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Minutes before Liverpool scored their fifth goal through Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the final 10 minutes against Chelsea on Wednesday, cameras caught Frank Lampard smiling at the thrilling nature of the contest at Anfield.

On the night of the Reds’ coronation, the encounter on Merseyside was undoubtedly a fitting spectacle, ending 5-3 to Jurgen Klopp’s men. On the face of it, any observer would say the newly crowned champions deserved the three points, and maybe they did but the Chelsea perspective to events at Anfield may be somewhat conflicting.

Lampard’s side found themselves 3-0 down and 4-1 down at different points vs the world champions in a game where they could probably feel hard done by with the final result, given the balance of play.

Indeed, especially in the opening half, where Chelsea more or less matched the home side, very little separated the pair early on, so the visitors were unfortunate to somehow find themselves three goals down after 43 minutes.

It may be disingenuous to say individual brilliance was the difference between the teams, but attacking excellence certainly did play its part for the hosts. Their first was a stunning Naby Keita strike, who continued his encouraging performances post-lockdown to score his first Premier League goal since December, while the second was a brilliant free-kick from Trent Alexander-Arnold.

The full-back then picked out Roberto Firmino with a pin-point cross for the 2019 Champions League winners’ fourth.

Contrast this with Lampard’s men, who were dominant in the opening exchanges and got into promising positions only to be let down by poor finishing, their decision-making or failure to execute the final ball.

This was evident as Mason Mount missed a presentable opportunity in the eighth minute, or when Willian failed to control a lobbed Marcos Alonso through-ball which would have put him in on goal. Later in the half, the former then failed to pick out Olivier Giroud with a cross from the left flank thus failing to set up a clear-cut chance on a plate for his frontman like TAA did for Firmino in the second-half.

According to Understat, the Expected Goals stat at the end of the game read 1.45 to 2.38, yet, somehow, Liverpool scored five times due to their ruthless efficiency along with defensive howlers from the visitors.

Indeed, this was the theme in all but one of the four encounters between both sides this season. Klopp’s team won three of the fixtures but never truly outplayed the West London side who matched them over the meetings, only to be done by the superior technical quality of the six-time European champions as well as their defensive frailties.

Individual brilliance largely settled nearly all the battles, and while Lampard may be yet to address the structural issues in his side’s defensive third, the signings of Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner means they potentially have attackers who can produce moments of ingenuity.

The signing of the playmaker from Ajax has seemingly opened up new possibilities for a Chelsea side who have intermittently lacked the cutting edge in the final third this season.

Ziyech not only has an eye to spot the final ball but his execution is mostly on the money as well, which bodes well for the 2019 Europa League winners.

Despite primarily being a creator, the Morocco star scores blinders from range or acute angles, evidenced by this season’s brilliant strikes in the Champions League against Valencia and a free-kick against the club he’s now joined which went in off Kepa Arrizabalaga in a rip-roaring 4-4 draw.

The midfield playmaker’s tendency for turning up in big moments was also noteworthy in last year’s UCL run against Real Madrid as well as Juventus, before suffering elimination at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur.

He contributed three goals and two assists in those ties, with two strikes coming in the hugely impressive success over Los Blancos, an assist against the Old Lady and a goal and assist in the semi-final defeat by Spurs.

It’s been a while since the Stamford Bridge outfit signed a classy creator capable of unpicking the opposition while hitting the back of the net from time to time.

An argument can be made that Juan Mata’s signing from Valencia in 2011 was the last time the three-time Premier League champions brought in someone capable of producing moments of inventiveness in the final third consistently.

The arrival of the talented Christian Pulisic, who was outstanding in his half-hour appearance on Wednesday, has been promising for Lampard’s men this year and the prospect of striking up a partnership with the club’s new buys is certainly mouthwatering.

While issues at the back persist, the presence of a midfield maverick like Ziyech, capable of pulling a rabbit out of the hat, and established goalscorer like Werner suggests the Blues could at least be more confident if they plan to stay adventurous against the champions when they go head to head next season.

Whether those two signings alone will bring the Blues closer to the undisputed champions in the table or even see them usurp Klopp’s charges, though, remains up for debate.

Virgil van Dijk has been recognised as a “real leader” at Liverpool by club captain Jordan Henderson, with the Dutchman considered to be “the best centre-half in the world”.

Jurgen Klopp has assembled a star-studded cast at Anfield, with many of those at his disposal said to sit among the global elite in their chosen position.

Van Dijk fits into that category, with the Netherlands international having become a talismanic presence for the Champions League and Premier League winners.

His value is not lost on those around him, with Henderson telling the Liverpool Echo: “Virgil is a huge player for us. Everyone knows that. He's made such a big difference since he's been at the club.

“As a player, as a person, as a leader, everything. I haven't got enough words to describe him. He gives the team confidence and he just gets better and better. A real leader. He is the best centre-half in the world.”

Along with Van Dijk, Liverpool’s acquisition of Alisson has allowed them to return to the loftiest of perches. The Brazilian goalkeeper has earned plenty of plaudits during his two seasons in England, with Henderson adding to them.

He said: “Where do I start?! Ali is the best goalkeeper in the world. I know it is easy for me to say as I play with him but in the big moments, the saves he's made, his distribution, everything about him is world class.

“He is so laid back off the pitch, so chilled, a brilliant person to have around the dressing room. I couldn't speak highly enough of him really. A top-class keeper and he's made a real difference since he's been at the club.”

Another of those that Henderson places at the very top of the talent tree is Fabinho, with the Reds skipper saying of his fellow midfielder: “Another player who has been incredible. Fab is probably one of the best defensive midfielders in the world.

“He is so good at reading the game and breaking the play up, but also you've seen some of his work in the final third. Some of the passes he has played to create openings have been fantastic. Another great addition to this squad. He has made a big difference.”

Famara Diedhiou has won Bristol City’s Player of the Season and top-scorer awards for the 2019-20 campaign.

The Senegal international bagged 14 goals and provided one assist in 44 appearances across all competition, including 12 strikes in the Championship.

The 27-year-old’s effort helped the Ashton Gate outfit finished 12th in the division and has been rewarded for his fine showings.

Diedhiou is delighted with the awards and hopes to continue the impressive performances in the 2020-21 season.

“I feel happy and proud of this. As a team, we work hard and try to work our socks off and I’m just happy to receive this, massive thanks to everyone. I’m happy [with my goals] but in my head, I need more," Diedhiou told the club website.

The striker has been with the Robins since the summer of 2017 when he arrived from French Ligue 1 side Angers.

Diedhiou has scored 36 league goals in 106 Championship games since joining the Ashton Gate outfit amid other dazzling displays.

The forward started his professional football career with ASM Belfort before signing for Epinal and then Gazelec Ajaccio in 2013.

After only a season with Ajaccio, Diedhiou teamed up with Ligue 2 side Sochaux in 2014, where he spent two seasons, including a loan spell at Clermont.

The striker joined Angers in 2016 and scored eight league goals in 31 appearances during his one-year stay with the club before leaving for Bristol City in 2017.

Diedhiou has 10 caps and five goals for Senegal national team and was part of the West African side at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.

Birmingham have left their supporters, and those in the football world as a whole, baffled by their decision to retire Jude Bellingham’s No.22 shirt on the back of his big-money move to Borussia Dortmund.

Bundesliga giants have agreed to invest €25 million (£23m/$29m) in the talented 17-year-old midfielder. Big things are expected of Bellingham in the future, but he is heading to Germany on the back of just one season and 44 senior appearances for Birmingham.

He had been part of the academy system at St Andrew’s since joining their Under-8s, with the Blues rightly proud of the path he has trodden to this point.

Fans, though, have questioned why the jersey he is vacating will not be passed on given that he can hardly be considered to have secured legend status in the West Midlands.

Birmingham’s decision has been branded “the most embarrassing thing a football club has ever done”, while others have billed it “tinpot” and “ridiculous”.

Birmingham claim that the call has been made to “remember one of our own and to inspire others”.

The club said: “In such a remarkably short space of time Jude has become an iconic figure at Blues, showing what can be achieved through talent, hard work and dedication.

“His caring, humble and engaging off-the-field demeanour has also made him such an impressive role model.

“The No 22 shirt has become synonymous with Jude, his rise to the first team aged just 16 years and 38 days and these qualities. As such the Club have decided it would be fitting to retire this number, to remember one of our own and to inspire others.”

Bellingham is honoured that the Blues would adopt such a stance, with the teenager telling the club’s official website as he prepares to open a new chapter in his career: "I do love the club and I struggle to hide how much this club means to me. I just hope the fans have enjoyed seeing me play

"It will always have a massive place in my heart because it's my club and the club I support, and it's been a privilege.

"I've been coming here since I was seven, so it was natural I shed a few tears after the game, but Dortmund is the best place for me to carry on my development and I am optimistic for the future."

Marcelo Bielsa has been coaching in football for more than three decades, forging a reputation as a deep thinker about the game and earning the moniker 'El Loco' in the process.

His methods and, indeed, madness have had a profound impact on many footballers who have played under him, as well as his contemporaries who have crossed swords on the touchline.

However, while Bielsa is admired by some of the most respected personalities in football, his trophy count does not seem to stack up with the legendary status that he enjoys.

Goal takes a look at the titles Bielsa has won in his career, as well as the individual awards he has earned.

How many titles has Marcelo Bielsa won?

Bielsa has won six titles over the course of his managerial career, which stretches across 30 years.

His title successes have been achieved on two continents (South America and Europe) and in two countries (Argentina and England).

His first title was the 1991 Primera Division Apertura with Newell's, which was followed by the Primera Division Clausura in 1992.

He won the Primera Division Clausura again in 1998 as head coach of Velez.

Bielsa enjoyed success on the international stage with Argentina when he won the CONMEBOL Pre-Olympic tournament in 2004 before securing gold in Athens.

Having come close to achieving promotion from the notoriously competitive Championship in 2018-19 with Leeds, Bielsa managed to do so the following season by winning the division.

The Argentine's trophy cabinet is relatively bare compared with that of Jose Mourinho or Pep Guardiola, but it should be noted that he has endured a number of disappointments in cup finals.

For example, his impressive Argentina team lost the 2004 Copa America final on penalties to Brazil, and before that he experienced further spot-kick heartache with Newell's in the 1992 Copa Libertadores final.

His Athletic Club team reached the final of the Copa del Rey and the Europa League in 2011-12, losing heavily in each to Barcelona and Atletico Madrid respectively, in a case of suspected 'Bielsa Burnout'.

You can see a breakdown of the clubs Bielsa has managed to glory and the trophies he has won in the table below.

Bielsa failed to win titles during his time in Mexico as manager of Atlas and then Club America, while his first experience in Europe with Espanyol was shortlived, lasting just three months.

After managing Argentina, Bielsa took the Chile job in 2007 and remained in the post for just over three years, but could not deliver success. He did qualify for the 2010 World Cup and brought La Roja to the last-16 stage, where they lost to Brazil.

As noted, he reached two finals with Athletic, but left the club without winning a title. He has had two brief and barren stints in France (with Marseille and Lille).

What individual awards has Marcelo Bielsa won?

Bielsa has had his talents recognised with a handful of individual awards over the course of his career.

He was named IFFHS World's Best National Coach in 2001 while at the helm of Argentina, and crowned South American Coach of the Year in 2009 after finishing second in the CONMEBOL World Cup qualification section, one point behind Brazil.

Since joining Leeds, Bielsa has been well received and he won the Championship Manager of the Month twice before earning promotion to the Premier League.

One of the most memorable awards he received was the FIFA  Fair Play Award in 2019 following a wholly unusual situation during a game against Aston Villa, when he ordered his players to let Villa score a goal after Leeds were perceived to have taken the lead in bad faith.

In keeping with the custom of good sportsmanship, the Yorkshire side were expected to stop play to allow an apparently injured Villa player to receive treatment, but played on and found the net. Despite the fact that the goal could have helped Leeds gain promotion to the Premier League, Bielsa commanded his players to stand down and level the playing field.

In the aftermath of the remarkable moment, Bielsa explained: "We just gave the goal back. Everyone saw the facts. We expressed our interpretation of the facts by doing what we did.

"English football is known for this. I don't have to comment on this kind of thing, which is common in England."

Selling Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona in January 2018 has proved to be “the best bit of business” that Liverpool have “ever done”, says Graeme Souness.

The Reds reluctantly agreed to part with a Brazilian playmaker once it became clear that he wanted to go chasing a dream in Catalunya. Jurgen Klopp had no desire to part with the talented midfielder, but has seen the big-money deal work in their favour at Anfield.

The funds generated from the sale of Coutinho allowed Liverpool to invest heavily in the transfer market. Virgil van Dijk was acquired in the same winter window, while Brazil international goalkeeper Alisson was snapped up from Roma a few months later.

Those deals proved to be the final pieces in the trophy puzzle, with Champions League and Premier League crowns having been collected by the Reds.

Souness has been quick to hail the shrewd business carried out on Merseyside, with Klopp having proved to be an inspirational leader for a team that could have many more successes to come.

The Liverpool legend told Sky Sports, after his former club capture a first top-flight title in 30 years: “The secret of consistency is driven by the manager.

“I never get fed up of saying this, you can't be successful unless you have good senior pros. I think the senior pros are driving that consistency.

“’We can't drop our standards’, as well as the manager. In terms of recruitment, it's still the single biggest thing you have to get right at a football club.

“If you're recruiting well, you're getting leaders, you're getting player who are talented, you get the right players in your club. That self-perpetuates itself to the marvellous team we have here. I seem to finish every sentence with 'this team isn't going anywhere, this team won't be beaten for a while'.

“When you say what's the most important signing, I think you can look back to when Liverpool went from a good team to a great team.

“They sold Coutinho and got £160 million or whatever it was, they got Alisson and they got Van Dijk and still had change left over. That's got to be the best business this club has ever done.”

Liverpool have found plenty of value in recent windows, with the likes of Andy Robertson, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane also proving to be star turns in a remarkable run of consistency.

Leroy Sane has revealed the lengths Joshua Kimmich went to convince him to join Bayern Munich, saying that it felt like he was calling every day to ask for updates relating to his exit from Manchester City.

The Germany international joined the Bundesliga club for an initial €49m (£45m/$55m) fee on July 3, with an injury-ravaged 2019-20 campaign limiting him to just two appearances in all competitions over the course of the season.

City were keen to retain Sane and made attempts to tie him down to a new deal, although he ultimately decided that he wanted to join the Bavarians.

The former Schalke star was presented to the media as a Bayern player on Thursday, a little over two weeks since his transfer was confirmed. Asked who was the most persistent player from the Bayern ranks prior to confirmation of his move to the Bundesliga champions, Sane replied: "The most annoying one was Joshua Kimmich.

"It seemed that he wanted to call me every day and ask how the situation is. Everyone was behind this transfer and that was an important point."

Bayern have already won a league and cup double in the 2019-20 season and will also have the chance to reach the quarter-final of the Champions League.

Hansi Flick's side face Chelsea in the return leg of their last-16 tie at the Allianz Arena on August 8, with the Bavarians in a strong position having won the first meeting between the two sides by a 3-0 scoreline.

They won't, however, be able to call upon Sane for the remainder of their European campaign, with UEFA rules not allowing the registration of new players in the competition after it was delayed amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Should they advance past the Blues, Bayern will then face Napoli or Barcelona in the last eight, prior to a possible semi-final meeting with any of Real Madrid, Manchester City, Lyon or Juventus.

Despite not being available to play, Sane has already been integrated into first-team training with Bayern at their Saebener Strasse base.

The 2020-21 Bundesliga season is due to get underway on September 18, with the fixture list announcement coming on August 7.

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has confirmed that Liverpool-linked Thiago has told Bayern Munich he wants to leave, but says the club have yet to receive any offers for the prized asset.

Thiago has won 14 major trophies in total at Allianz Arena since completing a move to Germany from Barcelona in 2013, including seven consecutive Bundesliga titles.

The Spain international has cemented his status as one of the top midfielders in Europe during his time with Bayern, and has been a fixture in Hansi Flick's side in 2019-20.

Thiago's performances in the middle of the park helped Bayern secure yet another domestic double, with the prospect of a first treble since 2012-13 also on the cards when the Champions League resumes next month.

However, the 29-year-old only has one year left to run on his current contract at the Allianz, and Flick has admitted that the playmaker has ambitions to "experience another big league" before he calls time on his career.

Liverpool has been mooted as a potential landing spot for Thiago, and Jurgen Klopp fuelled speculation over his future by expressing his admiration towards the ex-Barca star earlier this month.

Rummenigge says the Spanish star has made Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic aware of his desire to undertake a new challenge away from the Bundesliga, but insists that the club hasn't been contacted by Liverpool or any other potential suitors over his availability.

The Bayern CEO told a press conference on Thursday: "Hasan had talks with Thiago. They were always very positive, but he told Hasan some time ago that he wants to do something new to finish his career.

"So far no club has contacted us. We don't know if he's settled things with a new club. Hasan is in talks with David and his advisor.

"So far we haven't found a solution. We want to extend. If that's not possible, we have to look."

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has been among those to weigh in on Thiago's situation at Bayern, having worked with him at Barcelona between 2008 and 2012.

When asked if the midfielder would be able to adapt to the demands of English football, the former Blaugrana manager told reporters: "A player who plays for Barcelona and Bayern Munich can play in the Premier League. Of course he can play. He’s an exceptional player, but I don’t know what he’s going to do.”

Daniel Amokachi has advised Kenneth Omeruo and Chidozie Awaziem to leave Spanish side Leganes after the club was relegated from La Liga.  

Omeruo teamed up with the Cucumber Growers permanently from Premier League side Chelsea after delivering convincing showings during his loan stint.  

The centre-back featured in 23 league games for the Estadio Municipal de Butarque outfit in the 2019-20 season as his side finished 18th and relegated from the Spanish top-flight.

Awaziem, meanwhile, joined the Cucumber Growers on loan from Portuguese giants FC Porto and played 29 times for Javier Aguirre’s men across all competitions. 

Amokachi has recommended his former club Besiktas to Awaziem as he believes the defender along with Omeruo needs to continue their development in the top-flight leagues. 

“It’s sad the team was dropped but with the quality of the players and being Super Eagles players, I think they should find a way to move and play football in the top leagues,” Amokachi told Brila FM.

“In Turkey, my former team Besiktas are looking for cover and I think Awaziem will fit in very well and Omeruo is being linked with two Premier League teams.

“And with the stamp he has put in Turkey [during Omeruo’s loan at Kasimpasa and Alanyaspor] I’m sure teams there will come for him, it just depends on where he wants to go.”

Amokachi also discussed Sunday Mba, who starred for the Super Eagles at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

The forward struck two decisive goals for the West Africans at the tournament, including his match-winner against Burkina Faso in the final to help Nigeria win the title for the third time in their history.

The 30-year-old has been without a club since he was released by Turkish side Yeni Malatyaspor in September 2017.  

Amokachi, who was an assistant to late Stephen Keshi at Afcon 2013, is disappointed with the forward’s current state but feels he still has the quality to play football again.

“I spoke with Mba about three weeks ago when Ahmed Musa was in Nigeria. Musa called me and said other guys like Sunday Mba and Emmanuel Emenike were with him and they were reminiscing about their time in the national team camp and we all laughed about it,” he continued.

“Mba has been going back and forth. He played in the second division in Turkey, he was playing, but I think his lifestyle didn’t help him a bit and the contract he had in France after the AFCON destabilised him a bit.

“Up till today, we don’t know the true story of what really happened, with the Bordeaux deal, only Mba and those involved can really tell us what happened and why the deal didn’t work out and things just broke away for him.

“But I think he is a quality player and probably age is not on his side but I still think he can give the world a few years of quality football if he really wants to.”

Amokachi, who had 44 caps and 13 goals for the Super Eagles before his retirement, is currently Nigeria football ambassador.

Arsenal would sell Mesut Ozil “tomorrow” if they got the right offer, says Tony Adams, but he considers the World Cup winner unfortunate as he remains an “enormous talent surrounded by a lot of mess”.

That situation appears to be edging the former Germany international towards the exits at Emirates Stadium.

Mikel Arteta looks to have dropped the enigmatic playmaker from his plans, with the 31-year-old sparking further rounds of transfer talk after entering the final 12 months of a lucrative contract.

Finding a buyer is likely to prove tricky, with every chance Arsenal will be forced into a corner which sees them retain the services of a player they have deemed surplus to requirements.

If that proves to be the case, Adams believes the Gunners’ coaching staff need to be asking questions of why they have allowed such a situation to come to pass, with Ozil a talented performer who could be a match winner for them if managed correctly.

The former Arsenal captain told Stadium Astro: "I think I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt. He's a very laid-back kind of guy, he doesn't get too flustered with anything to be honest with you. He just goes a little bit – what we would call in our day – going through the motions; but players are very different today, they're not questioned in training.

"There was an article that came out recently about Kieran Tierney being questioned because Tierney was getting a few tackles in in training and he was asked to take things a little bit easier. I kind of went, 'Hold on a minute, no, no, no, you test them, you rattle them, you get involved'.

"I think Ozil, he's a very calm, sweet man, so don't judge him too quickly. He is a talent, and half the job of a head coach is getting the best out of that talent.

"So you could swing it on Arteta. The minute you don't get results, this is going to be more of an issue. If we lose in the FA Cup final, I think people will start then going, 'Actually, how Arteta are you dealing with this situation? What are you going to do?'

"Then all the questions you've fired at me, are the ones the public are going to be saying, 'Come on then Ozil, what you posting on your social media? Are you applying yourself? What are you doing?'

"Is there anybody at the club saying that to him? 'Why are you doing your clothing range, what’s that about Ozil?' Is there was anyone at the club, around Mesut Ozil, passing on the message of, 'Come on, what’s going on here? What are you doing?'

"There's too many outside influences and that's where I think the Ozil brand comes into it, and the people on the periphery, and the agents get involved.

"Actually, if you look underneath all that, there's a really sweet human being in there, really shy boy, that has enormous talent, but he's surrounded by a lot of mess."

Pressed on whether Ozil has any future at Arsenal, Adams added: "If they get an offer, I think they'll let him go tomorrow. If they don't, then they're going to say to the coach, 'Actually coach, you've got to work with this guy, you've got to get something out of him next season, you need to get him into the team and into a system whereby you can utilise him and use him'."

Mamelodi Sundowns have confirmed the signing of former Black Leopards winger Lesedi Kapinga.

The attacking midfielder was recently released by Lepaords after his contract with the club expired at the end of last month.

Kapinga has been a revelation for Lidoda Duvha this season and he was heavily linked with Gauteng clubs, Sundowns, SuperSport United and Orlando Pirates.

Masandawana have since announced that they have signed the 25-year-old player on a five-year deal.

"Lesedi Kapinga has joined the rest of the Mamelodi Sundowns team in camp (based in Rustenburg) after parting ways with Black Leopards earlier this week."

"The new signee has been welcomed by everyone in camp, digitally, as he is currently in isolation as part of the Covid-19 protocols and will interact with the rest of the squad in person once his isolation period is completed," a club statement read on Thursday.

Sundowns head coach Pitso Mosimane, gave a perspective on the club’s recruitment plan when he welcomed Kapinga to the reigning PSL champions.

“Lesedi is a good young prospect and we are looking at getting as many young players as we can," Mosimane told the club's official website.

"He fits the programme with his age and the style of play. He is the type of player who likes combination play and loves one on one and taking defenders on. He scores goals also and I wish him all the best."

Another club statement read: "Lesedi can only be registered for the upcoming season when the transfer window opens and will not feature in any matches when the current season restarts."

Kapinga was enjoying his breakthrough season in the PSL before the campaign was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic last March.

The former Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila player was influential for Leopards in the league having hit the back of the net five times and registered five assists this term.

Kapinga will compete with the likes of Themba Zwane, Gaston Sirino and Phakamani Mahlambi for a place in Sundowns' starting line-up.

The PSL are hoping to resume the suspended season in a Biologically Safe Environment (BSE) in Gauteng soon.

Mikel Arteta congratulated Unai Emery on his appointment as Villarreal boss, while acknowledging his predecessor has left him with a considerable but "beautiful challenge at Arsenal".

Emery was appointed to replace Javier Calleja on Thursday, eight months on from a winless run of seven matches across all competitions that resulted in him being sacked by the Gunners.

Arteta was handed the reins as his permanent successor the following month and has guided Arsenal to the FA Cup final, although a midweek defeat to relegation-threatened Aston Villa showed inconsistency remains.

Nevertheless, the former Manchester City assistant was keen to thank Emery for what has often appeared to be a flawed inheritance.

"Congratulations for the new job, he's going back to Spain," he told a news conference ahead of Sunday's final Premier League match versus Watford – another game where Arsenal will have a defining say on matters in the bottom three. "He's a manager who has a lot of experience there and has been very successful there.

"We wish him all the best from our side. There are a lot of people from our side who like him a lot and have huge respect for him.

"Thanks from my side as well for what he did here with the players, trying to improve the team and the squad. We wish him all the best and hopefully things will go well for him."

Arsenal head into the final matchday 10th in the table, with an eighth-place finish their best-case scenario.

Victory over Chelsea in the FA Cup final is their only remaining route into European competition and Arteta acknowledges they have fallen some way from being a Champions League fixture during his playing days.

"I don't think the league table lies at the end of 10 months and with 38 games gone," he said. "Hopefully next season will be very different.

"We have a beautiful challenge, a demanding challenge but a beautiful challenge ahead of us. We have to put this club back to where it belongs, which is with the top clubs in this country and Europe. In order to do that we have to make a lot of good decisions."

A 2-1 victory over Premier League champions Liverpool last week preceding a 2-0 FA Cup semi-final triumph against City has done nothing to obscure this reality.

"It hurts so much, [but] it's a beautiful challenge to bring the club into that position again," Arteta added.

"I know how difficult it is going to be, because we can see what other clubs have been doing over the last few seasons, but I am very positive that we are going to be able to do it."

Mikel Arteta says he's "positive" Arsenal can close the "big" gap between themselves and English football's top sides in the coming years, and that he is looking forward to the "beautiful challenge ahead".

A 1-0 defeat away at Aston Villa on Tuesday ensured that Arsenal will miss out on a place in the Premier League's top six for the first time since 1995.

The result left the Gunners languishing way down in 10th in the standings after 37 fixtures, with little left to play for in their final day clash against Watford on Sunday.

Arteta has, however, overseen significant improvement at Emirates Stadium since being appointed Unai Emery's permanent successor in December.

Clear signs of progress were evident during a 2-1 win over 2019-20 champions Liverpool last week, and Arsenal followed up that performance by knocking Manchester City out of the FA Cup at the semi-final stage.

The Gunners can still gain re-entry to the Europa League if they beat Chelsea in the showpiece event on August 1, but Arteta acknowledges the fact that his long-term project at the Emirates is still very much in its infancy.

The Spanish head coach told his press conference ahead of this weekend's meeting with Watford: "I don't think the league table lies at the end of 10 months with 38 games. Hopefully next season it will be very different.
 
"We have a beautiful challenge, a very demanding challenge but a beautiful challenge ahead of us. We have to get this right and bring this club back to where it belongs which is with the top teams in the country and in Europe. In order to do that we have to make a lot of good decisions.
 
"We haven't been consistent. We obviously had a lot of issues as well in the background, a lot of things that had happened, but at the end of the day we weren't good enough to be with the top teams.

"That's not a lie and it shows the big room for improvement and the gap that is still there and has to be minimised really, really quickly in order to be in a good position to challenge those teams."

Arteta added on Arsenal's failures in the second half of the season and the "direction" he is trying like to take the club in: "It hurts so much. When I said it's a beautiful challenge, and as well from my side, it's to bring the club into those positions again.

"I know how difficult it's going to be because you can see the other teams, what they're doing, what they've been doing the last few seasons.

"The road and the direction we have to take in order to be quick in that transition. I'm very positive that we're going to be able to do it."

Premier Soccer League (PSL) giants Orlando Pirates have announced the death of Matina Elsie Khoza on Thursday.

Matina, who was Pirates club chairman Irvin Khoza's wife, had been in and out of the hospital as she battled ill health.

The Buccaneers released the following statement on their official website.

"The Khoza Family is announcing the sad passing of Mme Matina Elsie Khoza, the wife of Dr. Irvin Khoza, mother of Sonono, the late Zodwa, Nkosana and Mpumi Khoza."

"Mme Matina, who was affectionately referred to by everybody, including her ten grandchildren, as Mama, has been in and out of hospital in the last few years battling ill health."

"She sadly passed at 09h11 this morning, Thursday 23 July 2020. She was 69 years of age."

"The Khoza Family pleads with the public to help us observe restrictions imposed on the nation by the Covid-19 pandemic."

"There will, as a result, be no visitations and prayer services held at home," a club statement read.

Khoza also lost his second wife, Yvonne Mantwa Kgotleng-Khoza, who sadly passed away last January.

The PSL chairman has been busy working with the South African Football Association (Safa) to ensure that the 2019/20 season resumes.

The campaign was suspended last March due to the coronavirus pandemic which has impacted the staging of sporting events worldwide.

PSL had plans to resume the suspended season in a Biologically Safe Environment (BSE) in Gauteng on July 18.

However, Safa made it clear that football can only start in August 2020 as the match officials were not ready to officiate top flight league and National First Division (NFD) matches.

The PSL Board of Governors is set to hold a meeting on Friday to discuss the way forward regarding the resumption of football.

Michael Owen expects the silverware to continue rolling in at Liverpool, with the former Reds striker claiming the only question facing the Reds is “how many trophies are they going to win.”

Jurgen Klopp’s side have enjoyed a remarkable run over the course of the last 13 months. Having waited seven years for tangible success, the floodgates opened when capturing the 2019 Champions League crown.

UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup success soon followed, while their 30-year wait for English top-flight glory has also been ended.

Liverpool got their hands on the Premier League title after seeing off Chelsea 5-3 on Wednesday, with wild scenes of celebration sparked inside Anfield and around the football-mad city.

The challenge now is to maintain the stunning standards that have been set, with the Reds aware of the need to establish another dynasty and avoid being a flash in the pan.

Owen believes many more triumphs will be taken in, especially as charismatic Klopp has been tied down on a contract through to 2024.

The ex-Liverpool frontman told Premier League Productions of the Reds’ highly-rated coach: “The man just gets it. He gets life, he gets the city, he gets how people tick. He’s just the man.

“I find it hard to get impressed by too many people, but that fella, every time he opens his mouth, I can’t stop listening. I think he’s absolutely brilliant.

“The club, the city, they’ve embraced him and he’s embraced them in return. He’s everything that Liverpool needed at the time. He’s everything that they need now and in the future.

“You are striving for perfection at the moment. It’s just a matter of how long he can keep this going now, in terms of how many trophies Liverpool are going to win - but I couldn’t speak highly enough of him.

“When you’re playing, you don’t feel the magnitude of what you’ve done. Even Klopp said it’s two or three hours to think about what you’ve done, but I can guarantee that for him it will be a quick holiday with the family and then ‘how are we going to defend it again?’

“Football is a short career, you’re on a hamster wheel in many ways, and as soon as you retire you think ‘I won that, and I won that’. When you’re doing it, it’s relentless. It’s a relentless pursuit of what is next, what can I win next?”

Shkodran Mustafi looks set to suffer FA Cup heartache, with the defender expected to miss the Wembley showpiece with Chelsea through injury.

Mustafi, who was firmly out of favour with former boss Unai Emery, has become an integral part of Mikel Arteta’s side and had started nine of Arsenal’s 10 games prior to the FA Cup semi-final with Manchester City.

But after suffering a hamstring injury in the closing stages of the 2-0 win over Pep Guardiola's side, Mustafi was forced to miss Tuesday night’s 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa.

The Germany international has undergone a scan on the problem and head coach Mikel Arteta has now revealed he fears the centre-back will not be available to face Chelsea at Wembley.

“I doubt it,” said Arteta, when asked if Mustafi would be fit for the final.

“We have to see how he evolves in the next few days, but at the moment I doubt it.”

Arsenal go into Sunday’s Premier League finale with Watford sitting 10th in the table, knowing they can’t finish higher than eighth. It will be the club's worst league finish since 1995.

That means Europa League qualification for the 2020-21 campaign rests on winning the FA Cup final a week later.

Should they beat Chelsea, it would be a fourth FA Cup success for the club since 2014, but Arteta admits that winning at Wembley would not make up for the poor league campaign.

“No,” he said, when asked whether an eighth-placed finish and a FA Cup success would add up to a good season.

“For me, this club deserves the best and you have to be fighting for every title.

“Obviously after everything that happened, if we are able to win the final and qualify for Europe, we can say it’s OK. But it’s not the level for this football club.”

Meanwhile, Arteta says he plans to play as strong a side as possible against relegation-threatened Watford this weekend out of respect for the other sides who are battling with the Hornets to stay in the Premier League.

With the cup final looming, there could be a temptation to rest some key players, but Arteta insists that won’t be the case.

“I’m going to assess the squad and how they are feeling,” he said. “Ideally I want to play as strong a team as I can.

“We have to respect there are a few teams in the relegation battle and we are responsible for that as well.”

Alan Shearer has backed Mason Greenwood to beat his Premier League scoring record while describing the Manchester United striker as a "potential superstar".

Greenwood became the first teenager to reach ten goals in a top-flight season since United legend Wayne Rooney when he netted in a 1-1 draw against West Ham at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

The England U21 international's second-half strike also ensured that he joined Rooney, George Best and Bryan Kidd as the only teenagers to have hit 17 goals in all competitions over the course of a single campaign for the Red Devils.

Greenwood has stepped his game up another notch since last month's Premier League resumption, and his goals have helped Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side close in on Champions League qualification.

Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial are the only players to have outscored the 18-year-old at United this season, with both men currently on 22 goals, even though he was mostly used as a substitute before the coronavirus-enforced lockdown came into effect.

Shearer hit 260 Premier League goals over the course of his career, which stands as the highest mark in the competition's history, but he can see Greenwood surpassing that tally if he continues his current trajectory.

The former Newcastle and Blackburn centre-forward said on BBC's Match of the Day: “[He's] a potential superstar. I respect the power, left foot, right foot, and the way he gets his shot away early, he doesn’t give the keeper a chance to set himself.

“Whether it’s near-post or far-post. Everything is power, head down and hit it as hard as you can. I was taught at Southampton, by my old youth coach Dave Merrington, to concentrate on that right foot and make it unstoppable.

“Now, he can do it with his left or right foot. He gets it away early and the goalkeepers have no chance.

“I think in 12 or 13 years time, we could be talking about a Premier League record goal scorer. I know there are so many things that can happen in someone’s career, but I think he’s that good.”

Greenwood and co will be back in action on Sunday when United take in a crucial trip to the King Power Stadium to face Leicester on Sunday, which will mark their final domestic outing of the campaign.

Olivier Giroud says he is still "thirsty" to make history and win trophies for France, with a number of individual goals still in his sight at international level.

The 33-year-old striker was a key figure in France's victory at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, however it was expected he would be moved aside in time for Euro 2020, with manager Didier Deschamps having a wealth of attacking options at his disposal for Les Bleus.

Giroud was also set aside in his club career in the first half of the 2019-20 season, as he rarely featured for Chelsea under new manager Frank Lampard and looked likely to be moved on in January.

However he stayed at Stamford Bridge and has regained his place in the first team in the second half of the season, contributing crucial goals both before and after the coronavirus-enforced hiatus in the Premier League season.

His form - four goals in his last five games for the Blues - could have seen him called up for France again for the European Championships, however they have been postponed by a year because of the pandemic, meaning the veteran forward faces an uphill battle to keep his place in the squad.

Giroud however has a number of individual aims, as well as the possibility of another major international title, to keep him focused on his France place. He currently has 97 caps at senior international level, and has scored 39 goals - the third most ever, behind Michel Platini on 41 while Thierry Henry leads the way with 51.

Giroud told Canal+ :  "I had the chance to make a Euro final [in 2016, where France lost to Portugal] and win the World Cup. I'm still thirsty for trophies and to break records with the French team.

"It would be good to pass 100 caps, and then try to get past Platini in second place in the France team's top scorers rankings. These are goals and the Euros next summer is of course a goal."

Giroud also has aims to reach at club level this season, with Chelsea needing to beat Wolves in their final game of the Premier League campaign to qualify for the Champions League, before facing Arsenal in the FA Cup final at Wembley on August 1.