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      Champions League permutations: Who can still qualify for Europe’s elite competition through Premier League?

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      THE 2024/25 Premier League season is heading for a thrilling climax, with the race for the Champions League far from over.Liverpool confirmed their status as top flight winners with four matches remaining.Liverpool are already Premier League championsCredit: GettyThe Reds’ Premier League win meant they became the first English side to qualify for the 2025/26 Champions League.Arsenal will join the Merseyside outfit in Europe’s elite competition after they beat Newcastle 1-0 last Sunday to secure their spot.As will Europa League winners Tottenham, following their 1-0 win over Manchester United in the Bilbao final.But THREE places are still up for grabs with the top five in the Premier League qualifying for next season’s Champions League.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLWho can still qualify for Champions League through the Premier League?FIVE teams are battling for the remaining three spots in the Premier League’s top five, they are – Manchester City, Newcastle, Chelsea, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest.3rd – Man CityPoints – 68Goal difference – +26Man City go into the final day in the best position out of the five to claim Champions League football as they have two more points than Newcastle, Chelsea, Villa and three more than Forest.Most read in FootballA point away at Fulham will likely be enough for Pep Guardiola’s men due to their superior goal difference, but a win will make mathematically sure that they can’t be caught.4th – NewcastlePoints – 66Goal difference – +22Newcastle’s 1-0 loss to Arsenal last weekend, and results going in favour of their top five rivals, has left Eddie Howe’s side with a job to do on Sunday.The Magpies host Everton on the final day, knowing a win would secure their spot in the Champions League due to their far superior goal difference to Villa.A draw would be enough for the Toon if Villa failed to win away at Manchester United.5th – ChelseaPoints – 66Goal difference – +20Chelsea face Nottingham Forest in a blockbuster clash with both sides capable of securing Champions League football.The Blues would qualify with a win over the Tricky Trees, no matter what Villa do, due to their far superior goal difference.A draw would be enough for Chelsea if Newcastle are beaten by Everton by more than one goal or Villa fail to win at Man Utd.6th – Aston VillaPoints – 66Goal difference – +9The Villans can secure Champions League football for the second season in a row with a draw at Old Trafford, should Newcastle lose to Everton and Forest vs Chelsea end in a draw.There is a strong chance that Unai Emery’s side will need to win on the final day to finish in the top five.Should Villa win at Man Utd, it may not be enough due to their inferior goal difference, as if Newcastle and Chelsea both win and City take at least a point at Fulham, they would remain 6th, just outside the Champions League spots.7th – Nottingham ForestPoints – 65Goal difference – +13Read More on The SunNottingham Forest HAVE to beat Chelsea on the final day to stand any chance of a top five finish.Even if Nuno Espirito Santo’s men claim all three points, they may still finish 6th if Aston Villa and Newcastle both win. More

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      Trent Alexander-Arnold hits back at Liverpool boo boys with emotional social media post as he prepares for final game

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      LIVERPOOL star Trent Alexander-Arnold has issued a parting message to fans ahead of his final match with the club.Alexander-Arnold, 26, is set to roll credits on his glittering 20-year spell with the Reds, which started at the tender age of seven, and is expected to join Real Madrid.Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold has issued a parting message to fansThat led to some fans turning on the local hero as he was booed when he was subbed on against Arsenal two weeks ago despite his incredible contribution these last nine years.Nevertheless, the full-back is gearing up for today’s final Premier League fixture against Crystal Palace at Anfield, which will see his team lifting the trophy in front of fans for the first time in 35 years.The England international took to Twitter and posted a picture of a special pair of football boots in what seemed like a response to the jeers he’s received at the Kop.One has 2005 labelled on the tongue – the year he joined the club’s academy – while the other states 2025 – the date of his imminent departure.Read More on FootballAlexander-Arnold added the following caption: “20 years. Gave it everything.”A number of Liverpool icons were left baffled with the treatment TAA received from a section of the fans during the 2-2 draw with runners-up Arsenal.Former manager Jurgen Klopp was so “disappointed” he revealed he turned the TV off.Premier League leading goalscorer Mohamed Salah and star team-mate Dominik Szoboszlai also disapproved. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSAlexander-Arnold was an unused substitute during Monday’s 3-2 loss at Brighton.And manager Arne Slot has reportedly yet to make a decision over whether to give the defender one last hurrah at the Kop.Trent Alexander-Arnold BOOED by Liverpool fans after boyhood fan confirmed he’s leaving in weeksTrent helped Liverpool win two Premier League titles, one FA Cup, one League Cup and the 2019 Champions League. More

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      Ian Wright delivers brutal dig to Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side for another second place finish in Premier League

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      ARSENAL legend Ian Wright aimed a brutal dig at Mikel Arteta’s side, who are set for yet another second-place finish for the third year in a row.The Gunners are currently a staggering 12 points behind Premier League champions Liverpool in the table following a fifth consecutive trophyless campaign.Arsenal legend Ian Wright aimed a brutal dig at Mikel Arteta’s sideArteta saw his Arsenal team finish second for the third year in a row amid a fifth consecutive trophyless campaignBut Wright had immense praise for Arsenal’s women who ‘saved the club from embarrassment’The North Londoners also experienced a heartbreaking Champions League semi-final elimination to Paris Saint-Germain, with Arteta, 43, insisting his team was better despite losing both legs.Rivals Tottenham rubbed some added salt to their London foes’ wounds by winning the Europa League and ending 17 years of hurt since the last time they won a trophy.But Arsenal Women brought a massive smile to the club following an epic Champions League triumph over Barcelona.Renee Slegers’ side picked up a heroic 1-0 victory over Barca thanks to Stina Blackstenius’ winner on Saturday at the Jose Alvalade Stadium.Read More on ArsenalAnd Wright sang the women’s team’s praises by insisting they “saved the club from embarrassment”.The pundit insists the team deserves massive respect as no one believed they could pull it off against Barcelona, who had won the Champions League three times in the last four years.The former striker is adamant the ladies deserve a parade, just like the men would get if they had won a trophy this season.Wright told TNT Sports: “Saved the club from the embarrassment of getting nothing this season when we played so well in the season with the men.Most read in Football“The ladies have saved the club, we have got something to celebrate. Of course they need a parade, they have beaten Barcelona in the Champions League [final], no one gave them a chance. “Even I was saying it was going to be tough because they [Barcelona] average four goals a game!Mikel Arteta gives passionate speech to fans in Emirates after win over Newcastle“So we needed to score goals to make sure that we beat them, in the end it was only one but everybody wrote them off. “They deserve everything they are getting, all the accolades because this is a magnificent achievement. “Look how far it’s come, I remember the Champions League being at Boreham Wood, look where we are and Arsenal winning it, it’s amazing!” More

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      Nottingham Forest and Chris Wood proving you don’t have to reinvent the game as Europe beckons

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      I HAVE backed plenty of outsiders in my time but I wouldn’t have picked these two in a million years.But to be fair, how many of you thought Nottingham Forest would go into the final day with every chance of making the Champions League?Nuno Espirito Santo and Chris Wood have a chance to get Nottingham Forest into the Champions League on SundayCredit: GettyProbably the same number who thought that only Mo Salah, Alexander Isak and Erling Haaland would score more than Chris Wood in the Prem so far.But the team which finished fourth bottom a year ago are still in the hunt and if they beat Chelsea at the City Ground on Sunday — and I expect them to — they could be in Europe’s premier competition for the first time since Cloughie’s day.And if striker Wood ends his season the way he’s played the rest of it, centre-backs are in for a rough old afternoon.But I fear Forest will win and still miss out as I fancy Manchester City to get at least a point at Fulham, and can’t see Newcastle or Aston Villa slipping up.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLNuno Espirito Santo’s boys need at least one of them to fall short and open the door — but just earning a Euro place after last year would be remarkable.And as a big fan of the old school ways, I’m just so pleased Wood has had a bigger say than most.False nines, floating tens, sixes, eights, underlapping, low blocks . . . there are a lot of people out there basically trying to reinvent the game.So I love watching Forest under Nuno, with a proper throwback centre forward.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThey don’t have a lot of possession but no one is better at playing to their strengths by getting forward fast, two wingers, and crosses pinging into a man in the middle.The Chelsea defence will not have faced trying to handle someone like Wood too often.Why these WILD Chris Wood & Morgan Rogers stats could spell disaster for Chelsea & Man Utd | Experts’ best bets – Weekend WagerMany sides play with one up and loads of forwards spend half the time dropping back — so it’s like a free hit for centre-backs.I’d love to see how they’d cope against guys like Mick Harford, John Fashanu and Alan Shearer and a battle against guys who’d knock you about.I don’t mean nasty stuff but genuine challenges. I don’t see many modern defenders who’d handle that and you only have to look at Wood as proof.Nuno’s done a magnificent job and I’m delighted for him because it didn’t go too well when he was at Tottenham.But he’s bounced back, rebuilt his reputation on the back of great recruitment and good signings, and I always say that’s the key for any manager.Chelsea haven’t convinced at any stage this season and if I had to put my life on the outcome, it would be a Forest win.Chelsea’s defence could struggle to contain Chris WoodCredit: EPABut sadly for Nuno and his side, while three points would leapfrog their opponents, I don’t think it will be quite enough.Not to make the Champions League, anyway.If City were going to Fulham needing a win, it would have brought a different pressure but a point will be enough and I’m sure they’ll get it.St James’ Park will be rocking after a year that finally brought a trophy and I don’t see Newcastle slipping up against Everton.And you certainly couldn’t fancy Manchester United to beat Aston Villa, even at home, after that midweek shocker against Spurs. If ever a game summed up a whole season, hey?So if I’m right on all three, it’s going to be the Europa League for Forest next time round and the Champions League will just have to wait another 12 months!Harry Redknapp shared his Premier League Team of the SeasonSPURRING CLUBS ONIT wouldn’t make the shortlist of great finals — to be honest it would struggle to make a very long one — but I was glad to see Tottenham win the Europa League.Not that I’ve got anything against Manchester United, it just capped a great few months for football in general — and for three sets of long-suffering and loyal supporters.It’s been a hard road for Newcastle, Crystal Palace and Spurs fans but finally they’ve got a trophy to celebrate and it’s a nice change from the same old names as winners.In Wednesday’s final, I was disappointed with Alejandro Garnacho’s moan at not being in the side from the start.When you’re on the floor as a gaffer — as Ruben Amorim is — the last thing you need is one of your players coming out and having a pop.Read More on The SunFair enough, Garnacho did alright when he came on — but no more than that. Far better to keep your head down and get on with the job.Let’s face it, if he’d been doing it as well as he should, he wouldn’t have been on the bench in the first place.Alejandro Garnacho complained of not playing from the start in the Europa League finalCredit: GettyTottenham Hotspur won the Europa LeagueCredit: PACrystal Palace also earned silverware through the FA Cup this seasonCredit: GettyNewcastle United were deserving Carabao Cup winnersCredit: Getty More

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      Premier League wage bill hits record £4bn – with hapless Man Utd’s bloated budget revealed…where does your club rank?

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      PREMIER League wages hit a record £4billion last season, a new study has discovered.It means the 500 stars who make up Britain’s top league pocketed an average of £8million a year during 2023/24.Erling Haaland is city’s top earner after negotiating a deal worth £500,000 a week in JanuaryCredit: GettyMo Salah has pledged his future to Liverpool in a new dealCredit: GettyAnd Manchester City players were the Prem’s top earners, taking home a combined £413million.The figures have been collated by football blogger Kieron O’Connor, who runs The Swiss Ramble football finance blog.He says striker Erling Haaland is city’s top earner after negotiating a deal worth £500,000 a week in January.Liverpool came runners-up in the pay stakes, with the Anfield squad taking home £377million.Read More on SportMo Salah is the club’s top earner and recently banked a pay rise after committing his future to Anfield, taking him to £400,000 a week.All Premier League clubs have revealed their accounts from the 2023/24 season, with the figures showing the post-Covid pay bubble continues to climb.The clubs’ combined wage bill has jumped from £2.9billion in just six years, the equivalent of 38 per cent.The wage bills also show the Big Six became the Big Five, with a huge gap opening up between the highest-paying sides.Most read in FootballKieron reveals City and Liverpool are joined by Man Utd (£365million), Chelsea (£338million) and Arsenal (£328million) in the huge pay stakes.Aston Villa had the sixth-largest wage bill, which came in at £252million — a gap of £76million to Arsenal.Arsenal wages 2024-25 revealedTottenham and Newcastle also paid out more than £200million.This year’s FA Cup winners Crystal Palace were the league’s highest achievers last season, finishing tenth despite only four clubs having a smaller wage bill.Man Utd underachieved, finishing eighth, despite having the third- largest wage bill. The three clubs with the lowest wage bills were relegated last season — Luton Town, Sheffield Utd and Burnley.Luton’s wage bill was the lowest in the league, paying out £57million to its squad.The figures were released before today’s final round of games, with Liverpool already crowned champions.’A bit crazy’While Haaland himself admitted his salary was “a bit crazy” when his new ten-year deal was announced in January, wages of the best Prem stars are well below that of other sporting stars around the globe. A study by Forbes magazine put Haaland 27th on the list of top earners when comparing him with greats such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe. And his money pales into insignificance when compared to NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who signed a £410million deal in 2021.And last December the New York Mets baseball team agreed to pay slugger Juan Soto £628million for a 15-year deal.Clubs must remain vigilant as there is still much work to be done to restore pre-pandemic profitabilityAleksander Ceferin Haaland’s outgoing teammate Kevin De Bruyne has previously told how he believes top footballers are underpaid, despite earning £400,000 a week.When asked in 2022 if he got paid too much, the Belgian linked with a move to Serie A winners Napoli, responded: “No. I compare it to a singer at a concert and 60,000 people come. I look at it logically.“There are millions of people watching the football on TV, there’s 60,000 watching the games, the income of a club is £500million to £600million. Yeah, it’s a lot of money, but is it too much?“If the club can afford it, it’s not too much.”In March, figures revealed player wages across Europe had reached £15.1billion in 2023/24, up by 6.5 per cent on the previous year.Following the release of the latest Uefa Club Licensing Benchmarking Report, the governing body’s president Aleksander Ceferin warned teams about paying excessive amounts to their players.‘Players are the stars’He said: “While most clubs appear to be managing player wage increases responsibly, other costs are rising rapidly, putting greater pressure on operating margins than ever before. Clubs must remain vigilant as there is still much work to be done to restore pre-pandemic profitability.”Premier League clubs have to pay within Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) each year or face punishment. Everton and Nottingham Forest faced points deductions for breaching the rules.In February, it was reported the Professional Footballers’ Association, which acts for players, threatened the Premier League with legal action if it brought in a salary cap.Clubs voted last year to explore the introduction of a spending cap from the start of the 2025/26 season as part of a new system of financial controls.It will limit clubs to spending 85 per cent of their total revenue on wages, transfer payments and agent fees.Sponsorship consultant Nigel Currie said: “The players are the stars, they are the talent and the reason millions tune in every week and buy the kits.Read More on The Sun“The Premier League is hugely successful, the wealthiest football league in the world, and that will continue.“There will continue to be massive financial implications for players. Sponsorships will go through the roof in terms of value.”SAUDIS UP SALARIES DESPITE earning a fortune, the salaries of Premier League stars are nowhere near what is on offer in the Saudi Pro League.Here is what the big names earn each week at their clubs there.Cristiano Ronaldo,£3.2million, Al-NassrKarim Benzema, £1.6million, Al-IttihadRiyad Mahrez, £850,000, Al-AhliSadio Mane, £650,000, Al-NassrIvan Toney, £490,000, Al-AhliN’Golo Kante, £400,000, Al-Ittihad More

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      Alex Scott shows off midriff in retro Arsenal kit and sips bubbly with Jess Glynne at Women’s Champions League final

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      ALEX SCOTT went down memory lane with partner Jess Glynne – as they watched Arsenal Women make history.The football presenter sipped champagne with singer Glynne in the Lisbon stands as they wore retro tops and cheered the Gunners to glory in the Women’s Champions League final.Jess Glynne and partner Alex Scott chose 1980s’ Arsenal topsCredit: PAScott watched her old team win the Women’s Champions LeagueCredit: GettyThe ex-Lionesses star looked as toned as ever as she balanced the bubblyCredit: PAGlynne and Scott saw history made at the Estadio Jose Alvalade venueCredit: PASub Stina Blackstenius’s brilliant 74th-minute strike edged out favourites and holders Barcelona 1-0.Scott, 40, was in the Arsenal side on the only other occasion they lifted the crown – in 2007 when it was called the Uefa Women’s Cup.And she looked as toned as she did back then – in a cropped yellow shirt revealing her impressive abs.Glynne was seen grinning as the couple looked on in classic short-sleeved tops from 1988-90, midway during Arsenal’s JVC sponsorship era.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLEx-defender Scott walked down steps with a glass of bubbly in each hand.Yet at times Glynne looked to be enjoying herself even more than the famous ex-Gunner.The 35-year-old smiled and laughed as the couple settled in for the action at the Estadio Jose Alvalade stadium in the Portuguese capital.In fact, they could not have looked more relaxed – in contrast to the tense final that developed below them on the pitch.Most read in FootballBarcelona’s Irene Paredes slid in to net an own goal – only for VAR to deny Arsenal that opener as crosser Frida Maanum was ruled offside.But although the Spaniards were often on top, Leah Williamson masterminded the Gunners’ fierce defending.Scott celebrated victory as if she was still a playerCredit: GettyGlynne might have been even happier than Scott, judging by this picCredit: PAAnd Blackstenius came on to fire a first-time winner for WSL runners-up Arsenal following a sublime pass from fellow substitute Beth Mead.Scott was ecstatic at the end after making her way down to the pitch – celebrating with arms as wide as any of the club’s current players.It was sheer joy from the BBC star, who as a player won 140 caps for the Lionesses and lifted the WSL crown five times with Arsenal.Scott’s relationship with Glynne became public two years ago.She’s since called it “special” and has promised to protect it.Meanwhile, the couple have regularly shared blissful snaps – including a spectacular adventure holiday in Costa Rica in January.A glimpse into Scott’s glam life…Alex made 148 appearances for Arsenal Women – but since quitting playing has appeared in magazines including AttitudeCredit: Virgin Atlantic Attitude Awards and Attitude magazine – on sale nowThe former right-back won 140 England Women’s capsCredit: Virgin Atlantic Attitude Awards and Attitude magazine – on sale nowScott began dating Jess Glynne in 2023Credit: RexShe was spotted sharing a kiss with Jess as the couple went public with their romanceCredit: PAScott loves to dress up and went to town on Halloween with this incredible outfitCredit: GettyShe also dressed up as a scary clown on October 31Credit: Instagram @alexscott2Scott was awarded an MBE in 2017Credit: PAShe attended Wimbledon with partner JessCredit: Getty More

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      Arsenal 1 Barcelona 0: Blackstenius climbs off bench to win Gunners first Women’s Champions League in 18 years

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      STINA BLACKSTENIUS stunned Barcelona by firing Arsenal to Champions League glory wrecking the Catalan giants hopes of a European three-peat.The Sweden ace, who has a knack for netting tournament-winning goals, bagged one that saw the Gunners win the contest for the first time in 18 years.Arsenal have won the Women’s Champions LeagueCredit: APThe Gunners stars posed with their medals after beating Barcelona 1-0Credit: AFPStina Blackstenius scored the winning goal as Arsenal won the Women’s Champions LeagueCredit: AFPArsenal returned to European glory for the first time in almost 20 yearsCredit: APThe Gunners were massive underdogs heading into the finalCredit: PAEmotional scenes at full-time showed how much it meant to the Arsenal fansCredit: APWith Arsenal under the cosh the Sweden striker was called into action by boss Renee Slegers, along with Beth Mead in the 69th minute at the home of Sporting Lisbon in Portugal.The duo did not disappoint with Blackstenius pouncing on Mead’s classy reverse pass to drill low a shot beyond keeper Cata Coll six minutes later.The striker, who bagged Arsenal’s winner in the Women’s League Cup, was mobbed by her team-mates with Barca’s players looking stunned to go behind.The Gunners also had a goal chalked off in a tense encounter which they were jeered by a largely partisan crowd of 38,356 onlookers.READ MORE IN SPORTDespite the jeers of Barca’s fans, with just 5,000 Gunners supporters present, Slegers capped Arsenal’s renaissance by guiding the team to football’s top club prize.Respect and belief were the buzzwords around her camp as time drew near to the team’s biggest European game in 18 years.It was almost two decades ago (2007) that Arsenal claimed a Champions League trophy for the first time.Gunners legend Ian Wright, watching from the stands, had urged Slegers side to embrace the moment.Most read in FootballIan Wright watched on from the standsCredit: PAArsenal chairman Josh Kroenke was seen chatting to Uefa president Aleksander CeferinCredit: PAArsenal legend Alex Scott watched alongside partner Jess GlynnCredit: PACASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSFor periods of the game they certainly did with some of Arsenal’s top brass watch from the stands including co-owner Josh Kroenke and managing director Richard Garlick.The queens of Spain’s top-flight have pretty much demolished most of their Champions League rivals, lifting the trophy three times in the last four years.Ever since their first triumph in 2021, with Chelsea thrashed 4-0, they have been a force to be reckoned with.From the WSL this season, Manchester City were the only side able to lay a glove on Barcelona in Europe, with their tactically smart 2-0 win in the group stage.WSL champions Chelsea tried and failed to get past them conceding eight times across their two-leg semis tie.So the odds were very much against Arsenal at the home of Sporting where a large Barcelona contingent roared the holders on.After some panicky defending in their box early on, Slegers players appeared to settle into the game restricting the holders to just ONE first half shot on target.The Gunners thought they had taken the lead after Irene Paredes poked home an own-goal but a VAR check found Frida Maanum was offside.Read More on The SunAfter Claudia Pina had a 58th minute shot blocked and Barca fired some efforts narrowly over the bar.Arsenal took the lead much to the Catalan giants dismay. And they held out to capture the trophy for the first time in almost 20 years.Blackstenius found the bottom corner from inside the area to score the only goalCredit: AFPArsenal put on a defensive masterclass to stop Barcelona from scoringCredit: AFP More

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      Arsenal vs Barcelona Women’s Champions League final LIVE: Blaugrana aim for third consecutive title against Gunners

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      ARSENAL look to deny Barcelona a Women’s Champions League treble in Lisbon. Renee Slegers is aiming to win the competition for the second time in the Gunners’ history, with the first title coming in 2006/07.Alessia Russo’s goal was enough to see Arsenal see off eight-time winners Lyon in their semi-final this season.Barcelona are back-to-back defending champions, and dispatched of treble winners Chelsea 8-2 on aggregate in the semi-final.Start time: 5pm BSTTV channel: TNT Sports 1Arsenal XI: Van Domselaar, Fox, Williamson, Catley, Mariona, Little, McCabe, Maanum, Foord, Kelly, Russo.Barcelona XI: Cata Coll, Batlle, Paredes, Maria Leon, Rolfo, Patri, Aitana, Alexia, Pina, Graham, Pajor.Follow our live blog below…Arsenal 0-0 BarcelonaFrida Maanum battled in vain, trying to win a corner for Arsenal.They’ve been competing well and we’ve already seen a couple of feisty exchanges in the corners. Copy linkCopiedWe’re off – Arsenal 0-0 Barcelona 0The Gunners are pressing high, but we’ve yet to have any action in or around the penalty area.Copy linkCopiedWe’re off – Arsenal 0-0 Barcelona 0The Gunners are pressing high, but we’ve yet to have any action in or around the penalty area. Copy linkCopiedWe’re off – Arsenal 0-0 Barcelona 0A tentative start so far, with Barcelona predictably happy to pass the ball out from the back.But Russo had an early glimmer of hope when she pounced on a slack pass, albeit failing to make much ground.Copy linkCopiedWe’re off – Arsenal 0-0 Barcelona 0Today’s teamsArsenal: Van Domselaar, Fox, Williamson, Catley, McCabe, Little, Maanum, Caldentey, Kelly, Russo, Foord.Subs: Zinsberger, Williams, Wubben-Moy, Codina, Mead, Walti, Hurtig, Pelova, Nighswonger, Blackstenius, Ilestedt, Cooney-Cross.Barcelona: Coll, Batlle, Paredes, Leon, Rolfo, Bonmati, Patri, Putellas, Graham Hansen, Pajor, Pina.Subs: Gemma, Roebuck, Jana, Paralluelo, Marta, Vicky, Engen, Brugts, Cano, Schertenleib, Serrajordi, Judit.Copy linkCopiedSlegers says Gunners are used to nervesManager Renee Slegers is sure Arsenal won’t be fazed by the occasion.She told TNT Sports: “We’ve played high pressure games with this team this season, we all have that in our luggage. “We’ve got players that have played in finals, the Champions League final, the Euros so they play high pressure games often but this is going to be one of the biggest ones for them.”What we’ve said is ‘enjoy the occasion’ because we have to feel happiness about it that we took ourselves here so that will be partly in the warm-up for example, taking it all in. “When the whistle goes it’s a game of football and we have to focus on the task.” on a high level as well so we’re happy we got a couple of extra days.”Copy linkCopiedHere we go!Just a couple of minutes until kick-off in Lisbon, we can’t wait for this one!Copy linkCopiedCatalonia to north LondonSpeaking about Mariona Caldentey, the forward, who won her 15th major medal with Barcelona, was seen kissing the Women’s Champions League trophy a year ago while wearing the blue and red stripes of the club and holding the logo on her chest.Caldentey played ten seasons at the home of the reigning European champions, scoring 114 goals in 302 appearances, despite not having gone through Barcelona’s junior system.After starting the season as the struggling club, Arsenal stormed up the table, securing second place in the WSL and contending with the best in Europe.Caldentey has served as the creative, force of ingenuity alongside Alessia Russo, the WSL Golden Boot winner, and added dynamism to the midfield.She is now getting ready to play against her old side for the first time since she left them to sign with Arsenal in the summer.Copy linkCopiedTop scorer chaseThe Champions League trophy won’t be the only coveted title on the line… Clàudia Pina has led the hotly-contested scoreboard, whilst her opponents for today in Alessia Russo and Mariona Caldentey. Pina, who has come of age this season, has already surpassed the tally set in the last two editions. Pina – 10 goals Russo – 7 goals Caldentey – 7 goalsCopy linkCopied’This is where we want to be’Arsenal striker Alessia Russo on if Arsenal are back where they should be: “100 per cent”Any player that plays for Arsenal understands it is a winning club that is so ambitious and wants to be at the top competing with the best. “This is where we want the club to be and we will keep pushing as players. We are very aware of what has come before us as well. “Kim [Little] has played for the club for so long and she deserves to be here. “We had lunch with some of the 2007 winners to understand what it means to them and that is really special for us.”Copy linkCopiedCaptain’s logMidfielder Alexia Putellas says Barcelona’s previous Champions League titles guarantee nothing heading into another final: “You tend to forget what the team has achieved and what you have done as a player to continue with future ambitions. “We don’t really analyse or look at what we’ve done much. Despite having three Champions Leagues, it doesn’t mean we will win tomorrow.”It doesn’t matter how many finals. It is true, we know what we have done, but it means nothing on your day-to-day work. “You always want to go to the next level and to the next goal. The next goal is tomorrow’s final. “We will try to prepare it in the best possible way and do our best. We hope it ends with a title.”Copy linkCopied’Not easy’Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati on Barca heading into the final as favourites: “It is good that we have been given the favourites label but we know how important this is. “Although it’s a new rival that has not been in the final for years, it is not an easy match. “We still need to win the game and anybody can win.”Copy linkCopiedThree in a row?We’ve touched on it just there; history-in-wait is on the line for both… Barcelona can solidify their reputation and increase their power in Europe.They are attempting to become only the second side to win the title three years in a row as they compete in their sixth Champions League final overall and their fifth consecutive one.However, this is only Arsenal’s second Champions League final appearance. Since the Gunners won the trophy in their inaugural final in 2007, no English team has taken home the trophy. Is it possible for them to win both games?Copy linkCopiedTeam news is in!Arsenal: Van Domselaar, Fox, Williamson, Catley, Mariona, Little (C), McCabe, Maanum, Foord, Kelly, Russo.Barcelona: Cata Coll, Batlle, Paredes, Maria Leon, Rolfo, Patri, Aitana, Alexia, Pina, Graham, Pajor.Copy linkCopiedLisbon lightsAfternoon and welcome to the SunSport’s live blog of the women’s Champions League final!We’ve got a tasty encounter between two of the best-supported clubs in women’s European football. Barcelona take up the roles of resounding favourites. The Femeni have won this competition three times in the last four years and continue to set the gold standard. They have scored 196 goals, won 43 of 46 games in all competitions, and averaged more than four goals per game this season. In more instances than they have scored fewer than three goals (11), they have scored six or more goals (13).As for underdogs Arsenal, they’ve relished in the responsibility of spoiling the set norm. The Gunners are the only side in the history of the competition to go to the final after competing in the first qualifying round – securing top spot over Bayern Munich in the group before toppling Real Madrid and Lyon. Renée Slegers has overseen the North Londoners’ second-half-of-season form with a clear understanding and delicate touch that has produced wonder to make the first final featuring an English side since Chelsea in 2020-21 – she’ll need that and more to produce another magic act. Kick-off at the sold-out Estádio José Alvalade, 5pm GMT.Copy linkCopied More