Mikel Arteta has been tipped to become a “legend like Arsene Wenger” as Arsenal push for a long-awaited Premier League crown, with former team-mate Louis Saha insisting the Spaniard finally has the strongest squad in England. Saha believes Arteta’s mentality, maturity and tactical growth now put him on the brink of matching the Frenchman’s legacy, if he can turn dominance into a title.

Arsenal again deemed Premier League favourites

Arsenal once again find themselves in the thick of a Premier League title race, and this season’s strong start has reignited belief that Arteta’s project may finally reach its long-promised peak. Having fallen painfully short in three consecutive campaigns, the Gunners have assembled a squad widely regarded as the most complete in the division, giving Arteta his best chance yet to lift the coveted league trophy. The renewed optimism has prompted former players to speak out, including Saha, who believes Arteta is now positioned to achieve something historic.

Arteta’s transformation of Arsenal has unfolded over several phases, from the emotional near-miss of 2022-23 to the more controlled title push of 2023-24 and the tense, regression-tinged 2024-25 campaign. Throughout these cycles, Arsenal have developed resilience, tactical depth and a hardened mentality that was once lacking, allowing them to compete with serial winners, Manchester City, and Liverpool. The club’s consistent presence near the summit has built a foundation of scars, experience and belief that Saha suggests could prove decisive this time around.

Yet the stakes are higher than ever, as Arsenal’s inability to convert dominance into silverware remains the one lingering shadow over Arteta’s tenure. Having crafted a squad rich in talent, Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, William Saliba and Martin Odegaard among them, the Spaniard now carries both expectation and pressure. According to Saha, this combination is not a burden but a necessary ingredient for a manager who aspires to sit in the same pantheon as Wenger.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportSaha believes Arteta could emulate Wenger's legacy

Saha believes Arteta finally has the strongest squad in England and a genuine chance to win the Premier League this season. He explained: “This is definitely the first time that he has the best squad in the Premier League, and they’ve had the best start of any side, too. To be honest, he has the most confidence in his team, because after three or four years under his belt, you can see he has the composure and the mentality the club needs. He needs to still be like that come the end of the season, at those real crunch moments. They’ve been there before. They’ve done this for two years already, and then it falls away, so now they need confidence to go the whole way, to prove it to themselves and others.”

Saha insists that this season could be Arsenal’s breakthrough based on the completeness of the squad. He said: “I think this is the year because when you look at the squad, when you look at the talent, what they have, it's the most complete squad in the league. He has built confidence around it.”

He also praised Arteta’s personal evolution, adding: “I think Mikel has proven that he’s a top manager… sometimes he has made mistakes in communication, but it’s normal to make mistakes as a young manager.  I think now he can prove his critics wrong and show he has learned his lessons.”

He also discussed Arteta’s long-term future and the expectations surrounding him. Saha said: “ It’s good pressure for Mikel to be under. It’s because he has shown tactically he can solve so many problems. He has got on top of the mentality problems at the club, even if they still have not yet got that major trophy. He has shown he and his team can overcome difficult moments, but they need to show that they can keep that approach into February and beyond, when the pressure ramps up even further. If next year they are playing as champions or winners of the Premier League, then the pressure will be even greater to maintain that level of excellence.

Finally, Saha concluded by claiming that Arteta could reach the peaks once walked by Wenger in north London: "He could be a legend like Wenger, and he wants to see the team winning leagues in the same way. They have matched the quality of Wenger’s teams, but not their ability to win titles. That’s their goal next.” 

Getty Images SportArteta and Arsenal forged in the fire of heartbreaks

Arteta’s Arsenal journey has been built on near-misses that shaped the club’s identity while simultaneously frustrating supporters desperate for a return to the top. The 2022–23 season saw Arsenal lead the league for 248 days before collapsing due to injuries and inexperience, setting the template for heartbreak. The following year, they improved defensively and mentally, but could not outlast Manchester City’s relentless run, missing the title by a single point.

The 2024–25 season deepened the psychological burden, as Arsenal faltered in key moments, with Liverpool taking home the title, and ultimately finished third despite possessing one of Europe’s strongest squads. This sequence of narrow failures has hardened the team and matured its core, allowing the 2025–26 campaign to begin with renewed clarity and composure. Crucially, the current season has seen Manchester City show genuine vulnerability, creating a title landscape unlike any Arteta has previously navigated.

Arteta himself has evolved significantly in both tactical flexibility and communication, shifting from a dogmatic structure to a more pragmatic, opponent-specific approach. His squad, enriched by experienced leaders and technical standouts, has shown improved game management and resilience.

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Arsenal fighting for all three titles this season

Arsenal’s title bid now depends on maintaining consistency through the winter schedule, where past seasons have faltered under physical and psychological pressure. The challenge will lie in navigating injuries, managing squad rotation and converting tight matches against lower-table sides—historically a decisive weakness. If Arteta delivers where he previously fell short, Saha’s prediction of a Wenger-like legacy could become the defining conversation of the season.

Following their 3-1 win over Bayern Munich in the Champions League, Arsenal are also being touted as one of the favourites to become European champions for the first time in their history. However, there remains a large part of the season yet to come, and nobody knows better than Arteta that it's not over until the fat lady sings.

Harry Kane hailed Bayern Munich’s fighting spirit after his side secured a last-gasp 3-1 victory over St. Pauli in the Bundesliga on Saturday afternoon. Vincent Kompany's league leaders bounced back from their Champions League defeat against Arsenal in midweek thanks to late goals from forwards Luis Diaz and Nicolas Jackson at the Allianz Arena.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Diaz and Jackson score late on as Bayern go eight points clear

  Locked level heading into stoppage time, Bayern looked set to drop points against strugglers St. Pauli. Alexander Blessin’s visitors took a surprise lead when Burnley loanee Andreas Hountondji scored after just six minutes, before Diaz recorded a stunning assist for Bayern defender Raphael Guerreiro’s equaliser before half time.

  And then after three minutes of second-half stoppage time, former Liverpool forward Diaz saved Bayern’s blushes as he headed home from Joshua Kimmich’s teasing cross, before substitute Nicolas Jackson – on loan from Chelsea – made it 3-1 on 90+7. On a day when second-placed RB Leipzig were held to a 0-0 stalemate with Borussia Monchengladbach, Bayern’s victory saw them move eight points clear at the top of the table.

  The win also saw Bayern bounce back from their 3-1 loss against Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal in the Champions League on Wednesday. Suffering defeat for the first time in Europe’s premier club competition this season, Kompany’s side fell to goals from Jurrien Timber, Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli after youngster Lennart Karl scored in the first half.

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• 'Proud' Kane pays tribute to Bayern team-mates after the game

  And after the final whistle, England captain Kane took to social media to pay tribute to his Bayern team-mates following the all-important win. Writing on X, he said: “Important win today, proud of the boys for pushing until the very end!”

  Echoing Kane’s thoughts, Bayern head coach Kompany also praised his side’s determination against St. Pauli, telling reporters: “Such hard-fought wins are part of a season. That gives us confidence in the future that we can win in such situations. Compliments to the boys that they kept going and believed in themselves. We need that over the course of the season.”

• Getty Images Sport
  

  German giants' director of sport delivers update on Kane's future

  While he was unable to join Guerreiro, Diaz and Jackson on the scoresheet, Kane was a topic of discussion after the match as Bayern director of sport Max Eberl delivered a cryptic update on the striker’s future amid speculation linking him with a move to Barcelona.

  Asked whether the Bavarians have entered into contract renewal discussions with Kane, whose current terms expire in 2027, Eberl told “Harry knows exactly what he wants and we have plans for him. We would like to continue. We can very, very well imagine that, but we will basically discuss everything with Harry.”

  And when pressed on the future of defender Dayot Upamecano, whose contract expires next summer, Eberl added: “We definitely want it [a renewal]. I think we've communicated that clearly enough. I believe he feels very, very comfortable here.”

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• England captain insists he is calm regarding his future at Bayern

  While speculation continues to swirl, the former Tottenham forward insists he remains calm over his future at Bayern, saying there is “no rush” to enter into discussions regarding a new contract.

  “I haven't had any contact with anyone, nobody has contacted me,” he told this week. “I feel very comfortable in the current situation, even though we haven't yet discussed my situation with Bayern.

  “There's no rush. I'm really happy in Munich. You can see that in the way I'm playing. If there's contact, then we'll see. But I'm not thinking about the new season yet. First up is the World Cup in the summer. And it's very unlikely that anything will change after this season.”

South Africa left-arm spinner’s celebration of a wicket lands her in trouble

ESPNcricinfo staff11-Oct-2025

Nonkululeko Mlaba picked up 2 for 46 in South Africa’s win over India•BCCI

South Africa left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba was handed a demerit point for breaching the ICC’s code of conduct during the match against India at the Women’s World Cup.The incident occurred in the 17th over of India’s innings, when Mlaba, after dismissing Harleen Deol, waved goodbye to the batter, which an ICC release on Saturday noted, “could have provoked an aggressive response”Mlaba was judged to have breached Article 2.5, which relates to “using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon his/her dismissal during an International Match.”Related

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De Klerk upstages Ghosh as South Africa win thriller

On-field umpires Jacquline Williams and Kim Cotton, third umpire Candace le Borde and fourth umpire Sue Redfern levelled the charge. Mlaba admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by match referee Trudy Anderson. The sanction also included an official reprimand.Mlaba will carry this demerit point into a 24-month period. When a player reaches four or more demerit points within this period, they can be suspended for one Test or two ODIs or two T20Is, whatever comes first.South Africa clinched a thriller against India on Thursday, chasing down 252 to post their second win in three games of the World Cup. Mlaba picked up 2 for 46 in the game.

Manchester United are now advancing in talks to sign AZ Alkmaar midfielder Kees Smit, with it being revealed that a formal offer is in the works…

With Casemiro’s contract due to expire at the end of the season, and Kobbie Mainoo’s future still in doubt, having already held talks over a January exit, it is little wonder Ruben Amorim is keen to bring in a new central midfielder, and a Premier League player recently joined the shortlist.

With Carlos Baleba Man United’s dream target and an approach recently being made for Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, there is no shortage of exciting options to choose from, although it was recently revealed Amorim wants to bring in two midfielders before next season.

Recruiting from the Premier League in the summer has served United well so far this season, with the likes of Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha becoming key players, but a move for a slightly more left-field central midfielder is now gaining traction.

Man Utd advancing in talks to sign Kees Smit

That is according to a report from Spain, which states Man United are progressing in talks with AZ Alkmaar over a deal for Smit, with an opening bid in the works, and the deal could be finalised when Amorim’s side formalize their ‘definitive’ offer.

The 19-year-old has caught the eye due to his passing and ability in transition, and there is a belief he would be able to adapt to life in the Premier League, despite still being relatively inexperienced.

The midfielder is valued at just €25m (£22m), meaning a deal wouldn’t break the bank, and there could be money left over to pursue the likes of Baleba or Anderson, with Alkmaar also willing to sanction a departure.

Lauded as a “duel monster” by scout Ben Mattinson, the teenager has already established himself as a key player for Alkmaar, amassing two goals and four assists in all competitions this season, while his performances last term indicate he could be the future of the Netherlands national side.

There may be some concern over the fact the Dutchman is yet to prove himself outside his home country, but a deal would be relatively inexpensive at just £22m, so it would certainly be a low-risk move.

Smit is extremely comfortable in possession of the ball, placing in the 90th percentile for both successful take-ons and progressive carries per 90 over the past year, and it would be fantastic if Man United were able to beat the likes of Liverpool and Barcelona to his signature.

Carlos Baleba's stance on leaving Brighton to join Man Utd How £100m Carlos Baleba now feels about leaving Brighton to join Man Utd

Will the Red Devils get their man?

1 ByHenry Jackson Nov 17, 2025

The upcoming tour of West Indies, which starts a new WTC cycle, could prove a line in the sand

Andrew McGlashan14-Jun-20252:00

Hayden: ‘Defensive Cummins missed a trick’

As a rule, Australia don’t lose ICC finals. Only once in ten deciders since 1996, when Sri Lanka famously overcame them in another seismic result, had they fallen short – the 2010 T20 World Cup against England in Barbados. Therefore, the defeat in the World Test Championship (WTC) final at Lord’s is significant and likely to lead to the first stages of regenerating the side for the next cycle when the squad reaches the West Indies.Australia were favourites coming into the final against South Africa – although not perhaps by as big a margin as some perceptions – and also lost from a position of strength: 102 runs ahead on the second day with ten wickets in hand, before losing 7 for 45 as they were unable to navigate the South Africa quicks as the clouds came over. Australia didn’t earn the right to have more batting under sunshine on Friday, the third day of the Test. That had followed being 67 for 4 in the first innings, which ended with a collapse of 5 for 20.Australia played some excellent cricket to reach the WTC final, prevailing in numerous tight situations along the way over the two years, and they do not suddenly need a complete rebuild. It does not need a national enquiry, but it does warrant some introspection.Related

• Australia's new-look batting order 'prepared for anything'

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• Australia's batting issues: questions surround Khawaja, Labuschagne, Konstas and Green

• Markram delivers WTC glory to end SA's history of heartbreak

• Smith avoids surgery, faces race to be fit for West Indies Tests

The biggest questions heading into the game were around the top three. Though the selectors were clear on the fact that this was being treated as a one-off occasion, and that decisions made here did not have to link to what’s to come, Australia leave Lord’s arguably less clear of a path forward than before.”We always knew this was going to be a one-off – it’s pretty specific conditions over here,” captain Pat Cummins said after the defeat. “Losing the toss on day one and being sent into bat is never going to be easy for the top three. I think there are probably quite a few people in the line-up that kind of wish they could have done a little bit more. The top three was an obvious one in this game.”It’s not to say that had Australia managed to defend 282, the key issues wouldn’t have been addressed, but there is often a reluctance to change a winning team. Although there remains uncertainty over the strength of the bowling attack which England will be able to bring to Australia later in the year, coach Andrew McDonald has already acknowledged that the hosts will need a settled opening pair by then. Now the tour of the West Indies, which begins on June 25, could prove a line in the sand.”I don’t particularly know why, but it does feel like a little bit of a fresh start,” Cummins said, “Fast forward a couple of years, you start maybe thinking about who’s going to win. Hopefully we make the final, who’s going to win that, and maybe do we want to get some games into them?2:11

Should Khawaja’s pattern of dismissals worry Australia?

“Do we feel like now’s the right time to change, or do you hold with the team that got us to the final? We’ve got a couple of weeks before the first Test of the West Indies, so we’ll sit down and have a bit of a think after we digest this game. For me, I think a new WTC cycle in some ways does feel like a bit of a reset.”The clearest option with a view to the next generation is Sam Konstas, who hasn’t featured since his first two Tests against India. It’s hypothetical to ponder how he would have fared at Lord’s – and there’s no guarantee he’ll be the immediate answer after just 17 first-class matches – but even before Steven Smith’s nastily dislocated finger, it was difficult to see how he wouldn’t get an opportunity in Barbados. Josh Inglis is another who will to be given serious consideration.The immediate change is unlikely to be dramatic, or, beyond Konstas, especially youthful. Inglis, should he get a chance, is 30; the reserve quicks are 36-year-old Scott Boland and 31-year-old Brendan Doggett, although they will be key if the selectors decide the time is right for more rotation of the big three quicks to keep them fresh. However, the overall next WTC cycle could see a more significant remaking of the team.”In white-ball series, a lot of the time you build on four-year cycles around World Cups for ODIs,” Cummins said. “I think maybe it’s an opportunity in a Test match to do something similar. Everyone gets thrown back into the conversation, and it’s a little bit of a reset for that first half.”The biggest questions heading into the WTC final were around Australia’s top three•PA Photos/Getty ImagesQuestions may also be asked of Australia’s build-up where they opted for centre-wicket and nets. It’s worth noting they did the same in 2023, when they beat India in the final. South Africa hoped to have four days of cricket against Zimbabweans, but rain reduced that to one.There was no clear pattern to draw between how players prepared and their output at Lord’s: Usman Khawaja hadn’t played since March and struggled, Cameron Green churned out runs for Gloucestershire and failed twice, and Smith had three months without batting and made 66 in tricky conditions in the first innings.”I thought we got it spot on,” Cummins said. “I think the weather helped us out as well in that lead-in. I thought the fast bowlers, particularly, from the medical staff as well – they did fantastically well to make sure everyone was firing all cylinders from basically ball one.”It remains a fantastic bowling attack, but this time that wasn’t enough. They were excellent on the fourth morning, but when South Africa began the final day requiring another 69 runs to win, it would have needed something extraordinary for Cummins to continue his winning run in ICC finals.Now it all starts again, and events over the last four days at Lord’s have meant it will be an intriguing time for Australia’s Test team.

حسم التعادل السلبي نتيجة مباراة الاتحاد السكندري ونظيره المصري البورسعيدي، في إطار منافسات دور المجموعات من بطولة كأس الرابطة المصرية. 

وواجه الاتحاد السكندري فريق المصري البورسعيدي، في الساعة الخامسة من مساء اليوم، على ملعب “هيئة قناة السويس”. 

طالع.. اتحاد الكرة يٌعلن حكم مبارة الأهلي وإنبي في كأس الرابطة

ويقع فريق الاتحاد السكندري في المجموعة الثالثة في مجموعات كأس الرابطة رفقة الزمالك وكهرباء الإسماعيلية والمصري البورسعيدي وحرس الحدود وزد إف سي وسموحة. 

وبهذه النتيجة رفع فريق الاتحاد السكندري رصيده إلى نقطة وحيدة في المركز الخامس في جدول ترتيب المجموعة، بين رفع فريق المصري البورسعيدي رصيده إلى نقطة وحيدة في المركز الرابع. 

The Blue Jays are one game away from winning the 2025 World Series after beating the Dodgers in Game 5 on Wednesday night.

Following a brutal loss in Game 3's marathon thriller, Toronto quickly rebounded with a win in Game 4 to even up the series at two games apiece. Heading into Game 5, each team knew that the result could heavily tip the scales in one side's favor—as Dodgers minority owner Magic Johnson so astutely put it before first pitch.

On Wednesday, the Blue Jays played spoiler for the second straight time during the Dodgers' homestand with rookie pitcher Trey Yesavage's historic start and Toronto's big-time bats helping to secure a pivotal 6-1 win, and now they stand on the precipice of their first World Series title since 1993. Meanwhile, the Dodgers are teetering on the brink of elimination, their first taste of do-or-die baseball since the 2024 NLDS.

If history is any indication, the odds are very much in Toronto's favor.

In a best-of-seven series tied 2-2, the winner of Game 5 has won the series 46 of 68 times (67.6%), according to MLB's Sarah Langs.

In series which have a 2-3-2 format (like this one), teams who take a 3-2 lead by winning Game 5 on the road before returning home for Game 6 and 7 have gone on to to win the series 20 of 27 times (74.1%).

The Last Time Winner of Game 5 Clinched the World Series

The last two World Series were decided in five games, so they don't apply in this situation. In the 2022 Fall Classic between the Astros and Phillies, with the series tied 2-2, the Astros took Game 5 in Philadelphia before going on to clinch the title two days later at home in Game 6's 4-1 win.

With Game 6 at Rogers Centre on Friday night, the Blue Jays own the clear advantage and will also get to hear their home fans cheering them on in the same building they won their repeat championship in '93. Facing a Dodgers team that doesn't seem to have any answers at the plate this series, the Blue Jays will have sole control of their destiny.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider is really happy. Not just for himself, but for his team and the country he now calls home. After the Blue Jays beat the Mariners to win the American League Championship Series and advance to their first World Series in more than 30-years, Schneider was interviewed by Sportsnet's Hazel Mae, who for the second straight night found herself in an iconic Toronto television moment.

On Sunday she was interviewing Vladimir Guererro Jr. when Sportsnet did a sweet 360-degree shot to soak in the atmosphere after a win in Game 6. Tonight it was just holding the microphone so Schneider could drop a couple F-bombs after a win in Game 7.

"This f—ing unbelievable for me," said Schneider. "This is my 24th year with this organization and I f—ing love it here. These fans, this country, you deserve all of this. It's not about me. It's about every single one that's behind me and I couldn't be happier to represent this team."

Schneider was drafted by the Tigers in 2001, but didn't sign and was then drafted by the Blue Jays in 2002. He spent five years in the Blue Jays' farm system before he retired and started coaching. He worked his way up through the ranks until he got to Toronto in 2019. By 2022 he was named interim manager and now he's led them to their first World Series since he was a kid in New Jersey.

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Jasprit Bumrah was rested while Shreyas Iyer and Hardik Pandya continue to recover from their injuries

Shashank Kishore23-Nov-20253:52

Rishabh Pant vs Tilak Varma for Shreyas Iyer’s middle-order spot

India batter KL Rahul will captain the side in the three ODIs against South Africa starting on November 30. Rahul steps in with regular captain Shubman Gill still recovering from the neck injury he suffered during the first Test in Kolkata earlier this month.Rishabh Pant was back in ODI mix as the second wicketkeeper, having last played the format in August 2024. Jasprit Bumrah was rested having featured in all four home Tests this season, the T20 Asia Cup as well as the ODIs in Australia over the past two months. Shreyas Iyer too wasn’t in the squad as he continues to recover from a lacerated spleen.With Shreyas unavailable, a middle-order spot opened up for Tilak Varma, the left-hand batter, who featured in a recent one-day series against South Africa A in Rajkot.ESPNcricinfo LtdTilak has so far played four ODIs with modest returns, but has established himself as a regular in the T20I set-up. He could compete with Pant for a spot in the middle order that also has Virat Kohli, Rahul as well as Ravindra Jadeja, who was rested for the Australia ODIs. Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar are the other allrounders in the mix. There was no spot for Axar Patel.In Gill’s absence, Yashasvi Jaiswal is expected to open the batting with Rohit Sharma. Ruturaj Gaikwad, who was in sparkling form for India A during the one-dayers against South Africa A is the reserve opener. Gaikwad, who last played in an ODI two years ago, made scores of 117, 68* and 25 during India A’s 2-1 series win.Mohammed Siraj has been rested, presumably to manage his workloads after he featured in each of the four home Tests, with Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna and Harshit Rana as the frontline pace bowlers. The squad also comprises Dhruv Jurel as the back-up middle order batter.Hardik Pandya, meanwhile, is undergoing the final phase of his rehab for a quadriceps injury at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. He has been named in Baroda’s squad for the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20s that start on November 26, and could play the first three rounds of matches before the selectors take a call on him for the T20I series against South Africa. Hardik, who was part of the Champions Trophy wining squad in March, missed India’s previous ODI assignment due to the injury he picked up during September’s Asia Cup.The three ODIs against South Africa will be played on November 30 in Ranchi, December 3 in Raipur and on December 6 in Visakhapatnam.India’s ODI squad for South Africa seriesRohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, KL Rahul (capt & wk), Rishabh Pant (wk), Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh, Dhruv Jurel