Jack Wilshere Set to Join Norwich City as First-Team Coach

Jack Wilshere, the former England international and current manager of Arsenal's under-18 team, is reportedly on the verge of joining Norwich City as a first-team coach, according to sources cited by ESPN. Discussions between the Championship club and Arsenal are at an advanced stage, which would see Wilshere leave his position in the youth setup to replace Narcis Pelach, who departed Norwich to take a role at Stoke City last month.

Sources indicate that Wilshere is expected to lead Arsenal's U18 squad in their upcoming match against Aston Villa on Saturday before finalizing his transition to Norwich. Since retiring from professional football in July 2022, Wilshere has played 197 games for Arsenal and has also represented clubs such as West Ham, Bolton, Bournemouth, and AGF Aarhus in Denmark. He has 34 caps for the England national team.

After his retirement, Wilshere joined Arsenal's academy, where he developed a strong relationship with Ben Knapper, who was previously Arsenal's loans manager and has since moved to Norwich. At a press conference on Friday, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praised Wilshere, stating, “He has been great. Everyone knows about his career and character; he’s a really special personality. His bond with the club is unique. He inspires the kids due to his history and achievements.”

As for the current squad, Arteta expressed optimism regarding Bukayo Saka’s fitness for the upcoming match against Bournemouth, revealing that Saka’s hamstring issue is not serious despite limping off during England's Nations League match against Greece. “He’s improving well,” Arteta said. “He participated in training yesterday, and we’ll see if he can make it in time for the match after today’s session.”

Kai Havertz (knee) and Gabriel Martinelli (calf) are set to be assessed following Friday's training, while Thomas Partey is available again after missing international duty due to illness. Unfortunately, Martin Ødegaard's ankle issue will keep him sidelined against Bournemouth, though Arteta is hopeful for his return next week as he progresses through rehabilitation.

Kylian Mbappé Unfazed by Media Speculation, Says Ancelotti

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti stated that star forward Kylian Mbappé remains unfazed by recent media speculation regarding a rape allegation in Sweden. The reports have been strongly denied by Mbappé’s representatives, labeling them as “totally false.” Ancelotti confirmed in a press conference that Mbappé, who missed France's international games during the break to focus on recovery from a thigh injury, has made substantial progress in training and is looking forward to the match against Celta Vigo this weekend.

"[Mbappé] has used this break to enhance his fitness," Ancelotti noted. "He has improved significantly and is now a different player than he was before the break." He dismissed speculation, emphasizing that he was there to discuss Mbappé's training progress rather than rumors.

Ancelotti confirmed that fellow forward Vinícius Júnior has also recovered from his injury and is expected to play against Celta. “The break has been beneficial for [Vinícius]. He’s worked hard and had some rest, but the real test will be his performance on the pitch,” Ancelotti added.

Despite facing injury concerns with Dani Carvajal's serious knee issue, Ancelotti clarified that he hasn’t requested any reinforcements for the upcoming January transfer window. He stated that the team had effectively managed injuries last season and would continue to do so this year.

Wayne Rooney Surprised by Thomas Tuchel's England Appointment

Wayne Rooney expressed surprise at the Football Association’s decision to appoint Thomas Tuchel as the new England manager following Gareth Southgate's resignation after the Euro 2024 final loss to Spain. Tuchel is set to take over on January 1, following interim manager Lee Carsley.

Rooney acknowledged Tuchel's credentials as a coach but remarked, “I’m surprised the FA has chosen him over an English candidate.” He praised the FA’s initiatives to develop young English coaches, emphasizing the solid platform they have built over the years.

England defender Kyle Walker, however, has voiced his approval of Tuchel's appointment, noting that while he understands the preference for an English manager, Tuchel has a proven track record of achieving results at high-profile clubs like PSG and Chelsea. “For me, it’s about results. He has demonstrated he can manage top players and get the best out of them,” Walker stated.

Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold Future Under Scrutiny

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has been fielding questions regarding Trent Alexander-Arnold's future at the club amid speculation linking him to Real Madrid. With Alexander-Arnold's contract set to expire next summer, the Spanish giants are reportedly interested in him, especially after Dani Carvajal's season-ending injury.

In a press conference before Liverpool's Premier League clash against Chelsea, Slot reiterated, "The players have been focused on their national teams. Trent scored a fantastic free kick, which shows his quality.” He also acknowledged the media interest in their players, which reflects their performance levels.

Slot praised Conor Bradley, who could potentially fill in for Alexander-Arnold should he leave, noting, “He has a bright future ahead of him. He’s been exceptional when called upon.”

Manchester United's Noussair Mazraoui Returns to Training

Manchester United defender Noussair Mazraoui has returned to training following a heart procedure that he underwent after experiencing palpitations during a match against Aston Villa. The 26-year-old, who previously faced a heart issue at Bayern Munich, was back with Erik ten Hag’s squad at Carrington on Thursday.

As for his availability for the upcoming game against Brentford, a decision has yet to be made. Ten Hag also welcomed the returns of Alejandro Garnacho and Amad, both of whom had withdrawn from international duty due to fitness concerns. However, Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo will miss the match; Maguire is recovering from an injury sustained in the last match, while Mainoo has been dealing with an ongoing muscle problem.

Mason Mount and Luke Shaw did not participate in training as they continue their recovery processes, and summer signing Manuel Ugarte trained separately after sustaining an injury while on international duty.