Smart business. Declan Rice can't run on fumes for years without breaks, so being able to pair two from Rice, Bruno, Zubimendi and MLS gives such a strong midfield platform for a season-long challenge. The aim has to be for top players to share minutes without the level dropping (look at PSG).

David Ornstein@david-ornstein.bsky.social · 13h ago

🚨 Newcastle United to sanction sale of Bruno Guimaraes to Arsenal for £75m. #AFC started lower, #NUFC wanted higher but compromise in process of being sealed to grant 28yo Brazil int’l midfielder desired move. Lyon entitled to 20% of profit @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/749...

Hello friends. Back on the Handbrake Off beat after a little break. A pleasure as always to chew the Arsenal fat with @ianstonecomedy.bsky.social and @adrianjclarke.bsky.social. Chatting pre-season, Tzolis, Dowman, Nwaneri, and a little sprinkling of Brazilian flavour. pod.fo/e/4e97e9

Handbrake Off: A show about Arsenal: Pre-season starts and might Vini Jr still be on?

The Arsenal have played their first pre-season game and the Handbrake team are here to debrief.Ian Stone is joined by Amy Lawrence and Adrian Clarke after Mikel Arteta’s side calmly dispatch Giro...

pod.fo

I love capturing those moments where London Underground trains line up perfectly with station posters. With a little patience and a bit of luck, you can end up with some wonderfully amusing and unexpected shots.

Impressive to have a strong case to be the greatest DF your nation ever produced. But maybe there's no superlative fitting to be the best DF from your nation when you're Italian.

Amy Lawrence@amylawrence.bsky.social · 6d ago

Nobody defended with the steely grace of Franco Baresi. The maestro of defending in his pomp. He made it into an art form. So beloved. ❤️🖤

Nobody defended with the steely grace of Franco Baresi. The maestro of defending in his pomp. He made it into an art form. So beloved. ❤️🖤

Anyone interesting in ticketing regardless of who you support should be aware of how Premier League clubs are treating regular supporters as part of the mission to target bots/touts. Man United investigating/suspending season ticket holders here. 1/2 www.nytimes.com/athletic/746...

Explained: The ticketing email that has left some Man Utd fans ‘stressed and anxious’ (Gift Article)

The club are attempting to crack down on misuse of ticketing accounts but their way of communicating this has upset plenty of supporters

nytimes.com

It’s Zidane time. France have been waiting for this. He has been waiting for this. After Deschamps says goodbye everyone knows what is coming out of the shadows and back into the blue spotlight. Free to read 🔵 www.nytimes.com/athletic/745...

Zinedine Zidane has spent five years in the shadows. Now France is calling (Gift Article)

The World Cup winner has stayed out of the limelight since leaving Real Madrid in 2021, but will succeed Didier Deschamps on September 1

nytimes.com

It’s Zidane time. France have been waiting for this. He has been waiting for this. After Deschamps says goodbye everyone knows what is coming out of the shadows and back into the blue spotlight. Free to read 🔵 www.nytimes.com/athletic/745...

Zinedine Zidane has spent five years in the shadows. Now France is calling (Gift Article)

The World Cup winner has stayed out of the limelight since leaving Real Madrid in 2021, but will succeed Didier Deschamps on September 1

nytimes.com

On day one of my first job as a football writer my boss asked me to get an interview with Kevin Keegan. I was clueless. I went to Newcastle, introduced myself and asked for an interview. He put his hand on my head and said “bless you”. Never got the interview. Did get blessed though. RIP ❤️

When mum came back from the rave with her new pals

Today, FIFA, I am Mr Creosote

This has been one of our neighbour’s windows since the World Cup began. At last, the day of horror is upon them.

Merci Didier. Following the teams he captained and coached, he was an excellent leader and a very decent man. It says a lot that so many of his players are so fond of him. Hope he enjoys the quieter life now. 🇫🇷

Happy hols boys. See you whenever…

Some crazily good goals in this game. Chapeau 🎩

Saka said it himself. “Love always wins.” A cathartic way to get a World Cup hat-trick. ❤️

Declan Rice still being on the pitch is an offence to hamstrings everywhere.

Dan Burn to stem the tide? (Too soon?)

So far the best Arsenal performance v France since 1989

Politicians leeching onto football for self promotion is nothing new. In the face of an abhorrent diatribe Kylian Mbappé felt compelled to take a moment out of his World Cup to attack racism. Unlike his aggressor, he speaks with a strong yet eloquent voice. www.nytimes.com/athletic/742...

Kylian Mbappe laughs at on-pitch provocation – but politician’s abhorrent abuse required powerful reply (Gift Article)

Mbappe does not invite these situations, but he had no desire to be blase about such a personal attack.

nytimes.com

“This is our sport, not theirs.” Jurgen Klopp stands against Infantino's Fifa. “If Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino really sorted this out between themselves, it is madness; it calls everything into question.” Let's hope Associations follow.

The Irish Times@irishtimes.com · 5mo ago

Michael Walker: Who is going to stand up for football against Gianni Infantino?

THREE extremely unethical situations at the World Cup require more football stakeholders to challenge wrongs. 1. Banishment of the Somali referee 2. Balogun red card political interference 3. Treatment of Iran team Players/managers/officials/administrators. Pressure on FIFA should be unrelenting.

Two extremely unethical situations at this World Cup require more football stakeholders to speak out and challenge wrongs. 1. Banishment of the Somali referee. 2. Balogun red card political interference. Players, managers, officials, administrators. The pressure on FIFA should be unrelenting.

After a bit of a crazy non-football day in the heat with a cold yesterday have got up and I actually sound like Harry Kane post-Azteca interview tribute act. Send help.

Altitude schmaltitude …

El World Cup Clasico. Mind blowing game.

Mbappe with the last laugh. No question his riposte was the perfect reaction to an absurd amount of needle jabbed by Paraguay during that game. France were able to rise above. How that yellow count ended France 3 Paraguay 0 is bonkers. The more lasting scoreline, France 1 Paraguay 0, is fine.

Mbappe, Olise and their accomplices look like they are toying wirh opponents in the playground. The Athletic breaks down their latest exhibition. www.nytimes.com/athletic/740...

Kylian Mbappe breaks another World Cup record. Can anyone stop France? (Gift Article)

Analysing the big moments from the last 32 tie in New York New Jersey as the World Cup favourites put on a show

nytimes.com

The beautiful game. 🇫🇷

This World Cup owes so much to diaspora fans who have made it feel alive. It will never be right that so many couldn’t travel but locally based representatives saved the atmosphere at WC26.