Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has delivered an optimistic fitness bulletin regarding several of his key stars as the Gunners prepare to kick off their season. With a high-stakes Community Shield encounter against Manchester City looming, the Spaniard has offered clarity on who will be ready to feature at the Millennium Stadium.
It is “so important” for Bukayo Saka to get back among the goals for Arsenal on a regular basis in 2026-27, Gunners legend Alan Smith has told GOAL. The England international winger savoured Premier League title glory last season, filling the captain’s armband at times, but only found the target on 11 occasions across all competitions - his lowest return in five years.
Arsenal are Premier League champions again, for the first time in 22 years, but which members of their 2026-27 title-winning class would make the fabled ‘Invincibles’ squad of 2003-04? Ex-Gunners goalkeeper Graham Stack, who formed part of Arsene Wenger’s ranks back then, has attempted to answer that question during an exclusive interview with GOAL.
Bukayo Saka has voiced his frustration over a lack of playing time at the World Cup despite Inspiring England to a third-place finish with a sensational hat-trick against France. The Arsenal winger was surprisingly benched for the semi-final defeat against Argentina, a decision that has sparked intense debate over Thomas Tuchel's tactical choices.
The bronze-medal match tends to be one of the highest-scoring games of the tournament, and this one certainly didn't disappoint. England manager Thomas Tuchel called it a fixture “nobody wants to play in” earlier in the week, but that didn't appear to be the case as the Three Lions and France battled in the highest-scoring third-place match in World Cup history, with England edging a wild 6-4 win
And so the wait goes on. England's World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina on Wednesday means their quest for a first international trophy since 1966 will stretch into a seventh decade. The hope is that drought will come to an end in two years' time when the Three Lions co-host the 2028 European Championship, but will England ever again reach a World Cup final, never mind lift the most famous trophy in the sport?
Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, Anthony Gordon and Noni Madueke were expected to make significant contributions to England’s cause at the 2026 World Cup, but Michael Owen has admitted to GOAL that said collection of wingers have “not really worked” out as planned. Thomas Tuchel is yet to settle on a preferred pairing of wide attackers, with no member of a star-studded quartet truly convincing when being given opportunities in which to impress.
And so we get to the real bit. England have had, in truth, quite a favourable run in the World Cup thus far. Mexico at the Azteca was a real test, but they are yet to face a team that is, objectively, better than them. Enter Argentina, the reigning champions and led by a certain Lionel Messi.
Arsenal stars Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Noni Madueke, and Eberechi Eze are guaranteed to miss the opening match of the club's pre-season schedule. Following England’s progression into the World Cup quarter-finals, the mandatory post-tournament holiday framework will directly overlap with Mikel Arteta’s tactical preparations for their Premier League title defence.
Former Manchester City and England defender Micah Richards has heavily urged Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel to drop Arsenal winger Noni Madueke for the country's World Cup round of 16 clash against Mexico. Insisting that England's attacking fluency has hit a major roadblock, Richards argued that Bukayo Saka must immediately return to the starting lineup.
It hasn't always been pretty, but England have achieved their aim of winning their World Cup group to set up a favourable last-32 tie. They will face DR Congo in Atlanta on Wednesday after eventually seeing off Panama last time out, but form and fitness mean Thomas Tuchel's team selection is far from certain as the knockout stage gets underway.
Former England internationals Gary Neville and Ian Wright have voiced their serious "concern" for Bukayo Saka’s physical condition as the Three Lions prepare for the business end of the 2026 World Cup. The Arsenal star has been managing a persistent injury that appears to be limiting his impact on the global stage.
It’s time for the knockout stages of the 2026 World Cup, which means it’s time for penalty shootout drama. Generally, England have a terrible reputation when it comes to spot-kicks, winning just four of the 11 shootouts they’ve participated in. But the signs suggest the tide is turning, with three of those wins coming in their last four.
Thomas Tuchel definitely didn't want to be in this situation. After England's tournament-opener, in which the Three Lions rather comfortably saw off Croatia, it was presumed that the German coach would be thinking about rotation by now. His hardest opponent was out of the way, meaning another win, over Ghana, would secure top spot with a game to spare. Instead, he has to stick with the big guns after an incredibly frustrating draw with the Black Stars.
England are sweating on the fitness of right-back Reece James ahead of Saturday's World Cup group encounter against Panama. The Chelsea captain is being closely monitored by medical staff after reporting a tight hamstring, leaving manager Thomas Tuchel facing a potential defensive reshuffle with several alternative backline options on standby.
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