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Daily Mirror
8 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Arsenal given immediate Viktor Gyokeres worry after 'informing players of big change'
Stats suggest Viktor Gyokeres' big-money transfer to Arsenal won't solve all of the Gunners' problems this season, with the former Sporting CP star's big-game contribution coming under scrutiny Arsenal have been warned of a worrying Viktor Gyokeres statistic which could cause Mikel Arteta problems this season. After a lengthy summer transfer saga which also involved pursuing Benjamin Sesko, the Gunners finally settled on Gyokeres, completing his £64million transfer from Sporting CP last month. The Swede's arrival finally provides Arsenal with a traditional No. 9 which many pundits and fans have identified as the last piece of the jigsaw required if they are to win the Premier League, having lacked that killer instinct with Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Mikel Merino. Gyokeres netted 54 goals in 52 appearances last season, earning him a reputation as one of the most clinical and goal-hungry forwards in European football. But the same skills that make Gyokeres such an important addition also mean Arteta has already made a tactical shift in pre-season, adapting his playing style to suit the striker. ESPN reported the Spaniard has told his players to get the ball forward as quickly as possible to utilise his strengths - something that was on display against Newcastle and Tottenham, even when Gyokeres was not on the pitch. Yet, despite Arteta's best efforts, there is a chance that the 27-year-old may not reach the heights expected of him this season for the Gunners. That may be especially true against some of their direct rivals, who Gyokeres has primarily been signed to score against in big matches. Speaking on The Rest Is Football, Gary Lineker referenced a stat which claimed Gyokeres had only scored three goals against teams in the Portuguese league's top half last season. The former Match of the Day presenter branded Gyokeres' transfer a 'gamble' from Arsenal, though he did wish the former Coventry and Brighton man all the best. Lineker's stats were mistaken, however, as the former England striker likely meant to raise the point of Gyokeres' underwhelming goal-scoring form against Portugal's other top teams - Benfica, Porto, Braga and Santa Clara. In the Primeira Liga, where he won the golden boot with 39 goals while clinching a second successive title, he only scored twice in eight league matches last season. Other similar stats have emerged online, adding to the perception of Gyokeres as a flat-track bully. But Arsenal will expect a better return against the Premier League's top sides this season, having bought the Sweden international for his predatorial instinct in the box. Those stats are especially worrying given that Arteta's men averaged 2.05 goals per game against bottom-half sides in 2024/25 compared to 1.55 against top-half opponents. They also had a 70% win rate against the bottom-half teams and only 33% against the top half, which included the likes of Newcastle, Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest, Brighton, Bournemouth and Brentford. Despite firing blanks in the aforementioned league encounters, Gyokeres netted six in the Champions League, including a hat-trick against Manchester City, and a crucial last gasp goal to beat rivals Benfica in the Portuguese cup final, demonstrating he has what it takes to step up when needed. Lineker's colleague Micah Richards went on to highlight the potential weaknesses in his game, but still acknowledged that Gyokeres can be an important player for the north Londoners this season by offering a threat in-behind - which they have lacked in recent years. Richards said: 'I think it's a very good signing. I still think there are question marks whether he can do it at this level consistently because I've watched a load of videos on him and I think he's really good in terms of his movement. He's a really clever striker and can run in behind. 'I don't think people should be expecting him to hold up the ball really well. There's times in games where I've watched the ball go up to him and it's coming back off him. And then he scores two goals and everyone says he's been absolutely amazing. But he's exactly what Arsenal need.'
Daily Mirror
8 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Sheffield Wednesday players hint at strike action amid ongoing payment issues
Sheffield Wednesday's players have released a collective statement after cancelling a friendly against Burnley, hinting they would be willing to call off further fixtures Sheffield Wednesday players have released a statement hinting they could go on strike if payment issues are not sorted. Owls stars and other club staff have been paid late on multiple occasions this year as the financial crisis at Hillsborough worsens. The latest round of unpaid wages came at the end of July, with last week's planned friendly at Burnley being cancelled a result. Now, players have seemingly warned Sunday's season opener at Leicester could go the same way if the problem is not rectified. The players have come out in solidarity with their colleagues in other departments who haven't received their pay packets amid the continued turbulent ownership of Thai tuna magnate Dejphon Chansiri. But they have moved to reassure fans they will not 'down tools', and are simply seeking clarity from Chansiri amid a lack of information both privately and in public. "As has been well publicised, players, coaching and club staff groups at the club have all been impacted by delayed and overdue payment of salaries," the statement said. "This has been a worrying time for us as players but, whist we are often the ones in the spotlight, we are not the only ones involved. We stand together in support with all our colleagues employed by the club who have been affected. "Players and staff are now feeling real, practical impacts in their professional and personal lives and we are extremely concerned at the lack of clarity regarding what is happening and when this will be resolved. "The decision taken by the players to withdraw from the planned friendly with Burnley was not taken lightly or without consideration. We are fully aware of the added concern this will have caused supporters but trust there is a real understanding of the difficult position we have been put in. "We want to reassure fans that there has not been, and will not be, any 'downing of tools' by any of us on the training ground, and we are all working as hard as we can and supporting each other, the manager and staff. "However, we, like you, want our focus to be fully on what happens on the pitch and the new season ahead. This is proving to be really challenging and we have made it clear to the club that we want this situation to be addressed as soon as possible so decisions taken like the one not to play at Burnley are avoided in the future. We can then all move forward together as a club." Wednesday are left with just 16 senior players following the cut-price sales of Djeidi Gassama to Rangers, Anthony Musaba to Samsunspor and academy product Caelan-Kole Cadamarteri - son of ex-Everton favourite Danny - to Manchester City. Michael Smith and Josh Windass walked out for free to Preston and Wrexham respectively after tendering their notices, while it is understood several others have done the same since the July pay date was missed. Wednesday fans travelling to Leicester for the season opener on Sunday have pledged to not take their seats for the first five minutes of the match as a show of defiance live on Sky Sports. The club's Supporters' Trust has raised more than £10,000 to fund further protests and has urged fans to stop spending money in a bid to force Chansiri into a sale. The North Stand at Hillsborough has been condemned by health and safety chiefs with season ticket holders yet to be notified where they will be relocated ahead of the first home game of the season against Stoke next week.
Daily Mirror
8 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Newcastle threatening to hijack Liverpool transfer amid ongoing Alexander Isak talks
Newcastle are eager to add more signings to the squad after a difficult window that has seen them miss out on a handful of players - but the Magpies are reportedly optimistic of securing Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi Newcastle are hoping to hijack Liverpool bid to sign Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi as the Reds also attempt to prise Alexander Isak away from St James' Park. The Magpies' preparations for the new 2025-26 season have been disrupted by talk over Isak's future after the player began pushing for a move to Liverpool. Isak has been clear with Newcastle that he wants to explore his options after a fantastic season that resulted in 27 Premier League goals and he failed to join his team-mates on their pre-season tour of Asia. Instead, he flew out to Spain to train on his own at the facilities of former club Real Sociedad to keep himself ticking over in case Liverpool did strike an agreement with Newcastle. But Liverpool's first bid of around £120m was rejected by the Magpies, who will hope to move on from the saga - at least temporarily - by securing some signings of their own. Club chiefs will hope to get one over the Reds by beating them to the signing of Guehi - and the Times are reporting that Newcastle are ready to resurrect their interest in the player who they failed to land last year after having three bids rejected - the highest offer being £65m. Newcastle don't want to spend more than £40m on the player, considering his contract is set to expire next summer and could even leave their move late into the window in order to get the best price, the report goes on. The report says Liverpool are still interested in Guehi but are also unwilling to splash the cash on him. Newcastle might have the advantage over the Reds considering they have already spent almost £300m and could potentially see that number rise if they sign Isak. It comes as Newcastle boss bids to bolster his side after adding just one major signing in Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest so far. He has suffered a difficult transfer window so far after Liverpool beat them to the signing of Hugo Ekitike. The Magpies are currently competing with Manchester United for the signature of RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko after submitting a £70m and Howe will be eager to secure at least one new signing before their season opener against Aston Villa on August 16. He will also be optimistic Isak will still be a Newcastle player by that time after admitting the situation was out of his control when asked about his future - though the player has returned to the club's training ground for showdown talks this week.
