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Morgan Rogers Can Secure Dream Shirt Number At Arsenal

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Arsenal are set to step up their pursuit of Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Rogers, as Mikel Arteta looks to freshen up his title-winning squad ahead of the new Premier League season.

The Gunners may have won the league for the first time in 22 years last season, but the club’s hierarchy aren’t prepared to sit back and take it easy in the transfer market. With their rivals in a period of transition, the North London club sense they have an opportunity to dominate English football over the coming years.

Rogers is a priority signing for sporting director Andrea Berta, although Villa’s hefty £130million asking price could present a stumbling block in the prospective deal. That said, creative negotiations from Berta could see the transfer over the line.

Arsenal are expected to turn towards Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola if they can’t land the England international, although given the noise around Rogers, it seems likely that Villa will concede and the Gunners will get their man.

Morgan Rogers Could Wear his Favourite Shirt Number at Arsenal

Morgan Rogers

Whenever a major transfer goes through, fans of the club receiving the player become obsessed with every detail around the signing’s arrival. This includes what shirt number the player will wear at their new club, so supporters can envisage them in their team’s colours.

If Rogers arrives at Arsenal, there will certainly be fanfare around his move to North London. The creative midfielder has worn the number 27 throughout his time at Villa, while he also wore this number in his stints at Lincoln City and Bournemouth.

This repeated use of 27 isn’t a coincidence. Speaking to Sky Sports Premier League last year, the 23-year-old revealed why he is attached to the number.

“I went to Lincoln on loan, and it was the only number that looked remotely okay at the time,” he said.

“It wasn’t my number, but I was looking at the numbers and thought none of these [suit me]. It was because it had the seven in, [Cristiano] Ronaldo was my idol growing up.

“So, because it had the seven I picked that. I wasn’t necessarily sold on it but because then I had a good loan, it kinda stuck with me.”

Rogers did indeed enjoy an impressive spell on loan with the Imps, netting six goals and providing two assists across 28 appearances in League One. This earned him a subsequent loan move to Championship side Bournemouth the following season.

“It’s always the number I’d pick if I go to a club.”

The number 27 has been vacant at Arsenal since Brazilian winger Marquinhos donned it in the 2022/23 season, while the likes of Konstantinos Mavropanos, Gervinho and Emmanuel Eboue have also worn it previously at the Emirates Stadium.

Thus, the Gunners can offer Rogers his preferred shirt number, and this could even be a small factor in convincing him to swap the West Midlands for North London this summer.

Alternative Squad Numbers Available to Morgan Rogers at Arsenal

Morgan Rogers Caean Couto (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters)

While Rogers’ comments suggest he’s likely to take 27 if he completes a move to Arsenal, he has worn other numbers previously, and he could still be tempted to switch things up at his prospective new club.

After his stint at Bournemouth, Rogers went on loan to Blackpool for a season, and wore the number 25 shirt. The following year, he joined Middlesbrough permanently and wore number ten on Teesside.

While the number ten is held by Eberechi Eze at Arsenal, 25 has been available at the North London club since Mohamed Elneny’s exit in 2024.

Alternatively, Rogers could be tempted to opt for a more iconic number. There are currently no starting eleven numbers available in Arteta’s squad, although two are expected to spring up over the course of the summer.

Fees correct prior to summer 2026

All 10 found — excellent!

Gabriel Jesus is expected to leave, making the number nine shirt available. While this shirt is typically associated with strikers, Rogers could reinvent it at Arsenal as his own iconic look.

Meanwhile, Gabriel Martinelli may also be on his way out of North London, and this departure would make the number 11 shirt available. Given Arsenal reportedly consider Rogers as an option on the left wing, and the number 11 is typically worn by left wingers, this selection would make a lot of sense.

Elsewhere, the numbers 15, 17 and 18 are vacant at Arsenal, providing Rogers with a host of potential options if he, for some reason, doesn’t go down his trodden 27 path.

Currently available shirt numbers for Rogers at Arsenal: 15, 17, 18, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31, 32, 34, 35, 37, 38, 39, and several more above 40.

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Thomas Tuchel Gave Passionate Rally To England Players in Norway Win

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July 12, 2026

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A professional lip reader has revealed what Thomas Tuchel said during a passionate touchline rant before England came from behind to beat Norway 2-1 in their World Cup quarter-final on Saturday night. The Three Lions are now into the final four of the tournament for only the second time this generation, and just the fourth time in their history.

Jude Bellingham was once again England’s hero, scoring his fifth and sixth goals of the summer. No midfielder has found the net more often than the Real Madrid star during the tournament. His second of the night arrived in extra time and sparked jubilant scenes across the country, with players linking arms to sing ‘Wonderwall’ as anticipation began to build for Tuesday’s showdown with reigning champions Argentina.

But amid all the talk of Bellingham stepping up to the plate, far less has been said about Tuchel, who has played a pivotal role in England’s march to the semi-finals.

While Gareth Southgate used his feel-good factor and charisma to drive the nation’s rise to prominence and build an enviable house, his successor’s fierce, unrelenting edge and wealth of tournament know-how now appear to be putting the roof on it.

What Tuchel Told England Players During Hydration Break

Thomas Tuchel speaks to his England players after their World Cup win vs Norway REUTERS/Paul Childs

A second-half hydration break afforded the German tactician the perfect opportunity to get his message across to his players. Nicola Hickling assessed the footage and told the Daily Mail that Tuchel said:

“Work harder. Go faster. You’re so static. You’re just standing. I need to tell you… Listen to the staff. We’ve got to fight for our positions. Listen to the staff. Keep the ball low. Less pushing, more focus on the ball. At corners, you’ve got to go right.

“Don’t come from the front [directed at Anthony Gordon]. Your best position is on the right – that’s a fact. Every time you come from the front, the ball gets lost. Now listen: keep right, stay right.”

England Players vs Norway Nathan Ray Seebeck (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters)

Although it was initially their Viking opposition that came out of the blocks with more incentive following the hydration break, England did eventually click into gear to suffocate Norway during extra-time – though the curious substitution that saw Erling Haaland hooked off before the match’s conclusion undoubtedly also helped their case.

More to follow…

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US Pundit Rips Into ‘Embarrassing’ England After World Cup Victory vs Norway

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July 12, 2026

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US football pundit Mike Grella has been slammed for his comments about England following their victory over Norway at the 2026 World Cup.

The Three Lions went into their quarter-final tie against Norway at Miami Stadium as the favourites. They were able to see off Stale Solbakken’s side, but they weren’t convincing in doing so.

Thomas Tuchel’s side fell behind in the 36th minute when Andreas Schjelderup’s cross deceived Jordan Pickford and found the back of the net.

Jude Bellingham has been outstanding for England this tournament, and he rescued his side yet again. The 23-year-old equalised for his side on the stroke of half-time when his powerful left-footed strike found the corner of the net.

The Real Madrid star scored what turned out to be the winner in the third minute of stoppage-time, capitalising on an error from Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland to send England to the semi-finals of the competition.

Mike Grella Slams ‘Embarrassing’ England

Thomas Tuchel (England) Paul Childs via Reuters

US pundit Mike Grella did not hold back about England after the match. The former Leeds footballer said on CBS Sports:

“The good news is you have two games left, right? Semi-final, final, and you can actually win a World Cup first time since 1966. That’s a positive. You’re competing, you’re finding ways to win.

“Bad news is you’re not very good at football. You’re not good with the ball, you’re not good in transition, you lose space, unbelievable spaces in between the lines.

“It was, not by my standard, because I’m happy with whoever wins, but by English standards, a really poor performance, really poor performance. The impressive part is how poor you are and able to get away with the win.

“It’s like having the world’s ugliest daughter and saying, you’re so beautiful, baby. You’re beautiful. Listen to what anyone’s telling you, you’re beautiful. It’s just, let’s call it spade to spade here. That was embarrassing the way you got through that game. I mean, you made Norway look like world beaters in that game.

“So the credit is two more games, you can win a World Cup. Credit to you. You have unbelievable superstars in the team and in [Harry] Kane and [Jude] Bellingham, and they showed that. But through facets of the game, not good enough at all.

“By the way, first ball hits the camera right. We’re chipping the ball now. There’s not a chip in the ball on Tuesday to put the chip in on Wednesday to take it out on Thursday and put it back in. Right. OK fine.

“This, the goal comes from the goalkeeper which I called him out before the game. You know we’re saying always so great.

“Troy [Deeney] says no, he’s the second goalkeeper. He knocks the ball down into it. And then what about the goal taken away for Norway as well? So a lot of talking points, but again, you’re there. So congratulations, I suppose.”

Grella’s comments have not gone down well on social media. One football fan said: ‘What a moronic comment’, while a second said: ‘He should be fired. Rage baiting and clip farming over actual analysis.’

A third said: ‘This guy is actually being paid to expose his lack of ball knowledge’, while a fourth commented: ‘What a load of rubbish man! Just talking with emotions. Norway are actually a very good team that are growing, with a foundation of players that play in the toughest league. When you get closer to the final, the only thing that matters is to WIN.’

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Thomas Tuchel Slams England’s Performance

Thomas Tuchel during the 2026 World Cup game between England and Ghana REUTERS/Peter Cziborra

England boss Tuchel wasn’t impressed with his side’s performance. Speaking after the match, he said: We made life very difficult for ourselves. The result is fantastic, it’s amazing, but we are not happy with the performance.”

When pushed for more details, he added: “In every sense. Sloppy, a lot of technical mistakes, not fast enough: we were lucky today.

“I am not happy. The way we played was sloppy, we did a lot of technical mistakes. It is nothing to do with mentality. We need to play better…”

England will contest their semi-final against Argentina on Wednesday July 15. The victor will play either France or Spain in the World Cup final on Sunday, July 19.

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Colombia Player Has Refused To Fly Home Amid Death Threats

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July 12, 2026

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A World Cup nation has demanded urgent legal action after one of their star players has gone ‘into hiding’ after receiving death threats following the team’s exit this week. The player in question has refused to fly home with his teammates, with him now issuing a heartbreaking plea to his homeland.

This ordeal comes just 32 years after defender Andres Escobar scored an own goal in Colombia’s defeat to hosts the USA – a result that contributed to the team’s elimination. Just days after returning home, he was shot dead outside of a nightclub in Medellin, marking one of the darkest chapters in football history.

While there is no suggestion that this player faces a similar situation, the decision not to travel home yet underlines the seriousness of the issues at hand, with his federation desperately working with authorities to avoid things escalating any further.

World Cup ball Paul Childs via Reuters

Colombia’s World Cup campaign came to a heartbreaking end on Tuesday night as they were eliminated on penalties by Switzerland following a 0-0 draw in Vancouver, Canada. But in the final minutes of extra-time, Jaminton Campaz had a golden opportunity to help his nation clinch a winner, with him skying the ball from close range.

According to Argentine outlet Infobae, Campaz – who plays his club football for Rosario Central – did not board his nation’s flight home to Bogota over serious concerns for his safety. His whereabouts are currently unknown, but the decision follows days of sustained harassment on social media. The Colombian Football Federation responded on Friday by issuing a strong statement condemning the threats:

“Football must be a space for unity, respect, and hope – never a stage for hatred, intimidation, or violence. Therefore, the Federation calls upon all Colombians to ensure that the differences inherent in sports competition never translate into threats or acts of aggression against those who dedicate their lives to representing the country.”

Jaminton Campaz Eloisa Sanchez via Reuters

The statement also went on to urge the country’s Attorney General’s Office to identify those responsible and prosecute them as quickly as possible.

Jaminton Campaz’s Heartbreaking Plea to Colombia

Jaminton Campaz Colombia Albert Gea via Reuters

Campaz has also since took to Instagram to plead for calm – and for his life. “My Colombia, please let us never lose sight of respect,” the 26-year-oldwrote in Spanish on Instagram on Thursday. “We may hold different views or feel frustration and sadness, but no passion justifies hatred or living in fear.

“Since I was a child, I dreamed of defending Colombia’s colours, hearing the anthem, representing millions of people, and scoring a goal in a World Cup. Today, I can only thank God for allowing me to fulfill that dream. These are memories I will carry with me forever.

“I want to sincerely thank everyone who stood by us during this World Cup – those who believed in us, cheered us on until the very last minute, and never lost faith.”

He continued: “Thanks also to my family, who have been my strength at every step and have been by my side during both the happiest and the most difficult moments. To the entire country, I can only say that I share the pain of this elimination. We, too, dreamed of advancing further, and I know the sadness we feel today as Colombians.

“I deeply regret not being able to bring you the joy we all hoped for, but I want you to know that there was never a lack of dedication, commitment, or love for this jersey. I gave everything I had on the pitch, and I would do it a thousand times over for my country.”

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