Graham Ruthven

Graham Ruthven is a freelance football writer based in Glasgow, Scotland. He has written for the New York Times, Guardian, ESPN, Eurosport, Grantland, The Scotsman, Bleacher Report, Four Four Two, Vice, Al Arabiya, Sports on Earth and Scottish TV among many other publications and outlets.

Stories By Graham Ruthven

• Sport

  Odegaard-Saka partnership is what could make Arsenal champions

  Arsenal are back. After a sticky period of the season over October and into November, the Gunners have now won their last three games in all competitions, scoring 13 goals in emphatic victories over Nottingham Forest, Sporting CP and West Ham.

• Sport

  Evanilson’s instant success proves how well-run Bournemouth are

  Bournemouth were in the mood to break some records against Wolves on Saturday. By converting three times from the spot, Justin Kluivert became the first player in Premier League history to register a hat trick of penalties in a single game.

• Sport

  Is it time for Liverpool to move on from Andy Robertson?

  Andy Robertson is part of the furniture at Anfield. The Scottish left back has been a key part of the Liverpool first team since joining from Hull City in 2017, making over 300 appearances for the Merseyside outfit.

• Sport

  Man Utd’s new era under Amorim begins with familiar problems

  If Ruben Amorim wasn’t aware of the mess he has inherited as Manchester United’s new manager, he surely is now. All of United’s deep-rooted problems were on display as they drew 1-1 away to Ipswich Town on Sunday.

• Sport

  Caicedo proving crucial to Maresca-ball

  Chelsea’s improvement this season can be attributed to several things. Enzo Maresca has settled on a consistent starting lineup that has allowed the Blues to grow game-to-game. Cole Palmer continues to deliver as one of the most productive players in the Premier League while Nicolas Jackson is getting better and better.

• Sport

  Fulham are flying under the radar this season.

  There has been widespread praise for Brighton and Nottingham Forest this season. And for good reason – both teams are punching well above their weight and flying high in the Premier League table.

• Sport

  Jones could thrive for England after becoming a key figure for Slot

  Arne Slot wanted Martin Zubimendi to be fulcrum of his new-look Liverpool midfield. The Anfield club targeted the Real Sociedad man as the rhythm builder many believed Slot needed to make his possession-orientated approach work on Merseyside.

• Sport

  Nicolas Kuhn is the next star off the Celtic conveyer belt

  Celtic have reached another level this season and the performances of Nicolas Kuhn have been a big factor behind this. The German winger has registered six goals and seven assists in 14 appearances in all competitions for the Hoops with his recent brace against RB Leipzig in the Champions League particularly eye-catching.

• Sport

  Nuno and Nottingham Forest are proving to be the perfect match.

  There wasn’t much enthusiasm for Nuno Espirito Santo’s appointment when the Portuguese coach replaced Steve Cooper at the City Ground at the end of last year. After failure at Tottenham Hotspur, Nuno was seen as damaged goods.

• Sport

  Andy Robertson is facing a fight for his Liverpool future.

  Liverpool went top of the Premier League table with a comeback win over Brighton on Saturday that had the Anfield crowd dreaming of a title challenge. Andy Robertson, however, watched it from the bench having been replaced in Arne Slot’s lineup by Kostas Tsimikas.

• Sport

  INEOS dithering might have cost Manchester United their season

  Manchester United simply couldn’t take any more. Sunday’s defeat to West Ham dropped Erik ten Hag’s team down to 14th place in the Premier League table and proved to be the final straw for the decision-makers at Old Trafford who sacked the Dutchman less than 24 hours after the loss at the London Stadium.