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Glasgow Rangers return to Premiership action tonight, three weeks following their last game in the top flight due to the winter break.

They travel to Easter Road to face Hibernian, and they were the opposition for Philippe Clement’s first game in charge of the Ibrox side back in October, which they went on to win 4-0.

A repeat of that scoreline tonight would be a perfect way for the club to resume their domestic campaign and really push Celtic over the coming months.

While the fixtures will be coming thick and fast, Clement still has eight days left to bring in another player or two to bolster his squad and this will be at the forefront of his mind.

Rangers are close to signing Mohamed Diomande

The Ibrox side secured a loan deal for Fabio Silva at the end of December and this move filled the supporters with plenty of anticipation that several more players would arrive in Glasgow.

The previous few weeks have been barren with regard to signings, yet the Gers made a breakthrough at the beginning of this week, and it now looks as though midfielder Mohamed Diomande is close to joining.

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According to Rangers Review journalist Chris Jack, the FC Nordsjaelland gem is expected to arrive in Scotland today in order to finalise his £4.5m move from the Danish club and this is a big statement of intent by Clement, especially in January.

The manager has stated that he would not be “content or confident” for the second half of the campaign if he does not add to his squad before next Thursday. Could this suggest more signings are close?

Rangers’ search for a new left-back

One area that desperately needs to be addressed is the left side of defence, especially with Ridvan Yilmaz being linked with a move away and Borna Barisic’s contract expiring in the summer.

This suggests Clement will be looking to bring in another left-back before the window slams shut next week, and it looks as though he may have made a breakthrough.

According to Dutch outlet Voetbal International, the Gers have made an approach to sign FC Twente defender Gijs Smal this month.

2021

131

2017

205

2020

93

2018

225

2023 (second spell)

12 (second spell)

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46

The Dutchman, like Barisic, has entered into the final few months of his current deal and, according to the report from the Netherlands, it does not look like he is about to sign an extension to stay at the club.

This may tempt Clement into luring Smal to Glasgow for a knockdown fee this month as he continues to build his squad for the challenges ahead, and it could turn out to be a solid signing, especially with his impressive performances for the Eredivisie clubs.

Not only that, but he could link up well with Rabbi Matondo down the left flank during the second half of the season and this could benefit Clement greatly.

Gijs Smal could link up with Rabbi Matondo

Normally, Abdallah Sima would be the first-choice left-winger, yet the on-loan Brighton and Hove Albion gem returned from the Africa Cup of Nations with an injury and is expected to be out for the foreseeable future.

This means Matondo will be called upon more often by Clement, and he has finally settled into life at Rangers following a difficult debut season.

Across 17 matches in all competitions, the Welsh winger has scored twice and registered three assists. Considering he has started just seven matches, this is a more than decent return and if given regular game time now due to Sima’s injury, he could thrive.

Smal has displayed his attacking qualities throughout his professional career, registering 47 goal contributions – 13 goals and 34 assists – in just 177 senior matches.

This works out as a goal involvement once every 3.7 matches, which is a wonderful ratio for a left-back.

During the 2022/23 campaign, Smal excelled from an attacking perspective, averaging 1.6 key passes per game while creating 16 big chances, and it certainly indicates that he is a major threat on the left flank.

His bursting runs into the attacking third could benefit Matondo and the duo would create a formidable partnership that would surely cause chaos to defences all over the country.

The stats that show why Gijs Smal would be a good signing for Rangers

These performances last season proved that he is an attack-minded full-back who is no stranger to bombing up and down the left flank and this could fit in well with Clement’s philosophy.

The 6 foot gem has missed 12 games due to a calf injury this term, but when he has played, the 26-year-old has been impressive.

Indeed, he currently ranks fifth among the squad for successful dribbles per game (0.7) along with ranking seventh for key passes per game (1.2), and while these stats are not as impressive as those from the 2022/23 season, it is clear his injury has disrupted any momentum.

Having started the previous nine league matches for Twente, it looks as though he is back fit and healthy and this will be good news for Clement.

Rangers Journal founder Kai Watson has praised the defender amid his recent links to the Glasgow side, paying particular attention to his qualities going forward.

He said: “Smal would provide quality deliveries from the left hand side while also being willing to actually run to the by line. He’s 5 years younger than Barisic and offers a bit more pace and aggression on that side.”

It looks as though the Dutchman is capable of replacing Barisic from an attacking perspective and this is certainly what Clement is after in his fullbacks.

A move for Smal makes perfect sense, especially being able to potentially bring him to the club for a minimal fee this month, giving him plenty of time to adapt.

Adding another signing or two alongside that of Diomande could give the Light Blues a big boost in their chances of securing another trophy or two during the second half of the season.

Will it be enough to see them reel in Celtic and be crowned champions? Only time will tell.

Two impressive performances have taken into the semi-finals with confidence restored but they know this is the bare minimum they needed to do

George Dobell at Chester-le-Street03-Jul-2019Mark Wood admitted he “got lucky” to dismiss Kane Williamson in freakish fashion in Durham.Williamson was well set and averaging over 100 in the tournament when Ross Taylor punched a delivery from Wood down the ground only to see the bowler stick a hand out and, in attempting to stop the ball, gain only the slightest of deflections onto the stumps at the non-striker’s end. Williamson, backing up in anticipation of a run, was out of his ground and out of the game.And while Williamson generously suggested England’s tight bowling might have played a part in forcing him to back-up so aggressively – “the English bowlers put us under pressure,” he said, “I don’t know whether the run-out came from that” – Wood accepted luck was a more pertinent factor. Especially bearing in mind his “small hands.”WATCH on Hotstar (India only): How England bowled out New Zealand”I got lucky,” Wood said. “He backed-up because he was looking for the run. It was nothing to do with my bowling. And it’s not as if I deliberately palmed it back on the stumps. I was trying to actually stop it and got a little bit fortunate. I am pleased that in such a big game I managed to be so lucky.”He doesn’t know how unlucky he is because I’ve got the smallest hands for a bloke you’ve ever seen. I managed to just get a fingertip to it. The umpire wasn’t sure if I’d tipped it, and I was like ‘I swear to God I did.’ I knew it had flicked the end of my finger.”He is one of the best players I’ve ever bowled at. So to get him out any way you can is pretty important. It saved me bowling at him any more so I was pretty pleased.”Jos Buttler, meanwhile, reckoned that England’s performance in their last couple of games – matches in which they have beaten India and New Zealand at a time they knew defeat could mean elimination from the tournament – should both give the side confidence and remind them to play the “brand of cricket” which works best for them.”It’s a really good sign for us,” Buttler said. “We stood up and played our brand of cricket under that pressure. That breeds a lot of confidence for the group. It reminds us that our way is the best way and gives us a lot of chance of performing. That’s what we have resorted to in the two must-win games and shows that we must continue that.”Both men admit their excitement at reaching the semi-final stage, though Buttler also accepted it had been a “minimum requirement” ahead of the tournament.”We are very excited to be in a semi-final,” he said. “But I think it was the minimum requirement; the first stage we had to get to. We have given ourselves a great chance and we’re really excited for that challenge. We’ve obviously had two tough games to finish to qualify and we showed great character to come through with two very good performances.””We’ve got some great momentum,” Wood agreed. “We’ve had our backs up against the wall so to play with the values we have talked about in the past has showed a lot of courage from the team. Now we are going on to another huge game, but one we’ll be pretty confident in.”

A significant development has emerged regarding Liverpool's pursuit of a "complete footballer", with the Reds reportedly ready to table a "huge offer" for his services.

Liverpool transfer news

Jurgen Klopp must be delighted with how last summer's transfer business at Anfield has panned out, with his decision to completely change the midfield paying off handsomely. His side lead the Premier League table by five points and are still in every cup competition, as this season threatens to be a memorable one.

New signings this month are something that the Liverpool manager may still be considering, however, especially as injury problems are beginning to mount, and the Merseysiders have been linked with plenty of players of late.

Teenage "golden boy" Bilal El Khannouss is an interesting name who has emerged as a target for the Reds, with the 19-year-old currently plying his trade at Genk, while Wolves left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri is an option at left-back, with a long-term replacement needed for Andy Robertson eventually.

Liverpool ready "huge offer" for Teun Koopmeiners

According to a fresh update from Tutto Atalanta [via Sport Witness], Liverpool are readying a "huge offer" for Atalanta midfielder Teun Koopmeiners. Another report from Calciomercato has claimed that Newcastle United, Napoli and Juventus are all interested, too.

He is described as a "prime target" for the Reds, and while a specific figure isn't mentioned in the report, a fee of around €45m (£38.5m) is relayed from previous updates. A January move for the Dutchman may be tricky, however, due to him being happy at his current club,

Koopmeiners could be an intriguing option for Liverpool, having grown into a formidable midfielder over the years, becoming a key man for Atalanta and making a total of 104 appearances. In that time, he has also scored 21 goals and registered 12 assists, highlighting his end product, and former Ajax ace Ruud Krol has lauded him in the past, saying:

“Koop is a great player. He has an international caliber and is the starter in the Dutch national team. I certainly see him doing well at a big club. Juve or Milan? He would certainly be invaluable to both of them. Koopmeiners can play in all positions in the middle of the pitch: both as a playmaker and as a midfielder. He is a complete footballer who would be useful for all coaches, including Allegri."

At 25, Koopmeiners is in the sweet spot of his career where he is experienced but still young enough to improve further – he is the same age as current Liverpool hero Alexis Mac Allister – and a tally of 20 caps for the Netherlands alongside the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Ryan Gravenberch outlines his international pedigree, too.

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It looks as though a summer move may be more likely, and while the Reds do now look well-stocked in midfield, Thiago could leave at the end of the season when his contract expires, and Koopmeiners could be an ideal replacement, capable of playing in various positions.

Sunderland are still crying out for a deadly striker to lead the line, Michael Beale opting to start Alex Pritchard and Jobe Bellingham up top as a makeshift attacking duo away at Ipswich Town in a bid to try and awaken any ice-cold finisher in his ranks away from the likes of Nazariy Rusyn at his disposal.

Usual Black Cats suspect Jack Clarke bailed the patchy Wearside outfit on their travels down to Suffolk, but the star 23-year-old winger's strike at Portman Road wasn't enough as Kieran McKenna's men mounted a comeback on their own patch to win 2-1.

Sunderland could well turn their attention to this transfer target now to try and add some positive reinforcements in the striker position at the club, Beale drafting up a list of attackers to go after who could make a potential difference.

Sunderland's search for a new striker

The stuttering Championship promotion candidates are still keen on adding Kieffer Moore to their squad this January, but the ongoing transfer saga with the Welshman is still no nearer to its conclusion.

With the end of the transfer window gradually coming into view, the Black Cats could well look to alternatives away from the current AFC Bournemouth man and Sam Gallagher is a name that keeps popping up.

Football journalist Alan Nixon, via his Patreon, disclosed that Beale's men – alongside Ipswich – were keen on adding injury-prone Blackburn Rovers striker Gallagher to their ranks this month.

Sunderland could well need to show more intent in going after Gallagher though with the Tractor Boys, according to football journalist Nick Mashiter, having two bids of £1m and £1.5m rejected in recent times for the in-demand Blackburn forward.

The experienced 28-year-old centre-forward – who has also been on the books at Southampton and Birmingham City across his varied career – has only made six appearances for the Riversiders in the second tier this campaign but could still prove himself to be a smart buy if he can get over recurring injury hurdles in his way.

How Gallagher would fit into the Sunderland team

Scoring 48 goals in the Championship to date, Gallagher could well act as a focal point for Sunderland up top as a targetman-style forward who can play others into the game and help when needed with a goal here or there.

Never really showing himself to be a striker who bags goals for fun – 11 goals for Blackburn during the 2016-17 campaign proving to still be his most impactful season in front of goal – the lofty 6 foot 4 striker could come out of his shell at Sunderland surrounded by the likes of creative machines in Jack Clarke and Alex Pritchard teeing him up for chances.

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The injury-plagued number nine's only goal of the season to date came from just 19 touches of the ball against Hull City at the very start of this campaign, missing a further big chance in the contest in a bright but brief spell on the Ewood Park pitch for the towering attacker.

Rovers manager Jon Dahl Tomasson has also praised Gallagher for his "great attitude" behind the scenes at the club despite injury issues constantly troubling the striker, a clearly popular figure at the Lancashire club who would be sorely missed if sold this January. He's coincidentally also a player that former Mackems boss Tony Mowbray rates highly too.

Tony Mowbray thinks Gallagher is a 'monster'

Speaking about the forward in 2022 when he was at Rovers, only praise was reserved: "I’m always encouraging him to hit it because when you watch it in training it’s like a bazooka, his right foot. It’s a great strike. Gallagher is fast, strong, good in the air, rocket in his right foot. He has all the attributes to be a top player.

“

His ambition has to be to get to the Premier League, hopefully with this club, but if not, the Premier League look at this monster of a boy who can run like the wind with a rocket in his boots, why can’t he play in the Premier League?"

Beale certainly needs to add more firepower to his toothless Sunderland forward positions in this window and a deal for Gallagher – whose contract is nearing towards its end at Ewood Park – could well be a shrewd and unflashy buy if a move on the table for Moore goes nowhere.

Arsenal return to FA Cup action in a bid to win Mikel Arteta's first trophy since he lifted this very competition back in 2021.

The Gunners enter the new year on the back of a torrid run of form. They have won just once in their last five league outings so perhaps this encounter with Liverpool will be a nice distraction.

Either way, they have been dealt one of the toughest possible draws in the competition at the first hurdle. Thankfully, they will be at home.

The two sides haven't met in the FA Cup for ten years when Arsenal defeated the Anfield outfit 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium back in 2014.

GK

Lukasz Fabianski

RB

Carl Jenkinson

CB

Laurent Koscielny

CB

Per Mertesacker

LB

Nacho Monreal

CM

Mikel Arteta

CM

Mathieu Flamini

RW

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

CAM

Mesut Ozil

LW

Lukas Podolski

ST

Yaya Sanogo

It's set to be an enthralling FA Cup tie and one where neither side, interestingly, will wear red.

Why neither team are wearing red today

In the last two FA Cup third-round ties Arsenal have played, versus Nottingham Forest and Oxford United, they haven't worn red.

Instead, they have worn an all-white strip with the club's emblem and sponsor barely visible. Why? Well, due to an excellent campaign run by Arsenal, entitled No More Red. It was launched in January 2022 to support the long-standing work undertaken by the club to help keep young people safe from knife crime and youth violence.

Liverpool have also agreed to stay away from their classic red shirt on Sunday and will wear their purple strip instead.

Arsenal team news

The Gunners aren't in an injury crisis but they they do have a number of absentees ahead of this clash, notably at the back where they will not be able to count on the services of Jurrien Timber (ACL) and Takehiro Tomiyasu (Asia Cup duty). Oleksandr Zinchenko remains a doubt after missing Fulham last weekend but could be fit after rejoining training.

The worst news concerns Gabriel Jesus, who picked up a knee injury in the build-up to the game. There is hope the problem isn't serious but the severity remains unclear at this moment in time and he is a doubt for the match vs Liverpool.

Gabriel Jesus

Knee

Unknown

Oleksandr Zinchenko

Calf/shin/heel

07/01/2024

Fabio Vieira

Groin/hip/pelvic

04/02/2024

Thomas Partey

Thigh

04/02/2024

Mohamed Elneny

AFCON

TBC

Takehiro Tomiyasu

Asian Cup

TBC

Jurrien Timber

Knee

20/04/2024

Thomas Partey remains out and will actually miss the Africa Cup of Nations as a result while Fabio Vieira is another long-term injury problem.

Why Eddie Nketiah should be dropped

The striker position at Arsenal has been one of great debate in the early days of 2024. It's felt that if the Gunners are to truly test Manchester City and Liverpool this term, they will need a world-class number 9.

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Jesus has always been on the cusp of that, notably knitting Arsenal's attack together superbly after arriving from the Etihad last summer. But, 2023/24 has been crueller for Arteta's attacking players.

Jesus has scored just three Premier League goals this term – not the sort of record you require when chasing the title.

Eddie Nketiah, meanwhile, has also struggled. Since scoring a hat-trick against Sheffield United, he hasn't found the net in nine straight league games. His performance against Fulham just about summed up his limitations.

Described as "utterly anonymous" by Sport Bible editor Tom Marshall-Bailey, the academy graduate offered very little at Craven Cottage.

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7/11 (64%)

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0.15

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0.01

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0

Duels Won

6/9

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9x

Fouls

1

Shots

2

Nketiah only made seven passes in the entire match, had fewer touches than goalkeeper David Raya and only mustered one real chance of note, hammering the ball wide of the goal after being fed down the right-hand channel by skipper Martin Odegaard.

The striker's ability to make things happen is very slim and against Virgil van Dijk today, a different threat is required. That said, without the services of Jesus, they may well have to turn to an alternative option. Perhaps one of Leandro Trossard or Kai Havertz could cause more problems?

أكد أحمد حسام “ميدو”، نجم الكرة المصرية السابق، على أهمية بقاء اللاعب أحمد سيد زيزو في صفوف نادي الزمالك، مشدداً على أنه يُعد عنصرًا أساسيًا ولا غنى عنه للفريق.

وظهرت خلال الأيام القليلة الماضية، أنباء تفيد بوجود عرض من نادي نيوم أحد أندية الدرجة الثانية في الدوري السعودي (دوري يلو)، لضم زيزو بداية من الموسم الجديد.

وقال ميدو في تصريحات عبر إذاعة “أون سبورت إف إم”: “الزمالك لا بد أن يُحدد أولوياته، وهي أن يكون مُنظما، يعرف حجم الأموال التي تدخل النادي وهل هناك احتياج لإعارة زيزو أم تُبقي عليه، لكن الأولوية لا بد أن تكون التجديد للاعب”.

وتابع: “وحتى لو العرض الخارجي كبير بالنسبة لـ زيزو، على الإدارة أن تتمسك باللاعب حتى نهاية عقده ويكون أمامها ستة أشهر فرصة للتفاوض مع اللاعب حول التجديد، وفي النهاية لو اللاعب اختار عدم التجديد في هذه الحالة سيكون مجلس الإدارة قد فعل ما في وسعه”.

وأضاف: “لكن يجب أن يبقى زيزو، لأن صعب جدًا إيجاد بديل له على المستوى الفني والانضباطي والاحترافي، صعب تعويضه حتى لو باسم كبير”.

طالع أيضًا | زيزو يثير الجدل برسالة غامضة بشأن مستقبله مع الزمالك: “هتكلم بس كل حاجة في وقتها”

وواصل: “الأولوية بالنسبة لي في الصفقات الجديدة، هي التعاقد مع أشرف بن شرقي، ورأس حربة، ولاعب قوي يُجيد اللعب في مركزين 6 و8، ومدافع وحارس مرمى، ومجلس الإدارة من مهامه أن يُدبر الأموال، نعرف الصعوبات التي تواجههم، ولكن يجب الإبقاء على أهم اللاعبين وضم الأفضل”.

وأردف: “لو إدارة الزمالك فعلت تلك الأمور الجمهور سيكون راضياً، وسيدعم الإدارة، ويجب أن تكون هناك شفافية مع الجماهير”.

واستكمل: “كنت أتحدث مع أحد أهم الشخصيات داخل نادي الزمالك منذ قليل، وأتوقع أنه سيتم إصدار بيان اليوم للإعلان عن بقاء زيزو وأن المفاوضات جارية من أجل التجديد، هذه هي الشفافية والجمهور سيدعم النادي في قراراته”.

واختتم: “لو أنا مسؤول عن القرار في النادي، سأعلن التفاصيل في حالة رحيل زيزو، سأوضح للجمهور الحقيقة وأقول عرضت رقم على اللاعب ولكنه قرر الرحيل، وأؤكد أنه لاعب كبير وصنع تاريخ مع النادي”.

Former Premier League boss Alan Pardew appeared on TalkSPORT this week to question why Ange Postecoglou isn't starting one Tottenham player.

Spurs absentee crisis worsens

Rodrigo Bentancur has been most recently added to the Spurs absentee list in another hammer blow for Postecoglou and Spurs. The Uruguayan fell victim to a reckless challenge from Aston Villa defender Matty Cash during Tottenham's 2-1 defeat to Unai Emery's side in north London on Sunday, coming after he had only just returned from a lengthy lay-off.

Bentancur joins James Maddison, Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero, Yves Bissouma, Richarlison, Ryan Sessegnon, Manor Solomon, Ashley Phillips and Pape Matar Sarr as the Spurs players either serving supension or injured, with Postecoglou suffering as a result.

Before Tottenham's 4-1 loss to Chelsea at the start of the month, they were enjoying an impressive 10-game unbeaten run which resulted in Postecoglou winning three Manager of the Month awards back-to-back. However, injuries and suspensions to star players since then have resulted in Spurs taking a major downward trajectory.

They've lost three consecutive Premier League games and are enduring their worst run of form since the Antonio Conte era, but their latest defeat to Villa was a pretty unlucky one in all fairness. Spurs created a plethora of openings, and if not for their wastefulness in front of goal, the outcome could've been very different.

One player who didn't take part was Eric Dier, with Emerson Royal and Ben Davies preferred as Postecoglou's starting centre-back pair.

Pardew suggests Ange needs to start Dier

The Englishman, who is out of contract next summer, could well leave Spurs in January as Bayern Munich reportedly plot a "shock" move for Dier. The fact Tottenham opted for Emerson and Davies against Villa perhaps speaks volumes about Postecoglou's fondness for Dier as a starter, but Pardew has questioned why on TalkSPORT.

Indeed, Pardew suggests Ange needs to be starting Dier at Spurs, insisting the 29-year-old has enough quality to make a difference.

“I don’t really know where the Dier thing is actually, because I know he’s made some errors in the past, but he’s a proper player,” he told TalkSPORT.

“He’s of a standard where you’d expect him to get a start at this point. I do know his family and knowing the lad a little bit, I’m sure he’s very, very disappointed.”

Since signing from Sporting Lisbon, Dier has been a regular at Spurs, and was a fixture under Conte. Unfortunately, he doesn't appear to suit Postecoglou's aggressive high line.

"What I can tell you is that Eric has improved a lot since I arrived," said Conte on Dier last season. "We are talking about a reliable player, 100 per cent focused in every game. He is not a player who alternates with a big performance then a drop.

"He is providing great continuity in his role and playing every game. I can also tell you he is a really good guy, with great will, desire to work and improve. He knows he has space for improvement and I see every day in his eyes the desire to become stronger, to become a top defender."

‘Leave this question,’ the fast bowler said when probed about his captain’s remarks. ‘Are we done?’ Five minutes into his press conference, he walked out

Danyal Rasool and Umar Farooq11-Jan-2019If Sarfraz Ahmed’s criticism of his bowlers at the conclusion of the Cape Town Test was intended to provoke a response, he might have played a masterstroke. After two sessions of South African domination on the first day at the Wanderers, Pakistan, spearheaded by Mohammad Amir, dragged themselves back into the contest. In the most commanding passage of play with the ball Pakistan have enjoyed on this tour, they took the last seven South African wickets for just 33 runs, bowling them out for 262, a below-par total according to Aiden Markram.Sarfraz had publicly and robustly questioned the lower pace of his bowlers as compared to South Africa’s after Cape Town, an approach that had raised eyebrows at the time because Pakistan’s struggle to be competitive was more firmly rooted in their batting. On the first day of the series in Centurion, after the visitors had been bowled out for 181, they had reduced South Africa to 44 for 4, and bowled them out for 223. In the second innings, Pakistan slumped from 101 for 1 to 190 all out, leading Mickey Arthur to have a stern word with the batsmen.In the second Test, Pakistan found themselves bowled out for 177 on the first day, though this time the bowlers failed to restrict South Africa to a total that would have kept the game competitive.Amir, appearing at the end of the first day’s play at the Wanderers, was prickly when probed about his captain’s comments. “Please leave this question,” he shot back. “Leave this question. Are we done?” Five minutes into his press conference, he walked out.ESPNcricinfo understands that Amir was especially peeved by Sarfraz’s censorious remarks in the aftermath of Cape Town, which he understood to be more pointedly directed at him than any of the other bowlers. According to , Amir bowled 61% of his deliveries in the 120-132 kph range, which meant his bowling in Cape Town was the slowest of his career. The other bowlers are also understood to not be especially pleased with the remarks and, crucially, it was an assessment that others in the team set-up did not share. Amir’s curt response suggests that this story may have some distance to run.Sarfraz himself has been under pressure, both for the team’s performances under him as well as his own batting form: a pair in the first Test, 53 and 6 at Cape Town. And given how publicly frustrated and harangued he can appear to be by his bowlers and fielders, this development will not help.At least for the first two sessions today it looked as if the bowlers were not responding well to the criticism. It was a spell of play where Amir admitted the bowlers hadn’t been on the top of their game.”The first two sessions we didn’t bowl well,” he said. “But after tea, we made a plan that we had to bowl wicket to wicket and we have to control run rate so we can get wickets. So that was the idea and I think we were successful.”This wicket is far better than previous wickets. If you settle in, you can get the runs and wickets. But I always believe when you stick with the basics whether you’re a bowler or batsmen, you can get the reward.”

Whilst Arsenal haven't been perfect this season, they have been good enough to gain a place at the top of the Premier League, as they search for redemption following last season's title heartbreak against treble winners Manchester City. The Gunners narrowly overcame the challenge of Brentford through unlikely hero Kai Havertz and remain on course to seal the ultimate silverware as a result.

Those in North London haven't been without their problems, however, with Mikel Arteta forced to make some ruthless decisions within his squad – decisions which could have consequences in the January transfer window, according to recent reports.

Arsenal transfer news

Arsenal deserve credit for how they acted in the summer transfer window. They could have so easily been satisfied with the squad that came ever so close to Premier League glory, but, instead, they simply built on the foundation that Arteta had already set. In came Declan Rice, in came David Raya and in came Jurrien Timber to take the Gunners up another level. Rice and Raya have been particularly impressive, whilst Timber is in the middle of a long spell on the sidelines. Raya's form has seen him gain the number one spot, however, and that could result in a January exit for Aaron Ramsdale.

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According to The Daily Star, Wolverhampton Wanderers want to sign Ramsdale on loan with an obligation to buy in January, as they expect Jose Sa to secure a move to the Saudi Pro League in the winter window. Ramsdale needs game time if he is to keep his place in the England squad for the Euros and a move to the Midlands would give him exactly that, having fallen out of favour at The Emirates.

England manager Gareth Southgate previously spoke about the goalkeeper losing his place at Arsenal, saying via The Metro: "We’re just going to have to see how it is. I had that conversation with him in the last camp. He’s still battling to be the No 1 at Arsenal, and his profile and the way he can use the ball with his feet, we like and think is important.

"But there is a reality as a keeper, if we get to March and he’s six months without playing regularly, then I’m never going to promise things that I couldn’t guarantee delivering. So he knows that, he’s perfectly realistic about that."

"Exceptional" Ramsdale fighting for Arsenal place

Ramsdale's battle to regain the number one spot from Raya at Arsenal remains ongoing, with both goalkeepers enduring struggles at times. Speaking about Ramsdale after Arsenal's recent League Cup victory over Brentford, Arteta said via TNT Sports: “He’s been exceptional around the place with the situation. Like everybody.

“We love him more for sure. We have him every day. We know him, we know his character and we are really happy to have him. I don’t think I’m the one to answer the question about Aaron Ramsdale’s quality because I’m the one who signed him when everyone else was questioning that decision. So I don’t think I’m the one to answer that question.

"Every player is very important. We have a lot of injuries as well and players who contributed. But in football it’s about now, it’s about the moment. Today he [Ramsdale] had the opportunity to play and he played a really big game.”

ScorecardNot all fifties are created equal, and Dawid Malan knows that better than most.Six weeks ago, he struck two of the more facile half-centuries of his first-class career in the England Lions win against India A on a lifeless New Road ahead of his selection for the first Test against India; here, on a green Lord’s wicket, he was made to fight for every run by Sussex’s seamers, but his measured, patient innings was worth far more than his overnight score of 69 indicated.When Malan was axed from the Test side after the first Test at Edgbaston almost a month ago, he was damned with what appeared to be faint praise by national selector Ed Smith. “Dawid has not found his best rhythm this season,” said Smith, “and it may be that his game is better suited to overseas conditions.”The pair have since discussed those comments at length, and Smith clarified that he intended them to be “constructive feedback” rather than criticism, but these runs on what amounts to a typical English wicket that has offered plenty for the seamers over the course of these two days will have pleased Malan no end.

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The last time he raised his bat in all formats came after a single off Shahbaz Nadeem’s gentle left-arm spin to put the Lions 357 runs ahead in that tour match in mid-July, and there was a sense at that point that Malan was coming into form at just the right time. Instead, it has been a trying period for him. When he was trapped lbw by a David Wiese inswinger in the first innings, he had managed just 11 runs in his past three first-class knocks. England’s top order was failing but so was he.There have only been glimpses of Malan at his fluent best in an England shirt, and coming in at 29 for 2, this was never likely to be an opportunity to show that. Instead, he battled hard against Sussex’s bowlers, and his back-and-forth duel with Jofra Archer was the highlight of an even day.His unbeaten innings and Stevie Eskinazi’s 60 have put Middlesex in front in a game they must win to keep their ambitions of an immediate return to Division One alive, after their seamers had completed the job against the Sussex lower order.Archer had made his mark on the innings early in the piece with a rip-snorter that pegged back Nick Gubbins’ off stump, and on 18, Malan played and missed at a ball outside his off stump that bowler and slip cordon alike were convinced he had nicked. The Sussex appeal was loud and prolonged – and may yet land Archer in hot water, such was its exuberance – but Malan survived, and is too cool a head to have been unsettled by the handful of verbals directed his way.Unfazed, he pressed on towards a dogged half-century, and two balls after raising his bat played the shot of the day with a vicious swivel pull off Archer. By close, he had batted for over four hours for his unbeaten 69, and he will feel that his Middlesex side are in a good position to secure what would be a fourth Championship win in five if they can bat until lunch tomorrow.Earlier, Middlesex’s seamers mopped up the Sussex tail with the deficit just two runs before Eskinazi – playing as a wicketkeeper on account of John Simpson’s uncharacteristically lean season – pulled and drove patiently to set the innings up for Malan.When Holden, who struck a measured 50 not out in the first innings, miscued a hook to deep square leg with the score 152 for 5, Middlesex were in trouble. But James Harris – who has a remarkable recent record batting in the second innings, with 183 runs since his last dismissal – joined Malan, and their determined, unbroken partnership of 58 meant they left Lord’s marginally ahead.Chasing anything in excess of 250 will be a tricky ask for a Sussex side whose strong suit across formats this season has been their bowling, but it would be foolish to write them off with two days left in the game. How long Malan can last in the morning may yet prove decisive.