SUPER SUB GIROUD SAVES ARSENAL THE BLUSHES

It was an entertaining afternoon as Sunderland welcomed Arsenal to the Stadium of Light in one of the Premier League week 10 games.

The game was lit up with expectations as both sides wanted to prove a point on who is superior, with Arsenal looking for a win to go top and Sunderland looking for a win to create hopes of survival in the premier league as they've gone ten games without a win.

Arsenal dominated more of the possession and looked like a team who will take all three point which they did and took the lead through an Alexis Sanchez header in W first half.

Arsenal dominated much of the first half and second half until they were caught flat footed by Watmore who looked certain to score but was brought down by Cech in the penalty area which Defoe converted properly to make them tie with the gunners.

The game looked almost finished when super sub Giroud converted his opportunity with his first touch, then scored his second of the day from a Mesut Ozil corner kick.

Alexis Sanchez made it four for the day after a good counter attack saw the Chilean convert his chances to make it four for the day and his sixth in the league.

SCHWEINSTEIGER LEFT OUT OF MANCHESTER UNITED TEAM PHOTO

Former Germany and Manchester United midfielder, Bastian Schweinsteiger has been left out of the team photo which was released today on United's Twitter account.

The world cup winner was dropped by Manchester United's new manager, Jose Mourinho at the beginning of the season as the Portuguese claims the German midfielder is not in his plans.

Schweinsteiger, 32, is yet to start a single game for United this season as he has been dropped to the reserve team of the club.

LUCAS PEREZ RULED OUT FOR UP TO SIX WEEKS

Arsenal forward, Lucas Perez has been ruled for up to six weeks with ankle ligament injury which he sustained against Reading in the EFL cup tie during the week.

The Spanish attacker started in the 2-0 the win against Reading in the EFL CUP but was replaced in the 72 minutes after a strong tackle from Danzell Gravenberch.

The attacker will miss crucial games against Tottenham, Manchester united and PSG in the coming weeks but a positive inclusion was Olivier Giroud who had a cameo appearance against Reading and will travel with the team when they visit Sunderland.

RONALDO PLAYS DOWN MESSI RIVALRY

Real Madrid ace attacker, Cristiano Ronaldo has played down his rivalry with fellow rival Lionel Messi claiming there's a "mutual respect" between the two of them but they are not good friends.

Ronaldo and Messi have dominated the world football scene claiming eight awards between the two of them and there have been comparison in the media on who is better between the two players.

Speaking to Coach Magazine Ronaldo said;
"There is a big mutual respect between myself and Messi,"

"The media like to make out like we have this big rivalry, but we don't.
"It is not like we are good friends, but there is a mutual respect on both sides."

MIGNOLET EXPRESSES DISAPPOINTMENT OVER LACK OF FIRST TEAM EXPERIENCE

Liverpool goalkeeper, Simon Mignolet has expressed his disappointment for not getting featured regularly as he does not want to be a back up goalkeeper.

The Belgian international was dropped by Liverpool's manager, Jurgen Klopp due to inconsistency from the goalkeeper and has been replaced by Loris Karius who was signed from German side, Mainz 05 in a deal around £4 million.

However, Mignolet has insisted that he will have to work hard to get feature regularly as he is still young.

“I don’t want to be a No 2, that’s clear. I want to play,” Mignolet said.

 “I am not in a situation where I can sit on the bench. I am 28 years old and want to play week-in, week-out.

“I’ll work hard and never give up. I see it as a challenge I can overcome. So hopefully it will be a fair challenge based on performances put in on the pitch.”

ARSENE WENGER HAILS THE OX

Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, has hailed Alex Oxlade Chamberlain after the midfielder scored twice to help the gunners qualify for the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup.

Wenger believes the English midfielder is growing confidence in front of goal as the Englishman have scored five goals in twelve games across all competition.

Speaking after the game against Reading FC, Wenger said;

"I feel that before (Alex) looked nervous when he was in front of the goal and now we hope that he will continue to go forward and this will build his confidence.

"He has been working really hard in training. That is now showing on the pitch.
"His concentration and his focus have improved, he is much sharper and he will continue to do well.
"(To start games in the Premier League) he needs to keep playing like that."

Arsenal have qualified for the quarter-finals of the EFL cup and will be hoping for a favourable opponent in the next round.

DIER EXRESSES SHOCK OVER HARRY KANE'S BALLON D'OR SNUB

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder, Eric Dier, has expressed his shock over Harry Kane not being able to make the 30 man Ballon D'or list that was released by France football this week.

Harry Kane who finished as the top goal scorer last season but failed to inspire England in the last European Championship was snubbed by the Ballon d'or organizers.

However, fellow team mate, Eric Dier believes the English attacker deserves to be on the list and he also urged fellow team mates to make the list in the coming years.

"Leicester won the Premier League but that doesn't mean to say Harry should miss out. He had a fantastic season,"

"To be top scorer in the league after the slow start he had was a brilliant achievement. He could have been on that list, though I am sure he is not too bothered about it.

"We have many players who can be on it in the future, though, if they want to. It is a matter of working hard and trying to improve." Dier told London Evening Standard

DANI PAREJO HAS HIT OUT ON BARCELONA PLAYERS FOR INCITING VALENCIA FANS

Dani Parejo of Valencia has accused Barcelona players for inciting the Valencia fans during their clash at the Mestalla last weekend which didn't go well with both Barcelona players and the Valencia fans.

The Valencia midfielder however, believed the fan who threw the bottle at the players was wrong to have thrown the bottle at the players.

"I think the Barcelona players lacked respect," Parejo told La Sexta.

"The Mestalla never behaves like that and I believe Neymar was wrong.
"You have to understand that, in such difficult moments, it is not the time to incite. I think you can celebrate a goal when you are very happy and you are going to take three points back home, but in that moment you cannot aggravate or incite people.

"Of course, the fan who threw the bottle was wrong, too. I hope that neither thing is repeated."

Neymar was hit by a bottle during their 3-2 win at Valencia after a late penalty was awarded to Barcelona at the dying minutes of the game.

BALLON D'OR FULL NOMINEE

The prestigious award for the best football player in the world have been released by FIFA.

This year's list have some surprised names on it including England's Jamie Vardy of Leicester City, who had an outstanding season with the Foxes in the premier league scoring 24 goals in the campaign and also lifting the premier league title.

Other players on the list includes Kevin Debruyne of Manchester City, Pierre Emerick Aubemeyang of Gabon and Borussia Dortmund, Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid and Portugal, Rui Patricio of Portugal and Buffon of Juventus and Italy.

Here is the full list:
Sergio Aguero (Man City)
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Borussia Dortmund)
Gareth Bale (Real Madrid)
Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
Kevin De Bruyne (Man City)
Paulo Dybala (Juventus)
Diego Godin (Atletico Madrid)
Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid)
Gonzalo Higuain (Juventus)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Paris Saint-Germain)
Andrés Iniesta (Barcelona)
Koke (Atletico Madrid)
Toni Kroos (Real Madrid)
Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich)
Luka Modric (Real Madrid)
Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Riyad Mahrez (Leicester City)
Hugo Lloris (Tottenham)
Dimitri Payet (West Ham)
Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich)
Neymar (Barcelona)
Paul Pogba (Manchester United)
Pepe (Real Madrid)
Rui Patricio (Sporting Lisbon)
Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid)
Luis Suarez (Barcelona)
Jamie Vardy (Leicester City)
Arturo Vidal (Bayern Munich)

OFFICIAL: LIONEL MESSI NAMED BEST STRIKER IN LA LIGA

Lionel Messi of Barcelona have been named best striker in La Liga for 2015/16 season after stellar performance from the attacker after his recovery from injury.

Lionel Messi has scored 6 goals in his last three games including a hat-trick in the champions league against Pep Guardiola's team.

CONFIRMED: DIABY OUT FOR MONTHS

Former Arsenal Midfielder, Abou Diaby, will be out for up to four months due to ankle injury.

This was confirmed by Marseille after the player underwent surgery to correct the damaged ligaments on his ankle yesterday. He will be out for up to four months.

The France international was released by former club, Arsenal, after the player was unable to play a single game for the club for more than a season.

CONFIRMED: MIKE DEAN TO OFFICIATE MAN. UTD VS MAN. CITY

The English FA have that Mike Dean will officiate the football game between Manchester United and Manchester City in the EFL cup on Wednesday.

THIAGO SILVA DEMANDS NEW PSG CONTRACT

Thiago Silva's contract is set to expire at the end of the season and he has been heavily linked with papers suggesting he might be moving to Juventus.

The player has come out to debunk such rumour by claiming he is happy with the club and would love to extend his stay with the French champions.

"It's not for me to decide, we need to talk," he said after PSG's goalless draw against Marseille on Sunday.

"We started talking last year, at the end of the season, and after it stopped, I do not know why.

"But I'm happy here, I want to stay, extend my contract. We need to talk with the president to know what we will do in the future."

Thiago Silva who missed PSG first five games due to injury have been present and outstanding for the team including their goal less draw against Marseille on Sunday.

SANCHEZ NAMED FOOTBALL GOLDEN BOY

Portugal latest prospect, Renato Sanchez have been named football's golden talent after a successful campaign at Benfica and also being the youngest player to win the European championship with Portugal last summer.

The Golden Boy is an annual award that was introduced by TuttoSport back in 2003 and voting is being done by journalists across Europe, the award is given to players under the age of 21 and must play in Europe's top leagues.

The 19 year old beat the likes of Marcos Rashford of Manchester United, Kelechi Iheanacho of Manchester City, Alex Iwobi of Arsenal to clinch the award.

The award which have been won by the likes of Sergio Aguero, Lionel Messi, Raheem Sterling, Anthony Martial in the past is meant to encourage bright prospects in the game of football.

MOURINHO VOWS HE'LL NEVER SELL WAYNE ROONEY

Manchester United new boss, Jose Mourinho has reiterated his decision to keep Wayne Rooney in Manchester as long as the player wants.

Speaking with Sky Sports ahead of their clash with Chelsea later in the day, Mourinho believes Rooney have gotten to that legendary stature with the club and needs to be treated with like a club legend.

"I will never make that decision. A player of his stature, a player of his history in the club will never go to point where club or manager want to make that decision for him.

"I put him [Rooney] on the bench for three matches in a row. That is hard for him, hard for me, so that is being ruthless, to put in my mind the interests of the team in front of the player, prestige, status. In this case even legend. To put on bench a player with the numbers he has for club and country is hard.

"But as we were saying before, this is an industry where the people who leads, sometimes in a correct decision, sometimes not correct decisions, but in our mind the decisions we think is the best for the team."

Mourinho believed Rooney's dip in form was caused by too many change in role that made the player to forget his position as a player.

"I think it then created a bit of a doubt in relation to his role, to his position, to his future and I think players especially in moments of less confidence, they need to be clear in his head.

"He cannot be jumping from No 6 to No 9, or No 9 to No 10, or No 9 to No 6. For me, he is an attacking player. What is an attacking player for me? For him, a 9 or 10.
"Play No 6, play in midfield, not with me unless we need it and unless we ask him to do that, but with me, I want the ideas completely clear. He is a second striker, plays behind the striker or as a striker. That's what I think is Wayne Rooney."
Mourinho told Sky Sports

Wayne Rooney has started his last three games from the bench with many football pundits and fans claiming the player is in a declining state.

BARCELONA HAVE RELEASED A STATEMENT CONCERNING INIESTA'S INJURY

Barcelona have released a statement concerning Andres Iniesta's injury. After the Spanish midfielder sustained a knee injury during their win at the Mestalla yesterday.

Iniesta was stretched off after a tackle from Enzo Perez in the 12th minutes that left the player in pain. The tackle caught the midfielder's leg in an awkward position.

Barcelona, have so far issued a statement, which reads;

"The first team player Andrés Iniesta has injured the lateral collateral ligament in his right knee. When he arrives in Barcelona the player will have more tests to find out the exact extent of the injury."

The midfielder Will join the lengthy list of Barcelona's player who have been sidelined due to injury.

KOREA DPR WINS FIFA U-17 W/CUP

The Korea Under 17 female team have been crowned champions after their triumph over Japan on penalties, which they won 5-4.

Though finals are always tensed and entertaining as both teams will like to be champions as the most important thing important thing is to take your chances when you have them.

Japan created most of the chances during the game but failed to convert any of them when it matters most.

The game ended in a goalless draw after normal and extra time, so they went into penalties which is more like a lottery that is one of the team must win.

Rio Kanekatsa of Japan was the only player among the ten to miss, which she blasted wide and gave the Koreans the advantage which they took through a Kim Pom-Ui penalty to allow them retain the trophy which they first won in New Zealand.

CONTE EXCITED OVER UNITED GAME AT STAMFORD BRIDGE

Chelsea welcomes former boss, Jose Mourinho and his United army to the Stamford Bridge on Sunday.ers are basking in their victory over last season’s champion, Leicester City and Hull city respectively.

Conte said:
“I think it arrives at the right moment for us. It’s important to continue this way. The last game we beat a good team that last season won the title and this was important.

“On Sunday we face another great team. I want to see progress compared to Liverpool and Arsenal. I am confident about this. I saw fantastic commitment this week.”

Haven lost two of their last big games against Arsenal and Liverpool respectively; Chelsea will be hoping to prove a point come this Sunday.

KURT ZOUMA CLOSE TO FIRST TEAM ACTION

The France international sustained a knee injury during their clash with Manchester United early this year that has made him missed a lot of football actions including the Euros that was hosted in France his native.

However, Chelsea’s manager Antonio Conte has revealed that Zouma is close to first team action as he is now playing with the club’s reserve team.

“I am waiting on him. This week he came back to the training sessions with the Under-21’s and next week I want him to come with us and start a new life for him.” Said Conte.

Zouma’s return will be a welcome development for both the club and fans as well, as he will be challenging John Terry and Struggling Cahill, as well as David Luiz.