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Cheick Doucoure was given his marching orders as Ignatius Ganago and Simon Banza powered Lens to a 2-0 win over AS Monaco in Saturday’s Ligue 1 outing.

Playing his third game in the 2021-22 campaign, the Mali international midfielder was shown the way out by referee Jeremie Pignard a minute after the hour mark.

A reckless tackle on Krepin Diatta saw him red-carded, leaving Franck Haise’s team reduced to 10 men.

This is the first time the 21-year-old has been sent off for club and country since the start of his professional career in 2018.

Unbeaten in their last six games in all competitions, the Blood and Gold travelled to Stade Louis II to face Niko Kovac’s team – who were hoping to return to winning ways after defeats to Shakhtar Donetsk and Lorient in recent outings.

Despite dominating possession in the opening half, Monaco blew away numerous scoring opportunities.

Lens had their first major chance after 18 minutes, when Ganago took an ambitious shot, only for it to sail narrowly wide over Alexander Nuebel’s woodwork.  

Eight minutes before the end of 45 minutes, another chance beckoned for the hosts, but Jean Lucas’ speculative effort found the middle of Jean-Leca’s goal and refused to trouble him.

Seven minutes into the second half, the visitors took the lead in style. Benefitting from a pass from Jonathan Clauss, Ganago plotted his way through a poor Monaco backline before firing past Nuebel.

Even at Lens’ numerical disadvantage, Kovac’s men failed to take the initiative as their harvest of misses continued.

Their ambition to equalize suffered a massive setback in the 86th minute as Aleksandr Golovin was sent off for serious foul play.

Lens built on the newfound parity of players to double their advantage through substitute Banza. Przemyslaw Frankowski teed up the DR Congo prospect who made no mistake in finding the net.

Thanks to this win, Lens climbed to fourth in the log having accrued five points from three games, while Monaco occupy the 17th position with just one point.

The Monegasques will be hoping to return to winning ways against Troyes on August 29. Before then, they travel to Ukraine for their Champions League play-off round second leg against Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday.

Inter chief executive Giuseppe Marotta has confirmed Lautaro Martinez has rejected offers from other clubs and wants to stay at the Serie A champions.

Tottenham reached an agreement with Inter for the striker this summer worth £60 million ($82m), Goal can confirm, while Atletico Madrid were also reported to be interested in signing him.

But the player’s agent said recently that he wants to stay at San Siro as they look to retain their Serie A title this season.

What has been said?

Marotta has confirmed that Lautaro, 23, had knocked back offers from elsewhere and has made it clear he does not want to be sold.

“Lautaro is a player who explicitly asked to stay at Inter, despite receiving other lucrative offers,” Marotta said to DAZN.

“We are proud of that, he wants to prove himself a champion here and we are very happy that he can continue his growth process at this club.”

When does Martinez's contract expire?

The Argentina international has two years left on his current contract at Inter.

However, Sky Sport in Italy says the two parties are in talks over a long-term extension and on course to reach an agreement by early-September.

Lautaro suggested on Saturday that he is keen to remain at the club, writing in an Instagram post: "Today a new championship begins, today another path begins where we all have to be united, we players, the staff, the fans and all the people who work around us, for a single goal to keep Inter as high as possible."

Further reading

Chidera Ejuke scored the second goal for CSKA Moscow in their 2-0 triumph over Akhmat Grozny on Saturday.

The effort was the 23-year-old's second goal in the Russian Premier League this season, after he opened his account against Dinamo Moscow a fortnight ago.

Vladislav Yakovlev opened the scoring in the 71st minute and Ejuke doubled the lead for Aleksei Berezutski's side four minutes later.

The Nigeria international was later replaced in the 88th minute by Baktiyor Zainutdinov as CSKA Moscow grabbed their third league win of the season.

Earlier in the first-half, Akhmat Grozny were reduced to men after Evgeny Kharin was given marching orders in the 23rd minute for receiving two yellow cards.

The Militarians are fifth in the Premier League table with nine points after five matches, and they visit leaders Zenit Saint Petersburg for their next league fixture on Thursday.

Ejuke is already on course to surpass the tally of five goals in 25 matches he registered in his debut Russian top flight campaign

The former Gombe United star moved to the Russian capital on a four-year deal from Dutch Eredivisie outfit Heerenveen in August 2020.

On the international scene, Ejuke played for Nigeria U17 and U20 teams before he was handed his maiden invitation to the Super Eagles in 2020. 

The left winger made his debut appearance for the three-time African champions in an international friendly match against Tunisia last October. He replaced Samuel Chukwueze in the encounter that ended in a 1-1 draw in Austria. 

Elsewhere at the Stadion Arsenal, Spartak Moscow were held to a 1-1 draw by Arsenal Tula without former Chelsea star Victor Moses.

Moses suffered an injury earlier this month against Nizhny Novgorod, and he is yet to return to action for Rui Vitoria's side.

The former Nigeria international joined the People's Team on a two-year contract in July after his impressive loan spell last season.

They are currently eighth in the top-flight table and it remains to be seen if Moses will return to Spartak Moscow’s matchday squad for their next league game against Sochi at the Otkritie Arena on August 26.

Kevin-Prince Boateng’s injury problems reared their ugly head once more as Hertha Berlin succumbed to a 2-1 home defeat to Lukas Nmecha's Wolfsburg in the German Bundesliga on Saturday.

In the matchday two fixture at Olympiastadion, the Ghana international was withdrawn from the game two minutes to half time for a suspected injury as his side lost all three points.

Dodi Lukebakio scored first to put Hertha in the lead, but replies from Congolese descent Ridle Baku and Nigeria prospect Nmecha ensured victory for Wolfsburg.

On the league table, Pal Dardai’s outfit sit bottom of the log, having also lost their opening day fixture at Cologne. Wolfsburg, on the other hand, find themselves at the extreme opposite end of the standings.

The latest suspected injury is a major blow to former Borussia Dortmund man Boateng, who sealed a transfer to Hertha in June to make a return to the club where he began his professional journey as a footballer.

His career has been heavily weighed down by injuries, a situation which hugely impacted his time with the likes of Barcelona and AC Milan.

Elsewhere in Bundesliga on Saturday, German prodigy of Cameroonian heritage Youssoufa Moukoko was a second half-substitute for Dortmund in their shocking 2-1 away loss to Freiburg.

The 16-year-old was thrown into the fray 11 minutes to full-time, taking the place of Donyell Malen, but his introduction did little to save the Black and Yellows’ blushes.

Ghanaian midfielder Hans Sarpei and Nigerian attacker Dickson Abiama started for Greuther Furth in their 1-1 home draw with Arminia Bielefeld.

The visitors netted on the stroke of half-time through Fabian Klos, but Branimir Hrgota scored to bring the hosts back into the game in the 50th minute.

Sarpei was substituted on 71 minutes while Abiama was later replaced by Germany-born Jamie Leweling, who turned down a call-up from Ghana last year.

Germany-born centre-back of Ghanaian descent Gideon Jung, also once rejected an opportunity to play for Ghana, was an unused substitute for Furth.

At Vonovia Ruhrstadion, injured Ghana international Christopher Antwi-Adjei was unsurprisingly missing from the matchday squad as his Bochum side beat Mainz 2-0, courtesy of goals from Gerrit Holtmann and Sebastian Polter.

Compatriot and club-mate Raman Chibsah was an unused substitute.

Baroka started their 2021/22 PSL campaign on a high after claiming a 2-0 win over Marumo Gallants at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, Pietersburg on Saturday.

Bakgakga needed just 16 minutes to get their first goal, as Phelelani Mfanafuthi Shozi picked Manuel Kambala in the danger zone and the latter did not waste the opportunity. 

After 15 minutes, the hosts doubled their advantage. Youngster Evidence Makgopa showed why he is so highly rated by finding the back of the net. The two goals were enough in the match, as Baroka went top of the table after matchday one.

At the Princess Magogo Stadium in Durban, Lamontville Golden Arrows capitalised on the home ground to defeat Maritzburg United 2-1.

The first 45 minutes ended with neither of the two sides getting on the scoresheet. This changed in the 55th minute when 25-year-old Siboniso Conco, who had replaced Nduduzo Sibiya, converted a Lindokuhle Mtshali pass.

Siphamandla Sabelo doubled the advantage for the home team to pile more pressure on the Team of Choice.

With four minutes to go, Leletu Skelem halved the deficit after finishing off a Bongokuhle Hlongwane pass, but it was too little too late for his team to get something for the match.

For Arrows, it was a decent start as they are now second in the log.

Gavin Hunt started his reign at Chippa United with victory after claiming a 1-0 win away to Sekhukhune United.

The tactician was appointed to lead the Chilli Boys after he was fired from Kaizer Chiefs owing to unsatisfying league results, and it was imperative he started on a high at the Makhulong Stadium in Tembisa.

The lone goal came in the 16th minute courtesy of Veluyeke Zulu.

Cape Town City and SuperSport United also played out to a goalless draw at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town.

Algeria international Riyad Mahrez came off the bench to grab his first goal of the season as Manchester City hammered Norwich City 5-0 at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

The 30-year-old came on in the 75th minute replacing Jack Grealish and it took him 10 minutes to find the back of the net for the team’s fifth goal after they had scored four through an own goal in the seventh minute, Grealish in the 22nd minute, Aymeric Laporte in the 64th minute, and Raheem Sterling in the 71st minute.

City manager Pep Guardiola opted to drop Mahrez to the bench having started in the game against Tottenham Hotspur which they lost 1-0 in the opening week.

It was City who started the game on a high note and in the seventh minute, Norwich conceded an own goal after goalkeeper Tim Krul failed to defend a ball from skipper Grant Hansely and it rolled into the net.

In the 22nd minute, new signing Grealish put City 2-0 up after the former Aston Villa player raced to meet a deflected ball from Gabriel Jesus’s effort and he hit it from the back post and into the bottom corner.

City enjoyed a 2-0 half-time lead, and continued to attack Norwich after the break. 

In the 64th minute, Laporte made it 3-0 after Ilkay Gundogan's left-footed effort was blocked back into play by Krul, and the defender pounced on the rebound to hit the back of the net.

In the 71st minute, Sterling made it 4-0 after Jesus and Kyle Walker combined well to set up the ex-Liverpool man, who slotted the ball past Krul. 

After the goal, Mahrez was introduced for Grealish, and it took the Algeria international 10 minutes to find the net himself.

A cross from Ruben Dias fell to the feet of Mahrez, who took a wonderful touch to kill the ball dead before setting himself and curling in off the base of the far post.

The huge victory enabled City to bounce back to winning ways having lost the opening fixture, and they will now prepare to face Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

Nigeria prospect Arnaut Danjuma has been included directly in the Villarreal squad to face Espanyol in Saturday's Spanish top flight outing, two days after joining from Bournemouth, although Samuel Chukwueze remains sidelined.

After two seasons at the English Championship side, the 24-year-old winger moved to the Yellow Submarine on a five-year deal for an undisclosed fee earlier this week.

He was immediately registered for reigning Europa League winners’ La Liga campaign and has been named among the substitutes for their match against Vicente Moreno's team at the RCDE Stadium.

Manager Unai Emery has opted to lead the line with Senegal forward Boulaye Dia and Gerard Moreno, with Alberto Moreno, Etienne Capoue, Manuel Trigueros, and Moi Gomez all operating from the midfield.

Algeria international Aissa Mandi alongside Alfonso Pedraza, Raul Albiol and Juan Foyth are expected to keep things tight in the defence, while Argentine goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli will be in goal.

Moroccan star Sofian Chakla – who was on loan at Getafe last season – will not be playing any part against the White and Blue.

As expected, Nigeria international Chukwueze remains unavailable for the visitors, as he sits out of his team’s crunch encounter.

The Super Eagle has been out of action since picking an injury during the Yellow Submarine’s Europa League semi-final fixture against Arsenal on May 6.

Before his injury nightmare, the Chukwueze was a threat to the Gunners’ backline, very nearly giving the Spaniards an early lead after four minutes.

With Villarreal playing a 0-0 against Granada in their opening 2021-22 campaign fixture, they would be hoping to seal all three points at stake to stay in contention for La Liga diadem.

Regardless of the scoreline on Saturday, the Yellow Submarine will travel to the Metropolitano Stadium on August 29 for their next league outing against Atletico Madrid.

Diego Simeone's Mattress Makers – who began the 2021-22 campaign with a 2-1 away win at Celta Vigo  - boast of Central African Republic international Geoffrey Kondogbia in their ranks.

Danjuma was named in the 2020-21 season’s EFL Championship Team of the Season as well as winning Bournemouth’s supporters player of the year award.

He remains eligible to represent three-time African champions Nigeria on the international scene.

Pep Guardiola believes that Jack Grealish has the quality to emulate Raheem Sterling’s vital goalscoring contribution after netting his first goal for Manchester City on his home debut.

The £100 million British transfer record signing scored the second in the 5-0 victory over Norwich City as the Premier League champions quickly recovered from their opening weekend defeat to Tottenham.

The former Aston Villa midfielder has never scored more than 10 goals in a season but Guardiola said he has the quality to match Sterling, who has been a pivotal part of City's success after questions about his finishing following his move from Liverpool.

What’s been said?

“If he gets the mentality to score goals like Raheem then yeah [he can],” Guardiola told a press conference about Grealish having the same impact as Sterling who has scored more than 20 goals in three of his last four seasons.

“Raheem, when I arrived here, four of five years ago, didn’t have the goal in his mind. That immediately changed.

“Today Raheem scored a goal because he arrived in the central position like a nine. He is a machine there. Since the first season he changed his mind and decided I am going to score, score, score.

“I don’t know if Jack has that mentality that I’m going to score a goal and win games, I have to discover it. Of course with his quality, he can do it.”  

The bigger picture

Grealish didn’t know too much about his first goal for the club, with the ball ricocheting in off his knee, but City were already ahead through a Grant Hanley own goal. 

Aymeric Laporte, Sterling and Riyad Mahrez added second-half strikes and in some ways it made a mockery of City’s desperate need for a striker, particularly as Gabriel Jesus, the only recognised centre-forward at the club, started as a right winger and set up three of the five goals.

“He’s an incredible person,” Guardiola said after Jesus's man-of-the-match contribution.

"If he plays 10 minutes, no matter what position, central, right, left, he’s always ready to help and do what he has to do for the team.

“For us, it’s a privilege to have him with us."

Further reading

Carlo Ancelotti says he does not care if Real Madrid sign Kylian Mbappe before the transfer window closes.

The striker’s future at Paris Saint-Germain remains uncertain as he has entered the last year of his contract and has stayed quiet on his intention to sign an extension.

Madrid have long been linked with the France international and are said to be the favourites to sign him should he leave PSG.

What has been said?

Ancelotti says he does not know if the Spanish giants will land the 22-year-old and is satisfied with his current selection.

“I don't know if he will arrive,” he said at a press conference when asked about his side’s interest in Mbappe.

“I don't care what will happen. I have a very good and very strong squad. They give me a lot of happiness. I am focused on that.

“Let's wait these 10 days and now I am focused on the team that I have.”

He added: “This squad, as it is, can compete for any trophy. We have very big stars here. I'm not going to name all of them, but we have a lot of top players. This squad is full of stars.

“We have to work together. The star, if he is able to compete for the others, wins titles.”

Do PSG expect Mbappe to stay?

Mbappe is off to a strong start for PSG this season. He has started all three of their Ligue 1 games so far and netted his first goal as they beat Brest 4-2 on Friday, adding to the two assists he registered in the previous matches.

Coach Mauricio Pochettino was asked about the attacker’s future before the game and said he expects him to stay put.

“He's working really hard to be ready this season and I see him staying with us this season,” he said .

Further reading

Arsenal star Nicolas Pepe is relishing the return of fans to the Emirates Stadium for their Premier League encounter against Chelsea.

After playing almost all their games behind closed doors last season, Sunday's London derby will be without restrictions for fans.

The last time Mikel Arteta’s side played at the Emirates Stadium without an attendance limit was a 1-0 win over West Ham United in March 2020 and Pepe explained how their presence inspires the team to deliver positive results.

"Frankly, the difference with an empty stadium is that the match feels a bit dead. You can hear each other on the pitch but it's the fans that really bring that 12th man. That’s what everyone misses," Pepe told the club’s website.

"To be honest I played in a lot of empty stadiums before I turned pro, so it didn't surprise me that much - but there isn't anything that's better about playing in an empty stadium than a full one. For me an empty stadium doesn’t have any positives.

"I tried to play the same in an empty stadium as I do when there are fans, but for me when you hear the crowd sing - especially if they call your name - it’s really emotional.

"It shows you the fans really care about you and it makes you really feel part of the club. It pushes you and when you hear them singing your name, it gives you an extra push. It really makes you want to score a goal and return the favour."

Arsenal are hoping to bounce back from their disappointing opening day loss to Brentford and the Ivory Coast international will aim to open his goal account for the season.

Pepe, however, revealed that he had his best atmosphere in a stadium during a Ligue 1 encounter between Lille and Marseille at the Stade Velodrome back in January 2019.

"That was the best atmosphere I've played in. We won the game 2-1 and I scored our first goal from a penalty just before half-time,” he said.

“That was the first time I had a laser shone directly in my face, as I was taking the penalty, which wasn’t great! Then the moment I scored they threw bottles and there was beer landing on us and stuff like that. I just thought it was funny!"

Kenya's engagement in the upcoming Fifa World Cup qualifiers against Uganda and Rwanda could be in jeopardy due to unsettled dues owed to the former Harambee Stars head coach, Adel Amrouche.
 
Football Kenya Federation and the Algerian tactician have been in a protracted battle over wrongful dismissal by the previous administration in 2014. In a letter from Ammrouche's camp to Fifa, the coach wants Kenya stopped from playing in the preliminary round of qualification unless his dues are paid.

"We refer to the matter of the subject as well as to our previous message below. In this respect, please note that the overdue amount of around USD 79000 owed by the FKF to Amrouche still remains outstanding," a letter obtained by Goal read.

"Therefore, according to the decision FDC 200284 dated 26 April 2021, the FKF is to be expulsed from the preliminary competition of the 2022 Fifa World Cup Qatar."  
 
"In view thereof, we kindly request you to confirm by return that the upcoming World Cup qualifiers of the FKF against Uganda on 2 September and Rwanda on 5 September 2021 are cancelled."

When reached for comment, FKF CEO Barry Otieno stated they have not received any communication regarding Amrouche's dues which he maintains is already settled.

"We have not received such kind of a letter and as far as I know, we have cleared settling the dues," Otieno told Goal. 
 
In April 2021, the Fifa disciplinary committee had warned Kenya would not be allowed to play if Amrouche was not paid.
 
"The Football Kenya Federation is granted a final deadline of 60 days as from notification of the present decision in which to settle its debt to the creditor [Adel Amrouche]," Fifa's letter read then.
 
"If payment is not made to the creditor and proof of such payment is not provided to the secretariat to the Fifa disciplinary committee by the aforementioned deadline, upon a request of the creditor, the Football Kenya Federation will be expulsed from the preliminary competition of the 2022 Fifa World Cup Qatar without a further formal decision having to be taken by the Fifa disciplinary committee. 
 
"The Football Kenya Federation is directed to notify the secretariat to the Fifa disciplinary committee of every payment made and to provide the relevant proof of payment."

Although Amrouche was sacked by Sam Nyamweya's FKF regime, Nick Mwendwa's administration had promised to settle the dues owed to previous coaches, which also includes Bobby Williamson.
 
Since he came into office in 2016, Mwendwa has worked with Stanley Okumbi, Paul Put, Sebastien Migne, Francis Kimanzi and now Jacob 'Ghost' Mulee. Mulee has already picked a provisional squad that will hit camp in preparations for the September qualifiers.

Victor Wanyama, Joash Onyango, and Ayub Timbe are among the high-profile players who were not called up for the September 2 and 5 qualifiers.

Dominic Solanke has grabbed a brace in the first half for Bournemouth in Saturday's EFL Championship encounter against Blackpool at the Vitality Stadium.

Solanke opened the score in the sixth minute with an assist from Junior Stanislas, who was replaced by Emiliano Mercondes in the 16th minute.

The Nigeria-eligible forward found the back of the net again in the 19th minute to put the hosts into a rather comfortable lead at the half-time interval.

Blackpool's Luke Garbut was the only player to receive a yellow card in the game as he was booked in the eighth minute.

Meanwhile, Kenya's Clarke Oduor was replaced by Devante Cole in the second half as his Barnsley side settled for a 2-2 draw against QPR at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium.

Dominik Friesar scored in the 14th minute for Barnsley before Cauley Woodrow added the second in the 27th minute. The hosts fought back and scored in the 76th minute through Morocco international Illias Chair. 

Charlie Austin then struck in the first minute of added time for QPR as the two sides ended up sharing the points. 

More to follow...

Ten-man Orlando Pirates let a lead slip in their 2-2 draw with Stellenbpsch FC in their opening match of the new PSL season at Orlando Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Deon Hotto and Goodman Mosele both scored for the Buccaneers, while Stellies netted through Waseem Isaacs and Judas Moseamedi in a match that saw Ntsikelelo Nyauza pick up a red card in the first-half. 

Interim coaches Fadlu Davids and Mandla Ncikazi made four changes to the team which faced and lost to Swallows FC in the MTN8 clash last weekend and this was Pirates' first match since Josef Zinnbauer's departure. 

While coach Steve Barker named an offensive team with attackers Isaacs, Ashley Du Preez, Stanley Dimgba, and Junior Mendieta all starting for Stellenbosch, who were looking to secure their first-ever win over Bucs.

Stellies got off to the perfect start as they broke the deadlock just two minutes into the match with Isaacs scoring with a deflected shot from outside the box to hand Stellenbosh a 1-0 lead and Mendieta grabbed an assist.

The visitors then sat back and allowed Bucs to control of the match with Hotto forcing goalkeeper Lee Langeveldt into an easy save with a header, before the hosts were awarded a free-kick in a promising area after Puleng Tlolane was fouled.

Hotto then hit the back of the net with a stunning strike from the resultant free-kick to level matters at 1-1 in the 18th minute as his shot curled into the top corner of the net leaving a hapless Langeveldt with no chance.

The Buccaneers were now determined to take the lead and Kabelo Dlamini had a chance to make it two goals in as many matches having netted against Swallows, but the playmaker's low strike was well-saved by Langeveldt.

Pirates suffered a blow as they were reduced to 10 players following  Nyauza's dismissal after first throwing an elbow and then stomping on Du Preez four minutes before half-time, and the score 1-1 at the interval.

Davids and Ncikazi made a tactical change prior to the start of the second-half - pulling out Dlamini and introducing winger Vincent Pule, who was able to make an immediate impact by grabbing an assist.

Pule flicked Hotto's corner-kick into Mosele's path and the South Africa under-23 international headed the ball past Langeveldt in the blind spot to hand Pirates a 2-1 lead in the 49th minute with the youngster marking his official debut for Bucs with a goal.

Stellies had to find a way to take advantage of their numerical superiority over Bucs and they began playing crosses into the hosts' box in search for Moseamedi and the substitute was also able to mark his competitive debut for his new team with a goal.

The former Maritzburg United center forward, who had replaced Isaacs, headed home a well-weighted cross from Du Preez to make it 2-2 with Ghana's finest keeper Ofori well-beaten five minutes before the hour-mark. 

The Buccaneers did not sit back despite being numerically disadvantaged and they pushed forward in numbers as they looked to restore their lead which saw Terrence Dzvukamanja force Langeveldt into two comfortable saves.

However, the last chance of the match went to the visitors with the ball falling kindly for an unmarked Devon Titus in the box, but the youngster miskicked the ball completely and ultimately, the match ended in a 2-2 draw.

Martin Odegaard claims many lies have been spread about his reason for wanting to leave Real Madrid, with the Norwegian having now completed a permanent move to Arsenal.

A £30 million ($41m) deal has allowed a talented 22-year-old to swap life in the Spanish capital for that in the English equivalent for a second time in his short career.

Having caught the eye on loan with the Gunners last season, it was suggested that Odegaard would look to impress back at his parent club this summer, but he has returned London amid claims that he failed to win over Carlo Ancelotti at Santiago Bernabeu.

What has been said?

Taking to Instagram to address the rumours, Odegaard has said: "More than six-and-a-half years ago I signed for Real Madrid and fulfilled a big dream.

"To be able to wear the white shirt, play at the Bernabeu and play in the Champions League with Real Madrid. I couldn't be prouder. I came when I was 16 and I had the opportunity to learn from the best in the world and my idols.

"I've learned a lot and I've enjoyed the journey. I am grateful for everything that has happened to me and everything I have learned. I want to thank all the people who have helped me to improve and grow with Real Madrid. Coaches, teammates, physios, people from the club and the fans. Thank you!

"I've had good times and bad times, as always in life and in football. It has made me much stronger and more prepared for what is to come. These days there is a lot of talk about me and my reasons for leaving. I just want to say that most of what they are saying is not the truth.

"For me it's a pity that the press says things that are not true, because a lot of people honestly think that's the case. I have my reasons, I know what the truth is and what has happened and that's why I think [moving to Arsenal] is the best thing to do. Thank you."

Will Odegaard thrive at Arsenal?

Having joined the Gunners on a short-term loan in January, Odegaard went on to register two goals and as many assists through 20 appearances in all competitions.

He remained on Mikel Arteta's radar after returning to Spain and a long-running saga has finally been brought to a close early in 2021-22, allowing an ambitious performer to start planning long-term in familiar surroundings.

Odegaard added: "Damn, it feels good to be back!!

"Great feeling to commit myself to this amazing club for the long term this time.

"I can’t wait to get out there again and play in front of a full Emirates Stadium. Finally be able to have you all there lifting us forward!

"More motivated and excited than ever. Let’s go Gunners!!"

Odegaard will not be cleared to make his debut in a derby date with Chelsea on Sunday, but could figure in a Carabao Cup clash with West Brom on Wednesday or a trip to reigning Premier League champions Manchester City next weekend.

Further reading