Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is facing a mounting injury crisis after five first-team players withdrew from international duty this week.

Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Magalhaes are the latest key figures to pull out of their respective national squads.

The Belgian forward will miss a friendly double-header in North America to manage a recent hip issue.

He was substituted late in Sunday’s Carabao Cup defeat to Manchester City.

Meanwhile, the Brazilian centre-back is suffering from right knee pain and will sit out fixtures against France and Croatia.

Defensive concerns mount

Jurrien Timber and William Saliba have also been forced to remain in London for further medical assessment.

The French Football Federation confirmed the 23-year-old defender requires significant rest for a recurring left ankle problem.

“William Saliba is unable to join the French national team’s training camp, which begins this Monday,” a statement read.
“The Arsenal centre-back is suffering from recurring pain in his left ankle, requiring treatment and a minimum rest period of 10 days.”

Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix has been drafted in as a replacement for the French international.

England changes and returning captain

Eberechi Eze has withdrawn from the England squad and been replaced by Harvey Barnes.

However, there is positive news for Ben White, who has been recalled to the Three Lions setup by Thomas Tuchel after a three-year absence.

Arteta will be desperate to recover his walking wounded ahead of a congested season finale.

Club captain Martin Odegaard is currently sidelined with a knee injury but continues his rehabilitation.

The Gunners remain in contention for three trophies, including an FA Cup quarter-final against Southampton on April 4.

They will then travel to Portugal for a crucial Champions League clash against Sporting just three days later.

WNBA players have overwhelmingly voted to ratify a new collective bargaining agreement that introduces a groundbreaking revenue-sharing model to the league.

The decision was confirmed on Monday by Women’s National Basketball Players Association president Nneka Ogwumike.

A remarkable 90% of the membership participated in the ballot, resulting in a near-unanimous approval of the proposed terms.

The landmark deal must now be officially rubber-stamped by the competition’s governing body before taking full effect.

Revenue sharing and rising salary caps

A tentative term sheet was initially agreed upon between the players’ union and executives last Friday.

At the heart of the approved framework is an innovative revenue-sharing structure, which represents a historic first in major women’s professional sports.

Under this progressive system, the team salary cap will be set at $7m for the 2026 campaign.

This financial ceiling will fluctuate annually based on both overall and franchise-specific revenue growth.

Projections suggest the cap could surpass $10m by the conclusion of the seven-year contract.

Transformational changes to player welfare

Alongside structural financial overhauls, the new agreement establishes several major enhancements to daily working conditions.

League officials have publicly praised the collaborative nature of the swift negotiations.

“This is one of the most transformational labor agreements ever reached in major professional sports.”

Resolution of the collective bargaining process ensures the 2026 regular season will commence exactly as scheduled on 8 May.

Manchester United have paused their search for a permanent manager until the end of the season following an impressive interim spell by Michael Carrick.

The Old Trafford hierarchy have reportedly not held formal talks with any external candidates regarding the vacant managerial role.

This delay provides a significant boost to the former midfielder, who has stabilised the club since replacing Ruben Amorim in January.

The 44-year-old has guided the team to seven wins from his 10 matches in charge across all competitions.

Champions League ambitions

Securing a top-four finish was the primary objective handed to the interim boss upon his mid-season appointment.

He has excelled in that remit, lifting the Red Devils from sixth to third in the Premier League table.

Taking 23 points from a possible 30 has put the 20-time English champions in a commanding position to secure elite European football next term.

Club executives Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada are now willing to wait until the summer before making a definitive appointment.

Rivals commit to current roles

The Old Trafford board are determined to avoid another expensive managerial mistake following the tumultuous end to Amorim’s tenure.

Several high-profile candidates have recently removed themselves from the market to aid the current caretaker’s prospects.

Thomas Tuchel and Carlo Ancelotti are reportedly preparing to sign new contracts with the England and Brazil national teams respectively.

Other figures linked to the Old Trafford dugout include Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola, Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner, and former England manager Gareth Southgate.

‘I am loving it’

Despite mounting speculation, the former United captain has consistently refused to be drawn on his long-term prospects.

“I’m in this position at the moment, doing the best I can, and I’m loving it, obviously.”
“But whatever’s going to happen is going happen. It’s all pretty calm.”

The interim manager insisted his sole focus remains on the final seven games of the domestic campaign.

Six-time major winner Iga Swiatek has ended her coaching partnership with Wim Fissette following a shock early exit from the Miami Open.

The world number three announced the decision on Monday after struggling to find her best form during the opening months of the 2026 season.

Fissette joined the Polish star’s backroom team in October 2024 and successfully guided her to a maiden Wimbledon singles title last July.

The 24-year-old also secured prestigious WTA Tour titles in Seoul and Cincinnati while working alongside the Belgian tactician.

Struggles during the 2026 campaign

Despite those previous triumphs, the current season has proved immensely frustrating for the dominant baseline player.

She has failed to advance beyond the quarter-finals in all four tournaments contested so far this year.

The breaking point arrived in Florida on Thursday when she suffered a stunning second-round defeat to compatriot Magda Linette.

That loss marked the first time in 74 tournaments that the highly-seeded competitor had fallen in her opening match of a WTA Tour event.

Mutual respect despite the split

Taking to Instagram, the six-time major winner expressed deep disappointment regarding her recent performances on the hard courts.

“Miami was challenging for me. I feel disappointment, bitterness and responsibility for my performance on the court of course.”

“That being said, after many months of working together with my coach Wim Fissette, I’ve decided to take a different path.”

This separation comes relatively soon after she ended a highly successful three-season stint with former coach Tomasz Wiktorowski.

Fissette reflects on Wimbledon glory

The 46-year-old coach brings immense pedigree to his next role, having previously guided Grand Slam champions Kim Clijsters, Angelique Kerber and Naomi Osaka.

Fissette responded graciously to the announcement, choosing to reflect fondly on their shared success at the All England Club.

“In 2018, I met Iga at the Wimbledon Champions Dinner after she won juniors. Seven years later, we won it together. A nice story.”

“We both wanted and worked for more but shared important moments and lessons. Iga, I now wish you good luck and success in what’s next.”

The remainder of the Polish player’s coaching staff will stay intact as she takes time to prepare for the next chapter of her career.

Four-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen and his Mercedes-AMG teammates have been disqualified from Saturday’s Nurburgring Nordschleife race victory after exceeding their tyre allocation.

The Dutchman had partnered with Daniel Juncadella and Jules Gounon to secure a dominant victory in the second round of the Nurburgring Langstrecken-Serie.

Driving a Mercedes-AMG GT3, the trio crossed the finish line more than a minute ahead of the chasing pack.

However, post-race inspections revealed the team had used seven sets of tyres across qualifying and the race, breaching the mandated six-set limit.

Rowe Racing inherit victory following rules breach

Following the retrospective disqualification, the race win was subsequently awarded to the Rowe Racing duo of Don Harper and Jordan Pepper.

Verstappen Racing released a measured response on social media acknowledging the setback while focusing on future events.

“Tough outcome, but we keep moving,” the statement read.
“A lot to take from the weekend and plenty to look forward to.”

Mercedes acknowledge behind-the-scenes error

The operational error was managed by Winward Racing, who were fielding this specific performance car line-up for the first time in the endurance series.

Stefan Wendl, head of Mercedes-AMG customer racing, admitted the logistical mistake severely dampened an otherwise extraordinary day on the track.

“The disappointment was all the greater when we realised that we had made a mistake behind the scenes that morning and the race organisers were forced to disqualify the winning car,” Wendl explained.
“It shows once again that you can only win on the Nordschleife if everything comes together.”

Potential early return to the Green Hell

The Red Bull driver is expected to return to the famously unforgiving German circuit for the 24 Hours of Nurburgring in May.

However, the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix owing to conflict in the Middle East has created an unexpected gap in the reigning world champion’s primary racing schedule.

This calendar opening has raised the possibility of the prolific racer competing in the next round of the endurance series next month.

“We’re looking into it,” he responded when questioned about a swift comeback.
“It depends if it is feasible, but I’m always happy to race here.”

Reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year Jaxon Smith-Njigba has agreed a record-breaking four-year, $168.6m contract extension with the Seattle Seahawks.

The landmark deal averages $42.15m per year and includes more than $120m in guaranteed money.

Both financial figures establish new all-time benchmarks for any wide receiver in the history of the league.

This lucrative new agreement officially ties the prolific pass-catcher to the defending Super Bowl champions through the 2031 season.

Setting a new market standard

This monumental jump in the receiver market is expected to significantly influence upcoming contract negotiations across the sport.

NFC West division rivals the Los Angeles Rams will be particularly attentive as they prepare for crucial offseason discussions.

Rams star Puka Nacua is currently entering the final year of his rookie deal ahead of the 2026 campaign.

The newly established financial bar means the California franchise will likely face a much steeper asking price to retain their own offensive cornerstone.

Colombian 18-year-old Santiago Castrillon has died in hospital after collapsing during a match for the Millonarios under-20 team in Bogota.

The teenager suffered a medical emergency on Saturday while playing against local rivals Independiente Santa Fe in a National U-20 Tournament fixture.

He was immediately treated by club doctors on the pitch before being rushed by ambulance to a specialist cardiovascular unit.

Despite receiving intensive medical care, the offensive midfielder passed away the following day surrounded by his family and teammates.

‘The blue heart is broken’

Millonarios, who compete in Colombia’s top-flight Primera A, confirmed the tragic news in an emotional statement issued overnight.

The Bogota-based outfit paid heartfelt tribute to their number 10, describing the profound grief felt across the entire organisation.

“Today football comes to a stop. The blue heart is broken. Today pain overwhelms us, fills us with helplessness and sadness.”
“With deep sorrow we bid farewell to our number 10, our teammate, our friend. Santiago didn’t just play football. He lived it, felt it, shared it with a smile that today remains etched in all of us.”

A promising talent remembered

Born in Bucaramanga, the young prospect joined the Millonarios youth system in 2021 and was just weeks away from celebrating his 19th birthday.

Before his move to the capital, the midfielder developed his skills at Guayos FC under the guidance of youth coach Luis Eduardo Pedraza.

Pedraza had previously praised the Colombian talent’s exceptional character, highlighting his humility and discipline.

“Santi is an excellent person, he is a very hardworking, very humble, very disciplined boy, very passionate about soccer.”
“From a footballing perspective, he was extraordinary; he had qualities that at his age were dazzling.”

Tottenham Hotspur are considering a managerial change with Igor Tudor under severe pressure following a heavy home defeat to Nottingham Forest that leaves the club facing a relegation battle.

The north London side collapsed to a 3-0 loss against their relegation rivals on Sunday.

That dismal result leaves the struggling outfit just a single point above the Premier League drop zone.

It represents a sudden crash back to reality after a rousing Champions League victory over Atletico Madrid and a hard-fought draw at Liverpool.

Tudor faces mounting pressure

The current head coach has overseen a disastrous domestic run.

He has suffered five defeats and managed just one draw in his six league fixtures in charge.

Consequently, the Spurs hierarchy are weighing up potential replacements to salvage their top-flight status.

Dyche and Pochettino lead betting

Former Everton boss Sean Dyche has emerged as the clear bookmakers’ favourite to take the reins.

He sits marginally ahead of fan favourite Mauricio Pochettino and former Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi in the latest odds.

Former players Ryan Mason and Robbie Keane are also generating interest in the betting markets.

Meanwhile, veteran coach Harry Redknapp has publicly confirmed his eagerness to return, though a nine-year absence from management makes his appointment highly unlikely.

Hutter emerges as shock candidate

A new name gaining significant traction in recent days is former Monaco head coach Adi Hutter.

The 56-year-old Austrian has been out of work since being dismissed by the Ligue 1 side earlier this season.

Reports originating in Italy suggest the Tottenham board have identified the experienced tactician as a viable option.

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