While conceding it was tough to keep a “world class” bowler like Ashwin out, the Indian coach pointed to Jadeja’s all-round utility and specific skill-set as the reasons for his selection
ESPNcricinfo staff31-Aug-2019
Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin in a pensive mood•Getty Images
India head coach Ravi Shastri has revealed why India have picked Ravindra Jadeja, rather than R Ashwin, as their lone spinner in the two Tests against West Indies. Shastri admitted it was difficult to leave a “world-class” bowler like Ashwin on the bench, but pointed to various attributes that gave Jadeja the edge.Chiefly, he said India’s team management had felt Jadeja’s pace through the air would have made him difficult to face on a damp Antigua pitch in case India needed to bowl first.”Jaddu’s record is fabulous,” Shastri said, speaking to the former England offspinner Graeme Swann, who is part of the commentary team. “You have to see what he brings to the table. He’s arguably the best fielder in the world now. He’s improved his batting like hell. And if you see these tracks, I don’t think there will be much on offer for the spinner, so you would need control.”The reason why we picked Jadeja in the first Test was, in case we fielded and the track was damp, with his pace he would have made life a little awkward for the batsmen. He could have been used even on day one in the first session of play.”But it’s tough – to keep a world-class guy like Ash out, and then there’s Kuldeep [Yadav] in the wings. Never easy. For that matter, in the batting line-up, to keep someone like Rohit Sharma on the sidelines, especially on the back of five hundreds in the World Cup and some very good form that he’s carrying, it’s tough.”As it happened, West Indies chose to bowl first in Antigua. Jadeja played a key role with the bat, coming in at 189 for 6 in the first innings and scoring 58 to help haul India to a competitive total of 297. That innings continued a rich vein of batting form in Test cricket, where he has averaged 41.80, with a century and ten fifties, since the start of 2016.Jadeja wasn’t required to put in too much of a shift with the ball in Antigua, as the fast bowlers led the way in bowling India to a 318-run victory. The fast-bowling combination of Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami has been a vital part of India’s recent successes, and Shastri said having bowlers capable of taking 20 wickets in any conditions narrowed the gap between home and away Tests.”[India bowling coach] Bharat Arun has seen a lot of these guys from a very young age,” Shastri said. “Our endeavour was to get a really good bowling attack in place that could take us 20 wickets anywhere. Once you have a good bowling attack that can take 20 wickets anywhere, then no game is an away game. Every game is a home game. It doesn’t matter what the pitch is, you have the ammunition.”These three fast bowlers complement each other beautifully. One’s tall (Ishant), Bumrah has the most awkward action yet gets the ball to swing both ways, and Shami is someone who presents the seam better than [most]. The only other guy I know who presents the seam in that fashion is Jimmy Anderson. You’ve got variety there, plus you’ve got spin – you’ve got Kuldeep, Ash, Jadeja, and there are two or three more in the ranks, which is good.”
O Campeonato Carioca começa a definir seus finalistas neste fim de semana, com os duelos Volta Redonda x Flamengo e Portuguesa e Fluminense. Mas enquanto quase todos os olhos estão voltados para a dupla Fla-Flu, Voltaço e Lusa preparam suas armas para surpreender na semifinal. Duas delas já conhecidas pelo desempenho na Taça Guanabara: Chay, pela equipe da Ilha do Governador, e Alef Manga, do aurinegro.
Os dois jogadores se destacaram na fase de grupos do campeonato, ajudando a levar seus times até as semifinais. Manga, por exemplo, é o artilheiro da disputa até o momento. São 9 gols em 11 jogos, uma média de quase um por atuação. Fluminense, duas vezes, e Botafogo, foram algumas de suas vítimas.
Apesar de ser o principal goleador do Estadual, Alef não é o jogador que mais vezes finalizou certo até agora. O líder do fundamento é exatamente Chay. O camisa 10 da Lusa Carioca acertou 18 das suas 28 tentativas, estufando as redes três vezes. Manga vem logo atrás, com 16 bolas no alvo em 40 arremates.
O destaque da Portuguesa pode não figurar entre os artilheiros do Carioca, mas ainda briga pelo título de garçom. Com três passes para gol, Chay está a apenas um de igualar Michael, do Fla, Nenê, do Flu, e Luã Lúcio, do Nova Iguaçu. Além disso, é o segundo que mais deu passes para finalização, servindo seus companheiros 22 vezes. Empatado com ele está exatamente Alef Manga. Apenas Luciano Naninho, outro destaque do Volta Redonda, com 26, aparece à frente da dupla. Veja mais números dos jogadores no Estadual 2021:
ALEF MANGA NO CARIOCA 2021
11 jogos 9 gols (1º) 1 assistência para gol 22 assistências para finalização (2º) 16 finalizações certas (2º) 24 finalizações erradas (1º) 13 dribles certos (2º) CHAY NO CARIOCA 2021
11 jogos 3 gols 3 assistências para gol (4º) 22 assistências para finalização (2º) 18 finalizações certas (1º) 10 finalizações erradas (23º) 18 cruzamentos certos (2º) 9 dribles certos (7º)
* Com números do Footstats
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No último domingo o Palmeiras dependia do Corinthians e de suas próprias forças para avançar ao mata-mata do Paulista. Com a vitória sobre a Ponte Preta e o triunfo alvinegro diante do Novorizontino, a equipe de Abel Ferreira se classificou para as fases finais do torneio. Nesse sentindo, Neto, apresentador da Band, aproveitou a situação para relembrar e ironizar a fala do técnico português, que minimizou a competição com o respaldo da diretoria. + Confira a classificação dos grupos da Libertadores
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-Mais uma vez o Corinthians mostra a sua força. Na camisa, na hombridade dos jogadores, no Vágner Mancini. Independente do ‘Paulistinha’ do Palmeiras. O ‘Paulistinha’ está virando Champions League. Já é mais importante que a Libertadores – brincou o ídolo do Corinthians.
-O português ficou falando que não valia nada, mas eu duvido que se passar das quartas de final não joga contra o time titular. Aí, vira Paulistão. Aí, a torcida vai fazer festa, o Felipe Melo vai mandar recado – continuou.
A declaração de Neto vem depois de Abel Ferreira ponderar que o Paulista seria uma espécie de laboratório para testar os mais jovens.
-Quando acabou a temporada, eu e a direção tivemos uma conversa muito séria em relação a esse campeonato. Pela primeira vez hoje é que estou a assumir isso: é uma competição única e exclusivamente para dar oportunidade aos mais novos. Mas, sempre que jogamos, joga o Palmeiras – disse Abel após a derrota palmeirense para a Inter de Limeira.
Por fim, o apresentador relembrou que o alviverde só não foi eliminado do Paulista pelo triunfo do maior rival e enalteceu o Corinthians pelo resultado.
-O Corinthians deu a classificação para o Palmeiras. Se o Corinthians perde, não adianta fazer 3,4,5 contra a Ponte. Mas o Corinthians jogou com hombridade, jogou bem. Os números do Corinthians no no Paulista desmentem até nossos comentários. Não sei se somos muito pessimistas – finalizou Neto.
Wolverhampton Wanderers have been in superb form as of late, but they failed to win their third consecutive Premier League game in a row last weekend.
Newcastle United were the side to prevent this streak, as they claimed a comfortable 3-0 victory over Gary O’Neil’s men.
Pedro Neto
Wolves were forced to start the game without two of their star attackers, Hwang Hee-chan and Matheus Cunha, due to injury, but their attacking options were decreased even further when Pedro Neto was subbed off at the break with a setback.
Due to that, the attack has been massively weakened, and with that in mind, let’s take a look at a player whose goals could’ve been useful.
Patrick Cutrone’s time at Wolves
Six years ago, Patrick Cutrone was regarded as one of the most promising youngsters in world football after netting ten goals and providing two assists in 17 Serie A starts during his breakthrough campaign at AC Milan.
The striker’s performances even earned him a high ranking of fourth in the 2018 Golden Boy rankings, even finishing way above Kylian Mbappe, which just highlights why Wolves made a move for him.
Cutrone joined Wolves after the following season in 2019 in a deal reported to be worth £23m, however, his time at the club didn’t exactly go as originally planned.
Despite initially impressing teammate Conor Coady, who called the Italian "brilliant," he only went on to make 28 appearances for the Wanderers, playing second fiddle to Raul Jimenez.
Over these games, the former Milan gem scored three goals and provided four assists, but what has his career looked like since?
£90k-p/w Wolves star could now be more vital than Pedro Neto
Wolves have a player in their squad who could be even more important than Neto between now and May
ByRoss Kilvington Feb 26, 2024 Cutrone’s career since leaving Wolves
Surprisingly, Cutrone only actually left Wolves permanently in 2022, despite spending most of his time out on loan to numerous clubs, but even then, he was unable to live up to the potential he once showcased.
Failed loan moves to Fiorentina, Valencia, and Empoli all took place, where the number nine scored just eight goals in 72 appearances for the three teams.
Former Wolves striker Patrick Cutrone.
Last summer, the forgotten star joined his hometown club Como for an unknown transfer fee, which is where he’s still playing his football today as a 26-year-old.
The side plays in Serie B in Italy, and in his debut season at the club, the 6-foot attacker netted nine times in 29 starts. However, things are looking much brighter this season, with Como challenging for promotion to the Serie A and Cutrone scoring ten goals in 23 starts.
Cutrone's Career Stats
Club
Games
G/A
AC Milan
90
35
Wolves
28
7
Fiorentina
34
8
Valencia
7
0
Empoli
31
5
Como
59
23
Via Transfermarkt
The former Wanderers flop has been on fire since the end of December, picking up five goals and one assist in his last six matches. It’s great to see Cutrone finally start to find his feet and confidence in front of goal after a tricky few years of frustration and underperformance.
With the unfortunate injuries to all of Wolves’ first-choice attackers, it’s interesting to wonder whether Cutrone would have had an impact on the side today, given his showings for Como.
Victory at The Oval provides upbeat send-off for coach who delivered England’s maiden World Cup success
Andrew Miller15-Sep-2019Trevor Bayliss says that his proudest achievement as England coach was to over-see the “change of attitude” in England’s white-ball cricket that laid the groundwork for this summer’s maiden World Cup victory, as his four-year tenure ended with a 135-run win in the fifth and final Test against Australia at The Oval.Bayliss’s appointment by Andrew Strauss, back in 2015, came off the back of England’s dismal showing in that year’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, with the express remit of delivering a side that could win the next tournament, in four years’ time, on home soil.That goal was achieved in spectacular fashion in a final for the ages against New Zealand at Lord’s in July, a result that Bayliss described as the “cherry on the top” of his time in charge of England’s various squads.”A change of attitude [was required],” Bayliss told Sky Sports at the end of the Oval Test. “A change of the way we played the game. Looking back to the 2015 World Cup, England probably played the game in a little bit of an old-fashioned way, and [my role] was about bringing in players that were more attuned to playing the more modern style of game.”But it was about attitude as well, about the knowledge that whoever won that World Cup was going to have to play some bold cricket, and we stuck to our guns through those four years, and through some tough periods as well.”That allowed us to have some tough conversations with the boys, but they stuck to what they believed in and in the way they played, even though over a period of time thet learned how to adapt to situations.”In Test cricket, Bayliss’s record was more hit and miss – as an overall record of 27 victories and 25 losses in 59 matches shows. However, that same character that carried England to World Cup glory was evident at key moments of the Ashes – not least at Headingley, where Ben Stokes produced a performance for the ages to keep the series alive.ALSO READ ‘I want to be the man to bring back the Ashes’ – Joe RootBayliss’s role in helping Stokes to achieve his potential was lauded by Joe Root at the end of the contest – he was a key influence both in the wake of Stokes’ non-selection for the 2015 World Cup and subsequently in his rehabilitation after the Bristol incident in September 2017. But Bayliss insisted that the credit for his rise belonged to the player himself.”Look, I think Ben’s his own greatest success,” he said. “Coaches can only lead a team or players in in a certain direction but, in the end, it’s up to that player or those players to actually grab hold of that situation and be the ones to improve. And I think Ben, on and off the field, is growing unbelievably well.”One of the key selections of England’s summer was Jofra Archer, who bowled the decisive Super Over in the World Cup final, and also picked up 22 wickets in a stellar Ashes campaign, one that included the savage blow to the head that left Steve Smith with concussion in the Lord’s Test.Asked how England should seek to manage Archer, whose skills make him an automatic pick in all formats, Bayliss warned that it would be a “difficult and delicate” balance to protect him against burn-out, particularly given what an incisive and hard-working option he had been to Root throughout the Ashes.”I think maybe in Test cricket, I know Joe had relied on him to go with some longer spells this series, but I think looking forward it might be a case that he comes in a little bit shorter spells,” he said. “Four or five overs. Come on, bowl a few thunderbolts, and have a rest and then come back on a little bit later.”Reflecting on the final Ashes scoreline of 2-2, Bayliss said that pride had been at stake in the final Test even though the urn was out of reach, and the team had been motivated to end the summer on a high.”It was a fantastic effort,” he said. “Obviously we weren’t able to win it, but the boys had some pride at stake, and this new Test Championship [was added motivation]. It was a great effort and I thought we showed a lot of character.”I think 2-2 was a fair reflection,” he added. “We certainly didn’t play as well in the very first Test at Edgbaston when we had them 8 for 120, and Steve Smith played a wonderful innings, as good as Stokes in the third Test. So it’s a bit hard to be too disappointed.”
Former South Africa batsman is the first one to be imprisoned under a 2004 law, that came into being following the Hansie Cronje match-fixing scandal
Firdose Moonda18-Oct-2019
Gulam Bodi pleaded guilty to corruption in cricket•Getty Images
Gulam Bodi, the former South Africa and Lions batsman, has been sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to eight charges of corruption in a landmark case in South Africa. Bodi, who has two ODI and one T20 international cap, is the first person to be imprisoned under the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act of 2004, came into effect in the aftermath of the Hansie Cronje match-fixing scandal in 2000.Clause 15 of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act of 2004
Any person who, directly or indirectly- accepts or agrees or offers to accept any gratification from any other person, whether for the benefit of himself or herself or for the benefit of that other person or of another person; or gives or agrees or offers to give to any other person any gratification, whether for the benefit of that other person or for the benefit of another person- (i) in return for- (aa) engaging in any act which constitutes a threat to or undermines the integrity of any sporting event, including, in any way, influencing the run of play or the outcome of a sporting event; or (bb) not reporting the act contemplated in this section to the managing director, chief executive officer or to any other person holding a similar post in the sporting body or regulatory authority concerned or at his or her nearest police station; or (ii) as a reward for acting as contemplated in subparagraph (i); or (c) carries into effect any scheme which constitutes a threat to or undermines the integrity of any sporting event, including, in any way, influencing the run of play or the outcome of a sporting event, is guilty of the offence of corrupt activities relating to sporting events.
The Act contains a clause that relates directly to corruption in sporting events (see sidebar) which makes match-fixing and spot-fixing in South Africa a crime. It carries a maximum sentence of 15 years. The State asked for Bodi to receive five, which has been granted.Bodi was charged under the Act after being banned by Cricket South Arica for 20 years for his role in contriving to fix or otherwise influence aspects of the 2015 RamSlam T20 domestic tournament. At the time, CSA said none of the fixtures were affected by fixing after the conspirators’ plans were foiled and held their own disciplinary process before handing evidence over to the police.Bodi handed himself over to police in July last year and pleaded guilty on November 4, 2018. He was due to be sentenced in January. Multiple postponements led to the sentencing being delayed to October 18. Bodi will apply for leave to appeal and an extension of his bail. He was released on R3000 bail last (US$202) last year.Six other players, Ethy Mbhalati, Alviro Petersen, Thami Tsolekile, Jean Symes, Lonwabo Tsotsobe and Pumi Matshikwe received bans of between two and 12 years. None of the other players were pursued by police. One of them, Petersen, has since served his ban and returned to working in cricket, as a commentator. Petersen was at the Commercial Crimes Court in Pretoria for Bodi’s sentencing.
يحل نادي برشلونة ضيفاً على نظيره ريال مدريد، في قمة منافسات الجولة الحادية عشر من الدوري الإسباني لكرة القدم.
وتنطلق المباراة بين الفريقين في تمام الساعة العاشرة مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة على ملعب “سانتياجو برنابيو” في إطار منافسات الدوري الإسباني.
اقرأ ايضاً.. تشكيل ريال مدريد أمام برشلونة في الدوري الإسباني.. مبابي أساسيًا في الكلاسيكو الأول
ويحتل برشلونة صدارة ترتيب الدوري الإسباني برصيد 27 نقطة، بينما يأتي ريال مدريد بالمركز الثاني برصيد 24 نقطة.
ويقود روبرت ليفاندوفسكي هجوم فريق برشلونة، في مواجهة اليوم أمام ريال مدريد الليلة.
📋 تشكيلتنا لمباراة #الكلاسيكو 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Bdi6Zx3EGv — نادي برشلونة (@fcbarcelona_ara) October 26, 2024
تشكيل برشلونة أمام ريال مدريد في الدوري الإسباني
حراسة المرمى: إينياكي بينيا.
خط الدفاع: باو كوبارسي، إينيجو مارتينيز، جول كوندي، بالدي.
خط الوسط: بيدري، كاسادو، فيرمين لوبيز.
خط الهجوم: روبرت ليفاندوفسكي، رافينها، لامين يامال. بدلاء برشلونة أمام ريال مدريد في الدوري الإسبانيتشيزني، كوشين، هيكتور فورت، دومينجيز، جيرارد مارتن، فرينكي دي يونج، جافي، توري، داني أولمو، فيكتور، فاتي.
A diretoria do Corinthians quer agir rápido para definir o seu novo treinador, após demitir Vagner Mancini no último domingo (16), minutos depois da derrota por 2 a 0 para o Palmeiras, na Neo Química Arena, pela semifinal do Campeonato Paulista.
A prioridade do estafe corintiano é adequar o novo técnico à realidade financeira do clube, que se encontra envolto em quase R$ 1 bilhão em dívidas. Portanto, a prioridade é ir em busca de nomes disponíveis no mercado, no qual o Timão não teria que bancar possíveis quebras contratuais.
> GALERIA: Veja 30 bons técnicos estrangeiros livres no mercado
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Entre os treinadores que não estão trabalhando no momento, os principais nomes são Dorival Júnior e Renato Gaúcho. O primeiro, embora tenha passado por grandes clubes na carreira, não emplaca bons trabalhos há algum tempo, o que diminui o valor para a sua chegada, mas gera desconfiança de que o Corinthians possa ser o local para que ele reencontre a boa fase. Em seu favor, pesa o histórico de trabalho com jovens, algo que agrada a diretoria corintiana. Já o segundo, ainda que seja o profissional com maior aceitação dentre os torcedores, é prestigiado no mercado de técnicos, após quatro anos e conquistas importantes à frente do Grêmio, e dificilmente se enquadraria aos padrões financeiros corintianos. Recentemente consultado pelo Santos, após a saída de Ariel Holan, a pedida salarial de Renato girou em torno de R$ 600 e 700 mil.
Nos últimos dias, diversos nomes foram oferecidos à direção do Corinthians através de empresários e intermediários. Além do presidente Duílio Monteiro Alves, o diretor de futebol Roberto de Andrade, o gerente de futebol Alessandro Nunes e o coordenador das categorias de base e sub-23 Alex Meschini farão parte da cúpula que traçará o perfil ideal de técnico para o Timão e inciarão as buscas.
De acordo com o “GE”, treinadores estrangeiros não são descartados, mas dificilmente viriam, por conta do tempo de adaptação e o pagamento em moeda estrangeira, que aumenta o custo aos cofres corintianos.
Enquanto não define o novo técnico, o ex-meia Danilo, que comanda o sub-23 corintiano, comandará os treinamentos e, caso o Timão não acerte o novo comandante até quinta-feira (20), tende a comandar o clube contra o Sport Huancayo (PER), pela quinta rodada do grupo E da Copa Sul-Americana, onde o Corinthians já está eliminado, na Neo Química Arena.
Arsenal have made great strides under Mikel Arteta. They sit top of the Premier League table and are into the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time in 14 years. That doesn't sound bad, does it?
A large part of that has been the immense recruitment strategy that Edu and Co have deployed in north London since Arteta's arrival as manager in 2019.
There have been far more hits than misses, particularly in recent years with a host of 2023 signings shining of late.
We're running out of superlatives for the great Declan Rice, and so we should be considering his £105m price tag. He has won games on his own; just think of those late strikes against Manchester United and Luton Town for instance.
There is David Raya too. No Arsenal signing has arguably been questioned more than him during Arteta's reign but his penalty heroics – making two saves against Porto – demonstrate that he is the rightful no.1 at the Emirates Stadium. There has even been a revival for Kai Havertz who has scored four times in his last four Premier League matches.
However, if a different strategy was employed at Colney then only Rice would have been signed. London-born, what would the starting XI look like if the club could only buy and select local talent?
We've taken inspiration from the Athletic Bilbao model. Over the 125 years of the club's existence, they have operated with only Basque players at their disposal, utilising footballers from a region of northern Spain and across the border in France. Aymeric Laporte is one of the most poignant examples of recent times.
It's a fascinating tactic and it would be interesting to see what Arsenal's squad would look like if they deployed a similar strategy, recruiting and utilising players exclusively born in the London area.
Intrigued to find out who's involved? We've got all the answers…
1 GK – Arthur Okonkwo Born: London
The goalkeeper situation was rather tricky. Not a huge number of stoppers have risen to prominence in the modern era after being born in London so we've opted for 22-year-old Arthur Okonkwo on this occasion.
Aaron Ramsdale hails from Stoke-on-Trent while David Raya is Spanish so would be ineligible in this hypothetical squad of players.
Okonkwo is currently on loan at Wrexham in League 2, living the high life under Hollywood owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds. He'd be required to make quite the step up if this starting XI was real.
2 RB – Reece James Born: Redbridge
Chelsea defender Reece James.
There isn't a great depth of current Arsenal defenders from London so we've opted for probably the best option in the Premier League; Reece James.
The Chelsea skipper has a wretched injury history, notably playing just 390 minutes and eight games of league action this term but on his day he is an electric talent. For the Blues, James has supplied 21 assists since breaking into the senior setup. Just imagine that sort of quality in Arsenal's all-London lineup.
3 CB – Reuell Walters Born: Lambeth
reuell-walters-arsenal-academy-ben-white
The sole representative currently at Arsenal in our backline is academy star Reuell Walters. A regular trainer with the senior side, the 19-year-old hasn't played a single minute of first-team football this season but has been on the bench in the Premier League on eight occasions, highlighting how much Arteta rates his qualities.
Previously compared to William Saliba, it surely won't be too long before we see the Lambeth-born youngster make a breakthrough.
4 CB – Max Kilman Born: Chelsea
Max Kilman
The Wolves skipper is Chelsea-born, coming through the ranks at Welling and then earning a move to Maidenhead United. A Jamie Vardy-esque rise from non-league football has subsequently taken him to the Premier League.
The centre-back is now comfortably one of the better English centre-halves in the division and has even been linked with a £30m move to Napoli. If Arsenal's transfer policy centered around London-born talent then they'd surely only be too happy to oblige for such a fee.
5 LB – Luke Shaw Born: Kingston upon Thames
The scorer of a goal in a European Championship final, Shaw is undoubtedly one of the finest talents to come out of London and walks into a side of capital-born talent.
Ben White is the only English defender regularly used by Arsenal and could be fielded at left-back, although was born in Poole, Bournemouth, so is ineligible for selection. The Man United full-back has been signed instead.
6 CM – Joe Willock Born: Waltham Forest
Joe Willock
Now at Newcastle United, Willock has taken his game to a new level after graduating from the Arsenal academy under Unai Emery.
The central midfielder actually appeared 78 times for the Gunners first-team while at the club, scoring 11 goals and registering four assists.
However, after a swashbuckling loan spell in the Toon, where he famously netted seven games on the trot in the top flight, Arsenal cashed in to the tune of £25m. It's unlikely that would have happened if they only relied on Londoners.
7 CM – Declan Rice Born: Kingston upon Thames
Declan Rice
Arsenal's club-record signing is an absolute shoo-in for this team and is perhaps one of the finest talents to ever come out of London.
Of course, Rice learnt his trade with West Ham United and after joining the Gunners last summer has become one of the most elite midfield players in the game.
The England international has now added attacking contributions to his arsenal – pardon the pun – scoring six goals and supplying seven assists throughout the 2023/24 campaign.
8 CAM – Emile Smith Rowe Born: Croydon
Emile Smith Rowe playing for Arsenal
Now an outcast in the current Arsenal side, Emile Smith Rowe features prominently in this London-born XI as one of its key creators.
The 23-year-old's career has been ravaged by injury in recent years and is now seemingly not trusted by Arteta, with the Englishman starting just twice in the Premier League this term.
Arsenal supporters long for the days when he found the net on 11 occasions in 2021/22 but truth be told an exit looks inevitable this summer. It's safe to say he'd be far more important in a London-based XI.
9 RW – Bukayo Saka Born: Ealing
leandro-trossard-bukayo-saka
Who else? Saka walks into this team as one of the club's very best players. The winger is Arsenal through and through having risen through the ranks of the academy to make 216 first-team appearances.
The 2023/24 term is proving to be the best of the young attacker's career, netting 16 goals and laying on 15 assists across 37 appearances. Not bad indeed.
10 LW – Reiss Nelson Born: Elephant & Castle
Like Smith Rowe, academy graduate Nelson has found it tough to break into the starting lineup ahead of Saka and Co this term but he will always live long in the memory for that last-gasp goal against Bournemouth last season.
Sure, there might be better options around but Nelson is a pure Arsenal lad and would deserve a chance to make the left wing spot his own if the club could only select those hailing from London.