Looking for Soccer News?

Real Madrid have confirmed forward Rodrygo damaged a hamstring against Granada, and reports suggest he could be sidelined for three months.

The winger was stretchered off in Wednesday's La Liga encounter, with Los Blancos saying he would be assessed by their medical staff in the coming days.

The Spanish champions have now provided an update, with the club confirming damage to a tendon in his hamstring.

"Following tests carried out on our player Rodrygo by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with a muscular injury affecting the tendon in his right biceps femoris hamstring muscle,” the statement on the club’s official website read.

Madrid did not provide any update on timeframe, but reports in Spain suggest that it is a serious injury that will rule him out for the bulk of the remainder of the season.

AS  claims that the 19-year-old is not expected to return before the end of March, meaning he will only be available for the final weeks of the season.

Rodrygo posted a Chritsmas message to his followers on Instagram , with the picture showing him walking with the aid of crutches.

The news will be a huge blow to manager Zinedine Zidane, as his side start to find a run of decent form.

Madrid have won six on the spin in all competitions, and Zidane will hope the rest of the squad can make up for the absence of the forward.

“I'm thrilled for the players because it's not at all easy to win six games in a row,” Zidane said . “We deserved the win following our second-half performance.

“We have to be pleased because winning six in a row is no mean feat. So I'm extremely grateful to the players.”

Marco Asensio replaced Rodrygo against Granada, while Eden Hazard is also an option for Zidane as the Belgian works his way back to full fitness.

“We're going to rest a bit and then Eden will gradually come back into the team," Zidane said following the win over Granada.

Real face Elche in La Liga on Wednesday and Hazard will hope to play some part as the team look to keep pace with Atletico who they are level on points with at the top of the table.

Kieran Tierney is hopeful Arsenal’s 3-1 win over Chelsea can be a springboard to climbing the table.

The Gunners came into the game on the back of a winless run in the league dating back to the start of November.

Coach Mikel Arteta was forced into a reshuffle due to illness and a coronavirus scare , and the changes paid off for the Spanish coach as his side looked far more hungry than Chelsea.

Alexandre Lacazette's penalty following a foul by Reece James on Tierney set them on their way on 34 minutes.

A brilliant free kick from Granit Xhaka on the stroke of half-time doubled the advantage, and Bukayo Saka's cross-cum-shot over Edouard Mendy secured the three points despite Tammy Abraham netting a late goal for Chelsea.

The win does little for Arsenal’s position in the table, as they only moved up one place to 14th, but it puts further points between themselves and the relegation spots.

Tierney is hopeful the first win in eight league games can help lift the gloom around the club.

“It is a start,” Tierney told Sky Sports . “We needed that today. 

“We needed to give the fans something to be positive about. We have had a few bad results this season so it is a start.

“We started better. We did not wait until we went 1-0 down to start playing and creating chances. 

“We started on the front foot. That has been the message the last few weeks in training.

"It is a start and something to build on. We wanted to get that win, to get three points and slowly but surely climb up that table.

"Chelsea are a good team, they are higher up the table than us, so to come out with three points is important.”

Youngsters Emile Smith Rowe, Gabriel Martinelli and Saka were handed starts and did not let their manager down.

Tierney felt the trio performed well and were fully deserving of their places in the side.

“All the youngsters here are hungry to play,” the Scotland defender said. “They have got the platform to play. They came in and were brilliant.”

Goalkeeper Bernd Leno repelled a penalty from Jorginho with the score at 3-1 heading into injury time, and Tierney heaped praise on the German.

“Leno has dug us out of a hole there as it would have been a long five minutes if that penalty had gone in,” he said. “Leno is an outstanding keeper and he saved us today.”

Arsenal youngster Bukayo Saka has revealed that his wonder goal against Chelsea was an intentional finish as opposed to a mishit cross, while revelling in his side's return to winning ways.

The teenager helped to cap an impressive performance for the under-fire Gunners when he stretched their lead after half-time in their eventual 3-1 derby victory against the Blues on Boxing Day.

Having headed into the half-time break with a comfortable lead thanks to goals from Alexandre Lacazette and Granit Xhaka, the hosts further cemented their hold just before the hour mark when Saka struck.

The 19-year-old, who turned in an impressive performance at the Emirates Stadium, appeared to float an ambitious cross from the right edge of the penalty area, looking for support near the left post.

Instead, the ball beat Chelsea keeper Edouard Mendy and nestled itself firmly into the far-top corner, seemingly catching both Saka and his team-mates off-guard before they wheeled away in celebration.

Speaking after the match, however, Saka claimed that his strike was intentional, and that his finish was an attempt to catch the Senegal international off his line rather than a happy freak occurrence.

"I saw him off his line so I thought I could chip him!" the England international told BBC Sport.

Saka, who made his Three Lions debut against Wales in October and has won four caps to date under Gareth Southgate, acknowledged that a first domestic win since November 1 was just the tonic needed for the beleaguered hosts and boss Mikel Arteta.

"We feel that we are a good team who have been unlucky with results and red cards but this is a big one for our confidence," he added.

"It's been tricky, tough, but we have come out of it and we are trying our best. We grew up with each other, the young players all want to play and have the passion for this club. We want to make the fans happy."

Arsenal will next face a trip to fellow lower-table dwellers Brighton on December 29, before they start the new year against another relegation-threatened side in the shape of West Brom.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says that he hopes that the Gunners' Boxing Day win over Chelsea provides a lift to the club's supporters, who he admits have been "suffering" throughout the club's dismal Premier League run.

Entering a clash with their London rivals, Arsenal had been winless in seven Premier League matches, having also suffered Carabao Cup elimination at the hands of Manchester City earlier in the week.

But the Gunners ended that skid in impressive fashion on Saturday, cruising past Chelsea 3-1 following goals from Alexandre Lacazette, Granit Xhaka and Bukayo Saka.

The win was Arsenal's first Premier League triumph since November 1 and their first at the Emirates since a 2-1 win over Sheffield United back in October.

Having seen his job called into question in recent weeks, Arteta needed a big performance from his players, and he got it as the Gunners scored three consecutive goals to all but seal the victory before the 60th minute.

And Arteta is now hoping that the Gunners can use the win as a springboard in the league and with the fans as the club look to regain some goodwill after an extended disastrous run.

"The result is the main thing today, we really needed that win. We have been unlucky and frustrated with our results in the last eight weeks so this was a big day for us," he told BBC Sport.

"From the first whistle, you could see the team had the energy and willingness to come out and win the game.

"The spirit before the game was really positive, they really wanted it. I am pleased for the players and for the supporters. We have let them down for many weeks so it was a good day to give them something to cheer about.

"When we gave the penalty away I couldn't believe it - it's the magnificent game called football. It can always surprise you."

Arteta's Arsenal now sit 14th in the Premier League as they remain 10 points adrift of the top four.

But the Gunners boss is hopeful that this victory can be a "turning point" as the team have proven they can take down a rival and a top-four contender.

"It's a really big win for us. We were really disappointed with the results - not so much the performances. Our players were suffering, our fans were suffering," Arteta told Sky Sports.

"It doesn't get any better than winning a London derby against Chelsea on Boxing Day. Hopefully, this is a turning point. I know they can play at this level. We know how good Chelsea are but in big moments in the game we were the better team.

"The injuries, the Covid, playing 10 men...you start to think what do we need to win a match.

"It's nice to give something back to fans because I can imagine they have been really disappointed. We started well and we were dominant. That gives the team confidence.

"Let's carry on. We still have big things to improve on."

Undeniably, Hakim Ziyech’s transfer to Chelsea excited the entire Blues fanbase, owing to the Morocco superstar’s exploits at Ajax, especially in the previous two seasons and a bit.

The Wizard of Amsterdam was pivotal in the Dutch giants’ Champions League run in 2018/19, with his ingenuity and end product prompting praise from observers.

As such, the announcement in February made followers of the club look forward to the 2020/21 campaign, which was still months away and despite being locked in a battle to end in the automatic CL spots.

Fast forward to the start of this season and those expectations have been matched with solid performances for the North African.

Despite a stop-start few months at Cobham, largely due to injury, Ziyech has been one of the club’s top players this season and arguably the best signing for the new season (Thiago Silva may have a thing or two to say about this, though) and ought to play a huge part in the side’s pursuit for consistency domestically and a return to prominence in Europe in the New Year.

Ziyech: The story of 2020

The cancellation of the Eredivisie in April, owing to the pandemic, meant Ziyech couldn’t play out his final campaign in the Netherlands to its climax, which infuriated the former Twente attacking midfielder.

He had a few choice words to say about the decision to curtail the campaign with Erik ten Hag’s side joint-top at the time along with AZ Alkmaar on 56 points with nine games to play.

Even though the giants had seen standards slip a bit in 19/20, the wide playmaker was second for assists (12) behind teammate Dusan Tadic (14) while he’d scored six times before the league’s suspension and eventual nullification.

This, as well as Ajax’s early elimination in the Europa League, allowed Ziyech to join up with the Chelsea squad sooner than expected, seemingly keen on smooth integration into Frank Lampard’s side.

Unfortunately, the 27-year-old suffered an early setback before the start of the season, with an injury in the West Londoners only pre-season game at Brighton & Hove Albion preventing him from featuring in the club’s first few games of 20/21.

Upon his return, however, the Wizard of Amsterdam has begun to justify his nickname with a series of solid showings in the Premier League, with a majestic performance vs Sheffield United a major highlight thus far.

Sadly for the Ziyech, another injury struck against Leeds United in early December, ruling out the maverick for a few weeks and it remains to be seen whether he’ll feature again this year.

Ziyech: Any transfer rumours?

Definitely not. Having just signed for the Blues, only a disastrous turn of events on and off the pitch will lead to transfer links away from the club.

Ziyech: One big ambition for 2021

Certainly for the playmaker to stay fit in Chelsea’s quest to close the gap on defending champions Liverpool in the PL, challenge in the latter stages of the FA Cup and, most importantly, compete better in the Champions League after failing to progress beyond the first knockout round since 2013/14.

Lampard’s side look a more threatening force with Ziyech in the team and the former Ajax man has been the most impressive of the club’s attacking arrivals this summer.

Ziyech: One big fear for 2021

In a congested season with several fixtures crammed into the calendar, the badly-timed niggling injuries to the playmaker could continue to hamper Chelsea’s chances of reining in Liverpool and improving in Europe.

With Timo Werner struggling for form and Kai Havertz still adapting to the English game, the North African’s absence at key times could slow the Blues down.

Failure to end in the top four — the competition looks really tight this season — will be a disaster for Lampard who was backed in the summer window and will bring up doubts over the 21/22 campaign.

Marcus Rashford became the third-youngest player to score 50 Premier League goals for Manchester United as he opened the scoring in the 2-2 draw against Leicester City on Saturday.

Having missed a great chance in the opening minutes when he headed over from Bruno Fernandes' cross, Rashford slotted home his sixth league goal of the season to put United 1-0 up against the Foxes.

Aged 23 years and 56 days, Rashford is behind only Wayne Rooney (22 years and 157 days) and Cristiano Ronaldo (22 years 341 days) in terms of the youngest United players to reach a half-century of Premier League goals.

Rashford's opener – which was set up by Fernandes, who has been directly involved in over half of United's Premier League goals since his debut (31/59), scoring 18 and assisting a further 13 – also saw the Red Devils open the scoring in an away game in the top flight for the first time since July 26, also against Leicester.

Comebacks have become a speciality and a necessity of late for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side thanks to an unwanted tendency to concede the first goal.

United's lead lasted just eight minutes, however, as Harvey Barnes thumped in a brilliant equaliser for Brendan Rodgers' team.

Fernandes played his part again, conceding possession in United's defensive third, with Barnes ensuring the visitors were punished. The winger has scored seven goals in 20 games in all competitions this season, equalling his tally from the 2019-20 campaign (seven in 42 appearances).

Fernandes made amends late on with a tidy finish from Edinson Cavani's through ball, making him the first Portuguese player since Ronaldo to score 10 Premier League goals in a season. However, United were pegged back shortly after as Jamie Vardy netted a deft finish of his own to share the points.

Rashford still has a way to go to match Rooney and Ronaldo's eventual goal tallies. Rooney scored 183 Premier League goals for United, with Ronaldo netting 84 before his world-record move to Real Madrid.

Earlier in the week, manager Solskjaer said he thought Rashford could go on to become a United legend.

"Marcus is talented enough and grounded enough and driven enough to be a legend at this club," he told reporters.

"I have to say his statistics already show his contribution. In and around the dressing room as well, he is a Man Utd boy through and through."

Manchester United's 10-game winning streak away from home in the Premier League came to an end as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Leicester City on Saturday. 

United looked like they would equal Chelsea and Manchester City's record of 11 consecutive victories when Bruno Fernandes put them ahead 11 minutes from time after Harvey Barnes had earlier cancelled out Marcus Rashford's opener. 

Jamie Vardy ensured a share of the spoils five minutes from time, though, turning home via a deflection off substitute Axel Tuanzebe, who was later credited with the own goal.

The result means United remain one point behind second-place Leicester and four behind leaders Liverpool, who play West Brom on Sunday.

Rashford was guilty of a glaring miss after just 71 seconds, inexplicably heading over from six yards following Fernandes' lofted cross.

The England international made amends in the 23rd minute, though, coolly slotting home his 50th Premier League goal from 12 yards after Fernandes had diverted Daniel James' pass into his path.

Leicester restored parity eight minutes later, Barnes lashing past De Gea from outside the penalty area after Fernandes had given possession away cheaply.

Kasper Schmeichel denied a clean-through Rashford shortly before the hour mark, while Anthony Martial saw an effort disallowed for offside as United looked most likely to score again after the restart.

They did forge ahead in the 79th minute, Fernandes sliding past Schmeichel after being played in by substitute Edinson Cavani, the Uruguyan's fifth goal involvement off the bench this season – two more than any other player.

Vardy had the final say, however, bundling home via Tuanzebe after he had been picked out in the area by Ayoze Perez.

What does it mean? Spoils shared in low-quality affair

United will be disappointed to not have held on for maximum points, but a draw was probably a fair result given the marked lack of quality throughout.

Both sides are still well poised to challenge Liverpool at the summit, although Jurgen Klopp's side can open a six-point advantage over the Foxes if they overcome the Baggies on Sunday.

Fernandes once again United's main man

Fernandes gave possession away a whopping 24 times – the joint-highest tally of any player on the pitch – but the former Sporting CP man continues to make things happen in front of goal. He teed up Rashford's opener and then put United ahead with his 10th Premier League goal of the season, becoming the first Portuguese to reach that total since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008-09.

James squanders rare chance

He was rewarded with a fifth Premier League start of the season following his goal against Leeds United last weekend, but James was dismal on the right side of United's attack. He lost possession 13 times – the most of any United player at the time he was hauled off for Paul Pogba in the 54th minute – while he won just one of his 10 duels and failed to have a single shot.

Key Opta Facts

- Manchester United are unbeaten in their past 14 away Premier League games (W11 D3) – their longest such run since January 2011 (16 games). 
- Leicester City have conceded 191 top-flight goals against Manchester United – only versus Arsenal (206) have they shipped more. 
- United are the first side to score two or more goals in 11 consecutive top-flight away games since United did so themselves in March 1959 (13 games). 
- Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers has failed to win 10 of his 12 Premier League encounters with Man Utd in the Premier League as a manager (W2 D1 L9).

What's next?

United welcome Wolves to Old Trafford on Tuesday, while the Foxes have a quick turnaround for their trip to Crystal Palace on Monday.

Wolves players have been blocked from going to the supermarket as the club aims to limit their risk of contracting coronavirus.

Some Premier League clubs have been allowed to welcome fans back to grounds over recent weeks, as the United Kingdom government moved to a four-tier system.

However, with large swathes of the country now back under stricter restrictions as infection rates rise, only Liverpool and Everton are allowed to welcome home fans to their matches.

Only one Premier League match this season has had to be postponed due to Covid-19, with Newcastle United's squad having been unable to attend their training ground ahead of a clash with Aston Villa due to an outbreak within the group.

The league is now reverting to twice-a-week testing as the fixture list becomes more and more congested, and Wolves have taken steps to reduce their players' exposure.

"It is about protecting ourselves," said Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo. "Since the beginning of the pandemic, our staff in the kitchen put together a big box of the basic things that we need and during the high moment of the pandemic, everybody had it.

"As it started to improve, we said: 'OK, now you are free to go and do your own shopping.'

"But now the levels are increasing and there is the new variation that everybody is worried about, we started to do it again. So the players and their families are not going to the supermarkets.

"It is about protecting ourselves. There are so many people to take care of us."

Wolves have been in indifferent form and lost to Burnley last time out. They take on Tottenham on Sunday, with Nuno going up against his former manager in Jose Mourinho. 

“It will be a pleasure to receive him in Molineux again," he said. "I have huge admiration, as you can imagine, for Mourinho, on a personal level and as a manager. It’s fantastic, so I’m not surprised at all with all the good things that he’s doing at Tottenham. I’m not surprised at all. It’s amazing.

“We expect a very tough game. We must get ready for it because we’re going to face a tough opponent, a talented squad, in a good moment. Let’s enjoy and play the game.”

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has hinted Victor Lindelof may require an operation in a bid to remedy a back problem.

The Sweden defender has been nursing a back problem for some time, and went off injured just after the hour mark of the 2-2 draw with Leicester on Boxing Day.

With games coming in rapid fashion, there is no time for players to have any rest and Solskjaer has suggested intervention may be required in a bid to get the defender back to full fitness.

“He is struggling with his back,” Solskjaer told BT Sport . “He has been struggling for a little while so we might have to do something. Let’s see what it is.”

United twice led at the King Power Stadium through Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes, but Harvey Barnes and an Axel Tuanzebe own goal denied the Red Devils three points.

Solskjaer felt his side should have taken the three points, and was disappointed with their failure to convert the chances created.

“Of course I was disappointed not to win,” the Norwegian said. “We had loads of chances and could have finished it off but they are a dangerous side.”

Rashford’s goal, which was a milestone moment , came after he missed a gilt-edged chance when heading over from six yards, but his manager felt it was unfortunate the England man did not score.

“It was a good goal,” Solskjaer said of Rashford’s finish. “He knows the first chance is a glorious one. It seems like he finished his header before the ball arrived. Just one of those things.”

United go to the well again on Tuesday with a home meeting with Wolves, and Solskjaer feels the extra day’s rest could work to their advantage.

“We have a game in three days; we have an extra recovery day which we will use wisely,” he said.

Reflecting on the draw that leaves them in third, a point behind Leicester, Solskjaer said: "One point is not the best but it is not the worst as this is a very good side we came up against.”

The Red Devils have 27 points, four adrift of leaders and defending champions Liverpool - with both having played 14 games.

Bruno Fernandes became the first Portuguese player to score 10 goals in a Premier League season since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008-09, but it was not enough to seal a win for Manchester United at Leicester City.

Fernandes, who teed up Marcus Rashford's opener at the King Power Stadium on Boxing Day, thought he had secured the points for United when he struck home after latching onto Edinson Cavani's pass with 11 minutes remaining.

It took Fernandes onto double figures in league goals for the season.

That made him the first player from Portugal to score 10 or more in a single campaign in England's top flight since former United star Ronaldo did so in 2008-09, when the winger netted 18 times.

Fernandes has had a direct hand in over half of United's Premier League goals since his debut (31/60), scoring 18 and assisting a further 13.

Although Fernandes has commanded plenty of headlines since making the move to Old Trafford from Sporting CP, he was quick to praise his team-mates for the part they play.

"I enjoy it, I have a good team around me and they helped me since the beginning,” Fernandes told BBC Sport . “They give me confidence and, when you have that support behind you, you feel better.

"We are looking to win games. If you focus on other teams you don't focus on what you can do."

Cavani, meanwhile, has now been directly involved in five top-flight goals as a substitute this season (three goals and two assists), two more than any other player. 

However, United, who were looking to match Chelsea and Manchester City's record of 11 consecutive away Premier League victories, were pegged back for a second time in the 85th minute – Jamie Vardy sweeping in via a deflection from Ayoze Perez's cross.

The strike looked set to take Vardy onto 44 Premier League goals since Brendan Rodgers took over at Leicester – more than any other player in the league in that time.

Indeed, only Luis Suarez (54) has scored more times under the Northern Irishman than Vardy has managed so far.

However, Vardy did not get the goal, with the dubious goals panel officially putting it down as an Axel Tuanzebe own goal.

Asante Kotoko chief executive officer Nana Yaw Amponsah has revealed new Brazilian signing Fabio Gama Dos Santos has finally been cleared to make his first appearance for the club.

Snapped up in October, the 28-year-old has had to bide his time for a maiden outing in the colours of the Kumasi-based outfit due to work permit issues.

He penned a two-year deal, following in the footsteps of countrymen Gleisson de Souza Ferreira and Hermes da Silva to sign for Kotoko in recent times. 

"Fabio Gama was supposed to be a direct replacement for [Matthew] Anim Cudjoe because we would not sign him," Amponsah told Oyerepa FM on Saturday. "The only problem is with his work permit, but we have been able to get Gama's work permit and he is available to play against Al Hilal in Sudan [in the Caf Champions League on January 6].

"We have all been yearning to get a creative player in the team, and Gama is there to provide that. We needed someone to hold on to the ball and get things done for us."

Amponsah also shed light on the recent sacking of head coach Maxwell Konadu following a 1-0 home loss to Great Olympics in the Ghana Premier League.

Media reports after Konadu's dismissal were that Amponsah had fallen out with his club's board in connection with the coach's exit.

"I made a mistake in sacking Maxwell Konadu because I did not officially write to inform the board," Amponsah admitted. "I admit I am wrong and I accept that.

"Maxwell Konadu's record at Kotoko was not bad but it was time for him to go and other big clubs in the world have done that, but I again admit I was wrong for not informing the board."

Amponsah took over the reigns of Kotoko CEO in August with a mandate to "restore glory".

"Asante Kotoko are in a good state. I have said that the phase of Kotoko will change and I am still working towards that," Amponsah added. "Rome was not built in a day. I know with time, we will get there. I have a task to complete and I am convinced I will achieve our mandate."

Kotoko last won the Ghana Premier League in 2014 and the Caf Champions League in 1983.

Mikel Arteta sits "in an ejection seat" at Arsenal after their dismal start to the new Premier League season, according to club legend Robert Pires.

The Gunners, typically considered a cornerstone of English football's "big six", lie in 15th heading into their Boxing Day clash with Chelsea, after a wretched campaign to date.

The North London outfit have lost eight of their 14 opening games, and while they posted a perfect record in their Europa League group stage performance, their manager occupies an increasingly untenable position.

Pires, a Highbury hero who was a member of Arsene Wenger's Invincibles squad over a decade-and-a-half ago, admits that he finds it tough to believe just how they have slipped so badly.

"I find it difficult to explain this situation," Pires said, speaking to  Ouest France . "When you're in a negative spiral, it's very complicated to get out of it."

Pires said the Chelsea game was set up to be "important for the future of the club", and he has little doubt manager Arteta is fighting to stay in his job.

"I know him well. I know what he does, the training he sets up, what he would like his team to develop," Pires said.

"But on the pitch, it does not work. I don't like coaches being sacked but unfortunately that's what happens when there are bad results. He's in an ejection seat."

Arsenal were hoping to maintain a strong record in Boxing Day fixtures, having not lost at home in 12 matches on December 26 since going down 2-0 to Nottingham Forest in 1987 at Highbury.

Their run of nine consecutive home wins on Boxing Day includes a 2-1 win over Chelsea in 2001, when Pires played as Sol Campbell and Sylvain Wiltord scored for the Gunners.

Pires never experienced anything comparable to their recent struggles during his time at the club. Arsenal had not won in their last seven Premier League games going into Saturday's clash with Chelsea.

They were out to avoid going eight without a win, which would match their worst Premier League record, having experienced such a dry spell from November 1992 to January 1993.

"Today, Arsenal are playing to survive," Pires said. "It's hard to say, I never thought I would one day. We are talking about Arsenal after all."

Coach Sammy Omollo has explained how Gor Mahia can secure a good result against CR Belouizdad of Algeria in the Caf Champions League on Saturday.

The Kenyan champions are expected to tackle the Algerian outfit in a first-round encounter and Omollo, taking charge of K’Ogalo in his third game as a stand-in tactician, has revealed how they can be assured of a positive outcome in Algiers.

“So far, we have to thank God first for we arrived well,” the Posta Rangers’ head coach told Gor Mahia’s Online TV. “Everybody is in high spirits of course and we are raring to go for this match. We had an opportunity of watching this team and it is not that tough team but the main issue will be if we do our things correctly; strategise and defend well.

“How we defend especially in the first 30 minutes will be very important in this game but we have spoken with the boys telling them how we must remain very compact especially in the first 30 minutes.

“We must remain very organised and give a lot of hard work off the ball and if we do that you will see the confidence of the team will be going up and that is what we want today," he added. “Otherwise I believe we are going to come out with a good result tonight.”

Omollo’s sentiments echoed the words of striker Benson Omalla in an earlier interview in regard to readiness to fight for a victory.

“For us players, the morale is high and as players, we are going to give it all to get a positive outcome,” the former Western Stima forward told Goal. “It is important for us to ensure we get a good result to stand a better chance of making it to the next stage.

“The first thing for me is to ensure the team has performed well," he added. “What matters is for the team to get a positive outcome. I believe it will happen today and we will come home with good results.

“Hopefully, I am going to score my first goal for this big club Gor Mahia.”

Gor will face the Algiers-based outfit without captain Kenneth Muguna and midfielder Bernard Ondiek, who are injured, as well as Nicholas Kipkirui who will miss the showdown due to family matters.

With the absence of the former Zoo striker, Jules Ulimwengu – who has two goals in the first Premier League games against Ulinzi Stars and Tusker – and Omalla are expected to lead the goal-hunting mission.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has told Edinson Cavani that he must bide his time before securing regular starts for Manchester United.

The Uruguayan forward climbed off the bench and provided an assist for Bruno Fernandes in the 2-2 draw with Leicester on Boxing Day.

Three days earlier, Cavani played 90 minutes in the 2-0 win at Everton in the Carabao Cup, a game in which he scored the Red Devils’ first goal on 88 minutes to set them on their way to a place in the semi-finals.

United legend Paul Scholes questioned the decision to place Cavani on the bench, with the former England international of the opinion that Solskjaer should select his best XI for every game.

However, at 33 years of age and with United in the midst of a spell of six matches in 16 days, he may not have the legs to start in every game.

Solskjaer has said the former Paris Saint-Germain man will get his chances, but he must wait to secure regular starts.

“He has been out injured for a little while and played a full, physically-demanding game against Everton in midweek," Solskjaer said. “We decided to have him on the bench and he made an impact straight away, with a great pass for the goal.

“It will have to be that way for a while as he gets used to English football and the demands of this season, but he made a great impact here and he has made a big impact in the squad.”

Marcus Rashford netted his 50th Premier League goal for the club in the 2-2 draw at Leicester, and Solskjaer was full of praise for the player as a footballer and as a person.

The England international has dedicated a lot of time in 2020 to fighting for the disadvantaged and Solskjaer spoke in glowing terms of the 23-year-old.

“Both as a player and person he has been absolutely brilliant,” Solskjaer said of Rashford. “We are very proud of him as a person and a player. He was always a threat. We create chances for him and he creates them for others.”

Rashford appeared to damage his shoulder in a coming together with Harvey Barnes towards the end of the match at the King Power Stadium, and Solskjaer is hopeful it is not a serious concern.

“He felt his shoulder a bit after one of the Leicester players tugged his arm but hopefully it won’t be too bad as he completed a full sprint soon after that,” the United boss said.

Arsenal have been dealt a blow with Gabriel set to miss their next three games due to a coronavirus precaution.

The club confirmed the Brazilian has been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19 and will isolate as a precaution.

The 23-year-old defender has not been included in the squad to face Chelsea on Boxing Day and will also miss games with Brighton on December 29 and West Brom on January 2.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is also without David Luiz and Willian due to illness, but the club confirmed they recently tested negative for coronavirus and their situations will be closely monitored.

To be without the trio of Brazilians will be a blow to Arteta who is looking for his side to snap a shocking run of form.

The Gunners have not won domestically since beating Manchester United on November 1, and are down in 15th in the Premier League table.

A game with Chelsea is a daunting one, but the matches that follow against Brighton and West Brom are huge for a side who could be dragged into a relegation scrap.

Arteta is aware of the need to snap their winless run.

"The next seven to eight days are going to be crucial to see where we're going to be heading to in the Premier League," he told the club’s official website. "The best medicine when you are in this situation is to win a football match.

"Every defeat is another hurting moment, another moment of disappointment, another moment you have to lift yourself up and that's what we've got to do. 

"I think the medicine for all of us would be to come here against Chelsea, beat them and then move from there. It's exactly what we all need.

"We have to draw a line. A lot of things happened [against Manchester City in the Carabao Cup]. Again, we have to focus on the Premier League, because it's a priority in the situation we're in.

"We have a crucial week this week. We have to stand up and we have to pick up the points. Let's draw a line and move forward."