At present, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side look in healthier shape than Erik ten Hag’s Man United outfit, however, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe expected to be taking over the sporting side of the business imminently, that gap could soon be narrowed.

One of the main areas where the Red Devils need a change is in their recruitment policy for playing staff.

Though the likes of Casemiro and Raphael Varane are serial Champions League winners, they are also the two top earners at the club despite being nearer the end of their careers than the beginning.

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Capology note that the Brazilian earns a whopping £350,000 per week, with Frenchman, Varane, not too far behind on £340,000 per week.

If the club are able to rid themselves of that extensive salary burden, it will allow them to compete with the Gunners for £60m-rated Wolves ace, Pedro Neto.

According to TeamTalk, both Premier League clubs as well as their Saudi Pro League counterparts are interested in the player, however, the outlet also note that Wolves won’t let him leave for less than £60m.

Whilst that is a considerable outlay for any club, given that the player is only 23 years of age and playing as well as he has at any point during his career to date, it could prove to be a bargain in the longer-term, particularly as transfer fees continue to rise.

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Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Gary O’Neil has provided an injury update on Pedro Neto.

The Portuguese winger, who is enjoying an excellent start to the season, was unfortunately stretchered off during Wolves’ game against Newcastle United at the end of last month.

Pulling up after running through on goal, it quickly became appathe winger had injured his hamstring.

There were immediate concerns over the length of time the Portuguese wide-man will be out for.

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However, despite the initial concerns, O’Neil, who spoke to the media ahead of his side’s next game against Sheffield United on Saturday, appears satisfied his number seven could make a return before the end of the year.

“A few weeks is probably about where we are with it at the moment,” he said.

“He won’t be available this weekend, and he won’t be available next weekend so then we go into an international break and we’ll see how he’s healing at that point so nothing definitive…”

Gary O'Neil gives an update on when Pedro Neto could return from injury ?? pic.twitter.com/HViXOCgNDT

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) November 3, 2023

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Bournemouth manager Gary O’Neil has jokingly suggested that he will be keeping his distance from Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta ahead of the clash this weekend.

Arteta has given an insight on his superstitious habits, recently admitting that he has not changed his clothes since their last defeat against Manchester City in February.

While it may seem like a strange habit, Arteta’s commitment to his routines seems to be working, as Arsenal is currently leading the Premier League table with 19 wins this season, losing only three and drawing another three.

As a football manager, Arteta’s job is to lead his team to victory. And as it turns out, his superstitions may be helping him achieve just that. His routines provide him with a sense of control in a world where so many variables can affect the outcome of a match. While it may not make logical sense to some, Arteta’s commitment to his routines provides him with a sense of comfort and familiarity, allowing him to focus on the task at hand.

He disclosed this during an interview with The Telegraph. He said:

“I am a very methodical, routine person.

“When we are winning, I don’t like to change my clothes, I like to maintain exactly the same jumper, trousers and shoes as before. If we lose, I change to something different.

“They’ve given me the opportunity to do what I love most, in the club that I absolutely love, respect and admire. I love what I do, every day.

“So when I have some doubts, or feel pressure, I just come back to that: How do you feel about what you do? And it doesn’t get any better than this.”

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Of course, it’s not just Arteta’s routines that are responsible for Arsenal’s success this season. His leadership, tactical knowledge, and ability to motivate his players have all played a crucial role in the team’s impressive run. However, his superstitions provide a fascinating insight into the mindset of a successful football manager.

As for O’Neil’s joke about keeping his distance from Arteta, it’s clear that the Bournemouth manager has a good sense of humor. Speaking about the Spaniard’s habit, he joked: “Maybe just don’t go too close to Mikel if he hasn’t changed his clothes for a while.”

While it’s unlikely that Arteta’s unchanged clothes will have any effect on the outcome of the match, it’s always good to have a bit of fun in the lead up to a big game.

At the end of the day, whether you believe in superstitions or not, it’s hard to argue with success. Arteta’s routines may seem strange to some, but they seem to be working for him and his team. And if Arsenal continues to perform at this level, they could be well on their way to winning the Premier League title this season.

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Stoke City beat Norwich City 3-1 at the Britannia Stadium in the Premier League on Wednesday night.

Gary O’Neil saw an early red for a terrible two-footed tackle and Jonny Howson scored a stunner for the visitors, but strikes from Jonathan Walters and Joselu, along with an own goal from Ryan Bennett, gave the home side the win.

Both sides made significant changes from the sides that played in the FA Cup last weekend. Jack Butland, Marko Arnautovic, and Bojan all returned for the hosts, while Declan Rudd, Robbie Brady, and Wes Hoolahan came back into the starting eleven for the visitors. The biggest omission was the in-form Xherdan Shaqiri, who missed out after picking up a hamstring strain in training yesterday.

Stoke were very slow out of the blocks, struggling to put more than two passes together in the opening ten minutes.

The first chance did fall Stoke’s way, however, as Joselu flicked the ball over the Norwich defence and into the path of Arnautovic, but Declan Rudd tipped his tame effort wide of the post.

Norwich enjoyed the majority of the possession, but Stoke had more chances in front of goal. Norwich’s first shot didn’t come until mid-way through the first half, as Jonny Howson’s powerful long range drive flew over the bar.

The biggest incident of the opening 45 minutes arrived on the half hour mark as Gary O’Neil was shown a straight red card for a dangerous and rash lunge on Ibrahim Afellay.

There was no danger as the Dutchman shepherded the ball out of the play on the touchline, but O’Neil came crashing in from behind with a two-footed scissor kick, giving Neil Swarbrick no choice but to reach for the red.

Despite their one-man advantage, Stoke couldn’t find a way through in the remaining 15 minutes of the half, and the game ended 0-0 at the break.

Stoke got their breakthrough just three minutes into the second half.

Arnautovic was the provider, sending in a beautiful cross that was impossible for Rudd to collect or the defence to deal with – and Jonathan Walters was on hand to slide the ball home at the back post.

Less than five minutes later, Norwich struck back through a Jonny Howson stunner.

Vadis Odjidja-Ofoe chested Wes Hoolahan’s cross straight into the path of the 27-year-old, and he unleashed an unstoppable half volley straight into the roof of the Stoke goal. It was a potential goal of the season contender.

Despite battling valiantly, Norwich found themselves behind for a second time after 68 minutes. Sebastien Bassong’s headed clearance landed at the feet of Ibrahim Afellay – he laid it off for Joselu, and his shot went through the legs of Ryan Bennett and into the bottom corner.

The game was over as a contest in the 79th minute when Ryan Bennett headed in an own goal to make it 3-1 to Stoke.

Peter Crouch almost added a late fourth, but the game ultimately ended with no further goals.

The result moves Stoke up to seventh place with 32 points, three points behind West Ham in the race for a Europa League place. Norwich stay 15th, five points clear of the drop zone.

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Next up for Stoke is a home game against Arsenal on Sunday followed by a trip to Leicester the following weekend. Norwich travel to Bournemouth at the weekend then host Liverpool on Saturday 23rd.

Player Ratings

Stoke: Butland 7, Johnson 7, Shawcross 7.5, Wollscheid 6.5, Pieters 7, Whelan 6, Afellay 7.5, Joselu 8, Walters 8, Arnautovic 8.5, Bojan 7. Subs: Odemwingie 7, van Ginkel 7, Crouch 6.5.

Norwich: Rudd 6.5, Martin 6, Bennett 6, Bassong 6, Brady 6.5, Howson 8, Tettey 6.5, O’Neil 0.5, Hoolahan 7, Odjidja-Ofoe 7, Mbokani 6. Subs: Jerome 6.5, Jarvis 6, Redmond 6.

The post Video: Stoke 3-1 Norwich – O’Neil sees red as hosts claim easy win appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Arsenal’s never-ending injury woes have been increased with the news that Santi Cazorla has been ruled out for at least three months with a knee problem, according to The Guardian.

The Spaniard suffered ligament damage in a second-half challenge with Gary O’Neil in Sunday’s 1-1 Premier League draw with Norwich City, although he completed the 90 minutes. 

Alexis Sanchez and Laurent Koscielny also picked up injuries at Carrow Road, but it seems that Cazorla has come off the worst with Arsenal fearing him sidelined until March, The Guardian adds.

Francis Coquelin has started 12 of Arsenal’s 14 league games alongside Cazorla but faces a similarly lengthy layoff, as BBC Sport reports, meaning that Arsene Wenger needs a new midfield partnership.

The Frenchman opted not to invest in a holding midfielder in the summer and is therefore short of alternatives, especially with club captain Mikel Arteta already on a nine-strong injury list.

Tomas Rosicky, Danny Welbeck and Jack Wilshere are long-term absentees. Theo Walcott and Kieran Gibbs are not yet fit but could be available to play Sunderland on Saturday according to The Guardian.

Aaron Ramsey, who has only recently returned from a month out himself, and veteran Mathieu Flamini could be Arsenal’s midfield pairing for the festive period in which they play seven times in 28 days.

Wenger also appears to be preparing Calum Chambers to deputise in the centre of the park with practice in Arsenal’s Under-21 side, according to the Daily Mail. The 20-year-old cannot get a game in defence.

But Cazorla will be sorely missed. While he may have been overawed in games against the top sides, the 30-year-old’s guile and passing was key to the Gunners knocking off lower-ranked teams at will.

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