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‘I think he’s the number one contender’ – Carragher tips Arsenal star for PFA award

✇CaughtOffside
By:Ahad Shaukat

Football pundit Jamie Carragher has tipped Arsenal defender Gabriel to win the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award if the Gunners win the league.

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal are leading the Premier League title race at the moment, with a four point lead at the top of the league table.

They are six points ahead of Manchester City and seven points ahead of Liverpool in the standings.
Although it is still too early in the season, they have shown that this could finally be their year to end their league title drought.

The backbone of the team is their defensive strength and their ability to lock down games.

In nine Premier League matches this season, the Gunners have conceded just three goals.

Jamie Carragher praises Arsenal defender Gabriel

All their defenders have been rock solid but the leader of their defensive line is Brazilian centre-back Gabriel.

“I think if Arsenal go on and win the league, right now, I think he’s the number one contender,” Carragher said earlier this week on Sky Sports.

“I look at those other three players (McGrath, Terry, Van Dijk), great players, all leaders for their clubs like Gabriel is.

“Actually John Terry is the only one to win the Premier League in the year he won the PFA Player of the Year award.

“But when you actually look at John Terry and Virgil van Dijk’s role, look at the goals.

“They’re not just big leaders at the back, the number of goals they get… and [Gabriel’s] record is actually far better than theirs when you look at those numbers.”

Gunners have shown brilliance in defense

Gabriel of Arsenal applauds fans
Gabriel of Arsenal applauds fans (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

The season is still young and there is a long way to go but the Gunners have made a strong case of winning the league title this year.

Not only because of their brilliance but also because how teams like Liverpool and Manchester City are struggling to find consistency and form.

After the summer transfer business, Arne Slot’s side looked like clear favourites to defend their league title but Arteta and his team have surprised fans with their performances and their defensive grit.

Report: Arsenal involved in transfer battle with Barcelona for French attacker 

The post ‘I think he’s the number one contender’ – Carragher tips Arsenal star for PFA award appeared first on CaughtOffside.

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“The feeling I have is…”: Mikel Arteta opens up on the future of Arsenal attacker

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By:Saikat

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has claimed that Max Dowman has a long-term future at the club, and the player and his family are happy with his progress so far.

Dowman is regarded as one of the finest young attacking talents in the Premier League, and he has been linked with an exit in recent months.

However, Arsenal have no plans to let him leave anytime soon. He has all the tools to develop an important player for the club with the right guidance. Even though he has not had ample opportunities so far, he is still quite young, and he will adapt to the Premier League eventually.

Dowman has a bright future ahead of himself and has revealed that the player is improving every day. The Arsenal manager also added that Dowman has been excellent in training for the Gunners.

Arteta on Max Dowman

Arteta said during the pre-match presser ahead of the Brighton clash: “We look at his passport every day. We watch in training, and you have to play him; otherwise, I’m blind. He’s coped really well. It’s what we want (Dowman’s long-term future at the club) and what he wants. The feeling I have is that he loves it here. Huge Arsenal supporter and his family are happy.”

👀 Mikel Arteta has had his say on the future of Max Dowman at Arsenal. pic.twitter.com/L9gf4pxqnk

— CaughtOffside (@caughtoffside) October 28, 2025


Dowman will look to play more often

Max Dowman in action for Arsenal
Max Dowman in action for Arsenal (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

It will be interesting to see if he can convince the manager to give him more opportunities in the coming months. Arsenal could certainly use more cutting-edge in the final third, and Dowman has shown that he can add pace, flair, and unpredictability going forward.

He will look to establish himself as an important first-team player in the coming seasons.

Arsenal fans will be delighted to hear that the club is looking to keep one of their best young talents at the club for as long as possible. They will hope that he can fulfil his potential with the Londoners.

The post “The feeling I have is…”: Mikel Arteta opens up on the future of Arsenal attacker appeared first on CaughtOffside.

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Report: Tottenham accelerating move for £88m-rated Arsenal target with 11 goals this season

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By:Saikat

Tottenham are looking to improve their attacking unit with the signing of Samu Aghehowa from Porto. 

The 21-year-old has been in fine form for this season, scoring 11 goals in all competitions. Tottenham are keen on securing his signature, and they are now accelerating their efforts to get the deal done. The player has a £88 million release clause in his contract, and it will be interesting to see if Tottenham are willing to pay up.

As per Fichajes, they are not the only club keen on the attacker, and they will face competition from bitter rivals Arsenal. 

Samu Aghehowa would improve Spurs

It remains to be seen whether Porto sanctions his departure in the middle of the season. He is a key player for them, and his departure in January would be a devastating blow for the Portuguese outfit. 

The Spanish attacker is highly rated across Europe, and he has a bright future. He has all the attributes to succeed in the Premier League, and Aghehowa could be a key player for Tottenham. Dominic Solanke has not been able to score goals consistently, and Richarlison has been quite mediocre since joining the club as well. 

Arsenal keen on Aghehowa

Samu Aghehowa in action for Porto at the Club World Cup
Samu Aghehowa in action for Porto at the Club World Cup (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Arsenal are keen on the striker as well. They have recently signed Viktor Gyokeres. They could certainly use two quality strikers, and the Spaniard could compete with the Swedish international for the starting spot. The competition for places will help both players improve. 

Arsenal will be hoping to win the league title and the UEFA Champions League. They need multiple quality players at their disposal. Another striker would be ideal. 

The 21-year-old will be attracted to the idea of moving to the Premier League. It would be a step up in his career, and regular football in England could help him improve further. 

The post Report: Tottenham accelerating move for £88m-rated Arsenal target with 11 goals this season appeared first on CaughtOffside.

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Report: Arsenal involved in transfer battle with Barcelona for French attacker

✇CaughtOffside
By:Ahad Shaukat

A fresh transfer battle is brewing between two European giants, as Barcelona and Arsenal are reportedly set to go head-to-head for the signature of Lacine Megnan-Pave, one of France’s brightest teenage prospects.

According to L’Équipe, the 15-year-old Montpellier striker has caught the attention of scouts across Europe following a string of impressive performances for the club’s U19 side, where he has already scored two goals this season.

Despite his young age, Megnan-Pave has the physicality and technique to shine at a big club as interest in his services continues to increase.

Barcelona leading Arsenal in Megnan-Pave race?

Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy is currently tipped as the frontrunner to secure his services.

Standing at 6 feet tall, Megnan-Pave already possesses a commanding physical presence for his age. Yet it is his balance, intelligent movement, and natural goal-scoring instinct that have stood out most to scouts.

Montpellier have earned a reputation for developing elite-level French talent, from Olivier Giroud and Rémy Cabella to Elye Wahi, and Megnan-Pave could be the next in that line.

The Catalan giants continue to rebuild their squad structure around young prospects, much like they did with Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsí, and Fermín López.

Barca’s sporting director Deco has already green-lit the pursuit, with talks underway between intermediaries representing the player and the club.

Gunners have a habit of signing the best young talent

Laciné Megnan-Pavé of Montpellier
Laciné Megnan-Pavé of Montpellier. (Photo via L’Equipe)

However, Arsenal remain firmly in the mix. Under Mikel Arteta, the North London club have invested heavily in young, technically gifted players with high developmental ceilings.

The Gunners believe Megnan-Pave could become a star in the future under their environment which encourages young players to shine.

The north-London club have seen the progress of young players like Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly under Arteta and have been highly impressed with that.

Montpellier, meanwhile, are aware that keeping hold of the teenager will be difficult. With European giants circling and no professional contract signed yet due to his age, the French club face an uphill task to convince him to stay in Ligue 1.

Sources: Arsenal & Chelsea scouts watched Champions League star worth €70-80 million

The post Report: Arsenal involved in transfer battle with Barcelona for French attacker appeared first on CaughtOffside.

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