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According to a report by Football London on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, Arsenal reporter Tom Canton has sparked a debate about club and international football after revealing that he would rather see Arsenal win the League Cup than watch England lift the World Cup.
Canton made the statement during the latest episode of the Seeing Red podcast, where he discussed the international break with fellow presenter and chief football writer John Cross. Their conversation focused on the demands placed on footballers who travel long distances to represent their countries, particularly those who also have important responsibilities at club level.
During the discussion, Canton expressed concerns about the journeys facing Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes and Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, who are expected to travel to Singapore and Japan with the Brazilian national team.
He questioned the need for players to undertake such lengthy trips, especially considering that some of them had already travelled to India and Australia during an earlier international break. His concern centred on the physical demands of international football and the possible effect of frequent long-distance journeys on players’ fitness.
Cross acknowledged the challenges but offered a different perspective. He argued that representing a national team remains an important responsibility and that professional footballers should be prepared to handle the demands of international competitions, just as they do when playing for their clubs.
However, the conversation took a more entertaining turn when Canton was asked to choose between Arsenal winning the League Cup and England becoming world champions.
The Arsenal reporter did not hesitate to make his choice, explaining that he would select the League Cup victory without needing time to think about it.
His response surprised Cross, who reacted strongly to the admission. The chief football writer jokingly told Canton that he was dead to him, describing the decision as unbelievable.
Despite Cross’s reaction, Canton stood by his position and made it clear that his loyalty to Arsenal was the main reason behind his choice.
The exchange has highlighted the different ways football supporters view club and international competitions. While some fans place national pride above everything else, others maintain a stronger emotional connection with their clubs.
The discussion comes as Arsenal prepare to return to competitive action following the international break. With several players involved in national team duties, Mikel Arteta will be hoping they return in good physical condition and without injuries as the club continues its campaign.