Mikel Arteta said Arsenal must re-focus for Sunday’s “huge” Premier League clash at West Ham after the emotional high of reaching the Champions League final.

The Gunners will be crowned English champions for the first time in 22 years if they can win their final three league games.

A trip to relegation-threatened West Ham appears to be their toughest task remaining.

Arteta’s men then host relegated Burnley before facing Crystal Palace just days before the Eagles play in the Conference League final.

Arsenal reached the Champions League final for just the second time in their history with victory over Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, but Arteta stressed there was little time to look ahead to facing Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest.

“Stay present, live in the moment, prepare and show the same level of energy, hunger and desire we have shown all season, or more,” said the Arsenal boss, referring to his message to his players.

“We are closer and closer and everything we do is going to matter.”

The Gunners are five points clear of Manchester City at the top of the table but have played one game more than Pep Guardiola’s men.

The result at the London Stadium could also have huge ramifications for Arsenal’s north London rivals Tottenham.

Spurs are just one point above 18-place West Ham in the battle to avoid the drop.

“Understanding the conditions of the game for both clubs, it’s huge, obviously,” said Arteta. “We know the importance of it, we know what we want and what we have to do to win the game.”

The Spaniard said Mikel Merino and Jurrien Timber remain out and are facing a race against time to feature in the Champions League final on May 30.

“There’s a fair bit to do,” he said. “Everything has to be so smooth and quick if they want the chance to play any minutes.”

AFP

Kylian Mbappe trained on Friday after recovering from a hamstring injury ahead of the Clasico against Barcelona, with Aurelien Tchouameni also involved following his bust-up with teammate Federico Valverde.

Top goalscorer Mbappe had been sidelined for two weeks, but Real said the French striker completed part of the group session two days before their trip to Barcelona.

Tchouameni also took part in the training the day after his altercation with Valverde resulted in the latter reportedly needing stitches.

The team confirmed that disciplinary proceedings have been opened against both players after the training ground clash, one of a spate of such incidents.

Tensions are high at Real with the prospect of a second consecutive season without a major trophy.

Leading by 11 points, Barcelona only need a draw in the Clasico to be crowned Spanish champions again.

AFP

Jadon Sancho argued with Manchester United fans after Aston Villa reached the Europa League final this week.

Villa ran riot on Thursday night, beating Nottingham Forest 4-0 to claim a 4-1 aggregate victory and book their place in the Europa League final against Freiburg.

The Premier League side are into a first European final for 44 years whilst Sancho will play his third in as many seasons after finals with Chelsea and Borrusia Dortmund in the past few years.

However, after the game, fans ripped into Sancho who they believe simply does not contribute enough to the clubs he has helped reach finals in recent years.

“Let’s have a quick look at @Sanchooo10’s input in getting to those finals,” one United fans posted.

To which Sancho replied: “Yeah, make sure you have a good look!”

Another United fan jumped in: “Made a European final playing absolutely no part (he come on for 4 minutes tonight) and he’s suddenly acting as if he’s (Kylian) Mbappe. Shows his weak & poor mentality, m***.”

Sancho did not bite as he responded: “Have a good night, bro!”

When told he “peaked at 21” and was called a “nothing footballer” who couldn’t succeed at United by a user named ‘Christiano’. Sancho mocked the X user by asking: “Just wondering, is your name actually Christiano?”

The England star’s final post came at 12.28am as he posted: “Jokes aside Love n Hate today is for @AVFCOfficial goodnight Villans,” Sancho wrote. “See you in Istanbul!”

Sancho got to the Champions League final with Borussia Dortmund in 2024, the Conference League final with Chelsea in 2025 and has now reached the Europa League final with Villa in 2026.

He will be seeking to make it 2 successful finals out of 3 with Villa who could make history later this month in Istanbul.