Sports
Jamie Redknapp Slams ‘Silly’ Modern Tactic He Spotted in Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal
Jamie Redknapp is growing frustrated with Premier League clubs adopting a new style of kick-off after watching it put into practice in Arsenal‘s incredible 2-1 comeback victory against Newcastle United.
The Gunners secured all three points in a dramatic turnaround courtesy of goals from second-half substitute Mikel Merino (84′) and Gabriel Magalhaes (90+6′). Nick Woltemade had given the Magpies the lead (34′) with a magnificent header but Eddie Howe’s men eventually suffered defeat at St James’ Park.
It was after Woltemade’s goal that an incident occurred between the German striker and Gabriel, which Redknapp analysed on Sky Sports. The Liverpool legend criticised the Brazilian defender for “leaving one on” Alexander Isak’s replacement but placed blame on the North Londoners’ kick-off routine.
Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal: Redknapp Hits Out At ‘Ridiculous’ New Kick Off
Woltemade was seen running towards the visitors’ defence after they had used the subsequent kick-off to send the ball back to Spanish goalkeeper David Raya. The former Stuttgart frontman received an elbow from Gabriel as he looked to turn away from the centre-back, but opted to stay on his feet.
VAR chose not to review the incident that Australian referee Jarred Gillett missed, and the 23-year-old questioned the lack of action taken after the game. The altercation was put to Redknapp during his post-match analysis, and while he agreed the Brazilian was guilty, he went on a tirade about how the duo got there: “He’s leaving a bit on him. You can’t do that. But this is a consequence of this silly kick-off that everybody does now. It does my head in!”
Redknapp added: “They pass it back to the goalkeeper, it’s like American football. He has to run past three players. Look, they’re all smashing him. Why don’t they just pass it back and start playing? One team does it, now they all do it, it’s ridiculous.”
Many have voiced their concerns about the new style of kick-off, including one that sees teams boot the ball out of play. Arsenal employed this tactic in their 1-0 defeat to Liverpool last month, but Newcastle are statistically the most prolific team to use it.
The former Premier League midfielder concluded: “I see it at grassroots, I see it playing now, that should be a foul. Not only that it could be a sending off, it’s ridiculous. But everybody’s copying each other, and they’re all doing the same things, which just causes a massive melee every time. I don’t get it.”
Teams use this strategy to try and get in the ascendancy and capitalise on the rule change that occurred back in 2016. The International Football Association Board announced that the ball could move in any direction from kick-off.
Initially, two players would stand in the centre circle and one would play the ball to the other to restart play, but the new rule sees one player play the ball outside the circle. Teams look to use this to their advantage by playing a long ball over the top, which, as Redknapp highlighted, can result in collisions reminiscent of those in the NFL.
“It Depends” – Arteta on Using Long Kick Offs
Arteta perhaps has the most famous set-piece coach in world football by his side in Nicolas Jover, who is constantly spotted giving orders during set-piece situations. His side have had much success through corners and free-kicks thanks to Declan Rice and Noni Madueke’s precise crosses.
Arsenal have now fully taken on the modern kick off that was first used by Ligue 1 side Lyon before Luis Enrique’s Paris Saint-Germain popularised it. Teams around Europe have adopted the routine, including the Gunners and Newcastle.
Arteta gave his thoughts ahead of the game at St James’ Park (via the club website): “I like more the one where you put the ball in the back of the net straight away instead of kicking it for a throw-in! There are a few patterns and a few ways that teams have done it over the past but there are some tendencies as well in relation to the game that we expect.
He added: “You expect certain things that you can do to try to avoid certain pressure in the first minutes. It’s all down to preparation, I think.”
Arteta explained why flexibility is needed: “It depends. First half, second half. If you concede and it’s two minutes to go, it depends. I think the context of the match and the results make you decide what’s the best thing to do now.”
Arsenal’s set-piece mastery came to fruition for Gabriel’s last-gasp winner at St James’ as they moved to within two points of leaders Liverpool. It was a much-needed win and Arteta will be once again thanking Jover for his work on the training pitch.
Sports
Crystal Palace Handed Huge Dilemma as Sarr Makes Transfer Decision
Crystal Palace could be set to lose another one of their most important players in a huge blow for new manager Pierre Sage.
Last season’s UEFA Conference League triumph put many of Palace’s star players in the spotlight. Maxence Lacroix impressed and earned himself a £52 million move to Chelsea.
Replacing Lacroix should be a priority but Sage does have an excellent pool of central defenders in his squad. The same can’t be said for out wide, and their single most influential player could be on the move.
Crystal Palace’s Sarr Says Yes to Fenerbahce
The standout performer for Palace last season was Ismaila Sarr, who won the Conference League’s Golden Boot with nine goals in 13 games. He finished with 21 goals in 45 games, becoming the first player since Glenn Murray in 2013 to reach 20 goals in a single campaign.
Sage will have been eager to start his reign with Sarr, but Italian journalist Marco Conterio has suggested the Senegalese winger could be on his way to Turkey. He is said to be “one step away” from a move to Fenerbahce, and he has already said yes to the Turkish Super Lig giants.
Fenerbahce are now “pressing for an agreement with Palace”, and they have accelerated a move for the 28-year-old after failing to sign Rafael Leao. With the player seemingly agreeing on a switch, it’s a nightmare situation for Steve Parish and the South Londoners.
Sarr, dubbed “incredible”, has been at Selhurst Park since August 2024 when he arrived from Marseille in a £12.5 million deal. He has won the FA Cup, the Community Shield and the Conference League in that time.
Palace Must Get Tough With Sarr
Unless Palace receive a club-record fee for Sarr, he shouldn’t be going anywhere and the club can’t let him depart without a suitable replacement. Their transfer business in January has come into question amid Brennan Johnson’s disastrous spell thus far.
Johnson has failed to live up to expectations and, as a result, isn’t a worthy backup to Sarr, let alone a permanent option for the right-wing berth. With Sage only just arriving as Oliver Glasner’s successor, the Senegal international is probably the one player he wouldn’t want to be sold.
Palace must insist on an astronomical fee for the former Watford man, who had previously said that he’d only move if the club wanted him to. He has three years left on his contract and has also been linked with Manchester United.
Sports
Guimaraes Replacement: Newcastle Eye Tyler Adams
Newcastle United are likely to have a new-look midfield next season under new manager Matthias Jaissle as Bruno Guimaraes closes in on a move to Arsenal.
Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that the Magpies are looking for a new midfielder ahead of Guimaraes’ anticipated departure. He claims that the Brazilian is expected to join the Gunners ‘very soon’.
Guimaraes will be the latest midfielder to head for the exit door after Sandro Tonali joined Tottenham Hotspur for £100 million earlier this summer. There is also growing uncertainty over Joelinton’s future amid talk of a potential move to the Saudi Pro League.
Newcastle Line Up Guimaraes Replacement
That’s all three of Newcastle’s starting midfielders that could be sold, and Eddie Howe’s frustrations are understandable. The English coach opted to leave St James’ Park last week, and Jaissle is set to take over.
It appears that the Magpies have lined up a replacement for Guimaraes as Football Insider reports that they are keen on signing Bournemouth’s Tyler Adams. The American had previously been linked with Manchester United following an impressive season at the Vitality.
Adams, 27, was crucial in Andoni Iraola’s midfield, registering two goals and as many assists in 25 league games. He helped the Cherries qualify for the Europa League, and his eye-catching performances haven’t gone unnoticed.
Talk of a move to Old Trafford has quietened, and former Premier League scout Mick Brown told the aforementioned outlet that he’d be “surprised” if the Red Devils moved for him. He instead believes St James’ Park could be a destination for the 27-year-old, who has two years left on his contract.
Newcastle reportedly feel they can convince Adams on a move to Tyneside despite no European football next season. He has proven Premier League experience that could prove beneficial for Jaissle.
Fees correct prior to summer 2026
All 10 found — excellent!
Adams Is An Ideal Signing For The Magpies
Moving for Adams, who scored an “unreal” goal against rivals Sunderland, would be a clever decision given the need to address Tonali and Guimaraes’ departures. He has been a huge hit at Bournemouth and could be reasonably priced.
The Magpies may have concerns about his injury record after he sat out last season’s winter period with a knee ligament injury. If he can stay injury-free and replicate the form shown during his time at the Vitality, he’ll surely be a success on Tyneside.
Adams’ importance at Bournemouth was made clear by club legend Steve Fletcher. He said that “every team needs a Tyler Adams” and that the American’s “knowledge is second to none.”
Jaissle will want a new midfielder sorted before the new season kicks off and a potential deal for Adams seems straightforward. It’s vital that the transfer chiefs explore other options in the meantime as they prepare for life without Tonali and Guimaraes.
Sports
Vinicius Junior’s Agency Shares Explosive Statement Amid Arsenal Links
This summer, one of the biggest potential transfers could see Vinicius Junior move from Real Madrid to Arsenal. Amid all the speculation, the winger’s agency, Roc Nation Sports, has shared an explosive statement.
Vinicius Jr is currently locked in contract talks with Madrid, but it’s unclear if player and club will be able to come to an agreement on new terms. If not, he could potentially leave for free next summer, with his current deal set to expire in 2027.
Los Blancos obviously don’t want to lose a star player for free, so may look to sell in the current market. If that is the case, Premier League champions Arsenal appear best-positioned to sign the Brazilian amid their firm interest in the player.
Roc Nation Sports Speak Out ‘Unacceptable’ Reports
Naturally, there have been many rumours about Vinicius. Adding fuel to the flames of speculation, Real Madrid are looking to sign another winger, Yan Diomande. That deal appears close, but a transfer from RB Leipzig has yet to be anounced yet.
Diomande is also represented by Roc Nation Sports. And with so many rumours swirling around some of their key men, such as the Ivorian and Vini Jr, the sports agency has shared an explosive statement:
“Roc Nation Sports International and our entire team cannot stand idle when unprofessional and uninformed media publish fake and damaging information for attention-seeking purposes.
“This is especially unacceptable when it personally targets our clients without any foundation.
“It is disruptive, harmful and libellous. Media outlets and journalists need to hold themselves more accountable.”
Vinicius Jr and Yan Diomande Both Linked With Huge Summer Moves
It’s worth noting that the statement does not directly name any player or club; as such, Roc Nation Sports may not necessarily be talking directly about Vinicius.
Interestingly, trusted Arsenal insider HandofArsenal recently reported that the Real Madrid winger has agreed personal terms with Arsenal. The report also noted: ‘We fully expect Roc Nation to deny it but we stand on our information.’ Spanish journalist Ramon Alvarez de Mon did indeed later report that Vinicius’ entourage denied the agreement.
There is a great deal of talk about a possible move to north London, but the statement could also relate to reporting around RB Leipzig star Diomande. Transfer journalists Florian Plettenberg and Fabrizio Romano clashed online over the player, with the pair disagreeing on the status of the player’s potential move to Madrid.
In short, Romano has given the deal the ‘Here We Go’ treatment, claiming a move will go through soon. Plettenberg insisted that a full agreement has not yet been reached. The pair argued online, as Plettenberg warned Romano he had ‘crossed a line’ by accusing him of ‘fake news’.
Of course, Roc Nation Sports represent many other players – such as Gabriel Martinelli and Endrick – so their comments could relate to a different topic altogether. They may also be talking generally about all the rumours, as opposed to taking issue with just one thing.
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