Arsenal are expected to abandon their pursuit of Paris St-Germain winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia this summer as they prepare for Sunday’s Carabao Cup final.
The Gunners have been heavily linked with a move for the 25-year-old to strengthen their attacking options on the left flank.
However, the French champions view the Georgian international as a crucial part of their squad and will not entertain any offers.
He joined the Parisian outfit from Napoli in January 2025 for £59m, subsequently winning both the Champions League and Ligue 1.
Focus shifts to Wembley showdown
Mikel Arteta’s side must quickly put transfer frustrations aside as they seek their first piece of silverware since the 2020 FA Cup.
The north Londoners currently sit nine points clear at the top of the Premier League table following a hard-fought victory over Everton.
They also faced Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League quarter-finals earlier this week, continuing a gruelling fixture schedule.
Teenage sensation steps up
Former England defender Rio Ferdinand believes 16-year-old academy product Max Dowman could soon step into a central playmaking role.
The Hale End graduate made a stunning impact against the Toffees last weekend, scoring his first senior goal and providing an assist.
His rapid emergence provides a timely boost for the league leaders as they manage a mounting injury list in midfield.
Club captain Martin Odegaard has missed the last five matches with a knee problem, leaving a creative void in the starting lineup.
Although usually deployed in a central attacking position at youth level, the teenage sensation operated effectively out wide during his recent cameo.
Ollie Chessum has admitted the fear of being chased down by French wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey caused him to panic and score far from the posts during England’s Six Nations defeat in Paris.
The towering back-row forward intercepted a pass on his own 10-metre line in the 51st minute and ran 60 metres unopposed.
However, the Leicester Tigers star touched down near the left touchline rather than angling towards the centre.
This wide positioning resulted in a missed conversion by fly-half Fin Smith.
England ultimately lost the thrilling encounter 48-46 to round off a highly disappointing tournament.
Fear of being caught
“I was adamant that there was a red scrum out lurking in the background that was going to bring me down.”
said Chessum.
“So I just pinned my ears back and hoped that no-one managed to grab on to my coattails and bring me to the floor.”
The 25-year-old revealed he has received significant teasing from teammates and family for not making the kick easier.
Bielle-Biarrey, who crossed the whitewash four times himself during the match, was in close pursuit alongside Matthieu Jalibert and Thomas Ramos.
None of the chasing French trio could reel in the English forward before he crossed the try line.
Exceptional sprint speed
Leicester coach Geoff Parling was entirely unsurprised by the breakaway score.
The coach noted the player’s top sprint speed has been measured at an impressive 9.3 metres per second.
“As soon as he got the intercept I knew he was going to score because I know how fast he is.”
stated Parling.
Parling praised the forward for continuously driving his team forward against the formidable French opposition.
Frustrating campaign for England
Despite an improved final performance in the French capital, Steve Borthwick’s side concluded a miserable championship.
The national team secured only one victory from five fixtures.
This poor run of form resulted in a dismal fifth-place finish in the final championship standings.
“It was a frustrating few weeks, there’s no hiding the disappointment and frustration.”
the forward added.
Following the match, the try-scorer immediately flew back to London Heathrow.
He then took a taxi straight to Welford Road to watch his club lift the Premiership Rugby Cup.
Paris St-Germain have ruthlessly eliminated Chelsea from the Champions League after securing a dominant 3-0 victory at Stamford Bridge to complete an 8-2 aggregate triumph.
The hosts entered the decisive second leg harbouring faint hopes of an unlikely comeback following a heavy 5-2 defeat in the French capital.
However, those slim aspirations were completely extinguished within six minutes when Khvicha Kvaratskhelia comfortably evaded 20-year-old debutant Mamadou Sarr to slide home the opener.
Bradley Barcola doubled the advantage for the visitors just eight minutes later to leave Liam Rosenior’s side trailing by an insurmountable five-goal margin at the interval.
Empty stands and mounting injuries
A half-time introduction for academy prospect Josh Acheampong failed to revitalise a deeply disjointed home performance.
The reigning European champions continued their relentless assault, with Senny Mayulu firing a third goal past goalkeeper Robert Sanchez midway through the second period.
While the London club eventually established a belated foothold in the contest, they failed to register a meaningful consolation strike in front of a rapidly emptying stadium.
A disastrous European exit was ultimately compounded in the closing stages when defender Trevoh Chalobah was carried off the pitch on a stretcher with a suspected serious injury.
Rosenior faces intense scrutiny
This humiliating elimination leaves the Blues’ head coach facing severe questions regarding his tactical approach and the overall trajectory of his squad.
Conceding eight goals across two crucial European ties highlights significant defensive frailties that must be urgently addressed before their next domestic fixture.
Morocco have been declared the winners of the Africa Cup of Nations after authorities controversially overturned Senegal’s initial 1-0 extra-time victory.
The dramatic decision strips the Senegalese national team of their recently claimed continental title.
They had originally secured the trophy earlier this season following a tense match that required an additional 30 minutes to find a breakthrough.
However, an extraordinary intervention means the Atlas Lions are now officially recognised as the tournament champions.
Unprecedented reversal
Such post-match alterations to a cup final outcome are incredibly rare in major international football.
The sudden elevation of the North African side will undoubtedly spark significant debate and potential legal appeals across the global game.
Governing bodies issued a formal statement confirming the structural changes to the tournament’s official honours board.
Awaiting further clarity
The exact nature of the infractions that led to the result being voided remains the subject of intense scrutiny.
Supporters of the Teranga Lions are expected to react strongly to the sudden loss of their hard-fought silverware.
Meanwhile, celebrations will inevitably reignite in Rabat as the revised outcome is fully absorbed by the newly crowned victors.
Aston Martin are actively searching for a new team principal to succeed Adrian Newey after a disastrous start to the 2026 Formula 1 season, with former Red Bull boss Christian Horner ruled out for the role.
The Silverstone-based squad have failed to score a single point in the opening rounds in Australia and China.
Drivers Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll both suffered retirements at the recent Chinese Grand Prix, compounding early-season misery for the manufacturer.
Reliability woes and Honda engine struggles
Significant concerns regarding engine reliability emerged before the opening race in Melbourne when half of their allocated Honda battery packs failed during practice.
The legendary aerodynamicist has pointed to a lack of experience within the engine supplier’s workforce as a primary cause of their current track difficulties.
Newey noted that the Japanese manufacturer returned to the sport with a significantly reduced staff and are struggling to recover under current financial regulations.
“They re-entered with let’s say only, I’m guessing, 30 per cent of their original team and now in a budget cap era.”
“So they started very much on the back foot and unfortunately they’ve struggled to catch back up.”
Tension builds amid search for new leadership
Reports from Spain suggest that palpable tension and disappointment have engulfed the team following the double non-finish in Shanghai.
This perceived leadership void has prompted the British marque to seek a new figurehead to handle management and public relations responsibilities.
Despite the anticipated reshuffle, the 65-year-old engineering mastermind is expected to transition into a revised technical role rather than leave the team entirely.
Aston Martin will have another opportunity to secure their first championship points of the campaign when the paddock moves to Japan next week.
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards will be re-evaluated in one to two weeks after an MRI scan revealed inflammation in his right knee.
The standout player was subsequently ruled out of Tuesday night’s fixture against the Phoenix Suns due to persistent soreness.
This setback interrupts a stellar individual NBA campaign where the dynamic scorer is averaging a career-best 29.5 points.
Award eligibility at risk
Furthermore, the highly-rated guard has been shooting an impressive near-50% from the field.
He has established a reputation for supreme durability throughout his six-year professional career.
Prior to this season, the prolific shooter had missed a mere nine matches across a three-year span.
However, with only 14 regular-season games remaining, this untimely absence jeopardises his eligibility for end-of-season honours.
Crucial period for Minnesota
The injury arrives at a critical juncture for a franchise desperately trying to secure automatic playoff qualification.
Minnesota currently sit just two games behind the third seed in the tightly contested Western Conference.
Conversely, a recent slump of four defeats in five outings means they are only two games clear of the perilous play-in tournament places.
Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl is expected to miss the remainder of the NHL regular season after sustaining a lower-body injury against the Nashville Predators on Sunday.
The 30-year-old suffered the issue following a heavy collision with Ozzy Wiesblatt during the first period of their victory over Nashville.
He initially returned for a brief period before being withdrawn entirely prior to the start of the second period.
Playoff push hampered
Losing the 2020 Hart Trophy winner represents a significant blow to the Canadian franchise as they approach the postseason.
The German international had accumulated a remarkable 97 points across 65 appearances this campaign, registering 35 goals and 62 assists.
Edmonton currently sit seventh in the Western Conference standings with 14 games remaining on their schedule.
However, they remain locked in a tightly contested race and trail fourth-placed Anaheim by just two points.
Dickinson to step up
In the absence of their prolific alternate captain, Jason Dickinson is anticipated to assume responsibilities as the second-line centre.
Hansi Flick has revealed that Barcelona will be his final managerial role as he prepares to sign a new contract ahead of their crucial Champions League clash with Newcastle United.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta recently announced that the 61-year-old German is on the verge of extending his stay in Catalonia.
Despite the revelation regarding his future, the head coach insists his immediate priority is guiding the La Liga leaders into the European quarter-finals.
“In football, I always aim for the highest level,” stated the former Bayern Munich boss. “I’m not thinking about leaving, Barca will be my last club.”
Focus shifts to European ambitions
The Catalan giants host Eddie Howe’s side at a redeveloping Nou Camp on Wednesday following a tense 1-1 draw in the first leg at St James’ Park.
A dramatic stoppage-time penalty from Lamine Yamal salvaged a crucial away result for the visitors after Harvey Barnes had opened the scoring for the Magpies.
“They press high, they’re very quick and they defend well,” noted the tactician. “It will be a tough, very physical match.”
Perfect home record on the line
The five-time European champions have maintained a flawless record at their home venue this season, winning all 12 of their domestic and continental fixtures.
Teenage defender Pau Cubarsi started during the intense first-leg encounter in England and acknowledges the physical threat posed by the Premier League outfit.
“Their intensity on the pitch is incredible,” the 19-year-old admitted. “Defensively we were very solid, but going forward we lacked a bit of tempo.”
Having already defeated the Tyneside club 2-1 during the group stages, the Spanish heavyweights know another victory will secure their progression in Europe’s premier club competition.