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Gabriel Martinelli Was Extremely Poor vs Wolves

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Far from vintage Arsenal, it took a Sam Johnstone own goal in the 70th minute for Mikel Arteta‘s side to score against relegation-threatened Wolverhampton Wanderers. Centre-forward Viktor Gyokeres struggled to get anything to stick as he endured a difficult night despite the win – but it’s a teammate of the Swede’s who should be offloaded.

Arsenal, widely regarded as one of the biggest clubs to never win the Champions League, pushed and prodded for a goal like the title-chasers typically do, but there were very few moments in the first half which caused Wolves that much of a problem.

Arsenal players celebrating after scoring against Wolves in the Premier League


3/10 Dud Awful – Arsenal vs Wolves Player Ratings and Match Highlights

Arsenal defeated Wolves 2-1 in a dramatic Premier League encounter on Saturday evening.

A calamity which encapsulated Wolves’ season, a teasing corner from the talismanic Bukayo Saka hit the inside of the post and bounced off the back of Johnstone into the back of the net to earn the home side the lead. Wolves, however, did manage to grab an equaliser in the 90th minute, but the north Londoners responded four minutes later to win 2-1.

Arsenal Ace Flatters To Deceive Despite 2-1 Win Over Wolves

mikel arteta arsenal

It was far from Arsenal’s finest night at the Emirates Stadium given that many believed that Saturday’s final fixture could become bloodbath-like. But their moxie, or lack thereof, in the final third prevented them from producing a statement victory against the Premier League‘s worst-ranked team Wolves. Gabriel Martinelli was part of the problem.

Stationed off the left flank with the aforementioned Gyokeres operating through the middle and Saka on the opposite wing, Martinelli failed to pull up any trees during his 58-minute cameo, and he was rightfully replaced by Leandro Trossard two minutes shy of the hour mark.

Gabriel Martinelli – Statistics vs Wolves

Minutes

57

Touches (in opp. box)

32 (5)

Total Shots

4

Accurate Passes

12/18 (67%)

Passes into Final Third

2

Ground Duels Won

3/5 (60%)

Successful Dribbles

0/1 (0%)

Big Chances Missed

1

Overall Rating

6.4

Statistically, he took four shots (none of which were on target) and completed just 12 of his 18 passes (67%) in what was a pretty lacklustre performance from someone who needs to stamp their authority on the left wing berth. Five of his recorded 32 touches were in a very congested Wolves box, granted, but the Brazilian struggled to produce anything of note.

Trossard can play in Martinelli’s position, as can former Chelsea man Noni Madueke, who was signed in the summer. Eberechi Eze, although he operates best from a central hub, can also operate to the left of the striker.

Looking ahead, the Gunners – who, although Manchester City now have a game in hand, extend their gap to five points at the summit of the table – would be wise to cut their losses and sell the 24-year-old in January. Between now and then, Trossard is (by far!) the much better option. Slower, perhaps, but far more influential.

martinelli arsenal

Born in Guarulhos, Martinelli was signed from Ituano in his homeland in the summer of 2019 and there was plenty of excitement surrounding the young Brazilian winger. He’s enjoyed moments of brilliance, no doubt, but if Arsenal are to break their Premier League title drought in the coming years (and potentially months), Martinelli will need to be shipped on.

Arsenal Fans Respond to Martinelli’s Poor Display, They Want Him Sold

gabriel martinelli

Doing big business in January is not typical, but that’s not to say that Arsenal will not go out and grab another winger to replace Martinelli should the 20-cap Brazil international be on the chopping block – which, after his poor performance against Wolves, should be the case. Fans, especially, are not very pleased with how he played and have taken to X (formerly Twitter) to voice their displeasure.

“Martinelli should never start a game for Arsenal again,” one supporter said as another added: “Sell Martinelli. He’s the most useless player who offers next to nothing down that left side. He’s just there to run a few yards and pass the ball to his side.” Another claimed that Trossard is the much better option on the left by commenting: “Trossard is like 3x the player Martinelli is. Laughable.”

A fourth fan claimed that the mid-season transfer window is the perfect opportunity for Arsenal to cash in on the Brazilian and buy a replacement. “I think Martinelli should be the number one person to be sold this winter. He has to be improved on,” as another added: “Martinelli off, and we’ve already created something off the left. He’s a shocking player, man.”

All statistics per FotMob – correct as of 13/12/2025

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De Zerbi Pushing Tottenham to Agree Shock Deal to Sign Marcus Rashford

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Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi is now pushing the club to complete a ‘shock’ move to sign Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford, as new details emerge from the i Paper.

Having finished 17th and escaping relegation on the final day of the Premier League season, De Zerbi is in no mood to stand still as he looks to make some hugely ambitious signings to bring Tottenham back up the standings.

Spurs have already announced a trio of signings who bring great Premier League experience with them in Andy Robertson, Jan Paul van Hecke and Marcos Senesi, with the former winning both the Premier League and the Champions League during his time with Liverpool.

With those three additions and Pedro Porro signing a new long-term contract, De Zerbi can be happy with how the defence is shaping up ahead of next season, but now he wants to further strengthen in front of them too.

Spurs are working on deals to land Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes from Newcastle United and West Ham United respectively, with both players being eyed by some of the Premier League’s elite.

Tottenham are also looking to make new signings in the frontline as they plan to complete seven summer additions.

Tottenham Plot Shock Marcus Rashford Move

Marcus Rashford in action for England Marty Jean-Louis/Sipa USA via Reuters Connect

According to the i Paper, United forward Rashford is the next target on Tottenham’s ambitious summer transfer wishlist.

De Zerbi has made it clear he wants proven Premier League players in the building, as shown by the three additions so far and the desire to sign Tonali and Fernandes, and Rashford also fits the bill.

Spurs aren’t willing to pay the England international’s £40m release clause, but they are willing to submit a lower offer to try and convince United to agree to a permanent exit.

De Zerbi is understood to be a huge fan of the 28-year-old and will push Tottenham’s hierarchy to agree a deal for him, even though the £315,000-a-week player’s preference is to move abroad again following his successful loan spell with Barcelona.

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Tottenham Also in Talks to Sign Brazilian Forward

Roberto De Zerbi | Tottenham via Reuters

Tottenham’s top left-winger target this summer has been Manchester City star Savinho, who they also tried to secure 12 months ago.

While Spurs have made quick progress on certain deals, a move for the Brazilian does appear to be dragging, even though the window only officially opened a week ago.

Fabrizio Romano claims that Savinho remains a ‘strong possibility’ for the north Londoners and that the club is in talks with both City and the player’s agent over a move.

The positive for Tottenham is that, like a year ago, the player is keen on a switch to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which is no surprise given he found first-team minutes hard to come by last term under Pep Guardiola.

Agreeing a fee with City looks to be the major hurdle now, but links to players like Rashford suggests they are willing to look elsewhere for their left-winger signing.

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Liverpool to Submit ‘Big Proposal’ to Sign Yan Diomande

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Liverpool are now set to make a ‘big proposal’ to sign RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande, with Fabrizio Romano issuing a new update on the transfer saga.

Liverpool wrapped up a deal to sign Osasuna winger Victor Munoz out of nowhere last week, but club chiefs aren’t finished there when it comes to strengthening their attack.

They want to give new manager Andoni Iraola the best squad possible as he looks to get his team performing strongly in both the Premier League and the Champions League next season.

Change was clearly needed after a disappointing 2025-26 campaign that saw them end the season 25 points adrift of champions Arsenal, just 12 months after winning the title in Arne Slot’s first campaign in charge.

Andy Roberson, Ibrahima Konate and Mohamed Salah have joined Slot in leaving Anfield this summer, and Liverpool have made finding a replacement for the latter one of their biggest priorities.

While Munoz will slot in on the left, the Reds need to find a right-sided player too and they have identified Diomande as their number one target.

Liverpool have made progress on the player side of negotiations, but Leipzig’s asking price continues to be a big hurdle to getting a deal over the line.

Romano: Liverpool ‘Very Aggressive’ in Diomande Pursuit

RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande celebrates a goal REUTERS/Annegret Hilse

Liverpool have already seen a bid worth a total of €100m rejected by the Bundesliga outfit, with GIVEMESPORT sources revealing that the offer was worth €80m plus €20m in add-ons.

It was rejected by Leipzig, who are holding out for more than £100m for a player who has exploded onto the global stage at the World Cup with the Ivory Coast following a stunning breakthrough campaign in Germany.

Diomande has already been described as a ‘superstar’, and Liverpool are ready to return with a ‘big proposal’ to get a deal done for a player also attracting interest from Paris Saint-Germain.

Issuing the latest update on Liverpool’s pursuit via his YouTube channel, Romano said:

“There are several clubs interested, Paris Saint-Germain, and now Liverpool are very aggressive, and also because Liverpool will bid more than €100m.

“It’s going to be a big proposal coming from Liverpool in order to try to change the situation. So Liverpool are working on the player side in terms of contract proposal, salary, and project, and on the club side working hard to get this deal done for Yan Diomande.

“So that’s going to be a big story to follow, because Liverpool are absolutely there.”

England World Cup Quiz

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Liverpool Targeting Two More World Cup Stars

Bouaddi via Reuters

It isn’t just Diomande catching Liverpool’s eye at the 2026 World Cup.

Romano confirmed earlier this month that the Reds have already had transfer meetings over a potential move for another teenage sensation shining in North America.

The Merseysiders are keen on Lille and Morocco 18-year-old Ayyoub Bouaddi, who is also attracting interest from other top clubs in Europe having made almost 100 senior appearances for Lille and dominating the Brazilian midfield in his nation’s opening World Cup fixture.

Liverpool are also said to have entered the race to sign Borussia Dortmund midfielder Felix Nmecha, who has been one of Germany’s standout players at the tournament.

Domestically, GMS sources also have interest in Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton and Bournemouth’s Alex Scott.

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Donald Trump ‘May Not Attend’ World Cup Matches Involving English-Speaking Teams

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While he put himself front and centre during the buildup to the 2026 World Cup, Donald Trump hasn’t been seen at a match yet since the showpiece tournament began on June 11 – and now there is a new reason for him to avoid fixtures involving four English-speaking teams for the remainder of the competition.

The US president was on course to be one of the most talked-about figures across the USA, Canada and Mexico for quite some time, given the context of entry issues, political tensions with Iran, and his push to advance some of his more controversial policies through the vehicle of sport.

However, Trump has gone somewhat AWOL in recent days. Many football fans and neutrals alike would argue that’s a good thing, and now one explanation for his sudden disappearance has been put forward.

Why Donald Trump Might Avoid Matches Involving English-Speaking Teams

Donald Trump Bonnie Cash / SIPA USA via Reuters Connect

According to the Mirror, the 80-year-old ‘may not attend’ a World Cup match involving an English-speaking team, after brutal fan chants linking the president to his old friend Jeffrey Epstein went viral. Concern is understood to be so high that questions are being asked about whether the US leader will present the trophy at the July 19 final, amid fears over what supporters could sing should he appear.

What’s more, White House officials are claimed to be attempting to shield Trump from the hostility on the terraces, particularly from fans of Scotland, England, Australia, and New Zealand. A source said:

“There isn’t a fan alive who doesn’t know how fragile Trump’s ego is. In recent months, he has had to contend with widespread booing whenever he attends major sporting events in America, but this is another level entirely.

“New Yorkers were furious when he turned up at the recent Knicks basketball game. But World Cup supporters are taking it to a whole new level, linking Trump to his friendship with Epstein and to his appearance in Epstein-related files.”

The source concluded: “His staff are in crisis mode trying to prevent the President from being exposed to the chants in person, and that includes avoiding matches involving English-speaking teams.”

Broadcasters Have Been Made Aware – But Chants Stopping Unlikely

England fans REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach

Lead broadcasters have already been made aware of the chants being heard at matches, perhaps to ensure they are ready to muffle them like they do anti-Keir Starmer songs at the Darts and in the Premier League.

But they are unlikely to stop fully, with supporters drawing attention to Trump’s long-documented friendship with Epstein, the pedophile who died in a New York prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges.


Iran football team


Iran Fans Sing 3-Word Chant About the US During Farewell Ceremony for World Cup Stars

The two nations could meet later in the tournament.

The pair moved into the same social circles throughout the 1980s and 1990s and were photographed together on numerous occasions. In a 2002 interview with New York magazine, Trump described Epstein as a “terrific guy” and said he was “a lot of fun to be with”. The president has since sought to distance himself from his former friend, saying the pair fell out years before Epstein’s criminal convictions and insisting he barred him from Mar-a-Lago.

The issue has returned to the political spotlight because of continuing controversy surrounding the release of Epstein-related court documents and investigative files. Trump’s name, along with those of numerous public figures, has appeared in released records.

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