Montego Bay United and August Town drew 1-1 in Premier League. The fixture is part of the Regular Season - 11 stage in the 2013 season. The match was played at Catherine Hall Sports Complex in Montego Bay. The full-time result capped a Montego Bay United vs August Town meeting in Premier League with detailed post-match statistics available on Sportra. This match centre covers lineups, live events, player ratings, team statistics, xG, head-to-head history, and related news for Montego Bay United and August Town. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
Premier League
August TownRecorded meetings: 0 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
Montego Bay United and August Town drew 1-1 in Premier League. The fixture is part of the Regular Season - 11 stage in the 2013 season. The match was played at Catherine Hall Sports Complex in Montego Bay. The full-time result capped a Montego Bay United vs August Town meeting in Premier League with detailed post-match statistics available on Sportra. This match centre covers lineups, live events, player ratings, team statistics, xG, head-to-head history, and related news for Montego Bay United and August Town. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
Premier LeagueAugust TownRecorded meetings: 0 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
In a mailbag edition of his newsletter, Jonathan Wilson answers questions about Michael Carrick, VAR and the Premier League’s new teamsSign up for our free newsletter hereManchester United finally seem to have something that resembles stability in the dressing room under Michael Carrick. I feel with quality signings in defence and midfield, they could mount a decent challenge for the Premier League next season. How do you feel they will fare? – Sterling.There’s an odd sense that Michael Carrick’s level of achievement last season was at precisely the most awkward level for the board. United didn’t produce indisputably brilliant football under him but equally 12 wins and three draws in 17 games was good enough that they pretty much had to give him the job. But it’s one thing to turn out those kinds of results when the pressure’s off, you’re already out of both cup competitions and you don’t have any European football; it’s quite another to do it in the heat of a full season. United don’t have to have an especially amazing season to play 15 more games this season than they did in 2025-26.This is an extract from Soccer Desk, a newsletter from the Guardian US. Subscribe for free here. Continue reading...
Mikel Arteta is keen to bolster his Arsenal squad further (Picture: Getty) Arsenal have been backed to hijack Liverpool’s move for PSG winger Bradley Barcola after completing a £75m deal for Bruno Guimaraes. Brazilian midfielder Guimaraes was unveiled to Arsenal fans at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday following his move from Newcastle United. Guimaraes became Mikel Arteta’s third signing of the summer following Greek winger Christos Tzolis and French goalkeeper Illan Meslier. Arsenal were also hoping to welcome Vinicius Junior to north London in one of the biggest transfers in Premier League history but the Brazil icon ended up signing a new contract with Real Madrid. Get the latest transfer news every morning Sign up to our daily football newsletter for personalised updates on who your team is trying to sign and who won't be around next season. Arteta remains interested in signing another winger, however, and have been linked with Juventus’ Kenan Yildiz and Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford since missing out on Vinicius. PSG and France forward Barcola is another possible transfer option and former Arsenal striker Perry Groves has given the Gunners real hope of beating Liverpool to a stunning deal. Liverpool have identified Barcola, 23, as their top target this summer and are reportedly ready to pay £100m for the Frenchman, although PSG are holding out for an offer closer to £150m. PSG and France superstar Bradley Barcola (Picture: Getty) Barcola, who has won two Champions League titles at PSG, is expected to leave the Ligue 1 champions after stalling over signing a new contract. Liverpool were thought to be leading the race to secure Barcola’s signature but Groves says he has been told that the winger would rather move to London. Asked whether Barcola would be better suited to Arsenal or Liverpool, Groves told talkSPORT: ‘I’ve got no dog in the fight, but I would say the Gooners because Liverpool are a team that are in transition. New Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola (Picture: Getty) ‘Andoni Iraola going in there, imposing his own philosophy, his own style with all the new signings coming in. ‘If you were Barcola and you thought, what out of those two sides have got the most chance of winning the Premier League or Champions League, at the moment you’d say it was Arsenal. ‘So it’s whether Arsenal want to go in, if they go in for him, then there would have been advances being made to his people. https://www.instagram.com/p/Db0h7JeEszv/ ‘Because they don’t want to be seen losing out on Vinicius Junior being played like a little kitten with a ball of wool, but Arsenal have to be in for those sorts of players. That’s the level Arsenal are at now.’ Groves, who won two league titles at Arsenal, added: ‘I’ve got a source that says he [Barcola] wants to live in London. ‘I can’t tell you (who), I can’t divulge my sources. I’ve got a source. I’ve got a mole. Barcola wants to live in London.’ Former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong wants Arteta to turn his attentions to Barcola after wrapping up a deal for Guimaraes. Arsenal tried to sign Vinicius Junior from Real Madrid (Picture: Getty) ‘Mikel [Arteta] and the boys have finally got it over the line, which I’m very happy about,’ he told Ladbrokes. ‘But they shouldn’t just win it once and be satisfied with that. ‘They have to keep on winning it now and dominate just like how Man United and Man City have in the past. ‘We’ve got the players, we’ve got a deep squad and hopefully this summer, the board are going to strengthen further, because I still think we need a couple of wingers and a proper number eight. ‘I feel like Declan Rice is playing in a position which isn’t natural to him, so we need a proper number eight alongside him. ‘For me, when it comes to realistic signings this summer, with those positions in mind, I feel like Bruno Guimaraes is someone I’d love to see at Arsenal. ‘And also Bradley Barcola… I think he would be very good for Arsenal. Barcola and Bruno Guimaraes would
Michael Carrick during Manchester United’s pre-season camp (Picture: Getty) Manchester United have been told they have already secured one of the signings of the summer ahead of the new Premier League season. Michael Carrick has welcomed Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Karl Karl Darlow to his first-team squad at Old Trafford this summer. Tynan Thompson, Kit Margetson and Cristian Orozco have also arrived at Manchester United but will join the club’s academy. United made Brazilian midfielder Santos their first signing of the summer in a £48m move from big-spending Chelsea. Get the latest transfer news every morning Sign up to our daily football newsletter for personalised updates on who your team is trying to sign and who won't be around next season. The Red Devils raided another Premier League rival in Aston Villa to sign Belgium international Tielemans for £35m. Hundreds of millions has already been spent on midfield reinforcements this summer, with the likes of Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali, Elliot Anderson and Mateus Fernandes all sealing lucrative moves. John Obi Mikel rates Manchester United’s deal for Tielemans as the pick of the bunch, however, describing the signing as a ‘f****** steal’. Man Utd summer signing Youri Tielemans (Picture: Getty) ‘For me, it’s Youri Tielemans,’ the Chelsea legend said on The Obi One podcast when asked for his take on the most impressive midfield signing of the summer. ‘Honestly, how the f*** did Manchester United get him for £35m? That’s a f****** steal. I watched him before and during the World Cup, and you can see that this is a player. ‘Obviously, we all know how Tielemans plays, he can play as a six, an eight or a ten and when you have a player that can play anywhere, it gives you the variety to change the way you want to play. Tielemans is that guy. Tielemans during Man Utd pre-season (Picture: Getty) ‘He scores goals, he’s dangerous from set pieces, he’s brilliant on the ball, and he rarely gives it away. The only thing people can say is that he’s not the quickest, but he reads the game so well. ‘He is very intelligent with and without the ball. When I look at all the midfielders that have transferred to different clubs [this summer], the best one is Tielemans.’ Former Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld has also praised Manchester United’s move for Tielemans. https://www.instagram.com/p/Dbdvh2TAoys/?hl=en ‘The problem with modern football is that sometimes we look too much at stats like assists and goals,’ he told Hajper. ‘Of course, Youri Tielemans creates assists and scores goals, and can shoot from outside the box and score free kicks, but he is so much more than that. ‘Tielemans is a link up player, and you have to watch him to understand why he is so important to his teams, not just look at his stats, because he is always trying to play the ball forward. Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel (Picture: Getty) ‘You have some midfield players who have a pass success rate of 98% but they are always playing the ball backwards. Tielemans is a guy who turns, opens up and plays the ball between the lines, and that’s very important for a club like Manchester United who need to break other teams down. ‘Even when he’s playing in a deep role, he’s playing it in an attacking way. He’s thinking about going forwards, always. ‘Sometimes he will lose the ball but that’s what happens when you take some risks in games to make things happen, and I think that’s something United need, and he has the mentality to be brave and positive under the big pressure of the shirt. ‘He will put in ultra big effort and say to his team mates, give me the ball and let me change the game for you. He will take the responsibility to take Manchester United forward.’ Carrick is still interested in bringing a third new midfielder to Old Trafford this summer before the transfer window shuts. United drew 1-1 with European champions PSG in a pre-season friendly on Saturday night. Manchester United have two more tun
Nuno Espirito Santo is building a new team at West Ham (Picture: Getty Images) West Ham are are putting together their squad for the upcoming Championship season and are looking at some recognisable names. The Hammers were relegated from the top flight last season but have stuck with manager Nuno Espirito Santo, after finishing the campaign on 39 points. There have been some significant departures, with Mateus Fernandes going to Spurs for £85 million, Crysencio Summerville heading to Al Hilal for £55m and Freddie Potts joining Club Brugge in a £10.2m deal. Callum Wilson also departed on a free transfer and gets another crack at the Premier League by joining Brentford. Get the latest transfer news every morning Sign up to our daily football newsletter for personalised updates on who your team is trying to sign and who won't be around next season. Experienced defender Joel Veltman has arrived from Brighton on a free transfer, while Venezuela international loan signing Keiber Lamadrid has made his move permanent. Espirito Santo will need more numbers, though, and West Ham are making moves for Troy Parrott and Reiss Nelson. Former Tottenham striker Parrott has been excelling at AZ since moving there permanently in 2024, scoring 30 goals in 59 Eredivisie games and 51 in 97 appearances across all competitions. Troy Parrott has been a big hit at AZ (Picture: Getty Images) He has been linked with a string of European clubs this summer, including Porto, but West Ham are hopeful of securing a deal and have made a bid of around £15m, according to the Daily Mail. The 24-year-old has hinted that he is in no rush to return to England, having enjoyed his time with AZ so far. ‘Before I went to the Netherlands, I was completely focused on England,’ he told De Telegraaf. ‘I dreamed of the Premier League. ‘But once in the Netherlands, I discovered that the football world is a lot bigger than England.’ Reiss Nelson has featured for Arsenal in pre-season (Picture: Getty Images) Nelson is also on the Hammers’ radar as he appears to be surplus to requirements at Arsenal. The 26-year-old came through the Gunners academy and has made 90 first team appearances, but has played just once for Arsenal in the last two seasons. He spent the majority of the 2024/25 campaign on loan at Fulham and last season on loan at Brentford. The winger is back at his parent club and has featured in pre-season, but is unlikely to get much chance to shine in the first team in the coming campaign. West Ham are reportedly exploring a deal, but Fulham and Benfica are also credited with interest. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
Mikel Arteta is dealing with some big injuries before the season has begun (Picture: Getty Images) Mikel Arteta has given the latest on the injury status of William Saliba and Jurrien Timber and it sounds like Arsenal fans will not be seeing either for a while. The Gunners boss was speaking after a friendly against Borussia Dortmund on Sunday at the Emirates which the German side won 3-2. Neither Saliba nor Timber were involved as the Frenchman deals with a back problem and the Dutchman is out with a groin issue. Arsenal are back in action in a friendly with Como on Wednesday before taking on Manchester City in the Community Shield on Sunday. Get the latest transfer news every morning Sign up to our daily football newsletter for personalised updates on who your team is trying to sign and who won't be around next season. Their Premier League title defence starts with a home game against Coventry on August 21 and it sounds unlikely either injured player will be involved. Asked on their return dates, Arteta told a press conference on Sunday: ‘I cannot be very precise with that. Jurrien is progressing really well, he’s on the pitch, he’s doing quite a lot right now, but is still weeks away, I cannot say how much. ‘William is in rest mode at the moment. For two weeks he had to do almost nothing, don’t aggravate the injury. It’s going to take some time to heal, we know that. William Saliba has been ruled out after the World Cup (Picture: Reuters Connect) ‘As quick as we have more news we can inform.’ Two weeks ago Arsenal released a statement on Saliba, saying he ‘has suffered a back injury which will require a period of rehabilitation.’ The club added: ‘Extensive assessments have concluded that surgery is not recommended, but William should now commence a managed recovery programme. ‘William’s rehabilitation will commence immediately, with continual management of his injury, and he is expected to be out of action for an extended period.’ Jurrien Timber has been training but is not fit to play (Picture: Getty Images) Arsenal are not short of options at the back, with Gabriel, Cristhian Mosquera, Piero Hincapie, Ben White, Riccardo Calafiori and Myles Lewis-Skelly also in the squad. However, Arteta accepted that Saliba is a huge loss given his level of influence in the side. ‘We have experienced that in the past, unfortunately,’ the manager said on being without the Frenchman. ‘When he’s been available, his stats are incredible. ‘We know that we have lost an incredible player. Same with Jurrien.’ Arteta was asked if he is looking to add a defender to his squad in the transfer window, but did not suggest this is where he is looking to strengthen. ‘We conceded some poor goals the other day, some poor goals today, in the way we competed especially, but that’s a collective responsibility,’ he said. ‘We need to improve with the players that we have.’ Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta (Picture: Getty) Arsenal have received an approach for Gabriel Martinelli after completing a £75m deal for Bruno Guimaraes. After weeks of negotiations, the Premier League champions finally agreed a big-money deal to sign Guimaraes from Newcastle United. The Brazilian bolsters an Arsenal midfield which already includes the likes of Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, Martin Zubimendi, Mikel Merino, Eberechi Eze and Myles Lewis-Skelly. Arsenal have also strengthened Arteta’s options on the wing, signing Christos Tzolis in a £34m deal from Club Brugge. Get the latest transfer news every morning Sign up to our daily football newsletter for personalised updates on who your team is trying to sign and who won't be around next season. Arteta sanctioned a move for the Greek international after allowing Leandro Trossard to leave in a £15m move to Besiktas. Trossard is not the only Arsenal winger being linked with a move away from the Emirates Stadium, however, with Martinelli also a possible departure. Martinelli is Arsenal’s longest-serving player having made his Gunners debut back in 2019 at the age of 18. Gabriel Martinelli could end his long spell with Arsenal (Picture: Getty) The Brazilian has been a mainstay in the team since then, making 278 appearances for Arsenal in all competitions. But Martinelli struggled to make an impact last season, only scoring one goal in 30 Premier League games, and is expected to be behind new signing Tzolis in Arteta’s pecking order. There remains a possibility that Arsenal will sell Martinelli and they have received a tempting transfer approach from Galatasaray, according to Football London. Arsenal summer signing Christos Tzolis (Picture: Getty) Turkish clubs have already made waves in the summer transfer window, with Trabzonspor securing a stunning deal for Liverpool legend Mohamed Salah. As mentioned, Besiktas have signed Arsenal title winner Trossard and Fenerbahce have held talks to sign England star Marcus Rashford from Manchester United. It is claimed Arsenal are reluctant to entertain interest in Martinelli after they fell short in their bid to sign Real Madrid icon Vinicius Junior. https://www.instagram.com/p/DYznzdrCB9W/?hl=en&img_index=1 However, Arsenal are already looking at alternative targets and could allow Martinelli to leave if they bring in another winger. For his part, Martinelli is believed to be settled in north London but aware his game-time could suffer if Arteta brings in a new winger. Former Arsenal striker Alan Smith understands why Arteta may consider selling Martinelli but disagreed with Trossard’s transfer exit. Arsenal signed Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle (Picture: Getty) ‘The only one from that list I wouldn’t want to see go is Leandro Trossard,’ Smith told Metro on behalf of BestBettingSites. ‘I think he had a great season. ‘He can score important goals and he’s a very clever player, versatile as well. He’s mainly played on the left, but he can come inside. He’s a big fan favourite as well. ‘Looking at Gabriel Martinelli, it’s been a frustrating few years for him. Ben White, yeah, again, I’m sure there’s defenders coming to the club so he might feel like it’s time to go. ‘I can see Gabriel Jesus going as well, certainly if Arsenal buy another striker which it looks like they’re trying to do. ‘I think he would be the first one that they would try and offload. But Leandro Trossard, for me, is one you wouldn’t want to let go.’ Martinelli’s countryman Jesus was linked with a return to Brazil earlier in the summer and has recently emerged as a target for Napoli. Arsenal face Manchester City in the Community Shield next weekend before their Premier League opener against newly-promoted Coventry City. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
Manchester City beat Atletico Madrid 3-1 on Sunday, with Omar Marmoush scoring twice (Picture: Getty Images) Omar Marmoush scored twice for Manchester City in a friendly win over Atletico Madrid on Sunday, but manager Enzo Maresca was coy on his future at the club. The Premier League side beat the Atletico 3-1 in Seoul as the new season approaches, with Jorge Dominguez putting the Spaniards ahead. Marmoush then scored twice, before Rayan Ait-Nouri netted a third at the death. With Erling Haaland yet to return to action after the World Cup, Marmoush started up front and took his chance to impress the new City boss. Get the latest transfer news every morning Sign up to our daily football newsletter for personalised updates on who your team is trying to sign and who won't be around next season. However, he remains linked with a move away from the club as his playing time is limited by the presence of Haaland in the squad. The Egyptian made 21 Premier League appearances last season, but 13 of them were from the substitutes’ bench and he scored just three league goals. Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United have been linked with moves for the 27-year-old and Maresca did not rule out an exit after his goal-scoring heroics against Atletico. Enzo Maresca is taking on the huge task of replacing Pep Guardiola (Picture: AP Photo) In fact, the Italian spoke of Marmoush in the same manner as James Trafford, the goalkeeper who has left City this summer to sign for Leeds United. ‘The answer has to be similar to the one I answer about James Trafford. Players work every day, they want to play so when they don’t play they are not happy,’ Maresca said, via the Manchester Evening News. ‘Omar did not play a lot last year so his desire is probably to play more minutes. It doesn’t mean that he isn’t going to play more minutes here but it’s also his decision, and to understand his decision in details.’ Marmoush was not speaking like a player itching for a move after the win on Sunday, quickly turning attention to next weekend’s Community Shield, in which he will hope to star as well. That assist 🤯Semenyo tees up Marmoush to level the scores in Seoul! ✨ pic.twitter.com/mrGDxDBhHz— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 9, 2026 ‘I’m enjoying myself a lot. Obviously, as a striker, it gives you confidence, and it gets you going in the flow, and I just had to tap it on the net, and I’d like to thank [Antoine Semenyo, for the assist], of course, and yeah, it just gives me confidence in the preseason. It feels good, next is the Community Shield. ‘We’re trying to learn the new tactics, the patterns, and what the coach demands from us, and I think we’re starting to get the hang of it. ‘Obviously, after 10 years, what Pep did here was unbelievable. It’s not easy after the change, but we’ve done really well, and we’ll go back home and keep going. Antoine Semenyo impressed in Seoul (Picture: REUTERS) ‘The summer was amazing. I also got married as well, so I had the best days of my life and it’s amazing to be back. ‘The culture here is so nice. I’d like to thank all the fans for this unbelievable support. ‘I felt the warmth. All of us felt it. The stadium was full today. Their culture is amazing. The food. I love their food, and we had a couple of amazing weeks.’ Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
Newcastle United sporting director Ross Wilson says the club did not plan to sell Bruno Guimaraes, but their "very emotional" captain wanted to join Arsenal. The Premier League champions are set to complete a £75m move for the midfielder following a breakthrough in talks this week. Although Wilson said it was "disappointing" to see Guimaraes go, he stressed the 28-year-old did not want to "play here anymore".
A crop of young players emerges every season in the Premier League. Who will make the grade this year?By Opta AnalystDowman is old news by now, so we’re going to look at someone four months older than him. Much like the fish of the same name, Salmon has risen quickly. The defender became the fourth-youngest player to represent Arsenal last season when he came off the bench against Club Brugge in the Champions League in December at the age of just 16 years and 102 days. Continue reading...
With Arsenal interested on pursuing his signing, Real Madrid have reportedly made a final salary offer to Vinicius Junior that falls below the current deal with Kylian Mbappe. Vinicius Junior and Real Madrid are actively negotiating an extension to secure the Brazilian winger’s future at the Santiago Bernabeu, with his current contract set to expire in less than a year. While Arsenal remains attentive to his situation, Real Madrid has reportedly presented a final salary offer that falls below Kylian Mbappe‘s compensation package. After months without reaching a breakthrough, Real Madrid‘s front office has intensified efforts to finalize Vinicius’ extension. Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano reported that recent discussions between the club and Roc Nation (the agency representing the player) were described as “very positive” by both sides. However, the team’s proposal remains well below the winger’s original asking price. According to Spanish outlet Cadena SER, Vinicius sought a net annual salary of €30 million (around $33 million USD), a figure turned down by Real Madrid. The club’s counteroffer stands at €22 million (around $24 million USD) annually through 2031 on a five-year extension, which the player’s camp has rejected. Under his previous contract, Vinicius earned a net salary of €18 million per season, scaled up from an initial €10 million base over time. The latest terms offered by the Spanish giants sit at €22 million, with performance incentives that could push the total to €24 million based on milestones such as winning the UEFA Champions League, the Ballon d’Or, and La Liga titles. Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid. A €24 million total package would place Vinicius among the club’s highest earners, yet it still trails Mbappe’s full earnings. The French forward commands a net base salary of approximately €15 million per season (translating to a gross fixed base of around €31.25 million annually or €600,000 per week). The true financial distinction lies in Mbappe’s signing bonus, which ranges between €100 million and €125 million linked to performance clauses after arriving on a free transfer. Divided into annual installments over his five-year deal, that bonus brings Real Madrid’s total outlay for Mbappe to roughly €35 million net (around $38.5 million USD) per year. Arsenal willing to meet Vinicius’ wage demands The possibility of Vinicius entering the final year of his deal has opened the door for rival European clubs to launch ambitious bids. Arsenal has emerged as the most aggressive suitor, with Cadena SER reporting that the Gunners are prepared to offer a transfer package worth €100 million plus €20 million in performance add-ons. Crucially, Arsenal are reportedly willing to grant Vinicius the exact salary increase he requested from Real Madrid. With manager Mikel Arteta eager to make the Brazilian the focal point of his attack, contract talks remain ongoing between Real Madrid and the player while the Premier League club continues to monitor the situation.
Speculation has surrounded Wilson Isidor's future at Sunderland since last season. West Ham have shown interest in the forward, but BBC Radio Newcastle's Nick Barnes believes the prospect of playing in the Championship is not a move Isidor would consider. During Sunderland's pre-season tour of the United States, the 25-year-old said he is aiming to improve his tally of six goals scored last campaign.
Arsenal have a leadership group that supports club captain Martin Odegaard but, with the addition of Bruno Guimaraes, they will be bringing in a player who is a natural leader. Guimaraes became Newcastle's talisman during his time at St James' Park and, as Arteta looks to maximise every marginal gain he can, the Brazilian's ability and his way of connecting with supporters will be another weapon. Arsenal have had campaigns seriously affected by injury, but Guimaraes has missed just 16 Premier League games since he signed for Newcastle in 2022.
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In a mailbag edition of his newsletter, Jonathan Wilson answers questions about Michael Carrick, VAR and the Premier League’s new teamsSign up for our free newsletter hereManchester United finally seem to have something that resembles stability in the dressing room under Michael Carrick. I feel with quality signings in defence and midfield, they could mount a decent challenge for the Premier League next season. How do you feel they will fare? – Sterling.There’s an odd sense that Michael Carrick’s level of achievement last season was at precisely the most awkward level for the board. United didn’t produce indisputably brilliant football under him but equally 12 wins and three draws in 17 games was good enough that they pretty much had to give him the job. But it’s one thing to turn out those kinds of results when the pressure’s off, you’re already out of both cup competitions and you don’t have any European football; it’s quite another to do it in the heat of a full season. United don’t have to have an especially amazing season to play 15 more games this season than they did in 2025-26.This is an extract from Soccer Desk, a newsletter from the Guardian US. Subscribe for free here. Continue reading...
Mikel Arteta is keen to bolster his Arsenal squad further (Picture: Getty) Arsenal have been backed to hijack Liverpool’s move for PSG winger Bradley Barcola after completing a £75m deal for Bruno Guimaraes. Brazilian midfielder Guimaraes was unveiled to Arsenal fans at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday following his move from Newcastle United. Guimaraes became Mikel Arteta’s third signing of the summer following Greek winger Christos Tzolis and French goalkeeper Illan Meslier. Arsenal were also hoping to welcome Vinicius Junior to north London in one of the biggest transfers in Premier League history but the Brazil icon ended up signing a new contract with Real Madrid. Get the latest transfer news every morning Sign up to our daily football newsletter for personalised updates on who your team is trying to sign and who won't be around next season. Arteta remains interested in signing another winger, however, and have been linked with Juventus’ Kenan Yildiz and Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford since missing out on Vinicius. PSG and France forward Barcola is another possible transfer option and former Arsenal striker Perry Groves has given the Gunners real hope of beating Liverpool to a stunning deal. Liverpool have identified Barcola, 23, as their top target this summer and are reportedly ready to pay £100m for the Frenchman, although PSG are holding out for an offer closer to £150m. PSG and France superstar Bradley Barcola (Picture: Getty) Barcola, who has won two Champions League titles at PSG, is expected to leave the Ligue 1 champions after stalling over signing a new contract. Liverpool were thought to be leading the race to secure Barcola’s signature but Groves says he has been told that the winger would rather move to London. Asked whether Barcola would be better suited to Arsenal or Liverpool, Groves told talkSPORT: ‘I’ve got no dog in the fight, but I would say the Gooners because Liverpool are a team that are in transition. New Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola (Picture: Getty) ‘Andoni Iraola going in there, imposing his own philosophy, his own style with all the new signings coming in. ‘If you were Barcola and you thought, what out of those two sides have got the most chance of winning the Premier League or Champions League, at the moment you’d say it was Arsenal. ‘So it’s whether Arsenal want to go in, if they go in for him, then there would have been advances being made to his people. https://www.instagram.com/p/Db0h7JeEszv/ ‘Because they don’t want to be seen losing out on Vinicius Junior being played like a little kitten with a ball of wool, but Arsenal have to be in for those sorts of players. That’s the level Arsenal are at now.’ Groves, who won two league titles at Arsenal, added: ‘I’ve got a source that says he [Barcola] wants to live in London. ‘I can’t tell you (who), I can’t divulge my sources. I’ve got a source. I’ve got a mole. Barcola wants to live in London.’ Former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong wants Arteta to turn his attentions to Barcola after wrapping up a deal for Guimaraes. Arsenal tried to sign Vinicius Junior from Real Madrid (Picture: Getty) ‘Mikel [Arteta] and the boys have finally got it over the line, which I’m very happy about,’ he told Ladbrokes. ‘But they shouldn’t just win it once and be satisfied with that. ‘They have to keep on winning it now and dominate just like how Man United and Man City have in the past. ‘We’ve got the players, we’ve got a deep squad and hopefully this summer, the board are going to strengthen further, because I still think we need a couple of wingers and a proper number eight. ‘I feel like Declan Rice is playing in a position which isn’t natural to him, so we need a proper number eight alongside him. ‘For me, when it comes to realistic signings this summer, with those positions in mind, I feel like Bruno Guimaraes is someone I’d love to see at Arsenal. ‘And also Bradley Barcola… I think he would be very good for Arsenal. Barcola and Bruno Guimaraes would
Michael Carrick during Manchester United’s pre-season camp (Picture: Getty) Manchester United have been told they have already secured one of the signings of the summer ahead of the new Premier League season. Michael Carrick has welcomed Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Karl Karl Darlow to his first-team squad at Old Trafford this summer. Tynan Thompson, Kit Margetson and Cristian Orozco have also arrived at Manchester United but will join the club’s academy. United made Brazilian midfielder Santos their first signing of the summer in a £48m move from big-spending Chelsea. Get the latest transfer news every morning Sign up to our daily football newsletter for personalised updates on who your team is trying to sign and who won't be around next season. The Red Devils raided another Premier League rival in Aston Villa to sign Belgium international Tielemans for £35m. Hundreds of millions has already been spent on midfield reinforcements this summer, with the likes of Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali, Elliot Anderson and Mateus Fernandes all sealing lucrative moves. John Obi Mikel rates Manchester United’s deal for Tielemans as the pick of the bunch, however, describing the signing as a ‘f****** steal’. Man Utd summer signing Youri Tielemans (Picture: Getty) ‘For me, it’s Youri Tielemans,’ the Chelsea legend said on The Obi One podcast when asked for his take on the most impressive midfield signing of the summer. ‘Honestly, how the f*** did Manchester United get him for £35m? That’s a f****** steal. I watched him before and during the World Cup, and you can see that this is a player. ‘Obviously, we all know how Tielemans plays, he can play as a six, an eight or a ten and when you have a player that can play anywhere, it gives you the variety to change the way you want to play. Tielemans is that guy. Tielemans during Man Utd pre-season (Picture: Getty) ‘He scores goals, he’s dangerous from set pieces, he’s brilliant on the ball, and he rarely gives it away. The only thing people can say is that he’s not the quickest, but he reads the game so well. ‘He is very intelligent with and without the ball. When I look at all the midfielders that have transferred to different clubs [this summer], the best one is Tielemans.’ Former Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld has also praised Manchester United’s move for Tielemans. https://www.instagram.com/p/Dbdvh2TAoys/?hl=en ‘The problem with modern football is that sometimes we look too much at stats like assists and goals,’ he told Hajper. ‘Of course, Youri Tielemans creates assists and scores goals, and can shoot from outside the box and score free kicks, but he is so much more than that. ‘Tielemans is a link up player, and you have to watch him to understand why he is so important to his teams, not just look at his stats, because he is always trying to play the ball forward. Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel (Picture: Getty) ‘You have some midfield players who have a pass success rate of 98% but they are always playing the ball backwards. Tielemans is a guy who turns, opens up and plays the ball between the lines, and that’s very important for a club like Manchester United who need to break other teams down. ‘Even when he’s playing in a deep role, he’s playing it in an attacking way. He’s thinking about going forwards, always. ‘Sometimes he will lose the ball but that’s what happens when you take some risks in games to make things happen, and I think that’s something United need, and he has the mentality to be brave and positive under the big pressure of the shirt. ‘He will put in ultra big effort and say to his team mates, give me the ball and let me change the game for you. He will take the responsibility to take Manchester United forward.’ Carrick is still interested in bringing a third new midfielder to Old Trafford this summer before the transfer window shuts. United drew 1-1 with European champions PSG in a pre-season friendly on Saturday night. Manchester United have two more tun
Nuno Espirito Santo is building a new team at West Ham (Picture: Getty Images) West Ham are are putting together their squad for the upcoming Championship season and are looking at some recognisable names. The Hammers were relegated from the top flight last season but have stuck with manager Nuno Espirito Santo, after finishing the campaign on 39 points. There have been some significant departures, with Mateus Fernandes going to Spurs for £85 million, Crysencio Summerville heading to Al Hilal for £55m and Freddie Potts joining Club Brugge in a £10.2m deal. Callum Wilson also departed on a free transfer and gets another crack at the Premier League by joining Brentford. Get the latest transfer news every morning Sign up to our daily football newsletter for personalised updates on who your team is trying to sign and who won't be around next season. Experienced defender Joel Veltman has arrived from Brighton on a free transfer, while Venezuela international loan signing Keiber Lamadrid has made his move permanent. Espirito Santo will need more numbers, though, and West Ham are making moves for Troy Parrott and Reiss Nelson. Former Tottenham striker Parrott has been excelling at AZ since moving there permanently in 2024, scoring 30 goals in 59 Eredivisie games and 51 in 97 appearances across all competitions. Troy Parrott has been a big hit at AZ (Picture: Getty Images) He has been linked with a string of European clubs this summer, including Porto, but West Ham are hopeful of securing a deal and have made a bid of around £15m, according to the Daily Mail. The 24-year-old has hinted that he is in no rush to return to England, having enjoyed his time with AZ so far. ‘Before I went to the Netherlands, I was completely focused on England,’ he told De Telegraaf. ‘I dreamed of the Premier League. ‘But once in the Netherlands, I discovered that the football world is a lot bigger than England.’ Reiss Nelson has featured for Arsenal in pre-season (Picture: Getty Images) Nelson is also on the Hammers’ radar as he appears to be surplus to requirements at Arsenal. The 26-year-old came through the Gunners academy and has made 90 first team appearances, but has played just once for Arsenal in the last two seasons. He spent the majority of the 2024/25 campaign on loan at Fulham and last season on loan at Brentford. The winger is back at his parent club and has featured in pre-season, but is unlikely to get much chance to shine in the first team in the coming campaign. West Ham are reportedly exploring a deal, but Fulham and Benfica are also credited with interest. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
Mikel Arteta is dealing with some big injuries before the season has begun (Picture: Getty Images) Mikel Arteta has given the latest on the injury status of William Saliba and Jurrien Timber and it sounds like Arsenal fans will not be seeing either for a while. The Gunners boss was speaking after a friendly against Borussia Dortmund on Sunday at the Emirates which the German side won 3-2. Neither Saliba nor Timber were involved as the Frenchman deals with a back problem and the Dutchman is out with a groin issue. Arsenal are back in action in a friendly with Como on Wednesday before taking on Manchester City in the Community Shield on Sunday. Get the latest transfer news every morning Sign up to our daily football newsletter for personalised updates on who your team is trying to sign and who won't be around next season. Their Premier League title defence starts with a home game against Coventry on August 21 and it sounds unlikely either injured player will be involved. Asked on their return dates, Arteta told a press conference on Sunday: ‘I cannot be very precise with that. Jurrien is progressing really well, he’s on the pitch, he’s doing quite a lot right now, but is still weeks away, I cannot say how much. ‘William is in rest mode at the moment. For two weeks he had to do almost nothing, don’t aggravate the injury. It’s going to take some time to heal, we know that. William Saliba has been ruled out after the World Cup (Picture: Reuters Connect) ‘As quick as we have more news we can inform.’ Two weeks ago Arsenal released a statement on Saliba, saying he ‘has suffered a back injury which will require a period of rehabilitation.’ The club added: ‘Extensive assessments have concluded that surgery is not recommended, but William should now commence a managed recovery programme. ‘William’s rehabilitation will commence immediately, with continual management of his injury, and he is expected to be out of action for an extended period.’ Jurrien Timber has been training but is not fit to play (Picture: Getty Images) Arsenal are not short of options at the back, with Gabriel, Cristhian Mosquera, Piero Hincapie, Ben White, Riccardo Calafiori and Myles Lewis-Skelly also in the squad. However, Arteta accepted that Saliba is a huge loss given his level of influence in the side. ‘We have experienced that in the past, unfortunately,’ the manager said on being without the Frenchman. ‘When he’s been available, his stats are incredible. ‘We know that we have lost an incredible player. Same with Jurrien.’ Arteta was asked if he is looking to add a defender to his squad in the transfer window, but did not suggest this is where he is looking to strengthen. ‘We conceded some poor goals the other day, some poor goals today, in the way we competed especially, but that’s a collective responsibility,’ he said. ‘We need to improve with the players that we have.’ Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta (Picture: Getty) Arsenal have received an approach for Gabriel Martinelli after completing a £75m deal for Bruno Guimaraes. After weeks of negotiations, the Premier League champions finally agreed a big-money deal to sign Guimaraes from Newcastle United. The Brazilian bolsters an Arsenal midfield which already includes the likes of Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, Martin Zubimendi, Mikel Merino, Eberechi Eze and Myles Lewis-Skelly. Arsenal have also strengthened Arteta’s options on the wing, signing Christos Tzolis in a £34m deal from Club Brugge. Get the latest transfer news every morning Sign up to our daily football newsletter for personalised updates on who your team is trying to sign and who won't be around next season. Arteta sanctioned a move for the Greek international after allowing Leandro Trossard to leave in a £15m move to Besiktas. Trossard is not the only Arsenal winger being linked with a move away from the Emirates Stadium, however, with Martinelli also a possible departure. Martinelli is Arsenal’s longest-serving player having made his Gunners debut back in 2019 at the age of 18. Gabriel Martinelli could end his long spell with Arsenal (Picture: Getty) The Brazilian has been a mainstay in the team since then, making 278 appearances for Arsenal in all competitions. But Martinelli struggled to make an impact last season, only scoring one goal in 30 Premier League games, and is expected to be behind new signing Tzolis in Arteta’s pecking order. There remains a possibility that Arsenal will sell Martinelli and they have received a tempting transfer approach from Galatasaray, according to Football London. Arsenal summer signing Christos Tzolis (Picture: Getty) Turkish clubs have already made waves in the summer transfer window, with Trabzonspor securing a stunning deal for Liverpool legend Mohamed Salah. As mentioned, Besiktas have signed Arsenal title winner Trossard and Fenerbahce have held talks to sign England star Marcus Rashford from Manchester United. It is claimed Arsenal are reluctant to entertain interest in Martinelli after they fell short in their bid to sign Real Madrid icon Vinicius Junior. https://www.instagram.com/p/DYznzdrCB9W/?hl=en&img_index=1 However, Arsenal are already looking at alternative targets and could allow Martinelli to leave if they bring in another winger. For his part, Martinelli is believed to be settled in north London but aware his game-time could suffer if Arteta brings in a new winger. Former Arsenal striker Alan Smith understands why Arteta may consider selling Martinelli but disagreed with Trossard’s transfer exit. Arsenal signed Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle (Picture: Getty) ‘The only one from that list I wouldn’t want to see go is Leandro Trossard,’ Smith told Metro on behalf of BestBettingSites. ‘I think he had a great season. ‘He can score important goals and he’s a very clever player, versatile as well. He’s mainly played on the left, but he can come inside. He’s a big fan favourite as well. ‘Looking at Gabriel Martinelli, it’s been a frustrating few years for him. Ben White, yeah, again, I’m sure there’s defenders coming to the club so he might feel like it’s time to go. ‘I can see Gabriel Jesus going as well, certainly if Arsenal buy another striker which it looks like they’re trying to do. ‘I think he would be the first one that they would try and offload. But Leandro Trossard, for me, is one you wouldn’t want to let go.’ Martinelli’s countryman Jesus was linked with a return to Brazil earlier in the summer and has recently emerged as a target for Napoli. Arsenal face Manchester City in the Community Shield next weekend before their Premier League opener against newly-promoted Coventry City. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
Manchester City beat Atletico Madrid 3-1 on Sunday, with Omar Marmoush scoring twice (Picture: Getty Images) Omar Marmoush scored twice for Manchester City in a friendly win over Atletico Madrid on Sunday, but manager Enzo Maresca was coy on his future at the club. The Premier League side beat the Atletico 3-1 in Seoul as the new season approaches, with Jorge Dominguez putting the Spaniards ahead. Marmoush then scored twice, before Rayan Ait-Nouri netted a third at the death. With Erling Haaland yet to return to action after the World Cup, Marmoush started up front and took his chance to impress the new City boss. Get the latest transfer news every morning Sign up to our daily football newsletter for personalised updates on who your team is trying to sign and who won't be around next season. However, he remains linked with a move away from the club as his playing time is limited by the presence of Haaland in the squad. The Egyptian made 21 Premier League appearances last season, but 13 of them were from the substitutes’ bench and he scored just three league goals. Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United have been linked with moves for the 27-year-old and Maresca did not rule out an exit after his goal-scoring heroics against Atletico. Enzo Maresca is taking on the huge task of replacing Pep Guardiola (Picture: AP Photo) In fact, the Italian spoke of Marmoush in the same manner as James Trafford, the goalkeeper who has left City this summer to sign for Leeds United. ‘The answer has to be similar to the one I answer about James Trafford. Players work every day, they want to play so when they don’t play they are not happy,’ Maresca said, via the Manchester Evening News. ‘Omar did not play a lot last year so his desire is probably to play more minutes. It doesn’t mean that he isn’t going to play more minutes here but it’s also his decision, and to understand his decision in details.’ Marmoush was not speaking like a player itching for a move after the win on Sunday, quickly turning attention to next weekend’s Community Shield, in which he will hope to star as well. That assist 🤯Semenyo tees up Marmoush to level the scores in Seoul! ✨ pic.twitter.com/mrGDxDBhHz— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 9, 2026 ‘I’m enjoying myself a lot. Obviously, as a striker, it gives you confidence, and it gets you going in the flow, and I just had to tap it on the net, and I’d like to thank [Antoine Semenyo, for the assist], of course, and yeah, it just gives me confidence in the preseason. It feels good, next is the Community Shield. ‘We’re trying to learn the new tactics, the patterns, and what the coach demands from us, and I think we’re starting to get the hang of it. ‘Obviously, after 10 years, what Pep did here was unbelievable. It’s not easy after the change, but we’ve done really well, and we’ll go back home and keep going. Antoine Semenyo impressed in Seoul (Picture: REUTERS) ‘The summer was amazing. I also got married as well, so I had the best days of my life and it’s amazing to be back. ‘The culture here is so nice. I’d like to thank all the fans for this unbelievable support. ‘I felt the warmth. All of us felt it. The stadium was full today. Their culture is amazing. The food. I love their food, and we had a couple of amazing weeks.’ Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
Newcastle United sporting director Ross Wilson says the club did not plan to sell Bruno Guimaraes, but their "very emotional" captain wanted to join Arsenal. The Premier League champions are set to complete a £75m move for the midfielder following a breakthrough in talks this week. Although Wilson said it was "disappointing" to see Guimaraes go, he stressed the 28-year-old did not want to "play here anymore".
A crop of young players emerges every season in the Premier League. Who will make the grade this year?By Opta AnalystDowman is old news by now, so we’re going to look at someone four months older than him. Much like the fish of the same name, Salmon has risen quickly. The defender became the fourth-youngest player to represent Arsenal last season when he came off the bench against Club Brugge in the Champions League in December at the age of just 16 years and 102 days. Continue reading...
With Arsenal interested on pursuing his signing, Real Madrid have reportedly made a final salary offer to Vinicius Junior that falls below the current deal with Kylian Mbappe. Vinicius Junior and Real Madrid are actively negotiating an extension to secure the Brazilian winger’s future at the Santiago Bernabeu, with his current contract set to expire in less than a year. While Arsenal remains attentive to his situation, Real Madrid has reportedly presented a final salary offer that falls below Kylian Mbappe‘s compensation package. After months without reaching a breakthrough, Real Madrid‘s front office has intensified efforts to finalize Vinicius’ extension. Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano reported that recent discussions between the club and Roc Nation (the agency representing the player) were described as “very positive” by both sides. However, the team’s proposal remains well below the winger’s original asking price. According to Spanish outlet Cadena SER, Vinicius sought a net annual salary of €30 million (around $33 million USD), a figure turned down by Real Madrid. The club’s counteroffer stands at €22 million (around $24 million USD) annually through 2031 on a five-year extension, which the player’s camp has rejected. Under his previous contract, Vinicius earned a net salary of €18 million per season, scaled up from an initial €10 million base over time. The latest terms offered by the Spanish giants sit at €22 million, with performance incentives that could push the total to €24 million based on milestones such as winning the UEFA Champions League, the Ballon d’Or, and La Liga titles. Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid. A €24 million total package would place Vinicius among the club’s highest earners, yet it still trails Mbappe’s full earnings. The French forward commands a net base salary of approximately €15 million per season (translating to a gross fixed base of around €31.25 million annually or €600,000 per week). The true financial distinction lies in Mbappe’s signing bonus, which ranges between €100 million and €125 million linked to performance clauses after arriving on a free transfer. Divided into annual installments over his five-year deal, that bonus brings Real Madrid’s total outlay for Mbappe to roughly €35 million net (around $38.5 million USD) per year. Arsenal willing to meet Vinicius’ wage demands The possibility of Vinicius entering the final year of his deal has opened the door for rival European clubs to launch ambitious bids. Arsenal has emerged as the most aggressive suitor, with Cadena SER reporting that the Gunners are prepared to offer a transfer package worth €100 million plus €20 million in performance add-ons. Crucially, Arsenal are reportedly willing to grant Vinicius the exact salary increase he requested from Real Madrid. With manager Mikel Arteta eager to make the Brazilian the focal point of his attack, contract talks remain ongoing between Real Madrid and the player while the Premier League club continues to monitor the situation.
Speculation has surrounded Wilson Isidor's future at Sunderland since last season. West Ham have shown interest in the forward, but BBC Radio Newcastle's Nick Barnes believes the prospect of playing in the Championship is not a move Isidor would consider. During Sunderland's pre-season tour of the United States, the 25-year-old said he is aiming to improve his tally of six goals scored last campaign.
Arsenal have a leadership group that supports club captain Martin Odegaard but, with the addition of Bruno Guimaraes, they will be bringing in a player who is a natural leader. Guimaraes became Newcastle's talisman during his time at St James' Park and, as Arteta looks to maximise every marginal gain he can, the Brazilian's ability and his way of connecting with supporters will be another weapon. Arsenal have had campaigns seriously affected by injury, but Guimaraes has missed just 16 Premier League games since he signed for Newcastle in 2022.
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