Arsenal
Premier League Gameweek 1 Team of the Week: early standouts across the opening weekend
Opening weekend standouts from Pickford, De Cuyper, Sangaré, Gvardiol and Chelsea’s revived attack.
The Premier League season opened with a busy first weekend and several individual displays immediately demanding attention. Chelsea’s refreshed attack helped shape the closing stages of the round, while a number of other clubs also produced performances that stood out for different reasons.
Everton’s 2-0 win over Crystal Palace on Merseyside was not straightforward early on. The visitors started brightly, but poor finishing and Jordan Pickford kept them at bay. Pickford’s best moment came with a sharp save to deny Eddie Nketiah, and his contribution was among the best goalkeeping efforts of the weekend. Only Newcastle United debutant Lukáš Horniček prevented more goals on the opening weekend.
Brighton & Hove Albion also enjoyed a dominant afternoon, with Maxim De Cuyper pushed into a more advanced role in the demolition of Aston Villa. His energy caused constant problems, and he was directly involved in the move that led to Victor Lindelöf’s own goal before adding another by attacking the box with real purpose. That return earned him the Fantasy Premier League Player of the Week award and a 17-point haul.
There was also a memorable debut for Nobel Mendy, who marked his first appearance for Hull City by scoring against Manchester United. The defender helped his side make the most of set-pieces, and he finished the match with 12 clearances as Hull protected their two-goal cushion.
At Manchester City, Josko Gvardiol made the difference against Bournemouth after an opening spell in which City’s fluidity caused problems. He timed his run perfectly to meet Rayan Cherki’s pass and finish calmly beyond Đorđe Petrović, even if the effort was initially flagged offside.
Brentford had strong contributions from Keane Lewis-Potter and Mamadou Sangaré in their win over Tottenham Hotspur. Lewis-Potter struck early, while Sangaré’s debut showed exactly why the Bees committed a club-record fee for him. He linked play effectively, assisted the opener and was involved again for Brentford’s third.
Newcastle United also had reason to be encouraged by Yoane Wissa, whose all-round work helped drive their display against Liverpool. He was central to the transition that led to Joe Willock’s go-ahead goal after Cody Gakpo had drawn Liverpool level.
Chelsea’s own attacking momentum was reflected by Cole Palmer and João Pedro. Palmer looked sharp after a disrupted previous campaign, while João Pedro scored in under 30 seconds and later returned the favour for Palmer. He now appears to be the league’s strongest centre forward outside Erling Haaland.
Arsenal’s opening-night win over Coventry City also featured a debutant contribution, rounding off a weekend in which several new and familiar faces made a strong first impression.
Arsenal
Ballon d’Or 2026: club-by-club breakdown of the leading nominees
Club-by-club guide to the 2026 Ballon d’Or nominees, led by PSG, Barcelona, Arsenal and Bayern.
The 2026 Ballon d’Or will spotlight the game’s biggest prizes across the men’s and women’s competitions, with several of Europe’s leading clubs heavily represented on the shortlists.
Paris Saint-Germain headline the men’s field with a remarkable 10 nominations for the Men’s Ballon d’Or, while Barcelona lead overall with 20 nominees across the available categories. Bayern Munich stand alone as the only club to be nominated for both the Men’s and Women’s Club of the Year award. Arsenal, the defending English champions, appear in every men’s category except the Kopa Trophy.
PSG’s list is stacked with Ousmane Dembélé, Achraf Hakimi, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Marquinhos, Nuno Mendes, João Neves, Willian Pacho, Fabián Ruiz, Ferran Torres and Vitinha all named for the Men’s Ballon d’Or. Warren Zaïre-Emery is in line for the Kopa Trophy, Matvey Safonov is on the Yashin Trophy list, Luis Enrique is nominated for Men’s Coach of the Year, and PSG are up for Men’s Club of the Year.
Arsenal’s nominations are more concentrated, with Gabriel, Declan Rice and William Saliba all shortlisted for the Men’s Ballon d’Or. Mariona Caldentey and Alessia Russo are both in the running for the Women’s Ballon d’Or, David Raya is up for the Yashin Trophy, Mikel Arteta is nominated for Men’s Coach of the Year, and Arsenal are in the Club of the Year conversation.
Barcelona’s nominations span both squads, with Pau Cubarsí, Rodri, Ferran Torres and Lamine Yamal among the men’s names, while their women’s representatives include Esmee Brugts, Cata Coll, Caroline Graham Hansen, Patri Guijarro, Mapi Leion, Ewa Pajor, Claudia Pina and Alexia Putellas. Vicky López and Clara Serrajordi are on the Women’s Kopa Trophy list, Joan García is nominated for the Yashin Trophy, Pere Romeu is in the Coach of the Year race, and Barcelona are favourites for Women’s Club of the Year.
Bayern’s strongest men’s nominees are Harry Kane, Luis Díaz, Michael Olise and Dayot Upamecano, while Klara Bühl, Pernille Harder and Momoko Tanikawa feature on the women’s side. Lennart Karl is on the Kopa Trophy shortlist and Vincent Kompany is up for Men’s Coach of the Year.
Chelsea, Real Madrid and Manchester City also have notable representation across the awards, underlining how widely the nominations are spread among Europe’s leading clubs.
Arsenal
Ballon d’Or 2026 shortlists revealed across men’s, women’s and Kopa awards
Ballon d’Or 2026 shortlists are out, with Messi, Rodri, Yamal and top women’s contenders named.
The 2026 Ballon d’Or shortlists have been published, with both the men’s and women’s prizes now taking shape after the latest nominations were confirmed.
Lionel Messi is among the leading names on the men’s list as he targets a ninth Ballon d’Or, while 2024 winner Rodri also returns to contention after a Golden Ball-winning summer at the World Cup with Spain. The 30-player men’s shortlist features a heavy concentration of familiar elite names, including Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham, Erling Haaland, Harry Kane and Lamine Yamal.
Paris Saint-Germain are particularly well represented, with 10 nominees among the men’s field. Ousmane Dembélé is aiming to defend the prize, while Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Nuno Mendes, João Neves, Willian Pacho, Fabián Ruiz, Vitinha and Lionel Messi all appear on the list. Real Madrid also have a strong presence, with Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, Bellingham and Marc Cucurella included.
The women’s shortlist is equally competitive, although injuries have ruled Aitana Bonmatí out of a chance to claim a fourth straight Ballon d’Or Féminin. That absence leaves the door open for a first-time winner, or just the fifth different player ever to take the prize. Barcelona remain prominent through Ewa Pajor, Patri Guijarro and Caroline Graham Hansen, while Alexia Putellas is also in the frame after her summer move to London City Lionesses.
Elsewhere, the Kopa Trophy races include defending men’s winner Lamine Yamal and 2025 women’s winner Vicky López. The goalkeeper awards feature David Raya, Thibaut Courtois and Joan García among the men, with Hannah Hampton, Ann-Katrin Berger and Cata Coll back in the women’s contest.
The coach and club categories are similarly packed. PSG, Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Flamengo and Bodø/Glimt are among the men’s club nominees, while Barcelona lead the women’s club conversation alongside Bayern Munich, Man City, OL Lyonnes and Club América.
Al Ahli
Yashin Trophy 2026 shortlists reveal established names and fresh contenders
The 2026 Yashin Trophy shortlists are out, with new contenders joining familiar goalkeeping names.
The 2026 Yashin Trophy race has taken shape, with 10 men and five women named on the latest shortlists for football’s top goalkeeping honour.
There will be a new men’s winner this year after Gianluigi Donnarumma, who led the rankings in 2025, was not included among the nominees. That opens the door for a wide-open contest featuring several familiar figures and a few first-time entrants.
Thibaut Courtois is again in the mix, underlining the standing he has built over several years. Barcelona’s Joan García has also earned a first nomination after a season that put him firmly among the leading candidates. Arsenal’s David Raya, last season’s Premier League Golden Glove winner, is on the list too, while Emiliano Martínez returns to the spotlight after being nominated for his work with former employers Aston Villa and later joining Chelsea this summer.
The men’s shortlist also includes Matvey Safonov and Gregor Kobel, plus the Saudi Arabia-based pair of Yassine Bounou and Édouard Mendy. Unai Simón is recognised after helping Spain to World Cup glory, while Vozinha completes the lineup after another notable campaign at 40 years old.
Courtois and Martínez have both lifted the prize before, with Martínez a two-time winner in 2023 and 2024.
On the women’s side, Hannah Hampton is back after becoming the first winner of the Women’s Yashin Trophy last year. She is joined by Ann-Katrin Berger and Cata Coll, who finished second and third in the inaugural edition. Manchester City’s Ayaka Yamashita and Kansas City Current’s Lorena complete the women’s shortlist.
The full lists confirm a competition that mixes proven pedigree with new challengers, and the final outcome now depends on which goalkeeper can turn nomination into the highest honour.
