1. ARSENAL EDGE WEST HAM TO GO FIVE POINTS CLEAR IN TITLE RACE
Arsenal moved five points clear at the top of the Premier League after a tense 1-0 victory at West Ham on Sunday evening. Leandro Trossard scored the only goal in the 83rd minute, before a dramatic stoppage-time VAR check ruled out Callum Wilson's equaliser for a foul on David Raya. The Gunners did it the hard way, but they got the job done.
Arsenal now lead Manchester City by five points with just two games remaining — against Burnley and Crystal Palace. Crucially, City still have three fixtures left, meaning Arsenal can clinch the title without kicking a ball if Pep Guardiola's side drop points at home to Crystal Palace on Wednesday. It would be the club's first league title in 22 years.
2. REAL MADRID IN FREE FALL: ARBELOA OUT AS MOURINHO ADDRESSES JOB RUMOURS
The fallout from Sunday's El Clasico humiliation continued on Monday as Real Madrid confirmed Alvaro Arbeloa will not be retained beyond this season. The 42-year-old, who took charge following Carlo Ancelotti's departure, led the club to a trophyless campaign that ended in a 2-0 Clasico defeat. Six players are reportedly no longer on speaking terms with the manager. The question now is who replaces him.
Jose Mourinho has emerged as the leading candidate, with Florentino Perez said to regard the Portuguese as the only viable option. Mourinho himself addressed the speculation publicly on Monday, saying clubs not professionals initiate these conversations — stopping short of a denial. He is currently in charge at Benfica. Jurgen Klopp has also been linked with the role.
3. BARCELONA CELEBRATE IN STYLE: FLICK'S RECORDS AND A NIGHT FOR THE HISTORY BOOKS
Barcelona's 2-0 win over Real Madrid on Sunday earned more than three points — it sealed the club's 29th La Liga title in the most historic fashion possible. Not since 1932 had the Spanish championship been decided in an El Clasico fixture. The Camp Nou scenes after full time were extraordinary, with celebrations spilling out across the city throughout Sunday night.
Hansi Flick has now delivered four major trophies in under two seasons — back-to-back La Liga titles, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup. Barcelona won all 17 home league games this season, lost just twice in the entire campaign and stand at 91 points with three games still to play. Flick becomes just the fourth coach to win consecutive La Liga titles at the club in the 21st century, joining Pep Guardiola, Luis Enrique and Ernesto Valverde.
4. RONALDO V BENZEMA: SAUDI TITLE DECIDER ON TUESDAY
The Saudi Pro League title race reaches its moment of truth on Tuesday when Al Nassr host Al Hilal in the Riyadh capital derby. Al Nassr lead by five points going into the fixture — a victory will hand Cristiano Ronaldo his first Saudi Pro League title, the one trophy that has eluded him since joining the kingdom in late 2022.
Al Hilal, managed by Simone Inzaghi, must win and rely on a Nassr collapse in their final two games to have any hope. It is a clash of six Ballon d'Or wins between them, with Ronaldo facing off against former Real Madrid teammate Karim Benzema. Kick-off at Al Awwal Park is at 19:00 GMT on Tuesday, May 12.
5. SUMMER TAKING SHAPE: HOJLUND CLOSE TO NAPOLI, GORDON SET TO LEAVE NEWCASTLE
The summer transfer window is already being shaped behind the scenes. Rasmus Hojlund is close to completing a move to Napoli from Manchester United, with the Danish striker having struggled to nail down a regular starting role at Old Trafford. United are pursuing midfield reinforcements in response, with Ederson among the names under consideration according to Fabrizio Romano, though he cautions a deal is not yet a priority.
Anthony Gordon is expected to leave Newcastle this summer, with several Premier League clubs monitoring the England winger's situation. Chelsea and Newcastle have also been linked with free agent Darwin Nunez following his Liverpool departure at the end of the season. The window opens on June 1.
