If there’s one player Arsenal have needed in the past few weeks, it’s Lucas Torreira.

The Uruguayan midfielder has missed the past three league games due to suspension, and on Sunday the Gunners really missed his presence where Unai Emery’s side fell to a 1-0 defeat to Everton, putting a major dent in Arsenal’s bid for Champions League football.

Torreira has been lavished with praise since his arrival from Sampdoria last summer, and his absence in the Arsenal side has been sorely missed since his red card against Tottenham.

No Torreira in the side has meant that the likes of Mohamed Elneny have been called upon by Emery to start in the side, and to disastrous results. The Egyptian didn’t even last an hour during the weekend’s loss against the Toffees’, and the Uruguayan is returning to the squad at the right time.

Although Everton was Arsenal’s only defeat during Torreira’s absence, the void the midfielder left in the Gunners team could be felt, with Manchester United and Newcastle all finding chances through the centre of the park, but with Bernd Leno finally picking up form, two back-to-back sheets were registered for the north London side.

With Arsenal’s first Europa League quarter-final game starting against Napoli this week and must win games against Watford and Crystal Palace fast approaching, Torreira returns to a Gunners side who are in need of defensive stability in the midfield so that the more creative midfielders can do their job in the team without the burden of defending.

Torreira, who is valued at £49.5 million (by Transfermarkt), has been one of Arsenal’s signing of the season, and his presence in the side has been missed for the past few weeks. With him back, though, the team have extra defensive cover that they sorely need going into their biggest games of the season, and with the 23-year-old returning, Arsenal are in a better position to fight for top four.

Arsenal fans, how much have the team missed Torreira? Let us know!

Newcastle have apparently offered Rafa Benitez a written offer to extend his contract at the club, in a sign that Mike Ashley and Lee Charnley want the situation that has dragged on for months — and often in public — resolved as soon as possible.

The Newcastle Chronicle report that Benitez is relaxed about the negotiations, and is clearly in no rush, claiming “we have plenty of time”.

But is that true?

It may be that Rafa is trying the Theresa May Brexit approach — run the clock down, and hope it gives you more chance of getting everything you want in a last-minute frenzy.

But Ashley may prefer the European Union method — make your pitch, refuse to budge and wait for them to blink first.

The problem is, of course, unlike the EU negotiations — where May needs the EU deal far more than the EU need the UK to accept it — Newcastle United need Rafa, whereas he does not need them, and all the problems that come with them, as much.

Rafa knows that. Rafa knows that Ashley knows that.

So looking at it from Benitez’s perspective, he is right, there is plenty of time.

But what about the fans? They need to have the situation sorted now. It is season ticket renewal time, and with #IfRafaGoesWeGo campaigns on Twitter, and the prospect of all-out rebellion if that happens, the supporters need answers before they commit sums of money to blindly follow the club amid more broken promises and lack of ambition.

So from their view, the time for progress is now, not the end of the season — by which time it may all be too late.

So does a written offer mean anything has changed? Well, bluntly, not really.

Everyone knows that offers have been suggested and put forward to Rafa. Everyone knows it is not about the salary. Everyone knows what it will take to keep the Spaniard at St James’ Park.

The fact that the latest offer is on paper, changes little. We are not privy to what the written offer contains, of course. But to think it would be to accept lock, stock and barrel everything Rafa has asked for, would be naive in the extreme.

So cynical fans will yet again point to this looking like another Keith Bishop publicity stunt, put out to hoodwink fans into believing Ashley is the proactive voice in negotiations.

To go back to the UK Government Brexit analogy – A deal is on the table, but it is not a great deal and will not be accepted without going back to the table and negotiating a better one for all sides.

What are your thoughts on Rafa’s future Newcastle fans? Is the report of a written offer a significant step? Let us know your thoughts…

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Liverpool fans on Twitter have been busy discussing just how badly they want to see the back of Dejan Lovren, after reports emerged that the defender is attracting interest from AC Milan, Roma and Napoli.

The Croatian signed for the Reds back in 2014 in a £20m deal from Southampton, where he quickly became a laughing stock at Anfield for some woeful performances and his haphazard decision-making.

Are the media letting Jurgen Klopp off lightly for his lack of silverware? The Pl>ymaker FC squad have their say in the video below…

He has regained a shrewd of credibility since Jurgen Klopp arrived on Merseyside, with his last-gasp goal against Borussia Dortmund perhaps the crowning moment of his Liverpool career; he has, for the most part, been a liability, however.

Additionally, with Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip now ahead of him in the pecking order, the 29-year-old looks likely to be stuck on the bench for the foreseeable future; perhaps now is the best time to cash in on him.

As a result of his error-ridden Reds career, a number of Liverpool fans on Twitter are overjoyed at the news of his potential exit…

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The 2018/19 season hasn’t been full of too many reasons for Rotherham fans to celebrate but last Sunday night they were able to praise one of their players following the EFL awards.

Midfielder Will Vaulks was presented with the PFA Player in the Community award for his work with the Bluebell Wood hospice, who are dedicated to helping children and young adults with shortened life expectancy or complex medical needs.

Vaulks’ work with the hospice is exemplary and as such, he gained a terrific number of plaudits for picking up the award.

Reacting to the news on Twitter, fans of the Millers praised the 25-year-old who was described as a legend by one supporter.

Another fan said he hoped to see the player wear the captain’s armband at the club for years to come whilst one more eluded to how good of a role model he is.

The Rotherham man has featured 36 times in the Championship this season and also earned his first international cap for Wales this year.

Here’s the best of the reaction.

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Wigan’s Gavin Massey is out of contract at the end of the season, but the club have begun contract talks in the hope of preventing him from joining reported admirers QPR and Nottingham Forest. However, should the Reds actually be looking to sign him?

What’s the word?

Should Massey fail to agree on new terms with Wigan, then he could make the move to Martin O’Neill’s Forest side in the summer. According to the Daily Mail, there is interest from the Reds but it’s unclear whether they have formal plans to make him part of their squad.

It is understood that the winger would like to stay at his current team but that could depend on whether they stay in the Championship.

Wigan are relegation threatened at the moment, just three points adrift of the dreaded drop zone so the likelihood of a departure could be increased with that in mind.

Promote from within instead

Forest’s problem this season has been a lack of pace and despite Massey being able to supply them with that, they have an equally promising option already at the club.

Although a brilliant player this season, that alternative doesn’t come in the form of Joe Lolley. Rather than him, O’Neill has a young prodigy right in front of his eyes with Arvin Appiah waiting in the wings.

There have been calls for him to feature more often in the first team and instead of seeking an external solution to their problem, Forest need to look closer to home.

The 18-year-old is capable of playing out wide and has already displayed his potential, scoring one goal in the two first-team opportunities he’s been afforded this term.

The England youth international possesses pace and the ability to beat a man, something that could help add an extra level of creativity.

Massey is a player who has struggled for consistency at most of the clubs he’s played for – developing Appiah and promoting him next season would be of greater benefit.

علّق المدرب الإسباني ميكيل أرتيتا، المدير الفني لنادي آرسنال، على تغريدات صانع ألعاب الجانرز مسعود أوزيل، قبل وخلال وبعد مباراة رابيد فيينا في الدوري الأوروبي.

وتم استبعاد مسعود أوزيل من تشكيلة أرسنال في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز والدوري الأوروبي في هذا الموسم، ولن يُشارك في أي مباراة رسمية مع الجانرز، حتى يناير القادم على الأقل.

آرسنال قلب تأخره أمام فيينا وفاز بهدفين مقابل هدف، في المباراة التي جمعت بينهما مساء اليوم الخميس على ملعب “أليانز”، ضمن لقاءات الجولة الأولى من دور المجموعات للدوري الأوروبي.

أوزيل قبل المباراة، كتب عبر حسابه بموقع “تويتر”: “عندما لا أستطيع الدعم على أرض الملعب ومساندة فريقي سأفعل ذلك أمام التلفزيون في لندن”.

وأضاف: “توقعاتي للمباراة أن آرسنال سيفوز 4/1 خارج الأرض، سيسجل الأهداف كولاسيناك، النني، لاكازيت، وبيبي”.

وتأخر آرسنال بهدف بعد خطأ من بيرند لينو، مما دفع أوزيل ليُغرد مجددًا، حيث كتب: “ما زال لدينا الوقت الكافي لتغيير هذا الأمر يا رفاق، هيا يا آرسنال”.

وعقب نهاية المباراة غرد لاعب ريال مدريد السابق: “من الجيد أن تبدأ البطولة بثلاث نقاط، من كان رجل المباراة؟ خياراتي الأربعة: توماس بارتي، أوباميانج، محمد النني، ديفيد لويز”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. أرتيتا يشيد بـ بارتي بعد انتصار آرسنال على رابيد فيينا

وقال أرتيتا في المؤتمر الصحفي عقب نهاية المباراة؛ عندما سُئل عن الأمر: “هذا عظيم، هذا ما أريده من كل اللاعبين غير الموجودين في فريقنا، لم أتوقع أي شيء مختلف، لذلك من الجيد أن أسمع ذلك”.

وعما إذا كان يجد أنه من المحبط أن هناك الكثير من الحديث عن أوزيل: “لا.. أنه جزء من الوضع الذي نواجهه”.

وتابع: “عندما يكون لدينا لاعبون كبار في هذا الموقف، فمن الطبيعي أن يرغب الناس في معرفة ذلك، والمٌشجعون يريدون معرفة المزيد من المعلومات”.

وأتم: “أنا أتعامل مع الأمر بطريقة طبيعية، وأحاول الرد بصدق ووضوح وإعطاء المزيد من المعلومات”.

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Celtic fans have taken to Twitter to heap praise on Kristoffer Ajer, after the centre-back put in a match-winning display in the 2-1 win over Rangers in the Old Firm Derby.

The young Norwegian international was making his 16th league start of the season, and handled the heated occasion admirably amidst a scuffle between Scott Brown and Alfredo Morelos and a brawl following the final whistle.

Check out Keith from C’mon the Hoops’ fascinating video on the origins of the Old Firm derby below…

For a player just 20 years of age to compose himself and focus in arguably one of the biggest games on the calendar for Celtic fans takes some doing.

Ajer didn’t have to deal with the threat of Morelos after the striker’s 31st-minute red card, although he still adequately handed anything that came his way with ease to draw praise from a lot of Hoops supporters.

He also made a huge last-ditch block just one yard from his own goal line with minutes remaining to maintain the lead – a truly heroic effort that essentially sealed the result in Celtic’s favour.

Let’s see what the Celtic fans on Twitter have been saying about the youngster’s performance…

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Newcastle United and Crystal Palace will both be looking to edge nearer to the ‘magic 40-point mark’ when they meet at St James’ Park on Saturday, with Stuart Attwell being appointed to officiate the match on Tyneside earlier this week.

Both teams come into the clash having suffered defeats this week, with the Magpies losing 2-0 to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Monday, and the Eagles on the end of the same scoreline just a few miles down the road at Tottenham Hotspur’s brand new stadium on Wednesday night.

The south London outfit’s form in their previous six games in all competitions has certainly been up and down – mainly the latter in all truth – as they have been beaten four times and picked up all three points on two other occasions.

One of those was against already-relegated Huddersfield Town at Selhurst Park last weekend, where they really toiled before getting two goals later on in the proceedings.

The frustration with manager Roy Hodgson is there for all to see, especially at home where they have the 18th-best home record in the division.

Compare that to seventh-best away and it is clear to see where Palace are stronger, and the presence of Attwell in the middle of the park on Saturday may just be a lucky charm that hands Hodgson yet another reprieve.

The 36-year-old has officiated in 17 Premier League matches this term, with 41.2% of those ending with the away team winning, as per stats-based website WhoScored.

That is the fifth-highest percentage out of the 18 referees that have taken charge in the top flight during the current campaign.

When you combine that statistic with Palace’s record on the road, you would have to fancy Hodgson’s men to record another memorable away day – they’ve certainly had their fair share of those already this season.

A Crystal Palace fan shares his most gutting moment of the last 10 years supporting the Eagles in the video below…

The hosts will certainly have something to say about though and while they flatter to deceive on their travels, they have actually won their previous five fixtures at St James’ Park.

An interesting spectacle awaits, and Hodgson will hope that the gods are shining down on him against the Magpies to give him some more breathing space from an irritated and demanding set of supporters.

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Arsenal are lining up a summer bid for Argentina international Walter Kannemann, per the Daily Mail.

The 28-year-old has won three caps for his country since making his debut in September 2018.

What’s the word?

Gunners boss Unai Emery is reportedly keen to bolster his defence this summer.

And the Mail report that the Gremio star, who plays as a left-sided centre-back, has a £10.2million release clause in his contract.

A number of South American sides, including Boca Juniors and Independiente, are also said to be interested but they will struggle to trigger his release clause.

The Gunners, however, should have no such trouble.

Emery is aware that Laurent Koscielny will turn 34 in September, while Shkodran Mustafi has endured a torrid season in terms of his performances.

Kannemann can also play as a left-back but has never played in Europe, starting his career with Argentine club San Lorenzo, before a move to Mexican side Atlas and then, most recently, to Brazilian outfit Gremio.

An untested talent

This is a risk for Arsenal.

Kannemann would clearly come in to replace Koscielny, who, while still a quality defender, is beginning to show signs of ageing.

However, it is rare that players signed from South America instantly adapt to life in Europe and there may well be a bedding-in period.

That is not what the Gunners need; they would be well advised to instead hunt for an assured, experienced centre-back with European pedigree.

While his scouts will surely be doing their homework, Emery could very easily end up with another Mustafi on his books if he is not careful.

After fifteen years away, a return to the top flight of English football is within touching distance for Leeds United.

The club’s transformation under manager Marcelo Bielsa has seen them emerge as one of the best footballing sides in the Championship this season and with just five games left to play, they are in a superb position to secure automatic promotion in May.

After securing a vital 2-0 victory away at Preston North End in midweek, the Whites moved ahead of Sheffield United in the standings after Chris Wilder’s side were held to a draw by Birmingham City.

Although they may only have a one-point advantage over the Blades, the key thing for Leeds is that they are now in control of their own fate. Speaking to the Yorkshire Evening Post ahead of Saturday’s clash with Sheffield Wednesday, Bielsa acknowledge the current situation by outlining that: “We have to win the five games left.

When you have few points left to win because you’re in the last few games of the league, the gap or the space for mistakes reduces. Anything can happen in one football game.”

By securing maximum points between now and the end of the season, Leeds will guarantee promotion and so it is correct that their Argentine manager is striving for perfection.

Whether they can achieve this could depend on who scores the first goal in these games. In the nineteen games this season in which the Whites having taken the initial lead, they have won every single game which is an astonishing statistic at any level of football.

Whilst the club’s supporters will understandably be keeping an eye on what is happening at Bramall Lane on Saturday between the Blades and Millwall, by focusing entirely on what his side has to achieve, Bielsa is giving Leeds the best possible chance of securing promotion.

What do you think Whites fans? Can your side win all five of their remaining fixtures? Could they still overtake Norwich City and win the league title? Let us know below.