Sports
Arsenal’s Dream Starting XI if Rumours Prove True, Including Vinicius Jr
Arsenal are now just weeks away from the start of the Premier League season, and they are yet to address either of their big needs, but that is likely to change. The Gunners are hoping to land Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes in the coming days, and they look on track to pull it off.
The Gunners also want to sign a new elite winger, and Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Jr could be on the table amid stalling contract negotiations with Real Madrid. Vinicius is out of contract next summer, but he is demanding huge money, and that could mean he falls onto Arsenal’s laps, as long as they are willing to spend the money Los Blancos are not on wages.
Here we take a look at what the Arsenal team could look like if Vinicius does join this summer.
GK – David Raya
There is no doubting Arsenal’s number one. Raya may have been number two at the World Cup this summer, but his starting spot at Arsenal is not in question. Raya was the Premier League’s best goalkeeper last season, and there are no doubts about him currently.
LB – Piero Hincapie
Hincapie came in and did a sterling job on loan last season, leading to him being signed permanently this summer. He is a steady option defensively, which Arteta loves, and it’s likely Hincapie leads Myles Lewis-Skelly and Riccardo Calafiori in the starter race on the left.
CB – Gabriel Magalhaes
There is little doubt about Arsenal’s centre-back pairing, who have been a rock Arteta can rely on week-in, week-out. There is plenty of depth at the centre-back position, too which will be important.
CB – WIlliam Saliba
That depth could come in handy, with Saliba dealing with a back injury currently, and that could impact his role early in the season. But when is at full fitness, the Frenchman is going to have a starting spot locked down.
RB – Ben White
There is an intriguing race for the starting role on the right. Ben White is a trusted player, particularly due to his defensive ability, but Jurrien Timber will provide fierce competition, and it’s likely we will see plenty of both players this season.
CDM – Declan Rice
Rice is one of the first names on the teamsheet, and the midfielder will be hoping to get some much-needed rest and get back to it this season. The midfielder is one of the most important players for Arteta, and it will be interesting to see how his role evolves with the arrival of the next name on this list.
CDM – Bruno Guimaraes
Bruno Guimaraes looks set to arrive on a big-money deal from Newcastle United, and if he does, he is going to be a starter going forward, even with plenty of competition. Mikel Merino, Martin Zubimendi and others will be competing for minutes, but Arsenal want to sign Guimaraes for a reason.
CAM – Martin Odegaard
Odegaard may have more of a fight for his starting role this season after a below-par season of last, but he remains the best option. Odegaard will largely battle with Eberechi Eze for a starting role, but we can expect him to start the season in the 10 role.
RW – Bukayo Saka
Saka should have had some much-needed rest this summer, given he wasn’t overly involved for England at the World Cup, and he should be back to his best after his surgery late last season. Saka is going to be the starter on the right, with Noni Madueke providing competition.
LW – Vinicius Jr
Arsenal need an elite signing on the left of attack, and if they can get their hands on Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Jr, there will be a new first name on the teamsheet. The Brazilian is one of the best wingers on the planet, and he would transform Arsenal’s attack should a deal become possible.
CF – Viktor Gyokeres
Arteta has some good competition up top, between Gyokeres and Kai Havertz, and it will likely be the former who starts for the most part. The forward breached the 20-goal threshold last season, and he will want to keep adding to his goal record while becoming even more consistent in front of goal. The Gunners could sign a new striker if Gabriel Jesus leaves, but it’s unlikely to be anyone who replaces Gyokeres and Havertz, unless someone like Julian Alvarez can be signed, but that will mean no Vinicius.
Sir Alex Ferguson made his feelings very clear about FIFA president Gianni Infantino after getting to know him ‘very well’, and it looks interesting now.
The Swiss leader of football’s governing body has come under intense scrutiny recently, starting with his decision to award US President Donald Trump with the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize in 2025. However, things have only got worse for Infantino since.
His close relationship with Trump reared its head again as USMNT star Folarin Balogun’s red card was suspended following a chat between the pair during the 2026 World Cup. He then proposed a plan that would see stakes in football’s biggest competition sold to private investors.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s Interesting Opinion of Gianni Infantino
His scheme was quickly met with strong backlash, which included UEFA nations threatening to boycott future World Cups if Infantino didn’t back down. After more confederations followed suit by opposing his plans, the 56-year-old scrapped the idea.
Despite caving to public demands to back down, Infantino is still a long way from being safe as FIFA president. Wales and England have already withdrawn their support for him, while others are expected to follow suit.
With all the negativity leading the FIFA boss currently, it’s interesting to look back on what legendary Manchester United manager Sir Alex thought about him. Speaking about the prospect of Infantino becoming FIFA president in 2016, the iconic Scot said (per Sky Sports):
“In my role as ambassador to UEFA over the last few years I’ve got to know Gianni very well. I must say that all the help he’s given me has been without question really, really valuable.
“I think he’s got good professionalism, discipline, organisational ability and knowledge of the game, and I wish him every success in his quest to be a FIFA president.”
A lot can happen in a decade and it would be interesting to see if Ferguson’s opinion has changed at all. However, the glowing praise of Infantino, who Fergie claimed to know ‘very well’, shows why he got the job in the first place.
Infantino Thanked Ferguson For His Support
Infantino showed his gratitude for the kind words from the 13-time Premier League winner. “I’m grateful to Sir Alex for his support. It means a lot to me coming from one of football’s most respected and accomplished managers,” he said.
His next comments hammer home just how much has changed in the 10 years he’s been in the role. Infantino continued:
“I’m also grateful to the growing number of FIFA’s Member Associations and Confederations that have now pledged their support to me.
“I am humbled by this and in their belief that I am the right candidate to help take FIFA forward into a new era of trust, respect and renewal.”
Roc Nation Sports International has announced that they have signed a deal to represent German youngster Karim Coulibaly.
The young defender enjoyed a fantastic breakout campaign in the Bundesliga in the 2025/26 season, making 27 appearances for Werder Bremen, and he has now developed a reputation as one of the best young defenders in Europe, and one of the most exciting talents in world football.
The talented teenager’s commanding performances earned him a place in the prestigious Golden Boy Top 50 list, highlighting his status as one of the elite young prospects globally, and he has now been added to the star-studded roster of Roc Nation Sports International talent.
Roc Nation Sign Coulibaly
Coulibaly established himself as one of the top prospects around in March 2026, when despite being aged 18, he made his debut for the Germany Under 21 international team.
Now he has joined the Roc Nation roster alongside the likes of Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Jr, Crystal Palace defender Chris Richards, and RB Leipzig sensation Yan Diomande, and revealed that he felt it was the perfect time to make that move.
“Joining Roc Nation Sports International is a massive milestone in my journey,” he said.
“I want to make an impact on the pitch, but I also want to build something meaningful off it, pursue my passions, and establish a legacy.
“With the global reach and influence of Roc Nation Sports International, I know I have the perfect partner to help me achieve my dreams, protect my interests, and build my brand on a global stage.”
Nathan Campbell, Head of Global Football Recruitment at RNSI, said Karim’s character perfectly aligns with the DNA of Roc Nation Sports International.
“Karim represents the pinnacle of the next generation of modern defenders,” he said.
“A left-sided centre-back with his raw physical attributes, composure under pressure, and elite tactical intelligence is incredibly rare. There is a reason he is a Golden Boy nominee and already a key part of the German age-group setup.
“But more than his extraordinary talent, Karim’s character perfectly aligns with what we look for. We are not a transactional agency. We are fully committed to elevating Karim’s global profile, maximising his career potential, and supporting his growth in every area of his life and career.”
Some of the best rivalries in WWE have some real-life beef behind them. Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart, Edge and Matt Hardy, CM Punk and Seth Rollins, just to name a few.
It gives the rivalry a bit of something behind it and can be the difference maker between a mediocre build to a match and an intense clash that the fans can get behind and invest in.
An upcoming rivalry is no different as last night’s WWE Championship number one contenders clash has steered two former rivals up against each other for the first time in decades.
Kevin Owens & CM Punk’s Rivalry Explained
Kevin Owens returned to the WWE last night after 18 months on the sidelines with a career-threatening neck injury. To the shock of fans, he was added alongside Gunther to the number one contender match between Sami Zayn and Finn Balor.
After an intense, quick-fire Fatal 4-Way match, Owens came out on top to book his spot against CM Punk, who retained his title against Cody Rhodes the previous night.
Fans were quick to remember the real life issues these two had with each other over two decades ago.
In April 2005, Kevin Owens (then known as Kevin Steen), wrestled in a T-shirt during a match with Vordell Walker in Ring of Honor because he felt uncomfortable wrestling without one. CM Punk, being a locker room leader in Ring of Honor at the time, felt it was disrespectful to the industry and shouted at him following Owens’ match backstage.
Kevin Owens spoke about the confrontation on the Kevin Steen Show: “I thought about shoving him as hard as I could. But at that point, I wanted to be [in Ring of Honor] so bad.”
From then on, the two hardly crossed paths, with CM Punk leaving WWE in early 2014, while Owens debuted on the main roster months later.
When CM Punk returned in late 2023, a potential match-up with Owens was speculated amongst fans as an option for the returning star following the revelation of their real life issues.
In 2024, Owens was asked by the Daily Mail whether there had been any resolution between the pair and Owens claimed there has not been.
“We have no relationship. We’re not each other’s type of people, I don’t think. There’s like a 10-foot vicinity that if we enter in, we have to kind of, ‘Hey,’ ‘Hey.’ Otherwise, we just don’t, and that’s fine. It’s perfectly fine the way it is.”
With no date set in stone for the WWE Championship match between CM Punk and Kevin Owens, we could see a lengthy build to the match. It would not be a surprise if the two used elements of their real life issues to strengthen the draw of the match and build it into a real contender for feud of the year.
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