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Swallows FC made a clean sweep at the December/January Premier Soccer League awards with midfielder Ruzaigh Gamildien and coach Brandon Truter coming out tops in their respective categories.

The latest awards recognise performances between December 5, 2020 and January 10, 2021.

Gamildien was named Player of the Month, taking over the crown from Mamelodi Sundowns’ Themba Zwane and beating stiff competition from SuperSport United forward Bradley Grobler.

The midfielder has been Swallows’ outstanding player, featuring in all their league matches this term and scoring eight goals in the process to help the Birds maintain an unbeaten run.

With the current campaign yet to reach the halfway mark, his eight strikes already surpass the best he has ever managed in a full PSL season.

The 31-year-old scored five goals in as many matches and made no assists during the period in which the awards are considered.

Grobler, who was swatted aside by Gamildien, however, managed a better record of six goals and an assist in the December/January period for the current award.

Meanwhile, Grobler’s coach Kaitano Tembo was beaten to the Coach of the Month gong by his Swallows counterpart Truter.

It is the second award of the month award for Truter after he won the October/November one.

During the December/January considered timeframe, Truter guided Swallows in collecting 11 points out of a possible 15.

This has seen second-placed Swallows managing to stay close to log leaders Sundowns with whom they are tied on 25 points but have an inferior goal difference.

Tembo, who was beaten by Truter, has a better record of managing 13 points out of a possible 15 within the period of the selection.

Tembo would now push to continue with his side’s good form when they host AmaZulu on Wednesday, while Swallows welcome struggling Chippa United on the same day.

Emile Smith Rowe is “all over the place” for Arsenal in a way Mesut Ozil never was, says Ian Wright, with the Gunners finding a playmaker on their doorstep that is capable of mixing graft and guile.

Mikel Arteta found himself crying out for a creative spark around Christmas as he reflected on a worst start to a season in north London since 1974-75.

World Cup winner Ozil had been frozen out of the fold, with Arsenal looking to move in a different direction with a rookie Spanish tactician calling the shots.

Plenty questioned the decision to omit a proven performer from domestic and continental squads, but a solution to the Gunners’ problems has been found.

Arteta has looked in-house for inspiration, with academy graduates such as Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka taking on more prominent roles.

Wright is delighted to see Arsenal embracing a home-grown core, with youth production having always been a big part of the club’s make-up.

Smith Rowe, at 20 years of age and with only 12 appearances for the Gunners to his name before this season, has become a key man over recent weeks, with another eye-catching performance put in during a 3-0 victory over Newcastle.

Wright told Premier League Productions after witnessing that display, and with outcast Ozil edging his way through the exits: “He’s [Smith Rowe] somebody they have had high hopes for.

“He’s had a couple of injuries and gone out on loan a couple of times. They know what he’s capable of.

“When you look at him in the academy and the first team, apart from Ozil, they are not many players who play in that hole like he does.

“On the half-turn, with a lot more energy and pace than anybody else. Maybe even Ozil when he’s in there.

“He’s all over the place. He’s got a lovely touch. He has realised that this is where I am meant to be. I am ready. He has taken [his chance].

“When you are playing against an Arsenal side, in the current form, with the energy of Saka and Smith-Rowe... And I have to say Cedric at right-back was brilliant. [Thomas] Partey was magnificent.”

Arsenal have taken 13 points from their last five Premier League fixtures, with a welcome return to form lifting them away from relegation danger and back into the top half of the table.

Hege Riise and Rhian Wilkinson have been appointed coaches to England’s women’s national team set-up following the departure of Phil Neville this week.

Neville left his role on Monday after just short of three years in charge of the Lionesses, moving to the United States to become the new manager of David Beckham’s Inter Miami.

Sarina Wiegman is set to succeed the former Manchester United defender, but not until September, with her to remain in charge of the Netherlands until then.

Riise, who won the World Cup with Norway in 1995, will step up to lead the team for the upcoming international break in February, with Wilkinson, who was capped 181 times by Canada, supporting her.

“I'm excited about the opportunity I've been given to work with England Women,” Riise said.

“This is a proud and ambitious team that I look forward to working with and I am confident of making a positive impact when I meet up with the squad in February."

Wilkinson, who won Bronze medals at both the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games, said: “I am extremely thankful for the opportunity to work with such a talented group of players and staff, and it is a privilege to work alongside Hege Riise who I have already worked closely with as a player and coach.”

Both Riise and Wilkinson had applied to become the new assistant manager to Neville, a role that the FA had been recruiting for after Rehanne Skinner left to become the new Tottenham head coach in November.

Riise, who was among The Best FIFA Women's Coach nominees last year, stepped down from her role as head coach of LSK Kvinner in December, a role she had held since 2017.

She won three league titles and two domestic cups during that time and reached the quarter-finals of the Women’s Champions League in 2018-19.

The former midfielder also spent three years as assistant manager with the United States women’s national team, from 2009 to 2012.

“I am delighted to welcome Hege Riise and Rhian Wilkinson to the England coaching team, having had positive discussions with them in recent weeks,” Baroness Sue Campbell, the FA’s director of women’s football, added.

“They bring significant international experience and will help guide our players before the arrival of Sarina Wiegman as our new head coach to lead us into the home Euros in 2022.

“Once February is complete, we will sit down and assess the Lionesses situation and consider next steps for Team GB in consultation with the home nations and the British Olympic Association.”

With Neville leaving his role, that Team GB head coach position is currently vacant, with the Summer Games just six months away.

Mason Mount has become Frank Lampard’s “teacher’s pet” at Chelsea because the Blues legend sees shades of himself in a playmaking star of the present, says Pat Nevin.

The man calling the shots at Stamford Bridge knows all about the value goalscoring midfielders can offer any given cause.

Lampard once filled that role for Chelsea and England, plundering 211 goals for the Blues while earning 106 caps with his country.

Mount is following in those illustrious footsteps, with a regular role being nailed down at club level and with the Three Lions.

At 22 years of age, there is still plenty of potential in his game to be unlocked.

Greater end product is being demanded of him, after netting a match-winner against Fulham last time out, and Nevin can see why Lampard is taking so much pride in Mount’s development.

The former Chelsea winger told the club’s official website of a home-grown star looking to work his own way into Stamford Bridge folklore: “I think we all know how much he adds to the team, even when it doesn’t show up in the statistics of goals scored and assists.

“Mason is well capable of upping those numbers and I think he will soon enough. He is getting into great positions and even though sometimes in the system he is starting from a slightly deeper position than he did compared to when he first broke into the side, he is timing those runs towards the box better all the time.

“He is also not afraid to have a few pot shots just now. Against a team like Fulham, who spent a great deal of the game camped, or more accurately, pushed back into their own penalty area, having a pop from 20 yards is often among the best options.

“In these situations the keeper is often unsighted by his own massed ranks of defenders and on top of that, any deflection is difficult to read. Mason’s goal against Morecambe, as well as his strike at Fulham, were perfect examples of the benefits of long-range efforts.

“We know Frank Lampard used to score plenty in those sorts of situations and maybe some think Mason is the teacher’s pet because he reminds the manager of himself in many ways.

“Maybe there is a little something in that, but it is more about Mason’s own qualities and the fact that just now he is running into some of the best form of his young career.

“Two goals in two games might be the start of a run of goals that not only Frank has been demanding, but that Mason has been demanding of himself.”

Chelsea, who have slipped to seventh in the Premier League table, will be back in action on Tuesday when they take in a testing trip to fellow title hopefuls Leicester.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has defended Bruno Fernandes' performance against Liverpool and suggested Manchester United's star man will not be getting a rest any time soon as he is not tired.

The Portugal international but in a below-par performance at Anfield at the weekend and looked unhappy when he was brought off in the 89th minute and replaced by Mason Greenwood.

Fernandes has started 24 of United’s 29 games in all competitions this season and there is no suggestion from Solskjaer that he will be resting the playmaker, despite being heavily criticised for his display in the 0-0 draw at Liverpool.

“His form is very good, he was just voted Player of the Month,” Solskjaer explained. “He’s not tired, no, no chance. He is one of the players that runs and covers the ground in every single game, he’s very good at recovering and recharging his batteries.

“If he scored his free kick or if it just had a little air on the ball when Luke [Shaw] put the cross in he'd have been lauded as the best player in Premier League again. Since he’s come in, he's been absolutely immense. He’s not tired and if I ask him he'll say there's absolutely no chance that he's tired.

“He's expected to create goals, score goals and sometimes the margins are against him. That free kick, I saw that one in! There were a couple of passes that he played through and it was marginal as to whether the player was on or off[side].

“So he’s always on the verge of creating something, even when he loses the ball, and that's the position I want him in and that’s what he's been told to do. He has to be the creative one. I want him to play the passes he sees.”

In terms of creativity United have managed just two goals in the last four games, with Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial struggling to finish their chances, while Greenwood has barely had a look in.

But, Solskjaer has no worries about his side’s goalscoring credentials as they prepare to face Fulham in the Premier League on Wednesday night.

“I think this season we've scored more goals and created more chances than before. I think it's a matter of time until those margins that we felt were against us against Liverpool go our way again,” Solskjaer said.

“We have players there who can do individual bits but the team is gelling better, relationships are working better. The foundation will always be the hard work and the shape and at Man Utd we are expected to create chances from everywhere and we have players to do that.”

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer predicts that it won’t be long until new signing Amad Diallo is playing for the Manchester United first team after the teenager impressed in his first week of training.

United signed the teenage winger from Atalanta back in October, on the final day of the summer transfer window, but have had to wait until just last week to finalise the agreement.

And while Solskjaer is keen not to put any pressure on the 18-year-old, he has been impressed with the latest addition to his squad and has tipped him to soon be involved on a matchday.

Asked how he has settled in, the United boss said: "Very good. He can handle the ball, he has enjoyed training and makes a difference in training, which is quite remarkable at his age.

"There will need to be some adjustment to settle into the hustle and bustle of the physical part of the Premier League but I can't see it being too long until he's in the squad."

United play Fulham at Craven Cottage in the Premier League on Wednesday night and while the teenager won’t be involved, it could be less than a month before United fans get a glimpse of the new signing.

"It might be quicker than that (four to five weeks)," Solskjaer explained. "He has definitely settled down well, the players have taken to him and he is a very good character, very polite, smiley boy who works really hard.

"He's doing his sessions, getting used to us. Of course, there's always a period of adjustment needed but he's settling in well."

Solskjaer could not give a full update on who would be available for the trip to London on Wednesday evening as the club are still awaiting their latest Covid-19 test results. He did, however, explain that the only absentees through injury are Brandon Williams and Phil Jones.

The latter falls into the category of players who are deemed surplus to requirements and while Solskjaer has said there may be a couple more outgoings this month, he hinted that Jesse Lingard, who has struggled for game time, may be staying to provide back up.

"I don't want to go into individuals but we can probably allow one or two more to go out," the Norwegian added. "But the strength we have is that we have a deep squad, strength in depth, we don't want to give our advantage away by easing off on our players, I can't give you a better answer than that."

Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has bid Mesut Ozil farewell after the midfielder completed his move to Fenerbahce.

Ozil teamed up with the Yellow Canaries as a free agent after cancelling his contract with the Emirates Stadium outfit.

The Germany midfielder spent eight years with the Gunners after joining the Premier League giants from Real Madrid and helped the club win three FA Cup trophies and the Community Shield title.

Aubameyang played for three years with the 32-year-old World Cup winner, having joined the side from Borussia Dortmund in 2018.

The Gabon and Arsenal skipper has taken to social media to praise Ozil for his contribution during his time at the Emirates Stadium and wished him good luck in his future endeavours.   

“I want to say thanks to you my bro and wish you all the best,” Aubameyang posted on Instagram.

“Don’t Need to talk about how good you are on and off the pitch and how you take care of people. See you soon on fortnight bro.”

Aubameyang, meanwhile, has been praised by his teammate Granit Xhaka for his impressive performance in their 3-0 victory over Newcastle United on Monday.

The forward ended his goal drought in the encounter, scoring twice to help the Gunners return to winning ways after playing out a draw in their last outing against Crystal Palace.

“Everyone knows how important he is for us - not only on the pitch but off the pitch as well. Of course, every player has these moments where it is not going well for them," Xhaka said, as per Evening Standard. 

“But he has kept going and training hard. He helped a lot and I am so happy for him. He scored today and helped us.”

Aubameyang has now scored eight goals for Arsenal this season, including five in the Premier League and provided one assist in 20 appearances.

The Gabon international has been the key man behind the Gunners’ success in the last two seasons and will be expected to continue the consistent performances in their remaining games of the campaign.

Arsenal, 10th on the Premier League table, will take on Southampton in their next league outing on January 26 after their FA Cup tie.

Zinedine Zidane is giving little away when it comes to Real Madrid’s reported interest in Kylian Mbappe and David Alaba, with the Blancos boss steering around questions of possible additions.

The Blancos are unlikely to be busy in January, with the coronavirus pandemic forcing the richest of global heavyweights to tighten their purse strings.

Movement is, however, expected at Santiago Bernabeu over the summer, with a club famed for their ‘Galacticos’ recruitment policy set to pursue more marquee additions.

Paris Saint-Germain forward Mbappe is a player that has registered on Real’s recruitment radar for some time, with it suggested that the World Cup winner would like to try his luck in Spain.

Efforts are, however, being made in France to tie him to fresh terms and Zidane is reluctant to be drawn on speculation.

He told reporters, with former team-mate Ronaldo claiming that great players can determine their own future: “In the end yes, I think that's how Ronaldo said it.

“I think the same thing, but everyone has a contract and it's not good to get involved in the future of players who are not yours, but I think the same.”

One player who is approaching the end of his current deal is Bayern defender Alaba, with the versatile Austrian able to talk with interested parties outside of Germany as he heads towards free agency.

Real are considered to be leading the race for his signature, but Zidane has said: “The problem is tomorrow's match. I understand your question, because you are going to ask me about a player who is not mine.

“What interests me is tomorrow's match. I understand that you can talk, but I'm sorry. As a coach I'm interested in tomorrow's game.”

Real are due to face Alcoyano in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday, with Zidane’s side looking to chase down more major silverware.

Luka Jovic will not be playing any further part in that quest this season, after returning to Eintracht Frankfurt on loan, but the Serbian – who netted two goals on his first outing back in Germany – does still figure in the thoughts of those at the Bernabeu.

“Madrid is difficult, I've experienced it as a player, and what Luka has done is go and play,” Zidane said of a striker who managed just two goals through 32 appearances for the Blancos.

“I think it has been a good option to buy Luka and I am happy for him, and [I hope] for him to do the same one day in Madrid. But inside and outside [the club] it's different.

“He has a future, and he can show it at Madrid and it's the same for everyone. Here there is always a very strong competition, but the coach is not to blame.”

Lionel Messi has avoided a lengthy ban after collecting the first red card of his Barcelona career, with the Argentine set to sit out just two games on the back of his Spanish Super Cup dismissal against Athletic Club.

The RFEF, which controls disciplinary matters in Spain, has ruled that the six-time Ballon d’Or winner will not have to serve a lengthy suspension for lashing out at Asier Villalibre.

It had been suggested that the mercurial South American could face up to 12 games stuck on the sidelines as a result of his reckless actions.

The match officials and RFEF have, however, decided that there was no aggression on the part of Messi, meaning that standard sentences will be implemented.

Carmen Perez, president of the Competition Committee, was put in sole charge of passing a ruling on Messi.

The RFEF only presides over league matters in Spain, with Messi’s misdemeanour occurring in cup action.

Perez has listened to the arguments put forward by Barca regarding their talismanic captain and decided that two games in the stands will be enough.

As a result, Messi will now sit out meetings with Cornella in the Copa del Rey and Elche in La Liga.

The 33-year-old will be relieved to learn that he will be available again by January 31, with it likely that his next outing for the Blaugrana will come against Athletic.

Revenge will be sought in that contest, with Barca still smarting at having seen the Super Cup slip through their grasp.

Messi’s rush of blood came during extra-time of a fixture in Seville that Ronald Koeman’s side had led on two occasions.

With the scores level at 2-2 after 90 minutes, it was left to Inaki Williams to snatch a dramatic decider in the third minute of extra-time.

Messi saw red in stoppage-time, as frustration got the better of him, and another piece of major silverware slipped through his grasp as he trudged down the tunnel.

Koeman refused to condemn the actions of his skipper afterwards, saying: “I can understand what Messi did.

“I don't know how many times they fouled him, and it's normal to react when they keep trying to foul you as a player who is looking to dribble with the ball, but I need to see it again properly.”

Barca will be back in action on Thursday against Cornella in the last 32 of the Copa del Rey.

Ian Wright has dismissed criticism of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as "rubbish" after the Arsenal star's two goals against Newcastle.

Aubameyang has been a reliable source of goals for Arsenal since his £56 million ($76m) move to Emirates Stadium from Borussia Dortmund in January 2018.

The Gabon international has hit 78 goals in his first 129 outings for the Gunners, including two in their FA Cup final victory over Chelsea last season.

However, he hasn't quite been able to live up to his usual high standards in the first half of the 2020-21 campaign, with only five efforts recorded through 17 Premier League outings.

Arsenal have generally lacked a cutting edge in the final third this term as Mikel Arteta has struggled to deliver results while implementing a more disciplined, methodical style of play based on passing out from the back.

They seemed to click into gear during a clash with Newcastle at the Emirates on Monday, though, with a trademark double from Aubameyang and a Bukayo Saka strike wrapping up a 3-0 victory .

It has been suggested that the Gunners talismanic centre-forward has taken his foot off the pedal since being handed a bumper new contract in September, but Wright insists the 31-year-old's dip in form was simply a direct consequence of poor service from midfield.

The Arsenal legend told  Premier League Productions of Aubameyang's output   after the win against the Magpies: "You look at the goals he scored today, those are the kind of chances you want to create for him.

"You’ve got someone like Thomas Partey, when he gets in a situation he’s looking to pass it forward.

"Aubameyang wants that situation, he wants that one-on-one situation. He hasn’t been having a lot of that in recent months.

"People have been talking about his form, signing his contract then clocking off, it’s rubbish, he just didn’t get chances, not chances like that [against Newcastle].

"We’ve seen him score chances like the second goal where he’s in the middle of the box because Arsenal created something, they haven’t been creating things.

"Now with Saka’s emergence, Emile Smith Rowe’s emergence, great play from Cedric [Soares], there’s always balls going into the box, chances being made, and he’ll come alive again."

Cesar Azpilicueta has sounded a rousing rallying cry at Stamford Bridge, with the Spanish defender saying: “We are Chelsea and we want to be as high as possible fighting for everything”.

Expectations in west London have had to be reined in slightly over recent weeks as Frank Lampard’s side scratch around for form.

A return to winning ways was made last time out in a derby date with neighbours Fulham, but there is still an eight-point gap to be bridged to Premier League leaders Manchester United.

Chelsea were tipped by many to come into contention for the top-flight crown this season, with Roman Abramovich having invested heavily once more in a number of fresh faces.

Value is yet to be found in all of those big-money deals, but Azpilicueta is eager to point out that the Blues remain in the hunt for silverware across multiple fronts.

The long-serving captain at Stamford Bridge has told Sky Sports: “We are Chelsea, we are very demanding of ourselves and we want to be always as high as possible fighting for everything.

“So when the results are not there we want to improve.

“Hopefully this win against Fulham can give us more confidence and grow into that game because against Leicester it's a game where we have to be at our best, we have to show confidence, we have to believe in ourselves and hopefully we can do a good game and get the win.”

Chelsea are set to take in a trip to the King Power Stadium on Tuesday, with Leicester currently sat four places and six points above them in the table.

Victory over the Foxes would help Lampard’s side to establish much-needed momentum, with progress having stalled after previously recording a 17-match unbeaten run.

“We know at the beginning of December we were top of the league, everybody could think we were there to win the title, and in a month we didn't have good results, we were in mid-table and everybody was saying we were out of everything, so we know how it works,” Azpilicueta said of the Blues’ search for consistency.

“But especially this season - where we see results nobody expects, and everybody is very close at the top of the table - we know that if we get the consistency back that we had in November and the beginning of December, when we were playing well and getting results at home and away, that's the way we want to carry on.

“We know that to be at the top of the Premier League is tough and you have to give everything in every single game - as we saw against Fulham, against 10 men for 45 minutes, it's never easy to win a game. They drew against Liverpool, they drew against Tottenham.

“Every game is very difficult and our focus has to remain on the next game, and, as a group, to keep improving, look at what we can do better, because that progression will allow us to get as high as possible.”

Napsa Stars defender David Owino believes his teammates have to be mentally strong to stand a chance of getting a positive outcome in the final preliminary round of the Caf Confederation Cup.

While the Zambian outfit qualified for the final round, the Kenyan representatives were eliminated from the Caf Champions League by CR Belouizdad. It will be the first time the Harambee Star will be playing against his former side in the continental assignment.

"As Napsa we have to go with a very strong mentality because Gor Mahia is not a pushover," Odhiambo told Napsa online TV.

"Though they are struggling financially, they are very experienced in continental competitions.  

"Most of their players are in the national team and are experienced when it comes to these competitions. They will want to score first and show they are better than us. 

"So it will be difficult but my teammates have to be mentally strong, fight for each other and try as much as possible to come out with something positive. We go out there, fight for a positive result, come and finish it at home."

The former Zesco United defender has however insisted Napsa have to be prepared for the game. He has further expressed his delight playing at home against a team that brought him to the limelight.

"Gor Mahia is a good team, they have been playing in the continental assignments for some time," Odhiambo continued.

"So as Napsa, all we have to do is prepare adequately. It is not going to be easy but if we prepare well, become mentally strong and work as a team, we will stand a chance of advancing to the group stage.   

"It is always a pleasure going back to play in the pitches you started from, where people know you much better. Coming to this competition is all about work and the team you are representing.  

"For me as a player is to do my work and ensure my team wins." 

The first leg will be played in Kenya on February 14 with the second leg set for Zambia a week later.

The aggregate winner will qualify for the group stage of the competition.  

Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers believes Wilfred Ndidi and Youri Tielemans complement each other well.

The Nigeria international has formed a productive partnership with the Belgian star despite their contrasting playing styles.

Their understanding has helped the King Power Stadium outfit win 11 Premier League games this season to ensure their third spot on the table.

Leicester also currently enjoy a six-game unbeaten run, including their victory over Southampton on Saturday at the King Power Stadium.

Rodgers has expressed his delight with the fine combination between the Super Eagles defensive midfielder and the 23-year-old.

"They play different roles. This is the beauty of this league, there’s so much diversity in terms of styles you play against and systems too,” Rodgers told the club website.

"You have to have flexibility, but those two really complement each other. Wilf had a great game the other night in a high-intensity game with lots of duels, where you’ve got to win your headers, got to be strong, got to be aggressive, got to cover ground. Youri does that too but then [Ndidi] can pass it to Youri and he can play the forward passes.

"There’s a great combination there between the two. If you can get that in one player, he’s probably worth £150M. They both have their own strengths and they complement each other very well."

Ndidi and Tielemans will be expected to continue their fine understanding when Leicester take on Chelsea in a league game on Tuesday night.

The Nigeria international has been limited to 12 games across all competitions for the Foxes in the 2020-21 campaign due to injury problems.

Ndidi has been with the King Power Stadium outfit since the summer of 2017 when he teamed up with the side from Genk.

The 24-year-old has been a key performer for the Foxes and last season he featured prominently as the club clinched a Europa League ticket.

Ndidi remains a pivotal member of the Super Eagles and he currently has 36 appearances for the West African country since making his debut in 2015.

Pep Guardiola has insisted that Manchester City will not sign any new players in the January transfer window.

City have bounced back from a slow start to the season to re-emerge as contenders for the Premier League title which was wrestled away from them by Liverpool in 2019-20.

The Blues have won five successive games, including an impressive 4-0 victory over Crystal Palace at the weekend, and are now sitting just two points behind current leaders Manchester United with a game in hand.

Guardiola's men are also through to the Champions League knockout stages, Carabao Cup final and fourth round of the FA Cup, with an unprecedented quadruple still a possibility heading into the second half of the campaign.

City currently boast the best defensive record in the top flight having only conceded 13 goals in 17 games, with summer arrival Ruben Dias slotting into the starting XI perfectly after his big-money move from Benfica.

The likes of John Stones and Joao Cancelo have also been impressive at the back, but City haven't always been at their fluid best at the other end of the pitch.

Sergio Aguero's struggles for fitness have continued in recent months, leaving Guardiola with only Gabriel Jesus and 17-year-old Liam Delap to call upon in a natural centre-forward role.

The Catalan has often chosen to use Kevin de Bruyne or Raheem Sterling as "false nines" instead of playing with an orthodox striker, with mixed results, and it has been suggested that a lack of firepower could end up costing his side at the business end of the season.

Guardiola is not planning on adding to his ranks this month, though, as he told beIN Sports ahead of a midweek meeting with Aston Villa: “We will not sign any deal during the winter transfer market.

"We did not discuss this, but we will end the season with the players that we have now.”

After City's latest Premier League outing, they will turn their attention to a fourth-round FA Cup tie with Cheltenham on January 23, which comes three days before they are due to take in a trip to The Hawthorns to face West Brom.

Granit Xhaka has hailed Thomas Party’s influence on the Arsenal team after the Ghana international impressed on his return against Newcastle United.

Partey made his first start in over a month on Monday night and produced an excellent performance as Mikel Arteta’s side cruised to a 3-0 win.

The 27-year-old set up the opening goal of the night with a wonderful assist for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and had completed 55 of his 58 passes before he was replaced by Mohamed Elneny midway through the second half.

It was an eye-catching performance from the £45 million ($61m) summer signing from Atletico Madrid and Xhaka - who was equally as impressive alongside his central midfield partner - was full of praise for his team-mate.

“You can see he brings a lot of experience and a high level,” said the Switzerland international. “He wins a lot of duels and he is so good with the ball.

“It is so important to have one guy like him, because the experience that he brings is so important for this young team.

“He showed how important he is for us and we are so happy."

Xhaka was also quick to highlight the influence of Aubameyang, who scored twice in the second half to make it four goals in his last six appearances in all competitions.

It’s been a difficult season for the Arsenal captain, who has struggled to find the sort of form that has brought him 60 goals during his past two campaigns in north London.

But he is now showing signs of getting back to his best and Xhaka knows how key the striker is to Arsenal’s ambitions over the second half of the season.

“Everyone knows how important Auba is for us - not only on the pitch, but off the pitch as well,” said the midfielder.

“Of course, every player has these moments where it is not going well for them. But he has kept going and training hard.

“He helped a lot [against Newcastle] and I am so happy for him. He scored and helped us.”

Arsenal have now won five of their last six games in all competitions and have kept five successive clean sheets in the process.

Monday night’s success left them seven points behind fourth-placed Liverpool and maintained the impressive momentum they have built up since Boxing Day.

After a difficult few months, Arteta’s side are starting to look like they have turned a corner, but Xhaka insists they can’t take anything for granted.

“We have to take it point by point,” he said. “It is so difficult at the moment in the Premier League, everyone can beat everyone.

“We have to continue like this, work hard and see what happens. We are in a good way. Let’s keep going like this.”

Donny van de Beek has been told “plenty of other clubs” would be happy to snap him up if he fails to make a breakthrough at Manchester United, with former Red Devils coach Frans Hoek confident that his fellow Dutchman will come good in time.

Eyebrows were raised when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer dipped into the summer transfer market of 2020 for another creative midfielder.

With Paul Pogba, Bruno Fernandes and Juan Mata already on the books at Old Trafford, many considered United to be in greater need of adding in other areas.

The Red Devils made the most of an unexpected opportunity, though, with Van de Beek snapped up in an effort to prevent him from heading to a domestic or continental rival.

The 23-year-old has found the going tough in England, making just 10 Premier League appearances and missing out entirely in United’s last five top-flight fixtures.

Questions are already being asked of his future at Old Trafford, but Hoek believes it is too early to pass judgement on a talented performer still finding his feet in new surroundings.

The former Red Devils coach, who worked under Louis van Gaal in Manchester, told Voetbal International of Van de Beek: “It is a big transition, from the Eredivisie to the Premier League.

“Not only the speed of action but also physically. It is Ajax-Feyenoord in England every week, where you also have to win every match at United. But it is not as easy there as in some matches in the Netherlands. 

“I think that we can only actually assess Van de Beek when we are one year later.”

Hoek added, with Van de Beek experiencing similar struggles to those that Netherlands team-mate Memphis Depay once endured at Old Trafford: “Perhaps this is the run-up to a fantastic career for Van de Beek in Manchester. 

“If not, there will be plenty of other clubs for him. For now I would say: wait and see.”

United’s form, which has seen them hit top spot in the Premier League table, is making it difficult for Van de Beek to force his way into Solskjaer’s plans.

Hoek, though, is not convinced that the Red Devils have turned a corner and expects them to slip down the standings once others rediscover the consistency that has briefly deserted them.

He added: “Of course I follow them, but I don't think they play impressively.

“The fact that they are now at the top is also due to the fact that the rest of the teams do not reach their usual level.

“I think Manchester City will stand out. That is also a big difference with United: City have a clear way of playing. Liverpool have that too, although they have some problems now. But at United, the way of playing is much less clear to see.”

Simba SC new signing Perfect Chikwende has explained the reason he signed for the Tanzanian champions.

The burly Zimbabwean striker was unveiled by the Wekundu wa Msimbazi on deadline day of the mini-transfer window just three days after playing against them in the Caf Champions League.

Chikwende was part of the FC Platinum squad that played against Simba in a two-legged fixture, and he scored in the first leg as they won 1-0 at National Sports Stadium in Harare.

He also featured in the return leg but Simba proved too good for his side as they were hammered 4-0 with the Msimbazi giants advancing to the group stage of the competition for the third time in history on a 4-1 aggregate scoreline.

When the mini window which opened on December 16 closed on January 15, Simba announced they had signed the player but could not divulge the details of his contract.

Chikwende has now claimed the reason why he was attracted to the Simba deal is that they have a group of talented players in their squad whom he wanted to work with.

“Among the things that attracted me to join Simba is the presence of very talented players in the squad, including Clatous Chama, Larry Bwalya, Luis Miquissone, and Shomari Kapombe,” Chikwende said as quoted by Sokalabongo.

Chikwende completed the list of only three players that Simba signed in the window others being Taddeo Lwanga and Junior Lokosa.

In a recent interview, Simba assistant coach Selemani Matola praised the acquisition of the player saying he will help them achieve their targets for the season, and also explained why they signed him.

“I think it is all about understanding the player well when you directly face him in both home and away matches because you get a chance to see him better,” Matola told Daily News.

“In such cases, if you have an opportunity, it is better to sign him. It is advisable to recruit a player you have seen playing. I, therefore, think that they do the right thing to sign those players who look dangerous at their sides when facing us.”

Simba have been drawn to play defending champions Al-Ahly of Egypt, AS Vita from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Sudanese giants Al-Merrikh in Group A of the Caf competition.

Former Arsenal defender Lauren has claimed that if Mesut Ozil really was a “top player” then he would not have found himself frozen out at Emirates Stadium.

A World Cup winner is being ushered out of the back door in north London, with a switch to Turkish giants Fenerbahce in the process of being pushed through.

Ozil will depart having taken in over 250 appearances for the Gunners, but with serious questions being asked of whether he ever truly delivered on his promise.

Critics were quick to pull the former Germany international up on his form and commitment long before he found himself frozen out completely under current boss Mikel Arteta.

Lauren considers that to be proof that Ozil was never the player Arsenal needed him to be, with consistency lacking from a midfielder that boasts match-winning ability on his day.

“Sometimes you have to reach an agreement with the player and find the best thing for both – the club and player,” ex-Gunners defender Lauren told Stadium Astro of a long-running saga coming to a close.

“I believe there is something going on that we didn’t know about.

“There are two sides – when you are a top player and you have such quality as Ozil, if you don’t play with [Unai] Emery and you don’t play with Arteta, do we have to blame the manager or the club? I don’t believe so.

“If you are a top player and are consistent week in, week out then there is no manager that is going to have you on the sideline and leave you out. That would put pressure on the manager.

“The best players at Real Madrid and Barcelona, would the manager put them on the bench week in, week out? I don’t believe so.

“When you are a top player, there is no manager that can put you on the bench, it’s impossible.”

Lauren added on Arsenal’s efforts to get a big earner off their books: “If the manager doesn’t count on a player, the player has to find a solution.

“The best solution for him is to move away and find a place where he can be the leader. He is going to feel comfortable and at home. This is the best news for both sides.

“For Arsenal, they don’t have to pay big wages and for the player, he is moving to a place he can play week in, week out.”

With Ozil bringing a seven-and-a-half-year spell at Arsenal to a close, the No.10 jersey is about to come up for grabs.

Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang have their eye on that, but Lauren believes a promising academy graduate could be next in line.

A member of the Gunners’ ‘Invincibles’ squad from 2003-04 said of a shirt battle: “Let’s wait until the end of the season.

“For the position he plays, maybe [Emile] Smith Rowe. If he keeps going with consistency, maybe he could have the No.10 for next season.”