Tottenham Hotspur have been hit with another major setback after Mohammed Kudus emerged as a doubt for the remainder of the season due to injury.

The 25-year-old winger has been out of action since early January, when he picked up a thigh problem during a 1-1 draw with Sunderland AFC. Initial assessments from former manager Thomas Frank suggested a serious issue involving both the tendon and quadriceps, ruling him out for several months.

There had been optimism within the club that Kudus could return following the recent international break, but fresh concerns have now emerged. Reports indicate that surgery may be required, raising fears that his season could already be over.

There is also growing uncertainty over his availability for the Ghana national football team ahead of the upcoming World Cup, where they are scheduled to face Panama, England and Croatia in the group stage.

Kudus, who arrived from West Ham United in a £55 million move last summer, has contributed three goals and five assists in a campaign disrupted by fitness issues.

The timing is particularly difficult for new head coach Roberto De Zerbi, who is preparing to take charge of his first match this weekend. Spurs travel to Sunderland in a crucial fixture as they battle to avoid relegation, currently sitting just above the drop zone.

Arsenal FC were without Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber for their Champions League quarter-final first leg clash against Sporting CP on Tuesday night.

Manager Mikel Arteta opted for a heavily rotated lineup, making eight changes from the side that suffered a 2-1 FA Cup defeat to Southampton FC over the weekend.

David Raya returned between the posts, while William Saliba partnered Riccardo Calafiori in defence. In midfield, Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice were handed starts, with Noni Madueke, Leandro Trossard and Viktor Gyokeres leading the attack.

There was a boost at the back as Gabriel Magalhaes, who had been forced off against Southampton, recovered in time to feature alongside Saliba.

Speaking before the match, Arteta expressed optimism that both Saka and Timber could return for the upcoming Premier League fixture against AFC Bournemouth, provided their recovery continues smoothly. He admitted the recent run of injuries has disrupted the squad and stressed the need for key players to return as soon as possible.

Elsewhere, Eberechi Eze remains sidelined with a calf problem, having now missed three consecutive matches. Arteta was unable to give a clear timeline for his return, suggesting the situation remains uncertain.

Both Mikel Merino and Piero Hincapie were also unavailable for the trip to Portugal due to injury, further adding to Arsenal’s selection challenges at a crucial stage of the season.

The Premier League is set to have at least five representatives in next season’s UEFA Champions League after securing a European Performance Spot (EPS) for the second year running.

This extra qualification place was effectively sealed following Arsenal FC’s 1-0 win over Sporting CP in the quarter-final first leg, a result that strengthened England’s position at the top of UEFA’s coefficient rankings.

The EPS system rewards the two best-performing leagues across all European competitions, and English clubs have been consistently dominant this season. All nine participating teams reached the knockout stages, giving the Premier League a significant edge over its rivals.

As a result, finishing fifth in the league will now guarantee a Champions League spot — adding even more intensity to an already tight race. Liverpool FC currently occupy that position, but clubs like Chelsea FC and Newcastle United remain firmly in contention, alongside several others still pushing for a late surge.

There is also a scenario where England could have more than five teams in the competition. If a club such as Aston Villa or Liverpool wins a European trophy and finishes outside the top four, an additional place would be granted.

In an even more extreme outcome, multiple European triumphs by English sides — including a potential Nottingham Forest success in the Europa League — could push the total number of Premier League teams in the Champions League to six or even seven.

With the coefficient advantage secured and several qualification pathways open, English football is on course for another strong presence on Europe’s biggest stage next season.