1.

It’s the silent abandon with which they kiss, as if they are aware of someone striding toward them, this someone’s finger wagging, telling them, “No, no, not here, stop that now, or I’ll be forced to separate you, you profligate negroes.” But before this imagined censor can reach them, they pull each other close and kiss again, their mouths disappearing into each other, their mouths taking the shape of their longing. They touch each other as if they have just been released from something, as if their license to touch is short, stolen, or forged. In Something Good, which features the first known on-screen kiss by a Black couple, filmed in 1898, it appears as if the two actors, a peach pit–toned Black man wearing a bow tie and jacket and a peach skin–toned Black woman wearing a ruffled collared dress belted at the waist, are touching each other after a long period of denial, as if they have forgotten what the other’s mouth and hands and neck feel like and are now voraciously reacquainting themselves with each other. The pit of the peach swaddled by its flesh, becoming whole there on the limb of the day. Voraciously seeking itself, making itself happen—be. No, not quite voraciously, but without caution or care for who’s watching, though they are both aware, and we, too, are aware that someone is watching their performance.

They do whatever they like, their arms swinging back and forth between forays of kissing, as if they were going to a carnival down by the railroad tracks or have suddenly come out of a clearing, the man having drunk water from a stream, the sky all in it, and when he looked up, there she was, this peach-skinned woman. The man’s mouth moves as if he were remembering the taste of water, and the woman moves about him as water and as what he could not predict, which is the sky, and the shore that makes the water possible. In less than twenty seconds, they move together as earth moves with water, unpredictably, their kissing meeting and coming apart without a preordained or announced rhythm. Earth and water. Peach swelling into its flesh and pit on the limb of the day.

2.

What’s that, England silverware I see?! Marcus, Jim and Luke discuss yet more signs of England’s imminent domination of international football after the U21s win the Euros. But who will be the new Mark Hateley? And will Ashley Cole finally put that rifle down…

Plus, David de Gea leaves Manchester United, another classic Neil Warnock tale, and Kevin Keegan RETURNS for his hottest hosting gig yet! Join us!

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Ansel Adams' stunning images show the beauty and fragility of America

Arsenal has splashed out around £105 million to add Declan Rice to their squad from West Ham and hopes to announce the midfielder’s capture soon.

He will become the most expensive Englishman in history and there are question marks over Arsenal’s willingness to spend that much on him.

Rice has never played in the Champions League and only just won his first trophy with West Ham. Regardless, he has cost Arsenal more than players with better resumes have cost elsewhere.

Forbes has analysed the transfer and compared it to Newcastle’s capture of Sandro Tonali, who cost the Magpies roughly £65m and claimed Arsenal overpaid for Rice.

They accept Rice is a high-value player partly because he is English, but by many standards, Arsenal was made to go overboard in their spending for the English midfielder.

Romeo Lavia, the talented Belgian midfielder, has caught the attention of top clubs such as Arsenal and Liverpool as he seeks an immediate return to the Premier League.

Lavia was a standout performer for Southampton, who were recently relegated, and it is widely recognised that he possesses immense potential. Southampton anticipates that a prominent club will secure his services in the near future.

While Arsenal has already strengthened their midfield, the departure of Granit Xhaka and the potential sale of Thomas Partey may create a need for a new midfielder. As a result, Arsenal has targeted Lavia as a potential addition. However, Liverpool is also keen on the young midfielder.

According to Teamtalk, Liverpool is currently leading the race to sign Lavia. The midfielder is eager to join any club that demonstrates a serious intention to include him in their squad.

Just Arsenal Opinion

Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors can go into effect—at least for the time being.

In late June, a district court had halted a ban on minors receiving care such as puberty blockers and hormone therapy on the grounds that the restrictions in the bill, which Tennessee’s Republican Governor Bill Lee signed in March, were unconstitutional because they discriminated on the basis of sex.

But on Saturday, the Sixth US Circuit Court of Appeals temporarily reversed the lower court’s ruling until the appeals court can complete its full review of the ban and the appeal, filed by the state’s GOP attorney general. The higher court said it hopes to finish this review by the end of September. 

In the meantime, the ban will take immediate effect. Medical providers caught providing gender affirming hormones, puberty blockers, or gender-affirming surgery to minors in the state face $25,000 fines per violation. The law also allows lawsuits to be brought against a minor’s parents “if the parent of the minor consented to the conduct that constituted the violation on behalf of the minor.” (Children who already received prescriptions before the law went into effect must stop treatment before March 2024.)

“This ruling is beyond disappointing and a heartbreaking development for thousands of transgender youth.”

“This ruling is beyond disappointing and a heartbreaking development for thousands of transgender youth, their doctors, and their families,” said the American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee, one of the advocacy groups challenging the ruling on behalf of several individuals, including a family with a trans child. “As we and our clients consider our next steps, we want all the transgender youth of Tennessee to know this fight is far from over and we will continue to challenge this law until it is permanently defeated and Tennessee is made a safer place to raise every family.”

William Saliba missed Arsenal’s final few games of last season through injury and admits it hurt not to be able to help the team.

The defender was a key player for the club as Arsenal almost won the league and even his teammates will admit their form tanked when he got injured.

The Frenchman has just signed a new contract at the Emirates after a remarkable season at the club and would now look to win some trophies.

As he sat on the sidelines injured he had time to reflect and expressed his feelings throughout that period and how difficult it was for him per the Daily Mail:

‘Honestly, it was so, so, so hard to let my team play without me. 

Granit Xhaka, the Bayer Leverkusen midfielder, has openly acknowledged the positive memories he holds from his time at Arsenal. Xhaka recently departed the Gunners to join the German club, becoming one of their key signings for the summer.

Throughout his nearly decade-long tenure at the Emirates, Xhaka proved to be a pivotal player for Arsenal, particularly during Mikel Arteta’s tenure as manager. Despite having one season remaining on his contract with Arsenal, the club permitted his departure after securing deals for players such as Declan Rice and Kai Havertz.

As Xhaka embarks on the next chapter of his career with Bayer Leverkusen, he expressed his enjoyment of the time he spent at Arsenal.

He said as quoted by SRF.ch: “There are a lot of positive memories. Personally, I and my family spent seven wonderful years in London.

“I’ve never played for a foreign club for so long. My graduation here, my last game, all the news – wow, that gives me goosebumps.”

Arsenal has been one of the busiest clubs in the Premier League during the current transfer window, as Mikel Arteta aims to enhance his squad. Despite their ongoing activities, it appears that Arsenal is not finished with their transfer business just yet.

According to a new report from O Jogo, the Gunners have set their sights on Mehdi Taremi from FC Porto. Arsenal has entered the race to secure the services of the highly regarded striker during this transfer window.

Taremi is well-known throughout Europe and has notably scored some impressive goals in the Champions League over the years. Arsenal sees his experience in European competition as invaluable, especially as they make their return to the tournament in the upcoming campaign.

With an impressive record of 31 goals in 51 games last season, Taremi has garnered interest from several top clubs across the continent. Arsenal has now joined the pursuit of the talented striker, as they seek to strengthen their attacking options.

Just Arsenal Opinion

Gabriel Jesus has conveyed a message to Granit Xhaka following the midfielder’s departure from Arsenal to join Bayer Leverkusen.

Xhaka finalised an agreement to join the German side at the conclusion of the previous season, which marked one of the standout campaigns of his Arsenal career.

While Xhaka had one more season remaining on his contract at the Emirates, he expressed his desire to return to Germany, and Bayer Leverkusen was willing to pay a decent transfer fee to secure his signature.

Arsenal has now bid farewell to one of the most influential figures in their dressing room since Mikel Arteta assumed the role of manager. In light of Xhaka’s departure, Gabriel Jesus has sent him a message, expressing well wishes and acknowledging their time together at Arsenal.

After his departure was confirmed, Gabriel Jesus posted an image of them both on his Instagram story and added: