The Mandela National Stadium in Kampala, Uganda, sets the stage tonight, August 26, 2025, for a heavyweight clash between Morocco and Senegal in the CHAN semi-finals. Kick-off is at 8:30 PM local time (Morocco/Senegal) – 20:30 EAT.
Team Form & History
Morocco – Two-time CHAN winners (2018, 2020). Reached the semis after edging Tanzania 1-0.
Senegal – Defending champions, booked their spot with a 1-0 victory over hosts Uganda.
Match Highlights
Head-to-Head – Morocco defeated Senegal 2-1 in the 2020 CHAN quarter-finals.
Morocco’s Strengths – Rock-solid defense (7 goals scored, 2 conceded); Oussama Lamlaoui leads the attack with 4 goals.
Senegal’s Edge – Best defensive record in the tournament (only 1 goal conceded); Oumar Ba delivered the winner against Uganda.
What to Expect
This semi-final is already being called an “early final”, with both sides boasting elite pedigree. Morocco’s attacking sharpness meets Senegal’s defensive resilience — a clash that could easily be decided by penalties.
Liverpool travel to St. James’ Park for the first-ever “Isak Derby” as transfer drama over Alexander Isak fuels a high-stakes clash with Newcastle United.
The Subplot: Isak Saga Adds Extra Edge
This isn’t just another Liverpool match—it’s the Isak Derby. Alexander Isak’s public fallout with Newcastle has dominated headlines. He’s declared the relationship irreparable and Liverpool’s failed £110 million bid only added fuel to the fire.
Eddie Howe has labeled the situation a distraction, while Liverpool boss Arne Slot insists his team has sufficient attacking alternatives beyond Isak.
Team News & Tactical Notes
Newcastle United
Formation: Expected 4-3-3 with Anthony Gordon spearheading attack and flanked by Elanga and Barnes.
Context: Without Isak, Newcastle will lean on collective strength and home advantage to unsettle Liverpool.
Liverpool
Injuries: Right-back Jeremie Frimpong is sidelined with a hamstring injury; Conor Bradley has resumed training but remains doubtful. Arne Slot may field Joe Gomez or rotate with Endō or Szoboszlai.
Attacking Depth: Slot emphasized his confidence in players like Salah, Hugo Ekitike, Cody Gakpo, Florian Wirtz, and Chiesa to operate without Isak.
Rivalry & Motivation
Newcastle carry strong momentum, having beaten Liverpool 2–1 in the recent EFL Cup final—ending a 70-year trophy drought. Meanwhile, Liverpool are the defending Premier League champions, and revenge is a potent motivator.
Records on the Line
Liverpool can set two club records this match: scoring in the most consecutive games and the most consecutive away games.
Predictions & Odds
Bookmakers favor Liverpool, continuing their strong away record at St. James’.
Talksport notes Hugo Ekitike as a likely impact player given his form.
Head-to-Head Record
Last 5 PL meetings: Liverpool W4, Newcastle W0, Draws 1
Last meeting at St. James’ Park: Liverpool won 2-0 (August 2023).
Newcastle haven’t beaten Liverpool in the league since December 2015.
Final Thoughts
The “Isak Derby” isn’t just about 90 minutes of football—it’s about pride, power, and narrative. Newcastle aim to capitalize on home soil amid off-field chaos. Liverpool arrive with intent, history, and depth. Expect fireworks.
Fulham and Manchester United played out a thrilling 1–1 draw at Craven Cottage on Sunday, August 24, 2025. Despite United taking the lead, Fulham’s late equalizer ensured the spoils were shared in a match full of drama and momentum shifts.
Match Summary
United took the lead when Leny Yoro’s header deflected off Rodrigo Muniz into his own net. However, the lead was short-lived. Emile Smith Rowe, introduced as a substitute, equalized just 93 seconds later, finishing a well-timed cross from Alex Iwobi. Reuters
Turning Points
Bruno Fernandes missed a crucial first-half penalty, skying the ball over due to a momentary distraction—an incident he later attributed to being inadvertently knocked by the referee. The GuardianTalkSport
After scoring, Manchester United turtled defensively, a shift that frustrated manager Ruben Amorim, who urged his side to “grow up” and trust their attacking instincts. The GuardianReuters
Marco Silva lauded Fulham’s response and squad perseverance, particularly praising the timely impact of substitutes like Smith Rowe. The GuardianThe Times
Final Score
Fulham 1–1 Manchester United
Goals: Muniz (OG, 1–0 United) | Smith Rowe (1–1 Fulham)
Fulham hosts Manchester United on Sunday, August 24, 2025, at Craven Cottage in a highly anticipated Premier League clash. Both sides are chasing early-season momentum and looking to make a statement.
Team Form
Fulham started their campaign with a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Brighton, rescued by Rodrigo Muniz’s stoppage-time equalizer. Marco Silva’s side will aim to capitalize on home advantage and frustrate United’s defense.
Manchester United, under Ruben Amorim, opened the season with a narrow defeat to Arsenal but showed flashes of promise through new signings Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha. The Red Devils are seeking their first league win of the season.
Key Matchups
Rodrigo Muniz vs United’s defense – The Brazilian striker’s aerial threat and physicality will be key for Fulham.
Bryan Mbeumo’s creativity – United’s summer signing has the pace and dribbling to unlock Fulham’s back line.
Midfield battle – Antonee Robinson’s forward surges and Fulham’s compact midfield will test United’s rhythm in possession.
Team News
Fulham: Marco Silva will be without several squad players but is expected to field a strong XI led by Bernd Leno, Robinson, and Muniz.
Manchester United: Ruben Amorim could hand more minutes to new arrivals Benjamin Šeško and Matheus Cunha, while experienced stars remain central to his plans.
Prediction
Fulham are tough to beat at Craven Cottage, but United’s attacking depth could prove decisive. Expect a competitive game with chances at both ends.
Tottenham Hotspur stunned Manchester City with a statement 2-0 victory at the Etihad Stadium on August 23, 2025. Under new coach Thomas Frank, Spurs earned their third win in their last five league visits to City, showing that their resurgence is no fluke.
Match Highlights
Goals: Brennan Johnson broke the deadlock in the 35th minute before Joao Palhinha doubled Spurs’ lead in first-half stoppage time, capitalizing on a costly error by debutant goalkeeper James Trafford.
Performance: Tottenham delivered a disciplined display, pressing intelligently and exploiting defensive lapses in City’s backline.
Tactics: Frank’s strategy targeted City’s high defensive line, and his players executed it with precision and confidence.
Key Takeaways
Spurs’ Statement: Tottenham combined organization with aggression, cutting off City’s rhythm in midfield and looking clinical in attack.
City’s Setback: Pep Guardiola’s side looked unusually sloppy, vulnerable in transition, and short of creativity when chasing the game.
Debut to Forget: James Trafford endured a nightmare debut, his mistake gifting Spurs their second goal and killing City’s momentum.
Final Thoughts
This result sends a clear message: Tottenham are not just outsiders but serious contenders this season. Frank’s tactical discipline and fearless approach have given Spurs a flying start, while City must regroup quickly to avoid further early stumbles in their title defense.
Manchester City takes on Tottenham Hotspur today, August 23, 2025, at the Etihad Stadium in Gameweek 2 of the Premier League. Both teams are coming off strong wins in their opening matches.
Team Form
Manchester City opened their season with a commanding 4-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers, with Erling Haaland scoring a brace. Tottenham Hotspur impressed under new coach Thomas Frank, securing a 3-0 victory over Burnley, with Richarlison netting twice.
Key Matchups
Erling Haaland continues to chase scoring records after his double against Wolves and will be Manchester City’s main threat.
Richarlison, who also scored twice in Tottenham’s opener, will be pivotal to Spurs’ attacking hopes.
Team News
Manchester City will be without Mateo Kovacic and Kalvin Phillips (both Achilles injuries), as well as Savinho, Josko Gvardiol, and Marcus Bettinelli. Tottenham Hotspur are missing James Maddison (ACL), Radu Dragusin, Dejan Kulusevski, and Bryan Gil, all sidelined with knee injuries.
Prediction
With both sides boasting attacking firepower but also missing key players, this promises to be an open, entertaining contest. City’s home advantage and Haaland’s form could tilt it their way, but Spurs under Frank look organized and dangerous on the counter. Expert predictions lean towards a close scoreline, ranging from a 2-1 to a 3-2 victory for City.
Just like in life, where we learn not to buy every trending gadget but save for what truly matters, smart clubs don’t spend whimsically. They invest sensibly.
That’s exactly how Arsenal approached this summer. Instead of flailing with emotion, they reinforced carefully with what mattered.
The Big Picture
Arsenal have finished runners-up three seasons in a row:
2022/23; 84 points (2nd)
2023/24; 89 points (2nd), the second-highest in club history
2024/25; 74 points (2nd), despite disruption
They led the Premier League in set-piece goals in 2023/24 and remained defensively elite last season. You don’t dismantle that; you build on it.
Key Departure
Every rebuild starts with exits. The biggest?
Thomas Partey; After 167 Arsenal appearances, the midfield stalwart left for Villarreal on a free (Reuters). His departure wasn’t sentimental; it opened a gap that needed filling with both experience and energy.
Purposeful Arrivals
Instead of chasing headlines, Arsenal signed profiles that fit:
Martín Zubimendi → midfield control and press-resistance
Viktor Gyökeres → proven No.9 with physical presence
Noni Madueke → 1v1 wing dynamism
Christian Nørgaard → depth + leadership
Kepa Arrizabalaga → goalkeeping reinforcement
Cristhian Mosquera → young, versatile centre-back
And now, the headline act: Eberechi Eze. The Crystal Palace star is set to arrive imminently, adding exactly what Arsenal have lacked; a creative, ball-carrying midfielder who can break lines, beat defenders, and unlock low blocks.
Eze isn’t just flair; he’s production: dribbles, set-pieces, goals from midfield. In a side often criticised for lacking unpredictability in the final third, he changes the equation.
Timing Over Drama
Transfers closed in phases; not based on panic, but process.
Early arrivals: Zubimendi, Nørgaard
Mid-window: Madueke, Gyökeres
Late-window: Mosquera
Final touch: Eze, a deal negotiated patiently to land a player Arteta specifically wanted
This wasn’t chaos; it was methodical negotiation, timing, and relationship management.
Profiles Over Fame
Arsenal’s summer is proof that names don’t win titles; fit does.
Each signing complements the other, rather than crowding the squad with redundant star power.
Early Evidence
Day 1 of the season? Arsenal delivered a clinical away win at Old Trafford; sealed with a set-piece header from last summer’s signing. That’s not hype, that’s maturity. With Eze’s imminent arrival, the attack could find the extra gear that turns runners-up into champions.
The Long View
High baseline; Three consecutive 2nd-place finishes prove elite consistency.
Marginal gains; Defence is already solid, add more goals, and the title race swings.
X-factor incoming; Eze brings creativity Arsenal haven’t had since peak Özil.
Wrap-Up: A Summer of Purpose
This transfer window wasn’t about shiny headlines. It was about building tools the squad lacked. Eze’s arrival gives this plan its cutting edge.
Coming up in Part 3, we’ll look at the youth revolution; the gamble on Hale End graduates that could turn this blueprint into something uniquely Arsenal.
Part 1 showed how Arsenal’s consistency set the stage.
Part 2 proves their recruitment was deliberate, not emotional; capped with Eze’s dynamism.
Ademola Lookman, the Nigerian forward and reigning African Footballer of the Year, has returned to Atalanta after his proposed transfer to Inter Milan collapsed.
Transfer Standoff
Lookman was keen on a move to Inter Milan, but Atalanta rejected Inter’s €45 million bid, holding firm on their €50 million valuation.
In response, Lookman submitted a transfer request, skipped team training, and even trained privately in England to push for the move.
Return to Atalanta
On August 19, 2025, Lookman rejoined Atalanta’s training camp after Inter Milan officially withdrew their interest.
Potential Disciplinary Action
Atalanta is reportedly considering disciplinary measures, which could include fines and wage deductions for Lookman’s unauthorized absence.
What’s Next for Ademola Lookman? 🤔
His representatives are now exploring options with Premier League clubs including Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City, and Aston Villa.
His availability for Atalanta’s Serie A opener against Pisa remains uncertain given the tension between the player and the club.
Long-Term Outlook
For Lookman, resolving this standoff will be crucial. A clear decision on his future , whether staying at Atalanta or securing a transfer is needed to allow him to move forward and continue building on the impressive career trajectory that has earned him recognition across Europe.
As someone who watches almost every Arsenal game, I can’t help but sigh at how often we waste transitions. We win the ball, there’s space to attack, and instead of punishing teams, we stall or turn it over. Arteta’s side is tactically solid, but when it comes to rapid, incisive counters or breaking down stubborn low blocks, we still fall short. The truth is simple: we lack transitional players.
That’s where Eberechi Eze comes in.
Why Eze Is the Missing #10 Arsenal Need
Eberechi Eze thrives in the exact areas where Arsenal struggle. He is an elite dribbler, ball carrier, and passer. He can run in behind, dictate attacks, and he’s comfortable both from the left wing and as a number 10.
And the numbers back it up:
3.59 dribbles attempted per game, 2.03 successful – ranking among the best in the league (FootyStats)
2.06 key passes per game – 94th percentile (FootyStats)
0.28 assists per 90 with 0.30 xA – again top percentile (FootyStats)
3.6 shots per 90 – bettered only by Haaland, Jota, Palmer, Madueke, and Enciso (Opta Analyst)
While Ødegaard gives Arsenal incredible control, he isn’t the type to accelerate play or constantly make runs off the ball. Eze is. And that’s why he feels tailor-made for this team.
What Does That Mean for Arteta’s System?
Picture this: Eze playing as a right-sided 10, constantly interchanging with Saka. The underlaps, overlaps, and direct runs would be a nightmare for defenders. Ødegaard can dictate tempo, but Eze can be the spark that turns dominance into goals.
He also offers versatility. Whether he’s central or drifting left, he provides penetration that Arsenal currently lack. For a squad that already boasts depth, Eze gives Arteta another dimension—control plus chaos.
The Left-Wing Factor
Another underrated part of Eze’s game is how effective he can be on the left wing. This matters because while Martinelli and Trossard are excellent, their profiles are similar in some ways.
Martinelli is explosive and direct, but he relies heavily on his pace and instinctive finishing. He thrives in space but can get crowded out against low blocks.
Trossard offers smart movement and link-up play, but he’s more of a tidy connector than a line-breaker.
Eze brings something different. He can isolate a defender one-on-one and beat him, or he can cut inside and carry the ball through midfield. His ability to combine dribbling with creative passing means he isn’t just a threat to score—he creates for others too. On the left wing, he would give Arsenal a different dynamic: less predictable, more versatile, and harder to shut down.
That flexibility makes him even more valuable. He can rotate with Martinelli and Trossard while still offering qualities neither of them bring consistently.
Proven Performer Under Pressure
Eze isn’t just about highlight reels, he produces when it matters.
He scored from outside the box in the FA Cup semi-final vs Villa, then sealed Palace’s first-ever major trophy with a volley against Manchester City in the final (Wikipedia).
He contributed goals and assists against top opposition like City, Arsenal, Forest, and Villa during Palace’s cup run (Opta Analyst).
In the quarter-final against Fulham, he scored and assisted in quick succession to carry Palace through (Vanguard News).
These aren’t just good performances. They’re big-game moments. Arsenal need more of that.
Arsenal’s Elite-Level Attack… Finally Complete
Arsenal’s attack is stacked. Saka, Madueke, Gyökeres, Ødegaard, Havertz—all give Arteta variety and control. What they haven’t had is the individual brilliance that consistently breaks games open in transition. Eze brings that.
Think back to City at their peak: Haaland, De Bruyne, Mahrez. Or Liverpool at their best: Salah, Trent, plus four or five forwards capable of deciding games. Arsenal finally have the makings of that same unpredictability.
Bottom Line
Arsenal already have the depth and the system. What they needed was transitional quality and direct individualism in the final third. That’s exactly what Eberechi Eze provides.
He won’t just slot into Arteta’s side, he’ll elevate it. From the moment he pulls on the shirt, his ability will be undeniable. The dribbling, the creativity, the transitional threat—it’s all there.
With Eze, Arsenal won’t just be contenders. They’ll be winners.
Eberechi Eze looks set to make a dream return to Arsenal—the very club where his football journey began. 🚀 A lifelong Gunners fan who once came through the Arsenal academy, Eze has developed into one of the Premier League’s brightest attacking talents at Crystal Palace.
After an impressive 2024/25 season, where he registered 14 goals and 11 assists, Arsenal is now moving to bring him back to North London. 🔥
Key Details on Eze’s Potential Move to Arsenal
Transfer Developments: Arsenal reignited their interest following Kai Havertz’s knee injury, with Eze emerging as the top target.
Player Preference: Eze has made it clear he prefers a move to Arsenal over rivals Tottenham.
Transfer Fee: Reports suggest Arsenal is preparing a £60 million bid for his signature.
Why This Move Matters
Proven Creativity: Eze brings flair, vision, and end product—qualities Arsenal have sometimes lacked against deep-defending teams.
Tactical Fit: His versatility across the attacking midfield and wide roles makes him a natural fit for Mikel Arteta’s fluid system.
A Homecoming Story: Beyond tactics, this would be a personal dream fulfilled—a boyhood fan returning to the Emirates to wear the red and white.
Final Take
If this deal materializes, it could be one of Arsenal’s most exciting signings in recent years. Eze offers not just quality and versatility, but also a deep emotional connection to the club—a combination that could ignite both the squad and the fans.
