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Arsenal are reportedly eyeing further reinforcements for the remainder of the season, as the January transfer window fast approaches.

Mikel Arteta’s side have enjoyed a strong start to the 2023/24 Premier League campaign, however the issue of squad depth seems to be a recurring theme early into the calendar.

Last term, the Gunners missed out on their first league title since 2004, setting a new top-flight record by being the side to have led the table for the longest without winning the title.

The north Londoners struggled on the home straight as the repercussions of the busy schedule snuck in, and injury struck with little depth available to replace some dominant figures in the favoured XI.

In the summer, it was imperative that Arteta and Edu sought out additional reinforcements to cover the cracks in the ambitious young squad, however as injury continue to strike frequently this season, more signings could be on the cards over the winter.

Reports have already linked a host of players with a potential move to the Emirates in January, with talent deployable in areas all over the pitch suspected to be on Arteta’s wishlist.

Arsenal transfer targets

Despite capturing the signature of Gabriel Jesus only last summer, two forwards have been linked to Arsenal in the form of Brentford’s Ivan Toney and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko.

A report from the Mirror claimed that the Bees will expect bids no lower than £100m for Toney, who is said to be admired by the Gunners for his goal-scoring proficiency in the Premier League.

On the subject of forwards valued at nine figures by their employers, Arsenal have also been linked to Feyenoord talisman Santiago Gimenez, who according to 90min is also admired by Chelsea, Real Madrid and Spurs.

The Mexican is said to be valued at €100m (£86m) by the Eredivisie outfit, which is a fair value considering that the 22-year-old has scored 13 goals in ten league appearances so far this season.

In deeper areas of the pitch, the Gunners are said to hold an interest in Liverpool target Andre Trindade, who turned down a move to Anfield in the summer.

The Brazilian, who has a release clause of £34m at Fluminense is said to be a defensive midfielder that is admired by the north Londoners.

Another defensive player that Arteta is reportedly eyeing is Fiorentina starlet Michael Kayode, who has made a breakthrough in Serie A this season.

As reported in Italy by Calciomercato, Arsenal had sent scouts to watch the right-back in action, and were ‘above all’ interested in acquiring his signature.

Unfortunately, the 19-year-old recently penned a new deal with the Serie A outfit to extend his stay to 2028, however, the report failed to rule out the Gunners’ continued interest, adding that they may require patience to sign the defender.

A move in the summer seems more viable at this point in the player’s progression, but there’s no denying that Kayode could be a statement signing one day for the Premier League side.

Michael Kayode’s playing style

Deployed primarily at right back, the Italian has the versatility to also play in an inverted right wing-back role and as a winger due to his strengths in advancing upfield.

The defender has been described by Football Transfers as a 'very fast' and 'physically strong' player, who possesses notable upper body strength to allow him to fend off threats and challenge the opposition when called upon.

Football Transfers also described the teenager as having an 'excellent' ability in the air, with his attributes aligning to see him dubbed one of the “main heroes” for his country at the recent U19’s European Championships by talent scout Jacek Kulig.

For his versatility and proficiency in progressive play, the teenager could be a worthy coup for Arteta’s side, with his style of play showing traceable values to those preferred by the manager in his full-backs.

The stats that show Michael Kayode could be a good signing for Arsenal

At the U19 European Championship, Kayode showcased just how well utilised he is on the right side of defence, particularly through his ability to roam.

In five appearances, the Fiorentina starlet averaged 1.2 key passes and 1.6 successful dribbles per game, as well as creating three big chances in the tournament to reinforce his strength in the final third, via Sofascore.

For Arsenal, the teen could be the perfect talent to add to the ranks for such reasons, with Arteta’s full-backs – such as Ben White – constantly playing a part in getting forward, exploiting the opportunity to overlap the wingers to cause a further threat.

This term, the youngster has made six appearances in the Italian top flight in what is acting as his breakthrough campaign, showing he is ready to translate his skills at senior level.

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Kayode has already claimed an assist for his efforts in the league this season, with his defensive ability also shining through as he ranks in the top 5% of full-backs in Serie A for his average of 1.91 tackles won per 90, via FBref.

It’s been an encouraging start to life at senior level for the 19-year-old, who was once lauded as “terrific” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, but how does he compare to those currently on show at Arsenal?

How Michael Kayode compares to Ben White

White is Arteta’s firm first-choice right-back, however, the Englishman was initially signed to play as a central defender.

The 26-year-old has excelled in the manager's demands of playing with inverted full-backs, offering strengths in the art of defending and the ability and skill set to thrive as a support system in the final third.

The issue for Arteta is that White is the only identifiable right back at the club with the ability to assume such a role, with the likes of Cedric Soares fairly one-dimensional in his approach to play.

White vs Kayode averages per 90 – 2023/24 league campaign

Statistic

Ben White

Michael Kayode

Pass completion %

84.9%

79.3%

Progressive passes

5.35

3.24

Progressive carries

1.54

2.10

Successful take-ons

0.41

1.14

Key passes

0.93

0.76

Tackles

1.13

3.05

Interceptions

0.72

1.14

Figures via FBref

This is where the acquisition of Kayode could bolster Arsenal’s depth at the back, giving the manager options rather than compromising his tactics due to his rotational options not being able to fulfil the usual tasks.

As highlighted in the table above, the two full-backs boast similar strengths to their playing styles, suggesting that the young Italian could be the eventual heir to White at Arsenal or even surpass the Englishman – the younger man notably standing out for his superior tackles and interceptions per 90, as well as progressive carries and successful take-ons.

If the 19-year-old continues to progress throughout the season at Fiorentina, who knows just how prominent he could be at the Emirates if he eventually arrives, with his trajectory displaying signs that he could one day oust White from his starting berth.

Newcastle United could decide to make new signings during the January transfer window, and a new update regarding the situation suggests as much.

Newcastle transfer news – Tonali replacement

The Magpies are in scintillating form at the moment, returning from the international break in style with a resounding 4-0 victory at home to Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon, thanks to goals from Jacob Murphy, Anthony Gordon, Sean Longstaff and Callum Wilson. That being said, Eddie Howe has been rocked by the news of Sandro Tonali's ban for breaching betting rules while still an AC Milan player, with the 23-year-old expected to miss many months through suspension.

It is a massive blow for Newcastle, considering the Italian came in as arguably their most high-profile signing of the summer transfer window, being seen as someone who could take them to that next level with his quality in the middle of the park. Howe's side now have at least two months or so without being able to bring in an ideal replacement for Tonali, should they feel the need to, and it looks as though owners PIF are not messing around when it comes to giving the manager what he wants.

Newcastle update; new midfielder

Now, according to a fresh piece of Newcastle transfer news from Football Insider reporter Pete O'Rourke, the Magpies want to delve into the market in January, in order to sign a new midfielder. Snapping up someone in that area of the pitch has become "the top priority" for the Magpies, and it is stated that the Tonali news has "forced their hand".

No specific target is mentioned in the report, although Kalvin Phillips to Newcastle is a transfer rumour that appears to have gathered some steam in recent days, with the 27-year-old finding himself constantly out of favour at Manchester City and possibly in need of a different challenge.

It is encouraging to hear that Magpies intend to sign a midfielder once the January window rolls around, with failure to do so something that could derail their season, as they look to impress in the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and EFL Cup.

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Tonali could prove to be a massive loss at St James' Park, and while the current options without him are still strong – he only came on as a substitute against Palace on Saturday, for example – that extra bit of quality will be required to fill the void left by him. Someone like Phillips could be ideal, considering he will be desperate for minutes away from City ahead of Euro 2024 next summer, and the fact that he is a proven Premier League player, not to mention shining for England in recent years, too.

It is important that Newcastle spend plenty of time assessing who the right man to come in is, rather than making a speedy decision that risks backfiring, and they now have the time to do so. Someone with a similar profile to Tonali makes perfect sense, in terms of bringing box-to-box quality and an ability to link with the likes of Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton and Longstaff, so a new addition will be one to watch.

Chelsea have a habit of unearthing talented youngsters and this has been reinforced by the arrival of Mauricio Pochettino.

The Argentine has a keen eye for nurturing young talent and earned a reputation at Tottenham Hotspur for doing just that having developed youngsters Dele Alli and Harry Kane into a deadly partnership at White Hart Lane.

When scouring through Chelsea's team sheets this season, it appears he's continuing to bolster his reputation for throwing youth players into the deep end, naming a total of eight homegrown talents on his bench in the Premier League this term.

While the academy setup at Cobham has provided a platform for current players Reece James, Levi Colwill and Conor Gallagher a path to stardom, it also hosts the next generation of talent, including Bashir Humphrey's, Alfie Gilchrist, Josh Brooking, Mason Burstow and Ronnie Stutter, who have all featured in the first-team squad this season.

However, there is one name missing from that list and he's arguably the most talented player in the Chelsea setup. Step up, Leo Castledine.

Who is Leo Castledine?

In 2020, Leo Castledine departed AFC Wimbledon after seven years to join Chelsea's prestigious Cobham academy, impressing with every step of his development so far and is now within touching distance of breaking onto the senior scene.

According to Chelsea's official website, Castledine is "an attacking midfield player who can play box-to-box, he likes to create and score goals and is very tenacious in the tackle."

A tackling machine, but also a player who has an exquisite passing range and composure beyond his years in the final third, the 18-year-old sensation is on the right path to becoming a complete midfielder and this is demonstrated by the impact he's having in the U21s.

The "huge talent" – as described by journalist Felix Johnston – has plundered two goals and provided four assists in six Premier League 2 appearances this season, continuing from where he left off last term with 17 goal contributions in 38 matches across the underage groups.

Castledine is earning praise from all angles for boasting tenacity and creativity in abundance, including from U21s coach Mark Robinson, who waxed lyrical about his talents in an interview with the Athletic last year, drawing similarities to the profile of Gallagher.

He said: “In terms of energy, he is similar to Mason Mount and Conor Gallagher. I think he has more elements of Conor out of the two of them. He can be very dangerous when he arrives in the box and is really good in the air, and we have to make sure we keep working on that as well. He is going to be a goal-scoring midfielder.”

Regarded by many as one of the finest talents to graduate from the Cobham Academy in recent times, comparisons like the one above provide a glowing indication that Castledine is knocking on the first-team door.

Who would Castledine replace in the Chelsea first-team?

If Pochettino was to unleash the youngster into the first-team picture, he'd likely replace Gallagher, possessing an ability to produce similar robust and combative performances to the 23-year-old.

Gallagher's main strength is sweeping up the danger and putting in energetic displays, the sort that can often leave the masses unaware of just how sublime his defensive work can be.

The Englishman ranks seventh in the entire league, as per Sofascore for tackles won per game (3.1) and interceptions (1.9) while recovering possession 7.3 times, an inclination – if it was ever needed – that the all-action midfielder gets through an obscene amount of defensive work.

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Castledine, although not on the same level currently, would bring the energy and industry that is so readily associated with Gallagher but also the ability to operate in a variety of positions, having been utilised as a box-to-box midfielder, a number 10 and even on the right side of defence.

Not only that, the 18-year-old – who was tipped by Robinson to have all the qualities to become a "goalscoring midfielder" – can perhaps offer the Blues a bigger threat going forward than his compatriot, with the £50k per-week warrior falling short in attack.

With only 0.81 for expected assists (xG), 0.8 key passes per game and three big chances created in the top flight this term, the attacking side of his game has been neglected and has lacked composure in the final third, something that Castledine possesses in abundance.

There is no doubt that in a tough start to the season so far, Gallagher has been one of Chelsea's standout performers, however, if Pochettino did want to improve the quality being served up in attack, he should give the youngsters precocious talents a chance to shine.

On and off the pitch, Leeds United have faced a turbulent time in the last year or so, with relegation combined with managerial changes and the controversy surrounding former owner Andrea Radrizzani's use of Elland Road as collateral in his takeover of Sampdoria. Since the 49ers' takeover and the appointment of Daniel Farke, however, the Whites look like a side beginning to show signs of life in the Championship, winning three of their last five games.

From the 49ers' perspective, their aim will be instant promotion back to the Premier League, which will help from both a sporting and financial point of view. Meanwhile, the new owners are reportedly about to boost the morale of the fans even further, with one off-field deal close to completion.

What's the latest Leeds United news?

Following a summer transfer window full of ups and downs, with several exits and a number of subsequent incomings, things are finally beginning to settle down for Leeds under Farke. And, as their form continues to turn around, their summer business looks all the more positive. Now that the window is closed, too, they can turn their attention to other improvements away from the pitch.

The latest Leeds United news suggests that's exactly the plan. According to Kieran Maguire, a deal for the 49ers to buy Elland Road from Radrizzani is close to completion. After Phil Hay reported this week that a deal is close, Sky Sports' football finance expert has told Football Insider it's really now just the final few details left to sort: “I’m not necessarily surprised that the 49ers have not yet taken majority control of Elland Road. I think it’s part of an ongoing process, it is nearly done and it is quickly approaching the end game.

“We’ve seen in the last couple of days that Radrizzani and his colleagues have been removed from the board of directors at Leeds United Football Club. So these things do take time and I’m sure that the 49ers Enterprises are very relaxed about the direction they’ve taken. They know that Radrizzani wants out and they want in. It’s just a case of tying up the loose ends.”

Who are the main shareholders in Leeds United?

After increasing their stake in the club, 49ers Enterprises are the full owners of Leeds United. The group is led by Paraag Marathe, who has been a leader in the sports industry for 20 years. The sale brought an end to Radrizzani's tenure, but it did not end without controversy after the Italian took over Serie A club Sampdoria, using Elland Road as collateral.

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The 49ers, edging closer to buying the stadium from the former owner, look set to put an end to that issue, in what will be an early success in their ownership of the club. Once that is done, the focus can return to the action taking place on the pitch of Elland Road, and Farke's side, who are showing promising signs of improvement.

Come May, those in charge at Leeds will hope to see their club in the race for promotion, with a deal to buy Elland Road from Radrizzani all wrapped up. It certainly looks set to be an interesting few months at the club.

Goals, goals and more goals. Football is many things to many people, but the one thing that matters more than anything else when it comes to the game is goals.

It is what we watch the sport for. It can be the deciding factor in our mood for the day, the weekend or longer, depending on the magnitude of the game. Some goals go down in footballing folklore: the Hand of God, "corner taken quickly", Dennis Bergkamp's turn against Newcastle United and many, many more.

We even have the Puskas Award every year to nominate and congratulate those who score the most impressive ones every year, but only one can win that award.

So, with that in mind, Football FanCast has created a list of the best Puskas-nominated goals to miss out on the top prize for you to enjoy.

10 Robin van Persie v Spain – 2014

The 2014 World Cup in Brazil is one of the greatest-ever editions of the tournament, with countless moments that still live on to this day, like James Rodríguez's strike for Colombia or Germany's 7-1 semi-final demolition of the hosts.

But, there is one goal that, for us, stands above the rest – Robin van Persie's diving header.

Spain's clash against the Netherlands was one of the tournament's most eagerly anticipated group games; it was a repeat of the previous final, after all. The Spanish were, unsurprisingly, favourites going into the clash, but a resurgent Dutch side blew the reigning champions out of the water and won 5-1.

It was the Spanish that scored first and looked to be going into half-time 1-0 up, but Van Persie had other ideas. Daley Blind had the ball on the halfway line and saw the Manchester United striker making a run, and played a world-class cross into the box – a cross that Van Persie flew through the air to get his head on, which resulted in the ball looping over the head of Iker Casillas and into the net.

If anyone can find us a better-headed goal, we would love to see it.

9 Theo Hernandez v Atalanta – 2022

Now, what's better than running half of the pitch to score a screamer? How about running the entire length of the pitch?

Well, that is precisely what AC Milan and France full-back Theo Hernandez did before scoring his wonder-goal against Atalanta in a Serie A match in May 2022.

He picked up the ball from just outside his own penalty area, beat three players and then drove his shot hard and low to nestle it into the far corner.

The only reason it isn't higher on the list is due to some genuinely woeful defending from Atalanta…

8 Lionel Messi v Athletic Bilbao – 2015

You cannot have a list like this and not include Lionel Messi, and so for his contribution, we have chosen his goal against Athletic Bilbao in the 2015 Copa del Rey final.

The Argentina legend picked up the ball from the halfway line before accelerating down the wing, beating three men out wide before cutting in, beating another and then lashing the ball into the near corner to open the scoring for Barcelona – they would eventually win 3-1, and he would score another.

The goal was a real demonstration of Messi's close control and technical ability, but it was also a great display of his decision-making, as before he starts the move off, you can see him standing with the ball at his feet, assessing whether he should pass or run – and we are thankful he chose the latter.

7 Patrik Schick v Scotland – 2021

The 2020 European Championship was a strange tournament; it took place across the continent, was played in front of half-filled crowds, England made it to an international final, and it wasn't even played in 2020, but there were, at least, a lot of excellent goals, chief amongst them Patrik Schick's effort against Scotland.

It was the team's first game of the group stages, and with the Czech Republic 1-0 up, you might think they would be playing it safe to see out a win, but that was not the case.

With Scotland going all-out to find an equaliser, the Czechs won the ball back and got it to Schick on the halfway line. The Bayer Leverkusen man took two steps before looking up and spotted that David Marshall was off his line, so he took a first-time shot and put just enough power behind it that the ball sailed over Marshall's head and under the crossbar to double their lead.

Hampden Park fell silent – well, apart from the pocket of travelling fans behind the goal who proceeded to go absolutely potty, and who could blame them?

6 Mario Balotelli v Goztepe – 2022

He might be better known for outlandish parties and crazy hi-jinks, but Mario Balotelli has always been a supremely talented footballer, and his goal for Turkish outfit Adana Demirspor against Goztepe is the perfect reminder of that.

He picked up the ball on the edge of the penalty area and completed eight stepovers – yes, eight – before getting past his man and finishing into the far corner with a rabona.

Only Balotelli could score such a frankly outrageous goal in a competitive match, and we love him for that.

5 Andre-Pierre Gignac v Pumas – 2020

This is the only nomination on our list from the Mexican League, and it sure is a cracker.

Veteran French striker Andre-Pierre Gignac joined Mexican giants Tigres in the summer of 2015 and has been playing there ever since, but his best goal for the club came in 2020 in a league game against fellow giants PUMAS.

The goal itself was a stunning overhead scissor-kick, but that description alone does not do it justice.

It was impressive because he was on the edge of the PUMAS box, surrounded by three defenders and had to control a cross delivered from the halfway line, but he made it look easy.

4 Dimitri Payet v PAOK Thessaloniki – 2022

Few things in football elicit quite the response that a thunderous long-range effort does. There is just something in all of us that when we see someone lining up a shot from outside the area, we can't help but shout 'shoot!', and in the case of Dimitri Payet here, he duly obliged.

It was in a game for Marseille against Greek side PAOK late last season, and to call it a thunderbolt would be an understatement.

The former West Ham star was standing about 30 yards away from the goal while his side took the corner. The ball came to him, and he absolutely leathered it on the half-volley, giving the 'keeper no chance of stopping it.

Top bins doesn't do it justice, and if there has been a better long-range effort in the last five years, we have yet to see it.

3 Richarlison v Serbia – 2022

On to our last inclusion from last year's nominations, and it's a doozy.

The World Cup was brimming with brilliant goals from the word go, right up to the final whistle in December. Still, for our money, the best goal of the tournament was Brazil's second goal against Serbia, scored by Tottenham Hotspur's Richarlison.

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The Spurs forward made a run into the box, got into the best position he could in the time he had, and when Rodrygo's cross came in, he scored an outstanding bicycle kick.

There are few sights better in football than a beautifully acrobatic bicycle kick, and the fans seem to agree as the official goal was voted as the goal of the tournament.

Unfortunately, FIFA won't let you watch the goal here, but here it is if you're desperate to see it again…

2 Wayne Rooney v Manchester City – 2011

Come on now, we couldn't do a list of Puskas nominees and not include Wayne Rooney for his out-of-this-world effort against Manchester City in 2011.

The goal was a thing of beauty. The cross from Nani was pinpoint-accurate, and the acrobatic leap to get into position from Rooney was equally perfect, only to be rounded off with a strike so sweet that Joe Hart could barely even move before the ball sailed past his head into the far corner.

It truly is the perfect example of an overhead/bicycle kick goal, and the fact that it was scored against United's local rivals and title rivals at the time only makes it that much more impressive.

If anyone ever asks what made Wazza so special, show them this video.

1 Jack Wilshere v Norwich City – 2013

The latter years of Arsene Wenger's Arsenal tenure might not have brought much to the club in the way of significant success – bar some FA Cups – but one thing that was always guaranteed under Le Professeur was beautiful football.

There may be no greater example of this fact in the Emirates era than Jack Wilshere's stunning goal against Norwich City 10 years ago. That said, it feels wrong to call it Wilshere's goal, given how much of its beauty is in the team play.

The move starts as Wilshere picks up the ball outside the Arsenal penalty area before two passes bring the play to the Canaries' box. A quick display of masterful interplay between himself, Santi Cazorla and Olivier Giroud play Wilshere into the area, where he gently finished past a dumbfounded John Ruddy in the Norwich net.

This goal is undoubtedly one of the best ever scored in the Premier League and perfectly encapsulates what Arsenal were all about under the eternal Wenger.

Everton's proposed takeover by 777 Partners is facing doubts over passing the relative examination, and now a further blow has potentially been dealt to them.

Will the Everton takeover go through?

The Blues picked up a hugely important win on Saturday evening, battling their way to a 3-1 victory away to Brentford in the Premier League. It was their first three points of the season, following a disappointing start to the 2023/24 campaign, and the hope is that this result kicks them into life moving forward.

Away from the on-field action, there is also plenty of drama happening at the top, with 777 Partners aiming to become the new owners of Everton, bringing an end to the Farhad Moshiri era at Goodison Park.

That is proving to be a real issue at the moment, however, despite an agreement reached regarding the takeover. Reports have suggested that 'doubts persist that 777 Partners, who have come under fire for their running of the other clubs in their stable including Standard Liege and Hertha Berlin, will pass the examination.'

It is a frustrating saga that continues to rumble on, but for the sake of Sean Dyche and his players, not to mention the supporters, it is vital that things are cleared up sooner rather than later.

Will Everton lose players if a takeover collapses?

According to The Mirror, Everton face the very real threat of key players leaving the club in the January transfer window, should 777's takeover be blocked and the club's finances take a hit in what would be a 'nightmare scenario' for Dyche.

"Everton could be forced to sell one of their big name players like Jordan Pickford or Amadou Onana in January if the 777 Partners takeover is blocked. Due to a worrying financial situation and with owner Farhad Moshiri not prepared to pump in any more money the Toffees are relying on loans from 777 and MSP Sports Capital to cover mounting monthly losses.

"It’s why Moshiri who has sold his 94 percent stake in the club is anxious that the Premier League, FA and Financial Conduct Authority give the planned take over the green light. But doubts persist that 777 Partners, who have come under fire for their running of the other clubs in their stable including Standard Liege and Hertha Berlin, will pass the examination."

This is an incredibly concerning update for anyone of an Everton persuasion, and it highlights the importance of 777's takeover eventually going through and heralding the start of an exciting new era on Merseyside, especially with a move to a new stadium coming next summer.

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Should the agreement be blocked, however, and the Blues find themselves losing the likes of Jordan Pickford or Amadou Onana, it is easy to envisage them in a Premier League relegation battle once again, as they scrap to avoid spending the first year at their new home in the Championship.

It is clearly essential that Everton don't rush into their takeover, especially if 777 are questionable in the way they have run other football clubs, as the report alludes to, but a change appears to be needed at Goodison, with Moshiri's reign becoming an increasingly unhappy one over the years, leading to protests from some supporters outside the ground.

West Ham United have arguably been the surprise of the season so far. The Hammers are still unbeaten after four Premier League games, having beaten both Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion.

When you consider the fact that they lost Declan Rice in a move worth a reported £105m to Arsenal, too, David Moyes' side have been all the more impressive.

Given how good they've been, West Ham may not have wanted the international break to come so soon, especially with the added risk of injury. Without it, the London club had the chance to continue their form, perhaps extending it to one of their best runs under Moyes. Now, however, they are set to come out of the break with key injuries and their momentum stalled.

What's the latest West Ham United injury news?

Moyes may already be without summer signing James Ward-Prowse against the Premier League champions, after the former Southampton man reportedly picked up an injury last week, and has been sitting out of training ever since. The England international hit the ground running at the London Stadium, scoring once and assisting three times in three games for the Hammers, but could now miss their next game, with fans anxiously awaiting the results of a scan this week.

On top of that, according to reports in the Czech Republic, Vladimir Coufal has now picked up a small injury whilst on international duty, and is potentially a doubt for West Ham's top of the table clash against Manchester City.

The full-back has featured in all four Premier League games so far this season, meaning that, without him, Moyes' side may struggle to maintain their impressive unbeaten run. With that said, it's certainly been an international break to forget for the Hammers, although the full extent of Coufal's issue is not yet clear.

How has Vladimir Coufal performed this season?

Now 31-years-old, you'd be forgiven for assuming that Coufal's place in the West Ham side would be at risk this season. That has been anything but the case, however, as the Czech Republic international has started every league game for his side.

The stats show that he is more than earning his place in Moyes' plans this season, too. According to FBref, in four games, Coufal has made 11 progressive passes, five progressive carries, won six tackles, and made five blocks and interceptions. It has been an all-round performance from the right-back so far this season, warranting his reported salary of £52k-per-week.

At his best, Coufal has earned plenty of deserved praise, too, including from Jamie Carragher, who once named him in his Premier League Team of the Season.

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Carragher said, via Football London: "At right-back I've gone for Vladimir Coufal, I love him. He plays week in, week out, has been brilliant and typifies West Ham's season."

Everything points towards a player that West Ham could do with having at their disposal against Manchester City, making his injury whilst on international duty all the more frustrating for Moyes and co, who may now need to find an adequate replacement.

Tottenham Hotspur endured quite a busy Deadline Day despite only welcoming one new face, as Ange Postecoglou had sought to strengthen in key areas before the transfer window slammed shut.

That being said, he had already bolstered his squad sufficiently early on in the summer, having tied up deals for James Maddison and Manor Solomon as well as turning the loanees Dejan Kulusevski and Pedro Porro into permanent fixtures.

Then, Micky Van de Ven marked the integral defensive acquisition needed to add some much-needed solidity after a weak season at the back last year.

Despite bringing in the dominant Dutchman, for a fee that could reach £43m, the general feeling was that another centre-back might be needed to provide sufficient cover for Cristian Romero on the right side of their back four.

Many names were touted throughout a summer posed to be a revolutionary one, but in the end, fans had to settle for just the nine signings.

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That’s not to suggest that they did not at least make a late push to fill that void though, with reports emerging late on Deadline Day that offered a glimmer of hope for the Lilywhites at the eleventh hour.

Did Trevoh Chalobah nearly sign for Spurs?

Whilst that final day of the window was largely dominated by their pursuit and eventual capture of Nottingham Forest winger Brennan Johnson, there were other rumours circling that had fans quietly positive that there was more to come than just the £47.5m Wales international.

Conor Gallagher was one such option, although after seeing a bid turned down the north London club focused their efforts elsewhere.

However, they reportedly remained in west London as they sought that final centre-back signing, with Fabrizio Romano writing at 8:23 pm that night:

The English defender has fallen rapidly out of favour at Stamford Bridge of late despite a meteoric rise to prominence just two years ago, where he established himself as a fine ball-playing asset who is still just 24 years old.

Despite their late push, which even the Tricky Trees mirrored with a failed swoop of their own, in the end, Chalobah decided to stay with his boyhood club despite the wealth of defensive talent that sits ahead of him in the pecking order.

Whilst the breakdown of such a desperate last-gasp move should come as no surprise, it actually outlined their failure to have captured a player for that role earlier in the window, despite those numerous aforementioned targets.

One such rumour that refused to die down was their reported interest in Edmond Tapsoba, who would have provided the perfect profile for Postecoglou’s possession-based system.

Even if his £50m price tag might have seemed lofty, it would have represented far better value than Chalobah, who too saw the same valuation handed to him by the Blues.

How good is Edmond Tapsoba?

Van de Ven’s stellar start to life in England stands as proof of how easily the Bayer Leverkusen star could have taken to the Premier League, with the former Wolfsburg ace having managed a 7.15 average rating this season, buoyed by his 93% pass accuracy, 1.3 tackles and 3.8 clearances per game, via Sofascore.

To pair two former Bundesliga talents together would have proven instantly profitable, given they share a similarly steely physical profile, but have that elegance that lends to the modern game.

The former was emphasised by scout Antonio Mango, who claimed: “He’s a monster. Ball playing defender. Comfortable on the ball. Big, strong. Quick. Position good with a very good footballing IQ.”

After all, when compared to other centre-backs across Europe, Tapsoba sits in the top 10% for passes attempted, the top 3% for progressive passes per 90 and the top 7% for progressive carries per 90, via FBref.

This fed into his outstanding league campaign last term, where the Burkina Faso titan maintained a 6.88 average rating of his own in the league, upheld through his 1.1 interceptions, 1.5 tackles and three clearances per game, via Sofascore.

It is clear that the classy yet combative ace would have marked a far superior piece of business than signing Chalobah for a similar fee, especially given the gulf in quality between them.

Although the Chelsea star also shines when compared to the same aforementioned group across Europe, ranking in the top 16% for progressive carries per 90, it is his lack of experience that sets him apart from the Bundesliga rock.

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After all, he boasts just 45 Premier League appearances across his short career, compared to Tapsoba’s 103 in the German top flight.

Not to mention how highly thought of he is within that division, with Ivo Vieira, his former coach at Vitoria Guimaraes, having expected his rise to prominence: “Tapsoba was one of the best centre-backs to play in Portugal, he deserves whatever comes his way."

Postecoglou can hardly be faulted for the start he has enjoyed to life in north London, with his summer signings all largely integrating well, and his philosophy already being well-received by his fanbase.

However, had he abandoned his pursuit for Tapsoba to panic buy the out-of-favour Chelsea man at the death, it would surely have marked the first blunder of his tenure thus far.

Chalobah is a more than capable defender for now, but with the level that the Australian boss will seek to take his new side, perhaps there is a limit to his talents and just how far he could take them had he made the switch.

In the Leverkusen star, few can predict how high his ceiling may be, and therefore the next time Spurs come calling for his services, that £50m fee could have sky-rocketed.

Postecoglou will likely rue that failed swoop, given how the signing of Tapsoba would have capped off his summer spending with the perfect ending.

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino could make a swoop for a new striker in January and has three options in mind at Stamford Bridge, according to latest reports.

What's the latest news involving Chelsea?

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, writing in his exclusive column for CaughtOffside, Manchester City asked about the possibility of signing out-of-favour Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella in the January transfer window. Giving some insight into the permutations of Manchester City's advances, Romano stated in his column:

"It is true, however, that Manchester City approached Chelsea at the beginning of January with a loan proposal for Marc Cucurella. It also included a buy option clause, not mandatory. Chelsea rejected as they wanted to keep Cucurella at the club, and since that moment, nothing else happened with Cucurella and Man City."

Recently, 90min reported that Cucurella's Chelsea teammate Ian Maatsen is being lined up as a surprise target by Manchester City, in light of uncertainty surrounding his contract at Stamford Bridge.

The Netherlands Under-21 international has less than a year left on his current contract in west London; nevertheless, Chelsea manager Pochettino will endeavour to try and keep hold of the left-back by holding talks over fresh terms.

As per Football Insider, the Blues are lining up a swoop for midfielder Habib Diarra, who is currently plying his trade at Chelsea's satellite club Strasbourg.

Wolverhampton Wanderers were also keen on bringing the French youth international to Molineux in the summer. Despite this, Chelsea intervened in the process and blocked the Old Gold from snapping the 19-year-old up and he could now move to Stamford Bridge "sooner rather than later."

Which strikers are Chelsea now looking at?

According to Give Me Sport, Brentford striker Ivan Toney and Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins are on Pochettino's radar as he looks to bolster his depth in the striking department in the January transfer window.

The report also mentions that RB Leipzig youngster Benjamin Sesko is someone who has caught the eye of Chelsea and he was also targeted by Manchester United before they eventually brought in Denmark international Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta, with Toney the primary target.

Of course, Toney is banned from playing competitively until January due to breaching FA guidelines and has been banned from training with his Brentford teammates; however, the England forward will be permitted to join in training officially again on September 17th, as cited by talkSPORT.

Watkins, on the other hand, has started the new campaign in typical potent fashion and has registered three goals and two assists in his opening six appearances for Aston Villa, as per Transfermarkt.

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Arsenal were also quoted with an interest in Watkins earlier this year, though it remains to be seen whether the 27-year-old will leave Villa Park any time soon.

RB Leipzig striker Sesko has looked the part for his new employers, netting two goals in his opening three outings since joining from RB Salzburg officially earlier this year.

Chelsea would like to add to their forward options to help support the likes of Nicolas Jackson and it is clear that they have begun to ramp up their search for a new high-profile striker, making these players to watch heading into 2024.

Arsenal have already dropped their first points of the 2023/24 Premier League season following last week’s 2-2 draw against Fulham, and it’s clear that Mikel Arteta still has plenty of work to do in order to turn his squad from also-rans into league champions.

The summer transfer window saw just four new arrivals make the journey to the capital and with Champions League football returning to the Emirates following a seven-year hiatus, it remains to be seen whether they are ready for the step-up in quality.

Who did Arsenal sign during the transfer window?

Goalkeeper David Raya arrived on a season long loan deal as experienced cover for Aaron Ramsdale, while defender Jurrien Timber joined from Ajax alongside Kai Havertz from Chelsea and Declan Rice from West Ham United in what was a saga which stretched for the majority of the summer window.

A grand total of £208m was spent and with the spine of his team significantly improved from last term, a lack of depth may prove to be Arteta’s undoing, especially if the club go on deep runs in Europe and the domestic cups.

Timber was injured in their opening Premier League match of the new season and faces the prospect of missing the entire season after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury, while Havertz has yet to sparkle, failing to score or grab an assist across four matches for the club.

Rice, on the other hand, has been a wonderful signing and although it’s early doors, he could become a mainstay in the Arsenal midfield for the next few years and cement himself as a legend.

How has Declan Rice performed this season?

Having led West Ham to their first trophy in over 40 years as they claimed the Europa Conference League last term, it was inevitable Rice was leaving the club.

The £240k-per-week gem has embraced the challenge of playing for a bigger team extraordinarily well, and he looks comfortable at this level.

The midfielder has an average Sofascore rating of 7.37 from his three league matches so far, good enough to rank him fifth in the squad, while he ranks third for accurate passes per game (69), tackles per game (three) and second for interceptions per game (1.3), already displaying his passing and defensive skills to the Emirates faithful.

It’s no wonder he has previously been described as a “Rolls Royce” by journalist Joshua Mbu, and he is exactly the type of player that Arsenal requires in the heart of their midfield if they wish to be challenging the likes of Manchester City for the league title.

Rice will only get better by playing with players such as Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka and this should elevate his game to the next level in the coming years.

Arteta was also keen on another midfielder during the summer transfer window and although a deal failed to materialise, it's evident Rice is the better player.

Could Arsenal have signed Moises Caicedo?

Along with Rice, the saga involving Moises Caicedo was also one of the longest-running transfer sagas of the entire summer, with a whole host of teams showing interest in the young Ecuadorian starlet.

The Gunners had two bids rejected by Brighton and Hove Albion for the player back in January and they reignited their interest once the transfer window opened in June.

Chelsea were also keeping tabs on the youngster and as soon as the Rice move accelerated, Arteta focussed on securing the Englishman, leaving a plethora of clubs to do battle over the in-demand gem.

It was those at Stamford Bridge who did eventually secure Caicedo's signature for what could turn into a British record fee of £115m, with that representing £10m more than what Rice cost Arsenal earlier in the window.

They have struck gold on the 24-year-old however, and he is arguably a better player than Caicedo. Indeed, last season, Rice registered more goals and assists (five v two), shots per 90 (0.96 v 0.8), shot-creating actions per 90 (2.75 v 2.52), a higher percentage of challenges (62% v 58.8) and completed a higher percentage of successful take-ons (55.6% v 51.9%), clearing proving that he outshone Caicedo over a variety of metrics last term.

When compared to his positional peers across Europe's top five leagues, Rice ranks in the top 5% for interceptions per 90 (1.78) and the top 15% for progressive carries per 90 (2.33), demonstrating that not only does he win the ball back often during matches, but he also drives forward with it on a regular basis in order to create chances.

In comparison, Caicedo ranks in the top 15% for interceptions per game (1.53) while ranking outwith the top 60% for progressive carries per 90 (1.12) when compared to peers, showing that he isn’t as forward-thinking compared to the Englishman.

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Although Caicedo made more tackles (2.7 v 2.1) and won more total duels per game (5.9 v 4.4) than Rice in the top flight last season, Rice’s statistics are still excellent, and his attacking output will be key to any future Arsenal success.

Despite the extravagant cost, Rice has shown the pedigree in the Premier League which will allow him to blossom into one of the finest midfielders in the country in what will hopefully be a trophy laden spell for the player at Arsenal.

Caicedo is already outshining the majority of players in the league and while he is still only 21-years-old, there is no doubt he will continue to get better in the coming years.

There was no way Arteta could have afforded both talents, especially with the current nature of the transfer market, but he has certainly struck gold by signing Rice.

Having won the first piece of silverware of his career last season, the midfielder will be eyeing more glory at the Gunners during the 2023/24 campaign as they look to claim their first league title in 20 years.

Although it will be difficult to repay the £105m they shelled out on him, it’s clear they have signed a generational talent who will give them years of service over the next decade if he stays fit and healthy.