A tiny Caribbean nation with just 156,000 people is preparing to take on football’s global powers, write JUAN ARRAEZ and TIM REYNOLDS

A season of missed opportunities capped years of questionable decisions made by the club, writes PAUL DONOVAN

Pep Guardiola leaving City marks the end of an era of peak modern football, says JAMES NALTON

Premier League champions Arsenal will finally lift the coveted trophy this weekend after 22 long years. LAYTH YOUSIF pays tribute to and remembers those who are not here to see it

Layth Yousif previews the Arsenal v Burnley match 

Aston Villa 4-2 Liverpool

by Gene Sylvester 

at Villa Park

CLAUDIA CIOBANU writes on the fan-run club pushing back against Poland’s far-right football culture

Pereira gives Gibbs-White time to prove fitness for Villa clash

From ground-sharing and ownership battles to a return to the Premier League, the Sky Blues’ rise reflects the spirit of the city itself, writes DAVID CONWAY

European hopes hang in the balance for Reds against in-form champions, writes STEVE DOUGLAS

But fans group call on the club not to hire him due to his relationship with former Man Utd player Greenwood

Salah broke down barriers throughout his Liverpool career — his departure marks the end of an era, says JAMES NALTON

Turning Tottenham Hotspur into a ‘financial powerhouse’ has cost the team greatly, says BRANDON WILLIAMS

Kick It Out defends FA’s DEI ambitions after Braverman launches new attack in her endless culture war

Football Supporters’ Association welcomes decision and calls on owners to ‘listen to the voices of supporters’ groups at their clubs’ about home ticket prices

TURLOUGH KELLY explains why the coalition government is so eager for the home match against Israel to go ahead despite widespread opposition

Eze’s goal-of-the-season contender put the Gunners ahead before player-of-the-year favourite Declan Rice doubles the lead to see Arteta’s side through to the last eight

Fury as CAF reverses final result to award 3-0 win to Morocco

Defender insists squad still fighting ahead of pivotal Atletico clash in Europe

From pirate statues to surplus Wembley seats, The Dripping Pan offers a reminder that the game’s soul survives beyond the Premier League glare, writes LAYTH YOUSIF

Negotiations over pay, conditions and league structure could have a longer-lasting impact than the 2026 tournament and high-profile signings, writes JAMES NALTON

by Megan Janetsky

Magpies manager addresses growing scrutiny ahead of Spurs crunch clash

Ukraine sports minister brands Fifa president’s call to readmit Russian youth teams ‘irresponsible’

Player’s proposed move to Tottenham may make sense on paper, but his value to the Reds goes far beyond minutes and money, JAMES NALTON discusses

The 1958 plans to march with more than 6,000 supporters ahead of Fulham clash

Forward’s rise as the tournament’s leading scorer reflects a journey shaped by heritage and belief as Morocco reach the final, writes JAMES NALTON

Gyokeres stars as the Gunners take a slender lead back to north London despite Garnacho brace

Fifa backs checks at World Cup but resistance remains over extending VAR’s role

Slot’s Reds face potential attacking blow with Salah away and Isak injured

From Prague success to Premier League peril, PAUL DONOVAN writes about the decisions that dragged the Hammers into a relegation fight

The Congolese revolutionary’s image re-emerges through a supporter’s statuesque silent protest during DR Congo’s group-stage win, writes JAMES NALTON

Gunners turn the screw after the interval to blow away Emery’s side in emphatic fashion, writes LAYTH YOUSIF

Supporters say ‘alarm bells should be ringing’ at Fifa as allocations go unfilled

As another sporting year draws to a close, LAYTH YOUSIF offers his annual reflection on the matches, moments and memories that made it special

Newcastle 2-2 Chelsea 

by Roger Domeneghetti

at St James’ Park

Arsenal 1-0 Everton

By Layth Yousif 
at the Bramley-Moore Dock Stadium
 

Figures like Joey Barton could fuel a culture of online hostility toward female athletes, says WASIM AHMED, EMMA KAVANAGH and MARIANN HARDEY

Snippets of news from the sporting world

Howe faces selection headache with Newcastle player ruled out for weeks

Quansah debuts, O’Reilly dazzles and Kane delivers as England complete qualifying in style

FA vows no repeat of Oasis-style price hikes as organisers commit to affordability

For the Gunners boss, ‘execution’ isn’t about brutality but precision — a mindset that’s driving his squad from nearly-men to genuine title contenders, writes JAMES NALTON 

Two goals from Merino following a first half spot kick from Saka help Arsenal to victory