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Mikel Arteta’s young guns ran riot as Arsenal’s fine form in the Premier League continued with an emphatic win over arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur in Sunday’s north London derby.

Three quickfire goals in the first half practically sealed the Gunners’ fourth win in a row across all competitions.

Emile Smith Rowe opened the scoring when he arrived unmarked to glance home Bukayo Saka’s cross and then he turned provider for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

The 21-year-old’s productive performance saw him named as Gary Neville’s ‘Man of the Match’ on Sky Sports commentary duty, although his fellow Hale End youth product deserved just as much praise.

Saka not only provided the assist for the opener but he also got his name on the scoresheet ten minutes before the break after the young England winger broke free from two Harry Kane tackles to slot past Hugo Lloris.

The £58.5m-rated dynamo was a constant thorn in Nuno Santo’s side and as such, he earned SofaScore’s highest rating of 8.1.

He did so much more than just score and assist, too.

Saka was among Arteta’s most influential players as he recorded 54 touches, the most of the Gunners’ front three, whilst he also contributed three key passes, two shots on target and 30 passes, via SofaScore.

The 20-year-old gem also got back to do his defensive duties, managing three tackles, which was only bettered by two players in the whole game – his defensive teammate Kieran Tierney and Spurs’ anchor, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg. That’s on top of one interception and one clearance.

football.london waxed lyrical about Saka’s performance in their post-match ratings column.

‘The England international has faced questions over his quality in the final third this season but firmly answered them with this display. A great assist for Smith Rowe and although there was a touch of fortune with Harry Kane slipping for his goal it was still a good finish.’

All in all, Saka absolutely ran the show in Sunday’s north London derby at the Emirates Stadium.

AND in other news, Edu could secure Arsenal’s next Alexis Sanchez in swoop for £19.8m-rated “phenomenon”…

Crystal Palace have just enjoyed the most exciting transfer window in their recent history, but one target who got away may give new manager Patrick Vieira some sleepless nights as the season unfolds.

What’s the story?

The Eagles have added the likes of Marc Guehi, Odsonne Edouard and Joachim Andersen to their ranks in recent weeks as they effectively overhauled their first-team squad.

However, they were also heavily linked with a €20 million (£17.1m) move for Sassuolo winger Jeremie Boga on Deadline Day before Vieira decided against the deal following Edouard’s arrival, according to Football.London.

“Football.London understands that deal is now unlikely with Palace’s spending complete after signing Edouard…Patrick Vieira seems to think his side have enough forward players to compete and score goals this season,” the report read.

Crystal Palace fans may be concerned

Boga has cultivated a career full of promise and potential since leaving Chelsea for Sassuolo back in 2018. The former Rennes, Granada and Birmingham City loanee made a solid contribution during his maiden campaign in Serie A  before backing it up with 11 goals and four assists in his second.

The tricky forward’s productivity dropped slightly throughout 2020/21, though, after he bagged four goals and provided two assists in 27 Serie A appearances, but his overall game was more impressive than the numbers suggest.

Boga completed 3.2 dribbles per game last season, far more than any of his Sassuolo teammates achieved and also successfully dribbled past 91 opponents, the third-highest number in the Italian top division.

With Palace set to be without their most prolific dribbler Eberechi Eze until the new year through injury, and with their fourth-most fruitful dribbler Andros Townsend joining Everton, the arrival of Boga would certainly have eased the blow of their absence.

Although Palace found the back of the net twice to salvage a 2-2 draw against West Ham United last time out, Conor Gallagher’s goals were the first strikes of Vieira’s four-match reign.

Therefore, despite Edouard’s arrival, the decision to turn down the opportunity to sign a proven goalscorer and creator such as Boga is a choice that Vieira may come to regret in the weeks and months ahead.

The lack of replacement for Townsend has left the south London outfit without a natural right-winger in the first-team squad, something which could prove to be problematic for the Eagles this season, possibly leaving the club’s supporters with some serious concerns.

And, in other news…The Athletic drop CPFC transfer claim on £15m dud, Parish dodged a bullet 

Sunderland are sitting pretty at the top of the League One table during the first international break of the season after winning four of their five matches in August.

Lee Johnson’s side came out winners against MK Dons, AFC Wimbledon, Blackpool and Wycombe, whilst their one defeat came in a 1-0 loss at Burton Albion. The Black Cats conceded four goals and scored eight on their way to the top of the table, with plenty of positivity to come from their excellent start to the campaign.

However, there are also areas where Sunderland can improve to make sure that they keep this run going and are ultimately successful at the end of the season. One player who let Lee Johnson down with his performances in August was wide midfielder Lynden Gooch.

The American started all five of Sunderland’s matches in League One and averaged a disappointing SofaScore rating of 6.66, placing him 12th in the squad. This suggests that the overall quality of his displays on the pitch was not high enough to make him one of their key players during August, as he struggled with his all-round game.

As per SofaScore, Gooch lost possession of the ball a whopping 89 times in August. He lost the ball 17.8 times per match, whilst averaging a passing completion rate of just 69%. The winger struggled to retain the ball for his side and gave it away on a regular basis, allowing the opposition more chances to attack Sunderland’s goal, although thankfully it did not have a major impact on the results in the grand scheme of things.

In terms of his end product when he did get into the final third, Gooch also struggled to provide high-end quality for Johnson’s side. To his credit, he did create one big chance and register one assist, but that was his only direct goal involvement over the course of the month. He missed two big chances and managed to fire off 10 shots in five games, failing to score.

Defensively, Gooch did little to make up for his flaws in possession. He won the ball back just 0.4 times per game and lost 59% of his duels on the pitch, whilst making 1.4 tackles and interceptions per game. This shows that he struggled all-round, letting Johnson down with his sub-par performances in League One throughout August.

AND in other news, Sunderland gem has seen value plummet £1.66m since leaving, Black Cats struck gold…

French football expert Adam White believes Arsenal could sign sought-after midfielder Boubacar Kamara for a bargain fee.

The 21-year-old is on the radar of a host of clubs after impressing for Marseille last season, where he made 43 appearances.

According to Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta rates Kamara highly and is keen to welcome him to the Emirates Stadium. However, the report confirms the Gunners are joined by Italian sides AC Milan and Lazio in the race to sign the defensive midfielder.

Newcastle United have reportedly already launched a bid for Kamara, who has entered the final year of his contract at Marseille.

The Magpies’ move comes having been frustrated in their efforts to welcome top target Joe Willock back to the club having shone while on loan from Arsenal last season.

However, Get French Football News’ White is confident that Kamara would opt for a move to north London instead of Tyneside. The France under-21 international, who can also play at centre-back, is available for a cut-price fee due to his current contract situation.

He told The Transfer Tavern: “I think Marseille will sell Kamara because his contract is expiring and they need to. They’ve spent a surprising amount on transfers this summer for a club that was supposedly in some financial difficulties beforehand.

“I think £15million, perhaps with bonuses, is an absolute steal for Kamara.

“Would he be interested in going to Arsenal or Newcastle? My reading of the situation is that he would see Arsenal as a nice move.”

Newcastle United journalist Liam Kennedy insists that the club simply must not make a move to sign Phil Jones from Manchester United this summer.

The club have been linked with a potential swoop to sign the central defender in a deal that may not cost them a single penny, per 90min.

The report stated that United are willing to let Jones go for nothing should they receive an adequate proposal from an interested club.

Newcastle, of course, have already signed Joe Willock from Arsenal this summer but manager Steve Bruce is said to be a fan of Jones, believing that he has plenty to offer at the highest level still.

He is surplus to requirements at United and did not play for the club at all in the 2020/21 campaign.

Jones only played twice in 2019/20 too, and Kennedy has doubts over the central defender’s suitability to the Magpies in this transfer window.

Asked if he would avoid a move for Jones, Kennedy replied: “Personally, yes. I just think there’s too many question marks about Phil Jones.”

Leeds United are now keen on making an offer for FC Midtjylland midfielder Jens Cajuste this summer.

What’s the story?

According to recent reports from Swedish publication Expressen, the likes of Leeds, Wolves, Newcastle and Crystal Palace were all said to be in talks to sign Cajuste.

And now, The Sun (July 27, p49) have claimed that Bielsa has made the Swedish powerhouse his number one target to reinforce his midfield options, with the Whites now said to be happy with paying the £13m fee demanded by Midtjylland.

Bielsa will be delighted

A profile done by Leeds Live, said of him: “Cajuste is an all-action midfielder whose attributes look ready-made for Premier League football. Tough tackling, close control and accurate passing are seen as his main strengths but he offers everything you would want in a player of his position.

“Standing at 6 foot 2, he is dominant both in the air and on the surface which would provide vital stability in the middle of the park for Leeds. The 21-year-old also enjoys exhibiting his flair with a number of fancy but effective touches and passes being a particular stand-out feature of his overall game.”

In fact, as per Sofascore, Cajuste actually won more duels per game last season than Leeds talisman Kalvin Phillips (5.6 to 5.3), while he also had a marginally better success rate in those 50/50s too, winning 56% compared to the England star’s 52%.

The fact Andrea Radrizzani is happy to sanction a £13m move for Cajuste is yet more evidence of the kind of understandable faith that the club have in Bielsa and his eye for players.

The Leeds boss will be thrilled that he could be set to get the man that he wants. The relationship between the likes of Bielsa, Victor Orta and Radrizzani is key to ensuring everything runs smoothly, and this latest development suggests that is the case.

Meanwhile, Leeds are plotting a record-breaking move for this star…

West Ham United fans are eager to sign Breel Embolo after they were linked with a move for the Switzerland international.

This summer transfer window is an important one for the Hammers. Last term, they finished in sixth place in the Premier League table, meaning they will be competing in the Europa League group stages this coming season. However, they have made just one signing so far in Alphonse Areola (whufc.com), and they remain light in the striker position – David Moyes has just Michail Antonio at his disposal in that role.

They are looking at several strikers, it seems, and according to reliable club insider ExWHUemployee, the Irons are looking at Borussia Monchengladbach’s £14.4m-valued Breel Embolo (Transfermarkt). He has managed 14 goals and 14 assists in 75 games for the German side (Transfermarkt), while he also impresses for Switzerland at Euro 2020 as his country reached the quarter-finals.

The Hammers fans, it seems, want to capture the former Schalke man, and they took to social media platform Twitter to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about the Embolo link below

“Embolo would be an unbreel signing. Was class at the Euro’s and has matured a lot from when we wanted him a few years ago. Smart signing, but not enough to solve our striker problems. He would have to be accompanied by an Abraham”

Credit: @AranNicol1994

“I’d be buzzing if we got embolo thought he looked really good at the euros”

Credit: @Steve_WHU_

“Unpopular opinion : breel embolo from Gladbach would be an underrated signing. His performance at euros sadly have put his price up. But he’s a fighter, RW, ST or AF. Explosive and faster than MA”

Credit: @hammers_dave

“We need someone simular to Antonio, Embolo is like a clone of Antonio he is fast and strong and doesn’t stop running. I would take Embolo ahead of Abraham, I rate him that highly”

Credit: @_WHU_IRONS

“From what I seen in the euros I personally think he would be perfect for us! Get him in on loan and see what he can do”

Credit: @BruckmanLee

“With the addition of those 3, who would you realistically go for? For me, Herrera from Man City, seen him a handful of times & every time he looks like he could add some strength & creativity in the midfield. I’d be happy with Embolo on loan, looked a handful in the Euro’s”

Credit: @joegreene2

“I would be ECSTATIC about embolo”

Credit: @geekedupscotty

In other news, West Ham fans raged at this transfer update.

Speaking to Football Insider, BBC Radio 5 Live pundit Alan Hutton has raved about defender Jannik Vestergaard, with Tottenham Hotspur allegedly in talks over signing him.

The Lowdown: Spurs in talks for Vestergaard…

As per The Times, Tottenham are in talks to sign the Denmark international this summer as the Lilywhites look to revamp most of their defence for new manager Nuno Espirito Santo.

The 28-year-old was a mainstay under Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl last term, starting 29 Premier League matches whilst averaging more clearances per game (four) than any other player in their squad (WhoScored). He also won 3.3 aerial duels per match, a greater average than any player in Spurs’ squad in 2020/21.

Indeed, following his solid season on the south coast, Vestergaard is now firmly on the radar at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The Latest: Hutton in awe of Vestergaard…

Speaking to Football Insider in reaction to this update from The Times, Hutton has been left in awe of the colossal 6 foot 5 defender, raving over his strength and technique on the ball.

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The former Spurs defender also believes the 28-year-old could fit in seamlessly at Hotspur Way, telling Football Insider: “I think he could go in there and do a job.

“He’s obviously got the experience of playing with Southampton in the Premier League, he’s a main player for them. He’s got a lovely diagonal ball.

“Going into the final year of his contract, you can probably pick him up for a decent fee, which would work in favour for the likes of Daniel Levy.

“There’s room for new players to come in. Vestergaard, the power of him, wow, the strength, he doesn’t mind just defending.

“He’s also got that kind of cultured pass so I think he’d fit into that team nicely.”

The Verdict: Agreed…

Vestergaard also shone for Denmark at Euro 2020 before their semi-final defeat to England at Wembley, and it’s little wonder why Spurs have reportedly entered talks.

The Dane’s exploits for Southampton last season warranted huge praise, with Hasenhuttl branding him ‘absolutely phenomenal’ for his sheer strength in the air (Hampshire Live).

Tottenham could certainly use that physical presence as Nuno gears up for his first full season in charge, and Hutton is quite right to talk up the 28-year-old amid the links with Spurs.

In other news: Tottenham frontrunners to sign ‘absolutely sensational’ player with Nuno set for final call, find out more here.

Joining Sunderland would attract Rotherham United midfielder Matt Crooks, according to Steve Howey.

The Millers midfielder offers a lot of versatility as he is comfortable playing both a defensive midfield role, as well as further forward. Last season he found the back of the net on seven occasions, as well as laying on three assists for his teammates.

Crooks is hot property this summer with a number of clubs interested in his signature. According to the Rotherham Advertiser, Rotherham want a seven-figure sum for their prized asset and despite a lot of interest in the player, Howey reckons Sunderland would be an attractive proposition for the 27-year-old.

“If there’s one thing that Sunderland have got going for them, fair enough, they might be paying fortunes, but they’ve got a magnificent stadium, fantastic fans and to play at the Stadium of Light in a packed house, which could be what it’s going to be, you know, that for me would certainly be a turn on, if you want to look at that”.

Facing another season in League One, Sunderland will be looking to get their recruitment spot-on this summer to help mount a serious promotion push, with Howey reckoning that if the Black Cats could get a couple of quality players through the door, it could be the start of something special.

“You know for a fact, you could be at the start of something which could be an amazing journey for someone to progress on if you just get a couple of quality players in”.

Leeds United will have to pay around £4m if they want to sign Hibernian defender Josh Doig this summer, according to journalist Ross Pilcher.

The Lowdown: Leeds linked with Doig move

The Whites have been linked with a move for the 19-year-old, who has impressed for Hibs, making 24 appearances with a goal and three assists in the Scottish Premiership last term.

Doig could potentially move on this summer, with a number of clubs keen on snapping him up, including Leeds and Brighton, as a move to England beckons.

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The Latest: Journalist provides update on Doig

Speaking to Sussex Live, the Daily Record’s Pilcher gave an important update on the young defender’s future, quoting the amount that Leeds would need to pay to prise him away from Easter Road. He reported:

“From what I understand, Cochrane was one they were aware of seeing as they have Josh Doig and Lewis Stevenson for left-back already, wasn’t really an issue.

“The big one will be at left-back if Doig goes and at and center-back if they sell [Ryan] Porteous, although they might look to add there anyway.

“I imagine they’ll [Hibernian] look to see if they can fill gaps with decent youngsters from Brighton rather than target any specifically for starting spots.

“My best guess would be someone comes the other way on loan if Brighton sign Doig, or they need a backup striker (which they do). Kevin Nisbet is their main man and top scorer so is going to play.

“I know they’ve been keeping tabs although only Watford have made a bid so far which has been knocked back. Hibs will be looking for about £4million.”

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The Verdict: Huge long-term potential

While it is important that Marcelo Bielsa signs readymade players for Leeds this summer, it is also vital that they plan for the future, ensuring that their current momentum continues for years to come.

Doig would be a signing who represents the long-term future at Elland Road – Hibs manager Jack Ross has described him as ‘excellent’ in the past – possessing the potential to be an exciting addition and possibly even fill in from time to time in the first team.

Left-back is an area which needs addressing, with Ezgjan Alioski likely to move on from Yorkshire, and the Scot could be a handy backup for someone like Junior Firpo, who could join imminently.

In other news, Leeds are believed to have made contact with one summer target – find out who it is here.