AFC Updates

FACT: Bukayo Saka is the best England winger in 10 years

Declan Rice is the first Premier League player to score for England at the World Cup

World Cup Bronze medalist

Mikel Arteta on Thomas Tuchel’s Performance vs Argentina: 🎙️ Reporter: "If you were in Thomas Tuchel's position, what would you have done differently to get a win for England? Mikel: 🗣️ I could have made the same changes he made against Argentina, and any other coach would have done the same. It is not his fault. This is simply what happens when you face Messi. But I will never wish that for myself - to play

🚨Declan Rice Defends Tuchel and Hails Messi: "He Was Pure Football Genius 🗣️Declan Rice I don't want to hear people blaming the manager because that's completely unfair. Thomas Tuchel gave us everything we needed to win this match. The preparation was outstanding, the tactics were spot on, and every single player knew their job. As players, we're the ones on the pitch, not the manager. He can't control moments of individual brilliance, and unfortunately we came up against the greatest player of this generation. Lionel Messi was the difference. We tried to limit his influence, we stayed disciplined, we closed the spaces, but he still found a way. That's what separates him from everyone else. His vision, his first touch, his passing, the way he reads the game it's like he's always two or three steps ahead. You can spend an entire week preparing for him, and he'll still produce one moment that changes everything. That's why so many people call him the greatest footballer to ever play the game. We're hurting because we dreamed of reaching the World Cup final, but this defeat isn't on Thomas Tuchel. He put us in the best possible position to win. Sometimes you simply have to accept that you've been beaten by a player whose talent is beyond ordinary. Messi inspired Argentina when it mattered most, and that's why they're going to the final. We have to accept it, learn from it, and come back stronger.

Christos Tzolis will be a gunner soon

Reporter- "Must have hurt losing after being 1-0 up?" 🗣️Declan Rice - "Well there's no shame in losing to the greatest player of all time, what he did today was incredible, he showed that he is still the best player in the world at 39. It was an honour to share the pitch with him"

England crumbled when he left the pitch

All to play for against the world champions, Argentina 🙏

Thierry Henry blames William Saliba's injury for France's World Cup collapse. 🎙️ Reporter: Thierry, how big a blow was William Saliba's injury for France? 🗣️ Thierry Henry: "It changed everything. Saliba is one of those defenders people only truly appreciate when he isn't on the pitch. He brings calmness, leadership and control to the entire back line. He makes the players around him look better because of how he reads the game." "The moment he went off, France looked vulnerable. Upamecano suddenly had to deal with situations he normally wouldn't, and the whole defensive structure lost its balance. That's how important Saliba is." "We've seen this before. Arsenal's title challenge suffered badly when Saliba got injured because his absence changes the entire team's level. The same thing happened here. France never looked as solid after he left the pitch." *"People talk about goalscorers deciding matches, but elite centre-backs win tournaments too. Saliba is one of those players. Losing him in a game of this magnitude was a massive setback, and I believe it played a huge part in France's defeat."

Thank you Trossard ❤️ forever a gunner

Declan Rice on England’s approach to facing Argentina and Lionel Messi in a potential World Cup semi-final. 🗣️ “Let’s stop pretending everything Argentina do goes through Lionel Messi. If you let him dictate the game, you’ve already made your first mistake. Our job is to make sure he doesn’t get a second to breathe.” “People can talk about Argentina’s squad all they want, but when Messi isn’t controlling the match, they’re a completely different team. He’s the engine, the creator and the player everyone looks for when the pressure is at its highest.” “We aren’t walking onto that pitch to admire him or watch another highlight reel. We’ll be in his face from the first whistle. Every touch will be contested, every pass will be pressured and every yard will have to be earned.” “This is a World Cup semi-final, not a tribute to Lionel Messi. If he thinks he’s going to stroll around and control the game, he’s in for a shock. We’ll make it as uncomfortable as possible because that’s what winning demands.” “Respect is one thing, fear is another. We respect Messi because he’s one of the greatest to ever play the game. But once that whistle goes, reputation means nothing. We’re there to beat Argentina, and if we stop their biggest threat, we’ve given ourselves every chance of reaching the World Cup final.”

let it all work out

🚨 Leandro Trossard on Mikel Merino scoring the goal that eliminated Belgium. “It’s really painful because I’ve scored goals like that for Arsenal before. Now I know exactly how those other teams must have felt.” “But honestly, I’m not surprised it was an Arsenal player who did it. At Arsenal, there is a mentality of believing until the very last second. Late goals have become part of the team culture, so when I saw who scored, I just smiled and thought, ‘Of course it had to be an Arsenal player.’” “It hurts because it knocked us out, but I’m happy for Mikel. We’ll laugh about it when we’re back together at Arsenal.” ❤️🤍

🚨 David Raya on whether he’s disappointed not to have played at the World Cup yet. “Not at all. We have two very good goalkeepers in the national team, and it’s the coach’s decision who starts. I respect every decision because we’re all here for the same objective—to help Spain succeed. Personally, I know what I have achieved. I’m the goalkeeper for the champions of the biggest league in the world, and I’ve won the Golden Glove three seasons in a row. That gives me confidence in my own ability. Whether I’m on the pitch or supporting from the bench, my focus is on helping the team win the World Cup.” ❤️🤍

🚨 Mikel Merino on scoring another decisive late goal. 🇪🇸 “Last time I said this is what we do at Arsenal, and everyone thought I was joking.” 😅 “But honestly, it’s part of our mentality. We never stop believing. At Arsenal, you often see players coming on late and making the difference. That’s the standard we try to live by. When the coach told me to get ready, I knew I had one job—to make an impact for the team. Thankfully, it happened again today. I’m delighted to help Spain reach the semi-finals, but now the focus is on the next match.” ❤️🤍

🚨 Martin Zubimendi on Mikel Merino saying Arsenal’s “club spirits” followed him to the World Cup. 😂 “Mikel keeps telling everyone in the dressing room that Arsenal’s club spirits followed him to the national team.” 😂 “I always tell him to stop being so superstitious.” 😅 “But then again, we all know scoring late winners has become part of Arsenal’s culture. So when he says something like that, you can’t really be surprised.” 😂 “The important thing is that he delivered again. He came on, changed the game and sent us to the semi-finals. That’s what matters most.” ❤️🤍

Mikel Merino has only scored 3 goals for Spain at World Cups and the EURO: - 119' winner vs. Germany (EURO QF) - 90+1' winner vs. Portugal (WC R16) - 88' winner vs. Belgium (WC QF) Most clutch Spanish player ever

🚨 Ben White on Riccardo Calafiori: 🗣️ Reporter:
“Ben, how's the first week of pre-season been?” 🗣️ Ben White:
“I thought I was getting in early. Walked into London Colney and Riccardo was already there. He just looked at me and said, ‘About time.’ That's when I realized he'd already been back for a few days.”

🚨🗣️ Martin Odegaard on facing England and playing against Declan Rice: "Yeah it's massive. He's been outstanding for such a long time, playing with him you can see all the qualities." "It's such a pleasure to share the pitch with him, to see what he's been doing for such a long time it's just unbelievable. Looking forward to the challenge and to see them all."