A new Arsenal contract is a sign of the magic of football, according to midfielder Francis Coquelin.

Francis Coquelin says his new long-term deal at Arsenal demonstrates the magic involved in football.

The 23-year-old put pen to paper on a new contract on Friday, along with striker Chuba Akpom, having regained a starting spot at the Emirates Stadium after returning from a loan spell at Charlton Athletic.

Since returning from The Valley, the former France under-21 international has worked his way back into Arsene Wenger s plans, and is delighted at agreeing fresh terms.

I m really pleased, I ve been here since 2008, so it feels like a second home for me, he told the club s official website.

It wasn t really a tough decision, I have been her…

Poland head coach Michal Probierz remains unsure if Robert Lewandowski will be able to start Friday s Euro 2024 clash with Austria.

Lewandowski missed Sunday s 2-1 loss to the Netherlands in Poland s Group D opener after injuring his thigh in his side s final warm-up game.

The Barcelona striker was always expected to miss that game but was given a chance of playing against Austria in Berlin after taking part in team training.

Probierz confirmed on the eve of the crucial showdown that all players are available, but could not say whether Lewandowski will start.

There is a big difference if you have best player in the world on the bench or you have him on the pitch, Probierz told reporters.

Oficjalny trening przed meczem z Austrią za nami!

…

Karlsruher coach Markus Kauczinski heaped pressure on Hamburg ahead of Monday s promotion-relegation play-off second leg, claiming his side have nothing to lose.

Hamburg have travelled south for the critical fixture, with Karlsruher looking to end the north German club s perfect Bundesliga record.

Hamburg are the only club to have played in every season of the Bundesliga, while Karlsruher have not played in Germany s first division since 2008-09, having even dropped into the third tier for the 2012-13 campaign.

They ve got something to lose, while we can only win, Kauczinski said at his media conference on Sunday.

We re in the Bundesliga 2 and no one can take that away from us. We could win something on top of that: we could win ourselves Bundesliga foo…

Gareth Bale has wasted no time in grabbing the golf clubs after his retirement, announcing his participation in the upcoming Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

The former Tottenham, Real Madrid and Wales player stepped away from football earlier this month following his participation at the 2022 World Cup, bringing an end to a glittering career that included winning five Champions League titles.

The 33-year-old confirmed on social media that he will be lining up alongside professionals and other celebrities at the golf event in California, which begins on February 2.

Bale wrote: Delighted to announce I will be playing in the AT T Pebble Beach Pro-Am at the start of next month! Let s go.

It will surprise few given Bale s renowned love of golf, famously drawing the ire …

Francis Lee was described as “the life and soul of the game” as football paid its last respects to the former Manchester City and England forward.

The funeral service for Lee, who died on October 2 at the age of 79 following a battle with cancer, was held at Manchester Cathedral on Thursday morning.

Figures from across the sport were in attendance as well as family, friends, associates from other aspects of his varied life and fans.

Lee scored 148 goals in 330 appearances for City between 1967 and 1974, winning the First Division title, the FA Cup, League Cup and European Cup Winners’ Cup.

Along with Mike Summerbee and Colin Bell, he formed part of a great triumvirate for which the club became renowned.

He also played for hometown side Bolto…

Massimiliano Allegri emphasised the importance of the Europa League, particularly as it may be Juventus only potential route into next season s Champions League.

Juve were recently hit with a 15-point deduction in Serie A related to financial irregularities from past transfer dealings, and sit 12 points off the top four with 16 games remaining.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of their Europa League playoff first leg against Ligue 1 side Nantes, Allegri said the competition is an important objective .

Tomorrow the Europa League begins, which also becomes an important objective as a gateway to next season s Champions League, he told reporters. We want to get through the knockouts to reach the round of 16 and then go all the way.

We know it won t be e…

that Borussia Dortmund players Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Sven Bender could both be leaving this summer.

With Mats Hummels, Neven Subotic and Matthias Ginter all staying at Signal-Iduna Park, the Millionaires seem ready to listen to offers for the Greek defender, who is valued at €18 million.

Papastathopoulos reportedly has suitors in English Premier League, while Bundesliga high-flyers Wolfsburg are also believed to have joined the race.

Meanwhile, midfielder Sven Bender is another highly rated footballer who could leave Signal-Iduna Park this summer.

The 26-year-old is no longer regarded an undisputed starter at Dortmund and he is nearing a summer switch to English Premier League.

Bender has so far been linked with Arsenal, Southampton an…

Manuel Pellegrini has challenged Manchester City to use their dramatic League Cup final victory over Liverpool as a catalyst for a renewed assault on the Premier League title as they prepare to face the Reds again on Wednesday.

Pellegrini will hand the managerial reins over to Pep Guardiola at the end of the season and the Chilean ensured he will depart the Etihad Stadium with at least one trophy in 2015-16 following a 3-1 penalty shoot-out win at Wembley  deputy goalkeeper Willy Caballero proving the hero by saving three spot-kicks.

A fixture list coincidence means Liverpool have the opportunity to exact immediate revenge at Anfield, but City are aiming to avoid three consecutive league defeats for the first time since 2008 after suffering damaging home losses to tit…

Borussia Dortmund captain Mats Hummels would consider a move to Bayern Munich, according to the player s father.

Hummels future has been a source of ongoing speculation, with the Germany defender stating this week he had set a date to decide on his next move, though he would not disclose it.

The 27-year-old has an option to extend his deal at Signal Iduna Park, which expires at the end of next season.

Dortmund signed Hummels from Bayern on an initial loan deal in 2008 after he came through the ranks with the Bavarian giants but only made one senior appearance.

Speaking to Sport Bild, Hermann Hummels suggested Bayern are one of five or six clubs his son would consider joining.

Mats has to make an extremely important decision in his career, he said…

Paris Saint-Germain appear to be gradually becoming resigned to Kylian Mbappe leaving next summer, with recent reports in France claiming the player has made it clear he won t be signing a new contract. The player s current deal expires in 2022, but they would agree to a sale at the end of this season to avoid losing him for free.

And as relayed by , the Ligue 1 champions would demand a fee of no less than €200 million for Mbappe s services. It would not surpass the €222m PSG paid to sign Neymar from Barcelona in 2017, but it is certainly a huge price for any player with a year left on his contract. Nonetheless, given the high quality of the 21-year-old French forward, there should be plenty of suitors and PSG might even be persuaded to accept a lower offer through negotiat…