Few ruptures destabilise a team like a public falling-out between player and manager. Across international tournaments and club dressing rooms, such confrontations have reshaped squads and careers.

The 2002 Saipan incident remains one of the most notorious cases, so notorious a film was made about it starring Steve Coogan. Roy Keane publicly confronted Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy over pre-tournament preparations in Saipan. The argument spilled out in a team meeting and exploded into a venomous outburst: “Mick, you’re a liar … you’re a f—– w—–,” Keane barked. “I didn’t rate you as a player, I don’t rate you as a manager, and I don’t rate you as a person. You’re a f—– w—– and you can stick your World Cup up your a—. The only reason I have any dealings with you is that somehow you are the manager of my country!” Keane did not play at that World Cup and did not return to international duty until McCarthy’s dismissal.

At Manchester United tensions between David Beckham and Sir Alex Ferguson reached a physical flashpoint in February 2003 after an FA Cup fifth round defeat to Arsenal. Ferguson kicked a boot that struck Beckham above the eye, leaving a cut. Beckham wore a small plaster on his eyebrow at his next public appearance. The season ended with Beckham leaving Old Trafford for Real Madrid.

Zlatan Ibrahimović’s time at Barcelona collapsed after a dressing-room confrontation with Pep Guardiola following a Champions League semi-final defeat to Bayern Munich. “Guardiola was staring at me and I lost it,” Ibrahimović said. “I thought, ‘there is my enemy, scratching his bald head!’ “I yelled: ‘You haven’t got any b—-!’ and worse than that I added: ‘You can go to hell!’ I completely lost it, and you might have expected Guardiola to say a few words in response, but he’s a spineless coward.” Ibrahimović moved on loan to AC Milan and later completed a permanent transfer.

France’s 2010 World Cup campaign also featured a midgame bust-up. At halftime of the group defeat to Mexico, Nicolas Anelka allegedly told manager Raymond Domenech: “Go f— yourself, you son of a w—-.” He was substituted and subsequently sent home.

Finally, the Pogba-Mourinho relationship at Manchester United deteriorated after public disagreement over the team’s approach in 2018–19. Mourinho reportedly told Pogba he would never captain the Red Devils and later labelled him a “virus” that “kills the mentality of good, honest people.” Pogba was left out of a squad and Mourinho was sacked following a defeat to Liverpool.

Arsenal have moved to replace Max Dowman in their Champions League squad after the youngster sustained an ankle injury while featuring in an U21 friendly against Manchester United. The club said Dowman picked up the problem in that match, which also included Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Mikel Arteta had left Gabriel Jesus out of the travelling party that lost 2–1 to Aston Villa in Birmingham so the forward could get meaningful minutes with the U21s. With Dowman now sidelined, Arsenal have used the one permitted amendment to their league phase list under the UEFA rule introduced at the start of the season and registered Jesus ahead of the knockout stage. The club noted the change without giving further detail on the severity of Dowman’s injury.

The 28-year-old forward is immediately eligible for Wednesday night’s trip to face Club Brugge, though whether Arteta will select him straight away is not certain. Arsenal’s fitness record remains a concern: since the start of last season the club have recorded 93 different injuries, a total topped only by Brighton & Hove Albion among Premier League teams, per Sky Sports News.

The Gunners began the Champions League league phase with five wins from five, leaving their progression largely secure, but Club Brugge should not be underestimated, “just ask Barcelona .” Saturday’s Premier League fixture against Wolverhampton Wanderers, who have collected two points so far, may provide a less pressured setting for Jesus to return to club action.

UEFA rules enforce a 60-day delay before any player dropped from a squad for medical reasons can return to the competition. Dowman may be re-registered in January but will not be available for selection until Feb. 6, 2026, by which time Arsenal will have completed all eight league phase fixtures. Barring a significant collapse, Arsenal are expected to avoid the knockout playoff and proceed directly to the last 16, with first legs scheduled for March 10–11, 2026.

Chelsea have felt the absence of Moisés Caicedo in recent matches. The 24-year-old received a straight red card against Arsenal and was subsequently handed a three-game suspension. He missed the defeat to Leeds United and the draw with Bournemouth, and the team has not been the same without him.

Despite the timing of that ban, Caicedo will be available for selection against Atalanta in the Champions League in Bergamo on Tuesday evening. The reason is straightforward: the three-game suspension applies only to domestic competitions. The ban is served in the Premier League, the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup. Chelsea’s midfielder has already been suspended for two domestic matches, which means European fixtures are not included in his punishment.

Domestic bans do not carry over into UEFA competition and European bans do not apply in domestic competitions. That separation of jurisdictions was also the case earlier in the season when João Pedro’s red card against Benfica did not prevent him from playing the following Premier League game against Liverpool.

Caicedo’s availability is a significant boost for Enzo Maresca’s side in a crucial Champions League meeting with resurgent Italians. He will be well-rested for the clash and should help shore things up for the Blues.

Chelsea will, however, lose Caicedo again for the coming weekend. The home game against Everton on Saturday will be the final match of his suspension as the club seeks only a second league victory since the end of the November international break. After that, Caicedo will be eligible to return for the Carabao Cup quarterfinal against League One Cardiff City on Dec. 16, although whether he will be utilised in that match remains to be seen.