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Glasgow Rangers delivered a show this afternoon as they secured three points in their third Premiership match of the season.

The 6-0 win over Ross County at Hampden Park saw three different scorers for the Ibrox side. Tom Lawrence and Danilo netted once apiece, while Rabbi Matondo and Cyriel Dessers grabbed two goals each as the Highland side were put to the sword.

The win will inspire plenty of confidence heading into the first Old Firm clash of the season next week, although Celtic will prove to be much tougher opponents, no doubt about that.

There were several standouts at Hampden today, with Dessers notching his fourth and fifth goals of the campaign.

Cyriel Dessers’ game in numbers against Ross County

The Nigerian international has often been criticised for his ability to seemingly miss chances that were easier to score, yet he still netted 22 goals last term for the Light Blues.

Given that he now has five after just six games so far, and it isn’t September yet, Dessers could surpass last season’s total with ease.

His first against County was a well-taken effort with his weaker foot, while the second saw him slot the ball home from a Matondo delivery into the box.

The centre-forward also made two key passes, created a big chance and won eight of his 13 duels throughout the match, proving he isn’t always trying to find the back of the net.

If this doesn’t give him confidence ahead of next week, then nothing will. There was a player who delivered a better showing than the 29-year-old, however, as Matondo was excellent against the Staggies.

Rabbi Matondo’s statistics against Ross County

This week, the rumour mill had linked Matondo with an Ibrox exit, as Blackburn Rovers looked keen on luring him to the Championship.

Might this performance at Hampden have potentially saved his Gers career, however? The next few days will tell, but on this evidence, the Welshman could be a handy player to have around.

Metric

Dessers

Matondo

Goals

2

2

Assists

0

2

Total shots

3

4

Big chances created

1

2

Key passes

2

3

Not only did the 23-year-old score twice during the game, but he also grabbed two assists, while succeeding with three of his six dribbles, hit the woodwork, created two big chances and made three key passes – having also won five of his ground duels.

Has exit talk inspired him to begin to deliver to the Gers? On this evidence, it looks likely. The winger also won five duels during the tie, ensuring he wasn’t routinely beaten in his one on one battles.

With Celtic the next opposition, if Matondo is in this sort of mood, then he could cause plenty of problems up and down the left flank, especially considering he linked up superbly with Jefte.

Off the back of that 'magical', 9/10 performance – as per Glasgow World's Lewis Anderson – the one-time Manchester City man could have a role to play this season.

On the shortlist: Rangers chasing "outstanding" £2m Wright upgrade

Philippe Clement will need to sell players before he can seal any new signings

ByRoss Kilvington Aug 23, 2024

A midfielder with typical Gunners flair, the schoolboy is set to become the latest talent to come out of the club's Hale End academy

At 14, the world is both your oyster and a forbidden fruit. Your whole life is ahead of you and adolescence should be cherished, yet you can seldom enjoy the wonders of adulthood ahead. For most wannabe footballers, they're still fighting for their careers on a year-by-year basis, dreading their end-of-season reviews.

Max Dowman was born on the very last day of the 2000s. He wouldn't have been old enough to remember prime Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, or understand the significance of Sergio Aguero's title-winner, or realise how England's collapse to Iceland at Euro 2016 tore a nation apart more than the Brexit referendum. It won't be until next decade that he will be able to legally drink during a World Cup.

And yet here he is, training with the Arsenal first team and playing at several age levels up. It's probably a safe bet that he won't be told to leave the Gunners ranks anytime soon.

So who is Dowman and why is he already on the cusp of featuring for one of England's best sides? GOAL is here to take you through all you need to know…

Getty Images SportWhere it all began

Usually, this part of our NXGN profiles is reserved for the first steps of a player's life and the beginning to their career. Alas, as one of the youngest starlets to ever feature in this long-running series, Dowman is an anomaly.

There isn't much, if any at all, information about him even available to the public, such is his extreme youth. Legally, morally or otherwise, he has been protected. Dowman is currently of the age where most players write their first chapters rather than reflect on them.

So, what do actually we know about Dowman and his background? Well, it has long seemed he was destined for greatness regardless of how old he has been. When still only 13, he was called into Arsenal's Under-18 squad, who were then managed by former fan favourite Jack Wilshere. A few months later and after Dowman's 14th birthday, Wilshere admitted he was trying to "fast-track" the midfielder's development through the academy system.

"There's always a concern when fielding such a young player in these matches, but if you're good enough, you're old enough," he said. "He can be more consistent, but he's only 14 and hasn't even started his GCSEs yet. We need to find a balance of letting him play and enjoy because of his age, but also trying to get as much work into him as we can. Hopefully, we can fast-track him and when he goes over to the first team he'll be more ready."

AdvertisementGetty Images SportThe big break

Towards the back end of the 2023-24 season, Dowman was a regular in Wilshere's U18s setup and continued to mix with boys several years older and more experienced. It was at this point that he started to become the focus of media attention, a story that could no longer simply bubble away beneath the radar of modern football reporting.

In an U18 Premier League game with Fulham in which Arsenal ran out 5-2 winners, Dowman came up with four assists. To paraphrase 'Peep Show', that is indeed . There's plenty of coverage surrounding the Gunners' successful academy, but this seemed to be the fixed point in history when the hype train left the station.

It was around this time Dowman also forced his way into the England U16sside, featuring heavily in their Football Federations Cup triumph earlier in 2024. By September, the Young Lions promoted him into their U17s team.

How it's going

The 2024-25 season may turn out to be Year One for Dowman and his senior career, having already been promoted into Arsenal first-team training on several occasions amid calls for him to be handed his first senior appearance. Despite such evident promise, Dowman may yet have to wait for his debut and is only a few weeks away from being denied the opportunity to become the Premier League's first 14-year-old player, with his birthday on New Year's Eve.

Nevertheless, Dowman is thriving with the U18s domestically and U19s in the UEFA Youth League, becoming the youngest-ever scorer in the latter when he netted in a 4-1 defeat to Atalanta in September. In a more recent outing against Sporting CP, he was made a 'target' by the opposition, merely because of how well he was playing.

"Max's bravery and the way he wants the ball is similar to what Ethan [Nwaneri] is doing with the first team at the moment, in terms of the players trusting him to give him the ball and make something happen," manager Max Porter said of Dowman.

"I just felt that the referee today… I'm not usually one for talking about referees and it has no bearing on our performance or result, but I actually felt towards the end he put the players at risk in terms of protecting them. He let a lot go which meant there was no consequence. The Sporting players then began to target Max particularly because of his talent. That was really disappointing and I communicated that to the ref and his assistants at the end of the game."

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Biggest strengths

What comes to your mind when you think of Arsenal's best-ever midfielders? Flair? Grace? Skills and thrills? Congratulations, you've pinpointed what Dowman is all about.

He has previously been listed at 5'7", but obviously is still growing and adapting to the ever-changing features of his body. As such, Dowman is beginning to combine the majesty of a creative dynamo with the running power and striding forcefulness of a more dominant and physical prospect.

It still takes more than technique and prowess to play several age groups up, however. Dowman has received further praise for his fearlessness both on the pitch and while taking to new surroundings. That's the kind of mentality which ought to serve him well on his ascent.

To the delight of Arsenal set-piece coach Nicolas Jover, Dowman has a wicked dead-ball delivery and is proficient at shooting from range. It's like he was made in a lab to play for this iteration of the north Londoners.

Whether starting from deep, out wide or his natural position in the hole, he too has a keen eye for goal. There's the package completer, the last piece of the puzzle for anyone who wants to live in the final third.

Manchester United have been busy this summer ahead of the 2024/25 Premier League campaign, with Erik ten Hag already being given two big signings in the shape of Leny Yoro from Lille, and Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna.

Further recruitment will be needed though if United are to deliver a return to the Champions League qualification spots this season, having finished 8th last season, and eight points off of the top four.

One of the positions being linked recently was right back, with rumors of interest in Bayern Munich defender Noussair Mazraoui to replace/compete with current United right back, Diogo Dalot.

Manchester United transfer news

According to a report from MailOnline, Manchester United are interested in Inter Milan right-back Denzel Dumfries, and have re-visited the proposed swap deal, which involves Aaron Wan-Bissaka. However, the report does state that these talks are not currently advanced.

It also claims that the defender's contract is set to expire in 2025, and this could be seen as a good opportunity for United to pounce on a target they have 'been admirers of for several years'.

Dumfries made 36 appearances for Inter Milan in all competitions last season, scoring four goals, providing six assists, and contributing to 17 clean sheets.

Dumfries vs Mazraoui comparison

Mazraoui made 29 appearances in all competitions, scoring zero goals, providing four assists, and contributing to 10 clean sheets in his 1,982 minutes played for Bayern Munich last season.

Dumfries, who was described as "breathless" by Micah Richards, for his impact down the right-hand side for the Netherlands in Euro 2024, offering width in attack, and brilliantly timed runs going forwards.

It is seen from the stats this season of both players, the Inter star offers more threat going forwards, having that goalscoring ability, as well as the quality to provide crosses into the box and create chances for others.

Dumfries vs Mazraoui comparison

Stats (per 90 mins)

Dumfries

Mazraoui

Non-Penalty Goals

0.18

0.00

Shots Total

1.42

0.83

Assists

0.23

0.20

Shot Creating Actions

2.48

2.64

Progressive Carries

2.76

2.49

Touches (Att Pen)

3.95

2.25

Tackles

1.15

2.39

Aerials Won

1.84

1.46

Stats taken from FBref

Dumfries has the attacking edge from fullback over Mazraoui, bettering him in goals, assists, shots, progressive carries and touches in the penalty area, as well as having a better aerials won metric, which can be used offensively and defensively.

Mazraoui's attacking numbers are still good, creating 2.64 shots per 90 (shot-creating actions), and still providing 0.20 assists per 90, which ranks in the top 15% of fullbacks in the top five leagues. He also doubles Dumfries tackles per 90, but often playing in a back five at Inter Milan, his defensive responsbilities aren't as big, compared to Mazraoui in a back four.

Dumfries ranks in the top 5% for most attacking metrics for a fullback, whilst still having the physicality, speed, and frame of a top-class defender. His ability to contribute to both sides of the ball at such a high level, makes him an excellent prospect at right-back for United.

This could then keep Dalot on his toes as he would have a player with the potential to replace him in the XI to compete with throughout the season.

Related Sky Sports: Man Utd want £21m Ugarte rival who's the "monster" Mainoo needs

He seems set to leave his club this summer

Posts ByJoe Nuttall Jul 28, 2024

Arsenal have now held talks with a £21 million player who's set to feature at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, and it is believed he would really want to make the move to north London.

Edu targeting four key signings for Arsenal this summer

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is aiming to compete with Man City in another Premier League title challenge next season, but this time, the Spaniard will be hoping to make it third-time-lucky and beat his former mentor Pep Guardiola to the crown.

Arsenal desperate to keep "in-demand" gem as Bayern Munich push to sign him

The Bavarians are attempting to steal him away.

ByEmilio Galantini Jul 17, 2024

The summer transfer window, which shuts in over a month on August 30, will be key in determining whether Arsenal can indeed go toe-to-toe with City in what could be another hotly-contested race.

So far, Arsenal have made just one signing, with goalkeeper David Raya joining in a £27 million deal from Brentford. Sporting director Edu Gaspar is yet to land on a deal for any outfield player, despite ongoing talks to sign Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna.

Statistics

Calafiori

Gabriel

Games

29

34

Goals & assists

7

4

Progressive carries

28

13

Pass accuracy

90%

89%

Tackles won

37

28

Interceptions

56

31

Aerials won

71%

55%

Arsenal opened negotiations over Calafiori around two weeks ago, and the Italy international defender has already agreed personal terms on a five-year deal at the Emirates Stadium, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Calafiori to Arsenal deal is apparently being held by FC Basel, with Bologna attempting to negotiate a lower sell-on fee than the 50 per cent clause originally agreed with the Swiss side last summer (La Gazzetta).

Edu will be keen to get him over the line as soon as possible, and preferably before Arsenal's pre-season tour of the USA, which kicks off on July 24. This comes as Arsenal target four key summer signings in another new goalkeeper, defender, midfielder and forward.

Thomas Partey may need to be replaced in the engine room if he does depart in the coming weeks, which has been widely rumoured, while Arteta is said to be keen on signing a striking partner for Kai Havertz.

Arsenal hold talks with Joan Garcia who really wants to join

There is also the matter of Aaron Ramsdale, who's likely to depart London Colney with Partey after losing his number one spot to Raya last term.

Arsenal have a few key goalkeeping targets in mind, and one of them is Espanyol shot-stopper Joan Garcia. According to journalist Steve Kay on KS1TV, via TBR, Garcia would jump at the chance to join Arsenal who've held talks with him.

“Yeah, Arsenal are interested in and they have had talks with the Spanish goalkeeper, Joan Garcia," said Kay.

"There have been conversations going on there, but it’s just conversations. From what I know Garcia would jump at the chance, then you’d have two Spanish goalkeepers there, Raya and Garcia."

The Spaniard, who will represent his nation at the Olympics soon, could also leave for just £21 million due to a release clause in his contract.

Umesh and Shami will undergo rehabilitation at the NCA to try and be fit for the England series in February-March

ESPNcricinfo staff01-Jan-2021From being a net bowler in the original tour party, T Natarajan could return home an international in all three formats, after being named in India’s squad for the remainder of the Test series in Australia.India’s squad for last two Tests

Ajinkya Rahane (capt), Rohit Sharma (vice-capt), Mayank Agarwal, Prithvi Shaw, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Hanuma Vihari, Shubman Gill, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Rishabh Pant (wk), Jasprit Bumrah, Navdeep Saini, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, R. Ashwin, Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur, T Natarajan

Natarajan, 30, replaced Umesh Yadav, who returned to India after sustaining a strain in his left calf muscle during the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. This means India now officially have only one net bowler left, rookie Kartik Tyagi, after Shardul Thakur was added to the squad as Mohammed Shami’s replacement last week. Kamlesh Nagarkoti, the other designated net bowler, hadn’t travelled to Australia after the IPL with the BCCI saying he was “working with the medical team on his bowling workload management”.Yadav and Shami, who fractured his forearm while batting during the series opening day-night Test in Adelaide, will undergo rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru in a bid to be available for some part of the England series at home in February-March.Natarajan stayed on in Australia with the squad after a successful limited-overs initiation into the Indian team. He was the highest wicket-taker across the two sides in India’s T20I series win – six wickets in three games at an average of 13.83 and economy rate of 6.91. Prior to that, he made his ODI debut in Canberra, finishing with 2 for 70 in India’s 13-run win as the lost the series 2-1.Related

There's more to Natarajan than just the yorker

Kohli: 'Outstanding' Natarajan would be great T20 WC addition

Overall, Natarajan has featured in 20 first-class games, all for Tamil Nadu, picking up 64 wickets. His previous red-ball outing came nearly a year ago in a Ranji Trophy fixture against Railways in Chennai.If Natarajan does make a debut in either Sydney or Brisbane, he will be the first left-arm seamer to play Test cricket for India since Zaheer Khan played his 92nd and last Test in February 2014 in Wellington.Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma has linked up with the squad in Melbourne and had his first training session on Thursday after completing a two-week mandatory quarantine in Sydney. Though the next Test is in Sydney, Sharma travelled to Melbourne as the team will leave for Sydney only on January 4. With Ajinkya Rahane the captain, Sharma will take over the vice-captaincy from Cheteshwar Pujara, who did the job for the Boxing Day Test even though it wasn’t announced officially.

MatériaMais Notícias

É dia de festa nas alamedas do antigo Palestra Italia! Para celebrar o aniversário de 107 anos do Palmeiras, personagens importantes para a história alviverde demonstraram carinho e reconhecimento pelo Maior Campeão Nacional.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasCom Jorge avançando na transição, Palmeiras realiza treino tático visando o Athletico-PRPalmeiras26/08/2021PalmeirasInauguração da sala de troféus terá transmissão ao vivo da TV Palmeiras PlusPalmeiras25/08/2021PalmeirasCBF confirma adiamento de jogos na próxima Data Fifa; Palmeiras ficará duas semanas sem jogarPalmeiras25/08/2021

Palmeiras emprestou Lucas Lima ao Fortaleza: veja 24 bons jogadores que “estão encostados” no futebol brasileiro

Ídolos da torcida, atletas do elenco atual, funcionários, personalidades do futebol e outros clubes repercutiram a data em suas redes sociais.

Confira as homenagens ao clube:

Talvez você não tenha me visto jogar, mas nada apaga a história.

Somos o maior campeão nacional, o primeiro do mundo! Tenha orgulho do Palmeiras, assim como tive usando essa camisa durante 16 anos de carreira e tenho até hoje

Somos palestra, somos @Palmeiras! Parabéns, Verdão! pic.twitter.com/3Jyz3fDb6n

— Ademir da Guia (@Ademir_daGuia) August 26, 2021

107 anos de muita História. 🙌🏽💪🏽🐷
Parabéns Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras 👏🏽🎊🎉

Foi uma honra ter defendido essa camisa gigante. 🐷💚 @Palmeiras pic.twitter.com/qdvAj9X1sZ

— Gabriel Jesus (@gabrieljesus9) August 26, 2021

Pulisic praised Musah after he broke out of a cold stretch with an impressive first goal for the USMNT

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Musah scored the game-winner for USMNTFirst international goalU.S. beat Panama 2-0 in AustinFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱ImagnWHAT HAPPENED?

Timing really is everything. Yunus Musah scored his first U.S. men's national team goal in his 42nd cap to break out of months-long cold spell for club and country. The impressive finish came at an opportune time for AC Milan midfielder as it was also the debut goal of the Mauricio Pochettino era for the USMNT.

"I've been dreaming about it for so long. I've come so close as well and to finally score it, I'm so grateful," Musah told TNT.

Following the 2-0 win over Panama, both Pochettino and Christian Pulisic, who is Musah's teammate at Milan and also assisted on the opener, had plenty of praise for the 21-year-old.

AdvertisementImagnWHAT PULISIC SAID

"I told him that was just goalscoring instincts. He's been watching me. Maybe he's been learning a thing or two," Pulisic joked with reporters after the match. "But, honestly, that moment, that's why you play."

WHAT POCHETTINO SAID

"He's not playing a lot the last few games.. When he arrived, we were talking to him and trying to raise his confidence, maybe starting in a different position, but it was just one he's played in the past," Pochettino said. "I think that was a good decision. It's always worth trying to build his confidence to make a player feel that he can perform on the pitch.

"By the way, I knew him when was young and played in the academy of Arsenal and then moved to Valencia and played in the position that today we used. I think it's not new for him."

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IMGANTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Saturday's performance was needed by Musah, who looked out of sorts and lacking in confidence during the USMNT's September friendlies.

Things haven't been much better for Musah on the club level this season either. Following a strong debut campaign at Milan, where he made 13 starts and had a consistent role, he has seen his role diminished under a new manager in Paulo Fonseca. He has played just 150 minutes, with just one start.

Musah started in midfield in Pochettino's first match but he had a different role, shifting to wide central midfielder. In that role, Musah actually had more freedom, venturing between a hybrid winger-center mid-wing back and impacting all phases of the match.

Despite being more of a deep-lying midfielder for both the U.S. and Milan, Musah actually started his career as a highly-touted winger prospect for Valencia after leaving Arsenal's youth academy in 2019. Musah acknowledged Pochettino placement was done by design.

"I can see he knows a lot about my background. He knows about my academy days, playing at Valencia – everything," Musah said. "That's why today I played wide because he knows I used to play wide as well so it's nice that a coach knows about me, has a lot of faith in me."

Pochettino hopes Musah will build on this performance.

"Now maybe he can start to perform and behave in a different way, full of confidence," he said. "That's the importance of our decision: trying to help. We are here to help the players find the best."

New Arsenal signing Mikel Merino has been blown away by head coach Mikel Arteta's training and methods since joining the club.

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Merino joined Gunners this summerMade debut against PSG after shoulder injuryEyes opened by Arteta and his methodsFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Merino finally recovered from a shoulder injury to make his Arsenal debut in the 2-0 win against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday night. The Spaniard has been watching from the sidelines since joining the Gunners but has still been left stunned by what he has seen from Mikel Arteta. Merino even went as far as to describe his injury as a "blessing in disguise" as it allowed him to get up to speed quicker.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesWHAT MERINO SAID

Speaking after the Champions League match, he said of Arteta: "It’s something that is amazing, to be honest with you,” said Merino, when asked about training under Arteta. They do some things that I have never seen in my career. The methods they use are completely new to me, so obviously it takes some time to adapt.

"I don’t want to tell everything that we do, but there is no rest between one moment and the other. They are always challenging you mentally with different stimuluses. It makes you always all the time aware of what is happening around you.

"I think that when you get it, you are in a different level because they challenge you every single day – not only physically, but mentally. That makes you be sharp mentally and that’s what you are going to find out in the game."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Merino's return comes at a timely moment for Arsenal, who have been having midfield problems. The absence of Martin Odegaard has since a drop in creativity in the side and it also means less rest for the likes of Declan Rice, Thomas Partey and Jorginho. With Merino now available for selection, Arteta can rotate his side more.

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR MERINO?

Having played the best part of 30 minutes for the Gunners in midweek, Merino could be in line to start against Southampton in the Premier League on Saturday. The match will also see the return of Aaron Ramsdale, who left for the Saints this summer.

Batsman’s bid to earn a spot in West Indies first-Test line-up hit by washed out first day of final warm-up in Manchester

ECB Reporters Network29-Jun-2020

Jermaine Blackwood poses for a portrait at Emirates Old Trafford•Getty Images

Jermaine Blackwood believes he has something to prove against the world’s leading bowlers, should he find himself back in West Indies’ line-up for the upcoming Test series against England.A measured 112 not out against England in April 2015, in just his sixth Test, remains Blackwood’s only international three-figure score. Having been dropped two-and-a-half years after that century in Antigua, he was a concussion substitute last August and regained his place in the Test squad to tour England after topping the run-charts in the Caribbean’s domestic four-day competition.Earlier this month, Blackwood told ESPNcricinfo his “new way going forward” was to “bat as long as possible”. Now that he is in a position to make the XI for the first Test at the Ageas Bowl on July 8, Blackwood said that remained the plan, rather than going gung-ho from the off.ALSO READ: West Indies to wear Black Lives Matter logo”Over the years people have got the wrong impression about me, like I’m a ball-beater or whatever,” Blackwood told the Press Association after the first day of West Indies’ four-day intra-squad warm-up match at Emirates Old Trafford was washed out on Monday.”But it’s just natural for me, I’m from the Caribbean, it’s only natural for me to score runs. I want to add a little bit more to my game and bat time. I’m really pushing hard for that and I’m really putting the mental work as well in to bat time. Once I bat time, I will score runs.”It’s been two-and-a-half years that I’ve been out of the Test team. This opportunity has come out and I have to grab it with both hands. I have something to go out there and prove against all the best bowlers in the world, I want to score runs against them.”Blackwood’s ton came against an attack featuring James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Ben Stokes, a trio who will almost certainly line up for England in Southampton.A career average of 30.26 in 28 Tests swells to 55.33 in six matches against England, so it is little wonder Blackwood is relishing the chance to face the same opposition.”I always love to play against England because they are one of the best teams in the world and they have one of the best attacks in the world as well,” Blackwood said.”Anderson and Broad are two world-class bowlers so whenever I get the chance, once I bat some time against them I know I will score runs. They are wonderful bowlers but once I can wear them down and let them bowl spell after spell, that is going to be the key thing for me in this series.”Blackwood made 3 and 15 in West Indies’ first intra-squad warm-up last week and his hopes of pressing his claims in the second practice match were dented as intermittent showers conspired to frustrate the squad’s preparations. The match represents the final chance for those on the fringes of the side to push their case for the first Test.Whereas the first practice game between Kraigg Brathwaite’s XI and Jason Holder’s XI was played out amid a heatwave last week, several downpours and a strong gust were the order on a dreary Monday in Manchester.Any prospect of play was officially ended just before 3pm and it is understood that the idea to award the match first-class status has been scrapped, potentially allowing all 25 members of the squad to feature at some point.The initial team-sheet was missing wicketkeeper-batsman Shane Dowrich , who hurt his side in the first warm-up match, and fast bowlers Oshane Thomas and Keon Harding, but there is now no reason why any of the trio should be ruled out of contention altogether. Harding suffered a facial cut when he was struck while attempting to field the ball during that earlier game.West Indies have announced that a Black Lives Matter logo will be displayed on their shirts in the series against England but, for this contest, they will line up in the maroon and navy training kit they wore last week.

Bukayo Saka called for more "consistency" from Premier League referees after Declan Rice was sent off controversially against Brighton.

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Arsenal were held to a 1-1 drawRice red card tilted the balance of the matchSaka left unimpressed with the 'harsh' callWHAT HAPPENED?

Arsenal looked in control and was rewarded for their efforts when Kai Havertz drew first blood in the 38th minute. However, the marching orders to Rice within five minutes of the second-half tilted the balance of the match in Brighton's favour and just before the hour-mark Joao Pedro equalised, making the most of the numerical advantage over the Gunners.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Brighton defender Joel Veltman appeared to be preparing for a quick restart, though the ball was still moving, which would have rendered the kick illegal. In an attempt to delay the restart, Rice nudged the ball away, causing Veltman’s kick to strike him instead of the ball. Despite the minimal nature of the infringement, referee Chris Kavanagh deemed it worthy of a second yellow card, resulting in Rice’s dismissal.

WHAT SAKA SAID

After the match, Saka pointed out that Pedro had committed a similar offence in the first half, kicking the ball away in a manner, but went unpunished. He was frustrated with the lack of uniformity in officiating across the match, telling : "I thought it was a bit harsh for us. We just want some consistency. Joao Pedro booted the ball halfway across the pitch in the first half and got nothing for it, and Dec got the slightest touch and was sent off. It is what it is; I don’t want to put the whole game on the referee as we still had chances to win it. It has been a good start. Today is a disappointment, but it is a long season.”

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL?

The draw against Brighton leaves Arsenal with more than just dropped points to worry about. With Rice now suspended for their next match and new signing Mikel Merino sidelined due to a shoulder injury, Mikel Arteta faces a selection headache ahead of the North London Derby against Tottenham Hotspur on September 15. The manager will now be forced to come up with an alternative blueprint against their bitter north London rivals in the absence of the two key midfielders as they aim to maintain their strong start to the season.