Q: Is there too much football? Once upon a time, June and July had zero games.
@Iam_tim via Instagram
A: Absolutely, and many footballers would agree. Football never stops, especially now that international tournaments have become an annual fixture. And that’s the problem.
Thefixture lists are having a huge impact on player health. A study led by Linkoping University in Sweden, analysing data from the 2001/02 to 2021/22 seasons across 54 teams in 20 European countries, revealed a sharp rise in hamstring injuries. Both the number of cases and total days missed due to injury doubled over those 21 years, and account for 24% of all injuries. In the last eight of those seasons, injuries became significantly more common in both training and matches.
This physical toll has a clear knock-on effect on the quality of football. “The big problem is that you never have time to train during a season. You’re just recovering,” complained Barcelona and Netherlands midfielder Frenkie de Jong.
I grew up in love with the tactical side of football. Substitutions weren’t just about fitness; they were opportunities for coaches to change the game. I still remember a sensational Madrid derby in 2014, when Real Madrid were trailing 2–1. Carlo Ancelotti transformed the match by changing both full-backs and introducing Isco, leading to a crucial equaliser. It was a masterclass in tactical management.
But today, such interventions are increasingly rare. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta admitted: “Ninety per cent of the subs that I make are related to saving minutes or because of injuries or avoiding injuries. It’s not tactical reasons.”
Even fans are tired. There's less time to reflect, to savour moments, to build anticipation. As games pile up, we are forgetting great moments quickly.
Q: Will Gyokeres be a success at Arsenal?
@Stevewinter606 via Instagram
A: Arsenal agreed a fee with Sporting of around £55 million for the Sweden striker last week, with the Portuguese club haggling over the amount of future add-ons reported as the reason for the hold-up.
Viktor Gyokeres is desperate for the move to go through. The National has learnt through a close contact that even his agent is willing to give up their commission to help get the deal over the line.
How he does depends on how well Arsenal can adapt to his strengths, but there’s a lot to be optimistic about. Gyokeres has been a machine for Sporting; scoring 97 goals in just over 8,400 minutes of play, a ridiculous return. His game is built on relentless energy, power, and movement. He doesn’t drop deep much; instead, he thrives on charging into space, especially down the left channel.
What makes him different from Arsenal’s current options is his explosiveness and ability to turn transitions into chances, something Arteta’s side has lacked.
There are, of course, concerns. Most of his goals have come in the Portuguese league, and the step up to the Premier League is significant. Teams will often sit deep against Arsenal, and he may find it harder to exploit space in behind defences. He’s also not particularly dominant in the air, despite his frame.
Still, if Arsenal use him to stretch defences and exploit moments of chaos, rather than asking him to be a link-up man, he could be a real asset. He’s a runaway train of a striker: explosive, unrefined, and refreshingly different. That alone might be what Arsenal need.
Q: Liverpool are splashing the cash. Will they thrive or dive this season?
@Purplehassan1 on Instagram
A: TWinning the Premier League title in Arne Slot’s first season has firmly laid the foundation for what looks like a long-term project with serious ambition. With a clear vision and a willingness to offload the deadwood, Liverpool have opened the door to a wave of exciting new talent.
This summer alone, Liverpool have brought in Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, and Milos Kerkez, while Giorgi Mamardashvili is set to join the squad after agreeing a move last August. Now, they’re closing in on a deal for Hugo Ekitike, who scored 15 goals last season with Eintracht Frankfurt.
Their spending has drawn criticism, with some pointing to Jurgen Klopp’s past comments about the dangers of overspending. But the criticism just doesn’t add up. Last year, they brought in no one and everyone complained. This year, they've spent and now it's apparently too much. So, what’s the happy medium?
With both Arsenal and Manchester City strengthening aggressively, Liverpool had to do the same to keep pace. The good news? They can afford it. As The Athletic recently noted, “Liverpool remain England’s most profitable club. Their £136.2m pre-tax profit between the 2014/15 and 2023/24 seasons is unmatched, with only Manchester City (£126.4m) coming anywhere close.”
We can’t overlook the fact that Diogo Jota’s passing will continue to have a profound emotional impact on the club, but the mood around Anfield remains forward-looking. If the newcomers settle in well, then Liverpool are building a monstrous side equipped to battle for every trophy.
Q: Where will Jadon Sancho go? Will Juventus buy him and will he perform like he once did for Borussia Dortmund?
@dis_kreto on Instagram
A: At his best, Sancho is one of the most thrilling attackers in Europe, sharp in tight spaces, devastating in transition, and capable of unlocking defences with a moment of invention. But that version of Sancho has been absent for some time now.
His struggles at Manchester United were well-documented. He failed to settle under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, drifted under Ralf Rangnick, and then fell out entirely with Erik ten Hag. The breaking point came when he was dropped from the squad and publicly refused to apologise. That decision saw him exiled from the first team and effectively ended his Old Trafford career.
A loan return to Dortmund in 2024 offered a flicker of hope. He looked more confident and helped the team reach the Uefa Champions League final, but he never quite recaptured the magic of his early years. A stint at Chelsea followed but ultimately ended with the London club paying a penalty to avoid making the deal permanent.
Now 25, Sancho still has time on his side. Players with his vision and technique don’t just lose it. But are Juventus, still lacking strong internal leadership, the right environment? This is no longer the Juventus of old, the one with institutional structure and experienced veterans who could support troubled talent.
This new Juve are starting from scratch again, and it remains to be seen whether they have the stability Sancho needs.
Q: Paredes to Boca, why didn’t it work out for him at Roma before?
@Balin.77 via Instagram
A: Leandro Paredes' time in the Italian capital had complications, particularly in the early stages, but he also brought a lot of good. Under Jose Mourinho, he struggled to settle. The system didn’t suit him, and at times he looked out of sync. Things changed when Daniele De Rossi took over. The trust was evident, and so was the response. Paredes regained rhythm, influence, and composure in midfield.
He struggled when De Rossi left but excelled under Claudio Ranieri, who valued his presence both on the pitch, calling him a champion. In March, Roma extended Paredes' contract until 2026, a sign of his renewed importance.
The Argentina midfielder's passing range and vision helped Roma control tempo and create openings. His ability to anticipate play and bring calm under pressure became essential during the team’s 2025 turnaround.
Still, Roma needed to raise €15 million before the end of June to comply with Financial Fair Play rules. With Gian Piero Gasperini arriving and Paredes not seen as central to the new coach's plans, the decision was made.
For Paredes, the move was deeply personal. “This is one of the most important days of my life,” he said upon rejoining Boca Juniors. “Coming home is something I dreamed of from the first day I left.” An estimated 50,000 fans attended his official unveiling.
He departed Roma with regret at not winning a trophy, but he made a meaningful contribution during his time there. Boca will benefit from a player who still has plenty to offer, and clearly, he’s exactly where he wants to be.
Charlotte Gainsbourg
Rest
(Because Music)
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
The Lost Letters of William Woolf
Helen Cullen, Graydon House
Results
6pm: Dubai Trophy – Conditions (TB) $100,000 (Turf) 1,200m
Winner: Silent Speech, William Buick (jockey), Charlie Appleby
(trainer)
6.35pm: Jumeirah Derby Trial – Conditions (TB) $60,000 (T)
1,800m
Winner: Island Falcon, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor
7.10pm: UAE 2000 Guineas Trial – Conditions (TB) $60,000 (Dirt)
1,400m
Winner: Rawy, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer
7.45pm: Al Rashidiya – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,800m
Winner: Desert Fire, Hector Crouch, Saeed bin Suroor
8.20pm: Al Fahidi Fort – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: Naval Crown, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
8.55pm: Dubawi Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Al Tariq, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watsons
9.30pm: Aliyah – Rated Conditions (TB) $80,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Dubai Icon, Patrick Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor
Youth YouTuber Programme
The programme will be presented over two weeks and will cover the following topics:
- Learning, scripting, storytelling and basic shots
- Master on-camera presence and advanced script writing
- Beating the algorithm and reaching your core audience
Hotel Silence
Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir
Pushkin Press
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
Visit Abu Dhabi culinary team's top Emirati restaurants in Abu Dhabi
Yadoo’s House Restaurant & Cafe
For the karak and Yoodo's house platter with includes eggs, balaleet, khamir and chebab bread.
Golden Dallah
For the cappuccino, luqaimat and aseeda.
Al Mrzab Restaurant
For the shrimp murabian and Kuwaiti options including Kuwaiti machboos with kebab and spicy sauce.
Al Derwaza
For the fish hubul, regag bread, biryani and special seafood soup.
Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
Power: 190hp
Torque: 320Nm
Price: From Dh147,000
Available: Now
More coverage from the Future Forum
GIANT REVIEW
Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan
Director: Athale
Rating: 4/5
Roll%20of%20Honour%2C%20men%E2%80%99s%20domestic%20rugby%20season
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EWest%20Asia%20Premiership%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EChampions%3A%20Dubai%20Tigers%0D%3Cbr%3ERunners%20up%3A%20Bahrain%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EUAE%20Premiership%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EChampions%3A%20Jebel%20Ali%20Dragons%0D%3Cbr%3ERunners%20up%3A%20Dubai%20Hurricanes%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EUAE%20Division%201%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EChampions%3A%20Dubai%20Sharks%0D%3Cbr%3ERunners%20up%3A%20Abu%20Dhabi%20Harlequins%20II%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EUAE%20Division%202%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EChampions%3A%20Dubai%20Tigers%20III%0D%3Cbr%3ERunners%20up%3A%20Dubai%20Sharks%20II%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDubai%20Sevens%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EChampions%3A%20Dubai%20Tigers%0D%3Cbr%3ERunners%20up%3A%20Dubai%20Hurricanes%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Results for Stage 2
Stage 2 Yas Island to Abu Dhabi, 184 km, Road race
Overall leader: Primoz Roglic SLO (Team Jumbo - Visma)
Stage winners: 1. Fernando Gaviria COL (UAE Team Emirates) 2. Elia Viviani ITA (Deceuninck - Quick-Step) 3. Caleb Ewan AUS (Lotto - Soudal)
The specs: 2018 Nissan Patrol Nismo
Price: base / as tested: Dh382,000
Engine: 5.6-litre V8
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 428hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 560Nm @ 3,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
Nick's journey in numbers
Countries so far: 85
Flights: 149
Steps: 3.78 million
Calories: 220,000
Floors climbed: 2,000
Donations: GPB37,300
Prostate checks: 5
Blisters: 15
Bumps on the head: 2
Dog bites: 1
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
THE%20JERSEYS
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COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: BorrowMe (BorrowMe.com)
Date started: August 2021
Founder: Nour Sabri
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: E-commerce / Marketplace
Size: Two employees
Funding stage: Seed investment
Initial investment: $200,000
Investors: Amr Manaa (director, PwC Middle East)
Profile of Foodics
Founders: Ahmad AlZaini and Mosab AlOthmani
Based: Riyadh
Sector: Software
Employees: 150
Amount raised: $8m through seed and Series A - Series B raise ongoing
Funders: Raed Advanced Investment Co, Al-Riyadh Al Walid Investment Co, 500 Falcons, SWM Investment, AlShoaibah SPV, Faith Capital, Technology Investments Co, Savour Holding, Future Resources, Derayah Custody Co.
Results
5.30pm: Maiden Dh165,000 (Turf) 1,600m; Winner: Al Battar, Mickael Barzalona (jockey), Salem bin Ghadayer (trainer).
6.05pm: Maiden Dh165,000 (Dirt) 1,200m; Winner: Good Fighter, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
6.40pm: Handicap Dh185,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: Way Of Wisdom, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.
7.15pm: Handicap Dh170,000 (D) 2,200m; Winner: Immortalised, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.
7.50pm: Handicap Dh185,000 (T) 2,000m; Winner: Franz Kafka, James Doyle, Simon Crisford.
8.25pm: Handicap Dh185,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: Mayadeen, Connor Beasley, Doug Watson.
9pm: Handicap Dh185,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Chiefdom, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
Company%20profile
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In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
- Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000
- Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000
- Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000
- HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000
- Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000
- Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000
- Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000
- Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000
- Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000
- Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000
- Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
- Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
- Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
Results
Stage seven
1. Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates, in 3:20:24
2. Adam Yates (GBR) Ineos Grenadiers, at 1s
3. Pello Bilbao (ESP) Bahrain-Victorious, at 5s
General Classification
1. Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates, in 25:38:16
2. Adam Yates (GBR) Ineos Grenadiers, at 22s
3. Pello Bilbao (ESP) Bahrain-Victorious, at 48s
PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES
Saturday (UAE kick-off times)
Watford v Leicester City (3.30pm)
Brighton v Arsenal (6pm)
West Ham v Wolves (8.30pm)
Bournemouth v Crystal Palace (10.45pm)
Sunday
Newcastle United v Sheffield United (5pm)
Aston Villa v Chelsea (7.15pm)
Everton v Liverpool (10pm)
Monday
Manchester City v Burnley (11pm)
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Sebastian Stefan, Sebastian Morar and Claudia Pacurar
Based: Dubai, UAE
Founded: 2014
Number of employees: 36
Sector: Logistics
Raised: $2.5 million
Investors: DP World, Prime Venture Partners and family offices in Saudi Arabia and the UAE
Results
6.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Dirt) 1,200m; Winner: Major Cinnamon, Fernando Jara, Mujeeb Rahman
7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,900m; Winner: Al Mureib, Fernando Jara, Ahmad bin Harmash
7.40pm: Handicap (TB) Dh102,500 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Remorse, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
8.15pm: Conditions (TB) Dh120,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Meshakel, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer
8.50pm: Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Desert Peace, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,400m; Winner: Sharamm, Ryan Curatlo, Satish Seemar
