Latest news with #DavidRaya
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Arsenal 0-1 Tottenham: Viktor Gyokeres makes Gunners debut as Spurs secure friendly win
Pape Matar Sarr scored from the halfway line as Tottenham condemned Arsenal to their first defeat of pre-season in Hong Kong on Thursday. Tottenham were the much better side in the first half and led through Sarr shortly before the break as the Senegalese spotted David Raya off his line, hitting a perfectly weighted lob to net what proved to be the winner. The Gunners pushed hard for an equaliser in the second period but could not find a breakthrough as Spurs defended admirably into the late stages. Viktor Gyokeres got his first taste of Arsenal football just five days after joining up with his new teammates, but struggled to influence the play in a 13-minute cameo as the Gunners chased an opener. He will have another opportunity to find his first Arsenal goal as Villarreal visit the Emirates next week. The result marks a disappointing end to Arsenal's tour of East Asia, where they had impressed in wins over AC Milan and Newcastle. For Spurs, though, it was a hugely encouraging performance after they had taken just one win from three earlier pre-season meetings. Arsenal had the first chance of the afternoon when William Saliba headed wide from Martin Odegaard's bouncing volley, but Spurs quickly began to dictate the play. The Lilywhites hit the post three times before the break. Two of those were direct from corners, and on both occasions, Richarlison failed to turn the loose ball home. Wilson Odobert also shook the woodwork as he got the better of Ben White and was unlucky not to score with his low curled effort. The Gunners' direct play was all too predictable for Spurs, who were dogged in defence throughout the affair, with Rodrigo Bentancur and Micky van de Ven routinely shutting down Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz's advances. Spurs would have been disappointed to reach half-time with the match still level, and Sarr took matters into his own hands with injury time fast approaching. David Raya, well outside his area, played Myles Lewis-Skelly into a tight area, and the young defender was promptly dispossessed. Sarr pounced on the loose ball, leaving Raya to watch on helplessly as the ball sailed in to put Tottenham ahead moments before the interval. Arsenal came into the second half with renewed vigour, but struggled to create clear-cut chances as they were confounded by Spurs' tireless defending. Gabriel Martinelli was presented the chance to finish off a sharp move but fired over, while Martin Zubimendi later saw a well-hit volley deflected over the bar. Despite having to make do with little possession in the second half, Spurs still had the best goalscoring opportunity as Van de Ven headed wide from close range with 25 minutes still to play. For the final 13 minutes, though, all eyes were on Gyokeres, who replaced Kai Havertz for his first taste of Arsenal action. It was a rather anonymous cameo from the Swede, who, granted, has had less than a week to train with his new side, but the hype around his arrival was evident as his every touch was met with roars of approval from the crowd. He was upstaged by the brilliant Max Dowman. The 15-year-old phenom was double-marked as soon as he entered the pitch, but was a live wire regardless, keeping Djed Spence on his heels as he breathed new life into Arsenal's attack, but despite the renewed pressure, they could not claw back into the tie. Centre-back Cristhian Mosquera also came on in the late stages to make his Arsenal debut, but found himself with little to do.
Telegraph
19 hours ago
- Sport
- Telegraph
Why error-prone Sanchez can win Premier League Golden Glove
Our expert analyses William Hill's Premier League Golden Glove market for the 2025-26 season and tips a 12/1 outsider to claim the prize. Already a William Hill member? Check out more free bets from the best betting sites, reviewed by our experts. Premier League 2025-26 – Golden Glove tip Deep dive makes Sanchez No.1 choice For the second successive season, Arsenal's David Raya claimed the Golden Glove last term, sharing it with Matz Sels of Nottingham Forest, who also racked up 13 clean sheets at Nottingham Forest. With Arsenal again expected to challenge for the title, Raya is 6/4 favourite to repeat the feat. But it is worth noting Raya benefited from playing a full 38 league games last term and may not have that luxury again, especially with Kepa Arrizabalaga waiting in the wings. Liverpool's Alisson will attract attention at 2/1 after recording 10 clean sheets in just 28 matches last term, but the Reds will surely place emphasis on their improved attacking firepower this term and may leak more goals than the market suggests. The Brazilian at least looks better value than compatriot Ederson, who is 9/4 but could face serious competition at Manchester City from summer signing James Trafford, who is a 5/1 shot himself. All things considered, this could be a market in which it is worth diving deeper for value. Sign up here with William Hill Chelsea Fans aren't ready for the remontada Robert Sanchez is going to have for us. Already an elite shot-stopper, cross claimer, long passer, just a few issues to iron out. He's a much better Goalkeeper than people like to admit, but you will have to admit it soon. — Ta🧢 (@Tiamcfc) July 30, 2025 Chelsea keeper can silence doubters There have been times when Robert Sanchez's performances at Chelsea have bordered on comedic and it critics have suggested he may be better suited to a club in the lower echelons of the top flight. But even though it was a turbulent season for the former Brighton man, Sanchez still managed 10 clean sheets – only three fewer than Raya and Sels – and his 76.4 per cent save percentage was the best in the division. Sanchez also faced 127 shots on target – more than the likes of Guglielmo Vicario, Alisson, Raya and Ederson – so his stats are not bad given how often he was called into action. Shot-stopper benefits from summer boost Psychological barriers can be huge for goalkeepers and Sanchez should be feeling more confident in his abilities after this summer's Club World Cup. Chelsea defied expectations to lift the trophy and Sanchez played an integral part, saving 22 of the 27 shots on target he faced in the tournament, giving him an 81.5 per cent rate that was the best in the tournament. He also made six saves in the Club World Cup final against Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain and that display could be a sign of things to come in the Premier League this season. Chelsea have been well backed in a few outright markets this term, but one of the best ways to get behind them could be to bet on first-choice keeper Sanchez to win the Golden Glove at 12/1. Goalkeeper Mike Penders was drafted in from Genk this summer but has already been loaned out to Strasbourg and Filip Jorgensen is likely to play second fiddle to Sanchez in the league. Premier League 2025-26 – Golden Glove odds David Raya (Arsenal) @ 6/4 Alisson (Liverpool) @ 2/1 Ederson (Manchester City) @ 9/4 James Trafford (Manchester City) @ 5/1 Robert Sanchez (Chelsea) @ 12/1 Nick Pope (Newcastle United) @ 16/1 Guglielmo Vicario (Tottenham Hotspur) @ 20/1 Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa) @ 25/1 Jordan Pickford (Everton) @ 33/1 40/1 bar Odds courtesy of William Hill. Correct at the time of publication and subject to change.
The Independent
20 hours ago
- Sport
- The Independent
FPL tips 2025/26: 30 players you should consider signing including Palmer, Wirtz and Gyokeres
The new season of the English top flight is fast approaching, and with that will come the long-awaited return of Fantasy Premier League. As pre-season gives us a glimpse of potential top performers, many players will have already picked their squads for the opening gameweek of the 2025/26 campaign, though even at this stage, new signings and potential injuries might change things. The usual suspects - your Erling Haalands and Mo Salahs of the world - will be among the most popular picks, with history dictating their unwavering ability to rack up points. However, there are plenty of other players across the Premier League who might offer genuine value this season, from breakout stars to marquee new arrivals, with the potential of setting your team apart from the rest in your mini-league. Here are 30 players we think might be solid additions to your FPL side: Goalkeepers Premium David Raya, Arsenal - £5.5m Arsenal conceded just 34 goals in the Premier League last season, the least of any side. David Raya kept 13 clean sheets and was third on the list of points scored by goalkeepers having amassed 142 points. He may face competition from Kepa Arrizabalaga this year, but should he kept hold of the No 1 spot the Arsenal man will be a fine choice for FPL managers. Mid-range Bernd Leno, Fulham - £5.0m Accumulating more points than Alisson Becker is no mean feat and Bernd Leno did that. Fulham had a superb season in 2024/25 and could kick on this year. Leno only managed five clean sheets so there is room for improvement, but he will bring in over 100 points across the season having done so in six of the last seven campaigns. Dean Henderson, Crystal Palace - £5.0m One of the better mid-range picks from last year, Henderson has made himself a regular in the Crystal Palace team and is in confident touch. A strong 135 points last year was his second highest tally in five FPL seasons and 11 clean sheets justifies his lower price tag. Budget Enabler Bart Verbruggen, Brighton - £4.5m The price point is the main draw here. A cheaper goalkeeper allows more leeway in choosing the rest of the squad. Only six teams conceded more goals than Brighton last year though Bart Verbruggen managed to keep seven clean sheets. He is a consistent starter so that guarantees points though probably not as many as the more expensive options. Caoimhin Kelleher, Brentford - £4.5m Caoimhin Kelleher could be one of those risky but incredible picks. He was a fine No 2 at Liverpool but must now perform week in, week out after a switch to Brentford. Despite only starting 10 matches last year Kelleher kept four clean sheets. There's an unpredictability about how he will cope this year but based on his potential the reward (a high points tally) is arguably worth the risk. Defenders Premium Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool - £6.0m Ranked third last season with 143 points and without Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk is the safest defender from the title contenders, given Pep Guardiola has more depth now, which could lead to Josko Gvardiol rotating more. Josko Gvardiol, Manchester City - £6.0m The top scoring defender last season with 153 points, eight more than any other defender, with five goals, backing up his four from his debut season. High potential, but Rayan Ait-Nouri's arrival gives more depth and the chance for Pep Guardiola to rotate a little more this season. Mid-range Daniel Munoz, Crystal Palace - £5.5m A risk after rumours linking him with a move away, but Daniel Munoz had the highest expected goal involvements (8.38) for a defender last season by far, with Keane Lewis-Potter, who should be another consideration in this tier, next on 7.90. A defender with four goals and six assists probably falls off a little, but the upside is there. Tino Livramento, Newcastle - £5.0m A versatile defender and integral to Newcastle's plans moving forward. At 5.0, Tino Livramento could outperform his price with 3.03 expected goal involvements last term and only one assist last term. Levi Colwill, Chelsea - £5.0m A mainstay at the back for Chelsea, with 3,150 minutes last term, with the Blues a possible title contender, 5.0 could be cheap if Enzo Maresca can build on the Club World Cup triumph. Budget Enabler Chris Richards, Crystal Palace - £4.5m The American centre-back has become a nailed-on starter under Oliver Glasner but could go into GW1 relatively low-owned, despite his vast upside potential. Chris Richards will be expected to rack up plenty of bonus points through defensive contributions, and his ability as an aerial threat means he could also chip in with a goal every now and again. Maxim De Cuyper, Brighton - £4.5m A new arrival to the Premier League and thus FPL, Brighton's Maxim De Cuyper could prove a masterstroke for players. The full-back models his game after Trent Alexander-Arnold - a notorious FPL points-scorer who is now no longer in the mix - comfortable inverting and playing in the midfield role. Don't be surprised if the Belgian starts racking up assists this term. Aston Villa have emerged as one of the top defensive sides in the Premier League over the past couple of years, and Pau Torres has been at the heart of their success. His penchant for defensive contributions and strong passing acumen will guarantee him points, and with Villa boasting a pretty favourable run of games at the start of the season, the Spaniard could be a no brainer. Midfielders Premium Mohamed Salah, Liverpool - £14.5m Need we explain more? Mohamed Salah is the FPL GOAT. The Egyptian has never finished a campaign with less than 200 points to his name, and last season broke his own record for most points racked up in a single season - with his 48 goal contributions delivering an eye-watering 344 points to FPL players in 2024/25. Everyone will have him in their teams - but if you choose to be different, you're playing a dangerous game. Cole Palmer, Chelsea - £10.5m Chelsea's talisman endured a tough spell last term when he went 12 league games without scoring a goal. Even with that dry patch, he racked up 15 goals, nine assists, and a whopping 214 FPL points. His output is undisputable, and after tearing European champions PSG apart in the Club World Cup final in July, we're betting his numbers are about to go even higher. Florian Wirtz, Liverpool - £8.5m This one isn't rocket science: Florian Wirtz will play a lot of minutes for the Premier League champions, mainly in the No 10 role, feeding chances to Mohamed Salah, Hugo Ekitike and quite possibly Alexander Isak. Wirtz's 10 goals and 12 assists last season came from only 25 league starts. Repeat that rate of return and he will become an essential for every fantasy manager. Mid-range Anthony Elanga, Newcastle United - £7.0m Anthony Elanga was excellent for Nottingham Forest last season and can now kick on at Newcastle. The winger filled in up front in a recent pre-season friendly with Isak absent, but whatever his role he is likely to be heavily involved in Newcastle's attacking play if he's on the pitch. The only question mark is his minutes, with Harvey Barnes, Jacob Murphy and Anthony Gordon all vying for starting berths. Declan Rice, Arsenal - £6.5m Every FPL needs an affordable Mr Reliable in midfield, and Declan Rice offers just that, with 90 minutes virtually guaranteed every week. But he's more than just a minutes machine: Rice scores, assists and the new defensive contribution points will play massively in his favour, making him the kind of player who can sit in your team all season long. Iliman Ndiaye, Everton - £6.5m If Everton are to improve this season in their shiny new stadium, Iliman Ndiaye will be at the heart of that progress. He has grown into Everton's talisman and when the team scores, Ndiaye is usually involved. He doesn't have much competition for minutes and Everton have some appetising early fixtures to capitalise on. Budget Enabler Elliot Anderson, Nottingham Forest - £5.5m The midfielder is surprisingly cheap considering his knack for picking up goals and assists, but the key with Anderson is his defensive contributions: he would have been one of the biggest benefactors of the points last season. With some relatively gentle opening fixtures, he's the perfect budget midfielder. Tijjani Reijnders, Manchester City - £5.5m Another new arrival to the English top-flight, the Dutch midfielder comes off the back of an outstanding 2024/25 season, notching 10 goals and four assists in Serie A with AC Milan. While he is expected to have a deeper role for Man City, his goal-scoring ability from midfield is exceptional for his price point, which suggests he could be one of the bargains of the year. Jhon Arias, Wolves - £5.5m One of the breakout stars of the Club World Cup, Wolves appear to have snatched up a gem. Jhon Arias, nicknamed 'The Colombian Pele' by Fluminense fans, had been tearing up Brazilian football before bursting onto the global stage, where he earned a big move to the Premier League. He remains relatively unknown to the average FPL player, however, which means this pick could do wonders in separating your team from the pack. Forwards Premium Erling Haaland, Manchester City - £14.0m An ever-popular choice, Erling Haaland will actually set you back £1m less than last season – the question is, is he still worth the eye-watering price tag after a season of diminished returns for Man City? The Norwegian still racked up 22 goals in 31 appearances last season, plus Mo Salah is a more expensive option at £14.5m. Alexander Isak, Newcastle - £10.5m Alexander Isak is the transfer market's hottest property at the moment and the same can be said for the FPL market. His 27-goal haul in all competitions last year and regular presence in the starting XI makes him a safe bet up front, whether he stays on Tyneside or makes the big-money move to Liverpool. Viktor Gyokeres, Arsenal - £9.0m Arsenal's new frontman may be the joint-third most expensive striker in FPL, but if can even come close to emulating his goalscoring exploits at Sporting, he'll be worth every penny. Viktor Gyokeres racked up an incredible 97 goals and 28 assists in just 102 games in Lisbon, becoming one of the most sought-after strikers on the planet. He's done damage to Premier League opposition before in Europe, and we can see him doing the same as a resident goalscorer in English football. Mid-range Joao Pedro, Chelsea - £7.5m A well-timed purchase by Chelsea ahead of the Club World Cup, Joao Pedro immediately repaid his new club with key contributions Stateside, including a brace in the semis and a goal against PSG in the final. He appears to have immediately silenced any doubters over his £60m price tag and could also prove great value for money for FPL players. The only downside is his fine form means he's likely to be a hugely popular player on FPL teams. Jean-Philippe Mateta, Crystal Palace - £7.5m The Frenchman may prove a less popular option up front compared to the likes of Isak and Haaland, but at a considerably lower price, could be a bargain pick for the economical FPL player. The 28-year-old was a regular starter last term and, with rival clubs circling for Palace's other attacking talents, should be a key figure up front again this season. Budget Enabler Jorgen Strand Larsen, Wolves - £6.5m It took until the tail-end of the season for fans to realise just what Jorgen Strand Larsen was doing for Wolves. Seemingly out of nowhere, the big Norwegian crept into the goalscoring charts as he notched seven goals and two assists in his final nine games of the campaign. We expect him to keep up that prolific form going into the new term, making him a bargain buy for any player. Igor Thiago, Brentford - £6.0m Signed last summer for £30m, Igor Thiago's Brentford career got off to the worst possible start as his first season was maligned by two serious knee injuries. However, he's finally getting into the swing of things in pre-season and should be starting week-in week-out, especially if Yoane Wissa departs. Perhaps he can fill the Congolese striker's shoes as an FPL hidden gem. Beto, Everton - £5.5m Arriving from Udinese in 2023 to a lot of hype, Beto took his time to bed in on Merseyside. But just as fans began to write him off, he enjoyed a good run under David Moyes last season and could keep his place as the Scotsman's central striker this term, with Moyes tending to stick to his guns. Everton also have a favourable fixture list over the first seven gameweeks, giving Beto ample opportunity to get on the scoresheet.
Al Jazeera
20 hours ago
- Sport
- Al Jazeera
Tottenham sink Arsenal as Sarr hits wondergoal from halfway line
Pape Matar Sarr scored from the halfway line as Tottenham punished a shaky performance by Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya to win the first North London derby staged outside the United Kingdom 1-0. Raya, who had already been caught in no-man's land twice as in-swinging corners hit the post, was at fault again in the 45th minute on Thursday when Sarr robbed Myles Lewis-Skelly just inside the Arsenal half. The Spurs midfielder looked up, saw Raya stranded way outside his penalty area and let fly to score in outrageous fashion from 50 yards out. Nominally a preseason 'friendly', there was no love lost on the pitch between the bitter rivals. Tackles flew in and tempers frayed in a fiercely contested clash in front of a 49,975 sellout crowd under the roof in Hong Kong's air-conditioned Kai Tak Stadium. Arsenal started the stronger but it was Tottenham who hit the woodwork three times in a frantic first half and deserved their lead at the break. Arsenal laid siege to the Tottenham goal at the start of the second half, but new manager Thomas Frank had his defence well-drilled and the Gunners found it hard to break through. Gabriel Martinelli did manage to find an opening on 58 minutes but shot wastefully over the bar from 14 yards. Arsenal brought on Leandro Trossard and new signing Martin Zubimendi, who almost scored with his first touch when his shot was deflected over the bar. A huge cheer went up when Son Heung-min was introduced by Tottenham in the 75th minute. It was followed by an even bigger ovation when new striker Viktor Gyokeres also came off the bench for his Arsenal debut with 13 minutes to go. The Swedish striker, sporting the number 14 shirt made famous by Arsenal legend Thierry Henry, was signed for $67m six days ago. He made some darting runs as Arsenal pressed for a late equaliser, but will need time to get up to speed with his new club. Tottenham now fly on to South Korea to face Newcastle United on Sunday, while Arsenal head home after three matches in Singapore and Hong Kong. The Gunners finished second in the Premier League last season, for a third consecutive year, as Liverpool topped the table by 10 points. Outrageous from Pape Sarr 😮💨 Don't miss the action – watch the second half live on SPURSPLAY 📺 — Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) July 31, 2025
The Sun
21 hours ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Pape Sarr's halfway line stunner seals Tottenham win over Arsenal
PAPE Matar Sarr scored an astonishing goal from the halfway line as Tottenham Hotspur defeated Arsenal 1-0 in a fiery pre-season friendly at Hong Kong's Kai Tak Stadium. The Senegalese midfielder capitalised on a defensive error and spotted goalkeeper David Raya off his line before unleashing an audacious 50-yard strike just before halftime. The match, billed as the first north London derby played outside the UK, saw no shortage of intensity despite its friendly status. Arsenal started brightly but Tottenham created better chances, hitting the woodwork three times in the first half. Raya endured a difficult evening, having earlier been caught out of position twice from corners that struck the post. Arsenal dominated possession after the break but struggled to break down a disciplined Tottenham defence organised by new manager Thomas Frank. Gabriel Martinelli wasted their best opportunity, firing over from close range, while substitute Martin Zubimendi nearly scored with his first touch. The crowd of 49,975 erupted when Tottenham captain Son Heung-min entered the pitch late in the game, followed by an even louder reception for Arsenal's record signing Viktor Gyokeres. The Swedish striker, wearing Thierry Henry's iconic number 14, showed flashes of promise but couldn't find an equaliser. Tottenham now travel to South Korea to face Newcastle United, while Arsenal return to London after completing their Asian tour with matches in Singapore and Hong Kong. - AFP
