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Frank Lampard has responded to accusations he has a "big ego" as his Coventry City side mount a Premier League promotion bid.

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Lampard flying high at CoventrySky Blues now in Championship play-offsResponds to "big ego" accusationsFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Lampard took over at Coventry last November and since then he has taken them from just above the Championship relegation places to the play-off positions. The Chelsea legend, who has struggled in recent managerial appointments at the Blues and Everton, is earning lots of plaudits at Coventry and has fans dreaming of a Premier League promotion. Now he has also addressed jibes that he has a "massive ego" and should "shut up".

AdvertisementGetty Images SportWHAT FRANK LAMPARD SAID

He told the Daily Mail: "I think I should distinguish between professional and public ego. As a player I definitely maximised certain parts of my career through a strong professional ego. I wanted to be as good as I could be. I wanted to be better than your man down the road. That wasn't a bad attribute for me. As a manager I still have those things. I want my team to be the best. I want to show when I go against another manager that I can do my job. But this is work. So I don't have this ego of what it means for my own public persona. It's important to work with the players that way because they need to see humility in the person who is leading them. I am with them. When we win or lose I am as happy and as disappointed as they are. That's natural for me. There will be people who view me from the outside who will go, 'Shut up, you've got a massive ego'. It doesn't matter to me. I like to get about my work and then get home to all the normal things. I know there will always be a challenge round the corner. It's not always going to be rosy here. We see it in many clubs and in many managers' careers. It's one of the reasons I sit here and try to temper things."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Lampard's appointment was met with a mixed response from Coventry fans, particularly after the hugely unpopular sacking of his predecessor Mark Robins. But he has got the Sky Blues on a superb run of form and if this continues, the ex-midfielder – whose reputation was badly hit after his second Chelsea managerial stint – may convince many that he can be a successful manager after all.

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(C)Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?

Lampard's Coventry side, who are up to fifth in the Championship, will hope to make it six league wins in a row when they travel to lowly Derby County on Tuesday.

As Ruben Amorim looks to make his mark on his new side, one Serie A sensation is now reportedly aware that Manchester United are considering making their move for his signature in 2025.

Man Utd transfer news

After they were eased aside by Arsenal, it’s clear that Amorim has quite the task on his hands when it comes to turning Manchester United around. The former Sporting Club boss has at least returned entertainment to Old Trafford since arriving – defeating Everton 4-0 in his home Premier League debut – but a trip to The Emirates proved to be a test too far and a test too early.

Amorim has already repeated one of Ten Hag's biggest mistakes at Man Utd

Ruben Amorim fell to his first Manchester United defeat last night.

ByEthan Lamb Dec 5, 2024

Following such a disastrous set of arrives under Erik ten Hag, INEOS should be desperate to put things right for Amorim, with the likes of Viktor Gyokeres already reportedly on their radar.

The Sporting striker enjoyed incredible success under Amorim in Portugal and would instantly take the Red Devils back to at least Champions League level as one of the most in-form forwards in Europe. But he’s not the only one who’s on United’s radar.

According to Sky Sports’ Florian Plettenberg, Kenan Yildiz is now aware that Manchester United are considering a move to secure his signature in 2025 alongside the likes of Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal and Liverpool, but is currently on course to stay put at Juventus for the 2025/26 campaign.

Still just 19 years old and beginning to play an integral part under Thiago Motta at Juventus, the interest in Yildiz should come as no real surprise.

"Magnificent" Yildiz can form Garnacho partnership

Whilst there’s been several doubts about Manchester United’s frontline in the last year or so, one certainty is that Alejandro Garnacho is a player who should play a pivotal part in any potential turnaround at Old Trafford. The Argentine winger was often the bright spark in a fairly dim attack under Ten Hag and could now get the chance to form an impressive partnership with Yildiz.

The Juventus teenager has the ability to play as an attacking midfielder or as a second striker and could, therefore, sit next to Garnarcho in the two number 10 roles in Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 formation. Enjoying a “magnificent period” at Juventus, according to Football Talent Scout’s Jacek Kulig, Yildiz is a player United must pursue in 2025.

If all goes to plan, then Manchester United could reportedly look to form an attacking trio of Garnarcho, Gyokeres and Yildiz in what would be the ultimate transfer window next summer.

India captain wants to use Jadeja “a lot more with the bat”, citing example of his promotion in the T20I series

Andrew Fidel Fernando06-Mar-20225:44

Rohit: Jadeja just ups his game every time we see him

R Ashwin is an “all-time great”. Ravindra Jadeja is one of the “top allrounders”. This is what captain Rohit Sharma had to say about India’s two most consistent match-winners at home, after they took 15 wickets between them in the innings-and-222-run victory over Sri Lanka in the first Test in Mohali.In the second innings, in which Ashwin took four wickets, he surpassed the tally of Kapil Dev, finishing with 436 Test wickets to Kapil’s 434. This makes Ashwin the second-highest wicket-taker for India, only behind Anil Kumble.”To me, he is already an all-time great,” Rohit said of Ashwin. “He has been playing cricket for the country for so many years, his performances have been so good over the years. He has given many match-winning performances.”Related

Injury-hit Sri Lanka run into pink ball and red-hot India

Stats: Jadeja continues love affair with Mohali; Ashwin past Kapil

Jadeja's epic all-round show gives India win inside three days

Dear India, enough is enough, this is no longer funny, please stop

Jadeja, meanwhile, was easily the most impressive cricketer in a one-sided match, hitting 175 not out in the first innings, before grabbing 5 for 41 and 4 for 46, as Sri Lanka batted twice in succession. It was Jadeja’s highest score in Test cricket by a distance. His batting average, which has been on a linear incline since 2017, has also never been higher than 36.46, where he currently sits after that knock.”To me, he is one of the top allrounders,” Rohit said while heaping praise on Jadeja. “Look at the performances: to score 175 not out and take nine wickets in the game, he’s just upping his game every time we see him. He’s very hungry, as you can see. That hunger is something that drives athletes to move forward. When I talk to him about certain things, he is very open-minded. He wants to take the responsibility, he wants to take the challenge.”The example was there in the T20 series against Sri Lanka. I just casually asked him if he would want to bat up the order, and he was open for it. This is why we asked him to go up in the first T20.”As a captain, I want to use Jadeja a lot more with the bat. We all know his bowling. Everyone knows about his fielding. He brings so much balance to the team as well.”India’s lower order also scored heavily in the Mohali Test. At one stage, they were 228 for 5, in seeming danger of being dismissed for less than 300. However, for the loss of only three further wickets, the hosts added a whopping 346, thanks largely to Jadeja. Ashwin also scored 61, and Mohammed Shami contributed an unbeaten 20.”It’s very, very crucial in Test matches – the lower order coming to the party,” Rohit said. “I clearly remember back in 2015 when Virat [Kohli] took over as captain, we wanted to create a strong lower-order contribution and a strong foundation for that.”This is why we kept emphasising how important it is for all the bowlers to go out and bat in the nets; try and improve one or the other skill. If possible, go put that contribution out.”

Real Madrid are willing to pay a fee to secure Trent Alexander-Arnold's transfer from Liverpool in the summer, despite his contract expiring.

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Madrid ready to pay transfer fee for right-backFull-back's contract expires on June 30Madrid want Trent in Club World Cup squadFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The full-back, who is Los Blancos' number one transfer target for the summer, will see his Liverpool contract expire on June 30. Initially it was reported that Alexander-Arnold will head to Madrid for free following the expiration of his current deal, but now reports that the Spanish giants might try and sign the defender in the first week of June.

AdvertisementGetty/GOALTHE EXPLANATION

Madrid are looking to add the English defender to Carlo Ancelotti's squad that will travel to the US for the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup, which kicks off on June 15. As a result, the club are prepared to pay a small transfer fee to the Reds to sign Alexander-Arnold days before his Anfield contract expires. The reigning Spanish champions will begin their journey in the tournament against Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal on June 18.

DID YOU KNOW?

Arne Slot has still not given up hope on convincing the star full-back to sign a new contract and extend his stay at the Merseyside club. The Dutch manager, though, has identified another academy graduate Conor Bradley as his long-term replacement.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL?

Slot's men will be back in action in the Premier League on Saturday as they host Southampton at Anfield.

Ruben Amorim claimed his first win as Manchester United boss on Thursday night as the Red Devils claimed a hard-fought 3-2 win over Bodo/Glimt at Old Trafford.

Argentine winger Alejandro Garnacho put the hosts ahead within the first minute of the game before a quick-fire double from the visitors turned the game on its head.

However, a double from striker Rasmus Hojlund was enough to secure victory, claiming their second successive Europa League win in a row.

The new boss rotated his squad from his opening match in charge against Ipswich Town last weekend, giving other players an opportunity to stake their claim for a regular starting role during his tenure.

Amorim made six changes to his starting XI, with a number of the players coming into the side taking their chance to impress with both hands.

United’s star performers from Bodo/Glimt clash

Centre-back Lisandro Martínez missed the outing last Sunday after his recent injury issues but was fit enough to start and feature for an hour during the Europa League victory last night.

The 26-year-old looked rusty in the early stages, arguably being out of position for the visitor’s second goal, but his all-round display was one to be proud of – producing some simply phenomenal numbers in the process.

Martinez completed 79 passes during his minutes on the field, achieving a 100% pass completion rate – the highest of any player on either side.

He also won 100% of the tackles he entered, whilst coming out on top in both of the two ground duels contested – with United fans having a real reason to be excited by the defender during Amorim’s spell in charge.

Manuel Ugarte is a player the 39-year-old manager knows well after his time playing under him at Sporting CP before his eventual transfer to PSG.

Last night, he was handed the opportunity to stake his claim, impressing throughout, registering the assist for Hojlund’s second goal of the encounter.

The Uruguayan also won five duels and four tackles, offering that defensive solidity within the centre of the park that the Red Devils have often lacked over the last couple of years.

However, it was one other first-team star who caught the eye the most, looking to be a phenomenal pickup and a talent who could become a key figure under the new management.

Performance in Numbers

Want data and stats? Football FanCast's Performance in Numbers series provides you with the latest match analysis from across Europe.

The Man United player who now looks undroppable

Defender Noussair Mazraoui has featured in various roles since his £12.8m move to the North West over the summer from Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich.

Given the injury issues within the defensive unit, the Moroccan has been forced to operate in either an unnatural left-back position or sometimes his favoured right-side role.

However, in the last two games since Amorim’s appointment, he’s been utilised in a right centre-back role as part of the back three – looking right at home as seen last night.

The 27-year-old featured for the entirety of the contest for the second successive game, highlighting his importance to the new United manager.

He managed a whopping total of 139 touches, whilst completing 114 passes – the most of any player – looking comfortable in building from the back and playing into forward areas.

Minutes played

90

Touches

139

Passes completed

114/120 (95%)

Passes into final third

21

Crosses

1/1

Duels won

6/7

Total tackles

5

Dribbles completed

1/2 (50%)

Mazraoui also managed to win six duels and five tackles, restricting the opposition to limited opportunities down his side of the pitch – with the role now his to lose after another impressive outing.

As a result, the defender was handed an 8/10 match rating by The Express’ Charlie Gordon, an indication as to how much he caught the eye whilst featuring in an unfamiliar position.

His recent outings have been nothing short of sensational, undoubtedly looking like the club’s best addition for the summer transfer window – especially for just £12.8m.

Mazraoui will be hoping he can continue his excellent run during the early stages of the new era at Old Trafford when they face Everton on Sunday afternoon.

Bellingham 2.0: Man Utd want to sign exciting £120m star in the making

Ruben Amorim already appears to be eyeing up new additions for Manchester United.

ByEthan Lamb Nov 28, 2024

Australia will be keen to experiment, with Green and Labuschagne coming in for Marsh and Smith; Pakistan will miss injured Shadab

Tristan Lavalette28-Mar-2022Big pictureAfter a historic and much-hyped three-Test series, comprising 15 gruelling and emotionally charged days, the limited-overs leg of Australia’s tour of Pakistan can feel somewhat neglected by comparison. The anti-climax is heightened by a severely-weakened Australia, who are missing a slew of stars due to rest, injuries and personal reasons.While Australia will undoubtedly experiment and start underdogs against a formidable looking Pakistan, there is a lot on the line for both teams with the three ODIs part of the current World Cup Super League cycle.Related

Smith ruled of limited-overs matches against Pakistan

Injured Mitchell Marsh to miss opening ODI; Inglis tests positive for Covid

Zampa not worried about three-month break

Australia set to experiment in Pakistan for 2023 World Cup

Australia and Pakistan will look to make up ground amid increasingly rare ODI scheduling in another T20 World Cup year. Australia have won their three series played during the cycle, but sit seventh due to playing just six matches, while Pakistan are 10th after a 3-0 defeat to England in the UK in July in their last ODI hit out.Similarly, Australia last played an ODI against West Indies in July, and they have only played four ODIs overall since December 2020.As their 50-over droughts end, Australia and Pakistan will be keen to put their best foot forward with an eye towards a World Cup in India only 18 months away.Form guidePakistan LLLWL (Last five completed matches; most recent first)
Australia WLWLW
In the spotlightAfter a tough home summer, Aaron Finch has a chance to ease his pressure with a big series in Pakistan. Having memorably become the first Australian captain to lift the T20 World Cup trophy, a laboured Finch struggled through the season with a persistent knee injury during a lacklustre BBL and subsequent T20I series against Sri Lanka. The 35-year-old is keen to continue through to next year’s World Cup but his dip in form has raised eyebrows. Finch has not played an ODI since December 2020, but expressed confidence during his press conference on Monday of being able to slip back into the 50-over format comfortably enough. He will be relied upon to shore up Australia’s inexperienced batting order, and if he fires then that should quell simmering pressure over his position.Australia players train in the heat•Associated PressShaheen Shah Afridi lit up the Test series although didn’t quite get the reward for his toil on mostly stale pitches and against Australia’s experienced batting order. Without his new best buddy David Warner, along with Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell also missing, Australia’s top order appears a little shaky and ripe for Shaheen to crack open if he can get the white ball hooping around. He will be eager for a bounce back in ODIs having been expensive during the three-match series in South Africa and in the last ODI in England last year.Team news*Mitchell Marsh is going to miss the opening ODI due to a hip injury with emerging star Cameron Green set to be his replacement. Smith was earlier ruled out of the series due to an elbow injury, which could open the door for Test specialist Marnus Labuschagne to add to his 13 ODIs. Josh Inglis tested positive on Monday and will isolate for five days but that’s unlikely to change the team combination with Alex Carey set to keep wicket.Australia will experiment with the squad, including uncapped ODI players Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis and Mitchell Swepson.Australia (possible): 1 Aaron Finch (capt), 2 Ben McDermott, 3 Marnus Labuschagne, 4 Travis Head, 5 Marcus Stoinis, 6 Cameron Green, 7 Alex Carey (wk), 8 Sean Abbott, 9 Ben Dwarshuis, 10 Adam Zampa, 11 Nathan EllisPakistan are likely to be without legspinner Shadab Khan for the opening two ODIs after he sustained a groin injury during the PSL. They have a strong squad, including a contingent who played in the Tests, but excluded former captain Sarfraz Ahmed and allrounder Imad Wasim. They included uncapped spinner Asif Afridi and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Haris after strong performances in the PSL, while an ODI debut for Abdullah Shafique, who starred in the Tests at the top of the order, could be forthcoming.Pakistan (possible): 1 Imam-ul-Haq, 2 Fakhar Zaman, 3 Babar Azam (capt), 4 Abdullah Shafique 5 Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 6 Mohammad Haris, 7 Faheem Ashraf,  8 Asif Afridi, 9 Hasan Ali, 10 Shaheen Shah Afridi, 11 Haris RaufPitch and conditionsOn the back of the Test match, the pitch is expected to be dry and favouring batting although reverse swing could be a factor amid dewy conditions under lights. Very hot conditions are forecast in Lahore with a maximum temperature of 38 degrees.Stats and trivia Australia have a commanding record against Pakistan in ODIs with 68 wins from 101 completed matches. On their last tour of Pakistan in 1998, Australia wrapped up a clean sweep of the three-match ODI series with a six-wicket victory in Lahore to complete the then second-highest successful chase in history. Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchrist scored centuries to lead Australia’s chase down of 316 with seven balls to spare. The world’s No.1 ranked ODI batter Babar Azam has a career average of 56.92 which is the fourth best of all time.*1210 GMT: The preview was updated after Cricket Australia issued a statement.

After two seasons of coming painfully close to dethroning Manchester City in the Premier League, there was a belief among some that this season would finally be Arsenal’s year.

However, we are now 15 league games in, and while Mikel Arteta’s side find themselves two points clear of Pep Guardiola’s juggernaut, they’re six points off table toppers Liverpool.

It’s been a mixture of unfortunate injuries, silly suspensions and lack of cutting-edge in attack that has seen the Gunners fail to capitalise on the Champions’ own poor form.

Games

15

5

2

Wins

8

3

2

Draws

5

1

0

Losses

2

1

0

Goals For

29

8

8

Goals Against

15

2

1

So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to see recent reports linking the club to an up-and-coming striker who could be a difference-maker, either in January or next year and possibly even be an upgrade on Kai Havertz.

Arsenal transfer news

According to a recent report from Caught Offside, Arsenal are one of several sides interested in Bologna striker Santiago Castro.

The report claims that the Gunners have had scouts watching him in recent Serie A matches and have been impressed with what they’ve seen, although they aren’t the only ones, as Aston Villa, Newcastle United, Everton, Juventus and Inter Milan are also supposedly keen on the 20-year-old poacher.

However, while the level of competition is far from ideal, the good news is that signing the Argentine forward won’t cost the North Londoners an outrageous amount, as the report has revealed that an offer of around €40m could tempt the Italians into selling, which comes to about £32m.

It might be a complicated transfer to get over the line, but given Castro’s impressive form, it is worth pursuing, especially as he could be an upgrade on Havertz.

How Castro compares to Havertz

Now, to determine whether Castro could in fact be an upgrade on Havertz, we need to see how the pair stack up against one another, starting with the most important metric of all for a centre-forward: pure output.

Interestingly, while the Argentine gem has scored fewer goals than the German this season, he’s been more productive in the time he’s been on the pitch.

For example, in 20 appearances, totalling 1336 minutes, he’s found the back of the net on five occasions and provided six assists, equating to a goal involvement on average every 1.81 games, or every 121.45 minutes.

In contrast, in 21 appearances, totalling 1767 minutes, the former Chelsea has scored nine goals and provided two assists, equating to a goal involvement every 1.90 games, or every 160.63 minutes.

So, with the young Bologna ace, whom talent scout Jacek Kulig dubbed “one of the most interesting young strikers in Europe,” coming out on top for pure output, is it the same story when we take a look at their underlying numbers?

Non-penalty expected G+As

0.33

0.56

Actual Non-Penalty G+As

0.60

0.51

Shots

2.22

2.46

Shots on Target

1.02

0.87

Passing Accuracy

78.8%

77.0%

Key Passes

1.03

0.72

Shot-Creating Actions

2.39

2.32

Goal-Creating Actions

0.51

0.14

Successful Take-Ons

0.85

0.43

Indeed, it is, as he comes out ahead in the majority of relevant metrics, including but not limited to actual non-penalty goals plus assists, shots on target, passing accuracy, key passes, shot and goal-creating actions and successful take-ons, all per 90.

Ultimately, Havertz has been a useful signing for Arsenal, but should the club want to improve their attacking options, then signing the exciting Castro in January or next summer seems like a no-brainer, especially as his rate of return and underlying numbers point to him being an upgrade on the German international.

Great news for Saliba: Monaco suffer big injury blow ahead of Arsenal tie

The sensational talent is one of Arsenal’s most important players.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Dec 11, 2024

GOAL takes a look at which American players are playing the best ahead of the upcoming CONCACAF Nations League

With the CONCACAF Nations League Finals set to kick off this week, one key question remains: Which U.S. men's national team players are in the best form?

It’s a crucial topic, especially with tournament call-ups looming. For the USMNT, these games matter. Competitive matches are rare on the road to the 2026 World Cup, and manager Mauricio Pochettino will need his top players ready to deliver. Fortunately, several have taken their games to new heights in recent weeks.

Christian Pulisic has earned his place on the list after a superstar performance for Milan, making it two consecutive big performances from the American star. With Milan’s recent struggles, he just missed out on the last edition of this list – a testament to how well other USMNT stars are performing. Pulisic’s quality is well known, but other players have been raising their games just as high

From established USMNT starters to those pushing for a breakthrough, these are the American stars thriving at club level. This is not a ranking of the best players, overall, but rather a snapshot of who is showing the best form at the moment. GOAL takes a look in this recurring feature tracking the pulse of U.S. talent worldwide.

Getty5Tyler Adams – Bournemouth ⬇️

He was his club's Player of the Month for February, which is a pretty good indication of just how good Adams has been in recent weeks.

In reality, he's been fantastic since making his long-awaited return from injury, leaping right into the Bournemouth XI and instantly bringing to a whole new level. It's been a little bit rockier in recent weeks, to be fair, with Bournemouth now winless in four after a 2-1 loss to Brentford this weekend. Manager Antoni Iraola deserves credit for the club's rise, but so too does Adams, who has been one of the Premier League's best defensive midfielders since returning to the team.

If he can bring that to the USMNT, they'll reach a new level, too. Adams is simply that good.

AdvertisementGetty Images Sport4Chris Richards – Crystal Palace ↔️

Crystal Palace might just be the Premier League's hottest team, and the club's defense has played a major role. USMNT defender Richards has been right at the center of it all.

Over the last month or so, Palace has won four of their last five Premier League games, including wins over Manchester United, Fulham, Aston Villa and Ipswich Town. They've also won two FA Cup clashes in between Richards, meanwhile, has been ever-present, headlined by an assist in the FA Cup triumph over Millwall. The real work has been done defensively, though, as Palace have secured seven clean sheets in all competitions since the start of 2025.

Over the last month, Richards has played the best soccer of his career, and Palace have an outside chance at a European push because of it.

Getty3Christian Pulisic – AC Milan 🌟

With three goals over his last two games, both crucial Milan wins, Pulisic heads into national team camp with his swagger back.

AC Milan haven't been as good as their leading man but, over the course of a week, Pulisic dragged to two huge wins. First up was a two-goal performance against Lecce, which was followed up by the equalizing goal in a 2-1 win over Como. These were huge goals, finishes that will give Milan hope of a European push.

The fact that they're even alive is all thanks to Pulisic, who is showing that this isn't just form, but something more permanent.

Getty Images Sport2Josh Sargent – Norwich City ↔️

Sargent is in the best form of his career and it comes at a time of great need for the USMNT. Strikers Ricardo Pepi and Folarin Balogun won't be in camp in March due to injury, but Sargent will, and based on how he's playing, that means things will be OK.

Since scoring a brace against Swansea on Jan. 25, Sargent has been on an absolute tear. He scored against Watford and Derby. Then against Hull City, too. A brace against Stoke, another goal against Oxford United – they've just kept coming. It's all added up to eight goals in as many games before two scoreless outings this week.

To push towards a Premier League chance, will need Sargent to keep at this pace. For the USMNT, they'll need that, too, f they want to lift another Nations League trophy. This is a big opportunity for Sargent, one that could greatly impact his chances of featuring more for the USMNT if he plays well.

Will Young makes 46 as County Select XI keep plugging away in spirited display

Andrew Miller26-May-2022New Zealanders 298 for 8 (Henry 65*, Mitchell 58, Young 46, Patterson-White 3-60) vs County Select XIDay by day, innings by innings, and now player by player, New Zealand’s World Champion Test team is slowly beginning to assemble in good time for next week’s series opener against England at Lord’s.You wouldn’t necessarily believe it from their first-day scorecard at Chelmsford, which yielded a litany of half-formed innings as a spirited County Select XI made light of the pre-toss loss of Ollie Robinson to share eight wickets between them, including three in as many evening-session overs for the Nottinghamshire spinner Liam Patterson-White.However, in keeping with the message emanating from the England camp since the arrival of Brendon McCullum as coach, it’s the mindset that matters the most, and with half-centuries for Matt Henry and Daryl Mitchell – one of the squad’s most recent arrivals from IPL duty – and a further 46 from 96 balls from Will Young, a key factor in last year’s series-sealing victory at Edgbaston, there was enough evidence of progress in between the splodges on the scorecard.By the close, the New Zealanders had pushed along to 298 for 8, thanks in no small part to a lively ninth-wicket stand between Cam Fletcher and Henry, whose unbeaten 65 from 67 balls contained ten of the most uncompromising blows of the day.It was hardly riches compared to some of the monstrous totals being racked up at this ground in the Championship this season. However, this green-tinged pitch was a more conventional Chelmsford surface than the ECB-ordered roads of recent vintage, offering good carry for the quicks all day long – perhaps most notably the young left-armer Ben Gibbon, whose nipbacker to send Mitchell on his way for 58 was unquestionably the ball of the day.By the time of his extraction, however, Mitchell had made a sufficient mark. The transition from the white-ball tamasha of the IPL to the dozy ebb and flow of the CloudFM County Ground is one of the more curious tempo-changes that the game has to offer – and it’s a comedown that Kane Williamson too can expect to experience later in the game after his overnight arrival in the country, albeit from a paternity stopover in New Zealand.Mitchell, however, has had less of an abrupt shift than some of his team-mates – notably Devon Conway, who thumped a matchwinning 87 from 49 balls for Chennai Super Kings earlier this month, and was still in action only this past weekend. Here his solitary scoring shot was a pleasing cut through point as he fell for 4 from 14 balls to the energetic Lancashire seamer Jack Blatherwick.Ben Gibbon impressed with his left-arm seam on the first day at Chelmsford•Andrew MillerMitchell, by contrast, has been warming the bench for Rajasthan Royals for the past month, ever since two underwhelming mid-tournament outings which yielded a total of 33 runs from 44 balls, and left him surplus to Rajasthan’s squad permutations as they prepare for Friday’s Qualifier against RCB.He stood firm in a lively opening gambit. Gibbon’s tight line to the left-handed Tom Latham induced a spliced edge to Ryan Patel at second slip before Blatherwick’s breakthrough left New Zealand tottering at 24 for 2. But Young, who survived a tough chance to the diving Patel at midwicket on 6, grew into his own knock as he and Mitchell added 67 for the third wicket.The pick of Young’s six fours was a powerful launch through long-on as Jamie Porter dropped short, and having carried his solid county form for Northamptonshire into his two unbeaten innings against Sussex earlier in the week, another half-century seemed on the cards until Blatherwick found some nip on off stump and a thin edge off a squared-up blade.Robinson’s morning withdrawal led to a late SOS to Middlesex’s Ethan Bamber, who arrived during the lunch interval and was thrust into action as a rolling substitute in the afternoon, bowling nine lively overs but encountering Mitchell in a mood to free his arms, as he leaned into an elegant launch over long-on for the only six of his innings.It briefly seemed that Gibbon might also fall victim to New Zealand’s hard-hitting middle-order, as Colin de Grandhomme clicked his own innings into gear with three fours in a row – each of them dismissed through the leg side as the youngster strayed repeatedly onto his legs.But Gibbon, who turns 22 in a fortnight’s time, has already endured worse indignities in his short career. The first of his two first-class appearances to date also happened to be the occasion of Ben Stokes’ rampage through New Road three weeks ago, and he had been on the receiving end of two of Stokes’ record-breaking 17 sixes that day.One over later, and with Mitchell back in his sights, Gibbon changed his angle to round the wicket, and produced a peach of a bail-trimmer, nipping at pace from a good length outside off, and bursting through a loose drive to flick the top of off stump.By that stage Tom Blundell had already fallen for 8, caught at slip by Patel as he pushed with hard hands at a tight-lined lifter from Lyndon James. And though de Grandhomme and Michael Bracewell seemed in the mood to re-inflate the innings from a wobbly 154 for 5, the introduction of Patterson-White’s unassuming but quietly effective left-arm spin caused a further flurry of breakthroughs.Bracewell gave Patterson-White the charge, only for the ball to turn inexorably through the gate to bowl him for 21, whereupon de Grandhomme planted him into the long-off stands before chopping the next ball through backward point for four. Patterson-White held his nerve, though, and his line, immediately skidding a flatter delivery into the pads to extract a leg-stump lbw decision for 39.Kyle Jamieson then leaned back on an attempted cut to hole out to Nick Gubbins at short cover, but as the floodlights kicked in, so did Henry with a buccaneering final flurry to a satisfactory day’s play all round.

Arsenal have been rocked as it has emerged that another star is set to share the sidelines with Bukayo Saka for the forseeable future, missing what is set to be the busiest time of the year.

Arsenal injuries piling up as Saka hamstring timeline revealed

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side have seen injuries hamper their season since the opening day of the campaign, and now their worst fears have been realised.

After missing captain Martin Odegaard for a month of the Premier League between international breaks, Saka will now also be absent over the festive period and beyond.

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The Arsenal talisman went down in the first half of their 5-1 win over Crystal Palace with no one near him, and had to be replaced by Leandro Trossard, going straight down the tunnel. Now, Mikel Arteta has revealed the extent of the issue, admitting that his star man will miss “many weeks” with the hamstring issue.

“It’s not looking good. He’s going to be out for many weeks”, the Gunners boss epxlained. “It’s a huge blow, but it’s going to be a big exercise for us to overcome another challenge”.

Saka has been vital to Arsenal’s revival in recent years, with the 23-year-old having managed five goals and 10 assists already this season, more than any other player in north London.

Now, the Gunners will need to look elsewhere for answers, with Gabriel Jesus a potential replacement for the winger, while Gabriel Martinelli filled in for the remainder of the clash against the Eagles. Quizzed on the situation, Arteta suggested as many as four of his players could fill in.

“Gabi [Martinelli] has played there, Ethan [Nwaneri] has played there, Leo [Trossard] can play there in relation to how the unit moves. Kai [Havertz] can play there. We will talk to them and understand how they feel about it.”

In yet more bad news for the Gunners, though, another star has been ruled out for almost the same amount of time as Saka.

Another Arsenal star sidelined with knee injury

That comes as loanee forward Raheem Sterling has also picked up an injury and will be sidelined for weeks. The England international arrived from Chelsea over the summer, but has struggled for game time in north London.

With Saka now injured, it would have been a perfect opportunity for the forward to step up, but he was absent from the squad against Crystal Palace and Arteta has now revealed that is because he too has been injured. Asked about the 30-year-old, the Gunners boss confirmed that, like Saka, he will be out for “weeks”.

Player

Injury

Likely return

Bukayo Saka

Hamstring

February

Raheem Sterling

Knee

February

Oleksandr Zinchenko

Unknown

December

Takehiro Tomiyasu

Knee

Unknown

Ben White

Knee

March

It continues Arsenal’s misfortune with injuries, which has seen all of Gabriel, Declan Rice and Riccardo Calafiori miss games in recent weeks, and now threatens to all but end their push for the Premier League title. With January around the corner, they may be forced to dip into the transfer window for a replacement.