Latest news with #PlayerOfTheMonth
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Arsenal Part Ways with Fan-Favourite Tomiyasu
Takehiro Tomiyasu's Arsenal Exit Marks a Quiet Farewell to a Reluctant Hero Versatility that Made Tomiyasu Indispensable For all Arsenal's elegant passing sequences and Arteta's carefully choreographed structure, Takehiro Tomiyasu was the reliable undertone — the functional thread in an increasingly complex tapestry. A player who never sought headlines, yet whose quiet excellence once drew lofty praise. 'We don't have a player like him,' Mikel Arteta said in 2023, and that wasn't hyperbole. Tomiyasu could plug any defensive hole — right-back, left-back, centre-half — and do so without fuss. Advertisement His ability to adapt made him invaluable. That same September, he was named Arsenal's Player of the Month and scored his first goal for the club — one he dedicated to his late mother. It felt like the start of something, not the highlight reel's lone bright spot. Promise Unfulfilled by Persistent Injury But the cruel irony of football is that consistency isn't only tactical — it's physical. Tomiyasu's body simply wouldn't comply. Since Arteta's glowing remarks, he started only 14 more games. Arsenal confirmed this week that the club and the Japan international have mutually agreed to part ways, a year before his contract was due to expire. Injuries were a relentless adversary. According to Transfermarkt, Tomiyasu spent 690 days sidelined while at Arsenal, missing over 100 games. Those absences didn't just rob him of minutes — they denied Arteta his Swiss Army knife in moments of need. Advertisement One of those came in March 2023, when Arsenal's title challenge began to unravel. Tomiyasu suffered a knee injury against Sporting Lisbon, just as William Saliba also limped off. With both defenders absent, Arsenal's back line faltered, and so did their pursuit of the Premier League crown. Final Season Defined by Frustration The 2023-24 campaign offered no redemption arc. A calf injury, disrupted by the Asia Cup, forced him out of 13 games. A knee injury in pre-season wiped out his US tour. When he finally returned, it lasted just six minutes — a short-lived cameo against Southampton that ended in yet another setback. By February, the decision was made for surgery. He hasn't played since. Advertisement 'He knows hopefully that we are all here, we have all been trying to help him,' said Arteta. 'But it's tough… it's a very lonely process.' Photo: IMAGO Tomiyasu's dedication to recovery was unwavering, even if fate seemed uninterested in rewarding it. Some of his rehabilitation took place away from the club — a change of scene, an attempt to reclaim hope. A Career Chapter Closed, but Not the Story Across 84 appearances in four years, Tomiyasu left an imprint not measured in goals or assists, but in structure, stability, and humility. He remains, in Arteta's words, 'probably one of the best [defenders] that I've seen in many situations.' Advertisement His Arsenal story ends not in triumph, but in quiet recognition — of a player who gave everything, even when his body refused to follow. There will be no fanfare, no final lap of honour. Just a poignant reminder that sometimes, football's most dependable servants slip away with little more than a nod.
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
2-Time All-Star Makes WNBA History on Thursday
2-Time All-Star Makes WNBA History on Thursday originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray is off to a tremendous start in the 2025 WNBA season. As a result, she is beginning to fill her trophy case. Advertisement The WNBA announced Thursday that Gray was named the league's player of the month for June. Gray was also the Kia WNBA Player of the Month winner in May. With back-to-back player of the month honors, the guard became the first Dream player to win the award twice in the same season. "Her elite play helped the Atlanta Dream to a 6-4 record, ultimately landing her Kia POTM honors," the official WNBA X account posted with a fire emoji. Gray averaged 18.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game during 10 contests in June. Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray© Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images With those averages, Gray's points and assists per game numbers actually dropped for the season. Advertisement But that probably speaks more to how well she played in May than anything else, where she averaged more rebounds in June than May. This season, Gray is averaging 19.5 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game. The guard is also shooting 46.9%, including 42.4% from the 3-point line through 17 games. With back-to-back WNBA Player of the Month honors, Gray was named a starter for the WNBA All-Star game. It will be her third consecutive All-Star appearance. Gray has been an All-Star every season since joining the Dream in 2023. The guard spent her first six WNBA seasons with the Dallas Wings. Over 180 games in Dallas, she averaged 11.7 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2 assists per contest. Advertisement In Atlanta, Gray has posted 16.9 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists per contest in 95 games. Related: WNBA Star Thinks the Mercury Weren't Ready Against the Aces on Sunday This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mets React to Juan Soto Announcement on Thursday
Mets React to Juan Soto Announcement on Thursday originally appeared on Athlon Sports. It's been a rough stretch for the New York Mets, who now sit in second place in the National League East as July begins. Advertisement A combination of poor play from the Mets and a red-hot run by the Philadelphia Phillies flipped the standings. While there's still plenty of baseball left, New York is trying to claw its way back to the top. One bright spot in June was the performance of star outfielder Juan Soto. On Thursday, MLB named Soto the National League Player of the Month for June. Soto shared the spotlight with Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, who took home the American League honor. Both players hit 11 home runs in June. The Mets reacted to the Soto announcement on Thursday. The left-handed slugger also batted .322 with a 1.196 OPS and 20 RBIs during the month. Despite Soto's hot bat, the Mets ended June on a sour note, getting swept by the Pittsburgh Pirates while scoring only four total runs in the series. Advertisement The 26-year-old is in his first season under a massive contract that keeps him in a Mets uniform through 2039, with a player opt-out after the 2030 season. Soto is earning $61.875 million this year and next. This marks Soto's fourth organization since making his MLB debut in 2018. He started with the Washington Nationals, leading them to a World Series title. In August 2022, he was traded to the San Diego Padres and played there through the end of 2023. New York Mets right fielder Juan SotoWendell Cruz-Imagn Images In December 2023, Soto was dealt to the New York Yankees, where he played one season and helped lead the team to the World Series. The Yankees fell short, losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the finals. Advertisement Now with the Mets, Soto continues to be one of baseball's most dangerous hitters. If his June performance is any indication, he may be just getting started in Queens. Related: Mets React to MLB's Major Francisco Lindor Revelation Related: Orioles Pay $9.16 Million to Retired MLB Star on Tuesday This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
BreakingNews.ie
12-06-2025
- Sport
- BreakingNews.ie
Waterford duo named as May winners of Women's GAA Player of the Month awards
Waterford duo Niamh Rockett and Kellyann Hogan are the May winners of the PwC GPA Women's Player of the Month awards for camogie and football. Meanwhile, Limerick talisman Cian Lynch and Donegal's Michael Murphy have been named the PwC GAA/GPA Hurler and Footballer of the month, respectively. Advertisement The Player of the Month awards aim to recognise the country's standout players from the Provincial Championships as well as the opening rounds of the 2025 All-Ireland Championships. Niamh Rockett made history with the Déise as they recorded their first ever senior championship victory over Kilkenny in Nowlan Park, on May 31st. Rockett, who has this year taken over free taking duties, scored nine of Waterford's 17 points, including three in the final minutes to secure the victory. Rockett will look to continue her scintillating form in the next round as Waterford take on Dublin Saturday, June 21st. Advertisement The Waterford ladies football team came agonisingly close to overcoming the reigning All-Ireland champions Kerry with Kellyann Hogan's six well taken scores a key factor in the Déise running Kerry close. Hogan dusted herself off and put in a dominant performance in nine-point victory against Cork in Dungarvan, booking a rematch against the Kingdom in the Munster Football Championship final. Hogan was first on the scoreboard and delivered a standout performance in the middle of the park throughout. Four scores from the Ballymacarby clubwoman were unfortunately not enough however as Waterford tasted defeat at the hands of the Kingdom once more. Cian Lynch and Michael Murphy A month in which Cian Lynch delivered commanding performances for Limerick in the Munster Hurling Championship has earned him the May player of the month award. Advertisement Cian Lynch (L) and Michael Murphy (R). Photo (R): Inpho/Leah Scholes Two pivotal wins over Waterford and Cork kept the six in a row dream alive with Lynch being the focal point in each. Three scores accompanied by an array of immaculate skills earned Lynch the Man of the Match award after a six-point triumph over Waterford. In the next clash against league champions Cork in the TUS Gaelic Grounds, Limerick and Lynch in particular showed up from the opening whistle. The Limerick captain and playmaker was instrumental in a decisive 16-point victory which booked Limerick's spot in their seventh consecutive Munster final. Donegal stalwart Michael Murphy has been awarded the May player of the month award for his inspirational performances throughout the month, none more prominent than the Ulster title decider versus defending All-Ireland champions Armagh. After taking a year off Murphy appears to be back to his best, dominating aerial contests and overpowering his opposition. Advertisement A repeat of last year's Ulster final, the returning Murphy was the difference-maker, scoring three points and helping set up plenty more as Donegal retained their provincial crown. Murphy followed this up with an eight-point haul in a defeat against Tyrone in the All-Ireland series. Managing Partner at PwC Ireland, Enda McDonagh, said: 'May brought a series of exceptional performances across all codes, as thrilling provincial campaigns concluded and the All-Ireland Championship series burst into life. 'On behalf of everyone at PwC, heartfelt congratulations to Niamh, Kellyann, Cian, and Michael on being honoured as May's Players of the Month."
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bundesliga reveal April's Player of the Month nominees
Six players are in the running for April's Bundesliga Player of the Month. Michael Olise heads up the nominations after playing a starring role in helping Bayern Munich clinch their latest, record-extending Meisterschale this month. Advertisement The France international is set to face competition from Joshua Kimmich as well as Dortmund's Waldemar Anton, Mitchell Weiser of Werder Bremen, Eintracht's Robin Koch and Ritsu Doan at Freiburg. Anton will be aiming to make it a hat-trick of awards for the Black and Yellow, who saw Serhou Guirassy and Nico Schlotterbeck crowned the two most recent winners. The winner will be decided by public vote later this month. 📸 RONNY HARTMANN - AFP or licensors
