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Oct 14, 2026, 3:46 PM GMT+1
Hal is an experienced freelance sports journalist at GiveMeSport, having previously produced content for websites such as Goal, football.london, HertsLive, 90min, The Set Pieces and many others.
Hal picked up his MA in Sports Journalism and NCTJ qualification from St Mary's University Twickenham, Hal has since been part of Valnet since late 2021.
He started as a freelance football writer for This Is Futbol and carried that on over to FootballFanCast before becoming their social media editor. He now works as an editor for GiveMeSport, predominantly focusing on Premier League, Champions League, and English football.
He also helps GiveMeSport cover other major sports such as MMA, boxing, darts, tennis, and golf. Key events like the summer and winter Olympics are also highlights when they appear on the sporting calendar.
Hal is an Arsenal and Three Lions fan, but keeps an eye on the All Blacks, his favourite rugby team, having grown up in New Zealand.
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Every season, teams will put out an official squad photo to forever have the team represented in the history books. Arsenal have just released their 'class of 26/27' but a key player is missing.
Indeed, star defender William Saliba was absent from the picture. The Frenchman is one of the club's most important players, as suggested by his notable £250,000-per week
wage.
He helped the Gunners win the Premier League last term and reach the Champions League final, playing 50 games in all competitions. He has also been named in the PFA Team of the Year across the past four consecutive seasons – making him the only player to do so.
As such, there has been confusion as to why he was not included. The Gunners have now released an explanation.
Journalist Charles Watts was among those baffled as he reacted online, writing:
"I mean, come on!! Why would you do this picture without Saliba??? Surely, surely they could have just done it on a day he was actually there? Such a shame."
However, Arsenal have now confirmed why the player was absent. A short statement read:
"Due to a medical appointment, William Saliba was not available this afternoon."
Saliba has yet to play for the Gunners so far in 2026/27, having suffered a back injury while playing for France at the 2026 World Cup. One can only assume his medical appointment is related to that.
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