1. Arsenal face Cech-Leno conundrum
Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech retires this summer and according to Sky Sports he is expected to return to Chelsea as their new sporting director.
The news provides Arsenal with a problem. Cech’s final game as a Gunner will be against Chelsea in next week’s Uefa Europa League final.
In response to the reports the 37-year-old said on Twitter: “Despite the news today as I had already said to everybody before, I’ll make a decision about my future after the last game. Now my sole focus is to win the EL with @Arsenal.”
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Cech has played throughout the Europa League campaign for Arsenal but could Bernd Leno now be set to start in between the sticks in Baku?
Metro reports that Arsenal fans are demanding that German keeper Leno is selected for the final on 29 May.
2. ‘Miki Baks Out’
The fall-out from Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s withdrawal from the Europa League final is the main focus of today’s back pages. Arsenal have been left in a “rage” over the decision to leave Mkhitaryan out of their squad for Baku. The Armenian will miss the final over fears for his safety in Azerbaijan.
3. Uefa finals live on YouTube
BT Sport has confirmed that the two all-Premier League Uefa finals will be broadcast for free on its YouTube channel, website and app. Chelsea face Arsenal in the Europa League final on Wednesday 29 May and Tottenham take on Liverpool in the Champions League final on Saturday 1 June.
4. Thursday practice in Monaco
Formula 1 fans are reminded that the first two free practice sessions at this week’s Monaco Grand Prix will take place on Thursday instead of Friday. The reason? F1.com’s Chris Medland explains: “Friday is a day off when it comes to Formula 1 track action [in Monaco]. One of the backstories to the Thursday practice centres around a local market taking place on the Friday in the past, but however the tradition originated it’s simply an extra day to see cars running on track, so what’s not to love?”
5. Try and Stop Us
World Rugby has launched an initiative to increase the number of women and girls playing the sport. The “Try and Stop Us” campaign was unveiled across social media and digital platforms on Tuesday. For details see women.rugby
6. Sterling wants talks over racism
Manchester City and England star Raheem Sterling intends to hold talks this summer with the Football Association and the Premier League about the fight to combat racism. Speaking at the Wall Street Journal’s Future of Everything festival the 24-year-old said: “In my off time and holidays if I can get around and speak to the Football Association and the people in the Premier League and see how we can go about doing things better in the future, for sure I’ll be there in person to try and do that.”
7. Fury-Wilder rematch next spring?
Tyson Fury says that a rematch against WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder could take place in March or April next year. He said: “Wilder can’t run forever. This rematch has got to happen.”
8. Juve target Pochettino
Juventus are searching for a new manager to replace Massimiliano Allegri and according to the Independent Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino is their top target. Other candidates for the Turin job include Chelsea’s Maurizio Sarri and Lazio’s Simone Inzaghi.
9. Carey: Silverstone talks ongoing for British GP
Formula 1 chairman Chase Carey says talks with Silverstone to renew the circuit’s contract for the British Grand Prix are ongoing but a deal must be a “win-win” for both parties. Silverstone’s contract to host the British GP expires after this year’s race on 14 July. See the F1 in focus news digest here.
10. England launch World Cup kit
On the day that their 15-man squad was announced for the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup England also revealed the new-look kit they will wear for the competition on home soil.
