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Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes that Antoine Griezmann is unable to express himself with Barcelona because he is overshadowed by Lionel Messi.

Griezmann joined Barca from Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2019, having established himself as one of the world's best forwards while winning the World Cup with France.

After firing at least 20 goals in each of the last six seasons, Griezmann scored just 15 times in 48 games in his first season for Barca, a disappointing haul given the €120m (£107m/$134m) fee required to bring him to the club.

The forward has yet to score in four appearances for Barca this season, all in La Liga, but Wenger says that he believes Griezmann still has his star quality.

However, having largely been played out of position since joining Barca, Griezmann is unable to shine, Wenger says, as he is forced to defer to Messi.

"Not playing at his position is complicated in the long term," Wenger told beIN Sports. "At the start, the guy accepts it but, if he does not meet his needs in the long term and he feels that the position does not allow him to express his qualities, he will become discouraged.

"Today, he is a player who must play in the centre because he has a great work rate, a precision in his passes. He can be dangerous with the last pass and by scoring goals, but there is congestion because he is in the range of play of Messi."

The Frenchman recently praised his national team boss, Didier Deschamps, for playing him in the right position during a  hard-fought win over Croatia in a World Cup final rematch.

Griezmann remained on the bench in Tuesday's victory over Ferencvaros, with manager Ronald Koeman turning to Messi, Ansu Fati, Philippe Coutinho and Francisco Trincao in attack.

Sergio Busquets, Pedri, Ronald Araujo, Ousmane Dembele and Junior Firpo, meanwhile, were brought off the bench as Koeman used all five of his substitutes without turning to the former Atletico Madrid man.

After that match, Koeman stressed patience while adding that Griezmann could be involved Saturday when Barca take on rivals Real Madrid in El Clasico.
 

Mamelodi Sundowns attacking midfielder Sphelele Mkhulise says he is keen to improve his output in the final third ahead of the team's clash with Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday.

The 24-year-old playmaker established himself as a regular under the now-departed coach Pitso Mosimane in the 2019/20 season and he helped the team clinch a domestic treble.

Mosimane, who is now in charge of Egypt's Al Ahly, has since been replaced by Manqoba Mngqithi and Rhulani Mokwena, who have been appointed Sundowns co-coaches. 

Mkhulise, who has been with Masandawana since 2012 when he joined the club's academy, reflected on his days as a ball boy. 

“I have come far with this team, I’ve been here since 2012. I have worked my way up to the first team and it has been hard work all the way," Mkhulise told the club's official website.

"Some of the guys I am playing with like Hlompho Kekana, Themba Zwane and Tebogo Langerman have been here for a while.

"And funny enough I used to be a ball boy for them, whilst I was at the academy, but look at me now, sharing the same dressing room with them."

The recent 2019/20 season proved to be Mkhulise's breakthrough as he played 34 matches across all competitions.

The left-footed player also found the back of the net on four occasions with two assists and he is eager to improve his game ahead of the new 2020/21 PSL season. 

“I want to improve as a player, I want to play more so that I can try and have more assists, as you know assists are important," he added. 

"I want to improve on my scoring and I want to win more trophies with the club."

Mkhulise, who is living his dream, has won back-to-back Premier Soccer League (PSL) titles, Telkom Knockout Cup and Nedbank Cup with Masandawana having been promoted from the club's reserve team in 2018.

“It is a dream come true for me to play for the club and I want to work hard and show all the youngsters at the academy that if you work hard anything is possible," he concluded.

Mkhulise was introduced in the closing stages of the MTN8 quarter-final match against Bloemfontein Celtic on Sunday and he couldn't help Masandwana avoid a 1-0 defeat in Tshwane.

He will be hoping to return to the starting line-up when Sundowns take on Chiefs at FNB Stadium in their first PSL match of the new campaign on Saturday. 

Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers has revealed injured Ghana defender Daniel Amartey is expected to be out of action until December, prompting his exclusion from the club's squad for the Uefa Europa League group stage.

The 25-year-old, together with winger Demaray Gray and Algeria striker Islam Slimani, was among the conspicuous absentees from the Foxes' 24-man squad submitted for the first stage of the continental championship.

Leicester begin their campaign against Ukrainian outfit Zorya Luhansk on Thursday.

Back in action after a two-year ankle injury layoff, Amartey suffered a setback in just his third competitive game back as he sustained a hamstring injury during a Premier League clash with West Ham United on October 4.

"Daniel was purely [excluded] because of injury. He’s going to be out for a long period," Leicester coach Brendan Rodgers said, Leicester Mercury has reported.

“He’s sustained a really bad hamstring injury which is such a shame because he’s worked so hard after a couple of years out, to get game-time and play so well against Manchester City, and then to play against West Ham and to pick up the injury.

"We were so disappointed for him.

"So he wasn’t going to feature for us [in the Europa League group stage]."

Amartey could join Leicester’s Europa League roster in January should he regain fitness and the club progress to the knock-out stage of the competition.

Following his 2018 ankle injury, the Accra-born briefly returned to fitness last season but struggled for form and match opportunities, prompting reports of an imminent move away from the club.

Indeed, during the January transfer window, he was linked to Newcastle United and Sheffield United but no deal materialised.

"Obviously, Daniel Amartey is out with his hamstring for a number of weeks, so the international break hasn’t been too kind for us," Rodgers said in his team news on Friday ahead of Sunday's league tie against Aston Villa, his club's official website reports.

Amartey joined Leicester in 2016 after catching the eye with a string of fine performances for Danish side FC Copenhagen.

In his first season in England, he featured in five Premier League games as the club sensationally claimed the title. 

Patson Daka and Enoch Mwepu have been handed a starter’s role by Red Bull Salzburg for Wednesday’s Champions League showdown with Lokomotiv Moscow.

The Austrian Bundesliga side welcome Marko Nikolic’s men to Wals-Siezenheim’s Red Bull Arena as they hope to commence their European elite club competition campaign on a winning note.

Jesse Marsch’s men have been handed a tough pairing having been zoned in Group A alongside reigning champions Bayern Munich and Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid.

In a 4-4-2 formation, 22-year-old Daka - who has scored five goals in four Austrian top-flight games so far - will lead Salzburg’s attack alongside Mali’s Sekou Koita, while compatriot Mwepu will hold sway in the midfield with Austria's Zlatko Junuzovic, Hungary's Dominik Szoboszlai and Mali's Mohamed Camara.

Cameroonian defender Jerome Onguene and Ghana's Majeed Ashimeru are among the named substitutes, while Mali's Youba Diarra is out of the clash owing to a knee injury.

For Lokomotiv Moscow, Guinea international Francois Kamano and Cape Verde's Ze Luis will start proceedings as substitutes bench.

The UEFA Champions League has returned, but Real Madrid won't be playing their matches at the famous Santiago Bernabeu stadium, which has been their home since 1947.

So why is that the case? Goal brings you everything you need to know about the development.

Why aren't Real Madrid playing at the Bernabeu in La Liga restart?

Real Madrid are not currently playing at Santiago Bernabeu because the stadium is undergoing extensive renovations.

Club president Florentino Perez confirmed the news of the accelerated redevelopment at the beginning of June, ahead of the planned Spanish football restart.

Renovations to the Bernabeu stadium had been projected to conclude in the summer of 2022, but the three-month coronavirus-enforced hiatus encouraged Real Madrid to bring forward their work schedule, so it may be finished sooner.

In 2019, Perez explained the thinking behind renovating the venue: "Our future naturally involves a new Santiago Bernabeu stadium, a reference of the 21st century.

"A modern, avant-garde stadium, with maximum comfort and safety, with state-of-the-art technology, where fans can experience unique sensations and also be a new and important source of income for the club."

The new-look Santiago Bernabeu will have a markedly different appearance to the old iconic venue along with fresh upgrades.

There will be an all-new exterior and it will be covered with a retractable roof, which is a notable departure from the current - and classic - open-air design.

An underground car park will also be put in place on the site of the old Esquina del Bernabeu shopping centre, with approximately 500 spaces expected to be on offer to fans and visiting teams.

The current redevelopment is the first major upgrade work on the venue since the late 1990s and early 2000s. 

It comes not long after the renovation of the Wanda Metropolitano, home of Real's rivals Atletico Madrid, which was modernised in 2017.

Where are Real Madrid playing their games instead?

Real Madrid will play their UEFA Champions League games at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium while the Santiago Bernabeu is renovated.

The Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium is home to Real Madrid Castilla - Real Madrid's reserve team - and has a capacity of 6,000, which is some way off the Bernabeu's 81,000 seats.

However, the capacity of the stadium is ultimately of no relevance when European football chiefs have indicated that games must be played behind closed doors in the interests of public health.

The Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium is part of the Ciudad Real Madrid (meaning Real Madrid City), the club's training complex located in Valdebebas.

It is likely that games from the 2020-21 season onwards will be opened to supporters again and in the event that matches cannot be played at the Santiago Bernabeu, the Wanda Metropolitano has been suggested as an alternative venue. However, it remains to be seen if Real Madrid will explore that possibility.

When asked about the prospect of letting their bitter rivals use their home venue, Atletico president Enrique Cerezo replied: "Would we rent them the Wanda Metropolitano? I’m going to take my mask off to answer you. Let no one doubt that we will be at Real Madrid’s disposal." 

Newly appointed Harambee Stars coach Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee has picked Musa Otieno and Twahir Muhiddin as the coaches who will work under him after he was unveiled on Wednesday.

Goal can exclusively reveal the former Tusker coach, who was appointed on a three-year contract to replace Francis Kimanzi, has already forwarded the two names to the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) ahead of their unveiling next week.

While unveiling ‘Ghost’, FKF president Nick Mwendwa told Goal they had given the coach a free hand to pick his assistants.

“We have given him a free hand to pick the coaches he feels he can work with,” Mwendwa told Goal. “We don’t want to be involved in giving him the coaches he will work with, it is upon him to give us the names, he has until Monday next week to do so.”

A source has now confirmed to Goal Mulee has settled for Otieno, who captained Harambee Stars during his playing time, and Muhiddin, the current Bandari FC technical director, to join him in handling the national team.

“He [Mulee] has already handed in the names of Otieno and Muhiddin, and they will be unveiled next week,” the source, who did not want to be named, because of the sensitivity of the matter, told Goal.

“They will both come in as his assistants and they have already agreed to take up the job.”

Otieno, who played in South Africa for most of his career, was also the assistant to Stanley Okumbi at the national team before they were also shown the exit door.

Muhiddin has also handled the national team during the previous regime under Mohammed Hatimy.

On being appointed, Mulee, who is well remembered to have steered Kenya to the 2004 Afcon finals held in Tunis, Tunisia, says he is ready to take up the challenge and believes he still has what it takes to succeed with the team.

“First of all, I want to thank the federation for again having faith that I can steer the team to the Afcon and World Cup,” Mulee told Goal.

“We had a very lengthy discussion as to what the ambition of the federation is after the election and after seeing the working conditions are favourable, I said that I can give it a try.

“My focus now is on how to deal with Comoros, it is those matches that we always refer to as dead rubbers. So it is a difficult match but I think if we can manage to win the first game at home, then we will be good to go.”

Asked whether he still has what it takes having been out of the coaching scene for more than five years, ‘Ghost’ told Goal: “I have been in the game since the last time I coached the team, for now, I cannot promise anything, a coaching job is difficult, you can have it today, play one game and get fired.

“But looking at the team in my disposal, I have confidence they will do well under my leadership, the office has promised us the support, and I know that we can do well, all we need to do is win our home matches.”

Kenya started their campaign in the Afcon qualifiers with a 1-1 draw against Egypt away in Cairo before another 1-1 draw tagainst Togo at Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi.

2022 World Cup hosts Qatar have excelled in the first sustainability report for the global tournament which was published on Wednesday. 

The report provides an update on the progress made by FIFA, the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) and the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 LLC in 2019 on the five sustainability commitments which include human rights, diversity and environmental protection.

Sustainable construction measures taken by Qatar at its various World Cup projects and the establishment of the public transport systems to reduce air, noise and vehicle pollution were also lauded. 

As far as human rights are concerned, the report takes note of the various Worker Welfare measures taken by Qatar to improve the standard of living for the people employed at the various sites. The human rights and safety training project has also been highlighted in the report. So has the voluntary carbon-offsetting programme aimed at making the 2022 World Cup a carbon-neutral event. 

“We are very glad to provide our stakeholders and the public with an overview of how much we advanced last year with the delivery of the Sustainability Strategy for the next edition of our flagship event. The report reflects our joint commitment to accountability and our drive to contribute to the evolution of best practices in the field of sustainability management in sporting events,” said FIFA’s Head of Sustainability & Environment, Federico Addiechi.

Some of the key achievements towards a sustainable project are:

“It’s fantastic to be able to share the progress that Qatar and FIFA have made across the many critical sustainability projects connected to the delivery of the FIFA World Cup. Sustainability remains at the core of our infrastructure and tournament operational planning, and by delivering a fully carbon-neutral FIFA World Cup through these various initiatives, we hope to set new standards for sustainable mega-event hosting and cement one of Qatar 2022’s most profound legacies,” added Engineer Bodour Al Meer, the SC’s Sustainability & Environment Senior Manager.

Mahmoud Qutub, the SC’s Workers’ Welfare Executive Director, said: “We are driven by a commitment to ensure the people building our stadiums and venues are treated with the utmost dignity and respect. The health, safety and protection of our workforce have always been at the forefront of our efforts. These workers play an important role in preparing Qatar to welcome the world in 2022 and their welfare is at the heart of the legacy this tournament will leave behind. Tangible changes in worker standards on our projects now serve as benchmarks across Qatar and the region.”

The organisers will continue monitoring their progress and publish a full sustainability report on the tournament in 2023. 

Kingsley Coman believes criticism of Paul Pogba at Manchester United is not justified, as he feels his France team-mate is there to provide balance rather than score all the goals.

Pogba returned to Manchester from Juventus to widespread fanfare in the summer of 2016, with the Frenchman tipped to lead United back to the summit of the Premier League.

There have been moments of brilliance and games where he has looked world class, but he has also struggled on occasions and last season he was beset by injuries.

With Bruno Fernandes now the main man in United’s midfield and manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer signing Donny van de Beek from Ajax in the summer, Pogba is under pressure to deliver.

Coman, no stranger to huge expectations during a fledgling career that has seen him represent Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus and now Bayern Munich, believes Pogba is not deserving of the criticism he has received.

“I know Paul,” Coman told the Daily Mail . “Football is a lot in the head and the way you feel. When we are together in the national team, I know he feels so good.

"I am not in Manchester with him, so I don't know how he is when he's there, but in the national team he plays free in his mind, he can use all of his qualities.

“Maybe the pressure is different. In his first year in Manchester, I think he was the best player. He had the most assists, I think, but people were still not happy. They bought him and he was expensive but he is not supposed to be the one who scores all the goals and provides all the assists. He is there to give balance.”

Coman pointed to his former Bayern team-mate and summer signing for Liverpool, Thiago Alcantara, as an example of a midfielder who is lauded for what he does other than scoring goals.

“Thiago didn't score a lot of goals for Bayern, for example, but what he did was so important in the team, as important as Robert Lewandowski, who scores 50 goals,” Coman said.

Coman and his Bayern team-mates begin the defence of their Champions League crown at home to Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, and the France international is determined to give the fans something to celebrate this term, after last season’s final win over Paris Saint-Germain was played behind closed doors due to Covid-19 restrictions.

“In this moment you want to feel like you are the King of Europe and we missed seeing our fans,” Coman, who scored the winner against PSG, said. “We are going to try to make it happen again this year.”

Orlando Pirates new signing Richard Ofori has admitted he is aware of the magnitude of the Soweto Derby against Kaizer Chiefs.

Pirates and their traditional foes Chiefs are set to face off in an MTN8 semi-final match on October 31, which would be 11 days after Ofori joined the Buccaneers.

It is not yet clear who will start in goal for Pirates on that day between Ofori, Wayne Sandilands and Siyabonga Mpontshane, but the Ghana number one goalkeeper admits he has been a keen follower of derby showdowns ever since he arrived at his former club Maritzburg United.

"I have been watching the derby games since I came to South Africa. I know how they are nice," Ofori told Marawa Sports Worldwide on Metro FM.

"Like when they are playing you see all the teams watching. Whenever they were playing [while I was at Maritzburg] you see all the teams [following them]. Even if they are not playing, you play early and then later you go and watch them.

"If they are playing in the afternoon, be yourself, you ask for a scoreline at half-time because we would have been playing. That's important that game is and you can enjoy it. I'm looking forward to it."

But Ofori joins a team that last won the Premier Soccer League title in 2012, a run that might not be associated with a traditional giant.

Their last piece of silverware was the 2014 Nedbank Cup and Ofori understands the weight of expectations on himself and his teammates' shoulders.

"As a big club that's what everyone is expecting [trophies]," said Ofori.

"It's not just any other club, it's one of the biggest clubs in the world so that's what the fans want for the team to win trophies. So I take it as a challenge."

Since arriving in South Africa in 2017, Ofori was at Maritzburg United, a team that never won a major trophy and lifting any with Pirates would be his first medal on these shores.

Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak has conceded he didn't know who Bayern Munich boss Hansi Flick before the German took charge at the Allianz Arena.

Bayern have been drawn against Atletico, Lokomotiv Moscow and Red Bull Salzburg in Group A as they look to defend the Champions League crown they won in impressive fashion in 2019-20.

The German champions became the first team to win every single match in a Champions League campaign, beating Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 in the final to lift the trophy for the sixth time in their history.

That triumph completed a remarkable treble for Flick, who also delivered a domestic double after being drafted in as Niko Kovac's successor at Allianz Arena in November 2019.

The 55-year-old inherited the managerial reins on a caretaker basis initially, but was handed a permanent three-year deal in April after inspiring an impressive turnaround in fortunes.

Flick had previously served as assistant coach for Germany and Red Bull Salzburg, and spent five years at Bayern at the height of his playing career.

Despite his impressive resume, Oblak says had never heard of the Bayern tactician before his return to the Allianz, but has been hugely impressed with his recent achievements.

When asked about Flick coming up against Diego Simeone on the touchline in Europe on Wednesday night, the Atletico shot-stopper told Bild: "I actually didn't know him, I have to admit that. But now, of course, everyone around the world knows him."

"He has won all the titles that could be won. He did great."

Oblak added on Simeone's intimidating persona in the Atletico dugout: "On the outside, it might look like you should be afraid of him. But nobody has to be afraid of Diego.

"He's a normal guy, helps the players a lot, explains what he does on the sidelines, he primarily wants to motivate the players - and the fans in the stadium."

Ahead of Atletico's trip to Germany, the Slovenian also reserved praise for his Bayern counterpart Manuel Neuer, who won UEFA's Goalkeeper of the Year for his performances last season.

"He's the captain, he's one of the most important players for Bayern," said Oblak: "When Neuer is in good shape, he helps the team an incredible amount.

"I can only say good things about Neuer."

Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has singled out Edouard Mendy after the Blues played to a 0-0 draw with Sevilla in Tuesday’s Champions League game.

The 28-year-old who joined the Stamford Bridge giants from Rennes as back-up for error-prone Kepa Arrizabalaga was handed his maiden appearance in the competition against the Spanish elite division side.

He was called to action in the closing stages of the first half, denying Argentine forward Lucas Ocampos after the hosts failed to clear a cross from the far side.

For his contributions, Mendy made three saves as the former European champions kept a clean slate against Julen Lopetegui’s side who dominated ball possession in the Group E contest.

Apart from the game, Lampard showered encomium on the Senegal international as well as Brazil’s Thiago Silva in the no victor, no vanquished encounter.

“In the three games Edouard Mendy has played since he has been here he has played very well,” the Chelsea legend told the club website.

“He made a good save today and that is two clean sheets. When he came in I said he will be great for competition.

“We knew his qualities and he has shown them, so at the moment he is first choice but that is always up for grabs and that is why you have competition.”

“Thiago Silva was very good [on Tuesday],” he continued.

“He brought both quality and experience as we hoped and he affects others around him. He was a big plus and a part in keeping the clean sheet.

“I will manage his workload this season. I have a very close relationship with him already and I remember being in that position towards the back end of my career so I will be very aware of his maintenance, training and game selection, to try to have him at his optimum.”

Following Rennes' 1-1 draw with FC Krasnodar, all teams in Group E are tied on one point after the first round of games.

Chelsea travel to face Manchester United in their next Premier League match, before returning to Champions League action with an away game against Krasnodar.

For Sevilla, they host Eibar next time out in La Liga, and that is followed up with a European contest with Rennes at Roman Sanchez Pizjuan.

Kingsley Coman has highlighted Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola as the coach who has had the biggest influence on his career.

At 24, Coman is still in the early stages of his career but he has already turned out for European giants Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus and current club Bayern Munich.

He has won league titles in three different countries, and last term he ascended to the top of the European tree by scoring the winning goal as Bayern beat PSG in the Champions League final.

Coman has his best years ahead of him, and he will go into those cherishing the time he worked under Guardiola at Bayern Munich from 2015-16.

“What he asked me to do was to see football differently from my position,” Coman told the Daily Mail. “He asked me to play wide, really go one against one, to make the difference like that.

“For me, the perfect game is to do a lot of skills, to help the team and to defend, and create a lot of opportunities.

“What I love is the way [Guardiola] played was to create space to be one against one. To have a coach when you are that young who has confidence in you and just wants you to go and play is amazing. When I play, I try to do beautiful stuff.”

Bayern won every game on their way to Champions League glory last season. Victory in the final in Portugal was the most celebrated, but arguably the one that will live longest in the memory is the 8-2 demolition of Barcelona in the quarter-finals.

Only time will tell if such a result will leave lasting scars on Barcelona’s players, but it is a game Coman will never forget and his France team-mates who represent the Catalan side felt it was “perfect football.”

“I spoke to Ousmane Dembele, Antoine Griezmann and Clement Lenglet, the French guys in Barcelona's team,” Coman said. “They told us we had played perfect football. We were so motivated, really confident. What we did, nobody can ever take away from us.”

Bayern begin the defence of their Champions League title at home to Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.

Indian Super League (ISL) side Kerala Blasters have completed the signing of former Olympique Lyonnais defender Bakary Kone. 

The 32-year-old has joined from Russian club Arsenal Tula for whom he played just one game in the last two seasons. Before his Russian stint, he played in the Turkey league for Ankaragucu and started 11 matches. 

His most notable displays were during his time with French giants Lyon for five years from 2011. Burkina Faso international faced off against the likes of  Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Edinson Cavani and won the Coupe De France in 2011-12 and Trophee Des Champions in 2012. The club was also runners-up of Ligue 1 in the 2014-15 and 2015-16 season. The resilient defender made 141 appearances for Olympique Lyon in all competitions including the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League.

“I am really excited about signing for Kerala Blasters and coming to India for the first time. I have heard a lot about the Indian Super league from (Nicolas) Anelka and he had very positive things to say.

"I know KBFC has one of the biggest fanbases in the ISL and I am motivated to give my 100% to the club each time I take the field. Can't wait to join my teammates and the coaching staff in Goa and get started", said Bakary Koné who will be joining the squad soon in Goa for pre-season training.

“Koné is a player with notable experience and skill, having played for renowned clubs in top European Leagues. His presence will surely improve the defensive setup of our squad this season. Koné is motivated to get in shape quickly and give his best to help us fight for top positions in the League. I have no doubts about his ability and the quality he adds to the squad”, said Karolis Skinkys, Sporting Director, Kerala Blasters FC

Kone is the seventh and final foreign footballer at Kerala Blasters for the 2020-21 season. The Kochi-based club has signed Facundo Pereira, Vicente Gomez, Gary Hooper, Costa Nhamoinesu and retained Sergio Cidoncha for newly-appointed head coach Kibu Vicuna's debut ISL season. They are also expected to announce the signing of Australian forward Jordan Murray soon. 

Mesut Ozil has reacted after being axed from Arsenal's 25-man Premier League squad, claiming "loyalty is hard to come by".

Mikel Arteta left the German out of his official squad for the 2020-21 top-flight season on Tuesday, having kept him on the sidelines since the Gunners' return to action post-lockdown back in June.

That decision has proven to be the last straw for the midfielder, who has posted a message to his followers on social media outlining his disappointment.

"This is a difficult message to write to the Arsenal fans that I've played for over the past few years. I'm really deeply disappointed by the fact that I have not been registered for the Premier League season for the time being," Ozil said on Twitter and Instagram.

"Upon signing my new contract in 2018, I pledged my loyalty and allegiance to the club that I love, Arsenal, and it saddens me that this has not been reciprocated. As I have just found out, loyalty is hard to come by nowadays.

"I've always tried to remain positive from week to week that there's maybe a chance to get back in the squad soon again. That's why I kept silent so far.

"Before the coronavirus break, I was really happy with the development under our new coach, Mikel Arteta - we've been on a positive way and I would say my performances were on a really good level.

"But then, things changed, again, and I was no longer allowed to play football for Arsenal. What else can I say? London still feels like home, I still have many good friends in this team, and I still feel a strong connection with fans of this club.

"No matter what, I will keep fighting for my chance and not let my eighth season at Arsenal end like this. I can promise you that this hard decision won't change anything in my mindset - I will continue to train as best as I can and wherever possible use my voice against inhumanity and for justice."

Ozil hasn't played for Arsenal since March, having initially been restored to the starting XI after Arteta was drafted in to replace Unai Emery at Emirates Stadium over the Christmas period.

He was, however, a notable absentee when the Gunners resumed their 2020-21 campaign following the coronavirus-enforced break and has also been exiled at the start of the new season, with Ozil also left out of the club's Europa League selection.

The 32-year-old, who is in the final year of his contract with the club, made headlines earlier in October following his announcement that he would pay Gunnersaurus' wages after the Gunners' mascot was reportedly made redundant.

Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward said the club are having to adapt to “significant economic ramifications” of the coronavirus pandemic after they announced a severe hit to their revenue with net debt rising by 133 per cent.

The club released their quarter four financial results on Wednesday which highlighted the full impact the pandemic has had. 

The report showed a revenue drop of 19% to £509 million ($664m) and a loss of £23m ($30m) compared to a £19m ($25m) profit made last year. 

United estimate that Covid-19 has cost them £70m ($91m) in revenue, with the lack of Old Trafford matchdays and the closure of the club shop contributing a large chunk of that sum.

While their principal debt remains the same, the club’s net debt is up 133% to £474m ($618m). It is understood the drastic rise in that figure is due to a decline in cash income due to the coronavirus pandemic and money spent on player transfers.

Woodward said: “Our focus remains on protecting the health of our colleagues, fans and community while adapting to the significant economic ramifications of the pandemic. 

“Within that context, our top priority is to get fans back into the stadium safely and as soon as possible.”

United signed Donny van de Beek, Alex Telles, Edinson Cavani, Facundo Pellistri and Amad Diallo in the summer transfer window, which the club say has contributed to their debt rising.

Woodward added: “On the pitch, we have strengthened the team over the summer and we remain committed to our objective of winning trophies, playing entertaining, attacking football with a blend of academy graduates and high-quality recruits, while carefully managing our resources to protect the long-term resilience of the club.”

While the figures made for bleak reading, there was some positive news in that the club have extended their partnership with shirt sponsor Chevrolet for another six months and talks continue as to who will replace the American brand at the end of their deal. 

Commercial revenues were also up nearly 6% and those commercial deals accounted for 72% of the club’s income between March and June, while football was suspended.

Ciro Immobile aimed a dig at Borussia Dortmund after inspiring Lazio's win against the German giants in the Champions League.

Lazio stormed to the top of Group F by beating Dortmund 3-1 at Stadio Olimpico on Tuesday night.

Immobile opened the scoring with an expert finish six minutes in, before a Marwin Hitz own goal put the home side in full command 17 minutes later.

Simone Inzaghi's side held onto their two-goal advantage until deep into the second half, with Erling Haaland hammering home his 11th goal in nine Champions League appearances to halve the deficit.

However, Lazio made sure of the three points moment later after Immobile teed up Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro to score from close range, capping a superb all-round performance.

Immobile has become one of the most prolific strikers on the planet since joining Lazio from Sevilla in 2016, scoring 127 goals in 182 outings for the club.

36 of those efforts were plundered in Serie A last season, which earned him the European Golden Boot, but he wasn't able to reach the same heights during a spell at Dortmund earlier in his career.

The 30-year-old only managed to find the net on three occasions for BVB in the Bundesliga in 2014-15 after being snapped up from Torino, and was subsequently sold to Sevilla for €11 million (£10m/$13m).

Immobile was considered one of the biggest flops in Dortmund's recent history, but he took the opportunity to hit back at his critics after masterminding their downfall in a Lazio shirt.

"Did they say I was Dortmund's worst signing? Sometimes you have to wait for the players, understand the situations. I arrived at Dortmund at the wrong time, during a generational change," he told Sky Sports post-match.

"There were some difficulties, but I don't want to say anything about it. I am very attentive to everything, I know that when there is praise to be taken I do it and I do the same thing with criticism."

Asked how far he thinks Lazio can go in this season's Champions League, Immobile added: "The next step is to continue like this, continuity made us take the extra step last year.

"When we lost a goal we went back to a normal team. If we go out on the pitch with this desire [we can qualify for the knockout stage]. The group is balanced, there are five more battles and we must give our all."

Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has confirmed the club are playing a ‘leading role’ in trying to push through big changes to the Premier League.

United, along with Liverpool, were driving Project Big Picture, which was a radical proposal to reduce the Premier League to 18 teams, get rid of the League Cup, give more power to the ‘big six’ Premier League clubs and pay the 72 Football League clubs £250 million ($327m).

The project, which was described as the biggest shake-up in English football since the launch of the Premier League, was thrown out at a Premier League shareholder meeting, with many claiming it was a ‘power grab’ from the ‘big six’ but discussions of a change to the league system are still being pursued.

Woodward explained United’s views on potential changes in the future as he addressed investors after the club released their latest set of financial results.

“You may have read about the discussions taking place within English football about plans to address the near-term financial predicament created by the pandemic for clubs in the lower leagues," said Woodward, whose comments also came amid reports United were in talks over being part of a European Premier League.

"We have been playing an active role in those discussions because we strongly believe in supporting the English football pyramid, both in the short term, to address the issues created by Covid-19, and in the long term to improve financial sustainability at all levels of the game.

“There will always be intense debate around any changes to the structure of football, just as there was before the formation of the Premier League 28 years ago.

“Now, at this critical juncture for the game, we must ensure that the huge success of the Premier League is reinforced while ensuring that the wider football pyramid continues to thrive in a rapidly changing media environment.

"Achieving this will require strategic vision and leadership. We are pleased that the Premier League has committed to working together on a plan for the future structures and financing of English football.

"Now it must deliver on that promise, and we are committed to playing a leading role in pushing that process towards a successful outcome.”

However, despite the club's commitment to push through with Premier League changes Woodward revealed he had 'no idea' where reports of a potential European Premier League involving United come from. 

"I saw the reports on that and candidly don’t know where that story came from, there's not really anything for us to say," Woodward said. 

"We're engaged on a very regular basis with ECA and UEFA about changes in the Champions League from 2024 onwards. They’re the conversations we’re having and are actively engaged in. I can’t comment on your question."

Sergio Ramos has won it all in football.

He boasts the kind of resume and honours list that very few players in the world game can ever hope to achieve, having conquered every obstacle in front of him since signing for Real Madrid in 2005.

He’s won five Spanish titles with Los Merengues—clinching the fifth earlier this year—and has also been a part of four Champions League-winning sides following his arrival from Sevilla.

There isn’t another competition he’s been in with Real that he hasn’t won, having got his hands on the Copa del Rey, the Spanish Super Cup, the Uefa Super Cup and the Club World Cup since he arrived in the Spanish capital 15 years ago.

At international level, it’s been a similar story, with the elegant defender becoming one of La Roja’s greatest ever players since first making his name with the U19 team and then making his debut in 2005 before his 19th birthday.

At the time, he was the youngest player to represent Spain for over half a century, but the show of faith from the national team selectors was well rewarded.

In the intervening years, Ramos has won a World Cup—Spain’s first in 2010—and been part of two European Championship-winning squads.

He reached a century of Spain caps seven years ago, and is comfortably the country’s most capped player of all time. With 175 appearances for the national side, he could well reach 200 outings for La Roja over the coming years.

What makes Ramos such a key figure both for the national team and for Real is his relentless desire to win and his unswerving winning mentality.

Admittedly, it hasn’t made him a completely beloved figure among opposition fans, but who could forget that late, late equaliser in the Champions League final of 2014 as Atletico Madrid were dispatched in Lisbon.

In that fixture, against their fierce city rivals, trailing after Diego Godin’s opener, with La Decima on the line, all hope appeared lost, but in the 93rd minute, Ramos stood up and ended the 12-year wait for European gold.

Some players, having achieved as much as Ramos has in the game, would have allowed their desire for silverware dim slightly. After all, here’s a player who has made Uefa’s Team of the Year on eight occasions…what more is there for him to achieve?!

However, as the years wear on, and Ramos enters his mid-30s, he shows little sign of slowing down.

Despite a questionable disciplinary record and a whopping 26 career red cards, the mental side of his game—his reading of dangerous situations, defensive positioning, and anticipation—are elite, while his physicality and athleticism help him get the better of most strikers.

He’s not one to rest on his laurels, and gladly puts his body on the line for the benefit of the team; it doesn’t matter if it’s a cup game against lower league opponents, or the Champions League final, Ramos is willing to sacrifice for the team.

For almost every one of those red cards, however, there’s been a major trophy, and while Ramos isn’t everyone’s cup of tea—just ask Liverpool fans—he is destined to go down as one of the game’s enduring figures and one of the finest defenders in sport’s history.

For Real Madrid fans, he’s something more, a symbol of a glorious era, and a mark of consistency, elegance and victory that encapsulates the club’s identity.

Luis Figo has called on "everyone" in football to oppose a potential European Premier League, saying the competition would "destroy football as we know it".

A Sky News report on Tuesday claimed Liverpool and Manchester United were among clubs in England, France, Germany, Italy and Spain to hold talks over a breakaway competition.

Wall Street bank JP Morgan is said to have prepared a $6 billion (£4.6bn/€5.1bn) funding package, while FIFA was reported to have given its support to the proposals.

The alleged plan follows failed attempts from the same two elite Premier League clubs to push through Project Big Picture, which would have secured increased voting rights on matters in England for 'big six' clubs.

As with Project Big Picture, though, the mooted European Premier League has been met with opposition.

Former Barcelona, Real Madrid and Inter winger Figo, who briefly ran for FIFA presidency in 2015, has added his voice.

Responding to comments from ex-United captain Gary Neville, who described the idea as "another wound for football", Figo made his displeasure clear.

"What I read about this Super League idea will destroy football as we know it," said the 127-cap Portugal international, who retired at Inter in 2009 following a glittering career that saw him win the Ballon d'Or along with Champions League, Serie A and La Liga titles.

"It's all about greed and keeping the game for a few elite clubs, while killing the other clubs and leagues that fans love.

"Football should unite! Everyone should oppose it!"

Figo's decision not to continue with his pursuit of the FIFA presidency five years ago came due to his refusal to "go along with" a process that delivers "absolute power to one man".

European football's governing body and Champions League organisers UEFA had opposed a potential "super league" on Tuesday, saying the competition would "inevitably become boring".

The existing Champions League structure is set to be revamped after the 2023-24 campaign, with plenty of posturing around the elite club game in Europe focused upon what shape this might take, although the backers of the European Premier League purportedly have ambitions to launch as early as 2022.