FOOTBALL

Arsenal suffer new blow as Mosquera faces six-to-eight weeks out

Cristhian Mosquera
December 2025

Cristhian Mosquera is expected to miss six to eight weeks after suffering a complicated ankle injury in Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Brentford, leaving Mikel Arteta without all three of his centre-backs at a time when the club lead both league and Champions League groups. With William Saliba nursing a knock and Gabriel Magalhaes likely out until January, Mosquera’s setback forces further reshuffles alongside Piero Hincapie, increases reliance on full-backs and academy cover, and risks disrupting Arsenal’s defensive cohesion heading into a congested winter schedule.

Lamine Yamal named La Liga Player of the Month after explosive November

Lamine Yamal
December 2025

Lamine Yamal capped a resurgent November by winning La Liga’s Player of the Month award after three goals and three assists in four games, driving Barcelona to a perfect league record and emerging as the division’s most productive creator at just 18. His output included key strikes against Elche, Celta Vigo and Alaves plus a two-assist showcase versus Athletic Club, easing post-Clasico nerves and pushing Barcelona to the top of La Liga while edging out stars like Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann in voting.

England’s “favourable” World Cup draw hides brutal knockout path

England national team
December 2025

England’s World Cup draw puts them in a group with Ghana, Croatia and Panama, opponents who all topped their qualifying sections and arrive with momentum. On paper it looks manageable, but each side carries threats, travel demands and contrasting styles that complicate progress. If they top the group, England probably face Senegal in the Round of 32, co-hosts Mexico at altitude in the last 16, then Brazil in Miami and Argentina in Dallas, a brutally demanding sequence of physical, tactical and emotional challenges.

Arsenal land Ecuadorian wonderkid twins Edwin and Holger Quintero

Arsenal
December 2025

Arsenal have agreed future deals to sign Ecuadorian twins Edwin and Holger Quintero from Independiente del Valle, confirming the 16-year-olds will officially join in August 2027 when they turn 18 as part of the club’s aggressive push to secure elite teenage talent early. The Gunners beat major European rivals after tracking the pair for over a year, with winger Edwin likened to a young Neymar and playmaker Holger seen as a creative No.10, pointing to the pathway blazed by Nwaneri, Lewis-Skelly and Dowman as proof of opportunity.

Jesse Lingard to quit FC Seoul and re-enter market as free agent

Jesse Lingard
December 2025

Jesse Lingard will leave FC Seoul as a free agent after confirming their AFC Champions League clash with Melbourne City will be his last game, ending a 22-month stint in South Korea that revived his career following spells at Manchester United and Nottingham Forest. Across 66 appearances Lingard delivered 18 goals and 10 assists, lifting Seoul into the K League’s top six and collecting Player of the Month honours, with no trophies and his contract expiring, both parties agreeing to part as he weighs his next move.

Amorim snaps over repeated Kobbie Mainoo questions after West Ham setback

Ruben Amorim
December 2025

Manchester United squandered a chance to climb into the Premier League’s top five by drawing 1-1 at home to struggling West Ham, with Ruben Amorim again leaving Kobbie Mainoo unused as United laboured creatively and conceded a late equaliser after Diogo Dalot’s opener. Pressed on Mainoo’s absence, Amorim bristled, insisting he is tired of repeated questions, that England starts do not dictate his selections and he simply chooses the “best players”, refusing to guarantee more minutes even when AFCON absences may open space in his midfield.

Modric says blocked Chelsea move paved way to Real Madrid glory

Luka Modric
December 2025

Tottenham’s 2011 refusal to sell Luka Modric to Chelsea, despite repeated bids and his public desire to leave, forced him to stay another season, deliver a standout campaign and ultimately paved the way for his 2012 Real Madrid move that defined his legacy. Modric admits going public was a mistake but says he responded professionally, playing on “as if nothing had happened”, helping Spurs finish fourth before Madrid came calling a year later; in hindsight, he believes missing out on Chelsea was the twist that changed everything

Ruben Amorim drops Leny Yoro and explains Matthijs de Ligt absence in tactical reshuffle

Ruben Amorim
December 2025

Ruben Amorim left Leny Yoro out of his starting eleven against West Ham and turned to Noussair Mazraoui, while giving Ayden Heaven his first start and omitting Matthijs de Ligt from the squad, insisting the decision on Yoro was a deliberate tactical call rather than punishment. After Yoro conceded a penalty at Crystal Palace and was visibly distraught on the bench, Amorim said the young defender overthinks mistakes and must handle setbacks better, praising Mason Mount’s support, stressing that Yoro remains fit and available, but that United urgently needed a different profile for a must win match.

Mohamed Salah benching fuels fresh Saudi Pro League move talk

Mohamed Salah
December 2025

Mohamed Salah’s omission from Liverpool’s starting line up for two straight league games under Arne Slot has revived Saudi Pro League plans for a marquee move, with league chiefs ready to underwrite a huge bid if the 33 year old shows any willingness to leave. Liverpool previously rejected a £150 million offer from Al Ittihad and Salah admitted earlier talks with Saudi officials were serious before signing a new deal to 2027, but his recent benching has shifted perceptions of his status as the league’s top active scorer and reopened speculation over his long term future.

David Beckham reminded of “vulgar” conduct by former opponent turned Inter Miami player

David Beckham
December 2025

A former rival, who later joined Inter Miami, claimed David Beckham’s behaviour on the pitch during their playing days was “pretty vulgar”, highlighting a heated confrontation with a winger who had grown up idolising the Manchester United and England icon. The criticism contrasts with Beckham’s modern image as a global ambassador and club co owner, after a decorated career with United, Real Madrid and LA Galaxy, a long partnership with Unicef and a recent knighthood recognising his impact on football and British society beyond the pitch.