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.
The Oklahoma City Thunder and Detroit Pistons have secured top divisional seeds as the 2025-26 NBA regular season enters a pivotal final week of playoff positioning.
Five teams in the Western Conference have already guaranteed their postseason spots.
The reigning champions remain the standout franchise after clinching their division for a third consecutive season.
The Oklahoma City outfit are now on a quest to become the NBA’s first repeat champions since 2018.
Pistons secure summit despite Cunningham injury
The situation at the very top of the Eastern Conference is also settled.
Detroit have locked in the number one seed despite losing star point guard Cade Cunningham to a collapsed lung for the final weeks of the campaign.
Below the Michigan franchise, the Boston Celtics are strong favourites to wrap up the second spot but still require specific results to mathematically guarantee the position.
Knicks and Cavaliers fight for home advantage
The New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers are locked in a tense battle that will likely go down to the final days of the season.
The two franchises are vying for the third and fourth seeds, with the Atlanta Hawks set to play a decisive kingmaker role.
Currently sitting fifth, the Georgia-based team hosts New York on Monday before facing Cleveland in a crucial double-header on Wednesday and Friday.
The outcomes of these specific fixtures will go a long way toward determining who will face the Hawks in the first round.
Meanwhile, the Philadelphia 76ers and Toronto Raptors remain tied for the sixth and final automatic playoff spot with four games remaining.
A recent home defeat to the Sacramento Kings could prove costly for the Canadian franchise as the pressure mounts.
Hornets emerge as dangerous play-in contenders
Teams currently occupying the play-in tournament spots are desperate to find form before the elimination games begin.
The Charlotte Hornets have emerged as the most dangerous outfit likely to come through that high-stakes route.
After a dismal 16-28 start, the North Carolina team have surged since January, claiming impressive victories against San Antonio, Boston and Oklahoma City.
A fully healthy backcourt pairing of LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller has transformed their offensive output.
They have been further aided by fearless performances from Kon Knueppel, who is currently the frontrunner for Rookie of the Year.
Should they advance, a fiercely contested first-round matchup against Detroit remains a possibility following a significant on-court altercation between the two teams in February.
Alternatively, head coach Charles Lee could face his former employers in Boston, adding further intrigue to an already compelling postseason bracket.
World number one Carlos Alcaraz is aiming to complete a full schedule of European clay-court tournaments as he prepares to defend his French Open title.
The Spaniard returns to his preferred surface in Monaco this week to build momentum ahead of the showpiece event at Roland Garros.
He claimed victory in Paris last June by defeating Italian rival Jannik Sinner in a thrilling final.
Embracing the dirt
Speaking to reporters in Monte Carlo, the 22-year-old expressed his excitement about returning to the natural surface.
“I miss clay every time the clay season is over,” he said.
“In my first practices, I said to my team that it’s time to get the socks dirty again.”
Despite missing last year’s Madrid Open due to injury, the seven-time Grand Slam champion intends to compete extensively before the main draw in Paris begins on 24 May.
A gruelling physical test
His intended route to the French capital includes demanding stops at Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Madrid and Rome.
“It’s very demanding physically and mentally,” he acknowledged.
“The week in Barcelona is perhaps when I should rest, but Barcelona is a very important tournament for me.”
The current world number one emphasised that managing his fitness will be crucial during this intense stretch of matches.
Building on past success
Reflecting on his previous campaign, the reigning champion credited his Monte Carlo victory as the catalyst for an exceptional year.
“After the feeling that I got here, I just got better and better,” he added.
He will open his latest campaign against either Swiss veteran Stan Wawrinka or Argentina’s Sebastian Baez in the second round.
However, his primary threat remains world number two Sinner, who recently dominated the hard-court swing by winning the Sunshine Double at Indian Wells and Miami.
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.
A supercomputer has predicted the top 10 for the 2026 Masters at Augusta National, forecasting that defending champion Rory McIlroy will fail to retain his Green Jacket.
The prestigious event marks the beginning of the major championship season in elite golf.
Players will compete for the iconic prize and a lifetime exemption to the historic Georgia tournament.
Northern Irishman McIlroy finally completed his career Grand Slam at the venue last year.
The European Ryder Cup star defeated Englishman Justin Rose on the first extra hole of a dramatic play-off.
However, artificial intelligence suggests the defending champion will not secure back-to-back titles.
Augusta specialists tipped to contend
Breakout American star Chris Gotterup is projected to finish in 10th place on four under par.
The emerging talent recently secured impressive victories at both the Sony Open and Phoenix Open.
Veteran Rose is expected to secure ninth position by utilising his extensive course knowledge.
The former US Open champion has previously finished as runner-up at the major on three separate occasions.
American Xander Schauffele is predicted to share a final score of five under par.
The Olympic gold medallist boasts a stellar record at the venue, missing the cut just once in eight appearances.
Fleetwood and Morikawa in the mix
World number four Tommy Fleetwood is forecast to finish in seventh place on seven under par.
The popular Southport native broke his PGA Tour drought last season but has traditionally struggled at this specific venue.
Meanwhile, two-time major champion Collin Morikawa is projected to finish one shot ahead in sixth.
The Californian has been described by the predictive model as the most consistent iron player of the current campaign.
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.