Arsenal face increasing competition from Brentford in the pursuit of 16-year-old Leicester City winger Jeremy Monga this summer. The teenager has been described as a “priority target” for the Gunners as the club looks to consolidate after a summer of heavy spending that helped them become English champions for the first time in 22 years.

Reports in The Times suggest Brentford have “stepped up” their interest and that “formal contact” with the player is expected. Leicester’s relegation from the EFL Championship at the end of 2025–26, and the club’s start to the new season in League One, make Monga’s departure more likely, but there are important timing details that could shape any move.

Monga remains 16 until July 10. That is the date when he turns 17 and can sign a first professional contract with Leicester. If he signs after that date the Foxes can command and negotiate a transfer fee. If he leaves before signing a contract the club would be cut out of the negotiation and would only receive compensation determined by a tribunal under the rules for free agents in England aged 23 or younger, which could be considerably less.

Brentford believe they can offer the young winger more immediate senior opportunities than he might find at a larger club like Arsenal, a factor described as holding “appeal” for the player. There is always the chance that getting stuck on the fringes without consistent opportunities at a bigger club like Arsenal could stall his progress. The Bees can point to a record of developing young players who went on to higher profile moves, such as David Raya and Bryan Mbeumo.

For Arsenal, and for manager Mikel Arteta, missing out would represent a setback in a transfer area identified as a priority. Should Brentford secure Monga, it would shift the balance in a contest that remains time sensitive and highly consequential for all clubs involved. Were Arsenal to prevail, it would leave consequences for Ethan Nwaneri.

A season that divided spectators nonetheless produced clear individual standouts. “Most of the games I see in the Premier League are not, for me, a joy to watch,” Liverpool manager Arne Slot admitted back in March, but within that contested landscape a handful of performers emerged with compelling cases for special recognition.

Between the posts, the familiar excellence of David Raya stood out. It is not normal to keep a clean sheet in more than half of your Premier League appearances and it certainly isn’t standard to win three consecutive Golden Gloves. It is increasingly normal for Raya to be the champions’ bravest passer and a defensive cornerstone.

Brentford’s Michael Kayode became a modern curiosity and a creative force. The fullback’s gender reveal in February — hurling a throw-in into an empty goal at the Gtech Community Stadium that prompted pink flares — captured his commitment to the long throw. “People think that you can play in the Premier League just because you have a good throw-in?” the Italy U21 international scoffed. “That’s crazy!” Kayode, a nominee for Best Young Player, completed the fourth-most dribbles in the division, ranking above Rayan Cherki, Bukayo Saka and Florian Wirtz, and helped drive the over-performing Bees upfield.

William Saliba approached defending with efficient precision, while Gabriel’s aggressive conception of beauty produced a consistently dominant campaign. “I think beautiful football is not only a beautiful pass,” the Brazilian theorized, “but also when you defend, the way you defend.”

Versatility shone at Manchester City through Nico O’Reilly, who spent most of the season at left back, offered ballast in Rodri’s absence and even operated as a box-crashing No. 8. “He has been a surprise,” Guardiola admitted, “even for me.”

Dominik Szoboszlai answered his own challenge: “I need to improve in a lot of things.” He did, dominating matches with a blend of power and finesse even as Liverpool colleagues did not match his trajectory.

At Manchester United, Casemiro rediscovered form, supplying defensive coverage and nine Premier League goals — a tally Ryan Giggs never matched for Manchester United after turning 22. Arsenal’s Declan Rice remained the team’s dependable linchpin after Arteta warned the squad their tilt would be a “roller coaster.” “There’s going to be ups, downs, so much talk,” the midfielder reflected. “The good thing with Declan is he’s so consistent, so reliable,” Arteta acknowledged.

Finally, Antoine Semenyo produced a standout season: after carrying Bournemouth’s frontline for six months he moved to Manchester City and, since his debut in January, no City player has matched his seven non-penalty Premier League goals.

Mohamed Salah finished his Liverpool career at Anfield on the final day of the 2025–26 season, starting on the right wing in a 1-1 draw with Brentford. Despite a strained relationship with manager Arne Slot, Salah and Andy Robertson were both selected and Robertson received a send-off before his departure.

The 33-year-old began the game lively, producing crisp passing and strong delivery from corners, but early on he was tightly marked by Brentford left back Keane Lewis-Potter. Frustration followed: Salah failed to dribble past Lewis-Potter, won none of his ground duels in the opening 15 minutes and was forced into several hurried actions that blunted Liverpool’s initial momentum.

In the 19th minute an effort from a free kick bent off the outside of the post. Brentford goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher could only watch as the woodwork intervened. The near miss seemed to lift Salah. He soon drove into the box and forced a save from Kelleher, then combined with Dominik Szoboszlai to create another opening, only for his first touch to be smothered.

The defining moment arrived early in the second half. A long pass from Ryan Gravenberch released Salah down the right; with space to run he bent a measured outside-of-the-boot pass to Jones, who finished to put Liverpool ahead. The assist was Salah’s 93rd in the English top flight since he joined the Reds in 2017, putting him above Steven Gerrard as Liverpool’s Premier League leader in assists.

Slot replaced Salah in the 74th minute. The forward took his time to accept the ovation, embraced teammates and Slot on the touchline, dropped to his knees and pressed his head to the turf in a final private moment at Anfield.

Match statistics for Salah: 74 minutes played, 0 goals, 1 assist, xG 0.23, xGOT 0.73, xA 0.44, 32/38 passes (84%), 1 chance created, 1 big chance created, 2 shots on target, 1 off target, 1 blocked shot.