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Defeat on the night for Arsenal was deliciously irrelevant.

Just days after the high of a north London derby victory over Tottenham, a European comedown would have been hard to take. But then this season is different – the Gunners’ Europa League ambitions have so far seemed irrelevant to their campaign.

And yet, it’s been pretty positive so far. Not only have Arsene Wenger’s side managed to top the group and make it through comfortably to the knockout stages, but they’ve also been able to give some serious game time to the young players who would only have been exposed to League Cup football otherwise.

Last night, it was Ainsley Maitland-Niles who did his chances of progression at the club no harm at all with a good display, even in defeat.

The youngster put in a fantastic all-round performance from left wing-back as he showed that he has the range of skills needed to become a very good player for the club.

He showed off his passing, with an accuracy of 95%. He attempted seven dribbles, with five coming off, demonstrating that he’s not afraid to take on his man. And his four tackles with a 100% success rate proves that he can also do the defensive jobs that Arsenal’s midfielders often seem to struggle with. The most impressive part, however, is that his 104 touches over the course of the 90 minutes shows that he wants get on the ball as much as possible.

Overall, the sheer breadth of his positive qualities stood out on a night that was completely irrelevant for the Gunners.

That’s important, though. This isn’t a season where Arsenal, weighed down by Champions League commitments, have to battle hard twice in a week. This is a season where youngsters like Maitland-Niles are given chances to prove themselves and taking them, leading the Gunners to the knockout rounds. All the while, the first-team gets to rest up.

This weekend, away to Burnley, comes the kind of fixture that big clubs hate just after a European away game. Especially this season. It’s great news for Arsenal that their main starters are rested up well before the trip up north. And that’s all thanks to the likes of Maitland-Niles’ ability to get the job done.

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Arsenal and Manchester United may no longer be the bitter rivals of yesteryear when they directly contested for every single Premier League title, but there’s still little love lost between two clubs who remain near the very top of the English game.

History continues to play a huge part in that; from Martin Keown mocking Ruud van Nistelrooy’s penalty miss to Cesc Fabregas throwing a pizza at Sir Alex Ferguson, old wounds still haven’t quite healed – while Jose Mourinho’s ongoing feud with Arsene Wenger adds yet another enticing subplot for the latest instalment this weekend.

So, can the history of this fixture in the Premier League tell us anything about what to expect from Saturday’s 5.30pm kickoff? Football FanCast takes a look…

Head-to-Head

With both at the very pinnacle of the Premier League until Chelsea’s emergence in 2004, it’s perhaps surprising there’s such a significant difference in terms of wins between the two sides.

Indeed, Manchester United have claimed almost twice the amount of wins as Arsenal, and there have actually been more top flight draws during the last 25 years than Gunners victories. There are signs of that trend reversing, however; Arsenal took four points off United last season and have only lost one of the last five meetings, winning two.

United, though, will take great comfort in the fact they’ve claimed three wins and two draws from their last eight Premier League visits to the Emirates Stadium.

Top Scorer – Wayne Rooney

Arsenal inadvertently played a key role in announcing Wayne Rooney to the world as a teenager and throughout his career, no club has conceded more goals from the former England captain.

Nine of those 15 came in 24 Premier League appearances for United, making Rooney the all-time top scorer in this fixture. He’s closely followed by Thierry Henry, who notched up eight in 14 top flight appearances against United, failing to net past them during just two of his full Premier League campaigns.

Robin van Persie and Danny Welbeck, meanwhile, have represented both sides of the Arsenal-United divide and most curiously, both have scored an even number of goals for each club in this fixture.

The Shared Icon – Robin van Persie

He may have broken a million hearts and earned the moniker Judas when he jumped ship to Old Trafford in 2012, but Robin van Persie was without a doubt Arsenal’s most talented player by a considerable distance. Eight seasons in north London produced 132 goals, three Premier League Goal of the Month awards, a Golden Boot and an FWA Player of the Year award – but just one piece of silverware from 2004/05.

Upon joining the Red Devils, van Persie instantly fired his new employers to the Premier League title, clinching a second consecutive Golden Boot in the process. It provided the parting gift Ferguson deserved, a final title before retiring, but that’s where RVP’s improtance to United started to wane. After scoring just 22 league goals in the following two seasons under David Moyes and Louis van Gaal, the Dutchman was allowed to leave for Fenerbahce.

The Classic Clash – Man United 0-1 Arsenal

There have been far more entertaining clashes down the years in terms of goals, not least including a succession of heavy hammerings handed out by the Red Devils, but few, if any, have matched the significance of this meeting at Old Trafford in 2002 when Arsenal clinched the Premier League title on their rivals’ patch.

It was an ugly, bitter-fought game with few clear-cut chances – between a United side in transition and a Gunners outfit starting to evolve into the Invincibles – but Sylvain Wiltord remained a menace all afternoon and it was the Frenchman who eventually proved the difference. His counter-attacking run in the second half lead to a Freddie Ljungberg shot that Fabien Barthez could only manage to parry, leaving an onrushing Wiltord to tuck home the rebound.

United pushed for an equaliser but that only made them more open and in truth, the match could well have ended with a dominant scoreline in the visitors’ favour. Not that the scoreline truly mattered; this clash was all about the result.

David Ginola has claimed that Tottenham Hotspur are capable of ending Manchester City’s unbeaten run.

Pep Guardiola’s side beat the Premier League record of consecutive victories when they overcame Swansea City 4-0 in midweek.

The North-West outfit have now won 15 top-flight games in a row and they will be looking for their 16th when they take on Tottenham at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday in the late kickoff.

Spurs had a poor run of form when they failed to win four league games on the trot.

The team lost to arch rivals Arsenal and Leicester City, but they have returned to winning ways over the past week.

Mauricio Pochettino’s men earned a 5-1 win over Stoke City and followed that up with a 2-0 triumph over Brighton.

Despite the fact that City have an 18-point advantage over Tottenham heading into this fixture, Ginola believes that the North London club are good enough to gain all three points this weekend.

The Frenchman told talkSPORT:

“They have a big chance. They’ve proved that in the past that they’re capable of beating any team. Beating City would be great for Spurs, they’re fourth in the table and they really have to keep up the pace until the end of the season to continue playing in the Champions League. It’s going to complicated for Spurs, to face City right now will not be easy, but they can beat them and I think they will.”

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Divock Origi should consider calling an end to his Liverpool spell and moving to West Ham United if the option becomes available.

What’s the word?

The Belgium international, who has earned 25 caps for his country, has been on Liverpool’s books since his 2015 move from Lille.

Under both Brendan Rodgers and current manager Jurgen Klopp, the attacker has struggled to hold down a regular place in the team.

Last season, the 23-year-old was sent on loan to Bundesliga club Wolfsburg, where he scored seven goals and creating three assists in 36 appearances in all competitions.

Origi has since returned to Liverpool for pre-season, but it is unclear where his long-term future lies.

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Would he fit in at West Ham?

Now that Manuel Pellegrini is in charge, it is difficult to say what system the Chilean will implement at the London Stadium.

Who do you think will win the World Cup? Let us know here and win any World Cup shirt of your choice.

However, Origi has the skill to thrive when given regular minutes on the pitch as he has pace on his side, as well as the ability to drop back and run at goal.

The Belgian is comfortable in one-on-ones and with Javier Martinez failing to deliver and Andy Carroll being susceptible to injuries, Origi could provide another dimension, along with Marko Arnautovic.

There is every likelihood that the attacker, who can play up front or wide, will want to prove himself at Liverpool, but he will struggle to disrupt the forward three of Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.

If Origi wants to play first-team football on a weekly basis, he should consider his options.

Brendan Rodgers has been relatively quiet in the transfer window so far this summer, but recent movements in the Premier League suggest he could have an ideal opportunity to sign a former Hoop. 

Despite the form of Alex McCarthy last season which played a key role in Southampton’s survival bid, it appears that Mark Hughes is at least entertaining the possibility of replacing him next season due to the club’s decision to spend £13.5 million on Angus Gunn.

McCarthy had to bide his time for an opportunity in the Saints starting eleven last season with competition from Fraser Forster (£13.5 million by Transfermarkt), but following a series of high-profile mistakes from Forster, he eventually cemented his place as the number one goalkeeper.

With both McCarthy’s rise to number one and Gunn’s arrival to consider, it would appears that Forster is surplus to requirements and free to leave the club this summer – a notion which suggests Celtic have an opportunity to re-sign him.

However, whilst Craig Gordon remains at Celtic Park there is no chance that Forster should even be considered by Rodgers as a potential signing as Celtic’s number one deserves to keep his place in the starting line-up next season.

And after being frozen out by Southampton Forster’s next move will surely be to a club who can genuinely guarantee him regular first-team football.

The only situation in which Celtic should take a potential transfer into consideration is if Gordon is prised away from the club by a European rival during the next few weeks, but with reports regarding interest for Gordon non-existent so far this summer, the supporters can rest easy in the knowledge that their lynchpin will remain in Glasgow for the foreseeable future.

The Celtic fans were hugely impressed by Forster when he played for the club and plenty would be pleased to see him return to Celtic Park this summer, but with Gordon at the club there is simply no need to re-sign the 6ft 6in stopper.

Celtic fans – thoughts? Let us know below!

Everton must be on the lookout for a Leighton Baines replacement this summer.

Even before Marco Silva replaced Sam Allardyce at the club, it was clear that Everton would try to sign a new left-back this summer. Leighton Baines, at 33-years-old, is approaching the end of his career and his form is starting to decline. Cuco Martina, a natural right-back, was the only cover available to Allardyce last year.

Left-back is an area of concern, and Silva needs to address the problem as soon as possible. The Blues had targeted Celtic’s Kieran Tierney, but the Toffees were deterred by the enormous £25m price tag placed on his head. Instead, Everton need to make a move for Barcelona defender – Lucas Digne.

Valued at £13.5m by Transfermarkt, the Frenchman has failed to displace Jordi Alba in the starting line up at the Nou Camp and could be set to leave in search of first-team football. He made just eight starts in La Liga last year but managed to pick up two assists. Everton could offer him the chance to be their left-back for the foreseeable future.

Despite his struggles in Spain, Digne remains a top player. His experience playing at clubs such as Paris St Germain and Roma could be vital as Everton look to challenge for European football next year. At just 24-years-old, there is plenty of time for the Frenchman to improve and develop.

This one is a no-brainer.

Everton fans, thoughts?

Jurgen Klopp has been busy in the transfer market so far this summer by completing a handful of mega-money deals which should hold Liverpool in good stead for a title challenge next season, but a recent interview from the manager suggests he is also planning ahead for a future deal. 

According to a recent report from Goal, Klopp has delivered an honest assessment about Christian Pulisic’s development at Dortmund and whether Liverpool could table a bid for his signature this summer. With the typical poker-face which most modern day managers utilise when they are asked questions about potential transfer targets, Klopp stated “he has a contract at Dortmund, no? That’s the first problem” before highlighting his huge potential to blossom in the future.

The problem with Klopp’s admission is that Alisson, Naby Keita and Fabinho all had contracts with clubs prior to joining Liverpool, but that did not prevent the Reds from signing them.

A more honest assessment from Klopp would have detailed Pulisic’s price-tag and the presence of both Mo Salah and Xherdan Shaqiri as the main reasons for a lack of concrete interest at this moment in time, but that could change if the electric Egyptian is eventually tempted into a move away from Anfield.

Salah’s decision to sign a new contract at the beginning of the summer arrived as a huge relief to Liverpool supporters during a time when speculation linking him with a move away from the club was beginning to intensify.

However, the nature of football is that top players inevitably attract plenty of interest and are easily persuaded into transfers, so it’s unlikely that Salah will remain a Liverpool player until his new deal expires in 2023.

With that in mind, it’s likely that Klopp will closely monitor Pulisic’s development over the course of the next few years in order to form conclusions regarding the true level of his potential and, if he is deemed up to the standard of a title-challenging Premier League club, it would be no surprise to see him eventually replace Salah on the right-side of Liverpool’s front-three.

Pulisic (valued at £40.5 million by Transfermarkt) has plenty of work to do on his end-product before he can stake legitimate credentials to replace Salah at Liverpool, but at 19-years-of-age there’s no doubt the best is yet to come from the USA international.

By the time he has come of age and added consistency to his game, it would be no surprise to see Pulisic move to Anfield when Salah is eventually tempted into a transfer away from Merseyside.

Liverpool fans – thoughts? Let us know below!

Steven Gerrard has been incredibly productive in the transfer market since he joined the club earlier in the summer, but a recent report from the Daily Record suggests he is far from finished despite already welcoming 10 new signings to Ibrox . 

According to the report, Rangers are preparing a second bid worth £300,000 for Kyle Lafferty after their opening offer of £200,000 was rejected by Hearts – an offer which was described as “disappointing” by Craig Levein. With the signature of Umar Sadiq already secured, the acquisition of a new striker is not a burning necessity for the Gers, but the arrival of Lafferty is certainly a deal which could make the difference between a genuine title-challenge and another season of living in Celtic’s shadow.

Following a season in which Alfredo Morelos bagged an impressive 14 goals from 31 appearances, Gerrard is certainly not struggling for quality options at centre-forward, especially with the arrival of Umar Sadiq to consider.

However, whilst Sadiq remains something of an unknown entity with no previous experience in Scottish football, Gerrard would be wise to add a proven attacking talent to his ranks to ensure his side are well prepared ahead of the new season.

With that in mind, there’s no doubt that Rangers’ interest in Lafferty, a player with 134 appearances in the SPFL – including 104 with the Gers – is certainly well placed. A versatile attacking player by trade with the ability to slot into a handful of positions across the front-three, Lafferty would provide Gerrard with the opportunity to experiment with different combinations in forward positions.

At 6ft 3in, Lafferty also possesses the aerial presence to give Rangers an outlet in fixtures where a more direct approach may be necessary to unlock the opposition.

And with 20 international goals from 67 appearances for Northern Ireland to his name, there’s no doubt that Lafferty has both the club and international pedigree to help the relatively inexperienced pairing of Sadiq and Morelos enhance their development, so there’s no doubt that his presence at the club would make a huge difference to Rangers’ ambitions ahead of the new season.

6 years after his departure from Rangers it could well be the perfect time for Lafferty to reunite with his former club and, considering Gerrard’s options at centre-forward are relatively scarce ahead of the new season, the potential deal could represent the final piece of his summer jigsaw.

Rangers fans  – thoughts? Let us know below!

According to French media outlet Foot Mercato, Tottenham Hotspur are interested in signing Getafe centre-back Djene Dakoman, but they should forget about him and buy a player their arch-rivals Arsenal wanted in June.

What’s the word, then?

Well, Foot Mercato report that the 26-year-old is in demand after a brilliant debut campaign in La Liga with Getafe, with Sevilla and Atletico Madrid among the Spanish clubs interested, while Premier League sides Spurs, Leicester City, Arsenal and West Ham United are also keen.

Foot Mercato say that that the Togo international is valued at €35m (£31) having impressed and made the La Liga team of the season, impressing with his physical qualities and his reading of the game at the heart of the defence despite only being 5ft 10in tall.

Meanwhile, Tottenham’s north London neighbours were heavily linked with a move for £35m-rated Freiburg defender Caglar Soyuncu back in June, although no move materialised as they got Sokratis from Borussia Dortmund instead.

Why should they sign Soyuncu instead of Djene?

Well, despite what was unquestionably a fine campaign for the 26-year-old, he has still only had one season at the top level in Spain and his lack of height would perhaps be a concern if he was coming to the Premier League to play at the heart of the backline.

On the other hand, the Freiburg man stands at 6ft 2in tall and is known for his defensive qualities and his ability on the ball, which would mean that he would be a better fit under Mauricio Pochettino given his ability to play out from the back.

Given Djene is also four years his senior, it certainly makes sense for Tottenham, whose fans have urged their club to snap up an Everton ace, to pay a few million pounds more to get a player with more potential for the future and time on his side.

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Everton are believed to be interested in signing Gremio defender Walter Kannemann, as covered by Corriere dello Sport.

The Toffees are finally making moves in this summer’s transfer window, with Lucas Digne following Richarlison to the club.

More new signings are expected to arrive before the transfer window closes next week, and the Merseyside outfit are in the market for a new centre-back.

That need has been strengthened following the news that Ashley Williams is on the verge of leaving the club to join Championship outfit Stoke City.

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Kannemann might well be an alternative to Barcelona’s Yerry Mina, who has been linked with a move to Manchester United in recent days.

The Everton fans have been offering their views on the 27-year-old, who has spent the last two years with Brazilian outfit Gremio.

A selection of the best Twitter reaction can be seen below: