Islanders Sign Victor Eklund But He's Probably Returning To Sweden Too
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NBC Sports
5 hours ago
- NBC Sports
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta on Viktor Gyokeres, and why there is reason for hope
MANCHESTER — Arsenal's new star striker Viktor Gyokeres had a debut to forget, but his manager Mikel Arteta has given plenty of positives around his performance and his potential. MORE — 3 things we learned Gyokeres touched the ball just 22 times in his 60 minutes on the pitch during Sunday's 1-0 win at Manchester United, as he didn't have a shot (the first time that's happened to him in a game in over two years), looked off the pace in terms of fitness and was jeered by the United fans after turning them down to join Arsenal for up to $88 million this summer. But speaking to the NBC Sports crew on the pitch at Old Trafford after the win, Arteta revealed how pleased he was with Gyokeres and fellow new signing Martin Zubimendi. 'Both of them very good. Martin has been very impressive since the first day. He's been a little bit longer with us than Viktor,' Arteta explained. 'With Viktor we are demanding things especially in the way we press a little bit different to him. You could sense that especially the amount of time we were giving to the opposition in the first half. But he will get there. I think he has been sensational. He gives us a threat that we didn't have before. And a variation to our style of play, which is great.' How concerned should we be about Viktor Gyokeres and his debut for Arsenal? The Swedish striker hasn't had a full preseason due to his protracted move from Sporting Lisbon to Arsenal and is clearly getting himself up to speed while he's getting used to what Arteta and Arsenal want and need for him. Arsenal were also nowhere near their fluid best on Sunday as their clunky performance stopped them building any kind of attacking rhythm and they didn't open up space for Gyokeres to exploit. These aren't excuses but the reality of the situation. There were times when Gyokeres made really good runs, especially in the first half, but the pass didn't come and Arsenal's other forwards and midfielders aren't used to having a center forward hold the ball up like he does, stand centrally or make arching runs in-behind defenses. But that understanding will come and that is why Arsenal will stay patient. Kai Havertz has had a few years of playing in a number nine role for Arsenal in a certain system and style and you could see the entire team were much more comfortable when he came on and the Gunners created more chances from open play in the final 30 minutes. Arteta will get Gyokeres plenty of starts and minutes, but don't be surprised if the giant striker rotates with Havertz in the early weeks of the season as he works his way up to full speed and is used in certain situations against certain teams and their style of play. The physical side of the game was disappointing from Gyokeres on Sunday as he lost duels and was overpowered and that was perhaps the most surprising aspect of his lackluster performance. Gyokeres' debut was far from impressive but it wasn't the end of the world. Patience is needed.
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
Robert MacIntyre closes with 40-foot birdie to lead Scottie Scheffler by four at BMW Championship
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Robert MacIntyre was up to the test of facing the No. 1 player in the world Saturday, holing a collection of big par putts and then delivering a 40-foot birdie on the final hole for a 2-under 68 and a four-shot lead over Scottie Scheffler in the BMW Championship. Scheffler picked up one stroke on the five-shot deficit he faced at the start of the steamy afternoon at Caves Valley. He never got closer than three shots. MacIntyre, the lefty from Scotland, got out of several jams, none bigger than the short fifth hole when he drove over a hazard line into the bushes . He decided to hack out, and it shot some 70 feet away for a putt straight down a series of ridges. He two-putted for par, making an 8-footer, one example of his grit before a large gallery that favored Open champion Scheffler. MacIntyre holed an 8-foot putt on the 14th, then turned toward a hospitality area and placed his index finger to his mouth, shushing whoever got under his Scottish skin. He was at 16-under 194, and gets one more day with golf's best. Scheffler finally ended a streak of 37 holes without a bogey and efficiently put together a 67. Ludvig Åberg entered the mix. The Swedish star appears to be emerging from a summer slumber and shot 68 that left him alone in third. He was still six shots behind MacIntyre. No one else was closer than eight shots of the lead. The BMW Championship is the penultimate postseason event that decides the top 30 in the FedExCup who advance to the Tour Championship for a shot at the $10 million prize. Akshay Bhatia helped his chances with an amazing day that included a hole-in-one on the 17th hole to win a car, but more important project him inside the top 30. He also holed out with a wedge on the par-4 seventh for eagle, and turned in a card that had scores of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. Harry Hall of England, at No. 45 in the FedExCup, had a second straight 67 and was tied for fourth with Sam Burns (67), projecting him to reach East Lake for the first time and be assured of all the majors except the PGA Championship. Rickie Fowler, who narrowly got into the top 50 to reach Caves Valley, had a 67 to put himself in position to move into the top 30. He was projected just outside the top 30, and those projections are likely to fluctuate wildly on the last day. BMW Championship 2025: Final-round tee times, TV times, how to watch second playoff event Final-round tee times and pairings for the BMW Championship, along with how to watch. Golf Channel Staff , Players often talk about staying present. Hall takes that to another level. 'I've only got one job to do, and that's go recover and hydrate and get ready to hit that first show down the fairway tomorrow,' Hall said. 'My game plan won't fluctuate regardless of the situation I'm in. I think I'll try and do the right thing on every shot, and hopefully that will be enough.' Fowler has an idea what he needs, but he kept it simple. 'Hopefully, just go wear out some fairways and then get the iron play back to where it's been and make some putts,' he said. 'But it sounds a lot easier than it is.' Scheffler is going for his fifth win of the year, which would make him the first player since Tiger Woods to win at least five times in consecutive years. He hasn't had a round over par since the third round of the Travelers Championship nearly two months ago. MacIntyre was clearly up for the test, though. He made five par putts from the 5- to 8-foot range, had a couple of birdie putts inside 6 feet and then ended his day with an uppercut celebration of a 40-foot birdie putt. He was generally safe to make it to the Tour Championship at No. 20, but it could be quite a payoff tomorrow, upward of $6 million with the prize money and bonus for reaching No. 3 in the FedExCup with a win.
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Yahoo
Liverpool offer Alexander Isak ultimatum to Newcastle
Newcastle kicked off their Premier League season on Saturday with a 0-0 draw against Aston Villa. The Magpies' lack of a centre forward was sorely exposed - with Liverpool target Alexander Isak in exile. 🔴 Shop the LFC 2025/26 adidas home range 🚨2025/26 LFC x adidas range🚨 LFC x adidas Shop the home range today! LFC x adidas Shop the goalkeeper range today LFC x adidas Shop the new adidas range today! Anthony Gordon played up front instead of the 25-year-old Swede - but he and his teammates could not prevent the Geordies from drawing a blank. The atmosphere turned toxic in the aftermath - with Newcastle fans making their feelings known over Isak's conduct as he seeks a move to Anfield. Isak to Liverpool in the next seven days It's hard to see a way back for the forward - and the sooner he's allowed to complete his move to Liverpool the better. Newcastle will need to sign a new striker in his place - with Goncalo Ramos the latest name in the frame. This situation is currently helping nobody and the signs are that the saga is heading for a speedy conclusion. That's according to a new report from Sacha Tavolieri - who claims Liverpool have given Newcastle a one-week timeframe in which to agree a deal. Liverpool won't wait forever 'Liverpool FC won't wait forever for Alexander Isak,' he wrote on X. 'Despite mutual interest and the Swedish being the top priority, the Reds have set a deadline. 'If no agreement is reached with Newcastle by next week, the door will be wide open for… other targets.' No way back for Isak The North East side are looking for around £150m for their star attraction - but the Reds' sporting director Richard Hughes is said to be hopeful of completing a deal for around £135m. There is little chance of Isak resuming his Newcastle career under the current circumstances - and by this time next week we could see Liverpool end up with their new No9. Tavolieri's suggestion that the Reds are prepared to move for a different striker is intriguing. Having seen the likes of Joao Pedro, Benjamin Sesko, Victor Osimhen and Jonathan David move elsewhere this summer there a relatively few other names in the frame. Maybe it could be Bradley Barcola - or else Hughes and head coach Arne Slot have a different name in mind.
