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Arsenal have a number of their first-team squad members in action at the Qatar World Cup this winter, with Bukayo Saka undoubtedly being the Gunners’ standout performer in the competition so far, with the winger scoring a sensational brace in England’s 6-2 demolition of Iran on Monday afternoon.

However, it was arguably one of Arsenal’s former players who stole the show in Wednesday’s batch of World Cup fixtures, with Takuma Asano turning in a match-winning display in Japan’s shock 2-1 victory over Germany – a result that sees one of the tournament favourites facing the very real possibility of a group stage exit.

Indeed, despite starting the fixture on the bench, the VfL Bochum winger made a huge impact upon his introduction in the 57th minute of the match, as, despite enjoying just 14 touches of the ball and completing a mere five passes, the £3.5m-rated talent proved a constant threat down Germany’s right flank.

In spite of the fact he had so little time on the ball, the 28-year-old still managed to take five shots at Manuel Neuer’s goal, with one being on target, two being off target and two being blocked, however, it was the one that did trouble the Bayern Munich shot-stopper that proved decisive in the meeting at the Khalifa International Stadium.

With just seven minutes of regulation time remaining, Asano magnificently plucked Ko Itakura’s hopeful long ball out of the sky, with his “Bergkampesque” first touch brilliantly taking him away from the onrushing Nico Schlotterbeck and towards the German goal, before the winger unleashed a fierce drive beyond Neuer at his near post.

And, while it would be difficult to argue that Arsenal’s £1m sale of Asano back in 2019 was a mistake, Arsene Wenger will have been watching on with glee on Wednesday, as the former Gunners manager was always convinced of the 38-cap star’s potential.

Speaking about the winger upon his £3.5m arrival in north London back in 2016, the legendary Frenchman said: “Takuma is a talented young striker and very much one for the future. We look forward to him developing over the next couple of years. He is a player I believe in a lot. I will take care of him and make sure he gets to the right place.”

As such, while Wenger may not have managed to deliver on this promise at The Emirates, it is undeniable that Arsenal supporters now know what Asano is capable of, as the 28-year-old well and truly proved his ability to the world against the Germans.

Arsenal have been dealt an injury blow ahead of tonight’s Carabao Cup meeting with Brighton & Hove Albion.

What’s the latest?

Speaking in his pre-match press conference (via football.london), Mikel Arteta confirmed that, after picking up a knock in the Gunners’ 1-0 win over FC Zurich last week, Takehiro Tomiyasu will remain unavailable for selection for the visit of the Seagulls this evening.

However, the Spaniard went on to state that the right-back should return to full fitness in around seven days’ time, suggesting that the 24-year-old will be ready for Japan’s World Cup 2022 opener against Germany on November 23.

Reagrding the fitness of the defender, the 40-year-old said: “It’s a small injury for Tomi, he did well to stop during the match, so it’s not going to be a big issue. I think he will be back in a week or so, so hopefully he will be fine to start at the World Cup.”

Silver lining

While the loss of Tomiyasu will undoubtedly have come as a blow to Arteta ahead of both the Brighton and Wolverhampton Wanderers fixtures this week – as regular squad rotation will be key to Arsenal competing on as many fronts as possible this season – the Japan international’s unavailability could well bring with it a silver lining.

With reports revealing that 17-year-old Reuell Walters was training with Arsenal’s first team squad on Tuesday, Tomiyasu’s absence could well see the Gunners U21 right-back be handed at least a spot on the bench against Roberto De Zerbi’s side – or perhaps even a place in the starting XI.

And, considering just how exciting a prospect the England U18 international looks to be, his potential first-team debut on Wednesday night could well represent the emergence of one of Arteta’s next stars of the future.

Indeed, the £1.7k-per-week teenager caught the eye during the Gunners’ pre-season tour of America, playing out of position at left-back against fellow Premier League side Everton, an appearance which was reported to have excited the Arsenal fanbase.

The defender – who has made 14 appearances for the U18s and 27 appearances for the U21s since his move to London Colney – has also earned a considerable amount of praise, with Layth Yousif dubbing the youngster “calm and assured” and suggesting that he has “pace to burn”, while Kaya Kaynak claimed the right-back “really impressed” during pre-season.

As such, while Tomiyasu’s setback is undoubtedly a blow, it does present Arsenal supporters with the possibility of seeing one of their most promising talents in action at The Emirates tonight – something that is sure to excite everyone involved with the club.

Newcastle United are unbeaten in their last six Premier League matches and they now travel away to face Tottenham Hotspur this evening.

Eddie Howe’s men are on a fine run of form and recently held Manchester United to a 0-0 draw at Old Trafford, which shows that they can go to a traditional big six ground and pick up a result.

Miguel Almiron’s fantastic strike from distance was enough to seal the three points last time out in the top-flight as the Magpies beat Everton 1-0 at St. James’ Park.

However, they may be forced into making a change to their starting XI from that match as one of their players has been dealt a blow in the build-up.

The Athletic’s Chris Waugh Tweeted some early team news ahead of the clash: “Joelinton has a knock to his knee which #NUFC “hope” is not serious but he will be assessed in the coming days. Seems like he’ll be out of Sunday’s game, but Joe Willock seems to have shaken off his illness & Jonjo Shelvey will be in the squad again.”

Joelinton’s injury looks set to open up a space in the midfield and Howe must now unleash Joe Willock from the start, alongside Sean Longstaff and Bruno Guimaraes.

The Englishman has started nine of the club’s 11 Premier League matches so far this season and has been relied upon as a regular starter by the manager.

He has caught the eye on the creative side of the game as he has produced three big chances for his teammates and created 1.1 chances per game from central midfield, racking up two assists for his efforts.

The 23-year-old gem is yet to notch his first goal of the season but Howe previously described Willock as being “full of energy” and claimed that the midfielder is “desperate” to score, without being selfish on the pitch.

His ability on the ball is not his only quality as the ex-Arsenal man also makes an impact at the other end of the pitch. He has averaged 2.6 tackles and interceptions per game so far this term, whilst also ranking in the 15% for pressures per 90 among players in his position in Europe’s top five leagues over the last year.

Willock is a box-to-box midfielder, like Joelinton, who can slot straight in for his Brazilian teammate and do a job against Spurs.

Playing against the bitter rivals of his former club could also give him extra motivation to score and get stuck in defensively during the match – if he was invested in that rivalry.

When Matty Longstaff scored on his Newcastle United debut against Manchester United, it seemed as if the Magpies had a potential superstar on their hands.

Sadly, since then, the young midfielder has done little to suggest that he will ever make it as a Premier League player, and Eddie Howe should look to get rid of the 22-year-old at the earliest opportunity.

The younger brother of Sean, made his first team debut as a 19-year-old and scored the only goal of the game in a 1-0 win, adding another goal in a 4-1 defeat against the same opposition later in the season.

Longstaff’s only other goal for the club came in a FA Cup replay against Rochdale in the 2019/20 season, with the youngster unfortunately never kicking on from that eye-catching campaign.

The midfielder was sent on loan to Aberdeen for the first half of the 2021/22 season after struggling for regular game time in the 2021/22 campaign, with links to Udinese perhaps disrupting the youngster’s focus.

During his time in Scotland, he would manage just five appearances, in which he failed to score or assist, with his chances of making it in Newcastle’s first team quickly diminishing.

There were eyebrows raised when Longstaff joined Mansfield Town in League Two for the second half of last season but his performances there indicated that he could still have a promising future, as he contributed an impressive six goals and two assists in 18 appearances.

However, it became clear that he wasn’t part of Howe’s plans for this season and inexplicably, he was sent back on loan to League Two, this time with Colchester United.

After scoring six goals in a side challenging for promotion, it seems baffling that he was allowed to join Colchester, who look likely to be involved in a relegation battle this season, as surely a League One loan or return to Mansfield would have been far more beneficial.

The fact that he has made just six appearances for Colchester this season and has failed to score or assist, suggests that Longstaff simply does not have a future in Newcastle’s first team, and Howe must bite the bullet and get rid of him at the earliest opportunity.

Manchester United are a club famed for their production of young talent, boasting a remarkable history in that regard which stretches back to the lauded Class of ’92 and, of course, the Busby Babes.

In more recent times, the likes of Marcus Rashford and Scott McTominay are just two of those to have bridged the gap from youth prospect to senior star, with it seemingly engrained in the fabric of the club to try and promote from within.

New manager Erik ten Hag is certainly familiar with that approach, having assembled a hugely impressive young side at his former club Ajax, managing to combine that focus on youth with both domestic success and strong showings in Europe.

While it is still early days in the Dutchman’s tenure, the 52-year-old has already showcased a willingness to give a chance to those in the youth setup, notably handing minutes to teenage starlet Alejandro Garnacho, as well as giving striker Charlie McNeill his first taste of senior action in the recent defeat to Real Sociedad.

One young man who could well be the next academy asset to force his way into United’s first-team reckoning is 17-year-old Kobbie Mainoo, with the exciting midfielder having been training with Cristiano Ronaldo and the like ahead of that clash against the La Liga club.

While the Stockport-born gem was unable to secure a place in the matchday squad for that Europa League encounter at Old Trafford, it would seem that he is already creeping into the new manager’s thoughts, having sparkled at youth level in recent times.

The highly-rated menace was notably part of the United side which claimed FA Youth Cup glory for the first time since 2011 in May, with that previous batch of winners having included the likes of Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard and Ravel Morrison.

While it was young Garnacho stealing the headlines with his goalscoring exploits in attack – scoring twice in the showpiece triumph over Nottingham Forest –  it was Mainoo holding things together at the base of the midfield, with the pair tipped to be the “future” of the club by journalist Rhys Jones.

The “dominant” youngster – as previously lauded by Samuel Luckhurst – more recently impressed in the under-21s’ Papa John’s Trophy victory over Carlisle United, with the imposing midfielder showcasing his array of talent in what was a truly magnificent and confident performance.

Fresh from signing his first professional contract just a few months earlier, the teenager caught the eye at Brunton Park with his composed display in the middle of the park, so often breezing past the opposition in a manner which belied his tender years.

At a time when the Red Devils are somewhat smarting after missing out on summer target Frenkie de Jong, Ten Hag could well help to save the Glazers millions by turning to another progressive and forward-thinking midfield asset in Mainoo.

Everton have reportedly made another approach to try and sign Wolves winger Adama Traore.

The Lowdown: Revisiting an old deal?

Football Insider reported back in June that the Goodison Park outfit had registered their interest in Traore, and were ‘keeping tabs’ on his situation at Molineux.

Director of Football Kevin Thelwell is thought to be a ‘big admirer’ of the Spain international, believing that he could add a ‘new dimension’ to Frank Lampard’s attack with his speed.

£20m was the quoted fee to secure his signature, although it was thought that the Wanderers could accept less.

The Latest: Approach made

Football Insider are now reporting that the Merseyside club have made a new approach over the possibility of signing Traore, and are working on signing a pacy forward capable of playing out wide or through the middle in case Anthony Gordon goes to Chelsea.

Traore is now in the final year of his contract, so it is thought that Bruno Lage’s side may look to cash in on him now, rather than risking losing him on a free transfer at the end of the season.

The Verdict: Avoid

While a move for Traore may seem exciting on paper – after all he has been hailed as ‘devastating’ when at his best by pundit Andy Townsend – unfortunately he is just far too inconsistent.

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The attacker has only managed a mere 12 goals and 18 assists in 157 games in total for Wolves over the last five seasons (Transfermarkt), not numbers to be proud of.

With Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s injury, the Toffees need their other attacking players to be chipping in with goals and assists, and Traore has not shown consistently enough that he can provide that.

West Bromwich Albion have only seen a handful of new faces coming to The Hawthorns during this summer’s transfer window.

The first new arrival through the door was John Swift, who joined the Baggies from fellow Championship club Reading as a free agent on a three-year deal.

Having scored 11 goals and delivered 13 assists in his 38 league appearances last season, it’s easy to see why Albion were keen to sign him and what he may be able to offer to Steve Bruce’s team.

With there still being five weeks left before the transfer window ends, this could give the Baggies the opportunity to bring in another player who can strengthen the squad and give their manager the opportunity to form a frightening partnership alongside Swift.

One player who has been mentioned with a move to The Hawthorns and who could fit this bill is Manchester United midfielder Hannibal Mejbri.

In 56 combined appearances for United’s under-18 and under-23 teams, the midfielder has found the net seven times and provided 19 assists along the way, highlighting his clear attacking ability.

This mirrors the attributes that Swift brings in being able to not only score goals but create them for his team-mates as well.

To further highlight what sort of player the 19-year-old is and what he could offer to the Baggies on the pitch, Tunisian Football Federation sporting director Mohamed Slim Ben Othman had this to say about him:

“He can play in a lot of positions: he can be a playmaker, he can be a regista (deep-lying playmaker), he can be a defensive-midfielder, he can be a winger… but for me, his best position is central-midfield.

“He likes to be the player who can organise and coordinate his team. He has big physical abilities and is very selfless despite his large technical qualities.”

Taking all this into account, and considering West Brom’s track record when it comes to signing young players on loan from Premier League clubs in the past, it’s safe to say that, should the Baggies secure a deal for the United prodigy, he could be a very exciting addition to Bruce’s squad and find himself thriving next to someone like Swift.

AND in other news: The Athletic journalist reveals big transfer update that West Brom supporters will love

Aston Villa have often struggled at the back despite having a seemingly solid selection of defenders to choose from.

Steven Gerrard acted quickly in the summer, swooping for Diego Carlos as soon as the window opened.

Perhaps he could dip into the market once more to create a formidable defence plucked from two big European clubs, as a statement of intent for the Birmingham club.

In the process, he could finally bin off Tyrone Mings, who has plagued the Villains with his stream of mistakes.

Pete O’Rourke had the following to say back at the start of July on a potential move for Alessio Romagnoli:

“I think Aston Villa are an attractive option to play for right now. You’ve seen the success they’ve had in luring Philippe Coutinho to the Premier League, obviously, they are among the biggest spenders now in the Premier League as well.

“The owners are backing Steven Gerrard in the transfer market with finances. Diego Carlos was also a big signing from Sevilla, so I think Aston Villa right now are an ambitious club seemingly going places. So, I’m sure that will be attractive to a lot of players, including Romagnoli.”

Last season, the 27-year-old captained AC Milan to their first Serie A title since 2010/11. Whilst he struggled with injury, he still managed an average SofaScore rating of 7.06. He is a leader, and far outperforms that of Mings’ 6.91 rating last term.

Likened to Lukas Klostermann and Ibrahima Konate on FBref, he has every chance of taking the Premier League by storm.

The £106k-per-week goliath boasted an 88.3% pass completion last season alongside making 1.9 tackles, 1.75 interceptions winning and 3.2 aerials per 90 last time out.

He is a defensive powerhouse with the capability to progress his team up the field, whereas Mings loses possession 10.3 times and made one mistake that led to a goal.

His teammate Fikayo Tomori labelled him one of “two great champions” in the Milan squad, and Gerrard should swoop to get this highly-rated powerhouse at Villa and replace Mings.

AND in other news: Gerrard can now axe “underwhelming” flop as Villa plot bid for “emphatic” £30m target

Reputable journalist Pete O’Rourke has delivered a fascinating update on the Newcastle United pursuit of Real Sociedad striker Alexander Isak.

The lowdown: Newcastle’s spending

The new era at St James’ Park is already underway after ownership group PIF backed manager Eddie Howe to the tune of more than £105m in the January transfer window alone.

That investment brought about immediate improvement for the Magpies as a seemingly imminent relegation scrap became a thing of the past, and a further £59.4m spend so far this summer seems likely to ensure a continued upwards trajectory for Howe’s charges.

Amidst links with a mega-money move for Isak, one man in the know has given his view on the potential transfer…

The latest: ‘Signal of intent’

Speaking to GiveMeSport, O’Rourke has claimed that the capture of the 37-cap star would show rivals just how serious Newcastle were about competing at the top table.

He said: “To get somebody of the calibre of Isak would be a massive signal of intent from Newcastle that they are mixing it with the big boys, trying to sign the best players around. He is somebody I think that would really excite all Newcastle fans with his style of play.”

The verdict: Proper striker

Already boasting 71 goals in 188 senior professional outings in a fledgling career, the towering yet elegant 22-year-old would be a remarkable capture for Newcastle if Dan Ashworth is able to make it happen.

Isak – who was described as ‘unplayable at times’ by Moroccan reporter Jonas Adnan Giæver – scored 10 goals and supplied another three assists in 39 appearances across all competitions last season.

In addition to his continued impressive exploits in Spain, the former Borussia Dortmund youngster also stood out for Sweden during Euro 2020 and was predicted to ‘attract attention’ by BBC Sport pundit Gary Lineker at the time.

Standing at 6 foot 3 and holding a close stylistic likeness with Juventus star Dusan Vlahovic, Inter Milan bulwark Romelu Lukaku and RB Leipzig target man Alexander Sorloth (FBRef), Isak offers a physical presence which Howe could call upon in any situation, and he should therefore be regarded as an ideal prospective addition to the Tynesiders’ ranks.

A big update has emerged on Tottenham winger Steven Bergwijn and his potential exit from North London…

What’s the talk?

Sky Sports journalist Michael Bridge has claimed that Ajax and Spurs are a long way away from agreeing a fee for the Dutch international forward.

The reporter has stated that the club feel their valuation is not being met and they have been unhappy with the Eredivisie side’s attempts to meet it so far.

He Tweeted: “Steven Bergwijn keen for first-team football ahead of November World Cup but THFC frustrated by Ajax’s bids. Broad agreement at Spurs this is a very good player who will go on & be a success. Valuation still miles apart.”

Supporters will be fuming

Spurs supporters will be fuming with this update from Bridge for multiple reasons.

Firstly, they will be – like the club are – frustrated with how Ajax are handling the situation. The Dutch giants are seemingly throwing in lowball offers in an attempt to secure a cut-price deal for him and Fabio Paratici is not entertaining them at all.

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They will also be fuming because at this moment in time this transfer saga now looks set to continue further into the summer window. This does not benefit anyone as Bergwijn will be left in limbo and Spurs will not be able to bring in a replacement before they know if he will be sold, unless they run the risk of keeping him in the reserves.

Therefore, Ajax’s lacklustre offers to snap the winger up may affect what Paratici is able to do in terms of incomings for Spurs. He may be waiting for the money to come through for the Dutchman so that he can reinvest it in a replacement.

In the Premier League last season, he managed just three goals and one assist in 25 matches for the club as he averaged a SofaScore rating of 6.68.

These statistics show that he struggled badly in the English top-flight as he was unable to make a big impact in the final third. He only started four of those 25 games and his poor return at the top end of the pitch suggests that Antonio Conte was right to not hand him regular minutes.

Spurs fans will, therefore, be keen to see him on the way out of the club and will be fuming with Ajax’s underwhelming attempts to sign him.

AND in other news, Paratici and Conte now eyeing Spurs swoop for £45m-rated “machine”, he’s Eriksen 2.0…