#title-contenders

#title-contenders

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is reportedly looking to be key to the club's transfer pursuit of West Ham United star Declan Rice.The England midfielder remains a top target for the Gunners this summer, according to Ben Jacobs in his exclusive CaughtOffside column yesterday.And it seems Arteta is proving a particularly big pull for Arsenal in the race for Rice's signature, with Football Insider reporting that the 24-year-old is excited at the prospect of working under the Spanish tactician after witnessing his impact since taking over at the Emirates Stadium.

Week 8 of the 2023 Clausura is now officially wrapped up, and in our latest Liga MX recap, we're going through the biggest talking points from Mexico's top flight.Along with some additional observations and more, here are the highlights.- Liga MX standings | Liga MX coverage on ESPN Deportes- Futbol Americas on ESPN+: Liga MX, MLS, USMNT, El Tri
Mexico's Cocca dives into scouting talent
Who doesn't like to make a good first impression at work?
Newly appointed Mexico men's team manager Diego Cocca, has so far been dedicated to his latest gig with constant in-game observations at Liga MX matches.

The Dolphins were one of the NFL's most entertaining teams in 2022, but these three players need to step up if they're going to become contenders.Head coach Mike McDaniel successfully led the Dolphins to a second-place finish in the crowded AFC East last season, but there's still a lot of ground to cover if Miami is going to catch Buffalo.

When Malcolm Brogdon shot 1/6 from the field in his Boston Celtics playoff debut against Atlanta, Cs fans naturally expected a quick turnaround for the league's best bench scorer.After all, Brogdon did win this year's Kia NBA Sixth Man of the Year award.Instead, Brogdon continued to struggle with his play, particularly from beyond the arc.

Feb 23, 2023



Kirk GoldsberryESPN Staff Writer



The NBA All-Star break is in the rearview mirror, and the second half is set to begin -- although calling it a half is a misnomer.Teams have fewer than 25 games left to play in their 82-game schedules, so the race for the championship is officially on.

Klay Thompson is a true believer in the Warriors.He might be the last one left.After the Warriors lost their final game before the All-Star break, Thompson was asked if he believed his 29-29 team the defending NBA champions were still title contenders.He'd been asked the same question earlier this season.

Shakhtar Donetsk star Mykhaylo Mudryk would love to join Arsenal, says Fabrizio Romano, but it will be crucial for the Gunners to move quickly on this transfer.Writing in Fabrizio Romano's Daily Briefing for CaughtOffside, the transfer news expert provided an update on Arsenal's pursuit of the exciting young Ukraine international, who would have no issue agreeing personal terms with the north London giants as he wants the move to the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal transfer gossip is sure to go into overdrive following the worrying news of Gabriel Jesus' injury whilst playing for Brazil at the World Cup.The former Manchester City forward has shone since joining the Gunners in the summer, helping Mikel Arteta's side to a surprise five-point lead at the top of the Premier League as things stand.

Arsenal may reportedly be in the race for the transfer of PSV forward and Manchester United target Cody Gakpo.The Netherlands international is enjoying a superb season, showing himself to be one of the top young attacking players in world football with his form in the Eredivisie and in the Europa League.

Arsenal have been told that the lack of goals from Gabriel Jesus could be a worry for them in terms of keeping up with Manchester City in the Premier League title race.The Gunners remain top of the table after beating Chelsea 1-0 away from home at the weekend, with Mikel Arteta's side continuing to over-achieve in what has been a surprisingly strong start to the season from them.

Manchester City leapfrogged defending champions Chelsea to go second in the Women's Super League with an impressive victory over the Blues on Sunday.Filippa Angeldahl's brilliantly lofted 20th-minute strike put City ahead, before Lauren Hemp doubled the lead.City's first league win over Chelsea since 2017 means they only trail leaders Manchester United on goal difference at the top of the table.

Manchester City striker Khadija Shaw "can be the best in the world", according to team-mate Alex Greenwood.The 26-year-old has scored 15 Women's Super League goals in 15 games to fire City into title contention."Her goal record speaks for itself, but Bunny is so much more than goals," Greenwood told BBC Sport.

Lionel Scaloni had been retired for a year and was feeling an emptiness inside that was difficult to ignore.The former West Ham full-back missed football so much that he was willing to ring Son Caliu, the amateur club next to his home in the island of Mallorca, to say that he was available to work with their kids if they had a position for him.

Erik ten Hag's side left it late before eventually battling past Leeds on Sunday, with Marcus Rashford once again on target to give the visitors a 2-0 win at Elland Road.With Arsenal dropping points to Brentford, United are now only five points behind the league leaders, though they have played two games more than the Gunners.

The Autumn Nations Series produced wins for England, Ireland and Wales as the month's action reached the midway stage.Here, the PA news agency examines five things we have learned from Saturday's matches.Steward rules the skies It is staggering to think that Freddie Steward is only 21 years old, yet is already among England's most influential players and one of the few names inked on to the teamsheet for the World Cup.

Masai Ujiri and Nick Nurse seem to be preparing for a sell-off at some point, as the Toronto Raptors are clearly not in a position to turn into title contenders in the immediate future.While the Raptors have generally avoided much of the in-house bickering and sniping that has torn apart dozens of teams over the years, there are some rumblings that not everyone on the roster is holding hands and singing Kumbaya.

Jan 17, 2023



James OlleySenior Writer, ESPN FC



Tottenham head coach Antonio Conte has said there is a "bad habit" in English football of club executives choosing not to speak out and urged the club's hierarchy to publicly explain the club's strategy.Spurs are facing renewed questions over their future direction after losing Sunday's north London derby against Arsenal to fall five points behind fourth-placed Manchester United, who have a game in hand.

Arsenal's incredible start to the Premier League season continued yesterday with a 4-2 win over Brighton that sent them seven points clear at the top of the table.The Gunners picked up yet another three points, making it 14 wins from 16 games so far, with just one draw and one defeat and a tally of 43 points in total.

If it's the 2022-23 Premier League table you're after, you've come to the right place.We're at the 2022 World Cup break, and the final few rounds of Premier League fixtures caused so many shocks.Who's looking like title contenders and/or favorites?Almost at the halfway mark of the 2022-23 season, Arsenal and Manchester City are looking head and shoulders above the rest.

If it's the 2022-23 Premier League table you're after, you've come to the right place.We're at the 2022 World Cup break, and the final few rounds of Premier League fixtures caused so many shocks.Who's looking like title contenders and/or favorites?Almost at the halfway mark of the 2022-23 season, Arsenal and Manchester City are looking head and shoulders above the rest.

If it's the 2022-23 Premier League table you're after, you've come to the right place.We're at the 2022 World Cup break, and the final few rounds of Premier League fixtures caused so many shocks.Who's looking like title contenders and/or favorites?Almost at the halfway mark of the 2022-23 season, Arsenal and Manchester City are looking head and shoulders above the rest.

If it's the 2022-23 Premier League table you're after, you've come to the right place.We're at the 2022 World Cup break, and the final few rounds of Premier League fixtures caused so many shocks.Who's looking like title contenders and/or favorites?Almost at the halfway mark of the 2022-23 season, Arsenal and Manchester City are looking head and shoulders above the rest.

If it's the 2022-23 Premier League table you're after, you've come to the right place.We're at the 2022 World Cup break, and the final few rounds of Premier League fixtures caused so many shocks.Who's looking like title contenders and/or favorites?Almost at the halfway mark of the 2022-23 season, Arsenal and Manchester City are looking head and shoulders above the rest.

If it's the 2022-23 Premier League table you're after, you've come to the right place.We're at the 2022 World Cup break, and the final few rounds of Premier League fixtures caused so many shocks.Who's looking like title contenders and/or favorites?Almost at the halfway mark of the 2022-23 season, Arsenal and Manchester City are looking head and shoulders above the rest.

If it's the 2022-23 Premier League table you're after, you've come to the right place.We're at the 2022 World Cup break, and the final few rounds of Premier League fixtures caused so many shocks.Who's looking like title contenders and/or favorites?Almost at the halfway mark of the 2022-23 season, Arsenal and Manchester City are looking head and shoulders above the rest.

If it's the 2022-23 Premier League table you're after, you've come to the right place.We're at the 2022 World Cup break, and the final few rounds of Premier League fixtures caused so many shocks.Who's looking like title contenders and/or favorites?Almost at the halfway mark of the 2022-23 season, Arsenal and Manchester City are looking head and shoulders above the rest.

Arsenal beat Chelsea 1-0 at Stamford Bridge this afternoon to earn themselves a huge result as they continue to establish themselves as surprise Premier League title contenders.The Gunners are back on top of the Premier League table after beating the Blues this afternoon, in what was arguably their biggest test of the season so far.

With the Miami Heat off to a 2-5 record on the year, things need to change and quickly.Though it's still really early in the season, getting off to such a start isn't ever ideal and puts them behind the mark on any potential goals that they may have set for themselves for the season.With a chance to begin to right the ship on Tuesday against a team that beat them recently, the Golden State Warriors, they'll look to get things going in the right direction then, hopefully.

PHOENIX  Draymond Green doesn't have an answer for the Warriors' early season defensive woes.At least not yet.But he sees his team's lack of commitment on defense as a glaring issue that needs to be addressed.Tuesday's loss to the Suns was the same soup just reheated for Golden State, who lacked intensity and a sense of defensive urgency out of the gates.