In today’s episode, we bring you news of last night’s World Cup qualifiers, Mario Mandzukic retires, what Arsenal’s technical director Edu Gasper had to say and lots more.
It’s the Pundit Daily Digest and it promises to be as entertaining as always. Let’s take a look at some of football’s biggest news.
1. Mario Mandzukic Retires From Football
The football world will miss a gem as Croatian striker Mario Mandzukic retires from the game.
On Friday night, the 35-year-old announced his decision to retire from football in a post on Instagram, which included a photo of a pair of boots.
Mandzukic scored 33 goals in 89 appearances for Croatia, arguably scoring his best ever international goal against England in the semifinals of the 2018 World Cup.
He scored the winner in the 109th minute as he sent Croatia to their first ever World Cup final.
The Croatian forward also played for Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid, Juventus and AC Milan, although injury affected his effectiveness at Milan.
He won the Croatian League three times with Dinamo Zagreb, the Bundesliga twice, the Champions League at Bayern, and the Scudetto four times at Juventus.
2. Falcao Returns To La Liga
Colombian forward Radamel Falcao has left Galatasaray and returned to La Liga, only this time to Rayo Vallecano
Falcao’s return to Spain will evoke strong memories in the hearts of La Liga fans, although Atletico fans will most likely remember him most for his exploits in front of goal from 2011-2013.
Rayo are 10th in LaLiga after three games and Falcao will be immediately expected to improve their goalscoring returns.
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3. Edu Defends Arsenal Spending And Transfer Strategy
Arsenal’s technical director Edu Gasper has defended the club’s transfer strategy over the summer.
Despite the London side spending more than the other Premier League teams, they are bottom of the log.
Arsenal have spent more than £150 million on recruits such as Ben White, Martin Odegaard and Aaron Ramsdale in what Edu termed to be a foundation for the future.
“We have to see the wider context than just to see the money around it. We signed six players who are under 23, which means a lot in terms of our planning,” he said.
“It’s a lot, almost a revolution. But how are you going to fill those 21 holes? You need time, you cannot come in and do it straight away.
“They (new recruits) are young but we have five senior players in the squad and in the first 11… Around those five we have very, very good, talented players which we believe in.”
Edu acknowledged that the Gunners were in a dire situation and described it as “really tough” but declined to set a target for the club this season stating he just wanted the club to improve.
Edu and Arteta will certainly hope that the Gunners beat Norwich in order to douse the mounting pressure and dissolve the cloud of uncertainty over their jobs.
4. World Champions Held By Ukraine
World Cup holders France dropped points again in their World Cup Qualification game with Qatar. Les Bleus drew 1-1 with Ukraine after failing to convert several chances.
France drew their fifth successive match, although Anthony Martial was able to open his goalscoring account in for France.
The Manchester United forward, scored his second goal in 29 caps to cancel out a magnificent first-half strike by Ukraine midfielder Mykola Shaparenko.
Deschamps had this to say concerning the game;
“We are maybe not in a better situation than we were before the match, but it is not any worse either. It’s just one more point when obviously our goal was to take all three points.”
5. Netherlands Cruise In Eindhoven
Barcelona forward, Memphis Depay scored a brace to help Netherlands sweep aside Montenegro 4-0 in Louis Van Gaal’s first game since he returned as head coach.
Depay’s brace took his recent tally to nine goals in nine games for Netherlands.
The Dutch are second behind Turkey, a team they will face on Tuesday at Amsterdam. The Turks also won their match against Gibraltar by a 3-0 margin.
This article was compiled by Kayode Ogunbote.
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