Arsenal in the news as they chase/secure big European brag rights this season; London club, 13-time top-flight champions, based in Islington. #Arsenal
Alexander Manninger, a former Austrian goalkeeper, has died at age 48 following a traffic accident near Salzburg. He has played for clubs including Arsenal, Juventus, and Liverpool, and has been celebrated as an ambassador for Austrian football. The accident involved his car being hit by a train at a level crossing.
Manchester City remain in the Premier League title race as key players return from injury and push for a late-season surge. A 3-3 draw with Everton boosts the mood but Arsenal lead as the season closes in.
Argentina has named Lionel Messi among 55 players in its preliminary World Cup squad, with ongoing questions over his availability. Gianluca Prestianni faces a worldwide ban extension that could affect Argentina’s opening games; the World Cup runs from June 11 to July 19, with Algeria, Austria and Jordan in Argentina’s group.
SC Freiburg has reached the Europa League final after a season in which Julian Schuster has transformed the team, guiding them to the Istanbul showpiece in the absence of long-time coach Christian Streich. The club’s style has evolved under Schuster while maintaining Freiburg’s core ethos, and a potential final could earn them a historic trophy or a place in the Conference League depending on the result against Aston Villa.
UK fans will not paywall the Champions League final for the first time since 1992 as TNT Sports charges a monthly HBO Max subscription of £4.99 for access to the final and two other UEFA finals. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pressed TNT to reconsider, citing fans’ access and affordability.
Spain has named its 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, with Lamine Yamal as a star presence. For the first time since 1950, no Real Madrid player features as Dean Huijsen is injured and Dani Carvajal is left out. Mikel Merino has returned from injury, and Yamal faces a potential hamstring issue ahead of the tournament.
Messi has been diagnosed with muscle fatigue in his left hamstring but is aiming to return for Argentina’s World Cup campaign. Inter Miami is coordinating tests and monitoring his progress as the World Cup opens in two weeks. Argentina will face Algeria in their Group J opener.
Uganda has tightened cross-border movement with Congo amid an Ebola outbreak centered in Ituri province. Authorities have restricted border travel and halted nonessential transport while WHO warns of regional risk and Congo struggles to contain cases. Kampala confirms cases and border closures are in effect for emergency purposes only.
Arsenal’s Premier League title has been celebrated with a mass parade in north London, drawing hundreds of thousands of fans. Police say several stabbings and multiple arrests have occurred as officers managed crowds and responded to incidents throughout the day.
PSG have retained the Champions League title after beating Arsenal 4-3 on penalties in Budapest following a 1-1 draw in regular time and extra time. Luis Enrique has now won three European Cups as a coach, and PSG have solidified their status as Europe’s leading club, while Arsenal suffer a shootout defeat after leading early.”
Arsenal and PSG have reached the Champions League Final in Budapest, with PSG aiming to defend their crown after a 5-0 win in 2023; Arsenal seek their first European crown in 140 years. PSG enters as favorites, having defeated Liverpool and Bayern Munich en route to the final.
Fans celebrated PSG's win in Budapest but violence erupted across about 15 French cities. Authorities have detained nearly 400 people, with Paris accounting for roughly 300 arrests. Planned Champs-Élysées celebrations are still set to proceed with the team hosted by President Macron at the Élysée palace.