Aston Villa
Tielemans Backs Rashford as Amorim Meeting Looms
Tielemans defended Rashford’s commitment as the winger prepared to meet Ruben Amorim once more.
Youri Tielemans has offered a pointed defence of Marcus Rashford, challenging the doubts that had followed the Manchester United forward before his meeting with Ruben Amorim.
Rashford had been criticised for what was portrayed as a lack of full commitment away from matches, with Amorim previously claiming: “The reason is the training,” Amorim explained, “the way I see what a footballer should do. In training, in life and it’s every day, every detail.”
But after Rashford joined Aston Villa on loan at the start of 2025 in search of more first-team football, Tielemans saw something very different up close. Speaking to Rio Ferdinand on his self-titled YouTube show, the Belgium international said the outside perception did not match the player he encountered in Birmingham.
“There was such a big thing made out of him that he wasn’t committed or wasn’t in it for the right reasons or whatever. And you see the player coming in and it’s completely opposite from what you hear,” Tielemans told Rio Ferdinand on his self-titled YouTube show.
“He was committed. He was doing the work. He was positive with everyone. You know, he was just a normal guy, you know.”
Tielemans also highlighted Rashford’s quality on the pitch, before stressing that support from the players around him would be crucial if he is to settle again at Manchester United.
“He’s got amazing qualities,” United’s marquee signing of the summer added. “And I mean, his touch, his acceleration, his finishing, you know, his qualities on the ball. But then I think what surprised me most with him was his commitment.”
“I think he needs us,” the former Villa midfielder admitted. “That’s it. I think he just needs support behind him. And he would always create something.
“So it’s something that, as a player, you want in your team. You want that type of player in your team that can create at any moment. He can dribble past one, two, three players and then lay off for someone that can score. So to have him fit and ready to go with us would be great.”
Michael Carrick, meanwhile, has taken a far more positive line than his predecessor. “He’s our player. He’s come back great, like any other player. I’ve known him a long time, he gives us something a bit different,” Carrick gushed earlier this week .
Rashford, after his extended break following England’s run to third place at this summer’s World Cup, missed United’s friendly with Leeds in Dublin from the stands. He has since joined the travelling squad for Saturday’s match against Milan and, more importantly for the winger, Amorim.
Arsenal
Opta’s 2026/27 forecast gives Arsenal the edge in title race
Opta’s model backs Arsenal for the title, while Hull City, Ipswich Town and Coventry City face relegation fears.
A summer dominated by Spain’s World Cup success in North America is fading fast, and the Premier League returns with the familiar flood of predictions. This time, Opta has put its numbers behind the new season, using its Power Rankings and thousands of simulations to map out the title race, the fight for Europe and the battle to avoid the drop.
At the top of the model, Arsenal stand clear of the field. Opta gives the champions a 38% chance of retaining the crown, a figure that places them ahead of Manchester City on 20.5% and Liverpool on 9.2%. Manchester United follow on 6.2%, with Aston Villa, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur all given smaller title probabilities.
The forecast also suggests a comfortable route back into the Champions League for Arsenal. Under a system where a top-five finish would be enough for qualification, the Gunners are rated at 83% to end up in that bracket. Manchester City and Liverpool are also strongly backed, while Manchester United are given a 40% chance of securing a return to Europe’s top competition.
Villa remain in the mix for Champions League football, though the model does not see them pushing for the league title. Chelsea’s prospects are built more around a Champions League return than a serious domestic challenge, despite the talk surrounding Xabi Alonso’s side. Tottenham, meanwhile, are viewed as more likely to improve than to join the title conversation, with a push for Europe framed as a realistic target after successive 17th-place finishes.
At the bottom, Opta is unconvinced by the newly promoted clubs. Hull City are rated the most likely to go down, followed by Ipswich Town and Coventry City. The model points to difficult openings for Coventry and Hull, noting that promoted teams often need a strong start to survive. In Premier League history, none of the 16 promoted teams who collected at least eight points from their first five games have gone straight back down.
Arsenal
Arsenal’s centre-back decision: Quansah or Konsa
Arsenal are weighing Jarell Quansah against Ezri Konsa as they shape their centre-back plans.
Arsenal’s search for a centre-back has narrowed to two prominent England options, with Jarell Quansah and Ezri Konsa both under consideration. The club have also been linked with Spain’s Marc Pubill, but the latest focus appears to be on two defenders already familiar with the demands of English football.
Ben Jacobs reported that talks have been reopened with Aston Villa over Konsa. However, with a deal potentially costing more than $81 million (£60 million), Arsenal have also made an approach to Bayer Leverkusen regarding Quansah, according to Sky Sports News.
Versatility is central to Arsenal’s thinking. All three players are natural centre-backs, yet each has experience at right back, an area that has caused concern while Jurriën Timber continues to manage the fitness problems that have affected much of his calendar year.
There is no indication that Arsenal’s list is limited to only Quansah and Konsa, but both are clearly among the leading candidates. Their status as homegrown players may also work in Arsenal’s favour, particularly if it helps with possible exits for Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri, who have been linked with moves away from Emirates Stadium.
The pair are at very different stages of their careers. Konsa, 28, has more than 200 Premier League appearances and offers the certainty of an established performer. Quansah, 23, carries a higher degree of uncertainty, but also greater room for growth. He made only 17 Premier League starts before leaving Liverpool last summer for the Bundesliga, where he scored four times in 28 games last season.
The numbers underline the contrast. Quansah has youth, long-term value and a contract until 2030. Konsa brings experience, 231 Premier League appearances and a deal running until 2028. With the price tags thought to be broadly similar, Arsenal must decide whether to back proven reliability or a longer-term upside.
For Mikel Arteta, the answer may come down to what his squad needs most.
Arsenal
Arteta Signals Arsenal Are Still in the Market After Vinícius Júnior Miss
Arteta says Arsenal are still “trying” to add elite players after missing out on Vinícius Júnior.
Mikel Arteta has made clear that Arsenal are still searching for top-level additions after missing out on Vinícius Júnior from Real Madrid.
The Arsenal manager said the club are “trying” to strengthen further, even after the arrival of Bruno Guimarães from Newcastle United gave the squad a timely lift. But for Arteta, the work is not done.
“That’s what we’re trying to do,” Arteta said after Sunday’s defeat to Borussia Dortmund when asked whether fans can expect more new signings.
“It has to be the right player in the market to make us much better. We are very much looking forward to that.”
Arsenal remain in a difficult position as the summer window moves towards its final weeks. They have pursued several targets openly, including Rogers and Vinícius Jr., yet the club are still not close to completing another deal.
A left winger continues to be a key priority. The departure of Leandro Trossard to Beşiktaş was balanced by the arrival of Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge, but Arsenal still appear to want a higher-level option in that area. An upgrade on Gabriel Martinelli would, in the view of the club, raise the side to another level.
Barcola is still available, although he is expected to be extremely expensive. Other possible options, including AC Milan’s Rafael Leão and Athletic Club’s Nico Williams, are also mentioned as players who may yet be available.
Defensive reinforcements are also under consideration. Arteta has already said it will be some time before William Saliba returns from a back injury, while Jurriën Timber is dealing with a groin problem and will miss the start of the season.
Ezri Konsa is understood to sit high on Arsenal’s shortlist. The Guardian reported that an opening bid has already been turned down, with Villa standing firm at $81 million (£60 million).
