Sports
Rio Ferdinand Claims Arsenal’s David Raya is ‘Best in the World’
The first major trophy of the English footballing calendar has been won by Manchester City. Pep Guardiola’s side were able to beat Arsenal 2-0 in the Carabao Cup final.
The defeat will come as a blow to Mikel Arteta, who was aiming for his first piece of silverware since lifting the FA Cup in 2020. The Gunners are still favourites to win the Premier League, but City will no doubt feel now emboldened as they look to close a nine-point gap in their final eight matches.
One of the big talking points ahead of the game was about the goalkeepers. Both backup choices, Kepa Arrizabalaga and James Trafford, were handed starts in the final, with usual No.1s David Raya and Gianluigi Donnarumma left on the bench.
Although both coaches made the same decision to rotate, Arteta is now facing criticism after Arrizabalaga made a notable error, letting the ball slip through his fingers, as Nico O’Reilly opened the scoring.
Piers Morgan: ‘Forget Kepa, Arteta Should’ve Dropped This Arsenal Ace vs Man City’
Mikel Arteta has been criticised for picking Kepa Arrizabalaga against Man City, but Piers Morgan thinks another Arsenal star was the wrong choice.
Rio Ferdinand Highlights Big Arsenal Issue vs Man City
Talking about the League Cup final on his podcast, Rio Ferdinand has criticised Arteta’s ‘sentimental’ decision to drop Raya. He spoke about the difference in quality between Arsenal’s two goalkeepers, calling Raya the ‘best in the world’ for his position.
Interestingly enough, he highlighted Arsenal’s inability to bypass Man City’s press as a key aspect of the game that hurt the Gunners. He claimed Arrizabalaga’s distribution was an issue, explaining: “We can talk about Kepa’s mistake but those can happen in any game. But more than anything he was the big issue in terms of Arsenal getting through the press.
“I think right now David Raya is the best goalkeeper in world football and if he plays, his distribution would have been a big, big factor in that game. He would have played over Man City’s press, he would have played through at times, he would have taken risks and would have been able to put an element of doubt into City’s press.
“Giving an opposition that kind of mindset makes them less convinced sometimes and gives them less conviction when they’re trying to carry out Pep’s tactical approach. Arsenal didn’t deal with that bit of pressure one bit.”
Ferdinand Criticises Arteta’s ‘Sentimental’ Cup Final Call
Discussing Arteta’s decision to start Arrizabalaga in more detail, Ferdinand claimed that he doesn’t agree with the decision. He felt that Man City could afford to do it, as they’ve won trophies recently – with this being the 40th trophy of Guardiola’s career – but felt that it was a mistake for Arsenal, who have won just one major honour under Arteta:
“I think Mikel Arteta will look back and think he was too sentimental. I know he’s played in the previous rounds but I don’t agree with it. Man City could afford to because they’ve won enough trophies recently but Arsenal are trying to build a winning culture.
“This was a big moment, the first trophy on offer in the season and he’s let it slip through his fingers. The mistake was bad but tactically it was obvious to see that David Raya would have been a mark-up because of his ability with his feet.
“We can talk about how good Raya is at shot-stopping and claiming crosses but his bravery on the ball has been sensational this year and that would have altered Man City’s tactics.”
He added: “Arsenal have been a confident back-four and Raya makes it a confident back-five. The frailties at the back given Kepa’s mistake and his inability to play out was glaring to see.”
It’s no great shock, however, that Arteta defended his decision. Speaking after the game, he said: “I made a decision before the game based on what he has done all season, the fact he has played in the competition and helped us be where we are today.
“It would have been very unfair to choose a different one. I have to do what I feel is right, honest and fair. I believe it’s the right thing to do and that’s it. Errors are part of football and today it happened unfortunately in a crucial moment.”
Sports
Fabrizio Romano Issues Exciting Tottenham Midfield Transfer Update
Tottenham Hotspur are looking to strengthen all over the pitch after narrowly avoiding relegation to the Championship this season, with Fabrizio Romano issuing a teasing late-night transfer update on signing a new midfielder.
Even though the summer transfer window is yet to officially open, Tottenham have already announced the signings of two free-agent defenders in Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi, after they left Liverpool and Bournemouth respectively, following the expiry of their contracts.
Spurs are far from done there, and they are still targeting deals at both ends of the pitch in the coming weeks and months.
The north Londoners are in talks to add another centre-back to De Zerbi’s squad in Brighton’s Jan Paul van Hecke, who played under the Italian at the Amex Stadium, which adds further fuel to the fire that captain Cristian Romero will be on his way out this summer.
Tottenham are also working on a deal to sign winger Savinho from Manchester City, 12 months on from previous interest in the talented Brazilian.
While defence and attack appears to be the priority right now ahead of the start of the World Cup on Thursday, Spurs chiefs are also looking at other areas of the pitch too.
Romano: Tottenham ‘Busy’ in Midfield Market
Romano has already confirmed in recent days that Joao Palhinha has given priority to joining Tottenham on a permanent basis following his season-long loan spell from Bayern Munich.
The Portugal international has a strong relationship with De Zerbi, who confirmed at the end of the season that he wants to sign the 30-year-old full-time for next season after his crucial impact in the closing stages of the campaign.
While a move for Palhinha is in the works, Romano has hinted that there could be even more to come in a Wednesday late-night update on his YouTube channel.
The Italian journalist said: “There are things to clarify on midfielders. I think it’s been four or five months, I’ve been telling you here on my YouTube channel it’s going to be a summer of midfielders.
“Man United will be busy, Man City will be busy, Arsenal will be busy. There are more clubs, also Tottenham will be busy with midfielders. Don’t forget Tottenham in these conversations. So, for sure, there is going to be movement in England around midfielders.”
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Tottenham Eyeing New Goalkeeper
As well as the midfield, attack and defence, Tottenham could also add a new goalkeeper to their squad this summer.
Guglielmo Vicario had looked set for a move back to Serie A this summer with Inter Milan, but the champions have instead decided to promote in-house instead of investing in a new stopper.
Juventus are said to be keen on the 29-year-old, although they are also targeting Emiliano Martinez at Aston Villa too.
According to TEAMtalk, Spurs are primed to make a move for Manchester City number two James Trafford should Vicario complete a move away from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this summer.
Brighton’s Bart Verbruggen is another potential target, with De Zerbi also working with him during the duo’s time together with the Seagulls.
Sports
Arsenal Confident of Signing Athletic Club Winger Nico Williams
Arsenal are now confident of securing a deal to sign a new forward ahead of the summer transfer window.
The Gunners will be looking to build on a phenomenal 2025/2026 season, which saw them lift the Premier League title after years of heartbreak.
Arsenal also reached the Champions League final, but were knocked out by Paris Saint-Germain on penalties.
The summer transfer window is an opportunity for the north London club to build on what they’ve already achieved, and Mikel Arteta will undoubtedly be hoping to go one better in the Champions League.
Adding to their forward line could be one of Arsenal’s priorities, especially if they want to compete among the best in Europe.
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Arsenal are in the race to sign Julian Alvarez, and could steal a march over their rivals Barcelona and Real Madrid for the striker.
Arsenal Confident of Signing Forward
According to a report from TEAMtalk, Arsenal are confident they can sign Athletic Club winger Nico Williams during the summer transfer window.
Williams is believed to be keen on a move to the Premier League, with the Gunners firmly in the hunt to secure his signature.
Arsenal have been admirers of Williams since 2024, and they’ve been given fresh hope of signing him in the coming months, as he aims to use the World Cup to platform himself.
Williams is considered Arteta’s ‘dream’ signing for the upcoming window, but it remains to be seen whether they can convince Athletic Club to part ways.
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Williams Could be Game-Changer for Arsenal
Securing the signature of Williams from Athletic Club in the summer transfer window could be a game-changing move from the Gunners.
Williams, who has been described as ‘absolutely frightening’, reportedly has a release clause of around £87 million, which you’d expect Arsenal would be willing to pay for a guaranteed starter at left wing.
The Gunners may be hoping to negotiate that fee down with Athletic Club, but either way, it’s a player Arsenal need to go all out for.
Arteta doesn’t have an elite-level left-sided attacker in his squad, and Williams certainly has the potential to reach the top.
Sports
Man Utd Working on Two Midfield Signings After Elliot Anderson Bid
Manchester United are focusing on deals for two Premier League midfielders following the news that Manchester City’s £120m bid for Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson has been rejected, according to David Ornstein.
Man United had identified Anderson as their number one midfield target earlier this summer, as they looked to bolster a position that will be short of depth ahead of the expected summer exits of both Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte.
Kobbie Mainoo, and new signing Ederson, are the only specialist senior central midfielders in the squad should Ugarte leave, even though Mason Mount and Bruno Fernandes have been used in deeper midfield roles in recent months.
Some reports have suggested that the Red Devils could look to add three new midfielders to Michael Carrick’s squad during the close season, which would mean there are two more arrivals after Ederson.
While United have had a focus on Premier League midfield targets, the issue is that they come at a premium price, whether it is Carlos Baleba of Brighton and Hove Albion or Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali.
Anderson appears to be a step above even that after Forest decided to reject a bid worth a total of £120m for the England international from City, instead wanting more than that fee upfront if they are to even consider a sale.
Man United Focusing on Alex Scott and Mateus Fernandes
Posting on X on Wednesday night, Ornstein confirmed that City’s bid worth £106m, plus £14m in add-ons, had been rejected by Forest.
Ornstein claims that the Midlands outfit want more than the British transfer record fee of £125m that Liverpool paid to sign Alexander Isak last summer.
Despite United’s great admiration for the player, the journalist claims that the fee demanded for the England star means that they are currently out of the race for the 23-year-old.
Instead, the Red Devils are focusing on players who want to join them, including West Ham United’s Mateus Fernandes and Alex Scott of Bournemouth.
Fabrizio Romano has claimed that the Hammers value Fernandes at £85m, while Bournemouth are reported to want £80m to consider selling Scott.
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Which Other Midfielders Are On United’s List?
As mentioned previously, two Premier League-based midfielders in Baleba and Tonali continue to be linked, with the former fitting into the category of players who want to make the switch to Old Trafford.
An agreement on personal terms dating back to last summer is already in place for Baleba to join United, and now it is up to the Red Devils whether they reignite their interest from 2025 in the Seagulls star.
United are still considering midfielders playing abroad too after the Ederson deal, with Romano revealing previously that Real Madrid star Aurelien Tchouameni is the club’s ‘dream’ Casemiro replacement.
The France international’s future at the Bernabeu looked to be in doubt following his huge bust-up with Federico Valverde in training last month, but the latest suggestions are that Real want to keep him at the club.
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