Arsenal Dragon
Where are they now: Cole Palmer’s professional football debut XI?
All about how the Manchester City XI looked when Cole Palmer made his professional football debut
Cole Palmer has been all the rage in the English Premier League now. The lanky 22-year-old Englishman has been banging in goals for Chelsea for fun ever since joining them from Manchester City.
Palmer’s recent four-goal performance against Bournemouth just added more buzz to his already shining name. The winger struck four goals in the same half to become the first player in the English Premier League to do so. Owing to his stunning performances, Chelsea have gotten off to a brilliant start in the ongoing season, and are currently in the top 4.
Elsewhere, Pep Guardiola might possibly be scratching his head to have let Palmer leave. In fact, Palmer spent his entire youth career, spanning a decade at Manchester City, and was also in the senior side for 3 years. He joined Chelsea only in 2023.
Here is a look at how Manchester City’s XI looked when Cole Palmer made his debut, and also where the players who started that evening currently are.
Cole Palmer made his professional football debut against Burnley in the EFL Cup
It was the 30th of September, 2020, and Cole Palmer was just 18. Pep Guardiola, fielded quite a strong XI against the then-EPL club.
GK – Zack Steffen
The American soccer goalkeeper was in between the sticks that night. He hardly got starts at Manchester City and also went on loan to Middlesbrough in the 2022-23 season. He finally left the club in 2024, and currently plays for Colorado Rapids.
LB – Benjamin Mendy
The sexual assault cases had not hit Benjamin Mendy back then. It was only 11 months after that he was arrested. After his arrest in August 2021, Mendy didn’t feature for the Cityzens again. His contract ended in 2023, and he joined French Ligue 2 team Lorient, where he currently plays.
CB – Aymeric Laporte
Back when Aymeric Laporte was a rock. The France-born Spanish player would go on to be a part of the club for three more years, before leaving to Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr in 2023.
CB – Fernandinho
The old work horse Fernandinho was quite a regular starter for Pep Guardiola’s side back then. After almost 10 years at the club, Fernandinho left the club in 2022, joining Brazilian side Athletico Paranaense, where he currently plays.
RB – Kyle Walker
Kyle Walker has been at Manchester City for quite a while. He still starts for them at RB, and is currently the captain of the team.
CDM – Rodri
Another star is a regular star and a key part of the team. The Spaniard was in his early years at Manchester City back then, and is currently the most important player in the team. However, he is out of the 2024-25 season due to an ACL injury.
RCM – Kevin de Bruyne
Manchester City’s engine since time immemorial. The Belgian is still Guardiola’s go-to-man, creating magic whenever required. However, he has struggeld with injuries of late.
LW – Riyad Mahrez
Riyad Mahrez’s contribution to Manchester City is immense. The Algerian joined the club in 2018, and went on to play for them until 2023. He joined Saudi Arabian side Al Ahli, where he currently plays.
ST – Raheem Sterling
Raheem Sterling was coming off one of his greatest-ever years – 2019. The same was expected from him in 2020 as well, however, the Englishman never hit the same level after that. He left City in 2022 to join Chelsea. After two years at the club, Sterling joined London rivals Arsenal on loan.
RW – Ferran Torres
Ferran Torres never really shone at Manchester City. Having joined the Cityzens in 2020, the Spaniard left the club in 2022 to join Barcelona, where he currently plays.
Arsenal Dragon
Double Injury Blow: Arsenal Attacker Suffers Setback as Gabriel Magalhaes Faces Potential Two-Month Absence
Arsenal have been dealt a devastating double injury blow during the international break, with Kai Havertz suffering a minor relapse and Gabriel Magalhaes potentially sidelined for two months with a thigh injury sustained representing Brazil.
Havertz’s Return Delayed Until Year’s End
Julian Nagelsmann confirmed Havertz has experienced complications in his recovery from August’s knee surgery. “Kai had a minor relapse on his injury, but overall, he’s doing well. He is expected to return towards the end of the year,” the Germany manager stated after his side’s 6-0 World Cup qualifying victory over Slovakia.
The setback eliminates any possibility of Havertz featuring in Sunday’s North London derby against Tottenham. The 26-year-old has been restricted to just one appearance this season, playing 30 minutes in Arsenal’s opening-day victory over Manchester United before undergoing a “minor surgical procedure” on his knee.
Havertz initially targeted mid-November for his comeback after spending three months on the treatment table. This latest relapse extends his absence through December, forcing Arsenal to continue relying on Mikel Merino as an auxiliary striker option.
Gabriel’s Thigh Injury Compounds Crisis
Gabriel Magalhaes suffered a thigh injury during Brazil’s friendly against Senegal, with early indications suggesting a one-to-two month absence. The Brazilian defender has arguably been Arsenal’s most important performer this season, making his potential absence devastating for Mikel Arteta’s title ambitions.
Arsenal face a congested fixture schedule through the festive period without two crucial first-team players. Viktor Gyokeres remains doubtful for the derby with his own hamstring problem, while Riccardo Calafiori has been ruled out of Italy’s World Cup qualifier against Norway with a thigh issue.
The injury crisis leaves Arsenal dangerously thin across multiple positions heading into the busiest period of the season. Arteta must navigate crucial matches against Tottenham, Manchester City, and Liverpool while managing an increasingly depleted squad.
Read More: (Video and Photos) Watch Mikel Merino’s Impressive Choices as he Goes Jersey Shopping
Arsenal Women will be looking to end a three-game winless run when they welcome Real Madrid Women to Meadow Park for Wednesday’s Women’s Champions League contest. As for Las Blancas, they will be desperate to bounce back from Saturday’s heavy defeat to Barcelona in El Clasico.
Arsenal Women vs. Real Madrid Women: Predicted Lineups
Arsenal Women (4-2-3-1): Van Domselaar; Fox, Wubben-Moy, Catley, Hinds; Pelova, Cooney-Cross; Mead, Caldentey, Foord; Russo
Real Madrid Femenino (4-2-3-1): Misa; Navarro, Mendez, Lakrar, Holmgaard; Angeldal, Dabritz; Feller, Weir, Caicedo; Redondo
Also read: Ailing Katie Reid Receives Words of Consolation From Arsenal Loanee Suffering From Same Injury
Match Preview
Arsenal have struggled for consistency this season, recording five wins, four draws and three defeats in 12 competitive matches. The Gunners have gone three games without a win since their 4-1 victory over Leicester City at the start of the month.
They played out draws against Chelsea and Tottenham, either side of a disappointing 3-2 defeat against Bayern Munich on matchday three. Renee Slegers’s side gave up a two-goal lead in Germany, representing their second European defeat after losing 2-1 to Lyon in their first outing.
The reigning European champions sit in 11th place and just a point ahead of teams outside the top 12. Arsenal can take confidence from already beating Real Madrid on home soil this year, claiming a 3-0 victory to overturn a two-goal first-leg deficit in March’s quarter-final clash.
Fifth-placed Real Madrid are comfortably inside the top 12 and eyeing a top-four spot. Las Blancas started with a 6-2 victory over Roma, before edging out PSG 2-1 in France. Pau Quesada’s side looked set to fall to their first European defeat against Paris FC, before Caroline Weir rescued her side with a 98th-minute equaliser to salvage a 1-1 draw.
Weir saw her penalty saved in Saturday’s El Clasico against Barcelona. The Blaugrana went on to score two late goals to wrap up a 4-0 victory, dropping Real Madrid to fourth position in the Liga F table.
Team News
Arsenal remain without Manuela Zinsberger, Katie Reid, Leah Williamson and Kim Little. Victoria Pelova could earn a recall after dropping to the bench against Tottenham.
Real Madrid travel without Merle Frohms, Antonia, Sandie Toletti and Signe Bruun. Sara Holmgaard could return at left-back, while Alba Redondo is pushing for a recall.
Kick-off: 8:00 PM Wednesday, November 19, 2025
Venue: Meadow Park, Borehamwood
TV: Disney+ (UK) | Paramount+ (USA)
Also read: 3 Things We Learned From Arsenal Women’s Frustrating 0-0 Draw Against Tottenham Women
Arsenal Dragon
Three Years, Eight Months and 10 Days: Arsenal Stalemate Ends ‘This’ Run For Tottenham Which Began Way Back in 2022
Tottenham Women’s extraordinary 81-game streak without a goalless draw in the WSL finally ended on Sunday after a disciplined 0-0 stalemate against Arsenal at Brisbane Road.
The remarkable run spanning three years, eight months and 10 days represented one of the most unusual statistical quirks in women’s football, stretching all the way back to March 2022.
Tottenham’s Remarkable 81-Game Run Without Goalless Draw Finally Ends in Arsenal Stalemate After 1,346 Days
Tottenham’s last goalless draw before Sunday came against Reading on March 13, 2022. The statistics are staggering. Across 69 complete league matches spanning the 2022/23, 2023/24 and 2024/25 seasons, Tottenham never failed to find the net or concede.
Sunday’s result at Brisbane Road broke that pattern in front of a record-breaking 6,778 fans who witnessed a tactical battle where neither attack could break through. Arsenal dominated possession and registered 13 shots but found Tottenham’s defensive organization impenetrable.
Defensive Foundation for Impressive Campaign
The clean sheet showcased the defensive progress under manager Robert Vilahamn. Goalkeeper Lize Kop and her backline recorded their fourth WSL clean sheet of the campaign—six across all competitions, matching Chelsea’s Hannah Hampton for the joint-highest tally in the division at this stage.
Tottenham’s start to the 2025/26 season has exceeded expectations. They sit fifth in the table with 16 points from nine matches, just four points shy of last season’s entire total achieved across 22 games.
The point gained in the north London derby felt like a significant statement. Tottenham frustrated their fierce rivals whilst ending a statistical anomaly that had defined their recent WSL existence.
Whether this signals a tactical evolution towards greater defensive discipline or simply represents a one-off remains to be seen, but the 1,346-day wait for another goalless draw has finally concluded.
Read More: 3 Things We Learned From Arsenal Women’s Frustrating 0-0 Draw Against Tottenham Women
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