South African football news

⚽ News and buildup as the Premier League returns ⚽ Arsenal sweep Coventry aside | Fixtures | Get in touch On the topic of signings. Mikel Arteta said he was ‘really happy’ with the squad he’s got at The Emirates, but there’s still talk around whether Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez could be on the way. Tell you wha…

• MUN
• NOT
• CRY
• SUN

African federations sound out Swede over role ‘They think he can group all the continents’ Senior figures in African football have held talks with Fifa’s general secretary, Mattias Grafström, to sound out his interest in standing against Gianni Infantino, the Guardian can reveal. As many as 15 federations in Africa…

Striker must win over new head coach after tough first season at Liverpool – starting on Sunday at an inhospitable St James’ Park When Liverpool’s team bus turns a tight corner and inches down the narrow, covered, access road behind Newcastle’s Milburn Stand on Sunday, Alexander Isak will know there are no hiding pl…

• LIV
• NEW

Tottenham midfielder James Maddison says having five children aged four and under - including a second set of twins - helpfully distracted him from his ACL injury last season.

• TOT

After an underwhelming season, Arsenal have made major changes with club legends departing and top talent from all over Europe arriving Guardian writers’ predicted position: 2nd (NB: this is not necessarily Suzanne Wrack’s prediction but the average of our writers’ tips) Last season’s position: 2nd Continue reading...

• ARS

Arsenal started last season as nearly men but their title win has given them a swagger - as Coventry discovered on the Premier League's opening night.

• COV
• ARS

His goal was like something from It’s A Knockout, but the Arsenal captain showed signs of recovery from an injury-wrecked campaign We’re back, baby. Welcome to the content zone. And yes, we did actually go away for a bit. Seriously. Check back. We really did. In the lead-up to this Premier League opener, Sky Sports…

• ARS

Goals from Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard give champions Arsenal a comfortable 3-0 win over newcomers Coventry City, in the opening game of the Premier League campaign at the Emirates Stadium.

• COV
• ARS

Brighton midfielder will join Tielemans and Santos Club’s most expensive summer signing at initial £65m Manchester United have agreed a deal worth an initial £65m for Carlos Baleba and the Brighton midfielder will have his medical this weekend in Manchester. If the 22-year-old is signed he will be the third midfield…

• MUN
• BRI

Spurs’ outlay expected to pass £300m this summer ‘People don’t love if Tottenham becomes better’ Roberto De Zerbi has claimed every club “wanted to kill” Tottenham last season and has been reminding his players of that throughout the summer as he also defended their heavy spending in the transfer market. Tottenham’s…

• TOT

What a difference a title makes. The last time Arsenal played in front of their own supporters, you could cut the nervous tension with a knife as Mikel Arteta’s side scraped to a 1-0 victory over already relegated Burnley. Ninety five days on and having ended their long wait to be crowned champions the following nig…

• COV
• ARS
• BUR

How Arsenal and Coventry's players rated following their Premier League match.

• COV
• ARS

Manchester United agree a fee of up to £70m for Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba.

• MUN
• BRI

First game of new Premier League season, 8pm kick-off Arsenal’s opportunity | Football Daily | Mail Scott Plenty of debutants in the cast tonight. Every single one of them will have been dreaming of something like this … Mikel Arteta’s turn to talk pitchside to Sky. “The players need that desire to go again … I cert…

• COV
• ARS

Nahuel Molina, Thiago Almada and Gavi also suspended Fifa issue $321,000 fine for Falkland Islands banner Three Argentina players have been banned for their part in a brawl at the end of last month’s World Cup final against Spain , but they have only been fined for displaying a Falkland Islands banner after the semi…

• ARG
• SPA

Here’s how to follow along with our coverage – the finest writing and up-to-the-minute reports Continue reading...

Arsenal complete the £55m signing of England defender Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa.

• AST
• ARS
• ENG

Fifa ban Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes for 10 matches over his role in clashes with Spanish players after the World Cup final.

• ARG

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery says striker Ollie Watkins could follow several star players out of the door this summer.

• AST

Former England striker on retiring from the Lionesses, being a role model, and taking on Chelsea in the WSL A year after taking up golf, Rachel Daly has already reached a handicap of 19. “I think that’s too generous, I was playing really well in the summer,” she point outs before politely declaring that further ques…

• AST
• CHE
• ENG

Signings of Tielemans and Santos have addressed an area that has been problematic since the manager himself stopped playing Ed Woodward to MUTV in July 2015: “When people see Bastian Schweinsteiger on the team sheet, that’s going to send some shivers down the spine.” This prediction by Manchester United’s then execu…

• MUN