Arsenal
Ben White booed by some England fans after scoring; Tuchel and team react
Ben White was booed after scoring v Uruguay; Tuchel called it disappointing and teammates backed him.
Ben White was met with boos from a section of England supporters after he scored for the Three Lions against Uruguay on Friday. England manager Thomas Tuchel described the reaction as disappointing and defended the decision to bring the Arsenal defender back into the squad.
“I didn’t hear it on the field because I was involved in the changes and instructions,” Tuchel said after the game.
“It cannot be the majority. There were some boos and some mixed reception for him which I am disappointed about because of course protect our players.
“He was excellent in camp. He deserved to come on. He deserved also to start and got us almost the winner. But I also understood that it happened to other players before here.
“He needs to take it on the chin. We will always protect him and hopefully we can put it behind [us] because he is ready to write some new chapters. We are ready to give him the chance so hopefully everyone can move on and accept it.”
The mixed reception follows White’s absence from England duty since the 2022 World Cup. He travelled with the squad in the winter of 2022 but left the camp after two games. No formal reason has been given, although it has been widely reported that he clashed with a member of the former manager Sir Gareth Southgate’s coaching staff, namely assistant manager Steve Holland. Southgate has denied those claims.
When Southgate attempted to recall White in 2024, the defender made it clear he did not want to be considered. With Southgate and his staff no longer in charge, White accepted the recent England call-up. He was drafted in as a replacement for the injured Jarell Quansah after initially failing to make Tuchel’s extended 35-player squad.
Some fans argued White should not have been allowed to return after refusing to play when previously asked.
The match also offered a reminder of how public opinion can shift. Friday’s captain Jordan Henderson faced sustained criticism after his 2023 transfer to Al Ettifaq. That six-month spell cost him his place in 2024, but Tuchel recalled the now-Brentford midfielder in the summer of 2025 and the negativity largely disappeared.
“As teammates we are always there to support,” Henderson reflected. “A lot of the fans will be in support of all of the players.
“I have been through it myself, but that is part and parcel of being an England player.
“Some of the fans probably don’t even know why they are booing, they listen to what is being said in the media, and a lot of the time what the media says isn’t true. Not many people know the ins and outs of what happened in Qatar and it is for us to deal with internally.
“Ben has been good since he came back in and we will support him as teammates. ]
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.
