Arsenal possible line-up against Ludogorets in the Champions League

Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud looks set to start his first game of the season in Tuesday's Champions League Group A encounter against Ludogorets in Bulgaria. The Frenchman made his second consecutive appearance of the campaign following his return from injury in the 4-1 victory over Sunderland on Saturday where he scored two quickfire goals after coming on as a substitute for Alex Iwobi. Giroud is expected to lead the line for the Gunners while Alexis Sanchez, who has played at centre forward for most of the season, will likely revert to his favoured position on the left flank.

TEAM NEWS: Carrick, Ibrahimovic & Pogba all start for Man Utd against City

Michael Carrick has been handed a start alongside Ander Herrera in Manchester United's midfield, with Paul Pogba also starting for the EFL Cup meeting with Manchester City at Old Trafford on Wednesday. The United vice-captain has yet to make a league start in 2016-17 but is chosen in Jose Mourinho's XI for a fourth time in cup competition this term. Marcos Rojo, Luke Shaw and Juan Mata also come into the side after the 4-0 hammering against Chelsea on Sunday, with Chris Smalling, Jesse Lingard, Marouane Fellaini and the injured Eric Bailly all missing out.

'Louis van Gaal was my biggest influence' – Muller

Thomas Muller has revealed that Louis van Gaal was the man that has most dramatically influenced his career. Although the Dutchman is most recently remembered for his disappointing spell at Manchester United, the German was effusive in praise for his former mentor at Bayern Munich. “When we talk my biggest influence I have to say Van Gaal,” Muller told Goal. “He threw me in the deep end. “I made my debut before he arrived, but he was the one who relied on me more continually. “For players during our active career, it is always difficult to talk about coaches – whether it is former or a current. It is difficult to say for a player who was the better coach. But I would say that my biggest influence was Louis van Gaal, because I was at the best age to be influenced.” Muller, nevertheless, rates current boss Carlo Ancelotti highly and believes the Italian can turn things around after a disappointing run of results.

Atletico Madrid dominate La Liga awards with Barcelona and Real Madrid among winners

The Champions League runners-up were the big winners during the star-studded ceremony in Valencia, winning five of the nine categories. Star forward Antoine Griezmann was named as Best Player of the season and picked up the Fans' Five Star Player award, while Atleti manager Diego Simeone won the Best Coach category. Diego Godin ended Sergio Ramos' dominance as Best Defender to pick up the award after the Real Madrid captain had won in each of the last four years. Jan Oblak was also named as Best Goalkeeper and is the second time an Atleti stopper has taken home the award after Thibaut Courtois in the 2012/13 season.

Kurt Zouma plays 45 minutes for Chelsea U23s on return from injury

The 21-year-old had been sidelined since suffering a cruciate knee ligament injury back in February, forcing him to miss Euro 2016 and the start of the new Premier League season. The Frenchman played the first half against Derby County at Aldershot's Recreation Ground but it was not a straight forward evening for the defender as he gave away a penalty in the 35th minute of the 2-2 draw.

Kelechi Iheanacho the deadliest in Europe

Kelechi Iheanacho’s equalising goal for Manchester City against Southampton on Sunday means that he is – statistically – the most lethal striker in Europe. The second half strike, after coming off the bench, was the Nigerian international’s eighth goal in the last 11 League matches. More pertinently, it means the 11 goals he has scored in his Premier League career have come off just 17 shots at target, the best on the continent.

RUMOURS: Juventus eye Pepe as Thiago Silva alternative

Real Madrid centre-back Pepe has emerged as a candidate to move to Juventus next summer, Tuttosport reports. Thiago Silva remains first choice on the Turin side’s shopping list, yet the PSG defender’s deal is unlikely to expire until 2018, with only failure to qualify for the Champions League freeing him of his obligation to the Parc des Princes side next summer.

Obafemi Martins buys 2017 Bentley Bentayga worth $281,170

Shanghai Shenhua forward Obafemi Martins apparently needs to maintain his yard of pace as he approaches the peak of his career with a sassy 301 kilometre per hour new ride, the 2017 Bentley Bentayga which is worth $281,170. Martins has netted nine times in 17 appearances for the Shanghai club since joining them from MLS side Seattle Sounders in February, making him the second top scorer for the Hongkou stadium outfit after Sengalese Demba Ba this year. The 31-year-old's latest ride complements his speed on the ball with acceleration from 0-60m in 4secs.

Fanendo Adi and Gbenga Arokoyo fail to lead Portland Timbers to MLS playoff

Fanendo Adi and Gbenga Arokoyo were on parade for Portland Timbers in their disappointing 4-1 loss to Vancouver Whitecaps at the BC place, as their dream of retaining the MLS Cup faded away. Caleb Porter's side who were 2015 MLS Cup champions needed a win to contend for this year's title after an horrific season of 14 losses, but a disappointing team performance and a poor defensive display in their final league game ended their chances of making to the top six of the Western Conference. Nigeria's Fanendo Adi who was in action for the entire duration couldn't increase his goal tally to 17 league goals as Diego Valeri’s penalty gave Timbers their only goal in the 72nd minute after Giles Barnes’ brace plus goals from Nicolas Mezquida and Pedro Morales fired the Caps to victory.

'I will keep on working very hard' - Leicester City's Musa

Ahmed Musa has promised to keep working hard after scoring his first goal in the English Premier League on Saturday. Musa’s 20-yard effort in the 42nd minute set Claudio Ranieri’s side for an emphatic 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace at the King Power Stadium and the 24-year-old noted the impact the goal had on the game. “For me, it’s a very good beginning scoring a goal like that,” Musa told LCFCTV. "I will keep on working very hard with my teammates and the coach and we will see what is going to happen.

Neymar: Playing for Barcelona is easy!

The Brazilian forward signed a new contract on Friday to keep him at Camp Nou until 2021 and afterwards admitted that he had been a little cautious upon his arrival in 2013. The Brazilian revealed being intimidated when he first came to Camp Nou but is now out to emulate his celebrated compatriots after signing a new contract. However, having settled in Spain, Neymar is delighted to have been able to secure his future with Barca. "It is now easy to be Barca player but you must work hard," the 24-year-old told Barca TV.

'He's a special player and few compare him with others' - Nani lauds Messi

Valencia attacker Nani talked up "special" Lionel Messi ahead of his side's meeting with Barcelona in La Liga on Saturday. 'Ronaldo injury an advantage for Portugal' Messi has returned from a groin injury in scintillating form, scoring four times in two games – including a hat-trick against Manchester City in the Champions League. And Nani knows the threat posed by the Barca star ahead of the clash between the teams at the Mestalla. "Messi is a special player and few compare," he said. He said: "We know we have Cristiano, contesting all year the Golden Ball with Messi.

Tattoo master! Carl Ikeme gets new tattoo on his leg

The Wolverhampton Wandearers shot stopper has revealed his new tattoo of a woman and a rose flower on his leg. The Super Eagles goalkeeper Carl Ikeme loves to get his body tattooed with another piece of a tattoo on his body.Ikeme who is unarguably one of the power forces in Gernot Rohr's team displayed his latest tattoo on his leg via his Twitter page. The 30-year old's tattoo is of a woman and a rose flower on his right leg. "Started the leg sleeve Saturday night , thanks to my bro @willygrattan for taking the time to come over! Great artist and top guy." Ikeme tweeted.

RUMOURS: Juve to offer Mandzukic in part-swap for Alexis

Juventus are plotting an adventurous bid to sign Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez with Mario Mandzukic included as a makeweight in a potential player-plus-cash deal, according to CalcioMercatoWeb. The Bianconeri have been admirers of the Chilean for some time and will offer the Croatian as part of a potential player-plus-cash exchange in order to land him Alexis is currently in talks with the Gunners over a new contract, though negotiations are said to have stalled due to the Chilean's demands of a hefty increase on his current wage of £130,000 per week. Juve CEO Beppe Marotta is a big admirer of the Sanchez and hopes that Arsenal's reluctance to cave to the attacker's wishes will prove useful in an any attempt to lure the 27-year-old to Turin.

Firmino hopes to become the Neymar of Liverpool

 The Brazilian attacker Roberto Firmino has enjoyed a close relationship with Klopp since the German's arrival at Anfield in October 2015 were he hopes to become "the Neymar of Liverpool" with the help of Jurgen Klopp, but admits that fulfilling that ambition is ultimately up to him. And he is keen to take the next step in his career under the 49-year-old, who played a key role in the development of stars such as Robert Lewandowski, Mario Gotze and Marco Reus at Borussia Dortmund. "I played against Klopp's teams for four-and-a-half years [in the Bundesliga]," former Hoffenheim forward Firmino told The Daily Mail. "I know what he wants from a player. When I heard that he was coming to be Liverpool manager, I was so pleased.

Top transfer rumours

Islam Slimani to Leicester City: Despite a significant summer facelift already this window, the Foxes are keen to do some last minute transfer business as they look to bolster their squad for the challenges ahead. According to reports, the reigning Premier League champions have had a 35 million Euro fee for Algeria forward Slimani accepted, despite initially being interested in both him and teammate Adrien Silva, but have left it late to get the

PSG ask Chelsea for £38m for David Luiz

Paris Saint-Germain have told Chelsea that their initial offer for David Luiz is not enough and are demanding £38 million for him. The Blues' bid of £32m fell short of the French champions' valuation of him and PSG won't sanction the sale until they find a replacement. The Brazil international wants a return to Stamford Bridge, but the money on offer from the Blues is below the French champions' valuation. However, Les Parisiens have been looking into options from their shortlist since Tuesday night, but are yet to put in any formal offers on replacements with the transfer window due to close at 23:00 BST on Wednesday.

Okocha's goal makes me dizzy - Oliver Kahn

Oliver Kahn has disclosed that he is yet to recover from the wonder goal he conceded against Nigeria's Austin Jay Jay Okocha in a Bundesliga fixture between Eintracht Frankfurt  and Karlsruhe in 1993. The German legend reminisces about the former Nigeria international's sensational goal after 23 years. The former Bayern Munich skipper paid a tribute to the Nigerian legend as he recalled the encounter exactly 23 years after on his Twitter page. Okocha who came on as a second half substitute for Eintracht Frankfurt provided an assist and scored his wonder goal, by dribbling the entire back-line of Karlsruhe before slotting the ball past Kahn to secure a 3-1 win.

OFFICIAL: West Ham complete Zaza loan

West Ham have announced the loan signing of Juventus striker Simone Zaza on loan.The Hammers have embarked on a wide-ranging search for attacking reinforcements this summer, and the club intensified efforts to recruit a striker following injuries to fellow summer signing Andre Ayew and Andy Carroll. Zaza is the Hammers' 11th summer signing, with Slaven Bilic keen to restructure his playing squad ahead of their first season at the London Stadium. The Italy international  will initial long season deal with the option of a €20 million permanent deal automatically triggered after an unspecified number of Premier League appearances.

Nigeria to debut new Nike jerseys at Olympics against Japan Nigeria Homegreen

Nigeria U23 will wear a new set of jerseys made of laser cut ventilation hole at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, according to the Nigeria Football Federation. The laser-cut ventilation holes and mesh panels in the key areas of the kit are designed to improve performance by increasing air circulation and helping regulate players’ temperatures. The shirtr is crafted using mesh fabric that makes up the full front and back panels of the shirt, increasing airflow and facilitating enhanced movement. Nike’s Dri-FIT technology draws sweat away from the body to the exterior of the shirts and shorts, where it quickly evaporates.  This allows players to perform at their best by remaining cooler, drier and more comfortabèle.The new home and away kits were announced by the NFF on Tuesday afternoon. The NFF signed ar three-and-half -year contract with Nike in 2015 that will see the US-based sportwear giant provide products worth $3.75m. The home kit is a solid green shirt, with white ribbing around the back of the modern crewneck collar featuring Nike’s Dri-FIT technology.

I'm definitely not leaving Chelsea, Mikel Obi insists

Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi says he will 'definitely stay' at Stamford Bridge for the 2016-17 season. The 29-year-old midfielder has been linked with a move from the Blues this summer, but he insists he will not be leaving Stamford Bridge amidst transfer speculations. following the arrival of new manager Antonio Conte, pledged his future to the London outfit despite the fact his contract at the club will run out in 2017. "I am definitely staying at Chelsea and I will try to give my best to the club, like I have always done," Mikel told Evening Standard. "I want to help the team fight for every point, win and trophies. I also want to help the team qualify for the CL again. "For 10 years I have been going to the same training ground and locker room. It is an amazing club, with an amazing owner. "I have a year left and then we will see what happens. If I play well this season, it will help me earn a new contract. "I will give 120 per cent every time I’m on the pitch or come off the bench. I will always give my best.

Tevez denies Napoli & Chelsea links: I am staying at Boca

Carlos Tevez has Announced tha this future to Boca Juniors after being linked with a return to European football. The ex-Juventus, Manchester City and Manchester United forward was reportedly considering an exit from the Bombonera, with Napoli and Chelsea rumoured to be interested. But after a three-day leave period from the club following Copa Libertadores elimination, Tevez affirmed that he was not thinking of abandoning his boyhood club. "Of course I am staying at Boca. Everything else that is being said are just rumours," he told reporters in Monday's press conference. "It is almost always the case in Boca that if you miss out on an objective a whole soap opera is staged and we are used to it, but I see myself at Boca for a long time yet.

We can't afford to drop points at home - 3SC's Adetunji Sunday

The battle for survival the drop has brought a renewed strength in the Ibadan outfit as the commissioner of sports in Oyo State, Barrister Abayomi Oke met with the team to fashion a way out for the shooting Stars striker Adetunji Sunday which have been admitted that the Oluyole Warriors don't have the luxury of dropping points at will as the season gets to the business end. "We are not under pressure, our current position has put it straight to us that the task ahead of us is definitely a tough one. We don't need to be told again," Sunday said.