Author: Joe Soriano

Joe Soriano covers Tottenham for FanSided's Hotspur HQ and writes about Real Madrid for The Real Champs. He has extensive experience covering world football since 2014. Joe is an editor for The Trivela Effect, where he covers the biggest clubs in European football. He has watched professional sports regularly since 2002 and can be found playing the same sports he covers with his friends.
Arsenal signing Martin Zubimendi means another declining player is out the door
10May By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Analysis

Arsenal signing Martin Zubimendi means another declining player is out the door

Arsenal need a striker more than anything in order to win the Premier League and make the leap from "in the mix" to a true Champions League title contender, but their biggest priority signing seemed to be a midfielder. And after going after him for more than a year, Arsenal are now set to secure the signing of defensive midfielder Martin Zubimendi, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that the club have reached an agreement with the 26-year-old star from Real Sociedad. Zubimendi will cost the team 60 million euros, per his release clause with La Real, and will immediately slot in the starting lineup alongside 105 million pound 2023 transfer Declan Rice at the base of the midfield. One of the best No. 6's in the world, Zubimendi helped turn Real Sociedad into perennial Champions League c...
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5 biggest winners and losers on Arsenal from the Martin Zubimendi transfer
10May By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Analysis

5 biggest winners and losers on Arsenal from the Martin Zubimendi transfer

After more than a year in pursuit, Arsenal are set to sign Real Sociedad defensive midfielder Martin Zubimendi as Fabrizio Romano is reporting that the Gunners have reached an agreement with the 26-year-old on a deal and will soon activate his 60 million euro release clause. Zubimendi is one of the most coveted No. 6's in the world - a position in which there is a lack of top talent. Barcelona, Real Madrid, Liverpool, and Manchester United were all linked with Zubimendi, but it was obvious that the only team he was willing to leave Real Sociedad for was Arsenal. Now that the transfer is set to be completed, let's run through the biggest winners and losers on Arsenal as a result of the transfer, Winner: AM Martin Odegaard There is perhaps no bigger winner than Martin Odegaard, who c...
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The next signing Arsenal have to make after Martin Zubimendi transfer is obvious
10May By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Analysis

The next signing Arsenal have to make after Martin Zubimendi transfer is obvious

Arsenal have been in dogged pursuit of Real Sociedad star defensive midfielder Martin Zubimendi for over a year now, and Fabrizio Romano has just reported that the Gunners have agreed to a deal to sign the top-class LaLiga No. 6 for his 60 million euro release clause. Despite some interest from Real Madrid, the move has come as no surprise, as Arsenal were the overwhelming favorites to sign the 26-year-old Spanish international this summer above other clubs like Liverpool, Manchester United, and Barcelona who were also linked. Zubimendi slots in comfortably next to Declan Rice at the base of a midfield that will also include former Zubi teammate and Real Sociedad star Mikel Merino as backup. Better yet, Arsenal will have captain and attacking midfielder Martin Odegaard in front of...
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The biggest downside to Liverpool signing Jeremie Frimpong
9May By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Transfer News

The biggest downside to Liverpool signing Jeremie Frimpong

Liverpool have waved their tearful goodbyes to homegrown superstar right back Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is ready for the next chapter in his illustrious career as Dani Carvajal's new platoon partner at Real Madrid. Now, Michael Edwards, Arne Slot, and the decision-makers at Liverpool have the task of replacing the England international this summer, and the main candidate they are focusing on is Slot's Dutch countryman Jeremie Frimpong, who starts for the Netherlands and 2023/24 Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen. In his latest update, transfer insider Fabrizio Romano reported that Liverpool are "well-informed" regarding Frimpong's transfer situation and his 35-40 million euro release clause this summer. The 24-year-old is said to be one of the Reds top options at right back to r...
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Estevao Willian’s screamer for Palmeiras shows the special trait Chelsea need
7May By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Analysis

Estevao Willian’s screamer for Palmeiras shows the special trait Chelsea need

Chelsea already signed Palmeiras right winger Estevao Willian last summer on a 34 million euro transfer with an additional 23 million euros possible if he reaches certain benchmarks based on performance. Formerly teammates with current Real Madrid sensation Endrick at Palmeiras, Willian, especially since the announcement of the signing, has looked like an even better prospect than his very accomplished ex-teammate. Willian has scored banger after banger for Palmeiras, and he added another one in the Copa Libertadores on Wednesday night, striking the opening goal from range with absolute venom against Paraguayan top club Cerro Porteno. You can view a highlight of the goal here, in which Willian picks up the ball in the middle of the pitch with some distance between himself and the ...
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Rasmus Hojlund could join club he should have signed with instead of Man United
7May By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Transfer News

Rasmus Hojlund could join club he should have signed with instead of Man United

Manchester United are still having major issues with scoring goals up top, even after investing heavily in the striker position by signing two of the best up-and-coming forwards in Serie A in each of the past two summer transfer windows: Rasmus Hojlund of Atalanta in 2023 and Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna in 2024. Zirkzee is pretty clearly not a good fit for Manchester United, and Ruben Amorim hasn't really hid the fact that he doesn't see the Dutchman as part of his ideal starting lineup. But many around Manchester United, including former star striker Dimitar Berbatov, think Amorim could just as easily jettison both young No. 9's out of Old Trafford this summer if their performances don't step up soon. While Hojlund has shown more promise of the two, his positive streaks in front ...
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PSG Player Ratings vs. Arsenal as Donnarumma and Kvaratskhelia shine again
7May By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Analysis

PSG Player Ratings vs. Arsenal as Donnarumma and Kvaratskhelia shine again

PSG are through to the 2024/25 Champions League Final after defeating Arsenal 2-1 at the Parc des Princes in the second leg of the semifinals, winning on a total 3-1 aggregate. Here are the player ratings for every PSG starter vs. Arsenal as they prepare for Inter Milan next. GK Gianluigi Donnarumma, 10 Literally a perfect performance in goal from Gianluigi Donnarumma. It doesn't get any better than this. The Italian international made several jaw-dropping stops, with the best being an early save against Martin Odegaard than nearly injured him. LB Nuno Mendes, 4.0 Incredibly error-prone and unconvincing one-on-one against Bukayo Saka. Had Saka been quicker and more decisive, Mendes would have been exposed worse than he was. The Portuguese international constantly needed one or tw...
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Arsenal Player Ratings vs. PSG as Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice flop horribly
7May By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Analysis

Arsenal Player Ratings vs. PSG as Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice flop horribly

Arsenal are out of the 2024/25 Champions League knockout stages after falling 3-1 to PSG on aggregate, as the Parisians were able to outlast them 2-1 at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday night. Here are player ratings for every Arsenal starter vs. PSG. GK David Raya, 7.0 Saved a penalty and stood no chance at saving either goal from PSG. Honestly, he deserves better than the performances he's been getting from the Arsenal fullbacks this season. LB Myles Lewis-Skelly, 3.5 Not a serious player. Comes to the matches and seems more intent on trying to master the dark arts with cheap fouls, arguing with other players, and diving rather than actually playing the game. Very limited tactical awareness and technical ability. He can be a decent squad player for Arsenal, but he doesn't belong ...
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Ruben Amorim is missing an important point about a Bruno Fernandes transfer
7May By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Transfer News

Ruben Amorim is missing an important point about a Bruno Fernandes transfer

Manchester United playmaker Bruno Fernandes is at the top of Al-Hilal's wishlist before the Club World Cup begins on June 14, as he is one of the biggest names in the Premier League and vital to Man United being both on the precipice of the Europa League Final and avoiding further embarrassment in the Premier League. Al-Hilal's interest as turned the focus on Manchester United and if they want to cash in on an attacking midfielder who is now 30 years old and could churn the Red Devils a tidy profit, with the club already having a top prospect in the same position in Alejandro Garnacho. But former Sporting CP manager Ruben Amorim isn't interested in parting ways with Fernandes. He maintained his interest in building his short-term project around Bruno, stating, via mufcmpb, “Bruno Fer...
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Arsenal still want to sign West Ham’s most talented player
7May By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Transfer News

Arsenal still want to sign West Ham’s most talented player

Arsenal have been in contention for the Premier League title in each of the past three seasons, but they are still in need of additional star power to get over the hump. Although goals at striker should be the priority, talkSPORT reports that Arsenal are renewing their interest in West Ham forward Mohammed Kudus. Primarily known for his one-on-one dribbling, Kudus is a versatile player who can start on the wings, as an attacking midfielder, or as a center forward. But while he has a lot of talent and can have some of the best weekends of any player in the Premier League, he has more than double the number of games in which he is a huge disappointment. Kudus has an 85 million pound release clause in his West Ham contract, so, this point, it's mostly been Saudi Pro League clubs linked ...
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