Arsenal
Manchester City, Arsenal, Lampard And The Merseyside Derby The Winners, Moyes, AVB And Martin Jol The Losers – Premier League Gameweek 12
Hello and welcome to the Premier League winners and losers column where we go over this week’s round of games and discuss the teams, players and coaches that should either pat themselves on the back for a job well done or take a hard long look at their recent actions and should perhaps start making drastic life changes.
This column is in the spirit of good fun and as usual, your comments and opinions are welcomed.
Winners and Losers for Game Week 12
Winners:
Manchester City Home Form
On the evidence of this win, and in fact, their home form this season, City are the best team in the EPL. Negredo and Aguero have struck a deadly partnership and in the game against Spurs this weekend, Nasri looked like the player that convinced Sir Alex to battle City for his signature when he decided to leave Arsenal. In fact, the fact that David Silva was hardly missed is a testament to just how much control City had and the creative influence Nasri exerted over the team in his absence. One city signing that has failed to convince so far this season was Jesús Navas and boy did he put in an amazing performance. Judging by his performance against Spurs, there is enough quality in him to torment premier league defenses. City should be the runaway favorites for this season but their away form in the EPL suggests otherwise.
City’s defense kept a clean sheet with Costel Pantilimon in goal instead of regular Joe Hart. For now, Pellegrini seems to have his goalkeeping situation under control and in a week full of bad goalkeeping decisions, maybe Hart was glad to avoid the spotlight—despite it being a comfortable 6-0 spanking.
Arsenal
The sign of a great team is that they collect the necessary 3 pts needed even when the team fails to play well. Gooners will adamantly proclaim that they would have beaten Southampton regardless of the ‘Boruc-inspired goal‘ in the first half but the fact remains that the visitors were left chasing the game early on in the first half at the Emirates. Özil clearly looked like his injury from the international break was hampering his play and he was unable to impose himself on the game.
Overreliance on Giroud remains problem waiting to happen but having Walcott returning to the side injects that extra yard of pace that Wenger and his boys have been missing. He is also on paper a much better substitute for Giroud than Bendtner has proved to be during the few times he has been asked to deputize should Wenger want to rest his main man up front.
Frank Lampard
As if anyone needed convincing that his allegiance lays at Stamford Bridge and not his boyhood club West Ham, Frank the lad produced a brace at Upton park [check] to secure all 3pts for Chelsea. For his part, Lampard showed that despite growing old and retreating deeper to form the double-pivot for Chelsea with Obi Mikel, he can still be relied upon for the odd goal from the midfield.
Speaking of Chelsea, their 3-0 win against the hammers ensures there was no repeat of last season’s shock loss. The Happy one still has not found his preferred attacking quartet with only Oscar the certain of playing week in, week out. But for a team still figuring itself out, they are not imploding and remain in the hunt for top honors this season.
The Merseyside Derby
If you missed this game, it is in your best interest to go find replays and watch it. A 5 minute highlight reel will not do this game justice. This was the best game so far this season as both sides played wonderful attacking football and had their players influence the game with sublime moments of individual skills. In fact, to ensure this review is spoiler-free so readers who missed the game don’t feel cheated.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvK80gysYgE
Crystal Palace and in-coming manager, Tony Pulis
For a team that have been described as the whipping boys of the season in the EPL thus far, Crystal Palace deviated from their script and not only kept a clean sheet but won the game against Hull City despite having a man sent off in the 2nd half [Keith Millen will be glad to have ended his tenure with a win and sets the tone for incoming manager, Tony Pulis. A rejuvenated Crystal Palace will make the relegation battle interesting and for a league whose season has been full of surprises, having the whipping boys become tough opponents is Christmas come early for fans of football and the EPL.
The new manager is making all the right noise saying he will ensure Crystal Palace survive relegation. He does have the pedigree to back his claim as evidenced by Stoke’s continual survival in the league. And he achieved all this in spite of the major criticism about his team’s style of play.
Swansea
Finally getting a win in the EPL to halt a run of bad results. The good news is that it was done without last season’s savior, Michu who is still out of the squad with an injury. The cause for worry is that they were unconvincing winners and Laudrup still has some work to do if the Swans are to reclaim the heights they did last season.
Aston Villa
Despite Shane’s long 1st half heroics, Paul Lambert was able to mastermind a 2nd half performance that almost saw his team win the game. The kicker? Their star forward, Benteke did not find the back of the net.
Losers:
David Moyes
Take your pick—Losing out on a top 4 position, failing to move above their noisy neighbors, failing to protect a lead or an honest midfield performance which is a diplomatic way of saying his options are woefully lacking when compared to the quality other teams have at their disposal. Does losing away from home against a newly-promoted side hurt a team’s top-4 credentials? This column is of the opinion that it does and it is for this reason Moyes and his team find themselves starting the countdown in the losers section.
AVB
This match was billed as the meeting between the most defensive team [i.e. Spurs—goals allowed stats] and the most attacking team at home [i.e. Man City Goals scored stat]. This column doubts any pundit was brave enough to predict Man City winning and winning so convincingly. AVB introduced 3 new players into his squad with Lamena, Lennon and Holtby coming into the side. The reason AVB finds himself here is because after spending the Bale-money over the, his side is yet to convince others that they are finally ready to make that top 4 push. The fact that Spurs are failing to capitalize on the most open EPL season in recent memory perhaps justifies the moody attitude that stifles the atmosphere at White Hart Lane.
His tactics have failed to utilize the attacking talents at his disposal fully and perhaps his greatest crime, this column suggests is the fact that AVB continues to play Soldado as a lone striker despite it being an open secret that dropping-back to collect the ball from midfield and linkup play are not his strongest suit. Maybe it is time to switch to a 4-4-2 formation and have Adebayor provide support for Soldado and serve as the link between the forwards and the men in the middle.
Let’s talk some more about the Spanish hitman who has failed to banish memories of a certain Gareth Bale among the White Hart lane faithful.
Soldado
You hate to blame a single player for his team’s woeful performance but if your coach has to resort to recalling a player he banished to play with the reserves, you should know you are under-performing. It could very well be that he is still getting used to the new team and the style of the EPL. It doesn’t help that the attacking trio behind him is inconsistent. With Adebayor’s introduction in the 2nd half, perhaps it points to signs of AVB changing his tactics to bring the nest out of his player.
Martin Jol
With the appointment of Rene Meulensteen, Martin Jol finds himself in a no-win scenario. The situation at craven cottage is a Greek tragedy unfolding before our very eyes. Should Martin Jol fail to halt Fulham’s slide, the owners will be justified when they sack him and install Rene Meulensteen as manager. Should Jol however find some way to improve his team’s performances over the course of the season, all the success can easily be attributed to Meulensteen and thus, provide enough justification to fire Jol and install him as the manager. Whether Fulham’s performances improve or gets worse, it will be hard to see Martin Jol as manager next year. It did not help that they lost their home game against Swansea and now find themselves already caught up in a relegation dogfight.
Not a good start Jol. If there is a bright side to Fulham’s current situation, it is that Darren Bent started for the home side. As to why it took so long to be introduced especially when the team needed goals is frankly perplexing. His play was rusty as expected but his instinct and eye for goal have not dulled. How well he plays and how soon he finds the net will determine how many games Fulham win as this season nears the halfway point.
Ball-playing Goalies
This week saw goalkeepers directly lose games for their respective teams. Boruc’s Southampton never got into the game after his bad attempt at playing footie with Giroud resulted in the Frenchman overpowering him and scoring a goal whilst Hugo Lloris, who by all accounts doubles as a sweeper for Spurs saw two error clearances result in an unforgiving Manchester City attack capitalizing on his mistake. After going down in the first minute of the game due to Lloris pass to Aguero which resulted in a Jesus Nevas goal, Spurs just lost their game plan and never recovered. What was interesting about both games was that the keepers were not under-pressure to clear the ball and rather brought this onto themselves. Maybe the teams of yore were onto something when they instructed their keepers to hoof all balls passed to them wayyy into the opposition half?
Referees
Ah the life of a premier league referee. You are one call away from becoming the villain of the story. This week’s round of games saw questionable calls that directly influenced the results of games. Wes Brown’s sending off in the 30th minute against Stoke comes to mind. Maybe we should cut them some slack as they cannot get decisions right all the time but when they make such game-changing decisions, calls for video-technology to review such contentions decisions not only get louder but are becoming impossible to ignore. If human decision making is part of the soul of football, its errors are making the case for why it should be exorcised.
Arsenal Dragon
Three Years, Eight Months and 10 Days: Arsenal Stalemate Ends ‘This’ Run For Tottenham Which Began Way Back in 2022
Tottenham Women’s extraordinary 81-game streak without a goalless draw in the WSL finally ended on Sunday after a disciplined 0-0 stalemate against Arsenal at Brisbane Road.
The remarkable run spanning three years, eight months and 10 days represented one of the most unusual statistical quirks in women’s football, stretching all the way back to March 2022.
Tottenham’s Remarkable 81-Game Run Without Goalless Draw Finally Ends in Arsenal Stalemate After 1,346 Days
Tottenham’s last goalless draw before Sunday came against Reading on March 13, 2022. The statistics are staggering. Across 69 complete league matches spanning the 2022/23, 2023/24 and 2024/25 seasons, Tottenham never failed to find the net or concede.
Sunday’s result at Brisbane Road broke that pattern in front of a record-breaking 6,778 fans who witnessed a tactical battle where neither attack could break through. Arsenal dominated possession and registered 13 shots but found Tottenham’s defensive organization impenetrable.
Defensive Foundation for Impressive Campaign
The clean sheet showcased the defensive progress under manager Robert Vilahamn. Goalkeeper Lize Kop and her backline recorded their fourth WSL clean sheet of the campaign—six across all competitions, matching Chelsea’s Hannah Hampton for the joint-highest tally in the division at this stage.
Tottenham’s start to the 2025/26 season has exceeded expectations. They sit fifth in the table with 16 points from nine matches, just four points shy of last season’s entire total achieved across 22 games.
The point gained in the north London derby felt like a significant statement. Tottenham frustrated their fierce rivals whilst ending a statistical anomaly that had defined their recent WSL existence.
Whether this signals a tactical evolution towards greater defensive discipline or simply represents a one-off remains to be seen, but the 1,346-day wait for another goalless draw has finally concluded.
Read More: 3 Things We Learned From Arsenal Women’s Frustrating 0-0 Draw Against Tottenham Women
Player Profile
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Yan Diomande |
| Age | 19 years old (Born: November 14, 2006) |
| Position | Left Winger / Right Winger |
| Current Club | RB Leipzig |
| Height | Not publicly disclosed |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Contract | Until June 2030 (5-year deal) |
| Market Value | €100 million (Leipzig valuation) |
| Transfer Fee Paid | €20 million (from Leganes, July 2025) |
| International | Ivory Coast (2 caps, 2 goals) |
| Previous Clubs | Leganes, DME Academy (USA) |
Scout Report
Overview
Yan Diomande represents one of European football’s most remarkable breakout stories in 2025-26. The 19-year-old Ivorian winger has exploded onto the Bundesliga scene just months after RB Leipzig activated his €20 million release clause from Spanish second-tier side Leganes. His four goals and three assists in 10 appearances have attracted interest from Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and PSG.
Career Path
Diomande’s journey began in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, before his family relocated to the United States. He played high school football for Yulee Hornets in Florida before enrolling at DME Academy in Daytona Beach, where scouts first noticed his raw talent.
He featured for DME’s affiliate AS Frenzi in the amateur UPSL, winning the 2023 United Premier Soccer League Premier Division and earning 2023 STARI Player of the Year honors.
After unsuccessful trials with MLS sides Colorado Rapids and Charlotte FC, plus Scottish giants Rangers and clubs in England and Greece, Diomande signed with Leganes in November 2024. Shortly before his move to Spain, tragedy struck when his younger sister passed away. “My little sister died shortly before I signed my contract in Spain,” Diomande revealed. He promised his mother to dedicate his next goal to her, breaking down emotionally when scoring his first professional goal in May 2025 against Espanyol.
He made just seven appearances for Leganes before Leipzig identified him as a future star, paying his €20 million release clause in July 2025 and securing him on a five-year contract through June 2030.
Playing Style
Diomande operates primarily as a left winger despite being right-footed, allowing him to cut inside and create shooting opportunities. His technical ability in tight spaces, combined with sharp movement and creativity, makes him dangerous when receiving possession in advanced positions.
His purple patch of form has been extraordinary—scoring three goals in three consecutive games while registering three assists in his last three outings. These numbers reflect either a hot streak or genuine elite quality emerging. Time will determine which, but his current trajectory suggests the latter.
Diomande’s versatility allows him to play on both flanks and feature in midfield, offering tactical flexibility managers crave. His attacking awareness and eye for goal have impressed scouts across Europe, particularly during his Player of the Match performance against Stuttgart where he scored in a 3-1 victory in front of numerous observers.
Physical Attributes
While specific height and weight measurements aren’t publicly available, match footage shows Diomande possesses the pace and agility needed to beat defenders one-on-one. His quick feet and ability to change direction rapidly make him difficult to contain in wide areas.
His stamina allows him to maintain intensity across 90 minutes, pressing defensively when required while making repeated attacking runs. This work rate aligns with modern winger expectations at elite clubs like Arsenal.
Mental Attributes
Diomande’s mental strength is remarkable considering his age and recent personal tragedy. Making his senior Ivory Coast debut in November 2025 and scoring in both of his first two international appearances demonstrates confidence and composure under pressure.
His ability to dedicate his first professional goal to his late sister while maintaining emotional control shows maturity beyond his teenage years. This psychological resilience will prove crucial if he moves to the Premier League’s intense environment.
Diomande’s willingness to relocate from the United States to Spain, then Germany within 12 months demonstrates adaptability and ambition unusual for teenagers. Most players his age prefer stability, but Diomande chases opportunities aggressively.
SWOT Analysis
Strengths
Explosive Form: Four goals and three assists in 10 Bundesliga appearances represents exceptional output for an 19-year-old winger in his debut season at a major European league. His recent run of three goals and three assists in consecutive matches suggests genuine quality rather than lucky variance.
International Recognition: Earning senior Ivory Coast caps within months of his Leipzig debut validates his talent beyond just club performances. Scoring in both international appearances demonstrates he produces at multiple competitive levels.
Versatility Across Forward Line: Can operate on both wings and in midfield, providing tactical flexibility managers value. This adaptability allows rotation without dropping quality, crucial for squads competing across multiple competitions.
Youth and Resale Value: At 19, Diomande offers 10-12 years of peak football. Any club signing him secures an asset that appreciates if his development continues, protecting investment even if he doesn’t work out immediately.
Technical Security: His quick feet and calm touch in tight areas allow him to receive possession under pressure and eliminate defenders with close control. This technical foundation suggests he’ll adapt to Premier League physicality.
No Release Clause: Leipzig removed any release clause from his contract, meaning they control negotiations completely. This provides contract security while allowing Leipzig to demand maximum value if selling.
Proven Adaptability: Successfully transitioning from American high school football to Spanish segunda division to Bundesliga within 18 months demonstrates rapid learning curve and mental resilience unusual for teenagers.
Weaknesses
Extremely Limited Sample Size: 10 professional appearances at elite level represents insufficient data to project long-term trajectory. Many players produce excellent short-term numbers before regression toward mean performance levels.
Physical Profile Unknown: Lack of publicly available height, weight, and athletic metrics makes comprehensive scouting difficult. Premier League demands specific physical attributes, and insufficient information exists to project his suitability.
Unproven Against Elite Opposition: Has yet to face Champions League football or genuine top-tier defensive systems. Bundesliga provides competitive environment but differs significantly from Premier League’s intensity and tactical sophistication.
Potential Purple Patch Player: His recent three-goal, three-assist run in consecutive matches could represent variance rather than sustainable performance. History shows many players produce excellent short periods before fading.
Adaptation Risk: Moving from high school football to Bundesliga in under two years seems remarkable, but Premier League represents another significant step up. Players often struggle when making too many transitions quickly without consolidation periods.
Age and Development Uncertainty: At 19, predicting his ceiling remains speculative. Physical and technical development could plateau, or injuries could derail trajectory before reaching predicted potential.
Language Barriers: Has relocated from United States to Spain to Germany within 18 months, potentially speaking limited Spanish and German fluently. Communication challenges could impact tactical understanding and integration.
Opportunities
Gabriel Martinelli’s Injury: Arsenal’s Brazilian winger has been sidelined with a thigh injury since October 26, creating immediate vacancy on the left wing. Diomande’s profile fits this position perfectly.
Gabriel Jesus’ Fitness Issues: Arsenal’s backup striker continues struggling with injury problems. Diomande’s ability to play multiple forward positions provides cover across attacking line.
Noni Madueke’s Knee Injury: The Chelsea transfer suffered knee problems after joining Arsenal last summer, highlighting squad depth concerns. Adding another winger addresses this vulnerability.
January Transfer Window Timing: Arsenal sit top of the Premier League and could use January reinforcement to consolidate position. Diomande’s form makes him available target during crucial period.
Leipzig’s Sales History: The German club has track record of selling young talents to Premier League—Benjamin Sesko, Josko Gvardiol, Dominik Szoboszlai all made similar moves recently. Leipzig understand Premier League valuations.
Reduced Competition in January: Many clubs wait until summer to pursue targets. Acting in January could secure Diomande before bidding war intensifies with Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and PSG all interested.
Ivory Coast AFCON Participation: If selected for upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, Diomande gains additional platform to showcase abilities. Strong tournament performance would increase Arsenal’s confidence in investment.
Comparable to Erling Haaland Trajectory: Experts suggest Diomande could become Leipzig’s most valuable player since Haaland. If comparisons prove accurate, any price paid now will seem bargain within 18 months.
Threats
€100 Million Valuation: Leipzig reportedly value Diomande at €100 million despite paying just €20 million six months ago. This 500% markup seems unrealistic for player with 10 senior appearances, creating negotiation impasse.
Overwhelming Competition: Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, Tottenham, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, and PSG all monitoring him. Competition from clubs with deeper pockets threatens any deal.
Leipzig’s Development Track Record: RB Leipzig specializes in developing young talents before selling at premium prices. Diomande might benefit more from staying in Germany to consolidate development before Premier League move.
Premier League Adaptation Concerns: Transition from Bundesliga to Premier League has destroyed many promising careers. Physical intensity, tactical sophistication, and pressure differ significantly from German football.
No Guarantee of Playing Time: At Arsenal, Diomande would compete with Saka, Martinelli, Madueke, Eze, and Trossard for minutes. Lack of guaranteed starts could stunt development or create frustration leading to departure demands.
Contract Length Until 2030: Leipzig hold all negotiating leverage with five years remaining. They can demand astronomical fees knowing Diomande cannot force exit through contract pressure.
Potential For Overvaluation: His €100 million reported valuation after 10 appearances represents extreme overvaluation unless he becomes generational talent. Arsenal risk overpaying for potential that never materializes.
Personal Tragedy Impact: Losing his sister shortly before turning professional could have long-term psychological effects not yet apparent. Mental health challenges sometimes emerge months or years after traumatic events.
Verdict for Arsenal
Yan Diomande represents exactly the profile Arsenal typically pursue—young, talented, technically secure, and capable of playing multiple positions. His explosive start at Leipzig validates his potential as future elite winger.
However, the €100 million valuation after just 10 senior appearances represents insane overvaluation that Arsenal should reject immediately. Paying that sum for unproven teenager with such limited sample size would be financial malpractice regardless of talent.
If Leipzig reduce demands to €40-50 million, conversation becomes more reasonable. At that price, Arsenal acquire a prospect with genuine upside while maintaining financial flexibility for other positions.
The timing feels premature. Diomande should consolidate his Bundesliga performances across full season before making another significant move. Jumping from high school to segunda division to Bundesliga to Premier League within three years risks overwhelming development with too many transitions.
Arsenal’s left-wing situation isn’t desperate enough to justify €100 million gamble. Martinelli will return from injury, Eze can cover, and Trossard provides experience. Investing that sum in proven talent like Rafael Leao or Antoine Griezmann makes more strategic sense if addressing immediate title ambitions.
Summer 2026 represents better timing. By then, Diomande will have full Bundesliga season completed, providing larger sample size for evaluation. His valuation might decrease if form regresses, or Arsenal’s conviction strengthens if he maintains production.
Rating: 7/10 transfer prospect for summer 2026, 4/10 for January 2026—exciting talent with genuine potential but premature timing and unrealistic valuation make immediate move illogical.
Read More:
Arsenal
Bukayo Saka Names Former Arsenal Star as Best Player He’s Played With Despite Kane and Rice Options
Bukayo Saka overlooked current Arsenal teammates and England stars to name Mesut Ozil as the best player he’s shared a pitch with during his career. The 24-year-old’s choice surprised many given he’s played alongside Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice, and Phil Foden at international level.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Saka was unequivocal when asked about his best teammate. “Maybe Mesut Ozil. High quality player, man. It was just fun, hard to describe it. Fun to play with him, fun to watch him.”
The endorsement holds particular weight considering Saka played just 17 matches alongside Özil during the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons. His Arsenal debut came in December 2018 against Qarabağ FK, where the then-17-year-old earned Player of the Match honors in a match decided by Özil’s assist for the game’s only goal.
Mesut Ozil Was Instrumental in Arsenal’s Multiple FA Cup Success
Özil joined Arsenal from Real Madrid in 2013, accumulating 44 goals and 77 assists across 254 appearances. His 19 Premier League assists during the 2015-16 season remain second only to Thierry Henry in Arsenal history, demonstrating the creative excellence that captivated young Saka.
The German playmaker helped Arsenal secure four FA Cup titles, breaking their nine-year trophy drought. However, his Arsenal career ended controversially after publicly criticizing China’s human rights policies in 2019, leading to marginalization under Mikel Arteta and eventual departure to Fenerbahce in January 2021.
Saka’s choice becomes more intriguing when considering Martin Ødegaard has already surpassed Özil’s Premier League goal total despite playing 3,000 fewer minutes. Yet the England international’s admiration for Özil’s effortless quality clearly left an indelible impression during those brief 17 matches together.
Özil retired from professional football in March 2023 after spells with Fenerbahce and İstanbul Başakşehir. He joined Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party’s central council in 2025, pursuing political interests alongside business ventures including esports and Mexican club Necaxa ownership.
Also Read: Gabriel Magalhaes Suffers Injury During International Break: What Do We Know So Far?
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