‘Relationships deteriorated’: Laurent Koscielny on leaving Arsenal and his work at Lorient

The FIFA World Cup playoff draw featured a lively event with notable figures and a variety of visual elements. Melanie Winiger hosted the draw, which included FIFA legends and a showcase of the tournament's history. Ireland and Wales are strategizing their paths as they prepare for the playoffs, with Wales set to host Bosnia-Herzegovina and Northern Ireland traveling to Italy.

Alessia Russo’s second-half double secured a 2-1 comeback victory for Arsenal against Real Madrid in the Women’s Champions League. The match saw the hosts create numerous chances in the first half, but it was Caroline Weir, a former Arsenal player, who put Real Madrid ahead with a stunning volley just before halftime.

Arsenal faced Real Madrid in the Women’s Champions League at Meadow Park, with kick-off scheduled for 8pm GMT. Early moments of the match saw Arsenal struggling to break through Real Madrid's defense, with a notable attempt by Kelly that was nearly intercepted by the Real keeper, Rodríguez.

Arsenal's sponsorship deal with Visit Rwanda, valued at approximately £10 million annually, will conclude in June 2026. The partnership, initiated in 2018, faced criticism due to Rwanda's backing of the M23 militia amid ongoing conflicts in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Arsenal has been accused of neglecting diplomatic relations with the Congolese government regarding this sponsorship.

Beth Mead, an Arsenal and England forward, emphasizes the urgent need for football to adapt to climate change, warning that without such adaptation, the sport may become a privilege rather than a right. Reflecting on her experience during the Euro 2025 tournament in Switzerland, she describes the extreme heat conditions and the extensive preparations made by the England team to cope with the climate's impact on their performance.

Arsenal's defender Gabriel Magalhães is likely to be sidelined for at least a month due to a thigh injury sustained while playing for Brazil against Senegal. The injury occurred during a friendly match at the Emirates Stadium, where Brazil won 2-0. Following the match, Gabriel returned to Arsenal for further medical assessments, confirming a muscle injury in his right thigh. This setback comes at a critical time for Arsenal, who are currently leading the Premier League.