What happened: Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola publicly congratulated Mikel Arteta and Arsenal on reaching the Champions League final. He extended praise to Aston Villa's Unai Emery and Crystal Palace's Oliver Glasner, calling both excellent managers as English clubs flourish on the continental stage.

Why it matters: The remarks underline the Premier League's depth beyond the traditional elite, with three English sides advancing in European competitions this season. Guardiola's endorsement carries weight given City's recent dominance, and it frames Arsenal's unbeaten run to the UCL final as a watershed moment for the league's competitive balance.

What to watch: Watch how Arsenal prepare for the Champions League final and whether Villa and Palace can convert their European runs into silverware. Guardiola's own City side faces questions about how to respond next season.