s arrival in the summer has negated the need for him to remain at Rush Green for much longer.

Bizarrely, summer signing Niclas Fullkrug has already been tipped to leave West Ham, with an achilles tendon injury blighting his career at the club so far. The 31-year-old’s overall fitness record has been looked into, and it doesn’t make for pretty reading, which has prompted some to question why they struck a deal with Borussia Dortmund in the first place.

“He had a few issues during his time in Germany with his fitness,” said former recruitment chief Mick Brown to Football Insider.

“That, I’ve heard, played a part in the reason Dortmund were keen to let him go. So if that was an issue, and it was known in Germany, you’ve got to ask serious questions about why it was overlooked by West Ham.

“Paying almost £30million for a 31-year-old is always risky, but spending that money on a player with fitness issues at that age is a huge problem.”

A much bigger blow than losing Fullkrug would be having to part company with forward Mohammed Kudus, who is reportedly attracting interest from the likes of Barcelona and clubs in Saudi Arabia.

Kudus growing frustrated at West Ham and taking action to leave

According to Anfield Watch, Liverpool are firmly among the growing list of suitors for him. They add that Kudus is growing increasingly frustrated at West Ham, and has told his agents to explore a possible move to Merseyside. The Ghana international, called “underrated” by some, has stood out as one of Lopetegui’s key attacking players so far this season.

If West Ham’s disappointing start to the season continues, there is every reason reports of this nature could begin to hold weight behind them. The 24-year-old, on a reported £90,000-per-week, was rumoured to have an £85 million release clause in the summer – but it has now expired.

Ruben Amorim said he is not worried about being sacked by Manchester United after the team fell to their worst place in the league table in 51 years.

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• Portuguese not worried about his position
• United enduring worst season since 1974 relegation
• Explained why he only made one change

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  United suffered a 12th league defeat of the season when they were beaten 1-0 at fellow strugglers Tottenham on Sunday. It was the eighth league loss in 14 games since Amorim was hired by the club following the sacking of Erik ten Hag and saw the Red Devils sink down to 15th in the Premier League table. The result and league position led to the Portuguese being asked whether he was beginning to fear for his position.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  It is the first time that United have lost 12 of their first 25 games of a single season since 1973-74, when they were relegated from the top flight. The Red Devils are also on track for their lowest finish since that very same season.

• WHAT AMORIM SAID

  Amorim told : "I am not worried. I understand our fans, what the media think about it. I hate to lose, that feeling is the worst. The rest I am not thinking about. I am here to help my players. I understand my situation, my job, I am confident on my work and I just want to win games. The place in the table is my worry, I am not worried about me."

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  United's sudden injury crisis left Amorim with just one player on the bench with any senior experience with the club. Despite United trailing for most of the game, the coach did not make a change until bringing on 17-year-old striker Chido Obi in the 89th minute. He explained why he was so reluctant to bring on any of the youngsters, saying: "It is the hardest competition in the world. I am trying to be careful with them. You try to read the game, understand what you see in training. I felt the team was pushing for the goal and I felt I didn't want to change. But they will play."

Karim Benzema has revealed the challenge that he set himself at Real Madrid following Cristiano Ronaldo’s shock transfer to Juventus.

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• CR7 became Blancos' all-time top scorer
• Benzema operated in his shadow for long periods
• Went on to land a Ballon d'Or of his own

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  French striker Benzema moved to Santiago Bernabeu in the same summer as CR7 back in 2009, as Blancos president Florentino Perez indulged in another ‘Galactico’ spending spree. He registered just nine goals in his debut campaign, while Ronaldo plundered 33.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  In 2013, Real broke the world transfer record again when signing Gareth Bale from Tottenham – presenting Benzema with even more competition in the attacking department. Alongside the Welsh winger, he would go on to form the fearsome ‘BBC’ strike force that landed La Liga and Champions League titles.

• WHAT KARIM BENZEMA SAID

  Ronaldo surprisingly broke that unit up when heading to Italy in 2018, but Benzema took his game to greater heights from there. The ex-France international has told of embracing added responsibility: “It’s normal, it’s normal. Gareth Bale, €100m, it’s a lot, he was a good player too, it was normal. But this is fine with me. When Cristiano left, who had scored 50 goals, I said, ‘Now it’s time to step up and that I was going to work for it because I have the talent, but now I have to have more ambition than before’.”

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  Ronaldo left as Real’s all-time leading scorer, having scored 450 goals through 438 appearances. Benzema hit 162 across five seasons without the Portuguese superstar by his side, earning him a Golden Ball in 2022 before eventually moving on himself a year later as he joined CR7 in the Saudi Pro League.

After beating Manchester United last week, West Ham returned to losing ways with a 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest at the City ground this weekend.

The Hammers were completely outplayed, holding just 47% possession, managing only four shots in the entire game, and fashioning zero big chances.

This leaves Julen Lopetegui’s side 14th in the Premier League after ten games, winning three, drawing two, and losing five.

Right on the cusp of halftime, Edson Alvarez was sent off, making matters worse, and meaning Lopetegui will be without him for next week’s game against Everton at the London Stadium.

Edson Alvarez's performance in numbers

Before Alvarez was sent off after 47 minutes played, the Mexican only managed a 60% passing accuracy (15/25 passes made), 0/3 long balls completed, only won 2/5 ground duels, committed three fouls, and lost possession ten times. It wasn’t a great day at the office, let’s put it that way.

The 27-year-old has made ten appearances for the Hammers this season, already picking up two yellow cards, two red cards, and conceding 21 goals across 545 minutes played.

With Alvarez serving a suspension, the easy midfield options for Lopetegui would be the likes of Guido Rodriguez, Tomas Soucek, Lucas Paqueta, and even Carlos Soler, who have all got minutes in the Premier League for the Spanish manager this season.

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However, the Hammers could have their very own Declan Rice and Michael Carrick hybrid in the academy who could solve their midfield issues.

West Ham's wildcard Alvarez replacement

The 18-year-old, Lewis Orford, is very highly regarded in the West Ham academy system, already being likened to both Rice and Carrick by journalist John Brewin.

The midfielder has the ability to pick passes at all ranges, and possesses the height of both Carrick and Rice, but has an even quicker turn of pace according to Brewin.

Orford has made 98 appearances for the Hammers U18 and U21 side combined, scoring 19 goals, providing 30 assists, and totalling 7,494 minutes played.

So far this season, the 18-year-old has made 11 appearances for the U21 side, providing four assists across his 969 minutes on the field.

Above is the 2024/25 metrics so far of West Ham’s deepest midfielders, analysing their passing/progression and defensive metrics.

Since losing Rice, the Hammers have put a lot of their attention into replacing the industry on the defensive end that he bought, with both Alvarez and Rodriguez showing high levels of defensive actions per 90.

However, Carrick, who was more of a passing maestro in his career, is a type the Hammers don’t really have in deep areas, as their most technically astute central midfielder, Lucas Paqueta, often finds himself in more advanced areas.

Orford could be the perfect hybrid of a progressive passer from deep, who is technically astute on the ball but can also protect the back line with high-quality defensive actions.

Lopetegui’s job is clearly beginning to come under some threat, as the poor performances continue to pile on, which could in fact make this the perfect time to take a squad selection risk and bring the 18-year-old into the senior squad.

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Ousmane Dembele starred for PSG against Dunkerque and fans are calling for him to win the Ballon d'Or as reward for his stellar 2024-25 season.

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• Dembele scored twice in Coupe de France
• PSG reached the final after beating Dunkerque
• Has received widespread praise on social media

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Ousmane Dembele continued to deliver the goods for Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday night as he scored an emphatic double in a 4-2 win over Dunkerque to seal his side's passage to the final of the Coupe de France. With his impressive performances and red-hot goalscoring streak, fans are clamoring for the former Barcelona winger to lay his hands on this year's Ballon d'Or.

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• WHAT THE FANS ARE SAYING

  Manchester City fan @AkanjiSZN_ took to X late on Tuesday night and posted an appreciation tweet for Dembele, saying: "I would be lying if I said there’s a player more worthy than Ousmane Dembele for the Ballon d’Or this year. What a player."

  Another user, @frenofiyin, believes that Dembele is currently the best player in the world, tweeting: "Dembele isn't getting enough hype. He is that good. No one is better than him in Europe."

  User @akwasi_4, whilst praising Dembele, took a dig at former PSG player Kylian Mbappe, who joined Real Madrid as a free agent last summer. "Dembele is scoring like crazy… Mbappe was doing nothing special in France," they tweeted.

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  With two more goals on Tuesday, Dembele has now scored 32 goals in all competitions in just 39 games. In fact, he has directly contributed to 39 goals (that includes seven assists) in as many games, showcasing his ruthlessness in front of goal as well as an innate ability to set up his team-mates. Dembele was not even half as productive with his output for Barcelona, showing how much he's improved and flourished since his return to France.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR OUSMANE DEMBELE?

  Dembele can help PSG wrap up the Ligue 1 title with six games to go when his side welcome 14th-placed Angers at the Parc des Princes on Saturday, April 5. PSG are currently 21 points clear of second-placed Monaco with seven games to go, and a draw against Angers would be enough for them to clinch yet another league title.

Arsenal were a day late and a dollar short in the Premier League title race last season, and the one before. Of course, this is only because Mikel Arteta has been pitted against the Manchester City winning machine, operated by his mentor Pep Guardiola.

This term, several parts have malfunctioned at the Etihad Stadium, but the Gunners are currently failing to reach the same almighty levels of synergy that they held across recent years. There is, of course, a long road still to walk.

But Arsenal probably need to make a signing or two this winter. Arteta’s squad is one of an elite level, but it’s not without its drawbacks.

It might be difficult to sign a first-class number nine before next summer, but there are alternative means of finding potent players capable of making their mark.

Arsenal eyeing winter reinforcements

Arsenal will be scouring the market for players who can help spark creativity within Arteta’s squad. Martin Odegaard is one of the finest playmakers on the continent but his absence was keenly felt over the past few months.

There’s also a need for goalscorers, and that’s why the Emirates side are interested in raiding Celta Vigo for their up-and-coming talent Williot Swedberg.

According to Caught Offside, Arsenal have sent scouts to Spain to observe Swedberg, 20, in action, with the attacking midfielder starting to make real headway in La Liga.

A host of further high-profile suitors are believed to be aware of the Swedish star’s development, but given that Arsenal have had representatives in attendance, along with Newcastle United, they are currently in the driving seat.

Radio presenter Miguel Quintana has remarked that Swedberg will be “worth millions” as he goes from strength to strength in Spain. He could be the perfect squad member to give Arsenal that extra oomph.

Why Arsenal want Williot Swedberg

Swedberg garnered quite the reputation for himself when breaking onto the scene with Hammersby. Known for his vision and technique, the 20-year-old is beginning to find a level of potency that could prompt Arsenal to accelerate their interest.

In fine fettle this season, Swedberg has posted two goals and three assists in the Spanish first division already, though he’s also won 61% of his ground duels, as per Sofascore, highlighting a roundedness and steel about him that could see him impress in the Premier League.

The Swedish talent is indeed showcasing an impressive range of qualities, ranking among the top 3% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for goals scored and the top 1% for blocks made per 90, as per FBref.

It would appear that his style of play lends itself to Arteta’s system too, for the underlying data suggests that the young Swede is something of a hybrid of Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.

There’s no question that Martinelli and Trossard each have exciting qualities that are fitting for a team of Arsenal’s stature, fighting to win silverware on the biggest stages.

But neither have enjoyed their finest football this term, both coming under flak for wasted opportunities and anonymous showings for an Arsenal side not quite toiling but certainly not at their zenith.

Martinelli scored during Arsenal’s recent draw against Chelsea and is showing signs of that one-time life that led former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp to describe him as “a talent of the century.” His pace and movements down the left wing make for a deadly combination indeed.

Meanwhile, Trossard ranks among the top 7% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for goals scored per 90, with an innate goalscoring instinct that Swedberg appears eager to adopt.

For all the grumbling about Arsenal’s creativity (or the lack of purchase in that regard), Arteta’s outfit have created 31 big chances in the Premier League this season, with Liverpool (33) and Aston Villa (32) the only clubs to have created more.

All that without Odegaard in the fold for a sizeable chunk. Now that he’s back, the Gunners architect will only be too happy to pull strings and enhance Arsenal’s fluid attacking sequences, ranking among the top 1% of midfielders across Europe for progressive passes played per 90.

Why is this pertinent to Swedberg’s case? Well, for a mobile attacking midfielder still within the confines of footballing immaturity, being supplemented by such a high-powered playmaker would only serve to elevate him toward prominence in Arsenal’s squad.

His pace and footwork have earned attention, and so too has his ability to serve as a conduit for the central striker when fed surgical deliveries from those operating deeper. Those like Odegaard.

Transfer Focus

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

His goal threat looks like it’s only going to get better as time passes too, and thus Arsenal must take a punt on this rising star and furnish their frontline with a young and hungry dynamo.

He’s playing on the left wing more frequently this season, only strengthening the above-mentioned likeness to Trossard and Martinelli. Right-footed, his technical ability allows him to arc inward with ease and find space to shoot on goal.

Talent scout Jacek Kulig commented this term that Swedberg is “finally beginning to show his true potential” on the senior stage, and could now hone his craft and then some at a top outfit like Arsenal.

With Trossard and Martinelli struggling for form, chances to impress would be sure to fall his way. He’s the type of player that Arteta enjoys – after all, he carries some of the best properties of the aforementioned Gunners. Just imagine them melded into one.

Arsenal man started over £67m-rated ace for his country and ran the show

This Arsenal star started over £67m-rated countryman and ran the show.

By
Angus Sinclair

Nov 16, 2024