Sports
Champions League Player Ratings and Match Highlights
English outfit Arsenal cruised to a 3-0 victory against Slavia Prague in the Champions League on Tuesday night to continue their impressive start to the season.
Mikel Arteta’s rotated side started sluggishly under the lights, with Gabriel Magalhaes and Lukas Provod failing to test the goalkeepers with early efforts at both ends. The hosts’ high press initially caused problems for Arsenal, but the Premier League giants eventually found a foothold when Bukayo Saka forced Jakub Markovic to palm his strike wide.
The Gunners began to take control of the contest and won a flurry of corners. Gabriel clambered highest to meet the fifth set piece and saw his header deflected over, before the referee stopped play to allow VAR to check for a potential handball. Replays showed the close-range effort from the centre-back struck Provod’s arm, and the penalty was given.
Saka stepped up and made no mistake, despite Markovic guessing the right way.
That set the tone after the half-time break, and Arsenal doubled their lead mere seconds after re-emerging for the second half. Leandro Trossard delivered from the left and Mikel Merino, brought back in as a makeshift forward in the absence of Viktor Gyokeres, ghosted in between two defenders to volley home.
There was still time for Merino to notch his brace after stopper Markovic misjudged Declan Rice’s devilish ball into the box, capping off a comfortable evening for Arteta’s heavyweights, who, at least for the time being, opened up a three-point advantage at the top.
Match Highlights
Slavia Prague Player Ratings
GK: Jakub Markovic – 5/10
Markovic made a good early save, but there was nothing he could have done to keep out Saka’s unerring penalty and Merino’s smart volley. He had to do better with Arsenal’s third goal, however, after being beaten to the ball.
CB: Tomas Vlcek – 5/10
All at sea and struggled to handle Merino’s direct centre-forward play.
CB: Stepan Chaloupek – 5/10
Just like his team-mates at centre-back, Chaloupek was powerless to prevent the visitors from strolling to victory.
CB: David Zima – 5.5/10
Tried his best to stifle the danger, especially in the opening 20 minutes, but succumbed to the momentum of the game.
WB: David Moses – 5/10
Failed to create any danger after being pushed back, and was caught out several times when turning toward his own goal.
CM: Christos Zafiris – 5.5/10
The game may have drifted away from him, but Zafiris did take some notable touches on the ball in his bid to act as a calming influence.
CM: Michal Sadilek – 5/10
Sadilek was bullied by Arsenal’s much silkier midfield unit on a difficult night for the hosts.
WB: Youssoupha Mbodji – 5/10
Mbodji did not cover himself in glory in the build-up to Arsenal’s second goal, having been caught looking across the box. He was guilty of keeping Merino onside, and that misstep proved costly.
RW: Lukas Provod – 5.5/10
Squandered an early opening in the first half before being penalised for a harsh handball, leading to Arsenal’s opener from the spot. He did have some bright moments on the ball, though, especially in the opening period.
ST: Tomas Chory – 5/10
Ineffectual up front and replaced shortly after Arsenal doubled their lead.
LW: Youssoupha Sanyang – 5/10
A quiet day at the office, especially with Slavia Prague pinned inside their own half for large swathes of the game.
SUB: Mojmir Chytil (48′) – 5/10
Just like Chory, the player he replaced, Chytil was unable to make any real impact on proceedings.
SUB: David Doudera – N/ASUB: Muhammed Cham – N/A
SUB: Vasil Kusej – N/ASUB: Daiki Hashioka – N/A
Arsenal Player Ratings
GK: David Raya – 6/10
A quiet evening between the sticks. Raya could have watched most of the game unfold from the comfort of the stands. When he was called upon, he was accomplished and confident, securing another deserved shutout.
RB: Jurrien Timber – 6/10
Timber delivered a steady display at right-back. He mucked in defensively to help Arsenal ride out the early pressure from the hosts, and also contributed on the ball as the Gunners moved into the ascendancy.
CB: William Saliba – 7/10
Another rock-solid performance from Arsenal’s Mr Dependable. Saliba stood up to the hosts’ attempts to add a little havoc to the game and dominated in the air.
CB: Gabriel Magalhaes – 7/10
Slavia Prague never truly looked like scoring, with Saliba and Gabriel once again proving why they are arguably the world’s best centre-back combination at the moment.
LB: Piero Hincapie – 6/10
A good, if not glowing, performance from Hincapie, who will now hope for a consistent run of games.
CM: Ethan Nwaneri – 5.5/10
It didn’t quite click for Nwaneri and Arteta certainly noticed, having barked out instructions to him during the first half. He was also booked after taking one for the team as Slavia Prague looked to counter.
CM: Christian Norgaard – 6/10
Some good moments, and some not so good. But, slowly but surely, Norgaard is demonstrating why Arsenal were right to bring him in during the summer, and he certainly remains a good rotation option.
CM: Declan Rice – 6.5/10
An incredible ball into the box resulted in Merino’s second goal of the game, and Rice once again covered every blade of the grass. He is enjoying a truly stellar season at both ends of the pitch.
RW: Bukayo Saka – 7.5/10
Saka was brilliant again and proved a real thorn in Slavia Prague’s side. He took his penalty quite brilliantly and was unfortunate not to add to his tally.
ST: Mikel Merino – 8/10
A scintillating performance from a midfielder who looks more and more like a born goalscorer. Both of his goals resulted from his razor-sharp instincts inside the box. Gyokeres may well have watched on with his face buried in his hands.
LW: Leandro Trossard – 6.5/10
Picked up a superb assist after teeing up Merino for his first goal, and was a real live wire down the flank.
SUB: Eberechi Eze (65′) – 6/10
A promising cameo off the bench for the talented playmaker.
SUB: Ben White – N/ASUB: Myles Lewis-Skelly – N/ASUB: Max Dowman – N/A
SUB: Andre Harriman-Annous – N/A
Sports
Man Utd Set to Complete Signing of Kit Margetson
Manchester United are set to complete the signing of a 6 ft 4 player as they look set to add to their goalkeeping department, according to BBC Sport.
Man United‘s summer recruitment is starting to be questioned by some supporters after Tottenham Hotspur signed two midfielders they have been heavily linked with in a big-money double swoop.
Spurs have spent £185m on Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali, with the Red Devils making the former their number one midfield target after accepting that a move for Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson was dead in the water once the England international decided he preferred a move to rivals Manchester City instead.
United have got Ederson through the door with a move expected to be completed later this month when he returns from representing Brazil at the 2026 World Cup, but their incoming business has slowed up since, which is causing frustration after Tottenham agreed their sixth signing.
Still, Liverpool have only added one new face too and Arsenal none as of yet, so they aren’t too far behind and the World Cup was always likely to cause delays for certain targets, with Aurelien Tchouameni just one of their targets still going strong in North America for France.
BBC: Man Utd Poised to Sign Kit Margetson
While Senne Lammens has nailed down the number one shirt at Old Trafford following his debut season at the club, a reshuffle of United’s goalkeeping department is expected this summer.
Andre Onana has rejoined Turkish side Trabzonspor on another season-long loan deal, while there have been rumours that Altay Bayindir could also depart.
With Tom Heaton already extending his stay at Old Trafford, an exit for Bayindir would mean United need to sign a new back-up stopper.
They are closing in on signing Swansea youngster Kit Margetson, according to the BBC, but he is unlikely to be thrust straight into the first-team plans should a move be completed.
The Wales Under-21 international is yet to make a first-team appearance for Swansea, but did play regular senior football for Connah’s Quay Nomads last term.
Still, the Championship outfit were keen to tie the 6 ft 4 stopper down to new terms, but he is now set to join United instead for a compensation fee.
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England World Cup Quiz
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Man United Working on Second Goalkeeper Deal
Man United look to have decided that their ideal goalkeeper signing this summer will be an experienced stopper who has played in the Premier League before.
Two of the most heavily linked players are former Red Devil Sam Johnstone, who could leave recently-relegated Wolverhampton Wanderers this summer, and Karl Darlow.
Leeds United have been in contract talks with the 35-year-old over staying at Elland Road after his contract expired on June 30, but now Man United are said to have tabled a contract offer to the Wales international to move to Old Trafford instead.
The club will be looking to sort the situation as soon as possible so they have the right support around Lammens from the beginning of pre-season.
Sports
Fulham Enter Race for Man Utd’s Top Winger Target Summerville
Fulham have now entered the race to sign Manchester United’s top target in the summer transfer window, according to journalist Jacob Steinberg.
It’s been a difficult few weeks in the transfer market for United as they miss out on a number of their key targets.
Elliot Anderson has now officially completed a move to Manchester City from Nottingham Forest despite heavy interest from United.
Mateus Fernandes was also a target for the Red Devils, but he has now completed a move to Tottenham after they paid £85m to secure his signature.
It’s back to the drawing board in terms of midfield reinforcements for the Red Devils as they look to replace both Casemiro, who has now left the club, and Manuel Ugarte, who could miss a large portion of the season due to injury.
Man Utd Set to Complete Signing of 6 ft 4 Player
He was in contract talks with his club but is now set to move to Old Trafford
Fulham Join Man Utd Race
According to a report from Guardian journalist Steinberg, Fulham have now entered the race to sign West Ham winger Crysencio Summerville, who is expected to move in the summer transfer window.
A host of clubs in the Premier League are keen on the Dutch international, including Manchester United.
Reports have claimed that Manchester United’s ‘top’ target for the winger position this summer is Summerville. The Guardian report, however, claims that a move to a team outside the elite could be the more realistic outcome, such as Fulham.
United have also opened talks to sign Summerville in a potential deal, but it will be interesting to see whether Fulham’s interest changes things.
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England World Cup Quiz
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Summerville Exit Feels Guaranteed
An exit for Summerville in the summer transfer window feels inevitable.
A host of West Ham’s squad will be searching for moves back to the Premier League after they were relegated to the Championship last season.
Summerville was one of the Hammers’ better players last term, while he’s also produced some strong performances at the World Cup.
With the likes of Fulham and Manchester United interested in the Dutch winger, it’s incredibly unlikely that West Ham are going to be able to keep hold of him.
The London club will have to sell players in order to balance the books as they are set to miss out on large sums of money following relegation.
Sports
8 Tunisia Players Fail Drug Tests As Mexican Food Contamination Suspected
A World Cup nation has been rocked after eight of their players failed doping tests, and the implications could affect England ahead of their Round of 16 tie against Mexico this weekend. The Three Lions already know they will be up against it when they travel to the co-hosts’ capital on Sunday night.
El Tri have won each of their four matches so far without conceding a single goal, becoming the first nation to achieve that incredible feat since Italy in 1990. They also boast a record that has seen them lose just twice across their previous 89 fixtures at the Azteca Stadium, while the altitude, heat and hostile atmosphere – the latter having the potential to keep Thomas Tuchel’s squad up at night – are also expected to play an influential role.
But there is one other factor they must be wary of after one nation was subject to suspected food contamination, resulting in a large portion of their squad failing drugs tests following their premature exit from the tournament.
World Cup Nation Rocked by Suspected Food Contamination in Mexico
Tunisia are already out of the World Cup after finishing bottom of Group F following heavy defeats to Sweden, Japan and the Netherlands. The African minnows also sacked head coach, Sabri Lamouchi, following the team’s 5-1 loss to the former in their opening World Cup game and replaced him with Herve Renard for their remaining two matches.
But that wasn’t the end of their troubles stateside this summer. Every player at the World Cup can be subjected to a random drugs test during the tournament and according to The Times, eight members of Tunisia’s squad had traces of the banned drug clenbuterol in their samples.
Clenbuterol, which is on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s banned list, is used to treat asthma but can also help an athlete build lean muscle mass and burn body fat. Despite the adverse findings, the eight Tunisian players have not been named or suspended as officials believe the presence of clenbuterol was due to contaminated meat.
Tunisia were based in Monterrey for the World Cup and in Mexico, farmers have a history of including clenbuterol in animal feed because it helps reduce fat and increase lean muscle mass.
What Happens if England Fail Doping Tests For The Same Reason
If England players take clenbuterol in Mexico, the consequences depend entirely on how the substance entered their system. But any traces would lead to a FIFA investigation, alongside one from an anti-doping authority.
If a player tests positive for trace amounts of clenbuterol, but it was ingested via tainted local beef or pork, it is classified as an “atypical finding” rather than a deliberate doping violation.
If corroborated by dietary journals and lack of other performance-enhancing drugs, no bans or suspensions are expected. The player avoids formal punishment, as seen in past cases with other international tournaments held in the country, like when 109 out of 208 players in the 2011 Under-17s World Cup also failed drug tests, according to the Metro.
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