John Bennett

Who have been the best young players at #afcon2025 so far?? Here are some of my picks for @BBCSport bbc.co.uk/sport

@MontyCristo11 Agree that Wharton is better I’m a massive fan of his style. But would he get in the team? No.

@JohnBennettBBC As a playing member outrageous Henderson picked instead of Wharton.

There are certain players who I think should’ve made it but I struggle with all the negativity about Jordan Henderson being in a 26 man England squad. Every single person who’s played with him raves about the positive influence he has. It makes sense to have him in that group.

@c_r_5 He can still contribute. Massively underrated. In a 23 man squad I would agree but in a 26 you need leaders like him as a player

@JohnBennettBBC Why is he not going as a member of the backroom staff then? And Scott/Wharton in his place

A lot of chat about Foden and Palmer but to me the strangest exclusion is Gibbs-White. Foden can’t get in the Man City team and Palmer has rarely found top form this season. Anyone who watches Gibbs-White regularly would know he had a far stronger case

CONFIRMED! European allocation if Villa finish 5th in Premier League. 1. UCL 2. UCL 3. UCL 4. UCL 5. UCL (Villa as UEL titleholders) 6. UCL (EPS place) 7. UEL 8. UCoL Six teams in the UCL, one club in the UEL. Needs Villa to lose at Man City, and Liverpool to beat Brentford.

And there'll be an updated version of the documentary featuring the Premier League title win on @bbcworldservice on Saturday from 1600 BST.

What made Mikel Arteta into the Premier League winning manager he is today? In 2023 I made a documentary about his journey to the dug out, including visits to his first club Antiguoko and Barcelona's La Masia. You can listen here: bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0…

@kevinhatchard Yeah, I heard on the radio someone saying that Eckert’s defence would be that it’s a done thing in Germany and was baffled by that. Maybe they send people to the open sessions when fans are there but they’d still have behind closed doors sessions where watching would be a no no.

Must admit I’m a bit baffled by this idea that spying on training is rife on the continent. I can’t think of a single spying scandal, and a lot of training sessions are open anyway so fans can attend. Certainly in Germany there are loads of reporters at training.

The process has delivered. You think about where Arsenal were when Mikel Arteta took over in terms of culture, team spirit, connection to the fans & quality. Then you look at them now; Premier League champions. It’s an incredible job. Arteta thoroughly deserves this success

The job Andoni Iraola has done is astonishing. Good luck Marco Rose following this!

@ArnoldWandago I like that 98 had a mix of Wenger and Graham. Style and grit. What a combination!

@JohnBennettBBC How does the ‘02 team compare to the ‘98 and ‘04 one in your view? What will make this 2026 clear all of the great Arsenal sides of old is if they achieve what no other side has ever achieved, this League-European Cup double.

The debate about greatest Arsenal team of all time seems to always be 2026 v 2004. But - and shout me down if I’m wrong Arsenal fans - am I crazy to say that I actually preferred the 1998 team to the 04 team? That 97/98 Arsenal team was special. A bit of everything in that XI.

@BoehlyBanterEra @grahamb2105 Agree that Henry bests Anelka mostly but Anelka at that age in 98 99 was unstoppable.

@JohnBennettBBC @grahamb2105 Ashley Cole was a level above Winterburn Henry was a level above Anelka, Wreh & Wright Pires was better than Overmars althoug had was brilliant that yr & Lunjberg better than Parlour Lauren \ Dixon close and same for older Adam’s/Sol More points +some greatest ever in 04 team

Adams goal v Everton. The most wonderful moment for Arsenal fan....@Arsenal

Guardiola's legacy of genius will echo through all ages for years to come bbc.in/4u2aPCV

@tfn105 Up against peak Fergie United though!

@JohnBennettBBC 1997/98 was a very good team, but they won the league with 78 points. We were loose for half a season and then locked in for ten games

@grahamb2105 @GrossoMatto Ha! In fairness I’m anti “football began in 1992” as well… But as my memory only goes as far back as 1989 I can only go from there.

@GrossoMatto @JohnBennettBBC That was pretty much my point 😂😂

@grahamb2105 They should surely be in the discussion but for the first time in a long time I can say that I’m too young to make a judgement 😂

@JohnBennettBBC What about the team that won the double in 1970/71 - Charlie George, Jon Radford, George Armstrong, George Grahame etc - brilliant team but maybe I’m too old for the discussion.

With the Blue Sharks since 2008. Named after a French football legend. Called out of retirement just to lead his team to the World Cup. Few people deserve the World Cup more than Praia’s favourite son, Stopira.

NEYMAR IS GOING TO THE WORLD CUP 🇧🇷 HE'S BEEN SELECTED IN CARLO ANCELOTTI'S SQUAD ✅