Premier League

Premier League confirms “significant progress” in testing semi-automated VAR offside technology

The Premier League has announced that “significant progress” has been made in the testing of semi-automated VAR offside technology in recent weeks.

Despite initial plans to implement the system earlier in the season, its deployment was delayed due to readiness concerns. Clubs had unanimously voted to adopt the technology nearly a year ago, aiming to reduce offside check times by an average of 31 seconds.

Tony Scholes, the Premier League’s chief football officer, provided an update on Tuesday, saying, “We are still testing it but we are making significant progress.”

Scholes added, “We’re in a different place to when I spoke to managers just over Christmas; we’ve made a lot of progress in this area. Now I’m hopeful that at some point this season we will be able to introduce semi-automated technology, but I repeat the points I’ve made a number of times. We are not going to introduce it if we’ve got any doubts at all with regards to its operation.”

The system was initially expected to be rolled out “after one of the Autumn international breaks,” but updates on its progress had been scarce, raising doubts about its arrival this season.

Scholes emphasized the importance of ensuring the technology operates flawlessly before its official introduction.

Premier League

Tel reveals Harry Kane’s influence on His move to Tottenham

Bayern Munich loanee Mathys Tel has shared that Harry Kane played a key role in his decision to join Tottenham Hotspur.

Initially, Tel had rejected a move to Spurs but changed his mind after a conversation with his Bayern teammate.

In a video shared on Tottenham’s official X account, Tel revealed that Kane’s words were pivotal in shaping his decision.

“He told me this is a big club with a lot of very good people,” Tel said.

“The pitch is very nice, the training centre is very good and if you go there you can enjoy it. Everything was positive from Harry Kane.”

Premier League

Nwaneri barred from senior dressing room, Arteta reveals

Arteta urges Arsenal to banish painful history with Bayern

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has explained that 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri is not permitted to prepare for matches in the senior dressing room due to safeguarding regulations.

Despite enjoying a breakout season with impressive performances across the Premier League, Champions League, and Carabao Cup, Nwaneri must adhere to rules that require players to be 18 or older to share a dressing room with the senior squad.

Arteta highlighted how the rules affect Nwaneri’s matchday preparations. “Ethan cannot be in our dressing room still, which is unbelievable. He needs to get dressed somewhere else, even on match day,” Arteta said.

The manager also spoke about the bond between Nwaneri and fellow young talent Myles Lewis-Skelly. “When you see those two walking next to each other, talking to each other, there is a bond there and a chemistry there,” he remarked.

Arteta added, “I imagine for them it is special because at the moment they are still in different dressing rooms [at the training ground]. So to have somebody close to him that has that trust, that confidence, that link, I think it is lucky. They are very lucky to have each other.”

As Nwaneri continues his development under Arteta, the safeguarding restrictions are a reminder of his youthful age despite his rapid rise in professional football.

Premier League

Tottenham defender Dragusin sidelined for the season with ACL injury

Tottenham Hotspur defender Radu Dragusin is set to miss the remainder of the season after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in his right knee during the club’s Europa League clash against Elfsborg.

The 23-year-old will undergo surgery and is expected to be out for at least six months, with recovery timelines for ACL injuries sometimes extending up to a year.

In a statement, Tottenham confirmed that Dragusin “will be assessed by our medical team to determine when he can return to training.”

Having started 21 of Tottenham’s past 23 matches, Dragusin has been a vital part of the defense since his arrival from Genoa in January 2024 for £25 million.

The Romania international expressed determination to bounce back stronger, writing on Instagram:

“Football doesn’t just teach you how to win – it teaches you how to fight when things get tough.”

Dragusin joins a growing list of sidelined Tottenham players, including Destiny Udogie, Guglielmo Vicario, James Maddison, Brennan Johnson, and Cristian Romero.

To bolster their defensive options, Spurs recently signed Austrian defender Kevin Danso on loan with a £21 million purchase option. Additionally, the club’s £70 million bid for England defender Marc Guehi was rejected by Crystal Palace, though they secured 19-year-old attacker Mathys Tel from Bayern Munich.