The world of women's football has rarely experienced a seismic shift quite like this: Lizbeth Ovalle , Mexico’s dazzling winger known as La Maga (“The Magician”), is set to gotten to be the foremost costly player within the history of the women's amusement. Her transfer from Tigres UANL Femenil to the Orlando Pride for a world-record $1.5 million stands as a defining moment—one that reverberates through not only North America, but the global sport. This move is much more than a numbers game; it is a statement of intent, ambition, and belief in the women’s game at the highest levels. Let’s explore why Ovalle’s arrival in Florida marks a new era for the NWSL , what it means for Mexican football, and how this move changes the stakes for women’s football worldwide. The Record-Shattering Move: Facts and Figures The deal, announced on August 21, 2025, shattered previous women’s transfer records by a considerable margin: Transfer Fee: $1.5 million. Contract: Through 2027, with a ...
Arsenal will be missing a number of key players for Sunday's Premier League title battle with Liverpool.
Arteta has already solved tactical conundrums, but how can he overcome a multitude of defensive absences and still win at the Emirates Stadium?
What is the crisis?
William Saliba was sent off last week as Arsenal suffered their first defeat of the season at Bournemouth. Arsenal decided not to appeal the red card, thus he will serve a one-game suspension against Arne Slot's Reds.
He was still available to play in the Champions League, which is where Riccardo Calafiori sustained his knee injury. While the north Londoners defeated Shakhtar Donetsk 1-0, Arteta provided a dismal report on the Italian international's injury.
Jurrien Timber hasn't played since a 2-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain at the beginning of October, and Arteta is concerned about his fitness.
The Spaniard does have Gabriel Magalhaes and Ben White available, but the door has been opened for Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jakub Kiwior to appear.
The Spaniard does have Gabriel Magalhaes and Ben White available, but the door has been opened for Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jakub Kiwior to appear.
Solutions to Arsenal's defensive issue versus Liverpool.
Please pray that Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori are fit.
If both succeed on matchday, their manager will have additional options. Either of them might go into the middle to partner Gabriel, leaving Ben White to fill in whatever position is left open.
Timber and Calafiori were both part of the backline that nearly won a game against Manchester City, and their tenacity proved essential. If one or both are unavailable, Arteta will be forced to rely on a far weaker choice in reserve.
Potential lineup
White - Gabriel - Calafiori - timber
Play Jakub Kiwior as centre back.
Jakub Kiwior has only made brief appearances in the Gunners' lineup since joining in January of this year, but the unavailability of other players mean he has a very good possibility of playing a significant role at the Emirates.
His only club appearance in all competitions in 2024/25 came in a Carabao Cup hammering of Bolton Wanderers, but he represented Poland during the October international break and could be sharp enough to contribute on Sunday.
White, Gabriel, Kiwior, and Zinchenko
Park the bus with five defenders.
Arsenal produced their most cohesive collective defensive performance of the season after Leandro Trossard was sent off against Manchester City, with Timber, White, Saliba, Gabriel, and Calafiori nearly keeping the Premier League champions out for an entire half with one fewer player.
It would put the onus on Liverpool to dictate the game and attempt to break down what has shown to be an extremely robust defence in recent years. It might smell like anti-football, but image the scenes if it worked.
Partey, White, Gabriel, Kiwior, and Zinchenko
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