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‘He’s a soldier!’ – Erik ten Hag hails Arsenal defender after Real Madrid win

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Erik ten Hag has expressed high praise for his former player Jurrien Timber following Arsenal’s impressive 3-0 Champions League victory over Real Madrid at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners stunned Europe by dismantling the reigning champions in the first leg of their quarter-final clash, taking a commanding lead into the return fixture at the Bernabeu.

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While much of the attention went to Declan Rice—who netted two stunning free-kicks—and Bukayo Saka, who returned from injury to torment Madrid’s defense, Timber’s contributions didn’t go unnoticed.

The Dutch defender played a key role in helping Arsenal maintain a clean sheet against the dangerous attacking trio of Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr, and Rodrygo.

Ten Hag, who worked with Timber during their time together at Ajax, has been closely following the defender’s progress since his £34 million move to the Premier League.

Despite a difficult debut season that was disrupted by an ACL injury, Timber has bounced back this year to become a consistent performer for Mikel Arteta’s side, making over 40 appearances across all competitions.

Speaking to Dutch outlet De Telegraaf, Ten Hag admitted he didn’t watch the match live, opting instead for Bayern Munich’s clash with Inter Milan, but he caught the highlights of Arsenal’s dominant performance.

He revealed that Timber’s standout display came as no surprise, given what he has seen from the 23-year-old throughout the season.

The Dutch coach described Timber as a “soldier” on the pitch—ruthless, focused, and always ready to execute any tactical instruction without hesitation.

According to Ten Hag, Timber understands the demands of top-level football and approaches every game with a proactive mindset, never waiting for the action to come to him.

He emphasized that Timber’s mentality is rooted in the belief that elite football is a battleground where it’s “eat or be eaten.

” That competitive fire has earned Timber a regular starting role at Arsenal and, in Ten Hag’s view, the young defender is on track to grow into a leadership figure within the squad.

Ten Hag, who has been out of managerial work since parting ways with Manchester United in November, remains an admirer of his former players and their evolution at the highest level.

Timber’s rapid rise, after such a serious injury setback, only reinforces Ten Hag’s confidence in his former protégé’s mental toughness and technical quality.

As the second leg against Real Madrid approaches, Timber’s defensive presence could prove vital in helping Arsenal close out the tie and book a place in the semi-finals.

With praise from a coach who knows him intimately and performances that continue to impress on Europe’s biggest stage, Timber’s journey from Ajax to Arsenal is fast becoming a blueprint for success at the elite level.

Ten Hag, reportedly a candidate for upcoming vacancies across Europe, including at Borussia Dortmund, will no doubt be keeping a close eye on Timber’s continued progress—and possibly even hoping for a future reunion.

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Dwight Yorke urges Man Utd to sign Liverpool flop and £17m Aston Villa star

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Dwight Yorke has encouraged Manchester United to set aside their historic rivalry with Liverpool and consider a bold move for Darwin Nunez during the upcoming summer transfer window.

The Uruguayan striker is expected to part ways with Liverpool after a turbulent season under new manager Arne Slot, who succeeded Jurgen Klopp.

Nunez, who joined Liverpool in 2022 for a potential fee of £85 million, has struggled to consistently deliver on expectations. With only five goals in the Premier League this season, the 25-year-old has faced scrutiny over his performances.

Despite this, former Manchester United forward Yorke sees untapped potential in the striker and believes a fresh start at Old Trafford could help Nunez flourish.

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While interest in Nunez is growing from clubs across Europe, Yorke believes Manchester United must act decisively. The Red Devils have endured a frustrating campaign in front of goal, with Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee—signed for a combined fee exceeding £100 million—failing to make the desired impact.

Manager Ruben Amorim is already eyeing attacking reinforcements, including Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres and Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap. However, Yorke insists that Nunez deserves serious consideration.

Yorke, speaking to GamblingIndustryNews.com, praised Nunez’s energy, presence, and adaptability. He acknowledged that the forward has not lived up to expectations at Anfield but argued that the situation at Liverpool—with stars like Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk dominating the spotlight—has prevented Nunez from becoming a central figure.

In contrast, Yorke believes United could offer Nunez a fresh platform to lead the line and reach his full potential.

Despite the intense rivalry between the two clubs, Yorke emphasized the importance of looking past the history and focusing on the player’s attributes.

He noted that Nunez, now familiar with the Premier League and English football culture, could bring aggression, hunger, and a much-needed attacking threat to Manchester United.

Yorke also touched on Manchester United’s goalkeeping situation, suggesting another potential summer target: Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez.

The Argentina international, who helped his country win the World Cup, appears set for a transfer and may have signaled his exit after Villa’s final home game. Yorke believes Martinez is a significant upgrade over current United goalkeeper Andre Onana, who has endured an inconsistent debut season.

Yorke described the potential acquisition of Martinez as a “no-brainer,” praising the Villa man’s experience and reliability.

With Manchester United finishing a disappointing 16th in the Premier League, the club has one final shot at redemption in the Europa League final against Tottenham.

Regardless of the outcome, major changes are expected at Old Trafford this summer, and Yorke’s comments underscore the need for decisive action in the transfer market.

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Man Utd flop tipped to become a ‘superstar’ under Ruben Amorim next season: ‘He’s a baller’

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Manchester United’s Joshua Zirkzee is poised to make a strong impact under Ruben Amorim next season, according to former winger Lee Sharpe. Despite enduring a tough debut campaign following his £36.5 million move from Bologna, the Dutch forward has shown flashes of promise that hint at a brighter future at Old Trafford.

Zirkzee, who has scored just seven goals in 48 appearances across all competitions, struggled to find his rhythm early on.

Used in a deeper attacking role, the 23-year-old began adapting to Amorim’s tactical demands before a hamstring injury in April sidelined him for several weeks.

Though back in training ahead of United’s Europa League final clash against Tottenham, his involvement in the crucial fixture remains uncertain due to his recent return from injury.

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Sharpe, however, believes Zirkzee has the talent to thrive. He expressed confidence in the young striker’s potential, stating that the player only needs a consistent run of games to truly shine.

Noting that Zirkzee hadn’t enjoyed a sustained stint in the starting lineup, Sharpe suggested that the forward was just starting to settle before injury struck. With a full pre-season ahead, he expects the Dutchman to become a key player in the upcoming campaign.

As Manchester United prepare for the summer transfer window, Zirkzee is set to face new competition in the squad. The club is reportedly close to finalizing a deal for Wolves forward Matheus Cunha and has made progress in talks with Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap.

Sharpe praised both potential signings, highlighting Delap’s physical presence and goal-scoring instincts, as well as Cunha’s creativity and ability to change games.

Sharpe emphasized Cunha’s standout performances in a struggling Wolves side and compared his dynamism to that of Kobbie Mainoo. He did caution that the Brazilian forward’s temperament may need refining but believes his addition would bolster United’s attacking depth.

Looking ahead to the Europa League final in Bilbao, much is at stake for Amorim and his squad. Securing victory would not only mark Amorim’s first silverware with the club but also secure a Champions League spot next season. Sharpe remains optimistic about United’s chances in the final, citing the club’s tradition of delivering when it matters most.

Despite an underwhelming domestic campaign, United’s unbeaten run in Europe this season offers a glimmer of hope. Sharpe underscored the importance of a single, decisive performance that could set the tone for a critical summer rebuild.

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Wojciech Szczesny says Arsenal transfer target is ‘best in La Liga’

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Wojciech Szczesny has spoken highly of Joan Garcia, describing the Espanyol star as the best goalkeeper currently playing in La Liga.

Garcia, who joined Espanyol at just 15, made his senior debut in 2021 and has since become a crucial figure for the club.

Given the number one shirt for the 2022/23 season, the 24-year-old has already made 64 appearances across all competitions, winning fans over with his consistent and confident displays.

Last season, Garcia was named Espanyol’s Player of the Season, which further raised his profile. Arsenal expressed strong interest and even agreed personal terms with the Spaniard. However, the move fell through as the Gunners were unwilling to pay the €30 million (£25 million) release clause set in his contract.

Despite the failed transfer, Arsenal remain keen. If Espanyol are relegated from La Liga, Garcia’s release clause will drop to €15 million (£12.6 million), reigniting hopes of a potential move to north London.

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Meanwhile, Real Madrid have also entered the race, reportedly holding talks with Garcia’s camp in an attempt to lure him to the Santiago Bernabéu this summer.

Within Espanyol, there is growing acceptance that Garcia may be destined for a bigger stage, regardless of whether the club avoids relegation.

Szczesny, who returned from retirement to win La Liga with Barcelona this season, added fuel to the transfer rumors by showering praise on Garcia in a recent interview.

Speaking to Eleven Sports, the former Arsenal shot-stopper said he believes Garcia is the best goalkeeper in the league and one of the finest in both Spain and Europe. His endorsement underscores just how much the young Spaniard has impressed within the footballing world.

Garcia, for his part, remains focused on the present. In a February interview with Estadio Deportivo, he emphasized his commitment to ending his time at Espanyol with dignity should he leave.

He acknowledged that the future is uncertain but expressed a strong desire to bid farewell in a respectful manner, noting the deep gratitude he feels for the club that has shaped his career.

Espanyol’s head coach Manolo Gonzalez also hinted that keeping Garcia might be out of their hands, admitting he cannot guarantee the player will remain at the club beyond the current season.

As speculation grows, all eyes will be on whether Garcia will continue his journey with Espanyol or take the next step in his promising career at one of Europe’s elite clubs.

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