Soccer: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Opinion: Does Arsenal put Mikel Arteta under enough pressure to deliver?

Despite winning the league title last season, Arne Slot is already facing pressure at Liverpool following a recent run of poor form. The situation has prompted wider discussion about managerial standards at leading Premier League clubs and how success or failure is judged over time.

Features

The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

All of a sudden questions surround the future of Pep Guardiola

Pep Guardiola signed a two-year contract extension with Manchester City in November 2024. The contract Guardiola signed is set to expire at the end of the 2026/27 season.

Soccer News / Football Italia / December 18

UECL | Lausanne-Sport 1-0 Fiorentina: Another dismal night for Viola

Fiorentina fell to yet another disappointing defeat, this time 1-0 away to Lausanne-Sport, and will enter the Conference League play-offs. They finish the table in 16th place, so are still seeded, and will play either Rijeka or Jagiellonia in February.

Juventus FC News / Juvefc.com / December 18

Genoa sets price to sell Juventus target in January

Juventus continue to monitor Genoa midfielder Morten Frendrup as they consider possible reinforcements ahead of the January transfer window. The Danish midfielder has been on the Bianconeri’s radar for some time and could become available in the coming weeks as Genoa weigh up potential offers.

Soccer News / Football Italia / December 18

Conte: ‘Napoli have many difficulties, but when we work as a unit, we’re competitive’

Antonio Conte reiterates the difficulties that Napoli are pushing through to reach the Supercoppa Italiana Final after beating AC Milan. ‘When we work

Napoli News / Football Italia / December 18

Napoli 2-0 Milan – Rabiot: ‘We concede too much; referees are not doing well’

Adrien Rabiot admitted Milan must improve defensively after their 2-0 defeat to Napoli in the Supercoppa Italiana semi-final, insisting the Rossoneri cannot hide behind absences as they look to reset for the league campaign.

FC Barcelona News / Football Espana / December 18

Barcelona unlikely to sign Bundesliga star next summer

Barcelona have plans to do a lot of business next summer, with a number of positions in Hansi Flick’s squad to be addressed. Central defence, left wing and striker are guaranteed, while there could also be a new signing made at right-back.

Soccer News / The Laziali / December 18

Lazio vs Cremonese | Where to Watch, Insights, Lineups & Prediction

Lazio will be looking to confirm their positive form when they host Cremonese in their final home fixture of 2025. The Serie A clash between Lazio and Cremonese kicks off at 18:00 local time on Saturday, December 20, at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

Girona FC News / Last Word On Sports / December 18

Inside the Collapse: Some Background Behind Alcaraz and Ferrero’s Sudden Separation

It looked perfect — the ideal partnership between a player coming off what will surely be remembered as one of the single best seasons of his career, and a coach who was much more than that.

Arsenal FC News / Just Arsenal / December 18

Is Gabriel Jesus a better starter for Arsenal than Gyokeres?

Gabriel Jesus has returned as an option for Mikel Arteta, a development that is set to increase pressure on Viktor Gyokeres to deliver consistently for Arsenal.

Soccer News / To The Lane And Back / December 18

Tottenham’s Champions League woes hand Arsenal a boost ahead of the next North London derby

Arsenal’s Champions League dominance positions them perfectly for February’s North London Derby, while Tottenham and Chelsea face fixture congestion that could leave both sides exhausted before crucial league clashes.

Soccer News / Caught Offside / December 18

Two stars 'might leave soon' as Man United prepare to sign 24-year-old with 'more tenacity'

Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo have been linked with a move away from the club in recent months. According to the journalist Dean Jones, both players could leave the club soon, and Manchester United have already identified the potential alternative.

Soccer News / Field Level Media / December 18

Austin FC acquire F Jayden Nelson from Whitecaps

Austin FC acquired winger Jayden Nelson from the Vancouver Whitecaps on Thursday in exchange for $1.25 million in general allocation money and a 2026 first-round draft pick.

Soccer News / Yardbarker / December 18

MLS divisional shift could spell trouble for two faltering franchises

Major League Soccer is entering a new era.

D.C. United acquire All-Star striker Tai Baribo from Union

The 'FIFA Club World Cup champions' quiz

Athletic Bilbao News / Caught Offside / December 18

Report: Liverpool ready to blow £83m on 18-G/A star as Salah successor

Liverpool are already preparing for life without Mohamed Salah, and they are interested in signing Nico Williams. The Athletic Club Bilbao attacker has proven himself for club and country, and the 23-year-old could be the ideal acquisition for Liverpool.

Soccer News / Just Arsenal / December 18

Souness explains one key reason why Arsenal may bottle the league again

Graeme Souness believes Manchester City’s experience could prove decisive in their bid to overtake Arsenal and claim the Premier League title this season.

Click here to get Yardbarker's Quiz of the Day emailed to you!

The 'NFL's active TD-catch leaders' quiz

The 'Youngest 40-point NBA games' quiz

The 'Active NFL 5-passing-TD games' quiz

The 'Last 10-TD season by NFL team' quiz

Soccer News / To The Lane And Back / December 18

Tottenham yellow card update, one player close to mirroring Cristian Romero suspension

One Tottenham defender is in immediate danger of triggering a one-game ban heading into the Liverpool fixture on Saturday. Tottenham Hotspur will cross swords with Liverpool in their upcoming Premier League encounter on Saturday evening.

Soccer News / the Boy Hotspur / December 18

'It could prove terminal' top journalist explosively cites 3 issues set to sink Spurs’ gaffer

As of mid-December 2025, Thomas Frank’s time at Tottenham has been mixed and challenging. In the Premier League, Spurs sit 11th in the table, with a record under him of approximately 6 wins, 4 draws, and 6 losses from 16 matches: that’s just 22 points.

Soccer News / Just Arsenal / December 18

Two German clubs will challenge Arsenal for Real Madrid youngster

Arsenal have been monitoring Victor Valdepenas from the Real Madrid youth system for some time, prior to his senior debut for the club last weekend. The defender has been widely regarded as one of Spain’s most promising young talents and has received significant praise for his recent performances.

Whitecaps re-sign GK Yohei Takaoka through 2027

The Vancouver Whitecaps re-signed goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka through June 2027 on Thursday. Takaoka, 29, was an MLS All-Star and Goalkeeper of the Year finalist in 2025 with a league-high 13 clean sheets.

Xabi Alonso News / Caught Offside / December 18

Arsenal plot swoop for 19-year-old after Xabi Alonso hands him Real Madrid debut

Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing the Real Madrid defender, Victor Valdepenas. According to a report from BILD, Arsenal have been keeping tabs on the player, and they could look to make a move for him in the future.

Manchester United News / Stretty News / December 18

‘Absolutely’: Journo delights United fans by verifying INEOS are ‘firmly in the race’ for ‘world-class’ attacker

Manchester United are well in the mix to sign Antoine Semenyo when the January window opens. It must be said that they certainly aren’t alone in the race, though, as the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City have also set their sights on adding the Bournemouth talisman to their ranks next month.

Chelsea FC News / Chelsea News / December 18

'Big problem' – Britain’s top pundit says Maresca won’t be Chelsea manager next season

Jamie Carragher has had a busy couple of weeks. Fresh from having to be the spokesman for Liverpool fans over Mo Salah’s explosive comments to the media at the start of the month, the pundit then had to deal with the chaos created by Enzo Maresca’s similar outburst.

Soccer News / Just Arsenal / December 18

Arsenal to face Chelsea if they beat Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup quarterfinals

Arsenal take on Crystal Palace in the quarter-final of the Carabao Cup next week, in what is expected to be a demanding and closely contested fixture. The Gunners are fully aware of the challenges posed by knockout football, particularly against opponents who have consistently proven difficult to overcome.

Soccer News / Chelsea News / December 18

Chelsea defender takes cheeky jab at life in England in interview

Chelsea are doing a nice Christmas series where they look at a few of their players and their festive stories, and today they took a chance to look at Benoit Badiashile.

Nottingham Forest News / Esteemed Kompany / December 18

Manchester City are seemingly in pole position to sign position to sign a dynamic midfielder

It would seem that during next summer’s transfer window, Manchester City will need to strengthen their midfield. There are doubts that surround the future of Bernardo Silva.