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Arsenal’s Hale End academy has churned out talent after talent over the previous 25 years, from the likes of Ashley Cole and Gael Clichy to Jack Wilshere emerging and becoming stars in the first team.

Mikel Arteta now has his own generation of youth prospects to pick and choose from, with the academy arguably having never been stronger than it has been under the Spaniard’s tenure.

Bukayo Saka, Reiss Nelson, and Eddie Nketiah have all made massive strides under the 40-year-old, yet it is Emile Smith Rowe who could perhaps be the surprise package, with his value skyrocketing.

How much is Emile Smith-Rowe worth now?

The 22-year-old has been unlucky with injuries this term, missing 13 matches in total while only playing nine matches across all competitions.

However, his sparkling form since breaking into Arsenal’s first team in the 2020/2021 season has seen his value rise, with Transfermarkt rating him at a whopping €38m (£34m).

That is a staggering 1316% increase from the start of the aforementioned campaign when he was valued at just €2.7m (£2.4m).

The Englishman made his name at Hale End, scoring 21 goals and grabbing eight assists for the U18 and U21 sides, and these numbers caught Unai Emery’s eye, thus giving him some experience in the Europa League in 2018/2019.

Two goals in four appearances in the competition was an encouraging start and loan moves to RB Leipzig and Huddersfield Town convinced Arteta that Smith Rowe was ready for regular first-team football.

Last season, the attacking midfielder was in superb form, scoring ten Premier League goals, creating three big chances, making 0.9 key passes per game, and succeeding with 60% of his attempted dribbles with his attacking output was key for Arsenal.

Indeed, he ranked second behind only Saka for goals, third in the squad for shots on target per game (0.7), and fifth for big chances created.

Despite his injury this term, Arsenal have been excellent and Arteta will be pleased to have the youngster back in the squad ready to gain some vital minutes ahead of what could be the most important two months in the club’s recent history.

The £40k-per-week star certainly has an extremely bright future with former Gunners player Mesut Ozil dubbing him a “difference maker” in 2021. That was certainly a testament to just how impressive he looked upon breaking into the senior side.

Having cost nothing, Arsenal have definitely hit the jackpot with the 22-year-old and if he can recapture the form he showed last season over the next eight weeks, Arteta may well have a secret weapon he can utilise.

An update has emerged on Newcastle United and their interest in signing Antonee Robinson in the summer transfer window…

What’s the latest on Antonee Robinson to Newcastle?

According to Football Insider, the Magpies are eyeing up the Fulham left-back as their number-one target to bolster their options in that position ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

The report claims that the club have been scouting the USA international, formerly of Wigan, but could face competition from Inter, AC Milan, and Manchester City, who are all looking at the dynamo.

It is stated that the club ‘desperately’ want to improve their left-back choices and would like to sign a younger full-back who offers more of an attacking threat than Dan Burn.

Is Robinson better than Dan Burn?

Eddie Howe could land an upgrade on his current first-choice in that position by securing a deal to sign Robinson ahead of City and the two Italian giants this summer.

The former Brighton defender has averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.84 across 23 appearances for the Magpies in the Premier League so far this season.

Burn has been a solid defender at the back for the Toon with 1.9 tackles and interceptions per game and has won 55% of his duels in the top flight, which shows that the gem can hold his own in physical contests and regularly cuts out opposition attacks.

Robinson, meanwhile, has made 2.8 tackles and interceptions per match and won 55% of his battles in 21 outings for Fulham in the division this term.

These statistics indicate that the 25-year-old enforcer could offer a similar level of defensive efficiency whilst completing more defensive actions to win the ball back for his side.

On the ball, the USA international, who is five years younger than Burn, has created 15 chances in 21 matches, six more than the current Toon man has managed (nine) in 22 games.

Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic once hailed the battler as “electric” and described his progression of the ball as “fun to watch”. Indeed, Robinson is in the top 10% of left-backs in Europe’s top five leagues over the last 365 days for progressive carries per 90 (3.40), whilst the Newcastle defender is in the worst 1% (0.60).

This suggests that the Fulham defender would be a sizeable upgrade on the 30-year-old in terms of what he offers in possession, in both carrying the ball forwards to progress play and in creating opportunities for his teammates, which is why Howe must bring him in this summer.

Rangers goalkeeper Robby McCrorie has been tipped to break into the first team at the end of the season.

The Lowdown: Goalkeepers at Ibrox

Under both Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Michael Beale this season Rangers have decided to rotate their goalkeeper between Allan McGregor and Jon McLaughlin, with the former’s contract at the club set to expire in the summer.

McGregor has appeared 23 times with McLaughlin featuring 16 times whilst third-choice goalkeeper McCrorie has yet to play despite 14 substitute appearances.

With the uncertainty surrounding the key number one jersey, the SPFL giants are expected to enter the market for potentially a new number one.

The Latest: Clifford’s comments

Speaking on The Rangers Review, journalist Stevie Clifford suggested that McCrorie could be in line to make his first start of the season against Partick Thistle in the Scottish FA Cup on the weekend but said a chance should come his way at the end of the campaign, saying:

“I think that Robby McCrorie will get the games after the split. I think that’s a perfect way – you’ve got an Old Firm in there, which will definitely happen, so you’ve got an Old Firm, you’ve also got potentially Aberdeen, the likes of Hibs, maybe Livi, so these are all big games.

“If Robby McCrorie comes in and does well in these five games, I think you might see him go from potentially third to second-choice.”

The Verdict: Get his chance?

With Rangers currently nine points behind runaway league leaders Celtic and destined to finish second with a 19-point gap to third placed Hearts currently, the end of the season when the league title is potentially out of sight seems a good chance for McCrorie.

Amid the rotation in between the sticks and Jonny McFarlane previously claiming Rangers should sign a new goalkeeper following McLaughlin’s errors in the SPFL win against Ross County last Saturday, it can only be a matter of time before McCrorie gets his chance.

He’s been with Rangers since the youth ranks and boasts SPFL experience through a loan spell at Livingston but has just two Gers appearances to his name to date, as Clifford said, even if he proves he’s capable of being number two next season, it could relieve Beale of a headache of potentially overhauling the keeping department.

Glasgow Rangers are looking at ending the January transfer window with a bang as Michael Beale aims to add a few new faces to his first-team squad at Ibrox.

The likes of Todd Cantwell, Nicolas Raskin and Morgan Whittaker could well arrive in Glasgow before the end of the week, and the 42-year-old will be keen on pushing a few more deals through to give his Light Blue squad a boost.

Another attacking option could be of priority due to Kemar Roofe’s ongoing injury issues and the fact  that Alfredo Morelos will be out of contract come the summer

To that effect, the Gers have been linked with Cho Gue-sung according to Alan Nixon, and they are battling Celtic for the South Korean’s signature.

Indeed, the Hoops reportedly submitted a £3m bid for the striker according to Anthony Joseph, while 90min understands that there is also Premier League interest in the player, and Beale faces tough competition to land the 24-year-old.

Cho is in high demand following on from his performances at the World Cup with South Korea, where he scored two goals in four matches as his nation reached the last 16 for the first time since 2010, averaging a Sofascore rating of 7.03/10 in the process.

He has also been on fire domestically, netting 17 goals in 31 league matches for Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in 2022. He has plundered a goal every 145 minutes while also registering five assists, and his goalscoring talents would allow him to thrive for Rangers.

Beale could forge a new attacking duo at Rangers comprised of Whittaker and the 24-year-old, and together they could create chaos.

This season, the Swansea City winger scored nine goals and grabbed seven assists while on loan at Plymouth Argyle in League One, offering a constant threat on the right wing.

The 22-year-old delivered a staggering 66 crosses for Argyle in 25 matches and this could benefit Cho, who scored 14 of his 17 goals inside the penalty box, so he would almost certainly receive good service from the young winger.

Both are obvious attacking threats, and while Ryan Kent has been a mainstay on the left wing at Ibrox over the past few seasons, accruing 205 appearances, the club has struggled to have someone command a regular spot on the right flank.

Whittaker could be that man, and having someone alongside him in Cho who is clearly in excellent form and dubbed a “real handful” by journalist Pete O’Rourke could be a dream duo for the Light Blues.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is eyeing a swoop for Real Valladolid’s budding right-back sensation Ivan Fresneda, with a January transfer potentially forthcoming.

According to Football Insider, the Red Devils have entered the race to land the signature of the defender, who has also been subject to intrigue stemming from Arsenal and Newcastle United, with Valladolid resigned to losing their most coveted asset this month.

The 18-year-old Spaniard has emerged as one of the hottest prospects in La Liga over the past year, swiftly asserting himself in a Valladolid outfit that is battling to stave off relegation from the Spanish first division, currently perched in 17th place, one point off the drop-zone.

The right-back zone is an area that United have held a strong interest in bolstering since the arrival of their Dutch manager last year, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka facing an uncertain future despite his purple patch over recent weeks.

Imagine him & Antony

Diogo Dalot is unquestionably the No. 1 in the right-back role at the Theatre of Dreams, having made 23 appearances, scoring one goal and two assists. 

However, Wan-Bissaka, signed in 2019 from Crystal Palace for £50m, has failed to grasp the mantle regarding the deployment down the right flank and has consequently been touted by several outfits this season. 

Signing Fresneda would provide United with one of the most prodigious talents the full-back position has to offer worldwide, providing Dalot with the perfect cover to offer him healthy competition and challenge for a starting berth at Old Trafford.

A fee of €30m (£26m) has been previously attached to the teenager’s name, but United have shown before that they are unflinching in parting with wads of cash should the player in question be deemed an appropriate fit.

And what a signing Fresneda would be; having made 11 appearances this season for his Spanish outfit, starting seven times, he is indeed steadily blossoming into his role having made four consecutive starting displays in the league, earning the trust of his manager despite the club’s perilous position on the cusp of safety.

An innate defensive force, Fresneda would provide the extra iron-clad resolve when defensive organisation and emphasis is required, perhaps in the pivotal moments of a season when maintaining a lead could prove the difference between advancing to the next round of a tournament or securing three points to close the gap on high-flying Premier League table-toppers Arsenal.

As per FBref, he ranks among the best 1% of full-backs in Europe’s top five leagues for tackles, the top 4% for clearances and the top 8% for interceptions – illustrating the wall that would be erected in his presence. 

His stability and assurance would potentially enhance the fortunes of United’s £86m summer signing Antony, who has displayed glimpses of brilliance since his move from Ajax Amsterdam, if not the fluid consistency his outfit cries for. 

Antony ranks among the top 13% of positional peers for total shots, and with Fresneda’s defensive foundation behind him down the right skirting of the Old Trafford pitch, he could finally flourish and start to produce clinical performances with the regularity that earned a move to one of the game’s most illustrious outfits.

Bearing these factors in mind, United must swoop for the 18-year-old Fresneda, who has been described as “beastly” by Juan Arroita, and form a deadly partnership down the right flank, nurturing his skills and growing him into a vibrant force on the continental scene, like a sunflower stretching to the sun.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has admitted that the club ‘will take a decision’ on the future of Dean Henderson at the end of the 2022/23 campaign.

The Lowdown: Goalkeeper latest

The goalkeeper joined Premier League rivals Nottingham Forest on a season-long loan over the summer and has made an impressive start to life at the City Ground.

David de Gea has reportedly entered talks regarding a new long-term contract with United, which has raised questions surrounding the 25-year-old’s role, although the manager has now delivered a fresh update.

The Latest: Ten Hag’s comments

Speaking prior to Tuesday’s 3-0 win over Forest, Ten Hag revealed that Henderson’s future at Old Trafford will be assessed next summer.

Quoted by Manchester Evening News, the 52-year-old said: “No, I wouldn’t give that decision already now. I think he is on a loan for one season. During the season, when the season is coming to an end, we will take a decision and that depends on a lot of factors. He is playing really well at Nottingham Forest.”

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The Verdict: Don’t let him go

Henderson has almost always played second fiddle to De Gea at Old Trafford, aside from a brief spell in 2020/21, but United should keep hold of him given how efficient he can be between the sticks.

The England international has recorded 13 clean sheets in just 29 senior appearances for the Red Devils, not to mention that he still has two-and-a-half years remaining on his current deal with the club.

Dubbed ‘awesome’ by former Sheffield United team-mate Sander Berge, the shot-stopper will have a point to prove upon his return to Manchester, and an accomplished 2022/23 season could help him to force his way into Ten Hag’s plans moving forward.

Tottenham Hotspur have been dealt a potential blow in their bid to bring Randal Kolo Muani to the Premier League next summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to the centre-forward’s agents, who revealed in a recent interview with German media outlet Sport 1 (via Sport Witness) that, despite a number of reports linking the 24-year-old with a move away from Eintracht Frankfurt at the end of the current campaign, the France international is likely to stay put with the Bundesliga side for at least one more season.

This is sure to have come as a huge blow to both Fabio Paratici and Antonio Conte, as French media outlet Foot Mercato reported earlier this month that Tottenham had already held meetings with the player’s representatives regarding a potential switch to north London next summer – while Eintracht are believed to value the striker at a figure in the region of €80m (£69m).

Regarding the interest in the attacker’s services, his agents said: “Our plan is for Kolo Muani to stay in Frankfurt for at least another year. He feels very comfortable at Eintracht. Here Randal has the perfect location for his development. If Kolo Muani scores 20 goals in his second season, then such a move would be more realistic.”

Henry 2.0

While these latest comments concerning Kolo Muani’s future do not appear overly positive for Paratici’s chances of landing the centre-forward next summer, considering just how impressive the 24-year-old has been in Germany so far this season, it would still appear highly advisable for the Italian sporting director to launch a bid for the striker at the end of the current campaign.

Indeed, over his 14 Bundesliga appearances in 2022/23, the £43m-rated talent has been in devastating attacking form, having already scored five goals, registered nine assists – the most in the division – and created six big chances for his teammates, in addition to taking an average of 2.0 shots, making 1.4 key passes and completing 2.0 dribbles per game.

These returns have seen the 6 foot 2 forward average an extremely impressive Sofascore match rating of 7.04, currently ranking him as Oliver Glasner’s third-best performer in the top flight of German football.

The £23k-per-week striker who Glasner dubbed a “great dribbler” has also impressed over his six outings in the Champions League, hitting the back of the net on two occasions, as well as taking an average of 1.8 shots – 1.2 of which have been on target – making 0.5 key passes and completing 0.7 dribbles per match.

The forward has also caught the eye for his country at this year’s World Cup, having featured in the group stage defeat to Tunisia before finding the net this evening against Morocco, scoring a historic semi-final goal with a tap in at the back post.

Furthermore, with the Frenchman also being more than capable of operating from either the left or right wing, coupled with his clear eye for goal and ability to create chances for his teammates, it is no surprise that Bundesliga.com have compared Kolo Muani to a certain Thierry Henry, with the website writing:

“Much like Kolo Muani, legendary France striker Henry started his career by impressing with his pace and trickery out wide before being repurposed as a centre-forward. Both players also clock in around the six-foot-two mark and cut very similar, rangy figures.

“Kolo Muani also has a languid dribbling style and immense turn of speed that were hallmarks of Henry’s game – especially at a young age. He bears similar strength on the ball and a cheekiness to his play that will leave Bundesliga defenders both in his wake and cutting frustrated figures.”

As such, while it would seem as if the striker’s agents are eager for him to remain at Eintracht for one more season, it would appear an extremely wise move for Paratici to do all he can to convince the forward of a move next summer, as the three-cap international is not only extremely deadly in the final third, but he could well be the Premier League’s next Henry-esque talent.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta could dip into the market and snare a former academy prospect, bringing him back to the Emirates Stadium with a lucrative bid.

What’s the word?

90min are reporting that Valencia have initiated contract talks with their rising star Yunus Musah, who signed for the Spanish outfit in 2019, after departing from the Gunners academy. 

With Liverpool and Chelsea also emerging as potential suitors for the dynamic midfielder, Arteta will need to move swiftly if he is indeed to make his move for a player they have been tracking since 2019.

The report states that while Valencia would be open to sale, should they fail in their contractual offer, Musah’s release clause of €100m (£86m) could be a wall too insurmountable to overcome. 

Ramsey heir

Arsenal have gone from strength to strength across the past few seasons, and now top the Premier League table after 14 matches played, ahead of the formidable Manchester City by five points.

There is a desire to improve several departments of the team, however, with The Sun reporting earlier this season that Gunners owner Stan Kroenke will present the Spaniard Arteta with funds to target impactful additions, with the centre of the park and the wide flanks desired.

Musah played an integral role in the USA’s commendable World Cup campaign, where the side finished second in the group phase and lost in a thrilling round-of-16 encounter against the Netherlands.

As per Sofascore, the industrious midfielder recorded an 87% pass success rate in Qatar, making 2.0 tackles per match and aiding his team as the central focal point, linking the offensive and defensive departments with a refined presence that belies his tender age.

His tenacity in the centre offers shades of Aaron Ramsey, who starred for the Gunners, making 371 appearances for the London giants, scoring 65 goals and assists apiece and playing a vital role in securing three FA Cup trophies during his lengthy stay. 

Musah, who ranks within the top 7% for dribbles completed when compared to midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues this term, as per FBref, displays a clear aptitude for seeking out forward transitions and instigating positive plays. 

Much like Ramsey, there is a knack for implementing a forward-thinking mindset into the game, and Arsenal would certainly welcome this approach back to the Emirates, with the “connector” – as Gregg Berhalter calls him – raising the performance of all his teammates when he’s fit and firing. 

Having already plied his trade at Arsenal at youth level, the door remains open for a return, and despite the deal likely being rather expensive, Arsenal would boast a newfound presence of dogged ubiquity in the middle, who could help them continue to rise.

Scottish champions Celtic are seemingly already eyeing potential January moves, with manager Ange Postecoglou having admitted that the Hoops have completed much of their preparation for when the market re-opens.

The winter window proved particularly fruitful earlier this year as the Old Firm giants brought in MK Dons playmaker Matt O’Riley for just £1.5m, having also completed a triple J-League swoop with the additions of Reo Hatate, Daizen Maeda and Yosuke Ideguchi.

That latter trio could well be joined by another Japanese colleague in the form of Vissel Kobe starlet, Yuki Kobayashi, with the emerging centre-back believed to be on his way to Parkhead in the New Year, according to the latest reports.

According to recent speculation in the player’s homeland, the 22-year-old’s move to Glasgow is now all but confirmed, with the Scottish Premiership side set to acquire the highly-rated prospect on a free transfer, with the defender’s existing deal set to expire in January.

To bring in the promising youngster on a free could well prove to be something of a coup as far as Postecoglou and co are concerned, with journalist Sacha Pisani having suggested it is “madness” that the Bhoys are set to land him for nothing.

While something of an unknown to most in Scotland, the belief is that the 6 foot 1 sensation could go on to impress in his new surroundings, with the aforementioned Pisani notably stating of his talents: “Yuki’s good in the air. Reads/anticipates game well. Comfortable on ball as left-footer & very good at blocking shots. A lot of upside.”

The former Japan U20 international – who has racked up 78 appearances for his current side to date at senior level – would offer a unique alternative for those at Celtic Park as a left-footed option at centre-back, offering a potentially more balanced fit to the club’s backline.

Kobayashi’s introduction at left centre-back could well see the Hyogo-born machine form a stellar partnership with full-back, Greg Taylor, with the Scotland international having been in fine form on the left of the defence so far this term.

The 25-year-old – who has provided four goal contributions this season – has been lauded for his displays by both fans, teammates and pundits alike, with ex-Hoops playmaker Kris Commons notably dubbing him the “most improved player in Scotland” amid his recent resurgence.

The diminutive ace was also praised for being “very, very consistent” by the aforementioned O’Riley earlier this season, while the ten-cap gem himself has admitted he has improved “insane amounts” since first arriving from Kilmarnock back in 2019.

With Taylor having seemingly nailed down the left-back berth – despite the signing of Alexandro Bernabei – the £8.2k-per-week menace could well be the man to help guide Kobayashi if he is to join the club in the winter window, helping to form what could be an ‘insane’ and impressive duo on the left side of the defensive unit.

Wolverhampton Wanderers failed to win yet again as they drew 1-1 at Brentford in today’s Premier League clash.

It was a gritty performance from Wolves, who were looking to claw their way out from the relegation zone, although it took a Ruben Neves equaliser in the second half to secure what might yet be an important away point.

Diego Costa, who looked lively during the match, was sent off in stoppage time for violent conduct, and that summed up Wolves’ campaign so far.

Rising star Hugo Bueno didn’t give his best performance either, winning just four of his ten duels during the game and losing the ball ten times, but Adama Traore was perhaps the Old Gold’s biggest liability.

Adama Traore put in another poor performance

Benefitting from an extended run in the team due to Pedro Neto’s injury, the Spain winger hasn’t exactly set the world on fire recently.

Against Leicester City last weekend, the 26-year-old completed just 20 passes as Wolves were thrashed 4-0, and today’s lethargic display won’t do him too many favours either.

A SofaScore rating of just 6/10 was the worst on the pitch today and he failed to threaten Brentford goalkeeper David Raya, registering no shots during the match.

The winger also failed to record a single successful dribble from three attempts while managing to lose possession a staggering 18 times as he struggled to assert his influence on the game.

With just 14 successful passes played, it’s clear that Traore was starved of any meaningful service on the wing, but this shouldn’t have hindered him from dropping deeper and trying to create opportunities.

The Spaniard has heaps of ability, but in tight matches such as today, the 26-year-old needs to be at his best in order to provide plenty of chances for his team-mates. With six failed crosses out of six, it was another bad day at the office.

Wolves face a home clash against Brighton and Hove Albion next week, and it is already looking like a must-win encounter if they are to go into the World Cup break outside of the Premier League relegation zone.