Piero Hincapie will not be travelling to join up with Ecuador during the coming international break, with the Arsenal defender among a group of players omitted by new national team boss Marcelo Gallardo because of ongoing fitness concerns.

Hincapie has made just four appearances for the Gunners so far this season, the most recent of which came nearly two weeks ago in the Champions League trip to Napoli. He was an unused substitute for Saturday's defeat at Brighton.

Chelsea's Moises Caicedo has also been left out of the El Tri squad, as has Club Brugge centre-back Joel Ordonez. Ecuador are scheduled to face South Korea and Japan in friendlies over the coming weeks, their first fixtures since a last-32 exit at the World Cup.

Gallardo explains the omissions

Gallardo, 50, has signed a four-year deal to replace Gabriel Beccacece, who stepped down after the World Cup. Speaking at his unveiling, the new head coach acknowledged that he would be forced to leave out a number of key players because of injuries.

Caicedo's situation is the more severe of the two Premier League cases. The midfielder has played just 14 minutes of competitive football in 2026-27 after picking up a calf injury in pre-season, returning briefly during Chelsea's win over Brighton at Stamford Bridge before being forced off inside a quarter of an hour. He was then left out of the matchday squad entirely for Friday night's defeat at Brentford.

Three weeks of recovery time

For Mikel Arteta, the decision means Hincapie stays in north London rather than clocking up long-haul flights and friendly minutes. According to the Evening Standard, both Hincapie and Caicedo are expected to be fully fit by the end of the international break, giving Arsenal and Chelsea roughly three weeks to work with their players on the training ground.

That is a meaningful window for a defender who is still integrating into Arteta's system. Hincapie's Arsenal career has been stop-start to this point, with the Ecuadorian yet to string together the run of consecutive appearances that would allow him to settle into the back line.

The left-sided centre-back profile is one Arteta has clearly valued, offering both cover and a different set of qualities in possession. But availability has been the sticking point, and four appearances by this stage of the campaign is not the platform anyone at the club would have mapped out.

Arsenal go into the break after the loss at Brighton, a result that leaves Arteta with plenty to work on beyond simply nursing players back to full fitness. Having a near-complete squad on the training pitches at London Colney for an extended spell is not something Premier League managers often get.

The next few weeks will determine whether Hincapie returns ready to finally establish himself in Arteta's rotation.

Alan Shearer believes Arsenal were fortunate to leave Brighton with only a three-goal defeat, claiming the scoreline should have been far heavier.

Saturday's 3-0 loss at the Amex was Arsenal's first significant setback of the campaign, and it arrived after a strong opening run that had the Gunners looking settled. The manner of the defeat, rather than the result alone, has dominated the reaction since the final whistle.

Shearer's damning verdict

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, in comments reported by The Standard, the former England striker did not soften his assessment of what he had watched on the south coast.

"They absolutely battered Arsenal," Shearer said of Brighton's display.

He went further on the margin of victory, adding: "It should have been six or seven goals."

Shearer also pointed to the physical and tactical approach that unsettled Mikel Arteta's side from the outset. "They were strong, they were fit, they went after Arsenal," he said.

The criticism centres less on the three goals conceded and more on how comfortably Brighton dictated the terms of the contest. Arsenal rarely found a way to slow the game down or shift its rhythm, and the chances Brighton created suggested the final margin flattered the visitors.

Arteta's own assessment

Shearer's words land alongside a similarly blunt reaction from the Arsenal manager himself. Arteta made clear after the match that the performance fell well below the level he expects, warning that "this can't happen again" as he reflected on the standards his players produced at the Amex.

That alignment between an external pundit and the dressing room's own leadership is notable. There has been no attempt from inside the club to frame the result as an unlucky afternoon or a game decided by fine margins.

For a side that had built momentum in the opening weeks of the season, the questions now shift to what the defeat actually represents. A single heavy loss in September does not shape a campaign on its own, but the frequency with which Arsenal have been opened up in transition will be scrutinised over the coming fixtures.

Brighton, for their part, have made the Amex an uncomfortable venue for Arsenal in recent seasons, and their pressing structure has consistently caused problems for possession-based opponents. Saturday's performance was an extreme version of a familiar pattern.

The response is what counts now

Arteta and his coaching staff will have a full review of the match to work through, and the focus will be on whether the issues that surfaced at the Amex were situational or structural.

Shearer's verdict will sting, but it reflects the broad consensus on a performance that Arsenal themselves have not attempted to defend. The next few weeks will determine whether this proves to be an isolated afternoon or the start of a wider problem for the Gunners.

Bruno Guimaraes did not hide from it. Hours after Arsenal were beaten 3-0 at the Amex Stadium, the Brazilian described the performance as "not acceptable" and issued an apology to the travelling support.

It was Guimaraes' first Premier League start since his £75million move from Newcastle, and it came on an afternoon when Arsenal's unbeaten start to the campaign was ended in emphatic fashion by Brighton.

"We were not good enough, so far off our level this time," he said. "We are very disappointed, we have to learn from our mistakes because today we were far away from our level.

"We were too sloppy with the ball, didn't win any duels. We cannot accept this while wearing this shirt of a champion and we want to win the game."

Arteta knew from the first throw-in

Mikel Arteta claimed he knew Arsenal were not at the races from the very first throw-in of the contest, and the warning signs quickly became goals. Pascal Gross rifled in off the post before Charalampos Kostoulas flashed a finish past David Raya.

Guimaraes was particularly frustrated by how much time Brighton were afforded in the build-up to both strikes.

"We gave them too much time on the ball, we know the quality that they have," he said. "They were two amazing shots to be fair but we can do better and we have to do better.

"We cannot give them too much space, we cannot lose the ball in a dangerous area and like I said, bad day, I've not been too long here but it feels like we can't accept [this]."

The result ended what had been a strong opening to the season. As Guimaraes noted, Arsenal had won every game prior to the trip to the south coast — including last weekend's 2-0 victory at Sunderland, where the midfielder scored a stunner of his own.

Three weeks to stew on it

The timing is awkward. With the international break now underway, Arsenal must wait three full weeks before they can respond, with Leeds the next opponent on the fixture list.

Guimaraes, speaking to football.london, insisted his own settling-in period is going to plan despite the setback.

"I have to adapt, and I think I've been doing great to be fair but I think today is one to forget for me and the whole team," he said. "Today was a bad day at the office for everyone. I think I'm quite good in terms of adaptation with the club, I'm getting there."

He added: "Now we have to focus on the national teams but when we come back, we have to ensure this does not happen again. We have to learn from our mistakes, wearing this shirt this is not acceptable, this is not the level we want but now we have time to focus on the national team as when we come back, we have to win games.

"We have to forget this and improve, we have to say sorry to the fans because it wasn't good enough."

Arsenal return to Premier League action against Leeds once the international break concludes.

Cristhian Mosquera made the trip to the Amex Stadium with Arsenal on Saturday despite not being named in the matchday squad for the Premier League meeting with Brighton — and the signs point to a return that is not far away.

The defender has been sidelined since he was forced off in the 1-0 win over Aston Villa last month, a muscle problem that has now kept him out of Arsenal's last five matches in all competitions.

He arrived on the south coast in his tracksuit alongside his team-mates and watched the warm-ups from the touchline, the role usually taken by the extra man in the travelling party.

Three weeks to get right

According to the Evening Standard's Matt Verri, reporting from the Amex, Mosquera is believed to be closing in on a return from the muscle injury, with his presence at the ground suggesting he will be in contention when Arsenal are next in action.

The timing works in the Spaniard's favour. Arsenal now face a three-week wait for their next fixture because of the extended international break, giving Mosquera a clear runway to complete his recovery before the Gunners host Leeds at the Emirates on October 10.

Defensive numbers stretched at Brighton

Mosquera's absence has been felt, particularly on the right side of the back four. Ben White also missed the Brighton game with a groin injury, which meant Jurrien Timber was handed his first start since mid-March.

That left Arsenal with just one recognised defender on the bench in Piero Hincapie, although Mikel Arteta does have cover elsewhere in the squad. Myles Lewis-Skelly can step in at left-back, while Martin Zubimendi was deployed at right-back in midweek against Ipswich in the Carabao Cup — an indication of how far Arteta has had to reach for solutions in recent weeks.

Getting Mosquera back would restore some much-needed depth to a defensive unit that has been asked to stretch itself across three competitions. His versatility across the back line makes him a useful option for a manager currently juggling limited numbers.

With the international break now upon them, Arsenal's medical staff have a valuable window to get bodies back on the grass. Mosquera's trip to the Amex, even in a tracksuit, was the clearest indication yet that he is nearly there.

Arsenal Women needed until the 95th minute to salvage a point at home to Manchester United, with substitute Smila Holmberg firing into the roof of the net to make it 1-1 and end a scoring drought that had stretched across most of the young WSL season.

The result leaves Renée Slegers' side with five points from their opening three games and just two goals scored all campaign — the first in the 10th minute of the opening fixture, the second arriving deep into stoppage time on Saturday.

Slegers shuffles the pack

Slegers made three changes from the goalless draw at Crystal Palace, bringing Olivia Smith and Steph Catley back into the side while Alessia Russo dropped into the number 10 role to accommodate Stina Blackstenius up front. Kyra Cooney-Cross, Lotte Wubben-Moy and Chloe Kelly all started on the bench.

Arsenal had the better of the early openings without finding the finish. Baum pressed Jess Park off the ball and drove through the middle on 10 minutes, only for her shot to lack power. Mariona placed an effort onto the roof of the net on 27 minutes, and Leah Williamson's quick reaction to Georgia Stanway's low free-kick was saved comfortably by Phallon Tullis-Joyce.

United had their moments too, with Terland twice testing Misa inside a minute on 21 minutes. The best Arsenal chance came on the stroke of half time, Baum crossing for Blackstenius whose powerful header was tipped over.

Zigiotti punishes a mix-up

The breakthrough went United's way on 67 minutes and came from an Arsenal error. Catley's pass to Stanway was returned underhit, leaving the defender off balance on the floor, and Zigiotti pounced on the loose ball before driving past her and slotting through Misa.

Slegers had already turned to her bench, with Holmberg and Kim Little introduced on 58 minutes, followed by Selina Cerci, Caitlin Foord and Kelly. Foord was denied by Tullis-Joyce from just behind the penalty spot, Cerci headed straight at the keeper, and Kelly's effort from range was parried wide.

Six minutes were added on. On 95, Holmberg's cross was not controlled by Cerci, but the ball stayed alive and reached Williamson on the inside left. Her delivery to the far post found Holmberg, who slammed home the equaliser. The referee blew for full time almost exactly on six minutes.

Chelsea and City next

The draw follows last weekend's goalless stalemate at Crystal Palace, and the fixture list does not ease up: Chelsea and Manchester City are next over the following two weeks.

As Arseblog noted in their report, this is the fourth straight season in which Arsenal's opening results have left them playing catch-up in the WSL title race.

Slegers now has a fortnight of fixtures against the two sides expected to contest the title to demonstrate that the attacking issues of the opening three matches can be fixed.

The Premier League have explained why Declan Rice stayed on the pitch in the closing seconds of Arsenal's 3-0 defeat at Brighton, with the incident checked and cleared by VAR.

Deep into second-half stoppage time at the Amex Stadium, Rice clashed with Brighton substitute Malick Yalcouye as the 20-year-old moved to close him down. Yalcouye leaned into the Arsenal midfielder after the ball had gone, and Rice responded by chasing after him and tripping him to the ground.

It was an off-the-ball incident that took place directly in the eyeline of referee Darren England. The official reached for a yellow card rather than a red, a decision that immediately sparked debate among supporters on social media.

The VAR verdict

As reported by talkSPORT, the Premier League have confirmed the incident was reviewed by VAR and the on-field decision was allowed to stand.

It is understood the VAR judged that Rice's actions did not meet the threshold for violent conduct, with the trip considered petulant at worst rather than an act deserving of a dismissal. A yellow card was therefore deemed the appropriate punishment.

The distinction carried real consequences. Had Rice been shown a red for violent conduct, he would have served an automatic three-match suspension, ruling him out of Premier League fixtures against Leeds, Nottingham Forest and Everton after the international break.

A chastening afternoon on the south coast

The flashpoint came at the end of an afternoon Arsenal will want to move on from quickly. Pascal Gross and Charalampos Kostoulas put Brighton two goals up by half time, and Chema Andres added a third with a header shortly before the hour mark after being left unmarked at the back post from a corner.

Three goals conceded, none scored, and the defending Premier League champions comfortably beaten by a Brighton side who deserved every bit of it. Yalcouye, for his part, had the last word, with the final whistle arriving moments after the incident that could have reduced Arsenal to ten men.

Mikel Arteta acknowledged Arsenal's problems after the game and addressed the timing of his substitutions, while Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler said of the visitors: "They were horrible."

For Rice, the outcome is that he remains available rather than facing a month on the sidelines. That matters for a midfield that has carried an enormous share of Arsenal's workload, and it means Arteta has his first-choice engine room intact for the run of fixtures immediately after the international break.

Arsenal return to league action against Leeds, with the manner of the Brighton performance giving Arteta plenty to work through in the meantime.

Arsenal's unbeaten start to the Premier League season ended at the Amex on Saturday, with Brighton running out 3-0 winners in a game the champions never got to grips with.

It was Arsenal's first league defeat of the campaign, arriving after a seven-match winning run in all competitions and a sequence of nine successive league victories stretching back to April. It is also the club's heaviest defeat in a season as reigning top-flight champions since 1989.

Mikel Arteta did not dispute the outcome, saying Brighton "deserved" the win and describing himself as "extremely disappointed" with a display that fell "very far" from the basics he demands.

Duels lost, control surrendered

Physicality and duel-winning have been central to Arteta's message since he took charge in 2019. At the Amex, Arsenal lost those battles repeatedly.

"Well, the first one because Brighton they were really good, and they had another bite, and at the times it was better," Arteta said. "There are a lot of moments when the ball is 50-50 and it changes hands and most of the time it was for them."

He added: "Sometimes there were some technical errors very much involved that opened us up in a really difficult way, but that's something to learn."

The numbers underline how out of character the afternoon was. Arsenal conceded fewer goals than any side in the Premier League last season and had shipped just one in their opening four league games this term before David Raya was beaten three times in a single afternoon. Brighton, now third, are the division's top scorers with 16 goals, eight of them in the past week alone.

Two down at half-time, Arsenal never looked like recovering — the Gunners have not come from 2-0 behind to win a league match since March 2008 at Bolton.

Pundits: 'They absolutely battered Arsenal'

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, Alan Shearer said the scoreline flattered the visitors. "It should have been more, the chances Brighton created, they were that good," he said. "They absolutely battered Arsenal. From start to finish today Brighton were magnificent, every single one of them played their part. It should have been six or seven goals."

Former Premier League defender Curtis Davies framed it as a one-off on the same broadcast. "Their form this season has so far been good, this has been a really shocking performance," he said. "That defence today was nowhere near what it's used to being."

Arteta was keen to keep the result in context, pointing to the 15 Arsenal players who were at the World Cup and consequently returned for pre-season later than their team-mates.

"That's not going to take away what the team has done and the boys have done in the last six or seven weeks since coming back from the World Cup," he said. "What we've done and the way we've competed and the amount of games we've won has been remarkable, but this is a big lesson for all of us to understand what it takes to win at this level."

The international break now gives Arteta time to work through the issues before Arsenal return to league action, with roughly £200m of summer investment still expected to push the champions towards back-to-back titles. Full coverage of the defeat is available via the BBC.

Jurrien Timber returns to the Arsenal starting line-up at the Amex Stadium this afternoon, with Mikel Arteta naming a near full-strength side for the Premier League trip to Brighton.

The Arsenal XI reads: Raya; Timber, Konsa, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Bruno, Odegaard; Tzolis, Saka, Havertz.

Timber slots in at right-back with Ezri Konsa partnering Gabriel at the heart of the defence and Riccardo Calafiori on the left. Notably, William Saliba is absent from the matchday squad entirely, with the Frenchman named neither in the starting eleven nor among the substitutes.

A midfield three with plenty of miles in it

Declan Rice, Bruno and Martin Odegaard form the midfield, with the captain pulling the strings behind a front three of Christos Tzolis, Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz.

The bench offers Arteta considerable scope to change things: Kepa, Hincapie, Eze, Gyokeres, Madueke, Merino, Zubimendi, Lewis-Skelly and Dowman. Max Dowman's inclusion is worth noting given the teenager's situation was the subject of fresh reporting only this morning, with Arseblog reporting that Arteta is open-minded about a loan move as interest in the youngster grows.

With Hincapie the only recognised defender among the substitutes, Arteta will be relying on the versatility of Rice, Zubimendi and Lewis-Skelly should anything go wrong at the back.

Brighton's line-up

Brighton, under Roberto De Zerbi, line up with: Verbruggen; Struijk, Gross, Chema, Kostoulas, Boscagli, Kadioglu, Gomez, Ayari, de Cuyper, Vuskovic. Their bench features Steele, Hadjam, Rutter, Promise, Osman, Costinha, Svoboda, O'Riley and Yalcouye.

The Amex has historically been an awkward venue for Arsenal, and Brighton's squad depth — with Georginio Rutter and Matt O'Riley available in reserve — means De Zerbi has options to change the shape of the contest after the break.

Arsenal arrive on the back of a strong run of results. The Gunners beat Chelsea 2-1 at the Emirates on 6 September before travelling to Italy and edging past Napoli 1-0 in the Champions League on 9 September, following a 1-0 win away at Aston Villa at the end of August. Clean sheets have been a theme, and the defensive unit named today has been central to that.

The summer window also saw significant movement at the club, with Arsenal finalising a club-record deal involving Gabriel Martinelli at the end of August — a piece of business that has reshaped the attacking options Arteta can call upon, with Tzolis starting wide and Viktor Gyokeres and Noni Madueke held in reserve.

Kick-off is this afternoon at the Amex, with Arsenal looking to extend their winning run and keep pace at the top of the Premier League.

Mikel Arteta has rejected comparisons with Sir Alex Ferguson after his criticism of officials following Arsenal's win over Sunderland, insisting his only aim is to defend the club.

The Arsenal manager went public last weekend over the penalty awarded against Ezri Konsa, calling the decision "unacceptable" and arguing that the contact had been initiated by what he described as a "judo roll" from Dan Ballard.

Those comments prompted Jamie Carragher to suggest Arteta was operating from a position of power in the same way Ferguson once did at Manchester United, labelling the Spaniard the "don" of the Premier League.

Arteta plays down the 'don' label

Asked about the comparison, Arteta was quick to push back. "No, I'm here to try to give my opinion," he said. "To defend my club, to give the very best to our players. In order to do so, obviously, you guys ask some questions and we need to respond in the most direct and fair way."

He also acknowledged he will not always get it right. "I will make mistakes, sometimes, but I will try to be as fair as possible," Arteta added.

"We discuss many topics in this room, very important all of them. We have a space to talk, give our opinions, have discussions, have personal conversations. It's everybody's duty to try and improve the game and that's what we are here for."

Arsenal seek answers over Konsa penalty

The row has not ended with the final whistle at the Stadium of Light. According to the Evening Standard, Arsenal contacted Pro Ref at the start of this week to seek an explanation for the penalty decision.

That approach followed Pro Ref's apology to Manchester United on Sunday for failing to rule out Erling Haaland's winner in the Manchester derby for offside — a public admission of error that only sharpened the focus on the call that went against Arsenal.

Arteta, though, was unwilling to reveal what he had been told. "These are conversations that will remain private, as they should and they have to keep it that way," he said.

"It's not about an apology. It's just agreeing that the decision should have been different or not, maybe they have a different opinion. Try to improve and move forward together."

A familiar flashpoint

Refereeing decisions have become a recurring theme around Arsenal in recent seasons, with the club previously issuing a public statement over officiating standards following a defeat at Newcastle in 2023. Arteta's willingness to address the topic head-on in press conferences has made him one of the most vocal managers in the division on the subject.

The Ferguson parallel is one Arteta clearly has no interest in embracing, but his message was consistent: he intends to keep speaking up for Arsenal when he believes decisions have gone against them.

Attention now turns back to matters on the pitch, where Arteta's side will look to keep their momentum going in a title race that has left little room for error.

Fabian Hurzeler has refused to walk back the comments he made about Arsenal's game management last season, with the Brighton manager insisting he will always share his opinion when asked.

The German's frustration spilled over in March, when Arsenal left the Amex with a 1-0 win in a match that saw David Raya go down injured on three separate occasions. Hurzeler claimed afterwards that there was "only one team who tried to play football".

"If they win the Premier League, no one will ask how they win the Premier League," he said at the time. "You can really feel that they do everything now to win and, in the end, it's about the rules. So if the Premier League, if the referee, allows everything, then it's difficult. Then, they make their own rules."

He added: "At the moment, I have the feeling they are doing their own rules, no matter how they are playing. I will never be that kind of manager who tries to win in that way. Of course, every team will manage and waste time but there has to be a limit and the limit has to be set by the Premier League. The limit has to be set by the referees. At the moment, they just do what they want."

Hurzeler stands by his words

Asked about those remarks ahead of Saturday's reunion, Hurzeler made no attempt to distance himself from them.

"Last season was last season," he said. "Opinions are important and I will always share my opinion if I am asked. But I congratulated Arsenal for being deserved champions."

He then turned his attention to the present. "It's a new season. They started very impressively. It is our challenge to compete with them."

The Brighton boss also warned that the Amex "will be loud" for the 3pm kick-off, with his side eyeing a statement result against one of the Premier League's form teams.

A tricky trip on the south coast

Brighton arrive into the fixture in strong form of their own, having scored 13 goals in their opening four league games and recovered from two goals down at Old Trafford to knock Manchester United out of the Carabao Cup.

Arsenal, meanwhile, are preparing for a fourth consecutive away game. Mikel Arteta's side edged past Sunderland 2-0 last time out in the league, with Raya — the man at the centre of Hurzeler's complaints in March — again decisive as he saved Enzo Le Fee's penalty.

The Amex has been a difficult venue for the Gunners in recent years, and the added subplot of Hurzeler's unretracted criticism gives Saturday's meeting an extra edge. Arsenal's response will come on the pitch at 3pm.

Mikel Arteta says his squad are “all good” ahead of Saturday's trip to Brighton, but the Arsenal boss declined to give any detail on the four defenders who were absent from midweek duty.

Cristhian Mosquera, Ben White, Jurrien Timber and Piero Hincapie were all missing from the squad that beat Ipswich in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night, leaving Arteta with a thin set of options across the back line on the south coast.

“They are all good,” the manager said on Friday. “We have another training session this afternoon, so very positive about everybody.”

Pressed specifically on Timber, Mosquera and Hincapie, he offered little more: “We have another session, they are all willing to be part of it to try to make sure they are fit.”

How Arsenal got here

White limped off at the Stadium of Light last Saturday and has not been named by Thomas Tuchel in England's squad for the upcoming international break. His replacement that afternoon was Timber, who had not featured in the Premier League since 14 March because of a groin problem.

That substitution was forced rather than planned, and after a busy second half for the Dutchman the decision was taken not to add further minutes in midweek. Arteta had already noted after the Sunderland game that Timber's roughly 50 minutes were more than the club had intended.

With Mosquera nursing a hamstring issue, that left Martin Zubimendi deputising at right-back against Ipswich — a solution that worked on the night but is hardly a long-term plan for a fixture at the Amex.

The Hincapie question

Hincapie's absence was arguably the most curious of the four. The summer arrival had been lined up to cover for the rested Riccardo Calafiori, only for Myles Lewis-Skelly to be handed the job instead.

It was initially suggested the former Bayer Leverkusen defender had picked up a knock. According to Arseblog, rumours have since circulated that the issue may be more serious than first thought, and Arteta's answers on Friday did nothing to clarify the situation either way.

The timing does at least offer Arsenal a window. Saturday's game at Brighton is the last before a three-week international break, giving the medical department an extended runway to get Timber, White, Mosquera and Hincapie back to full fitness before the schedule picks up again.

For now, though, Arteta is likely to lean on the players who came through Tuesday unscathed. Zubimendi's showing in an unfamiliar role gives him one option at right-back, while Lewis-Skelly and Calafiori provide cover on the opposite flank.

Brighton have made life difficult for Arsenal at the Amex in recent seasons, and the Gunners will need their reshuffled defence to hold up before the break arrives. Team news will become clearer when Arteta names his side on Saturday afternoon.

Arsenal have received four nominations for the Professional Footballers’ Association awards following their Premier League title-winning campaign and run to the Champions League final.

David Raya, Declan Rice and Gabriel Magalhaes have all been named on the six-man shortlist for the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award. The Arsenal trio played key roles in the club’s Premier League title-winning campaign and run to the Champions League final.

Earlier this week, all three were also included in UEFA’s Champions League Team of the Season. They were previously shortlisted for the Premier League Player of the Year award and were among the contenders for the FWA Footballer of the Year.

On both previous occasions, Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes came out on top, seemingly benefiting from the Arsenal vote being split between multiple candidates. Fernandes is again in contention for the PFA prize, alongside Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki.

Young star makes remarkable breakthrough

In a remarkable development, Arsenal’s Max Dowman has made the shortlist for the PFA Young Player of the Year award. The 16-year-old made just six Premier League appearances last season, but clearly left a lasting impression on his fellow professionals.

While he’s unlikely to claim the award, his memorable goal against Everton ensured an eye-catching breakthrough campaign. Dowman will compete with Cherki, teammate Nico O’Reilly, Bournemouth’s Junior Kroupi, Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo and Liverpool’s Rio Ngumoha.

Arsenal’s PFA history

Only four Arsenal players have ever won the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award – Liam Brady (1978/79), Dennis Bergkamp (1997/98), Thierry Henry (2002/03 & 2003/04) and Robin van Persie (2011/12).

The club has had more success in the Young Player category. Tony Adams (1986/87), Paul Merson (1988/89), Nicolas Anelka (1998/99), Cesc Fabregas (2007/08), Jack Wilshere (2010/11) and Bukayo Saka (2022/23) are previous winners of the PFA Young Player of the Year.

The nominations cap off a remarkable season for Arsenal, who secured their first Premier League title in over two decades while also reaching European football’s showpiece final. The multiple nominations across both categories reflect the depth of quality within Mikel Arteta’s squad and their collective contribution to the club’s historic campaign.

Former France international Christophe Dugarry has launched a scathing attack on Arsenal following their Champions League final defeat to PSG, criticising the Gunners’ approach in the showpiece match in Hungary.

The World Cup winner questioned Arsenal’s tactics after watching them fall short in their second Champions League final appearance, coming 20 years after their previous defeat to Barcelona. Despite taking an early lead against the French champions, the north London side ultimately succumbed to defeat, extending their wait for European glory.

Dugarry’s damning verdict

Speaking on RMC Sport, Dugarry pulled no punches in his assessment of Arsenal’s performance. “Arsenal will remain the greatest club to have never won the Champions League. Well done to Arsenal, but what a shame,” he stated.

The former striker was particularly critical of Arsenal’s approach from the opening whistle. “Their intentions were clear from the start of the match: absolutely nothing, zilch, they did nothing. At no point did they come onto the pitch to create anything.”

Dugarry’s frustration extended to what he perceived as Arsenal’s defensive mindset throughout the contest. “We saw clearances, an Arsenal team that systematically tried to waste time. It was simply unbearable, intolerable.”

Broader criticism of Arsenal’s style

The 51-year-old suggested Arsenal’s conservative approach represented a wider concern for football as a spectacle. “What almost proved terrible for football and the people who love it is that they almost gave the illusion that by creating and doing so little, you can win the Champions League.”

Dugarry also indicated this was not an isolated performance, adding: “Because it’s not just in this match that they created so little. It’s been the case for many matches now.”

The defeat marks another painful European disappointment for Arsenal, who have consistently fallen short in their pursuit of Champions League success despite significant investment in recent years under Mikel Arteta’s management.

Arsenal will now turn their attention to next season’s campaign as they look to build on their recent progress across all competitions. The challenge will be addressing the tactical concerns raised by critics like Dugarry while maintaining the defensive solidity that has helped them reach the final stages of Europe’s premier competition.

Bukayo Saka will be the subject of a new documentary titled ‘Bukayo Saka: The Time is Now’, set to be released on Disney+ next month.

According to The Standard, WhatsApp confirmed on their social media accounts that the film will focus on the England winger’s journey to performing at the highest level of elite sport. The documentary will be available from Friday, June 5.

The production comes at a significant time for Saka, who recently lifted his first Premier League trophy with Arsenal and played in his first Champions League final. Despite the Gunners falling to Paris Saint-Germain on penalties in Budapest, the documentary’s release will proceed as planned.

Behind the scenes focus

The film, directed by Emmy winner Robert Alexander, will delve beyond the public persona to explore what happens away from the cameras. Saka explained that the documentary has “given me the chance to tell my story in a way I never have before.”

“People see the goals and the matches, but they don’t see what it takes behind the scenes, and part of that is my support system, the WhatsApp messages from the people who were there long before any of this who have believed in me every step of the way,” the Arsenal forward said.

The documentary will explore Saka’s upbringing in Ealing before examining his private life off the pitch. Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has also joined the production, adding another layer of insight to the film.

Euro 2020 aftermath addressed

One particularly poignant aspect of the documentary will focus on the reception Saka received after missing the decisive penalty in the Euro 2020 final shootout against Italy at Wembley Stadium.

The Arsenal winger, who was just 19 at the time, faced severe racist abuse alongside Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho, who also missed their penalties that evening. The film will examine how he dealt with that difficult period and the support system that helped him through it.

The production has been led by WhatsApp and Modern Arts, representing a unique collaboration between technology and entertainment companies to tell the story of one of English football’s brightest talents.

The documentary arrives as Saka continues to establish himself as one of the Premier League’s most exciting players, having played a crucial role in Arsenal’s title triumph and their run to the Champions League final.

France will closely monitor William Saliba’s fitness in the coming days after the Arsenal defender played the closing weeks of the season with a back problem, according to L’Equipe.

The 25-year-old required treatment during extra time of Saturday’s Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain when the pain flared up, with the French newspaper noting it remains unclear exactly when he sustained the issue.

While ESPN suggested yesterday that Saliba is a doubt for the World Cup, L’Equipe indicates his “case will be managed with caution” and that a withdrawal is not currently being considered by France’s coaching staff.

The development comes as a potential concern for both club and country, with Saliba having been instrumental in Arsenal’s historic campaign that ended their 22-year wait for a Premier League title.

Remarkable season despite injury concerns

Saliba featured in 50 of Arsenal’s 63 matches across all competitions this season, establishing himself as a cornerstone of Mikel Arteta’s side. The fact he maintained such a high level of performance while carrying a back problem underscores his commitment and quality.

The defender’s durability has been crucial to Arsenal’s success, with his partnership alongside Gabriel forming one of the most reliable defensive units in European football.

After taking part in Arsenal’s title celebrations, Saliba is scheduled to report to Clairefontaine today as France begin their World Cup preparations.

World Cup timeline presents dilemma

France face a delicate balancing act with their star defender. The World Cup represents a significant opportunity for Saliba, who would be looking to add to his growing reputation on the international stage.

Les Bleus start their World Cup campaign on 16 June against Senegal, followed by matches against Iraq on 22 June and Norway four days later to complete the group stage.

The timeline provides some breathing room for assessment, but any decision to rest Saliba would represent a major blow for a France squad looking to make a deep run in the expanded tournament.

From Arsenal’s perspective, ensuring their key defender’s long-term fitness will be paramount ahead of another demanding campaign. The club will be hoping France’s cautious approach prevents any aggravation of the existing problem.

The situation highlights the ongoing challenge facing top players, who are increasingly required to perform at the highest level across an ever-expanding calendar of fixtures for both club and country.

Arsenal are positioned to benefit significantly from the Premier League’s upcoming shift from Profit and Sustainability Rules to a new Squad Cost Ratio (SCR) model, according to Football.London.

The new regulations, set to take effect next season, will limit clubs’ on-pitch spending to 85% of their football-related revenue and net profit from player sales. However, Arsenal have already been operating under similar constraints through UEFA’s Financial Fair Play rules, which impose a stricter 70% threshold for European competition participants.

How the new system works

Under the SCR model, clubs will be assessed annually in March following the January transfer window, with additional monitoring in October after summer transfers. Each club receives a “Green Threshold” of 85%, covering player wages, coaching staff salaries, agent fees, and transfer fee amortization.

A “Red Threshold” is set at 30% above the Green limit, creating an absolute spending ceiling. Clubs exceeding the Green Threshold face financial penalties, while those surpassing the Red Threshold receive sporting sanctions starting with a six-point deduction, plus additional points for every £6.5million of excess spending.

Arsenal’s advantageous position

The Gunners have been complying with UEFA’s more stringent 70% ratio, meaning the Premier League’s 85% threshold represents increased flexibility rather than new restrictions. Arsenal’s participation in the Champions League and strong domestic performance have generated revenue exceeding £300million from those competitions alone.

The club’s healthy financial position contrasts sharply with rivals Chelsea and Tottenham, who lack European competition revenue but must operate within the same 85% framework. While non-European clubs receive 15% higher headroom to compensate for missing continental income, this advantage may prove insufficient given Arsenal’s superior revenue streams.

Arsenal’s transfer strategy has already adapted to these financial constraints. The structured deal for Piero Hincapie last summer, arranged as a loan with a 2026 purchase option, was specifically designed to manage Squad Cost Ratio compliance in 2025.

Summer transfer implications

With several high-value players potentially available for sale, including Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, and Benjamin White, Arsenal possess significant financial assets that previous squads lacked. The club’s record sale remains Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s £35million move to Liverpool in 2017, a figure expected to be surpassed this summer.

Arsenal have identified expensive targets including Morgan Rogers and Junior Kroupi, with the pair valued at over £150million combined. The club’s strong revenue position and potential player sales should provide sufficient capacity for such investments.

Meanwhile, Chelsea and Tottenham may face pressure to sell before significant spending, despite their recent success in player sales markets. The new regulations create an environment where Arsenal’s strategic financial management and European revenue streams position them favorably for continued squad investment while rivals navigate tighter constraints.

Arsenal defender William Saliba could be forced to undergo surgery on a back injury after this summer’s World Cup, raising concerns about his availability for the start of next season.

The French centre-back has been managing the issue during the final weeks of Arsenal’s title-winning campaign and their run to the Champions League final. Saliba played the full 120 minutes in the Gunners’ defeat to Paris Saint-Germain at the weekend.

Surgery decision pending

According to L’Equipe, it has yet to be decided whether Saliba will require surgery on the back problem. If the 25-year-old does need an operation, it would take place following the World Cup in North America.

The timing could prove problematic for Arsenal, with the Premier League season set to begin in August. Any surgery would likely require a significant recovery period, potentially putting Saliba’s participation in the early weeks of the campaign in doubt.

Despite the injury concerns, Saliba is still expected to link up with the France squad for their training camp ahead of the World Cup. France manager Didier Deschamps appeared relaxed about the defender’s condition when questioned about his availability.

“He’s here, everything is fine,” Deschamps told La Dépêche du Midi.

World Cup participation in balance

France face a busy schedule leading up to and during the tournament. They have two friendlies this week against the Ivory Coast on Thursday and Northern Ireland next Monday, though it remains unclear whether Saliba will feature in either match.

The World Cup begins for France on June 16 when they face Senegal in New Jersey in their opening Group I fixture. Deschamps’ side will then travel to Philadelphia to meet Iraq on June 22, before completing their group stage campaign against Norway in Foxborough on June 26.

Saliba’s potential absence would be a significant blow for both club and country. The defender was instrumental in Arsenal’s Premier League triumph and has established himself as one of the most reliable centre-backs in European football.

Arsenal will be monitoring the situation closely as they prepare for what promises to be another demanding campaign. The club will hope that any surgery can be scheduled to minimise disruption to their pre-season preparations and early league fixtures.

Arsenal defender William Saliba could miss the upcoming World Cup after aggravating an injury during Saturday’s Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.

The 25-year-old played the full 120 minutes of the showpiece final in Budapest as Mikel Arteta’s side fell to a penalty shootout defeat following a 1-1 draw after extra-time. Gabriel Magalhaes hit the decisive spot-kick over the bar as the Gunners missed out on European glory.

Injury concerns mount

According to Foot Mercato, Saliba was playing with a minor injury which worsened during the defeat at the Puskas Arena. The setback could threaten his participation at the World Cup in North America, which begins on Thursday, June 11.

Saliba has established himself as France’s first-choice centre-back alongside Bayern Munich’s Dayot Upamecano. However, manager Didier Deschamps may need to reconstruct his central defensive partnership, at least for the tournament’s opening stages.

France kick off their World Cup campaign on Tuesday, June 16 against Senegal, before facing Iraq on Monday, June 22 and Norway on Friday, June 26 in their group stage fixtures.

France prepare alternatives

The report suggests Saliba could be sidelined for ‘several weeks’ with his condition described as a ‘concern’ for the France Football Federation. Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate and Crystal Palace’s Maxence Lacroix are on standby to step in should the Arsenal defender be ruled out.

The potential absence would be a significant blow for both Saliba and France, coming after what has been a remarkable season for the defender. He played a crucial role as Arsenal claimed their first Premier League title since 2004, beating Manchester City to top spot after a thrilling campaign.

Despite the disappointment of losing the Champions League final on penalties – with Eberechi Eze and Gabriel also missing from the spot – Arsenal celebrated their Premier League triumph with an open-top bus parade on Sunday.

The club will be monitoring Saliba’s recovery closely as they prepare for next season, while the defender himself will be desperate to prove his fitness ahead of France’s World Cup campaign. His partnership with Upamecano has been central to France’s defensive solidity, making his potential absence a major headache for Deschamps.

Declan Rice has revealed the emotional words Mikel Arteta shared with his Arsenal squad following their devastating Champions League final defeat to PSG on penalties.

The Gunners came agonisingly close to European glory at the Puskas Arena, but fell short in the shootout after Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Magalhaes missed their spot-kicks following a 1-1 draw after extra-time.

Arteta’s message of love and pride

Despite the heartbreak, Rice disclosed that Arteta’s immediate focus was on showing appreciation for his players’ efforts throughout the campaign.

“He’s gutted. Yeah, he’s gutted. We’re all gutted. It’s the Champions League final. The emotions and the stakes are so high. Yeah it’s cruel; it’s cruel. That’s football,” Rice told Football London.

“But look, he just spoke about how much he loves us as a group. You know, this season, what we’ve done in terms of how we’ve been every single game, 100 per cent, given absolutely everything, with everything that’s been thrown at us.”

Building towards future success

The England midfielder emphasized that this final appearance represents significant progress for the club, pointing to their upward trajectory in European competition under Arteta’s guidance.

“I think we’ve come really far as a group this year. I think we’ve come really far and this is only the start for this group again. Obviously, we got over the line in the Premier League, which was a dream come true. This would have been one step further,” Rice explained.

“Since I came to the club, it was a quarter-final exit, semi-final, now a final. So look, we keep going, we keep staying positive and that’s one thing about this group: it’s not going to define us.”

Rice was quick to defend his teammates who missed in the crucial penalty shootout, highlighting their importance to Arsenal’s Premier League triumph earlier this season.

“Yeah, devastated. Obviously, to miss a penalty in a Champions League final is not nice. But we love them. We’re with them. And look, that happens in football, you know,” he said.

“And without them two this season, we wouldn’t have won the Premier League. That’s for sure. Gabriel has run out of words for him. As a person, as a player. And Eze as well. The crucial goals he’s come up with for us this year.”

The defeat marks another near-miss for Arsenal in their pursuit of European glory, but Rice’s comments suggest the squad remains united and determined to build on this experience. Having secured their first Premier League title and reached a Champions League final, the foundation appears set for continued success under Arteta’s leadership.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has vowed the club will show “ambition” in the transfer market this summer following their penalty shootout defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final.

Speaking after the heartbreaking loss in Budapest, Arteta hinted at major moves ahead as the Gunners look to bridge the gap to European glory.

Manager promises summer action

“We start to make some very important decisions if we want to reach another level,” Arteta said when asked about his immediate plans. “And we’re going to have to show that ambition because we are more than capable of doing it, but it’s going to demand to be very, very ambitious, very fast and very smart.”

The comments come as Arsenal’s Champions League dream ended in the cruellest fashion, with PSG prevailing on penalties despite their goalkeeper failing to save a single spot kick during the shootout.

Kai Havertz had given Arsenal the lead with another stellar performance, vindicating his selection once again after similar displays against Manchester City and Burnley earlier in the campaign.

Transfer targets slipping away

According to Football London, the defeat adds urgency to Arsenal’s summer plans, particularly with key targets already moving elsewhere. Anthony Gordon, a player the club had shown interest in, has departed, while Julian Alvarez also appears headed for an exit from his current club.

The limited market for players capable of making an immediate impact at Arsenal’s level means the club faces crucial decisions in the coming weeks. Arteta’s emphasis on being “very fast and very smart” suggests the Gunners are already planning their next moves.

Despite the penalty shootout loss, Arsenal’s run to the final demonstrated significant progress under Arteta. The team pushed the European champions all the way, with only spot kicks separating the sides after 120 minutes of football.

Building for another shot

The defeat marks Arsenal’s first Champions League final appearance since 2006, when they lost to Barcelona. However, unlike that previous setback, there’s genuine belief within the club that another final appearance won’t take nearly as long to achieve.

Arsenal’s defensive solidity throughout the final caught the eye, though PSG’s quality in the middle third posed consistent problems for Arteta’s side. The performance highlighted both the progress made and the areas requiring reinforcement.

With Arteta set to take a brief break with his family before reviewing the season, the coming weeks will prove crucial in determining how Arsenal responds to this setback. The manager’s post-match comments suggest supporters can expect significant activity as the club aims to take the final step toward European success.