Derby day blow

GM football fans. Route One here, and we’re covering Everton’s takeover, Arsenal’s gruelling fixture list and much more. Enjoy Route One? Share us with a friend on WhatsApp with this link.

STATS

England 2 - 0 Finland. After scoring both goals in England’s win, Harry Kane is the third player to score on his 100th appearance for the England men's side, after Wayne Rooney versus Slovenia in 2014 and Bobby Charlton versus Northern Ireland in 1970. Netherlands 2 - 2 Germany. Liverpool’s Ryan Gravenberch starred with the most duels won for the Netherlands (6), 100% tackles won, 3 chances created, 90% pass accuracy and an assist. Full Nations League results here.

Plus…

• Match officials for Premier League MW4 confirmed (More)

• Harry Kane gifted golden cap for 100th appearance (More)

• Chelsea in talks over leaving Stamford Bridge (More); other sources refute this (More)

• Arsenal to wear away kit against Spurs despite being at home (More)

• China bans 43 footballers and officials for life for match-fixing (More)

• Stockport County coach Andy Mangan denied work permit to join Real Madrid’s staff (More)

• Aston Villa defend ‘difficult decisions’ on Champions League ticket prices (More)

PREMIER LEAGUE

Everton fans could get chance to buy shares in club if Textor takes over

Everton’s likely next owner John Textor is considering giving fans the chance to buy shares in the club if he is successful in his takeover, per The Guardian.

The American businessman is already preparing to float his holding company Eagle Football Group on the New York Stock Exchange. The company currently owns three teams - Lyon, Botafogo, RWD Molenbeek and has a 45% stake in Crystal Palace.

The Eagle Football initial public offering (IPO) is due this month, and if the takeover goes ahead then Everton will essentially be absorbed in the listing. Having a Premier League name as part of the deal would make the shares more attractive to investors. But the £600mn takeover depends on the Premier League approving the sale of Textor’s shares in Palace and finding a buyer for them - both of which are in limbo.

Rare… for a reason

While owning a piece of your club’s pie might sound like a sweet deal, the CEO of a listed company has a duty to maximise profits - not win football games.

POLL

HEAD START

🟥 Referee right to send Rice off, panel ruled. The Key Match Incidents panel has ruled that Chris Kavanagh was right to send Declan Rice off in Arsenal’s draw with Brighton. The independent panel reviews big refereeing decisions each week and concluded that Rice’s actions were “clear, deliberate and impactful”.

😤 KDB furious with teammates. Kevin De Bruyne appears to tell Belgium’s technical director “I quit, I quit” after their 2-0 loss to France. Speaking to Belgium outlet HLN after the game, the 33-year-old said: "I can't say here what went wrong. I already did that to the team at half-time. I cannot repeat that in the media”. Visibly frustrated, he also said that Belgium “are not that good” and that standards need to improve.

🎟️ 1,000 free tickets for school children. Eintracht Frankfurt will offer up to 1,000 free standing tickets per home game to clubs and school classes, per Kicker. With demand for tickets rising since the Europa League win in 2022, Eintracht wants to ensure fans can still attend matches spontaneously - even if the usual seats are sold out.

PREMIER LEAGUE

Major blows to Arsenal ahead of gruelling fixture list

It’s the North London Derby on Sunday, the fixture that pundits agree has been the most exciting modern rivalry. That’s for good reason. Over the past 25 seasons, this match-up has produced an average of 3.2 goals per game, with only one 0-0 result in the 60 Premier League meetings.

Ahead of the fixture, Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard was forced off the pitch with an apparent ankle injury during Norway’s 2-1 win over Austria on Monday night. The 25-year-old was seen wearing crutches, raising doubts that he’ll be available for the game against Spurs.

A blow for Mikel Arteta

Without Odegaard, Arsenal’s win rate falls from 67.3% to 60%, and their average points per game drop from 2.2 to 1.8.

On top of this, Riccardo Calafiori picked up an injury playing for Italy against France and Declan Rice’s red card against Brighton - deemed a fair decision by an independent panel - means Arteta will be missing another piece of his midfield puzzle.

It won’t help that the Gunners have seven games in 21 days. There’s the small matter of the north London derby on Sunday, which is followed by a Champions League trip to face Europa League winners Atalanta. Then, after just two days off, they’re away to Manchester City.

So, if you’re not a fan of the international break, just imagine how Arteta feels about it.

MORE NEWS

Around the football world

• Scotland and Ipswich Town legend George Burley undergoing cancer treatment (More)

• Scaloni optimistic Lionel Messi will return for upcoming World Cup qualifiers in October (More)

• Wissam Ben Yedder charged with sexual assault (More)

• St Johnstone manager Craig Levein has been charged by the Scottish FA over ref outburst (More)

• Another Ajax game called off because of police strikes (More)

• Memphis Depay signs a two-year deal with Brazil’s Corinthians (More)

• Luton Town sign Victor Moses (More)

ROUTER’S VOICE

Yesterday, we asked you: Do you think taxpayer money should be used for stadium projects?

🟨 ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ 👍 Yes. It benefits the surrounding area… (20.7%)

🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🙅 Nope. Clubs should fund their own stadium... (77.36%)

⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ✍️ Other (write in!)... (1.8%)

Your punditry takes:

• 🙅 D.R: “Most clubs including many smaller ones have had to fund their own stadiums yet we are now suggesting public money should pay for a stadium for the richest club. Public funds should be used for far more worthy projects.”

• 👍 J.M: “As long as the vast majority is being paid for by the club, I do not think it is ridiculous for some investment by local government, given that it does generally benefit the surrounding area.”

• ✍️ I.M: “Taxpayer money should only be used to improve the infrastructure around the stadium, such as roads and other transport links.”

EXTRA TIME

The player who subbed himself on.

Premier League players discover their FC 25 ratings.

The iconic PSG home kit to not have red details for the first time in history.

When Sam Kerr floored a pitch invader.

Peter Crouch responds to his own #BarclaysMen montage.

How sporting director role is still evolving in English football.

Dimitri Payet’s assist was one of the Premier League's best.

‘The cash came up to my torso’ - tales of a match-fixer.

Cristiano Ronaldo thinks Mbappe can win the Ballon d’Or.

GAME FACE ON

Ahead of Sunday’s north London derby, we have two questions for you - one hard, one easier:

Hard: Which former player has made the most appearances in a north London Derby? And how many appearances has he made?

Easier: Who is the all-time top scorer in the north London Derby? And with how many goals?

Scroll below for the answer.

ON TODAY

International Friendlies

• United States vs New Zealand (00:00)

• Mexico vs Canada (02:00)

CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifiers

• Paraguay vs Brazil (01:30)

*All times in UK. EST -5. PST -8. CET +1. CST +8. JST +9.

Answer

Hard: David O'Leary, Arsenal’s long-standing defender, holds the record for most North London Derbies played with 35, while Gary Mabbutt and Steve Perryman shared the corresponding record for Spurs, with 31.

Easier: Harry Kane is the record scorer in North London Derby fixtures, with 14 goals.