Alex Brodie

The story behind the ‘Lavolpiana build-up’ loved by Guardiola and used by Arsenal and Liverpool It is a tactical term that has been popularised by Guardiola, but fewer people might be aware of the man who inspired it

Something a bit different here from @markcarey93.bsky.social - such a great read.

Premier League Predictions: Man City vs Tottenham, Newcastle vs Liverpool and the rest of Matchday 2 How did our writer get on in MD1 against a subscriber, a child and an algorithm? And what is everyone predicting for MD2?

Do you back yourself against @oliverkay.bsky.social (and an @theathleticfc.bsky.social subscriber and an algorithm and a child)? That is the question.

Eberechi Eze’s return to Arsenal would be a romantic twist in their summer story Arsenal have reached an agreement in principle to sign Eberechi Eze. It could make a huge impact on the pitch

Excellent writing from @amylawrence.bsky.social

Inside Noni Madueke’s transfer to Arsenal: Arteta’s presentation, Chelsea’s data, Berta’s new dynamic From Arteta's call with Madueke and his father to the role of agent Ali Barat and sporting director Berta, here's how the deal was done

Noni Madueke to Arsenal has been one of the more controversial moves for some. Inside the deal details from @gunnerblog.bsky.social @sebsb.bsky.social and Simon Johnson.

Viktor Gyokeres is a battering ram of a striker with an absurd scoring record. Is he what Arsenal need? With Arsenal in advanced talks to sign Gyokeres, we analyse his strengths and style, and how it might work out for him in the Premier League

@thom-harris.bsky.social looks at Viktor Gyokeres and whether he fits in with #AFC’s style or whether he is the change they need. Either way, finally, a striker!

Martin Zubimendi is an Arsenal player… finally Arsenal's interest in Zubimendi goes back to 2019-20. He came close to joining last summer but 12 months on, Mikel Arteta now has his man

The Martin Zubimendi transfer was confirmed today by #AFC. It was a long time coming and a long time in planning. As @gunnerblog.bsky.social explains with great detail.

The improvements in Noni Madueke’s game that have attracted Arsenal Madueke offers a two-footed attacking threat from the wing — but it may be his improvement out-of-possession that has caught Arteta's eye

Great look at Noni Madueke by @ahmed-walid.bsky.social on where and why he would fit at Arsenal. All part of squad building.

How Everton secured prized asset Jarrad Branthwaite on long-term deal The left-footed centre-back has become one of the most coveted players in Europe - tying him to a five-year deal is a coup for Everton

Everton rejected a verbal offer from Tottenham for Jarrad Branthwaite in Jan. Told interested parties this summer, inc Spurs, they would not welcome bids

Deal, which sees defender's salary rise considerably, done by Hammond/Kinnear

Big early win for new #EFC setup

www.nytimes.com/athletic/646...

Inside England’s U21 Euros win: ‘Creative’ selections, dodgeball drills and padel England are U21 European champions for a second consecutive time - this is how they did it

Good info here from Art De Roche on England U21s’ successful Euros campaign. The build-up, overcoming setbacks (and players pulling out) and making their own story away from 2023 victory.

England beat Germany in thriller to retain Under-21 Euros title Analysis as England survive a scare to beat Germany to win the U21 Euros for the second consecutive time

Incredibly impressive for Lee Carsley to claim a second consecutive Euro U21 title with England. Harvey Elliott the star and one of only two remaining from previous victory. Art here on the final

Jamie Gittens will fill a left-wing gap for Chelsea and is one of Europe’s most direct dribblers Analysis of what the England Under-21 international will bring to Stamford Bridge

Jamie Gittens slowly but surely is joining Chelsea from Borussia Dortmund, with agreement in principle confirmed today. @stevemadeley78.bsky.social looks at what he offers and where he'll fit in at Stamford Bridge.

Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s situation is complex. Where does Barcelona’s captain go from here? Barcelona need to free up space as they are operating above their La Liga salary limit - and goalkeeper Ter Stegen is first on the exit list

Great reporting and detail here from @polballus.bsky.social on what it looks like will be a pretty sad end to Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s time at Barcelona.

Inside Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Leicester demise: A damaging tenure for club and manager How a disastrous spell in charge led to relegation, unwanted records and reputations in tatters

The end for Ruud Van Nistelrooy at #LCFC has finally come. @robtannerathletic.bsky.social on a terrible period that went on for several months too long.

Inside Myles Lewis-Skelly’s Arsenal contract: His role in the deal, mamba mentality and Arteta’s trust An 18-year-old presenting to senior figures is rare - but Lewis-Skelly is a rare talent, and now one of the highest-paid teenage footballers

Great detail here from @gunnerblog.bsky.social and @david-ornstein.bsky.social on Myles Lewis-Skelly’s talks over new #AFC contract.

Football academies and rejection: ‘They feel they wasted 20 years of their life’ Clubs have begun to put support those let go, but research shows mental health, lack of self-worth and loss of identity are common issues

Clubs are improving provision for released academy players, but as @colinmillar.bsky.social shows here, via a recent research paper, more needs to be done. Supply outstrips demand so substantially there has to be very careful handling of young people.

Arsenal adding proven quality with Norgaard – could they still target a young midfielder too? Norgaard is one of the Premier League's most trusted midfielders. But should Arsenal be planning for the future as well as the present?

Good discussion here from @thom-harris.bsky.social on whether #AFC could (should?) add a younger midfielder to the Zubimendi and Norgaard incomings. Includes detailed profile of Lucien Agoume.

Brooke Norton-Cuffy on life after Arsenal, impressing Vieira and England ambitions The former Arsenal full-back is loving life in Italy after leaving home - and playing his part for the Under-21s in Slovakia too

Great interview with Brooke Norton-Cuffy here from Art De Roche.

Manchester United want to sell before they buy this summer. Will it work? If United are to remain disciplined and invest beyond Cunha and Mbeumo, financial solutions will have to be found sooner rather than later

Do #MUFC need to become a selling club? Or, more accurately, can they? @mjcritchley.bsky.social on selling to buy at Old Trafford.

Naples, Chicago and a Liverpool chat: How Kevin De Bruyne’s post-Man City career was decided There was an understandable clamour for the Belgian once it was known he was leaving City — here's how it played out

@samdlee.bsky.social on the exit and future of Kevin De Bruyne, (probably) the greatest-ever Premier League midfielder. www.nytimes.com/athletic/644...

The Transfer DealSheet: Latest on Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool, Real Madrid and more Welcome to the fourth edition of The Athletic’s Transfer DealSheet for the summer 2025 transfer window

The latest Transfer DealSheet from @david-ornstein.bsky.social @sebsb.bsky.social and lots of other @theathleticfc.bsky.social writers, great work again.

What’s going on with Rodrygo at Real Madrid? Rodrygo's future is unclear after not featuring at all in Madrid's latest Club World Cup game against Pachuca

Great insight as ever from Mario in this piece on Rodrygo and his situation at Real Madrid.

Will PSR always lead to the transfer merry-go-round we have seen over the past year? The existing rules encourage player sales for clubs in fear of a breach, something we have seen repeatedly in recent transfer windows

Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules get a lot of blame for clubs having to sell when they don't want to.

But it hasn't always been this way.

And will it always now have to be?

A look for @theathleticfc.bsky.social as the end of June approaches:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/643...

Martin Zubimendi in London to meet Arsenal officials ahead of Real Sociedad move The Spain international, 26, has a €60million (£51.7m; $63.4m) release clause in his current contract.

🚨 Martin Zubimendi in London to meet with Arsenal officials & complete formalities of his transfer from Real Sociedad.

Arsenal putting finishing touches to signing of the 26-year-old Spain intl.

W/ @david-ornstein.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social

www.nytimes.com/athletic/635...

PSG’s strategic ‘Paris’ branding is a masterstroke – but do they have star power to break the U.S.? The French club has links with the NFL and Air Jordan and a store on Fifth Avenue - but experts say they have a way to go to break America

@dansheldon.bsky.social spoke to industry experts to see what they think of PSG’s attempts to break America. Are they more brand than football club?

Carlos Cuesta’s move echoes ambition of Mikel Arteta, but what next for Arsenal? In a perfect world, coaching changes happen when planned, with smooth transitions, but football doesn’t often work like that

Carlos Cuesta has bid farewell, where do Arsenal and Mikel Arteta go next? Subscribers here suggesting Wilshere, Cazorla, Lincoln.
@amylawrence.bsky.social

India rule the cricketing world, but is their dominance good for the sport? India generate an estimated 80 per cent of the game’s global revenue, leaving almost every other cricketing nation reliant upon them

@theathleticfc.bsky.social is now covering cricket. Great piece here to start

Inside Thomas Frank’s Tottenham Hotspur appointment Daniel Levy led the pursuit of the Dane and Brentford did not attempt to persuade him to stay on as manager

#thfc The inside story of the deal to take Thomas Frank to Spurs. Lange a long-time fan — but Levy drove the deal for his 13th permanent boss. Great detail by @jaydmharris.bsky.social. www.nytimes.com/athletic/642...

Rodrygo, Nico Williams, Anthony Gordon: Analysing Arsenal’s wide attacker options Mikel Arteta's side have been linked with three high-quality wing options. Here's how each one could improve them in their different ways...

The race for Gyokeres/Sesko continues, but Arsenal still require a wide forward. Here are how three options stack up.

Arsenal close to finalising Kepa Arrizabalaga deal The 30-year-old spent last season on loan at Bournemouth, keeping nine clean sheets in 35 games for the south-coast club.

#AFC are getting there.

Arsenal make Chelsea’s Kepa Arrizabalaga main goalkeeper target Arsenal see the Spain international's £5million release clause as a potential market opportunity.

From @gunnerblog.bsky.social Arsenal targeting Kepa from Chelsea.