Soham Mukherjee

Gabriel Jesus has taken another significant stride toward ending his lengthy spell on the sidelines, with the striker set to feature in a friendly against Manchester United with the Arsenal Under-21s on Saturday as part of his carefully managed rehabilitation programme. It marks the latest stage of a gradual return from a devastating anterior cruciate ligament injury that has kept him out since January.

Erling Haaland has given a candid response to Norway’s daunting World Cup draw, admitting on social media that he faces a brutal challenge in what supporters are already calling the tournament’s 'group of death'. Next summer’s World Cup will be the largest ever staged, expanding to 48 teams across 12 groups as FIFA introduces a round of 32 for the first time. Yet even within a broadened field, one Group I stands out for its sheer competitiveness.

Arne Slot has moved to quell mounting anxiety around Alexander Isak’s rocky start at Liverpool, insisting that comparisons to Erling Haaland are pointless and that the club must work harder to create meaningful chances for their record signing. The Reds paid a staggering £125 million ($167m) for the Swedish international last summer, but his first months at Anfield have been defined by injuries, sporadic appearances and a visibly disrupted rhythm.

Thomas Tuchel believes England's 2026 World Cup draw is "tough" and claimed that the group stage is "always the most difficult". The German coach, who will lead the Three Lions into a major tournament for the first time next summer, stressed that Group L - featuring Croatia, Ghana and Panama - provides no margin for complacency.

USMNT boss Mauricio Pochettino has admitted to harbouring a desire to make a Premier League return after coming "so close" to winning the title with Tottenham. The Argentine has confessed that he still feels the pull of the English top flight, even as he prepares to lead the United States men’s national team at the 2026 World Cup on home soil.

Luka Modric has revealed that Tottenham’s refusal to sell him to Chelsea more than a decade ago ultimately shaped the most successful chapter of his career. He suggested that what once felt like a crushing setback became the twist of fate that carried him to Real Madrid and earned him footballing immortality. Tottenham rejected multiple bids, leaving the midfielder to complete another season in north London before earning a switch to the Spanish giants a year later.

Craig Burley delivered an extraordinary on-air tirade aimed at Virgil van Dijk, accusing the Dutchman of shrinking from responsibility in the lead-up to Sunderland’s goal at Anfield. It was an equaliser that ultimately denied Arne Slot’s men two valuable points, and the former Chelsea player lashed out at the Liverpool skipper for his error in judgment.

Mikel Arteta remained tight-lipped on Declan Rice's fitness after the Arsenal midfielder hobbled off during the midweek win over Brentford. The Gunners are fighting several fitness issues ahead of their trip to Villa Park this weekend, and the Spaniard refused to give any firm assurances when pressed on an update on the midfielder.

Jesse Lingard is set to be available as a free agent with the former Manchester United forward quitting FC Seoul. Lingard, now 32, confirmed that Wednesday’s AFC Champions League meeting with Melbourne City will mark his final appearance for the club he joined in February 2024, a move dubbed the biggest in K League history.

Arsene Wenger revealed his World Cup favourites and shared his verdict on England's chances of breaking their major tournament curse in 2026. In Wenger’s eyes, England stand on the cusp of something special, but does not deem them as outright favourites. For all the painful near misses of recent years, he believes a breakthrough is within touching distance.

William Saliba has hailed the impact of new first-team coach Gabriel Heinze, as the former Manchester United defender is the mastermind behind Arsenal's defensive dominance under Mikel Arteta. Heinze, who joined Mikel Arteta’s staff in July, has quickly become a driving force behind a Gunners side that have conceded just seven goals in 14 Premier League matches; the best defensive record in the division.

Crystal Palace have promised to take action against ticket touts if they find evidence after a Manchester United fan claimed to have purchased paper tickets for a staggering £700, which is more than 20 times the Premier League-mandated away ticket price of £30. While no formal complaint has yet been registered with the Premier League by Manchester United, there has been reported discontent over the integrity of ticket distribution for the fixture at Selhurst Park.

Lionel Messi has lifted the lid on a shock "childhood dream" that was scotched by his Barcelona debut. Messi’s life pivoted sharply when Barcelona chose to take a chance on him at a moment when Argentine clubs, including giants River Plate, backed away from the cost of treating his growth hormone condition.

Former Tottenham Hotspur defender Mauricio Taricco has quit South Korean club Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors after a racism scandal. The 52-year-old Argentinian, who served as assistant coach under Gus Poyet, was sanctioned by the K League’s disciplinary committee for making what officials deemed a racist gesture toward referee Kim Woo-seong during a league match.

Alex Song has never been short of self-belief, but the former Arsenal midfielder has ignited fresh debate after boldly declaring that he would start for Mikel Arteta’s current side ahead of stars Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi. Now 38 and long retired, the ex-Cameroon international insisted that the prime version of himself would walk into almost any top European team.

Newcastle are eyeing Palmeiras star Allan Elias, who has a €100 million (£87.5m/$117m) release clause as the January transfer window looms. The Magpies have stepped up their interest with reports in Brazil claiming the Premier League side are pushing for an "immediate" agreement.

Former Arsenal and Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre has revealed that he abandoned a near-completed move to Manchester City to sign for Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal back in 2008. The Frenchman, who spent nearly a decade at Old Trafford and won five Premier League titles under Sir Alex Ferguson, says he was "halfway through his medical" at City when the opportunity to join Wenger emerged, prompting him to walk away from negotiations altogether.

Manchester United have reportedly launched a €28 million (£25m) bid for Olympiacos youngster Christos Mouzakitis. The offer, however, has been deemed far below Olympiacos’ expectations, opening the door for rivals Real Madrid, Arsenal and Brighton to potentially force their way ahead.