Looking for Soccer News?

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has reiterated his defence of Sergio Aguero over an incident that saw assistant referee Sian Massthe Argentina striker put his arm around ey-Ellis.

Aguero placed a hand on the female official during City's 1-0 win over Arsenal last week and drew widespread criticism on social media and from pundits.

Match of the Day analysts Alan Shearer and Ian Wright were among those to condemn the action, while ex-Manchester United defender Gary Neville called on Aguero to apologise.

Guardiola defended Aguero in the aftermath of the game and once again backed his striker, who he said would have said sorry had Massey-Ellis complained.

"I didn't speak to Sergio about this, but I'm pretty sure if she felt bad, he will apologise without a problem," Guardiola said.

"All the people looking from outside judge, but I know the intention from Sergio. Sergio put his hands in a normal way, like he does many times to me, on or off the pitch.

"Or when I hug him, when there is a substitution, or when sometimes he touches the referee as well or an opponent.

"If I'd seen some aggression, maybe. But I think it was normal as I know him perfectly. He's been a huge star in the world, but he's humble, one of the nicest people I've met.

"What is important is his intention, and his intention was normal, to talk to her in a normal way. It was not a bad word, it was just normal."

Guardiola likened the reaction to the one Bernardo Silva received for a controversial social media post involving team-mate Benjamin Mendy last year.

Silva apologised after posting a picture of a cartoon character promoting a chocolate brand in Spain next to a photo of Mendy with a caption reading: "Guess who?"

The apparent reference to Mendy's race led to a one-match ban and a £50,000 fine, while Silva was ordered to undergo educational training.

"It's the same with what happened with Bernardo. I know him perfectly well, it was a joke and this was a normal situation," Guardiola added.

"I know perfectly, it's like Bernardo and what he had with Mendy. They are brothers and he was suspended."

A recommendation from Allan Saint-Maximin has seen Newcastle United sign his friend Florent Indalecio - a striker who last played in Australia's fourth division.

The 23-year-old has been signed to the Toon's under-23 side for the rest of the season after impressing during a trial, which included scoring a stunning bicycle kick goal (video below).

Indalecio become friends with Saint-Maximin while the duo were in St Etienne's youth academy, until the former was booted out at the age of 15 for disciplinary issues.

After moving to Australia last year, Indalecio worked as bricklayer and made two appearances for fourth-tier club Fraser Park until Covid-19 cut that stint short.

Following his return to Europe, Saint-Maximin organised a trial for Indalecio at St James Park, which the talented forward took with both hands after impressing Steve Bruce.

"We've decided to take a bit of a gamble and see how he gets on this year," Bruce told reporters.

"He came over for a trial with Allan in the summer. He came into the academy and they've had him for the past six weeks. He's got something. 

"Whether that will ever be good enough to play for Newcastle, we'll see how he develops. 

"It certainly helps Allan, it's his mate. But make no mistake, we haven't just signed him because he's Allan's mate. 

"He's got a bit of talent, otherwise he wouldn't be coming in."

Late bloomer Indalecio was delighted to make a big step in his football career, recalling the recent times where was labouring Down Under.

"It's a really big club and a great opportunity for me but I'm starting from the bottom," Indalecio told SMH.

"My objective is to play very well with Newcastle under-23s to prove I have the [ability] to play at a better level.

"I never spoke English before [when I was in Australia] - I just knew hello, how are you, thank you. And I learned English on a construction site with my boss and all the bricklayers.

"I just followed the guys, how they work, how they do the [concrete] mix, how they take the bricks. Everyone helped me. Nobody [else] in Sydney wants to do labour for the bricklayers, because it's one of the hardest jobs. It's very physical. I was f---ed. My body was tired.

"When I was working in Australia, when I was in France, and I see all of my friends playing professionally and I was working in a factory ... today I am a Newcastle player and I'm very proud."

Carles Cuadrat is not a new face in the Indian football circuit. He came to India in 2016 as an assistant to then Bengaluru FC head coach Albert Roca. 

But in December 2017, the Blues parted ways with Cuadrat by mutual consent after the Spaniard conveyed his decision to step down from the post owing to health concerns. 

However, he was soon back in the thick of things as Bengaluru FC appointed him as the head coach for the 2018–19 season, following the departure of Albert Roca. 

In his maiden season as head coach, he not only finished at the top of the table but went on to clinch silverware by defeating FC Goa 1-0 in the Indian Super League (ISL) finals. 

In 2019-20, the performance dipped a bit as Bengaluru were suffering from the absence of a clinical finisher up front and were heavily reliant on Sunil Chhetri. Yet, Cuadrat managed to guide the side to a playoff spot but was defeated by eventual champions ATK in a thrilling semi-final.

In the upcoming season, Bengaluru have added Kristian Opseth and Cleiton Silva in their ranks to solve their goal-scoring woes, in addition to having DeShorn Brown in the squad. Moreover, they have roped in a leader in Fran Gonzalez who was an instrumental figure as a defender and a defensive midfielder and helped guide Mohun Bagan to their second I-League title while scoring 10 goals. 

Let us look at the stats of Cuadrat during his managerial spell in India.

*All stats sourced from ISL. 

It took just 28 minutes for Facundo Pellistri to be given a true welcome to English football as he was on the receiving end of a two-footed challenge which saw him fly through the air and land on the Leigh Sports Village turf.

The 18-year-old winger was making his first appearance in a Manchester United shirt on Friday in a Premier League 2 clash with Everton, having signed from Penarol for £9 million  ($11.75m) on deadline day.

His fee and the fact he has been thrown straight into the first team bubble, named on the bench against Paris Saint Germain for the Champions League game on Tuesday, means expectations are high.

Those who have watched him in Uruguay have suggested he is still too raw to go straight into the first team. This is a player who has just 37 first-team appearances and had been plying his trade in the Primera Division.

But, with no disrespect to top-flight football in Uruguay, it is not a match for the Premier League and, on first look, that assessment seems to be fair.

Changes to the bubble system allowed Pellistri, along with Brandon Williams and Marcos Rojo, to clock some vital minutes for Neil Wood’s side as they came from behind to win against Everton on Friday night, their first league win of the season.

The use of separate changing rooms, different pre-match preparation and separate travels means the trio will be clear to return to training straight away with Solskjaer’s side while getting some match fitness.

It wasn’t an explosive first appearance from Pellistri as he looks to find his feet, sometimes literally with the heavy tackles flying in, playing in a new country.

"Whilst we understand it will take time for him to adapt to the English game, he is capable of having an impact with his pace and ability to beat his opponent,” Solskjaer said upon Pellistri’s arrival. And there were glimpses of that at Leigh Sports Village with his dribbling and classy touches showing why the club wanted to bring him to England.

He had a quiet first half where he had a good chance from 12 yards out after he had drifted inside and got on the end of a good ball from Shola Shoretire. But, aside from that he was getting used to the physicality of the game and looked a little hesitant and nervous despite some nice touches and control. Sometimes he would make good runs and not be picked up by his teammates but that is understandable given the teenager had had no training time with Wood’s side ahead of the fixture.

While he was a slow burner in the first half, he started the second with more fire and his direct runs drew fouls in dangerous positions. His silky skills and close control helped him to skin Joe Anderson down the right only for his cross into the box to be blocked. He even managed to confuse referee Scott Simpson with his skill as he beat two Everton players, only to be shown a yellow card.

It was a performance with promise rather than final product but after growing into the game and completing his first 90 minutes in a red shirt it was a display which showed why United wanted to bring him to Old Trafford.

Pitso Mosimane's Al Ahly secured a 3-1 victory over Wydad Casablanca in the 2019/20 Caf Champions League semi-final second-leg match at Cairo International Stadium on Friday night.

Goals from Marwan Mohsen, Yasser Ibrahim and Hussein El Shahat handed the Egyptian champions the victory on the night and they reached the final after winning the tie 5-1 on aggregate. 

Mosimane was looking to mastermind another victory over Wydad with his side carrying a 2-0 lead from the first-leg encounter which was played in Morocco last weekend.

The South African tactician made only one change to the starting line-up that faced Wydad at Mohamed V Stadium with Ahmed Fathi replacing the injured Ali Maaloul in the left-back position.

Fathi brought impeccable experience to the Red Devils defence having helped the team clinch three Champions League titles in 2008, 2012 and 2013.

While Mohamed Magdi Kafsha kept his place in the team after scoring his second goal in the continental tournament this term against Wydad.

Mosimane also kept his faith in Marwan Mohsen despite the centre forward having failed to score in his last two competitive matches with Senegalese striker Aliou Badji named among the substitutes. 

Mohsen repaid the faith that Mosimane has placed in him as he handed the Red Devils an early when he netted just five minutes into the encounter.

The Egypt international ran on to a through pass from Amr Al Sulaya and before firing past Ahmed Tagnaouti in the Wydad goal-posts to make it 1-0 to Al Ahly, who were now leading 3-0 on aggregate. 

It was soon 4-0 on aggregate to Al Ahly when Hussein El Shahat scored a brilliant solo goal in the 26th minute and the hosts were leading 2-0 on the night at the interval. 

The Red Devils continued to launch attacks following their half-time team talk with the former Mamelodi Sundowns head coach and they managed to extend their lead.

Yasser Ibrahim hit the back of the net with a powerful header to make it 3-0 to Al Ahly on the night with El Shahat providing an assist and the Red Devils were now leading 5-0 on aggregate.

The hosts took their foot off the pedal in the closing stages of the match and this allowed Wydad to pull one back through Zouhair El-Moutaraji with eight minutes left to make it 3-1 on the night.

Ultimately, Al Ahly emerged 3-1 winners and they progressed to the final after winning the semi-final tie 5-1 on aggregate, while Wydad crashed out of the tournament.

The Red Devils will now take on either their Egyptian rivals Zamalek or Moroccan giants Raja Casablanca in their 13th Champions League final appearance next month.

Al Ahly are hoping clinch a record-extending ninth Champions League title and their maiden trophy since 2013 when they defeated Orlando Pirates in the final.

Mosimane will also be keen to win his second Champions League title having won this tournament with Sundowns in 2016. 

Juventus have confirmed that midfielder Weston McKennie has recovered from Covid-19 and will no longer be subject to isolation.

The American was confirmed to be positive for Covid-19 on October 14, forcing him to miss a pair of Juve's matches: a draw against Crotone and a win against Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League.

On Friday, Juventus released a brief statement confirming that McKennie's period of illness has come to an end. 

"Weston McKennie carried out, as per protocol, the control with a diagnostic test (swab) for the coronavirus-Covid 19," the statement read.

"The examination gave a negative result. The player is therefore healed and no longer subjected to home isolation."

McKennie likely won't be ready in time for Sunday's Serie A matchup against Hellas Verona but he could now be in line to face Barcelona in the Champions League on Wednesday. 

The 22-year-old joined Juve from Schalke in the off-season on a one-year loan deal worth €4.5 million, with Juve holding an €18.5m (£16.5m/$22m) purchase option plus up to €7m in bonuses if certain performance-related clauses are met.

McKennie has made two appearances for Juventus so far this season, starting both of the clubs first two Serie A games. 

In addition to McKennie, Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo also recently tested positive for Covid-19 and his status for the club's upcoming matches in in doubt. 

The Portugal star was accused of breaking coronavirus regulations after he flew back to Italy following his positive test.

However, Ronaldo took to social media to hit back at ny suggestions he violated the rules.

“I did not break any protocol," he said on Instagram

“They’re saying that I broke Italian laws but it’s all a lie. I spoke with my team and we have the responsibility to do things right.

“Everything was done with authorisation. Principally for the Italian man whose name I’m not going to say, it’s a lie, I abided by all the protocols.”

He added: “I’m on one floor and my children are on another. For the next ten days it’s going to be like that.

“It’s difficult not to be in contact with them, but we have to respect the rules."

Patrick Bamford's maiden Premier League hat-trick saw him write himself into the record books as Leeds United ran out winners against a previously unbeaten Aston Villa side with a rampant second-half performance.

The striker notched all the goals for the visitors as Marcelo Bielsa's side returned to winning ways with a 3-0 victory at Villa Park that brought Dean Smith's hosts' perfect start to the new campaign to a grinding halt.

It marked only the second competitive hat-trick of the forward's career, having notched his first just over two years ago against his current club for Middlesbrough, and saw him join a select group of legends including Eric Cantona and Gordon Strachan in achieving the feat in the Premier League for the Whites.

The 27-year-old also saw his haul match multiple club records, becoming only the second player to score in each of their opening three away games in a top-flight league season, after Gordon Hodgson managed the same in the 1937-38 campaign.

In addition, Bamford became the first Leeds player to score more than once in an away Premier League match since both Mark Viduka and Harry Kewell notched three and two respectively in a 6-1 drubbing of Charlton Athletic in April 2003.

His six goals across the first half-dozen games of a Premier League season meant that he further equalled Cantona's achievements from the 1992-93 season, matching the Frenchman's long-standing record - and he has helped United to match the record for most goals by a newly promoted club across the same opening period, matching Middlesbrough from the same campaign.

On a more local level, Bamford also became only the fifth player to score an away hat-trick at Villa Park, following in the footsteps of Chris Sutton (1997-98), Robbie Fowler (1998-99), Gareth Bale (2012-13) and Sergio Aguero (2019-20).

It caps a remarkable start to the campaign for the former Chelsea man and former England youth international, whose run of form across the opening weeks of the season could see him emerge as a dark horse contender for Gareth Southgate's England plans ahead of next month's Nations League matches against Belgium and Iceland.

Bamford was previously in Southgate's squad for the 2015 UEFA European Under-21 Championship but ultimately missed out due to injury.

After being named Chelsea's starting goalkeeper by Frank Lampard, Edouard Mendy insists that there's no animosity between him and Kepa Arrizabalaga, the player he has replaced in goal.

Kepa has been on a prolonged run of bad form since Lampard took over as manager over a year ago, despite costing the club over £72 million ($93m) in a 2018 move from Athletic Club.

The club-record signing has since lost his place to Mendy, who has performed well since his £22m ($28m) move from Rennes this summer.

Training under former Blues goalkeeper Hilario and alongside club legend Petr Cech and experienced stopper Willy Caballero, Mendy insists that the goalkeepers at Cobham Training Ground are united, despite the intense competition.

"Before my first match, he absolutely wished me good luck," Mendy said of Kepa. "He never holds back if he thinks he sees things that I might have missed, just as Willy Caballero does as well.

"It’s great that we have a united team, the three of us, it is good for us and good for the rest of the team."

The 28-year-old went on to discuss facing the same pressure that has seen Kepa lose his usual level of confidence.

"I think everyone who knows and follows football could see there was a unique situation here with regards to goalkeepers but it really wasn't something that had any role in my decision to come to Chelsea," he said.

"I was focusing on what the coach had told me about coming here. He, along with the rest of the club, reassured me that this would be the best club for me to continue developing as a player and to help the team. That's what I'm focusing on."

The Senegal international was signed on the recommendation of Blues performance and technical director Cech, in conjunction with goalkeeper scout Christophe Lollichon.

Cech and Lollichon were both at Rennes before joining Chelsea, and now the legendary former Czech Republic goalkeeper has come out of retirement.

He has been included in Lampard's Premier League squad this season. and Mendy is excited to be working alongside a legendary player like Cech..

"It's just an absolute pleasure to be with him every day. To work with him and particularly in training it allows me to watch how he works and to analyse his game," he added.

"So it's a wonderful bonus for me being here. But in terms of him playing, I think we already have three very good, competitive goalkeepers and that should be enough for us."

Although he represents Senegal at the international level, Mendy was born in the Normandy region of France.

He grew up in the 1990s and watched Les Blues win the World Cup for the first time in 1998 as the hosts of the competition.

Following that, Senegal had what many consider a golden generation in 2002 and Mendy admits to being inspired by the likes of Zinedine Zidane, but also Tony Sylva. who was in goal for the African side that reached the quarter-final stage in Japan and South Korea.

"As far as World Cup 98 is concerned I think everyone was really rooting for Zinedine Zidane because he was such a wonderful player," he added.

"But for me, it's true that the tournament that stays with me a bit more was World Cup 2002 and particularly Senegal, who had such a wonderful tournament. I used to watch Tony Sylva in goal, who would leap around like a cat and had so much agility and such a wonderful physique for a goalkeeper.

"Watching that really gave me even more motivation to be a goalkeeper. I had already been playing in goal for about a year but just seeing him perform like that, just made me want to get down to the stadium and start jumping around, saving shots."

Pep Guardiola joked that Porto boss Sergio Conceicao might be right after he accused the Manchester City coach of being "extremely unpleasant".

The pair rowed a number of times on the touchline during City's 3-1 victory in the Champions League on Wednesday night in what became a heated clash.

City had five players booked and were awarded a controversial penalty while Porto defender Pepe was lucky to avoid a red card for thrusting his knee into Raheem Sterling's chest in an off-the-ball incident.

Conceicao accused Guardiola of using "ugly words" but the City boss insisted he behaved in a proper manner.

"We didn't want it to be unpleasant. He believes we are, maybe he's right," Guardiola told a news conference ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash with West Ham.

"I don't think so. Honestly, I don't think so. I'm pleased with how we behaved from minute one to minute 90. But if he believes this, okay, maybe he's right. We will see."

Porto only have to wait five weeks for the return fixture when City travel to Portugal for matchday five.

Meanwhile, Guardiola has again defended Sergio Aguero after a number of football pundits criticised the striker for touching assistant referee Sian Massey-Ellis.

Former players Alan Shearer and Ian Wright were among those to speak out on the incident in the 1-0 victory over Arsenal after the Argentinian was unhappy about a throw-in being awarded to the Gunners.

Aguero grabbed Massey-Ellis at the top of the shoulder close to her neck before she brushed him away.

Guardiola defended his player and said there was no malice in his action despite the criticism.

"All the people looking from outside judge, I know the intention from Sergio," he said.

"Sergio put his hands in a normal way like he does many times to me, on or off the pitch or when I hug him, when there is a substitution or when sometimes he touches the referee as well or an opponent.

"If I’d seen some aggression, maybe. I think it was normal as I know him perfectly.

"He’s been a huge star in the world but he’s humble, the nicest people I've met.

"What is important is his intention and his intention was normal, to talk to her in a normal way, it was not a bad word, it was just normal.

"I didn't speak to Sergio about this but I'm pretty sure if she felt bad, he will apologise without a problem."

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said he may change how Manchester United prepare for home games after losing their first two league fixtures at Old Trafford.

United will welcome Frank Lampard’s Chelsea on Saturday hoping for their first home win of the new campaign.

While they’ve had no problem picking up wins on the road, winning all five away fixtures in all competition this season, they have yet to win at Old Trafford.

Solskjaer is hoping his side will have the ability to bounce back but said he may look at the way they have been preparing for home games.

Before Covid the team would meet at a city centre hotel the night before the fixture but recently they have been staying at home and convening at the training ground before driving individually to the ground since protocols were introduced.

For away games, the team have been staying in hotels when it has been necessary and the United boss has said he is looking into how his team prepares for home games.

“Consistency comes from the mindset. We know we've got talented players. As I've said quite a few times, we just need to respect the basics in football,” Solskjaer said about improving the team’s home form. “I've said it quite a few times, we need to outrun and outfight teams. If these players do that - like we've done the last two games, as the stats have shown - then suddenly we create chances. We need to defend as a team.

“We can't concede as many goals as we've done because we'll score, we'll create chances and score. That's the mindset we need to have in every single game. We've got different ways of playing of course.

"And preparation, because after the lockdown with Covid, we've stayed at home, we've had different routines coming into games. I've just got to look at everything, how the players prepare, because it's been noticeable how well we've done away from home.”

One of the big decisions Solskjaer has to make ahead of Chelsea is whether or not to stick with a back three after it worked so well against PSG. He has favoured that system against Chelsea in the past and there could be a repeat at Old Trafford on Saturday.

“I think as a coach you want a foundation to play from and the players want to have a consistency in instructions, so we are a little bit ahead of the next situation. But with the players we have now sometimes we can swap and change a little bit,” the Norwegian said.

“We felt with the injuries we had and the opposition we met, that was the right way of going. We had a debut for Alex (Telles), Axel (Tuanzebe) was back again, so we didn't think twice about that really. And it gives us flexibility. There might be times later on in the season that we play this again, or now, or back to the back four again. With the signings we've made we've got more options”

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard was full of praise for Manchester United star Marcus Rashford in the wake of the forward's campaign to provide food for in-need children.

Rashford has been stealing headlines both on and off the pitch after proving the match-winner at Paris Saint-Germain with a late goal in this week's 2-1 Champions League win.

He has also earned acclaim from the sporting community for his campaign to feed children from low-income backgrounds through free school meals.

Although his proposals have been rejected by the UK Government, a host of private businesses have stepped in to fund the young striker's plan.

Lampard has been impressed with the work done by the England international in recent months, offering his support to Rashford ahead of this weekend's meeting between their two teams.

"He is a fantastic player, a fantastic talent. It is great to see young players with personality and a voice speaking up about things he cares passionately about," Lampard said. 

"I absolutely commend him for that. There's a group of players in the Premier League now who are that sort of age [who are speaking up].

"It doesn't matter who you play for, when people speak out like he does, I think it is a fantastic thing and he deserves his credit for it."

With a clash against Rashford's Man Utd looming, Lampard said he doesn't look to compare himself with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer despite similarities in their role as club legends trying to rebuild their clubs to challenge for titles.

Like Lampard, Solskjaer came in to rebuild United after a rare lull in both clubs' recent history, and both are aiming to get their sides back in contention to compete with Liverpool and Man City at the top of the table.

Lampard has had six months less time to stamp his authority in west London and a transfer ban to contend with, but he has also spent £220 million ($275m) this summer which has added to the pressure.

Ahead of the clash at Old Trafford on Saturday, Lampard detailed his relationship with the Norwegian coach.

"I have got a good relationship with him in that when we play against each other, I am very cordial and we shake hands. We wish each other the best and generally mean it," Lampard said. 

"I know Michael Carrick very well from my playing days, of course. I have a really good relationship with him. In terms of similarities [with Solskjaer], every Premier League manager will have their own issues, story, problems to find solutions for so I don't draw a line between Ole and me.

"He has his squad, I have mine and we have different and similar pressures. I haven't analysed those at all. I understand the pressures for managing clubs of the sizes we manage. I respect him for that and that's as far as it goes, I suppose."

Both sides have two wins this season but have dropped points in key matches as they aim for a run of form to haul themselves up the table.

The good news for Chelsea ahead of kick-off is that they have a clean bill of health ahead of the upcoming match aside from the long-term injured Billy Gilmour and Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Lampard went into more detail on Kepa's injury, amid a bad run of form for the Spain international, as he prepares to play new signing Edouard Mendy at Old Trafford.

"Kepa's injury was something he picked up in the Southampton game," he said. "A shoulder injury, I can't give you any more details I am afraid but he carried it on the bench in midweek against Seville. He had pain in training and he has had to take a back this weekend. Hopefully, it is not long-term."

Percy Tau found the back of the net to help Anderlecht secure a 3-1 victory over Kortrijk in Friday’s Belgian First Division A game.

The 26-year-old has been delivering eye-catching performances since his arrival at Lotto Park and he shone again at Guldensporenstadion.

The South Africa international was handed his seventh league start of the season, spearheading Anderlecht’s attack against Yves Vanderhaeghe’s side.

Vincent Kompany’s men last tasted victory in September against Waasland-Beveren, playing draws with Eupen and OH Leuven before losing against Club Brugge but returned to winning ways against the Guys.

The Purple and White started the game on a fine note and opened the scoring as early as the ninth minute of the encounter through Anglo-Nigerian forward Lukas Nmecha.

Tau then doubled his side’s lead with a well-taken effort at the half-hour mark after receiving a timely pass from Michael Murillo.

Manchester City loanee Nmecha then completed his brace in the 63rd minute to seal his side’s victory despite a late effort from the Democratic Republic of the Congo international Ilombe Mboyo.

Tau, who featured for 75 minutes in the encounter, has now scored four goals in nine appearances since teaming up with Anderlecht.

Besides his goal, the 26-year-old centre-forward made two key passes, had a 66% successful pass rate and made 25 touches on the ball.

Sierra Leone international Mustapha Bundu played for 55 minutes before he was replaced by Ghanaian midfielder Francis Amuzu.

Senegalese forward Habib Gueye was introduced into the game at the start of the second half for Eric Ocansey but could not help his side to avoid defeat.   

The result ensured Anderlecht moved to sixth on the Belgian First Division A table with 17 points from 10 games.

Tau will hope to continue his outstanding performances for Anderlecht in their next league game against Antwerp on November 1.

Mikel Arteta was unsurprised to have his use of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang questioned with the Arsenal attacker struggling to match his goalscoring prowess of previous seasons.

Aubameyang has primarily played from the left under Arteta, despite also proving adept as a central striker during his two and a half years at Emirates Stadium. 

Since his Premier League debut in February 2018, only Mohamed Salah (60) has scored more than the Gabon international's haul of 55. 

Prior to the start of the 2020-21 campaign, Aubameyang averaged a top-flight goal every 128 minutes. This season, however, that has dipped to one goal every 450 minutes with the striker scoring one league goal in five games.

Asked if the solution to Aubameyang's goalscoring troubles is to play him through the middle, Arteta responded: "Always the question when he doesn't score is, 'Why doesn't he play as a nine?' Then you move him to the nine it's, 'Why did you not keep him on the left because he has been so successful from the left?' This will happen, I know." 

Aubameyang came in for criticism on social media for his display in Arsenal's 1-0 loss to Manchester City last weekend, with footage of him laughing with former Borussia Dortmund team-mate Ilkay Gundogan after the final whistle not going down well either. 

"The expectation for him is that he has to score a goal every game, so this comes with the nature of the big player that he is, what he's done in the past and what people expect from him in the future," Arteta said of the criticism. 

"He needs to handle that and we are here to support him when difficult times are around him." 

According to Opta, Aubameyang is yet to have a 'big chance' in the Premier League this season; prior to the start of 2020-21 he averaged one every 90 minutes. 

However, the 31-year-old came off the bench and scored the winner as Arsenal came from behind to defeat Rapid Vienna in the Europa League on Thursday. 

"He needs to get in more goalscoring opportunities, he needs to get the ball more in the box to do what he needs to do," said Arteta. 

"It's a different game obviously to play against some of the big teams we have played this season, we have already played five games out of seven against top opposition. 

"I asked him before the game [on Thursday], to come on and win the game for us. He did it, I am happy." 

Jurgen Klopp has lauded Marcus Rashford's efforts to combat child poverty in the face of government opposition, with the Liverpool boss hailing the Manchester United star's actions as "incredible" while professing his pride in the striker's actions.

Red Devils forward Rashford has spent much of the year spearheading a campaign to ensure free school meal vouchers for disadvantaged children during the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent national lockdown, forcing the Conservative government into a U-turn after they initially declined to extend the scheme.

The 22-year-old was cited in the Queen's Birthday Honours earlier this year for his work, and was an MBE, but has refused to shortchange his goals in the face of stiff parlimentary opposition.

After a Labour-backed motion was defeated in the House of Commons this week, Rashford has found further assistance from a myriad of councils and businesses in recent days, who have vowed to provide free meals for those children in need during the upcoming October half-term break.

The England attacker's efforts have broken down traditional boundaries among the sporting community in an act of shared kinship, with many of his peers lending their voices in support as he has continued to fight tirelessly.

Speaking ahead of the Reds' match with Sheffield United tomorrow, Klopp has become the latest figure in football to praise Rashford for his determination and actions, describing him as a "role model" while paying tribute to his professionalism on and off the field.

"I’m not sure I can find any better words than other and much smarter people than me said about it," the German told his pre-match press conference. "But what Marcus started there is absolutely incredible and it’s so nice.

"With all the rivalry between the clubs and stuff like this, in these moments as footballers – and as human beings – [we are] always united.

"It’s just nice to show in a time when obviously a lot of people who are really in charge of something and don’t show any sign of proper leadership, that a boy grown up in difficult circumstances, blessed with a sensational talent obviously, never forgot his roots and where he is coming from.

"That he has to do it then is a bit of a shame but is wonderful as well. I hope his mother is really proud of him. I don’t know him but even I am. He plays for United, which makes it really tricky!

"But it’s really an absolutely wonderful, wonderful thing. Whatever praise he got – and I’m pretty sure he doesn’t want the praise now anymore, it’s nice to do it once – that’s how it is.

"Now he is in the role and now he is the role model for that and that’s great. And it will not distract him from his football things. But, yeah, absolutely great and happy about it."

Klopp pointed to the shared unity between Liverpool and Manchester - both of whom have found themselves the subject of some of the government's strongest measures amid the pandemic in recent weeks - as further proof of football being able to bridge rivalries under one banner.

"Yes, that just shows that football can do really wondrous [things] in moments," he added. "It shows as well that the subject is really serious. That’s why everybody puts the rivalry aside and just thinks about more important things in life. How I said, really happy that we can show this solidarity in these moments."

Jurgen Klopp has admitted that his centre-back partnership of Joe Gomez and Joel Matip will be "tested" - but the Liverpool supremo says that he knows they will be able co-exist successfully without "a shadow of a doubt".

The German has been left with selection headaches at the back following the news that Virgil van Dijk will be out for the majority of the season after suffering an ACL injury in a clash with Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford during last week's Merseyside derby.

Having dropped back Fabinho to partner England regular Gomez for their Champions League victory over Ajax in midweek, Klopp is mulling over just how to solve the long-term problem of replacing arguably the world's best defender for their first top-flight title defence in three decades.

Ex-Cameroon international Matip looks to be among the obvious candidates following Dejan Lovren's exit during the transfer window, but the 29-year-old has never started a match alongside Gomez, who has effectively been his like-for-like regular replacement during the past two seasons, with the pair's periods of peak fitness rarely coinciding to boot.

Ahead of his side's Premier League clash with Sheffield United, Klopp revealed that he had previously been unaware the duo had never lined up shoulder-to-shoulder before, and acknowledged that both of them, plus Fabinho, will face a baptism of fire as they look to step into the gap left by Van Dijk.

"The reason for [why they never played together] is because I think Virg played pretty much all the games and one of them was injured," he stated. "As long as Dejan Lovren was still here and Dejan was in that moment fit [he could play].

"I didn’t know they had never played together, I didn’t know that, but they can play together – not a shadow of a doubt. As I said for the Fabinho and Joe pairing, they need to get used to each other and the full-backs need to get used to them.

"The more stability you have in this line, the better. We never had that really, especially one position was always with a lot of changes. They will fight together, there is no doubt about that.

"It is football and it didn’t become rocket science overnight. We can help them with information but then they will get tested every three days, that’s the situation."

Sofiane Boufal scored his first goal of the season while Stephane Bahoken provided an assist as Angers secured a 2-1 comeback win over Rennes in Friday's Ligue 1 game.

Boufal returned to Stade Raymond Kopa this month, where he started his career, after parting ways with Premier League club Southampton.

The 27-year-old was afforded his second appearance since his arrival against Julien Stephan’s men and delivered an impressive performance.

The Morocco international was handed a starting role, playing behind Cameroon international Bahoken, who led Angers attack.

The Black and Whites started the match on the back foot, allowing Adrien Hunou to open the scoring for Rennes in the 18th minute.

Eight minutes later, Angers drew level when Bahoken set up Boufal, who fired his effort past Senegal international and Rennes goalkeeper Alfred Gomis.

After the restart, both sides continued their quest to secure all three points, making some changes to ensure they realize their targets.

11 minutes into the second half Angelo Fulgini scored the all-important winning goal after receiving a timely assist from Ivory Coast international Ismael Traore.

Boufal featured for 71 minutes as well as Senegal forward Sada Thioub, who was replaced by Jimmy Cabot while Ivory Coast international Souleyman Doumbia was introduced for Enzo Ebosse.

French-born Cameroonian Ibrahim Amadou featured for the duration of the game for Angers along with Gomis, Morocco’s Naif Aguerd, Ghanaian Jeremy Doku and Mali defender Hamari Traore, who were on parade for Rennes.

With the victory at Roazhon Park, Angers moved to sixth on the Ligue 1 table after gathering 13 points from eight games.

Boufal and Bahoken will hope to continue their productive partnership when the Black and Whites take on Nice in their next league game on November 1.

While Boufal has 16 caps for Morocco, Bahoken has played 10 times for Cameroon, scoring three goals since switching his allegiance to the West African country from France.

They will be expected to play prominent roles for their respective countries in the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Kenyan Premier League champions Gor Mahia have lined up two friendly matches on Saturday, October 24.

The two matches will be played in Nakuru County, with K’Ogalo facing Gilgil Combined at 10:00, before another encounter against Naivasha Sub-County at 16:00 at Marula Estate Stadium.

The matches will be the first for Gor Mahia in the ongoing pre-season preparations and they are expected to give the new coach - Oliveira ‘Robertinho’ Goncalves - a real picture of the team in as far as readiness is concerned.

The record league champions have been training along Kiambu Road, for almost a month now since they were allowed to by the government. Gor Mahia are preparing for the Caf Champions League engagement as well as for the title defence in the upcoming season that will start on November 20.

The Green Army will open the new season with a game against Tusker.

Team Manager Jolawi Abondo said the training sessions have been running in a good way and has revealed the exact reasons for planning for the low-profile friendlies.

“We have been training well and so far so good,” Abondo told the club’s website.

“The two friendly matches we have in Naivasha tomorrow [Saturday] are part of our pre-season preparation and we will have a number as we aim to have a solid team that is well prepared for the new season.”

Obondo’s sentiments echoed captain Kenneth Muguna's earlier statement.

“We are focused on being ready before the league resumes because I know once we are physically and mentally ready, we can tackle any team on earth,” the midfielder said.

“We are going to try and win all our matches because we know by doing so, we stand a chance of winning trophies at the end of the season.

“The team is fine so far, we are creating a bond that will make us operate together as a team; the aim is, to find a working formula.”

Gor Mahia’s arch-rivals AFC Leopards are in Iten, Elgeiyo-Marakwet County for a 10-day pre-season training camp. Ingwe have already played in one friendly match against the National Super League (NSL) side Shabana FC where they lost 1-0 at Gusii Stadium.

Express FC have continued with their bid to strengthen the squad by securing the services of forward George Ssenkaaba.

The 26-year-old has penned a two-year deal to join the Red Eagles from newly-promoted Ugandan Premier League (UPL) side Kitara FC ahead of the new season which kicks off on November 22.

“Express have snapped up forward George Ssenkaaba,” the club confirmed on their official website. “The pacy frontman joins the Red Eagles on a two-year deal from newly-promoted Uganda Premier League side Kitara.”

Speaking after being unveiled, the 26-year-old expressed his delight at joining the Red Eagles.

“I must say I’m delighted to join the Red Eagles, like all other players this is a dream come true and I can’t wait to get started," he said.

On signing the player, head coach Wasswa Bbosa said: “[Ssenkaaba] possess the qualities we want in a forward, am certain he will have a positive impact for us when the season starts.”

Ssenkaaba, who scored five goals in 10 games for Kitara en route to the side gaining promotion to the top flight, has featured for different outfits which include the now-defunct Saints FC, Kirinya Jinja SS now Busoga United, and S.C Villa.

The forward will now tussle it out for a starting berth with Frank Kalanda, the club’s top scorer last season, fellow new signing Mustafa Kiragga and Erick Kambaale.

He becomes the 17th player to sign for the Wankulukuku-based giants, who are keen to end their seven-year drought and win the league title this campaign.

A week ago, Express confirmed the signing of Murushid Juuko after putting pen to paper on a one-year contract, which ended speculation linking him to rivals Vipers SC and KCCA FC.

In an interview, the 26-year-old, who has previously featured for Tanzanian giants Simba SC and Wydad Casablanca, revealed the club’s current direction and good organization made it easy for him to sign his contract.

“It’s no secret that the level of organization at the club is top class, as players we always want such environments to succeed and i couldn’t have made a better decision at the right time,” Juuko told the club’s official website.

On working with coach Bbosa, Juuko said: “Working with [Bbosa] is a great step in my career, I appreciate that he understands every player’s situation which is key in building our confidence.

“I also want to appreciate the CEO [Isaac Mwesigwa] and the head coach [Bbosa] for making this happen, am happy to be here, Express is a big club and its current progress speaks for itself and I am sure we going to win silverware this season.”

On acquiring the services of the player, coach Bbosa was delighted about the transfer, saying he was a good addition to the squad, who are keen to wrestle the Ugandan Premier League (UPL) title from Vipers.