Griezmann dismisses Manchester United links

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was full of praise for the impact Martin Odegaard has had on the team since being made captain last month.

The Norwegian midfielder was at the centre of Arsenal s comeback victory against Fulham on Saturday, scoring the equaliser in the 2-1 win at Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners sit top of the embryonic Premier League table after winning their first four games of the season, with Odegaard scoring three goals already.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of Wednesday s home game against Aston Villa, Arteta pointed to the fact the former Real Madrid man has plenty of senior experience despite only being 23.

The thing is, at 23, he s already had a lot of experience, he said. He s already been exposed to a lot of pressure, especial…

Liverpool forward Sadio Mane and Napoli defender Kalidou Koilibaly lead the 23-man squad named by Senegal coach Aliou Cisse for the World Cup.

Mane was involved in both goals as Senegal booked their place at the finals with a 2-0 win against South Africa in November 2017.

Monaco winger Keita Balde Diao and Anderlecht defender Kara Mbodji are among the players given a chance to prove their fitness ahead of travelling to Russia.

But there is no place for Crystal Palace left-back Pape Souare, a former squad regular who has struggled for game-time since returning from injuries sustained in a car crash.

Cisse called up 20-year-old Rennes winger Ismaila Sarr, who has scored five Ligue 1 goals this season, alongside his team-mates Diafra Sakho and goalkeeper…

LaLiga s bottom side Espanyol have appointed Abelardo as their third head coach of the campaign on a contract until the end of the season.

The former Sporting Gijon and Deportivo Alaves boss replaces Pablo Machin, who was dismissed after Sunday s 2-0 defeat at fellow strugglers Leganes.

Machin lasted just 15 games in charge of Espanyol after taking over from David Gallego in October, although he did lead them into the last 32 of the Europa League, where they will face Premier League side Wolves.

Espanyol, who have taken 10 points from 18 LaLiga games this season, confirmed Abelardo s appointment on Friday, with Tomas Hervas and Inaki Tejada arriving as part of his backroom staff.

¡Bienvenido, Abelardo! ¡Mucha suerte y a por todas! | |

Best Odds: 3/5

Bookmaker:

A Premier League rivalry that is steeped in history, Manchester United will welcome a high-flying Arsenal to Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.

Manchester United

Starting with the hosts, while Manchester United might have opened the 2022/23 campaign in the midst of a real nightmare, the Red Devils appear to have put those issues behind them. Despite getting the new season underway with back-to-back defeats against Brighton and Brentford, Erik ten Hag has been filled with praise for his side s recent boost. Last seen on Thursday night picking up a 1-0 victory away at a struggling Leicester, the ex-Ajax manager has now seen his side win each of their last three Premier League appearances. With their recent improvements highlighted by that…

Reading striker Karl Sheppard has joined Airtricity Premier Division side Shamrock Rovers on loan until July.

The 21-year-old, who has been capped at under-21 level for Ireland, joined Reading from the Rovers in January 2012 after a series of impressive performances in the Europa League.

Sheppard began his career with Shelbourne before being signed by English Premier League side Everton in 2007.

He was released by Everton in 2010 and joined Galway United before linking up with Shamrock Rovers in 2011, where he won the Airtricity Premier Division and Setanta Sports Cup.

Meanwhile, Airtricity Premier Division side Cork City have confirmed that centre-back Eoghan Murphy has joined the club ahead of the 2013 campaign.

Speaking to the club s website,…

Blackpool have officially confirmed the appointment of Paul Ince as their new manager on a one-year rolling contract.

Blackpool have officially confirmed the appointment of Paul Ince as their new manager on a one-year rolling contract.

The 45-year-old, who had been out of work since being sacked by Notts County in 2010, has previously enjoyed successful spells in charge at Macclesfield Town and MK Dons.

The former England international will join his son, Tom, at the Championship club and has expressed excitement having taken his first training session on Monday.

It s great to be here, he told the club s official website. Considering I ve watched the team play for the last 14 months, it s strange sitting here as the manager, having obviously watched Bl…

CSKA Moscow midfielder Roman Eremenko has been given a two-year ban by UEFA after failing a doping test.

The 29-year-old tested positive for cocaine and its metabolites following his side s 2-2 Champions League draw against Bayer Leverkusen on September 14, in which he scored the equaliser.

Eremenko, who has been capped 73 times by Finland, can lodge an appeal against the decision.

In confirming the sanction, UEFA said: The analysis of the A sample revealed the presence of cocaine and its metabolites, a stimulant that is classified under the category of prohibited substances in the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) 2016 Prohibited List under class S6, being prohibited in-competition. 

The player was found guilty of being in breach of the UEFA Anti-Doping …

Liverpool have opened talks with Mamadou Sakho over a new contract, .

The centre-back is wanted by both Roma and Bayer Leverkusen, though the Merseyside outfit have no intention in doing business despite him yet to appear for the club this season.

He was absent from the match-day squads for the victories over Stoke City and Bournemouth, but racked up forty-six appearances over his first two years at Anfield, scoring his one and only goal for the club in a 4-1 win over West Ham United in December 2013.

Prior to his move to the England, the twenty-five year old played over two hundred times for Paris Saint Germain while internationally, he has twenty-six caps for France and was part of their squad for last summer’s World Cup finals in Brazil.

Liverpo…

Market: Both teams to score

Odds: 

In what could be a lively encounter this weekend, a struggling Alaves will welcome Real Betis to the Estadio de Mendizorroza on Sunday afternoon.

Starting with the hosts, hit for four against Barcelona before heading into the festive break, Alaves end to 2019 could best be described as abysmal. Also watching lower league Real Jaén pick up what was an astonishing 3-1 win to knock Asier Garitano s men out of the Copa del Rey last month, Babazorros have lost four of their last five and appear to have slumped back to their old ways. While they might be managing to find the net at a steady rate, Sunday s hosts are without a win since the end of November and they have now shipped 13 goals on their winless run.

As for the vis…

Best Odds: 7/4

Bookmaker:

Two sides who are looking to make a return to winning ways this weekend, Aston Villa will welcome Arsenal to the Midlands on Saturday lunchtime.

Aston Villa

Starting with the hosts, while Aston Villa might have impressed many so far this season, Dean Smith s side put in a sluggish display on home soil earlier in the week. Eventually hit with what was a deserved 3-1 loss at home against a high-flying West Ham, the former Brentford boss is desperately seeking a boost this weekend. Although Villa might have picked up that controversial 1-0 win away at Southampton when drawing a close to January, Smith s side have gained a reputation for their issues since opening the New Year. A run that was highlighted by that dramatic 3-2 defeat away at…