AFCON 2025 in Morocco shapes up as a wide‑open tournament where holders Ivory Coast arrive with a target on their backs and a cluster of heavyweights – Morocco, Senegal, Nigeria, Egypt, Algeria and Cameroon – all capable of dethroning them. The quality of squads, the depth of tactical ideas and the tournament’s expanded 24‑team format mean the question is no longer “Can anyone stop Ivory Coast?” but “Who will be brave enough to seize the moment when it comes?” Setting the stage in Morocco AFCON 2025 runs from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026, with 24 teams competing across six Moroccan cities and nine stadiums. The tournament keeps the now‑familiar structure of six groups of four, with the top two and the four best third‑placed teams reaching the round of 16, which often produces chaotic, upset‑filled knockout brackets. The hosts Morocco headline Group A with Mali, Zambia and Comoros, while Ivory Coast are drawn into a star‑studded Group F with Cameroon, Gabon and Mozambique, ensu...
Arsenal's 1-0 triumph over Tottenham Hotspur in the North London Derby was marred by rising injury fears, with Bukayo Saka perhaps joining an already long list of injured players.
Saka was taken off the pitch in the 86th minute due to what appeared to be a thigh ailment, and was replaced by teenager Ethan Nwaneri.Arsenal's Bukayo Saka receives medical attention during a Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and Arsenal FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on September 15, 2024 in London, England.
After the game, Mikel Arteta said of Saka's injury, "I don't know. I made two substitutions to the front players, and now he's down. I'm not sure what it is, but he couldn't continue."
Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice were ruled out of the encounter, with Odegaard nursing an ankle injury incurred while on international duty.
"Martin, we still need to wait and see. "He wasn't available today," Arteta stated of the Arsenal captain's status.
Arsenal's injury problems
A Saka injury would be a big setback to Arsenal, which already has a thin team.Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice were ruled out of the encounter, with Odegaard nursing an ankle injury incurred while on international duty.
"Martin, we still need to wait and see. "He wasn't available today," Arteta stated of the Arsenal captain's status.
Oleksandr Zinchenko was another prominent absentee, missing due to a reoccurring calf ailment, while new recruit Riccardo Calafiori is also out with a calf/ankle injury sustained during Italian international duty.
The uncertainty surrounding his availability adds to the mounting list of challenges Arsenal is dealing with as the season begins.
Current Arsenal injury list:
Saka's likely injury raises concerns.
Saka's withdrawal from the match comes after a busy international period for the England star, prompting questions over his health ahead of the Champions League, which begins this week, and the trip to Manchester City next weekend.The uncertainty surrounding his availability adds to the mounting list of challenges Arsenal is dealing with as the season begins.
Arsenal, who were without Rice due to suspension, shown defensive resilience in the 1-0 win, but injuries remain a huge problem as they look to sustain their Premier League momentum.
Arteta remains hopeful that key players will recover soon, but managing an injured group will be challenging.
Arteta remains hopeful that key players will recover soon, but managing an injured group will be challenging.
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