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When Kerala Blasters faced Hyderabad FC on Sunday evening a feisty individual battle was being fought on the flanks between two promising youngsters in Rahul KP and Akash Mishra. 

For most parts, Mishra did well to contain the Blasters' winger, but on one occasion he was bamboozled when Rahul chose to chip the ball over his head to trick him. He is a versatile winger who can play on either flank, has pace, skill and the zeal to take on defenders in one-on-one situations. He has grown in confidence since his Indian Arrows' days and his development is on the right track. With time, if he can improve his decision making and finishing, he will be one of the most sought after players in the country. 

Mishra has been one of the bright sparks in a Hyderabad side that is going through a transition under Manuel Marquez. He was instrumental in their win against Odisha, and against Bengaluru he not only performed his defensive duties to perfection but also contributed in attack with his passing ability. In the entire match, Mishra had 68 touches on the ball and completed 39 passes, with an accuracy of 78 per cent, which is a remarkable figure for a young professional, in his early club career. In fact, after the match, his coach went on to assert that he has the potential to become the best left-back in the country. 

NorthEast United's Lalengmawia is another product from the Arrows' stable who is making a name for himself in the ISL. From the previous season itself, he is one of the undisputed starters in the team and in this campaign, he has stepped up his performances and is one of the four captains selected by coach Gerard Nus. At just 20, he became the youngest player to take the field with the armband against FC Goa on November 30, 2020. 

Along with Khassa Camara, his presence adds the much-needed steel in the Highlander's midfield. He is not only adept in winning back possession but his ball control and distribution skills help him keep the midfield ticking. No wonder, Nus has great expectations from this local lad. 

Rahul's team-mate and another defensive midfielder like Lalengmawia, Jeakson Singh is also slowly finding his feet under Kibu Vicuna. The player has had tough luck with injuries in the past but is gradually realising his potential. He has put impressive shifts at the centre of the park and likes to remain involved with the ball. In 232 minutes he has 131 touches and has a passing accuracy of 82.4 per cent. Moreover, his aerial prowess is a bonus that comes in handy during set-pieces. Against East Bengal, it was his injury-time header, almost resembling his goal in the U17 World Cup against Colombia, that salvaged a point for the Tuskers. 

But it is Chennaiyin FC who are reaping the dividends for roping in some of the best young talents from the AIFF's (All India Football Federation) developmental set up. Both Rahim Ali and Deepak Tangri have grown in stature with each passing matchday. Ali already has two goals to his name. 

Against FC Goa, he was in an offside position when Rafael Crivellaro was trying to peel off his marker. But in the nick of time, he dropped a bit to beat the line and when his skipper drilled in a low cross he was there to convert. Whereas against East Bengal, he simply brushed aside Bikash Jairu's feeble attempt to shield the ball to score Chennaiyin's second goal. 

On the other hand, Tangri is dispensing his responsibilities in midfield with maturity and composure. He is breaking up attacks and only if he could improve his passing abilities he would be an invaluable asset to Csaba Laszlo. 

Another player who is earning rave reviews is Bengaluru FC's Suresh Singh Wangjam. Yet another Indian Arrows product, Suresh came to the fore last season and has since established himself as a key player for Carles Cuadrat. Suresh is a midfielder with plenty of energy and enterprise and is often seen doing the dirty work for Bengaluru FC in midfield. His workrate means that he makes his presence felt in all areas of the pitch and is certainly one to watch out for in the near future. 

The other notable teenager who is grabbing eyeballs is Jamshedpur FC's Aniket Jadhav. He scored the winner against NorthEast United and has started in the last three matches for Owen Coyle's team which shows that he has earned the trust of the manager.

Ninthoinganba Meetei, the diminutive winger of NorthEast United, is also an Arrows product. The nimble-footed winger has also impressed whenever he has been called upon by Gerard Nus. Blessed with pace, Ninthoi is a name that is marked for greater things. 

Then there are the likes of Amarjit Singh, Narender Gahlot and Jitendra Singh (all Jamshedpur FC) have also proved themselves but have not yet impressed this season due to fitness woes. It must be noted that Amarjit and Narender have already played for the senior Indian national team!

If these names are shining bright, there are a couple of names who are waiting on the wings to prove their mettle. They are Mumbai City's Vikram Pratap Singh and Hyderabad's Rohit Danu. They have not yet got the number of minutes that they would have liked but it is also necessary to be patient. In Sergio Lobera and Marquez, there are two able managers to guide them and they are the best persons to judge when the two players are ready for the rigours of ISL. 

It must be noted that this is their first season in ISL, and with time on their side, it is a matter of when and not if, that they will announce their arrival in the premier domestic competition of India with some outlandish performances. 

Malaysia and Selangor star Brendan Gan has rubbished rumours linking him with a move to 2020 V.League 1 champions Viettel FC.

On Wednesday, the Vietnamese edition of Goal published a rumour of Viettel's interest in him, in preparation for a 2021 season that will see them taking part in the AFC Champions League group stage.

But Brendan wasted no time in quashing the hearsay himself. The following day, he wrote on his Twitter account that he intends to remain at Selangor.

The 32-year old played in 10 league games for the Red Giants in the truncated 2020 season, all as starters and scoring four league goals. He is believed to have one year remaining on his Selangor contract.

It wasn't a normal New Year's Eve, but footballers around the world still found a way to ring in 2021.

After a year in which the coronavirus pandemic upended the footballing world, several of the game's biggest names expressed their wish that 2021 would be better than the preceding year.

There were no big New Year's parties like usual, but there were still a number of players expressing their well wishes as the calendar turned from December to January. 

Here is a look at how the footballing world rang in 2021:

Chelsea have posted a profit of £32.5 million ($44.4m) in their latest set of financial results - but the club still saw a year-on-year fall in overall turnover in part thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Blues saw their total slip from the previous number of £446.7m ($610.6m) to £407.4m ($556.8m) for the fiscal year ending June 30 2020, but still made a tidy margin thanks to both player sales and Champions League qualification.

Frank Lampard's side also remain compliant "with UEFA's break-even criteria under the Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations,"  per a club statement .

Like most other clubs, Chelsea saw a significant fall in both broadcasting and matchday revenues, as a result of the suspension of the season from March 2020 as the pandemic rattled through Europe.

Commercial revenue also took a hit with non-matchday activities effectively suspended or closed, while the club further invested close to £100m ($136.7m) in their squad.

That figure does not include Lampard's big-money summer signings however, with Kai Havertz, Timo Werner, Ben Chilwell and Edouard Mendy all arriving after the close of the 2020 fiscal year.

"In common with many, many businesses across the globe, the pandemic has had a significant impact on Chelsea’s income," chairman Bruce Buck noted in a club statement .

"But it is a sign of the strength and stability of our financial operation that the company was still able to post a profit in the past financial year.

"This was done while continuing to invest in our playing staff and indeed had normal football not halted in March, projections show a record profit and record turnover would have been achieved.

"That would have represented an increase in revenue for a fifth year in succession.

"Despite the impact of Covid, the revenue streams remained strong, our team is developing on the pitch and the Club is in a good position to continue to grow when football is able to operate as it did previously, a time we are all looking forward to."

Chelsea are next back in action when they face fellow top-four and title hopefuls Manchester City on January 3, having taken one point from their last two games since Christmas.

Manchester United striker Edinson Cavani has accepted the Football Association's decision to ban him for three games for an Instagram post made in November, but was also quick to stress his innocence.

The 33-year-old was handed the suspension along with a £100,000 fine and an order to undergo face-to-face education on Thursday after the FA found a post containing the words "Gracias negrito" brought the game into disrepute. 

Cavani didn't challenge the FA's decision with the Red Devils asking for his fine to be used to fund anti-racism projects and initiatives. 

Though he accepted his ban and stressed he was eager to move on from the incident, the Uruguayan has taken to social media to reiterate he didn't mean any malice with his comments. 

"Hello everyone, I do not want to extend much in this uncomfortable moment for me. I want to share with you that I accept the disciplinary sanction knowing that I am foreign to English language customs, but I do not share the point of view," Cavani posted on Instagram. 

"I apologise if I offended someone with an expression of affection towards a friend, nothing further was my intention. Those who know me know that my effort is to always seek the simplest joy and friendship!

"I appreciate the countless expressions of support and affection. My heart is at peace because I know that I always expressed myself with affection according to my culture and way of life. I send you a sincere hug." 

Cavani will now miss United’s upcoming games against Aston Villa, Manchester City and Watford, with the club saying they are thankful the FA decided to impose the minimum suspension. 

“While it is clear that context and intent are key factors, we note that the independent Regulatory Commission was required to impose a minimum three game suspension," a club statement read. 

“The club trusts that the independent Regulatory Commission will make it clear in its written reasons that Edinson Cavani is not a racist, nor was there any racist intent in relation to his post.”

United will face Villa on Friday, with a win taking them level on points with Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table. 

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder has admitted he would not be surprised if his side's game against Crystal Palace on Saturday was postponed on account of a surge in coronavirus cases.

The UK has seen a huge rise in the number of positive coronavirus cases in recent weeks, and multiple Premier League games have been called off as a result.

Tottenham’s match with Fulham earlier this week was the most recent game to be postponed on account of cases in the Cottagers’ squad, while Sheffield United’s clash with Burnley went ahead despite positive tests among Blades players and staff.

Wilder’s squad were tested on Thursday, and results will be returned on Friday.

Despite no new individuals showing symptoms, Wilder feels that given the surge in cases in the country it would not surprise him if the Palace game were to be postponed.

"I think the way it's sweeping the country, I wouldn't be surprised,” Wilder said in response to whether he felt the game at Selhurst Park could be called off. “It's starting to grow. Obviously after the Christmas period as well.

"I wouldn't be surprised over the round of testing now that there'll be more positive tests up and down the country in professional football and the Premier League."

There have been calls for a circuit break to get the situation under control. Wilder did not offer his views on such action, but said he would be governed by Premier League directives.

"It's obviously ramped up enormously and the speed of what's been happening over the last eight weeks has changed the situation in the country,” he said. “As always, we'll play with a straight bat, we'll do what the Premier League wants us to do."

Wilder’s Blades are propping up the Premier League with two points from 16 games, and are the only team in the division without a win to their name.

It is a dire situation, but Wilder is hopeful his squad can be boosted in the January transfer window.

"We do need in my opinion to make the group better,” he said. “Over to the chief exec and the board for them to make their decision or to pursue the targets we're looking at and the positions we're looking at."

Manchester United star Marcus Rashford signed off 2020 with a message of hope to fans and followers, urging them to continue working hard for each other in the year ahead.

The past 12 months have been hugely difficult for many people around the world on account of a global coronavirus pandemic that has claimed over 1.7 million lives and left economies devastated.

With many of the least well off in Britain suffering the most, Rashford has used his platform to demand help for those most in need.

Even before the pandemic struck, Rashford was working with companies to provide food parcels to those in need but he went further in 2020 - eventually forcing the government to change policy after initially refusing to offer free school meals for children over the holidays.

Rashford has continued to campaign, and was rewarded for his services with an MBE.

He has continued to push for the end of child food poverty, while he has also launched a book club to ensure children can have opportunities to read.

Football is extremely tribal, but Rashford has won support from fans of clubs up and down the country - even those who have a fierce rivalry with Manchester United.

He has embodied a spirit of togetherness and wants that to be a continued theme into 2021.

Writing on Twitter, Rashford said: "I’ve got a game tomorrow so need to sign off here but before I go I wanted to reflect on what has been the most challenging year.

“I’ve been so proud to see people coming together to help those in need and that same compassion needs to continue into 2021 because it’s people like you that make this country great and there is still so much more work to do.

“We have shown the difference we can make when we unite.

“Don’t look back on this year thinking you haven’t achieved anything. You achieved everything. You survived 2020. Your strength was tested and you made it. Give yourself a pat on the back.”

The lack of fans in stadiums has been one of the defining images of 2020, although professional football has provided escapism for people during a time of suffering. Rashford wants to see spectators return to grounds to share the moments with players - such as the hat-trick he scored against RB Leipzig in the Champions League.

“I’m hoping in 2021 I get to celebrate in the crowd with you again,” he continued. “I really just miss that; I can’t believe none of you got to be with me for the Leipzig hat-trick but hoping there will be many more.

“Everything i have achieved this year has been our achievement; i couldn’t have done it without your support.

“Let’s aim and hope for an equal playing field for all in 2021.

“Love to you all. Be safe and a Happy New Year.”

Mario Gotze is slowly rebuilding his career at PSV Eindhoven, and he has admitted his form may have dipped in the past because he put too much pressure on himself.

Gotze had the world at his feet at the age of 22 after firing Germany to World Cup glory in the 2014 final against Argentina.

That winning goal in Brazil was at the end of his first full season at Bayern Munich, who signed the forward after he had won back-to-back Bundesliga titles with Borussia Dortmund.

However, in the following six years his career dipped. His form tailed off at Bayern and he subsequently rejoined Dortmund. 

Despite being the darling of the Yellow Wall, he could not replicate his old form and slipped out of German football in the summer of 2020 to join PSV.

While the spotlight is not as bright in the Netherlands, there is still attention on the 28-year-old.

Gotze says he is now handling pressure better than earlier in his career, and is slowly working on building back up again.

"From the outside, for sure there was a lot of media and pressure, but the only thing that matters [is] my view, my own view and how I view myself and my development,” Gotze told ESPN.

“Maybe I put too much pressure on myself, and that's the only thing that is more important than what other people expect or say because in the end, it's all about yourself, and how you see yourself.”

Regular playing time has eluded Gotze for a number of years, partly due to injuries and also a dip in form, but he is now getting regular minutes at PSV and is happy with how things are progressing.

"If I look back on the last year, it's important I play," Gotze said. "[My personal goals] are to play, have a great impact and we see how it goes. Try to stay in the moment, enjoy it and try my best."

He has four goals to his name and has been asked about the prospect of a Germany recall under Joachim Low, and it is something Gotze would consider if the chance arose.

Gotze said: "We are still in touch, I've known him since I was 18 years old. I have worked with him, we were successful together. He is a good guy, great person, good coach. But for me as a player, I don't decide. I don't make the decision, but I am always open to it... yeah."

Rangers are "the best team in Europe," according to Romania legend Gheorghe Hagi, who insists that Steven Gerrard's side are the team "everyone talks only about" on British shores.

The Scottish Premiership outfit have enjoyed a remarkable start to the 2020-21 term, unbeaten in the top flight and well out in front of rivals Celtic, though they do have three more games under their belt.

Hagi's son Ianis - a Romania international in his own right - has been one of the stars at the heart of Gerrard's Gers revolution this year, making a full-time switch to Ibrox in May after impressing on loan from Genk.

Yet back in his native country, fans feel that the 22-year-old is being underused, despite the fact he has played 18 out of 21 top-flight games this term, starting 11 of them.

His father however - a former Barcelona and Real Madrid star during his playing days and a UEFA Cup winner with Galatasaray in 2000 - has hit back at detractors, stressing that his son plays an integral role in a superb side.

"He signed for Rangers," Hagi told GSP. "He has played and will play when the coach thinks he should.

"He's playing every three days in Scotland and I think up to this point he's played the most of all the attacking players. He has the most minutes played.

"He plays for a phenomenal team, the best in Europe. They're the only team not to have lost a match and they've conceded the fewest goals.

"In Great Britain everyone talks only about Rangers. Steven Gerrard has done a good job, the team is united and strong. Ianis has done very well too, he was ranked the best passer in Scotland.

"There's competition at big clubs! I went to Real Madrid and Barcelona, sometimes I played and sometimes I didn't. [Rangers] haven't lost a single match in the league or in Europe. Think about it.

"He feels good there, he has competition and it's not easy to play at Rangers. He wants to and you will see that he will play. The club is satisfied with him, they view him very well.

"He'll grow a lot in terms of mentality over there, in power and playing without the ball. The football there is more direct, stronger. He's going to get better."

Brighton & Hove Albion manager Graham Potter believes Tariq Lamptey's absence in Saturday's Premier League encounter with Wolverhampton Wanderers will be a big miss.

For the third time in a row, The Seagulls are set to be without their first-choice right-back amid concerns about his fitness.

He has been among their top men so far this season, having made 11 appearances, scored one goal and assisted another goal.

"It [Lalana's injury] is not as bad as we first thought, he has an outside chance of playing against Wolves. Tariq probably won’t be involved, but he is not far away which is also good news," Potter said in team news ahead of Saturday's game, his club's official website has reported.

"Danny Welbeck felt the side of his knee after West Ham. He was okay for the bench on Tuesday, but I decided to be safe with him. We just need to try and get Adam and Tariq back as quickly and safely as we can.

"It's clear Tariq is a miss, he gives us a different dimension, but during the season players will all have injuries. We have a squad and have to get on with it."

After struggling for first team action at Chelsea where he developed through the youth ranks, Lamptey left for Brighton in January, making eight appearances to help The Seagulls finish the 2019-20 season in 15th position.

After a run of fine performances this term, the 20-year-old has been touted among the revelations of the season, his exploits reportedly drawing interest from Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich and most recently Arsenal.

Brighton will be hoping to promptly welcome Lamptey back in action to boost their early relegation fight so far this season.

After 16 rounds of matches, Potter's outfit finds themselves just one place and two points above the relegation zone.

Lamptey’s fine performances for Brighton have also attracted interest from Ghana, for whom he is eligible to represent at international level despite currently playing for England at U21 level.

The fullback was born in Hillingdon to Ghanaian parents, a status that allows him to switch international allegiance should he decide to do so.

Former Manchester United and Scotland manager Tommy Docherty has died at the age of 92.

His family issued a statement saying Docherty - known as The Doc - passed away at his home in the North West of England following a long illness.

A family spokesperson said in a statement: "Tommy passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at home.

"He was a much-loved husband, father and papa and will be terribly missed.

"We ask that our privacy be respected at this time. There will be no further comment."

Born in Glasgow, Docherty had spells in charge of Chelsea, Manchester United and Aston Villa among the 12 clubs he coached during a 27-year managerial career.

Docherty made over 300 appearances for Preston as a player and the Lilywhites issued a statement on Twitter which read: "Everyone at Preston North End is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our former player and manager Tommy Docherty, who made over 300 appearances for the club.

"Our thoughts are with Tommy's loved ones at this sad time."

He represented Celtic, Preston, Arsenal and Chelsea during a playing career that saw him earn 25 caps for Scotland, but it was in management that he forged his status in the game.

He won a League Cup in charge of Chelsea in 1965, but he took his career to another level at Manchester United.

He was persuaded to leave his role in charge of Scotland to take on a United side that was on the way down due to an ageing squad.

Docherty kept them up in his first season in charge, but the following campaign in 1973-74 they were relegated to the Second Division.

The Red Devils bounced back into the top flight at the first time of asking and in 1975-76 they finished third in the table and lost an FA Cup final.

The following season, Docherty secured a major trophy with United when they beat Liverpool 2-1 to win the FA Cup.

A United statement on Twitter read: "We are deeply saddened by the passing of Tommy Docherty, who led us to FA Cup victory in 1977 with a thrilling, attacking team in the best traditions of Manchester United.

"Everyone at the club sends sincere condolences to Tommy's loved ones."

Arsenal legend Liam Brady has taken aim at Mesut Ozil, claiming the former Germany international is “not a good guy in the dressing room" as well as "not a good guy on the pitch.”

Ozil appears to have no future at Arsenal, as he has not featured for the club since March and is not part of coach Mikel Arteta’s Premier League squad.

The souring of the relationship is disappointing for all concerned with the club, as Ozil is one of the most gifted players in the game when on song.

With the Gunners struggling for form, plenty of focus has been on Arteta and his handling of the squad.

Arsenal have been crying out for the type of creativity Ozil can produce, but Brady feels the coach was right to cut him adrift.

“I don't blame Arteta over Ozil,” Brady, who won the FA Cup with Arsenal in 1979, made 307 appearances for the club and was named their eighth greatest player in their history, told the Keys and Gray podcast. “He gave Ozil plenty of chances and he performed for a couple of months. 

“Ozil just reverted back to type. 

"He's not a good guy in the dressing room; he's not a good guy on the pitch. 

“I've no problem with Mikel bombing him.”

Arteta said at a press conference on Thursday that there would be departures from the club in January. 

Ozil’s close friend Sead Kolasinac has already headed out of the club, joining Bundesliga side Schalke on loan, and there are likely to be further departures.

Whether Ozil heads for pastures new in January will likely depend on if the player can be persuaded to take a pay cut.

He signed a deal reported to be worth £350,000 per week in January of 2018 and that runs until the summer of 2021. 

If Ozil cannot be persuaded to move on in January, he will almost certainly depart the Emirates Stadium on a free transfer in the summer.

Arteta will hope the focus is on his side’s form in the second half of the season. They closed 2020 with back-to-back wins over Chelsea and Brighton and kick off 2021 with a trip to West Brom.

Ruvimbo Mucherera has joined Finnish Naisten Liiga outfit KuPS for a one-year deal, beginning in January 2021.

The US-born Zimbabwean forward parted ways with Lithuanian champions Gintra Universitetas and starred for Rimantė Jonusaite's team, including in the Women's Champions League.

The 24-year-old, who was born in Oviedo, USA started out at the University of North Carolina before signing her first professional contract with Gintra in the summer of 2020.

Commenting on her signing, the team's head coach Ollipekka Ojala told the club website: “Our manager Vesa Kauppila has done a lot of work in mapping the players and as a result of this work we attached a player to the team who with her strengths can make us even more dangerous in the attacking direction and bring more speed to our line of defence.

"We wanted a player who can also play a little higher when needed and who has the ability to lead a team within games. 

"He comes from a high-level university team and already has some experience of playing in Europe, so we believe he will adapt quickly to our operating environment."
 
Celebrating her move, she reflected on her short spell at Gintra and is looking forward to excelling on her new adventure in Finland.

“In Lithuania, the team was good and it was my first professional contract, so I didn’t know what to expect," she told the club. 

"But in the end the experience was wonderful and I am grateful to the club for the time and the possibility there. 

“I now chose the Kuopio Ball Club because I want to reach the highest level in football and I believe that this agreement will help me towards my goals. 

"I am excited about the upcoming season and team meeting. I hope to be able to help the team win the league next season, whatever comes up and I will do my best in front of the team."

Following a brief spell in Lithuania, Mucherera will be hoping to raise her profile in Finland when she joins her teammates in January for the new season.

Minio Raiola has rubbished suggestions that he has brokered a deal with a Barcelona presidential candidate to take Erling Haaland to Camp Nou.

Haaland is in his first full season at Borussia Dortmund, but such has been his impact at the Signal Iduna Park that he is being linked with a move to a European giant.

The likes of Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Real Madrid have all been linked, and Barcelona presidential candidate Emili Rousaud has reportedly made Haaland’s signature one of his priorities.

Josep Maria Minguella is advising Rousaud and claims the fundamentals are in place for a deal to be done.

"We know all the conditions and if we win, the following day I will call Mino Raiola and we will accept those conditions. I have already advised him of that," Minguella is quoted as saying by AS . "We have a world-class sports project that is not showing just now, but Emili Rousaud has a plan that will turn this unfortunate situation [at Barcelona] around."

Raiola was contacted by Sport1 and he has claimed the reports are “fake news” and that he has never spoken to any Barcelona presidential candidate.

"Fake news!" Raiola said. "I’ve never talked to any presidential candidate of Barcelona regarding Haaland or any other of my clients and I will not do that either. 

“If there is a new president of Barcelona elected in January he can call me.”

Raiola’s comments would appear fairly unequivocal, but Minguella said he had held talks with the agent and not the presidential candidate himself.

As such, it may well be true that Raiola has not spoken to Rousaud, but it does not mean that the groundwork is not in place for a deal to be pushed through should he win the election.

The speculation will not please Dortmund, as they are looking to steady the ship following a torrid December that saw coach Lucien Favre depart following the 5-1 loss to Stuttgart.

The club are also hoping that the New Year will see Haaland return to the side following a hamstring injury .

Sead Kolasinac is on his way back to Schalke after agreeing a loan move from Arsenal.

The Bosnia & Herzegovina international full-back has struggled for regular playing time this season and manager Mikel Arteta dropped a broad hint that the defender would be on the move when suggesting the club needed to trim their playing staff.

Schalke acted swiftly to bring the 27-year-old back to the club he left for Arsenal in 2017, signing him on loan for the remainder of the season.

The move is subject to legal hurdles being overcome, but they are not expected to cause any alarms and should be finalised on January 4.

Kolasinac is relishing his return to Gelsenkirchen and looking to help the club climb away from danger. Schalke are bottom of the table with four points to their name from 13 games.
 
"I'm happy and proud to be wearing the royal blue of Schalke 04 once again," Kolasinac said, per Bundesliga.com.

"The club is currently in a difficult situation. Over the coming weeks and months I want to do my part in order to help us pick up as many points as possible. We will manage to stay up together - I’m 100 per cent convinced of it."

Arsenal technical director Edu believes the move will benefit all parties.

“Sead needs to be playing regularly, so we have decided together that a move back to Germany with Schalke will benefit him at this moment,” Edu told the club’s official website. 

“We will be keeping in close contact with Sead and wish him huge success for the remainder of the season with Schalke.”

Kolasinac is unlikely to be the only player on his way out of the Emirates Stadium in January, following Arteta’s press conference on Thursday.

“We have a large squad, we know that,” said the Gunners boss. “A lot of things that should have happened in the summer, we could not accomplish for different reasons.

“There are some players that are going to go on loan, they are going to leave, and that’s the priority at the moment because we can’t sustain the numbers that we have in certain positions.

“We are looking to do that and then we will see. If we have the right opportunity in the positions that we need some more help, we are working with the club to try to address that.”

It is unlikely Kolasinac’s departure will free up funds to strengthen, as reports suggest Arsenal are paying a chunk of his wages during the duration of his stay at Schalke.

However, if Arsenal can get further bodies out of the door, Edu may give the green light to bolster a side that is sat in 13th in the Premier League table.