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It has been reported that a "sensational" player could well leave Arsenal in January after being left "frustrated" by a Mikel Arteta call.

Arsenal form this season

The Gunners and north London rivals Tottenham remain the Premier League's only unbeaten sides following their excellent starts, with Arteta's side boating six wins from their opening nine top-flight encounters. That record was greatly threatened by Chelsea last Sunday, though, who took a 2-0 lead against them after Arsenal's arguable worst first half of the campaign so far. Arsenal did stick in long enough for two quick-fire goals to hand them a 2-2 draw, courtesy of late strikes from both summer signing Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard.

"We changed the level after 20, 25 minutes, especially in the second half then it’s a different game," said Arteta after the game.

"We became a much better team even though we conceded the second goal and it’s a disappointment. The way the team reacted to the second goal is phenomenal from the players on the pitch and the players on the bench thinking how the hell am I going to change this game. I loved that. I really liked as well going into the dressing room and it’s really quiet, after drawing 2-2 with Chelsea and coming back from 2-0 down, because I know that they wanted more. That’s the positive."

Building upon that, the Gunners got their Champions League campaign back on track with a 2-1 win away to last season's Europa League winners Sevilla on Tuesday evening.

Who could leave Arsenal in January?

Star players like Rice, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and others have proved pivotal for Arteta this season, but the same cannot be said for the likes of Thomas Partey, despite being very important for Arsenal last campaign. The Ghanaian, partly due to injury, has found consistent starting places difficult to come by and also missed last night's clash through unavailability.

However, despite this, a report from 90min this week has shared the latest update on Partey and his future; stating he has grown "frustrated" by a lack of consistent starting opportunities. As a result, if things don't improve in this regard, it is believed the former Atletico Madrid star could consider leaving in January. It's added that his camp have grown increasingly "agitated" at the lack of chances for Partey.

Partey actually started three matches as a makeshift right-back before being sidelined earlier in the season, and returned from injury in their 1-0 win over Man City prior to internationals. However, he was unused substitute against Chelsea, with Jorginho being preferred ahead of him.

Passing

Aerial duels

Long shots

Dribbling

Tackling

There is no doubting the 30-year-old's quality, though, with La Liga expert Gerry Armstrong calling him "sensational" and Ray Parlour once branding Partey a "very efficient" and "mobile" player.

"I think Partey has been so important," said Parlour last year.

"If Arsenal are going to go anywhere near trying to win a title, he’s got to stay fit because last season, he had so many injuries. But he’s been real instrumental in that midfield, just keeping it ticking over, very efficient player, can get around the pitch, very mobile."

Barcelona defender Marcos Alonso showed off his incredible accuracy as he nailed a basketball hoop from distance with his left foot.

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Alonso hit stunning long-range effortBall curled into basketball hoopStunned team-mates celebrated wildlyWHAT HAPPENED?

The Spain international sent the ball curling into the hoop from distance during Barcelona training, sending his team-mates into wild celebrations as they congratulated him and prompting the club's social media account to compare him to NBA hero Steph Curry.

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Despite such magnificent skill, the 33-year-old full-back has had a limited role for the Catalan club this season. He has featured in just seven games in all competitions this season and only recently returned to the squad after suffering from a back injury.

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR ALONSO?

Due to his struggles this term, Alonso has been left out of the Spain squad for the upcoming friendlies against Colombia and Brazil. Now that he is available for Barca once again, though, he will hope to be involved when they meet Las Palmas on March 30.

England opener to continue his career with Essex but will not be persuaded back to Test cricket

George Dobell05-Sep-2018Alastair Cook has insisted there will be no second thoughts or dramatic recalls following his decision to retire.Cook may be just 33 years old and committed to continuing his career with Essex, where he today confirmed a three-year contract extension, but he maintains that, whatever happens in the future, he will not be persuaded back to Test cricket.Asked how he would reply if, during next summer’s Ashes, England desperately required an opener and he had been scoring heavily in the County Championship for Essex, Cook was adamant he would stick to his decision.”No, I’m retiring and that’s it,” he said. “It is final. I have done my bit.”Cook had previously admitted that it did “briefly” cross his mind to ask for a winter off in an effort to rediscover “that edge” he felt his game had lost. But, having reflected on the idea, he concluded that it “has gone” for good, even though he accepted there may be a period of “mourning” for his lost career in the coming months.”If I had six months off and then came back, I don’t think that edge would be there,” he said. “It has kind of gone. When you know [it’s time to retire, you know].”There is going to be a transition, a period, of course there is. There are going to be times when you get that mourning and stuff like that, and that transition has to take place and you accept it, whether that is today or in two years.”I think having the opportunity to play for Essex over the next couple of years will help that a lot. I’ll always have that luxury of knowing the [family] farm is there, too, and that takes the pressure off me.”While he admitted there were aspects of the game he would miss, he described himself as “content in what I had achieved”.”I’m going to miss the buzz,” he said. “When there’s a tight game; like when Edgbaston’s rocking. I’ll sit there with jealousy watching other people play for England.”But I’m very content with what I’ve achieved. When you look at where I’ll end up in terms of runs scored, it would be very arrogant to say I’d expected to get up there. It’s gone better than I could ever have imagined. That’s why I can safely say I’m retiring sad in one way, but also so content in what I have achieved. It makes it a lot easier.”The imminent arrival of Cook’s third child, due at the start of next week, could cause him a potential clash of priorities as he gets himself geared up for his 161st and final appearance. Cook, however, joked that his wife Alice was braced to it alone if she goes into labour at 9am on Friday morning.”She might have to do it by herself I think,” Cook said with a smile. “We have spoken about it. If it comes then, I’ll meet it later on.”Ideally it will come after the match or, even better, after I’ve scored a hundred. And then it would come when India are about to bat and I won’t have to field. That would be ideal. Then I could come back and have another bat in the second innings. But I doubt that will happen.”

The proposed takeover of Everton continues to be a big talking point at the moment, and now a new update has emerged regarding 777 Partners and the current situation.

Everton's takeover talk

The Blues picked up a hugely impressive and much-needed Premier League victory on Sunday afternoon, battling their way to a 1-0 triumph away to a good West Ham, thanks to Dominic Calvert-Lewin's goal. It was one of Everton's best results of the season so far, and it steadied the ship greatly after some poor matches recently, as Sean Dyche continues to improve in the Goodison Park hot seat.

Away from the pitch, there has been a period of grieving, following the sad passing of legendary chairman Bill Kenwright at the age of 78 earlier this month, while the constant talk surrounding the takeover of the club has also carried on. Many Everton supporters are desperate for a deal to be struck as soon as possible, bringing an end to the Farhad Moshiri era on Merseyside, but it is clearly not going to be easy for 777 Partners to come in.

Everton takeover latest

Speaking on the Sport Unlocked podcast [via Goodison News], reporter Tariq Panja provided an update on Everton's takeover and explained how 777 Partners' payments could be made if the Blues suffer relegation from the Premier League to the Championship:

"From what I hear from the 777 deal, that will still go ahead with a bunch of contingencies in that contract based on Everton being relegated.

"If this deal goes through, these guys will still pay a similar amount, but slightly less if Everton do not come back up within two years, over a staggered payment scheme."

The idea of Everton being relegated from the Premier League for the first time in their history doesn't bear thinking about for supporters, especially with the exciting move to Bramley Moore Dock happening at the end of the season, as the Blues plan to move into a wonderful new stadium.

On the plus side, it is at least good to know that some planning is being done should the worst-case scenario happen next May, ensuring that Everton are hit as little as possible in a financial sense, should 777 Partners' takeover be completed in the coming months.

Sunday's aforementioned triumph at West Ham was a timely reminder of what this Blues side are capable of, however – they have also won away impressively at Brentford this season – and they should be looking for more of a mid-table finish in the league than worrying about going down, assuming Everton's potential 12-point deduction doesn't happen.

In Dyche, they appear to have a good manager who has made Everton difficult to break down, with even Liverpool struggling to break the deadlock in the Merseyside derby at Anfield prior to a penalty decision, and it would be a big surprise if they fared worse than they have in the past two seasons, just avoiding relegation each time.

A completed takeover would only make things easier for Dyche and his players, bringing more of a settled feeling to the club and also potentially generating more funds for transfer further down the line, but 777 Partners are putting contingency plans in place.

Former president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) Luis Rubiales is reportedly seeking Dominican citizenship, where he is now based.

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Rubiales embroiled in corruption controversyBased in Dominican Republican since RFEF dismissalSeeking citizenship to strengthen business tiesGetty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?

The 46-year-old was forced to resign from his post as RFEF president after he kissed Spain star Jenni Hermoso "non consensually" following La Roja's World Cup triumph, a punishment that was later matched by a worldwide sanction from FIFA. He could face up to four years in prison for that offence.

And controversy appears to follow Rubiales as a warrant for his arrest was issued this week over corruption allegations connected to Saudi Arabia, with his residence in the Dominican Republic raided as a result. Amid the ongoing investigation from Spanish authorities, reports that Rubiales is seeking citizenship for the Caribbean country.

AdvertisementTHE EXPLANATION

The report notes that while Rubiales' presence in the Dominican Republic dates back some time, his efforts in the country have increased since his RFEF dismissal and FIFA sanction. As a result, writes that he is attempting to apply for Dominican citizenship in order to strengthen his business interests in that country, particularly as those ventures in Saudi Arabia have taken a hit this week.

The report also notes that he has significant "presence and importance" in the Dominican Republic, as he aims to help Dominican federations gain prominence beyond solely sport. Sporting ventures include baseball and football, with the latter coming "indirectly" as a way to bypass FIFA's sanction.

GettyWHAT RUBIALES SAID

The Spaniard broke his silence on Thursday as the investigation into those corruption allegations steps up. He told Isabel Rabago of (via ): "I am absolutely surprised by all of this [the corruption allegations]. I have been working here for months, in the Dominican Republic. I've been doing it for more than a month straight. And in fact, my family was going to spend Easter with me."

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DID YOU KNOW?

notes that despite Rubiales' wishes, Dominican citizenship is famously difficult to acquire. Since 2015, marriage and a letter of nationality signed by the government are the only way it can be obtained.

West Indies have an enormous task ahead against Test cricket’s No. 1 team, but they also have examples of resilience from their recent past to draw from

The Preview by Sidharth Monga11-Oct-20185:14

Walsh: West Indies could play an extra spinner in Warrican

Big PictureAfter Edgbaston, there was Headingley. After Abu Dhabi, there was Sharjah. On away tours over the last two years, West Indies have suffered major setbacks, but at least on these two occasions they have shown they can bounce back. While even the most optimistic of the West Indies supporters won’t be expecting such a turnaround, what they will want is a closer contest than the three-day squash in Rajkot. And this West Indies side has shown they are capable of that.The thing about fight is, sometimes you can only fight as much as the opposition allows you to. And at home, India don’t allow you to fight that much. The best Test team in the world is downright dominant at home. If they have one eye on Australia during this series, that is because they can afford to do so.Prithvi Shaw seems to have booked his place as an opener come Adelaide in the first week of December. With his maiden century, Ravindra Jadeja has begun his audition as the allrounder well, should the injured Hardik Pandya not make it to Australia. Now for KL Rahul and Ajinkya Rahane to score some runs.Form guideIndia WLLWL(most recent first)
West Indies LWWLD1:33

Rahul somebody we want to persist with – India bowling coach

In the spotlightAjinkya Rahane went to South Africa late last year without a big score against Sri Lanka at home. The result was his missing the first two Tests as the team management went on current form. Now home conditions are not his favourite, but he needs to score a big one in this Test to carry some current form, and more importantly confidence, to Australia.Without their talisman, their captain, Jason Holder, West Indies were half the team they usually are. There was nobody to peg away outside off for fours when India were getting easy runs. There was nobody to pitch a tent when the India bowlers were running through the wickets. A fit Holder should mean a more competitive West Indies.Team newsIndia have named an unchanged twelve, which means there is a good chance Virat Kohli might field an unchanged XI only for the second time in 42 Tests as captain. That also means Mayank Agarwal will not get a go as a Test opener before the Australia tour.India: 1 KL Rahul, 2 Prithvi Shaw, 3 Cheteshwar Pujara, 4 Virat Kohli (capt.), 5 Ajinkya Rahane, 6 Rishabh Pant (wk), 7 R Ashwin, 8 Ravindra Jadeja, 9 Umesh Yadav, 10 Mohammed Shami, 11 Kuldeep Yadav/Shardul ThakurWest Indies will hope the return of Holder and Kemar Roach revitalises them. Sunil Ambris will be under pressure to retain his place after two disappointing dismissals, but they are not carrying any back-up except wicketkeeper-batsman Jahmar Hamilton. Devendra Bishoo failed to create any pressure as a spinner in Rajkot, and there might be temptation to replace him with the more accurate fingerspin of Jomel Warrican.West Indies (possible): 1 Kraigg Brathwaite, 2 Kieran Powell, 3 Shai Hope, 4 Sunil Ambris, 5 Shimron Hetmeyer, 6 Roston Chase, 7 Shane Dowrich (wk), 8 Jason Holder (capt), 9 Kemar Roach, 10 Devendra Bishoo/Jomel Warrican, 11 Shannon GabrielPitch and conditionsExpect Rajkot-like conditions in Hyderabad: good for batting to begin with, and turn and uneven bounce from third day onwards. There will be some respite from the 40-degrees heat of Rajkot, with highs of mid-30s expected during the match.Stats and trivia West Indies’ last three Tests in India have lasted a total of nine days and 720.5 overs. All three have been innings defeats. In the last Test, India registered their highest total against West Indies and their biggest win against them Since 2016, India have scored eight scores of 600 or more, two more than the rest of the world put togetherQuotes”They are going to try and come harder at us because it’s only a two-match series. They don’t have any other options apart from trying to make a comeback. We are aware that they will come hard at us. We simply have to be at the top of our game and, if there is a difficult situation, we just have to play sensible cricket.”
“We’re playing the No. 1 team, India, in their backyard. And history would show we haven’t won a Test match here since 1994, and if you look at the players who came through West Indies cricket – I think Brian Lara and these greats had been playing at that time.”

Aston Villa have been handed a boost after learning that one of their senior players is set to return from injury following the international break, according to reports.

Aston Villa injury news

The Midlands outfit currently have Tyrone Mings and Emiliano Buendia out on the sidelines for the remainder of the season with their own respective problems, and whilst he’s now available for selection, Alex Moreno has also been out of action for a while. Unai Emery’s left-back has been struggling with a hamstring issue since the start of the season, and whilst he’s featured on the bench on three occasions in the Premier League, he’s still yet to make his first appearance during the new campaign (Transfermarkt – Alex Moreno statistics).

A fourth player who has been missing for a more significant period of time is Jacob Ramsey, who suffered a recurrence of a foot injury two months ago, with the last time he was seen on the pitch in the top flight being during the 6-1 victory over Brighton and Hove Albion in September (Transfermarkt – Jacob Ramsey statistics).

Since then, the central midfielder has missed the last five fixtures, but with the international break now having arrived, this will give some of the injured players the chance to work their way closer to full fitness, including the 22-year-old if the following update is to be believed.

Jacob Ramsey injury update

According to BirminghamLive, Ramsey could return for Aston Villa during the next match in just under a fortnight at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on November 26.

“After recovering from a broken metatarsal – which kept him sidelined for 10 weeks – in September, Ramsey suffered a reoccurrence of the foot injury.

"He had returned from injury last month in the defeat at Legia Warsaw and came off the bench in wins against Chelsea and Brighton.

"He could make his comeback against Tottenham after the November international break after Emery gave an update ahead of the club's match with Fulham, revealing the 22-year-old is close to returning to full training at Bodymoor Heath.”

Unai Emery has a "big talent" in Ramsey

During his time at Aston Villa, Ramsey has posted 23 contributions, 13 goals and 10 assists, in 104 senior appearances, so he’s shown that he’s capable of making a positive impact in the final third, therefore, it will be a huge boost for Emery to have him back at his disposal.

The Birmingham-born talent, who pockets £70k-per-week (Aston Villa salaries), also currently ranks in the 92nd percentile for pass completion, highlighting how strong he is at linking up the play with his fellow teammates to create as many chances as possible for both himself and his peers (FBRef – Ramsey statistics).

With Ramsey even having the versatility to operate in four roles in the midfield and three across the frontline over the grass, he’s been hailed a “big talent” by football scout Jacek Kulig for all of the attributes that he brings to the side, so the sooner he can stage his comeback from injury, the better.

The USMNT will have welcomed news that Josh Sargent is finally back to “normal” after receiving “proper treatment” on his injury issues.

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Ankle problems held forward backMissed out on Nations League gloryPositive fitness news for club & countryWHAT HAPPENED?

The 24-year-old forward sat out four months of action early in the 2023-24 campaign after being forced to undergo ankle surgery. He suffered another fitness setback during the March international break that prevented him from linking up with his country and savouring CONCACAF Nations League glory.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

That enforced rest did, however, work in Sargent’s favour as he was able to work his way back to peak physical condition. He has been in stunning form for club side Norwich of late, hitting a personal-best 14 goals for the season, and will be looking to net in a 10th successive home game when taking in a derby date with arch-rivals Ipswich on Saturday.

WHAT WAGNER SAID ABOUT SARGENT

Ahead of that contest, Canaries boss David Wagner has said when delivering an update on Sargent’s fitness: “Two full 90s in four days is a big step for him. He hasn't done this in recent months, to be fair, without any issues. Last week he was able to follow the full regime without any issues. Physically you will get fatigued as a player, but he recovered well and now we’d like to push him for the next game.

"Hopefully our season continues quite long; for the maximum it can be. And for this obviously his fitness will be crucial. To be fair in this (last) international break, we were not really able to work him. He had to rest and recover his ankle. But obviously it was possible to give him proper treatment. That was beneficial for his ankle because it looks like now is able to tolerate the normal workload and the normal routine, which he was not able to tolerate in recent months.”

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR SARGENT?

While Norwich are hoping to see Sargent fire them into the Championship play-offs, earning a shot at promotion to the Premier League along the way, the USMNT will be pleased to hear that the in-form frontman is in top shape heading towards a Copa America tournament on home soil this summer.

Mary Earps says she is "excited" to have signed with Puma after the Manchester United and Lionesses star ended her sponsorship with adidas.

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Earps signs sponsorship deal with PumaEnds spell with sporting giant adidasShows off kit and boots in Instagram postWHAT HAPPENED?

The England goalkeeper has reportedly signed a multi-year contract with kit manufacturer Puma, despite interest from other brands. She joins team-mates and fellow goalkeepers Ellie Roebuck and Khiara Keating in joining Puma; and it appears the 31-year-old is thrilled to have made the switch.

AdvertisementWHAT MARY EARPS SAID

In an Instagram post, she posted a photo of her excitedly showing the Puma boots, while also putting them to use. She also wrote: "Excited to have signed with Puma ✍️ The future is now 🧡."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Earps' star could not be much higher at present, with the stopper starring for both United and England; as well as being named top women's goalkeeper at FIFA's The Best Awards for a second year running. The recognition she is getting is, arguably, playing a part in the growth of women's football, too.

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Earps' United side are in FA Cup action on Sunday afternoon when they take on Chelsea in the semi-finals of the competition at Leigh Sports Village. They return to Women's Super League action on April 21 against Tottenham.

Several PSL franchises are angry at the way the T10 League has been attempting to affiliate itself with Pakistan cricket, and have written a letter to Ehsan Mani expressing their concerns

Umar Farooq06-Nov-2018Several PSL franchises have embarked on a warpath with the UAE-based T10 league, writing a letter to the PCB chairman Ehsan Mani to express alarm at the encroachment of the T10 league into what they consider their territory.The letter, which ESPNcricinfo has obtained a copy of, “highlights serious concerns”, and among other things, asks that the PCB prevent its players from participating in the league. The PSL franchises ask the board to prevent the use of names of Pakistani cities in franchises that will play the T10 League. The letter also claims the “promotional activities of these teams in the heartlands and territories of PSL teams” may damage the PSL teams’ reputation, divert their sponsors and draw away their fan base.The letter, which ESPNcricinfo understands all but one of the six PSL franchises are in agreement upon, requests the PCB to announce publicly that the cricket board has not authorised the T10 League. In addition, they have requested the PCB to prevent the T10 League from seeking sponsorships in Pakistan.The recurring theme throughout the letter is the signatories seeking to prevent the Emirates T10 cricket League taking on names such as Karachians, Pakhtoon and Punjabi Legends. Terming it “a mean attempt by a foreign entity to target Pakistani cricket viewership market despite the fact that the T10 Cricket League has no indigenous affiliation with Pakistan or people of Pakistan”, they warned the PCB such actions needed to be nipped in the bud before it was too late and the “menace of foreign cricket leagues” had encroached on Pakistan’s domestic structure.Last year, the T10 was under agreement not to use the Pakistan market for sponsorship, and the organisers were not seen promoting the league in Pakistan. The biggest concerns among PSL franchises is the commercial market in Pakistan will be exhausted ahead of the PSL, which starts in the second week of February next year. The franchises fear the league hurts their brand, and is a potential threat to the value of the PSL itself. Similar concerns were also raised last year.Mani earlier raised concerns over the league’s ownership patterns and sponsorship and revoked the NOCs to 17 players selected in draft last month in Dubai. The organisers however, have to shell out a flat fee of US$ 600,000 to the PCB for the NOCs, which will be dealt with on a “case-to-case basis”. In addition, the PCB will also deploy their own integrity officers to monitor the tournament.PCB’s apprehension had stemmed from former T10 League president Salman Iqbal pulling out, citing a lack of “transparency and proper systems and monitoring”. Iqbal, the owner of the ARY Media Group and the Pakistan Super League’s second-most expensive team, Karachi Kings, struck a deal with UAE-based businessman Shaji ul Mulk to launch the league last year.Months before the second season, he resigned from the position of president on September 19, and disassociated himself from all its operations. His presence in the league was a major pull factor for Pakistan players, and several nationally contracted players were roped in. The second edition is set to run from November 21 to December 2. Prominent players like Rashid Khan, Chris Lynn, Brendon McCullum and Andre Russell have committed to taking part this season.Even last year, majority of the franchises had raised concerns, and initially last year the PCB wasn’t even willing to allow its players to take part since it clashed with the commercial interests of the PSL in the UAE. But Iqbal, despite having a stake in the PSL, managed to convince the then PCB chairman Najam Sethi to let them participate.