Arsenal Face Chelsea Title Test, Troubled Spurs in Spotlight 

Viktor Gyokeres of Arsenal (C) celebrates scoring the 1-4 goal during the English Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal FC, in London, Britain, 22 February 2026. (EPA)
Viktor Gyokeres of Arsenal (C) celebrates scoring the 1-4 goal during the English Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal FC, in London, Britain, 22 February 2026. (EPA)
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Arsenal Face Chelsea Title Test, Troubled Spurs in Spotlight 

Viktor Gyokeres of Arsenal (C) celebrates scoring the 1-4 goal during the English Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal FC, in London, Britain, 22 February 2026. (EPA)
Viktor Gyokeres of Arsenal (C) celebrates scoring the 1-4 goal during the English Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal FC, in London, Britain, 22 February 2026. (EPA)

Premier League leaders Arsenal face a title test from London rivals Chelsea on Sunday.

Manchester City can keep the pressure on Arsenal with a win at Leeds, while troubled Tottenham cannot afford another damaging defeat.

AFP Sport looks at three talking points ahead of this weekend's action:

Players meeting sparked Arsenal revival

Arsenal revitalized their flagging title bid thanks to a meeting between the players prior to their vital 4-1 win at Tottenham on Sunday.

Viktor Gyokeres and Eberechi Eze both scored twice in a north London derby rout that came just four days after Arsenal were stunned by a 2-2 draw at bottom of the table Wolves.

The dropped points at Molineux led to questions about Arsenal's ability to cope with the title tension and Mikel Arteta's squad responded by thrashing out their issues in crunch talks.

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice said the players spoke to each other in a "firm" way, leading to a cathartic victory at Tottenham that reestablished a five-point lead over second-placed Manchester City.

"It's important sometimes just to say what you feel and to let it all out in the group," Gyokeres said ahead of Chelsea's visit to the Emirates Stadium.

"Most of us spoke. Everyone can recognize how different people feel in the moment and you get a better understanding of the feeling.

"If you're not honest, I think it's hard to improve. It was a good chat and now we're going to prepare for a big game against Chelsea."

Defiant Man City vow to keep fighting

Pep Guardiola has warned Arsenal that Manchester City will "never give up" as they chase the seventh Premier League title of his glittering reign.

Guardiola's side won 2-1 against Newcastle at the Etihad Stadium last weekend to keep the destiny of the title in their hands.

Although Arsenal are five points ahead, City have a game in hand and host the Gunners in April.

If City win their last 11 matches they guaranteed to win the title no matter what Arsenal do in their remaining 10 games.

"When I was at Spurs and we drew 2-2 someone said why don't we drop the Premier League and focus on the cups. I said, 'No, why? Let's go, let's try'," Guardiola said before City's trip to Leeds on Saturday.

"Many things are going to happen. Never give up. Ten or 11 games is a lot of games in the Premier League."

Tudor adamant Spurs can survive

Facing the grim prospect of crashing into the second tier for the first time since 1977-78, Tottenham desperately need to slow their plunge towards the Championship by winning at Fulham on Sunday.

Igor Tudor's first game as interim boss ended in a chastening 4-1 defeat against arch-rivals Arsenal, leaving Tottenham perilously poised just four points above the relegation zone.

Tottenham have 11 games to save themselves from humiliation, but Tudor is hampered by a lengthy injury list and a confidence crisis triggered by the team's nine-match winless run.

"Of course there is enough time (to survive)," Tudor said.

"Stay humble, that is the key for each of us. Try to become what I said before: a hard-working team. That is the only goal we have now in this moment."



SDRPY Handball Championship Wraps up in Marib, Yemen

The program has supported the youth and sports sector through a wide range of projects and initiatives - SPA
The program has supported the youth and sports sector through a wide range of projects and initiatives - SPA
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SDRPY Handball Championship Wraps up in Marib, Yemen

The program has supported the youth and sports sector through a wide range of projects and initiatives - SPA
The program has supported the youth and sports sector through a wide range of projects and initiatives - SPA

The Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen (SDRPY) Handball Championship in Marib Governorate concluded with Al-Watan Club claiming the title after a 27-23 victory over Al-Sadd Club in the finals. Overall, 16 local clubs competed for the championship, SPA reported.

The championship is part of SDRPY’s efforts to support the youth and sports sector and promote sporting activities across governorates.

The program has supported the youth and sports sector through a wide range of projects and initiatives, including rehabilitating sports facilities, constructing stadiums, sponsoring tournaments, and providing technical expertise and knowledge transfer.

The SDRPY has implemented development projects and initiatives across vital sectors, including education, health, water, energy, transportation, agriculture and fisheries, and capacity building to support the Yemeni government and its development programs.


ATP Roundup: Tommy Paul Wins all-American Semi to Reach Houston Final

Mar 25, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Tommy Paul of the United States hits a backhand during his match against Arthur Fils of France in the quarter finals of the men’s singles at the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images - Reuters
Mar 25, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Tommy Paul of the United States hits a backhand during his match against Arthur Fils of France in the quarter finals of the men’s singles at the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images - Reuters
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ATP Roundup: Tommy Paul Wins all-American Semi to Reach Houston Final

Mar 25, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Tommy Paul of the United States hits a backhand during his match against Arthur Fils of France in the quarter finals of the men’s singles at the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images - Reuters
Mar 25, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Tommy Paul of the United States hits a backhand during his match against Arthur Fils of France in the quarter finals of the men’s singles at the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images - Reuters

No. 4 Tommy Paul rallied for his fourth consecutive win over fellow American and second-seeded Frances Tiafoe, 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (7), on Saturday in the US Men's Clay Court Championship semifinals at Houston.

Paul clinched his first ever ATP clay-court final ​appearance in a grueling 2-hour, 45-minute match that was marred by rain throughout, including a 90-minute ‌delay during the second set. Paul thrived behind 14 aces and no double faults while converting two of five break-point opportunities in the pivotal deciding set.

It was back-and-forth in the final set with Tiafoe notching the first break and Paul breaking him right back in the next ​service. Then the reverse happened with Paul grabbing a break and Tiafoe nabbing it right back a service ​game later. In the deciding tiebreaker, Paul squandered two match points up 6-4 before advancing ⁠by winning two straight points to break a 7-7 tie.

In another semifinal between competitors from the same country, Argentina's Roman ​Andres Burruchaga easily dispatched Thiago Agustin Tirante 6-1, 6-1 to set up a date with Paul. Burruchaga converted 5 of ​8 break opportunities while never facing one. Tirante had 25 unforced errors to Burruchaga's 10, Reuters reported.

Grand Prix Hassan II

Qualifier Marco Trungelliti (ATP No. 117) of Argentina continued his Cinderella run by taking down top-seeded Italian Luciano Darderi 6-4, 7-6 (2) in Marrakech, Morocco.

Trungelliti clinched a spot in the final and ​is the oldest first-time finalist in ATP Tour history at 36. En route to the final, Trungelliti took down the ​fifth, third and first seeds. Trungelliti converted four of six break-point opportunities and capitalized on Darderi's eight double faults to deny the ‌Italian a ⁠repeat championship in the event.

Spain's Rafael Jodar will try to halt Trungelliti's magical run after he took down Argentinian Camilo Ugo Carabelli in straight sets 6-2, 6-1 in just 63 minutes. Jodar was never broken and held a 23-8 advantage in winners. This would also be the first title for Jodar, who at 19 years old, made his tour debut earlier ​this year at the Australian ​Open and is competing in ⁠his first tour-level clay tournament.

Tiriac Open

Qualifier Daniel Merida Aguilar of Spain came back from a set down to upset Hungarian third seed Fabian Marozsan 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-1 in a semifinal ​match in Bucharest, Romania.

After dropping the first set, Merida Agular knocked home four of his ​six break-point attempts ⁠over the final two sets, finishing with 35 winners. He defended his serve well throughout as he saved 17 of the 18 break points he faced to overcome his 39 unforced errors and reach his first tour-level final.

Seventh-seeded Argentinian Mariano Navone saved ⁠two match ​points to come back and beat eighth-seeded Botic van de Zandschulp of ​the Netherlands 5-7, 7-6 (3), 7-5. Navone capitalized on 65 unforced errors from van de Zandschulp and broke him six times. He hit 82% of his ​first serves and will also be looking for his first tour-level title after losing the 2024 Bucharest championship match.


Schouten to Miss World Cup after Surgery on Cruciate Ligament Injury

Soccer Football - Champions League - PSV Eindhoven v Sporting CP - Philips Stadion, Eindhoven, Netherlands - October 1, 2024 PSV Eindhoven's Jerdy Schouten scores their first goal REUTERS/Piroschka Van De Wouw/File Photo
Soccer Football - Champions League - PSV Eindhoven v Sporting CP - Philips Stadion, Eindhoven, Netherlands - October 1, 2024 PSV Eindhoven's Jerdy Schouten scores their first goal REUTERS/Piroschka Van De Wouw/File Photo
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Schouten to Miss World Cup after Surgery on Cruciate Ligament Injury

Soccer Football - Champions League - PSV Eindhoven v Sporting CP - Philips Stadion, Eindhoven, Netherlands - October 1, 2024 PSV Eindhoven's Jerdy Schouten scores their first goal REUTERS/Piroschka Van De Wouw/File Photo
Soccer Football - Champions League - PSV Eindhoven v Sporting CP - Philips Stadion, Eindhoven, Netherlands - October 1, 2024 PSV Eindhoven's Jerdy Schouten scores their first goal REUTERS/Piroschka Van De Wouw/File Photo

PSV Eindhoven captain Jerdy Schouten sustained a cruciate ligament injury in the match against Utrecht that required surgery, his club said on Sunday, ruling the Netherlands midfielder out of the World Cup.

Schouten suffered the injury in the second half of Saturday's 4-3 victory when he twisted his knee and the 29-year-old was taken off on a stretcher.

PSV said further examinations on Sunday confirmed the injury which generally takes six to nine months for a full recovery.

"When it happened, I actually felt immediately that something was wrong," Schouten said, Reuters reported.

"You still have a glimmer of hope that it isn't too bad, but unfortunately that turned out not to be the case. The blow is big right now, but I will move on quickly.

"Great things are about to happen for PSV again and I will do everything I can to be involved in everything."

Schouten made 40 appearances for PSV across all competitions this season, including 28 league games as they inch closer to a third straight title.

Having made his international debut in 2022, Schouten has played 17 times for the Netherlands, last playing the full 90 minutes in a friendly draw with Ecuador last week.