Premier League
Agent Arrested After Alleged Firearm Threat to Premier League Player
An agent has been arrested after an alleged firearm threat against a Premier League player. More info.
A football agent has been arrested after a Premier League player reported being threatened with a firearm following an altercation on a busy north London street.
The Telegraph reports the agent, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has worked with players operating at international level and that the player in question is an established Premier League regular. The incident was reported to police late on a Saturday evening in early September.
“Police were called at 23.14hrs on Saturday, 6 September, to reports a man in his 20s had been threatened with a firearm on Cockfosters Parade, Barnet,” a Metropolitan Police statement confirmed.
The force said their enquiries identified a second alleged victim. “Officers spoke to the victim and during the course of their investigation it was also reported another man in his 20s had also allegedly been blackmailed and threatened by the same individual. No injuries were reported in either incident.
“A 31-year-old man was arrested on Monday, 8 September on suspicion of possession of firearms with intent, blackmail and driving without a licence. He has been bailed while enquiries continue.”
A source speaking to The Sun described the impact on the player and the wider business side of football. “This was a terrifying incident and one which has sent shockwaves through the business side of football. The player was understandably shaken up—to have threats made against you with a gun is shocking.
“He reported it right away. It was the right thing to do for his safety. He has been supported by his friends and club and they all hope it will not impact his performances. But there will be serious questions about why this happened, which the police are now trying to answer.”
The story highlights the off-field role agents play in the modern game. A football agent traditionally takes care of all off-field matters, namely contract negotiations, sponsorships and even the managing of social media accounts on the likes of Instagram, X and TikTok. They make the majority of their money by earning commission from transfers, often bringing in the help of intermediaries to help facilitate and flush out potential deals.
Agents can work individually or as part of a wider agency. Jorge Mendes and Rafaela Pimenta are named in discussions about prominent agents; the draft notes Pimenta took on the client base of Mino Raiola after his passing in April 2022, and that Cristiano Ronaldo and Erling Haaland are among the high-profile players associated with leading agents.
Carabao Cup
Ronaldo Backs Ruben Amorim and Urges Structural Reform at Man Utd
Ronaldo backs Amorim, blames club structure and calls for youth development at Manchester United via
Cristiano Ronaldo has publicly defended Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim, arguing that the difficulties the club has faced this season are largely beyond the coach’s control. United made significant investments over the summer, particularly in attack, and while there have been encouraging signs, the campaign has included notable setbacks, not least in the Carabao Cup.
Speaking with Piers Morgan, Ronaldo sought to reduce pressure on Amorim and placed responsibility higher up the club hierarchy. “He’s [doing] his best. What’s he going to do? Miracles? Miracles [are] impossible. We say in Portugal, ‘Miracles [are] only in Fatima.’ He’s not going to do miracles. Even the players. Manchester United have good players, but they don’t have, some of them, in their minds what Manchester United is,” Ronaldo said.
Beyond the manager himself, Ronaldo highlighted a lack of long-term planning and a shortage of youth within the first team. “You have to follow intelligent, smart people to create a base for the future as Manchester United have so many years ago. Nicky Butt, Gary [Neville], Roy Keane, [David] Beckham. They become big players, but they had youth,” he said.
He continued: “Manchester United, right now, they don’t have a structure. I hope that changes in the future. Present, future because the potential of the club is amazing. It’s one of the most important clubs of the century.”
Ronaldo also made clear that he still watches the club closely because Man Utd is “still in his heart,” while urging honesty about its present condition.
Statistical context in the discussion noted that Manchester United have an average squad age of 25.4 years, per Transfermarkt, and that most current starters were signed within the last five years. The club’s 88-year record for selecting a homegrown player remains intact, but Ronaldo acknowledged that the current squad is far different from the side he played for under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Liverpool
Slot and Alonso: Wirtz Needs Time to Adjust After Slow Liverpool Start
Slot and Alonso insist Florian Wirtz will adapt; he has zero goals, three assists in 14 games. soon.
Florian Wirtz has endured a slow opening period at Liverpool, and both Arne Slot and Xabi Alonso have responded by urging patience. The 22-year-old has zero goals and just three assists through 14 appearances for Liverpool and is still seeking his first Premier League goal contribution.
Slot offered a clear defence of his high-profile signing ahead of Liverpool’s meeting with Real Madrid. “I’ve said this quite a lot, not as an excuse but just how it is; many times we have to play three games in seven days with only two days’ rest in between. For a player who comes from a different league, which is a very good league by the way, nine out of 10 people would agree the Premier League is a bit more intense in all the games.” He added perspective on Wirtz’s early performances: “For me, he brought exactly what we expected, a player who created a lot for the team. He will have his goals but I don’t think it comes as a surprise to anyone that if you’re 22 or 23 and come to a different league that you might need some time to adjust to that intensity if you play every three days,” Slot said.
Slot also drew a comparison with how long it took Ryan Gravenberch to adjust to the intensity of the English top flight before becoming a key figure in Liverpool’s 2024–25 title-winning campaign.
Alonso, who helped develop Wirtz at Bayer Leverkusen, echoed the call for time and confidence. “I have no doubts. It is just a matter of time. It is a big change for him to come to Liverpool after so many years in Germany, he’s been there all his life.
“He is a really special player. He has quality and personality and he’s competitive. It has happened with great players in the Premier League before and I’ve no doubts with Flo.
“He is very special and probably one of the reasons I’m here now so I’m very grateful to Flo. Hopefully not [against Real Madrid] but I’ve no doubt he will show his quality and class,” Alonso finished.
Wirtz arrived from Bayer Leverkusen, where he spent his entire career and helped that club to its first-ever league title in 2023–24. Both coaches emphasised adaptation to Premier League intensity as the central factor in his early form.
Arsenal
Arsenal Poised to Challenge 122-Year Clean Sheet Record
Arsenal sit on a run of clean sheets dating from Oct. 1; nine consecutive would break 122-year mark.
Arsenal arrive at a potential milestone after a run of defensive consistency that stretches back to Oct. 1, when the streak began against Olympiacos. The club went through the entire month of October without conceding in six matches and can extend that run if they avoid defeat against Slavia Prague. If the Gunners are successful against Slavia Prague, they could set a record of nine straight clean sheets on Saturday, Nov. 8 against Sunderland.
The numbers underline the start to the campaign. Across competitions Arsenal have kept 12 clean sheets in 15 matches so far. In the Premier League they have played 10 games, kept seven clean sheets and conceded three goals. In the Champions League they are three from three with three clean sheets and no goals conceded. In the Carabao Cup they have played two matches and kept two clean sheets with no goals conceded.
The last goal Arsenal conceded came on Sept. 28 in a 2–1 win at Newcastle United. Before that the only other moments to beat David Raya came from Erling Haaland in a 1–1 draw against Manchester City and Dominik Szoboszlai in a loss at Anfield. The defeat at Anfield is their only loss so far this season.
Manager Mikel Arteta’s defensive unit, from David Raya to Gabriel and William Saliba, has been central to the club’s form. Depth options including Myles Lewis-Skelly, Piero Hincapié and Ben White have also featured as Arteta manages fitness and rotation. Arsenal are one of two teams yet to concede a goal in three Champions League matches, the other being Inter, whom the Gunners will meet in January.
Gabriel has been prominent both defensively and in attack. He has five goal contributions, two goals and three assists, in 15 appearances. Most recently he assisted Viktor Gyökeres in a 2–0 win away to Burnley. Jamie Carragher recently even went as far to name the Brazilian an early contender for Premier League Player of the Season.
As Arsenal look to maintain momentum, their run of clean sheets is the defining storyline ahead of the next fixtures and a potential historic mark for the club.
