ARSENAL 3-0 COVENTRY POST-MATCH CRAZY REACTION | IAN WRIGHT, SAKA & ØDEGAARD

 

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IAN WRIGHT, RICCARDO CALAFIORI AND CHLOE KELLY MODEL ARSENAL'S 1990'S - INSPIRED AWAY KIT FOR 2026-27 CAMPAIGN AS MIKEL ARTETA'S SIDE PREPARE TO DEFEND PREMIER LEAGUE TITLE

Arsenal 

Arsenal and adidas have revealed the club's new away kit for the 2026-27 season, reviving one of the Gunners' most iconic designs with a modern twist. Inspired by the legendary 'Bruised Banana' shirt, the strip blends nostalgia with fresh ambition as the Premier League champions prepare for another title defence.

Arsenal revive iconic design

Arsenal and adidas have unveiled the club's new away kit for the 2026-27 season, introducing a modern interpretation of one of football's most recognisable shirts. Inspired by the famous 'Bruised Banana' jersey worn between 1991 and 1993, the navy strip arrives as Arteta's Premier League champions prepare to defend their title. It combines the adidas Trefoil logo with contemporary performance technology while paying tribute to the club's history.

Players embrace the legacy

The launch is accompanied by a series of miniature films featuring Declan Rice, Chloe Kelly, Riccardo Calafiori, Ian Wright, Little Simz and Arsenal supporters, all reflecting on the stories behind football shirts and what they represent.

Calafiori said: "We’re all looking forward to playing in this kit, we know the impact that the Bruised Banana has had on our supporters, you only have to see how many still wear it today to understand how much it means to the club. We’re proud to wear something with such history attached to it and use that as inspiration as we continue to push ourselves forward."

A modern take on a classic

The new jersey is built on a navy base with an engineered geometric graphic inspired by the original design, blending navy and yellow tones for a contemporary look. Red and yellow accents feature on the Trefoil crew-neck collar, while the Arsenal crest sits alongside the adidas Trefoil logo.

Calafiori added: "It’s our turn to create our own legacy at the club, we’ve enjoyed so many amazing moments with our supporters but we’re hungry for more. We want to keep winning, keep creating special memories together and give our supporters even more reasons to be proud of the team."

The shirt also incorporates adidas' CLIMACOOL+ technology, designed to help regulate body temperature through advanced moisture management and strategically placed ventilation zones.

Arsenal 

Ready for another campaign

The 2026-27 away kit is completed with matching navy shorts and socks, featuring coordinated red and yellow detailing to create a unified on-pitch look.

Available immediately through Arsenal club stores, selected adidas retail outlets, Arsenal Direct and adidas' online store, the new strip marks the beginning of another campaign as Arteta's side look to build on their Premier League triumph and create a new chapter in the club's history.

- Yosua Arya

IAN WRIGHT SAYS ARGENTINA'S SECOND GOAL SHOULD HAVE BEEN DISALLOWED

 

WORLD CUP: IAN WRIGHT REACTION TO REF BEING DENIED ENTRY TO THE US GOES VIRAL

Ian Wright has posted a passionate video on social media after Somalian referee Omar Artan was denied entry into the United States for the 2026 World Cup.

Artan, considered one of the best African officials in world football, was set to be the first Somali to referee at the World Cup finals.

However, the 34-year-old was barred from entering the country at Miami International Airport and will now not officiate at this summer's tournament.

FIFA said in a statement: "Fifa can confirm that match official Omar Abdulkadir Artan will be unable to train and officiate at the Fifa World Cup 2026 after he was denied entry into the United States.

"Fifa is not involved in host country immigration processes, including visa adjudications, and has been informed by authorities that Mr Artan's status will not be changed at present.

"In line with previous Fifa events, a host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted into their country."

Ian Wright Reacts to Omar Artan being Denied Entry

Arsenal legend Wright has taken to social media to express his frustration after seeing the story. In a video posted on TikTok, he said:

"Every few hours it's another story. Another story about fans denied, players denied, officials denied, journalists denied now refs? I'm laughing but it's not funny. It's actually not funny, something has to be said.

"Expensive tickets, expensive accommodation, transport through the roof. Is this how the hosts behave for the greatest game, greatest tournament in the world? How are we not hearing more?"

"Is this the spirit of football? Really? You know who I feel for - I feel for the American fans who are desperate for this. How embarrassed they must be. How embarrassing for them this must be.

"This is a World Cup of chaos. Whoever wins this World Cup will have to go through some serious chaos to get it done. I hope we [England can do it, but something has to be said. This is the World Cup!"

Omar Artan Speaks Out After Being Denied Entry to the US

Artan has released a statement after his dream of officiating at a World Cup was taken away. He said:

"Despite the circumstances, I am in a positive mood and I am focused on the next challenges in my refereeing career. I would like to thank FIFA and CAF for all their support and I promise to keep my refereeing levels up as I concentrate on the future.

“I want to thank the football family for their messages and wish my colleagues all the best success during the World Cup and I look forward to joining them again in future competitions.”

Artan was one of eight referees to be selected by CAF to officiate in the competition. It is currently unclear who will replace him.

- James Stroud

IAN WRIGHT GOES CRAZY! | POST WEST HAM VS. ARSENAL | MATCH ANALYSIS

 

IAN WRIGHT | ARSENAL LEGENDS

 

 

Ian Wright is an Arsenal legend and the club's second-highest all-time goalscorer, having netted 185 goals in 288 appearances during his seven-year stay from 1991 to 1998. 

Career at Arsenal

Wright joined Arsenal from Crystal Palace in 1991 for a then-club record fee of £2.5 million. 

He became the club's all-time leading scorer in September 1997, famously revealing a "179 – Just Done It" t-shirt after breaking Cliff Bastin's long-standing record. 

While his record was later surpassed by Thierry Henry, he remains a central figure in the club's history. 

Major Honours

During his time at Highbury, Wright was a prolific "goal machine" who helped the Gunners secure multiple trophies: 

Premier League Title: 1997/98

FA Cup: 1993, 1998

League Cup: 1993

European Cup Winners' Cup: 1994 (though he was suspended for the final) 

Recent Updates (April 2026)

Following his professional retirement in 2000, Wright has become a highly influential media personality and broadcaster. 

Influence: 

In 2025, he was named the UK's second-most influential Black person in the 2026 Powerlist.

Punditry: 

He recently stepped back from his long-running role on the BBC's Match of the Day but remains a prominent voice on the Stick to Football podcast and various media platforms.

Current Arsenal Involvement: 

He is often seen at the Sobha Realty Training Centre and remains very close to the current first-team squad and staff. 

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ARSENAL LEGEND IAM WRIGHT ON ARSENAL'S POOR PERFORMANCE AT THE CARABAO CUP FINAL

 

LAURA WOODS HITS BACK AT ENI ALUKO OVER MALE PUNDITS IN WOMEN’S FOOTBALL ROW

ITV presenter Laura Woods has defended diversity in women's football coverage after Eni Aluko said the women's game should be 'by women for women'

Laura Woods (Image: Getty Images)

Laura Woods has responded to Eni Aluko's recent remarks about her limited opportunities as a pundit.

The presenter's reaction follows Aluko's outspoken comments regarding her broadcasting career. Former England international Aluko was previously involved in a dispute over her remarks concerning Ian Wright's involvement in the women's game. The Arsenal legend subsequently declined to accept her apology.

Speaking on the 90s Baby Show, Aluko addressed the selection of pundits for last year's Euro 2025 women's final, where England beat Spain, pointing out that two of the six pundits across BBC and ITV were male. She said: "In the women's game the opportunities are even more limited, so the main characters of the show should be the women.

"Men should be part of that. I'm not saying anybody should be excluded, I believe in diversity wholeheartedly, but the same way we've played a role in the men's game that's a supporting role, you're part of the ensemble, you're never going to get the premium final games, it should be the same way for women's football."

"I think we need to protect the women's game in the same way the men's game is protected. What I mean by that is, and you've heard me discuss the journey of women's football, it's taken a while, it's taken a lot of blood, sweat and tears to get the women's game to where it is now.

Eni Aluko (Karen Robinson/The Guardian)

"There's a lot of people, including me, who have sown many seeds to be reaping what we're reaping now... TV, money coming into the game, investment, and it's still growing. From my perspective, we didn't go through all of that – blood, sweat and tears – for women to be second place in our own sport. What are we doing? That's my point, the women's game should be by women for women.

"Male allies should absolutely support that but when it gets to the point where you're the main character of the show, we're just repeating the patriarchal stuff that we've been fighting against."

Yet ITV and TNT Sports presenter Woods took issue with Aluko's stance. On Monday, the 38 year old made her position clear through a string of social media posts.

Writing on X, Woods stated: "Caps don't win automatic work and they don't make a brilliant pundit either. The way you communicate, articulate yourself, do your research, inform your audience, how likeable you are and the chemistry you have with your panel are what makes a brilliant pundit.

"'The women's game should be by women for women,' is one of the most damaging phrases I've heard. It will not only drag women's sport backwards, it will drag women's punditry in all forms of the game backwards.

"If you want to grow something, you don't gate keep it. We want to encourage little boys and men to watch women's football too, not just little girls and women. And when they see someone like Ian Wright taking it as seriously as he does - they follow suit. That's how you grow a sport."

Concluding her thread, Woods stated: "Here's a picture of our team at ITV. We won best production at the Broadcast Sport Awards 2025 for our coverage of the women's euros. Seb Hutchinson won best commentator too. So I think ITV got it just right."

- Jake Bayliss and Anthony Evans

ARSENAL VS. CHELSEA | AMAZING KAI HAVERTZ & IAN WRIGHT REACTION

 

QUICKEST TO 100 GOALS

 

'YES, I ALMOST TEARED UP': ZOHRAN MAMDANI MIGHT BE THIS UK FOOTBALL CLUB’S BIGGEST FAN

Mamdani, an Arsenal fan, has plenty of reasons to smile right now. Pic: AP

New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani might just be one of Arsenal FC’s biggest fans, admitting he almost “teared up” at a video message from a club legend.

34-year-old Mamdani was elected mayor of NYC on 4 November on a platform of support for affordable housing, groceries and city transit. When he is sworn in in January 2026, he will become the city’s youngest mayor since 1892 and the first Indian-American and Muslim mayor.

Throughout his campaign, Mamdani was described by many as appearing down-to-earth and relatable, and that form continued recently when he received a video message from Arsenal football legend, Ian Wright.

During an appearance on The Adam Friedland Show, Mamdani was surprised with the video and could barely contain himself.

“Hi Zohran, how are you doing? Ian Wright here,” the video said. “I just want to say a massive, massive congratulations on what you’ve achieved. The real work, though, starts now. But, God willing, you can achieve everything that you have set out to achieve.”

As he watched the video, a grinning Mandani said, “I love you.”

Someone joked: “The most emotional I’ve ever seen Zohran…”

Another said: “Total Cultural Victory.”

“You will never see me glaze Arsenal ever again but this deserves an exception. Well done @IanWright0,” said another.

Posting later about the moment, Mandani wrote on X/Twitter: “Yes, I almost teared up over Arsenal.”

Piers Morgan responded: “I may have been a bit hasty in my judgement about Mayor Mandani. Any man who weeps over Arsenal and loves @IanWright0 is OK with me. He’s clearly a proper Gooner.”

Someone else commented: “You’re a Gunner? My respect and admiration for you just tripled.”

Another wrote: “This is what a real Mayor looks like.”

- Ellie Abraham

IAN WRIGHT ON JUDE BELLINGHAM: SOME PEOPLE ARE NOT 'READY FOR A BLACK SUPERSTAR'

Jude Bellingham was recalled to Thomas Tuchel’s squad for games against Serbia and Albania having been left out of October’s squad.

Former England striker Ian Wright has defended Jude Bellingham, insisting some people are not “ready for a black superstar”.

Bellingham has come in for criticism in some quarters for his reaction to being substituted during England’s World Cup qualifying win at Albania on Sunday, amid some suggestions he is a disruptive influence in the squad.

But Wright says some people are “frightened” of Bellingham’s success.

“They cannot get to this guy. He is an achiever, he’s a winner, he goes out and does it,” Wright said on the Stick to Football podcast.

“They are trying to build something because England have qualified so easily. They need to have something else to pile on on top of the narrative.

“I don’t think they’re ready for a black superstar who can move like Jude [Bellingham] is moving. They can’t touch him.

“He goes out there, he performs, he does what he does. It’s too uppity for these people.

“They all love N’Golo Kante. He’s a humble black man, gets on with what he’s doing. But if you get a (Paul) Pogba or a Bellingham, and you get that kind of energy, that does not sit well with people. Someone like Jude frightens these people because of his capability and the inspiration he can give.

“Because if you are outspoken, black, and playing to that level and not caring, that frightens certain people. It’s a tiring exercise to speak about.”

Bellingham was recalled to Thomas Tuchel’s squad for games against Serbia and Albania having been left out of October’s squad.

And, amid the ongoing discussions about Bellingham’s place in the squad, Wright revealed he messaged the former Birmingham man before he joined up with the group to warn him of what could happen.

“I sent a message to Jude saying, ‘Be ready’. Something was coming. It’s like a tsunami. Unless you play well and do something, it comes back.

“He said, ‘What’s coming?’, and I told him, ‘Be ready for it’, and it’s here.”

- Jonathan Veal, PA

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