Sports
Arsenal Wasted Millions on Viktor Gyokeres Despite Wolves Win
Arsenal extended their lead at the top of the Premier League with a dramatic late win over Wolves at the Emirates Stadium, thanks to an injury-time own goal.
The Gunners knocked on the door for the entire game before finally breaking the deadlock in the 70th minute as Bukayo Saka’s corner bounced back off the post and hit goalkeeper Sam Johnstone in the back, before bouncing in. Wolves thought they’d snatched a point as Tolu Arokodare headed home in injury time, but Saka crossed again and forced a second own goal, this time from Yerson Mosquera, just minutes later to steal all three points
The win puts Mikel Arteta’s side five points clear at the top of the table before Man City’s trip to take on Crystal Palace on Sunday, but the manager will surely be concerned by what he saw during the game.
Viktor Gyokeres Was a Waste of Money
While Arsenal sit top of the league, there are definitely concerns about some of the performances they have been putting in this season.
Defensively, there is no doubting that the Gunners are one of the top sides in Europe, regardless of which defenders they have available to them. But going forward, they don’t look to be sharp and there are major concerns about their big summer signing Viktor Gyokeres.
The Swede, who signed from Sporting CP in a £64m deal, had been expected to solve a lot of the issues in front of goal that the north London club had been dealing with in recent years. But it’s fair to say that as we approach the halfway point of the season, he has done nothing of the sort.
So far Gyokeres has found the back of the net six times in all competitions, which is considerably less than most would have been expecting. But the big concern isn’t the lack of goals, and more the lack of all-round play and form that he’s showing as part of the team. His performance against Wolves was so bad that he was given just a 3/10 rating.
It’s no coincidence that the team has looked considerably more threatening with Gabriel Jesus leading the line in the last two games after he has come off the bench, while Mikel Merino seems to be more of a threat in the box with his aerial prowess and tehcnical qualities too.
Arteta Got Gyokeres Decision Wrong
The summer window was dominated by reports that Arteta was keen on signing both Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres, but he had to make a decision between them. He clearly opted for the 27-year-old former Coventry man, but it seems like it was a bad call.
Sesko has struggled at Man Utd, so there is no guarantee he would have done better, but it seems clear now that Gyokeres isn’t a good fit for this Arsenal side and the way they play, or more importantly, the way teams play against them.
His lack of technical quality means he struggles to hold the ball up against physical centre-backs with his back to goal, and his lack of sharp movement means he isn’t getting chances in the box like he was in Portugal.
If Arsenal are going to win the Premier League, or even a cup competition, then it may be in spite of Gyokeres’ style and form, rather than because of it. The fans are beginning to turn, and there must be a realisation that they could have put the money towards signing someone else instead, who fits what they want better.
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Guillermo Ochoa has been a regular in Mexico squads for two decades, but his appearance off the bench against the Czech Republic at the 2026 World Cup was likely his international farewell.
The veteran shot-stopper came on late, adding another chapter to a career that has spanned six World Cup call-ups. He may have kept a 15-minute clean sheet in his cameo appearance, but something on his shirt caught the attention of some eagle-eyed fans.
Ochoa was sporting the new FIFA “Legacy” patch, reserved for players who’ve featured in five or more tournaments. The trouble is, the numbers don’t quite add up.
Why Ochoa’s Legacy Patch has Raised Questions
FIFA introduced the legacy patch this year to mark out the players who’ve made the World Cup feel like home, names such as Lionel Messi, Luka Modric and Cristiano Ronaldo among them. Ochoa, named in six consecutive squads stretching back to 2006, looked a natural fit for the honour.
Except being named in a squad isn’t the same as playing in one. Ochoa was an unused substitute throughout the entirety of the 2006 and 2010 tournaments, never once stepping onto the pitch. FIFA’s own guidelines are clear that the patch is meant for players with genuine on-field minutes across five separate editions, not simply squad inclusions.
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By that measure, Ochoa has only actually played in four World Cups: 2014, 2018, 2022 and now 2026, still an impressive feat, but not one that qualifies him for the patch.
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None of this is likely to bother Ochoa much. At 40, he’s already confirmed his status as one of Mexico’s most beloved players, famous for his acrobatic saves and his habit of frustrating bigger nations on the biggest stage. He won’t feel as though he requires a commemorative badge to rubber-stamp it.
Whether a patch technically belongs on his shirt or not, his place in World Cup folklore isn’t going anywhere.
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Still, the mix-up does highlight the slightly messy rollout of FIFA’s new initiative. If the governing body wants the legacy patch to mean something, a quick look at the eligibility criteria might be in order before the next batch of kits is rolled out.
Manchester United have made fresh enquiries over a move for Alex Scott this summer, according to TeamTalk, as the Old Trafford outfit continue their pursuit of a new midfielder.
There is an expectation that the Red Devils could sign up to three central options in the transfer window, with a deal for Ederson already agreed as the first arrival.
One of the other two expected signings is set to be the marquee arrival, with money set aside to spend big on a star who will anchor the midfield for years to come.
Plenty of links have emerged, with Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes the most prominent options, but a move for Scott appears to be on the cards for Man United.
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Alex Scott has emerged as a transfer target for Man United, as the England international appears to be gaining plenty of interest from top sides in the Premier League.
After an impressive season with Bournemouth, the Red Devils appear keen on a deal, as TeamTalk reports that the club have recently made fresh enquiries over a switch.
Scott has been valued at £80 million in some reports, as the team on the south coast face a battle to keep hold of their star player, who has been described as “amazing”, with the years on his contract dwindling.
However, despite the growing pressure to potentially sell the 22-year-old, the report from TeamTalk claims that Bournemouth are insisting that they won’t allow for an exit this summer.
New Cherries boss Marco Rose is believed to have told the hierarchy that he doesn’t want to lose the midfielder, and intends to go into next season with the star in his team.
It comes as the latest frustration for Man United in their ongoing pursuit of another midfielder, with challenges arising over a few of their other transfer options.
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Man United’s Midfield Struggles
Manchester United will be left frustrated with how their approach to the midfield options on the transfer market has gone so far this summer.
While a deal for Ederson has been wrapped up quickly, it seems as though ground has been lost to Tottenham in the race to sign both Tonali and Fernandes.
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Other options, such as Aurelien Tchouameni may prove costly and tough to get over the line, while Scott is the latest player to be seemingly ruled out for a move as it stands.
The Red Devils may need to dig deeper into their scouting pool to find their next top option, with others seemingly being ruled out one by one.
One of the most exciting games at this year’s FIFA World Cup thus far takes place on Friday when France meets Norway in the final matchday of Group I. The European nations collide at Gillette Stadium, battling to top their group.
Erling Haaland and the Vikings have lived up to their billing as dark horses with a 4-1 win over Iraq and a 3-2 victory against Senegal. Kylian Mbappe and Les Bleus have looked the real deal, beating Senegal 3-1 and Iraq 3-0.
It means the Norwegians will be eyeing victory over the French to steal first place in their group. Both countries are already through to the Round of 32.
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Match: |
Information: |
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Date |
Friday, June 26, 2026 |
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Kick-off Time |
15:00 EDT Local Time (20:00 BST) |
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Venue |
Boston Stadium (Gillette Stadium), Foxborough |
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Competition |
FIFA World Cup 2026, Group I (Matchday 3) |
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Referee |
Michael Oliver (English) |
Norway
Stale Solbakken’s men sealed their place in the knockout rounds with a hard-fought 3-2 win over Senegal. Manchester City striker Haaland was at the double as his side made it six points from their two opening games.
Norway can really put the cat amongst the pigeons with a win over favourites France and finish at the top of Group I. That will be a tough ask, though, as they haven’t beaten the two-time world champions since August 2010.
Team News
Solbakken is likely to be without Borussia Dortmund defender Julian Ryerson, who picked up a thigh injury in the win over Senegal. That will be one change that has to be made, and it will force their manager to rotate for the first time at this World Cup.
Torbjorn Heggem’s fitness will be assessed ahead of the game after coming off late on against Senegal. That might mean Solbakken tinkers with his defence, but Haaland will undoubtedly continue to lead the line, having bagged four goals in two games.
Predicted Starting 11
There should be two changes to Norway’s backline, with Marcus Holmgren Pedersen, who scored against Senegal, replacing Ryerson. Leo Ostigard could come in for Heggem as he did at the end of their win over the Senegalese.
Haaland should be joined by Antonio Nusa in attack, as well as Fulham’s Oscar Bobb, to give Alexander Sorloth a rest. Solbakken will want to field a team that can spring a surprise and beat France.
Expected XI: Nyland; Pedersen, Ajer, Ostigard, Wolfe; Odegaard, Berge, Berg; Bobb, Haaland, Nusa
France
Of the bookies’ favourites to win the tournament, France are looking the strongest side. A slightly underwhelming first-half performance against Senegal aside, they have been superb, and Mbappe is in red-hot form.
Mbappe, like Haaland, has found the net four times in two games, and he’s not the only French attacker shining. Les Bleus are currently top of Group I, ahead of Norway with a superior goal difference of just one.
Team News
Deschamps will miss the game against Norway after the death of his mother, leaving his assistant Guy Stephan to lead the team. He will have to decide which of Paris Saint-Germain’s attacking pair, Bradley Barcola and Desire Doue, should start.
Manchester United-linked Aurelien Tchouameni lost his place in midfield to Manu Kone in the victory over Iraq. He might have a fight on his hands to reclaim it, as well as Theo Hernandez, whom Aston Villa’s Lucas Digne displaced at left-back.
Predicted Starting 11
William Saliba returned and played the full 90 minutes in the win against Iraq, and he should keep his place against Norway. Digne fared well in that game and could get the nod over Hernandez again.
Kone’s performance earned praise, and he may have done enough to continue in midfield alongside Adrien Rabiot. In attack, Barcola has outperformed Doue thus far and should get a chance to prove he deserves to be a starter.
Expected XI: Maignan; Kounde, Upamecano, Saliba, Digne; Rabiot, Kone; Dembele, Olise, Barcola; Mbappe
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