With Arsene Wenger agreeing a two-year renewal to his contract as Arsenal boss, all eyes will be on his activity in the transfer market as he seeks to make strides on a disappointing 2016-17 campaign.
Despite the FA Cup triumph at the expense of rivals Chelsea, a fifth-placed finish in the Premier League was a key touchstone for Wenger s critics.
Frustration with the club s policy in the transfer market over recent seasons has also provided a major sore point, but here are five instances where Wenger got it so, so right.
PATRICK VIEIRA
Vieira actually signed before the formality of Wenger s switch from Grampus Eight to Highbury was completed, with the arrival of an AC Milan reserve slipping under the radar. But the rangy powerhouse midfielder…
Liverpool s trip to Manchester United on Sunday will likely be the most watched and fiercely debated match of the weekend in the Premier League, but in a sense there is feeling of it being something of a damp squib.
Perhaps it would be different were fans allowed into Old Trafford, but for the time being they remain absent.
Make no mistake, both teams still have particular ambitions to achieve this season. It s not quite a dead rubber.
But regardless of achieving their respective current targets – reach the top four for Liverpool, and United securing second place in the assumption Manchester City won t suddenly capitulate – there will still be a sense of unfulfillment.
United want more, Liverpool expected more.
Realistically the best Liverpool…
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes he is the ideal manager for Manchester United as he understands the need for risky, attacking football.
The Red Devils have won nine and drawn one of their 10 matches in all competitions under the caretaker boss, who took over from Jose Mourinho in December.
Mourinho was often accused of implementing a negative style of play at Old Trafford, while Solskjaer, a fan favourite in his 11 years as a player at the club, has encouraged a return to a bolder approach.
United have scored 25 goals in Solskjaer s 10 games in charge, as many as they managed in Mourinho s final 17 matches, while players such as Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba, who combined for the winning goal at Leicester City on Sunday, have thrived.
And Solskjaer, who st…
Verdict: Atletico Madrid win
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Argueably the glamour tie of this weekends fixtures, last years Champions League winners will be desperate for an immediate response when they welcome bitter rivals Atletico to the Bernabéu on Saturday night.
Real Madrid
Starting with the hosts, although Barcelona slumped to a very surprising 2-1 loss to Leganes on Wednesday, Real Madrid were unable to capitalize. Former Spain boss Julen Lopetegui saw his side ship three against Sevilla in what is being described as their worst performance in the past 12 months. Along with losing the Uefa Super Cup final to Atletico in his debut match in charge back in August, there are serious concerns about Madrid s choice to bring in Lopetegui in such controv…
West Ham have completed the signing of Nayef Aguerd from Rennes for a reported fee of £30million including add-ons (€34.9m).
The Morocco international joins on a five-year deal as Hammers manager David Moyes strengthens his backline ahead of next season.
The defender featured in 66 Ligue 1 games for Rennes after joining in 2020, while also helping his country to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar after overcoming DR Congo 5-2 on aggregate over two play-off matches.
West Ham struggled with injuries last season, especially at centre-back, but Aguerd provides much-needed depth ahead of another challenge for the European qualification spots next season.
Welcome to West Ham United, !
— West Ham United (@WestHam)
I am delighted to wel…
Adama Traore to team up with Cristiano Ronaldo in Turin?
The Wolves winger has been linked to some of Europe s biggest clubs, but Juventus could sign the Spain international.
Watch this space…
TOP STORY – TRAORE OFFERED TO JUVE
Juventus have been offered Wolves star Adama Traore by agent Jorge Mendes, according to Calciomercato.
Juve, Liverpool, Manchester City, Real Madrid and Barcelona have been linked with Traore following his exploits for Wolves in the Premier League.
Traore could be made available to Serie A champions Juve for €70million (£63m) as Douglas Costa and Federico Bernardeschi reportedly near exits.
ROUND-UP
Sport claims Barcelona have lodged their first bid for Manchester Cit…
The eighth edition of the Women s World Cup begins on Friday when hosts France face South Korea at the Parc des Princes.
There will be 24 teams in France with seven – Brazil, Germany, Japan, Nigeria, Norway, Sweden and the United States – having participated in every World Cup so far, while four nations – Chile, Jamaica, Scotland and South Africa – are making their debuts.
We take an in-depth look at everything you need to know about this year s World Cup.
When does it take place?
Beginning on Friday, the tournament lasts exactly a month with the final on July 7. The group stages will feature six pools of four teams and the winner and runner-up of each group will automatically make it to the round of 16.
In addition, the four best thi…
Jurgen Klopp described Diogo Jota as an incredible package as the Liverpool striker prepares for a birthday return to Wolves.
Portugal international Jota was acquired by Liverpool in a deal worth up to £45million in September 2020, with his arrival bringing instant competition for Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah.
Firmino is sidelined for now and in his absence Jota has been enhancing an already strong case to be a preferred pick to the Brazilian, delivering hard-working and goalscoring performances.
As he celebrates his 25th birthday on Saturday, Jota will be back at Molineux with Liverpool, facing the club where he made his name in the Premier League.
Jota has already been back once to his old stomping ground, scoring the only goal as Liv…
Verdict: Juventus to qualify and Cristiano Ronaldo to score anytime
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Juventus welcome Ajax to Turin on Tuesday night with their Champions League quarter-final tie hanging in the balance.
Juventus
Starting with the hosts, although Massimiliano Allegri done what was expected and made a number of changes for the Old Lady s trip to SPAL last weekend the Italian would have been far from happy with Juventus 2-1 defeat on Saturday. While the Serie A giants did taste just their second domestic defeat of the season they hold a 17-point buffer at the top of Italy s top-tier and are within touching distance of reclaiming their league crown. Coming past La Liga outfit Atletico Madrid in dramatic fashion earlier in the month, many around th…
Martin Skrtel is 90 per cent certain to leave Liverpool this close season, according to his agent Karol Csonto.
Skrtel made just 18 appearances following the arrival of Jurgen Klopp as manager in October with many of those coming when the German opted to rest several first-team regulars during the club s run to the Europa League final.
The Slovakia international is interesting Turkish champions Besiktas, but Csonto admitted a deal was not yet done.
He told Slovakian TV station Markiza: Besiktas is one of those interested in Martin but we re haven t reached a point where I can confirm Martin is going there, or anywhere else.
I can say that it is 90 per cent certain Martin will leave Liverpool, but it is far from closed.
Skrtel moved to Anfield …