Declan Rice, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Magalhaes have returned to Arsenal training ahead of their Champions League quarter-final against Sporting CP, though several key players remain absent.
The returning trio were spotted at London Colney on Monday, providing manager Mikel Arteta with a significant mid-week boost.
However, Bukayo Saka, Jurrien Timber, Eberechi Eze and Piero Hincapie were not present during the open session.
Saka and Timber remain sidelined
Timber missed the recent weekend fixtures despite being in contention, suggesting a persistent issue from the international break is still bothering him.
Eze continues to recover from a calf problem, while Arteta has confirmed that the injury sustained by Ecuadorian defender Hincapie is serious.
Meanwhile, the absence of Saka follows months of managing minor physical complaints for the England winger.
Boost for crucial European clash
The availability of Rice and Trossard is a major relief for the north London club as they prepare for a vital first-leg tie against Sporting CP.
Both midfielders withdrew from recent international duty to manage ongoing fitness concerns.
Arteta recently acknowledged that his record signing has been playing through pain to consistently help the team.
“He’s been phenomenal because that’s been going on for a while and the fact that he’s been able to perform and consistently commit to the team in that manner.”
“He talks about how much he wants to play for us and how much he wants to win, and that’s great to see.”
Upcoming domestic challenges
With crucial Premier League fixtures against Bournemouth and Manchester City approaching, the coaching staff will need to carefully manage returning players’ workloads.
William Saliba, who overcame a knee issue after replacing Gabriel during the FA Cup defeat to Southampton, was also out on the grass.
Club captain Martin Odegaard and Martin Zubimendi joined the group session, bolstering the available squad options for a gruelling run of fixtures.
Arsenal are preparing a formal summer bid for Bayer Leverkusen striker Christian Kofane after Bayern Munich withdrew from the race to sign the 19-year-old.
Mikel Arteta’s side are seeking attacking reinforcements to improve squad depth following a recent slump in domestic cup competitions.
The north London club were recently eliminated from the FA Cup by Championship outfit Southampton and suffered a Carabao Cup final defeat against Manchester City.
These setbacks have highlighted a critical need for greater attacking quality beyond the regular starting XI to maintain their Premier League push.
Bayern hesitation opens door for Londoners
Reports from Germany indicate that Bayern Munich are admirers of the highly rated forward but are unwilling to become embroiled in a bidding war.
This reluctance from the Bavarian giants has handed the Gunners a significant advantage in securing the teenager’s signature.
The elite prospect has made 25 league appearances this season, cementing his status as one of European football’s most promising young talents.
His agent recently valued the player at £87m, though his current employers may be persuaded to accept a lower fee this summer.
Long-term replacement for struggling Jesus
The potential arrival of a new frontman raises further questions about Gabriel Jesus’ future at the club.
The 29-year-old has endured an injury-hit campaign and has consequently fallen down the pecking order at the Emirates Stadium.
With the Brazilian forward entering the final year of his contract, a summer departure appears increasingly likely.
While Arsenal possess experienced central options in Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres, they lack a dedicated prospect to lead the line for the next decade.
Capturing the Leverkusen sensation would provide an immediate impact while simultaneously securing the club’s attacking future.
Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka is set to carry Switzerland’s hopes at the 2026 World Cup across North America as manager Murat Yakin aims to build upon recent major tournament successes.
The upcoming tournament will represent a sixth consecutive World Cup appearance for the Swiss national side, and their 13th overall.
Having reached the quarter-finals on three previous occasions, the European outfit are determined to progress even deeper into the competition in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
At the heart of their ambitions is the 33-year-old midfielder, who has accumulated 143 caps and is widely regarded as one of the most tactically astute players his nation has ever produced.
Yakin overcomes early touchline doubts
While the veteran playmaker remains the focal point on the pitch, the man guiding them from the dugout has endured a tumultuous journey to secure his position.
Yakin took the reins from Vladimir Petkovic in 2021, an appointment that raised eyebrows given he was managing a mid-table side in the Swiss second tier at the time.
Despite initial reservations, the former Basel coach successfully navigated his squad through the 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign, notably finishing above European champions Italy.
Swiss football expert Craig King highlighted the steadying influence the manager had during his early tenure.
He came in and he kind of steadied the team a bit in that campaign.Craig King
Mental blocks and major breakthroughs
The path to recent international tournaments has not always been straightforward, with the squad inexplicably struggling during what appeared to be an easy European Championship qualifying group.
Defensive frailties against lower-ranked opposition led to intense scrutiny regarding the manager’s future, as his side repeatedly conceded late goals against the likes of Andorra and Belarus.
However, the Swiss federation retained their faith, and they were rewarded with a stellar showing at the subsequent summer tournament.
King noted that the squad consistently defies expectations when the pressure is highest on the global stage.
At the Euros they played really, really well, beat Germany in the group stage and took England all the way.Craig King
With an increasingly dangerous attacking system now complementing their established resilience, the Swiss look primed to be a formidable opponent when the 2026 World Cup begins.
Tottenham Hotspur captain Cristian Romero holds a transfer release clause of up to £53m, his father has confirmed amid intense speculation over the defender’s future.
The Argentine international has been heavily linked with a departure from north London following a turbulent Premier League campaign.
Roberto De Zerbi’s side currently languish in 17th place, sitting just one point above the relegation zone ahead of next weekend’s crucial fixture against Sunderland.
Should the struggling outfit suffer relegation, the 27-year-old World Cup winner is widely expected to seek a lucrative move elsewhere.
Atletico Madrid lead European interest
Victor Romero recently clarified the financial parameters required to pry the aggressive centre-back away from his current employers.
“He has two more years on his contract with Tottenham and a very high release clause,” Victor Romero explained.
“The English club isn’t going to let him go for free; it’s between $50-70m [£37.8m-£53m].”
Spanish giants Atletico Madrid are reportedly monitoring the situation closely ahead of the upcoming summer window.
Manager Diego Simeone is believed to be a long-standing admirer of his compatriot’s uncompromising defensive style.
Despite occasional injury setbacks, the former Atalanta man has remained productive this term, registering six goals and four assists across 31 appearances in all competitions.
Emotional return to Argentina mooted
Alongside European heavyweights, a sensational return to boyhood side Club Atletico Belgrano has also been touted in the South American press.
The player’s father openly admitted he would relish seeing his son wear the sky blue shirt once again.
“It’s a bombshell that keeps getting bigger, and I hope it’s true,” he added.
“As a Belgrano fan and father, what more could I want? But I don’t know anything, but in football, anything can happen.”
New Spurs boss De Zerbi will desperately need his star defender focused as he attempts to steer the club to top-flight safety over the coming weeks.
Manchester United are preparing for a significant summer rebuild as they seek to appoint a permanent manager and close the gap on their Premier League rivals.
The Old Trafford club find themselves in a surprisingly strong position following the departure of Ruben Amorim in January.
Interim manager Michael Carrick has successfully stabilised the team, putting them on course for a top-four finish and a return to the Champions League.
However, a considerable points gap remains between the Red Devils and current title contenders Arsenal and Manchester City.
Managerial uncertainty requires swift resolution
Securing a permanent head coach is the immediate priority for the club’s hierarchy ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.
The former England midfielder is the current frontrunner for the role after impressing the squad and steadying domestic results.
A swift appointment is required to ensure valuable time is not lost during the crucial pre-season preparation period.
Contract extensions and essential squad departures
Retaining key personnel is also essential, with Bruno Fernandes identified as a primary candidate for a new long-term deal.
The 31-year-old playmaker has been instrumental this season, with his current contract running until 2027 alongside an option for a further year.
Fresh terms for experienced defender Harry Maguire and academy graduate Kobbie Mainoo are also under consideration by the board.
Conversely, the 20-time English champions must reduce their wage bill and generate funds through player sales to ensure financial sustainability.
A return to elite European competition will undoubtedly boost revenues, but extensive squad restructuring remains inevitable over the coming months.
Former Sporting Lisbon manager Carlos Carvalhal has warned Arsenal that they face a formidable test in Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final against his old club.
Mikel Arteta’s side head to the Portuguese capital seeking redemption after their quadruple hopes were dashed following successive exits from the Carabao Cup and FA Cup.
The north London outfit secured a resounding 5-1 victory during their last visit to the Jose Alvalade Stadium in November 2024, but the upcoming two-legged tie presents a fresh challenge.
A rebuilt Portuguese powerhouse
Since that heavy defeat, current Sporting boss Rui Borges has successfully rebuilt the squad following the high-profile £64m departure of striker Viktor Gyokeres to Tuesday’s opponents.
The Primeira Liga giants possess significant attacking flair, with Carvalhal pinpointing several players who could hurt the Premier League title contenders.
“Sporting are a very dangerous team,” Carvalhal told Portuguese television.
“They will give Arsenal a lot of problems.”
Key tactical battles and missing personnel
The 60-year-old tactician highlighted the dynamic threat posed by wing-backs Geny Catamo and Maxi Araujo, noting their ability to exploit wide areas with aggressive forward runs.
However, the suspension of influential club captain Morten Hjulmand serves as a significant defensive boost for the visiting English side.
Despite acknowledging the immense difficulty of the fixture, the Portuguese pundit believes the Gunners possess the ultimate quality required to lift the prestigious European trophy.
“If you ask me whether Arsenal are favourites to win the Champions League then I think, yes, maybe they can do it,” Carvalhal added.
“But this will be a hard tie for them, it will be difficult to break Sporting even at home.”
Former Celtic manager Martin O’Neill believes the club’s recent victory over Dundee remains a vital moment in their pursuit of the Scottish Premiership title.
The 72-year-old was assessing the domestic landscape after the reigning champions secured a crucial three points to maintain intense pressure at the top of the table.
Celtic’s title credentials have been heavily scrutinised this season amidst fierce and relentless competition from their city rivals.
Resilience in the championship battle
However, the former Republic of Ireland boss remains adamant that the current squad possesses the necessary character to go the distance.
We’re still fighting on!
Martin O’Neill
The celebrated pundit utilised that rallying cry to highlight the unyielding determination pulsating within the Celtic camp.
This hard-fought triumph against the Dark Blues provides a significant morale boost for the Glasgow giants as the campaign enters its decisive final phase.
Navigating the crucial run-in
Having guided the Hoops to three league crowns during his highly successful five-year tenure, the Northern Irishman is intimately familiar with the unique demands of a Scottish top-flight battle.
His upbeat public assessment reflects a growing confidence among supporters that the team can successfully navigate their remaining fixtures.
The defending champions must now build upon this hard-earned momentum as they prepare for a string of season-defining encounters.
Brighton pulled off a shock 2-0 victory over Arsenal at Meadow Park to reach the Women’s FA Cup semi-finals, while Liverpool required extra time to eliminate Charlton.
The 14-time winners suffered a frustrating cup exit after head coach Renee Slegers made six changes to her starting lineup.
The North London side had beaten rivals Chelsea in the Champions League on Wednesday but failed to carry that momentum into this domestic quarter-final.
Kirby inspires historic Seagulls win
The visitors struck three minutes into the second half when Madison Haley latched onto a precise pass from Fran Kirby.
Haley fired her effort past goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar, mere moments after Stina Blackstenius had a goal disallowed for the hosts.
Kirby turned provider once again in the 63rd minute.
The veteran midfielder delivered a dangerous corner that was emphatically headed home by Caitlin Hayes.
Victory ensures the South Coast club reach the semi-finals for only the fourth time in their history as they chase a maiden major trophy.
“We knew we could come here and get a result, but to do it against a team like Arsenal, who have quality all over, is really special,” Kirby told TNT Sports.
Shaw returns to rescue Liverpool
In Sunday’s other quarter-final, Liverpool were made to work hard by Championship promotion hopefuls Charlton at The Valley.
The hosts produced a resilient defensive display to frustrate the Merseyside outfit for almost two hours.
However, Zara Shaw marked her return from a year-long injury absence with a decisive late intervention.
With just five minutes of extra time remaining, Shaw converted following a frantic goalmouth scramble where Jenna Clark had struck the woodwork twice.
The 1-0 triumph ensures Liverpool progress to the semi-finals for the second successive season.
Semi-final draw details
The draw for the last four takes place on Monday afternoon.
Chelsea face Tottenham and Birmingham City host Manchester City in the remaining quarter-final ties to complete the semi-final lineup.