'We didn't try!' – Pep Guardiola tears into Man City players for Bayer Leverkusen defeat and names the one thing that disappointed him the most in Champions League no-show

Pep Guardiola blasted his Manchester City players following their Champions League defeat by Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday. The Catalan has had three days to reflect on the 2-0 loss against the Bundesliga side at the Etihad Stadium, for which he made 10 changes to his starting line-up. And he has concluded that his players did not put in the required effort.

  • City still smarting from shock home defeat

    Tuesday's defeat by Leverkusen was the first time City had lost a Champions League home game in the group stage or the League Phase of the competition since they were beaten 2-1 by Lyon in September 2018. The coach only kept Nico Gonzalez in the starting line-up from the previous match against Newcastle, benching top scorer Erling Haaland plus his most experienced players such as Phil Foden, Ruben Dias and Bernardo Silva. Immediately after the game he admitted that he had made too many changes. 

    "I take responsibility but I saw them and I like everyone to be involved," he said at the time. "When you are a football player and don’t play for five, six, seven games it’s tough but maybe it was too much. Always I like to be too nice and involve everyone because I have the feeling after the international break there are games every three or four days and there is no human being who can sustain that. We were at home, in a good position in the Champions League and I thought 'let’s try and let’s have weapons on the bench'. It didn’t work and we have to accept it."

    However, speaking on Friday ahead of City's next game against Leeds United, the coach decided to criticise his players for the way they approached the game.

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    Leverkusen defeat 'a good lesson' for Guardiola

    Guardiola told a press conference: "Mum and Dad made me a beautiful person. I'm so nice, no, and it's not about that. It's just that we didn't try. When you play on the pitch you have to try things and win and try. That's all. Yeah, maybe I'll have a theory to rotate. You have to rotate, without it it's impossible to sustain [fitness levels]. But I thought, have a lot of confidence, and still, right now, I place a huge value on what they are as a football players. And yeah, it was a good lesson for me. So even with quite a lot of experience as a manager, it's a good lesson for me for the future."

  • 'Too safe'

    Guardiola dismissed the suggestion that the defeat would make him question whether or not to heavily rotate his squad in the future. Instead, he questioned his team's mentality during the game, claiming they were too cautious. He explained: "I'm pretty sure that if they were surrounded by different players they will play good. I think they felt they played to not make any mistakes, not to play and think 'I'm going to do something', and that is so difficult. So in football, you have to play defensive or offensive, you have to try and [even] if you lose the actions, you did it. They played to be safe, to think 'I don't want to make a mistake and be noticed'. That's why it's so difficult."

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    City must beat Leeds to keep Arsenal in check

    City fell seven points behind Arsenal in the title race following the defeat at Newcastle and the Gunners' resounding victory over Tottenham and they will have to get back to winning ways at home to Leeds to prevent Mikel Arteta's side running away with the title. One year ago City went off the rails in the league and effectively bowed out of the title race and Guardiola stressed how important it was to take Leeds seriously even though they are 18th in the table.

    "We just think about next week and about the next games," he said. "We are experienced enough to only talk about what is the next game. And after that, we'll see. I know the distance is already there, and Arsenal are so strong, we see it game by game in the Premier League. We are starting to see how they are getting better and better as a team. The Premier League is like this. You are able to make a good run of results, but at the end, you can make a bad, bad results and continue because the opponents are tough. Every opponent is really prepared. They have a long week to prepare. And so it's so, so demanding. So we have to be ready."

'Play the ball, not the bowler,' Mushtaq says after Rashid wrecks Bangladesh

Bangladesh are focusing on Rashid Khan’s reputation and not playing his deliveries on merit, in the opinion of spin bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed, after Rashid decimated Bangladesh’s middle order with 5 for 17 in the second ODI on Saturday to give Afghanistan an 81-run win and with that the series.It was Rashid’s sixth five-wicket haul in ODIs, with only Shahid Afridi now with more five-fors among legspinners in the format. Rashid got into the act when he clean-bowled Towhid Hridoy in the 17th over, before running through the batting with four of the last five wickets in a short burst. Bangladesh were shot out for 109 in response to Afghanistan’s 190.Mushtaq, the former Pakistan legspinner who is now working with the Bangladesh team, said that Rashid’s tight line and lengths got him the rewards but it was also the batters that couldn’t separate the ball from the bowler.Related

  • Bangladesh must change approach and attitude to prevent series sweep

  • Zadran, Omarzai and Rashid give Afghanistan series win

“I think they are playing Rashid, not the ball,” Mushtaq said after the game. “He is not a big spinner of the ball. But he is very experienced. He is a wicket-taker. His line and length is very consistent. I think we have to sometimes play the ball, not the bowler. We have to improve quickly.”If you have great temperament you can play against any bowler in international cricket. Rashid has been very successful for many, many years for Afghanistan, but [at the] same time as a Bangladeshi batting unit, we should know how to play the ball, not the bowler.”Mushtaq said that Bangladesh’s middle-order batters have to be more proactive against the spinners. Bangladesh have averaged 18.70 in the middle overs, compared to Afghanistan’s 29.37 in the same period in this ODI series. Both sides have gone at lower than four per over between overs 11 and 40, but while Bangladesh have collapsed against spin, Afghanistan have been more patient.”I think the ground reality is we have to sort out our batting,” Mushtaq said. “They are good players, they can bat. But obviously against spinners like Rashid and all, [who are] very mature and experienced cricketers in those conditions, we have to be very proactive to playing those kind of spinners very quickly.”I think if we can do that in the middle overs, if we can start playing spin well in those conditions, I believe that Bangladesh can challenge against any team.”Bangladesh batters have been poor in the middle overs this year, where they have averaged 21.86, compared to 35.10 in the two previous calendar years. The 21.86 is also their lowest average in the middle overs since 2007.Bangladesh have now won four bilateral T20I series in a row, including against Sri Lanka and Pakistan•Afghanistan Cricket Board

Bangladesh have also visibly struggled to shift from the T20I mindset.”You must have a better technique against spinners in middle overs, how to get singles on good balls. If you can rotate a strike, I think that will put more pressure on bowlers than yourself,” Mushtaq said. “I think when you play lots of dot ball, and then you have to play a big shot, that’s why you start losing a wicket. Being a spinner [myself], I know that the people who score runs easily, singles and doubles, that puts more pressure on a spinner.”He said that Bangladesh’s recent run of winning four bilateral T20I series has given them confidence in that format, but translating that form in ODIs, especially with the bat, hasn’t happened.”I think there is an issue in batting coming from T20s into ODIs,” Mushtaq said. “Everything else is clicking. Our fielding standard, fitness, spin and fast bowling are all doing well. Our system is working well. They are playing good cricket. So if we sort out our batting in the 50-over format, that will be great for us. I think it is very, very important that we have to improve a lot in batting.”

White Sox Still Finding Hilarious New Ways to Lose Baseball Games

The Chicago White Sox keep finding new ways to lose. On Tuesday night against the Kansas City Royals they entered the bottom of the ninth with a 3-2 lead. With no outs and a runner on first, Drew Waters hit a high pop fly to the right side of the infield. What happened next was chaos.

Infielder Chase Meidroth eventually settled under the ball and stuck his glove up in the air just in time for it to skim his glove, hit him in the head and bounce into right field. Meidroth looked up to locate the ball, but obviously couldn't. By the time he realized where it went, right fielder Michael Taylor was overthrowing shortstop Jacob Amaya at second and everyone was safe.

The next batter, Freddy Fermin, hit a bunt single to load the bases. This was followed by another infield single to tie the game. Bobby Witt Jr. then hit a walk-off single and the White Sox dropped to 10-26 on the season.

After the game on White Sox Postgame Live, host Chuck Garfien and analyst Ozzie Guillen vacillated between shock, depression, disgust and straight up laughter. Guillen said that if he was still the manager the team would have stayed on the field after the game to practice until 2 o'clock in the morning.

The 2024 White Sox, who came within one loss of tying the 1960 New York Mets for the most in modern baseball history, started the season 8-28. Then they won four straight games.

Astros Receive Disappointing Yordan Alvarez Injury Update Ahead of Planned Return

While the Houston Astros hoped their slugger Yordan Alvarez was nearing a return after missing nearly the entire month of May, the team will unfortunately need to wait a bit longer.

According to a new report from ESPN and the , new imaging on Alvarez's right hand revealed a small fracture that was previously believed to be a muscle strain. Astros general manager Dana Brown said Alvarez felt some discomfort while hitting Friday, which led to the additional imaging and new diagnosis. Brown mentioned that the "very small fracture" is 60% healed.

The Astros' designated hitter isn't sure himself when he'll be able to return, needing additional rest now that the fracture was revealed.

"I wish I had a magic ball to tell you," Alvarez said through an interpreter when asked about his new return timing via Space Home City Network. "But the good news is that it's healing well. I need rest because the fact that I was keeping on doing swings, it was taking it further to heal."

Brown said he believes the fracture wasn't discovered initially because there was too much inflammation and fluid, which has since reduced, revealing the fracture. Brown said the muscle strain was real, but fighting through it in recent weeks may have caused a bit more damage.

Alvarez hasn't played since May 2 and is currently on the 10-day injured list. In 29 games this season, the three-time All-Star and 2019 AL Rookie of the Year is slashing .210/.306/.340 with three home runs and 18 RBIs.

First big call: Nancy must now boldly bin Celtic's "player of the year"

Martin O’Neill hasn’t just steadied the ship at Celtic, he’s steered it firmly back on course, with Wednesday’s narrow victory over Dundee seeing the Glasgow giants move level on points with Hearts at the Premiership summit – and with a game in hand to boot.

While that recent surge up the table has come amid a mid-season slump for the Jambos, O’Neill could have done little better during his interim stint, recording five successive league wins, while claiming November’s Manager of the Month award.

Parachuted in following Brendan Rodgers’ shock resignation, the 73-year-old has brought calm to the chaos, with the Hoops now firmly back on track both domestically and in Europe.

Although the treble-winning coach may not have overseen a vintage display on his final outing in the dugout, Daizen Maeda’s brave first-half header was another to secure all three points, ensuring new man Wilfried Nancy can aim to build on this momentum heading into the weekend’s top-of-the-table clash.

The Frenchman – finally – will take charge at Parkhead, with Wednesday’s win outlining that there is still plenty of work to be done to right the wrongs of Rodgers’ regime.

Nancy's in-tray at Celtic

Perhaps the most notable point of concern for the incoming 48-year-old will be the raft of injuries that have struck Celtic of late, with left-back Marcelo Saracchi the latest to be struck down on Wednesday.

As O’Neill confirmed post-match, the 27-year-old appears to have pulled his hamstring once again, cruelly curtailing his hopes of genuinely challenging Kieran Tierney in that full-back berth.

The summer signing thus joins the likes of Jota, Alistair Johnston, Callum Osmand and Cameron Carter-Vickers on the sidelines, with the latter man having notably been ruled out for the season following a severe Achilles injury.

Away from the treatment table, a key issue for Nancy to solve will be in the attacking unit, with the likes of Sebastian Tounekti, Yang Hyun-jun and the forgotten Michel-Ange Balikwisha all vying for that left-wing berth.

On the opposite flank, O’Neill has utilised Luke McCowan in recent weeks, although the Scotsman looks far more suited to a creative number ten berth, much like Sweden star Benjamin Nygren.

Equally, too, a decision will have to be made on the make-up of the midfield trio, with Reo Hatate having found his feet again under O’Neill, notably playing that stunning sweeping pass in the build-up to Maeda’s header against Dundee.

Perhaps the biggest debate, however, might be how best to cover for that devastating loss of Carter-Vickers in the backline, with questions still to be asked of the Auston Trusty and Liam Scales partnership.

Celtic's "player of the year" could now be replaced

In a department that has seen such turbulence in recent years, with figures like Gustaf Lagerbielke and Maik Nawrocki coming and going without so much as leaving a trace, the news of Carter-Vickers’ lengthy absence will have been a bitter blow for those at Celtic Park.

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Unsurprisingly, since then, O’Neill has settled on the experienced duo of Trusty and Scales, although that pairing is not without its problems, as was evident again last night.

Indeed, the Republic of Ireland international was particularly underpar against Steven Pressley’s side, having hardly been his usual dominant self in both boxes.

As per Sofascore, the 27-year-old won just a solitary duel from four attempts, while failing to win a single tackle, having been dribbled past once in that midweek encounter.

One particular moment of concern came late on, with Scales allowing substitute Ashley Hay to burst in behind and in on goal, albeit with the towering left-footer doing well to narrow the angle for the subsequent attempt on goal.

Callum McGregor

24

Liam Scales

24

Benjamin Nygren

24

Arne Engels

23

Kasper Schmeichel

22

Kieran Tierney

21

Reo Hatate

21

Daizen Maeda

21

Luke McCowan

18

Not his usual threat in an attacking sense either, having registered no shots, dribbles or key passes despite Celtic’s possession dominance, it was a bit of an off night for the former Shamrock Rovers man.

Of course, it has largely been a positive season for the Irishman, having been noted as in the running to be the club’s “player of the year” this term by one podcaster, although as Wednesday showcased, he isn’t without his limitations.

Equally, with the sight of two left-footers deployed together at centre-back still looking somewhat unnatural, Nancy may instead prefer to take a punt on young Dane Murray.

Scales, for what it’s worth, has done little wrong of late, but if Nancy truly wants to progress this team, the steady centre-back may have to be a potential casualty.

Better than Maeda: Celtic star is going to be undroppable under Nancy

This Celtic star who was even better than Daizen Maeda against Dundee should be Wilfried Nancy’s first undroppable star.

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Fabrizio Romano shares exciting January transfer update out of Aston Villa

Reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano has shared what Aston Villa “will” do in January to back manager Unai Emery.

Aston Villa emerge as title contenders after Arsenal triumph

Villa catapulted themselves into legit Premier League title contention following Emiliano Buendia’s dramatic 95th minute winner against Arsenal on Saturday.

Buendia’s last-gasp strike secured a pulsating 2-1 victory over the league leaders at Villa Park, with the substitute’s stoppage-time goal representing far more than just three points.

It also confirms Villa’s extraordinary recent transformation under Emery into genuine challengers.

They now sit third, merely three points behind Arsenal, losing just two of their last 16 games in all competitions whilst recording seven straight wins on the bounce.

Matty Cash opened the scoring with a thunderous back-post finish, capitalising on Eberechi Eze’s defensive lapse to arrow the ball through David Raya’s legs.

Villa thoroughly dominated the opening period, with Ollie Watkins spurning an excellent early opportunity before Cash’s breakthrough rewarded their superiority.

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Arsenal responded seven minutes after the interval through substitute Leandro Trossard, who converted from close range following Emiliano Martínez’s parried save from Bukayo Saka’s cross.

The Belgian’s equaliser marked his 50th Premier League goal, becoming only the fifth Belgian to reach that milestone.

Both goalkeepers produced exceptional saves to maintain the stalemate, with Martinez spectacularly denying Martin Odegaard’s 20-yard drive whilst Raya repeatedly frustrated Villa’s attacking threats.

The contest appeared destined for a draw until Buendia’s late intervention sparked wild celebrations amongst the Villa faithful.

It was a day to remember for the Villans, with Youri Tielemans also putting in a Player of the Match display against Arsenal after dominating midfield.

With Emery’s side now tipped to challenge the likes of Arsenal and City for top spot, January could prove pivotal after an underwhelming summer window blighted by a lack of spending and PSR concerns.

Taking that into account, Emery has truly worked wonders to guide Villa to this position after their slow start to 25/26, where it even took four Premier League matches to finally score their first goal of the season.

Fabrizio Romano shares exciting January transfer update out of Aston Villa

That lowly run of form and uninspired summer feels like a lifetime ago now, but it is still up to NSWE to provide Emery with the needed support to maintain their lofty status.

Speaking to GiveMeSport, the ever-reliable Romano has some very encouraging news in that regard.

He reports that Villa chiefs are set to back Emery in the January transfer market, and work has already begun behind-the-scenes.

Villa ended last summer as the Premier League’s lowest spenders, investing just £28 million into new additions, but that simply has to change if Emery’s side are serious about competing for major trophies.

In terms of their rumoured targets, it is believed that a striker is on the agenda, with Villa reportedly targeting Man United forward Joshua Zirkzee among other names.

Arsenal scouting “pure defender” who’s a “hybrid between Gabriel and Saliba”

Arsenal are one of several team scouting a promising young defender who’s been likened to standout stars Gabriel and William Saliba.

Saliba and Gabriel injuries force Arteta to rely on depth

Mikel Arteta’s squad has been tested by injuries once again in recent weeks, with both first choice centre-backs missing time while Jurrien Timber suffered a knock in midweek and Ben White has only just returned from a long absence.

“We have to wait and see,” Arteta said about Saliba ahead of the clash with Wolves, confirming the France international will be fit to face Everton next weekend.

Gabriel meanwhile has been missing since the November international break, when he sustained a thigh injury while on Brazil duty, but was spotted in London this week spectating a fiery six-aside match.

“He didn’t look injured when he sprinted across the pitch to get involved,” an onlooker said after the Brazilian took offence to a horror tackle in a friendly match organised between Botafogo fans.

£150,000-a-week Arsenal star "sees red" and "flies off the handle" in new footage

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ByBen Goodwin 2 days ago

Piero Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera have performed admirably in the first-choice duo’s absence, but Mosquera has since joined them on the sidelines with an ankle injury, and Arsenal are now scouting options to reinforce Arteta’s options.

Arsenal eyeing move for Ousmane Diomande

According to Caught Offisde, the Gunners are one of several sides scouting Sporting CP centre-back Ousmane Diomande.

Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Newcastle have all been in attendance to keep tabs on the 22 year-old defender this season, who has been dubbed “a hybrid between Gabriel and Saliba” by Como scout Ben Mattinson.

Sporting don’t want to sell Diomande and are directing clubs to his €80m (£70m) release clause, but that is seen as “less” problematic for big teams than some other suitors, such as Crystal Palace.

Scout Jacek Kulig has long been an admirer of the defender, saying back in 2023: “You rarely see a player with such high ball-playing and pure defender skills.

“There are some tactical improvements but I’m quite sure this kid will play for the best teams in the world.”

That admiration has remained as the youngster has developed too, with Kulig saying earlier this year: “A fantastic CB to watch with a huge future ahead.”

If Diomande is willing to sit behind the starting pair and learn his craft, he could both provide immediate depth and futureproof a position that is absolutely crucial to Arteta’s demanding style of play.

موقف لاعبي ليفربول من دعم صلاح بعد تصريحاته النارية ضد النادي وسلوت

كشفت تقارير صحفية بريطانية عن موقف لاعبي ليفربول من تصريحات محمد صلاح النارية ضد النادي والمدرب آرني سلوت خلال الساعات الماضية.

ووفقاً لصحيفة “ديلي ميل” البريطانية فإن آرني سلوت أصبح يحظى بدعم أكبر من لاعبي ليفربول بعد تصريحات صلاح النارية، والتي كانت تهدف لزيادة الضغط على المدرب الهولندي.

ولا يزال سلوت يحظى بتقدير كبير من إدارة ليفربول كمدرب تكتيكي رغم المشاكل التي واجهها الفريق هذا الموسم.

أقرأ أيضاً.. ميرسون: محمد صلاح أسطورة.. وليفربول لم يكن ليفوز بأي لقب بدونه

وأظهرت مباراة إنتر ميلان وخطة مدرب ليفربول آرني سلوت أنه مازال قادرا على استخراج أفضل ما لدى اللاعبين، حيث حقق الريدز الفوز بهدف نظيف.

وعلى الرغم من ذلك فإن هناك شكوكا من البعض في مهارة آرني سلوت في إدارة اللاعبين، وبرزت هذه المخاوف أكثر من أي وقت مضى بعد تصريحات صلاح.

ولا يزال آرني سلوت يحظى بدعم إدارة ليفربول بما في ذلك الرئيس التنفيذي لمجموعة فينواي الرياضية مايكل إدواردز والمدير الرياضي ريتشارد هيوز.

Dewsbury-Hall repeat: PL talent ready to leave his club with Everton keen

Everton are now reportedly keeping close tabs on a Premier League gem who’s been compared to Aston Villa’s Jadon Sancho.

Everton ready to pounce in Zirkzee race

Everton’s January transfer window may well centre around Premier League talent. The Toffees already enjoyed great success in the summer when they welcomed out-of-favour stars Jack Grealish and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. Now, The Friedkin Group could look to repeat that act of genius.

Despite the fact that Thierno Barry finally scored his first goal for the club against Nottingham Forest last time out, it seems as though those in Merseyside still intend to target an attacking reinforcement.

Reports have even gone as far as to claim that they’re ready to pounce in the race to sign Joshua Zirkzee from Manchester United in January. The forward has fallen down the pecking order since the arrivals of Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko, but could have his season saved by the Toffees.

Zirkzee may have struggled at Old Trafford, but Grealish and Dewsbury-Hall are living proof that a move to Merseyside can quickly revive a career.

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Even if Barry now kicks on, David Moyes could do with that extra attacking addition, given that Beto is yet to show signs that he’ll become a viable goalscoring option for Everton.

That’s not to say Zirkzee is their only target, however. Alongside the Man United forward, the Toffees have also reportedly set their sights on signing Chelsea’s young, versatile winger, Tyrique George.

Like Zirkzee, the youngster has fallen out of favour at Stamford Bridge and is now looking to leave Chelsea when the winter window swings open in less than a month.

Everton keeping close tabs on Tyrique George

According to TeamTalk, Everton are now eyeing a move to sign George and have joined Leeds United in the early race to secure the 19-year-old’s signature.

Compared to Sancho by Italian media, George wouldn’t be the first struggling Chelsea star to find life at Everton. His former teammate, Dewsbury-Hall has undeniably thrived since arriving in Merseyside.

Ultimately, fresh faces have forced George down the pecking order in West London, but Enzo Maresca was certainly impressed by the teenager last season.

The Chelsea boss told reporters after George’s display against Man United in May: “Very good. Very good. Brave. He was a threat in behind. Not easy for him because on the other side you have Maguire, you have Lindelof, you have Shaw.

“He was fighting against important defenders. But again, we tried to find a solution with a player from the academy. Overall I think also he had the penalty moment, so he works quite good.”

Whether it’s Everton or Leeds, both would benefit from George’s arrival in the January transfer window and the striker himself desperately needs senior minutes if he is to kick on.

Arsenal have an "agreement in place" to sign their new Bukayo Saka

Since taking the job almost six years ago, Mikel Arteta has got an awful lot right at Arsenal.

He’s completely transformed the culture of the club and shown a level of tactical flexibility that most managers could only dream of.

Something else he perhaps doesn’t get enough credit for, though, is how he has kept the team ticking over and evolving.

GK

Bernd Leno

RB

Ainsley Maitland-Niles

CB

Sokratis Papastathopoulos

CB

David Luiz

LB

Bukayo Saka

CM

Lucas Torreira

CM

Granit Xhaka

RW

Reiss Nelson

CAM

Mesut Özil

LW

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

ST

Alexandre Lacazette

The makeup of his team has changed multiple times since December 2019, and he has pretty consistently found upgrades and replacements for players like Aaron Ramsdale, Granit Xhaka, Kieran Tierney and even Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

It now appears that he and the club are planning for the long term as well, with reports suggesting they are closing in on an incredible youngster who could be Bukayo Saka’s eventual heir.

Arsenal close in on Saka heir

Arteta has built a squad full to bursting with international superstars at Arsenal, some of whom people would consider world-class. Yet, when it comes to the club’s most important player, it’s hard to look past Saka.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

After all, on top of already having a frankly ridiculous tally of 76 goals and 73 assists in 280 games, the Hale Ender is the talisman of this side and has become the face of the project.

In other words, the club are going to need an extraordinarily special talent to come in and be his long-term heir when Saka does eventually call it a day.

Fortunately, it looks like the North Londoners might have just found that special prospect.

At least, that is according to a recent report from ESPN, which has revealed that Arsenal have agreed a deal in principle for the incredible winger Edwin Quintero and his twin brother Holger.

The two 16-year-olds are reportedly in London at the moment to iron out the details of the move, with an official announcement to come at a later date.

However, due to rules around foreign-born youngsters, the pair won’t actually join up with the squad until August 2027.

Even so, Arsenal fans should be excited about the development as both teenagers are very highly thought of indeed, and Edwin Quintero looks like someone who could become Saka’s successor.

Why Edwin Quintero will be Arsenal's next Saka

Now it should almost go without saying that, due to Saka being the player he is and Quintero still only being 16, there is little to no chance that the youngster would come in to instantly challenge the Englishman in 2027.

However, as the years progress, he could start getting more minutes in the first team, and then, when he’s in his early to mid-20s and the Hale Ender is in his 30s, there could be a real battle there.

That might sound absurd at the moment, and like far too much pressure to be putting on someone so young, but based on what those in the know are saying, Quintero could be something really quite special.

For example, respected analyst-turned-Como scout Ben Mattinson has described the teenager as someone with “the ability to run games and create something out of nothing,” as well as “the vision to pick out runners”, which sounds quite a lot like the Gunners’ talisman.

Moreover, U23 scout Antonio Mango has described the winger as an attacker who “is always looking to make a difference”, who “Likes to play with short pass-and-move principles”, but can still be incredibly “dangerous from distance.”

Then, just to take the hype surrounding the prospect to another level, respected talent scout Jacek Kulig has stated that the 16-year-old is “one of the most exciting prospects I have seen in recent years,” labelling him as a “huge talent” in the process.

Now, while it’s clear that his passing, vision and ability to change games make him appear like a younger Saka, he does also have more of one trait than the Englishman: flair.

In fact, this is something Mattinson has pointed out, claiming he “is so skilful and constantly uses flair to fool defenders”, and Mango has also highlighted his “excellent close-control.”

Ultimately, Saka is and will likely remain Arsenal’s most important attacker for quite some time, but the club look like they have found his long-term heir in Quintero.

Hale End have given Arsenal a future superstar who's like "a young Saka"

The incredible young talent could follow in Saka’s footsteps and become a superstar for Arteta and Arsenal.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Dec 1, 2025

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