As the 2025-26 Premier League season draws to a close, it's time to look back on what has been a campaign full of twists and turns. Arsenal eventually saw off the challenge of Manchester City to secure the title, but European places and the final berth in the relegation zone are still to be decided into the final day.
Arsenal have received a significant fitness boost at the perfect time as Mikel Merino has officially returned to training. The Spanish midfielder has been sidelined since February, but his recovery provides Mikel Arteta with a major selection lift ahead of the new Premier League champions' final game of the domestic season and Champions League final clash with Paris Saint-Germain.
U.S. Men's National Team defender Chris Richards is facing a race against time to be ready for the upcoming Conference League final, Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner revealed on Thursday. The American defender suffered an ankle injury in a recent match against Brentford, and that injury could impact World Cup preparation for the U.S. men's national team star.
Crystal Palace lined up a first European campaign on the back of their historic FA Cup win in 2025 and are now bound for the Conference League final. That is not the competition that they expected to grace, but a protracted qualification squabble with Premier League rivals Nottingham Forest delivered a change of plans. Ex-Eagles star Clinton Morrison has told GOAL why there should not be any regrets in south London or the East Midlands.
USMNT center back Chris Richards, a presumptive starter at the World Cup, needed help walking off the field after Crystal Palace's match against Brentford on Sunday afternoon. Manager Oliver Glasner later confirmed that Richards sustained an ankle injury after colliding with Brentford striker Igor Thiago. Richards is expected to recover within a week.
Crystal Palace will have set an asking price for Adam Wharton, Clinton Morrison has told GOAL, with it possible that Conference League glory will not be enough to keep the Manchester United and Liverpool-linked midfielder at Selhurst Park. Interest in the talented 22-year-old is expected to be formalised during the summer transfer window, with a big-money deal on the cards.
Brennan Johnson only joined Crystal Palace in a club-record £35 million ($47m) deal during the January transfer window of 2026, but could the Wales international go “home” to Nottingham Forest over the summer? Former Eagles striker Clinton Morrison doubts that a deal will be done, but has told GOAL why nothing can be ruled out as changes on and off the field are lined up at Selhurst Park.
Cesc Fabregas has seen a return to Chelsea speculated on, after impressing as head coach at Como, but the World Cup winner may require a Premier League stepping stone before heading to Stamford Bridge and Clinton Morrison has told GOAL that “Crystal Palace could be that”. The Eagles, like the Blues, will find themselves in the market for a new manager this summer.
Pep Guardiola was full of praise for Phil Foden after he inspired Manchester City to a 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace, moving within two points of Premier League leaders Arsenal. The England international was the architect of the win, providing two sublime assists on his first league start since March to ensure the title race goes to the wire.
Phil Foden helped keep Manchester City's Premier League title hopes alive by creating two goals in Wednesday's night's vital 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace at the Etihad, while simultaneously providing Thomas Tuchel a timely reminder of his qualities. Foden's place in England's World Cup is very much in doubt at the moment but he unquestionably made the most of a rare opportunity to start for City, as Pep Guardiola made six changes with Saturday's FA Cup final against Chelsea in mind.
Our expert offers his best Man City vs Crystal Palace Predictions, Lineups, Odds & Tips as they face off in the Premier League final stretch this evening (13/05/2026)
Premier League legend Nicky Butt has warned Arsenal that Paris Saint-Germain will be almost impossible to beat when the two sides meet in the Champions League final later this month. Butt believes Mikel Arteta must consider dropping striker Viktor Gyokeres in favour of more pace to exploit the French champions' defensive vulnerabilities on the counter-attack.
Jean-Philippe Mateta has broken his silence on the collapse of his proposed move to AC Milan, admitting the failed transfer had a significant psychological impact on him. The Crystal Palace striker was on the verge of a high-profile switch to San Siro during the winter window before medical concerns brought negotiations to a halt.