Marking their return from the international break over the weekend with a at home against Leeds, Arsenal are on course to make real Premier League history in 2023.

While the Gunners might have simply had their sights set on securing a Champions League return this season, Mikel Arteta’s young squad hold a five-point buffer over defending champions Manchester City.

Now firmly sat in pole position to lift a first Premier League crown since way back in 2004, Arteta’s recruitment policy over the past 12 months has played a crucial role in Arsenal’s success this season.

With the likes of Alexander Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus making an immediate impact since arriving from the Etihad last summer, it is no secret that the Gunners are already planning behind the sc…

Fulham striker Dimitar Berbatov has denied suggestions he was lazy during his time at Manchester United.



The 31-year-old scored 57 goals in 149 games during four years at Old Trafford after Sir Alex Ferguson prised the Bulgarian away from Tottenham.



But despite winning an English Premier League title and finishing top goalscorer in 2010/11, Berbatov defended himself against claims he did not try hard enough as a United player.

I left Manchester United with my head held very high, the 31-year-old told The Sun.

I gave 100 percent and no-one could doubt my performances, especially when you compare how many minutes I actually played.

I was the Premier League s top goalscorer in 2010/11 and never wanted to be on the bench.

Perh…

Market: Flamengo win

Odds: 8/11 @

Looking to extend on what has been a stellar purple patch, a high-flying Flamengo will make the trip to the Neo Química Arena when they face off against Corinthians on Sunday night.

Starting with the hosts, while Corinthians might have managed to hang onto a 2-1 victory away at Cuiabá in midweek, many will feel that Sylvinho s side were lucky to have left with maximum points. Largely outplayed on the road, Timão do have the look of a side who are seeking some stability since opening the 2021 campaign. Bringing an end to their back-to-back Serie A defeats and recording just their second victory since June 24th earlier in the week, the one-time Lyon boss will now be desperate for his side to find some form on home soil. Last se…

Jude Bellingham has been accused by Dietmar Hamann of lacking discipline in his game, with the former Germany midfielder urging suitors to be aware of the teenager s shortcomings.

Liverpool and Real Madrid are among clubs to have been linked with a move for the Borussia Dortmund midfielder, who could move on at the end of the season.

Any potential buyer may have to put up over €100million to prise Bellingham away from BVB, where his performance level has been reflected by him being handed the captaincy at times this term.

Hamann sees flaws in England international Bellingham s game, however.

The former Liverpool, Manchester City and Bayern Munich midfielder said: I m not quite sure about Bellingham. He s an incredibly talented player who has extraordina…

Juventus are preparing a massive bid for Paul Pogba of Manchester United, according to .

The Old Lady, having won the Serie A for the eight consecutive year, are set on winning the Champions League and establishing themselves as commercially one of the biggest clubs in the world. To that end, they are prepared to part with €120 million in order to re-sign their former midfielder, whom they sold to United three years ago for around €100 million.

Pogba had a torrid 2018/19, going through a spat with Jose Mourinho who started the season at the helm at Old Trafford. He was a target of constant criticism from the media too, as well as from the fans in the stands. He has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid after admitting that playing for the Spanish giants wou…

Things are moving very quickly for Pedri.

This time last year he was 17 years old and preparing for a Copa del Rey clash against Badajoz with Las Palmas, now he is playing for Barcelona and his coach is fielding questions about the possibility of him representing Spain at the delayed Euro 2020.

Calls for him to be considered by Luis Enrique intensified after he produced a fine display in Barca s 3-2 victory over Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday, becoming the youngest player in LaLiga history to score and assist in a single game.

At 18 years and 42 days old he headed home an equaliser after Inaki Williams opener at San Mames and then produced a lovely backheel that Messi steered home to put the Blaugrana on the path to a 3-2 win.

Asked on Friday if Pedri is d…

Following numerous cases of disrespect towards the Liverpool fans who lost their lives in the Hillsborough Disaster from supporters of rival clubs, the traveling Arsenal fans who came to Anfield last week showed class by fully respecting the minute of silence as the 34th anniversary of the tragic event approaches.

Speaking to the press ahead of his team s Premier League clash with Leeds United on Monday, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp praised the conduct and respect shown by the Gunners in the Anfield stands.

Football supporters can be a really mean group.

Jurgen Klopp praises the Arsenal supporters at Anfield saying it was the most respectful minute of silence he had seen during his time at the club

— Football Daily (@footballdaily)

…

Mesut Oezil is determined to win more silverware with Real Madrid as he feels nothing beats the feeling of scooping up a trophy.

The Germany international has won a La Liga title, a Copa del Rey and a Spanish Supercopa since joining the club from Werder Bremen in the summer of 2010, and he has stressed that he will never forget his successes with the Blancos.

Firstly, I am very grateful to be able to play for such a big club. My first match for Real Madrid was very special for me, the midfielder told Bwin.com.

But the best moments are when you win trophies with the club. For example, the final against Barcelona, when we beat them in the Supercopa or winning La Liga, those stay in your memory for ever.

My aim is always to offer my all that I can on the…

Roma have agreed to sell attacker Erik Lamela to Tottenham for an initial fee of €30million.

Lamela, who joined Roma from Argentine side River Plate in 2011, is poised to become Tottenham s fifth signing of the transfer window joining Etienne Capoue, Roberto Soldado, Nacer Chadli and Paulinho at White Hart Lane.

The Argentina international s arrival is likely to help fill the void left by Gareth Bale, who manager Andre Villas-Boas confirmed on Wednesday is close to completing a world-record switch to Real Madrid.

The 21-year-old enjoyed an excellent season with the Italian capital club last season, scoring 15 goals in 36 appearances as Roma finished sixth in Serie A, failing to qualify for Europa as they were also beaten in the Coppa Italia final by rivals Lazio.

…

Gerard Pique was the unlikely man behind Barcelona s lucrative new shirt sponsorship deal.

Club president Josep Maria Bartomeu revealed it was the Spain international who gave the club a foot through the door by arranging a meeting with his friend, Rakuten CEO Hiroshi Mikitani midway through 2015.

That meeting came in the weeks after Bartomeu had been re-elected Barca president, with Pique s wife Shakira also involved in the planning.

Well over a year later, the Japanese company have now been confirmed as Barca s new shirt sponsors from 2017-18 in a four-year deal worth an initial €55m-per-season, plus incentives €5m for Champions League success and €1.5m for winning LaLiga.

I m with my friend Mickey visiting the Rakuten s office. Great time in Toky…