Brentford
IFAB Considers Bigger VAR Role and Expanded Countdown Rules Ahead of 2026 World Cup
IFAB reviewing expanded VAR powers and wider countdowns for goalkeepers, goal kicks and throw-ins…
The International Football Association Board is weighing two significant changes that could reshape match officiating ahead of the 2026 World Cup. IFAB’s advisory panel discussed a proposal to allow video assistant referees to intervene on second yellow cards that result in a sending off. Currently VAR cannot intervene on those incidents, but an official proposal is expected to be submitted ahead of IFAB’s Annual Business Meeting in January.
Appeals to bring second yellow cards under VAR’s remit have been made since the system’s introduction. Premier League referees chief Howard Webb struck a cautious tone when discussing the idea earlier this season. “The message we get is ‘less is more’ with VAR, and we’ve done pretty well in aligning our delivery with that expectation,” Webb crowed to BBC Sport. “If the game, or the people involved, tell us that greater use would be better for the game, then of course I’d be open—but we need to think carefully about the consequences, the ripple effects.
“If you are talking about yellow cards that are delivered incorrectly, which could be impactful on the game, then you also have to think about wrongly not-issued yellow cards.
“I understand the impact of a wrongly awarded corner that’s clearly wrong—easy to see on video—and the impact of a wrongly issued yellow card. But equally there’s also a feeling that VAR already exists to rectify clear errors in big situations, so we’ll have those discussions and make sure to consult with the English game as well.”
Separately, IFAB is examining ways to speed match time through broader countdown measures. Ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, goalkeepers were limited to eight seconds in control of the ball and referees were advised to provide a visual five-second countdown by lowering a raised arm. Burnley’s Martin Dúbravka became the first Premier League player to be counted out in an opening weekend defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, but the eight-second law has seen little implementation in the top flight since.
IFAB say the rule has received “positive global feedback” and are considering applying timed countdowns to goal kicks and throw-ins. Throw-ins have attracted attention this season, with Brentford spending more than 70 combined minutes preparing for throw-ins across the first nine games and the average Premier League side taking more than 17 seconds to prepare each throw-in.
Brentford
Thiago and Maresca honoured for November performances
Igor Thiago named November Player of the Month; Enzo Maresca wins Manager award in November. Update.
Brentford striker Igor Thiago has been named the Premier League Player of the Month for November, while Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca took the Manager of the Month prize.
Thiago becomes the fourth different recipient of the Player of the Month award this campaign and the first Brentford player ever to receive the honour. On the recognition he said: “It means so much to me,” Thiago admitted. “I’m really happy to receive this because it means my hard work on the pitch has paid off.
“I’m surprised! But hopefully I can receive more of these this season. I’m so happy and proud of myself.”
The list of winners earlier in the campaign includes Jack Grealish for August (Everton), Erling Haaland for September (Man City) and Bryan Mbeumo for October (Man Utd).
Maresca claimed his second Manager of the Month award after Chelsea collected a league-high 10 points across November. The Blues beat Tottenham Hotspur, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Burnley as they began to build momentum, and they salvaged a hard-fought draw with league leaders Arsenal despite playing most of that match with 10 players.
“This kind of thing, it’s because you do the right things,” Maresca reflected. “Performances and results were fantastic.”
The manager award returns to Maresca’s desk for the first time since September 2024. He is the fourth different winner of the Manager of the Month prize this season; previous monthly recipients are Arne Slot (Liverpool) for August, Oliver Glasner (Crystal Palace) for September and Ruben Amorim (Man Utd) for October.
Both individual awards underline a strong November for the recipients and their clubs. Thiago’s accolade is a first for Brentford at this level, while Maresca’s recognition follows a string of results that produced the highest points total in the division for the month.
Arsenal
Shortlists for November Premier League Player and Manager of the Month
Nominees for November’s Premier League Player and Manager awards, highlighting key performances. Stars
The Premier League shortlists for November have been published, highlighting individual runs that shaped the month.
Newcastle United winger Harvey Barnes closed November with three goals, two of which arrived in the win over Manchester City. Everton midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall delivered a memorable strike against Manchester United, also scoring against Newcastle and providing an assist against Fulham. Manchester City winger Jérémy Doku produced one of the season’s most eye-catching individual displays as he demolished Liverpool and helped Pep Guardiola’s side remain competitive in the title race.
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes finished November with four assists, creating goals against Nottingham Forest, Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace. Morgan Gibbs-White enjoyed a three-game scoring streak for Nottingham Forest, firing home against Man Utd, Leeds United and in the away victory at Liverpool.
Chelsea defender Reece James featured in all four of the Blues’ Premier League matches in November. His assist in the 1–1 draw with Arsenal capped off a truly stunning individual showing in a month which yielded a total of three clean sheets. Arsenal’s Declan Rice added attacking impetus with a goal against Burnley and an assist in the north London derby win over Tottenham Hotspur.
Brentford striker Igor Thiago continued his hot form, adding five goals across November with strikes against Newcastle, Brighton & Hove Albion and Burnley among them.
Managers with strong cases included Mikel Arteta after Arsenal’s unbeaten month, which produced wins over Burnley and Tottenham as well as draws with Sunderland and Chelsea. Unai Emery’s Aston Villa won three of four and emerged as outside contenders in the title race. Pep Guardiola’s Man City scored a league-high 10 goals in November, including the victory over Liverpool. Fabian Hürzeler’s Brighton & Hove Albion conceded once in four games, producing wins over Leeds, Brentford and Nottingham Forest. Chelsea went unbeaten under Enzo Maresca with three wins and a draw. Marco Silva’s Fulham recorded three wins over Wolves, Sunderland and Tottenham.
Recent monthly winners: Jack Grealish (Everton, August), Erling Haaland (Man City, September), Bryan Mbeumo (Man Utd, October). Recent manager winners: Arne Slot (Liverpool, August), Oliver Glasner (Crystal Palace, September), Ruben Amorim (Man Utd, October).
Arsenal
Arteta Challenges Rice to Add Long Throws After Brentford Example
Arteta urged Declan Rice to add long throws to his set-piece range after watching Brentford success.
Mikel Arteta has urged Declan Rice to expand his set-piece repertoire by working on long throws, citing the clear impact Brentford have made this season from that specific delivery. Brentford have scored three times from long throws this term, while Arsenal remain without a goal from that scenario despite their broader set-piece strength.
Arteta pointed to Michael Kayode’s influence and asked his midfielder to emulate the standard the Brentford full back has established. “A massive weapon,” Arteta said of the Italian’s throw-ins. “We all know that. It is a very chaotic situation—it is very difficult to predict what is going to happen.”
When asked why Rice does not yet deploy long throws to the same extent, Arteta offered a measured response on development and belief. “Who is [as good as Kayode]? Everything has to evolve. I don’t know how good [Kayode] was a year ago, or two years ago or three years ago. I know how good Declan was at taking set pieces three or four years ago and I know how good he is now.
“It does not happen overnight. Things have to be trained, evolved and tweaked. And the player has to believe as well, which is key. When you look at Declan, he can do almost everything you require him to do.”
Arteta’s comments come with some short-term fitness concerns. Rice, who has two goals and five assists in all competitions this season, was withdrawn in the 83rd minute of the meeting with Brentford after showing signs of a problem. Cristhian Mosquera added his name to a list of defensive absentees that already includes William Saliba and Gabriel. Arteta criticised the jam-packed schedule after the full-time whistle and was hoping Rice’s issue would not be serious.
Rice later reported no serious concern and made himself available for the upcoming game. In an off-camera meeting with Sky Sports News, Rice revealed he was “fine” and able to feature at Villa Park on Saturday.
