Arsenal
Why Arsenal’s recent withdrawals do not yet amount to an injury crisis
Arsenal absences have alarmed supporters, yet March friendlies could provide short, useful recovery.
Two withdrawals from international duty have sparked debate about Arsenal’s fitness, but the facts suggest caution before declaring a crisis. Gabriel missed Brazil’s fixtures after he “complained of pain in his right knee” in the aftermath of the Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City. A Brazil statement confirmed he is not “not fit to play” in his country’s upcoming games against France and Croatia.
Gabriel is the latest of five high-profile Arsenal names to withdraw from internationals, following William Saliba, Jurriën Timber, Leandro Trossard and Eberechi Eze. Timber had already been forced to sit out the weekend’s cup final with an ankle knock. Saliba has an ankle problem of his own and, according to France’s medical team, his ailment will require a recovery plan made up of just 10 days rest.
Both Saliba and Gabriel will miss their countries’ respective friendly fixtures, which, in a curious twist, are scheduled against one another. March’s international window is full of friendly fixtures organised as tune-up games ahead of the World Cup and offers no competitive stakes. Those windows often produce withdrawals as players and medical teams prioritise short-term recovery over dead-rubber matches.
There are no suggestions either player has lied about their conditions. National medical departments have confirmed their diagnoses, and Gabriel’s problem has been described solely as “pain,” which points toward conservative management rather than a long-term issue.
The expectation is both will be available when Arsenal return to domestic duty next month, first in the FA Cup quarterfinals against Southampton before a Champions League tie away at Sporting CP. Critics who accuse Saliba, Gabriel and Arsenal of protective tactics ignore the mutual benefit: international teams also gain from clearer injury management.
Professional players frequently play through discomfort, but continuing through pain can increase the risk of serious damage. One would point to Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé, who has rejected pleas to rest and has instead been forced on to the sidelines by a knee problem three times already this season. The March friendlies create a window for measured recovery. If missing two inconsequential fixtures reduces the risk of a more serious layoff, that is a manageable price to pay.
Arsenal
Tuchel’s England Midfield: Surprises, Omissions and the Case for Selected Creators
Tuchel’s World Cup midfield choices split opinion, notable omissions and intriguing inclusions. 2026
Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad announcement has prompted sharp debate over England’s midfield composition. The depth of options is clear, but several high-profile omissions and a handful of trusted inclusions have defined the list.
Cole Palmer is the absence attracting most attention. Once considered a near-certain pick for North America, an injury-hit start to the 2025–26 campaign interrupted his rhythm. He never fully recovered amid the chaos at Stamford Bridge and has been brutally axed by ex-Blues boss Tuchel.
Nottingham Forest talisman Morgan Gibbs-White was also left out despite a remarkable goalscoring campaign; the 26-year-old appeared to have hit form at the perfect time. Manchester City’s Phil Foden is another notable absentee. Deeper in midfield, Adam Wharton’s omission surprised many after another fine season at Crystal Palace. Strong campaigns from Bournemouth’s Alex Scott and Everton’s James Garner likewise went unrewarded.
Conor Gallagher and Curtis Jones, who have featured in previous squads, were judged not convincing enough this time. James Maddison never stood a chance after missing almost the entirety of the term through injury.
Jordan Henderson’s selection has drawn widespread ire. The 35-year-old is not even a guaranteed starter for Brentford, yet Tuchel has included him for his off-field character and leadership. “He’s unlikely to see too much game time, but he’s a valuable presence in the dressing room.” Whether that presence justifies a place is open to debate.
Among those who did make the cut, Kobbie Mainoo’s technical ability and progressive ball-carrying mark him out as a valuable midfield option after his Euro 2024 breakthrough. Ruben Amorim’s handling of the Manchester United youngster briefly threatened his place, but Michael Carrick’s subsequent reinvigoration returned him to consideration.
Eberechi Eze, typically deployed on the left wing for England but by trade an attacking midfielder, and Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers, a powerful and direct attacking option, offer distinct profiles. Elliot Anderson’s early England impact suggested he can bridge defence and attack, providing the kind of transitional mettle England may need at a major tournament.
Arsenal
Arsenal’s five transfer priorities after the title win
Arsenal eye five signings this summer, led by a striker target and reinforcements on the left. soon.
Arsenal’s title success has given Mikel Arteta breathing room, but the club’s recruitment team are already mapping out reinforcements for next season. According to The Guardian, their top striker target this summer is Bournemouth teenager Junior Kroupi. The 19-year-old’s breakthrough campaign attracted attention after he scored in Bournemouth’s 1–1 draw with Manchester City, a goal that helped clinch the title for Arsenal.
The report suggests Kroupi could command a fee of around £80 million ($107 million). Arsenal value his versatility; he can operate centrally and on the left, an area the squad must improve. Barcelona, Manchester City, Chelsea and Real Madrid are all said to be interested, so any move would face significant competition.
Kroupi is only one of several forward options being considered. Interest in Julián Alvarez dates back to last summer, and while Barcelona remain the front-runners should he depart Atlético Madrid, Arsenal now see themselves as genuine contenders. Alvarez offers a blend of attributes described in the original report: the clinical edge of Viktor Gyökeres, the hold-up play of Kai Havertz and the positional intelligence of Gabriel Jesus. After a 29-goal debut season with Atléti, he has added a further 20 goals this term and an impressive 10 assists.
The left wing is identified as a priority. Gabriel Martinelli has struggled this season and could be sold, while Leandro Trossard is 31 and faces a contract expiry next summer. Paris Saint-Germain’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is viewed as a dream signing but appears unlikely, so Bradley Barcola is floated as a realistic alternative. The 23-year-old has been PSG’s fourth-choice forward, produced 39 goal involvements last season and supplied another 21 this term.
If Martinelli and Trossard leave, Arsenal would likely need two left wingers; Barcola and Anthony Gordon are named as possibilities. Gordon has been linked amid exit rumours from Newcastle United and recorded 17 goals and five assists across all competitions, with 10 goals in the Champions League while often deployed up front.
Midfield depth is also on the agenda. Sandro Tonali was offered to Arsenal in January after Mikel Merino’s long-term injury, though a deal did not materialise. Tonali remains a target for Manchester United and Chelsea, and would complement a midfield containing Declan Rice, Martín Zubimendi and Martin Ødegaard. The clear message is that Arsenal want to build depth to sustain multiple-title challenges.
Arsenal
How Mikel Arteta’s Expected Pay Rise Would Reorder the Premier League’s Payroll
Arteta set to become the Premier League’s highest paid manager after a reported new contract. ahead.
Arsenal are widely reported to be preparing a new contract for Mikel Arteta that would lift him to the top of the Premier League pay ranks and place him among the game’s highest earners. The reward follows the end of a 22-year wait for Premier League glory and arrives as Arsenal ready themselves for a Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain.
Arteta’s commitment to the club has been clear. “I’m fully committed here,” he said. “I’m really happy and I feel good. My family’s good. I still have so much ambition and things to do at this club. For now, we are in a good place.” Clubs and agents are said to be working on terms described by one report as a “lucrative” new contract, according to The Guardian.
Current figures cited in reports put Arteta’s earnings at about $13.4 million (£10 million), with an additional $6.7 million payable for Champions League qualification. The new agreement is expected to “come close” to the world-leading managerial salary of $34.8 million reportedly collected by Atlético Madrid boss Diego Simeone.
Simeone has sat atop the list of managerial high earners for years. Atlético’s place in the global financial hierarchy helps explain that figure: the club is listed as the 13th richest on the planet with annual revenue of $531.7 million. Real Madrid and Barcelona occupy the top two spots with earnings more than double Atlético’s.
Elsewhere, L’Équipe has placed Simone Inzaghi at Al Hilal as Simeone’s closest financial challenger on roughly $29.2 million a year. Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola is widely credited with a salary around $26.8 million, which currently makes him the Premier League’s top earner. Arteta’s proposed terms may exceed that lofty figure, and he is all but guaranteed to stand out as England’s highest paid manager as Guardiola sails off into the sunset.
