Arsenal will host Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League round of 16 on Tuesday amid transfer interest in Kai Havertz and praise for record-breaking teenager Max Dowman.
The Premier League leaders are looking to advance in Europe after extending their advantage at the summit of the domestic table with a weekend victory over Everton.
German international Havertz is vying for a starting spot against his former employers, having scored a crucial late penalty to equalise in the first leg.
Leverkusen leave door open for Havertz
The 25-year-old forward initially made his name at the BayArena, registering 150 appearances as a teenager before sealing a lucrative £72m move to Chelsea in 2020.
Leverkusen managing director Simon Rolfes has publicly admitted he would make a rare exception to re-sign the versatile attacker.
“I’m generally sceptical about bringing former players back, but with Kai and Florian Wirtz, I would make an exception,” Rolfes told German television.
The Bundesliga club maintain a close relationship with their academy graduate following his departure four years ago.
“He spent 10 years in our youth system, we maintain close contact with Kai and if the situation arises, we would need to have a conversation,” the director added.
However, the Leverkusen chief acknowledged that the in-form forward is currently thriving in North London and remains focused on reaching the pinnacle of world football.
Arteta calls for calm over record-breaker Dowman
While the former Chelsea man drew a blank against the Toffees last weekend, 16-year-old academy product Max Dowman seized the spotlight.
The highly-rated midfielder became the Premier League’s youngest-ever goalscorer to secure a vital three points for Mikel Arteta’s side.
The teenage starlet previously made his European debut as a substitute against Slavia Prague in November.
Despite the growing clamour for the youngster to earn a starting berth, the Gunners boss is determined to manage expectations carefully.
“Let’s come down to earth today and enjoy the moment, because it was intense and it was worth it and we will see tomorrow,” Arteta stated.
The Spanish tactician must now balance his squad effectively as the title challengers continue to compete for silverware across four different competitions.
Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane has heavily criticised Liverpool’s faltering Premier League title defence, branding Arne Slot’s side “bad champions” after falling 21 points behind leaders Arsenal.
The Merseyside club cruised to domestic glory last season but have struggled to maintain their dominance during the current campaign.
Hopes of retaining their hard-won crown were effectively extinguished following a disappointing weekend draw against Tottenham Hotspur.
Missing the required standard
The outspoken pundit, who secured seven league titles during his time at Old Trafford, was scathing in his assessment of the Anfield outfit.
“Considering they were league champions last year and I have said it before, Liverpool are bad champions,” Keane told Sky Sports.
“They’ve been bad champions, they were bad champions a few years ago.”
That latest result leaves the reigning titleholders with a massive deficit to make up in their remaining eight fixtures.
Chemistry and consistency questioned
“To be 21 points behind Arsenal, what a drop off that is,” Keane added.
The former midfielder suggested that deeper issues are currently plaguing the club’s dressing room.
“I think there is stuff going on, I don’t think they are on the same page, there doesn’t seem to be the same chemistry with the players.”
A stark warning for the leaders
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal currently sit in pole position to claim their first top-flight crown in over two decades.
The North Londoners require just 16 points from their final seven matches after closest rivals Manchester City dropped points against West Ham.
However, the Irish football legend cautioned the prospective champions against resting on their laurels next year.
“When I see these teams winning trophies and then disappear for ten to 15 years,” Keane noted.
“You do not want Arsenal to disappear for the next three, four, five years.
“You’ve got to back it up, don’t be 20, 30 points behind the top team next year, you have got to compete, that is your challenge.”
West Ham United and Nottingham Forest remain locked in a tense Premier League relegation battle after all four struggling sides secured crucial weekend draws.
While Wolverhampton Wanderers and Burnley look destined for the Championship, the four-team fight for survival above them remains impossibly tight.
Only goal difference currently separates the 18th-placed East Londoners from Forest, with both teams sitting precariously on 29 points after 30 matches.
Tottenham Hotspur sit just one point above the safety line following a dramatic late draw at Liverpool.
Meanwhile, Leeds United occupy 15th place on 32 points but remain deeply entrenched in the survival conversation.
Hammers secure vital point against Manchester City
The Irons demonstrated immense resilience to claim a 1-1 draw against title-chasing Manchester City on Saturday.
That impressive result temporarily lifted them out of the bottom three before Sunday’s fixtures pushed the capital club back into the relegation zone.
Their current resilience marks a stark contrast to early January, when a home defeat left them seven points adrift of safety.
Since that low point, Nuno Espirito Santo’s revitalised squad have gathered 15 points from nine matches.
A daunting home clash against league leaders Arsenal looms large on their schedule.
The East London outfit will then conclude their gruelling campaign by hosting Leeds in a potential final-day decider.
Forest frustrated by lack of attacking fortune
Elsewhere, the Tricky Trees experienced another frustrating afternoon in front of goal during their goalless stalemate with Fulham.
The result marked the 14th time in 30 league outings that the East Midlands club have failed to score.
They were denied a potential victory after substitute Dan Ndoye had two narrow offside calls go against him.
“Like in many other games, we’re creating good chances but it’s just not working right now,” full-back Ola Aina told BBC Sport.
“Hopefully in the games to come, those chances go in.”
The Nigerian international struck the crossbar during the second half but remains optimistic about reversing their attacking misfortunes.
“We’ve got quality and the spirit to change the team’s luck in front of goal. Honestly, I just think it’s the rub of the green that’s not going for us.”
“We’ve just got to keep believing in what we’re doing and ultimately in each other, because we’re the ones that are going to turn it round.”
Vitor Pereira’s side must now briefly shift their focus to European action as they attempt to overturn a 1-0 deficit against Midtjylland in the Europa League.
A monumental domestic clash awaits them shortly after, with the Portuguese manager describing their upcoming trip to Tottenham as absolutely vital.
Chelsea secured their fourth Women’s League Cup title by defeating Manchester United 2-0 at Ashton Gate, with goals from Lauren James and Aggie Beever-Jones ensuring Sonia Bompastor’s side retained the trophy.
The London club dominated proceedings against a lacklustre opposition to claim their first piece of silverware of the current campaign.
Victory in front of 21,619 spectators also marked the Blues’ seventh consecutive appearance in the final of this prestigious domestic competition.
James capitalises on defensive error
A frenetic start to the encounter provided early opportunities for both teams before a costly mistake broke the deadlock.
Manchester United defender Dominique Janssen hit a heavily miscued back-pass that sent James racing clear through on goal.
The England international made no mistake against her former employers, expertly dispatching a near-post finish past the flailing Phallon Tullis-Joyce.
Marc Skinner’s outfit almost found an equaliser on the stroke of half-time following their best attacking move of the opening period.
Melvine Malard delivered a tantalising cross from the flank, but Ellen Wangerheim failed to convert from point-blank range.
Injury blow dampens Chelsea celebrations
The reigning champions asserted their authority after the restart but soon suffered a significant physical setback.
Swedish defender Nathalie Bjorn broke down in tears following a severe non-contact calf injury just two minutes after being introduced to the action.
The distressing incident marked a cruel blow for the player, who was making her first substitute appearance since November.
Beever-Jones seals the victory
Despite the disruption, the Blues effectively ended the contest when substitute Beever-Jones struck in the 75th minute.
The young forward latched onto a dangerous cross from Johanna Rytting Kaneryd to toe-poke the ball home and double the advantage.
A late flurry of stoppage-time chances proved completely ineffective for the Red Devils as they fell to their 16th defeat in 20 meetings with their fierce London rivals.
The comprehensive defeat means the Manchester side must continue their long wait to secure a second piece of major domestic silverware.
Roberto De Zerbi has delayed a potential move to Tottenham Hotspur until the summer, dealing a blow to the London club as current manager Igor Tudor faces mounting pressure.
The Premier League side are actively exploring their managerial options with Tudor expected to depart before the end of the month.
However, their leading candidate for the dugout is reportedly unwilling to accept a new position midway through the current campaign.
Tudor faces uncertain future
The Croatian coach has found himself under immense scrutiny following a turbulent period in the capital.
Reports suggest the current head coach is highly likely to be relieved of his duties in the coming weeks.
Consequently, the Spurs hierarchy have pinpointed the former Brighton and Sassuolo tactician as their primary target to rebuild the squad.
Summer wait required for leading target
Despite being heavily courted by the North London outfit, the 44-year-old insists on waiting until the off-season before committing to a new project.
Journalist Ben Jacobs provided insight into the managerial situation developing behind the scenes.
De Zerbi doesn’t want to join a club at this moment, despite him being a leading name under consideration by Tottenham.
This firm stance leaves the Tottenham board facing a difficult decision regarding their immediate leadership structure.
If the club proceeds with sacking their current manager this month, they may be forced to appoint an interim boss to bridge the gap until their top choice becomes available.
Liverpool have activated a contract extension for Alisson Becker to keep the Brazilian goalkeeper at Anfield until 2027 and fend off transfer interest from Juventus.
The 33-year-old’s previous deal was set to expire this summer, which could have allowed him to negotiate a free transfer to a foreign club.
However, the Premier League outfit have decisively exercised a one-year option to secure their first-choice stopper for a further campaign.
Juventus target Serie A return
Italian giants Juventus have reportedly made the acquisition of a new goalkeeper a primary objective for the upcoming transfer window.
According to reports in Italy, the Turin club had identified the former Roma star as a priority signing to bolster their squad.
Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario is also believed to be on the Serie A side’s radar as an alternative option.
Juventus were reportedly prepared to meet the South American’s wage demands, which are estimated to be around £5.1m annually.
Mamardashvili waiting in the wings
Even if the Reds eventually decide to sanction a departure for their number one, they already have a long-term successor at the club.
Georgia international Giorgi Mamardashvili arrived on Merseyside in the summer but has found his minutes heavily restricted this season.
The 24-year-old has made just 12 appearances across all competitions while serving as an understudy.
The Georgian recently explained his mindset regarding his current lack of playing time.
“My ex-goalkeeper coach, Jose Manuel Ochotorena, when I was at Valencia told me I had to find a balance between ambition and patience.”
“I keep working hard and you never know when your chance is coming. It’s never easy because there is just one goalkeeper.”
“If I don’t play, I don’t mind – I have to work hard every day and that’s it. My time will come, for sure.”
A decorated Anfield career
Alisson has been a transformative figure for Liverpool since arriving from the Italian capital for £64m in 2018.
The Brazil international has amassed 330 appearances during a highly successful period on Merseyside.
His impressive trophy cabinet includes two Premier League titles, the Champions League, the FA Cup and the League Cup.
The veteran stopper has also been instrumental in helping new arrivals settle into the squad, a fact praised by his current deputy.
“The most important thing for me was the support because I didn’t speak much English. Mac Allister, Alisson as well helped and now I speak much better.”
Liverpool manager Arne Slot faces dismissal if he fails to secure Champions League qualification this season, according to pundit Paul Merson.
The Dutchman is under mounting scrutiny following a difficult Premier League title defence that has left his side lingering outside the top four.
Having guided the Merseyside club to the top-flight crown in his debut season, expectations were exceptionally high after succeeding Jurgen Klopp.
However, despite an estimated summer outlay exceeding £400m, the reigning champions have regressed significantly on the pitch.
Champions League imperative
The Anfield outfit have suffered nine league defeats and drawn a further six matches this term.
While domestic and European cup avenues remain open, Merson believes financial regulations make top-tier European football non-negotiable.
“If he won the FA Cup, but didn’t finish in Champions League positions it wouldn’t make any difference at all,” Merson told Sky Sports.
“I think Liverpool have got to get in the Champions League with the financial fair play rule.”
Spurs quip highlights pressure
Missing out on the premier European competition would severely impact the club’s ability to recruit top-quality talent.
Integrating new high-profile additions has proven challenging amidst the intense pressure of defending a domestic title.
“He will have to get in the top four, I would have thought, otherwise he might be the next Tottenham manager,” Merson added.
Manager remains defiant
Despite the external noise, the 46-year-old insists he is not concerned about his immediate job security.
The former Eredivisie coach pointed to their progression in both the FA Cup and European competition as evidence of ongoing ambition.
“This season, I think it’s safe to say and fair to say that this season has been much more of a struggle than last season,” Slot admitted.
“But still, we are able to win things. I think we’ve got a squad that has shown this season already that we’ve improved.”
Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has made it clear he will only consider returning to management for clubs that prioritise football over commercial interests.
The 58-year-old has been absent from the touchline since leaving Anfield at the end of the 2023-24 season.
He currently serves as the Head of Global Soccer for the Red Bull group.
Despite stepping back from coaching, the German tactician continues to be linked with high-profile dugout returns.
Rejection of commercial giants
Any potential suitor must adhere to his strict philosophy regarding club identity and hierarchy intervention.
The former Borussia Dortmund boss previously revealed that he rejected advances from heavily commercialised teams before arriving on Merseyside.
Manchester United and Real Madrid both reportedly attempted to court his services to no avail.
“I had talks with other clubs and they didn’t sound like a football club.”
Klopp explained when discussing his career choices in 2018.
“It sounded like marketing, image, you need to sign this, you need to sign that. And I thought, ‘Wow, that’s not the game I love’.”
Liverpool’s romantic appeal
During his nine-year tenure with the Reds, he secured both the Premier League and Champions League trophies.
Former striker Robbie Fowler later confirmed that the charismatic coach turned down super-rich teams in favour of a traditional setup.
According to Fowler, the manager appreciated the balance between historical identity and financial ambition at Anfield.
“He hated how they were focused solely on commercial influences.”
Fowler noted regarding the rejected offers from rival European powerhouses.
Future prospects
These core values remain the definitive blueprint for any hierarchy hoping to tempt him back into coaching.
However, the chances of seeing the European Cup winner in an English dugout again appear non-existent.
He explicitly stated upon his departure earlier this year that his deep connection to Liverpool means he will never manage another Premier League side.