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Rio Ferdinand Left Shocked By Mikel Arteta’s Treatment of Arsenal Ace

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Thanks to Gabriel Magalhaes’ last-ditch header, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal continued to keep pace with table-topping Liverpool following a more-than-memorable 2-1 comeback win over Newcastle United on Sunday afternoon. But, as part of his post-weekend debrief, Rio Ferdinand has questioned the Spanish tactician’s treatment of one of his players.

It’s been so far so good for Arteta, whose only hiccup this season has been a 1-0 loss to Liverpool at the end of August. That defeat aside, a 1-1 draw with Manchester City has been accompanied by a smattering of wins – 3-0 over Nottingham Forest, 5-0 over Leeds United and 1-0 over Manchester United all spring to mind.

That said, there have been claims that the 43-year-old, whose lack of silverware could soon put his position at risk, has been too pragmatic in his approach this term – and that’s despite a summer of lofty spending that saw them welcome the likes of Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke and Viktor Gyokeres. Ferdinand, however, has another bone to pick with him.

Ferdinand Questions After Arsenal’s 2-1 Win Over Newcastle

rio ferdinand man utd

It’s no secret that Arsenal, who have finished second three seasons on the bounce, have the most complete squad in the Premier League when you look at their strength in depth – but Ferdinand, formerly of Manchester United and England, believes that Myles Lewis-Skelly should be more involved in first-team proceedings.

Lewis-Skelly, a four-cap England international, broke into the senior side last term and became much-beloved by the Emirates Stadium faithful with his reliable displays on the left-hand side of the backline. He made the most of Riccardo Calafiori‘s unavailability; but that is no longer the case with the Italian back in the fold.

myles lewis-skelly-1

Fans, on Sunday, were calling for Lewis-Skelly to get a sniff moving forwards after Calafiori struggled to perform at the level expected against the Magpies; though, Ecuador international Piero Hincapie’s summer arrival could complicate matters further.

“Do you know the thing I find mad about Arsenal? What’s Lewis-Skelly done? What’s he done?” Ferdinand said. “He came on [as an 88th-minute substitute] yesterday [in the 2-1 win over Newcastle United]. Listen, the replacement is an Italian international [Riccardo Calafoiri] and a good player, don’t get me wrong. I like him.

“But sometimes you have to do something wrong to get out of the team, surely? Or has Lewis-Skelly just played a lot of football as a young kid so they’re giving him a breather? I would love to know what’s happened.”

arsenal lewis-skelly

Ferdinand was then quizzed about whether Calafiori was a more ‘complete player’ than London-born Lewis-Skelly at the age of 19. He added: “No way. No way. Lewis-Skelly is better on the ball in midfield and I didn’t see him get beat defensively last season except when he got a couple of red cards.”

Perhaps referencing to Arsenal’s two-legged victory over Real Madrid in the Champions League when Lewis-Skelly, who is widely regarded as one of the best teenagers in world football, danced around the Sanitago Bernabeu as if he had done so for years and years, Ferdinand continued:

“I watched him in big games last season and he looked so unfazed, it was a joke. I can’t believe he’s not in the team. It’s probably because Calafiori is bigger and better defensively in the air. But Lewis-Skelly can defend too but also looks great on the ball.”

Hoping to build on his sensational breakout season in 2024/25, Lewis-Skelly has fallen down the pecking order under Arteta, it seems, and is yet to start any of the north Londoners’ six league games. His latest cameo was the final two minutes, plus added time, of their gripping comeback triumph over Newcastle.

Next up for Arteta and his entourage is welcoming Olympiacos to north London for the Champions League on Wednesday night. Upon returning to domestic football on the weekend, the Gunners will face West Ham United – a club galvanised by the arrival of Nuno Espirito Santo – at home.

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Liverpool Tell Tottenham to Pay £72m to Sign Cody Gakpo

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Tottenham have made Liverpool star Cody Gakpo a leading target for the summer transfer window, and now they know how much they need to pay to get a deal done.

Spurs have had a huge summer window so far with six arrivals so far, bringing in Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi, Martin Dubravka, Jan Paul van Hecke, Mateus Fernandes, and Sandro Tonali, and Roberto De Zerbi has made it clear that he now wants to address the forward areas within his squad.

Man City star Savinho has been earmarked as the top target, with talks ongoing with Man City over a deal, but the Netherlands international has now also been made a leading target, and Liverpool have set their asking price.

Liverpool Set Gakpo Asking Price

Cody Gakpo Annegret Hilse via Reuters

Gakpo, who has been described as ‘world-class’, has been a regular at Anfield since making the move from PSV Eindhoven back in January 2023. The winger has made 180 appearances for the club, scoring 50 goals in that time, and that has attracted the attention of Spurs.

The north London club are keen to add more options to their front line with Xavi Simons, Dejan Kulusevski, and Wilson Odobert recovering from serious knee injuries, while the future of Richarlison is also up in the air.

Gakpo has been identified as a target, and Liverpool have not shut the door entirely on a move away from Anfield.

According to Anfield Watch, Liverpool have now set a £72m asking price for Gakpo if he is to move away, after using the Anthony Gordon transfer to Barcelona earlier in the window as a benchmark.

Gordon moved to Spain in a deal worth £70m, and the Reds feel that Gakpo is worth a similar fee if he is to be allowed to move on, especially with a rival club showing the strongest interest.

Fees correct prior to summer 2026

All 10 found — excellent!

Tottenham Planning ‘Bomba’ Transfer

Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi reacts after Premier League match against Everton Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

De Zerbi told the world that Tottenham are only 60% done in the transfer market this summer, and they were planning on a ‘bomba’ signing in attack alongside Savinho.

Gakpo would certainly fall into that category as a major signing, having won the Premier League and played at the highest level for the Netherlands, with 24 goals in 54 caps, having played at two World Cups.

Spurs may find it difficult to convince him to make the move without Champions League football this season, but they have got the money to get a deal over the line and they have shown that their project is one that is appealing to top stars with the business they have already done.



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Newcastle Must Go All-Out to Seal Deal for Tottenham Star Djed Spence

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It’s been a mass exodus at Newcastle United this summer, and the club must make at least one statement signing to prove that business is meant over the 2026/27 campaign.

Anthony Gordon was flogged to Barcelona early doors, and long-term murmurs that Sandro Tonali wanted away from the North East came true when a £100 million move to Tottenham Hotspur was sanctioned. With the Magpies having stood by the Italian’s side through his betting ban, that was a kick in the teeth.

News that Bruno Guimaraes is set to up sticks for Arsenal rubs salt in the wound, and you can’t blame Eddie Howe for handing in his resignation.

Transfer chiefs at St James’ Park need to shift the mood fast. The appointment of a new manager will be a priority and, after that, Newcastle must prove they are still a club that the big players want to sign for.

Newcastle United Must Push to Sign Djed Spence

Djed Spence Face Mask England World Cup 2026 IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Brett Davis

Luckily, Newcastle may have the perfect opportunity to do just that. The Magpies must push to sign Djed Spence from Spurs – it won’t be easy, but it will certainly be a statement.

The full-back positions are already a cause of concern for the incoming manager at St James’ Park. There’s no doubting Lewis Hall’s talent at full-back, but the England international struggled to keep his place over midfielder Lewis Miley at the end of last season.

Manchester United are said to be interested in a £60 million move for the 21-year-old, and that fee, combined with the club’s apparent inability to keep top talent, makes a move to Old Trafford feel a real possibility.

Spence was more regularly deployed as a left-back by Tottenham last season, but is adept on either side of defence and is naturally right-footed. He would arrive with 59 appearances of Premier League experience and, perhaps more importantly, off the back of a thoroughly impressive World Cup.

Spence, described as ‘frightening’, was a standout star for the Three Lions in North America and Mexico. The defender boasted a tenacity and flair that could help inject some excitement into a club that desperately needs an uplift.

The Magpies would be purchasing a 25-year-old entering his prime. Snapping up young talent to sell them on when at their most potent is the new mantra for Newcastle, but cannot be the only mode of operation.

It’s a move that would work for Spence too. The version of the player that emerged at the World Cup was significantly more impressive than his club performances, which regularly came under criticism as Spurs struggled last term.

Spence’s fight was questioned, but the defender proved he has plenty of that on international duty. Riding that high, a fresh start would surely tempt the dynamic full-back.

Roberto De Zerbi Open to Spurs Exits

Roberto De Zerbi clapping the Tottenham fans

It has been reported that Newcastle United are keeping tabs on Spence, with several other clubs competing for his signature too. That report adds that Spence is one of six players Roberto De Zerbi could sanction the sale of as the club looks to offset the £230 million already splurged this summer.

Spence’s heart did not seem in it for Tottenham in their relegation battle last season, and that could be why De Zerbi doesn’t mind losing the star, despite his England performances.

Fees correct prior to summer 2026

All 10 found — excellent!

Speaking during pre-season, the Spurs boss said: “I was very clear at the start of my time in Tottenham. I said, who doesn’t want to stay in Tottenham? Who is not happy, is not proud to stay here, has to leave.

“I want the players to be proud and happy to stay here, to go on the pitch in Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with big motivation.”

There could be no hard feelings in north London. Spence may have grown fatigued with the project at Spurs, but he has just proved he still has the bit between his teeth. Tottenham can balance their books and Newcastle can prove that the club still means business in the Premier League.

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Kaoru Mitoma Avoids Prison Sentence After Hospitalising Woman

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A Premier League star, 29, has avoided a prison sentence this week, despite having run a red light before hospitalising a woman after crashing into a cyclist.

Local police had questioned the player, who would have also featured at this summer’s World Cup had it not been for injury, for a while back at the start of July, but came to a surprising decision not to prosecute him.

A woman was rushed to hospital after the incident after being knocked off her bike. The victim, 48, was treated for hand injuries and signed off work for two weeks.

Since the incident, the player’s representatives have also issued a statement on his behalf, expressing their sincere apology for what had taken place.

Premier League Star Escapes Prison Despite Road Accident

Premier League ball

On July 8th, in Tokyo, Brighton & Hove Albion and Japan winger Kaoru Mitoma ignored a red light at a junction, before crashing into a female accident.

According to The Sun, local public prosecutors studied the case, and considered charging Mitoma with causing injury through dangerous driving. But they announced on Friday morning that the 31-cap international will escape prosecution because both parties ignored traffic signals.

They said they had reached their verdict “considering that both parties were running a red light, and the content of other related evidence.”

Japanese media quoted updated traffic rules and described the junction’s complex layout as reasons for the prosecutors’ decision.

His Representatives Have Issued A Statement

Kaoru Mitoma in action for Brighton

Following the incident, his representatives released a statement which read: “We sincerely apologise for the great inconvenience and concern caused to the injured party, and all involved due to the accident.

“Mitoma himself takes this accident very seriously, and is responding with condolences and apologies to those affected. The victims have been treated by medical institutions and diagnosed with bruises, but Mitoma himself is not injured.

“We take this matter seriously, fully cooperate with the investigation by related agencies, and strive to thoroughly promote safe driving awareness and strengthen compliance education to prevent recurrence. Once again, we deeply apologise to those affected, their families, and all involved.”

Mitoma has been recovering from a hamstring injury suffered at the end of last season, which caused him to miss Japan’s World Cup campaign.

The Seagulls signed him from home-country club Kawasaki Frontale in 2021, with him yet another hidden gem the club’s recruitment team unearthed. The winger has since gone on to make 135 appearances for the south coast side, scoring 27 goals.

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