Arsenal were soundly beaten 2-0 in the Carabao Cup final defeat against Manchester City on Sunday, with many of Mikel Arteta’s players having a night to forget. Famous supporter Piers Morgan has told the Spanish tactician that he made an error in his starting XI.
Many would expect that mistake to be the decision to select Spanish goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga over his compatriot David Raya. The call raised many eyebrows before kick-off and the Gunners fan base’s biggest fears were realised on the pitch.
Kepa, who has a controversial history in domestic cup finals over the years, dropped a clanger to gift Nico O’Reilly his opening goal after failing to collect a simple cross. He was then beaten by the English youngster for a second time shortly after, handing the Citizens the trophy.
Piers Morgan Questions Mikel Arteta’s Team Selection
Parlour, an ex-Gunner himself, stated: “Too many people had off days. Saka, he didn’t have a good game… He’s out of form, maybe lost a bit of confidence, I don’t know, belief?”
Arsenal missed the opportunity to become the second European team to ever complete the ‘true’ quadruple.
“I said maybe three or four months ago, I thought [Noni] Madueke, at that particular time, was a better prospect,” McCoist added. That sentiment was then echoed by Morgan, a well-known British journalist and media personality. He claimed Madueke should’ve started on the right flank:
“I just think that we’ve got to have some difficult conversations at the moment. I think Saka looks exhausted, and that’s not just an issue for Arsenal, it’s an issue for England at the World Cup.
“I don’t know why he didn’t start Madueke instead of Saka, because Madueke was rested earlier in the week.”
The England international completed just 11 of his 15 attempted passes (73%) as he struggled to impose himself at Wembley. Saka only managed 36 touches in total, losing possession of the ball on 13 occasions. He also failed to make a successful dribble.
Arsenal Icon Agrees on Bukayo Saka’s Struggles
Joining the panel later in the show was Premier League winner Emmanuel Petit. The retired midfielder joined the others in expressing his concerns about Saka’s dip in form.
He said: “I have said for weeks, ‘I love Bukayo Saka’, I do. However, I think the form has dipped a little bit… I don’t know (why),” before McCoist then chimed in, saying: “I’ll tell you what I think it is, I just think it’s a drop in form, I don’t know whether it’s a confidence thing.”
Liverpool have reportedly made an important offer to sign a new forward in the summer transfer window, and he could explode under new manager Andoni Iraola.
It’s going to be an interesting window for the Reds, with their recruitment team having a lot of work to do ahead of the 2026-2027 season.
Liverpool may need to find replacements for Ibrahima Konate, Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson, who have all left the club on free transfers.
It was a disappointing 2025/2026 campaign from Liverpool, resulting in Arne Slot being relieved of his duties.
The Merseyside club did manage to qualify for the Champions League after finishing in fifth place in the Premier League, so they should have minimal issues attracting new players.
Liverpool are now entering a new era after it was confirmed that Iraola has been appointed as their new manager.
Liverpool are closing in on a deal to sign the midfielder at the end of this month
Liverpool Make Important Offer for Forward
According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool have made RB Leipzig forward Yan Diomande their top priority for the summer transfer window.
“He’s wanted by Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain. Both clubs are still in the mix. Liverpool are really pushing, Liverpool are really insisting to make it happen. For Liverpool, he’s a top, top priority. They are offering important money to the player to get it done. On the other side, Paris Saint-Germain are also keen but it depends on what happens with Barcola, with Goncalo Ramos and Kang-in Lee. There are players that have to leave at PSG, while at Liverpool they’ve already made space with Mo Salah leaving and more players.”
Liverpool have already spent significantly in the last year or so, so it’s a big decision they need to make on Diomande.
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Diomande Could Explode Under Iraola
via Reuters
Diomande certainly has a big task on his hands if he does make the move to Liverpool in the summer transfer window.
The Leipzig winger will likely be a direct replacement for Salah on the right-hand side of attack. There will be a lot of pressure to replicate what the Egyptian international has produced.
There is every chance that Diomande could explode under new manager Iraola.
The former Bournemouth boss has a knack for developing young talent, something he did superbly during his time with the Cherries.
Iraola likes his sides to be deadly in transition, situations that Diomande will thrive in.
Fifa president Gianni Infantino has broken his silence on the decision of the United States to deny entry to Somalian referee Omar Artan ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
There was outrage around the world when it emerged that Artan, the leading official from Africa, would not be allowed to enter the USA, despite having already been granted his visa.
Having arrived at Miami International Airport on a flight from Istanbul, he was informed that he would not be allowed to proceed further due to ‘vetting concerns’, essentially ending any chance of him officiating at the tournament. He had been due to become the first Somalian ever to officiate in any capacity at a World Cup.
Why Omar Artan was Denied Entry to the USA
Omar Artan via omar_artan on Instagram
Fifa initially released a brief statement confirming the news, which read:
“Fifa can confirm that match official Omar Abdulkadir Artan will be unable to train and officiate at the Fifa World Cup 2026 after he was denied entry into the United States.” However, Infantino has now expanded on that brief comment.
In the days since he was denied entry, more details have emerged concerning Artan’s case. The decision to ban him from the US was seemingly made based on the fact that he shares the same name as a leader of the Al Shabab military group.
Artan was denied in Miami for 11 hours and interrogated by officials, before he was allowed to return home to Somalia. Speaking on his arrival back home, the referee stated:
“I’m simply a referee trying to live my dream, the biggest dream of my life, to come to the World Cup. I had all my papers in order, yet I was interrogated for hours, thrown into prison, and then expelled. I think they have a problem with my country.”
Benoit Tessier via Reuters
Despite the controversy and anger surrounding the decision, Infantino gave a bizarrely relaxed answer when he was quizzed on the situation on Wednesday as spoke to reporters at a pre-World Cup news conference, even telling them to “chill” and “relax.”
“It is unfortunate what happened to the referee from Somalia. Again, we don’t control everything. We try, we will discuss, we will speak, we will see.
“Sometimes it’s good to chill, relax, we work on everything, we try to solve everything. Sometimes to immediately start screaming and shouting has the opposite effect of finding a solution. Believe me when I tell you, we always try to find solutions.
“But we need to respect we are not the kings of the world who can rule over governments and police forces. We are a sports organisation.”
Infantino also refused to make any assurances on any repeat of the Artan debacle in future when being asked if he had “lost control” of the tournament.
“You know in 2035 I think, we hope, the women’s World Cup will be in the UK right – there still needs to be a decision but it looks like it.
Would you find it normal that Fifa would dictate to the British government who to let in the country and who not to let in the country?
I don’t know. Maybe you find it normal. I would like personally, on the other side, the reality of the matter is that in every country, there are governments that try to get into the UK, Germany, Switzerland without a visa, try to get a visa if you’re from certain countries, it’s not easy, that’s what I want to say.”
Olivia Buzaglo and Ben Jacobs are live with a special World Cup preview edition of Market Madness, bringing you the latest transfer news alongside expert insight from across the globe.
South American football expert Tim Vickery joins the show to break down the key storylines ahead of the tournament, including:
– The mood in Brazil as they look to end their World Cup drought
– Neymar’s inclusion and current form at Santos
– Argentina’s chances of defending their crown
– Young South American talents who could earn big moves to Europe
– Potential surprise packages
Ben also delivers the latest breaking transfer news and answers your questions in his weekly mailbag, keeping you up to speed with all the biggest moves as the window heats up before the World Cup.
Plus, we hear from The Athletic’s Tom Bogert, speaking directly from the USA traning camp, with insight into how the co-host nation is shaping up ahead of the tournament.
