Fletcher chosen to replace Gilmour in Scotland squad

Manchester United teenager Tyler Fletcher has replaced the injured Billy Gilmour in Scotland’s World Cup squad.

The 19-year-old made his international debut as a half-time replacement in Saturday’s 4-1 friendly win over Curacao at Hampden.

Napoli midfielder Gilmour damaged his knee in a first-half incident and his withdrawal from the squad was announced later in the evening.

Fletcher, son of former Scotland captain Darren, has played more minutes for Scotland than he has for his club, having come off the bench twice for United this season.

Fletcher, whose twin brother Jack has chosen to represent England, was one of four young players added to the training squad last week by head coach Steve Clarke.

Rangers’ Connor Barron, Andy Irving of Sparta Prague and Lennon Milller of Udinese were other standby options Clarke had mentioned.

“I am devastated for Billy because he has been an integral part of our World Cup qualifying campaign,” said Clarke.

“The timing of this injury is so, so cruel and we all feel for him.

“He knows what we all think of him as a footballer and a person and while no words will give him any comfort, I am certain Billy will have many major tournaments ahead of him in the future.”

Napoli team-mate Scott McTominay wrote on Instagram: “Absolutely devastated for you brother. Football is a cruel game and you don’t deserve this, keep your head up. The players, staff and country love you.”

When asked about Fletcher’s second-half showing at Hampden, Clarke told BBC Scotland: “Everybody was impressed - the players were impressed, the coaching staff were impressed, I had no doubts.

“I actually thought about putting him on as Billy came off but I just thought I’d have a little look, see how the game panned out before introducing him at half-time.”

Kenny McLean played with Darren Fletcher at the start of his international career and also spoke highly of the debutant.

“I said to the lads after his first session, I could see something special in him, so I was glad that he’d got on,” said the Norwich City midfielder.

“In my first session with Scotland, Darren stood out a mile. Fortunately for us, his son is pretty similar. There’s a lot of potential, it’s about using him the right way.”

The Scotland party flies out to Florida on Sunday and there is a final warm-up game against Bolivia in New Jersey on Saturday 6 June.

Having qualified for the World Cup finals for the first time since 1998, Scotland will take on Haiti, Morocco and Brazil in Group C.

Ice, Ice Baby and 'start of a new era' - best of Arsenal parade

For the first time in 22 years, Arsenal are the Premier League champions - and the players, staff and fans got to celebrate on Sunday with an incredible bus parade through the streets of north London.

With hundreds of thousands of people lining the streets, Arsenal’s men’s and women’s sides took in the adoration of their supporters during a two-and-a-half-hour five-mile loop, which started and finished at the club’s Emirates Stadium.

Fans were not allowed immediately next to the ground but the supporters, some of whom had been there since the early hours of Sunday, finally got to see their heroes after the four buses went over a bridge, which had the words ‘This belongs to all of us’ painted on the ground.

The first bus had the Arsenal men’s team on board, with Arsenal’s women’s side, who became world champions when they won the Women’s Champions Cup in February, on the third bus.

The other two buses were full of club staff as well as family members.

One of the most impressive sights was when a huge tifo - which had been unveiled before November’s north London derby against Tottenham and had the words ‘The Arsenal - These streets are our own’ on it - was again displayed along the bus route.

Mikel Arteta’s side had finished second in the Premier League in each of the previous three seasons, before ending up as champions in 2025-26.

At one stage on Sunday, Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice mocked the critics that have said the club have been too reliant on set-pieces to score goals by grabbing the microphone and chanting ‘set-piece again, ole, ole’.

Ben White spotted the opportunity to get Rice involved in a singalong and played ‘Ice, Ice Baby’ on the speaker, but Rice said “I’m not singing!”.

He didn’t take much convincing and belted out the lyrics of the Vanilla Ice hit - to the delight of the Gunners fans.

He told Sky Sports: “I love this team, I love the manager. To see the joy we can give people, it’s crazy. But next year we’re coming back for more.”

Rice was not the only Arsenal player to get the crowd going. Defender Riccardo Calafiori started a loud ‘Arsenal, Arsenal’ chant, while co-chairman Josh Kroenke was also seen chanting and urging more noise from the Gunners fans.

“This is crazy,” said captain Martin Odegaard before singing along and waving a scarf as red smoke from flares filled the streets of north London.

One of the largest cheers came when Odegaard, the first Arsenal captain to lead the club to Premier League glory since Patrick Vieira in 2004, paraded the trophy at the front of the bus.

Arsenal finished seven points clear of Manchester City to become English champions for the 14th time, but for the first occasion since 2003-04 when Arsene Wenger’s ‘Invincibles’ won the Premier League without losing a game.

The parade took place on Sunday, one day after the Gunners had narrowly missed out on creating club history when they lost 4-3 on penalties to Paris St-Germain in the final of the Champions League.

After it had finished 1-1 at the end of extra-time, Eberechi Eze and Gabriel both missed penalties in the shootout as PSG retained their European title, with the Gunners failing to win what would have been a first Champions League title.

On Sunday, before the parade, Gabriel wrote on Instagram: “It’s painful, but I’m proud of this team and everything we achieved together this season. Thank you to our incredible fans for your support every step of the way. You deserve to celebrate this journey with us and enjoy the parade today.”

While the players were devastated at the loss in the final in Budapest, Hungary on Saturday, that did not dampen the celebrations on Sunday.

Nineteen-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly, who came through the Gunners academy, spoke to Sky Sports News before boarding the bus.

On the Champions League defeat, he said: “It’s disappointing because, you know, when you’re so close to a dream, a goal, and you feel slightly short, but, just as Mikel said, adds fuel to the fire, so we’ll use that for us.”

But Lewis-Skelly felt this Premier League triumph could be the beginning of a period of success for the Gunners.

“I feel like it’s a start of a new era and we’re ready to go out and achieve our dreams,” he added. “This means everything just to share this moment with our people. It’s going to be emotional. The last couple of weeks have been incredible.”

When asked for a message to fans, he replied: “Thank you and we’re not done.”

Liverpool to open formal talks with Iraola

Liverpool will open formal talks with Andoni Iraola this week over becoming their new head coach.

The Reds sacked Arne Slot on Saturday, just a year after the Dutchman guided them to the Premier League title.

The club hope to have a successor in place as soon as possible, with departing Bournemouth manager Iraola the leading contender.

The 43-year-old delivered the Cherries’ finest season to date with a sixth-placed finish - only one spot and three points behind Liverpool in the table - to qualify for next season’s Europa League.

Spaniard Iraola announced in April that he would leave the club this summer and has also been linked with Crystal Palace and AC Milan.

The decision to sack Slot was made by Michael Edwards, Fenway Sports Group chief executive, and Richard Hughes, Liverpool’s sporting director, who believe the club needs a more front-foot, aggressive and urgent style of football.

Iraola was appointed at Bournemouth when Hughes was technical director at the Cherries, a role he left in 2024 to join the Reds.

Liverpool have qualified for next season’s Champions League despite finishing the Premier League season with 60 points - their lowest tally since the 2015-16 campaign and 25 points behind champions Arsenal.

The Anfield club spent £415m last summer on six players - the highest outlay in a window by a British club - in a bid to retain their title.

They broke the British transfer record to sign Alexander Isak from Newcastle for a fee of £125m having previously bought Bayer Leverkusen and Germany playmaker Florian Wirtz for a then-club record £116m.

Iraola, a former Spain right-back who spent the majority of his playing career at Athletic Bilbao, started out in management in Cyprus with AEK Larnaca.

Spells with Mirandes and Rayo Vallecano in his homeland followed before joining Bournemouth in 2023.

'He wanted to take it' - Gabriel's first Arsenal penalty ends with heartbreak

The defining image of Arsenal’s Champions League final defeat was Gabriel standing with his head in his hands as he was consoled by Paris St-Germain captain and Brazil team-mate Marquinhos.

It was a cruel end to the defender’s first European final. His penalty, blasted over the crossbar, proved decisive as the Gunners suffered shootout heartbreak and PSG successfully defended their title.

For a player who has so often been Arsenal’s difference-maker this season, it was not the contribution he would have envisaged before the club’s first Champions League final since 2006.

It was the first penalty Gabriel had taken for Arsenal, with manager Mikel Arteta revealing the defender had “prepared and trained for this moment”.

“He wanted to take it,” Arteta said. “Normally the penalty takers would be Bukayo [Saka], Martin [Odegaard] and Kai [Havertz]. But we knew if the game went to extra-time and penalties, different players would have to step forward.”

It was a painful way for one of Arsenal’s standout performers of the season to bring his campaign to a close.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Arsenal defender Matt Upson called it “one of those John Terry moments”, referring to the 2008 Champions League final when the Chelsea captain had the chance to win the final in a shootout, but slipped as he struck the ball, which hit the post as Manchester United went on to claim the title.

It was a night that began so brightly for Arsenal.

When Kai Havertz smashed the ball high into the roof of the net over Matvey Safonov inside six minutes, their supporters were in dreamland at the Puskas Arena in Budapest.

And despite dominating possession, PSG were unable to fashion many clear chances for their feared front three of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue, with Arsenal’s defence largely keeping them under control.

At the heart of that was Gabriel. The defender made more clearances than any other player on the pitch (13) as the Gunners chased the rare feat of a Premier League and Champions League double - achieved only by Manchester United (1999 and 2008) and Manchester City (2023) since 1992.

But after Dembele equalised from the penalty spot, the contest became a must-not-lose affair for both sides, with neither keeper seriously tested as the tension rose in Hungary and the game drifted towards a shootout.

There was an early advantage for PSG when Eberechi Eze stroked his penalty wide after a stuttering run up, but Gunners keeper David Raya responded by saving Nuno Mendes’ effort.

However, after four successful kicks, there would be no reprieve for Gabriel who fired his penalty over the crossbar and into the delirious PSG fans.

“To miss a penalty in a Champions League final, obviously it’s not nice,” Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice said on TNT Sports.

“But we love them and we’re with them. It happens in football. They’re not going to be the last players to miss penalties in finals.

“Everyone has missed a penalty and without those two this season we wouldn’t have won the Premier League, that’s for sure.

“Gabriel, I’ve run out of words for him as a person and as a player. Eze has scored some crucial goals for us this season.

“It happens. It’s football and it’s cruel. We take the positives and keep going.”

The sight of Gabriel wiping away tears as PSG’s players celebrated with the trophy will be one that lingers long in the memory of Arsenal supporters.

The Brazilian, one of Mikel Arteta’s first signings after taking charge in December 2019, has been a driving force behind the club’s rise back to the summit of English football and their Premier League title triumph this season.

He started 48 of Arsenal’s 63 matches across all competitions and contributed nine goals and assists - more than both Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus.

While rival fans may focus on his miss in Budapest, Arsenal supporters will remember the countless occasions he delivered for his side, including a dramatic 96th-minute winner against Newcastle United in September.

“I’ve just listened to Declan Rice talking about how he has run out of words to describe Gabriel because he has been so important and so good for Arsenal all season, and over the past few years as well,” former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha told BBC Sport.

“So for him to be the one who misses the penalty that costs them the Champions League final is heartbreaking.

“But I think everyone will rally around him because Arsenal would not have won the Premier League without him. He has been invaluable and, quite rightly, is in the conversation for PFA Player of the Year.

“The pressure is always there in a shootout. You can practice penalties in training, but in a Champions League final you can never truly prepare for that moment. Unfortunately, he has experienced what every player dreads - missing the penalty that decides a final.”

Former England defender Upson added: “It’s one of those moments that will be remembered for years, a cruel blow for a player who has been a tower of strength for Arsenal.

“Gabriel gave everything for his team. He showed the mentality and courage to step forward and take responsibility, which is all you can ask of any player.

“It is desperately sad for him, but he strikes me as someone who will recover quickly and use it as motivation. He still has a huge summer ahead with Brazil.”

For one night, Gabriel was the face of Arsenal’s heartbreak. It should not detract from the fact he was also one of the main reasons they got there in the first place.

Liverpool sack head coach Slot and approach Iraola

Head coach Arne Slot has been sacked by Liverpool after two seasons in charge.

The Dutchman, 47, guided the Reds to their 20th league title in his debut season but they have struggled during his second year, finishing fifth in the Premier League.

Recently departed Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola is the leading contender to replace Slot.

The club have approached the Spaniard to discuss the role.

Despite still qualifying for next season’s Champions League, Liverpool finished with 60 points - their lowest tally since the 2015-16 campaign and 25 points behind champions Arsenal.

“That this was a difficult decision for us to make as a club goes without saying. The contribution Arne has made to Liverpool FC in the time that he has been with us has been significant, meaningful and - most importantly of all to supporters and ourselves - successful,” Liverpool’s owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG) said in a statement.

“As such, our appreciation for everything he has achieved could not be greater, particularly as it was underpinned by a work ethic, a diligence and a level of expertise which further underlined our view that he is a leader in his field.

“From the moment that we first encountered Arne, it was immediately clear that he is an individual who does not merely accept responsibility, he embraces it.”

Liverpool had insisted that a change of head coach was not on the agenda, but after assessing the situation following the end of the season last weekend, the club’s hierarchy believe the next phase requires a more front-foot, aggressive and urgent style of football.

The decision to sack Slot was made by Michael Edwards, FSG’s chief executive, and Richard Hughes, Liverpool’s sporting director.

Iraola, 43, is one of the most highly-rated coaches in Europe and is known for his attacking style of play.

He was appointed at Bournemouth when Hughes was technical director at the Cherries, a role he left in 2024 to join the Reds.

Bournemouth finished only one place and three points behind Liverpool to qualify for next season’s Europa League.

Slot replaced Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool boss in 2024 after the German stepped down at Anfield after nine years as manager.

Earlier this month, forward Mohamed Salah said the club must return to being a “heavy metal attacking team that opponents fear” after “crumbling” to a defeat at Aston Villa.

Much of Liverpool’s success under Klopp - where they won every major trophy - came through this style of play.

“The conclusion we have come to is built on a belief that the team’s trajectory is best addressed through a change of direction. That does not diminish the work Arne has done here, or the respect we have for him. Nor is it a reflection of his talents. Rather, it is indicative of the need for a different approach,” the statement added.

“Arne leaves with our gratitude, with a Premier League title to his name, and with the knowledge that he and his family will always be welcomed back at Anfield.”

Slot’s backroom staff are also widely expected to leave, although there has been no announcement from the club on their positions yet.

Liverpool spent £415m last summer on six players - the highest outlay in a single window by a British club - in a bid to retain their title.

They broke the British transfer record to sign Alexander Isak from Newcastle for a fee of £125m and also bought Bayer Leverkusen and Germany playmaker Florian Wirtz for a club record £116m.

In July, forward Diogo Jota died in a car crash - a player who featured regularly under Slot.

“We would like to take this opportunity to place on record our appreciation for Arne, who will always hold a special place in the history of this football club as the coach who delivered Liverpool’s 20th league title,” the statement added.

“That accomplishment - made all the more remarkable as it arrived in his very first season in charge - was built on outstanding coaching and leadership every single day.

“He also helped guide the club through one of the most difficult periods imaginable following the loss of Diogo. The compassion and humanity he showed throughout that time said a great deal about him as a person.

“As such, we can only wish Arne well in the next stage of his coaching career, with our expectation being that he will continue to be successful. We do so in the knowledge that his Liverpool legacy is intact and will become yet more meaningful in the years and decades to come.”