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Glasgow Rangers recorded a solid 3-0 away win over St Johnstone last weekend as they ascended to the top of the Premiership table for the first time since 2022.

Under previous managers, the Ibrox side would have wilted under the pressure last week, but in Philippe Clement, they have a boss who has totally transformed the mentality of the side in just five months.

They now find themselves leading Celtic by two points in the league table, and a win over Hearts tomorrow afternoon could see the gap being stretched to five points, showing how quickly things can change.

The Europa League last 16 draw has seen the Light Blues handed a tricky clash against Benfica, with the first leg on March 7 and this means Clement will be preparing his squad for the hectic schedule which is set to follow.

This could mean there are a couple of changes to face the Jambos at Ibrox tomorrow and with this in mind, here's a look at who could make the starting XI for the key league clash…

1

GK – Jack Butland

Arguably the most important signing the club made last summer. Butland has been in wonderful form since swapping the Premier League for Scotland and if he maintains this until the end of the season, an England call-up to the Euro 2024 squad would not be a surprise.

The former Crystal Palace shot-stopper has kept an impressive 13 clean sheets in 26 league ties and this has been imperative in the Gers' chase for glory.

Another shutout tomorrow could be crucial, that’s for sure.

2

RB – James Tavernier

The number one spot and right-back area pretty much pick themselves and Tavernier will be hoping to continue his wonderful run of form against Hearts this season.

In three previous meetings since the start of the campaign, the defender has scored against the Gorgie outfit three times while grabbing two assists too, and another goal involvement or two tomorrow could give the Gers another win.

3

CB – Connor Goldson

While Butland has been excellent in between the posts, Connor Goldson has been a rock at the heart of the defence.

The Englishman has missed only three matches this term, signifying his importance to the team, and while he is prone to the odd error – notably against Aberdeen when he was caught out with a long ball over the top – his performances have been excellent.

4

CB – John Souttar

Retaining his place alongside Goldson is the Scottish centre-back, who has formed a wonderful partnership next to his older colleague.

Indeed, he has started six of the previous seven Premiership matches next to Goldson, in which the Gers have conceded just three times.

5

LB – Ridvan Yilmaz

With squad rotation being key of late, Borna Barisic was brought into the starting XI for the clash against St Johnstone, but tomorrow, it will be Yilmaz who is unleashed.

His resurgence under Clement has been a joy to watch as he has been able to produce some of his finest performances since arriving in Glasgow in 2022.

The £5m signing was hailed as a “high quality” player by former sporting director Ross Wilson and this term, he has scored twice and grabbed an assist, while looking like he could be the heir to Barisic’s throne.

6

CM – John Lundstram

The Englishman is out of contract in a couple of months, but his recent performances under the 49-year-old coach indicate that he should be offered a new deal.

He has missed only one game thus far under the new regime and this was due to injury, proving that he is the first name on the team sheet, and he will start against Hearts.

7

CM – Mohamed Diomande

The January arrival opened the scoring last week with an excellent long-range effort which nestled in the St Johnstone net, and it was the goal which certainly eased the nerves.

He deserves another start tomorrow and, along with Lundstram, the duo could pull the strings in the heart of the midfield against the Tynecastle outfit.

8

RW – Ross McCausland

Former Aberdeen winger Scott Wright was given a rare start against the Saints last Sunday – only his seventh of the season – but he failed to take his opportunity.

The Scot took just 21 touches, completed only eight passes and lost possession nine times in what was a performance lacking any sort of willingness to make something happen.

Ross McCausland will therefore come into the starting XI to replace him, and he has been a much bigger threat in front of goal this term.

The 20-year-old has scored twice and provided three assists for the senior side since October, and he will only get better with age.

9

AM – Todd Cantwell

Another player who has seen his performances improve under Clement, especially domestically.

The English midfielder has scored five goals in his previous nine league matches and he is flourishing in the number ten role of late, showcasing his attacking qualities.

Another excellent display against Hearts could maybe even see him score yet again in the top flight.

10

LW – Oscar Cortes

Abdallah Sima is not yet ready to return to the first team yet, while Rabbi Matondo missed the clash against the Saints and this could mean Cortes starts for the second week in a row.

He has yet to score for the Ibrox side but is not without trying. Indeed, across his four league appearances, the 20-year-old has created a big chance and averaged 1.5 key passes per game, decent statistics considering he has averaged only 44 minutes per game.

Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman has offered some insight into the battle between Mary Earps and Hannah Hampton to be England's No.1 ahead of Euro 2025.

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• Earps has been England No.1 for Wiegman
• But Hampton got the nod in big match on Friday
• Lionesses' boss offers insight into battle

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Earps has been England's first-choice goalkeeper since Wiegman took over the team in September 2021 and she has justified that place with her performances on the very biggest stages. The 31-year-old was outstanding when the Lionesses won the Euros in 2022 and she claimed the Golden Glove when they reached the 2023 Women's World Cup final, too.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  However, competition for her place has grown in recent months in particular, with Hampton pushing to take it. The 23-year-old was struggling for game time following a switch to Chelsea last summer but that all changed in December, with her form for the Blues helping to earn her more England chances, including one on Friday night when the Lionesses faced Ireland in a must-win match in qualifying for Euro 2025.

• WHAT WIEGMAN SAID

  Wiegman has another big decision to make with the two goalkeepers on Tuesday, when her team play Sweden knowing that they need at least a point to qualify for next summer's tournament. Given the importance of the match, the coach was asked if whichever goalkeeper is picked to start would therefore be the one that has the advantage in the battle to be England's No.1.

  "I think that's a little bit too early," she replied. "There's a lot of competitiveness going on in the goalkeeper group, but also in the team and the outfield players. There's a decision to make for tomorrow and then we don't see each other for three months, so then we'll see the players go back to club and they have to keep performing there, and then we'll take it from there."

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  Earps, who has recovered from a hip injury to be involved in this international break, will be tasked with settling into a new environment when she does return to club level, as she recently joined Paris Saint-Germain after her contract with Manchester United expired.

As Daniel Levy looks set to give a huge vote of confidence to Ange Postecoglou in the transfer market this summer, it appears that one of their top targets would only join for a huge salary package.

Spurs' search for depth in attack

Whilst the Postecoglou revolution at Tottenham Hotspur has been swift and effective, there is still a lot of work to do to get Spurs ready to compete with the Premier League's title chasers.

Spurs' forgotten "pocket rocket" is now worth more than Timo Werner

Tottenham Hotspur’s summer signings have been fantastic.

By
Tom Lever

Mar 4, 2024

Postecoglou has brought free-flowing attacking football to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium however, it feels as if improvements in attack are essential to take Spurs to the next level. Just three players have scored over five goals for the Lilywhites this season with injuries to James Maddison and Brennan Johnson leaving their attack lacking energy at times.

It has previously been reported that Spurs have expressed an interest in Premier League duo Pedro Neto and Eberechi Eze however, it has now transpired that Levy and co may need to break the bank to secure the services of one of their targets.

Spurs will have to spend big to sign Eze

According to TeamTalk, Spurs have been told that they will have to offer a bumper contract to Eberechi Eze if they are to secure the services of the 25-year-old. The outlet reports that the North London outfit would need to offer a minimum of £120,000 per week across a five-year deal for Eze to be open to signing.

This would represent a major pay rise for the Englishman who is currently earning a modest £47,000 a year at Crystal Palace, as well as the opportunity for him to play European football. On top of spending almost £30million on Eze's wages, Levy would have to fork out a £50million transfer fee to tempt the midfielder to make the short journey across London, meaning Eze's openess to sign depends on the chairman splashing out over £80m in total.

Levy may have been tempted to throw his hat into the ring for Eze after the midfielder scored an excellent freekick against Spurs at the weekend, taking his tally to six goals in the league this season.

Whilst Levy would have to spend uncharacteristically big to get the deal over the line, Spurs would be signing a quality player if Eze was to make the move to North London. Since making the move to Palace, Eze has provided 21 goals and 12 assists for the Eagles, becoming an integral part of the team. Suffering multiple injury setbacks during his time in South London, Eze has always bounced back with aplomb, earning praise from former manager Patrick Viera for his resilience. The Frenchman told the press he was "really pleased, Eze in that action showed his talent".

With Spurs' need for depth in attack evident and Eze one of the league's most exciting players, it would be a match made in heaven if Levy can get the deal over the line regardless of what it will cost.

Phil Parkinson says Wrexham need to strengthen to be "competitive" in League One, but regularly chats to owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds.

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• Wrexham preparing for League One
• Red Dragons made five signings so far
• Parkinson makes transfer point

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  After two straight promotions, Wrexham are preparing for life in League One. Thus far, they have signed five players: Plymouth goalkeeper Callum Burton, left-back Seb Revan from Aston Villa, centre-back Lewis Brunt from Leicester City, Charlton midfielder George Dobson and stopper Arthur Okonkwo saw his Arsenal loan move turn into a permanent deal. But, manager Parkinson wants more in their bid to reach the Championship.

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  WHAT PHIL PARKINSON SAID

  He told : “At the moment, we have a lot of work to do in terms of our recruitment to make us competitive. Every season you have to start with the aim of being at the top. I liaise with the owners all the time about what I feel we need to be competitive. We are not quite there yet. The squad is good but we are going into a top league.”

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Wrexham – who released eight players at the end of last season – are aiming to create history by becoming the first team in the top five steps of the English football pyramid to achieve a third-straight promotion. After winning the National League and securing automatic promotion from League Two, Parkinson's side have their sights set on reaching the Championship at the first time of asking.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Wrexham are currently in the United States as part of their North America pre-season tour. First up in their warm-up schedule, the Red Dragons take on Bournemouth on Saturday, followed by games against Chelsea and Vancouver Whitecaps on July 24 and 27 respectively.

The March international break has arrived and Tottenham Hotspur might welcome the opportunity to recalibrate after slumping to a 3-0 Premier League defeat against Fulham last weekend.

The disparity in performance from the week before, thumping top four rivals Aston Villa 4-0 in their own backyard, couldn't have been more stark, though Ange Postecoglou will take solace from the fact that his system has lifted the London club from the rubble of the 2022/23 campaign.

Spurs finished eighth last year, missing out on European football resultingly and confirming Harry Kane's expected sale, with the club record scorer now plying his trade in Germany with Bayern Munich.

A new talisman is still needed, and Daniel Levy might have received an exciting boost in the race for a Premier League star.

Spurs' summer transfer targets

According to a recent report from The Sun, Tottenham have indeed been handed some pleasing news in their pursuit of a centre-forward, with Arsenal cooling their interest in Brentford's Ivan Toney.

Spurs, Chelsea and West Ham United are both keen on signing the England international but Postecoglou's fifth-placed side are in the best position to clinch Champions League football and will hope that this sways the odds.

Brentford are resigned to Toney's departure this summer but are hoping to entertain bids between £80m and £100m, and while this is a staggering fee, Tottenham would secure a first-rate star to lead from the front next season, taking the squad's calibre to the next level.

Why Spurs are interested in Ivan Toney

Toney has always been candid about his desire to leave Brentford and join a club competing in the Champions League; some might say disrespectfully so, but at 28 years old it's clear that the marksman is desperate to progress his career.

And it's hard to argue against his prolificness, having returned from an eight-month suspension in January for breaching FA betting rules and bagged four goals from his opening five Premier League matches, albeit riding a five-match barren streak at present.

As per Sofascore, he has complemented that goalscoring return with 0.8 key passes, 1.2 tackles, 3.5 ball recoveries and 7.7 successful duels per match, highlighting his combative nature and willingness to get stuck in and contribute outside his primary role of goalscorer.

He also ranks among the top 1% of forwards across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for interceptions, the top 10% for clearances and the top 16% for aerial wins per 90, as per FBref, showcasing his defensive workrate.

Toney might have spent much of the current campaign suspended but he has proven himself and then some across recent years, with his exploits last season simply mesmerising, plundering 20 goals and four assists from just 33 Premier League fixtures, leading writer Billy Grant to describe him as a "monster."

To emphasise his dynamism and multi-functionality as the attacking focal point, Kane was the only centre-forward to create more big chances in the Premier League last season, with Toney's Three Lions' teammate Declan Rice actually remarking that he is "like Harry Kane" in his rounded approach to his attacking play.

Sure, Richarlison has been in fine form this season, scoring nine goals from ten top-flight fixtures before injuring his knee last month, and yes, Heung-min Son is one of the finest finishers in the Premier League, but that natural, out-and-out striker is a role in need of filling, especially with European competition on the cards once again.

Son's a bit of a sensation wherever he is unleashed, but given his playmaking quality and intelligence in guiding Spurs' offensive sequences, the skipper would relish a player such as Toney joining the fold.

Imagine Ivan Toney & Heung-min Son

After Kane left for a new chapter in August, Son was promoted to club captain, with declining veteran Hugo Lloris stepping away from his role as he left the starting lineup, and the South Korean star has repaid the faith with some monstrous efforts, scoring 14 goals and supplying eight assists in the Premier League.

As per FBref, the 31-year-old ranks among the top 4% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for goals scored, the top 14% for assists per 90 and the top 11% for pass completion, highlighting his top-class technicality and a deadliness in the final third that has left Postecoglou marvelling at his "world-class player."

Son alongside Toney would simply be a match made for success in the Premier League, with both players energetic and tenacious and eager to score goals and supply them.

Kane and Son are regarded for having one of the Premier League's most frightening modern partnerships and indeed hold the record for the most goal contributions in the modern division's history with 47 – some 11 contributions ahead of second-placed Chelsea duo Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard.

Given Toney's versatility in his attacking play and likeness to Kane, Spurs would only take their fluency and fear factor to another height entirely.

Moreover, Postecoglou's tactical set-up is hardly averse to attacking football, with the free-flowing, interchangeable system breeding success from an offensive standpoint, with Son joined by the likes of Richarlison, Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison and Brennan Johnson in thriving in this regard.

Toney might be playing for a Brentford side that teeters precipitously above the dotted line, helped by points deductions to Everton and Nottingham Forest, but he's returned with a bang in 2024 and has demonstrated the brilliance that should prompt Tottenham to make their move.

With the £20k-per-week phenomenon leading the line under Postecoglou next term, the Lilywhites might just find the illustrious success they so dearly crave, especially with Son working seamlessly alongside him.

An Arsenal fan based in the United States broke down in tears after English defender Ben White signed his Gunners shirt.

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• Arsenal fan broke down in tears
• Meet his heroes in Philadelphia
• Gunners take on Liverpool on Wednesday

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The ardent fan caught up with the Arsenal players after their training session in Philadelphia as he got several Gunners stars, including new signing Riccardo Calafiori, Jorginho and Gabriel, to sign his jersey. However, when Ben White put his initials on the shirt, the fan could not control his emotions as he broke down in tears of joy.

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• WATCH THE CLIP

• WHAT THE FAN SAID ABOUT HIS REACTION

  The fan named Steve later shared some photographs of his meeting with the Arsenal players on X, as he wrote, "Hey, that’s me. Meeting so much of the squad yesterday was a dream come true. And yes I cried, sorry I love this club and couldn’t believe all the players I watch on a daily basis were right in front of me in my own city."

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  After being held to a 1-1 draw by Bournemouth in their first pre-season friendly, Mikel Arteta's side came back strongly to beat rivals Manchester United 2-1 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. Rasmus Hojlund handed United an early lead, however, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli made sure that their club registered their maiden win in the US.

Belgian cyclist Remco Evenepoel mimicked Jude Bellingham's iconic celebration after winning a gold medal at Paris Olympics.

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• Bellingham reacted to Belgian cyclist's celebration
• Olympic gold medalist mimicked iconic celebration
• Bellingham enjoyed an extended vacation after Euros

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Twenty-four-year-old Belgian cyclist Remco Evenepoel recreated Bellingham's iconic celebration of outstretched arms after winning the gold medal in the men's Road Race final at the Paris Olympics. The Real Madrid star later uploaded the cyclist's post as his Instagram story with a gold medal and a clap emoji.

  Jude Bellingham Instagram

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  Football fans have become used to seeing the English midfielder celebrate with his arms outstretched over the past season as it became quite a familiar sight at Santiago Bernabeu in the 2023/24 campaign. The player had earlier revealed that he does not recall the reason why he started celebrating his goals in that manner, although he has been performing it since his time at Birmingham City.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  The 21-year-old did not travel with the Los Blancos squad for their pre-season tour in the United States as he enjoyed an extended vacation after reaching the final of Euro 2024 with the Three Lions.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR JUDE BELLINGHAM?

  Bellingham will be next seen in action for Carlo Ancelotti's side on August 14 as they play their first competitive match of the new season against Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have been incredible this season, climbing into the top half of the Premier League table with ten games to go.

Gary O'Neil's influence on the squad has seen plenty of development, with their latest 2-1 win over Fulham highlighting that.

Despite losing their two most productive forwards to injury, Matheus Cunha and Hwang Hee-chan, they continue to grind out results, which is extremely impressive.

However, that could change with two injuries occurring last weekend, which saw two key attackers be forced off early.

The latest news on Wolves' injury problems

In the first half of the clash against the Cottagers, Wolves lost Jean-Ricner Bellegarde to injury after just 11 minutes of play, which meant that the already weakened attack worsened.

The versatile French gem suffered a knee injury, and he is waiting to undergo a scan, which will confirm the extent of his setback, but his availability for the weekend's FA Cup clash with Coventry looks unlikely.

Pedro Neto is the other player who went off moments before half-time after pulling up with a hamstring injury, which he had already been dealing with prior to the game.

A quick burst of acceleration caused the injury, and it seems set that the Portuguese maestro will spend a period on the sidelines.

Therefore, O’Neil will be forced to look to the youth in his squad to step up in the absence of all of his key attackers, bar Pablo Sarabia.

The Wolves flop who left under Lage and is now outscoring Pedro Neto

Wolves sold a player under Bruno Lage who could have eased the Cunha blow

By
Ross Kilvington

Mar 12, 2024

The academy star who could benefit from Wolves' injuries

Nathan Fraser is a prime example that the boss isn’t afraid to chuck the youth players at the deep end, with the striker playing four times in the Premier League already, even starting against Fulham.

With a lack of options, there will be a spot for another young prospect in Tawanda Chirewa, who has the versatility to cover an attacking role as well as in midfield.

The 20-year-old has already had his first taste of Premier League football this season, as he came on as an 80th-minute substitute against Newcastle United recently.

The number 62 was only on the field for a brief cameo, but he certainly showed his quality and self-belief, completing 100% of his passes, having one shot, and completing one key pass.

However, it’s been in the academy where Chirewa has shown his ability to change the game in the final third, scoring four goals in six matches, and as you can see below, he’s been excellent when playing across a number of roles.

When enduring an injury crisis, it’s vital that the squad has players who are capable of playing in multiple positions, and Chirewa can certainly do that. This is what may potentially give him the nod in the near future, especially when coming off the bench.

Although the “impressive” star – as he was dubbed by journalist Liam Keen – hasn’t been able to truly show his talent yet, the injuries could provide the perfect breakthrough he needs.

Based on the youngster's game against the Magpies, he deserves a chance to shine.

The Brazilian looks fitter than last season and can thrive in a more cohesive team structure, despite what his critics might say

Jamie Carragher may have urged Casemiro to quit Manchester United in the final throes of last season, but the Brazilian is going nowhere. In fact, he looks ready to show that reports of his demise have been greatly exaggerated.

The 32-year-old had a dreadful previous season by all accounts, including his own, but his performance in the Community Shield against Manchester City showed that there is still life in the veteran midfielder, and that he can play a leading role this season, albeit in a different way.

Casemiro fell victim to United’s loose shape last season as well as the team’s injury crisis. He missed almost four months of action with a hamstring problem while injuries to United' defenders led to him having to deputise at centre-back, when he produced his very worst displays, including the debacle at Crystal Palace which sparked Carragher’s brutal takedown.

But if given the right support, and if he is able to operate in a better midfield structure, Casemiro could yet surprise his critics, including a certain former Liverpool great…

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  End was nigh

  Back in May, Wembley looked to be the scene of Casemiro’s last stand as a United player. He was left out of the starting line-up for the FA Cup final and was initially named on the substitutes' bench on the teamsheet, only for United to reveal on their own website that he was not in the squad after all.

  The club insisted he had a muscle injury and the extent of it only became apparent after arriving at the stadium. There had been no mention of this injury ahead of the game, however, and Ten Hag would reveal months later that he had indeed dropped Casemiro for the final, making no mention of a potential fitness issue.

  As United’s players danced on the Wembley turf with the trphy after staging a stunning win over Manchester City, Casemiro, dressed in a suit, cut a sullen figure. This looked like the end, a brutal yet fitting denouement to a season of nightmares.

  A move to the Saudi Pro League at the time looked like a logical solution to United's problem of being weighed down by his huge salary (the second-highest at the club) and Casemiro's struggles to cope with the intensity of the Premier League at the age of 32.

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  Orchestrating attacks

  But less than three months later, Wembley looked like being the scene of the start of a new beginning. Casemiro was not just in the squad but in the starting line-up for the Community Shield, and he proved to be one of United’s best players.

  His work with the ball was what really stood out. Continuing on from the pre-season tour of the United States, Casemiro operated like a No.8 or even a 10 against City and was behind some of United’s most eye-catching moves.

  He played an incisive pass to release Amad Diallo in the penalty area after a sublime passage of play which was just spoiled by the winger cutting the ball back to no one rather than shooting. A few minutes later, Casemiro was again involved in a flowing move and picked out Marcus Rashford, who curled wide.

  At other moments he resembled a deep-lying playmaker, be it when he was releasing Mason Mount or laying the ball off to Bruno Fernandes before the Portuguese in turn played in Alejandro Garnacho. Casemiro also pulled off one of the crunching tackles that fans loved so much in his first season, swiping the ball from Matheus Nunes, while he also halted Oscar Bobb and Jeremy Doku by staying on his feet.

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  Will to win

  Casemiro looked deadly concentrated in the penalty shootout, too. He nailed his spot-kick past Ederson, sending his compatriot the wrong way, and otherwise focused on advising Andre Onana where to dive or consoling Jadon Sancho after he spurned his kick. When City lifted the trophy, Casemiro stared intently, looking furious. He clearly felt that United had let the silverware slip from their grasp.

  The Community Shield might not be seen as a major honour, but Casemiro badly wanted it. At Real Madrid he took every competition seriously, which is why he lifted no fewer than 18 trophies with them.

  It is that will to win which United were looking for when they signed him from Madrid, for a whopping £70m ($89m) and on huge wages. Last season that fee looked like a huge oversight, and one good performance in the Community Shield does not excuse it.

  But that same will to win which attracted United to Casemiro in the first place also prevented him from taking Carragher’s advice and calling it quits by heading to Saudi Arabia. Casemiro does not want the shame of Selhurst Park to be people’s defining memory of his time at United.

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  Isolated in 'impossible' formation

  Casemiro was left exposed in many games last season as the sole defensive midfielder in an unorthodox shape that Erik ten Hag improvised with due to the team’s deep injury problems and the fact that explosive counter-attacks were their best chance of getting at opponents.

  Carragher, a thorn in United’s side on more than one occasion last season, defined the Red Devils as “a team who like to press high with a deep block" and said they “defend like a team I’ve never seen before” after their 2-1 defeat at home to Fulham in February. He added: “It’s impossible. They’re trying to do two things at the same time. It’s been the problem for Manchester United all season, the space between the back four and midfield.

  Casemiro bore the brunt of this high-risk approach more than anyone else in the United squad, and he often looked ill-equipped to stop opponents’ quick transitions. The Brazilian, who missed around three months with injury and later claimed to have played while not being fully fit, looked extra vulnerable in the formation.

Arsenal are having another impressive season under Mikel Arteta. The Gunners are still fighting for major honours in the Premier League, which they currently top, and the Champions League, where they face Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals.

After disappointment last season, where Arteta’s side failed to win a major trophy despite leading the league for much of the season, they needed to get the signings spot on in the summer.

So far, the money they spent on Declan Rice, which was £105m including add-ons, Kai Havertz for £65m and David Raya on loan have been worth it. Although Jurrien Timber has yet to play a prominent part due to injury, many believe the £38m fee Arsenal paid is good value.

If there is one area of their squad Arsenal could look to strengthen next, it is out wide. The Gunners are arguably quite light there, which has been a cause for concern for Arsenal fans. Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard are their first-choice wingers, Emile Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson are the other options and Gabriel Jesus has filled in there too.

With Arsenal seemingly likely to target a winger in the summer of 2024, there is one exciting talent that the Gunners have been linked with, in particular, who could come in and challenge Saka and Martinelli for the starting spots.

Arsenal looking to strengthen their attack

The name on everyone’s lips as to who could add to Arsenal’s depth out wide is Atheltic Club and Spain winger Nico Williams.

The 21-year-old, who is the younger brother of Ghana international Inaki Williams, is enjoying a stellar season, and has been one of the most in-form wingers in the world this season and could be available for just £47m, the value of the player's release clause.

It is not just Arsenal who are interested in Williams next summer. Athletic Club will also have to fend off interest from two other Premier League sides, Chelsea and Liverpool, to be specific if they want to keep their star man at San Mamés beyond this season.

In an interview with Caught Offside, Arsenal journalist Charles Watts explained the Gunners' interest in signing Williams, explaining that he is “understood to be high up on their list of potential targets”.

How Nico Williams compares to Bukayo Saka

Williams can certainly be considered a throwback winger. He loves to take on a defender in one-on-one situations, and is incredibly unpredictable on the ball, possessing the ability to go on the inside or outside of a defender.

Able to play on the left or right wing, he is a captivating forward and according to football analyst Ben Mattinson, could uproot Saka or Martinelli from the side. Mattinson explained that Williams is "good enough to displace" Arsenal's widemen and that he "could be a serious challenger & raise their game”.

In terms of profile, Williams is quite dissimilar to Saka. The Spaniard is an explosive ball carrier, and whilst Saka is not bad in this sense, the Bilbao star carries the ball at a far greater speed and can accelerate and decelerate in a way few players in the world can. He is two-footed and able to go either way, making him so unpredictable.

The numbers also stack up in Williams’ favour to suggest he is a better dribbler than Arsenal’s number seven. The Spain international ranks in the top 5% of positionally similar players in Europe for progressive carries per 90 minutes, averaging 6.11 per 90 minutes, compared to Saka’s 5.10 per 90 minutes according to Fbref.

To further back that up, the Athletic Club winger averages 3.36 carries into the final third per 90 minutes and 2.60 carries into the penalty box per 90. This places him in the top 15% and 12% respectively.

In comparison, Arsenal’s Saka averages 2.41 carries into the final third per 90 minutes and 2.16 carries into the penalty box per 90 minutes, ranking him in the top 43% and top 20% respectively, a clear drop-off.

Where the England winger excels compared to Arsenal's transfer target is with final-third creativity. According to Fbref, Williams averages just 1.68 passes into the penalty area per 90 minutes, the 63rd percentile, whereas Saka averages 2.04 passes into the penalty area per 90 minutes, the 78th percentile.

The Spain international also plays fewer key passes than the Arsenal man. The winger averages 1.83 key passes per 90 minutes, compared to Saka’s 2.46 key passes per 90 minutes. This places Williams in the 63rd percentile, whereas Saka ranks in the top 13%.

It is worth bearing in mind that Arsenal have a lot more possession than Athletic Club, meaning there is more chance for Williams to dribble and carry the ball than there is for Saka, because, naturally, they might face higher lines, whereas Arsenal come up against lots of teams who sit deep and defend in a low block.

To put that into statistical context as per Sofascore, Arsenal average 61.9% possession per match, the third most in the Premier League. In comparison, Athletic Club average just 49.5% possession per game, with nine other La Liga sides ahead of them.

Whilst some people believe Saka’s future could lie as more of an interior, Williams is undoubtedly a winger, and he could well become Arsenal’s first choice if Arteta does move Saka into a more central role one day.

Regardless, at just 21-years-old, with an incredibly unique profile and a good transfer value, Williams offers a really good option for the Gunners next summer. Whether or not they decide to bring him in, and can beat rivals to his signature remains to be seen, but he is certainly a good choice for Arsenal.