Viktor Gyokeres (Arsenal)
October 2025
Arteta said Arsenal’s nine must absorb drought pressure and keep contributing beyond goals as Gyokeres goes eight matches without scoring after a prolific Sporting spell. Emphasis on space creation pressing and link play persists while Arsenal trust volume and chance quality to restore finishing rhythm.
Ruben Amorim (Manchester United)
October 2025
After four losses in eight across competitions Amorim said he feels daily support from Sir Jim Ratcliffe Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada despite pundit criticism ahead of Liverpool. Board signals a multi-year horizon while performance demands remain immediate with selection and structure under scrutiny before the rivalry match.
Rodri (Manchester City)
October 2025
Guardiola ruled Rodri out with ongoing hamstring trouble and admitted there is no timeline for return after a heavy 2024 ACL and meniscus layoff and a stuttering comeback. Load management failed to prevent recurrence across a dense run of fixtures and City will rotate the six role to protect defensive structure against Everton
Florian Wirtz (Liverpool)
October 2025
After a €150m move, Wirtz is goalless across early league and Champions League outings and was benched versus Chelsea. Criticism has grown, but former coach Kasper Hjulmand insists adaptation time is normal and quality will show.
Liverpool plan patience while slotting Wirtz into Slot’s attacking structure. Short-term benchmarks are chance creation and pressing intensity. A couple of decisive games can flip the narrative and stabilise his role.
Martin Odegaard (Arsenal)
October 2025
Odegaard suffered medial collateral ligament damage against West Ham and is unlikely back before late November. He was withdrawn before halftime in three straight league matches this season after earlier shoulder issues versus Leeds and Nottingham Forest, compounding Arsenal’s creative burden.
Arteta must redistribute chance creation across his front five and eights while protecting the league lead. Medical guidance points to six to eight weeks depending on severity. Arsenal face Fulham, Atletico Madrid, Crystal Palace, Brighton, Burnley, Slavia Prague, and Sunderland without their captain.
Dominic Solanke (Tottenham Hotspur)
September 2025
Tottenham boss Thomas Frank confirmed striker Dominic Solanke has undergone ankle surgery after recurring issues. The forward, sidelined since August, had briefly returned to training but needed a procedure to address persistent problems, leaving Spurs without him for the foreseeable future. Solanke’s injury, sustained in pre-season, had already ruled him out of the UEFA Super Cup. He featured briefly in two early league games but never regained full fitness. Spurs expect a clearer recovery timeline after the international break, compounding Frank’s attacking challenges.
Ruben Amorim (Manchester United)
September 2025
Former Tottenham boss Tim Sherwood blasted Ruben Amorim, claiming he “bluffed his way” into Manchester United by talking well despite poor results. He argued Amorim’s rigid 3-4-3 system doesn’t fit the squad, producing just 34 points from 33 league games. Sherwood said Amorim’s success in Portugal doesn’t translate to the Premier League, where fewer easy games expose tactical flaws. He questioned United’s patience after transfer backing and continued inconsistency, warning Amorim’s refusal to adapt risks dragging the Red Devils into mediocrity.
Jarrad Branthwaite
September 2025
Manchester United are weighing a £65m move for Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite as they seek stability at the back. With Harry Maguire’s contract expiring and United conceding 11 goals in six games, Branthwaite has emerged as their top defensive target. Branthwaite’s mix of physicality and ball-playing ability has made him one of the Premier League’s brightest centre-backs. United face stiff competition from Liverpool, who view him as Van Dijk’s successor, but their desperation for defensive reinforcements could push them into January action.
Eddie Howe (Newcastle United)
September 2025
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe is holding post-game training sessions to sharpen his side’s attacking edge after Alexander Isak’s departure left a major void. Record signing Nick Woltemade has only scored once since joining. Following a 4-1 Carabao Cup win, Howe staged drills at St James’ Park with Woltemade, Trippier, Livramento, Barnes and Tonali to sharpen finishing. With Isak now at Liverpool, Newcastle need Woltemade to adapt quickly or risk enduring a prolonged scoring drought.
Nuno Espirito Santo
September 2025
West Ham have sacked Graham Potter after just six wins in 25 matches, appointing Nuno Espirito Santo as his replacement. Nuno, fresh off leaving Nottingham Forest, has signed a three-year deal and will take charge immediately. With West Ham languishing 19th and out of the Carabao Cup, the club acted swiftly, clearing Potter’s entire backroom team. Nuno will debut on the touchline against Everton, tasked with reviving a squad that has flatlined despite managerial changes.
