Culture & Clobber Axis: Cole Palmer's Panenka, Pep Guardiola vs Jose Mourinho, Arsenal x adidas & more

There's nobody calmer than Cole Palmer. With the chance to wrap up another chaotic Chelsea victory over Tottenham in their own back yard on December 8, the 22-year-old baller embodied his 'cold' nickname and nonchalantly clipped a Panenka penalty over giant Fraser Forster to make it 4-2.

Such was the deftness of his technique, the goalkeeper was already back on his feet before the ball rippled the back of the net. All you can really do is laugh at Palmer's exploits at this stage. Brrrr *does 'cold' celebration at desk*.

GOAL's shout: Maverick worldie

Now, there's nothing wrong with Arsenal's latest streetwear collaboration with adidas, per se, but the old saying 'quality over quantity' does come to mind after the latest drop in a ridiculously prolific partnership.

Arsenal fans will almost certainly disagree in a very, very angry way, but the new Arsenal x adidas Originals 'VRCT' (varsity) collection - including a American college-inspired jacket, hoodie and t-shirt - feels a little forced in the build-up to Christmas. Just a couple of months on from the very cool Aries collab, the club isn't escaping the accusations of being more of a fashion brand than a football team anytime soon.

GOAL's shout: Blatant own goal

Both Marc Cucurella and PUMA had a stinker last week. The defender blamed two calamitous early slips - which led directly to Tottenham goals and left him marooned on the deck in a bundle of curly brown hair - on his brand-spanking-new Future 8 boots. In a moment of pure Barclays, the Spaniard gesticulated to the kitman and changed his footwear on the sidelines, before posting a later-deleted photo of them in the dressing room bin on Instagram after the match.

The whole debacle has inevitably caused a massive marketing headache for PUMA over the £220 boots in the lead-up to the festive period, after what has apparently been a challenging period for the German sportswear giant. Marc will probably be off their Christmas card list.

GOAL's shout: Maverick own goal

One for only the most cultured midfielders out there, adidas have given us a glimpse of their new-look COPA line for 2025, and they are lovely.

In a throwback to the classic AdiPure silhouette from the late noughties, the COPA Luxe Control sees three stripes reintroduced to the instep and the boot is "designed to feel so comfortable, it’s like an extension of the player’s body". adidas have gone bold with the colourway, with the first instalment of this new iteration arriving in white and gold. Extremely classy.

GOAL's shout: Blatant worldie

PUMA haven't set the world alight so far in their kit deal with Manchester City, so the decision to turn to AI for design help is somewhat alarming. City fans are being given the chance to use an AI tool to design the 2026-27 third kit, with the winner coming down to a vote later this month.

It might save them some work and money, but there are surely countless talented designers at PUMA who would jump at the opportunity to create an original football kit. The gimmicky use of artificial intelligence instead feels misguided.

GOAL's shout: Maverick own goal

Now that is how you design a shirt. A fine example of less being more, PUMA's AC Milan 125th anniversary kit is near enough perfect. Voted for by the fans, the classic look features broad stripes, a subtle collar and a homage to the club's first-ever badge from 1899. Crucially, there is no sponsor to be seen and only numbers on the back. Madonna.

The women's team debuted the strip in the Milan derby at the weekend, with the men set to don it in Serie A against Genoa on Sunday. A thing of beauty, forza Milan.

GOAL's shout: Blatant worldie

Are there two football entities more synonymous with one another than Nike and Brazil? Answers on a postcard, please.

Thankfully, we're set for at least 14 more years of Joga Bonito after the Brazilian federation renewed its kit supply deal with the American sportswear behemoth on a contract that runs until 2038. That'll make it 42 years of Brazil x Nike. Long may it continue.

GOAL's shout: Blatant worldie

We're all for a good feud, but Pep Guardiola's back and forth with old adversary Jose Mourinho has become a little tired. Their swipes at each other used to stoke the flames of El Clasico, but, arguably at the lowest ebb of their respective storied careers, their rivalry has lost its drama.

The two revered coaches have recently exchanged laboured blows about the number of Premier League titles they have each won and the 115 charges of alleged financial misconduct facing Man City, in the wake of Guardiola's Mourinho-esque reaction to chants of 'sacked in the morning' at Anfield. Time to change the record, lads.

GOAL's shout: Blatant own goal

Dublin's Fontaines DC are back with another banger of a football shirt collaboration with Bohemians, sponsoring the Irish club's third kit for a good cause for the second time.

Designed by the post-punk band's guitarist Carlos O'Connell, the shirt and the unique baby blue, pink and green colour palette are inspired by their fourth album, 'ROMANCE', which dropped earlier this year. Proceeds will go to the charity Medical Aid for Palestinians.

GOAL's shout: Maverick worldie

We know there are plenty of ways of unveiling a football boot, but it's a challenge to come up with something innovative; that's why we think New Balance's unusual decision to drop Endrick's new signature ‘Irmao’ Tekela Pro V4+ in the virtual world is pretty neat.

The boot was released in EA Sports FC 25 before it debuted on pitch or in store, giving players a taster of what it would look like on-foot. In a dark green colourway and adorned with stars, the design is a homage to the Real Madrid starlet's hometown Valparaiso De Goias. Nice.

GOAL's shout: Maverick worldie