Arsenal staff have been taken aback by summer signing Noni Madueke behind-the-scenes, with a twist now coming to light on the forward’s injury return timeline.

Mikel Arteta is now without star defender William Saliba once again, not to mention winger Gabriel Martinelli.

Delivering a pre-match injury update ahead of the Gunners’ Carabao Cup fourth round clash at home to Brighton on Wednesday evening, Arteta didn’t delve into too much detail on the extent of their problems, but the duo have now joined their injury list.

Saliba and Martinelli are accompanied by Gabriel Jesus, Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz and Madueke, who are all unavailable for selection right now due to various issues.

Arsenal 3-0 Nottingham Forest

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Arsenal 1-1 Man City

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Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal

Arsenal 2-0 Olympiacos

Arsenal 2-0 West Ham

Fulham 0-1 Arsenal

Arsenal 4-0 Atlético Madrid

Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace

Jesus has been sidelined since the turn of the year after rupturing his ACL in an FA Cup defeat to Man United, and reports have suggested that the Brazilian may not be back in action until 2026.

Odegaard, meanwhile, is suffering real bad luck with injuries right now.

The Arsenal captain had only just returned from a shoulder problem when he set up Gabriel Magalhaes’ winner away to Newcastle, but it didn’t take long for Odegaard to be sidelined once again.

The £240,000-per-week playmaker picked up a medial collateral ligament injury in the 2-0 win over West Ham just prior to the last international break, and that is expected to keep him out until mid-November.

Luckily for Arteta, the north Londoners could soon welcome Havertz back.

The Germany international has apparently been blowing away Arsenal rehab staff with his recovery and is fighting to be fully match fit ahead of schedule, according to insider HandOfArsenal.

Now, as per GiveMeSport, nearly the exact same can be said of Madueke too.

Arsenal staff taken aback as Noni Madueke nears faster injury return

According to their information, Arsenal staff have been left impressed by Madueke’s attitude during recovery, and the England international winger is now set to return to training earlier than anticipated.

Madueke is said to be making “faster-than-expected” progress in his comeback from a knee injury which has kept him out since Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Man City.

The former PSV Eindhoven star, known for his pace, dribbling, and creativity, has been a bright prospect since joining Arsenal, and his return is expected to inject more flair and unpredictability into their front line.

Madueke’s ability to wreak havoc on defenders in one-on-one situations offers a new dimension, but also takes some pressure off Arsenal’s key forwards, with Arteta pretty light in that area right now.

His form right after joining Arsenal in the summer, despite early protests over his arrival, resulted in Madueke being considered as Andrea Berta’s arguable best signing of the window thus far.

Arsenal’s plan is for the 23-year-old to complete several controlled sessions before resuming full contact training, and he’s apparently used the time to work on other aspects of his game, like strength and conditioning.

His response to the setback has been nothing short of incredible, according to GMS, and Arteta will certainly be impressed behind-closed-doors.

Tottenham return to action against Aston Villa on October 19 once this round of international fixtures ends, with Thomas Frank looking to build upon an unbeaten run which has stretched their last seven games in all competitions.

Spurs were forced to dig deep in their last outing at Elland Road, securing a 2-1 win over newly-promoted Leeds United and ending the Yorkshire side’s year-long unbeaten run at home in the league.

Mohammed Kudus

8.4

Mathys Tel

7.8

Noah Okafor

7.0

Sean Longstaff

7.0

Jayden Bogle

6.8

via WhoScored

Player of the match, Mohammed Kudus, was once again a nightmare to deal with in the wide area and looks like the Lilywhites’ best summer signing thus far alongside Bayern Munich loanee Joao Palhinha.

Mathys Tel also staked his claim for a starting nod over fellow striker Richarlison, and he rewarded Frank’s faith with their opening goal as Dominic Solanke continues to work his way back from minor ankle surgery.

Despite concerns surrounding some of Tottenham’s performances against lesser sides, with the North Londoners stealing draws in dramatic fashion against the likes of Brighton, Wolves and Bodo/Glimt, it has been a very solid start to life for Frank overall.

14 points from seven Premier League games has Spurs sitting third in the table with the joint second-best defensive record in the top flight, and only league leaders Arsenal have conceded fewer league goals than them so far.

It is a far cry from the defensive frailties which haunted Ange Postecoglou’s version of Tottenham last season, with Frank’s new-look side displaying a real grit and resilience to see out needed results.

Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero have been vital to Tottenham’s solidarity, with pundit Jamie O’Hara even suggesting that they’re the best centre-back partnership in the world right now.

Spurs’ full-back options have also impressed for the most part, and ex-defender Sergio Reguilon would’ve certainly struggled to battle his way back into the team.

The Spaniard is now a free agent after being forced to leave the club when his contract expired in July, but according to reports, he’s now closing in on a free transfer to the MLS.

Sergio Reguilon in advanced talks to join Inter Miami after Tottenham exit

According to ESPN and other reliable media sources, Reguilon is in advanced talks to join Inter Miami as he finalises a switch to David Beckham’s MLS franchise.

The 28-year-old did attract rumoured interest from West Ham and Everton, but it is Javier Mascherano’s side that have won the race to snap up the ex-Real Madrid starlet at zero cost.

Reguilon’s five-year stint at Tottenham was a mixed bag, with the former Sevilla man spending time out on loan at Brentford and Man United during his time there.

Postecoglou could barely find a place for Reguilon, despite the odd appearance during Tottenham’s injury crisis last season, and he was still allowed to leave on a free soon after Frank’s appointment in June.

Interestingly, Tottenham’s new boss briefly worked with him at the Gtech Community Stadium and actually praised Reguilon after he put pen to paper on a move there — calling him a “proven” Premier League player and a “perfect fit” for his former side.

Italian side Fiorentina have announced the sacking of Stefano Pioli as head coach. The decision comes amid a dismal 10-game winless run that has left the club rooted to the bottom of the Serie A table. Pioli joined Fiorentina following successful spells with AC Milan and Al-Nassr, having won the Scudetto with the Rossoneri.

• Pioli sacked after dismal Serie A start

  The Viola are winless in the league this season, with four draws and six defeats in their opening 10 matches, leaving them near the bottom of the table. Their strong start in the UEFA Conference League, where they sit top of the table with two wins from two games, wasn’t enough to save Pioli from dismissal.

  The club’s official statement read: “ACF Fiorentina can confirm that Stefano Pioli has been relieved of his duties as head coach of the first team.”

  Meanwhile Fiorentina have announced a temporary replacement for Pioli until a new head coach is appointed. The club stated: “Daniele Galloppa will take charge of the first team temporarily, starting from this afternoon's training session.”

  Pioli’s sacking follows Fiorentina’s decision to terminate the contract of sporting director Daniel Prade.

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  Where did it go wrong for Fiorentina?

  Italian outlet summed up Pioli’s downfall at Fiorentina by highlighting several key mistakes the tactician made during his tenure. It all began with an air of overconfidence that stemmed from his past successes with Milan and Al Nassr. The Italian coach often declared himself among the country’s top managers, even taking subtle digs at peers such as Massimiliano Allegri and Luis Enrique. However, this arrogance backfired as results worsened and performances declined, with Pioli appearing to lose confidence with each passing game.

  On the pitch, Fiorentina looked disorganised and lacked chemistry despite Pioli’s claims of productive training sessions. His frequent tactical switches between the 3-5-2, 3-4-2-1 and 4-4-2 formations only deepened the confusion, leaving players uncertain and disconnected. Pioli even tried deploying Fagioli as a deep-lying playmaker in a 4-4-2 system, but the experiment was abandoned after a draw against Como. His substitutions often worsened matches rather than improving them, exposing his poor in-game management.

  Fiorentina’s summer transfer activity, conducted jointly by Pioli and sporting director Prade, also proved problematic. Pioli’s initial tactical plan relied on a three-man attack featuring Moise Kean, Edin Dzeko or Roberto Piccoli, and Albert Gudmundsson, leading the club to invest heavily in Piccoli. However, after a string of disappointing results, Piccoli was benched and the three-man attack was scrapped altogether, rendering that investment a costly misstep.

• Pioli enjoyed success with Milan and Al-Nassr

  Pioli was appointed as interim head coach of AC Milan in 2019, replacing Marco Giampaolo. He implemented a 4-2-3-1 system that revitalised the team and restored Milan’s identity. With the arrival of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Pioli brought stability and experience, helping young players such as Rafael Leao, Theo Hernandez and Sandro Tonali reach their full potential. Under his guidance, Milan qualified for the Champions League in the 2020–21 season after a seven-year absence. The following year, Pioli led the Rossoneri to their first Scudetto since 2011, marking a remarkable turnaround.

  He continued to impress in Europe, guiding Milan to the Champions League semi-finals in the 2022–23 season before leaving the club in 2023–24. During his tenure, Pioli managed 240 matches, recording 128 wins, 64 draws, and 48 defeats.

  In 2024, he took charge of Saudi side Al-Nassr, where he reportedly became the fourth highest-paid manager in the world. At the Riyadh club, he managed stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane, achieving 22 wins, six draws and six losses during the 2024–25 season.

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  Fiorentina start search for a replacement

  Fiorentina take on German side Mainz in the Conference League on Thursday as they look to appoint a replacement as soon as possible. For Pioli, the Fiorentina sacking will come as a setback, but given his impressive accomplishments with Milan, he will be hoping to find a new opportunity either in Italy or abroad.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Cruzeiro empatou com o Fluminense em 2 a 2 e garantiu a classificação para a final da Copa do Brasil sub-20 2023, nesta segunda-feira (9). Os gols da Raposa foram marcados por Henrique Rodrigues e Vitinho. Do lado Tricolor, Arthur de pênalti e Pedrão, contra, completaram o placar.

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O Fluminense chegou a empatar o confronto no agregado duas vezes. A partida no Rio de Janeiro terminou 3 a 2 para o Cruzeiro e o Tricolor precisava de um gol para levar a decisão para os pênaltis. O time das laranjeiras conseguiu sair na frente, mas sofreu o empate. Depois, com o gol contra, conseguiu empatar novamente no agregado. Mas, no início do segundo tempo, Vitinho empatou para o Cruzeiro, fechando o placar em 5 a 4 no agregado.

+ A sua carreira no futebol pode começar hoje. Garanta a sua vaga no curso Gestor de Futebol e capacite-se!

A classificação coloca o Cruzeiro na decisão contra o Grêmio, que passou pelo Bahia com duas vitórias por 3 a 2 na semfinal da competição. A final da competição será no domingo (10).

????????????????????????????????????????????????????! Os Crias da Toca estão na final da Copa do Brasil Sub-20!

⚽ Nossos gols foram marcados por Henrique e Vitinho

Parabéns pela vitória, Crias! Vamos pra cima! ????

???? @staff_images e Gustavo Rabelo / BHFOTO #CopadoBrasilSub20 pic.twitter.com/K69TlwiwJ7

— Cruzeiro ???? (@Cruzeiro) October 9, 2023

Nottinghamshire 578 for 8 dec (James 203*, Haynes 103, McCann 79, Hutton 71) and 108 for 1 dec (McCann 52*, Hameed 50*) drew with Hampshire 454 (Organ 122*, Varma 112, Weatherley 52, Middleton 52)Hampshire’s Felix Organ scored his fourth Rothesay County Championship century to dash any final-day excitement for title-chasing Nottinghamshire at Utilita Bowl.Organ patiently collected his highest first-class score of 122 not out to make sure Hampshire avoided the follow-on to turn the day into a wait for the inevitable 4.50pm draw.The 14 points Nottinghamshire take from the match puts them level with Surrey at the top of Division One – with four rounds still to play.Hampshire’s 12 points leaves them sixth but just 13 points above the bottom two, having only won twice in the Championship this season.Organ is Hampshire’s version of James Milner. He fills in with whatever role his side needs.He began his career as an opening batter but more often finds himself in the side when a spinning pitch is expected, where he slots in lower down the order to lengthen the batting options.He is a fairly reliable insurance in both his skillsets, and it was his batting that took the fore on this occasion.He’d begun the week by scoring 101 out of 171 for his Southern Premier Cricket League side St Cross Symondians, where he also took a five-for to secure a victory.He ended it by making sure his county didn’t lose, and slip deep into the relegation battle.Organ had already scored 70 on the third evening, largely in a 126-run partnership with Indian sensation Tilak Varma, but returned this morning with 61-runs still required to avoid the follow-on.He needed others to stick with him.Nightwatcher Eddie Jack fell leg before to Josh Tongue – who produce a ferocious early morning spell – but James Fuller hung around for over and hour to score 16 in 40 balls to get Hampshire within a sniff of their target before he was bowled.Kyle Abbott simply went dot, four, six, six to alleviate any fears of defeat and beat the follow-on requirements. It left just over four hours to reach the earliest possible finish time.Each of Organ’s three previous centuries have bettered his previous best score. His maiden effort was exactly 100 back in 2019, before scoring 107 at home to Gloucestershire and then 118 in the reverse fixture in 2022.The trend continued after he went to three-figures in 266 with a six, as he was left unbeaten on 122 after Abbott was castled by Farhan Ahmed and Sonny Baker – who took 35 balls to get off the mark – was lbw.Nottinghamshire boasted a first-innings lead of 124 but there was little chance of setting up anything. Ben Slater calved to point before the last half an hour turned into a classic bore-draw farce.Wicketkeeper Ben Brown gave his pads and gloves to Varma to bowl some left-arm in an attempt to add to his one first-class wicket, while Fletcha Middleton showed off his medium-pacers for the first time in professional cricket.Haseeb Hameed and Freddie McCann reached the easiest half-centuries of their career in a 99-run stand before 4.50pm and handshakes rolled around.

Her last India cap came at the final of the T20 World Cup 2020

ESPNcricinfo staff25-Jul-2025Batter Veda Krishnamurthy has called time on her professional career, five years after she last played for India, at the Women’s T20 World Cup final in Melbourne in 2020.Veda retires with 48 ODIs and 76 T20I caps, with the highlight being her role in India’s seminal run to the 2017 World Cup final, where they came within nine runs of a maiden world title. Her final on-field appearance came during WPL 2024, where she represented Gujarat Giants.”Cricket gave me more than just a career,” she wrote in a post on social media. “It gave me a sense of who I am. It taught me how to fight, how to fall and how to keep showing up. It’s now time to give back. Whatever the role, whatever the way, I’m here for the game. I truly believe my second innings will be just as meaningful.”A hard-hitting middle-order batter, Veda also captained Karnataka and Railways in the domestic circuit. In 2023, she led Karnataka to runners-up finish in the Senior Women’s One Day Trophy for successive years in 2021-22 and 2022-23 – they went down to domestic powerhouse Railways by six runs in the title-clash in February 2023.

From a small-town girl with big dreams to wearing the India jersey with pride.
Grateful for everything cricket gave me the lessons, the people, the memories.
It’s time to say goodbye to playing, but not to the game.
Always for India. Always for the team. pic.twitter.com/okRdjYuW2R

— Veda Krishnamurthy (@vedakmurthy08) July 25, 2025