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Arsenal seem to produce nothing but the best talent at their famous Hale End academy throughout the years, with the likes of Ashley Cole, Jack Wilshere and most recently Bukayo Saka stamping their authority in the first-team from an early age and never looking back.

Indeed, with Saka, Eddie Nketiah, Reiss Nelson and Emile Smith-Rowe all members of Mikel Arteta’s first-team squad this term, the growing consensus is that if you are talented and hungry for success, there will be an opportunity in the first-team, which will give plenty of confidence to the next set of youth prospects.

One player who is currently excelling in the academy is Charles Sagoe Jr, who may well be eyeing up a place in the first-team over the next season or two.

Could Arteta unearth his own Walcott in Sagoe Jr?

Theo Walcott joined Arsenal at the tender age of 16 from Southampton in a transfer which reverberated around the country, even more so when he was called up to England’s World Cup squad for the finals in Germany just a few months later.

Over the next 11-and-a-half seasons, Walcott scored 108 goals and racked up 80 assists, although the jury is out on whether he lived up to the lofty hype which was generated following his move in 2006.

What can’t be underestimated is his wonderful goalscoring ability from a wide position. He was usually deployed on the right wing, although he could also feature across the front three wherever required.

Sagoe Jr’s strongest position is on the left wing, although he can also operate through the middle, either as a centre-forward or as an attacking midfielder, and this versatility will be a huge bonus for Arteta.

The 18-year-old is cut from a similar cloth as Walcott, demonstrated by his tally of 14 goals and five assists in 52 appearances for Arsenal’s U18 and U21 sides, and he looks ready to make the next step sooner rather than later.

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Like the now-Southampton winger, Sageo Jr is capable of causing “problems” – according to journalist Kaya Kaynack – from out wide, and the ease of his transition from the U18 ranks to the older age group could stand him in good stead, suggesting that he may not be daunted by making the jump to senior level.

Arteta is spoilt for choice with excellent wingers these days, with Saka and Gabriel Martinelli providing plenty of creative spark. However, there appears to be plenty of chances for young players if they are progressing on the right path, and the Emirates Stadium faithful could soon be about to see the next Walcott in the flesh.

Glasgow Rangers boss Michael Beale will likely be sweating on the long-term futures of both Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent, with the duo still yet to commit their futures to the Ibrox outfit.

What’s the word?

It remains to be seen if the two men will remain in Glasgow beyond the end of the season due to their expiring contracts, with Gers chairman Douglas Park having only recently hinted that the players’ demands could well be “unattainable”.

The aforementioned Beale also stated upon his return to the club that he would “ideally” like to keep the pair with the Old Firm outfit for the long term, albeit while having acknowledged that both men are “capable of more” amid their current woes.

Transfer insider Dean Jones – speaking to GIVEMESPORT – has now provided his verdict on the situation, with the journalist stating that the incoming coach will likely be keen to see a resolution to the current situation sooner rather than later.

“He [Beale] wants to know very quickly what the situation is here with both of these players because it’s very influential as to how you’re going to shape up the rest of your squad too, but they can also have a massive impact on the rest of the season,” Jones stated.

Ruthlessly ditch dud duo

Despite Beale previously admitting that he would like the two men – who are earning a reported £51k-per-week between them – to remain part of his plans moving forward, the 42-year-old may well have to be ruthless and move the misfiring duo on in January if they remain uncommitted to the cause.

In the case of Morelos, the Colombian striker has endured a torrid start to the campaign after scoring just three times in 19 games in all competitions, having notably been dropped earlier this season by former boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst regarding fitness and attitude concerns.

The 26-year-old has notably been described as looking like a “pub amateur” by journalist Graham Spiers following his particularly limp Champions League displays in the group stage – in which the former HJK Helsinki man failed to register a single goal contribution – having lost his place in the side behind summer signing, Antonio Colak.

Although there may well be a desire to try and rejuvenate an asset who has scored 115 goals for the club to date, it could prove an opportune time to start afresh and boldly ditch the polarising marksman.

The same can seemingly be said of teammate Kent – who has been linked with a Premier League move of late – with the Englishman having also endured his own dismal run of form in the early months of the season, having been described as the club’s “biggest failure” by pundit Frank McAvennie.

The former Liverpool gem was also said to have “disappeared” in the 7-1 drubbing at the hands of his former employers, in the words of pundit Neil McCann, with the 26-year-old having also failed to register a goal or an assist in Europe this term.

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Although the Oldham-born speedster does have six assists and a goal to his name in the top flight, it may well prove hard to rely on a player who is potentially thinking about pastures new heading into the second half of the campaign, particularly should no contract extension emerge.

Should Beale wish try and put his own stamp on the current squad, he could seemingly be best served allowing the duo to depart in the New Year, with pundit Gabby Agbonlahor suggesting that the “inconsistent” forwards “need to go”.

As Rangers look to improve upon a frustrating and disappointing start to the campaign, getting both Morelos and Kent out the door could well be a good place to start.

Steven Gerrard bolstered his Aston Villa squad with some much-needed quality during the summer transfer window, with the likes of Boubacar Kamara, Diego Carlos and Leander Dendoncker arriving in the Midlands.

However, with just Danny Ings and Ollie Watkins remaining as Gerrard’s two senior centre-forward options, it looked like the manager made a blunder by not bringing someone else in for some competition. Nonetheless, he could well have a secret weapon in youngster Cameron Archer, who can be the perfect heir to Watkins.

The 20-year-old has already scored four goals for the Villa first team, all coming in the Carabao Cup last season, but he still boast a mere nine senior appearances for the club and has featured for only 17 minutes so far this term.

Archer joined Championship side Preston North End for the second half of the campaign and enjoyed a solid spell in the second tier, scoring seven goals in 20 appearances to hint that he has what it takes to succeed at the highest level.

Preston manager Ryan Lowe wanted the youngster to remain at the club for another season in order to give him more game-time and develop the player to become a leading Premier League star.

He even compares him to a modern legend of the top flight, saying: “I think he is a Premier League player because he’s a goal scorer – a Jermain Defoe type.”

With Defoe scoring 321 goals for club and country during his wonderful career, he’s certainly not a bad player for a striker to have as a reference point. Also, Archer will be able to continue his development under Gerrard, who played with Defoe for England.

Journalist Ashley Preece described the Villa hitman as a “goal machine” following another strike for Preston last season, and if he continues like this, there is no doubt that the 20-year-old can succeed in the Premier League.

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With Villa only scoring five goals in six league matches so far this season and the clubs only strikers Watkins and Ings netting three goals combined, could it be time for Gerrard to introduce Archer in a more prominent first-team role soon?

Only time will tell, but if their struggles continue in front of goal, the 42-year-old might have no choice but to throw the youngster into action, and it could be the making of the player.

Rangers are eyeing a move for 17-year-old Dylan Reid as Giovanni van Bronckhorst looks to bring more talent to Ibrox.

What’s the news?

That’s according to the Daily Record, who report that Rangers are ready to make a six-figure move for the St Mirren starlet as the Ibrox side continues to source the brightest talent in the country to add to their squad.

The Gers face competition from Benfica and Premier League side Crystal Palace for the youngster’s signature, however.

The report states that the Paisley outfit are only likely to sell if a significant deal is made with a host of add-ons built into the deal.

He can be Jack 2.0

Rangers have come to life recently in this summer’s transfer market following a slow start which began to frustrate the supporters. 16-year-old Zak Lovelace has agreed to join the Ibrox club before a move for Croatian striker Antonio Colak was sealed.

Van Bronckhorst looks set to continue his business by securing a move for Reid, and he could well see the player as a younger version of Ryan Jack.

Reid made history in March 2021 by becoming St Mirren’s youngest ever debutant, ironically against Rangers, in a 3-0 defeat, and having spent time on loan at Queens Park during the latter stages of last season, could be signed by the Gers to bolster their B team squad.

Despite playing slightly deeper than Jack, operating mainly in a defensive midfield position, the players share similar traits. The Dutchman might see a potential heir to the Scotland midfielder in the youngster. The 17-year-old ability to protect the defence and win the ball back effectively is comparable to Jack and he could get even better learning under the Scotland international.

Craig Mulholland, the head of the Rangers academy, watched Reid as St Mirren lost to Northampton Town on Wednesday and it appears the Ibrox side are ready to make an official approach to St Mirren.

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He might not be ready to be thrown straight into the Rangers’ first team, but Reid looks like an exciting talent that could make the club a fortune in a few years’ time.

AND in other news, David Ornstein drops big transfer update that’ll have Rangers supporters gutted

Rangers have been handed a big injury relief over defender Leon Balogun…

What’s the latest?

On BT Sport’s commentary of the match on Thursday night, Ally McCoist noted that the Nigerian may have been carrying an injury and suggested that he had a “niggle” as he was substituted in the second half against Braga in their Europa League clash.

However, Gio van Bronckhorst was asked about that after the game and he confirmed that the player was taken off as part of a tactical switch.

The Rangers boss said: “No, we wanted the left side to be a little more solid with Calvin [Bassey] coming inside. Borna has played that role in the past and also for Croatia as a wing-back.”

Relieved

This will surely leave Van Bronckhorst relieved, as he will surely be keen to keep the Nigeria international fit heading into the final weeks of the campaign.

Balogun was culpable for Braga’s winning goal as he misjudged his attempted clearance, but on the whole he has been impressive this season. One error does not make a player a liability and the centre-back has had plenty of good games to make up for that mistake.

In the Europa League this term, he has averaged a SofaScore rating of 7.06. He has made a whopping 4.3 tackles and interceptions per game, in comparison to Connor Goldson’s 2.4, and this shows that, more often than not, the 33-year-old offers a lot of quality at the back.

The ex-Wigan defender has also caught the eye with his strong showings in the Premiership. He has averaged a SofaScore rating of 6.98 across 18 top-flight outings, making 3.1 tackles and interceptions per match and winning 63% of his overall duels.

This shows that he has been able to dominate the opposition in most of his matches in the Scottish top flight, which is why having him available will be a huge boost for Van Bronckhorst. At the age of 33, Balogun may not be able to play every single match, but keeping him fresh and able to play in the important games is vital, as he has shown that he can put in excellent performances domestically and in Europe.

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Filip Helander has started ahead of him in two Premiership matches in 2022 and the Sweden international was hooked at half-time in both, recording SofaScore ratings of 6.5 and 6.7 against Dundee United and Dundee FC respectively.

This suggests that Van Bronckhorst does not have a top-quality player waiting in the wings to replace Balogun. Therefore, he will be very much relieved that the Nigerian defender has not suffered an injury problem and will be available to play in the upcoming matches.

AND in other news, Van Bronckhorst can save millions by unleashing Rangers teen who’s “like Theo Hernandez”…

Leeds United ambassador Noel Whelan has bemoaned the hamstring injuries picked up by Liam Cooper and Kalvin Phillips, describing it as ‘really bad news’ for the club.

The Lowdown: Leeds pair out injured

The Whites have been plagued by injuries throughout the season, which has no doubt played a part in what has been a disappointing campaign to date.

Cooper and Phillips are two of the most high-profile current absentees and, as revealed by Marcelo Bielsa on Friday, the duo are not expected to be back in action until March, which comes as a huge blow to Leeds.

While relegation should still be avoided, not having those two key figures available could make life difficult, and results must start improving in the coming weeks if they are to avoid an uncomfortable run-in to the campaign.

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The Latest: Whelan reacts to news

Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan couldn’t hide his frustration at the news that Cooper and Phillips face another couple of months on the sidelines. He rued:

“The injuries looked so innocuous. Usually with a hamstring if you’re not jumping in the air and hitting the clouds, it could just be a tiny tear which could take as little as four weeks.

“But this is really bad news for Leeds United because they are two big players. Phillips, who is one of the best defensive midfield players in the Premier League and is vitally important to how we play. He’s irreplaceable in there.

“And then Cooper is the club captain, and that presence will be missed sorely in the dressing room. You can’t take away the importance of what he gives you in there. It’s like Jordan Henderson at Liverpool – you miss those types of voices.”

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The Verdict: Big battle without them

This is a massive couple of months for Leeds, with fringe players simply having to step up to the plate without Cooper and Phillips around. The former has been the Whites’ second-best performer this term as per WhoScored, while the latter boasts one of the highest tackling averages (2.3 per game) within the squad.

Phillips is going to be a particular miss, considering the sparsity of midfield alternatives and the fact that he is England’s reigning Player of the Year, highlighting how talented player he has become.

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A new midfielder may well be needed to be brought in this month to help fill the void, whereas fit-again Diego Llorente and Robin Koch will hopefully forge a strong centre-back pairing without club captain Cooper around. For now, it’s easy to see why Whelan is so worried.

In other news, one Leeds player is set to leave the club this summer. Find out who it is here.

Liverpool will be aiming to maintain their unbeaten start to the new season when they take on Norwich City in the Carabao Cup this evening.

Manager Jurgen Klopp is expected to make several changes to his starting lineup, partly due to injury and illness issues and partly due to his tendency to rotate in the domestic cup competitions.

During Tuesday’s press conference, assistant manager Pep Lijnders confirmed that Roberto Firmino, Thiago, Harvey Elliott and Neco Williams will be unavailable due to fitness concerns, while Trent Alexander-Arnold has not yet recovered from a sickness that saw him miss the weekend’s clash.

However, he did reveal that academy graduate Curtis Jones is set to make his 50th appearance for the club at Carrow Road, while fellow youngsters Caoimhin Kelleher and Kaide Gordon are also expected to make their first outings of the campaign.

If 16-year-old winger Gordon does come into the side, it will be his senior debut for the club and that could add extra excitement to an already intriguing tie.

With that in mind, here’s how Football FanCast expects Klopp’s side to line up against Norwich, with eight changes from the team that defeated Crystal Palace…

In goal, 22-year-old shot-stopper Kelleher appears to have overtaken Adrian as the Anfield outfit’s No.2, meaning he should receive his first minutes of 2021/22 against the Canaries. Ahead of the Irishman is expected to be a similar back four to the one that started against Palace, only with one major change.

Left-back Konstantinos Tsimikas should keep his place alongside Ibrahima Konate and James Milner, but talismanic Virgil van Dijk is likely to be rested, allowing Joe Gomez to return to the starting XI.

The engine room is set to have a rather unfamiliar feel to it, though, with Klopp completely changing the midfield personnel for this one.

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Naby Keita’s wonder strike last time out will see him line up alongside Jones and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as club captain Jordan Henderson and Fabinho watch on from the sidelines.

But it’s in attack where Klopp is likely to make his boldest decisions. Gordon could replace the £90m-rated Mohamed Salah on the right-wing, with Takumi Minamino getting his first taste of action on the opposite flank and Divock Origi leading the line through the middle.

And, in other news…Liverpool suffer double selection setback ahead of Norwich, Klopp will be gutted

Reliable reporter Alan Nixon has claimed Celtic have been looking into a number of right-back targets, amid links to Sheffield United’s George Baldock.

The Lowdown: Ralston Hoops’ only right-back

As it stands, Anthony Ralston is the club’s only right-back on the books. Jeremie Frimpong left for Bayer Leverkusen in January, Hatem Elhamed joined Hapoel Be’er Sheva in February and loanee Jonjoe Kenny returned to Everton at the end of the previous campaign.

The Hoops recently extended Ralston’s deal for a further 12 months, and one man who has been linked with a move to Parkhead to rival him at right-back is Baldock.

The Sheffield United man is back on Celtic’s radar, however, Nixon, who writes for The Sun, has revealed the Hoops have been looking at other right-backs.

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The Latest: Nixon’s claim

Nixon answered a Celtic fan on Twitter on Friday, insisting the Blades ‘want a good offer’ to part ways with the 28-year-old.

He was then asked how much, to which Nixon said:

“It’s not fortunes… but Celtic were looking into other right-backs just in case there was more value elsewhere.”

The Verdict: McKay being smart but time is ticking

It’s good to see that Celtic CEO Dominic McKay is looking all over for full-back additions, but now is the time for the club to start acting and sealing deals.

It’s a smart call to widen their search, especially with Sheffield United wanting more than £8m for Baldock – you’d expect shrewder deals are there to be had. £8m for a player approaching his thirties and in the last year of his contract is steep.

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As it stands, Ange Postecoglou will have no choice but to start Ralston against FC Midtjylland in a Champions League qualifier later this month.

Time is ticking for the Hoops to get additions through the door prior to Postecoglou’s first competitive game in charge, and the sooner they can get them, it could increase their chances of progressing in Europe.

In other news: Hoops now working on move for ‘terrific’ forward after Osaze Urhoghide deal, find out more here. 

Peterborough United Director of Football has lauded the job done by David Moyes at West Ham United as the club continue to push for European qualification in an exclusive interview with Football FanCast.

The Hammers boss has overseen a remarkable rise up the league this season and they are currently pushing for qualification to the Champions League.

After this weekend’s clash with Chelsea, they are now three points adrift of the fourth-placed Blues, but are still in with a chance of securing a top-four finish with a strong end to the campaign.

It is a remarkable turnaround from last season, when Moyes was brought in to keep the Hammers in the Premier League.

Indeed, in 2019/20, West Ham took 39 points in total; this season, after their game against Chelsea, they have 55 points with five games of the season remaining.

Fry has been impressed with the way the ex-Everton boss has managed the club, and believes even the most optimistic West Ham fan will have been shocked by their unbelievable run into the top four.

He told FFC: “They (the owners) will be proud of bringing David Moyes back and the job that David Moyes has done in the past year.

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“He’s turned them from a relegation struggling outfit into an entertaining side, challenging for the Champions League.

“No disrespect to West Ham fans but I don’t think one of them would have thought that was possible within the year.”

West Ham United may already have their Sebastien Haller heir in academy striker Mipo Odubeko after the Under 23s star scored a brace against Southampton on Friday.

The Irons have been scouring the transfer market across Europe all month after the unexpected departure of Haller, with the decision to cash-in on the Ivory Coast international leaving Michail Antonio as boss David Moyes’ only recognised senior striker.

Talks are said to be ongoing with RB Leipzig over a loan deal for Hwang Hee-Chan, but West Ham are sweating over the move collapsing amid rival interest from 1.FSV Mainz 05.

The interest in the South Korea international comes after they failed to reach agreements with Stade de Reims for Boulaye Dia or Sevilla for Youssef En-Nesyri among a plethora of other names, with Josh King now said to be their top target according to talkSPORT, although he’d reportedly cost £10m according to The Athletic’s Wolves correspondent Tim Spiers.

But Moyes may not have to fear failing to secure a centre-forward in the winter market given Odubeko’s impressive return to action, having scored twice to push West Ham’s U23s into a controlling lead over Southampton on Friday night in what was his first Premier League 2 outing of the season.

The 18-year-old broke the deadlock with a simple finish after Oladapo Afolayan unselfishly squared the ball and soon doubled his account again from close range, before also assisting Dan Chesters midway through the second half to round out the scoring.

Odubeko had sustained a serious hamstring injury last term that, as well as the coronavirus situation, saw the forward sit out much of the past six months, making only one EFL Trophy appearance before earning his senior debut in the FA Cup at Stockport earlier this month.

Moyes has since named the former Republic of Ireland U17 international on the bench for two Premier League fixtures and, while he is yet to introduce Odubeko to the action, has declared that he and West Ham have “big hopes” for what he can achieve in east London.

Moyes has been tipped to look fondly on Odubeko if West Ham fail to sign a new striker this month, with the Irons boss thought to be keen on seeing what the teen star can offer the first-team after his impressive developments since joining the club in October 2019.

The Scot has even noted that opportunities will be there for Odubeko, adding “we will try and bring him along and [use] him at the right time,” and there should be few concerns that the youngster can prove beneficial having clearly not lost his touch despite months out of the game.

Odubeko knew where to be to cause Southampton problems on Friday, and showed true poacher’s instincts to tap home his second when Allan Tchapchet’s clearance fell invitingly into his path.

He now has five goals in three U23s games to his name after scoring nine in seven for the U18s, and it surely will not be long before Odubeko has a senior goal to his name. Especially given all the attributes Bernard Byrne, who was Odubeko’s head coach for St Joseph’s, rallied off while describing the “special” talent to The Athletic:

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“He’s the reason why people will go to football games. He’s fast, dynamic, strong, he can score all sorts of goals and he’s good in the air. He’s a proper centre-forward. He’s a player that West Ham fans will be excited about.”

GSB could save millions here then by using Odubeko and Michail Antonio as their striker options across the remainder of the campaign.

AND in other news, West Ham eye late loan for teen gem who “makes the game look easy”…