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Fast bowler responds to India not selecting him for their white-ball series against Australia in October

ESPNcricinfo staff15-Oct-2025

Mohammed Shami refuted any doubts about his fitness on the eve of Bengal’s first game of the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy, saying he wouldn’t be playing four-day cricket if he wasn’t feeling right.Shami last played for India during the 2025 Champions Trophy in March. The team has since gone on a Test tour of England, won the Asia Cup T20Is and swept West Indies 2-0 to kick off the new home season. It was in response to India excluding him from their next assignment – a white-ball tour of Australia starting later this month – that Shami said, “if I can play four-dayers [Ranji Trophy], I can also play 50-overs cricket.””Selection is not in my hands. If there is a fitness issue, I shouldn’t be here playing for Bengal,” the fast bowler was quoted as saying by PTI on Tuesday. “I think I do not need to speak on this and create a controversy. If I can play four-dayers [Ranji Trophy], I can also play 50-overs cricket.”Shami, who recently turned 35, has played only nine international games since recovering from ankle and knee injuries.”About giving an update, it’s not my responsibility to give an update or ask for an update,” he said. “It’s not my job to give updates on my fitness. My job is to go to the NCA [Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, formerly National Cricket Academy], prepare and play matches. That’s their matter who gives them updates or not. It’s not my responsibility.”India’s chief of selectors Ajit Agarkar explained Shami’s absence from Test cricket (his last outing was in June 2023) by saying he hadn’t played a lot of first-class matches in the last two-three years. “So, as a performer, we know what he can do. But, he will need to play something,” Agarkar said.Shami was a regular member of the Indian team, with 197 matches across formats since making his debut in 2013. He played a starring role during their run to the ODI World Cup final two years ago and remains hopeful of representing the country again. His recent performances include bowling 30 overs in nine matches in IPL 2025 and then turning up for East Zone in the Duleep Trophy this August.”Keep fighting, keep playing games. If you perform well, it will benefit you as well,” Shami said. “Selection is not in my hands. I can only prepare and play matches. I’ve no objection… If you don’t select me, then I will come here and play for Bengal. I’ve no issue with it.”I also don’t want to play in pain or make the [Indian] team suffer. I wanted to come back after the operation and make a strong comeback. I am trying to do the same. I am ready to go whenever they [selectors] want me to go.”Shami added he still values domestic cricket highly. “In the old days, Ranji Trophy was a big level for anyone. But today, we have a platform, and you think it’s an ‘insult’ to go back to play junior cricket like Ranji Trophy. I don’t think so. You should play four-day cricket.”

Everton’s stance on selling Tim Iroegbunam in the January transfer window has now been revealed, amid a key decision from manager David Moyes.

Moyes has implemented a 4-2-3-1 system with two holding midfielders this season, giving the likes of Kieran Dewsbury-Hall and Iliman Ndiaye licence to push forward, with the former grabbing his second assist of the campaign against Fulham prior to the international break.

Idirissa Gueye has remained one of the first names on the team sheet, despite being 36-years-old, finding the back of the net in the 2-0 victory against the Cottagers, but Moyes has been unable to settle on a regular partner for the defensive midfielder.

James Garner has predominantly been given the nod, but the Toffees boss has also used the Englishman at right-back, meaning Iroegbunam has slotted in alongside Gueye intermittently, making eight appearances in the Premier League so far this season.

However, there has now been a significant update on the midfielder’s future at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, having seemingly not done enough to impress Moyes…

Everton planning to accept January offers for Tim Iroegbunam

According to a report from Football Insider, Everton are now planning to accept offers for Iroegbunam in the January transfer window, with Moyes making the decision that he is no longer a key part of his future plans.

The Toffees may even be willing to take a loss on the midfielder, who arrived from Aston Villa for a fee of around £9m back in 2024, such is their desire to get him off the books, while the Merseyside club could also sanction a loan move.

Gueye and Garner’s promising start to the campaign has meant the former Villa man has often been limited to appearances as a substitute, with Moyes perhaps not as fond of the central midfielder as former manager Sean Dyche.

Speaking after the EFL Cup victory against Doncaster Rovers last season, Dyche said: “Tim’s slightly different [to the new signings] because he’s had a full pre-season, I think he’s been different class. I think his equivalent minutes in the Premier League last season was about two games so to be having a full pre-season and to be doing what he’s doing – I’m very pleased with that.”

However, it may be a little early to cash-in on the 22-year-old, given that he is still very young, and has impressed from both an attacking and defensive point of view when given the opportunity over the past year.

Iroegbunam may need a consistent run in the starting XI to prove himself, and with Garner moving to right-back against Fulham, he may have a chance to save his Everton career over the next month and a half.

Everton exploring move for James Ward-Prowse amid Tim Iroegbunam uncertainty

Everton now exploring Ward-Prowse move with January exit expected

The midfielder desperately needs a winter move.

By
Tom Cunningham

Nov 12, 2025

Shreyas Iyer will lead a 15-member India A side against Australia A in two multi-day matches later this month in Lucknow. Nitish Kumar Reddy, who suffered a knee injury on the recent England tour, has also been included.First-choice Test players KL Rahul and Mohammed Siraj were named in the squad as well, but only for the second match.Iyer last played a Test for India in February 2024, against England in Visakhapatnam. This is an opportunity for him to present his case for the two-match Test series at home against West Indies, which starts on October 2. Reddy had played the second and the third Tests of the England series in July before being ruled out with the injury. On Saturday, he bowled a lengthy spell to Sai Sudharsan and Ishan Kishan at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.Related

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Prasidh Krishna, Sai Sudharsan and Abhimanyu Easwaran – all part of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, which India drew 2-2 – have also been named in the A team. N Jagadeesan, who was called to England for the final Test, also makes it. Wicketkeeper batter Dhruv Jurel, who was injured and unable to play the Duleep trophy quarter-final and semi-final, has been named vice-captain. He had an extended training session at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence on Friday.Ayush Badoni, who scored a double-hundred against East Zone in the ongoing Duleep Trophy, has been rewarded with a call-up. That was the second double-hundred of Badoni’s first-class career. Currently playing his 16th match in the format, he has 1370 runs at an average of 65.23.Khaleel Ahmed, Yash Thakur and Gurnoor Brar are among the seamers; Manav Suthar, Harsh Dubey and Tanush Kotian are the spin options. Among the notable absentees are Karun Nair, who is recovering from a finger injury, Shardul Thakur and Sarfaraz Khan.The first game starts on September 16 and the second on September 23. That will be followed by three one-dayers, all in Kanpur.

India A squad for Australia series

Shreyas Iyer (capt), Abhimanyu Easwaran, N Jagadeesan (wk), Sai Sudharsan, Dhruv Jurel (vice-capt, wk), Devdutt Padikkal, Harsh Dubey, Ayush Badoni, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Tanush Kotian, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Khaleel Ahmed, Manav Suthar, Yash Thakur, KL Rahul*, Mohammed Siraj*

Jamie Smith started to walk off when he saw a murmur on graphic on the big screen, but stopped after the footage was slowed down, showing the spike appearing after the ball had passed the bat

ESPNcricinfo staff22-Nov-2025

Jamie Smith and his partner Gus Atkinson wait for the third umpire’s decision•AFP/Getty Images

Simon Taufel, the former international umpire, has defended the decision to give England’s Jamie Smith out caught behind on review on the second day of the first Ashes Test in Perth.Smith, on 15, was cramped for room looking to pull a back-of-a-length ball from Brendan Doggett and was given not out by standing umpire Nitin Menon. Australia captain Steven Smith reviewed the decision on the insistence of Travis Head (fielding at short leg) and Alex Carey (wicketkeeper), and it was ultimately overturned by TV umpire Sharfuddoula after a long delay.Smith, England’s wicketkeeper, started to walk off the field when he saw a murmur on the Real Time Snickometer (RTS) graphic on the big screen at Perth Stadium, but stopped after the footage was slowed down, with the small spike appearing one frame after the ball had passed the bat.

Federico Chiesa’s Liverpool stint appears to be approaching a breaking point as Serie A giants Inter Milan, AC Milan and Roma circle ahead of a possible January move, with the winger still struggling for minutes under Arne Slot. Despite Liverpool’s inconsistent form and growing fan pressure, the Italian has yet to start a league game, fuelling rumours of a swift escape back to Italy.

• Chiesa courted by three Serie A giants

  Chiesa’s Liverpool career has taken another difficult turn after the winger was once again limited to a brief cameo in a 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest at the weekend. The Italian played just 22 minutes, continuing a pattern that has defined his frustrating campaign under Slot. The match was his ninth Premier League appearance of the season, yet not a single one has come from the start, with his only 90-minute outings arriving in the Carabao Cup.

  Despite Liverpool’s struggles and clear inconsistency in wide areas, Slot has shown no indication that Chiesa is part of his preferred rotation. The manager has consistently turned to Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo ahead of him, with even Hugo Ekitike getting time on the wings, leaving the 28-year-old unable to build rhythm or match fitness. This limited involvement has been heavily scrutinised in Italy, where analysts and supporters believe Chiesa should be given far more responsibility.

  According to reports from TuttoJuve, multiple Serie A clubs have already approached his entourage and Liverpool ahead of the January window. Inter Milan and AC Milan are understood to be the two leading candidates, with both clubs viewing Chiesa as a player who could immediately elevate their attacking depth. Roma have also registered interest, widening the list of potential destinations as the winger searches for a situation that offers minutes and a clear role.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Chiesa needs regular minutes for Italy recall

  Chiesa joined Liverpool in the summer of 2024 in what was widely hailed as a “smart gamble” for a fairly low fee, given his pedigree and the upside he possessed. However, his move to England quickly became overshadowed by recurring fitness issues, and his inability to withstand the physical demands of the Premier League has limited his contribution. Without regular playing time, his confidence and sharpness have steadily eroded, prompting debate over whether a move back to Italy is the only way to relaunch his career.

  Slot’s tactical structure has also compounded the problem. The Dutchman’s system relies heavily on high-intensity pressing and constant off-the-ball running, something Chiesa has struggled to maintain due to repeated muscular setbacks. While his per-minute productivity remains respectable, the lack of sustained involvement has left him unable to meaningfully challenge Liverpool’s established attackers. As the season progresses, it has become increasingly clear that Chiesa is not central to Slot’s long-term plans.

  This situation is drawing concern from the Italian national team setup, with regular minutes viewed as essential ahead of the 2026 World Cup playoffs. A January transfer, especially back to Serie A, is seen as the best possible scenario for Chiesa to reclaim a starring role and rebuild his standing with the Azzurri.

• Chiesa's injury crises over the years

  Chiesa’s Liverpool difficulties have highlighted deeper issues that predate his Premier League move. Since suffering a major ACL injury in 2022, the winger has been unable to maintain the explosive consistency that once made him one of Europe’s most feared wide forwards. His time at Juventus was similarly disrupted by stop-start spells of form, and his move to England was meant to offer a clean slate that has ultimately not materialised as hoped.

  Injuries remain central to the story. Chiesa has already missed extended periods since joining Liverpool, including over two months across 14 games in the 2024/25 season due to muscle problems. Even when fit, he has yet to start a league match this campaign, making just eight Premier League appearances from the bench and accumulating just over 100 minutes. Despite scoring twice, he has not done so with the regularity required to break into Slot’s preferred XI.

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  Chiesa likely to leave Liverpool in January?

  This lack of stability has fueled mounting speculation regarding a mid-season exit. Inter Milan are said to view him as an ideal depth option who can bring unpredictability to Simone Inzaghi’s forward line, while AC Milan consider him a player capable of complementing Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic. Roma are also monitoring the situation, emphasising that Chiesa’s stock in Italy remains high despite his struggles in England.

  Liverpool’s stance ahead of January will likely hinge on whether Slot sees any future role for Chiesa beyond rotation cameos. If his limited involvement continues, the club may be open to approving a loan with an option or obligation to buy, especially with multiple Serie A sides ready to negotiate. With Chiesa eager for minutes and Italy’s coaching staff pushing for a move that guarantees playing time, all signs point toward an exit gaining momentum.

His domestic numbers speak for themselves, but if he continues batting the way he did at Newlands, he will soon gain Test cricket’s respect as well

Danyal Rasool03-Jan-2025For all of a glorious sun-soaked day at Newlands, Pakistan didn’t look like they could get Ryan Rickelton out. Even in the first session, while Mohammad Abbas probed and Aiden Markram stuttered, Rickelton was in control of 90.41% of them, or 66 of 73. In the middle session, he was nigh-on impregnable, that figure in excess of 97%. It remained in the mid 90s in the final session.But they almost didn’t have to be. With Wiaan Mulder coming into South Africa’s side for a batter, Rickelton was favourite to miss out. But Tony de Zorzi pulled up late with a thigh strain, and one sliding doors moment had been survived with Rickelton on the right side of it.It needn’t have bothered Pakistan too much. Over the years, though Rickelton has made a habit of mass accumulation in domestic cricket, very little of it has translated to the international game. In 16 Test innings, he’d crossed 30 on just three occasions, and fifty just once. An average of just under 50 in first-class cricket – the fourth highest in the domestic competition since he made his debut – was cut in half in the South African whites. It’s something that hasn’t passed him by, at one point publicly admitting he was unsure he could translate his prolific domestic form into international success.Related

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Even more so, perhaps, because Rickelton had been handed a new challenge, today. With de Zorzi out, he’d open the batting, something he admitted in the press conference later he hadn’t actively pushed for. But South Africa coach Shukri Conrad, whose gregarious personality is so legendary around these parts the mere mention of his name puts a smile on many faces, told him he had the ability to go up top.”I just want a bat. It doesn’t matter where. I feel I’ve trained a lot against the new ball for the Lions. It’s probably a bigger challenge mentally. Days like today are very few and far between for anyone, especially opening the batting,” Rickelton said.There was that callback to his domestic game once more. But one of the things that separate the domestic from the international game is bowlers of true quality at high pace. And With Naseem Shah dropping out of contention with somewhat nebulous fitness issues, Pakistan’s four-pronged pace attack was remarkably monotone, four medium-fast bowlers who rarely cracked 135 and hovered in between the mid 120s and low 130s. On a pitch that the groundsman had perhaps overcorrected after the surreal Test against India last year and shorn it of most of its grass, Rickelton smelled an opportunity for runs at Newlands.And under Table Mountain’s gaze, Rickelton understands how to go about plundering runs. In the two first-class matches he’s played here before, he has scored two unbeaten hundreds and a 90, likely against attacks no slower than Pakistan mustered up here. Once he leaned into a drive from a slightly overpitched delivery from Mir Hamza to get his first boundary, he was set; he would go about punishing the fuller length all day, particularly in the “V”; it was his most productive avenue for run-scoring, and his quickest, too. Off 46 such deliveries, he scored 51 runs, pushing Pakistan’s lengths back and ending the short-lived quest for swing.If all of that implies cashing in against tepid opposition, that may be unfair, because by the time lunch was taken, Pakistan were the happier of the two sides. Rickelton had watched three of his partners fall in quick succession, a regular feature of South African batting in the past, and one Rickelton has too often been a part of.But Rickelton doesn’t necessarily have to look back to the domestic circuit for inspiration. Remember the one time he crossed fifty in his Test career? Well, he also crossed hundred, and once more, three of the top order had fallen around him. As today, he had Temba Bavuma for company, but it was Rickelton who pushed all the way to make the most of his start, helping South Africa to a first-innings total where every run mattered in the end; Sri Lanka pushed all the way into the final day before South Africa finally secured the win, and set his side on their inexorable path to the WTC finals.Ryan Rickelton gets a hug from Temba Bavuma after reaching his century•Gallo Images/Getty ImagesBut as Rickelton grew in confidence as the day wore on, Pakistan’s efforts to break that fourth-wicket stand began to appear more and more feeble. Shaun Pollock on broadcaster commentary appeared surprised Khurram Shahzad didn’t open the bowling after lunch, but when he did come on, he was ordinary enough to almost vindicate that decision. Rickelton was leaving bowlers no margin for error, though Shahzad made plenty, anyway; in three Shahzad overs, he helped himself to six boundaries, and a gritty fifty suddenly motored towards three figures.
It was a phase that would define an innings that, by the end of the day, had very much turned into a “big daddy hundred”, as Tristan Stubbs put it during the series against Sri Lanka. And though it may be tempting to characterise it as a day when he entered an invincible zone, what he was actually doing felt rather more sustainable. When Pakistan bowled a good length outside offstump, he was cautious; 103 such deliveries produced 39 runs, but even marginal errors were punished harshly.According to ESPNcricinfo records, when that turned into a short-of-good length, Rickelton was more devastating than he was at any other point. Of 20 balls where the bowlers erred a tad too short, he scored 36. And less surprisingly, perhaps, because Pakistan’s bowlers don’t quite possess the pace, any deliberate short deliveries were swiftly dispatched with, too, bringing 24 runs in 15 balls.This would also produce the shot of the day in an over that epitomised Pakistan’s inadequacies. Having, by Salman Agha’s own admission, run out of ideas during the fourth-wicket stand, they did what they tried at Perth against Australia last season, packing the leg-side field with Aamer Jamal bowling short. When he tried that against Rickleton, though, Rickelton lashed him through the off side for two boundaries.But the best was saved for last, as Rickelton, sitting back in wait for the bouncer, got on top of it and lifted it, Quinton de Kock style, over fine leg for six, all blade, no back-lift and maximum destructiveness.When Bavuma, having got to his own hundred across a 235-run fourth wicket stand, nicked off to Agha, Rickelton put all his shots away. His belligerence, as well as his caution, were simply products of the opportunities the bowling threw up; he isn’t one of those batters who treats shot-making as a drainage pipe for the ego. Since his Jamal takedown, he’d hit just two boundaries, and scored 32 in his next 51 balls. It’s easy to understand why his first-class record shimmers, but batting like that will soon see him gain Test cricket’s respect, too.

Southampton decided to part ways with head coach Will Still after the former Lens boss only won two of his 13 matches in charge of the club in the Championship.

Interim manager Tonda Eckert has won both of his league games in the dugout so far, including a 3-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday last time out, but it remains to be seen what the future holds for him.

Irrespective of what happens now, Eckert has delivered back-to-back wins that were much-needed after a dismal start to the campaign, which led to Still’s dismissal.

Why Will Still was unfortunate to be sacked by Southampton

The Belgian-born tactician won two of his 13 league matches and averaged 0.92 points per game, per Transfermarkt, which is why it was not a surprise to see him lose his job.

However, per FotMob, Southampton rank sixth in the table for xPTS and are currently 11 places lower in the division than they would be if every game was decided by who created the higher-quality chances.

Of course, football is not played on paper and it is, ultimately, a results-based business, but these statistics suggest that performances from individuals let him down, as the Saints have underperformed their xG and conceded more than their xGA suggests that they should have.

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Whilst it is hard to know what goes on behind the scenes, perhaps Still was unable to motivate a team to win consistently, as he finished between 11th and 8th in his three seasons as a manager in France, which means that he is not used to competing at the very top of a league.

This is why Southampton could find a major upgrade on the former Lens boss by hiring reported target Brendan Rodgers as their new manager during the break.

Why Southampton should hire Brendan Rodgers

The Northern Irish manager resigned from the Celtic job last month and he could be the dream appointment for the Saints if they can convince him to drop down to the Championship.

Rodgers, who was once dubbed “world-class” by Gabriel Agbonlahor, may have the perfect track record for the situation that Southampton find themselves in, because he has experience in the Championship, the Premier League, and the Premiership.

The 52-year-old coach won promotion via the play-offs with Swansea in the 2010/11 campaign, which is relevant for where the club is now, and helped them to stay up with an 11th-placed finish in the Premier League the following season, which should be Southampton’s long-term goal.

Premier League

312

1.56

Premiership

173

2.43

Premiership top six split

15

2.20

Championship

94

1.49

Championship play-offs

3

2.33

As you can see in the table above, Rodgers is a proven Premier League manager who has excelled at Swansea, Liverpool, and Leicester City in the top-flight, which is why he would be the perfect appointment for now and in the future.

On top of that, the Northern Irishman is also a proven winner. Per Transfermarkt, he won four Scottish Premiership titles, four Scottish League Cups, and four SFA Cups with Celtic, along with an FA Cup and a Community Shield with Leicester.

This means that Rodgers has won a whopping 13 trophies in his career as a manager, whilst Southampton have not won a major trophy since the FA Cup success in 1976.

Overall, the former Celtic manager would be a major upgrade on Still, who has only managed midtable success and has no trophies under his belt, because of his career record, his history in the Championship and the Premier League, and his proven track record of winning trophies.

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If they can convince him to take the job, Rodgers could be the ideal candidate to get the Saints out of the Championship, as well as to establish them in the Premier League.

To say it has been a topsy-turvy season for West Ham United would be an understatement.

For the first couple of months, the Hammers couldn’t buy a win and looked almost certain to be relegated from the Premier League come May.

However, over the last month or so, Nuno Espírito Santo has steadied the ship and, as things stand, has led the club out of the drop zone.

He’ll be looking to continue the side’s unbeaten run against Liverpool this afternoon, but to ensure West Ham collects at least a point, if not all three, he’ll need to make at least one change and drop someone who was once compared to Mohammed Kudus.

West Ham's record against Liverpool

West Ham’s game against Liverpool this afternoon will be the 153rd competitive meeting between the sides in all competitions.

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The two historic clubs first met back in January 1901, in an FA Cup game that the Hammers sadly lost 1-0 courtesy of a Sam Raybould goal, which the hosts argued should have been ruled offside.

Unfortunately, that match served as a warning for how this fixture would go over the following 124 years, with the East Londoners winning just 29 games, drawing 38 and losing 86.

Somehow, things have been even worse for the Hammers in recent years. Across their last ten meetings, they have won just a single game, drawn another and then lost the other eight.

With a history like this, you’d be forgiven for thinking Nuno’s side have no chance this afternoon, but based on the last month or so of football, that may not be the case.

For example, Arne Slot’s side have lost their last three games by a staggering 10-1 scoreline and currently look as bad, if not worse, than the Irons did at the start of the campaign.

In stark contrast, West Ham have won two of their last three games and drawn one, so they should be going into this game confident of keeping their good form up and dumping more misery on the Merseysiders.

With that said, to ensure his side do come out the victors, or at the very least, with a point, Nuno needs to make at least one change to the team and drop someone compared to Kudus.

The West Ham player Nuno has to drop vs Liverpool

There may well be arguments for dropping more than one player from the side that drew at Bournemouth last week, but when it comes to the player most in need of being removed, it has to be Luis Guilherme.

The Brazilian was given the go-ahead in place of the injured Crysencio Summerville, but instead of the dynamism, directness and trickery the Dutchman brings to the team, he looked weak, out of place and simply not ready.

Now, that doesn’t mean the teenager shouldn’t get another chance to make his mark on the team.

After all, he remains a highly-rated prospect who respected analyst Ben Mattinson claims “still has the world at his feet” and someone who has “similarities to Kudus” in terms of the attacking traits he possesses.

However, after a 45-minute performance in which he registered an expected assists figure of 0.01, failed to take a single shot, took just 21 touches, failed in 66% of his dribbles, lost the ball nine times, completed ten passes and lost seven of eight duels, he should be dropped.

Minutes

45′

Expected Goals

0.00

Expected Assists

0.01

Shots

0

Passes

10

Touches

21

Lost Possession

9

Dribbles (Successful)

3 (1)

Ground Duels (Won)

8 (1)

Dribbled Past

1

Moreover, there is someone available for selection again who will give far more than that: Lucas Paqueta.

Yes, after serving his one-match ban, the Brazilian can play again, and given his incredible ability and recent form, there is no reason he shouldn’t be right back in the team, either out wide or in the middle.

So far this season, the former Lyon star has scored four goals in 12 appearances and, according to FBref, ranks in the top 11% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the league for successful take-ons and in the top 13% for progressive passes, all per 90.

In other words, on top of the goals, he is helping to create chances both through his immense close control and brilliant passing range.

Ultimately, if Nuno wants to ensure West Ham collect all three points against Liverpool this afternoon, he should drop Guilherme for Paqueta.

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In the almost six years since he took the job, Mikel Arteta has helped to utterly reshape Arsenal.

He’s pulled a team out of midtable mediocrity and turned them into serious contenders for the Champions League and Premier League.

Now, part of this transformation is down to his philosophy and tactics, but also to the sensational players he has promoted and signed.

In fact, one of his signings is now undoubtedly one of the world’s best players and arguably Arsenal’s best since the likes of Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry.

Vieira and Henry's Arsenal legacies

Arsenal signed Vieira from AC Milan in the summer of 1996, after a season in which he sat on the bench watching the Italian giants win the Scudetto.

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However, he certainly wasn’t a bit-part player in North London; he ended his first campaign having made 31 Premier League appearances, and as the years went by, he only became more and more important to the Gunners.

For example, following Tony Adams’ retirement in May 2002, Arsène Wenger made the all-action midfielder the club’s new captain, and in the eyes of many, he is one of the best to ever wear the armband.

By the time the Dakar-born monster left the club for Inter Milan in 2006, he had made 405 appearances, in which he scored 32 goals, provided 47 assists, won three titles, four FA Cups and led the North Londoners on their legendary invincible campaign.

Now, for most clubs, the iconic midfielder would probably be considered their greatest ever player, but for the Gunners, there is only one man who can hold that title: Henry.

The legendary forward joined the North Londoners from Juventus in the summer of 1999, and while it sounds absurd today, he didn’t have the best of starts.

He failed to score a single goal across his first eight appearances for the club and later revealed in an interview that he had to “be re-taught everything about the art of striking” during that period.

Whatever Wenger taught him in those few months must have been pretty special, as he’d end his first season in red and white with a tally of 26 goals and 12 assists in 48 appearances.

By the time the Les Ulis-born superstar left the club for Barcelona in 2007, he had chalked up a frankly astounding tally of 226 goals and 104 assists in 370 appearances and won two Premier Leagues and three FA Cups.

He returned for a brief spell in the 11/12 season, scoring twice in seven appearances.

Overall, when it comes to Arsenal legends, few players can match up with Henry and Vieira, but one of Arteta’s best signings is undoubtedly on his way.

Arsenal's future legend

The good news for Arsenal fans is that the squad is full of players who could go on to become club legends, but when it comes to someone performing at a world-class level, it’s hard to ignore Declan Rice.

The £105m man has been incredible for the club since his move in 2023, but towards the end of last season, and especially this year, it feels like he has taken another step forward.

Whether it’s hunting opposition players to steal the ball from them, marauding up the pitch with it at his feet or creating chance after chance with his outrageous set-piece delivery, the Englishman is operating at a truly unbelievable level.

In fact, he’s playing so well and has become so important in everything the Gunners do that it’s become increasingly hard to disagree with Thomas Frank’s assertion that he is among “the best in the world.”

That might sound hyperbolic to some, but it really, truly is not, and for those still unconvinced, you only need to look at his underlying numbers.

Goals + Assists

0.49

Top 3%

Corner Kicks

3.15

Top 4%

Assists

0.27

Top 5%

Progressive Carries

2.75

Top 5%

Crosses

4.92

Top 5%

xAG: Exp. Assisted Goals

0.22

Top 6%

Non-Penalty Goals

0.22

Top 7%

Shots from Free Kicks

0.18

Top 7%

Key Passes

1.92

Top 8%

Switches

0.69

Top 9%

According to FBref, he ranks in the top 3% of midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues for goals plus assists, the top 5% for progressive carries and crosses, the top 8% for key passes and more, all per 90.

Moreover, something else that will help him reach the levels of Henry and Vieira is his mentality.

The England international is clearly someone who gives everything in every performance, and while he hasn’t got the armband, he is also undeniably a leader and will be a big reason for the Gunners winning anything this season.

Ultimately, while he needs those medals to get the respect he deserves, Rice is undoubtedly one of the best players in the world and will become an Arsenal legend.

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