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Arsenal close to finalizing mouth watering new contract for Jurrien Timber
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Arsenal are edging closer to sealing a lucrative new contract for defender Jurrien Timber after the Netherlands international has delivered consistent and eye-catching performances in the 2025–26 season.
Talks between the Gunners and Timber’s representatives have advanced significantly, with an agreement reportedly near completion as the club prepares to reward the 24-year-old’s contribution to their Premier League title push.
Timber, who joined Arsenal from Ajax in 2023, has emerged as a key figure under manager Mikel Arteta, contributing both defensively and offensively this season. The right-back has featured regularly in the league, scoring goals and providing assists while helping Arsenal maintain a strong position at the top of the table.
Sources close to discussions say Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta and the club hierarchy are keen to secure Timber’s long-term future, with the new deal set to include a substantial pay rise that reflects both Timber’s elevated status in the squad and his importance to the team’s tactical balance.
Arsenal’s contract strategy this season has focused on retaining core talent, with several key players including William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri already committing to improved terms. Timber’s extension would further cement the club’s efforts to build a settled, competitive squad capable of challenging on multiple fronts.
The defender’s versatility has been a major asset for Arteta’s side, able to operate effectively at right-back as well as in central defence when required. Timber’s rise from injury setbacks early in his Arsenal career to becoming one of the Premier League’s standout defenders has underscored his resilience and quality.
While exact figures for the new contract remain undisclosed, reports have suggested that Timber’s wages could rise significantly from his current terms, aligning him with other top earners at the club and rewarding his key role in Arsenal’s campaign.
With talks approaching conclusion, an official announcement could come in the coming weeks, a move that would be welcomed by fans and signal Arsenal’s intent to retain their most influential players as they push for domestic glory.
Source: Elvisanokyenews.com
Spain are the latest team to confirm their place in the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup.
The European champions thrashed Austria 3-0 in their Round of 32 clash on Thursday evening.
It was a display of complete dominance by Luis de la Fuente’s men, as they lived up to their pre-tournament billing as favourites.
Mikel Oyarzabal opened the scoring for Spain in the first half, before Pedro Porro doubled their advantage in the 66th minute.
Oyarzabal continued his fine scoring form with a second late on.
They will now face the winner of Portugal.
Other teams confirmed in the last 16 are: USA, England, Belgium, France, Brazil, Norway, Morocco, Paraguay, Canada and Mexico.
Spain coasted past Austria and into the World Cup last-16 on Thursday, thoroughly outclassing their opponents in a 3-0 knockout win with a brace from Mikel Oyarzabal and a Pedro Porro header.
The European champions controlled possession and sliced through the Austrian defense in a typically dominant performance in Los Angeles, as Hollywood stars Penelope Cruz, Javier Bardem and singer Rosalia cheered on.
The win — which could have been by a greater margin, with a disallowed goal and a free kick off the woodwork — sets up a tantalizing round-of-16 clash with either Portugal or Croatia.
The SoFi Stadium was a sea of red and excitement was sky-high over the first visit by a bona fide World Cup favorite to America’s second city.
Spain ratcheted up the pressure gradually through the first half, creating a string of chances after the first hydration break.
Marc Cucurella thought he had scored from a Lamine Yamal corner, but Pau Cubarsi was judged to have encroached on Austria’s goalkeeper.
Alexander Schlager then made a superb diving save, pushing Oyarzabal’s low shot around the post.
Austria’s defense finally buckled in the 36th minute. Pedri pinged a ball wide left to Cucurella, whose cross to Oyarzabal was calmly side-footed past the ‘keeper.
Spain’s dominance grew further, with Yamal tormenting the Austrians, mainly from the right flank.
An Alex Baena free kick hit the crossbar, and Yamal’s close-range follow-up shot was well saved.
Austria spurned a rare chance at the other end. Romano Schmid played in a late-arriving and unmarked Stefan Posch, but a terrible first touch meant he lost the ball before even attempting a shot.
‘Ole’
After the break Spain continued knocking on the door without quite putting the game to rest.
Austria sent on two giant strikers — Sasa Kalajdzic and Marko Arnautovic — and immediately went long, with Kalajdzic putting a header over the bar.
But in the 66th minute, Spain struck again. Baena lifted a cross onto the head of Pedro Porro, who nodded in his first goal for Spain.
Some dogged defending kept the scoreline respectable, including a goalline clearance by David Alaba from Yamal, who was substituted off to rest moments later.
Spain sprayed passes around the pitch as the final minutes ticked down, eliciting “Oles” from the crowd, as attention turned to a sterner test on Monday in Dallas.
In the 89th minute, a pinpoint Cucurella cross found a completely unmarked Oyarzabal in the penalty area, who slotted the ball home.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
Ex-Arsenal striker, Ian Wright, has named the only team that can stop France from winning the 2026 World Cup.
Les Bleus qualified for the last 16, thanks to a 3-0 hammering of Sweden, with captain Kylian Mbappe scoring twice.
Mbappe is leading the race for the Golden Boot with six goals and two assists.
France will take on Paraguay in the next round, as they seek to play in their third consecutive World Cup final.
Didier Deschamps lost the 2022 tournament to Argentina on penalties and Wright has claimed only Lionel Messi and co can stop them again.
“It’s going to take something [to beat France],” Wright said.
“It’s going to take an Argentina because of the warrior nature of Argentina.”
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