GOAL's Culture & Clobber Axis: Return of the red adidas Predator, Mikel Arteta's match ball madness, Portugal x PUMA kits & more

The adidas' Predator train shows no sign of slowing down, with the reboot of the unmistakable 'champagne' colourway late in 2024 followed up with a sizzling hot nod to the red 1998 Predator Accelerator to kick off 2025.

Predator 25 is the latest iteration of the silo, arriving in a vibrant new colourway and featuring the three stripes on the instep and outside of the boot, as well as new technology and fresh Predator branding on the heel and tongue. There is just something about a Pred in red; these hit different.

GOAL's shout: Blatant worldie

Oh Mikel, Mikel, Mikel. Rather than just taking the 2-0 Carabao Cup defeat to Newcastle on the chin in midweek, Arsenal boss Arteta quite bafflingly decided to deflect blame away from his players, who couldn't hit a barn door with a banjo on the night, and onto...the match ball - inevitably resulting in widespread ridicule online.

"I think we kicked a lot of the balls over the bar and it's tricky that this ball flies a lot," he said after the semi-final first leg loss. "It's just different, it's just very different to the Premier League ball, and you have to adapt to that because it flies differently." Whatever you say, Mikel.

GOAL's shout: Maverick own goal

We all love Leah Williamson, who is one of the most prominent ballers to toe the intersection of football and fashion as well as being an elite centre-back. Her latest foray into the fashion sphere is very cool.

The Arsenal and Lionesses favourite has donned a bespoke leather Gunners jacket designed by Antonia Bronze and taking inspiration from the 2002-04 home shirt, complete with Williamson's No.6 and 'GOONER' emblazoned across the back. As Chloe Kelly says in the comments: Hard.

GOAL's shout: Maverick worldie

Now, there's nothing objectively wrong with Nike's new boot drop, with a fresh paintjob for the Mecurials, Phantoms and Tiempos to ring in the New Year. The problem is, they're just lacking a little something.

As adidas continue to dominate with another stunning pair of Predators, Nike's three new colourways lack a bit of oomph and originality; they used a pale blue for the Phantoms last year and it's not been long since we saw a red Mercurial. It feels like the American sportswear behemoth needs to do more to keep pace...

GOAL's shout: Blatant own goal

Following up the end of Portugal's fruitful 27-year partnership with Nike was no mean feat for PUMA, but their first offering for the Selecao has passed the high bar set by their predecessors.

Portugal's new kit supplier has kept things simple with a clean and classic red design for the home shirt, with a different collar for the women's team, while the men's away shirt is a more playful dotted white look and the women's is mint green. A strong start from PUMA.

GOAL's shout: Blatant worldie

There was a bit of English football history on Wednesday night as Stuart Attwell became the first referee to have to explain a VAR decision over a stadium tannoy system during Tottenham's Carabao Cup clash with Liverpool.

Sure, the novelty will definitely wear off, but watching Attwell squirm under the lights as he delivered the news of a disallowed Spurs goal due an offside to a cacophony of moans and groans was pure cinema on first viewing at least.

GOAL's shout: Maverick worldie

The magic of the FA Cup whipped up one hell of a storyline in the third round, with 39-year-old Ashley Young and 18-year-old Tyler Young in line to become the first father and son to play against each other in the competition's 154-year history as Everton were drawn at home to Peterborough.

Unfortunately, Posh boss Darren Ferguson - himself the son of legendary Manchester United manager Sir Alex - didn't play ball, leaving young Tyler on the bench throughout despite his dad coming on as a substitute. Ferguson insisted he needed to get a striker on with his last change when his side were 1-0 down, but this was a huge shame nonetheless as the chance to make history was passed up.

GOAL's shout: Maverick own goal

Vinicius Junior has put his feud with Nike firmly behind him, with the sportswear giant blessing the flying Real Madrid wide man with what is remarkably his first-ever signature boot.

A clean pair of white and silver Mercurials, the boots pay homage to the Brazilian's Best FIFA Men's Player win back in December. Vini Jr was spotted wearing them in training following a recent teaser video, and debuted them on pitch as he took a step towards yet more silverware in the Supercopa semi-final win over Mallorca.

GOAL's shout: Blatant worldie

Newcastle and adidas have thrown it back to the heady days of the mid 90s with the relaunch of the Magpies' 1995-97 shirt, featuring that iconic Newcastle Brown Ale sponsor on the front.

A shirt synonymous with a period where the club finished in the top two in the Premier League in consecutive seasons, this reboot proves it is still a thing of beauty 30 years on. *Kevin Keegan's 'I will love it if we beat them' rant intensifies*

GOAL's shout: Maverick worldie

From a brilliant anniversary shirt to one that has missed the mark. Aston Villa and adidas have dropped a blackout kit to commemorate the club's 150th anniversary, but while it's certainly smart, it's lacking a little something.

The badge takes centre stage here, in a nod to the club's first-ever crest and the first in British football from 1878, featuring the red Scottish lion rampant. Beyond that, though, this is basically a plain back t-shirt that will set you back a cool buck.

GOAL's shout: Blatant own goal