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John Arne Riise considers meetings between Liverpool and Manchester United to be “the best of the best”, with two old adversaries preparing to rekindle their rivalry with potential title challenges on the line.

The Premier League crown remains in the hands of Anfield heavyweights for now, with a 30-year wait for top-flight glory on Merseyside brought to a close in 2020.

Defending that prize will not be easy, with the playing field starting to level out this season.

That has allowed others, such as United, to come back into the mix and hit the top of the table with 17 games gone.

Plenty are suggesting that the Red Devils can sustain a push for prestigious silverware, with their next outing set to show whether that big billing is justified or not.

Riise is among those looking forward to seeing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer take on Jurgen Klopp, with there always something special about meetings between the north-west neighbours regardless of what is at stake.

“I loved playing in the Liverpool v Man United game, more than the Merseyside derby, in fact,” former Reds left-back Riise told Ladbrokes.

“The only reason for that is because those games against United were games where you’re playing against a side who is fighting for the same thing that you are; the Premier League title, or the top four, winning trophies.

“With Everton it was more just passion because the two teams are from the same city. It was always tough against Everton, don’t get me wrong. But I preferred playing against Man United because you know you’re playing against the best of the best.”

Riise faced United on plenty of occasions during his seven years at Liverpool between 2001 and 2008, but the undoubted highlight of his time in England was a Champions League triumph in 2005 – although the Norwegian has mixed memories of that night after missing his penalty in a shootout.

Riise said of a memorable evening in Istanbul against AC Milan: “I’ve only watched the game back once, two years ago, and that was only because I had to for work. I don’t watch it because I missed my penalty.

“I had severe cramp by the time the shootout came around, having played the 90 minutes and extra-time. So when I walked up to take my penalty, I didn’t know what I was going to do.

“Normally I’d be confident and would just bang it in as hard as I could because that way my style – but I was so scared of getting cramp in my right foot if I went with that approach that it made me reconsider what I was going to do.

“So, walking up to the spot I thought to myself I’ve got three options: smash it, place it or try a Panenka. I was thinking about the Panenka which is quite crazy but I wanted to be remembered.

“I put the ball on the spot, walked back and turned around to begin my run-up; it was only at that moment I decided exactly what I was going to do. It’s the only time in my life I haven’t done what I should have done: smash it.

“The funny thing is that I walked back to my team-mates, Stevie came and gave me a hug and then Jamie Carragher turned to me and said 'Ginge, haven’t you seen Dida has dived to the same side for every penalty?' I said 'why the f*ck did you not tell me that before I went up there?!'"

Chelsea outcast Marco van Ginkel has made his first senior appearance since 2018 after coming through an injury hell which threatened to bring his career to a premature end.

Van Ginkel was seen as one of the brightest young talents in European football when Chelsea snapped him up from Vitesse for a reported £8 million eight years ago.

Unfortunately, the Dutchman has only featured in four senior matches for the Blues since then, with his last run out for the club coming in 2014 - when Jose Mourinho was still in charge at Stamford Bridge.

Van Ginkel was held back by a string of serious injuries at Chelsea, who sent him out on loan to AC Milan, Stoke City and PSV in the hope that a change of environment could aid his development.

The 28-year-old is currently in the middle of his third loan spell at the Philips Stadion in Eindhoven, but he has spent the last 32 months on the sidelines recovering from surgery to rebuild the ligaments in his knee.

The Blues loanee, whose current contract at the Bridge is due to expire at the end of the season, finally made his long-awaited return to the pitch on Wednesday, coming off the bench during PSV's 3-1 home defeat to AZ.

Van Ginkel expressed his delight after the final whistle, telling NOS: "It's been a long time, so I'm proud of my first minutes. I was out for so long, been through a lot, had a lot of surgeries. No football, so I'm excited to be finally back.

"Of course it was a very difficult time. I have had a lot of positive moments, but perhaps even more negative ones. It has been really hard, both emotionally and mentally. There was a lot going on in my head.

"Therefore it's great to be back on the pitch, even though it's only for a few minutes and with a disappointing loss as a team.

"I'm sure my family is delighted too. They have been so supportive. Unfortunately, they couldn't be in the stadium today due to the circumstances. But I'm sure everybody was watching the game on the television, as they did last week against Ajax (when he was in the team selection for the first time).

"My moment didn't come back then, so I'm glad it happened today. My cell phone was already full of messages. It's great to feel so much support. Now we have to see what's next.

"I've been in full training for 2 or 3 weeks now and didn't miss a single exercise. I don't know if I'll be able to play a full match anytime soon, but I'm longing for more after these few minutes.

"I'll continue to work hard to make it possible, but now I'll probably have a drink with my girlfriend to celebrate this moment.

"My return is a big reward for my dedication. I'm finally a football player again. Great."

The midfielder could be in line to feature again when PSV take in a trip to Sparta Rotterdam on Saturday, with Roger Schmidt's side currently sitting fourth in the Eredivisie standings.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has Manchester United approaching the end of “a long road back” to the top, says Gary Pallister, with the Norwegian allowing title dreams to be formed again after many “false dawns”.

The Red Devils have returned to the top of the Premier League table in 2020-21, with 36 points taken from 17 games so far.

Next up for Solskjaer’s side is a meeting with defending champions Liverpool, and a trip to Anfield will present an opportunity for another serious marker to be put down by an ambitious outfit.

Pallister believes United can sustain a challenge for the English top-flight crown this season, with patience being rewarded at Old Trafford eight years on from their last triumph under Sir Alex Ferguson.

The former Red Devils defender told Sky Sports: “To hit the top of the table, albeit just after Christmas was a great feeling.

“It's been a long road back there and it's justification for Ole and the way he's been talking about his team - that they weren't very far away from clicking. To move to the top of the table justifies the work he's been doing.

“I'd love to say ‘yes, they can win the title’ and yes, I think they can. If I was a betting man, I would probably say it's an evens chance.

“They're playing some terrific football. That front three with [Bruno] Fernandes and [Paul] Pogba behind them, if they're hitting their straps every week or most of the time, I think they can challenge.

“We've had ups and downs with this Manchester United side. They've shown frailties at times and that's something Ole's been trying to address.

“We've had false dawns when Ole first came in, but then straight after the first national lockdown some of the football we played was fantastic. We then slipped into being sloppy and conceding goals at the start of games. If they can keep up this sort of level, then they can challenge, but it's all about finding that level more frequently.”

Gary Neville has said that United, who have gone four years without a trophy of any kind, should be getting excited about what they can achieve in the current campaign.

Pallister has echoed those sentiments, saying: “Let's get excited about it. It's been a long road.

“A club like Manchester United should be up there challenging most seasons and what we've seen since Sir Alex left hasn't been great.

“I don't think we played particularly exciting football or the brand of football we'd expect from Manchester United, but I think that's something Ole has tried to bring to the fore since he's come to the club and we're reaping the rewards right now.

“There's a confidence throughout the team. I'm not saying they're going to win the title. I think Liverpool and Manchester City are still going to have a say in the title race, but it's set up for such a big game on Sunday.

“If you can beat Liverpool on their patch that would send out a real message.”

Young Africans (Yanga SC) striker Saidi Ntibazonkiza has revealed he was just 50% fit despite playing for the full 90 minutes against Simba SC at Amani Stadium on Wednesday. 

After a goalless draw in regular time, the Burundian stepped up to score a winning penalty in the shootout, eventually helping Wananchi to a 4-3 win. The 33-year-old has now revealed the circumstances behind his inclusion in the team.

"On Wednesday, I was not in good shape for the game, I was 50% fit but my teammates needed me and I had to help them," Ntibazonkiza, who joined the Jangwani Street-based side, told Goal.

"I had not trained well for about three weeks but I managed to play for 90 minutes. Yes, we managed to win but once I get back to full fitness, I will make our fans happy."

The Intamba m'Urugamba forward has also shared what was in his mind when he stepped up to take the deciding penalty with the teams tied at 3-3.

"When I went to take that final penalty, all I was thinking about was a win," Ntibazonkiza continued.

"I usually do not like to talk a lot, my talking happens on the pitch. I give my fans what to talk about with a good performance when I have an opportunity.

"The coach always believes in me, and not only him, but my teammates as well. They needed me, and I told myself, why not give it a try? Furthermore, I came [at Yanga] to work so I had to play for the sake of my team."

His teammate Haruna Niyonzima was also delighted for helping the 27-time Tanzania Mainland League champions win the league. He went on to reveal why he exchanged his jersey with Meddie Kagere.

"It was a very tough game considering it was a final but eventually we won the competition," Niyonzima told Goal.

"I respect Kagere despite me being his captain in the national team. He plays for a good team which is one of the best and I took his jersey to remind me I won a final against him in 2021.

"But as you are aware, Simba and Yanga are sworn rivals and friendship is not on the pitch."  

Mathare United forward Daniel Otieno has warned his teammates from underrating struggling Gor Mahia.

The Slum Boys will face the champions in their second Football Kenya Federation Premier League game and Otieno is aware of how dangerous Gor Mahia can be despite their loss to Kariobangi Sharks.

Both Mathare United and K’Ogalo lost by conceding four goals as the former were defeated 4-2 by Sofapaka in Wundanyi while the latter went down 4-3 in Nairobi.

“Even though Gor Mahia have started the season badly, they are still a difficult team to get the better of and we must be at our utmost best if we are to do that,” Otieno was quoted by the club’s Facebook page as saying.

“Even more now that they have a new coach. We must work as a team from the first whistle until the last. We didn’t start the season on the right footing last weekend against Sofapaka so we have to make amends and avoid at all costs another disappointing result.”

Otieno scored his first goal for Mathare United against Gor Mahia in November 2019 and was also on target against Batoto ba Mungu during the Wundanyi loss. Van Persie, as he is known, has seven goals for the 2008 Premier League champions and the 2020/21 season is his second with the Eastlands club.

“I scored my first goal for this club against Gor Mahia and it was the winner so it made it more memorable,” he added. “I want to do the same thing [on Thursday]. But most importantly is just to help the team achieve a win, whether it’s with a goal or with a last-ditch tackle.”

Mathare United started their season belatedly after the StarTimes broadcasting deal drove a wedge between them and Football Kenya Federation. It took the intervention of the Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT) to have them reinstated alongside Zoo FC.

Gor Mahia and Ulinzi Stars are the other clubs who are also yet to endorse the FKF-StarTimes deal but were allowed to continue with the season’s assignments.

The match between K’Ogalo and the Slum Boys will be played at Moi International Sports Complex, Kasarani from 15:00 EAT.

Bruno Fernandes has been warned there is “no point being the best player if you don’t go on to win things at Manchester United”, with Dwight Yorke saying the Portuguese needs trophies in order to cement a standing among the elite.

There is no doubting that a talented 26-year-old has become one of the Premier League’s most talismanic performers.

Across 12 months at Old Trafford, Fernandes has helped to deliver a reversal in fortune for United that few could have predicted.

Individual accolades have rained down on a man looking to follow in the footsteps of iconic countryman Cristiano Ronaldo in English football.

Plenty are prepared to talk up that potential, with silverware being chased down on multiple fronts, but United have had an issue with semi-finals of late and Yorke admits they need to get over the line in order for Fernandes to sit alongside the world’s best.

The former Red Devils striker told Sky Sports of a player that has delivered 27 goals and 17 assists through 48 appearances: “He has come in and really lifted the team in a really massive way. Ole [Gunnar Solskjaer] deserves a lot of credit for recognising such a player to bring in.

“What he has brought to the team has been second to none. He has been consistent and a star performer week in, week out, and has mobilised the team and given them an energy which was lacking earlier on in the campaign.

“He is undoubtedly one of the best players there, if not the best player there at this present time, but there is no point being the best player if you don’t go on to win things at Manchester United.

“You are always going to be judged by the fact you have won things.

“They got to three semi-finals last season and they have got to another semi-final this year and not got over the line. So time is ticking in terms of that and in terms of the results.

“It is not very often that you get to those kinds of positions and he now needs to convert those into trophies – that will be the next steps.

“In terms of where he (Solskjaer) has the team at the moment, every Manchester United fan will be singing with a lot of joy. It is not something we have been able to do in recent times so this is a very good time for the football club and the fans around the world.”

United have returned to the summit of English football, with a 1-0 victory over Burnley last time out lifting them to the top of the Premier league table with a trip to defending champions Liverpool to come on Sunday.

Mali coach Nouhoum Diane aspires to see the Eagles reach the final of the 2021 Africa Nations Championship where they will be making a fourth appearance.

The Eagles who stage a return to Chan having missed the 2018 edition in Morocco are zoned in Group A alongside hosts Cameroon, Burkina Faso and Zimbabwe.

In previous editions, Mali had participated as contenders but their best finish in the competition has been a second-place finish at Rwanda 2016 – where they bowed 3-0 to an Elia Meschak-inspired DR Congo.

This time around, however, their handler has set a target of reaching the final at least where they would be hoping to go a step further to win the diadem for the very first time.

“Head to our goal, the final. Chan is a very important goal. We have to be motivated, focused and win our duels. There is no easy team to face,” Diane told the  Caf website.

“You have to succeed in the first game to be able to tackle the following ones. We are among the favourites even though we will have to have a good first round in Group A first, against Cameroon, then Zimbabwe and Burkina Faso.

“Cameroon will not be easy in front of their home crowd, Burkina Faso is progressing too and Zimbabwe with their backbone almost like the pennant team.

“But we will have our say. Since the teams are worth it and [there is] not a big difference. We had already reached the final in 2016. We will be in Cameroon to play at least the final and win Chan.”

Mali begin their campaign against the Stallions on Saturday inside Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo, Yaounde before taking on the Indomitable Lions four days later. Their last game of the group phase comes up against the Warriors on January 24.

Should they qualify from that zone, they will be drawn against either Libya, Congo, DR Congo or Niger Republic in the quarter-finals.

The biennial football showpiece was billed to take place in April 2020, however, it was pushed forward after hosts Cameroon requested the rescheduling of the competition following the outbreak of Covid-19, which brought football activities to a stop.

Simba SC spokesperson Haji Manara has sarcastically congratulated Young Africans (Yanga SC) for winning the 2021 Mapinduzi Cup.

Yanga saw off Simba in the shootout after a stalemate at full-time and went on to convert four of their penalties to win the first trophy in the year. Meddie Kagere and Joash Onyango were unable to successfully convert their spots and that gave the championship to Timu ya Wananchi.

Manara said he is a football fan and would take the result even if Yanga won the cup from the shootout.

“When you decide to be a football fan, one must accept the results regardless of how hurting they may be. You must congratulate the winners even though the win came from the shootouts,” the spokesperson wrote in a Facebook post.

He went on to sarcastically claim the Mapinduzi Cup will earn Timu ya Wananchi a slot in the Caf Champions League. Simba are the ones who reached the lucrative group stage where they are in Pool A alongside AS Vita, champions Al Ahly, and El Merreikh.

“Take note the win will give them [Yanga] a place in the Caf Champions League,” Manara concluded.

On his part, Wekundu wa Msimbazi’s Chief Executive Officer Barbara Gonzalez said the team should be congratulated for how they fought in the tournament even though they had to navigate past condensed fixtures.

“Our players deserve to be lauded because they fought hard. Penalties have no owner and luck was not on our side. Four games in six days and two back-to-back? I would continue to insist that we have got a good team,” she said through a Twitter post.

Simba had to travel to Zanzibar for the tournament just a day after a game against FC Platinum during a continental clash. Group B games awaited them and they went on to fight their way up to the final phase.

They missed key players like Clatous Chama, Luis Miquissone, Larry Bwalya, Jonas Mkude, Pascal Wawa, Charles Ilanfya, Aishi Manula, John Bocco, Erasto Nyoni, Shomari Kapombe, and Said Ndemla.

They were also under interim coach Selemani Matola who is taking charge since the departure of Sven Vandenbroeck.

Unai Emery claims he “tried to help” Mesut Ozil during his time as Arsenal boss and prevent the unfortunate circumstances that have played out in 2020-21 from happening.

A World Cup-winning playmaker has always been a divisive figure at Emirates Stadium, with questions regularly asked of his contribution and commitment to the collective cause.

That argument has come to a head this season, with Mikel Arteta taking to leaving the 32-year-old out of his Premier League and Europa League squads.

Ozil is now being edged towards the exits, as his lucrative contract runs down, with a move to Fenerbahce – the club he supported as a boy – seemingly on the cards.

If a long-running saga is brought to a close during the current transfer window, then a proven performer at the very highest level will depart English football with his potential unfilled.

Emery says he did all he could to put Ozil on the right path, with the Spaniard reluctant to be drawn on why things have gone so wrong for the former Germany international in north London.

A man who was relieved of his duties at Arsenal in November 2019 told football.london of his experiences with Ozil: “I worked for one-and-a-half years with Mesut and tried to help him, support him and achieve the performances for the team with him.

“Now I don’t know what the problems are as I am very concentrated and focused with Villarreal.

“I follow every Arsenal match but I don’t know what the problems are with the team or the players. I can only speak about Mesut Ozil when I was with him there and I tried to achieve the best performances with him.”

Emery, who refuses to accept that he was a flop in England, has returned to management in his homeland with Villarreal and overseen a reversal in their fortunes.

He believes Arteta can do likewise at Arsenal, with it his opinion that a fellow countryman can deliver a return to Champions League competition for the Gunners despite ongoing struggles for consistency.

Emery added on the ambitions of the last two clubs he has coached: “They are two different teams, of course.

“They’re playing in the same competitions such as the Europa League, trying to achieve the top four and we’re trying to do the same in Spain.

“I think now it’s very difficult for Arsenal because of Liverpool, Manchester United and other teams but I think Arsenal is going to get back in the top four and recover as there’s stability in the club.

“It’s the same here in Villarreal where we are consistent and I like the style we play here, the club also try to be in the top six and also to achieve the top four and it’s a good season for us if we achieve that.

“I am here and I am very happy in Villarreal.”

Patrick Odhiambo has officially started his job as the Kakamega Homeboyz assistant coach.

The tactician was serving Gor Mahia in the same capacity before leaving owing to financial constraints. The former Sony Sugar coach has now landed a new job with the Western-based charges.

"Yes, we have decided to appoint Odhiambo as our assistant coach effective immediately," Kakamega Homeboyz chairman Cleophas Shimanyula confirmed to Goal on Thursday.

"Odhiambo will be assisting Muyoti, and I know the two will help us perform well in the league. He trained with the boys on Wednesday and will be with the team in Mombasa this weekend for the league assignment against Bandari."

A couple of days ago, Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier confirmed they are in the market for Odhaimbo's replacement.

"We are in the process of engaging the assistant coach because recently our assistant coach [Patrick Odhiambo left for holidays] and though he maintains he is still with us, we have not seen him for two weeks and we intend to think he will not return," Rachier told Gor Mahia's online TV.

"We have heard he has joined another team and we cannot wait for that. So we are in the process of looking for a new assistant coach now.

"But with the arrival of the new head coach, we have no problem."  

Meanwhile, coach Nicholas Muyoti is anticipating a tough outing away to Bandari this weekend but he is adamant his charges will not let him down.

"This is going to be a tough match because as usual, every team is targeting three points," Muyoti told Goal.

"Bandari are playing at home which is an advantage to them, but we will push them because all we want is a positive outcome. I am confident if we stick to our game plan we will win the game."

Bandari are placed seventh on the table with nine points coming from the seven matches they have played. They have managed to get two wins, three draws and two losses.

Homeboyz are in the 14th position after only one win in their six league games. They have drawn two matches and lost three and as a result, they are on five points.

AmaZulu coach Benni McCarthy admitted he was surprised by the way Kaizer Chiefs coach Gavin Hunt set his side up in Wednesday’s match at Kings Park Stadium.

The Soweto side won the match 1-0 thanks to an 11th-minute strike by Samir Nurkovic to secure their first league win in eight games.

With Anthony Agay used more as a central defender alongside captain Ramahlwe Mphahlele, Daniel Cardoso added additional steel in the middle of the park which made it difficult for Usuthu to penetrate the Amakhosi defence.

“You’ve got to give credit to coach Gavin, with the situation that they have. He set them out pretty well, he played a back four and then he had [Daniel] Cardoso just sitting in front there,” McCarthy told SuperSport TV.

“I didn’t expect that to be honest, it caught us a little bit by surprise. We had to circulate the ball a little quicker. But when you do create chances, you can’t let teams off the hook,” the former Bafana Bafana striker continued.

“Because it doesn’t matter how good or how in form a team is, because if you create the chances and you don’t score, then it becomes tough. We stuck to our game – we knew we could open them, but it just didn’t want to fall for us.”

McCarthy, whose first-ever match as a coach in the PSL saw him leading Cape Town City to victory over Hunt’s former team Bidvest Wits, was happy to credit Chiefs for the victory and is now setting his sights on Sunday’s KwaZulu-Natal derby.

“Well done to Chiefs for getting themselves out of a difficult situation, because when you are on such a run, you know the pressure that comes with playing for such a big team,” he said.

“They did their homework, they kept us out and scored a goal and we didn’t. So they collected the three points, we just go on and work towards playing Maritzburg now.”

ACS Hayabley defender Kalu Michael is relishing the prospect of facing AS Arta Solar 7 superstar Alex Song when the two sides meet in Friday’s Djibouti Premier League showdown.

Having been shown the way out by Swiss Super League outfit Sion for refusing to take a slash in salary following the outbreak of Covid-19, the 33-year-old who has enjoyed a nomadic career across Europe penned a two-year contract with the Stade El Hadj Hassan Gouled giants.

Apart from his playing role, the former Cameroon international will be expected to help with the team’s youth development.

The 20-year-old Nigerian is, however, undaunted by the prospect of facing the ex-Barcelona and Arsenal midfielder, whose arrival has added a face to the Djiboutian top-flight. He reveals playing against him would be a ‘huge challenge’ as well as a learning curve for his nascent career.

“Playing against a top player like [Alex] Song would be a huge challenge and a great learning experience for me,” Michael told Goal.

“Every member of my team acknowledges that he is world-class judging by the number of trophies he has won alongside the pedigree of the club he played for in Europe.

“Going by his form, I have to say that he will be difficult to stop but that’s never impossible. Also, there are a number of top players in AS Arta, but all eyes will definitely be on Song.

“Of a truth, his presence has brought life to the Djibouti Premier League because so many people now follow the league, while several footballers are now keen on playing in the country.”

Hayabley are unbeaten since the start of 2020-21 campaign – occupying fourth position in the log after accruing nine points after five games – four points adrift of leaders GR/SIAF.

In addition, Michael who previously played for Wau Salaam FC (South Sudan) and Jazeera SC (Somalia) states that Yahye Omar Gouled’s men are on course to challenge for the league diadem.

“Teamwork and thirst for glory are the key reasons why we have started this season brightly. Although we make mistakes sometimes, we work very hard to correct them,” he added.

“In football, I believe everything is possible, and if we continue this as a team, we are in line to be crowned as champions.”

Tanzania Stars head coach Etienne Ndayiragije has urged their supporters to be patient with the team as it undergoes a transition period.

The tactician made some changes for the East African nation in the 1-1 draw against DR Congo in a friendly game played on Tuesday. The visitors scored their goal through Fiston Kalala Mayele with their hosts getting theirs courtesy of Ayub Lyanga.

"It has come to a point where we have to give birth to a new generation and so in the transition period, I urge people to be patient and if you see mistakes, we should allow them to learn just like the experienced players did," Ndayiragije said ahead of the team's departure to Cameroon for the African Nations Championship (Chan) competition.

"Those [players] who we are praising today were given a chance to develop; they did not start from the top. As the match [against DR Congo] continued, the boys kept gaining. If we trust and give them time, the future will be much better."

The Burundian also took the opportunity to appreciate his players for their input in the friendly game, while conceding the team would have done better in that particular game.

"First I got the first 11; we started training from January 9-11, a day before [our game against DR Congo]," Ndayiragije added.

"I would like to congratulate the players as they did quite well because I know they were physically exhausted as I tried so hard to push them to finish the 90 minutes.  

"So after the game, I figured out we could do better, but we have seen some challenges in the game and we are going to deal with them. I am confident we will have a good game in Cameroon."

The former Azam FC coach has also pointed out it will be all about playing as a unit.

"The important thing is that we attack and defend as a team.  

"We are not attacking with one striker but as a whole. We scored one goal as a team and conceded as a team. Pray for us to do well in Cameroon."

In the Chan competition, Tanzania are in Group D with Guinea, Zambia and Namibia.  

About three weeks ago, when Arsenal looked to be in dire straits following a run of unjustifiable performances and results, supporters may have dreaded facing Crystal Palace, the team they host at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday.

The supposed fear wasn’t to do with Palace’s form at the time, rather, the in-house issues in North London; Mikel Arteta’s team were without a Premier League win in almost two months, were poor in nearly every area and looked to have lost the budding structure that embodied their early growth under the young Spanish manager.

Observers focus on that seven-game winless run but tend to forget the run of results even before their 1-0 success over Manchester United on November 1 wasn’t inspiring. One win in four games until they ended a 14-year absence of league victories at Old Trafford meant the form book read two wins in 12 prior to Chelsea’s visit on Boxing Day.

Success over the West Londoners, as well as maximum points against Brighton & Hove Albion and West Bromwich Albion have lifted Arsenal to 11th spot, albeit still nine points adrift of fourth place in the standings.

While there’s a tendency to get excited over the North London side’s results, it ought to be noted that the turnaround came against a Blues side that are in a really rough patch of their own, a Brighton team that have won just twice all season and The Albion with a sole victory since they regained promotion. The latter pair are also in the bottom four in the table.

One thing Arteta’s men have going for them right now is momentum, but facing Palace threatens to halt the feel-good factor at the Emirates on Thursday.

Roy Hodgson’s team may not have enough to sustain a decent-to-good level of performance and results enough to see them end inside the top half of the PL, still, they mostly seem to rise to the challenge against higher-echelon opposition.

Their 3-1 opening day win over Manchester United was deserved, they resiliently held Tottenham Hotspur to a 1-1 stalemate in mid-December and were within minutes of securing a victory against Leicester City in their final match of 2020.

Admittedly, there have been disappointing results vs Chelsea away (4-0) and that 7-0 annihilation by Liverpool on December 19, games that highlighted how easily the Eagles have surrendered in some encounters this term.

When they are on it, however, Hodgson’s team pose problems to the opposition with their resolute defending and menace in transition.

The latter is undoubtedly aided by the talismanic Wilfried Zaha, now ably assisted by the talented Eberechi Eze since his arrival from Queens Park Rangers in the summer. Even though the danger Zaha carries is largely well-known, his clutch performances to lift a largely average Palace side shine through fairly consistently.

The sort of hazard the aforementioned stars possess has come to the fore in the Eagles’ stalemate against Leicester at Selhurst Park and their victory over Sheffield United to begin 2021. Against the Foxes, having received possession inside his half from Luka Milivojevic, the Ivory Coast star drove forward in possession, held off Luke Thomas and Nampalys Mendy before releasing Andros Townsend into space far on the right flank.

Zaha, wanting more, then broke his neck to dart into the box before outsmarting Youri Tielemans with his movement to side foot the hosts into a 1-0 lead on the hour. Striking about that move was not only the involvement of just three players but also the desire of the Palace side to provide options for Townsend.

Nine players were behind the ball when Milivojevic passed to the dynamic Ivorian but an extra pair — Jeffrey Schlupp and Jairo Riedewald — gave the home team added presence in the Leicester area, while the captain was positioned close to the edge of the box.

Within seconds, the Eagles had transitioned from the edge of their box with only Zaha and Christian Benteke ahead of the ball, to having no less than six players in the Foxes’ third.

Hodgson receives criticism for his general approach, but you sense the 73-year-old will point to that strike against the side with the best away record in the league as validation for his modus operandi, for better or worse.

As for Eze, the maverick’s solo strike against Sheffield United was the Anglo-Nigerian’s finest moment so far in top flight football.

Barely 10 minutes after replacing the injured Schlupp before the break, the 22-year-old received possession from James McArthur, trusted in his ability and advanced with the ball toward the Blades’ goal.

He silkily went past a couple of markers thereafter bending a lovely effort beyond the helpless Aaron Ramsdale, for what certainly is a contender for goal of the month and possibly the season.

That sort of threat will come in handy when Hodgson takes his troops to face an Arsenal side that have kept clean sheets in three of their last four goals in their supposed renaissance.

In fact, their only concession in the last four games was a late Tammy Abraham effort in the 3-1 success that’s prompted this current turnaround.

Be that as it may, the Gunners have somehow found the Eagles hard to beat in the last two campaigns, failing to get the better of their London rivals in all four meetings since Arsene Wenger’s retirement, a run they’ll look to end on Thursday.

While his side are prone to be flaky this season, Hodgson will hope to get the versions of Zaha and Eze, who not only recognise opportunities but similarly take decisive action as they look to extend their unbeaten run against the resurgent three-time PL champions.

Yusuf Mainge has explained why he chose to extend his stay at Football Kenya Federation Premier League side AFC Leopards.

The right-back signed a two-year extension deal with the former champions and has now revealed reasons that persuaded him to stay longer with Ingwe.

“Pleased to announce that I extended my stay with this great club that is AFC Leopards,” Mainge wrote on his Facebook page.

“It is a club that has given me so much since I arrived in 2018 straight from school. I have worked with some fantastic coaches and players and I believe this is the perfect environment for my development as a player.”

Mainge also made promises to the fans who are eager to see AFC Leopards lift the Premier League as their efforts have been fruitless in more than two decades.

“We have aims as a group and I believe with hard work and dedication we will achieve them,” he added.

“To the fans who have been supportive all through my journey, I don't take it for granted and the only way I can show my appreciation is to give my best every time I'm out to represent the blue and white colours.

“God bless you. God bless the Leopards.”

Mainge was among the other two stars; Robinson Kamura and Jaffery Owiti who also signed two-year deals. After penning the extension deal, Owiti, who joined AFC Leopards in 2017, made his targets known.

“I feel great again to be part of the team,” the forward said. “AFC Leopards have always been my home which made it easy on the decision about renewing my contract.

“My target is to give my best and help the team win the league title and other cups.

“To the fans, I thank you for your continued support and I hope this season you will support us even more despite your absence from the stadium [due to Covid-19].

“We are hoping to bring smiles to our fans with a title this season.”

The contract extension for the trio is the first piece of business done by AFC Leopards in the mini-transfer window.