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  David Raya has been named the Best Goalkeeper at the 2025 London Football Awards. Celebrating the very best of London football, the awards ceremony was held at Wembley Stadium on Thursday night. Since last year’s awards, our shot-stopper made the headlines with two penalty saves in a Champions League round of 16 win over Porto, kept six consecutive clean sheets in the Premier League, and won the division’s Golden Glove at the end of the 2023/24 season. That saw him included in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year, and his fine form has continued this season with a number of stunning saves, including August’s Premier League Save of the Month for a one-handed stop against Ollie Watkins. Read more David Raya: The making of a modern goalkeeper For the London Football Award, David was up against Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Hannah Hampton (Chelsea Women), Josh Keeley (Leyton Orient) and Mark Flekken (Brentford). We had a number of nominees up for other awards as well, starting ...

 Arsenal has received a significant boost with the anticipated returns of key forwards Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli. Both players are expected to be available for selection in approximately one month, potentially rejoining the squad in late March. This development comes at a crucial time as the Gunners aim to strengthen their attacking lineup amid a challenging Premier League title race. HBAgency HBAgency HBAgency HBAgency HBAgency HBAgency HBAgency HBAgency Saka has been sidelined since December 2024 due to a hamstring injury that required surgery. His absence has been keenly felt, given his pivotal role in Arsenal’s offensive strategy. Similarly, Martinelli has been recovering from an injury sustained earlier in the season, and his return is poised to add depth and versatility to the team’s forward options. In the interim, manager Mikel Arteta has been exploring alternative strategies to address the team’s injury challenges. Notably, center-back William Saliba has offered t...

 Real Madrid is experiencing a moment of deep sadness following the passing of Javier Dorado, a former academy player who has died at the age of 48 after a long illness. His death has deeply affected the Madridista family and the entire football world. Spanish media confirmed the heartbreaking news this Thursday, highlighting the journey of a player who grew up wearing the white colors of the Casa Blanca. Trained at Real Madrid’s prestigious youth academy, Dorado made his first-team debut in 1999 during a Copa del Rey match against Valencia. Although he was not a club icon, Dorado had his moment of glory in 2000 when he was part of the Real Madrid squad that won the UEFA Champions League. That triumph remains one of the greatest achievements of his career, forever etching his name in the club’s history. After his time with the first team, he was loaned to several Spanish clubs to gain playing time and continue his development. He notably played for Salamanca and Sporting Gijón, whe...

 the profile perfectly. Wright, speaking on his podcast Wrighty’s House, expressed his frustration with Arsenal’s approach to contract renewals. He emphasized the importance of swift action, warning that delays could cost the club dearly. “When you’re talking about renewals with certain players, like Saka and Gabriel, you can already tell these negotiations are going to be slow,” Wright said. “If Arsenal is not careful, we may see a scenario similar to Liverpool, where multiple key players are running down their contracts.” Arsenal fans are growing increasingly concerned about the club’s handling of contract situations, with many calling for decisive action from the board. The last thing the Gunners need is to lose a player of Saliba’s caliber, especially when they are striving to establish themselves as consistent title challengers. Mikel Arteta, who has been instrumental in Arsenal’s revival, now faces one of his biggest managerial tests. The Spanish coach has built a promising s...

test him with long-range shots and aerial duels, making it a challenging outing for the young goalkeeper. The absence of Valverde could also impact Madrid’s defensive solidity in midfield. The Uruguayan’s energy, pressing ability, and work rate are often key in maintaining the team’s balance. Without him, Modric and Ceballos might be tasked with more defensive responsibilities, something that could alter the team’s natural attacking rhythm. While Madrid fans would have preferred to see a full-strength squad, the depth of Ancelotti’s team remains a significant advantage. The Italian tactician has always been adept at rotating his squad while maintaining a competitive edge, and this match will be another opportunity for him to demonstrate his tactical acumen. With a place in the Copa del Rey final on the line, Madrid will need to navigate this tricky away fixture with caution and efficiency. A solid defensive performance combined with sharp attacking transitions could give them the upper...

 Real Madrid is set to face Real Sociedad in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-finals this Wednesday at the Reale Arena, with kickoff scheduled for 21:30 CET. Despite the importance of the fixture, manager Carlo Ancelotti is expected to make several rotations, prioritizing La Liga and the UEFA Champions League over the domestic cup competition. One of the biggest concerns heading into the match is the fitness of Fede Valverde. The Uruguayan midfielder, who has been a vital player for Ancelotti this season, was left out of the squad for Madrid’s recent La Liga victory over Girona (2-0) to allow him some much-needed rest. This was the first time since May 11, 2024, that Valverde was completely left out of a matchday squad, highlighting his incredible durability and the workload he has endured. Reports from Spain indicate that Valverde may once again be sidelined for the semi-final clash against Real Sociedad or, at best, start from the bench. His versatility has made him indispe...