Arsenal have a "fantastic" squad player who's working tirelessly for manager Mikel Arteta, says Gunners legend and BBC pundit Ian Wright.
Who are Arsenal's star players?
A few of Arsenal's current crop can be picked out for praise as the north Londoners enjoy a brilliant start to the new Premier League season. The likes of Declan Rice, Ben White, Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and William Saliba have been performing exceptionally, to name a few, to help Arsenal win six out of their opening eight league games and remain unbeaten in the top flight. They're currently joint-top with league-leading Tottenham, most recently making a statement by beating current champions Man City at the Emirates Stadium.
The performance was particularly impressive given this occasion's seismic pressure, combined with the expectation of supporters who created a powerful atmosphere. Arteta, speaking after their win over City last weekend, hailed his players for keeping their nerve.
"The crowd wants you to go and go and go, and it’s what the crowd they do, the crowd do that and we don’t go, and we have to manage that," said Arteta to Arsenal's official website.
"We have to understand emotionally it’s not easy, it’s not easy to chase 15, 20 passes and you have to be able to do that and then have the courage to play. You don’t want to play against this team that just gives the ball to them every single time and I thought the players were excellent. They were all dancing and super happy, they are now on international break. The mood is always much better, and the ones who are not involved are going to have a few days off, and it sends everybody until the game against Chelsea away with the right spirit and the right emotion."
Latest Eddie Nketiah news
However, while it has been a promising start to the new season, there is a case to be made that Arsenal may need a new striker, especially given a lot of their victories have come by narrow one-goal margins. This had led to the Gunners targeting Brentford's star striker, according to the latest Ivan Toney transfer news.
Arsenal's Eddie Nketiah and Leandro Trossard.
Club fan favourite Wright also believes that they should make a move for Toney, as he explained to the Stick to Football Podcast. During this sit-down, he also heaped praise on Eddie Nketiah for his work rate; saying the Englishman works his socks off for Arteta.
Holding on to the ball
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Finishing
"You can’t question the endeavour of both of these players, Eddie and Jesus, but in the moments I think you look back at the Tottenham game, with the Jesus miss," said Wright.
“For a player of his level, his calibre, to get into that position at 1-0 up, you have to [score]. Those chances have to be buried. And I believe for what Arsenal are trying to do, the margins are so small now, you cannot afford to be missing chances like that and not win those games.
“And what I’m seeing with Eddie, he’s working his socks off, no chances really made for him. The work off the ball, fantastic, same with Jesus."
Tottenham Hotspur will be entering a new era during the 2024/25 campaign, with Thomas Frank the latest manager to try and be a success in North London.
The Dane takes the reins as the Lilywhites’ boss after seven successful years in charge of Brentford, in which he achieved an impressive win percentage of 43%.
However, he’s demonstrated that he’s able to thrive in the Premier League on a shoestring budget, having the chance to work with larger funds across the capital.
Brentford managerThomasFrankapplauds fans after the match
He’s also showcased that he’s able to develop players into top-level talents, with the likes of Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa both touted with big-money moves away during this window.
Whilst both have been linked with a reunion with their former boss at Spurs, neither are expected to join the club, with numerous other names mentioned during the ongoing window.
The latest on Spurs’ hunt for new additions this summer
Mohammed Kudus is a player who has been hugely on their shortlist this summer, with a £55m agreement having been struck for the West Ham United star, as per The Athletic’s David Ornstein.
Ademola Lookman had been seen as an alternative to the Ghanaian, with the Atalanta star potentially available for £50m after scoring 20 times across all competitions in 2024/25.
Atalanta's Ademola Lookman celebrates scoring their second goal with Atalanta's GiorgioScalviniand Atalanta's Matteo Ruggeri
However, their attention appears to have turned to Fluminense star Jhon Arias, with the Colombian a player of huge admiration by the hierarchy, according to one Spanish outlet.
They claim that the Lilywhites are set to submit an offer for the 27-year-old in the coming days, currently being valued at around the €25m (£20m) mark by the Brazilian outfit.
It also states that his current employers may find it hard to keep hold of the attacker during this window, after he expressed his desire for a new challenge after impressing at the Club World Cup.
Why Spurs’ £20m target would be a better signing than Eze
Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze is a player who’s been on Spurs’ radar over the last couple of summers, but no deal has ever been agreed for his services.
Crystal Palace's EberechiEzecelebrates with the trophy after winning the FA Cup
The 27-year-old looked as though he could finally join the Lilywhites this window, potentially triggering the £68m release clause in his current contract at Selhurst Park.
However, after registering 26 combined goals and assists last season, competition for his signature has been extremely high, with North London rivals Arsenal also in the race for the England international.
Mikel Arteta’s side now appear to be leading the race to land the attacking midfielder, leading to Frank’s side targeting other reinforcements as a result.
Arias is just one of the players currently in their sights, with the Colombian star possessing a very similar skillset to Eze, both liking to drive forward with the ball at their feet.
Fluminense forwardJhon Arias.
The Fluminense star, who’s been labelled “magical” by The Athletic’s Oliver Kay, registered more progressive carries and carries into the final third than Eze per 90, showcasing his ability to get the ball into dangerous areas.
Upon getting into such areas, he posted a higher shot on target accuracy rate, having the ability to finish the attack himself or tee up a teammate – as seen by his higher tally of passes into the final third per 90.
Games played
27
34
Goals & assists
10
16
Shot on target accuracy
41%
27%
Goals per shot on target
0.3
0.2
Progressive carries
3.6
2.4
Progressive passes
3.5
3.3
Pass accuracy
84%
74%
Passes into final third
3.1
1.7
Carries into final third
2.6
1.6
Aerial success rate
33%
16%
His all-round dominance over the Palace star is further reflected in his higher aerial success and pass completion rates, with his skillset providing a real threat to backlines across the Premier League should he join.
Given the difference in stats, it’s evident that Arias would be a superb addition to Frank’s side, handing the Dane the talent and depth he desires in such a department.
The stats are just one selling point, but the fact he’s available for nearly £50m cheaper is another huge factor in any potential move, hopefully able to make a name for himself in North London throughout 2025/26 and beyond.
He's like Mbeumo: Spurs close in on agreement to sign "phenomenal" £65m ace
Spurs could sign a player who’s like Bryan Mbeumo this summer.
Liverpool have started 2024 with vicious intent, dispatching Newcastle United 4-2 in the Premier League before travelling to London to face Arsenal in the FA Cup with a weakened squad and prevailing, thus still in contention across all four fronts this season.
Indeed, with a double-legged Carabao Cup semi-final tie against Fulham forthcoming and a place in the last-16 of the Europa League, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp will be delighted with his team's progress, cherry-topping their ascent with top spot in the English top-flight after 20 matches.
It's a good start and a continuation of the seasonal resurgence after last year's malaise, and the victory at the Emirates is perhaps especially galvanising given world-class talisman Mohamed Salah's absence at the African Cup of Nations.
Every Premier League player at 2023 AFCON
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Liverpool will have to contend without the Egyptian machine over the next month and this is possibly an overture of sorts to a future without the 31-year-old.
It's almost unthinkable, but it's something that Klopp and his club will have to deal with at some point, what's important is that he is replaced with a star capable of dominating in the Liverpool frontline.
Liverpool transfer news – Kylian Mbappe
According to Spanish reports, Real Madrid remain the favourites in the endless soap opera that is the Kylian Mbappe transfer saga, with the Paris Saint-Germain star out of contract at the end of the season.
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2
2016/17
44
26
14
2017/18
46
21
16
2018/19
43
39
17
2019/20
37
30
18
2020/21
47
42
11
2021/22
46
39
26
2022/23
43
41
10
Mbappe is valued at £113m by Football Transfers and while he would be available on a free, would certainly not come cheap, but Los Blancos' financial security is not at its zenith right now, and Liverpool could reportedly move to secure his services with an audacious approach over the coming months.
Kylian Mbappe's rise to prominence
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has already pronounced Mbappe as "the best player in European football" and while this is subjective, it's a brave supporter to make the argument that he does not have a seat at the table when discussing football's cream of the crop.
Joining PSG in a staggering £166m move from AS Monaco in 2018 – having spent the 2017/18 campaign on loan with the Parisien giants – the Frace international has long been regarded as one of the most destructive attacking forces around, surprisingly winning Ligue 1 as a teenager and racking up 26 goals and 14 assists across all competitions, naturally.
Invariably deadly when darting up the lanes and into the final third, the 25-year-old Mbappe has since enjoyed an illustrious career and has won honours in their abundance in his homeland – with the 2018 World Cup with Les Bleus to boot – and with the Champions League still eluding him it is perhaps time to make the move away from the Parc des Prices.
Across 282 appearances for PSG, the 75-cap France star has scored 233 goals and provided 100 assists for his teammates, instrumental and central to all of the riches reaped over the past several years – described as a "generational talent" by scout Jacek Kulig.
Remarked to be an "alien" by Poland player Piotr Zielinski for his past escapades on the international stage, Mbappe thrives both as the focal frontman and out on the left side of the attack, with his devastating speed and dribbling prowess enough to leave Europe's most formidable defenders in a tangle.
To emphasise this point, Mbappe ranks among the top 4% of forwards across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for goals, the top 1% for shots taken, the top 3% for shot-creating actions, the top 5% for passes attempted and progressive passes, the top 1% for progressive carries and the top 4% for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref.
Having been embroiled in something of a contractual stalemate last summer, there was a point when PSG, who sought to sell their prized asset to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal and accepted a jaw-dropping £259m offer (which would have been a world-record), but Mbappe was not enticed by the opulence and even appeared willing to remain in Paris and sit on the periphery.
Alas, it's all worked out okay, with Mbappe plundering 25 goals from just 24 matches this term; endowed with such a celestial level of offensive power, the £1.19m-per-week machine would be quite the acquisition for Liverpool, and surely the best option to succeed Salah in the Liverpool frontline.
How Kylian Mbappe compares to Mohamed Salah
Salah and Mbappe are not like-for-like players, preferring alternate flanks, but the signing of such an incredible player would compensate for Salah's possible sale, with the 31-year-old out of contract in 2025 and attracting a lot of attention from Saudi Arabia.
luis-diaz-mohamed-salah-liverpool-opinion
On transfer deadline day last summer, Al-Ittihad lodged an official offer of £150m for Liverpool's star man but were rebuffed, though if a contract extension cannot be agreed, there will be little choice but to cash in at the end of the current campaign.
Salah, who signed for Liverpool from AS Roma for £34m in 2017, has cemented his legacy as one of the Premier League's finest-ever forwards and boasts
This season, he has 18 goals and nine assists from 27 appearances and has been ever-immense, crafting and finishing chances with remarkable constancy to charge Liverpool's title challenge.
Matches played
16
20
Goals
1.22
0.73
Assists
0.14
0.41
Shots taken
5.07
3.06
Shots on target %
41%
44%
Shot-creating actions
4.26
4.55
Progressive passes
5.00
5.13
Progressive carries
4.93
3.58
Successful take-ons
2.64
0.88
It's interesting to place the respective skill sets together, side by side, given the dominance that each player emits with every stride that they take on the pitch.
While Salah is more creative than Mbappe, the Frenchman is far more energetic and active as a marauder, with such a set of skills only sure to wreak havoc in the Premier League,
Of course, there is something of a disparity in quality between French and English top-flight football, and it's interesting to consider what the tables would look like if the tables were turned, but there's no disputing that Mbappe is a prodigy in front of goal and would bring a rate of scoring that could even surpass what Salah has achieved at Anfield.
Nonetheless, Mbappe is a world-class talent, and while a move to Merseyside might seem implausible, there is a chance, a sliver of hope, that Klopp could pull off a signing that would send shockwaves across European football.
Southampton extended their unbeaten run in the Championship to 14 games after resoundingly beating Blackburn Rovers 4-0 last weekend, Jon Dahl Tomasson's Riversiders second best all afternoon at St Mary's as Russell Martin's men showed no mercy in a rampant display.
Martin's use of the substitutes bench came in clutch in this contest, with Sekou Mara and Carlos Alcaraz both scoring after being introduced into the game late on to ensure the three points were secure to avoid any worries of a slip-up.
Those late strikes in the one-sided match on the South Coast could see both players come into the starting eleven today, Carlos Alcaraz itching to add more goals to his Saints resume if selected for today's contest against a frail QPR defence.
Carlos Alcaraz's game vs Blackburn in numbers
Alcaraz only needed 14 minutes on the pitch against Dahl Tomasson's Rovers to add another goal to his growing Southampton account, up to seven goals now for the Championship club since joining in January of this year from his native Argentina.
He could have a double on another day in a blistering cameo off the bench, awkwardly missing a penalty with a dinked effort from the spot before firing in his side's fourth of the game deep into injury time at the end of the 90 minutes.
The Saints' number 22 even held his hands up to the St Mary's masses to apologise for the poor penalty miss after scoring, more than atoning for that error with the strike.
Successful with three out of four dribble attempts too from such a short spell on the pitch, Alcaraz was a handful from the minute he came on and was an impactful presence to bring on late into the game to overwhelm a tiring Blackburn defence.
Martin could well be tempted to start his livewire Argentinian attacker next match as a result, with Sekou Mara also clamouring for a starting opportunity against QPR after an equally impactful cameo off the bench.
Sekou Mara's game vs Blackburn in numbers
Mara was introduced into the contest in place of a surprisingly below-par Adam Armstrong, showing the usually clinical attacker how to find the back of the net in this one on a rare goalless afternoon for the ex-Newcastle United striker.
The 21-year-old crucially prodded home after Ryan Fraser crossed into the danger area, the young Frenchman putting the game beyond all doubt as a result.
Mara's trickery on the ball would also win the Saints a penalty before this game-clinching goal, twisting and turning Blackburn shirts whilst eyeing up an effort on the Rovers net before being stopped in his tracks by a rash tackle.
Coming off the pitch at the end overjoyed at his short but sweet 14-minute cameo on the St Mary's turf, Mara also failed to misplace a single ball in the game with two of his three ground duels also successfully won.
Mara has shone in a Saints kit in the past away from just this second-tier season in isolation, even receiving praise for his individual displays during their relegation campaign from the Premier League.
The Frenchman was hailed as "ridiculous" by football pundit and ex-Manchester City player Micah Richards in the aftermath of assisting Kyle Walker-Peters last season versus Leeds United on Match of the Day, showboating on the ball before cutting the Whites defence open with an inch-perfect pass through in the 2-2 draw.
The skilful attacker will hope his promising cameo against Blackburn will be enough to be rewarded with only his second start of the season today, even unsettling the status quo on the South Coast with Adam Armstrong potentially dropped to make way for the Saints' number 18 to further strut his stuff.
Arsenal are enjoying another impressive season so far this year.
The club are still fighting for Premier League supremacy and have taken to the Champions League like a duck to water, already qualifying and topping their group before the final match.
Their guaranteed progression into the next round of the competition gives Mikel Arteta the luxury of rotating his squad for their final group game against PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday evening.
One player who must finally be given his first senior start for the club is the highly-rated Ethan Nwaneri.
#1 Ethan Nwaneri
15 years, 5 months, 28 days
2022: Brentford
#2 Cesc Fabregas
16 years, 5 months, 24 days
2003: Rotherham
#3 Jack Wilshere
16 years, 8 months, 12 days
2008: Blackburn
#4 Jermaine Pennant
16 years, 10 months, 15 days
1999: Middlesbrough
#5 Paul Vaessen
16 years, 11 months, 11 days
1978: Lokomotive Leipzig
#6 Ryan Smith
16 years, 11 months, 18 days
2003: Rotherham
#7 Gedion Zelalem
16 years, 11 months, 29 days
2014: Coventry
#8 Armand Traore
17 years, 16 days
2006: West Brom
Ethan Nwaneri's youth stats for Arsenal
Nwaneri made his senior debut for the club away to Brentford and became the youngest Premier League player in history in the process – 15 years, five months and 28 days – but the overwhelming majority of his performances have come at youth level, for Arsenal.
Described as "unplayable" by Arsenal's U18 coach Jack Wilshere for his impact in a 3-3 draw with Manchester United's U18 side last season, the Hale End prodigy has been wowing his coaches for years, and it is easy to see why.
In his 13 Premier League 2 appearances for the youth side, he has scored four goals and provided two assists, while in the U18 Premier League, he has scored seven goals and provided five assists in 16 appearances.
Matches
13
16
Goals
4
7
Assists
2
5
Goal Involvements per game
0.46
0.75
His most recent impressive feat came in the U18 FA Youth Cup on December 9th, when, in a game against Crewe Alexandria's U18s, he scored five goals – yes, five – as the young Guns ran out 7-1 victors.
If Arteta is looking for a reason to play the youngster, he can't really ask for more than that.
Ethan Nwaneri's youth stats for England
The Gunners' young "wonderkid", as dubbed by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, hasn't just been impressing in the red and white of Arsenal, but he has also been making a name for himself with the England junior sides.
The 16-year-old made his debut for the U16s side on February 12th 2022, in an international friendly against Germany, before going on to make another five appearances for the side before being promoted to the U17s side under Tom Curtis.
Since making the move up, he has made 21 appearances, scored nine goals and provided two assists.
Matches
27
Goals
10
Assists
3
Goal Involvements per Game
0.48
Why Ethan Nwaneri must start vs PSV
Ultimately, Nwaneri's numbers at the youth level should be reason enough for Arteta to play the immensely talented youngster on Tuesday evening, but his ability to play as either a midfielder or on the right-wing means that the Spaniard could rest either Bukayo Saka or Martin Odegaard – two stars essential to his team's success this season.
The "golden" prospect, as described by Jacek Kulig, has played as an attacking midfielder 22 times, a centre forward eight times, and on the wings three times in the last three seasons, giving his manager the ability to add him into the side where he sees fit.
myles-lewis-skelly-ethan-nwaneri-arsenal-opinion
If this game was to decide where the club finished in the group or even to determine if they qualified, not playing Nwaneri would be totally understandable, but with essentially nothing but pride on the line, Arteta has to grab this opportunity to start one of the most exciting youngsters around. If not now, when?
Newcastle United have already made contact to register their interest in an overseas striker, and a fresh report has now revealed that he's made one specific transfer demand that could determine whether he'll join in January.
Newcastle's attacking options
The Magpies have Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson as their natural options at centre-forward in the building as it stands, but it appears that the club are looking to bolster their attacking frontline ranks during the upcoming transfer window due to injury issues.
PIF and Eddie Howe are reportedly keeping a close eye on Paris Saint-Germain’s Hugo Ekitike and Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin, with the latter being more of a target for the summer, chiefs have identified an alternative should a switch for the former fail to come to fruition at the start of next year.
At Santos, Marcos Leonardo has firmly established himself as Marcelo Faria Fernandes’ best-performing offensive player so far this season (WhoScored – Santos statistics), and the 20-year-old’s impressive form has already been catching the eye of clubs in the English Premier League.
Brazil’s youth international has emerged as a target for Arsenal, Manchester United and West Ham so far, but if the following update is to be believed, he’s also been brought onto the radar of the black and white stripes at St. James’ Park.
PIF given demand from Marcos Leonardo
According to Brazilian outlet Globo Esporte (via Sport Witness), Newcastle have already made an approach for Leonardo ahead of January, but he's reportedly made a demand over any possible transfer.
Arsenal and Real Madrid are the two other clubs to have also made their interest known in the striker, and whilst he waits to receive an offer from one of his potential suitors, it’s believed he’s told his entourage that his aim is to compete in next year’s Olympics.
The Santos talisman wants to strike an agreement with any potential new club before signing a contract, and whilst talks are only “informal” at this stage, he’s serious about his fresh move being a long-term project to progress his career.
Santos striker Marcos Leonardo.
Leonardo could be a "natural goalscorer" for Newcastle
Since the start of his career, Leonardo has posted 65 contributions, 54 goals and 11 assists, in 164 appearances which shows how prolific he can be in the final third (Transfermarkt – Leonardo statistics), and he’s constantly posing a threat even if the end product isn’t always there.
Sponsored by Nike, Itapetinga’s native has recorded 70 shots over the course of this campaign which is more than any of his fellow teammates (FBRef – Santos statistics), highlighting his desire to hit the net and his striker’s instinct in the opposition’s area.
Furthermore, Howe’s target has even received four Man of the Match awards this term in the Serie A (WhoScored – Leonardo statistics), so it’s clear to see that the individual contribution he makes to a side is recognised and deservedly rewarded.
As described by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, Leonardo is a “natural goalscorer” so it’s no surprise to learn that there are so many clubs interested in him, and that’s why it would be a huge coup if he was to choose Newcastle as his next destination in January.
Borussia Dortmund are set to continue talks with Manchester United over the permanent transfer of Jadon Sancho, as they set an initial transfer fee.
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Sancho happy on loan at Dortmund
Talks scheduled over permanent move
Initial transfer fee set by BVB
Getty Images
WHAT HAPPENED?
The English winger re-joined the Bundesliga side on a short-term loan in January having been frozen out by Erik ten Hag at United. Sancho has made a decent start to life back in Germany with a goal and two assists to his name, and 's Florian Plettenburg reports he wants to stay at Dortmund. As such, more talks are scheduled in the "next weeks" between the two clubs to see if a deal can be agreed.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
As Plettenburg notes, the main obstacle to any permanent move will be the salary, with Sancho reportedly earning nearly £300,000 ($381,000) a week at United. Dortmund do, however, already know how much they would be willing to fork out on Sancho should an agreement over salary be reached. According to the report, the German club would pay up to €35 million (£30m/$38m) to United for Sancho, a fair bit shy of the £73m ($93m) the Red Devils splashed out in 2021.
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DID YOU KNOW?
In addition to financial, the report raises other issues that may hinder a permanent move for Sancho. Ten Hag, a vocal critic of the Englishman, may yet be replaced at the helm, while it is unclear what stance incoming part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe will take on the matter.
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WHAT NEXT FOR SANCHO?
In any case, Sancho will continue to put in the work at Dortmund, either to convince them to fork out more or to put himself on the market for other potential suitors. The 23-year-old is said to have many admirers in Saudi Arabia, who are readying another summer of lavish spending after a quiet January window.
Sri Lanka captain Dinesh Chandimal will miss the day-night Test against West Indies in Barbados. After a four-hour hearing on Friday, Michael Beloff QC, the ICC-appointed judicial commissioner, dismissed Chandimal’s appeal against his one-match suspension for ball-tampering.According to an ICC release, Beloff will provide a written reasoned decision on Wednesday.The original decision of match referee Javagal Srinath, to award Chandimal two suspension points and fine him 100% of his match fee, will stand. Since two suspension points correspond to four demerit points, those will remain on Chandimal’s disciplinary record.Beloff also set July 10 as the date to hear the code-of-conduct charges against Chandimal, Sri Lanka coach Chandika Hathurusingha and manager Asanka Gurusinha for “conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game”. ICC charged them with the level 3 offence after Sri Lanka refused to take the field on the third morning of the second Test in St Lucia, delaying the start of play by two hours.Hathurusingha and Gurusinha, therefore, will be available to coach and manage Sri Lanka during the third Test at the Kensington Oval.
There is nothing like a fine catch – like Jean Symes’ to remove Ramnaresh Sarwan – to give any match a kick up the backside
Telford Vice in Johannesburg19-Sep-2010″There is,” Rodgers and Hammerstein concluded in ‘South Pacific’, in an age when all men were hairy and every woman was a fairy, “nothin’ like a dame.”Similarly, in cricket, in any era you would care to mention, there is nothing like a fine catch to give any match a kick up the backside. That holds true even in the rock ‘n roll format of the game and its current gig, the Champions League T20.You can keep the smashing pumpkins that arch way over the tightly wrapped groupies on the midwicket boundary, as well as the balls of fire that cut an AC/DC zigzag as they clatter through some thunderstruck unfortunate’s stumps. Nevermind those jumping jack flashes, give us a catch to build a dream on. Baby, I like it.’Twas just such a catch that stirred some ziggy stardust into the game between the Highveld Lions and Guyana at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on Sunday, bloody Sunday.In the fifth over, Craig Alexander, a bowler who seems to have muddled the order of his alleged “fast-medium” status, steamed in to deliver his first ball of the match. Alexander’s effort spewed wide of off-stump. Ramnaresh Sarwan shaped to drive it square, and he duly connected. But not as squarely as he would have liked, and the fat sound of a thick edge guffawed around the ground.Then it happened. One moment Jean Symes was awaiting anything, as is the wont of those who patrol the no-man’s land of backward point. The next he was presented with the impossibility of catching a ball screaming more than a metre to his right and just as far above his head. A moment after that, Symes did something presumptuous. That’s right, the silly bugger tried to take the catch.But a funny thing happened on the way to Symes making a fool of himself: he didn’t. He spearheaded his dive with both hands, one behind the other, straight out of the Jonty Rhodes manual on how to make the impossible possible. He couldn’t catch it, surely … could he?As it turned out, Symes and the ball were on a collision course, a bespoke pair of vicious vectors. Smack went the ball into the hands. Crash went Symes to earth. Mad went the crowd when it became plain that he had held on to his prize. Sarwan slunk off, stage left, like a scolded sloth as the celebrations soared and then gave way to the Sunday afternoon sleepiness seeping back into the scene.Not that Alexander’s adrenalin would allow him to take a nap. The catch and the audacity of its taking transformed him into a bowler eminently more fast than medium. He zipped through the rest of his four overs at speeds significantly higher than his regular range. It might not sound like a long way from the upper-130s to 148 kph, but it is.Some said they had seen Alexander hit 150 kph before. Others doubted that. But there was no disputing that his blood was aboil as he roared and ripped at his quarry with unvarnished aggression. Clearly, the magic of the catch was at work.A less dizzy analysis of this match might argue that it was won and lost by a Guyana outfit that already had one foot and their kit on the plane home, or by Ethan O’Reilly’s bristling bowling – which earned him career-best figures of 4 for 27 – or by the unbroken stand of 133 between Alviro Petersen and Richard Cameron, in which 96 runs flew and flowed in fours and sixes.But this is no time for sober comment. A catch to conjure with isn’t taken every other day. When it is, the moment deserves to be savoured as sublimely as possible. Stuck in a moment with you, it really is the sweetest thing.