🚨David Raya has moved to end speculation over Spain's World Cup goalkeeper spot, backing Unai Simón and insisting La Roja are well served regardless of who starts. Spain face a selection headache with three elite keepers in Simón, Raya (Premier League best goalkeeper and winner) and Joan García (named La Liga winner and best goalkeeper) all in contention, though Simón remains Luis de la Fuente's preferred starter. Spain open against Cape Verde on Monday in Atlanta with a full squad available after Yamal, Nico Williams and Víctor Muñoz all returned to training. Raya showing real class here, competing hard but keeping the team first. (Source: AP / Daily Mail)

Mikel Arteta won this battle and send his mentor on retirement from the Premier League.

🚨Arsenal Women stars Alessia Russo, Chloe Kelly and Michelle Agyemang have all been awarded MBEs in the King's Birthday Honours List 2026. The trio were recognised for their pivotal roles in the Lionesses' second consecutive UEFA European Championship title last summer, with Agyemang also named Young Player of the Tournament and BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year. Russo has scored 60 goals in 112 Arsenal appearances, while academy graduate Agyemang has risen from age six at the club to international stardom. Three Arsenal Women. Three MBEs. Thoroughly deserved. (Source: Arsenal.com)

🚨Christos Tzolis would bring something Arsenal's attack occasionally lacks, consistent end product. He thrives in one versus one situations, attacks space aggressively, and constantly looks to combine with overlapping teammates rather than holding onto the ball. In Arteta's system, Tzolis would naturally drift inside from the left, creating space for the left back to overlap. His quick passing, intelligent movement, and tendency to make runs into the box would make him an excellent partner for players like Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, and Kai Havertz, who all thrive on combination play and third man runs. Between Calafiori and Hincapié, he would probably connect best with Calafiori. Calafiori is more aggressive in possession, frequently underlaps and overlaps, and likes to carry the ball into advanced areas. Tzolis' habit of moving into central channels would open corridors for Calafiori to attack, creating the kind of left sided partnerships Arsenal currently enjoy on the right between Saka and Ødegaard. From a tactical perspective, Tzolis could become Arsenal's most productive left winger since Alexis Sánchez. His numbers suggest he is ready to contribute immediately rather than needing years of development, and his profile fits perfectly with Arteta's preference for technically secure, positionally intelligent forwards who can both create and score.

Brazil were held to a 1-1 draw by Morocco in their World Cup opener at MetLife Stadium, with Carlo Ancelotti admitting his side were rattled by nerves in a shaky first half. Vinicius Junior rescued a point with a 32nd-minute equaliser against the run of play, but even he acknowledged Brazil need to improve significantly, with Ancelotti hauling off Casemiro and Roger Ibañez at half-time. The result is far from a disaster, with Morocco ranked 7th in the world, one place above Brazil and Scotland and Haiti still to come in Group C. Five-time world champions. Nervous in New Jersey. Brazil need to find their level fast.

Arda Güler and Kenan Yıldız only showed flashes of their attacking quality in that match. Against a disciplined Australia side, Turkey's high shot volume translated into low quality chances, managing around 30 shots for only about 1.3 xG, which underlines how well the Socceroos limited clear opportunities. The pair remained Turkey's main creative outlets in the game, but shots on target and chance quality mattered more than shot count. Breaking down a well organized defence is a very different challenge from dominating possession. (source: The Guardian)

🚨If Arsenal sign Kenan Yildiz or Christos Tzolis, expect Arteta to stick with his fluid 4 3 3, with Yildiz/Tzolis starting from the left, Saka on the right, and Havertz or Gyokeres through the middle. The attack would become far more unpredictable, with all three forwards able to rotate positions and create overloads. Out of possession, Arsenal would press aggressively from the front, while in possession Tzolis/Yildiz's creativity between the lines and direct running would give Arteta greater tactical flexibility and far more goals from wide areas, something Arsenal have been looking to improve.

Vinicius Jr is a special player. He has singled handedly lifted Brazil spirit and brought them back into the game.

Brazil used to boast of players like Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, Kaka, and Oscar in the midfield, but now they could only start Paqueta, Casemiro and Guimares. #FIFAWorldcup

Brazil played Casemiro, Guimares and Paqueta, yet they were sliced open from the middle by Morocco.

Why are Chelsea fans hate watching Brazil?

Breel Embolo and Vargas were poor today. They cost Switzerland 2 points against Qatar.

🚨Martin Odegaard is set to captain Norway at the 2026 World Cup, their first appearance since 1998. He made his senior international debut at just 15 years and 253 days, becoming Norway's youngest ever debutant. The Arsenal skipper has now gone from teenage prodigy to Premier League winner and national team captain. A remarkable journey, and now another chapter awaits on football's biggest stage.

🚨A new psychological study explains why Arsenal face disproportionate hostility from rival fans — and the findings point firmly away from the club itself. Researchers found that when rival supporters experience frustration from their own team's underperformance, they redirect that negative energy toward Arsenal as a displacement mechanism, using criticism of the Gunners to protect their own footballing egos. Arsenal's sustained success, dominant media presence, and confident style of play make them the primary target for what the study identifies as psychological projection rooted in relative deprivation. Rival fans aren't angry at Arsenal — they're angry at their own clubs.

🚨William Saliba has missed multiple France training sessions with a back injury, raising serious concerns over his World Cup availability. The Arsenal defender has only trained twice since linking up with the squad, though scans indicate he is in significantly less pain than he was after playing 120 minutes in the Champions League final on May 30. Didier Deschamps confirmed Saliba has been managing the issue for several weeks, with France opening their World Cup campaign against Senegal on June 16. (Source: L'Équipe)

🚨Folarin Balogun scored twice as the United States demolished Paraguay 4-1 in their World Cup opener — and Arsenal are set to benefit financially. The former Gunners striker became the first American to score multiple goals in a single World Cup match since 1930, with Arsenal holding a 17.5% sell-on clause from his £34m Monaco move in 2023. With Balogun entering the final two years of his contract, Monaco face a decision this summer. Balogun putting himself in the shop window at a World Cup could be brilliant news for Arsenal's summer.

🚨A loan to Newcastle could be the perfect next step for Ethan Nwaneri's development. Regular Premier League minutes at a club competing for European places would accelerate his growth far more than limited opportunities behind Arsenal's established stars. If he proves he can consistently perform at that level, he will return to Arsenal as a more complete player and with a much stronger case for a starting role under Mikel Arteta.

Myles Lewis Skelly is untouchable because players with his profile are incredibly rare. He combines ball retention, tactical intelligence, versatility, and the confidence to thrive under pressure, qualities that perfectly suit Mikel Arteta's system. At just 19, he has already established himself as one of Arsenal's most important young players, making him a cornerstone of the club's long term project rather than someone they would consider selling.

🚨 England's World Cup preparations have been disrupted after match boots and training equipment were stolen from a team vehicle in Kansas City. The items were being transported from Florida to Missouri ahead of the Three Lions' base setup, with player footwear, including potentially custom-fitted boots among the most significant losses. Two suspects have been taken into custody and the majority of items have since been recovered, with England's opener against Croatia now just five days away on June 17. Bizarre incident, but thankfully it looks like a crisis narrowly avoided. #FIFAWorldCup (Source: Sports Illustrated / The Athletic / ESPN)

🚨Arsenal are prepared to spend £86m on Juventus star Kenan Yildiz, with Mikel Arteta identifying the 21-year-old as his 'dream target' this summer. Yildiz contributed 10 goals and 7 assists in 36 appearances for Juventus last season, with Fabrizio Romano also confirming a separate deal for Leicester City wonderkid Jeremy Monga is 'advancing.' Arsenal are additionally making initial contact for Club Brugge winger Christos Tzolis, while Bradley Barcola and PSG's Emmanuel Mbemba remain firmly on the Gunners' radar. Yildiz at Arsenal would be a statement signing — this feels like a genuine pursuit. (Source: TEAMtalk / Fabrizio Romano / Sacha Tavolieri)