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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…

Speaking on his official YouTube channel, Arsenal legend Ian Wright has given his seal of approval on the Gunners’ new signing Nicolas Pepe and declared that the winger is a “world-class player”.

What did he say?

The Gunners confirmed the signing of the Ivory Coast international in a club-record deal on Thursday, and Wright has admitted that he never envisaged the north London side being able to pull such a move off.

He said (as quoted by Football.London): “I’m really in a positive vein now. This is the type of player we would think ‘Oh I wish we had got him’. Well we have got him, and the thing about this is that it is a deal we assumed would never be done, and it is brilliant.

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“Personally, I think we have got a world class player on our hands and I am not being over the top, or being over excited, because I genuinely believe that from what I have seen. He ticks so many boxes – goals, assists – but for me it is the directness and we miss that. We miss a player who can take players on one-on-one and beat them, who has the ability to receive the ball and turn, dribble and be direct at players; no defenders want to face that.”

A truly exciting signing

Make no mistake about it, the Gunners clinching a deal for the 24-year-old amidst all the competition, is something truly noteworthy. Much has been made about the north London side’s reported limited budget, and added to the fact that the club have no Champions League football to offer, pulling off a swoop for Pepe has to be applauded.

As Wright says, Arsenal desperately missed a wide player who could take players on and create opportunities out of very little. The Gunners were heavily reliant on Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to score the bulk of their goals, but Pepe’s arrival can certainly help balance that.

The Ivorian racked up 23 goals and 12 assists across all competitions last season, and will add some serious firepower to the Gunners’ attack. A front three of Pepe, Aubameyang and Lacazette certainly seems like a mouth-watering proposition for the upcoming campaign.

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Lots of Crystal Palace fans have taken to Twitter to discuss rumours linking them with a move for AC Milan forward Fabio Borini.

Calciomercato reports that the Eagles are monitoring the Italian’s situation at the San Siro with a view to making a move for the 28-year-old, who only managed to score 16 goals in 111 Premier League appearances.

If Palace sell Wan Bissaka and Zaha, will they be in another relegation battle? One fan gives his opinion in the video below…

Aston Villa are also said to be interested in the man who Milan want to get at least €15m (£13.5m) for should he depart Serie A.

According to the report by Calciomercato, Borini likes the destination of Palace but we are only in the initial stage of a deal – no offer has even been made for the 5 foot 11 attacker yet.

He is by no means prolific judging by his aforementioned goal record, but Borini has once again caught the eye of an English side having already plied his trade for Liverpool and Sunderland previously.

Let’s take a look at what the Palace fans on Twitter have to say about links to the Italy forward…

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Arsenal ended their tour of the United States in dramatic fashion.

Unfortunately, it was defeat for the Gunners in the end but they were just a step away from beating La Liga juggernaut Real Madrid.

And naturally, when two clubs of their pedigree clash, even if it’s a friendly match, tensions rise and players can let their emotions get the better of them – and that is exactly what happened in Washington DC.

Four goals, two red cards arrived before a penalty shootout was needed to determine the winner – all of that in a pre-season game. Los Blancos ended up victorious on the night but, despite the hectic course of the action, spirits between the two sets of players seemed to remain high in the aftermath of proceedings.

And that was evidenced on Sead Kolasinac’s

/B0TxkU6hhL0/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link” data-lasso->Instagram page as he shared a brilliant snap with Karim Benzema.

Neither of the players were on the scoresheet but they played their parts as the teams said their goodbyes to Washington.

Arsenal will take on Lyon next in the Emirates Cup game in their own backyard this coming Sunday.

وصف مدرب فريق ساوثهامبتون رالف هاسنهوتل، هزيمتهم بالتسعة مساء أمس أمام مانشستر يونايتد في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز بالمروعة.

وخسر ساوثهامبتون في الأولد ترافورد بتسعة أهداف دون رد في الجولة الثانية والعشرين. أهداف مباراة مانشستر يونايتد وساوثهامبتون

وقال هاسنهوتل في تصريحات نشرتها شبكة “بي بي سي” العالمية: “فقدنا لاعبًا بعد ثلاث دقائق أمامهم، تهانينا لـ مانشستر يونايتد، لقد تألقوا ولم يتوقفوا عن التسجيل”.

وأضاف: “طرد لاعبنا الثاني (بيدناريك) كان مخيبًا للآمال، لم يعد لدينا لاعبين”.

وواصل: “طرد جانكويتز؟ هو لم يقتل مكتومناي، ولكني لا أريد التحدث عن الحكم، في مباراتنا الماضية قدم جانكويتز أداءً رئعًا وترك بصمته، كان خطأ غبي من الفتى الشاب، قتل كل شيء”.

وتابع: “رغبت في مشاركة عدد من اللاعبين الصغار في المباراة، ولكن من الأفضل أن تدعهم يخرجون لأن الخسارة 9-0 في ظهورهم الأول ليس بالأمر الجيد”.

وأردف: “لقد حاولنا في الشوط الثاني الحفاظ على نظافة شباكنا قدر المستطاع، ولكن في ظل وجود تسعة لاعبين كان من السهل عليهم التسجيل”.

واستكمل: “ماذا يمكنني أن أقول؟ إنه أمر مروع، ولكننا نجحنا في التعافي بعد خسارتنا بالنتيجة ذاتها أمام ليستر سيتي، علينا فعل ذلك مرة أخرى”.

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It has been an astonishing few days in regards to the rumours surrounding Leeds, with Gianluigi Buffon and Francesco Totti to name but two linked to Elland Road. Today’s Whites transfer roundup includes an update on the exit of an 18-year-old, interest from a Championship club in two youngsters and a development in regards to that Buffon story.

Clarke medical

Jack Clarke underwent a medical at Tottenham on Wednesday, according to Football Insider. The Sun reported three days ago that the two clubs had agreed an £8.5m fee for the player, and the deal has now taken another step closer to completion.

Barnsley after Leeds duo

Football Insider is also reporting that Barnsley are looking to bring in Leeds pair Mallik Wilks and Aapo Halme. And Leeds could be willing to let the two leave if they are able to bring in their priority summer targets.

Buffon set for Juve return

Gianluigi Buffon was previously linked with Leeds United (Corriere Della Sera), but it now appears that the Yorkshire-based outfit are set to miss out on the 2006 World Cup winner. According to Sky Italia, Buffon is set to make a sensational return to Juventus during this transfer window.

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Tottenham Hotspur fans couldn’t believe Juan Foyth’s incredible display of skill during the Copa America semi-final against Brazil.

The defender played 90 minutes at right-back as Argentina lost 2-0 to their South American rivals on Tuesday evening.

Goals from Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus and Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino proved decisive as the Samba stars progressed to the final at the expense of Lionel Messi and Co.

But Foyth grabbed a fair few admirers with a body feint that sent Barcelona star Philippe Coutinho in completely the wrong direction.

Normally deployed as a centre-back at Spurs under Mauricio Pochettino, Foyth enjoyed a solid showing at full-back against the likes of Firmino, Jesus and Coutinho.

Watch Tottenham Hotspur Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

He made three tackles and completed five dribbles from the right-back position, per WhoScored, but fans were more impressed with the remarkable piece of skill that embarrassed the former Liverpool ace.

Take a look at the best of the reaction below!

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After falling short of their aim to qualify for the Champions League next season, Arsenal simply have to improve their defence and wing departments ahead of the new campaign.

Reports in recent months have suggested the club’s transfer budget will be incredibly limited and so Unai Emery’s side will have to do some shrewd business if they are to return to the promised land next season.

Their opening Premier League game of the season sees them take on Newcastle at St James’ Park, and with just over a month to go before it kicks-off, the Gunners team could undergo some dramatic changes. We’ve had a go at predicting how they might look.

After initially finding himself as second-choice to Petr Cech last season, Bernd Leno never really looked back following the former Chelsea star’s injury early in the campaign. The German made the number one position his own and should be the Gunners’ goalkeeper for years to come.

In front of him, Hector Bellerin is unlikely to make his comeback from injury in time for the opening weeks of the season so Ainsley Maitland-Niles will more than likely step up in his absence again. On the other flank, Kieran Tierney appears to be Arsenal’s first-choice target for the left-back slot and would represent a major upgrade on the likes of Sead Kolasinac and Nacho Monreal.

Watch the video below to see the most insane overhead kick you will see this week…

At centre-back, Sokratis enjoyed an impressive debut campaign at the Emirates but the man to partner him is still up for debate. Reports in recent weeks have suggested the likes of Shkodran Mustafi and Calum Chambers will be moved on, whilst club captain Laurent Koscielny has been linked with a return to his native France. That could mean Rob Holding comes straight into the line-up having made his return to training from his own knee injury.

In midfield, the Gunners looked a solid outfit with Granit Xhaka and Lucas Torreira in the engine room, though there are question marks over whether Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi’s international commitments this summer might see them eased back into action.

Despite settling on a back-five last season, Unai Emery’s preferred formations throughout his managerial career have been the 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3. If the Gunners do return to the former next season, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang might line up from the left-hand side once again, as he did eight times last year.

Watch Arsenal Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

The right flank is where things truly get interesting. The club are well-known to be on the look-out for another winger and reports have claimed Emery’s side are intent on signing Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha. If they can somehow afford the big-money deal, the Ivorian will no doubt be a fixture amongst the starting eleven.

Finally, with no real interest coming in, Mesut Ozil may still find himself at the Emirates for the opening game at St James’ Park, and could play behind the side’s Player of the Season last year in Alexandre Lacazette.

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…

Tottenham Hotspur could offer Fernando Llorente a fresh contract this summer, per The Guardian.

What’s the word?

The Spanish World Cup winner played an integral role in Spurs’ run to the Champions League final, scoring the winning goal in the quarter-final second leg against Manchester City, and proved an adept back-up to Harry Kane throughout the 2018/19 season.

However, his contract at the club has expired and, while there has been no communication from the club, he is no longer a part of their squad.

However, The Guardian claims that Spurs would be open to keeping him if he is unable to find himself a new club, having entered into free agency.

Llorente, the report states, earned £100,000-per-week in north London but he would have to accept a pay cut to be kept on for next season.

Watch Tottenham Hotspur Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

A no-brainer

Spurs should be keeping him around.

Llorente was an excellent deputy to Kane throughout the campaign and Spurs would never have reached the final without him.

He has rarely complained about a lack of playing time when the England captain is fit and he offers a completely different threat from the bench. Add to that the fact that the only possible alternative to Kane at this point is Vincent Janssen, and the case is only strengthened; Janssen made just three Premier League appearances last season.

A barrel-chested forward who is a genuine nuisance in the air, there are few strikers like him in England and he always gives opposition defences a headache.

His goal against City should have sealed the deal but he was then excellent in the semi-final second leg versus Ajax, as Spurs overturned a 2-0 deficit to book a final showdown with Liverpool.

Even if he only plays five games next season, keeping him around makes all the sense in the world, particularly if he is willing to take a hit on his old wages.

أكد محمد عمارة لاعب الأهلي الأسبق، أن المارد الأحمر كان أمامه فرصة ذهبية للفوز على بايرن ميونخ في مباراة أمس، مُشيرًا إلى أن العملاق البفاري لم يكن في حالته المعتادة.

وخسر الأهلي أمس الإثنين، أمام بايرن ميونخ، بهدفين دون رد، في المباراة التي جمعتهما بنصف نهائي كأس العالم للأندية.

وقال عمارة خلال مداخلة ببرنامج “بي أون تايم” عبر شاشة “أون تايم سبورت”: “حزين أن الأهلي خسر لأنه كان بإمكانه أن يقدم أفضل من ذلك، لم أر بايرن ميونخ أسوأ من ذلك، الفريق البفاري لم يكن في حالته أمس وكانوا مرهقون من السفر”.

وتابع: “الأهلي كان أمامه فرصة ذهبية لعمل نتيجة إيجابية، كان ممكن نفوز عليهم، أنا ضد من يقولون أن الأحمر كان جيدًا، أمس لم نر مولر وكيميتش وألابا في حالاتهم، ونوير لم تذهب له كرات كثيرة وهذا يعني أننا كنا ضعاف جدًا”.

وأضاف: “الأهلي كان يستطيع الفوز على بايرن ميونخ لو كان يمتلك أنياب هجومية، كنا نلعب بدون مهاجم صريح، لا أعرف لماذا موسيماني لم يدفع بـ محمد شريف أو مروان محسن، ولا أفهم لماذا رحل أحمد ياسر ريان، كان سيفيد الفريق في هذا المركز”.

وواصل: “الشوط الأول اللاعبين كانوا خائفين ومرتبكين ولا يصدقوا أنهم يواجهون بايرن ميونخ، افتقدوا الثقة، وعندما زالت الرهبة في الشوط الثاني بدأوا يتحررون نوعا ما”.

طالع أيضا.. سمير كمونة: من ينتقد أداء الأهلي لا يفهم كرة.. وثنائي الفريق لم يخرج إمكاناته حتى الآن

وأردف: “محمد هاني أدى مباراة جيدة ومن وجهة نظري كان من نجوم الفريق، وللأسف لو كان الأهلي في حالته أمس كان تفوق على بايرن ميونخ”.

واستمر: “هذا الجيل محظوظ، نحن كنا نلعب بدون سوشيال ميديا، الآن (الشو الإعلامي) أكبر، ولكن الجيل السابق كان أثقل، مثال أنا محظوظ أنني لعبت بجانب حسام حسن، كنت أشعر بكياني وكيان فريقي وأنا بجانبه، وأيضًا سمير كمونة المدافع الصلب الحديدي الفولاذي غير موجود مثله الآن”.

وأشار: “علي معلول لم أره أمس، في الدوري نجده مثل (الأراجوز)، قيل إنه يجهز للمباراة القادمة، كيف ذلك؟ّ! لو إصابته في الخلفية فسيحتاج من أسبوعين إلى ثلاثة”.

واختتم: “موسيماني ضعيف في إدارة المباريات، ولم أر بصمة له مع الفريق، حصل على بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا من مبارتين فقط، وعمل على شغل المدرب القديم، وفاز بكأس مصر بركلات الجزاء، وكل جماهير الأهلي تتفق معي، نريد مدرب مقنع لنا، لا يصح أن تقول أنا سأواجه بايرن ميونخ الذي فاز على برشلونة 8- 2، لا ياحبيبي أنت النادي الأهلي بطل إفريقيا والعرب، لا تصح هذه التصريحات العشوائية هذه”. اهداف مباراة الاهلي وبايرن ميونخ (2-0) كأس العالم للأندية

Matteo Darmian could be set for a shock move to Barcelona after the Catalan giants were said to have put the Italian on a list of targets for left-back, according to ESPN.

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Darmian is said to be a low-cost alternative to first-choice targets Junior Firpo, Philipp Max and David Alaba.

David Alaba was the club’s first-choice target, but Bayern Munich are refusing to discuss terms with the club.

It is thought manager Ernesto Valverde wants a new left-back signed before the club flies out for their pre-season tour of Miami next Monday.

A move for Darmian wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world after he made just seven appearances last season, despite the club’s struggles in defence as they conceded a club-record 54 goals in the Premier League.

However, a move would seem strange from Manchester United’s perspective especially with the lack of out-and-out left-back cover for Luke Shaw. Ashley Young remains at the club after signing a new contract last season, but he is predominantly a right-footed player, despite having played left-back in the last few seasons.

Despite just playing seven games all of last season, and a move away looking likely after being left out of the squad for the Kristiansund friendly, Manchester United should do all they can to retain the services of the 29-year-old.

There is a real lack of depth in an already weak defence, and with the club doing all it can to bring in Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes in the remaining week or so of the window, there seems little time to focus on buying a replacement left-back if Darmian leaves.

With regards to Young, he showed last season that he couldn’t even perform well in his natural right-back position, so to trust him as a backup left-back could go horribly wrong. Young was one of the players singled out during the club’s hammering at the hands of Barcelona in the Champions League.

Unless Manchester United can get a replacement in for Darmian, who has played at left-back 55 times in his career (via Transfermarkt), he is still needed by the club, who should do all they can to retain his services.

Manchester United fans, should the club keep hold of Darmian? Join the discussion by commenting below!