SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 16: Mesut Ozil of Arsenal ahead of the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Arsenal FC at St Mary's Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Mesut Ozil: Maligned and misunderstood or mischief-maker?

Mesut Ozil continues to divide opinion, be it about his football, personality or nationality. So what is the problem? How did an entire nation seemingly turn on their star in one summer?  Is that behind his strange season at Arsenal?
arsenal news gossip recap roundup

Liverpool premium, corruption, hypocrisy & more: Stories you might have missed

It’s been quiet out there in Arsenal land all week, so here is a quick round-up of some wider football stories you might have missed but which caught my eye.
European Super League money

Government minister confirms money laundering probe for at least 1 football club

Government minister Ben Wallace said that at least one club is under investigation for money laundering.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino talks to journalists during his visit to the Iranian capital Tehran on March 1, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / ATTA KENARE

Arsenal sign letter opposing Club World Cup revamp

Arsenal and the other 14 board members of the European Club Association signed a letter opposing FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s proposals to expand the Club World Cup.

2 referees & club coach arrested

Two referees and the coach of Club Brugge were among 19 people charged by prosecutors in Belgium investigating match-fixing and allegations of corruption.
MADRID, SPAIN - JANUARY 04: Samir Nasri of Sevilla takes to the field during the Copa del Rey Round of 16 First Leg match between Real Madrid and Sevilla at Bernabeu on January 4, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

Samir Nasri to Everton: Doping, bans, & denials – what’s going on?

Reports emerged late last week that former Arsenal wide-man, Samir Nasri, could join Everton when his doping ban ends at the end of the month but the club have moved to distance themselves from reports.
ENFIELD, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 11: Lucas Moura of Tottenham Hotspur wins the EA Sports Player of the Month Award at Tottenham Hotspur Training Centre on September 11, 2018 in Enfield, England. (Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images for Premier League)

Tottenham ban press from asking Lucas Moura about far-right support

Tottenham have reportedly banned the media from asking Lucas Moura any questions about his support for the right-wing politician, Jair Bolsonaro.
Ivory Coast's head football coach Kamara Ibrahim addresses media representatives during a press conference at FIF headquarters in Abidjan on August 30, 2018, ahead of a 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying football match between Ivory Coast and Rwanda. (Photo by ISSOUF SANOGO / AFP)

Rwandan officials arrested after bribery allegations

Rwandan police say they have arrested two football officials in the country and are investigating allegations that they tried to bribe a referee before an AFCON qualifying match against the Ivory Coast last week.

Arsenal fan Kagame’s Rwanda rule to continue

Rwanda will continue to be ruled by Paul Kagame’s Patriotic Front after they netted 74 per cent of the vote, along with seven of their allied parties, in elections this week.

British bid for 2030 World Cup gathers pace

The idea of a British bid to host the 2030 World Cup is gathering pace after it received the backing of the UEFA president, Aleksander Ceferin.
Arsenal and Visit Rwand via Arsenal.com

Arsenal approached controversial sponsor says CEO

The CEO of Rwanda's national development board claims Arsenal approached Rwanda about a shirt sponsorship deal, not the other way around

Win a copy of The Billionaires Club

With the sale of Alisher Usmanov’s shares to Stan Kroenke, Arsenal entered the world of modern football, but what can Arsenal fans expect?

CNN told to ‘be quiet’ over Arsenal Rwanda deal

Rwanda's Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Olivier Nduhungirehe, has told broadcaster CNN to ‘be quiet’ after they criticised his country’s deal with Arsenal, prompting a backlash in the nation.

Arsenal end media partnership with company in ‘complete disarray’

Arsenal have cut ties with international media rights agency, MP & Silva, who are said to be in 'complete disarray' after their offices were raided.
MADRID, SPAIN - JANUARY 04: Samir Nasri of Sevilla takes to the field during the Copa del Rey Round of 16 First Leg match between Real Madrid and Sevilla at Bernabeu on January 4, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

Samir Nasri has doping ban extended to 18 months

Samir Nasri has had his doping ban extended from six to 18 months the day his ban was supposed to end.

Why is Mesut Ozil so divisive?

Anyone with an outward eye doesn't need the vilification and subsequent international retirement of Arsenal's Mesut Ozil to remind them of how polarised opinions have changed our political landscape across the western world.
MADRID, SPAIN - JANUARY 04: Samir Nasri of Sevilla takes to the field during the Copa del Rey Round of 16 First Leg match between Real Madrid and Sevilla at Bernabeu on January 4, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

Nasri slapped with 6-month ban after infamous Drip Doctors visit

Samir Nasri has received a six-month ban after visiting Drip Doctors in Los Angeles back on Boxing Day 2016.

‘Ban him!’ Arsenal fans react hilariously to Alexis’ ‘drug storm’

Alexis Sanchez allegedly missed a drugs test at Arsenal on Monday, which means that either the club or player may be punished.
MADRID, SPAIN - JANUARY 04: Samir Nasri of Sevilla takes to the field during the Copa del Rey Round of 16 First Leg match between Real Madrid and Sevilla at Bernabeu on January 4, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

Nasri to terminate contract as 4-year ban looms

Samir Nasri is set to terminate his contract with Turkish club Antalyaspor.

Arsenal, Manchester United or the player? Who’s in trouble over Alexis’ missed drugs test

Alexis Sanchez allegedly missed a drugs test on Monday while completing his move to Manchester United, according to reports.
Alisher Usmanov

Republican senators request Usmanov inclusion on US Treasury blacklist

Republican senators in Washington DC are requesting the US State Department include Alisher Usmanov on a blacklist of oligarchs with alleged ties to Russian president Vladimir Putin.
MADRID, SPAIN - JANUARY 04: Samir Nasri of Sevilla takes to the field during the Copa del Rey Round of 16 First Leg match between Real Madrid and Sevilla at Bernabeu on January 4, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

UEFA doping investigation into Samir Nasri re-opens

The Court of Arbitration for Sport has rejected Samir Nasri's appeal against a doping investigation, allowing UEFA to continue looking into the former Arsenal midfielder who faces a four-year ban.
Gianni Infantino

UEFA and FIFA officials accused of enabling corruption

UEFA and and FIFA officials have been accused of enabling a 'corrupt system' following their reluctance to condemn top players for tax evasion.
Alisher Usmanov

Arsenal shareholder Usmanov wins defamation case after being accused of curruption

Alisher Usmanov has won his defamation case against Alexei Navalny, who has since been ordered to retract comments made about the Russian billionaire.
Alisher Usmanov

Defamation case between Alexei Navalny and Alisher Usmanov opened in court

Hearings have opened between Arsenal’s multi-billionaire Alisher Usmanov and Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, a man who is alleged to have exposed the former for the transfer of lucrative assets to a charity foundation.
Donald Trump Arsenal Arsene Wenger

UEFA warn US Trump immigration policy ‘will not help’ World Cup bid

UEFA’s president, Aleksander Ceferin, has warned the United States that their bid to host the 2026 World Cup would be affected by Donald Trump’s travel restrictions.
The FA

Manchester City doping charge shows depth of inequality in football

The FA have charged Manchester City with a doping offence, and while it’s not as exciting as you might think, it does present quite a few questions.
Arsenal 1914

From the vault – Tottenham ‘sick as a parrot’ as Arsenal take their league...

You've no doubt heard the phrase, 'sick as a parrot,' but did you know that it is believed to originate from the time Arsenal took Tottenham's place in the old First Division?

20 minute read for Arsene Wenger’s 20 years

There is a generation of Arsenal fans who have known no other, so what, exactly, has Arsene Wenger done in his 20 years at the club?

Long read – Arsene through the ages

There is a generation of Arsenal fans who have known no other, so what, exactly, has Arsene Wenger done in his 20 years at the club?

Wenger ‘100% convinced’ doping isn’t a problem for Premier League clubs

Always happy to discuss the wider issues in sport, and society in general, Arsène Wenger has been quoted on doping a number of times...

Arsenal legends confirm stuff

Arsenal legends Gilberto Silva and Dennis Bergkamp have both been speaking to the media to confirm various stuff. The Brazilian has confirmed that he is...

Wenger blasts Uefa over doping rules

In October, it emerged that Dinamo Zagreb player, Arijan Ademi, tested positive for doping after the Croatian team beat us 2-1 away. Instantly Gooners took it upon...

Wenger’s doping comments spark intrigue within the FA

According to reports, The FA have invited Arsène Wenger to explain his views and comments on doping in football. In an interview with L'Equipe, Wenger opened up...

Ignorance is for Dopes

Any time a sport becomes embroiled in a doping scandal, as athletics now finds itself in after the publication of a report that implicated...

Gabriel aims to inspire the next generation

In a recent interview with Arsenal Player, Gabriel revealed a lot about his difficult childhood growing up in Sao Paulo and how he wants...

Dinamo Zagreb’s Arijan Ademi tests positive for doping after Arsenal match

Following Arsenal's 2-1 loss away to Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League, midfielder Arijan Ademi has tested positive for doping. An official statement via the Croatian...

Arsenal flop banned after failing drugs test

by Lee Hurley Andre Santos has been banned for 30 days after the former Arsenal defender failed a drugs test. Santos was found to have Hydrochlorothiazide...

FIFA presidential candidate is an Arsenal fan

We all know FIFA is rotten, but could it be about to get a bit sweeter? Standing unopposed in the last two presidential elections, Sepp...