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Key player could return as Arsenal face leaky Everton..

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Key player could return as Arsenal face leaky Everton..

Thomas Tuchel announced during the World Cup qualifying draw in Zurich yesterday that every England player will start with a clean slate under his leadership. Regarding Ben White, the German manager reportedly commented:

“Whether Ben White accepts the England call-up is uncertain, but I expect he will.”

It’s been a strong week for Arsenal in the Champions League. The men’s team secured a 3-0 victory against Monaco, while the women triumphed 3-1 over Valerenga in Oslo. With one game remaining, the women have already progressed to the next round but could top their group if they defeat Bayern Munich.

Meanwhile, the men still have work to do to secure their spot in the knockout stages, with fixtures against Dinamo Zagreb at The Emirates and Girona in Catalonia looming in late January.

Domestically, Mikel Arteta and his team now turn their attention to facing Everton at The Emirates. Everton, under Sean Dyche, had their match against Liverpool postponed last weekend due to bad weather, giving them an extended break—a potential blessing or a setback.

Arsenal has a rich history against Everton, with memorable matches such as the 1997/98 and 2004/05 encounters standing out. The 4-0 win in May 1998 crowned Arsenal Premier League champions under Arsène Wenger, punctuated by Tony Adams’ iconic moment. While not as legendary as the “it’s up for grabs now” commentary, Martin Tyler’s “would you believe it” still resonates.

May 2005 evokes different emotions for me. On holiday in St. Lucia, I couldn’t watch the match live. Late at night, I called home and learned of Arsenal’s 7-0 victory. When I asked who scored, my mother simply replied, “everyone.” That joy remains an unforgettable memory.

Much has changed at Arsenal since those days, especially after the Invincibles squad began to disband following that season.

In March of last season, Arsenal demolished Sean Dyche’s team 4-0. Gabriel Martinelli scored twice, with Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard also finding the net, putting Arsenal five points clear at the top. However, things unraveled soon after, much like how this season could unravel for Liverpool, Chelsea, or even Manchester City. Nothing in football—or sport—is certain until the final whistle.

The focus now must remain on the present, with hopes that rivals encounter poor form along the way.

In his pre-match press conference yesterday, Arteta was asked about the fitness of Gabriel and Riccardo Calafiori ahead of the Everton game. True to form, Arteta gave little away, speaking vaguely as usual, which is understandable before a match.

Everton has had a rollercoaster December. After a 4-0 loss to Manchester United, they responded with their own 4-0 win over Wolves at Goodison Park, thanks to two own goals and strikes from Young and Mangala. Despite this, they remain near the bottom of the table.

Arsenal, on the other hand, is in good form, unbeaten since November 2nd with three wins and two draws against Chelsea and Fulham. To maintain momentum and keep title hopes alive, a win against Everton is crucial. A draw would be disappointing, and a loss could be catastrophic for catching Liverpool.

Adrian Clarke writing in the official matchday programme:

Everton line up in a 4-2-3-1 for every match, but without the ball they morph into a compact 5-4-1. This will be frequent as they only average 40% of possession, the second-lowest total in the division, so breaking down their stubborn resistance by finding space in crowded areas will be key.

The Toffees, and Jordan Pickford in particular, hit the ball long towards Dominic Calvert-Lewin who is a terrific outlet, winning more aerial duels than any other top-flight striker. He has helped Everton complete 26.8 long balls each game – the highest number of successful long passes, while no Premier League side is more accurate with their crosses in open play (27%).

Everton are abrasive and aggressive in their duels. Wide forwards Dwight McNeil and Iliman N’Diaye set the tone, working hard to press opponents, while at the back James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite are dominant figures who love to repel crosses. They are a superb set-piece outfit, and all four of their goals against Wolves came from dead-ball situations.

In open play though, Everton are not as creative as they would like, scoring just six times. Their defending has also been fragile and they can crumble, shipping four goals against Tottenham and Manchester United, and three apiece in matches against Brighton, Bournemouth and Aston Villa.

I didn’t expect anything new from a Sean Dyche team: hardworking, defensively solid, but lacking creativity. Despite having two strong central defenders, they still concede plenty of goals. Hopefully, Mikel Arteta’s players come out of the blocks quickly, exploit their fragile defense, and stay clinical in front of goal. I’ve never been particularly fond of Everton, regardless of their connection to Arsenal’s history. So, while I won’t need to call home for the result this time, I’d love for it to mirror the emphatic outcome of 2005 if I had to.

Ethan Blake

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English Premier League

Chelsea ready talks with Everton over Chilwell and Dewsbury-Hall – report

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Chelsea ready talks with Everton over Chilwell and Dewsbury-Hall - report

The Merseyside club is actively assessing options in the loan market and intends to inquire about the availability of both players during the January transfer window.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s time at Chelsea has fallen short of expectations following his summer move from Leicester City, where he reunited with former manager Enzo Maresca.

Similarly, Ben Chilwell has had minimal game time this season, managing just 45 minutes across all competitions, which came in Chelsea’s 5-0 League Cup win against Barrow.

Everton has already filled their quota of four loan signings for the season, but the potential departure of Armando Broja would open up a slot for one of the Chelsea players.

With their January transfer funds limited by profitability and sustainability regulations, the Toffees are eager to create room for a loan deal before the window closes.

Additionally, CaughtOffside reports that while there is a broad agreement with Lyon for the permanent signing of Ernest Nuamah, the deal is still pending final approval from David Moyes. Personal terms are not expected to present any complications.

Everton’s attempt to return Armando Broja hits stumbling block

Everton’s attempt to recall Armando Broja from his loan spell has hit a snag, as Chelsea is now requesting compensation for the striker’s return.

David Moyes recently disclosed that the club is contemplating ending Broja’s season-long loan after the forward was ruled out for 10 to 12 weeks with a significant ankle injury.

Broja made the move to Everton last summer despite already recovering from an Achilles injury that had previously disrupted a potential transfer to Ipswich.

As part of the agreement, Chelsea committed to covering the Albanian international’s wages during his recovery.

Ethan Blake

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Brighton now make contact over signing Cummings – report

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Brighton now make contact over signing Cummings - report

The Seagulls are gearing up for an active January transfer window, aiming to bolster their squad in several key areas as Fabian Hurzeler seeks to revive their season following a disappointing spell of form.

With Evan Ferguson’s future at the American Express Stadium uncertain, Brighton is prioritizing the addition of a young striker and has identified Daniel Cummings as a potential acquisition this month.

However, Cummings isn’t the only forward on their radar. Brighton is also competing with Liverpool for FC Nuremberg’s Stefanos Tzimas, whose impressive displays in Bundesliga II have caught their attention.

Securing a new striker could prove essential if Ferguson departs, but Hurzeler is equally focused on shoring up the defense. The manager has reportedly set his sights on a fresh defensive target.

According to The Daily Mail, Brighton has expressed interest in signing Chelsea defender Tosin Adarabioyo, just seven months after the player’s move to Stamford Bridge.

Adarabioyo, earning £120,000 per week, has seen consistent action for Chelsea this season but has only started seven Premier League matches. The Seagulls are keen to secure a permanent deal and have reached out to their top-flight rivals to formalize their interest.

It remains uncertain whether Chelsea will approve the transfer. However, reports suggest that selling Adarabioyo could significantly aid the Blues in meeting financial regulations, potentially incentivizing them to strike a deal.

Tosin could be a quality signing

Tosin Adarabioyo has established himself as a reliable Premier League defender over the years. Recently, he has become a regular presence in Chelsea’s lineup, earning his place in Enzo Maresca’s plans. Known for his aerial strength, the Englishman ranks in the 82nd percentile for aerial duels won per 90 minutes over the past year, a quality that has drawn praise from journalist Zach Lowy.

While it might seem unusual for Chelsea to part ways with the 27-year-old so soon after signing him, the club could secure a full profit since they acquired him on a free transfer last summer. Considering Adarabioyo’s strong defensive capabilities, Brighton would do well to position themselves as frontrunners for his signature if he becomes available during this transfer window.

Ethan Blake

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Fabrizio Romano: West Ham Eyeing Move to Sign Cummings

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West Ham have made official enquiry to sign £120k-a-wk Premier League striker in the January transfer window

West Ham United may be preparing to tap into the Scottish Premiership for a potential bargain deal this January, with Celtic starlet Daniel Cummings reportedly on their radar, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Cummings, whose contract expires this summer, is eligible to sign a pre-contract agreement with clubs outside Scotland. While Celtic would receive compensation for developing the young talent through their academy, West Ham are said to be actively pursuing the 18-year-old striker.

Romano’s report highlights that the Hammers are keen on bringing Cummings to London, though Celtic are making efforts to retain their rising star by offering him a new deal to continue his development in the Scottish Premiership.

Despite not yet featuring for Celtic’s first team, Cummings’ performances at the youth level have captured attention. He has scored an impressive 24 goals in 24 appearances this season, including 18 goals in Scotland’s fifth tier and six in six UEFA Youth League matches.

His standout performances, including braces against Slovan Bratislava and RB Leipzig, earned him the label “unstoppable” by UEFA.

Premier League clubs, including Brighton, have also shown interest in the 6ft 1in forward. Celtic are eager to avoid losing another promising player for a nominal fee, having seen Ben Doak join Liverpool for £600,000 and Rocco Vata move to Watford for £250,000—both players already making an impact in their new clubs.

For West Ham, Cummings could address their striker shortage, as Michail Antonio is sidelined for the season following a car accident, and summer signing Niclas Füllkrug faces his third lengthy injury spell of the campaign.

Although Cummings lacks senior experience, he could follow a development path similar to Doak’s, transitioning into the first team under the guidance of Graham Potter over time.

Ethan Blake

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