The Guardian names Arena among world's best 2009-born prospects

Donyell Malen has been awarded the Italian Professional Footballers' Association (AIC) Player of the Month award for September, adding to his Player of the Month honour for the August–September period in Serie A. The Dutch forward has maintained extraordinary form at the start of the 2026–27 season, continuing the trajectory that ended his previous campaign with seven goals in the final seven matches of 2025–26. He has now scored six goals in Roma's first five matches of the current season. Malen's September standout performance came in a hat-trick display against Fiorentina, which the article describes as a programmatic statement of intent. The opening goal came from a dribble into the box followed by a backheel pass, the second was a left-footed strike under the crossbar, and the third arrived as a tap-in from Paulo Dybala's outside assist. He added a brace in Roma's first-half demolition of Lecce and scored again against Torino while sliding to the ground. His form has generated the sensation that accompanies elite peaks—the impression that every touch might be decisive, and anticipation with every possession. The article emphasises that Malen's effectiveness cannot be reduced to any single measurable attribute. He is not the fastest player in Serie A, nor does he possess the best shot or greatest power in acceleration; rather, his intelligence places him consistently one step ahead of opposing defenders. His ability to find space and time within the visual blind spots of defenders is described as exceptional, the article arguing that few players in the league possess his capacity to be hidden in plain sight. His rivals for the September award included Lautaro Martínez, Davide Frattesi and Giorgi Kvernadze.

Donyell Malen has been named Serie A player of September by the Italian Players' Association (AIC), beating competition from Lautaro Martinez, Davide Frattesi and Giorgi Kvernadze. The Roma forward has scored six goals in the season's first five matches, including a hat-trick on the opening day against Fiorentina, continuing the form that carried him through to May. Malen's performances have been described as "video-game level". The former Aston Villa player will now be called upon to deliver in Roma's upcoming away fixture at Como and in a Champions League night match at the Olimpico against Real Madrid.

Slim Bouaskar, a goalkeeper born and raised in Rome who chose to represent Tunisia internationally, has been named by The Guardian among the world's most talented and promising players born in 2009. Though largely unknown to Roma's supporters, Bouaskar continues to impress in the club's youth ranks and at the U17 World Championship. He has not yet made a senior debut, but Ranieri gave him an opportunity following José Mourinho's words to him: "In a few years you will train with my team." Bouaskar's dream is to compete for the number one shirt with Mile Svilar in the coming years. The two goalkeepers speak often, and Svilar's recognition of the young talent underscores Bouaskar's standing within the club's goalkeeper contingent.

Antonio Arena, Roma's young striker, has been named among the 60 most promising players born in 2009 globally in a list compiled by The Guardian. The Primavera talent has already scored for the first team in the Coppa Italia and regularly features in Gasperini's matchday squads for Serie A fixtures, demonstrating qualities that set him apart from his peers. Arena's inclusion reflects his early impact at Roma, where he has attracted the attention of head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who frequently calls him up for league matches. The recognition underscores the talent emerging from the club's academy and the confidence placed in him by the first-team staff. The Guardian's list also includes Riccardo Cassano of Como and Destiny Elimoghale of Juventus among the 60 young players identified as prospects.

Gianluca Mancini will not travel with Italy for their fixture against Turkey, with national team coach Roberto Mancini deciding to leave ten players at the Coverciano training centre to continue work there. Mancini joins Ahanor, Barella, Coppola, Inacio, Kouadio, Maldini, Pessina, Ricci and Zoma in staying behind. The decision reflects uncertainty over Mancini's starting place in Italy's defensive line. Coach Roberto Mancini is considering substantial changes to the back four following matches against Belgium, Turkey and France, with Di Lorenzo, Mancini and Coppola potentially replaced by Kayode, Scalvini and Bastoni, the latter returning from suspension. Back at Roma, the fixture list after the international break presents a demanding challenge: seven matches in 23 days beginning with the away trip to Como, followed by Real Madrid, Genoa, Slovan Bratislava, Napoli, Cagliari and Udinese. This run will test both Roma's ambitions and the depth of Gasperini's squad. Roma's trip to Bologna on 4 December is under observation by the ONMS owing to a Virtus Bologna Euroliga match against Partizan Belgrade scheduled the same day; the proximity of the basketball arena and the Dall'Ara stadium, just over 2 kilometres apart, raises concerns about contact between supporter groups, though a final decision will come later. The trip to Como faces no such issues.

Roma resumed training on Tuesday 22 September with a severely reduced squad available to Gasperini. Among outfield players, only Hermoso, Molina, Rensch, Pellegrini, De Roon and Dybala trained fully, while Wesley, Malen and Cristante remained at Trigoria for physiotherapy on their respective problems. All three goalkeepers, including Svilar, were available for selection. The squad will continue work through Friday focused mainly on maintaining fitness before a break. In a separate development, Francesco Totti revealed in his book *Oltre* that he came very close to an unexpected return to professional football with Genoa. After initial jokes about a comeback, the club's hierarchy made a formal approach and the former Roma captain began serious training, including gym work, physiotherapy and a tailored diet. Manager Gilardino also wrote to him to try to persuade him, but ultimately his bond to Roma prevailed. Totti reflected on his decision: "A sporting betrayal has no age limit, whether you are 18 or 48 years old." Forward Antonio Arena has returned to Roma Primavera after recovering from a muscular strain. He featured for a spell on Sunday against Milan, and his introduction coincided with Guaglianone's decisive goal. Although Arena has not yet appeared in the UEFA Youth League, he remains eligible to do so despite being included by Gasperini on the senior squad's UEFA list as number 68. Off the pitch, Roma's Pietralata stadium project advanced significantly. The State Superintendence gave a favourable opinion on the Environmental Impact Assessment, stating it found no "obstacles to releasing the provision". Conditions remain on archaeological protection, a Roman villa, a cistern and landscaping that must be incorporated into the design. The final Conference of Services meeting is scheduled for Monday 28 September.