Arsenal are into the Champions League final at the Puskás Aréna in Hungary. Bukayo Saka’s first-half strike proved enough to see off Atletico Madrid at the Emirates, turning a 1-1 aggregate scoreline into a famous victory and setting up a showpiece final against either Bayern Munich or Paris Saint-Germain.
It’s been 20 years since the heartbreak of their last Champions League final in Paris, where they lost the match 2-1 to Barcelona after going a goal up with ten men before conceding twice late on.
When Arsenal fans took to X during the match, it wasn’t Saka, or any of the bigger names or bigger-money signings who dominated the conversation. It was a teenager who has played just 17 games this season.
Myles Lewis-Skelly has been turning heads, and after back-to-back performances of real quality, first in Arsenal’s 3-0 victory against Fulham at the weekend, and now in a Champions League semi-final, the question of whether he’s done enough to force his way into Mikel Arteta’s first-choice midfield is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
Martin Zubimendi has partnered Declan Rice in the heart of Arsenal’s midfield for much of the season, and it’s largely been a successful combination. But Lewis-Skelly has complicated that picture considerably. Playing alongside Rice in the second leg against Atletico, his energy, composure, and ability to give Rice the freedom to move forward were all noted by supporters watching on.
“Lewis Skelly and Ricardo Calafiori are actually giving Declan Rice that freedom to move forward deep,” wrote one fan on X. Another was more direct: “Lewis Skelly has taken that shirt from Zubimendi. I hope he gets into the England team for the World Cup.”
The enthusiasm was consistent throughout: “MYLES LEWIS SKELLY I AM IMPRESSED… AGAIN,” wrote one supporter, capturing the mood of an Arsenal fanbase that has clearly taken to him. Another added: “They doubted us. They thought our season was over, but the return of our star boy has rejuvenated us. Lewis Skelly in midfield is also a game changer.”
Perhaps the most telling reflection of how Lewis-Skelly’s stock has risen came from one fan who went further than most. “Lewis-Skelly needs to be in the England squad for the World Cup. Figure out the rest later.”
It’s an understandable reaction to a performance of that quality on that stage, but the reality is more complicated. Lewis-Skelly is a left-back by trade, and while his performances in central midfield have been genuinely impressive, breaking into England’s starting eleven in that position is a considerably tougher task. With Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, Elliot Anderson, and Kobbie Mainoo all competing for central midfield berths, the competition is fierce.
At left-back, however, the conversation looks rather different, and if he continues performing at this level between now and the end of the season, especially if he’s playing in the Champions League final, it is a conversation Thomas Tuchel won’t be able to avoid for much longer.
As any England fan will tell you, the men’s national team never like to do things the easy way. Sometimes that presents itself as a last-gasp winner. But sometimes that comes in the form of a few disciplinary detours.
Whether it stems from geographical proximity or a controversial chapter in a major tournament, England’s tapestry of fierce rivals is an intriguing one to unpick. But who are the biggest sporting enemies on The Three Lions’ list?
This rivalry goes beyond football. The historical ties from the two World Wars of the 20th century have informed this great feud, with their incredible clashes creating some of the most memorable footballing moments in recent times. Who could forget the drama of England’s 1966 World Cup Final win at the expense of Germany? But the Germans inflicted their own heartbreak at the 1990 World Cup and Euro ’96, eliminating England on penalties at the semifinal stage on both occasions.
More recently, England fans still fondly remember the 1-5 thumping in Munich. But they also wince at the thought of Frank Lampard’s ghost goal in 2010.
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England’s record against Germany |
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|---|---|---|---|
|
Played |
Wins |
Draws |
Losses |
|
35 |
14 |
6 |
15 |
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The ten biggest matches in British football history have been named and ranked.
Driven by the Falklands War in 1982, Diego Maradona’s infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal at the 1986 World Cup ensured that this rivalry would last.
It would be reignited at the 1998 tournament, with David Beckham controversially being sent off for kicking out at Diego Simeone before England crashed out on penalties. Beckham would have his revenge though. His winning penalty in the 2002 World Cup encounter helped to condemn Albiceleste to a shock group stage exit.
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England’s record against Argentina |
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|---|---|---|---|
|
Played |
Wins |
Draws |
Losses |
|
14 |
6 |
5 |
2 |
The oldest international fixture in world football, England and Scotland’s rivalry began on November 30th 1872 with a 0-0 draw. Since then, there have been many memorable episodes.
The rivalry was renewed every year by the annual British Home Championship that took place from 1884 to 1984. There was also the incredible spectacle of Scotland victory at Hampden Park in 1937. Just under 150,000 fans packed into the stadium for the match — an all-time European attendance record that still stands today. And who could forget the 1977 Wembley pitch invasion after Scotland’s 2-1 win? The Tartan Army stormed on, famously snapping the crossbars in celebration.
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England’s record against Scotland |
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|---|---|---|---|
|
Played |
Wins |
Draws |
Losses |
|
116 |
49 |
41 |
26 |
Despite just 18 encounters overall, the England-Ireland rivalry has endured in part thanks to the two nations’ complex social and political relationship.
Ireland made history in 1949 with their 0-2 win at Goodison Park. They became the first non-British team to beat England on home soil. Ireland also won the first major tournament meeting between the two, courtesy of a Ray Houghton winner at Euro ’88. The rivalry is also infamously remembered for the 1995 Lansdowne Road riot that saw a friendly in Dublin abandoned after 27 minutes due to severe rioting by a number of English hooligans.
The rivalry was recently renewed by the debate over dual nationality. Both Declan Rice and Jack Grealish switched eligibility to England, having already represented Ireland. Grealish had played for the U21s six times, whilst Rice made three senior appearances for Ireland. Both players were heavily booed during the 2024 Nations League clash before both ironically scored the game’s only two goals.
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England’s record against Ireland |
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|---|---|---|---|
|
Played |
Wins |
Draws |
Losses |
|
19 |
8 |
8 |
2 |
Not quite a bitter rivalry, but one forged in destiny. England, for some reason, are inexplicably linked to the south-east European side. And whilst the two nations lack historical hatred, their respectful rivalry is marked by several dramatic modern moments.
Chief among them, England’s 2018 World Cup heartbreak. After Kieran Trippier’s opening goal in the semifinal, Croatia fought back to force extra time. Mario Mandzukic’s 109th minute winner was ecstasy for Croatia, but agony for the Three Lions.
Croatia also shockingly knocked ended England’s Euro 2008 qualifying campaign. With England needing a win to break into the top two in Group E, the excellent Croatian team defeated England 2-3 at Wembley. The enduring image of that night was England manager Steve McLaren shielding himself with an umbrella as European qualification slipped away. He was relieved of his duties the following day.
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England’s record against Croatia |
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|---|---|---|---|
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Played |
Wins |
Draws |
Losses |
|
12 |
7 |
2 |
3 |
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Pubs across the country are set to stay open until the early hours for England’s Round of 16 match against Mexico. The World Cup knockout kicks-off at 1am on Monday, July 6, which equates to 6pm in Mexico City, and Keir Starmer is set to introduce an emergency law change so that pubs can remain open until 5am.
The UK Prime Minister is set to leave his position on July 9, but has won back some people’s trust following one of his final decisions in Number 10.
More to follow…
There is a lot of excitement in N17 at present with Tottenham splashing the cash for Roberto De Zerbi.
Following back-to-back 17th place finishes, Spurs are spending big as they look to get back to their previous heights towards the top of the Premier League table.
Signing Martin Dubravka, Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi on free transfers to bolster their squad, last month the club also completed the £52m signing of centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton & Hove Albion.
Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali are now set to follow for £85m and £100m respectively after Tottenham struck agreements with West Ham and Newcastle United for the midfielders.
Much more still needs to be done in improving De Zerbi’s squad, with attacking players required after the club’s struggles in the final third last season.
One position Tottenham need to address is on the left of their attack after failing to replace Son Heung-min following his switch to LAFC last August.
According to The Independent, Bournemouth ace Eli Junior Kroupi tops a three-player shortlist for that position.
Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain are also keen, with the Cherries looking to receive over £80m if they decide to cash in on their highly-rated attacker.
The report states that Rafael Leao has been broached as an option in informal discussions with his club AC Milan, while there is a possibility that they once again move for Manchester City winger Savinho.
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In terms of Leao, he would be another statement signing if Tottenham can agree on a deal with Milan for ‘one of the best wingers in Europe’.
Mainly operating from the left but also capable of playing centrally, the Portugal international has contributed regularly for the Rossoneri with 80 goals and 65 assists in 291 games for the Italian giants.
After already agreeing on transfers for Fernandes and Tonali, a move for Leao would be a real signal of intent from Tottenham that they really do mean business in the transfer market after their recent Premier League woes.
Tottenham desperately need to improve in the final third if they are to climb the Premier League table.
Last season, Richarlison finished top goalscorer in all competitions with 12 goals, and it was defensive players Joao Palhinha, Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero who were next in line in the charts.
Dominic Solanke could only manage six goals in an injury-hit campaign, with Xavi Simons and Randal Kolo Muani both contributing five and Mathys Tel chipping in with four.
Given the need for goals, Leao could more than play his part after hitting double figures for Milan in each of his last five seasons at the San Siro.
Following the club’s desire to improve their midfield with the additions of Fernandes and Tonali, Tottenham now need to do likewise in attack if they are to make big strides under De Zerbi.
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