Football has a unique way of connecting people from all corners of the world, and for one devoted Arsenal fan, it has been a journey of love, passion, and family. Hailing from Rwanda, Placide Magambo’s story is a testament to the unifying power of the beautiful game.

Growing up in Rwanda, where television access was limited, this Arsenal enthusiast relied on his father’s vivid descriptions of matches and sports news on the radio. The magic of football was brought to life through his father’s narrations, and he vividly remembers the day in 1996 when he learned that the Gunners had hired a coach named Arsène Wenger.

The combination of an intriguing name and his father’s admiration for the manager sparked a deep connection to the club.

Loyal American Gooners celebrate Kai Havertz late goal to make it 5-0 to Arsenal here at Audi Field in Washington DC pic.twitter.com/mxBoxar34d

— Layth (@laythy29) July 20, 2023

Mikel Arteta has revealed why Nicolas Pepe did not travel with the rest of the Arsenal squad for pre-season.

The Ivorian is expected to leave the club this summer after failing to make an impact while on loan at Nice last season.

He is no longer in the first team plan at the Emirates and recently saw a move to an unnamed Saudi Arabian club collapse.

Arsenal has a big squad and must trim it down before the transfer window closes, but Mikel Arteta is giving chances to every player to prove their worth.

Pepe was left at home by the Gunners as they travelled to the USA and Arteta has revealed that the winger is injured.

Arsenal has increased the price of their jersey ahead of the next season and it is not a decision that sits well with financial analyst Dr Dan Plumley, who has accused the Gunners of exploitation.

Mikel Arteta’s side is making some good progress in the last few months and it is easy to see that the gaffer has played a huge role in their success.

The success has also brought new business partners to the club and improved their revenue.

Because of this, the Gunners should maintain the cost of their shirts at a reasonable level, especially because of the cost of living crisis.

But they will now sell their shirt for £80, a 14% increase from the previous amount.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has seemed to confirm that Thomas Partey will remain at the Emirates for the upcoming season, despite the arrival of Declan Rice.

Since joining Arsenal, Partey has been a key figure in the squad and has played a crucial role in the team’s successes.

While Arsenal has strengthened their squad with the addition of Declan Rice and Jorginho in the last two transfer windows, Partey’s position in the team has been a topic of discussion.

Both Rice and Jorginho can play a similar role as Partey, and Rice is expected to be an automatic starter at the Emirates. This has led to speculation that Partey could find himself in a bench role, potentially prompting him to consider leaving the club.

In recent weeks, Juventus and clubs from Saudi Arabia have expressed interest in signing Partey, but Arteta’s confirmation suggests that the Ghanaian midfielder may stay at Arsenal for another season.

Arsenal is finally the club that isn’t shy to splash the cash on players and it delights their fans.

For several years, the Gunners refused to spend money on important established players, with Arsene Wenger forced to develop players instead.

However, under Mikel Arteta, that has changed and the Gunners have spent significantly in the last two transfer windows.

Stan Kroenke owns other sports clubs in the United States and was criticised for not giving Arsenal the funds his other teams get, which make it easier for them to achieve success.

That is no longer the case and Gunners CEO Vinai Venkatesham says he has proven he loves the club and wants to win the Premier League after their spending this summer.

Arsenal has fallen behind in the race to sign Mohamed Kudus from Ajax, with Chelsea now leading the pursuit for the midfielder.

Kudus has garnered interest from various Premier League clubs, including Arsenal, following his impressive performances at the last World Cup.

However, Arsenal currently faces financial constraints and needs to make player sales before they can make a move for Kudus in this transfer window. This has given Chelsea an opportunity to potentially secure his signature before the transfer window closes.

According to a report from Football London, Chelsea is eager to bolster their midfield options, and manager Mauricio Pochettino has specifically asked the club to pursue Kudus.

The talented midfielder is seen as a player who can thrive in the English football environment, making him an attractive target for Chelsea. If Arsenal cannot make significant progress in the race for Kudus, Chelsea could potentially secure the player’s services in the coming days.

Romeo Lavia remains a target for Arsenal, but securing the young Belgian midfielder’s signature won’t be an easy task. Several Premier League clubs are also interested in him, including Liverpool and Chelsea.

Lavia had an impressive season with Southampton, despite the club’s eventual relegation from the English top flight. His performances have caught the attention of bigger clubs, and Arsenal has been monitoring his progress closely.

However, the competition for Lavia’s signature is fierce, and it’s now apparent that he may soon move to a new club. While Arsenal is keen on signing him, they currently face financial constraints and must first make player sales before they can bring in new recruits.

Sky Sport’s Dharmesh Sheth reveals that Arsenal’s transfer activity may be dependent on offloading players before they can make any significant new signings.

He said on the Transfer Talk Podcast:

Oleksandr Zinchenko has been vocal and outspoken about the war in his native Ukraine, which escalated after Russia’s invasion last year. The conflict has turned into a full-scale war, leading the European governing body to take action by banning the Russian national team and clubs from competing in their tournaments.

Despite being unable to actively participate in the frontline due to living and working in England, Zinchenko has been actively involved in coordinating efforts to help refugees from Ukraine. Additionally, he has been using his platform to speak out against Vladimir Putin’s invasion of his country.

As a professional footballer, Zinchenko cannot carry arms or directly engage in combat, but he is doing what he can to contribute and assist those affected by the conflict. His efforts to raise awareness and support refugees demonstrate his commitment to making a difference and lending a helping hand in any way possible.

The ex-Manchester City man has now revealed his motivation and said as quoted by Sky Sports:

“My mission is to try to help as much as I can.

Inter Milan is currently in search of a new striker and has identified Arsenal’s Folarin Balogun as one of their key targets for the position. The American forward is considered an important option for Inter, who are also interested in adding Alvaro Morata to their squad in the current transfer window.

Following the failed pursuit of Romelu Lukaku, Inter has intensified their efforts to secure the signature of Balogun in recent weeks. The Italian club is willing to work out a deal with Arsenal to acquire the young striker.

According to a report from FC Inter News, Inter is prepared to send representatives to New York to negotiate the transfer of Balogun.

If Inter demonstrates enough seriousness and commitment to completing the deal, Arsenal may be willing to offer a discount to facilitate an agreement between the two clubs.

Inter Milan’s pursuit of Balogun, along with their interest in Morata, indicates their ambition to strengthen their attacking options for the upcoming season, especially after their recent success in reaching the UEFA Champions League final. As negotiations unfold, both clubs will likely work towards finding common ground to potentially complete the transfer.

Is Andy Brassell a football journalist or a top pharmaceutical manager? You can tell it’s a summer Ramble…

Marcus, Luke, Pete and Andy react to Mason Mount’s goodbye video and Jonjo Shelvey’s nighttime activities. Plus, Marcus has some difficulties with Italian desserts and Pete has his say on Crystal Palace’s decision to keep Big Hodgson. Come join us!

Catch Vish, Pete and Jim's Team of the Season on YouTube here!

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Pete’s Film Club made its long awaited return on the Football Ramble Patreon during the World Cup! The Club is the only place where you’ll hear us review the most bang average football films out there.

So today, we bring you episode one of our Patreon mini-series, where Pete and Luke review United Passions! It’s the film about FIFA made by FIFA. We’ll say no more because you simply HAVE TO hear it to believe it. 

For more bonus episodes like this and other exclusive benefits, head over to patreon.com/footballramble!

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Today, we welcome you to another of our Patreon mini-series: The Five Hive! Every Sunday, we debated our favourite fives - from football's best villains, to stadiums we want to visit.

Today, Marcus is joined by Pete and Andy to discuss the top five football games they've ever attended. Admittedly, we did end up focusing on a more pressing concern: has Andy ever been involved in football hooliganism? Pete's also got an interesting story about a trip to Japan... obviously!

For more bonus episodes like this and other exclusive benefits, head over to patreon.com/footballramble!

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Marcus and Andy discuss a distinctly un-Arsenal last 24 hours at Arsenal, as the world and Dean Saunders await Declan Rice’s imminent announcement!

We discuss whether he’s a game-changer for the Gunners, the departure of two Premier League stalwarts on Friday, and whether Kylian Mbappé is really coming to the Emirates. Spoiler: he isn’t.

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What’s that, England silverware I see?! Marcus, Jim and Luke discuss yet more signs of England’s imminent domination of international football after the U21s win the Euros. But who will be the new Mark Hateley? And will Ashley Cole finally put that rifle down…

Plus, David de Gea leaves Manchester United, another classic Neil Warnock tale, and Kevin Keegan RETURNS for his hottest hosting gig yet! Join us!

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Dotun and Andy are joined by Miguel Delaney to discuss why Inter could be Serie A’s early favourites – even as they look set to lose their No.1, André Onana!

Plus, we explore why the Saudi Pro League’s huge spending is not actually causing problems for Premier League clubs, but giving them a helping hand.

We'll be back with another OTC Transfer Special next week. Got a question for us? Ask away! Find us on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, and email us here: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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Chloe and Rachel bring you a very special episode of Upfront ahead of the World Cup next Thursday! Our guest today - Carly Telford - has been to not one, not two, but THREE World Cups! So who better to tell us about how to prepare for a major tournament?

Chloe and Rachel sit down with Carly for a fascinating pod, where Carly reveals her formative conversation with the Lionesses No.1 Mary Earps, how England really prepare their goalkeepers for penalty shootouts, and why Sarina Wiegman is less of a harsh taskmaster than you might think!

Got a question for us? Tweet us @FootballRamble, @GirlsontheBall and @Morgie_89. And find us on YouTube!

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The World Cup is still brilliant, but it’s got its problems. And yet the issues we face today aren’t as confusing and downright obscene as those faced by the thirteen teams who competed in the first ever World Cup.

There was - we stress - some truly outrageous moments. Teams and fans missed their steamboats there, brawls erupted on the pitches and in the stands, kings picked some of the teams and a defeat in the final incited a literal military coup.

Marcus, Luke, Andy and Pete are your insightful tour guides!

Let us know what you thought of today’s Guide. Find us on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, and email us here: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

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Marcus and Luke return with fresh, breakfast-based developments around Harry Kane to Bayern Munich! Petty squabbling between Speller and Moore incoming, so be ready to pick your side...

We also don’t hold back on our thoughts over Jordan Henderson’s rumoured agreement to join Al-Ettifaq and we reflect on Dele’s hugely affecting interview with Gary Neville.

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With Declan Rice’s move to Arsenal FINALLY confirmed, Luke goes back into the archives to bring you his Ramble Meets interview episode with the man himself back in 2019.

Rice gives a great insight into his personality, as he talks about being a professional footballer, how he interprets his own position, and some of the many sacrifices he made when he was growing up to not only succeed, but now become the most expensive English player of all time. So join Luke and Declan and enjoy!

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Ismail Oulad M’Hand, the talented midfielder, has signed his first professional contract with Arsenal, following in the footsteps of his older brother, Salah-Eddine.

The 18-year-old Moroccan youth international joined the club in January 2021 from Feyenoord, and his impressive performances earned him a call-up and debut for Morocco’s U-20 side in May 2023.

Congratulations to Arsenal prospect Ismail Oulad M’Hand (midfielder), who has signed his first professional contract with the club.

Ismail is the younger brother of Salah-Eddine, who is also at the club. #afc pic.twitter.com/q8AzbLVAvf

— afcstuff (@afcstuff) July 7, 2023